DeM chief arrested, Geelani remains under house arrest in Srinagar

Srinagar, Apr 27: Women separatist outfit Dukhtaran-e-Milat (DeM) chief Asiya Andrabi was arrested, while chairman of hardline Hurriyat Conference (HC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani remained under house in Kashmir, where all social network sites have been banned.

Meanwhile, the HC has demanded release of over 100 separatist leaders and activists, particularly alleged stone-pelters , some of them booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) during the past six months. A spokesman for the outfit said that a police party raided the house of DeM chief last night and arrested her. However, she said no reason for her arrest was given.

Asiya, facing several cases for her alleged anti national activities, is presently out on bail. Meanwhile, Mr Geelani remained under house arrest since May last year, when he returned from New Delhi, a spokesman for the amalgam Aiyaz Akbar said. He said large number of security forces and state police personnel remained deployed outside the residence of Mr Geelani to prevent him from moving out.

However, he was arrested several times for defying restrictions only to be released later in the evening each time. More than 100 people, including youths, are detained in different jails and police stations in the state. He demanded their immediate release.