09 June 2004	Wednesday	20 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

NEW DELHI, June 8: Police on Tuesday placed Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Democratic Freedom Party Chief Shabbir Ahmad Shah under house arrest.

Security forces took positions outside the house of Mr Geelani at Hyderpora and informed him that he had been placed under house arrest and would not be allowed to move out, said a news report received here quoting police sources.

His telephone connections were also severed, added the report. Policemen were also deployed at the Rawalpora residence of Mr Shah and he too was not allowed to move out, the sources said.

Criticizing the action, Mr Shah said that he was intending to visit the mosque to participate in the funeral prayers of Moulvi Mushtaq, a leader of Awami Action Committee.

Mr Shah said: "It is the duty of every Muslim to participate in funeral prayers and restricting them from doing their religious duty is a direct interference in one's religious matters." -APP