Campaign to send books to stonepelters, Geelani in Kashmir

Amid tension in violence-hit Kashmir, a group of activists have launched an online campaign asking people to send books to stonepelters and their instigators in the valley.

Amid tension in violence-hit Kashmir, a group of activists have launched an online campaign asking people to send books to stonepelters and their instigators in the valley.

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The 'Peacebook Campaign' was launched on social networking site 'facebook' by 'Roots in Kashmir', a group of Kashmiri pandits who had migrated from the valley after outbreak of militancy.

The group is asking people across the globe to send books to hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who, they alleged, was instigating people to target security personnel and disturb law and order.

"Our campaign is not about people who are throwing stones but for the ones who are instigated them to indulge in stone pelting. Hurriyat leader Geelani is one among them. That is why we are asking people to directly send books at his residence," said Rashneek Kher, founder member of the group.

A total of 1,000 net users from different countries have registered themselves for the campaign, he said.

"We have collected about 300 books here which will be sent to Geelani once curfew is relaxed in Srinagar," he said.

Kher said schools children have been forced to throw stones. "Most of the stone pelters are school boys, who do not know why they are throwing stones. They should attend classes but they are instigated by people for their vested interest and forced to indulge in such anti-national activities," the activist said.

"We will continue with our campaign till violence in Kashmir Valley ends," Kher added.