Kashmir separatists under house arrest

Srinagar, Aug 15: Authorities Friday placed prominent separatist leaders in the Kashmir Valley under house arrest and imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar ahead of Independency Day celebrations.

After they called for a protest shutdown Friday across the Valley, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Shabir Shah were put under house arrest here.

As a preventive measure, restrictions were imposed in the Old City areas of Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj and Safa Kadal.

"These are preventive measures. There is no restriction on bonafide movement anywhere in the city," a police officer told IANS.

Security forces have been deployed all across Srinagar, the summer capital of the state and the urban hub of the separatist campaign.

IANS