Police cracks down on pro-freedom camp

Srinagar: Police on Friday cracked down on the pro-freedom camp, placing several leaders, including chairmen of parallel Hurriyat factions, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani, under house arrest and detaining several others. Geelani who was scheduled to address a public rally at Hazratbal shrine remained under house arrest for the third consecutive day, spokesman Ayaz Akbar said.“Geelani is under house since Wednesday evening. The police didn’t even allow him to offer Friday prayers today,” Akbar told, adding that the restrictions amounted to “religious interference.”According to a statement issued here, Chairman of the parallel Hurriyat faction, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, couldn’t offer Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid Nowhatta as the authorities placed him under house arrest this morning.Authorities also placed Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik under house arrest. Malik was scheduled to address a public gathering in Kangan area of Ganderbal district in central Kashmir.Meanwhile, police detained Senior Hurriyat (M) leader and Democratic Freedom Party chairman, Shabir Ahmad Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front vice chairman, Javed Ahmad Mir this morning. “ Shabir Shah was arrested this morning along with Maulana Mohammad Abdullah Tari and other party leaders from Thathri, Doda,” a spokesman of Shah’s party said, adding that Shah was on way to  Kishtwar district of Jammu province to address a public gathering.Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front(R) vice president, Javed Ahmad Mir, was arrested this morning from his Zainakadal residence morning and later detained at Maharaj Gunj police station. “ Besides police also raided the Gurubazar residence of Farooq Ahmad Dar( Bitta Karatey)  and arrested his brother Mohammad Shafi Dar,” according to a spokesman. Police also raided the residences of senior party leaders, Wajahat Qureshi and Mohammad Rafiq Bhat, the spokesman added.