Modi's first poll rally in Valley: Geelani calls for shutdown

Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani today called for a shutdown on December 8 to protest against the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will hold his first election campaign rally in the Valley.

"Geelani Tuesday called for complete shutdown on December 8 against the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jammu and Kashmir," a spokesman of the Hurriyat said.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to address two election rallies in Srinagar and Anantnag towns of the Valley as part of the campaign for party candidates. Polls in these areas will be held on December 14.

Geelani has also called for a shutdown on December 9 to protest against the holding of elections in Budgam, Pulwama and Baramulla district which go to polls in the third phase.

Meanwhile, Geelani condemned the killing of sarpanch Mohammad Sultan Bhat on Sunday by unidentified gunmen and attack on another sarpanch yesterday in Shopian district.

"It is an un-Islamic, inhuman act and unjustified to kill any unarmed person without assigning any proper reason ... this is an intolerable act," he said.