SYED ALI SAFVI
SRINAGAR, Oct 15: Hinting at intensifying the ongoing agitation, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani, today said that months of October and November had important significance for the chequered history of Kashmir.
Announcing the conglomerate’s fresh 10-day protest calendar, Geelani said that his faction had offered five-point proposal to New Delhi for resolving the present crisis, but so far they had “failed to respond positively”.
“It seems New Delhi is not sincere and serious to help restore normalcy in Kashmir that’s why even after 45 days there has been no positive response to our five-point proposal,” said the octogenarian separatist leader, spearheading the ongoing ‘Quit Jammu and Kashmir campaign’. “We can’t wait endlessly for their response.”
Geelani accused New Delhi of trying to put Kashmir issue in cold storage.
“Such a callous attitude could have dangerous consequences. It can lead to loss of more precious lives,” he said. “When human lives are at stake, one must act swiftly.”
According to the fresh shutdown calendar, the conglomerate has exempted October 17 (Sunday), October 20 (Wednesday), and October 24 (Sunday) from strikes and protests.
The conglomerate has asked people to observe complete shutdown on October 18 (Monday) and October 19 (Tuesday).
“We urge people to march towards Palhallan Pattan on October 18to show solidarity with all those who fell to police and CRPF bullets in the area during the current unrest,” Geelani said.
On October 19, the Hurriyat (G) appealed to the people to offer Namaz-e Zuhar (afternoon prayers) in congregation at their respective tehsil and district headquarters and stage a sit-in protest till Asar (late afternoon).
The people have been asked to observe complete shutdown on October 21 and organize protest rallies in their respective tehsils in protest against continuous police crackdown on youth in the valley.
According to the shutdown programme, the biggest rally in this connection would be held at Lal Chowk near historic Ghanta Ghar (Clock tower). The residents of Srinagar have been asked to march towards Lal Chowk.
“Hurriyat leaders will address the rally on the occasion,” Geelani said.
Similarly complete strike would be observed on October 22 and people have been asked to march toward Bijbehara in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
“A historic rally would be held at Bijbehara to remember those who were killed in 1993’s Bijbehara massacre,” Geelani said.
Pertinently, on October 22, 1993 troops of BSF 7-battalion had opened fire on a procession in Bijbehara town, killing 52 and injuring 100 civilians.
On October 23, the Hurriyat (G) has urged people to hold protest demonstration from afternoon to late afternoon on roads and mark the day as “Youm-e Tahafuz-e Namoos-e Khwateen” (Day of protection for women’s honour ).
“People should hold peaceful protest demonstrations on roads to highlight the plight of Kashmiri women,” the Hurriyat (G) chairman said.
On October 25, the conglomerate has called for complete shutdown, and asked the people to cover their faces with white cloth and hold silent sit-ins against the “atrocities of state police and Indian security forces”.
Similarly, there would be complete shutdown on October 26 according to the protests calendar. The conglomerate has appealed to the people to commemorate the “Youm-e Shaheedan” (the day of martyrs) to show solidarity with all those who were killed in the four-month unrest in the valley.
"After paying tributes to the martyrs, foundation stone of the wall of protest will be laid at the Martyrs’ graveyard at Eidgah on October 26,” Geelani said.
Taking a dig at mainstream political leader of Kashmir, Geelani said that they were repeating the “blunders of past”.
“Their policy has increased the political instability in Kashmir,” he said.
He said that the policy makers at New Delhi should realise that Kashmiris were politically conscience people.
“We had offered five-point proposal to New Delhi, but it seems that they are not keen on normalizing situation in Kashmir as they have preferred to remain tight lipped about it,” he said. “
Hinting at intensifying the protests, the octogenarian separatist leader said that the months of October and November had important significance in the history of Kashmir.
“It was October 27 when Indian troops landed in Kashmir without any justification,” he said. “Consequently, Kashmir got freedom from the clutches of 100-year long Dogra rule but ended up becoming a victim of Indian subjugation.”
He said that it was in November, 1947 when, according to him, “Hindu fanatics” in Jammu, helped by Indian troops called from Patiala, killed around five lakh unarmed Muslims and forced the exodus of over 10 lakh Muslims from the state.
Geelani appealed to the people to strictly follow the calendar.
He said that the ongoing agitation was giving sleepless nights to the leaders and policy makers in New Delhi.
“They are mobilizing their agents to weaken our struggle,” he said. “We are keeping close watch on those government agents and they would be soon unveiled and dealt with.”
PROTEST CALENDAR
Oct 17: No strike
Oct 18: Strike; Palhallan chalo
Oct 19: Strike; Protests
Oct 20: No strike
Oct 21: Strike; Lal Chowk chalo
Oct 22: Strike; Bijbehara chalo
Oct 23: Strike; “Youm-e Tahafuz-e Namoos-e Khwateen”
Oct 24: No strike
Oct 25: Strike; Protests
Oct 26: Strike; “Youm-e Shaheedan”
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