No Restrictions On Separatists, Barring Geelani In Srinagar

15 May,Srinagar

There were no restrictions on the separatists leader, barring hardline Hurriyat Conference (HC) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani who remained under house arrest for the past two weeks.Since past two Fridays, majority of separatist leaders, including chairman of moderate HC Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, were being put under house arrest on Thursday to prevent them from addressing congregations after prayers.

There is no restriction on Mirwaiz or any other separatist leaders, official sources said. However, there was no relief for Geelani who remained under house arrest.

A spokesperson for the HC Aiyaz Akbar said security forces remained deployed outside the Hyderpora residence of Geelani who is not being allowed to move out.

Criticising the authorities for imposing restrictions on the amalgam chairman, Akbar said since the return of Geelani from Delhi on April 15, he was not allowed to offer Friday prayers in mosque barring once when he gave slip to police and addressed a congregation at Tral, where two youths were killed in alleged fake encounter on April 13.

However, official sources said at Tral, Pakistani flags were hoisted and “pro-Pakistan” slogans raised during the rally. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had announced that such activities will not be allowed