Masked demonstrators clashed with police in central Barcelona on October 18 as a fifth day of protests over the jailing of separatist leaders turned violent.

Catalonia Protests: Massive violence in Barcelona since Monday

Fineprint: NIA raids top separatist leaders in Srinagar

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-governor-asks-police-to-take-strict-action-against-people-indulging-in-violence-appeals-for-peace-197854">Jammu and Kashmir administration</a> has withdrawn the security cover given to four&nbsp;Kashmiri separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.&nbsp;

"We are issuing orders withdrawing all security and any government facilities provided to separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Lone and Shabir Shah. All security and any vehicles provided to them will stand withdrawn by today evening," the J&amp;K administration's order said.&nbsp;

"No security cover should be provided under any pretext to them or any separatists. If they have any facilities provided by government, they are to be withdrawn forthwith. Police will review if there are any separatists who have government security or facilities and will withdraw them immediately," the order added.&nbsp;

The order however made no mention of pro-Pakistan leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, seen as the tallest of the separatist leaders.&nbsp;

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Srinagar: Visuals from outside Separatist Abdul Ghani Bhat's office&amp;residence after J&amp;K admin withdraws security, Bhat says, 'Security was provided by state govt, I don't need it. My security is Kashmiri ppl. There are chances of war b/w Pak&amp;India.Let them address war issue first <a href="https://t.co/uiK5W5sknh">pic.twitter.com/uiK5W5sknh</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1097035428211900416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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There was no reason given as to why the security cover of the leaders was being withdrawn but the move comes two days after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-outpouring-of-grief-anger-as-india-says-final-goodbye-to-slain-crpf-jawans-197851">over 40 CRPF personnel were killed</a> in the Pulwama attack.&nbsp;

<img alt="J&amp;K" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eb56e808-be67-4306-95b9-9c4624b8e715" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/J%26K1.JPG" />

A local Kashmiri youth <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adil-ahmad-dar-the-man-who-carried-out-the-pulwama-attack-197476">Adil Ahmad Dar</a> had rammed a car packed full of explosive into a bus ferrying CRPF personnel. The bus had been part of a convoy of 78 vehicles transporting 2,500 CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar. The attack was later claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammed, which is headed by Masood Azhar who is based out of Pakistan.&nbsp;

Azhar is one of the three terrorists released by India after the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 in Kathmandu.&nbsp;

Home Minister Rajnath Singh had on Friday said that the security given to people getting funds from Pakistan and its spy agency ISI should be reviewed.

"Some elements in Jammu and Kashmir have links with the ISI and terrorist organisations. Their security should be reviewed," Singh had said in Kashmir. He was in the state to review the security situation after the Pulwama attack.&nbsp;

The Pulwama attack has baffled Indian intelligence agencies considering the losses Jaish has suffered recently in Kashmir.&nbsp;

Since the attack, India has raised customs duties on Pakistani imports by 200 per cent, making trade with its neighbour virtually impossible.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced that he has given Indian security forces a free hand to respond to the Pulwama attack at a time and place of their choosing. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has promised India will give a "muh-tod"&nbsp;(befitting) reply to the attack.&nbsp;

