FIR against Geelani, others for anti-India slogans

Srinagar, Apr 22 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Police today lodged a first information report (FIR) against breakaway Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani for anti-national speech and raising provocative slogans during his public meeting at Eidgah here today.

The FIR, number 70/07, has been lodged at the Safa Kadal police station here.

Police said Mr Geelani, his Hurriyat colleagues Ashraf Sehrai, Masarat Alam, Saleem Geelani and Shafi Lone have been booked under section 13 of the unlawful activities act for delivering an anti-India speech.

They said anti-national slogans were also raised during the public meeting of the firebrand leader.

Unconfirmed reports said flags of banned Pakistan-based militant outfits, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, were also openly displayed at the public meeting.

However, senior police officers said there was no display of arms and ammunition, and no flag of any banned militant outfit had been spotted at the rally.

They said flags, bearing religious writings, of several parties from different areas of the Kashmir valley were displayed at the public meeting. Police had earlier said that Mr Geelani's supporters also raised anti-India flags at the gathering.

Police have started investigations into the entire incident.

Mr Geelani and others would be arrested only if charges were proved against them. Several FIRs stand lodged against Mr Geelani in various police stations for delivering anti-India speeches.

UNI