Geelani expresses gratitude to people for observing strike in Shopian

Hurriyat (G) condemns his continuous house arrest

Srinagar: Thanking the people of Shopian for observing complete shutdown in the district against the double murder and rape case of Asiya and Neelofar, Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani reiterated his appeal that this case should be investigated by some independent agency and culprits should be punished accordingly. He said that Indian army and other government forces have been using the rape and molestation of women as a weapon of war and these incidents will continue to occur in future also if the accused are not booked and punished.

According to a statement issued to KNS, Geelani said that Kashmiris have offered precious sacrifices for their freedom movement and now it is the time to protect these sacrifices. Our collective and national responsibility is to stay away from every such act which will harm or damage our freedom struggle. He said that the purpose of remembering Asiya, Neelofar and other like incidents is that we should not enter in any type of compromise with these people who have committed these heinous crimes and who are continuously attacking our basic and birth rights.

Meanwhile, Geelani is continuously under house arrest and today 30th May he was once again ‘forcibly stopped to offer Friday prayers’. While terming the action of government as unconstitutional and interference on the religious affairs, Hurriyat Conference questioned that for how long will this process continue and when will be this pro-freedom leader released.

Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar said that Geelani was placed under house arrest at the same day when he returned from New Delhi to Srinagar on 16 April which is still continuing. “Today when Asiya and Neelofar are being remembered in the entire state, additional police forces has been deployed at Geelani residence and he has been barred 7th time in 2014 from offering Friday prayers.” Hurriyat spokesman said that Geelani has been forced under illegal imprisonment on the basis of power otherwise his detention doesn’t have any constitutional, legal or moral justifications nor has it any known reason.

The spokesman expressed sorrow that justice is being openly crushed under feet with regarding to the illegal confinement of Geelani and all the institutions of the state are maintaining a criminal silence and till now not a single voice have been raised against this grave injustice. The High court was also appealed in this regard but after so many years neither this case was solved nor was any kind of relief provided to the applicant. The local non-government human rights organizations are also not fulfilling their responsibilities and international human rights organizations are not paying their much attention towards this lawlessness.

Hurriyat (G) spokesman said that the continuous restrictions over the political, religious and social activities of Geelani and confining him to his house have adversely affected his health and his routine exercise has also got disturbed. His imprisonment in 2014 has completed six weeks now, but the government is still to produce any document for his continuous detention that under which act he has been confined to his home. Hurriyat spokesman appealed Amnesty International and other human rights organizations to use their influence for releasing the pro-freedom leader.