Geelani turns down govt offer of talks
Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has rejected the Centre’s talks offer saying his name was being dragged into “non-existent” buzz only with the design to create misapprehensions about his person and role.
“Even if territory of India is offered me as jagir, I won’t trade the blood of our martyrs,” he said here on Friday soon after home minister P. Chidambaram announced in Parliament that the government is committed to holding dialogue with separatists including Mr Geelani towards seeking a peaceful resolution of Kashmir imbroglio.
“I have not changed my stand. I have said it before and I reiterate it today that talks are possible but these ought to be tripartite and before these could be held India has to acknowledge Kashmir is a disputed territory, repeal all black and draconian laws, pull out the armed forces from the state, release political prisoners unconditionally and agree to making the UN Security Council resolutions the basis for the proposed dialogue,” he said in a statement here.
He added, “If these conditions are met by India only then should it expect I can be part of the talks.” He alleged that the Centre was mentioning his name as a possible participant in the proposed talks only to create misgivings about him in the public. “It is part of a deep-rooted conspiracy,” he charged.
Meanwhile, torrential rains which have lashed Kashmir and neighbouring areas since Thursday night diminished the intensity of protests which had otherwise spellbound the Valley during past one week.
However, after the Friday congregational prayers, huge crowds were seen chanting pro-freedom slogans outside local mosques. At Warpora in north-western town of Sopore, security forces opened fire to quell a protest which had tried to overrun a police post injuring five persons.
The condition of one of them identified as Rameez Ahmed Reshi is stated to be critical. Protests turned violent also at some places in Budgam district besides Srinagar.
Meanwhile, Rapid Action Force (RAP) men were fanned out in different areas of Srinagar, Baramulla, Pattan and Shopian towns in a bid to stem the pro-freedom demonstrations during which 31 persons have been killed in CRPF and police firings since July 30.
Nonstop curfew remained in forces in all ten districts of the Valley and no Friday congregational prayers could be offered at Srinagar’s Grand Mosque or other major places of worship. The unrest has, meanwhile, spread to predominantly Muslim Doda district in Jammu region where a shutdown was observed in some towns on Friday to mourn and protest the killings in the Valley.
In Doda town itself, large number of people held protests and marched along the streets after Friday prayers.
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