Syed Ali Shah Geelani condemns burning of minority school; appeals for peace

Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani today strongly condemned torching of a private school run by a reputed minority institution and appealed to people to safeguard the property and life of the minorities in the Valley.

"Geelani strongly condemns the burning of a private school at Tangmarg. It is our religious duty to safeguard the property and life of the minorities," Hurriyat spokesperson Ayaz Akbar said.

A private high school was set ablaze by a mob at Tangmarg, 45kms from Srinagar, protesting the alleged sacrilege of a holy book in United States.

"Control your sentiments, the misdeed of a person should not be made an excuse to target any minority community," the spokesperson quoted Geelani as saying.

The hardline Hurriyat chairman cautioned people against attacking the properties of the minority community saying "it will only harm our movement".