*****Geelani slams Govt for ‘concealing Shopian facts’******* Srinagar, Sep 10: Terming as unfortunate and unjustified, what he said, the repressive measures and restrictions against the Shopian Chalo call, the Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani Tuesday slammed the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led administration for foiling the peaceful programme. “The forces resorted to unjustified nocturnal raids in every nook and corner of Kashmir and arrested scores of political workers and leaders besides ransacking their houses. General Secretary Tehreek- e- Hurriyat Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, spokesman Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saif ullah, Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ganai and Syed Imtiyaz Hyder were among the arrested,” said Geelani in a statement today, adding that “on the one hand, the armed forces are killing innocent and unarmed youth and the other hand, the authorities do not even allow people to mourn these killings.” Geelani appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir including residents of Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban and Rajouri to hold peaceful protests on September 13, after Friday prayers, against Shopian tragedy. Besides, he urged the religious clerics to a take lead role against the ‘inhuman and bestial acts of forces’. “National Conference has virtually waged war against common masses and political activists. The present regime is responsible for unjustified killings in Shopian. Omar Abdullah while leading Unified Command shares equal responsibility for the gruesome incident. In order to conceal facts about Shopian tragedy, the government arrested scores of youth and political leaders and imposed uncalled-for curfew in south Kashmir. But despite all their wishful tactics the facts about the Shopian tragedy came to light and now Omar Abdullah has no option but to avoid making false assumptions,” said Geelani, demanding release of all political detainees and asking the rulers to “fight the pro-freedom leaders on political turf instead of resorting to vile tactics.” “The repressive measures and coercion won’t deter us from taking the legitimate struggle to its logical end.” Meanwhile, Geelani expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the killing of Muslims in Muzafar Nagar, UP, terming the anti-Muslim riots as ‘pre-planned to wipe out the community from India’. Blaming both communal forces and ruling parties for the “genocide”, Geelani said, “All the parties including those claiming to be the secular in nature are prime accused. They are involved in arson and massacre of Muslims in India for garnering votes in the forthcoming elections.”
Posted on: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 17:47:35 +0000