Srinagar, Aug 19: Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani Friday warned of peaceful agitation if political detainees including those arrested on charges of stone pelting are not released and curbs imposed on him are not lifted before Eid.
“If political detainees were not released and I was not allowed to offer the prayers of Jumat-ul-Vida and Eid, then we will announce protest program after Eid-ul-Fitr. There will be no strike or protest program in the remaining days of Ramadan,” Geelani said addressing a news conference at his Hyderpora residence this afternoon. “I appeal all transporters, hoteliers, traders and students to follow our program in letter and spirit,” he added.
Flaying the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for placing him under continuous house detention, Geelani said, “On one hand they claim that they have lifted curbs on me, but on other I am not even allowed to offer the Friday prayers.”
“The foundation of this government is laid on the basis of falsehood and deceit. I went to jail in the tenure of Omar Abdullah’s grandfather and father also but he (Omar) has surpassed their records in dishonesty and deceit. From July 20 I am under house detention. On August 17, they claimed that curbs imposed on me were lifted, but next day they stopped me from going to the family of Nazim Rashid who was killed in police custody,” he said, adding that he had been barred from offering Friday prayers thrice this month.
Accusing government of sabotaging their peaceful programs, Geelani said arson and gherao is not part of their peaceful movement.
Without naming US Senator John McCain, Hurriyat (G) chairman said statements of the foreign dignitaries that situation in Kashmir has improved tantamount to rubbing salt onto the wounds of oppressed Kashmiris.
“They seem to be unaware of the ground realities here. Don’t they know more than 1000 Kashmiris are languishing in jails? Don’t they know that ruthless force is used on peaceful protesters? Don’t they know that in downtown police use ladders and smashes windows to enter the residential houses?” he said.
When asked about his utterances during meeting with Pakistan Foreign Minister Hinna Rabbani Khar last month that Pakistan should set their house right, Geelani said, “I am not disheartened with Pakistan and there is no harm in advising our well wishers.” Geelani said Hurriyat is not averse to talks but for the result oriented dialogue New Delhi should first accept Kashmir as a dispute.
“History stands testimony that 150 rounds of talks have failed from 1952 due to insincerity of New Delhi,” he added.
Replying to a query about unification, Geelani said there is unity of ideology among the pro-freedom leadership.
“Though our platforms are different, but our goal is same,” he said.
When asked about Anna Hazare’s campaign against corruption, Geelani said the fight against corruption by Anna would not yield any results till people do not transform their conscience at individual level.
“The change has to come from within an individual. Only then can the menace of corruption be weeded out from any society,” he added.
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