| Buoyed by success in Srinagar, separatists extend anti-India rallies to other districts | | | Early Times Report
srinagar, June 3: Having enjoyed field day in this summer capital of the state during last three months of PDP-BJP regime when Pakistan flags were often waved during rallies here, the separatists have extended their anti-India campaign to other districts of the Valley.
From the Hurriyat Conference led by firebrand leader Syed Ali Geelani to the moderate one led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, almost every separatist party in Kashmir in the past fortnight started campaigning in other districts as well.
The government inaction against anti-national activities has been so visible that now separatists are allowed to erect kiosks for days together in government-owned parks and gardens in the summer capital.
At Pratap Park near Lal Chowk, Muslim Deeni Mahaz (MDM) was allowed to host a kiosk for a weeklong "signature campaign" organized to seek release of jailed separatists. The park, owned by Floriculture Department, is at a stone's throw from Kothi Bagh police station.
At the valedictory function of the "signature campaign" on June 2, MDM's general secretary Muhammad Maqbool Bhat said that "after warm response from the people, the MDM has decided to launch the campaign in other districts as well." The MDM launched the "signature campaign" on May 28.
Similar is the case with other separatist groups. After waving Pakistani flags in old Srinagar during weeklong rallies, the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz last week started its campaign in other districts of the Valley.
Mirwaiz and his associates started rallying in Budgam on the day when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Jammu and reiterated that no anti-national activity would be tolerated.
But Pakistan-backed separatists looked buoyed. Referring to intelligence inputs, police officials said Pakistan in a change in its Kashmir policy has asked the separatists to intensify their rallies. "Pakistan wants to keep the pot boiling. This is a tactic to build pressure on India and needs to be seriously looked into," said a police official, requesting not to be named.
Police said those separatists who have recently returned from Pakistan trip are pursuing the anti-national activities more religiously. The little-known Jammu and Kashmir National Peoples Party chairman Syed Saleem Geelani, who recently returned from Pakistan, on June 2 rallied in Ganderbal district.
"During the session the participants stated that under a well planned conspiracy some people for their political interests are pursuing the policies which would strengthen RSS and BJP plans practically on the ground," their party handout said. Saleem who recently joined Geelani's Hurriyat "highlighted the role of Pakistan in Kashmir issue."
While PDP is by and large silent on this freedom enjoyed by anti-national elements, BJP has restricted its role to issuing statements. BJP spokesman Khalid Jehangir said, "Their mentors sitting across the Line of Control (LoC) have asked them to intensify their activities if they want to receive the hefty pay packets every month."
Jehangir said the "bold stand" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Jammu and Kashmir being an integral part of India has frustrated Pakistani leaders as they have been left "issueless."
"For the past sixty years Pakistan leaders have been hoodwinking their people on the name of Kashmir. Now they are left with nothing, that is why they are asking their agents to fuel unrest in Kashmir," the BJP spokesman said. |
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