Srinagar, Dec 9 : Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has said that the Kashmir issue needs to be solved in a political manner.

In resuming the campaign against elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq said separatist leaders were being put under house arrest.

Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest since November 14 when he was scheduled to lead anti-election rally at Bandipora town in Kashmir.

Addressing his supporters after leading the Eid prayers at Jama Masjid in Srinagar today, the Mirwaiz urged the people of the Kashmir Valley to march to Lal Chowk on December 24 and protest against elections.

Indirectly expressing his disapproval for the economic package announced by the government for the state to speed up its economic development, the Mirwaiz said that Kashmir is a political issue that cannot be resolved by providing locals employment opportunities or announcing economic packages.

"Kashmir is a political issue and till the time we don''t have political stability, this issue will not be resolved. This issue will not be resolved by providing employment, by giving subsidies, by giving economic package or any other such measure," said the Mirwaiz.

The fifth and the next of polling is scheduled for December 13 in 11 constituencies for which campaigning has intensified. (ANI)