Geelani placed under house arrest in Srinagar

Srinagar, Jul 22: Chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani was today placed under house arrest since early morning, official sources said.

They said the step was taken as a precautionary measure following a general strike call given by the the HC in the valley.

Spokesman for the HC Aiyaz Akbar told sources that a large number of police personnel have been deployed around the Hyderpora residence of Mr Geelan since 0500 hrs today.

He said a senior police officer informed the HC Chairman that he has been placed under house arrest.

''We have orders not to allow you to move out of your house till further orders,'' the officer said.

Mr Akbar criticised the government decision to put Geelani under house arrest without any justification.

He said Geelani had called for a general strike call against the killing of innocent civilians, including women and children, in Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Palestine.

It was also to protest against the United States and other super powers failure to prevent Isreal from targeting the civilians, he said.

UNI

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