Srinagar, Sept. 19 -- Many political leaders on Thursday claimed that they were put under house arrest to prevent them from visiting Batengo village in Sopore to condole the demise of former Hurriyat Conference chairman Abdul Gani Bhat.

Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also alleged that the family of Abdul Gani Bhat were forced to perform his last rites during night only. Professor Bhat passed away on Wednesday evening. He was buried at his native place at midnight after the authorities told the family that burial won't be allowed on Thursday. Earlier the family had conveyed that the former Hurriyat chairman's burial will be performed on Thursday morning.

"It pains me beyond words that the authorities compelled the family of Prof S...