SRINAGAR: The Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police has welcomed senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s comments against stone pelting, but said he must actually make efforts to help stop such incidents in the valley.
Mr Geelani, whose rally in Sopore town on Friday was followed by violence, quickly criticised stone-pelters saying “such people” were not part of the freedom movement.
The authorities have always held separatists responsible for inciting violence. Mr Geelani on the other hand said those who had pelted stones after his Friday rally were “agents” trying to sabotage him.
The DGP, Ashok Prasad said if Mr Geelani condemns stone pelters, then he should “thoroughly follow the matter so that stone pelting could be halted at the earliest.”
Mr Prasad however suggested that it was Mr Geelani’s “fiery speech” indeed that incited violence at Sopore.
“They seek permission to offer Friday prayers but then use the day to serve their political interests,” he said
Reacting to the recent news report about the ‘contradictory’ number of militants operating in valley, Mr. Prasad said his department has information about the presence of only 200 militants in the state.
