Hurriyat suspends founder for meeting interlocutors

Moderate Hurriyat Conference on Wednesday suspended the membership of one of the founding parties, Ithad-ul-Muslimeen, after its chief patron Moulana Mohammad Abbaas Ansari met Centre’s interlocutors on Kashmir.

Ansari, former Conference chief,  met Dileep Padgaonkar, MM Ansari and Radha Kumar at his residence despite Hurriyat’s decision not to engage with interlocutors.

“Since we had decided not to meet the interlocutors, the meeting by one of our members is a clear violation. We have therefore decided to suspend the Ithad-ul-Muslimeen till we meet next week,” said Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

Ansari’s son and president of Ithad-ul-Muslimeen Masroor Abbaas Ansari said there was no formal meeting planned. “If someone comes to our home how can we shut our doors? There was no prior appointment,” he said.

Reacting to the Hurriyat’s decision, Ansari said: If Hurriyat has suspended us let it be.”

However, Padgaonkar said the meeting was arranged through intermediaries. “Ansari and the interlocutors agreed to meet again to ensure that the dialogue process would be a sustained one,” he said.

“He [Ansari] urged that the talks with the government should focus on the four point agenda of moderate Hurriyat Conference. The talks would cover the steps already taken and that are required to be taken,” he said. The four-point agenda includes, demilitarisation, releasing political prisoners, repealing black laws and stopping rights violations.