Srinagar, July 31 (IANS) Hardline Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, who had been arrested last month for making inflammatory speeches, was released Saturday evening, an official said.
A senior police officer told IANS that Geelani, who had been admitted to the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) at Soura here after his health deteriorated last week, was conveyed that he is a free man.
Geelani, however, refused to move out of the hospital in response to his release order.
Sources close to him said Geelani wanted all arrested youth and other separatist leaders also released.
Geelani had been arrested last month under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and lodged in a tourist hut in high security Chashma Shahi area of the city because of his failing state of health.
He was admitted to SKIMS last week after he complained of some breathing discomfort.
