Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani today offered Friday congregational prayers and addressed a public rally at Hyderpora here, hours after authorities lifted restrictions on him.Accompanied by Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chairman Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai and his supporters, Geelani after a long period of eight years of his house confinement, made his first public appearance on Friday and addressed a public rally here, a statement issued to GNS said.It said Geelani was accorded a rousing reception and was taken from his residence amid pro-freedom slogans to the nearby masjid in Hyderpora.Syed Ali Geelani in his brief speech quoted the verse from Holy Qur’an and reminded people about the unending tale of unmatched sacrifices of Kashmiri people since past seven decades against the “tyrannical rule” and stressed to illustrate steadfastness and commitment with ongoing resistance, the statement said.He cautioned people against “divide and rule policy of pro-India factions” and stressed to forge unity among all those pursuing sacred mission.Geelani asked people to repose faith in Almighty Allah and seek refuge in Him only as this will definitely infuse spirits and rejuvenate our willpower against all brutalities and hardships we face while pursuing the pious and sacred mission of martyrs.“I, with a sincere heart, want to convey that we are yearning for peace and seek the peaceful resolution to the long-pending Kashmir issue,” said Geelani, adding, “India needs to fulfill its promise of giving Kashmiris their right to self-determination to choose their future.”
“We want to remind Indian authorities that we are not demanding any part of India be separated but made it clear Jammu & Kashmir is a disputed territory which needs a resolution in accordance with resolutions presented by India itself before UN on January 1948.India is suffering from the arrogance of power and is using an imperialistic and forced attitude in the disputed territory of J&K,” Hurriyat (G) chairman said.He expressed his deep concern over the increasing waywardness, liquor consumption, drug addiction and other social evils and in his fervent appeal to youth asked to play their effective and pivotal role to help to eradicate this menace from society.While commenting over the future course of action, Hurriyat (G) chairman said that the joint resistance leadership will meet in near future to chalk out a fresh strategy. He hailed youth for their passion, commitment, and enthusiasm for the freedom movement.Later, Syed Ali Geelani was taken from the Masjid to his Hyderpora residence in a procession led by enthusiastic youth and the crowd shouting slogans of Azadi and expressed deep love and fondness with Geelani, the statement said. (GNS)