| Amid rise in violence in Kashmir, Govt gives free hand to separatists | | Police security for JRL meeting | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 4: Even as incidents of violence have been on rise in restive Kashmir, the state government has given a free-hand to the separatists to carry out their anti-India activities. In the latest, when schoolchildren and tourists have been attacked by stone pelters, the so called Joint Resistance Leadership was allowed to hold a "secret meeting" at the residence of pro-pakistan hawk Syed Ali Geelani. On May 3, the Jammu and Kashmir Police escorted Hurriyat M Chairperson Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to Geelani's residence while Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chariperson Muhammad Yasin Malik was also present there. The trio held marathon meeting while police deployment outside the house ensured that the anti-India leadership holds dialogue securely as no outsiders were allowed in the lane leading to Geelani's residence. Sources said at the meeting, the Hurriyat leadership resolved new tactics of continuing with the anti-India agenda in the restive region. "Many new innovative protest programs were also discussed and the same will be made public on May 5, when the leadership is scheduled to hold a press conference at Ahdoos Hotel," said a source privy to the developments. Sources said the leaders resolved that the "Kashmir issue" cannot be put on backburner and that it was high time to intensify their campaign. Police officials said it was unfortunate that the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janta Party alliance was encouraging the separatist activities at such a critical juncture.
"At at time when the separatists should have been behind the bars, our policemen have to provide them security cover for meeting in Hyderpora. Such political decisions are embarrassing," said a police official on the condition of anonymity.
The government has turned soft on the separatists when violent protests have been on rise in Kashmir.
Recently the nation was outraged over the attack on school bus in Shopian district of south Kashmir where two kids were wounded, one of them seriously on May 2. On the fateful morning the stone pelters had attacked a school bus from a hillock before fleeing the spot.
A day before this incident, seven tourists were hurt in Anantnag area of south Kashmir when stone pelters attacked a vehicle.
"Amid such a worsening situation, it's all the way illogical to allow these pro-Pakistan elements to hold anti-India meetings," said a senior official.
A police official said such decisions are taken at political level. "These decisions are not taken by police but by the political setup," he said. The ruling PDP-BJP is often accused of being soft towards separatists while situation in Kashmir continues to be edgy. |
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