Geelani, Shabir Shah placed under house arrest

Srinagar, July 22: Chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) president Shabir Ahmad Shah were today placed under house arrest since early morning, official sources said.

Mr Shah told UNI over phone from his Rawalpora residence that he was placed under house arrest since 0300 hrs.

He said a large number of police and CRPF personnel were deployed near his house to prevent him to venture out.

''I was informed by a police officer that I have been placed under house arrest,'' Mr Shah said.

He said he was scheduled to address some meetings in the city today.

Official sources said the step to place Geelani and Shabir was taken as a precautionary measure following a general strike call given by the HC in the valley.

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

He said a senior police officer informed the HC chairman that he had 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