Geelani still under house arrest in Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 9 (UNI) Chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani remained under house arrest for the sixth day today, official sources said.

However, all other separatist leaders, including chairman of moderate HC Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Javid Ahmad Mir were released after about 24 hours.

As the All Party Central Delegation is arriving here today to assess the situation the authorities decided to keep Mr Geelani under house arrest, apprehending protests.

Mr Aiyaz Akbar, a spokesman of the breakaway Hurriyat told UNI that Mr Geelani remained under house arrest since the evening of August 4.

A large number of police personnel had been deployed outside the Hyderpora residence of Mr Geelani, who was not being allowed to move out, he said, adding the Hurriyat chairman had to offer Friday prayers in his house.

However, on August 5, police deployed outiside his residence were withdrawn for a few hours when he visited the Maisuma residence of a youth who was killed in police action on August 4,.

Criticising the authorities for keeping the Hurriyat Chairman under continued house arrest, Mr Akbar said Mr Geelani had asked people to resume normal activities from today.

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