Syed Ali Shah Geeelani holds rally in Srinagar; supporters greet him with Pak flags

Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geeelani on Wednesday held his first public rally in Srinagar after the 2010 summer unrest as his supporters waved Pakistani flags and chanted pro-Pakistan slogans

Srinagar: Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geeelani on Wednesday held his first public rally in Srinagar after the 2010 summer unrest as his supporters waved Pakistani flags and chanted pro-Pakistan slogans.

Geelani, who returned from Delhi after over three months, was given a rousing welcome by his supporters and leaders of Hurriyat including Masarat Alam Bhat. This was Geelani's first public rally after the 2010 summer agitation in Srinagar in which over 100 youth were killed.

Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geeelani. Pic/Jagran

Besides the Hurriyat flags, some supporters were also seen carrying Pakistani flags as they chanted pro-Pakistan and pro-freedom slogans.

Addressing the gathering, the Hurriyat hawk said Kashmir was not a border dispute between India and Pakistan but the issue of one crore people of the state. "We will not accept status quo and our struggle to achieve Right to Self-Determination will continue. We will not accept Shimla agreement or Lahore declaration," Geelani said.

Geelani's supporters greeting him with Pakistan flags. Pic/Jagran

Geelani said Kashmiri Pandits were welcome to return to Valley, but 'the people of Kashmir will not accept the division'. "Pandits are our brothers. They are welcome to return but they will have to live at their native places. Separate colonies are not acceptable to us. "The government has said they will give Rs 20 lakh to each Pandit family. We are telling them to provide the Pandits Rs 30 lakh to built their houses, but only at their native places," he said.

The Hurriyat chairman said Muslims and Pandits have lived together for centuries and want to live in peace and harmony. "Humanity should not be divided on the lines of religion, caste or creed. We will not accept any division," he said.

Geelani said RSS wants to change the culture of the state and there was a need to aware the people about their designs. "The RSS wants to change the culture and traditions of Kashmir. We will soon organise a seminar to make people aware& of the motives," he said.

The separatist leader demanded release of all political prisoners and repeal of all "black laws" like Armed Forces Special Forces Act (AFSPA) and Public Safety Act (PSA).

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