Geelani put under house arrest again in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 28 (UNI) Chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) was today again put under house arrest to prevent him from meeting Muslim Ulmas on poll-boycott issue.

Official sources confirmed that Mr Geelani has been put under house-arrest.

A spokesperson of the HC, Mr Aiyaz Akbar told UNI that a large number of police personnel have been deployed outside the Hyderpora residence of Mr Geelani at 1045 hrs.

He said a police officer informed Mr Geelani that he cannot leave his house till further orders since he has been put under house-arrest.

Mr Akbar said Mr Geelani was to meet Muslim Ulmas in connection with the poll boycott call given by the HC.

He said after holding three successful anti-poll rallies, including one at Sumbal, once the strong hold of ''Ikhwan'', a counter insurgent group of surrendered militants, the authorities are now trying to impose curbs on the movement of Mr Geelani.

However, he said, Mr Geelani and other senior leaders of the amalgam will continue anti-election campaign in the Kashmir valley.

This was for the second time since Friday that Mr Geelani was put under house-arrest. However, on Friday he was allowed to leave for Shopian in the afternoon where he addressed an anti-poll rally after prayers.

Mr Geelani has appealed to the people to boycott the Assembly elections later this year.

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