Blow to Hurriyat: Shia group quits

In yet another blow to moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, an influential Shia organisation today quit the separatist amalgam citing "lack of strategy" and "mistakes" committed by it.
Anjuman Shari-e-Shian leader Aga Syed Hassan, a member of the Executive, wrote to the Mirwaiz saying his party will not take any party in Hurriyat's activities in future.
"Due to the mistakes committed by Hurriyat itself, several leaders quit the amalgam," Hassan wrote while alleging "lack of strategy" as well.
Without specifying the "mistakes", the Shia leader said Hurriyat has not rectified the mistakes committed by it in the past and does not ensure an overhaul in its functioning.

"Henceforth, my party will not take part in any of the conglomerate's function, meeting or an event," he added.
This development came just two months after six second rung leaders quit Hurriyat, dealing the first blow.

Reacting to the development, Hurriyat said there was more to it than meets the eye.
"We are surprised and dismayed at the news wherein Executive member Aga Syed Hassan cited lack of strategy in the conglomerate as his reason for distancing himself from the amalgam," a Hurriyat spokesman said.
Questioning the decision of the Shia leader, who hails from Budgam district, the spokesman said "Does Aga Sahib think that people are so naive as to believe that someone who has been an important and active member of the organization for the past more than 20 years and has been a part of its decision making body the executive council, suddenly discovers a so-called lack of strategy in the organization and hurriedly quits?"

The spokesman added, "Citing this reason helps him look good among people and shifts the blame from him to others."
As far as the goal and strategy of the Hurriyat is concerned, it is clear and unambiguous, the spokesman said, adding "At a time when unity among leadership is the utmost need of the hour, sowing seeds of discord is most unfortunate.