Geelani calls for shutdown in J-K over PM's visit

Srinagar, June 4 (ANI): All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a complete shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir to protest against the proposed visit of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on June 7.

Dr Singh is expected to renew the offer for talks with separatists and review the progress on the Round Table peace initiative during his two-day visit to the state.

Geelani announced this while addressing a protest rally, organised against the recent Israeli attack on Gaza aid flotilla.

Geelani said Kashmir is not an integral part of India, but a disputed territory.

"We have called for a shutdown on June 7. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to visit Kashmir, due to which we have called for a shutdown because we want to convey this to Manmohan Singh that Jammu and Kashmir is not an integral part of India, it is a disputed territory," said Geelani.

This will be Dr Singh's second visit to Jammu and Kashmir after being re-elected as Prime Minister for a second consecutive term in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government.

He had earlier visited Srinagar in last October.

Geelani also condemned the Israeli attack that took place on May 31 on a fleet of boats carrying 700 pro-Palestinian peace activists and 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

The protestors in Srinagar shouted anti-Israel slogans.

"We severely condemn the brutality of Israel. Those who have been martyred, we pray for their peace. Those who have been arrested should be released immediately and should be permitted to go to their own country," said Geelani.

"We request to 57 Muslim countries, in the name of Islam, not to have any diplomatic relations with Israel," he added. (ANI)