Geelani, Omar under house arrest in Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 11 (UNI) Chairmen of both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and two former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ministers, besides about a dozen other separatist leaders have been put under house arrest in Kashmir.

The move was taken as a precautionary measures, official sources said.

A Spokesman of breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) Aiyaz Akbar told UNI that Mr Geelani remained confined in his Hyderpora residence as he was not being allowed to move out of his house since the evening of August 4.

However, on August 5, police personnel deployed outside his residence were withdrawn for few hours, when he visited the Maisuma residence of a youth, who was killed in police action on August 4.

He said Mr Geelani was also not being allowed to offer prayers in the mosque.

Mr Akbar said another senior Hurriyat leader Mohammad Ashraf Sehrayee has also been put under house arrest.

He said police also seized two vehicles of the HC and arrested six activists yesterday, when they were making announcements about the Muzaffarabad March.

Officials had apprehensions that Mr Geelani may join the agitators, who are protesting against the alleged attack on the Muslims and Kashmiri drivers in Jammu.

Mr Akbar criticised the authorities for keeping the Hurriyat Chairman under continued house arrest.

About a dozen other separatists were also put under house arrest since last evening.

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