Sarjan Barkati detained in Shopian

SRINAGAR — Religious preacher Sarjan Barkati was detained by police on Thursday evening, officials said.

An official said that Barkati was “picked up” by police from his residence in Reban area of Shopian. However, the officer did not reveal the reasons behind the police action.

Official sources said that Barkati was supposed to lead prayers at Budgam tomorrow and he might be detained temporarily.

Barkati was released on October 28 last, four years after he was arrested during unrest in the aftermath of the killing of Hizb commander Burhan Wani in 2016.

Soon after his arrest, he was subsequently booked under Public Safety Act for organising anti-government rallies.

The cleric had earned the sobriquets like “Pied Piper of Kashmir” during 2016 agitation for his peculiar method of sloganeering that attracted large crowds.