Syed Ali Shah Geelani not allowed to address press at his residence

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir authorities today denied permission to hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani to address a press conference at his residence here, with the amalgam charging it was done by the government "out of frustration".

Mediapersons were also stopped from covering the press conference, with a large posse of police personnel deployed at Geelani's residence.

"We have orders not to allow the mediapersons to enter Geelani's residence," a police officer told reporters.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat spokesperson Ayaz Akbar said Geelani has rescheduled the press conference for Saturday.

"It is out of frustration, that the government is not even allowing Geelani to talk to media," Akbar said in a statement.

Geelani was put under house arrest on November 16, a day before the separatist leader was scheduled to address a public gathering in Palhallan, Pattan of north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

The leader, who was under house detention for a 235-day spell, was "released" on October 29, after which he addressed public gatherings in Sopore, Shopian, Kupwara and Pulwama.