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| Carrot for anti-nationals, stick for pilgrims | | Abhinav Gupt Yatra | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 12: In a surprise development, the state government on Sunday allowed the separatists to hold major anti-India seminar here whereas Abhinav Gupt Yatra was disallowed even as aspiring pilgrims were pushed back home.
Interestingly, it was the Budgam Police, which showed two faces: On one hand, it allowed senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani to host a seminar at his Hyder Pora residence, whereas the cops from the same district prevented yatris from entering Beerwah cave for "Abhinav Gupt Yatra'.
A senior police official said forces have been deployed and temporary check points erected at all the entry points to the Beerwah town to thwart the proposed Yatra. Witnesses said the devotees who tried to enter the town with the purpose of yatra were overpowered only to be shown the door. "They were stopped and sent back from the town," the police said.
But by the time the police was overpowering pilgrims intending to pay obeisance at the Budgam shrine, Geelani and his Hurriyat (M) counterpart Mirwaiz Umar Farooq jointly addressed an anti-India seminar, on the same road which leads to the cave shrine.
While the two separatist leaders "reiterated" that construction of Sainik Colony, establishment of Pandit townships and allotment of land to outsiders, would not be allowed, their followers shouted "Hum Pakistani Hein, Pakistan Hamara Hai" slogans.
Amid massive anti-India sloganeering, the hosts asked the "national media particularly Times Now and News X to leave the venue."
Dozens of cops were on guard outside the residence of Geelani to ensure smooth conduct of the anti-India seminar, which continued for six long hours.
Police men on duty in the area where seen facilitating a heroic welcome to Mirwaiz before his entry into Geelani's residence. While scores of separatists came out on the Airport Road to welcome Mirwaiz, cops could be seen providing protection "lest any untoward incident takes place."
While two police Gypsies were stationed at the entrance of the lane leading to Geelani's residence, the main gate of his house was guarded by armored vehicle. Fire and Emergency Services Department had also kept its fire-tenders ready in the area.
"As if this anti-India rally is a government function that the authorities have kept the arrangements in place. This seems to be a fixed match," quipped a visitor to the seminar.
Interestingly, the seminar started late as most of the invitees didn't turn up on time presuming that the government would not allow it. "Given the late night arrest of Yasin Malik, we thought the seminar will not be allowed and preferred to stay back home but suddenly we received a call from the hosts that the seminar has been allowed," said an invitee from the civil society, who spoke on the occasion.
Many of the journalists also reached late. "It's for the first time in my professional career that that my prediction proved wrong. I was dead sure that the seminar would not be allowed," a journalist said.
Pertinently Geelani is often seen as close to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. Since last year the government often allows his rallies, whereas recently a senior PDP leader during an official function at Sopore hailed "Geelani Sahib for his contribution towards society." |
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