Case filed against Geelani for preaching secession

Jammu, Jan 3: Jammu and Kashmir police have registered a case against hardliner separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for preaching secession on Eid-ul-Azha.

Police said a case has been registered against the separatist Tehrik-e-Hurriyat Conference chairman and others for preaching secession on Eid-ul-Azha at Shahidhi Chowk on Monday.

Activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena and other organisations staged demonstrations at various parts of the city shouting slogans against J&K administration, which allegedly has been patronising anti-national forces.

The VHP had demanded the arrest of Geelani under the National Security Act (NSA) for his ''communal and anti-India speech'' during the Eid-ul-Azha festival.

Addressing a news conference here yesterday, VHP state president Dr Ramakant Dubey said, ''It is very sad and surprising that a person like Mr Geelani used an occasion like a religious festival to fan communal and anti-India sentiments, and that too freely.'' Dr Dubey said the state government should stop providing pension and other facilities to Mr Geelani in view of his ''communal speeches and acting as a spokesman for Pakistan.'' VHP activists in the city burnt Mr Geelani in effigy last evening.

UNI