Allow us to join funeral of Sheikh Aziz: Geelani Mirwaiz to govt

Srinagar, Aug 12 (UNI) Chairmen of both factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC), under house arrest, have sought permission from the Jammu and Kashmir administration to join the ''Nimaz Jinazah'' of Peoples League (PL) cheif Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who was among those killed in yesterdays police firing during Muzaffarabad march.

We have requested the administration to allow Mr Geelani, chairman of the breakaway HC to join the nimaz jinazah of Sheikh after mid-day prayers,'' spokesman of HC Aiyaz Akbar told UNI.

No answer was received from the administration so far, he said.

He said Mr Geelani is under house and curfew was on in the valley since last evening.

Spokesman of moderate HC Advocate Shahidul Islam told UNI that chairman Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, who is under house arrest, has sought permission from the administration to join jinaza prayers of Sheikh, a senior hurriyat leader. ''We want to offer jinaza prayers in the afternoon,'' he said.

He said the mortal remains of Sheikh was still inside the historic Jamia masjid where thousands of people remained throughout the night.

More and more people from nearby localities were reaching Jamia masjid, he added.

UNI BAS SB AS1334