Tension gripped parts of interior city as groups of youth took to streets to protest against the arrest of separatist leaders and indulged in stone-pelting on Sunday, prompting security forces to fire teargas shells and use batons to restore order, official sources said. Shouting "pro-freedom" slogans, angry mobs appeared at Saraf Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Nowhatta, Bohrikadal and adjoining areas in the close vicinity of historic Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar and pelted stones on police and paramilitary personnel, the sources said. They said police acted swiftly and initially used batons to disperse the swelling crowds. As the baton charge proved ineffective, police fired teargas shells to restore law and order, the sources added. At least 50 persons including 29 security personnel were injured in violent clashes on Friday in the sensitive localities, considered as the strong hold of chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq. The latest clashes forced the local shopkeepers to pull down the shutters, while the traffic was diverted to other routes, the sources said. Indian authorities on Saturday slapped the Public Safety Act on JKLF leader Mohammad Yasin Malik, arrested on October 23 for taking part in the separatists anti-poll campaign. Besides Malik, over a dozen prominent separatist leaders including Shabir Shah, G N Sumji, Nayeem Khan, Nissar Rather, Asiya Indrabi, Hakeem Abdul Rashid, G M Hubi, G M Khan Sopori and Moulvi Shoukat Ahmad Shah have been arrested in recent weeks following the announcement of elections in the state.