Police today detained JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik hours ahead of the funeral prayers in absentia for party founder Amanullah Khan, who died in Pakistan yesterday.
"Ahead of Gayibana Nimaz-i-Jinaza (funeral prayers in absentia) for JKLF supreme leader Amanullah Khan, Malik was arrested by police," a spokesman of the JKLF said in a statement.
The spokesman claimed that authorities have imposed "curfew" in Lal Chowk, Maisuma, Kokerbazar, Kothibagh, Abi Guzar, court road and other adjoining areas.
Amanullah Khan, one of the founders of pro-Independence JKLF, died in Rawalipindi, Pakistan, yesterday.
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Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has also been put under house arrest.
"Mirwaiz was put under house arrest this morning.He was scheduled to head the Hurriyat's condolence meeting and join the funeral prayers at Lal Chowk, but a heavy contingent of police arrived at his Nigeen residence this morning and put him under house arrest," a Hurriyat spokesman said.
Meanwhile, authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in parts of Srinagar ahead of the proposed funeral prayers for Amanullah Khan.
Restriction were imposed in the city centre Lal Chowk, Maisuma and adjoining areas to prevent JKLF from holding the funeral prayers, officials said.
They said heavy contingent of police and paramilitary CRPF has been deployed in these areas of the city.
All shops and business establishments in Lal Chowk, the commercial hub, are closed and traffic is being diverted to other routes, the officials said.
