J&K: Separatists may face detention in Delhi

New Delhi: Speculation was rife that the PDP-led J&K state government has refused to detain or arrest the Hurriyat leaders in Srinagar following which they may be detained once they land in Delhi for the proposed meeting.

Top government sources said the Modi government will not allow Hurriyat leaders to meet Mr Aziz. If some Hurriyat leaders insist on the meeting, they may be detained at Delhi, sources said. Central agencies are keeping a close watch and detention orders may be issued for the separatist leaders if they land in Delhi, a source said.

Hurriyat hardline leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and “moderate” Hurriyat leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Shabbir Ahmed Shah are among the invitees.

In Islamabad, a high-level meeting chaired by Nawaz Sharif was held. “The leaders termed India’s demand as unacceptable. The leadership decided that Pakistan would take Hurriyat leaders into confidence,” said an official.