Srinagar, Feb 28: The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Monday said Army was at the helm of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir and every political and non-political activity was done at its instance.
 Reacting to the statement of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that it’s not Army’s job to float political parties in the State, Geelani said Army has been given unbridled powers.
 “Every political and non-political activity in the State is done at the instance of Army. It has been laced with special and unbridled powers and even kept above the law. Though the Government led by Omar Abdullah runs the secretariat and assembly, however it does not have any authority over the ground,” Geelani said.
 Elaborating, Geelani said the mainstream parties have left no stone unturned to suppress the ongoing movement for right to self-determination through police and soldiers. “National Conference has confined its politics to harassing the pro-freedom leaders at the hands of police. The party has neither any political program nor is giving space to separatists. In this situation, if the Indian intelligence agencies or Army will launch political parties in the State, there is nothing to feel surprised as they are already at the helm of affairs,” he said.
 He accused the Army of stopping the functioning of Darsgahs and other religious institutes in far-flung areas of the Valley. “Even an FIR has been registered against a girl who was running a Darsgah at Thandipora in Kupwara,” he said.
 Geelani also termed the CM’s tweet that no minor or innocent has been jailed as a “bundle of lies.” He cited the example of Imran Majeed, 15, of Sarai Balla, Umar Majeed, 16, Bashir Ahmad Ganaie, 13, of HMT who have been imprisoned despite being minors.
 “Despite Court orders, the police is not releasing them and other detainees.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST