Senior separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Shabir Ahmad Shah were placed under house arrest as the funeral of a youth, found dead under mysterious circumstances in New Delhi, was carried out amidst tight security in Srinagar on Thursday.
Geelani, chairman of the hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference, was placed under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence on Thursday morning while Shah, president of Democratic Freedom Party, was under restrictions at Rawalpora since Wednesday to prevent them from taking part in the funeral of one Irshad Ahmad Lone, officials said.
According to deceased's family, Delhi police informed them that Lone, a resident of Chanapora locality who had gone to the capital to find a job, was found injured on a highway and taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
However, the family alleged that he was killed by Delhi police after being arrested on Tuesday. They claimed that torture marks were visible on his body.
Shah condemned the government action while spokesman of Hurriyat Conference Ayaz Akbar said it was for the seventh time during the past one-and-a-half months that restrictions were placed on Geelani.
Lone's body was brought to his house at Chanapora on Thursday morning and was later buried at the local graveyard amidst tight security arrangements, officials said.
Several hundred slogan-shouting people participated in the funeral procession and demanded an inquiry into the youth's death.
Police and paramiltary forces, along with water canon vehicles, were deployed in the area. Shops and business establishments in Chanapora, Natipora and adjoining areas remained closed in protest against the youth's death.
