The Hindu : Hizb slams Mufti, Mehbooba

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 18, 2004

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National

Hizb slams Mufti, Mehbooba

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU, JAN. 17. The Hizb-ul-Mujahideen has asked the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and his daughter and PDP chief, Mehbooba Mufti, to refrain from making allegations that the outfit had links with the coalition Government in the State. The statement issued through a local news agency, CNS, quoted the Hizb spokesperson, Salim Hashmi, as saying that the Chief Minister and Ms. Mehbooba were trying to tarnish its image. The Hizb rank and file did not believe in "purposeless talks" and a "purposeless ceasefire."

"Both the Hizb and the Jehad Council believe if New Delhi accepts Kashmir as a disputed territory and initiates tripartite talks, and manifests its sincerity by the release of detainees and by sending its troops back to the barracks, the measures may be taken as positive and reciprocated positively," he said.

Ms. Mehbooba had said in a statement that the government intended to open a dialogue with the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

Mr. Hashmi said that the Hizb Command Council had reiterated that the outfit would continue its struggle.

The Hizb also appointed new commanders. A meeting of the outfit was presided over by the HM supreme commander, Syed Salahuddin, in which tributes were paid to HM commanders Ghulam Rasool Dar and Abbas Rahi who were killed by security forces. Gazi Shahabuddin was appointed as the new Chief Commander (Operations) in place of Dar whereas Mohammad Ghaznavi has been appointed as new chief military advisor of the group in place of Abbas Rahi.

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