PM trying to hoodwink world: Geelani

Terming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's observation that there could be no military solution to disputes like the Kashmir issue as a "ploy," chairman of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, on Friday said it was an attempt to hoodwink the international community.

Singh, at a book release function in Delhi on May 23, had said there could be no military solution to disputes like the Kashmir issue.

Geelani claimed the government was not ready to seriously think of options other than military solution to the Kashmir issue. "It wants to silence Kashmiris by the power of gun," he said.

"The process of killing of youths after their arrests has not stopped yet. Security forces are harassing women on the pretext of sadbhavana (goodwill)," he alleged.

He also criticised the Mirwaiz Umer Farooq-led Hurriyat's rival faction as "playing politics in the name of Pakistan and freedom."

Denying any ambition of capturing power, Geelani said, "I am neither struggling for power, nor for any office. I want to see my nation free. If I die in the struggle it is my fortune," he said.

He also Geelani appealed to the people to boycott the elections as "pro-Indian parties want to capture power and have no sympathy with the people of Kashmir."