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has withdrawn the security cover given to four Kashmiri separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. "We are issuing orders withdrawing all security and any government facilities provided to separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Lone and Shabir Shah.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has withdrawn the security cover given to four Kashmiri separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. "We are issuing orders withdrawing all security and any government facilities provided to separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Lone and Shabir Shah. All security and any vehicles provided to them will stand withdrawn by today evening," the J&K administration's order said. "No security cover should be provided under any pretext to them or any separatists. If they have any facilities provided by government, they are to be withdrawn forthwith. Police will review if there are any separatists who have government security or facilities and will withdraw them immediately," the order added. The order however made no mention of pro-Pakistan leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, seen as the tallest of the separatist leaders. Srinagar: Visuals from outside Separatist Abdul Ghani Bhat's office&residence after J&K admin withdraws security, Bhat says, 'Security was provided by state govt, I don't need it. My security is Kashmiri ppl. There are chances of war b/w Pak&India.Let them address war issue first pic.twitter.com/uiK5W5sknh — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2019 × There was no reason given as to why the security cover of the leaders was being withdrawn but the move comes two days after over 40 CRPF personnel were killed in the Pulwama attack. A local Kashmiri youth Adil Ahmad Dar had rammed a car packed full of explosive into a bus ferrying CRPF personnel. The bus had been part of a convoy of 78 vehicles transporting 2,500 CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar. The attack was later claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammed, which is headed by Masood Azhar who is based out of Pakistan. Azhar is one of the three terrorists released by India after the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 in Kathmandu. Home Minister Rajnath Singh had on Friday said that the security given to people getting funds from Pakistan and its spy agency ISI should be reviewed. "Some elements in Jammu and Kashmir have links with the ISI and terrorist organisations. Their security should be reviewed," Singh had said in Kashmir. He was in the state to review the security situation after the Pulwama attack. The Pulwama attack has baffled Indian intelligence agencies considering the losses Jaish has suffered recently in Kashmir. Since the attack, India has raised customs duties on Pakistani imports by 200 per cent, making trade with its neighbour virtually impossible. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced that he has given Indian security forces a free hand to respond to the Pulwama attack at a time and place of their choosing. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has promised India will give a "muh-tod" (befitting) reply to the attack.

J&K: Government withdraws security cover of 4 separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-government-withdraws-security-cover-of-5-separatist-leaders-including-mirwaiz-umar-farooq-197880">withdraw the security of separatist leaders</a> in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.

The Union Minister asserted that the step of revoking security cover accorded to separatists should have been taken earlier.

"These Hurriyat leaders talk to Pakistan and receive funding from various places. The most painful thing is that they get security from the central government and the Jammu and Kashmir government. India will not allow any step taken towards separating Kashmir from the country," Prasad told media here.

"Jammu and Kashmir is part of India and will remain so. This cannot be practised anymore that you talk about distributing India and take security from Indian government itself. We welcome this decision of the Jammu and Kashmir government. This step should have been taken earlier itself," he added.

Cracking down on pro-Pakistan elements in Kashmir, the state government earlier today withdrew the security provided to five separatist leaders. The decision came in the wake of Pulwama terror attack in which around 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

The separatist leaders whose security was withdrawn included All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

"The Government is issuing orders withdrawing all security and any government facilities provided to the following separatist leaders namely Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi and Shabir Shah,” read the order by the Jammu and Kashmir administration.

As per orders of the state government, all security and any vehicles provided to them will stand withdrawn by today evening. No security forces or cover should be provided, under any pretext, to them or any other separatists said the administration order.

The state administration has also said that the Police Headquarters will review if there are any other separatists who have government security or facilities and will withdraw these immediately.&nbsp;

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to withdraw the security of separatist leaders in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to withdraw the security of separatist leaders in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. The Union Minister asserted that the step of revoking security cover accorded to separatists should have been taken earlier. "These Hurriyat leaders talk to Pakistan and receive funding from various places. The most painful thing is that they get security from the central government and the Jammu and Kashmir government. India will not allow any step taken towards separating Kashmir from the country," Prasad told media here. "Jammu and Kashmir is part of India and will remain so. This cannot be practised anymore that you talk about distributing India and take security from Indian government itself. We welcome this decision of the Jammu and Kashmir government. This step should have been taken earlier itself," he added. Cracking down on pro-Pakistan elements in Kashmir, the state government earlier today withdrew the security provided to five separatist leaders. The decision came in the wake of Pulwama terror attack in which around 40 CRPF personnel were killed. The separatist leaders whose security was withdrawn included All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. "The Government is issuing orders withdrawing all security and any government facilities provided to the following separatist leaders namely Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi and Shabir Shah,” read the order by the Jammu and Kashmir administration. As per orders of the state government, all security and any vehicles provided to them will stand withdrawn by today evening. No security forces or cover should be provided, under any pretext, to them or any other separatists said the administration order. The state administration has also said that the Police Headquarters will review if there are any other separatists who have government security or facilities and will withdraw these immediately.

