Mirwaiz, Shah placed under house arrest, Geelani freed

Srinagar: The state authorities on Friday placed Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and several of his party leaders under house-arrest, while the curbs on the chairman of the parallel faction were lifted.City correspondent said that Mirwaiz, who is also the Chief Cleric, was placed under house arrest at his Nigeen residence for the third consecutive Friday. A contingent of policeman was deployed around his residence around 11 this morning and he was informed of being under house arrest. “For the third consecutive Friday, I’ve been barred from offering Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid. This is unjustified and unwarranted. This is interference in religious affairs,” Mirwaiz told Press Bureau of India.“Kashmir has virtually been converted into a police state. There is no rule of law. Our political rights, human rights and religious rights are being curbed by the government,” he added.Mirwaiz said that he will take up the issue of ‘religious interference’ with the head of Islamic countries and the Ulemas.“This is not the first time; I have been prevented from offering Friday prayers. Last year, I was not allowed to offer prayers for 14 consecutive Fridays. This is too much,” he said.Meanwhile, senior leader of the amalgam and Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), Shabir Ahmad Shah, who was scheduled to address a gathering at Pakherpora in Chrar-e-Shareef, was also placed under house arrest. “I had to go to Pakherpora, Chrar-e-Shareef to offer Friday prayers and address a public rally. However, cops deployed outside my residence didn’t allow me,” Shah said.He said that after his release from Jail, he has not been allowed to offer prayers for over 22 Fridays. “Since my release, I have been placed under house arrest for over 68 days. Last night, cops were deployed around my residence and this morning I was informed of being under house arrest,” he added.Meanwhile, the authorities this afternoon lifted restrictions on the Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was continuously under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence. “Geelani Sahab was allowed to offer Friday prayers today,” a Hurriyat spokesman said.