Security forces on Monday launched a massive operation in Hyderpora area in Srinagar to prevent hard-line Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani from addressing a press conference at his residence.

Geelani is scheduled to address a press conference in connection with the recent arrest of four of his senior colleagues under Public Safety Act and judicial custody of 13 others.

The Central Reserve Police Force and Jammu and Kashmir police personnel cordoned off Hyderpora, including Geelani's house on the Srinagar-Airport road.

A CRPF official guarding the by lane towards Geelani's residence said they have instructions from higher authorities not to allow anybody to enter the area. He said the operation was conducted following information on the presence of militants.

However, official sources said security forces were looking for people who participated in the April 22 rally when anti-national slogans were raised.

A First Information Report (number 70/2007) was lodged in the Safa Kadal police station on April 22 against Geelani and others, when a section of media reported that militants belonging to the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and the Hizbul Mujahideen were present in the rally organised to accord welcome to Geelani on his return from New Delhi, where he was recuperating following his kidney surgery at Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital in Mumbai on March 26.

It was alleged that the flags of the two militant outfits were also raised at the rally.

Hurriyat spokesman Aiyaz Akbar told UNI that the Geelani's house was also thoroughly searched and those present were questioned and their identity cards checked.

He said the ailing chairman was to address a press conference in connection with the arrest of Hurriyat leaders.

Those who were booked under PSA included acting chairman Ghulam Nabi Sumbji, Muslim league chairman Masarat Alam, Democratic Political Movement president Firdous Ahmad Shah and Mohammad Shafi Lone for their alleged anti-national activities.

Under the Act, they will have to go minimum two years imprisonment.

Police arrested the HC leaders under sections 13 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities Act on April 26 minutes before they were to address a news conference in Srinagar.
 
Police had lodged the FIR against Geelani and others under the section 13 of the Unlawful Activities Act for raising anti-India slogans and launched investigation into the entire episode.