The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday accused separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani of instigating trouble in the Valley by making inflammatory speeches during his public appearances. The statement is indicative of the government’s intent to impose fresh curbs on the movements of the octogenarian separatist leader who has called for a two-day shutdown from Tuesday against what he alleges is continues incarceration of hundreds of local youth.
An official spokesperson alleged here that the separatist leader was making attempts to disrupt peace and that his “provocative speeches” invariably lead to serious law and order disturbances in the Valley. He added, “Whenever Mr Geelani is allowed to address gathering at any place, it is followed by large-scale stone-pelting and attacks on the police and paramilitary forces, leading to a serious law and order problem in these areas.”
Giving instances, the spokesperson said that on July 20, the separatist leader addressed a gathering at Verinag in southern Anantnag district, which was followed by heavy stone-pelting, forcing the government to escort him back to Srinagar. A similar incident took place on August 31 when after he had spoken at an Id congregation in Sopore.
Again on September 2, after his address to Friday congregation at Masjid Bitual Mukaram in neighbouring Baramulla town, he took out a procession up to general bus terminus stand, which was followed by heavy stone-pelting, the spokesperson said, adding that similarly, on September 3, his appearance at a public rally in Anantnag was followed by stone-pelting. The spokes-man said such calls bring miseries to the people and threaten peace in the state.