Geelani himself a 'cancer' for the valley: Susheel Pandit

Kashmiri activist Susheel Pandit on Monday dubbed Syed Ali Shah Geelani's remark, that construction of Sainik colonies will be a cancer for the whole nation, as an 'unfortunate and vexatious statement', saying that separatist leader should think before he speaks.

"Geelani Sahab saying that Kashmiri Pandits and Sainik colonies are a cancer for Jammu and Kashmir is a very unfortunate and vexatious statement," he told ANI.

Pandit said that Geelani is bearing the sins of numerous innocent lives and the disposition of lakhs of people.

"He perhaps doesn't know how big a cancer he himself has proved to be for the valley," he added.

Hinting at the diminishing clout of BJP Government in Jammu and Kashmir, Pandit said that in the wake of forming a government in the state, BJP gave up all their rights, adding that their issues have become loose and they are in a lamentable state themselves.

"Kashmir is continuously slipping and sinking even deeper into its problems," he said.

Meanwhile, pro-freedom leaders in Kashmir unanimously reiterated not to allow construction of Sainik colonies, stating that they would form a committee along with civil society members to establish people-to-people contact with Kashmiri Pandits.

Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq in a joint seminar here at the residence of the former, stated that construction of Sainik colonies and new industrial policies were aimed at "settling non-state subjects in the Valley and change the demography of the state."

"Let New Delhi give every Kashmiri Pandit Rs 30 lakh to resettle in Kashmir. We don't have any issues. We will welcome them in our neighbourhoods, but not in exclusive colonies," said Geelani, adding, "Separate townships would turn into cancer for the whole nation.