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Mirwaiz under house arrest in Kashmir

By IANS,

Srinagar : Restrictions have been imposed on Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq who was to address a Friday congregation at the historic Jamia Mosque here, with police saying no one would be allowed to disturb the peace in Srinagar.

Mirwaiz told mediapersons on phone that he was about to leave for the Jamia Mosque when a heavy contingent of security forces was posted outside his uptown Nigeen residence in this Jammu and Kashmir summer capital.

“I was informed that I would not be allowed to move out of my house. I intended to offer the Friday prayers at the Jamia Mosque,” the Mirwaiz said.

A senior police officer said nobody would be allowed to disturb the peace in the city. “The separatist leaders are free to go anywhere they like, but that cannot be at the cost of the prevailing peace here,” the officer said.

Another senior separatist leader, Shabir Shah, chairman of the Democratic Freedom Party, has also been placed under house arrest at his uptown Sant Nagar residence in the city, according to party sources.

Police said hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani had not been placed under house arrest and was free to offer the Friday prayers.

Sources close to Geelani said he would offer the prayers at the Iqra Mosque in Sarai Bala area of Srinagar city.