Srinagar, July 15: Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Sunday reacted sharply to the statement of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
 “Whatever happens in Kashmir is due to the presence of forces here. It is unfortunate that the Tibetan leader asked Kashmiris to be peaceful rather asking the same to those who perpetrate atrocities against people. Kashmiris are the most peaceful people in the world,” he said in statement here.
 Geelani said the Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader and world respects him but he is “being used as a tool of government propaganda.” “He should have cleared the very basics about Kashmir and then talked to different sections of society. He is appeasing New Delhi by his utterances,” he said.
 Geelani said Kashmir is a far bigger issue than that of Tibet and the spiritual leader should know that. “Kashmiris are struggling for their right to self determination for over 64 years. The Dalai Lama should know that in the past 20 years more than one lakh people were killed by forces. In 2008 and 2010 hundreds were killed brutally on streets,” he said.
 Geelani said rather than holding meetings with Governor and Chief Minster he should talk to common people who have gone through a long and grave turmoil.
 Meanwhile, Geelani expressed serious concern over deteriorating health of senior Hurriyat (G) leader Raja Mehrajuddin who has been in custody for past 2-years. Raja Mehrajuddin was recently admitted in Bone and Joint Hospital Barzulla.
Geelani said if anything untoward happens to him state government would be responsible for that.
 A Hurriyat spokesperson said the senior Hurriyat leader due to the incessant detentions is undergoing a surgery in the hospital.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST