Pak is a well wisher; we will continue waving Pakistan flags in Kashmir, says Geelani

Srinagar, June 1: Hardline Hurriyat Conference gave a shocking statement on Sunday as it said that people will continue to wave Pakistan flags at its rallies in Kashmir, as it termed the neighbouring a "well wisher".

"Pakistani flags have been waved (in Kashmir) and, In Sha Allah (God willing), will be waved in future as well as Pakistan is our neighbour and a well wisher," hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani said at a function at his residence in Srinagar.

Pakistani flags have appeared at several separatist rallies in Kashmir since April 15 this year, leading to severe criticism of the state government by opposition parties.

The first instance took place on April 15 during a rally organised by Hurriyat to welcome Geelani from Delhi. The state government reacted by arresting Masarat Alam and booking him under the Public Safety Act.

Geelani said Kashmiris did not wish ill for India but "they have made the country their God".

Make raising Pak flag a heinous crime: Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena today demanded the government to declare 'raising Pakistani flags and chanting pro-Pakistan slogans' by the separatists a heinous crime equivalent to murder and make provision for harsher punishment for such act.

Led by its leader Dimpy Kohli, Shiv Sainiks today protested against raising of Pakistan flags and chanting of pro-Pakistan slogans by the separatists in Kashmir valley, in Srinagar and other south Kashmir areas.

Amid anti-Pakistan and separatist slogans, they also burnt the effigies of separatists. Kohli said waving of Pakistani flags and chanting of pro- Pakistan slogans was becoming a routine in Kashmir, which cannot be tolerated.

"They are forgetting that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari India is one and no anti-national act would be tolerated on this soil," he said, adding that the government should deal with such situation with iron hand.

"We appeal to lawmakers to make stringent laws to deal with such anti-national activities. It should be treated as heinous crime equivalent to murder, and death should be the punishment for such acts," he demanded.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)