Geelani reiterates call to boycott interlocutors

Srinagar: Reiterating call to boycott the interlocutors, chairman of his faction of Hurriyat Conference Monday said that he has pardoned those who created hullabaloo during his seminar in New Delhi last week. The veteran leader also played it cool about the reports that police in New Delhi would file a case against him for his speech saying, “I have already 90 FIRs, let it be 91st.”

Addressing a press conference here, the octogenarian urged people including inmates in jail, lawyers (members of bar association), traders, transporters and others to boycott three member interlocutors, presently in valley on maiden four day visit.

“It is mere drama that New Delhi is enacting and had it been sincere, they would have accepted the five minimum points put forth by us. India wants to give an impression to the US President Barak Hussain Obama that the country is sincerely engaged in a dialogue process to resolve the Kashmir issue which is nothing but a trick,” he said.

In August last, the veteran leader proposed five conditions including that India must agree Jammu Kashmir as an international dispute, announce and begin the process of complete demilitarization, to be monitored by some credible agency like UN; repeal “black laws” such as AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act), PSA (Public Safety Act), Immediate and unconditionally release of detainees and booking perpetrators of ‘state violence’ that had then claimed over 100 people.

Geelani also reiterated that he has no animosity with the group of interlocutors. “They all are respectable persons but we are against their mission. There is no justification in meeting them when New Delhi has practically rejected the five points that has the backing of people including those in Poonch, Rajouri and others areas of the Jammu.”

He said that while India was talking of dialogue, “it has continued its suppressive policies including arrest of youth, booking people under PSA and other such measures.”

Referring to the incident of shoe hurling at him in New Delhi, Geelani said that it was aimed to divert attention from the topic.

“I want to tell those of my neighbours who created hullabaloo to please their masters who are against Azadi, I have pardoned them and when they return to their land and homes in Valley, they would find us as good neighbours,” Geelani said, adding, “Pandits including those in Panun Kashmir were made to leave their house under a conspiracy by then governor.”

A member of Panun Kashmir heckled Hurriyat chief Syed Ali Shah Geelani, during a seminar organised at the Kamani Auditorium on ‘Azaadi — The Only Way’ in New Delhi on Thursday last.   “There was no hullabaloo during my speech and everyone listened patiently. Whatever I said in the speech, I have been saying it all my life. I am not like others who say something here and entirely different thing outside.”

Geelai also claimed that there were many supportive voices in India for “Kashmir cause”.

Asked about reports that Indian Home Ministry has given go ahead to file a case for the speech in New Delhi, he replied to big laugh by journalist. “I have 90 FIRS already, let it be 91st.”

Geelano also hailed the resolve of people in past 135 days and hoped that the people would continue their support in future also.