As the prolonged strike in the Kashmir valley against the recent civilian killings during action by security forces completed 25 days, the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief and head of United Jehad Council Syed Salahuddin on Friday expressed concern over the continuance of the agitation in its present form.
In a telephonic interview to local news agency KNS, Mr. Salahuddin said that it was time for a rethink on the strategy to ensure that the economy and students were not affected, while “the struggle for freedom” continues.
He said that in the areas where people were involved in “genuine protests” his cadres would not engage security forces but move to the borders. Justifying the stone-pelting as a “tool of resistance,” he said “Kashmiris have no alternative but to carry on their struggle through this method.”
“No Pakistani hand”
The Hizb chief ruled out the hand of Pakistan in the struggle and said it was totally indigenous. People had sacrificed a lot for the “cause.”
According to him, the separatist leaders should join hands and devise a “new programme” whose impact would be less disruptive.
“The programme of frequent strikes is not practicable because the struggle for freedom is not just for days, it is a long-drawn battle,” he said. His suggestion was that the protests could be conducted at district levels.
Mr. Salahuddin strongly condemned the recent killings and the arrest of separatist leaders.
Put to hardship
All shops and business establishments, most government offices, educational institutions and banks have remained closed for nearly a month now causing hardship to the people.
Mr. Salahuddin's appeal comes at a time when people were expecting yet another protest calendar from the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani.
