Government wants to create special havens in certain parts of J&K: Syed Ali Shah Geelani

Opposing any move to rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits by creating protected settlements in the Valley, radical separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Wednesday claimed certain havens were being sought to be created in certain places in southern, central and northern Kashmir.

“Pandits are a part of the Kashmir society and they will always be welcome in their motherland. But, let it be clear that any plan to settle them exclusively in protected colonies would be completely unacceptable to the separatist leadership and the people here,” Mr. Geelani said.

The 86-year-old politician condemned the Narendra Modi government’s purported plans to permanently settle the Punjabi and other non-J&K refugees from Pakistan in the State and grant them the status of permanent residents.