Crisis in Hurriyat deepens further on talks
*Mirwaiz cuts to size Nayeem, Salim;
issues blanket ban on statement by others
AMIN MASOODI
SRINAGAR, Nov 23: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman Hurriyat Conference (M), today cut to size Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Syed Saleem Geelani for raising banner of revolt on talks issue by abolishing the posts of provincial president and media advisor respectively held by them.
In some other drastic steps, Mirwaiz also imposed a blanket ban on the issuance of statements by the members of executive and general councils. Following serious differences the visit of Hurriyat (M) delegation to Pakistan has been also delayed for an indefinite time. Even the Mirwaiz's visit to China has also become uncertain.
The decisions were taken by Mirwaiz during a five hour long meeting of Hurriyat (M) executive council here today. After the meeting some reports had indicated that Hurriyat (M) chairman placed under suspension the executive and general councils. But later the Hurriyat (M) leaders privately told media persons that the executive and general councils were not placed under suspension. Placing the executive and general councils under suspension is against the constitution of Hurriyat, so there was no question of doing so, they clarified. They added that both executive and general councils are intact.
For past two weeks, Hurriyat (M) was reeling under tremendous crisis over the triangular talks issue and even the fingers were being raised over the top leadership for the talks' initiative. Nayeem Khan and Shabir Shah had openly opposed the talks with government of India describing those as against Hurriyat constitution. They had favoured tripartite talks. Nayeem Khan had went to the extent of saying that those tired of fighting against Indian government must rest at home and allow the new generation to take over the movement.
Saleem Geelani had also criticized Mirwaiz's stance for triangular talks and held a meeting of general council constituents for three days. With today's action, Mirwaiz summoned but Khan and Salim. He also abolished the post chief spokesman. Interestingly Mirwaiz got the support of other executive members in his decisions also.
Sources said that a meeting of Hurriyat (M) executive members under the chairmanship of Mirwaiz was held here today. The meeting that lasted from 11 AM to 4 PM discussed the prevailing situation in valley, the recently held meeting of executive members and the emerging crisis in Hurriyat
The meeting was attended by Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Zafar Akbar Bhat, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Masroor Abbas Ansari, Yasmeen Raja, Aga Sayeed Hassan, Fazal Haq Qureshi, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza and few other members.
Sources said that Mirwaiz took a serious exception of statements issued by the members over the triangular talks initiative of the Hurriyat (M) and issued directives to the members not to issues any statement in future.
Sources said that the abolition of some key portfolios and a decision to ban the statements from executive members were taken to re-organize and strengthen the faction reeling under crisis for past few weeks.
Sources said that Mirwaiz told the meeting that the Hurriyat (M) efforts for the initiation of triangular talks were hailed at the international level and the crisis inside the Hurriyat especially at this point of time were intolerable. He warned the members that no body would be allowed to create chaos and confusion in Hurriyat ranks and resort to any kind of indiscipline.
Chairman Hurriyat (M) issued the directives that no member would be allowed to issue a statement on his own and if any member has a problem, he can consult Mirwaiz directly to sort out the same. Mirwaiz told the meeting that Hurriyat (M) was a worldly acknowledged forum and when there are crisis in the forum itself how can it talk to others.
Mirwaiz told the meeting that Hurriyat has a clear policy and the differences if any among its members can be resolved amicably within the framework of Hurriyat constitution. Sources said that Mirwaiz also hinted at taking some important decisions after the Eid including the expansion of Hurriyat (M) leadership and network in Muslim dominated areas of Jammu.
Sources said that soon after the executive council meeting Mirwaiz convened a meeting with some members of the general council in which some important issues were discussed.