Hurriyat, Hizbul Mujahideen reject ex-RAW chief's contention

Srinagar, July 3: Moderate Hurriyat Conference and militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen today rejected contentions by former RAW chief A S Dulat regarding them, insisting that they have no basis.

"We out-rightly reject Dulat's contention," Hurriyat said in a statement, reacting to Dulat's contention that its Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq could have been made to join the mainstream politics.

"The sole aim of Hurriyat is to find a lasting solution to the

issue in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of people," it added.

The statement said the Hurriyat engaged in several rounds of talks with the political leadership of India and Pakistan on the issue and is still stuck to its stand that "the issue can be resolved either by implementing the UN resolutions or holding a meaningful dialogue involving all parties concerned".

Dulat had said Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was one such leader who could be roped into the mainstream.

"But he is a scared person and fears for his life," he said. In another disclosure mentioned in his book "Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years", Dulat has said that in early 1990s, self-styled Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin had called local Intelligence Bureau chief K M Singh and sought his help in securing a medical seat for his son.

"Singh approached (Farooq) Abdullah, who was the Chief Minister, and the work was done," Dulat said, adding these favours are extended always with a hope that they would be converted into a surrender of the militants. Terming Dulat's claim as an "Himalayan lie", Hizbul Mujahideen said Salahuddin had no contact with any intelligence agency and his son got a seat on the basis of merit.

"The claim by Dulat that Salahuddin contacted an intelligence official to get his son a medical seat is a lie as big as the Himalayas. There is no truth in the claim. "...

The remarks are unfounded and made with an intention to create doubts in the minds of the people with regard to the freedom struggle," Hizb spokesperson Saleem Hashmi said in a statement.

"People of Jammu and Kashmir know that Indian intelligence agencies and policy makers can go to any extent to weaken the freedom struggle," Hashmi said.

PTI