Senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani arrived here on Wednesday to a welcome by thousands of people, including the recently released Hurriyat leader Masarat Alam Bhat, who raised Pakistan flags and pro-freedom slogans. Mr. Geelani returned to the city after spending three months in New Delhi. Scores of men, both young and old, waited outside the airport to welcome him and followed his car to his residence in Hyderpora.
Leading the march was Masarat Alam, who, along with other separatist leaders, was booked for provocative activities and hoisting the Pakistani flag.
“The police today [Wednesday]registered an FIR against Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Masarat Alam Bhat, Peer Saifullah and other separatist leaders for provocative activities and hoisting Pakistani flag in Hyderpora,” police spokesperson Manoj Pandita said. The FIR has been registered at the Budgam police station.
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Mr. Geelani told the people that they welcomed Kashmiri Pandits’ return to Kashmir, but would not let the government create Israeli-style separate settlements for them.
“They [Pandits] are our brothers and sisters. Our hearts are open for them. Let them return to their native places and live comfortably among us,” Mr. Geelani said. “They are our brothers and we wouldn’t like a separate home for them.”