Srinagar, May 22 (KMS): Senior Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani has called for a complete shutdown on Saturday to protest against the visit of Indian President, Pratibha Patil, to occupied Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar Syed Ali Gilani said, “By arranging the visits for Indian and foreign dignitaries to Kashmir, government of India was trying to give a false impression that normalcy has returned to the occupied territory. But the unabated human right violations contradict these claims of normalcy.”

Syed Ali Gilani said that the strike would be a mark of protest against the Indian occupation of Kashmir. “By observing the strike we would convey to the President and other foreign dignitaries accompanying her that Kashmir is disputed and people would continue to fight until they are given the right to self-determination,” he added.

The Hurriyet leader also urged the people to hold peaceful protests after Friday prayers against the visit of the President.

Syed Ali Gilani deplored that the foreign dignitaries who often visit Kashmir claim that their countries are the saviours of human rights but they have failed to address the issue of rights abuses committed by the Indian troops in the occupied territory adding that these people only come to Kashmir to enjoy its scenic beauty.  

Indian President is scheduled to arrive in occupied Kashmir on Friday on a three-day visit.