Authorities on Saturday slapped the Public Safety Act on JKLF leader Mohammad Yasin Malik, arrested on October 23 for taking part in the separatists' anti-poll campaign, and sent him to Jammu district jail, official sources said in Srinagar.
The PSA was invoked against Malik a day after he was brought to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura for a check up from Sumbal Jail, the sources said.
The JKLF chief was arrested on October 23 under Unlawful Activities Act for launching a poll boycott campaign in Sumbal area of Baramulla district.
Malik, 42, can now only appeal in the High Court against his detention under PSA.
The development sparked violent protests in Malik's native locality Maisuma where youths pelted stones on security forces, prompting the police to use batons and fire tear shells.
Shops and business establishments downed their shutters and vehicles went off the roads as additional police and paramilitary forces were rushed to the area to bring the situation under control.
Several separatist leaders including Shabir Ahmad Shah, Ghulam Nabi Sumjhi, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Nissar Ahmad Bhat, Asiya Indrabi and Hakeem Abdul Rashid have been arrested in recent weeks following the announcement of elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
{{/usCountry}}Several separatist leaders including Shabir Ahmad Shah, Ghulam Nabi Sumjhi, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Nissar Ahmad Bhat, Asiya Indrabi and Hakeem Abdul Rashid have been arrested in recent weeks following the announcement of elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
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