Hurriyat leaders taken into custody in Srinagar

Srinagar: Police today took into preventive custody hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate faction chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq as they tried to march towards the Hazratbal shrine to protest against the death of civilians during the recent protests.

Geelani was taken into custody as he walked out of his Hyderpora residence and lodged at Humhama police station, a police official said.

A Hurriyat spokesman said Geelani was on his way to Hazratbal shrine to take part in the protests.

The police official said the Mirwaiz also tried to march from his Nigeen residence but was taken into custody and lodged at Nigeen police station.

Violence had erupted in the Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8.