The Hindu : National : Bid to isolate Geelani?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004

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National

Bid to isolate Geelani?

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, NOV. 9. Monday evening's attack on the son-in-law of the hardline Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, sends the signal that all is not well with his faction. The attack is the fourth on the rival factions of the Hurriyat Conference in recent months.

Investigators say the attack was aimed at murdering Mr. Geelani's son-in-law, Altaf Fantosh, though he survived. Mr. Fantosh is not only his closest relative but also an ideologue of his recently-floated Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Kashmir, which was carved out of the Jamat-e-Islami, the largest biggest politico-religious force in Kashmir.

Tough talker

No militant outfit has taken responsibility for the attack as yet. The attack has baffled many because Mr. Geelani is considered the "darling" of the militants. "He is the most respected political leader among militants for his hard-line postures," said an analyst, adding that Mr. Geelani usually offers the funeral prayers for all the top commanders killed in security force operations.

Mr. Geelani of late has hardened his stand and criticised Pakistan's soft policy towards India. This has alienated him from Islamabad, which had reportedly told him to unite with the moderate faction of the Hurriyat — a suggestion he finds unacceptable.

The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf's recent meeting with the head of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has conveyed a new message to the Geelani camp. Both the factions attended an Iftar party hosted by the Pakistan High Commissioner in Delhi. Observers say these developments have left Mr. Geelani, who was banking on support from Pakistan, isolated.

His other strength was his "goodwill" among the militants, which has also come under question with yesterday's attack.

A leader of the Geelani-led Hurriyat faction, however, brushed the attack aside saying, "It could be the handiwork of Indian intelligence agencies. Who knows who has done it. It is the question of investigation."

Series of attacks

However, this is not the first such attack on Mr. Geelani's camp. In September, one of his close confidants, Peer Hissamuddin, was killed. The Peer was his political secretary and long-time supporter. At that time also, Mr. Geelani blamed the Government for the killing, but police maintained that the attack was carried out by militants.

Soon after, a middle-rung leader of the moderate Hurriyat faction, Mohammad Rafiq Shaheen, was gunned down outside his home in Srinagar. Analysts point out that there seems to be a pattern to the killings of the political activists. A few months back, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's uncle, Moulvi Mushtaq, was killed in a mosque. This was followed by the burning down of the Islamia School in Srinagar, founded by the Mirwaiz family.

Political observers termed the developments as "pressure tactics" by the militants to keep the Hurriyat away from dialogue after the two rounds it held with the then Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani. But this time, the moderate Hurriyat is moving closer to both New Delhi and Islamabad and Mr. Geelani remains alone. The problems he is facing in the form of attacks on his close aides may give a new turn to political events in Kashmir.

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