Syed Ali Geelani asks J&K youth to desist from stone-pelting - India - DNA
In a significant development, Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Geelani on Friday said gun or stone-pelting has no role in the peaceful struggle in Jammu & Kashmir
"We have resolved today that our struggle, particularly after 2008, will be peaceful. There will be no use of gun, grenade, teargasor any other weapon in it. We have even asked our youth not to use stones and desist from stone-pelting. We want to keep our struggle peaceful at any cost ", Geelani said addressing a gathering in the North Kashmir town of Baramulla.
Insisting that these measures were important to attract the attention ofthe international community andthe civil society, Geelani said he hope the 1.21 billion population of India would come to their rescue and help them achieve their goal.
"We have pinned our hopes onthe 1.21 billion people of India who are waking up to the reality of Kashmir. They are raising their voices in our favor asking for granting of the birth right to self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
Last year, more than 111 people were killed, mostly in firing by security forces on stone-pelting mobs. This year however, Geelani is treading cautiously to avoid any more loss of life which could tilt the balance of power.
The new development comes at a time when people have rejected the boycott call by separatists and militants in the ongoing panchayat polls. 3 phases of the 16-phase panchayat elections in the state have witnessed a record turnout with people defying the ultras who had even killed the female candidate to instill fear among the electorate.
Geelani's peace overtures have come a day after suspended moderate Hurriyat leader Moulana Mohommad Abbaas Ansari lashed out at separatist leaders for not speaking against the stone-pelting last year.
In a significant development, Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Geelani on Friday said gun or stone-pelting has no role in the peaceful struggle in Jammu & Kashmir
"We have resolved today that our struggle, particularly after 2008, will be peaceful. There will be no use of gun, grenade, teargasor any other weapon in it. We have even asked our youth not to use stones and desist from stone-pelting. We want to keep our struggle peaceful at any cost ", Geelani said addressing a gathering in the North Kashmir town of Baramulla.
Insisting that these measures were important to attract the attention ofthe international community andthe civil society, Geelani said he hope the 1.21 billion population of India would come to their rescue and help them achieve their goal.
"We have pinned our hopes onthe 1.21 billion people of India who are waking up to the reality of Kashmir. They are raising their voices in our favor asking for granting of the birth right to self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
Last year, more than 111 people were killed, mostly in firing by security forces on stone-pelting mobs. This year however, Geelani is treading cautiously to avoid any more loss of life which could tilt the balance of power.
The new development comes at a time when people have rejected the boycott call by separatists and militants in the ongoing panchayat polls. 3 phases of the 16-phase panchayat elections in the state have witnessed a record turnout with people defying the ultras who had even killed the female candidate to instill fear among the electorate.
Geelani's peace overtures have come a day after suspended moderate Hurriyat leader Moulana Mohommad Abbaas Ansari lashed out at separatist leaders for not speaking against the stone-pelting last year.
