Srinagar, May 21 -- The Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference on Thursday claimed that its President and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone was placed under house arrest on the death anniversary of his father, slain leader Abdul Gani Lone.

In a statement, the party condemned the action and termed it "unfortunate and undemocratic".

"Preventing the President of JKPC and MLA Handwara from paying tribute to his martyred father is unfortunate and undemocratic. Such actions hurt public sentiments and weaken democratic values," JKPC said in the statement.

There was no immediate reaction from the authorities to the party's claim.

Separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone was gunned down by militants on May 21, 2002, at Eidgah in Srinagar. The death anniversary ...