Geelani calls Kashmir bandh today as Govt disallows Tral march

Government Friday foiled Tral march called by Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani against killing of two youth by Army this week.

Geelani has called for Kashmir-wide strike on Saturday to protest against Tral killings and arrest of separatist leaders.

To foil the Tral march, Syed Ali Shah Geelani was put under house arrest Thursday evening.

Reports said that late Thursday evening a police party reached Geelani’s Hyderpora residence and placed him under house arrest. A police vehicle was stationed at the main gate of Geelani’s house.

Reports said that police officials informed Geelani about his house arrest and said that he can’t move out.

Geelani alleged that even his family members were denied to venture out of his house to fetch bread and milk.

“A large contingent of police and paramilitary forces have even blocked the lane leading to my house. Not just me but my entire family and workers have been placed under detention,” Geelani told over telephone.

“Hurriyat Conference strongly condemns the action on part of the state administration and police. These actions further expose the fake pro-Kashmir stance of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed”, a spokesman of Hurriyat Conference (G) said.

Besides Geelani, reports said police launched massive crackdown on the leadership of Hurriyat (G). They were either arrested or put under house arrest.

Besides Geelani, police either detained or put under house arrest Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Mohammad Shafi Rashi, Raja Mehraj-ud-din, Mir Hafizullah, Mohammad Shafi, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat, Mohammad Sayed Bhat, Syed Imtiyaz Hyder, Abdul Hameed Magray, Mohammad Ashraf Laya and Ashiq Hussain. Police also raided the houses of dozens of Hurriyat activists including Peer Saifullah and Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar.

In a statement, Geelani called for complete shutdown on Saturday against the “cold blooded murder of youth in Tral, unjustified and inhuman arrests of Hurriyat leaders, repeated raids on pro-freedom youths, biased and provoking Indian media.”

Muslim League, a constituent of Hurriyat (G), has supported the shutdown call and appealed the people to make the strike a success.

“We appeal the business community, transporters, schools and all other people belonging to different walks and shades of life to make the shutdown call against the illogical arrest of MasaratAalamBhat a success,” Muslim League spokesman Rafiq Ganai said.

National Front Chairman Nayeem Ahmad Khan continued to remain under house arrest for second consecutive day.

Khan, according to a party spokesman, was put under house arrest Thursday.