PDP leader held for violating restrictions on Jammu-Srinagar highway

Senior PDP leader and former MLC Firdous Ahmad Tak were briefly detained Sunday along with several of his supporters in Kishtwar district for trying to defy a ban on movement of civilian traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, officials said. Authorities have ordered the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar Highway for all kinds of civilian traffic from Udhampur to Baramulla every Sunday and Wednesday in order to facilitate movement of security forces for Lok Sabha election duty. It will remain effective until May 31.

Tak and his supporters were detained at a checkpoint in Kishtwar district when he tried to move towards Jammu in violation of the government order, which came into force on Sunday morning, the officials said. However, he and his supporters were later released.

Prior to his detention, Tak had staged a demonstration and demanded a review of the order. "We cannot remain a mute spectator to the oppressive order," Tak said.