Cannot ignore Geelani: Paswan

Former Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan supported Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelanis views on the Kashmir issue.

Former Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Wednesday supported Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelanis views on the Kashmir issue. Calling Geelani a pious man,Paswan questioned the sincerity of the Central government in resolving the issue.

Claiming that Geelani holds sway over a large population in Kashmir,Paswan said any dialogue process without him will be a futile exercise. Geelani sahib has raised five points. Whether or not Kashmir is a disputed place can be discussed later. First,the government should talk about four other points, Paswan told the media after his meeting with Geelani at his Hyderpora residence.

The Rajya Sabha member visited Geelanis residence and discussed the current situation in Kashmir with the Hurriyat leader.

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Paswan questioned why the Centre was silent on the revocation of AFSPA,Public Safety Act,release of jailed youths and the relocation of soldiers. This was Paswans third meeting with Geelani since the June uprising.

Paswan said the governments approach towards Kashmir was different from that towards other states. If a child is killed in Bihar,Punjab or Haryana,you order a judicial inquiry. Why such an inquiry is not ordered here? One hundred and eighteen boys were killed in three months. All of them were not Pakistanis; all of them were not terrorists. They were Kashmiris. Isnt Kashmir a part of India? he asked.

Geelani reiterated his stand: Kashmir is a dispute. Through Paswan sahib,I want to tell the Indian government and Parliament members that you cant ignore the peoples issue by developmental works.

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