Indian-controlled Kashmir: Nayeem Khan arrested, whisked away

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GK NEWS NETWORK

Srinagar, Oct 27: Police on Monday arrested Nayeem Ahmad Khan, the provincial president of Hurriyat Conference (M) and chairman of National Front on Tangmarg-Varmul road. He was immediately taken to an unknown destination.
Khan was evading arrest since August this year when police cracked down heavily on Hurriyat leaders leading the fresh pro-freedom struggle triggered by Amarnath land row and economic blockade by extremists in Jammu.
Along with Shabir Ahmad Shah, Khan played a key role in bringing the two Hurriyats together. Shah has been sentenced to two years in prison for his role in the unification.
Nayeem Khan is one of the pioneers of the pro-freedom struggle in Kashmir. Born in 1965 in Pathanpora (Khas), of Pattan, Khan studied engineering in Srinagar. He formed Peoples League in 1979 as a student. In 1982 he was arrested while leading a students procession. He developed close links with Islamia Jamiat-u-Talba and Mahaz-i-Azadi.
In 1984 Khan was arrested when Maqbool Bhat was hanged in Tihar Jail and in 1986, along with Ishfaq Majeed Wani, Yaseen Malik and other pro-freedom leaders he formed a vibrant student organization, Islamic Students League (ISL). Nayeem Khan was elected its chairman and
Yasin Malik as general secretary.
The ISL gained popularity among students because of its socio-political agenda. In 1987 the ISL became a constituent of the Muslim United Front (MUF) which fought the massively rigged elections. In 1988 Nayeem Khan and his associates went underground, but he was arrested and booked under PSA. Though court quashed his detention and he was released, the police arrested him again and booked him under the same draconian law. He was shifted to sub-jail Reasi. He was released in August 1989.
On 17 October, 1989, Khan was arrested again along with Shabir Shah. Massive demos were held against their arrest. He was released from Madhya Pradesh jail.
In 1993 Khan was arrested for organizing huge processions and demonstrations against India and sent to infamous Kot Balwal Jail. After release, Nayeem played a pivotal role in the formation of APHC. He was arrested again in 2003 and released a year later.