J&K: Separatist leaders disallowed presser, taken into custody

Srinagar: Police today disallowed a joint press conference called by separatist leaders, including the chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, and took them into custody.

A joint press conference of chairman of hardline Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Yaseen Malik was scheduled to be held at Geelani's residence in Hyderpora here, a spokesman of the hardline Hurriyat said.

He said as the police did not allow Mirwaiz and Malik to enter into Geelani's residence, the octogenarian leader came out of his house to address the press.

However, police took the trio into custody and did not allow the press conference, the spokesman claimed.

Before being taken away, the Hurriyat leaders called for the boycott of the by-polls to two Lok Sabha constituencies of Srinagar and Anantnag which are going to polls on April 9 and 12 respectively.

Two photojournalists were allegedly assaulted by police after the Hurriyat leaders were taken into custody.

The Kashmir Press Photo Association condemned the "attack" on the two photojournalists and took out a protest march at Press Colony here demanding action against the police officials involved in the alleged assault.

Opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah asked Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to order inquiry into the thrashing of journalists and taken action against those found guilty.

"@MehboobaMufti when you get some time to focus on matters of governance can you please have this inquired in to & take action if required," Omar tweeted.