Syed Ali Shah Geelani expresses displeasure over waving of ISIS flags in Kashmir

Hardline Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Saturday expressed displeasure over the hoisting of ISIS flags in the Valley, saying "such instances provide a handle to defame the ongoing struggle in Kashmir".

"Waving of ISIS flags during peaceful demonstrations is against the discipline and also negates our strategy. Such things provide a handle to India to defame our legitimate freedom struggle," Geelani said in a statement in Srinagar. He said "New Delhi is using it as a tool at the global level to convey a message that the struggle in Kashmir is not for right of self-determination but a problem of terrorism and the world community should lend its support to the people of Kashmir."

"ISIS and other like-minded groups, whatever their agenda and strategy, have nothing to do with Kashmir. The people of Kashmir are fighting for their right of self-determination and not pursuing any international programme," Geelani said. "Those youth who hoist flags of Daesh (ISIS) or other such group, should think with cool mind whom they are benefiting," Geelani said. 

In a development that may raise an alarm in the security establishment, flags of dreaded terror outfit ISIS along with those of Pakistan were on Friday raised in Kashmir after which police promised a thorough probe and legal action against those involved.

A group of youth, with faces covered, carried a black banner resembling Islamic State flag as they marched from Jamia Masjid towards Nowhatta chowk in downtown Srinagar soon after the Friday prayers, official sources said. They said Pakistani flags were also waved by some youth in the area before police swung into action and chased away the protestors. No arrests have been made so far. Hardline Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called for protests after Friday prayers against the killing of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat activist Altaf Sheikh by unidentified gunmen on Tuesday. Reports from Kupwara in north Kashmir said Pakistani flags were hoisted at some places there too after the Friday prayers, the sources said.