Life returns to normal, Geelani and others released in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 26 (UNI) Life returned to normal here after two-days of general strike while chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other separatist leaders were also released.

Majority of the shops and other business establishments reopened here today despite it being a Sunday. Traffic on all routes was normal.

Two days general strike--Friday and yesterday was called by both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference and other separatist organisations in protest against the killing of four youths allegedly by the army at Dodipora Handwara on February 22.

However, defence authorities here said the youths were killed in the cross firing between militants and security forces during a search operation.

Meanwhile, Mr Geelani, who was put under house arrest from February 22, to prevent him from visiting Handwara, was released.

A spokesman of the Hurriyat Conference said, police personnel deployed outside the residence of Mr Geelani to prevent him from moving out of the house, have been withdrawn last evening.

Mr Geelani was also taken into preventive custody for few hours on Friday when he tried to move out of his house. He was again put under house arrest after his release.

Other separatist leaders, who were taken into preventive custody from different parts of the valley for protesting against the Handwara killings, were also released.

UNI BAS RA RN1305