Separatist leaders in Kashmir continue to remain under house arrest.

While veteran separatist leader and Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani completed 150 days under house detention, the Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman said it has been sixth consecutive year that “I was not allowed to address Eid gathering at historic Eidgah in Srinagar.” According to Hurriyat Conference (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar, Geelani completed 150 days under house detention.

“He was only once allowed to venture out and that was when he had to apply for passport,” he said.

He said 68 Hurriyat (G) leaders and members have either been lodged in various police stations or kept under house detention.

Reacting to ban on internet, Akbar said: “It reflects the mindset of the present government. The step is highly condemnable. When the world is moving towards development, government in J&K is choking people’s freedom by banning internet.”

The Hurriyat (M) chairman denounced restrictions on separatist leaders while terming the internet ban as an “act of frustration.”

“The restrictions on Hurriyat leaders reflect the mentality of the present regime. It seems the government has decided to deal with pro-freedom camp with iron-fist,” Mirwaiz told Greater Kashmir. “It was for the sixth consecutive year that I wasn’t allowed to address people on Eid at Eidgah. We strongly condemn anti-Hurriyat policy of the government.”

All Hurriyat (M) leaders including Javaid Ahmed Mir, Hilal War, Mukhtar Waza, Advocate Shahidul Islam and others have either been placed under house arrest or lodged in police stations, a spokesman of the party said.  JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik continues to be under house arrest at his Maisuma residence.