Will defy curfew on Friday to lead prayers: Mirwaiz

Srinagar, Oct 25: Senior resistance leader and Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairperson, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday announced that he will break curfew and restrictions on Friday and offer mandatory congregational Friday prayers Namaz at Jamia Masjid Srinagar.
Mirwaiz was addressing a press conference soon after meeting former foreign minister Yashwant Sinha led delegation at his Nigeen residence.
He was shifted from sub-jail Chashma Shahi to his residence where he was placed under house arrest last evening. He was shifted to Chasma Shahi on August 26, 2016.
“We will anyhow reach Jamia Masjid on Friday defying curfew and restrictions,” Mirwaiz asserted.
The J&K Government has banned mandatory Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid Srinagar since Kashmir erupt in a massive anti-establishment civil uprising.
A five-member delegation led by former external affairs minister, Yashwant Sinha Tuesday called on Hurriyat patriarch Syed Ali Geelani this morning at his Hyderpora residence. The delegation is on a three-day visit to the valley.
Sources said that the meeting started at 11:40 AM and lasted for one hour and fifteen minutes. “They were offered water and then Kehwa,” sources said.
Speaking to reporters after coming out of Geelani’s besieged residence, Sinha said, “we don’t represent government of India.” However, he added, “the meeting was held in cordial atmosphere.”
Geelani continues to remain under house since 2010. However, he was let go to New Delhi for intermittent medical check-ups. Two police and CRPF vans have been placed outside his residence to prevent him from leaving his residence.
Later, the delegation met Hurriyat Conference (M) chairperson, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at his Nigeen residence.
The delegation is scheduled to meet separatist leaders, traders and civil society members to break the ice between separatist groups and New Delhi and pave way for dialogue, sources said.
The delegation led by Sinha comprises former Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities and the first Chief Information Commissioner of India, Wajahat Habibullah, former Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak, veteran journalist Bharat Bhushan and Executive Director of the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation Sushobha Barve. (CNS)