War of words between Hizb and Mirwaiz Hurriyat intensifies

Srinagar, May 9 (UNI) The war of words between the Hizbul Mujahideen and the moderate Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has further intensified with the militant group asserting that it was well aware of its responsibilities vis-a-vis Kashmir issue.

Reacting to a Hurriyat statement, Hizb spokesman Junaid-ul-Islam said his outfit was well aware of its responsibilities at this crucial juncture when efforts were on to forge unity among the ''pro-movement'' parties.

He said the Hizb does not believe in polemics and issuing counter statements but deemed necessary to put forth its point of view.

''We cannot remain silent when we see steps are being taken and efforts made to damage the cause of the freedom movement. If the Hizb acts as a mute spectator to such damaging efforts, the outfit will be held guilty of not fulfilling its responsibilities.'' The spokesman said being the largest and powerful organisation, the Hizb has to play its role when talks about the future of people of the state were in progress.

''To stop the Hizb from performing political activities is tantamount to murder of justice. The fact also remains that all political parties and leaders, including the Mirwaiz, have been demanding that the Hizb should be involved in the ongoing dialogue process. Now if the Hizb talks about political matters, we don't think it should come as a surprise to anybody,'' he added.

The moderate Hurriyat Conference had reacted strongly to a Hizb statement about the amalgam chairman and asked the militant outfit to leave political matters to the political leadership only.

A Hurriyat spokesman had said it would be in the larger interest of the ongoing ''freedom movement'' if the political matters were left to the political leadership only.

''The stand of the Hurriyat Conference and its chairman on the Kashmir issue is very clear. We are at a loss to understand at whose behest the statements against Hurriyat leaders are being issued and whose interests these are serving,'' he added.

The spokesman said the ongoing ''freedom movement'' was not a fiefdom of any particular person or party. ''The internationally recognised Hurriyat leadership know it fully well what is good for the movement and what is detrimental to its interests,'' he added.

He said the voices for ''freedom'' and rights of the people were being raised since 1931 from the historical stage of Jamia Masjid an this would continue till the final settlement of the Kashmir issue.

MORE UNI