Srinagar, Aug 13: The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has asked people to observe complete shutdown on Saturday against the killing of four persons by troopers and police on Friday.
Geelani, who was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at SKIMS Soura this afternoon after he complained about breathlessness, termed civilian killings at Trehgam, Sopur and Pattan as “barbaric.” “Troopers have been given license to undertake genocide of Kashmiris. In the present situation when our youth are being killed with impunity we can’t afford to have relaxations in strikes. I urge the people to observe a complete shutdown on Saturday and stage demonstrations,” a local news agency KNS quoted Geelani as having said.
Pertinently, in the previous program Geelani had asked people not to observe any strike on August 14 on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence-day.
Geelani said the Government should handover the Auqaf to the people as it was their property. “Auqaf is the wealth of the nation and no government should try to control it.”
 The veteran leader appealed the people to offer prayers for freedom during Ramadan. He said people should hold peaceful protests after Taraweeh prayers. Reacting to the appeal of Hurriyat (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq not to call for any programs on Friday to allow the congregational prayers, Geelani said that he would take decision on the matter after deliberations with his party.
 Geelani hailed Pakistan for rejecting autonomy as solution of the Kashmir dispute. “Pakistan has always been rendering diplomatic, political and moral support to the Kashmiri cause. We extend gratitude to it for all the support,” he added.

AASIYA ENDORSES CALL
 Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Aasiya Andrabi has endorsed Geelani’s strike call for Saturday.
 In a statement Aasiya termed the killings of four persons by troopers as a frustration to curb the ongoing agitation for right to self-determination.
 “The troopers and cops targeted the Namazis today.  This is a barbaric act and we strongly condemn it and urge the people to observe complete shutdown on Saturday against it,” Aasiya said.
 On the occasion of Pakistan Day on Saturday, Aasiya asked her party’s district presidents to hoist green flags and organize function to mark the day.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST