GEELANI SAHAB REJECTS INQUIRY AS EYE WASH CALLS FOR BANDIPORA, SAFAPORA MARCH ON JULY 3; JKLF TO STAGE CANDLELIGHT PROTEST TODAY: Srinagar, July 1: Terming the inquiry into the killing of two youths at Sumbal yesterday as mere eyewash, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani Monday said no uniformed personnel would be punished for the act. “Inquiry ordered into the killings is laughable and it is only an announcement to cool the fraying tempers,” Geelani said in a statement here. “There will be no inquiry and no uniformed personnel will be punished,” he added. Geelani called for march towards Bandipora and Ganderbal on July 3 and asked people tohold prayers in absentia and strong protestsafter Friday prayers. Talking to Greater Kashmir, Hurriyat (G) chairman said, on July 3 people of Bandiporadistrict should march towards village Markundal to express solidarity with the family members ofslain teenager Irfan Ahmed Ganai. “On the same day, people of Ganderbal district should march towards village Koundbal in Safapora area of Ganderbal district to express solidarity with the family members ofTariq Ahmed Laharwal,” Geelani said. The Hurriyat chairman said people of entire Kashmir should hold funeral prayers in absentia for two martyrs on Friday and stage strong protests after congregational prayers against unjustified killings by army. “I also appeal people to introspect at this stage. People should boycott the upcoming elections be that Parliament or Assembly polls. It has been seen that voting in favour of mainstream parties justifies occupation inKashmir,” he said. “The complete boycott of elections would send a message to New Delhi that J&K was not its part and is a dispute,” he said. Geelani termed the inquiry ordered into the twin killings in Sumbal as “mere eyewash.” “We have seen not just dozens but hundredsof inquiries in the past. Everybody knows thefate of such probes. Guilty have never been punished. In the fresh case, we hardly expect any justice. Nobody willbe punished,” he said. “Ex-gratia would be provided to the families of bereaved to coverup the involvement.” He termed army’s statement regarding killingof two youth as unfortunate. “They kill us and then say sorry. It is not for the first time they have done this. In the past, forces have committed unabated crimes,” Geelani said. “The people of Kashmir don’t have a right to live. We have no honor and dignity.” He said under the guise of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), army enjoys impunity to kill any Kashmiri. “The state administration is equally responsible for the crimes as (Chief Minister) Omar Abdullah as the chief of Unified Command distribute awards to those who are involved in killing of innocent Kashmiris,”he said. “Omar Abdullah and other leaders ofthe State are not in a position to take action against killers. If they are serious in sharing the grief of the slain youth, their only option is to step down. Their resignation could send a message to the world that somethingwas really wrong in Kashmir.” JKLF TO HOLD CANDLE LIGHT PROTEST Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) would stage a candle light protest on July 2 after evening (Maghrib) prayers. According to a statement issued here,JKLF would take out a candle light protest march against the killing of two youth at Sumbal. “The protest rally would be taken out from Maqbool Manzil,” JKLF chief Yasin Maliksaid in a statement issued here. Malik said he has been shifted to his Maisuma residence where he has been put under house arrest. Malik was arrested on June 30 on way to Sumbal, Bandipora. The Front chairman said the killings oftwo youth at Bandipora were anotherwar “on the hearts of Kashmiris.” “The mainstream parties, army and the Indian media tried their best to downplay the two innocent killings,” Malik said. “All of them are equally responsible for the genocide of Kashmiris.” He took a dig at Indian media “for crying over small issues” while downplaying the issues like killing of two innocent youth.” Malik said it was unfortunate when Kashmiripeople were offering funerals of their sons, international community and Indian civil society was silent. “What does their criminal silence mean? Is it that Kashmiris are not humans? Is it that our blood is water?,” Malik questioned. He urged the international community and Indian politicians and civil society members to take strong notice of the“innocent killings by forces” and play their part in stopping it. He said Kashmiri people will continue to protest against the killings at Bandipora. . . . M.T
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 01:46:11 +0000
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