SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir administration Saturday allowed Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to visit Sopore to offer condolences to the family of veteran Hurriyat functionary Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 89.“After three days of house detention, I was allowed to visit Botingoo, Sopore, at the residence of Prof Abdul Gani Bhat,” Mirwaiz said, adding that he was released early Saturday morning.Addressing mourners, Mirwaiz said, “He was to me an affectionate elder, dear friend, and guide. Prof Bhat was not only a respected academic and scholar but also a visionary politician who consistently upheld dialogue and moderation as the way forward. His legacy as a scholar, visionary, and dreamer of peace will continue to inspire.”Following Bhat’s death, the UT administration placed several Kashmiri leaders, including Mirwaiz, former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, and Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone, under house arrest and barred from attending Bhatt’s funeral over law-and-order concerns.
