Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said, hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani was by and large a free man, but restrictions have to be imposed on his public functions as these are followed by violence.
"Whenever I had intervened in removing restrictions on his (Geelani`s) movement and public speeches, these have invariably been followed by incidents of stone-pelting," Omar told reporters here.
The Chief Minister was responding to a question about continued house arrest of Geelani, who was not allowed to hold a seminar at his Hyderpora residence here yesterday.
"If the separatist leader assured that there will be no law and order problem after his public appearances, he will get the restrictions imposed on him removed," Omar said.
"Even if you (the reporter who asked the question) assure that there will be no law and order problem, we will remove the restrictions on him (Geelani)," he added.
PTI
