Pakistani flags raised at Geelani's rally again; separatist leader demands curbs on Amarnath Yatra

Pakistani flags have once again been raised in Kashmir at a rally held by separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

According to TV reports, the rally held in Tral was marked by crowds waving Pakistani flags. At the rally, hardline Hurriyat leader Geelani demanded that the duration of the Amarnath Yatra be reduced to a month. 

This is the second such incident in a month. Pakistani flags were raised at a rally organised in Srinagar by Geelani in April. Separatist leader Masarat Alam, who was released from jail in March, was present at the rally. Anti-India slogans were also raised at the April rallu.

Following a hue and cry, Alam was detained and then arrested under the Public Safety Act under which the separatist leader could be jailed for at least two years.

The Narendra Modi government has categorically stated that waving of Pakistani flags or raising of anti-India slogans will not be allowed under any circumstances.

There is already tension between the PDP-BJP government in the state over several issues, including the handling of Kashmiri separatists. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said in April that there was no place for such flag-waving.