JKLF chief Yasin Malik booked under Public Safety Act, to be shifted to Jammu's Kot Bhalwal Jail

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief and separatist Yasin Malik was booked under Public Safety Act (PSA), a party spokesman said on Thursday. “Malik sahab has been booked under the draconian law, Public Safety Act. He is being shifted to Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu,” he said. Malik was detained by the Jammu and Kashmir police from his residence in Srinagar on February 22 and was shifted to the Kothibagh police station. The detention came two days after the state administration said the security of 18 separatist, including Malik, would be withdrawn. The JKLF leader on Thursday termed the announcement a "lie".

While Malik said he had never received any protection from the state, hardline Hurriyat Conference termed the reports about the withdrawal of security of its chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani "ridiculous".

"I have had no security with me for the last 30 years. So, when there was no security, what withdrawal are they talking about? This is utter dishonesty on part of the government" Malik told reporters.

RELATED

The JKLF chairman said he never had any security at his residence, office or even at his public rallies and he had turned down offers for it several times. He termed the notification a "lie".

As many as 40 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber blew up an explosive-laden vehicle near their bus in Pulwama district. The bus was part of a convoy of 78 vehicles carrying CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar.