Srinagar, Aug 27: Several separatist and militant organisations, including Hurriyat Conference, today gave a call for general strike in Kashmir when Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits the Valley to protest what they said "the Centre`s misleading projection of the situation in the state".
In a statement here, Hurriyat Conference said the purpose behind the Prime Minister`s visit was aimed at "misleading" the world that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had improved.
"Kashmir issue is not about government or governance. It is a matter of right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," the statement said.
Conducting conferences in the state would not change the nature or status of Kashmir problem, the Hurriyat said asking the people to observe a complete shutdown the day Vajpayee lands in Kashmir.
The 25-party conglomerate asked Vajpayee to fulfil his promises that problems should be resolved through talks.
Firebrand Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was first to give the call for a shutdown, said it would demonstrate to the world that Kashmiris` protest continues.
Geelani, who is planning to launch a new separatist outfit, received support for his call from several militant and separatist outfits.
Pro-Pak militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen said the day would be observed as a black day like the one on August 15.
Hizb extends full support to the strike, outfit`s spokesman Juanidul Islam said in a faxed statement here.
United Jehad Council, an amalgam of militant outfits, also lent support to the strike.
Supporting the strike, radical women`s organisation, Dukhtaran-i-Millat, said the strike would prove that the "struggle" by Kashmiris was not aimed at obtaining concessions from New Delhi.
Hurriyat had called for a two-day strike when the Prime Minister visited Kashmir in April this year but withdrew it after a day when Vajapyee extended his hand of friendship to Pakistan.
Bureau Report