Srinagar: Chairman JKLF, Muhammad Yaseen Malik, was arrested on Monday from his residence at Maisuma here in uptown Srinagar.
The arrest comes on a day when Lal Chowk and adjoining areas are witnessing shutdown, marking the 29th anniversary of Gaw Kadal massacre.
The shutdown has been called by Joint Resistance Leadership and all shops and other business establishments are closed in these areas.
On January 21, 1990, locals said at least 52 civilians were killed when government forces opened fire on a procession at a bridge in the Gaw Kadal area of Srinagar, where people gathered to protest the alleged molestation of women by personnel of government forces. As per police, 20 civilians were killed in the bloodbath, which was followed by a series of massacres. The government forces had fired on demonstrators, who raised pro-freedom slogans, without any warning.
To escape the firing, people had sought refuge in lanes and by-lanes and some had even jumped into the Jhelum below the bridge.
To remember the victims, shutdown is observed on JRL call in Maisuma, Gaw Kadal, Basant Bagh, Mandir Bagh, Red Cross Road, Exchange Road, Budshah Chowk, Residency Road, MA Road, Abi Guzar, Polo View, Sarai Bala, Court Road, Kukar Bazar, Hari Sigh High Street and Goni Khan.
