Don’t hang Afzal Guru, warns Geelani

SRINAGAR: Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani has supported parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and warned the Centre of serious consequences if he is sent to the gallows.

Afzal’s review petition is pending before president Pratibha Patil, even as the UPA government dithers to execute him fearing a backlash in Kashmir. Now, its fears may come true after Geelani made it clear Afzal’s hanging will evoke public anger in Kashmir.

“We feel Afzal did not receive a fair trail. He was unable to defend himself in court. If the government decides to hang him, it shall have to face public ire in Kashmir. The government will be wholly and solely responsible for the consequences,” Geelani warned.

The Hurriyat hawk said the BJP and other parties were pressuring the government to hang Afzal in the aftermath of the Delhi blasts. “There are hints that the BJP is playing hard ball to get Afzal hanged. In case the government gives in to the pressure, Kashmiris will not remain silent,” he said.

Geelani’s warning comes at a time when Kashmir is already up in arms against the government, and is likely to add fuel to the separatist fire that has engulfed the Valley in the last two months.

h_ishfaq@dnaindia.net