Geelani visits Shopian, calls for complete election boycott

Shopian, Nov 6 (KMW): Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani today visited Shopian where a large gathering of people welcomed him. Since early morning local youths were making rounds across the town shouting pro-freedom slogans.

While addressing people at Gole Chowk Shopian, Geelani said: “Congress, National Conference, PDP and other pro-occupational parties are a part of the process under which Kashmiris are being slaughtered.” Referring to Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the senior separatist leader said, “PDP is no better than NC or any other Indian party. Rapes, killings and other incidents also took place in Kashmir under the PDP’s rule.”
Paying tributes to the recently killed youth in Shopian, “Geelani said the young boys lost their lives due to Indian oppression which we are witnessing since 1947.”
Referring to Tosamaidan lease agreement, he said, “The forces present there have ruined the lives of the inhabitants since the last thirty years and the present regime now thinks to extend their lease, which we will never accept.”
Criticizing the decision of High Court allowing use of pellet guns and pepper gas to disperse the mobs, Geelani said, “High court is providing license to the police and CRPF to carry oppression on un-armed civilians. So far many have lost their lives, hundreds lost eye-sight and other organs due to the use of these lethal weapons and instead of imposing ban on it, the court is justifying it.”
However, as soon as Geelani left the town, hundreds of youth pelted stones on DC Office Complex at Tak Mohalla. The CRPF deployed there resorted to tear-gas shelling. Police swung into action and lobbed tear-gas shells and chased the protesters who resisted by throwing stones. Clashes continued in town till late evening.
Earlier Geelani was also given a warm welcome at Pulwama town, where youth requested Geelani to address the people. Several dozen youth accompanied Geelani from Pulwama.