Incidents and All Parties Hurriyat Conference: 2015

April 12

Srinagar

Six rebel members of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq led APHC-M are resigned from APHC-M after differences over the functioning of the conglomerate. All the six members – Zafar Akbar Bhat, Syed Saleem Gilani, Hakim Rashid, Yasmeen Raja, Bashir Andrabi and Sheikh Yaqoob – have approached APHC led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Non-Violent

April 15

Srinagar

Police registered a case against APHC Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Masrat Alam Bhat and other leaders for provocative statements and hoisting Pakistani flags in a rally in Srinagar. Geelani held his first public rally in Srinagar since 2010 after his arrival from New Delhi. His supporters waved Pakistani flags and chanted pro-Pakistan, pro-Azadi, pro-Hafiz Sayeed and pro-Salahudin slogans. Geelani was given warm welcome by his supporters and leaders of APHC including Masrat Alam Bhat.

Non-Violent

April 16

Srinagar

Police put under house arrest APHC chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Masrat Alam. Police said that they will not allow separatist rally at Tral in South Kashmir. APHC chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for rally at Tral against killing of militant commander’s brother.

Non-Violent

April 18

Narbal / Budgam District

One person was killed in Police firing at the protesters in Narbal of Budgam District. Violence had erupted on April 17 after authorities denied permission to the hardline APHC faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani to hold a march from Srinagar to Tral to protest the killing of a youth in an Army operation on April 13.

Violent

April 20

Narbal / Budgam District

The Chairmen of two factions of APHC and that of JKLF shared a platform in Narbal to express sympathies with the family of Suhail. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads his own faction of APHC, was first to reach to Narbal where he met the family of Suhail and expressed his heartfelt condolences with them. It was followed by JKLF Chairman Yasin Malik and Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Mirwaiz and Geelani were under house arrest but were released by the authorities and allowed to meet the family of Suhail.

Non-Violent

April 20

Srinagar

Sources said that after Pakistan failed to unite various factions of separatists groups in Kashmir, they are now strengthening APHC led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and forming an alliance of various separatists around the Hurriyat hawk. It was decided a month ago in a meeting of the top functionaries of Government of Pakistan and its agencies that Geelani will be strengthened and other groups will be asked to rally around him.

Statement

April 23

Kotbalwal Jail / Jammu District

Jammu & Kashmir Government slapped PSA against hardline APHC leader, Masrat Alam Bhat, and shifted him to Kotbalwal Jail in Jammu District. The PSA allows detention of a person for a minimum of six months and maximum two years without trial.

Non-Violent

May 1

Tral region / Srinagar

APHC leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's supporters raised Pakistani flags and allegedly chanted pro-Pakistani slogans during a rally held in Kashmir's Tral region. While addressing the rally Geelani said "It is being said that our pandit brothers, who left, have to be resettled. We have never opposed their settling in Kashmir. We have been saying for years that they should be brought back, but they should be allowed to live amongst us. The creation of separate neighbourhoods for them is not acceptable to us."

Non-Violent

May 4

Srinagar

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir placed senior APHC leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani under house arrest. The Government move came after Geelani addressed a huge rally of supporters in Tral area of Kashmir, where some people were spotted raising Pakistan flag on May 1.

Non-Violent

May 20

Srinagar

APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was put under house arrest to prevent him from attending a rally proposed for May 21 to commemorate the death anniversary of his father.  The APHC had planned a rally at Eidgah to pay tributes to Mirwaiz's father Moulvi Mohammad Farooq and APHC leader Abdul Gani Lone on their death anniversary on May 21.

Non-Violent

May 20

Srinagar

Pakistani flags resurfaced in Srinagar at a rally held by APHC leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Supporters of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were seen waving Pakistani flags and chanting pro-Pakistan slogans at the rally in Srinagar's old city area.

Non-Violent

May 22

Srinagar

Around two dozen people including some Policemen were injured in violent clashes that erupted in old Srinagar. Witnesses said that protests erupted after Police stopped a rally that was on way to Nowhatta Chowk against continuous house arrest of APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Police said that some people in the protest rally were carrying Pakistani flags and they have registered a FIR. The protestors also resorted to stone pelting resulting to pitched battles between the Police and the protestors.

