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#Day109: Sinha Led Group meets Hurriyat (m) chief; ‘Mirwaiz will Break Jamia Masjid Siege’

5:24 pm October 25, 2016

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

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Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addressing media at his Nigeen residence on Oct 25, 2016. He was shifted to home from sub-jail Chasma Shahi on Oct 24, 2016 late evening and placed under house arrest. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

Senior resistance leader and Hurriyat Conference (m) chairperson, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday announced that he will break curfew and restrictions on Friday and offer mandatory congregational Friday prayers Namaz at Jamia Masjid Srinagar.

Mirwaiz was addressing a press conference soon after meeting former foreign minister Yashwant Sinha led delegation at his Nigeen residence.

He was shifted from sub-jail Chashma Shahi to his residence where he was placed under house arrest last evening. He was shifted to Chasma Shahi on August 26, 2016.

“We will anyhow reach Jamia Masjid on Friday defying curfew and restrictions,” Mirwaiz asserted.

Sealed! Th J&K Government has banned mandatory Friday prayers in historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar for consecutive Fridays. The locked entrance to the Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta in Old Srinagar on Oct 21, 2016. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur) — Sealed! The J&K Government has banned mandatory Friday prayers in historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar for 15 consecutive Fridays. The blocked entrance to the Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta in Old Srinagar on Oct 21, 2016. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

The J&K Government has banned mandatory Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid Srinagar since Kashmir erupt in a massive anti-establishment civil uprising.

A five-member delegation led by former external affairs minister, Yashwant Sinha Tuesday called on Hurriyat patriarch Syed Ali Geelani this morning at his Hyderpora residence. The delegation is on a three-day visit to the valley.

Sources said that the meeting started at 11:40 AM and lasted for one hour and fifteen minutes. “They were offered water and then Kehwa,” sources said.

Yashwant Sinha speaking to reporters after meeting Syed Ali Geelani outside later's residence on Oct 25, 2016. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur) — Yashwant Sinha speaking to reporters after meeting Syed Ali Geelani outside latter’s residence on Oct 25, 2016. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

Speaking to reporters after coming out of Geelani’s besieged residence, Sinha said, “we don’t represent government of India.” However, he added, “the meeting was held in cordial atmosphere.”

Geelani continues to remain under house since 2010. However, he was let go to New Delhi for intermittent medical check-ups. Two police and CRPF vans have been placed outside his residence to prevent him from leaving his residence.

Later, the delegation met Hurriyat Conference (m) chairperson, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at his Nigeen residence.

Members of Yashwant Sinha led group walking towards residence of Syed Ali Geelani on Oct 25, 2016. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

The delegation is scheduled to meet separatist leaders, traders and civil society members to break the ice between separatist groups and New Delhi and pave way for dialogue, sources said.

The delegation led by Sinha comprises former Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities and the first Chief Information Commissioner of India, Wajahat Habibullah, former Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak, veteran journalist Bharat Bhushan and Executive Director of the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation Sushobha Barve.