SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested ten youth after accusing them of trying to vitiate the atmosphere during a visit of separatist and religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to Srinagar's Grand Mosque on Friday.
Calling them "hooligans", a police statement issued here on Saturday said, "They have been arrested for trying to vitiate a peaceful atmosphere outside Jama Masjid yesterday after the Friday (congregational) prayers." The police said that they are being booked under the relevant section of law.
The statement added, "The public is requested not to indulge in such acts failing which law will take its own course."
The Mirwaiz had arrived to a rousing reception by his supporters and disciples at the Grand Mosque on Friday following his release from a 50-month-long house detention. While he was leaving the historic place of worship after delivering customary sermon as the chief priest of the Valley and joining the congregational weekly prayers, a group of youth chanted pro-freedom slogans, the witnesses said.
The authorities had enhanced security by deploying additional armed personnel around the place of worship.
