Amarnath yatries will be safe, Kashmiris friendly with visitors: Geelani

Srinagar: Asserting that Amarnath yatries will be safe in Kashmir, Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani said that people in the valley will continue the age-old tradition of providing best hospitality to pilgrims.
Geelani said that the people of the valley have always been friendly and generous with visitors.
“Terror threat to the upcoming Amarnath yatra is a calculated move aimed at maligning and discrediting the political struggle of Kashmir,” the HC chairman said here today.
The HC chairman while referring to unrest in 2008, 2010 and 2016, said that even in those gloomy circumstances, people despite restrictions and curfew received these yatries with open arms and provided shelter and food.
Rejecting reports from a section of media that there is a threat to the Amarnath yatries from Kashmiris, Mr Geelani said that Amarnath yatra is being conducted for decades and the people here have treated these yatries with unique hospitality.
Mr Geelani said Kashmiris are not against any religion or its followers, however, they are pursuing a legitimate struggle for their fundamental rights.
“People since last seven decades are demanding right to self-determination to decide the political destiny of state and India and international community are signatory to these resolutions,” Mr Geelani said.
“Fanatical forces in India are desperate to give bad name to freedom movement and as such are relying on negative propaganda and following their fanatical dogma,” Mr Geelani alleged.