Violent

June 9

Sopore town / Baramulla District

Militants killed Mohammad Altaf Sheikh (45), an employee of Health Department, who was also associated with Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the Chairman of APHC, in Sopore town of Baramulla District. Sheikh was a member of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat led by Geelani.

Violent

June 12

Sopore town / Baramulla District

Unidentified assailants killed an activist of the APHC-G, identified as Khursheed Ahmad Bhat (34), in the Sopore area of Baramulla District. Bhat was recently detained for some time for his alleged role in stone pelting incidents. He was running a shop in the locality and was president of Traders Federation Bomai.

Violent

June 12

Sopore town / Baramulla District

Earlier in the day, clashes and protests erupted in parts of Kashmir against the killing Mohammad Altaf Sheikh (45) in Sopore area in Baramulla District on June 9. Hundreds of people took out a protest rally from Jamia Masjid Sopore, were intercepted by the Police. Protesters threw stones at Police leading to clashes which continued for several hours. APHC-G chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called for protests against the killing.

Violent

June 12

Srinagar

Leader of the hardline faction of the APHC-G, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was placed under house arrest. Local reports said that his incarceration has been done to prevent him from holding a seminar on June 14 consisting of separatist leaders, including those from Sikhs groups, and Christian community representatives.

Non-Violent

June 14

Srinagar

Government didn’t allow chairman of APHC-G, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, to hold a seminar in Srinagar by putting him under house arrest and detaining some Sikh leaders and human rights activist who had come to attend the seminar. Police deployed outside the residence of Geelani at Hyderpora also stopped other people who had come to attend the seminar.

Non-Violent

June 18

Sopore town / Baramulla District

In order to foil the separatist protest march to Sopore town in Baramulla District, Police arrested dozens of APHC leaders and activists and put under house arrest Chairmen of both the factions of APHC, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Omar Farooq. The crackdown was launched following Sopore March call issued by all separatist leaders including Geelani, Mirwaiz, JKLF Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik and senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah.  The Sopore march was called against the killing of four activists of APHC and former militants.

Non-Violent

June 18

Srinagar

Intelligence agencies have informed the Centre that there are reliable inputs about possible attack by ISI on APHC leader Abdul Ghani Bhat in Jammu and Kashmir. The agencies reported that ISI could target the APHC member through a terror outfit and blame India for it to disturb peace in the Valley. Sources said ISI is notorious for creating such situations in Jammu and Kashmir which lead to public disorder. Earlier, at the behest of ISI, APHC leader Abdul Gani Lone was killed on May 21, 2002 by militants in Eidgah ground of downtown Srinagar.

Statement

June 19

Anantnag District

IS flag was waved during the rally organised by both the factions of APHC in Anantnag District. A youth, who had his face masked, waved the flag of the terror group during the rally organized by Ummati Islami to commemorate the death anniversary of separatist leader Qazi Nisar Ahmad.

Non-Violent

Two dozen people including some Policemen were injured during a strike called by Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, which alleged that Police on June 26, fired tear smoke shells in the Jamia Masjid premises in Srinagar. The strike was supported by the APHC-M Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, APHC-G Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Chairman JKLF Muhammad Yasin Malik, Chairperson Dukhtran-e-Millat Syeda Aasiya Andrabi and several organizations. Witnesses said that Police and paramilitary forces tried to disperse the procession; however protestors pelted stones on forces triggering violent clashes.

The 'splinter' group of HM headed by Qayoom Najjar is turning out to be a new hardline militant group in Kashmir with militants from other outfits like JeM and LeT rallying around it. Police blames Najjar's group for attacks on telecom companies leading to breakdown of telecommunications for some days in Kashmir valley. Police also holds them responsible for killings of four activists of APHC-G and former militants in Sopore area. Sources revealed that the group has already spread its tentacles in Srinagar and South Kashmir and is emerging as a new militant group in Kashmir valley that will pose a major security challenge to the Government in future. Security agencies have apprehensions that a large numbers of self-radicalised youth can join them in future, making this group one of the powerful militant groups in Kashmir valley.

