Red-faced after sting op, Syed Ali Shah Geelani 'suspends' Naayem Khan from Hurriyat Conference

Amidst the controversy over the sting operation by a private news channel, Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani suspended Nayeem Khan-led National Front from the separatist amalgam, even as he alleged that the video was "doctored".

The move comes in the wake of the sting operation on separatists Nayeem Khan and Farooq Dar alias Bitta Karate wherein they confessed to receiving money from Pakistan-based terror groups.

"Using his special powers (according to Hurriyat constitution), Geelani today suspended the National Front from the basic membership of the Hurriyat Conference until the clarification of all the related issues comes to the fore," a spokesman of the separatist group said here.

"Even though (Nayeem) Khan has raised questions over the veracity of the said clip (aired by the channel), his membership will remain suspended and the suspension will come into force with immediate effect in Srinagar and PoK chapter of Hurriyat. It is my moral duty and as a supreme head of the forum, I am obliged to fulfil my assigned duties," the spokesman quoted Geelani as having said.

The Hurriyat also hit out at the media for their "partial and biased reporting".

"They are promoting colonial mindset and are hellbent upon bringing a bad name to the leadership and defame the ongoing freedom struggle," the spokesperson said.

Geelani said the 2016 unrest in the valley triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces, was "neither pre-planned nor instigated by Pakistan."

"It was a spontaneous reaction from people after the martyrdom of (Hizbul Mujahideen) commander Burhan (Wani) and during the five month-long uprising, people braved pellets and bullets. They were massacred and scores of youths sacrificed their eyesight. Our people are not doing all this just for fun, it is a sacred sentiment and passion that people follow," he said.

"We need resources to combat the military might of India and mostly we raise all funds from local sources to pursue our movement," he added.

Earlier, separatist leader Nayeem Khan, said in a press conference that the video was "doctored" and challenged the channel to run the full video instead.

"The video is doctored, simulated and a collage of bits and pieces. It does not have a shred of credibility. The agenda of media is to defame the Kashmir struggle and pro-freedom leadership," he said.

Earlier, Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid said the separatists should take a moral high ground and come out clean on the sting operation by a Delhi-based television channel which showed them allegedly being involved in subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir, Independent MLA said today.

His remarks came in the wake of the sting operation on separatists Nayeem Khan and Farooq Dar alias Bitta Karate wherein they confessed to receiving money from Pakistan-based terror groups.

"I humbly request Hurriyat (Conference) friends as citizens of the state and as well wishers of the mass resistance...you are representing the sentiment and you should take a moral high ground as people have a right to know the truth behind these attempts to defame Kashmiris," he told reporters here.

The legislator said the Hurriyat had nothing to hide.

"Money is needed everywhere. People will continue to offer money, but their means should be good and it is better if everything is transparent. I am sure Hurriyat has nothing to hide because they are representing the sentiment," he said.

The Independent MLA also asked the media to follow journalistic ethics while reporting on Kashmir. "There should not be a race for TRPs by defaming or insulting Kashmiris," he said.

Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has named Nayeem Khan and Farooq Dar alias Bitta Karate along with Naeem Khan in its Preliminary Enquiry (PE) against the alleged role of separatists in carrying out subversive activities in the Kashmir Valley, including pelting security forces with stones, damaging public property and burning schools and other government establishments. 

The enquiry alleged that the leaders were receiving funds from LeT chief Hafeez Saeed to carry out subversive activities in the Valley, including pelting security forces with stones, damaging public property and burning schools and other government establishments.

Kashmir has seen widespread violence since July last year when the killing of a militant commander, Burhan Wani, sparked months-long protests that left nearly hundred people dead.
Earlier, the NIA has investigated the alleged funds transaction through ‘Jammu and Kashmir Affectees Relief Fund Trust’ in Kashmir. In August last year, the NIA had summoned and quizzed some separatist leaders in Kashmir. Earlier this year, the NIA had also questioned several cross Line of Control (LoC) traders in Kashmir who were suspected of money laundering.