Srinagar, Dec. 29 -- The authorities in Kashmir foiled the sit-in protest of open-merit students and job aspirants planned in Srinagar demanding rationalisation of reservation policy after putting Srinagar Member of Parliament (MP) Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, who was expected to lead the protest, and other political and student leaders allegedly under house arrest and deploying heavy security in the city centre, the leaders said on Sunday.

Ruhullah, who is a senior National Conference leader and also a critic of the party and CM Omar Abdullah for their alleged climb down on various poll promises, had Saturday announced that he will join the students outside the Abdullah's residence for the protest like last year as he wanted the elected governme...