Geelani gives slip to police, reaches north Kashmir, house raided

Srinagar, July 24 (UNI) Breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani today gave the slip to Jammu and Kashmir police and reached Langate in north Kashmir where he joined a large number of people to protest the rape and murder of a girl student recently.

Meanwhile, police searched the Hyderpora resident of Mr Geelani today.

Official sources said Mr Geelani's house was searched to prevent him from going to Langate.

A spokesman for the HC Aiyaz Akbar told UNI that a large number of police surrounded the house of Mr Geelani today.

A senior officer alongwith few police personnel searched the entire house, he said, adding that they were looking for Mr Geelani who had left for Langate early in the morning at 0500 hrs.

Mr Akbar said the police personnel did not touched any household goods and were asking about the whereabouts of HC chairman.

Police have already announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for anyone who could provide any clue about the person or persons involved in the crime.

A number of persons have already been detained for questioning.

Addressing a public meeting Mr Geelani said all the non-locals should leave the Kashmir valley immediately.

They (non-locals) are involved in criminal activities, he said.

However, he asked people not to use any violence to force them (non-locals) to leave the valley.

UNI