All Parties Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani issued a statement on Tuesday evening detailing the meeting of Yashwant Sinha led group with Geelani at his Hyderpora residence early this morning.
The statement is being reproduced here verbatim for larger public interest
All Parties Hurriyat Conference said that a high level delegation headed by former External Affairs Minister Mr Yashwant Sinha dropped at the residence-cum-office of its chairperson Syed Ali Geelani today at about 11:30 am.
Delegation included Rtd Air Vice Marchal Mr Kapil Kak, Mr Wajahat Habibullah, Senior Journalist Mr Bharat Bhushan and Executive Director of the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation Ms Shashooba Barway.
The conversation took place in a cordial atmosphere wherein Geelani reminded them of the historical perspective of the Kashmir issue, pending for its final resolution since 1947.
The people have rendered huge sacrifices for settlement of this long standing dispute.
Referring to the present uprising, delegation was told that for the last 107 days 94 people have been killed with 15,000 people injured and an equal number, especially youth are arrested.
About 100 people are arrested daily and draconian laws like PSA are slapped on them and they are shifted to jails outside valley.
It was conveyed to the delegation, with all the updated data that arrested people include old as well as juvenile.
Commenting on the prevailing situation it was said that onus of peace in the region particularly in Jammu and Kashmir lies with those holding power, military might and other resources.
It was further said that along with people resistance activists and leaders have been put behind bars and Geelani himself is under house arrest for last 6 years.
All the people and leaders should be released and the cases against them should be withdrawn so that after consultation a common and collective point of view can be put forward.
Senior resistance leader and Hurriyat Conference (m) chairperson, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday announced that he will break curfew and restrictions on Friday and offer mandatory congregational Friday prayers Namaz at Jamia Masjid Srinagar.
Mirwaiz was addressing a press conference soon after meeting former foreign minister Yashwant Sinha led delegation at his Nigeen residence.
He was shifted from sub-jail Chashma Shahi to his residence where he was placed under house arrest last evening. He was shifted to Chasma Shahi on August 26, 2016.
“We will anyhow reach Jamia Masjid on Friday defying curfew and restrictions,” Mirwaiz asserted.
The J&K Government has banned mandatory Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid Srinagar since Kashmir erupt in a massive anti-establishment civil uprising.
A five-member delegation led by former external affairs minister, Yashwant Sinha Tuesday called on Hurriyat patriarch Syed Ali Geelani this morning at his Hyderpora residence. The delegation is on a three-day visit to the valley.
Sources said that the meeting started at 11:40 AM and lasted for one hour and fifteen minutes. “They were offered water and then Kehwa,” sources said.
Speaking to reporters after coming out of Geelani’s besieged residence, Sinha said, “we don’t represent government of India.” However, he added, “the meeting was held in cordial atmosphere.”
Geelani continues to remain under house since 2010. However, he was let go to New Delhi for intermittent medical check-ups. Two police and CRPF vans have been placed outside his residence to prevent him from leaving his residence.
Later, the delegation met Hurriyat Conference (m) chairperson, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at his Nigeen
residence.
The delegation is scheduled to meet separatist leaders, traders and civil society members to break the ice between separatist groups and New Delhi and pave way for dialogue, sources said.
The delegation led by Sinha comprises former Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities and the first Chief Information Commissioner of India, Wajahat Habibullah, former Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak, veteran journalist Bharat Bhushan and Executive Director of the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation Sushobha Barve.
