Hakim Irfan/Ishfaq Tantry
Srinagar, Nov 17: Sleuths of J&K Police Tuesday arrested veteran pro-freedom leader Syed Ali Geelani while he was proceeding to Government Medical College where he wanted to interact with students. Speaking to a press conference earlier at his Hyderpora residence, Geelani refuted Police claims that he was a “free man” and not restricted from moving anywhere he wished to. His contention was later confirmed by a judicial panel that submitted to the High Court that the Police curbs on the Eighty-one-year-old Geelani were never lifted. 

Confirming his arrest, SSP Srinagar Javed Riyaz Bedar said: “Geelani was arrested in wake of the apprehension of breach of peace. He might have been shifted to Srinagar Central Jail now.”
Bedar said “Geelani will remain under lawful custody till he is bailed out”.
Earlier, addressing a press conference at his Rehmatabad Hyderpora residence, Geelani said: “I am not a free man. The state administration and police are speaking blatant lies. Hurriyat (G) members are being chased by the police everywhere.”
Quoting a statement from the commission set up by the High Court, he said even the commission in its report had said that "I am no more a free man. State is acting on fascist lines and Hitlerism. We are not allowed even to conduct peaceful programmes”.
On the programme announced by the veteran separatist leader against the "land occupied by the troopers" Geelani said: “Our programme is not agitation. It is extremely peaceful awareness campaign regarding land occupied by the troopers and also demanding right to self-determination. Agitation comes with its own package. We believe in complete peaceful resistance.”
Calling for complete strike on November 20 for district Pulwama, he said, “Pulwama will observe complete strike on November 20. I will myself try to reach there.”
Regarding his programme in Shopian and Bramulla, Geelani said they had to travel during nights for the programmes and threat of the troopers was continuously looming over them. "It was a miracle that we reached our destinations.”
Expressing anger over his repeated arrests and house-arrests by the authorities, Geelani said: “I spoke the language of peace and harmony in university. I even stopped students from raising provocative slogans. But I was still arrested after that and detained in Central Jail for few hours, which proved detrimental for my health. It was a punishment for entering in the varsity. Government should have at least listened to what I said there?”
Reiterating that the varsity is being used as a tool for cultural aggression, Geelani said, “In the name of Sufism, Kashmiriyat, Budhism, Shaivism and economic-isms, students are being disassociated with their past."
Meanwhile, an inquiry by Registrar Judicial, High Court has found that senior separatist leader and Hurriyat (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani is “no more a free man”.  
The Registrar was appointed as Inquiry officer by High Court to ascertain whether the restrictions have been lifted on Geelani or his movement still continues to be hampered.
In his inquiry report submitted to the HC, the Inquiry officer has concluded that Geelani was no more a free man.  The 10-page report prepared by Registrar Judicial includes the statements of Geelani, Head constable from CID and 9 other witnesses.
Quoting an eyewitness - Ghulam Qadir Head Constable CID, the report reads, “The cop said he and two of his colleagues have been assigned the duty to have close watch on Geelani’s movement. He said for the last six days he was performing his duty outside Geelani’s Hyderpora residence.”
The inquiry officer told the Court, “On the basis of recorded statements of independent witnesses i.e., Geelani’s neighbour and Ghulam Qadir, HC/CID (No.1661) and the circumstances, a conclusion can be drawn that Geelani is no more a free man.”
On November 9, Geelani through his Counsel Advocate Mian Qayoom filed a contempt petition before the High Court alleging that despite the  Court  directions and assurances from the IGP, the Hurriyat (G) chairman continues to be kept in  custody  by the authorities as policemen are being deployed round the clock at his residence.
After hearing the petition, Justice Hakim Imtiyaz had appointed  Registrar Judicial, High Court  as inquiry officer in the case with a direction that “ he shall go on to spot  and report about the  present situation  as also the fact whether  any guard  has  been deployed  at the residence of the  petitioner, which is causing interference in his  day to day movements.”
The contempt petition came up for hearing before Justice Muzaffar Attar. The counsel for DGP Kuldip Khoda and others, DAG S A Vakil sought more time to file “statement of facts”, which was granted by the court.