SRINAGAR, July 2: Kashmir’s hard-line separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani said that the under the pretext of rehabilitating Kashmiri Pandits New Delhi is planning to create Israeli type settlements in Kashmir.

Geelani insisted that Hurriyat Conference’s opposition to “settlement colonies” should not be interpreted as move to oppose rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.

“We are not against the return of Kashmiri Pandits. They are part of our society. We welcome them in Kashmir. But creating settlement colonies in the name Kashmiri Pandits is a conspiracy,” Geelani said addressing a press conference here on Monday.

Geelani claimed that his organisation has credible reports that the state government has given its consent for establishing the settlement colonies.

“The aim of the plan is to settle outsiders in the state to change the demography and the nature of Kashmir dispute. In these settlement colonies fundamentalists would be trained and armed to trigger civil war in Kashmir,” Geelani added.

“This is what Israel is doing in Palestine and the GoI has sought the help of Israel in this plan,” Geelani claimed.

He urged displaced Pandits that they should come and settle at their original places and live along with Kashmiri Muslims. He appeal to Kashmiri Pandits not to accept this plan which is aimed at dividing our society and create civil strife

“The government should provide them Rs.30 lakh each to construct their houses at their original places. But creating separate zones in the name of Kashmiri Pandits is unacceptable,” Geelani said.

He said if Kashmiri Pandits have sold their land, the government should provide them money to buy back the land.

“There are Kashmiri Pandit organisations, which understand the government of India’s game plan and oppose creation of separate colonies for them.”

He condemned the successive state governments for “toeing New Delhi’s line” and “surrendering the interests of the state” for remaining in power.

Geelani said Hurriyat Conference would start a campaign about the issue and make people aware of “New Delhi’s game plan. We will hold seminars, conferences and meetings,” he said.

He warned if the government continues with the programme to create separate zones in the name of Kashmiri Pandits, then Hurriyat would start an agitation.