The face of anti-government rallies who earned sobriquets like ‘Azaadi Chacha’ and ‘Pied Piper’, Moulana Sarjan Barkati, was arrested in an operation by the police in south Kashmir and immediately booked under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA). Sources said Mr. Barkati, in his 50s, was arrested near Wanpoh area in Anantnag district. He was wanted for organising and addressing anti-India rallies, which drew hundreds of youth in south Kashmir during the 85-day long civilian unrest. In a statement, Qazi Yasir condemned Mr. Barkati’s arrest. The speeches of Moulana Barkati were “only an expression of truth and the government and its agents can’t digest the truth”, the statement said.

Source: The Hindu October 01, 2016 18:58 UTC