Ravi Shankar Prasad welcomes J&K government's decision to withdraw security of separatist leaders

Increasingly hardline Catalan separatists are taking advantage of the void left by the decapitation of the region's independence movement to step up their protests by blocking roads and clashing with police, raising fears of radicalisation, analysts say.

Spanish authorities have jailed nine Catalan separatist leaders and called for the extradition of six others who have fled abroad, including Catalonia's former president Carles Puigdemont who was arrested Sunday in Germany.

This crackdown on the independence movement's established leaders "generates incentives for the adoption of a hardline" by radical separatists, said Berta Barbet, politics professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

"Since the conflict is increasingly more raw and social divisions are greater, the risk of radicalisation is ever more real," she added.

But Barbet said she did not believe Spain will see a return to the armed violence that plagued the country when Basque separatist group ETA and Catalan nationalist group Terra Lliure were active.

ETA, accused of killing more than 800 people in a decades-long campaign of bombings and shootings to establish an independent Basque state, announced it was disarming in April 2017.

Terra Lliure, which disbanded in 1995, committed its only killing with a bomb attack in 1987. After years of peaceful protests in Catalonia in favour of independence, demonstrations on Sunday against Puigdemont's arrest led to clashes with police that left nearly 100 people injured.

Catalan police decked out in riot gear shoved and hit demonstrators with batons to keep the crowd from advancing on the office of the Madrid government's representative in Barcelona.

Demonstrators set fire to recycling containers and threw glass bottles, cans, and eggs at police.

Despite appeals for calm from some separatist leaders, the protests called by the radical Committees for the Defence of the Republic (CDR) continued Tuesday with protesters blocking major motorways in the wealthy northeastern region of Spain.

"The Catalan spring has erupted," the group said in a statement on Sunday, in a reference to a series of protests which began in Arab nations in 2011.

"We have crossed the point of no return... we will reappropriate the streets and stop the country," the statement added in a call for a general strike in Catalonia like the ones held late last year when the region's separatist crisis heated up.

During those strikes, demonstrators blocked dozens of roads across Catalonia and forced the closure of key tourist spots such as Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Familia church.The legal action against Catalan separatists "is activating the social movement in the streets again, reinforcing it and making it more tense," said Jordi Amat, the author of several essays on the independence movement.

The failure of Catalonia's unilateral declaration of independence, which led Spain's central government to take direct control of the region in October and launch the crackdown on separatist leaders, has caused the pro-independence movement to change strategy, he added.

Whereas before the goal was to "gain legitimacy internationally", now "the only strategy they can use is destabilisation" of the Spanish state, Amat said.

This explains why Catalan separatist lawmakers, who regained their absolute majority in the Catalan parliament at snap polls in December, keep proposing candidates for regional president who are disqualified by their legal problems such as Puigdemont, he added.

"For many separatists, this destabilisation also should be taken to the streets... there is a will to paralyse the mechanics of the state," Amat said.Catalonia's two main separatist parties, the conservative PDeCAT and the leftist ERC, tried timidly to lower tensions at the end of last year while the smallest separatist party, the far-left CUP, has called for greater disobedience.

The conservative party is under pressure from its leader, Puigdemont, to take a tougher line against Spain while the ERC has been severely shaken up by the jailing of its leader, Oriol Junqueras, and the flight abroad of its number two, Marta Rovira.

"The leaders who could channel the movement have found themselves offside and this is a scenario that allows the CUP to promote its strategy," said Amat.

The CRD organisers of demonstrations are aligned with the CUP party.

Barbet, however, believes that the threat posed by the courts may divert the separatists from a more radical path.

"Virtually everyone in power can end up with serious legal problems and many think twice before making a decision," she said.

