Geelani resigns from Hurriyat citing rift
SRINAGAR: Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, 90, has resigned from his faction of the Hurriyat Conference, 17 years after he was chosen as its lifetime head, citing the inability of the leaders of the grouping to raise their voice against the Centre’s move to divest Jammu & Kashmir of its special status in August last year as one reason. He also blamed internal bickering, financial irregularities within the grouping’s Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) chapter, and attempts by its leaders to seek positions of power.
In an audio message released on social media on Monday, Geelani said he has apprised leaders of the constituents of his Hurriyat faction about his decision to quit through a detailed letter.
Geelani cited several complaints about the POK chapter of the grouping in his letter. “The leaders there were trying to be part of government and ministries. There were internal bickering, fear of losing posts, financial irregularities, and many other issues,’’ said Geelani.
It wasn’t immediately clear who would succeed Geelani who, along with the Hurriyat itself, has increasingly become a fringe player in Kashmir. Geelani said the constituents were free to make their own decisions.