Tags:
Journalism of Courage
SRINAGAR, JANUARY 2: The Hurriyat Conference today failed to reach a consensus on the team that would visit Pakistan and finally left it to its Chairman, Abdul Gani Bhat, to name it. In a statement, the Hurriyat said since the Centre had not cleared all its executive members for travelling to Pakistan, it had authorised its Chairman to name the team for the proposed January 15 visit. It also issued an appeal to the people to boycott the proposed panchayat elections.
Geelani apparently left in a huff half-an-hour before the meeting ended. The Islamist did not speak to the Press and sped away in his vehicle.
There was tight security around the Hurriyat headquarters with policemen and BSF personnel standing guard. A BSF officer said this was to prevent any militant attack on the Hurriyat office.
The important meeting was held in the lurking shadow of the mujahideenwho have formed a five-member group in Pakistan which will first holdconsultations with the Hurriyat leadership to ascertain their motive behindthe Pakistan visit. It is learnt that this team comprises commanders of the Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Hizbul Mujahideen, Jamia-ul-Mujahideen and Muslim Jaanbaz Force.
The five groups have nominated Abu Lakwai, Ishtiaq Ahmed, Abu Rafeeya, Muhammad Usman and Syed Salahuddin Ahmed. They will hold negotiations independently with all the seven executives and later prepare a report which will be presented to the Mutahida Jehad Council (United Jehad Council). If the report satisfies the mujahideen, the Hurriyat will be welcomed and the negotiations with them will witness progress.
Today’s day-long meeting was held behind closed doors at the Hurriyat headquarters at Rajbagh from 11 a.m to dusk in the backdrop of Abdul Gani Lone’s statement made yesterday in which he had voluntarily opted out of the group which is to leave for Pakistan. Taking a swipe at the mujahideen andJamat-e-Islami, the People’s Conference leader had called them self-styleddefenders of Islam.
However, after an exhaustive day-long session, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, presssecretary, told reporters that “since the Centre has lifted the ban on thepassports of all seven executives, the power to announce the group for theproposed Pakistan visit has been vested with chairman Abdul Gani Bhat.”
He said the executive also discussed the proposed panchayat elections andreached the conclusion that they were aimed at sabotaging a lasting solution in Kashmir and restoration of the peace process.
Reading out from a written statement, the Hurriyat press secretary said “that on one hand there is talk of creating a conducive atmosphere for solving the Kashmir issue and on the other preparations are on to enact the drama of undemocratic panchayat elections which are against the people’swill.” He added that only time would tell how much the Centre was involved in this whole affair. “We appeal to the people, therefore, tocompletely boycott the elections,” he said.
