According to Kashmir Media Service, occupying forces deployed heavy contingents of police around the residence and office of All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) Chairman Geelani where people from different walks of life were expected to attend the release ceremony for his book titled: Iqbal: Roohi Deen Ka Shinasa.

The police prohibited guests from crossing the barricades erected in front of the house, KMS reported.

Earlier this month, the Kashmiri leader urged people to completely boycott the parliamentary by-elections in the valley.

In a statement, he said on the one side, the puppet authorities were brutally killing people and hundreds of Hurriyet leaders and activists had been sent to detention centres; on the other, the pro-India politicians were busy staging election drama in the occupied territory.