Separatists join hands to campaign against Sainik Colony, Pandit township in Kashmir
SRINAGAR: The separatist leaders in Kashmir on Wednesday in a rare show of unity gave a joint programme to oppose setting up of Sainik Colony and separate Pandit townships in the Valley.
The two factions of separatist conglomerate Hurriyat Conference headed by hardline leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate leader and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today issued a joint protest programme to oppose setting up of Sainik Colony and separate townships for migrant Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.
According to the joint programme, Geelani and Mirwaiz would be jointly organizing a daylong seminar on June 2 at Geelani’s Hyderpora residence to create awareness about the anti-Kashmir plans of the government. The separatists will also stage a joint silent protest at city centre, Lal Chowk on June 15.
They appealed clerics of the mosques to make people aware about the “wicked designs” of RSS and Sangh Parivar in their sermon on Friday (June 10).
It is for first time after many years that top separatist leaders of the Valley have given a joint protest programme.
Geelani rejected clarifications by CM Mehbooba Mufti on Sainik Colony and separate townships for Pandits saying there is no doubt that she is extending every possible help in implementation of RSS agendas in Kashmir.
“The main objective of these agendas is to change demographic character of J&K and to gradually convert Muslim majority into minorities,” he said adding, “The work has already started and the state subject certificates are being secretly issued to West Pakistan Refugees and doors have been opened to settle non-locals in Jammu region in the name of Dogra certificates”.
The hardline separatist leader said there are no clear indications till now by the government whether they are abandoning the Sainik Colony and separatist townships for Pandits or not.
“Unless proposal of Pandit and Sainik colonies are abandoned by the government, separatist leadership will continue to raise their voice in every possible ways and will gather public consensus in this regard,” he said.
Geelani warned that peaceful protests will continue till government does not clearly assure public about abandoning of proposals of Sainik and Pandit colonies.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has already clarified that the State government has no plan to set up Sainik Colony but maintained that transit accommodation will be established for migrant Kashmiri Pandits returning to the Valley.