Separatists indecisive over fresh shutdown calendar
Jammu Tawi, October 15 (KIP):-Separatists seem to be divided over the
issue of extending the dates for shutdown. Most of the people are
angry against prolonged spell of hartal and turmoil.
This is indicated by the manner in which no separatist has so
far replied to the letter from Syed Ali Shah Geelani.Geelani has
written a letter to each separatist seeking their response to his
plan for extending the dates of shutdown.
With the shutdown set to complete 100 days on Sunday, the
separatist camp is struggling for ideas on the future strategy and
most of the groups and other stakeholders are yet to respond to the
letter shot to them by Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali
Geelani seeking suggestions as to how to go ahead.
Geelani had written letters to Hurriyat (M), JKLF, Dukhtaran-e-Millat
and a few civil society groups and sought ideas and suggestions on the
ways and means to be adopted by the separatist leadership for carrying
forward the ongoing struggle.
The Hurriyat (G) chairman had sought suggestions as to how to continue
the ongoing agitation, which was triggered by the killing of
21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.
At least 91 people have been killed in the ongoing unrest. Over 12,000
civilians have been injured in the forces firing in last over three
months.
Kashmir has been witnessing curfew, restrictions and shutdown since
July 9. The shutdown will complete 100 days on Sunday.
Sources in Hurriyat (M) told this reporter that the amalgam held a
meeting in the office of one of its constituents Muslim Conference
(MC) on October 8 to discuss Geelani's letter.
The meeting was presided over by MC President and former Hurriyat
chairman, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat.
Sources said during the meeting, it was decided that the letter, which
was also addressed to Mirwaiz, would not be responded to immediately.
“The letter has been sent to the incarcerated leader of the
conglomerate, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for ‘necessary action'
Kashmir has lost about Rs.20, 000 Crore in trade and so are the
transporters, traders, hoteliers and houseboat owners whose losses
have not been tabulated but they have suffered huge losses. This way
anger is brimming and the separatists bank on the support of militants
who alone can implement the call for shutdown given by Geelani and
others.
