Geelani wants separatists released,calls for shutdown

Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani called for a shutdown on May 14 to protest the continued detention of senior separatist political figures and the other activists. His Hurriyat faction has demanded the release of the political prisoners and warned of agitation in case the government does not take any action.

Government has put scores of youths and the political leaders behind bars. We call for their immediate release. And if no action is taken we will be forced to announce a protest program against this policy, Geelani said.

He has also called for the rallies to be organised across the Valley. I call upon people to hold rallies in various districts to protest the pathetic plight of our incarcerated youth, Geelani said at a seminar organised for this purpose at the Hurriyat headquarters at Hyderpora. Hurriyat will soon come out with a protest programme in districts.

The programme will kick off with the first rally being held at South Kashmir town of Shopian on May 13.