Srinagar, March 14- Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest on Friday and barred from visiting Jama Masjid for Friday prayers. Officials said the Mirwaiz, who is a prominent religious leader in Kashmir, was detained at his residence in Srinagar's Nigeen area.
The Hurriyat chief was supposed to offer prayers at Jama Masjid in Nowhatta area. The Hurriyat chief delivers a sermon every Friday at this historic mosque.
It may be recalled that the central government had earlier this week banned the Mirwaiz-led Awami Action Committee and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittehadul Muslimeen, led by Shia leader Masroor Abbas, for five years on charges of anti-national activities, supporting terrorism and fomenting separatist activities.
Meanwhile, Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, which looks after the management of Jama Masjid, has condemned the house arrest of Mirwaiz. The Auqaf said, “Such restrictions, especially during the holy month of Ramzan, are completely unnecessary and against the principles of religious freedom.” The Auqaf demanded that Mirwaiz be immediately released from house arrest so that he can fulfill his religious obligations.