Geelani calls for Kashmir strike on Nov 25

Srinagar, Nov 19: The breakway Hurriyat Conference(HC) called for a strike on November 25 in protest against the Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to lease out land at the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg.

Appealing to people to observe a complete shutdown, HC chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani alleged that it was a deep-rooted conspiracy to change the Muslim majority character of the state.

Mr Geelani alleged that leasing out the land to non-state subjects was a deliberate attempt to change the Muslim majority character of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing meeting of mujlis shoura members, the highest decision making body of the amalgam, at its Rajbagh headquarters, Mr Geelani said the HC is organising a seminor on '' Kashmir on Sale'' tomorrow here where people of Kashmir will be informed about the '' danger'' behind this conspiracy.

He accused the Centre of trying to destroy the Kashmiri culture and making the future of its citizens bleak.

A spokesman of the HC Aiyaz Akbar said that Mr Geelani told the members that the leasing out the land was a serious matter which could not be ignored.

The HC chairman said the government's decision to lease out the land will weaken the land grants bill which gurantees the state subjects their right on property and land.

The move is to help the resident of other Indian cities of purchase land and settle down here, he alleged.

The Majlis shoura appealed to the people of the state not to associate themselves with the non-state subject industralists and other persons.

Mr Geelani refuted the government's claim that leasing out the land was to boost the tourism in the state.

'' Only three per cent of the Jammu and Kashmir population is associated directly and indirectly with the tourism industry'', Mr Geelani claimed and said 97 per cent population is dependent on agriculture and floriculture.

UNI