Srinagar: A court here remanded separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat, arrested over raising of pro-Pakistan slogans and hoisting Pakistan flags at a rally, to seven-day police custody.
Alam was produced before a concerned judge who sent him to police custody till April 23.
The 45-year-old hardliner was arrested from his home in Habbakadal area of the city early on Friday morning and slapped with charges of leading seditious activities and waging a war against the nation.
Masarat, who was himself seen chanting slogans in support of Pakistan, besides Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, were placed under house arrest in Srinagar on Thursday night.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that India's unity and integrity were 'inviolable' and nobody will be allowed to break them. "I would like to assure the countrymen that no one will be allowed to break the unity and integrity of the country be it Masarat Alam or anybody else," Singh said.
Meanwhile, over two dozen people, including security personnel, were injured in Srinagar yesterday when protesters fought a pitched battle with security forces after Friday prayers over Alam's arrest.