Mirwaiz's secy offers kidney to breakaway HC chief Geelani

Srinagar, Mar 4 (UNI) Advocate Shahidul Islam, Personnel and Press secretary of the moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq has offered one of his kidneys to ailing Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chief of another faction of the HC.

''I am ready to donate one of my kidneys to Mr Geelani who is facing renal failure,'' Mr Islam told UNI here today.

He said the news about Mr Geelani's ill health was received with great shock by the HC and other separatist leaders in particular and public in general.

Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq prayed for his speedy recovery in the historic Jamia masjid on Friday.

He said there could be differences of opinion between separatist organisations, ''but our goal and mission is one.'' I will feel proud if I could donate one of the kidneys to the senior separatist leader,'' he said.

According to reports, during a routine check-up in a hospital at New Delhi last week, it was observed that Mr Geelani's only kidney had also developed some complication.

He was advised immediate surgery by the doctors.

Mr Geelani's one kidney was removed in Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, in 2003.

UNI