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Geelani faction calls for general strike

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: The hard-line faction of the Hurriyat Conference, led by Syed Ali Geelani, on Saturday called for a general strike on January 17 to protest against the proposed visit of a delegation of leaders of the moderate faction to Pakistan and their possible meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

After a meeting of the Hurriyat general council, Mr. Geelani said that the moderate faction was further strengthening the "Indian agenda" in Kashmir. "This general strike call is being given to register protest by Kashmiris against the so-called talks and to reaffirm the stand that there will be no compromise on the basic issue and with the blood of martyrs. They [Hurriyat leaders] are going there against the will of the Kashmiris," he said. "On 17th January, there will be a complete strike in Kashmir, Doda, Rajouri and Poonch."

This is for the first time that any separatist group has called for a strike against a rival group, that too regarding a visit to Pakistan.

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