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| Anti-India slogans, stone-pelting return to Srinagar | | As Geelani walks free | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 30: There were violent clashes, stone pelting and anti-India slogans reverberating Hyderpora area of Srinagar on Friday soon after pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Geelani was freed, prompting many people to ask whether government would continue extending olive branch to anti-nationals in Kashmir.
The government had decided on Thursday to free separatists and allow them to go anywhere they want. However, the ice on the cake was the warning issued to them that they should not indulge in any anti-national activity.
On Friday, Geelani was allowed to move outside his home for Friday prayers. However, soon after the aged separatist walked free, he launched a tirade of anti-India rants, accusing the government of India being responsible for all the woes the people of Kashmir. Soon after, clashes between stone pelters and forces erupted, leading chaos in and around Hyderpora area, where Geelani lives.
Geelani was accompanied by newly appointed Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chief Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai and other senior members of Hurriyat. He was taken in a procession from his Hyderpora residence to Jamia Masjid Hyderpora.
Geelani asked people to "read and understand" the poetry of Sir Mohammad Iqbal as that "will help in freedom movement."
As per reports, after the Friday prayers, Geelani was taken in a rally to his Hyderpora residence. Following which clashes between protesters and government forces erupted in Hydepora area of Srinagar.
Protesters mostly youth pelted the government forces deployed in the area with stones who retaliated by firing tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. There was chaos and the traffic was halted on the Airport Road.
This has put the question mark on the government strategy to free separatists that too at a time when forces are fighting a tough battle in Valley against the radicalised militancy. It has also made many to think about whether the government should keep allowing separatists to hold rallies and instigate people and the clashes would continue to be witnessed.
"They (separatists) are the people who instigated the youth of Valley to protest during the agitation of 2016. They issued the calls of Idhar Chalo or Udhar Chalo, resulting in death and destruction on ground. No less than 90 people lost their lives as they were instigated by these separatists to protest and attack the security forces. Even two years down the line, the situation on ground continues to remain dismal and grim. Instead of trying to pacify the situation, the government's present move to free separatists is questionable," says a Srinagar-based resident.
Within the political circles as well, there are discussions about whether the government would go ahead with its plan to free separatists or it would re-think about its decision after the violent protests broke out soon after Geelani was allowed to move out of his fortified house. |
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