Official sources said Mr Geelani, who had announced to visit Dodipora Handwara, where four youths were allegedy shot dead by the army during a cricket match yesterday, was put under house arrest.

They said a large number of police personnel were deployed near the Hyderpora residence of Mr Geelani to prevent him to move out.

A spokesman for the HC said a police officer informed Mr Geelani that he has been put under house arrest and he cannot move out of his house.

He said Geelani was to visit the residence of four youths on Thursday to express sympathy and solidarity with them.

The HC spokesman said a team of HC leaders on Thursday left for Handwara from Srinagar [Images]. However, he said, the leaders, including Mohammad Ashraf Sahrahee, Ghulam [Images] Nabi Sumbji, Qazi Ahadullah and Khan Sopori, were detained by police at Parimpora.

A spokesman for the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front said Malik along with other leaders left Maisuma Thursday morning for Handwara.