At the separatist meeting in Srinagar: Angry crowds and a resolve to continue with protests

On November 8, after leading a four-month long shutdown in the Valley, the separatist leadership in Kashmir met representatives from various sections of society to discuss the way forward.

A statement by the joint separatist leadership issued after the meeting said that they had the "full mandate by stakeholders to continue the ongoing movement for freedom". So the programme of protests will not be phased out.

The meeting took place at the home of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the leader of the separatist faction of the Hurriyat, who is under house arrest, in Hyderpora on the outskirts of Srinagar. Those in attendance included Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads the faction of the Hurriyat that is believed to be moderate; Yasin Malik, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front; Mirwaiz Qazi Yasir of Ummat-e-Islami; Mian Abdul Qayoom, president of the high court bar association, and members of hotel and business associations, transporters and civil society groups.

As the stakeholders flocked inside the house, a crowd of onlookers and Hurriyat supporters gathered on the main road outside. From time to time, separatist leaders emerged outside amid a chorus of azaadi slogans. As the day wore on, the crowd got restive, attacking vehicles and heckling the tradesmen attending the meeting.

Since Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8, the Valley has been gripped by protests. After the initial bout of anger on the streets, the unified separatist leadership tried to give direction to the protests. They issued a calendar of strikes and shutdowns, extended week by week, keeping educational institutions and shops closed, and people off the streets.

Confidence and caution

Most separatist leaders relayed messages of support that they had received from the various stakeholders.

At midday, Yasin Malik, made an appearance outside. He asked the crowd to have patience, saying “70% of the stakeholders” were in favour of prolonging the shutdown. Speaking to the press later in the day, Malik reiterated that the present unrest was a “people’s movement” and that protest programmes would be issued once again as “it is the people's demand that we continue the agitation”.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq claimed that no section of society went unrepresented at the meeting. “Whatever suggestions or proposals they gave, it has one thing in common: [that] the current phase of the freedom movement be continued, moved forward,” he said.

The Mirwaiz added that the current protest was supported even beyond the Valley – for instance in the Pir Panjal belt to the West of Srinagar, and Kargil and Drass on the North East, enroute to Leh. He also said the protest would be brought to its "logical conclusion" and advised people to be wary of “agencies” that wanted to divide the movement.

This was a warning that was repeated across separatist ranks. All three leaders asked people to not pay heed to rumours. Geelani himself advised the public to be alert to the schemes of adversaries, and stressed on the need for discipline and communal harmony.

He alluded to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's recent comment that "good news" might follow in days to come. According to Geelani, she was hinting at the outcome of the meeting between separatists and stakeholders. He assured supporters that the meeting was not going to yield an outcome that harmed the separatist struggle.

Only a few sounded a note of caution about the programme of protests. Ghulam Rasool Hami, who heads the religious outfit Karawan-e-Islami, and who attended the meeting, pitched for a rethink in strategy. He spoke of the troubles of people who live hand-to-mouth. He also spoke of the need for an educated and healthy people to build a strong nation.

Stones and slogans

But the crowd, made up of different age groups, was in no mood for caution. As the day progressed, placards appeared. They read: “Free Kashmir”, “We Want Plebiscite”, “Go India Go Back”.

The crowd shouted slogans in favour of Geelani, Pakistan, Burhan Wani and azaadi. The police and paramilitary personnel looked on as the crowd attacked passing cars, smashing the windows of at least three commercial vehicles. When the crowd attempted to mob a paramilitary vehicle, it was chased away. The few who remained contented themselves with hurling abuses at passers-by for defying the ongoing strike.

In the evening, the policemen finally allowed visitors and the press to move towards Geelani’s house. The narrow lane leading up to it teemed with separatist supporters and the press. The crowd charged at the doors, hoping to get in. For a brief moment, Geelani appeared at one of the windows on the third floor and waved at the crowd.

Earlier in the day, older and calmer members of the crowd discussed the possible outcomes of the meeting as they waited outside Geelani's house. They remembered the protests of 2010, which raged for months and then ebbed away, leaving few traces behind. The separatists were caught in a bind, one middle-aged man observed. “They lose if they call off the strike, they lose if they don't,” he said.