The Mirwaiz of south Kashmir Qazi Yasir was today detained by police on the apprehension of breach of peace three days before the death anniversary of his father Qazi Nisar, who was killed by unidentified gunmen on June 19, 1994.
Yasir was detained from his residence today, a police official said.
He said the Umat-e-Islami chairperson was detained in view of the apprehension of law and order problems.
Yasir was addressing a press conference at his residence regarding June 19 programme, when a large contingent of police arrived and took him into custody.
"I was addressing the media about the plans and programmes regarding the death anniversary of my father on June 19 when police arrived at my residence and arrested me," Yasir told PTI.
He said he was kept at Sadder police station but the police had not given any reasons for his detention.
"I was told nothing, but I think they have arrested me because of the election that is taking place on June 22," he said.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is fighting by-poll from Anantnag Assembly constituency where the polls were necessitated by the death of her father and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
The poll was actually to take place on May 15, but the state government, citing law and order problems requested the Election Commission to defer it to June 19.
The polling was again deferred to June 22 because of the death anniversary of Nisar.
