SRINAGAR: In an unexpected move, government in occupied Jammu and Kashmiron Friday lifted curbs on the movement of separatist leader Syed AliGeelani to allow him to carry his political activities.

88-year-old Geelani, who has been under house arrest since 2010 at hisresidence in Hyderpora in Srinagar, was allowed to walk free today afterthe government lifted curbs on his movement.

Although the police contingent remained deployed outside his residence,Geelani was not barred from moving out as had been the case in last eightyears.

The development comes after State police chief Shesh Paul Vaid said allthree top separatists leader — Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq andMohammad Yasin Malik — were free to go anywhere to carry out theirpolitical and social activities.

He, however, said the trio should not make anti-national speeches or createa law and order problem.

Vaid said Mirwaiz and Malik too are free to move on their choice.

He said the credit for lifting curbs on separatists goes to the government.

After lifting of curbs, Geelani accompanied by his close associate MohammadAshraf Sehrai whom he had recently appointed as chairman of his partyTehreek-e-Hurriyat and supporters came out of his residence to offercongregational Friday prayers at nearby Jamia Masjid.

As he was walking towards the mosque, his supporters chanted pro-freedom,pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans.

It was for the first time since 2010 that Geelani offered Fridaycongregational prayers in a mosque.

A large number of people including men, women and children thronged theJamia Masjid in Hyderpora to listen to Geelani’s speech.

“After 8 years, I am offering Friday congregational prayers in a mosque. Ithank Almighty for it,” Geelani said in his address in the mosque.