Around a dozen people were injured in clashes that broke out in Lal Chowk area of Anantnag District against the arrest of APHC Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani who was supposed to lead a rally in the Anantnag town. The activists of APHC carried out a protest demonstrations after the prayers after Geelani failed to reach there and news of his arrest reached them. Angry youths pelted stones on Police and paramilitary personnel deployed in the area. Police charged batons and fired tear smoke shells to disperse them. The pitched battles between Police and protesters left several people injured.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani led faction of APHC-G announced boycott of Eid Milan party which is being hosted by Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi on June 21. The spokesman of the faction said that the decision to boycott the party was taken in a discussion of the amalgam. The reason cited by the faction is skipping of Kashmir issue in the recent meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan at Russian city of Ufa. "The skipping of Kashmir in the recent India, Pakistan meeting is disappointing and as a symbolic protest, Hurriyat is boycotting the Eid Milan party," the Hurriyat spokesman said.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq led faction of APHC-M decided to attend the Eid Milan party of Pakistan High Commissioner scheduled on July 21 at New Delhi. The decision to attend the party was taken in meeting of Executive Council members of the amalgam at Mirwaiz's residence in Srinagar. A member, who was part of the meeting, said "Our chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Itehad-ul-Muslimeen President, Masroor Abbas Ansari, would be part of the delegation. Both of them would discuss wide range of issues with Pakistan High Commissioner including the developments at Russia."

The ED filed charge sheet against two separatist leaders associated with APHC led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani APH-G, for their alleged involvement in financing terror activities. "The ED has filed charge sheets in the court of Sessions Judge, Srinagar (Special Judge, Money Laundering), against Firdous Ahmad Shah and Yar Muhammad Khan, both belonging to separatist DPM, a constituent of Geelani's APHC, for funding militant activities in the state," a spokesman of the ED said. He said Shah and Khan were involved in raising funds for militant activities. The duo, he said, were found receiving money from Italy through Western Union Money Transfer and this money was to be used for unlawful activities relating to militancy funding.

The UMHA sought a report from the ED on its claim about common link between the money received by Firdous Ahmad Shah, a member of APHC led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and financier of 26/11 Mumbai attack. The ED, in a charge sheet filed on July 17 in a money laundering case in the Kashmir valley, has alleged that Shah, chairman of Democratic Political Movement, received over INR 30 million between 2007 to 2010. The money was received allegedly from 'Madina Trading' located in Brescia in Italy and the sender was claimed to be Javed Iqbal, a resident of PoK.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq leader of moderate APHC-M conveyed unhappiness to Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit over exclusion of Kashmir issue in the recent meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif in Russia. Mirwaiz, who flew in from Srinagar specially to attend the Eid Milan, underlined that "by ignoring Kashmir, the talks between India and Pakistan will lead nowhere." Mirwaiz, however, said he decided to attend the event to convey his "concerns" over non-inclusion of Kashmir in the Summit meeting.

Srinagar

Chairmen of both the factions of APHC, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani accepted the invitation of Pakistani Deputy High Commissioner, Mansoor Ahmad Khan, for a meeting with its NSA, Sartaj Aziz, ahead of NSA level talks to be held in New Delhi on August 23.

Srinagar

Government put separatist leaders, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Shabir Shah- under house arrest as it stayed firm on preventing any interaction of the APHC with the Pakistani authorities. Government sources said that the Central establishment will not hesitate to detain other APHC leaders if they insist on meeting Pakistan's NSA Sartaj Aziz if and when he travels to New Delhi.

Hyderpora area / Budgam District

Police foiled the convention of a separatist group headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and used force to disperse his supporters in Hyderpora area in Budgam District. TeH, headed by APHC-G chairman, Geelani, planned to organize party's convention at Hyderpora. However, the Police didn't allow them to hold the convention and detained several of their leaders and activists including General Secretary Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai.

A three-member APHC delegation from the hardline Syed Geelani faction met the Pakistan High Commissioner, Abdul Basit in New Delhi. The delegation also handed over a letter from Geelani to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. "We handed over Geelani sahab's letter for PM Sharif to the officials at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi," Ayaz Akbar, spokesperson for the APHC, said in a statement. Geelani's top aides - Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad - met Basit at his office and stayed for more than an hour.

Three Kashmiri separatists, Shabir Shah, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, and Agha Syed Hasan, joined their parties with hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani's APHC-G in Srinagar. Shabir's FP, Nayeem's NF and Agha Syed Hasan's Anjuman-e-Shar-e-Shian were welcomed by Geelani into his fold, later addressing a press conference at his Hyderpora residence. "My doors are open for everyone who believes in unity among pro-freedom camp and want to strengthen it," Geelani said.

