Geelani’s address triggers stone-pelting in north Kashmir, says police

SRINAGAR: Stone-pelting broke out in Baramulla town of north Kashmir soon after hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani addressed a gathering there after Friday prayers, police said.

"Such violent incidents after the Geelani's address had taken place at many places last year too," police spokesman said here.

The police lifted restrictions on the movement of Syed Geelani only last week when he asked police to allow him to propagate his view point under democratic norms. However, police removed the cops from outside Geelani's house at Hyderpora on airport road last week.

According the police spokesman, miscreants turned violent and resorted to stone-pelting on police station, Baramulla after Geelani addressed a gathering in the main town. However, Police exercised maximum restraint while chasing the "miscreants" away, the spokesman said.

During his speech, Geelani said that Pakistan should appreciate the aspirations of the Kashmiris and help them. "The people of Kashmir have already rejected the Musharaff's 4-point formula for Kashmir resolution. We are not against Indo-pak friendship but they should help resolving the Kashmir issue," said Geelani.

Speaking about the US bounty on Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Saeed Hafiz, Geelani said that the UN announcement of bounty of Rs 50 crore is unjustified as he was not held guilty by any court of Pakistan or any other court of any country.

There were no reports of anyone getting hurt in the brief clash, he said, adding that incidents of violence after Geelani's address had taken place on several times last year as well.
Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Geelanis-address-triggers-stone-pelting-in-north-Kashmir-says-police/articleshow/12560738.cms