Geelani placed under house arrest

Leader of the hardline faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has been placed under house arrest.

Local reports said that his incarceration has been done to prevent him from holding a seminar here on Sunday.

Geelani had earlier this week announced that he would be holding a seminar of separatist leaders, including those from Sikhs groups, and Christian community representatives.

The seminar is expected to discuss the topic 'How to Resist the Indian State Fascism'," a Hurriyat (G) spokesman was quoted by a prominent Englaish daily, as saying earlier this week.

"The personalities who have been invited for the proposed seminar include Akali Dal leader Simranjit Singh Mann, Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh, noted human rights activist Gautam Navlakha and representatives of the Christian community," he was quoted, as saying.

He said prominent scholars, intellectuals, writers and "pro-freedom leaders" of Kashmir would also participate.

On Thursday, Geelani was quoted by the Kashmir Times, as saying that efforts were being made by "secret agencies to destablise Sopore, which is a stronghold for the ongoing movement."

In a statement, he said that since 1931, the town of Sopore has been a strong fort of the struggle of Kashmir and now the secret agencies under a planned manner want to divide and weaken this fort.

He also expressed his deep concern and anguish over the reports that the residents of the Sopore are being threatened and warned through posters with different names. He was particular in mentioning terror groups ISIS and the TTP in this regard.