Geelani opposes colonies for migrant Pandits

Srinagar, January 25

Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, who heads a faction of the Hurriyat Conference, on Wednesday opposed the proposal to set up exclusive residential colonies for migrant Pandits.

In a statement, Geelani said his group was not against the rehabilitation of Pandits but opposed the idea of setting up “separate townships” for them. The separatist leader expressed “serious concern over the identification of 800 kanals for the proposed Pandit colonies” and accused the state government of “following the RSS ideology”.

“A conspiracy is being hatched to create a situation like that of Palestine. We welcome their return to valley… nobody opposes their return, however separate colonies are not acceptable,” he said.

Geelani’s separatist faction has also opposed a resolution passed in the Legislative Council to declare the birth anniversary of former monarch Hari Singh as a holiday. — TNS