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Srinagar: MHA advises state to keep eye on Syed Ali Geelani
Taking a note of two consecutive rallies addressed by hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in a fortnight, the Centre has issued an advisory to the state government to keep a vigil on his activities.
Taking a note of two consecutive rallies addressed by hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in a fortnight, the Centre has issued an advisory to the state government to keep a vigil on his activities.
In a directive, the ministry of home affairs has asked Jammu and Kashmir police to keep a close watch on the activities of separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, as their activities "can be a threat to the peace in the Valley."
According to an official, the MHA has asked the state government to take action against the separatist leader in case he "indulges in any unlawful activities."
The MHA has asked the government to put all major separatist leaders under surveillance, including the moderates. Pressure is mounting on Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to take action against Hurriyat chief Geelani for his rally in South Kashmir.
Geelani on Friday had addressed a public rally in south Kashmir's volatile town of Tral, 45km from Srinagar. A few Pakistani flags were seen during the rally. However, unlike hardliner Masarat Alam, Geelani was neither seen waving the flag nor raising any anti-national slogans.
Geelani had demanded that the duration of the Amarnath Yatra be restricted to one month as the ecosystem of the area is fragile. Geelani had also reiterated his opposition to separate colonies for the Kashmiri Pandits.
The Mufti government has also assured support on the issue. Sayeed on Saturday promised action against those responsible for waving Pakistani flags at the Tral rally on Friday. "Some people were involved in such activities. Action will be taken against those involved in such an act," Sayeed told journalists in Ahmedabad, recalling how separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat, who had raised pro-Pakistan slogans and 'waved Pakistani flags' at a rally attended by Geelani was put behind the bars.
In a report to the Centre, the state government has said that the intelligence apparatus and local police can take adequate measures to maintain peace in areas likely to be visited by separatists.
