Make public grounds of my house arrest: Geelani asks Omar

Reacting sharply to the police move to keep him under house arrest, hardline Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani today asked chief minister Omar Abdullah to make public the constitutional grounds for consistently putting restrictions on his movement. HT reports.

Reacting sharply to the police move to keep him under house arrest, hardline Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Friday asked chief minister Omar Abdullah to make public the constitutional grounds for consistently putting restrictions on his movement.

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“If Omar has courage and moral authority, then he should make public the charges and constitutional grounds under which I am being persistently put under house arrest,” said Geelani in a statement issued from his house in Srinagar’s Hyderpora area.

Accusing the government of interfering with his religious and social rights, Geelani said: “It is battle of ideologies. I do not impose on ideology on people and I have every right to reach out to the people like others to put forth my view point. Placing me under house arrest reflects the state government’s oppressive tendencies,” said Geelani.

The 82-year-old separatist leader was not allowed to attend Friday prayers at Srinagar’s TRC Mosque. The police claim Geelani’s speeches are followed by street protests and stone pelting. Ever since Geelani arrived in Srinagar from Delhi on March 27, except for Baramulla public meeting, no other address was allowed by the authorities.

“India never allowed democratic rights in Kashmir and the ruling National Conference maintains it. I am put in jail in my own house. This move is to hoodwink the world community and give an impression that Geelani is living freely,” said Geelani.