Chairman of the hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani was placed under house arrest on Wednesday morning, official sources said.

• Wullar boat tragedy: death toll rises to 22 

Police reached the residence of Geelani at Hyderpora on the Srinagar [Images] airport road at around 6:30 am and asked him not to move out of the house, the sources said.

Although no reason was given for the restrictions, a Hurriyat spokesman said Geelani was scheduled to proceed to Handwara in Kupwara district to condole the death of school children who drowned in Wullar lake in Baramulla district on Tuesday.

Condemning the action, the spokesman said the restrictions imposed on Geelani were "uncalled for" as he merely intented to condole the tragic death of the children in the tragedy.