Mirwaiz group comes in support of Geelani

Srinagar, Nov 24 (UNI) The Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, today condemned in strongest terms the attack on the chairman of its rival faction, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, by Shiv Sena activists in Jammu yesterday.

In a statement here, Hurriyat (Mirwaiz faction) spokesman Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam said the separatist amalgam rejected all forms of political high-handedness.

''We also reject all acts of violence even if these are carried out against our rivals. We have always opposed and condemned such negative thinking,'' he added.

The spokesman condemned the attack on Mr Geelani by the Shiv Sena ''goons'' near the Jammu Press Club yesterday and also the assassination attempt on Kashmir Bar Association president Mian Qayoom near his residence at Barzulla here on Wednesday.

''These acts not only exhibit the negative thinking and violent approach, but also demonstrate the political high-handedness of such elements,'' he added.

Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam said such acts could be prevented once the contentious Kashmir issue was resolved in a permanent and amicable manner.

UNI AG PK HT1855