Mirwaiz Umar Farooq detained for leading supporters to graveyard of Kashmiris killed in 1931 massacre

The police on Thursday detained moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq as he tried to lead his supporters towards the graveyard in the Naqshband Sahib area of the city, officials said. [caption id=“attachment_3761807” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Reuters[/caption] Mirwaiz was detained by police outside his residence in Nigeen area of the city and taken to the local police station, a police official said. He was taken into preventive custody as his presence in old city area could lead to violence by his supporters, the official added. A spokesman of the Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat chairman was planning to pay homage to Kashmiri victims of 1931 massacre of 21 persons protesting against the rule of the then Maharaja. In a major move, on 5 July, the Jammu and Kashmir government had decided to downgrade the security of Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The move came as a major blow to Mirwaiz, especially with the police also probing his role in the killing of deputy superintendent Ayub Pandith_._ Police are  probing the presence  of separatist leaders in Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta, where Ayub Pandith was lynched. Jammu and Kashmir director general of police SP Vaid had said that the investigation was on, but definitely, his (Mirwaiz’s) men are “involved in the murder”. With inputs from PTI