Srinagar, Sept 10: Back from 3-month detention, the veteran pro-freedom leader and chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Thursday announced a ‘new program’ against the occupation of land by troops in Jammu and Kashmir, the details of which would be made public after Eid.
He said that Hurriyat Conference was ready for dialogue, but New Delhi should first accept Kashmir a disputed territory. Addressing the media amid pro-freedom slogans by a huge gathering at his Hyderpora residence here, Geelani said, “It was time to demand complete demilitarization of Kashmir and revocation of all the draconian laws.”
“Lakhs of kanals of land in Jammu and Kashmir are under military occupation on the pattern of Israel. It’s a policy to grab the land of Kashmiris and settle colonies of non-locals here to end the Muslim majority character of the state. We will announce a program against it after Eid-ul-Fitr,” he said. “We have formed a committee to come up with a report about the illegal occupation of land and about the policies of New Delhi. The report will be complete by Eid and all the Hurriyat constituents will meet to consider it,” he said.
Reiterating his stand on dialogue, Geelani said Hurriyat was ready for dialogue, but New Delhi should first accept Kashmir as a disputed territory. “Talks should be aimed at right to self-determination, implementation of UN resolutions and revoking all draconian laws. Without it parleys cannot bear any fruit.”
 Geelani said that dialogues in the past had proved futile due to New Delhi’s “insincerity.” “ New Delhi is following the same policy again,” the veteran leader added.
He, however, said that leaders in

New Delhi were ‘living in a fool’s paradise’ by thinking that separatists had no role in Kashmir after elections.
Geelani said 40 per cent Muslim population of Jammu were forcibly subjugated and the government wants a similar fate of Kashmiris.
 “Muslims of Jammu were not able to raise their voice against Shopian incident due to threat of troops, police, Shiv Sena, RSS and others. New Delhi is planning to forcibly curb our voices too,” he said, “Otherwise there is no reason to keep eight lakh troops even if there are only 1000 militants in Kashmir.”
In response to a question, Geelani quoted newspaper reports saying ‘discriminatory’ policies against Kashmir in the selection process in government departments was part of a conspiracy. “With such policies in vogue, no Kashmiri will be found in the secretariat in a few years from now. Three lakh Bihari laborers have been settled here according to this policy,” he said.
He said the successive state governments brought Armed Forces Special Powers Act and other ‘draconian’ laws to the state. “Their claims of internal autonomy are a hoax. If they would have been sincere they would have amended 1953 law in 1977 when they had two-third majority in Assembly,” he said.
“Instead, they brought PSA which is meant for smugglers but is used to suppress political aspirations in Kashmir. Me and late Abdul Gani Lone opposed it that time,” he informed.
Geelani extended support to the High Court Bar Association in the Shopian case, saying its transfer to CBI was only a delaying tactic as the agency had a ‘bad track record.’
“We support the stand of Bar Association against the transfer of case to CBI. Even the Majlis-i-Mashawarat is demanding interrogation of (director general of police, Prisons Ashok) Bhan. CBI has no jurisdiction in the case.”
“The case should be investigated by Bar Association and we appeal Bar to play its role. Earlier also we demanded investigation of the case by Bar and we reiterate that demand.”
He said it was unfortunate that government failed to bring the culprits of the Shopian incident to book even after vigorous agitation over it.
“Instead, an important member of the Majlis-i-Mashawarat was killed under mysterious circumstances. The four police officials arrested in the case have been kept in a guest house and are given special treatment. The apology of Chief Minister for mishandling the case can’t be accepted,” he said.
He said Jan Commission added salt to the wounds of the bereaved family. “Instead of identifying the culprits it indulged in personal relationships of the family which was not its jurisdiction,” he said.
Reacting to grant of autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan, he said any change in the geography of Kashmir, as it existed in 1947, was unacceptable.
“Gilgit-Baltistan is an inseparable part of Kashmir and no one can alter its geography without going for a plebiscite in all its regions,” he said. He said Pakistan government should address the day-to-day demands of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Geelani said he was not happy for his release as others booked under PSA with him were still facing detention. He said 24 pro-freedom leaders and activists were facing detention in jails outside the state.
“They have been booked on flimsy charges and we demand their immediate release,” he said.
He said during his release from Humhama police station before being booked under PSA, he was promised that all pro-freedom detainees would be released.
“One evening police asked me to get ready to go home but I refused to leave without other detainees. Police promised me that everyone would be released by next morning but instead they slapped PSA on all of them,” he said.
Lashing out at the state government, he said the ‘so-called state government’ was being run from New Delhi and was part of its anti-Kashmir policies.
“This government is based on falsehood and it is a party to cruel policies of New Delhi,” he said.
He said government’s claim of developmental work in the state was a hoax. “It is trying to curb the voice of Kashmiris. People are being booked under PSA for raising voice against atrocities. But efforts to forcibly curb Kashmir movement in the past have failed.”
He alleged that the workers of mainstream parties were working as agents of security agencies. “They identify the protesters who are later booked under PSA. Even a 14-year old was booked under the draconian act,” he said.
He said the youth of Kashmir had realized that Kashmiris were under suppression. “The restrictions on offering Namaz in Delhi Public School is a proof enough for them to understand the level of suppression,” he said.
He said government was restricting him from interacting with the people. He said police were afraid of releasing him from Cheshmashahi during day. “Release order reached jail authorities in the afternoon but they released me after the dusk to ensure people do not come on streets to see me. Today also every visitor to my house is being monitored,” he said.

Geelani on jobs
Making a particular mention of a series of reports carried by Greater Kashmir about the discrimination against Kashmiris in the selections made by the Service Selection Board for various government jobs, Geelani said, “With such policies in vogue, no Kashmiri official will be visible in the secretariat in a few years from now.”

Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 IST