Separatist leaders held ahead of Geelani’s rally

Srinagar: In a major crackdown, the police in Jammu and Kashmir arrested dozens of separatist leaders and activists in overnight raids across the Kashmir Valley to foil Syed Ali Shah Geelani ‘Million March’ as a parallel show of strength to counter PM Narendra Modi’s public rally being held here at the weekend.

The law enforcing authorities have also decided to block the pages of Facebook and other social networking sites which are promoting the ‘Million March’ call. The police sources said that as many as 120 such pages on Facebook alone have been identified and efforts are underway to block them.

Earlier this week, the octogenarian separatist leader announced a parallel rally would be held in Srinagar on November 7 when the ruling PDP-BJP coalition has planned a joint rally in the City to be addressed by Mr Modi.

He said over a million people will join his ‘Million March’ which will culminate into a rally at Srinagar’s TRC grounds which are located at less than 300 yards from Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium.