Kashmir protests to continue till Obama's visit?

Hinting at continuing protests in Kashmir till the visit of United States President Barack Obama to India in November, Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Sunday accused the Centre of trying to suppress the 'movement' in the Valley ahead of the US President's arrival.

"New Delhi is trying its best to suppress the people's movement in Kashmir before the visit of US President to hoodwink the international community about the situation in the Valley," chairman of the hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference said in a statement in Srinagar.

He urged the people to remain steadfast at this 'crucial juncture.'

"We have to defeat the designs of New Delhi and tell the international community that Kashmir is burning," Geelani said indicating that the agitation, which is being spearheaded by his amalgam, would continue.

US President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit the country in the second week of November. Criticising the mainstream political parties, Geelani alleged they were working against the 'people's movement' and their policies were against the people's aspirations.

"If these people (mainstream politicians) had any concern for the collective interests of the people, they would have resigned from the assembly," he said.

Geelani also criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, saying, "On the one hand he claims that those who were killed over the past four months were the pieces of his heart, but on the other he openly plays politics with their sacrifices by sticking to power."

He alleged that the ruling party has launched a 'negative campaign' through its 'paid agents' to defame the ongoing movement.