The Muslim News

Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India, (GK News Network):

Crisis within the Hurriyat Conference (M) over quiet talks with New Delhi deepened on Monday after the amalgam decided to suspend the entire organizational structure including all its office bearers except its chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

“The decision to suspend all the office bearers including the chief spokesman, provincial president, office-in-charge, financial head, media advisor and others was taken after a marathon meeting of the executive council of the conglomerate,” a senior Hurriyat leader told Greater Kashmir.

He said members discussed the recent statements on quiet diplomacy issued by various leaders of the conglomerate. “The executive body took strong note of the statements issued against the leadership. The body also discussed the meetings held by a few members of the general council,” the leader said. “After holding the deliberations threadbare it was decided that none of the leaders except the chairman will be authorized to issue a statement on behalf of the amalgam and all the powers will vest with Mirwaiz till Hurriyat is restructured.”

The chairman, according to Hurriyat insiders, directed all the leaders including that of general council not to issue any statements from today onwards. “Indiscipline won’t be tolerated. It is unfortunate that some people are propagating that Hurriyat is holding quiet talks with New Delhi. However, the fact is that dialogue hasn’t started yet,” insiders quoted Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

Several senior members of the Hurriyat had flayed the quiet talks at their individual level while the general council had also expressed displeasure over the development. Members of the executive council, according to the insiders, observed that the statements made against the Hurriyat violated amalgam’s constitution and were proving detrimental for the movement.

When contacted, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, “We have decided to suspend the organizational structure. We will meet after Eid-ul-Zuha and restructure the amalgam. For the time being none of the leaders is authorized to issue any statement on behalf of Hurriyat.”

Asked why the need to restructure Hurriyat arose, Mirwaiz said, “It is a step towards improving amalgam’s working. During past few days statements coming from various quarters have created confusion among the masses.

Many of our leaders behaved irresponsibly. We have taken this decision to put our house in order.”

“We are fighting for a bigger cause and we have to remain very cautious. All those associated with Hurriyat need to realize that this is just an initial stage. If any of the activists or leaders has any grievance he should approach the forum rather than going public,” Mirwaiz said. He maintained that amalgam’s executive and general council were intact and their joint meeting would be held soon.

Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, who held the post of chief spokesperson, said, “I don’t want to talk.”

Another senior Hurriyat leader, Shabir Ahmed Shah, remained tight-lipped over the issue, saying, “We want to set our house in order.”

Nayeem Ahmed Khan, who held the post of provincial president, couldn’t be contacted.

A member of the general council, wishing anonymity, said, “It is a step towards gagging us. They want us to follow whatever they decide.”

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