A militant module of HM busted by the J&K Police last month was planning to target retired Police officers who had worked in counter-insurgency operations besides carrying out IED blast against Army convoys in remote areas of Kashmir valley. As per the interrogation report of the recently arrested UK based Kashmiri Physiotherapist, Shaheen Ahmad Baba, militants have been told to target the former Police officers who were with the SOG of J&K Police. Baba was directed by Amir Khan (Deputy supreme commander of HM) to target senior retired police officers who had played an active role in counter-insurgency operations over the years. Baba was also told by his handlers across to collect information about the activities of two middle rung APHC leaders, both from Central Kashmir, who were working for Indian agencies. However, Baba told interrogators, he didn't get time to keep a tab on their activities.

The first ever Kashmir marathon ran literally into trouble towards the end of the 21-kilometers race, when some youth raised Pakistani flags and Azadi slogans during prize distribution, resulting in clashes with the Police. The race began from Naseem Bagh in Kashmir University and went along the scenic Dal Lake and the Golf Course. APHC-G hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani welcomed the students' attempt to foil the event, saying educational institutions in the Valley are being used for "immoral acts" by the government. Attacking the PDP - BJP alliance government, he said the students, by holding protest, have proved they are politically mature and understand the difference between friends and foes. Worse, some women participants were jeered at and others teased and sexually harassed in the crowd at Hazratbal, with the Police detaining 12 persons for questioning and investigating the attempt to disrupt the event.

Separatists called for shutdown in Kashmir valley on September 16, against the mysterious killings of three militants of LeI, whose dead bodies were recovered from Pattan area in Baramulla District on September 14. Calling for shutdown, the chairman of APHC-G faction, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, termed the killings as gruesome and rejected version that they were killed in infighting. The JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik also called for a shutdown against the killings and said there is no acceptability for these kinds of murders in a civilized society. Malik was detained by Police at Sangrama in Baramulla District on September 15, morning as he was supposed to go to Sopore to meet the families of militants.

Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif invited chairman of the APHC-G leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to visit his country, the APHC-G said in Srinagar. "Geelani was handed the invitation letter from Sharif by Pakistan high commissioner in India Abdul Basit over a dinner at the latter's residence at Tilak Marg in Delhi last night [October 9, 2015]," a spokesman of the Geelani-led Hurriyat said. The spokesman said, "In the letter, Sharif has said Kashmir is not a border dispute but concerns 'right to self-determination' of two crore people. He also said Pakistan has made it clear to India that there can be no progress on bilateral ties while ignoring Kashmir issue." Sharif also said that the national security adviser-level talks between the two countries could not take place as "India was not ready to talk Kashmir issue". The spokesman said Geelani has in principle accepted the invitation to visit Pakistan. He, however, did not give specific date of travel.

APHC-G leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and JKDFP leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, are among several separatist leaders placed under house arrest in Srinagar. Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in eight Police Station areas in Kashmir and several separatist leaders put under house in view of a strike called on October 19, to protest the death of a truck conductor Zahid, who was injured in Udhampur petrol bomb attack on October 9. Movements of people are restricted in Anantnag and Bijbehara Police Station areas in South Kashmir, a Police official said. Further, both factions of separatist APHC and JKLF have called for a shutdown in the Valley. A Kashmiri pandit organisation, Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti, Kashmir High Court Bar Association, traders' bodies and transport union have extended support to the shutdown call.

APHC-G, chief Syed Ali Geelani, called for 'Million March' on November 7, the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving in Kashmir valley. APHC-G spokesman Ayaz Akbar said his party is approaching the state administration for a formal permission for the rally. "The 'Million March' at the Tourist Reception Centre ground in Srinagar on the day of planned public rally of Modi will see more than a million people marching. It will be a clear referendum. This is to underline that Kashmir dispute is not about terrorism but rights and broken promises of New Delhi," Akbar said. Geelani has also called upon other faction of separatists to join the march.

The Kashmir issue needs a "political solution" and the Centre can't woo its people only by extending financial packages and concessions, APHC-M chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said. "Kashmir is a political issue that needs a political solution. New Delhi can't woo people only by extending financial packages and concession," Mirwaiz said while addressing a gathering in Ganderbal District. Mirwaiz said it was time for Indian leadership to give up its "military approach" in Kashmir and understand that a political resolution and not economic packages alone could resolve the vexed issue of Kashmir.

