Kashmir separatists vow to persist with protest shutdowns

Senior separatist leaders, spearheading the four-month-long protest shutdown in the Kashmir Valley, on Tuesday announced they will continue with their protest programme and asked the people not to listen to rumours.

The announcement was made by senior separatist leaders, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, following a daylong meeting with representatives of various stakeholders, including local educationists, traders, transporters and members of the civil society, at the Hyderpora residence of Geelani.

"People should not listen to rumours. We will continue the protest calendar," said Geelani.

"People should strictly follow our protest calendar. We have taken into account all the views expressed by the stakeholders during today's (Tuesday's) meeting," he said.

"All these views will be accommodated in our future protest programmes," Geelani added.

The leaders also said that the stakeholders have expressed solidarity with the people's ongoing struggle and also expressed satisfaction at the unity among the leaders.

Separatists have been continuing the ongoing protest shutdown through weekly calendars issued on each Wednesday, with the next one likely to be issued on Wednesday.

While it is likely that the separatists will not call off the ongoing shutdown, many people expect relaxations would be announced for students taking their exams and providing more working hours to traders and transporters.

--IANS

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