Geelani’s son-in-law in dock
Hurriyat (G) cadres have sought explanation from Geelani and asked him to suspend his son-in-law Altaf Fantoosh from the party membership forthwith. Fantoosh’s son Anees Ul Islam was given job in the SKICC when the Hurriyat asked other youth of his age to stage protests on roads and die.
Altaf Funtoosh’s son Anees Ul islam was given VIP reception, job at SKICC
Even as the Peoples Democratic Party -Bharatiya Janta Party alliance blessed senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani’s grandson Anees Ul Islam with a lucrative government job by “bending recruitment rules”, the Hurriyat cadres have sought explanation from Geelani and his family to know if “this deal was struck to end 2016 unrest.”
In a detailed declaration addressed to the Hurriyat (G) Chairman, his party cadres have sought explanation from Geelani and asked him to suspend his son-in-law Altaf Fantoosh from the party membership forthwith. The open declaration has been doing rounds on social media. Fantoosh’s son Anees Ul Islam was given job in the SKICC when the Hurriyat asked other youth of his age to stage protests on roads.
The declaration starts with a soft note that “Even though people have choices to be made in life, a son cannot be held hostage to the choice his father made. Similarly, a father cannot be held accountable for his son’s choices and deeds. Yes, sometimes compulsions do surface.”
But in the subsequent paragraphs, the declaration spills the beans. “The problem comes, if Geelani, or a member of Hurriyat led by him, uses his position in the conglomerate, to get some personal benefits. It means, if Altaf Fantoosh’s son had gone through proper procedure, chose to work in government sector, it is fair enough. No problem. However, if Fantoosh used his position as an influential member of Hurriyat-G to get benefits from the state, then the problem arises. Geelani, or Hurriyat G are relevant since people are spilling their blood on the streets… That the poor creatures are fighting on the streets, they are suffering, but the custodians of the sentiments are bartering their sacrifices for getting petty jobs for their sons and daughters,” the declaration reads.
The declaration says Fantoosh was guilty. “By all the research conducted and information collected, it seems Altaf (Fantoosh) did succumb to the offer. But this was an individual act rather than the decision of the party.”
The Hurriyat cadres said the “posts were advertised in October 2016- the same time when Kashmir was burning.”
Frst of all, when the whole Rome was burning, does Tourism department was so concerned about filling of the posts, that they advertised jobs at the height of uprising. Or, there was too much tourism flow that they found it urgent to fill the post. What about jobs in other departments, or exams to be conducted by the education departments during those days. Why not they did happen?” the Hurriyat cadres have asked Geelani.
The Hurriyat leadership believes that “The story started when Altaf Fantooh, Ayaz Akbar and other people were rounded up by the state officials in Khaki. The mediators between the state and Hurriyat started mediation. Who were the mediators? It was one with the name Mr Chaya (he gets involved since he wants more concession from the state to run his business), and Mr (name withheld), a so called bureaucrat, known for being the most corrupt, and right now close to the state head, Mufti.”
Hurriyat leaders believe that “Likes of Fantoosh agree and one agreement was to adjust his son. The mediators discuss with the state who agree with the demands.”
The Hurriyat leadership in its inquiry has found that Geelani’s grandson was given VIP welcome at the SKICC. “Fantooshs son is given such a welcome in centaur that security officials presented in Centaur are told that he was the relative of Mufti, and his checking of vehicle is also not done. In Kashmir where employment takes ages, this is the classy example of fast track employment,” the declaration reads.
The Hurriyat cadres believe that Fantoosh subsequently asked the separatist leadership to mellow down the protests. “Being a member of Hurriyat G, Fantoosh can prevail upon decisions, he can go slowly on protest calendars, and he can decide many things in the conglomerate. State co-opts one man. It means if I give you the favour, you have to return it with another favour.”
The Hurriyat has sought a formal inquiry. “Geelani sahib should constitute a committee to look into these details. If the accusations or my findings are found true, he should terminate him from party membership. Till the investigations remain on, Fantoosh should be immediately suspended from the party.”
