New Delhi, May 19

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the role of Lashkar-e-Toiba chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in subversive activities in the state.The NIA named the two in its preliminary inquiry, which precedes the filing of a case. It also named Naeem Khan, who was seen on television during a sting operation purportedly confessing to receiving money from Pakistan-based terror groups.The others named in the preliminary inquiry were Farooq Ahmed Dar, alias ‘Bitta Karate’, and Gazi Javed Baba of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat. The five-member NIA team arrived in Srinagar on Thursday to question those named in the preliminary inquiry and to collect documentary evidence against them. The LeT chief is based in Pakistan.In a preliminary inquiry, the NIA can ask those named in the case to appear before it but cannot force them to do so, or arrest them.The NIA team will be reviewing evidence collected in connection with the burning of schools last year after the Hizbul Mujahideen’s poster boy, Burhan Wani, was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8. — PTI/TNS

Youths clash with security forces

A knife-wielding protester in Srinagar on Friday. Tribune Photo: Yawar Kabli

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 19

Protest demonstrations leading to clashes between youths and security forces took place in downtown Srinagar after Friday prayers while clashes were also reported from some other parts of the Valley during the day.Soon after the Friday prayers, youths took to the streets in the Nowhatta area where the main mosque, Jamia Masjid, is located. The masked youths indulged in stone-throwing on the police and CRPF, triggering clashes. The protesters were chased away by the forces while shops were closed in the area.All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who delivers Friday sermon at the Jamia Masjid, was kept under house arrest at his Nigeen residence since early morning preventing him from offering Friday prayers, a spokesman said.Protests were also held in the Lal Chowk area of Anantnag in south Kashmir in which some miscreants tried to enforce a shutdown in the area. The police reached the spot and chased away the miscreants with the help of traders, the spokesman said. He added that normalcy was restored and the markets opened.Demonstrations, called jointly by separatist leaders against the detention of Asiya Andrabi, who heads the Dukhtaran-e-Millat, were also held in some other areas, including Sopore and Hajin towns of north Kashmir and Pulwama in south Kashmir.Restrictions in Srinagar todaySrinagar: The authorities have decided to impose restrictions in areas falling under the police stations of Nowhatta, MR Gunj and Safakadal in Srinagar on Saturday. “The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident,” an official spokesman quoting District Magistrate, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone said on Saturday. The restrictions are being imposed ahead of the 27th death anniversary of Moulvi Mohammad Farooq, father of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The separatists have announced to organise a rally to commemorate Moulvi Farooq and former APHC leader Abdul Ghani Lone on May 21. TNS