Police, army working against peace: Geelani

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Tuesday said the police and the army were working against peace and stability in Kashmir as “political uncertainty in the region benefits them in many ways.” “They do not want peace and stability in Kashmir because political uncertainty here benefits them in numerous ways. While the army is enjoying the perks of different allowances and continues to loot the green gold in Kashmir, the police are extorting hefty sums from parents of arrested youth,” Geelani said during a meeting at his Hyderpora residence with noted Indian social activist, Swami Agnivesh, today.He said although many delegations from India and abroad had been visiting Kashmir in the recent past, “there seems to be no change in the ground situation.”Accusing India of showing inflexibility on Kashmir, Geelani said, “India is firm on its policy of stubbornness on Kashmir and wants to crush the peaceful struggle of Kashmiris through the might its armed forces.”He appealed “conscientious people in India to come forward and raise their voice against the oppression and injustice being committed against Kashmiris.”“Our fight is not against the Indian people or any religion. We are fighting for our right to self determination just as the Indians fought for their freedom from the British. India is responding to our peaceful struggle with bullets and random arrests of youth,” he said.“There are no signs of India’s claims of being a democracy in Kashmir and human rights are violated with impunity. Forces personnel involved in the killing of 118 people last year are not only roaming free but they have been awarded with medals and promotions. All this lawlessness is being projected as a means to maintain law and order situation in Kashmir,” Geelani said.Terming minorities as an inseparable part of the Kashmiri society, Geelani said Sikhs, Hindus and Christians in Kashmir faced no threat from their “Muslim brethren.”“We will continue to maintain our centuries old tradition of communal harmony and brotherhood,” he said. However, Geelani said, “our non-Muslim brothers should also feel the pain of their Muslim brothers and raise their voice against the oppression being committed against the Muslims, in whatever capacity they can.”Geelani also expressed concern over the arrest of his driver, Pervaiz Ahmad, alleging that Pervaiz, along with a vehicle (JK01E-8188), was arrested from   Shopian when he comes home on a vacation.