That`s why no separatist leader "clearly defends the option of a hard break (with Spain) and in this way, it is very difficult for radicalisation to go very far," she added.

Spanish authorities have jailed nine Catalan separatist leaders and called for the extradition of six others who have fled abroad

Increasingly hardline Catalan separatists are taking advantage of the void left by the decapitation of the region's independence movement to step up their protests by blocking roads and clashing with police, raising fears of radicalisation, analysts say. Spanish authorities have jailed nine Catalan separatist leaders and called for the extradition of six others who have fled abroad, including Catalonia's former president Carles Puigdemont who was arrested Sunday in Germany. This crackdown on the independence movement's established leaders "generates incentives for the adoption of a hardline" by radical separatists, said Berta Barbet, politics professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. "Since the conflict is increasingly more raw and social divisions are greater, the risk of radicalisation is ever more real," she added. But Barbet said she did not believe Spain will see a return to the armed violence that plagued the country when Basque separatist group ETA and Catalan nationalist group Terra Lliure were active. ETA, accused of killing more than 800 people in a decades-long campaign of bombings and shootings to establish an independent Basque state, announced it was disarming in April 2017. Terra Lliure, which disbanded in 1995, committed its only killing with a bomb attack in 1987. After years of peaceful protests in Catalonia in favour of independence, demonstrations on Sunday against Puigdemont's arrest led to clashes with police that left nearly 100 people injured. Catalan police decked out in riot gear shoved and hit demonstrators with batons to keep the crowd from advancing on the office of the Madrid government's representative in Barcelona. Demonstrators set fire to recycling containers and threw glass bottles, cans, and eggs at police. Despite appeals for calm from some separatist leaders, the protests called by the radical Committees for the Defence of the Republic (CDR) continued Tuesday with protesters blocking major motorways in the wealthy northeastern region of Spain. "The Catalan spring has erupted," the group said in a statement on Sunday, in a reference to a series of protests which began in Arab nations in 2011. "We have crossed the point of no return... we will reappropriate the streets and stop the country," the statement added in a call for a general strike in Catalonia like the ones held late last year when the region's separatist crisis heated up. During those strikes, demonstrators blocked dozens of roads across Catalonia and forced the closure of key tourist spots such as Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Familia church.The legal action against Catalan separatists "is activating the social movement in the streets again, reinforcing it and making it more tense," said Jordi Amat, the author of several essays on the independence movement. The failure of Catalonia's unilateral declaration of independence, which led Spain's central government to take direct control of the region in October and launch the crackdown on separatist leaders, has caused the pro-independence movement to change strategy, he added. Whereas before the goal was to "gain legitimacy internationally", now "the only strategy they can use is destabilisation" of the Spanish state, Amat said. This explains why Catalan separatist lawmakers, who regained their absolute majority in the Catalan parliament at snap polls in December, keep proposing candidates for regional president who are disqualified by their legal problems such as Puigdemont, he added. "For many separatists, this destabilisation also should be taken to the streets... there is a will to paralyse the mechanics of the state," Amat said.Catalonia's two main separatist parties, the conservative PDeCAT and the leftist ERC, tried timidly to lower tensions at the end of last year while the smallest separatist party, the far-left CUP, has called for greater disobedience. The conservative party is under pressure from its leader, Puigdemont, to take a tougher line against Spain while the ERC has been severely shaken up by the jailing of its leader, Oriol Junqueras, and the flight abroad of its number two, Marta Rovira. "The leaders who could channel the movement have found themselves offside and this is a scenario that allows the CUP to promote its strategy," said Amat. The CRD organisers of demonstrations are aligned with the CUP party. Barbet, however, believes that the threat posed by the courts may divert the separatists from a more radical path. "Virtually everyone in power can end up with serious legal problems and many think twice before making a decision," she said. That`s why no separatist leader "clearly defends the option of a hard break (with Spain) and in this way, it is very difficult for radicalisation to go very far," she added.

Catalonia separatist movement risks taking radical path

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