Srinagar: Strongly condemning the killing of an innocent civilian Asif Iqbal at Thandi Pora Kupwara, by the government forces, Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani, said that it is very unfortunate and blamed state administration, police and occupational forces for these brutal killings.
In a telephonic address to mourners, Geelani condemned the killing of Zahid Ahmad Bhat, saying that callous authorities while shielding killers are attributing it to suicide case, saying “the blood of these martyrs will not be allowed to go waste and Kashmiris will never forget their sacrifices.
Appealing people to boycott upcoming elections, Geelani said that the few people who vote in election dramas were not only committing an act of treason, their actions were also acting as oxygen for the Indian occupation of Kashmir.”
It is very sad that in Kupwara a few people voted even for BJP, said Geelani and added that taking part in election process tantamount “to betrayal with the sacred blood of martyrs” saying “any sort of participation in elections would prolong our struggle for freedom”.
Geelani while referring to suppressive and coercive methods employed by Indian forces and their henchmen in state, said that in army custody thousands of people mostly youth, disappeared, staged fake encounters, arbitrarily arrested and tortured the youth, destroyed property and resorted to arson and plunder, six lakhs were killed and thousands injured.
We should never forget this, said Geelani and added that we need to resist all this with high spirits and our commitment.
Lamenting New Delhi for their deceit, Geelani said that It was India that took the case to the UNO. Eighteen resolutions were passed that people of Jammu Kashmir will be given the opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination and the United Nations Security Council stands guarantees for the right to self-determination to the Kashmiri people. India is a signatory to this, however they failed to fulfil their commitment,” he added.
Geelani while referring to slain youth Zahid Ahmad, said that he was a business man and it is quite wrong and fake to say that he committed suicide and added that youth are not safe and are being killed on one pretext or the other.
Geelani in his appeal to people, stressed for poll boycott for upcoming elections and appealing people of Kupwara, stressed that taking part in election process tantamount “to betrayal with the sacred blood of martyrs”. He said, that our dignity, life and our religious places are at stake and any sort of participation in elections would prolong our struggle for freedom”.
Meanwhile Idress Jan and other party activists participated in funeral prayers of Asif Iqbal.
Spokesman said that on the directions of Syed Ali Geelani, Tehreek-e-Huriyat leaders including Mohd Rafiq Owasi and Mohd Ashraf Laya extended condolences to senior Journalist Zaheer u Din and prayed for departed soul and forbiddance to family.
