Syed Ali Shah Geelani placed under house arrest

Authorities here have put hard line Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani under house arrest as a preventive measure, officials said today.

Geelani was placed under house arrest since yesterday evening as there were apprehensions that he might lead protests after Friday prayers, the officials said.

Some people had indulged in stone-pelting after Geelani's address to the gatherings on May 6 at Batamaloo in the city.

Meanwhile, a Hurriyat spokespersonn condemned the restrictions on the movement of Geelani saying he has not been allowed even to offer prayers.

"Earlier, we had called for rallies to press for release of political prisoners and we thought the house arrest was to foil those rallies. However, Geelani is not even allowed to offer prayers," the spokesperson said.