Srinagar, Feb 18: Asserting that there is no alternative to strikes, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani Monday appealed people to observe complete strike on February 20 and 21 and to stage mass protests after 12 pm on Friday with a single demand- “return Muhammad Afzal Guru’s body.” Geelani also said Afzal’s sacrifice was a “favour to the Kashmiri nation”, which needs to be returned by seeking his body back so that he is buried as per Islamic rites.
According to a statement issued from New Delhi, the separatist leader said the Hurriyat condemns the Government of India and J&K government’s attitude on Afzal issue.
“He was hanged without having a last meeting with his family. He did not get a fair trial. His family was not informed about his hanging,” Geelani said. He termed Guru’s hanging without informing his family a “grave injustice and height of human rights violations.” “We can’t tolerate incidents like Guru’s hanging. In present circumstances, we have no alternative other than to call for strikes,” Geelani said.
Urging people of Kashmir to show a united face at this juncture, Geelani said, “There will be no strike on February 19 but people should come out of their homes after Maghrib (evening) prayers and stage peaceful protests. Observe civil curfew on February 20 and 21,” he said. “On Friday (February 22), people should observe complete strike after 12 PM and hold mass protests after Friday prayers across Kashmir,” he said.
Geelani said on the evening of February 20, people should hold torch procession after Maghrib (evening) prayers. “On February 21 evening, people should offer special prayers, recite Qur’an and pray for Afzal,” Geelani said.
He, however, said people should stick to one-point agenda during the protests- “return Guru’s body.”
Meanwhile, Hurriyat (G) chairman appreciated the efforts of Kashmir High Court Bar Association for seeking Guru’s body from Tihar Jail. He also strongly condemned the imposition of strict curfew in Kashmir post-Guru hanging. The statement also stated that Delhi Police sleuths have seized the mobiles of the Hurriyat (G) chairman and his wife, terming it as “a grave human rights violation.”

Lastupdate on : Mon, 18 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 18 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST