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Geelani warns against ‘readymade’ solution to K-issue

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 9/8/2012 12:21:48 AM

SRINAGAR, Sep 7: Veteran separatist, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, today warned India and Pakistan against pronouncing any “readymade solution” to the Kashmir issue.
“I want to warn both the countries that people of Kashmir will never compromise on the movement and the countless sacrifices made so far. If any readymade solution is forced upon us (Kashmir) from outside, we will reject it and, in fact, oppose it with full vigor,” he said in a statement issued to press before he was arrested by police.
The Foreign Minister, SM Krishna, has reached Islamabad for a three-day visit. Ahead of tomorrow's discussions between SM Krishna and his counterpart, Hina Rabbani Khar, the foreign secretaries of the two countries had a meeting this afternoon.
Over the next three days, the foreign ministers will be discussing various issues that are of concern to both the countries. The meeting is also expected to determine whether or not the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, will visit Pakistan near future.
Stating “Kashmiris are not basically against the dialogue”, Geelani said the two counties have met around 150 times in past 60 years, “but without making progress on vital issues including Kashmir.”
Geelani expressed his displeasure over the silence maintained by Pakistan with regard to the Kashmir issue. He said: “The Pakistan leadership is neither raising Kashmir issue vigorously with India, nor is it highlighting it (Kashmir issue) in the international forums.”
“This time,” he continued, “Pakistan shall bring India’s focus towards Kashmir…They (Pakistan leaders) must raise with India the issue of human rights violations in Kashmir and also stress upon the fact that peace is impossible in South Asia without resolution of the Kashmir issue.”
Meanwhile, the police yet again took Geelani into custody when he stepped out of his house for offering Friday prayers in the local Jamia Masjid.
Geelani, who was earlier under house arrest, was shifted by police to the Humhama police post where he remained detained till late in the evening.
“He was going to the Masjid just for Namaz without any intentions of addressing the people. But police arrested him and took him to the police station,” Ayaz Akbar, the spokesman of the Hurriyat Conference (G) conglomerate, of which Geelani is the chairman, said.
“Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ganai was also taken into custody,” he added.