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Tariq Bhat
Tariq Bhat

SRINAGAR

Engineer Rashid says ready to join Geelani

syed-ali-shah-geelani-reute (File) Separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani | Reuters

The leader of Awami Itehad Party (People's Unity) and MLA of Langate, Abdul Rashid, on Thursday, said he was ready to join the Hurriyat Conference to pursue the cause of right to self-determination.

Senior separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani had yesterday said the ''conspiracy to remove the Article 35A of the Constitution was aimed at changing the demography of the state and asked the mainstream leaders to join the resistance movement (separatists) to pursue the cause of right of self-determination and prevent the Centre from creating a Palestine-like situation in Kashmir."

Addressing a crowded press conference, Rashid said he will seek an appointment with pro-resistance leaders to discuss the offer of joining them.

"It is not the time to blame each other but work for the resolution of Kashmir dispute and stop New Delhi from its to change the nature of the dispute in Jammu and Kashmir,'' Rashid said.

He said Geelan's appeal to the mainstream parties is of significance and relevance and sincere voices needed to respond.

He said during the last eight years he has met Geelani on several occasions and offered him his support, which the veteran separatist leader, he said, had acknowledged three years back.

He said the pro-freedom leadership and himself were on the same page regarding right to self-determination for Jammu and Kashmir. 

''The sincere offer by Geelani Sahab should be taken seriously by all saner voices,'' the legislator from Langate said. ''New Delhi’s designs to force Kashmiris on the defensive by snatching their special status needs concrete, united and strategic approach.''

He said he would seek appointments with Geelani, Mirwaiz, Yaseen Malik and other pro-freedom leaders, so their offer to mainstream leaders to join them could be discussed with sincerity.

He said he was open to the idea of quitting from the Assembly if the separatists presented a roadmap for the people of Kashmir in a proper way.

He appealed to the NC working president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah not to launch personal attacks against Geelani and others for the larger interest of Kashmiris at this stage.

Rashid is known for his pro-separatist view that he articulates in television debates and the floor of the assembly.

He demanded plebiscite in both sides of Kashmir across the line of control and invokes and has been highly critical of the use of force by security forces in dealing with the protesters.

In a video message, he asked Kashmir police whether it would be fair on their part to fire bullets, pellets and tear shells on protesters if the article 35A was struck off by the Supreme Court.

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