| 'Geelani dances to Salah-ud-Din's tune' | | Abbas disowns armed struggle, ready for talks with GoI | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 11: Trigg-ering yet another controversy, former Hurriyat (M) chairman, Moul-ana Abbas Ansari today accused Syed Ali Geelani of dancing to the tune of Hizbul Mujahideen chief commander, Syed Salah-ud-Din.
Talking to a local news agency in the summer capital today, Abbas said we (Hurriyat M) have nothing to do with Salah-ud-Din. "Our Pakistan visit will yield good results", he said.
Abbas also dissociated himself and his Hurriyat from on-going armed struggle. "Salah-ud-Din believes in violence. We have no guns and we believe in dialogue", he said.
Stressing need for dialogue, he said unless we talk how the issue can be settled. "There is no harm in talking to government of India. We are ready for the dialogue with government of India provided it is meaningful. We will go to Pakistan and talk to the authorities there. This is the only way to settle the dispute", he said.
On Geelani's views on Hurriyat Pakistan visit, Abbas said the visit is a step in the right direction. Geelani has described the proposed visit as a futile exercise.
Abbas is known for his controversial statements and acts. Last year, he was suspended from Hurriyat (M) following his meeting with New Delhi's interlocutors on Jammu Kashmir. However, he was reinstated later. The separatist camp including both factions of the Hurriyat Conference had decided not to meet the interlocutors.
The statement has come at a time when various actors are actively working for unification of the two factions of the Hurriyat Conference. Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) leader, Shabir Shah even suggested convergence on a common minimum programme.
The Geelani Hurriyat has not reacted to the statement yet but political experts believe it will further deepen the wedge between the two factions of the separatist conglomerate.
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