He asked the United Jihad Council to disclose antecedents of the group “which has created confusion in the society.
Signaling the growing concern among separatist ranks about the unfolding uncertain situation in north Kashmir, the Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Sunday hit out a lesser known militant outfit Lashker-e-Islam for what he said, “the murder of two people and threatening telecommunication companies.”
He asked the United Jihad Council to disclose antecedents of the group “which has created confusion in the society.”
Geelani’s call comes days after JKLF supremo Yasin Malik urged Hizbul Mujahideen Supreme Commander Syed Salahuddin to probe the mysterious killings in Sopore of the people associated with telecom trade which had plunged the parts of north Kashmir into a communication blackout.
“Islami Lashker- it means they would adopt Islamic ways. They have murdered two people. Who are the Lashker-e–Islam? We don’t know?,” Geelani told representatives of pro-freedom groups, traders, doctors, students, teachers and civil society at his Hydepora residence.
The Hurriyat (G) Chairman, who is under house arrest, had called a meeting of separatists, lawyers, intellectuals and others to devise a strategy to counter RSS agenda.
Asking the United Jihad Council, a conglomerate of militant groups to “come forward and explain,” Geelani said the Lashker-e-Islami is “defaming the movement and threatening leaders who participate in funeral processions of martyrs.”
“They (UJC) should clear whether they (Lashker-e-Islam) are a militant group. People should be informed. It is a very serious situation and it should be made clear who are these people.”
Geelani also hardened his stand on unfurling of Pakistani flags in Kashmir. “India is frightened with Pakistan flag. This flag is being used since 1947 and it is being unfurled since 1947 and it will be unfurled in future also. Pakistanis are our benefactors,” he said.
The veteran leader alleged that BJP-RSS and PDP-BJP have joined hands to “either kill or buy or drive out majority Muslims” of the state to “change demography of Jammu and Kashmir.”
He, however, said people of Jammu and Kashmir would not be subdued by such designs and would continue their struggle.
Geelani said that nobody would allow disintegration of the Jammu and Kashmir. “People irrespective of their religion are our brothers. We will not accept any division of the state,” he said adding that the forces which have come to power in India have sinister designs toward majority population of Jammu and Kashmir. “Here PDP has got 28 seats and they have entered into an alliance with BJP-RSS.”
Geelani said that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory. “It is India which took Kashmir dispute to the UN and described JK as a dispute,” he said.
Geelani said Kashmiris should be given a chance to decide their future. “Kashmiris should be given right to self determination.”
Referring to Jammu massacre in 1947, Geelani said, “Five lakh Muslims were killed in Jammu. History stands testimony to the fact that many a time Jallianwala Bagh was enacted in Jammu and Kashmir. India has a plan, they want Jammu and Kashmir should be Hindu majority state, Muslims would be killed or forced to migrate to Pakistan.”
Geelani said Pakistan is party to Kashmir dispute and India has entered into dialogue with the neighbouring country 150 times in the past six decades . “Facts are being distorted. Time has changed and destroyed many forces, British empire is an example. Now London is like a small island,” he said.
Geelani while referring to forthcoming Amarnath Yatra said, “Two month long Yatra is aimed at ruining the environment. You are biggest votaries of environment, but at the same time you allow lakhs of people to move on fragile mountains. This is an attempt to disturb the environment,” he said.
He stressed that people of J&K must be careful about their identity. “We must safeguard our youth. We must promote Urdu. We must have our Baitul Maal and Madrasas,” he said and appealed the people of Jammu and Chenab Valley to protest against “atrocities” being committed against them. “We are with them. They should not feel alone.”
(G.K)