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Senior Kashmiri Separatist Leader Calls for Peaceful Protests

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, March 11: Senior Kashmiri separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani, who returned to Kashmir on Thursday after his three-month stay in the Indian capital, called for peaceful protests and urged youth not to pelt stones and raise provocative slogans.

Geelani, who is being labeled as a hardliner for not budging from his stance, was received by hundreds of supporters and some pro-Pakistan and pro-independence leaders at Hyderpora, some 8 kms from the summer capital Srinagar after his arrival on Thursday morning. He was greeted by pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans.

Geelani offered prayers at Jamia Masjid, Hyderpora and later addressed people there. "I appeal people to observe peaceful protests after tomorrow's (Friday) prayers. The protests should be held against the arrest of innocent people and leaders and against the state-sponsored terrorism," Geelani said while addressing people.

He, however, stressed that the protests should be peaceful. "People should refrain from pelting stones and raising provocative slogans during the protests," he said and urged youth to maintain discipline during the protests.

The veteran separatist leader, who was operated on eye during his three-month stay in the Indian capital, alleged that Indian soldiers deployed in Kashmir are committing grave excesses. "The atrocities and excesses committed by Indian soldiers force us to observe shutdowns and stage protests. Strikes are the only way to express our anger against the Indian oppression," he said.

He condemned what he said the "arbitrary arrests" of separatist leaders. "The leaders don't have guns in their hands. Their only sin is that they are demanding right to self-determination, which has been promised to them in United Nations and resolutions in this regarding are pending before world body," he said.

Vowing to continue the freedom struggle, Geelani said the world opinion was building in favor of Kashmiris. "It would not be possible for India to hold Kashmir for a long," he said adding Kashmiris are destined to be free.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.