Syed Ali Shah Geelani detained while trying to march towards Badamibagh

Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was on Saturday detained as he tried to defy house arrest to march towards the headquarters of the Army at Badamibagh here as part of the proposed protest programme of the separatists.

He was taken into preventive custody outside his Hyderpora residence this afternoon, a police official said.

The Hurriyat hawk was taken to Humhama police station and lodged there, he said.

Geelani was on his way towards Badamibagh for handing over a letter to General officer Commanding of the Army asking the forces to "vacate Jammu and Kashmir".

On Friday, chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who tried to take out a march along with his supporters from his Nigeen residence, was also taken into custody and later shifted to Chashma Shahi Guest House.

The separatist camp, including both factions of the Hurriyat and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, has been issuing protest calenders after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani on July 8, and urging people to follow its proposed programme.

So far, 68 people have died in clashes between protesters and security forces as Kashmir Valley continues to remain in the grip of shutdowns and curfew for the 49th consecutive day.