Deputy Chief Minister and Bhartiya Janata Party senior leader Saturday castigated Hurriyat leaders and alleged that these leaders have been trying to communalize the situation in Kashmir to seek attention as they have become ‘irrelevant and redundant’. Singh was responding to a question about Syed Ali Geelani’s demand for restricting the duration of Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir Valley. He said that separatist leaders in Kashmir have lost credibilty and their statements should not be taken seriously. They issue statements to seek the attention of the media. “Amarnath Yatra will be held as per schedule and all the facilities including security will be provided to the Yatris. Common people of Jammu and Kashmir especially Kashmir are anxiously waiting for the Yatra to commence,” he said.Pertinently, Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani during his anti-India rally in South Kashmir’s Tral town of Pulwama district had said that for sake of protecting enviornment Yatra should be restricted to 30 days only. This year, the yatra to the Amarnath cave will be for 59 days starting from July 2. Deputy Chief Minister further said that only a few hundred people attended (Geelani’s) rally as people in Kashmir do not follow these separatists now. Separatists are trying to vitiate the atmosphere of J&K but they would not succeed in it. These people have been trying to vitiate the atmosphere since 1947. They are the people who have lost their ground. People of Jammu and Kashmir have rejected them as they have given power to PDP and BJP government. People want development and they want rehabilitation of flood victims," he said.
Responding to a question, Dr Nirmal Singh according to CNS said that it were these separatist leader who instigated youth of Kashmir for violence in 2010 resulting the death of more than 100 people. Asked whether government was considering action Geelani after Pakistani flags were allegedly waved at his rally yesterday, the Deputy Chief Minster said, "Government is working and police is also working on it. Law will take its own course. Whosoever is the culprit and indulge in such activities, action would be taken against them," he said and claimed that in the coming days nobody would dare to indulge in any anti-national activities in the state.“Government has never been soft towards anti-national forces as in the case of "Masarat Alam you see he was booked under treason and he is now behind bars,” he added."I came to know that some flags were hoisted in Kashmir and I assure you that action will be taken and the law will take its own course," he said.Responding to a question, Singh said that everything will move forward as per their Common Minimum Programme. (CNS)