SRINAGAR, May 16: Hurriyat leader, Maulvi Mohammad Abbas Ansari, was today taken into custody along with his ten followers as police foiled attempts of Shia community members to take out religious processions in connection with muharrum

.Police used lathis to disperse the processionists who had assembled at Gaw Kadal and were marching towards Abi-Guzar in the heart of the city.

While confirming Ansari's arrest, a prominent Shia leader, an official spokesman said they were taken into custody for violating prohibitory orders.Attempts to take out another procession from Abi Guzar area were foiled by the police who lobbed tear gas shells to disperse processionists.

Police lobbed tear gas to disperse groups of youth who tried to take out a procession from Dalgate area of the city. Police and paramilitary force personnel were deployed in Guru Bazar.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.