Hurriyat leader Syed Geelani’s son arrested

NAIM GEELANI WAS ARRESTED WHEN HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO THE RESIDENCE OF HIS FATHER AT HYDERPORA

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested the elder son of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Saturday and stopped his younger son from entering the octogenarian leader’s residence, sources told IANS.

Naim Geelani, a doctor at a government hospital here, was arrested at around 10am when he was on his way to the Hyderpora residence of the hard line Hurriyat leader.

“He was not allowed inside the house and police arrested him,” a family source said.

The arrest came ahead of the senior Geelani’s scheduled “address to the nation” over telephone on Saturday afternoon. The address could not take place due to the jammers placed by the state authorities around the Hyderpora residence.

Geelani’s younger son, Naseem Geelani, an assistant professor at the Sheri-Kashmir Agricultural University of Science and Technology, was stopped by policemen from entering his father’s house in the morning. “You are not allowed to meet Geelani,” the police told Naseem.

Naseem later took to Facebook to vent his anger. In an emotional attack on Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, Naseem posted, “I want to ask one simple question to Mohtarma Mehbooba Mufti. When someone even mentions your father’s name, you break into tears. What about my ailing father who waits to see me everyday?”

The 88-year-old Hurriyat Conference chairman is suffering from heart ailment, kidney problems and respiratory issues, family sources said.

“He has a pacemaker in heart, is surviving on half a kidney and has multiple other health issues. We (sons) need to see him daily and take his care. But we are not allowed,” Naseem said.

“Even my elder brother has been detained,” Naseem said, adding, “He has been taken to Humhama police station”.

The police have barred the entry of the senior Geelani’s family members, media and most visitors to his residence.