Sonia playing down situation in kashmir: Geelani

Srinagar, March 21 (KMS): A day after the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi expressed satisfaction over what she said "remarkable progress" made in occupied Kashmir, the veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani has said that Sonia is deliberately playing down the situation to conceal the realities.Syed Ali Gilani in a statement in Srinagar said, "The statement of Gandhi (Sonia) is nothing but a crude joke with the people of Kashmir... The drama is enacted with an eye on the next year's General Elections."

Gandhi has expressed satisfaction over "remarkable progress" made in the territory but emphasised the need to "take note of the cry of pain and anguish" emanating from the people.

The veteran leader demanded return of the mortal remains of Muhammad Afzal Guru and Muhammad Maqbool Butt. “If Congress president is sincere in resolving Kashmir issue then she should accept the demand of the Kashmiris on priority and return the mortal remains to their families," he said.

Syed Ali Gilani said that since the Congress president herself was a woman “she can well understand the pain of a woman who was even not allowed to meet her husband prior to his execution,” he referred to the widow of Muhmammad Afzal Guru.

The octogenarian leader criticised the Congress for continuation of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).