South Asia Human Rights Journalist Association

Srinagar, July 19, 2012: In Srinagar, the police authorities arrested Muslim League leader, Mushtaq-ul-Islam, today (Thursday) when he was on his way to a hotel in Srinagar to address a press conference.

He was released a few days ago after being a detention of two years in jail.  Mushtaq-ul-Islam was arrested by personnel of Police Station Batamaloo but is currently lodged at Police Station Kothi Bagh. Police sources said there is little chance of his immediate release.

Five days after his release from a 20-month detention, Muslim League leader, Mushtaq-ul-Islam was rearrested minutes before he was to address a news conference here Thursday.

As soon as Islam tried to enter the hotel premises in an auto-rickshaw, a large contingent of police deployed there from the wee hours bundled him into a Rakhshak vehicle and detained him at a local police station. He tried to raise slogans but police covered his mouth with a cloth and bundled him into an already waiting vehicle.

Islam was arrested in November 2010 on various charges that he is politically struggling for Azadi and demands right to self-determination. Four draconian law Public Safety Acts ( PSAs) were slapped  by authorities against him.

During his detention, he was shifted to various jails including Udhampur, Kot Bilwal Jammu and Srinagar Central jail. He after long detention few days ago was to reveal some crucial and serious details about his stay in the jail and other things as how the jail authority treats them.

Tariq-ul-Haq a member of the Muslim League refused to divulge details about the purpose of the press conference. “We cannot reveal details at this point of time,” Haq said. “It is confidential and will be revealed by the leader himself.”

The more government of India and its establishment try to suppress the peaceful freedom movement, the more it will spread.