Jamaat differences to the fore

SRINAGAR, AUG. 26. The differences in the Jamaat-e-Islami over the Kashmir issue came to the fore today with its former chief, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, attacking the new incumbent, Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, for his policies were ``detrimental'' to the organisation.

In an interview to CNS, a local news agency, Mr. Geelani took objection to Mr. Bhat welcoming the short-lived ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir announced by the Hizb-ul- Mujahideen (HM) `chief commander', Mr. Abdul Majid Dar on July 24.

The statements of the Jamaat chief were as good as those of the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, and the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, he was quoted as saying.

Mr. Geelani complained that he was not being taken into confidence by Mr. Bhat on important issues. A coldwar between them started after Mr. Bhat was elected as ameer of the Jamaat..

Mr. Bhat has said that he would withdraw Mr. Geelani from the Hurriyat Conference for not toeing the party line vis-a- vis the issue of ceasefire by the Hizb. Mr. Geelani disclosed that Mr. Dar had announced the ceasefire without taking into confidence the Pakistan-based HM chief, Syed Salahuddin.

Mr. Geelani said Mr. Dar had contacted him over phone before announcing the ceasefire, and he (Mr. Geelani) had told him that the ``announcement of ceasefire was equivalent to defeat''.

- PTI

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : Pak. expels Indian embassy staffer
Next     : APHC will stand united, says Bhat