Senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah and his ten associates were detained as they tried to stage a protest rally here demanding release of political prisoners in Jammu and Kashmir. Carrying placards and photographs of detained political prisoners,Shah and his supporters gathered at Exchange Road in Lal Chowk and tried to march towards Maulana Azad Road,officials said. They said police swung into action and detained 11 persons,including Shah while the others were chased away. A police officer said action against the protestors was taken as they had violated the prohibitory orders (under Section 144 CrPC) which are in place in the city. Shah and his supporters were demanding release of political prisoners in the state.