Separatist leaders arrested ahead of march to Jamia Masjid

Police arrested separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani in Srinagar. Express photo Shauib Masoodi

Police on Friday arrested separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq as they tried to march from their residences to historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of Srinagar. “Geelani was arrested by police as he tried to defy the house arrest orders,” a spokesperson of the hardline Hurriyat Conference said. He said a police team whisked Geelani away to Humhama police station.

A spokesman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference said its chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was also arrested and taken to Nigeen police station as he tried to march to Jamia Masjid for Friday prayers. The separatist camp had jointly called for a march to Jamia Masjid to protest the recent civilian deaths in security forces action during the clashes in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

Authorities have imposed strict curfew in the city to thwart the march of the separatists. Meanwhile, Friday prayers were not offered at the Jamia Masjid for the third consecutive week due to the ongoing unrest.