Separatist Leaders Put Under House Arrest

Govt Bars Geelani, Mirwaiz, Malik From Eid Prayers

Srinagar (ONS) – In a knee-jerk response to their announcements to offer Eid-ul-Azha prayers at various prominent venues, including Eidgah and Hazratbal, almost entire separatist leadership was on the Eid-eve placed under house arrest.    

According to reports, the state government put the chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq; the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman, Muhammad Ysain Malik; the Democratic Freedom Party chief, Shabbir Ahmad Shah; the National Front chairman, Nayeem Ahmad Khan; the Salvation Movement chief, Zafar Akbar Bhat; and advocate Shahidul Islam, under house arrest this evening.

Reports said contingents of police had been deployed outside the residences of the separatist leaders. As a consequence, the top leaders would not be able to join the special congregational Eid-ul-Azha prayers, held only once a year. 

Confirming the extraordinary restrictions on the separatist leaders, a senior police official said the step had been taken as a “precautionary measure.”   

“This is a precautionary step as we would not want to take any chances on the day of Eid. Peace is our top priority and such steps become necessary for maintenance of peace on the Eid day”, the officer told KNS on conditions of anonymity.

Earlier in the day, the Hurriyat chairmen and JKLF chief had, in separate statements,   announced their program to offer Eid prayers and even address the congregations at Hazratbal, Eidgah and TRC Grounds.

Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has said he would offer Eid-ul-Azha prayers at Dargah Asar-e-Sharif Hazratbal, while his spokesman warned the government of “grave consequences” if the police siege around his (Geelani’s) Hyderpora residence was not lifted immediately.

“Geelani will offer Eid prayers at Dargah Hazratbal and also address the congregation on the occasion in which he will shed light on the prevailing situation in the state. He is likely to make some important announcements,” Hurriyat Conference (G) spokesman, Ayyaz Akbar, said in a statement. 

He said on earlier Eid-ul-Fitr also, Geelani had intended to offer prayers at Hazratbal but was prevented to do so. “Keeping Geelani under continued house arrest is not only a serious human rights violation but tantamount to interference in religious affairs as well,” he said, adding the Hurriyat chairman had been allowed to offer Friday only once this year and prevented from joining congregational prayers on the Eid-ul-Fitr as also all other Fridays.

If the government and its administration did not refrain from its approach this time, Ayyaz said, it would be assumed that it had accepted the defeat being incapable of fighting the Hurriyat (G) chairman politically.  “Even as the government may impose restrictions on Geelani’s movement, it cannot prevent his ideas and messages from reaching the masses,” he said.

Hurriyat spokesman said keeping Geelani under continued house arrest and even preventing him from offering prayers was a gross violation of his human and religious rights which could not be tolerated any longer.  “An individual in under house arrest for around two years past without any judicial or administrative order,” he lamented, expressing surprise over the occasional police claims that Geelani was a free man and could go anywhere.

Describing Omar Abdullah and his henchmen as “cowards and timid,” Ayyaz said a single man’s presence among the people would make them apprehensive of losing their power. “Geelani’s continued house arrest is making the state government’s position ridiculous by the day and even exposing those who claim to be representatives of the people,” he said, adding a resolution would be circulated in all the mosques across the valley for people’s endorsement.

Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, is scheduled to lead Eid prayers at the historic Eidgah here. He is likely to address the Eid congregation. Sources said the Hurriyat chairman had deputed a team of leaders for on-spot assessment of the preparations at Eidgah today. They included Advocate Shahidul Islam, Muhammad Shafi Khan and Mukhtar Ahmad Sofi.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, will offer Eid prayers at TRC grounds. “As in the past, he will address people there and inform them about the current situation and progress in the freedom struggle,” said a JKLF spokesman in a statement.

The Front has expressed heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of the spouse of Abdul Hameed Malik and mother of JKLF officials, Javed Ahmad Malik and Shuaib Malik of Qazi Gund and Muhammad Yousuf Ganai (Palay Khan) of Pampore. “A delegation led by chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, today visited Qazigund and Pampore to convey their condolences to the bereaved families. (With inputs from KNS)

Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now

MONTHLY	Rs 100
YEARLY	Rs 1000
LIFETIME	Rs 10000

CLICK FOR DETAILS