Srinagar, July 31: The Chairman of Hurriyat (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was serving detention under the Public Safety Act, on Saturday rejected the Government’s offer to be released on parole for a month. However, police maintained that Geelani has been released on parole.
The veteran leader who is undergoing treatment at SKIMS Soura maintained that he will not accept the parole unless the youth who were arrested during the ongoing unrest were released.
Geelani’s son Naseem Geelani told Greater Kashmir that the Central jail authorities on Friday evening had offered to release him on parole but he (Geelani) refused the offer.
“Today a senior police officer had visited Geelani Sahib and set conditions for his release including that he will not participate in any political activity. But Geelani Sahib categorically rejected the offer. Instead he reiterated his condition to release the arrested youth first,” Naseem said adding Geelani refused to sign parole documents.
 When contacted, a senior police officer wishing anonymity said the Central Jail authorities have released Geelani on parole. “We have offered him security escort to his home but he refused,” he said. 
 Pertinently, Geelani was arrested on June 12 to prevent him from leading a special prayer meeting at Hazratbal Shrine. On June 24, he was booked under PSA and lodged at the sub-jail at Chesmashahi.
 On July 22 he was admitted at the SKIMS Soura after he complained to chest pain. He is still undergoing treatment at the hospital.
 Incidentally, it was the consistent demand of some mainstream parties to release political prisoners including Geelani and other pro-freedom leaders saying “it will help to diffuse the tension.”

Lastupdate on : Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 1 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST