Cops stop Geelani from holding ‘scheduled’ press conference

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, September 18

The authorities today did not allow a “scheduled” press conference of senior separatist leader and hardline Hurriyat Chairman Syed Ali Geelani at his residence in the Hyderpora area on the outskirts of Srinagar citing restrictions imposed under Section 144.

Infact, the police is investigating how Geelani, who has been under a protracted incarceration even much before August 5, was able to send an email message to the journalists and other media houses in Srinagar as the region continued to be under a communication blockade with mobile phones and Internet shutdown for the past 46 days.

The journalists were told that the press conference at Hyderpora residence of Geelani was scheduled at 11.30am. However, before the journalistsfrom various newspapers and television channels besides the photographers, could reach the residence, a contingent of the J&K Police was already present at the spot. Later, a senior official arrived at the spot informing that the mediapersons were not allowed to go inside to attend the “scheduled” press conference.

“Because of the imposition of Section 144, you people are not supposed to meet him (Geelani)’, a police official present at the spot told the journalists while preventing them from attending the press conference”, the police official said.

He also said he had been asked by the higher authorities to inquire into how Geelani, who supposedly had no access to communication, including the Internet, was able to send the purported e-mail invitation press about the “scheduled” press conference.

Asked what is the status of Geelani, that if he is under preventive detention, the officer said he was free to go for medical checkups, adding that even people could meet him.

“He is free to meet anyone but I am not sure if you as a journalist can meet him. For that you can check with the District Magistrate concerned”, the officer said, while ordering his men not to allow any journalist or photographer to Geelani’s residence in Hyderpora.