Date:10/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/10/stories/2003011005510100.htm

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Mirwaiz passport suspended

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JAN. 9. The Government has decided to suspend the passport of the former Hurriyat Conference chairman, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, as he, along with other separatist leaders, was allegedly indulging in anti-India activities and making secessionist statements.

Well-placed sources in the Government said Mirwaiz Umer Farooq's passport was being suspended for a month and a notice to this effect had been sent to him.

Other separatist leaders such as Yasin Malik and Sheikh Abdul Aziz were likely to face the same action, sources said.

The Government decision follows specific inputs made available to it by intelligence agencies. The meetings of the separatist leaders during their travel abroad with anti-India elements, Pakistani intelligence officials and others were taken note of. The Government move came even as the Congress-PDP Government in Jammu and Kashmir was trying the "healing touch" therapy and working towards facilitating a dialogue with the Centre.