Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 10: Ahead of death anniversary of slain Hurriyat Conference leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz, police today arrested chairman of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference while that of moderate faction was put under house arrest to prevent trouble in Srinagar on the occasion.
Police arrested chairman of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani outside his residence at Hyderpora as he was heading to offer Friday prayers.
As soon as Geelani came out to offer Friday prayers, a contingent of police posted outside his residence arrested him and shifted him to Humhama police station.
Mirwaiz Omar Farooq was put under house arrest soon after he returned home after offering Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid, Srinagar.
Geelani was arrested as he was planning a march to Eidgah in downtown tomorrow on the occasion of death anniversary of Sheikh Abdul Aziz who was killed in Uri while leading a protest march on Srinagar Muzaffarabad road on August 11, 2008.
The Hurriyat constituent and separatist People’s League has called for one day strike tomorrow on the occasion of Aziz’s anniversary.
Fearing trouble and to prevent Mirwaiz from going to Pampore, he was put under house arrest. A large contingent of police has been posted outside his residence and he has been asked not to move out.