No relief for separatists, remain under house arrest

Srinagar: There was no relief for separatist leaders, including chairmen of both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq who remained under house arrest. However, official sources said that restrictions on separatists had been imposed to maintain law and order.

Meanwhle, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik, who gave the slip to security forces and reached Tral to join funeral of Sabzar Bhat, remains lodged in the Central Jail, Srinagar after he was arrested on Sunday. About half a dozen other separatist leaders have also been put under house arrest, while several others were detained in the police stations.

Both the factions of the HC and JKLF, spearheading the agitation have called for two-day strike on Sunday and Monday in protest against the killing of eight militants on Saturday, including Sabzar Bhat, commander of Hizbul Mujahideen. The separatist had called for “ Tral Challo” today. Media advisor to moderate HC Advocate Shahidul Islam said chairman Mirwaiz remained under house arrest since Saturday evening. He said a large number of security forces and police personnel remained deployed outside his Nigeen house.

Mirwaiz was not being allowed to move out, even to offer prayers, he alleged and said he too also remained under house arrest. A large number of security forces remained deployed outside the Hyderpora residence of Mr Geelani, a spokesman Aiyaz Akbar told UNI. He said Mr Geelani remained under house arrest for the past one year and he was not allowed to move out. A number of other senior party leaders, including myself, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrayee, Peer Saifullah and Mohammad Ashraf Laya also remained under house arrest while Syed Imtiyaz and several others are detained in police stations. (UNI)