Hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani today received a shot in the arm when three prominent separatist leaders, including Shabir Shah, joined the group, batting for a unified platform for carrying forward their struggle for resolution of Kashmir issue.
Shabir Shah of Democratic Freedom Party, Nayeem Khan of National Front and Aga Syed Hassan Al-Mosvi Al-Safvi of Anjuman-e-Shar-e-Shian announced their decision to join the Geelani-led faction in a press conference at the Hurriyat Hawk's Hyderpora residence here.
The joining of the three leaders in the Hurriyat, disbanded the third faction of Hurriyat Conference, which was formed by Shah last year after parting ways from Mirwaiz Umer Farooq-led moderate faction.
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Welcoming the leaders, Geelani said his doors were open for all those who wanted to join his group.
"I welcome them and hope they would truly represent the aspirations of the people. My doors are open for all those who want to join us to take our struggle to the logical conclusion," he said.
Geelani said the separatist leadership was facing many challenges and unity was the need of the hour to confront those challenges.
"We have many challenges and we have to confront them. For that it is necessary that we unite physically, mentally and ideologically," he said.
Condemning the alleged frequent restrictions on the movement of separatist leaders, including himself, Geelani warned Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed of "serious and dangerous" consequences if he continues with such a policy.
"I want to tell Mufti that it will have serious consequences. We should be allowed to perform our religious duties as well as meet people. You (Sayeed) have no social, moral or legal justification. If you continue this undemocratic attitude, you will have to face dangerous consequences," he said.
Shah said time had come for the separatist leadership to unite and fight the challenges on a single platform.
"We had started the efforts for unity in 2008. Since then the efforts were continuing. We have many challenges. The Sangh Parivar, the BJP and others are all up against us on some 'Mission Kashmir'. It is the need of the hour to confront these challenges, so today we have come under a single platform. We can fight them only when we are united," he said.