In a major crackdown against separatist leaders ahead of PM, Narendra Modi's rally in Srinagar on November 7, over 50 separatist leaders and activists have been arrested or put under house arrest to scuttle their "Million March". Chairman of hardline faction of APHC-G, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has called for "Million March" to TRC in Srinagar just half a kilometer from the venue of the PM's rally at heavily guarded Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium. The proposed march coincided with November 7 rally of PM and Government has decided to stop the separatist "Million March". Geelani's "Million March" was supported by all the separatists including chairman of moderate faction of APHC-M, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, chairman of JKLF, Mohammad Yasin Malik, senior separatist leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah and head of DeM, Syeda Asiya Andrabi.

Srinagar

The authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in parts of the Valley in the wake of the separatists' call to hold a joint condolence meeting at the residence of the youth killed in north Kashmir's Zainakote area in Srinagar District on November 7. APHC-G faction chairman Syed Ali Geelani was planning to lead special prayers at the residence of Gowhar Nazir Dar (22), an engineering student who was killed during clashes on the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kashmir. To foil Geelani's programme, at least seven Police Stations were brought under curfew-like restrictions.

Srinagar

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of moderate faction of APHC-M, said that they had hoped that PM Narendra Modi would resume talks with Pakistan and separatists during his visit to Kashmir. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Mirwaiz said that Kashmir issue is not an economic problem and described the economic package as political bribe. "Economic packages are deception and political bribe. The aim of announcing these economic packages is to silence people, which is impossible. Kashmiri people want to make it clear that the ongoing happenings in the region are not law and order problems. Kashmir problem is not the problem of good governance and bad governance; it is not an economic problem… it is political problem," he asserted. The separatist leader also demanded repealing of AFSPA and other "black laws" and removal of Army, paramilitary camps and bunkers from the civilian areas.

Srinagar

Chairman of moderate faction, APHC-M, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was supposed to visit the residence of a youth killed recently to offer condolences to his family, was placed under house arrest by authorities. A Hurriyat spokesman said Mirwaiz was scheduled to offer condolences to the family of Gowhar Nazir Dar of HMT but was detained in his house in the afternoon.

Hardline APHC appointed Syed Ali Shah Geelani as its life time chairman and senior separatist leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah, as secretary general of the amalgam. A spokesman of the amalgam said an important Advisory Council meeting (Majlis-e-Shura) of the conglomerate was held at Hyderpora under the chairmanship of its incumbent chairman Geelani.

Clashes and 'protests' broke out at multiple places in Kashmir Valley including in summer capital Srinagar after Friday prayers against detentions and militant killings. Dozens of masked youths assembled outside Jama Masjid in Nowhatta area of Old City in Srinagar after Friday congregation prayers and resorted to stone-pelting on SFs. During stone-pelting, some youth waved flags of IS and. In Maisuma area of city centre, the activists of APHC led by Syed Ali Geelani staged a protest against the detention of conglomerate chairman Geelani and other leaders. The separatist activists were seeking "unconditional and immediate" release of Hurriyat leaders. Police detained some of the protesters, including Imtiyaz Haider. A peaceful 'protest rally' was taken out in Bijbehara town of Anantnag District after Friday prayers against the death of three local HM militants early this week. The town observed shutdown for the fourth day against the killing of the three militants.

Police foiled the proposed seminar of hardline APHC-G faction titled 'Islam - protector of humanity' at Hyderpora in city outskirts in Srinagar. Police had sealed the lane leading to house of APHC-G chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, which is also his office, since morning and no one was allowed to proceed ahead. The APHC-G had invited several separatists, religious scholars and clerics and academicians in the seminar. Geelani, meanwhile, condemned the foiling of the seminar. The separatist leader said that there would have been no bearing on the law and order or transport movement if the seminar would have been allowed.

Day after Centre announced its readiness for a dialogue with separatists in Jammu and Kashmir under the framework of the Constitution, APHC-G chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani rejected the offer. "The resolution of Kashmir dispute is a basic issue and until this issue is addressed as core issue and until this dispute is solved according to the wishes and aspirations of the people and by respecting the sacrifices rendered by them, such talks will not help in addressing the issue. Such dialogue will prove a futile action like the past and nothing concrete can be expected from those talks," Geelani told reporters in Srinagar at his residence.

The NC welcomed the announcement of a comprehensive dialogue process between India and Pakistan but underlined the need to "address the internal dimensions of the Kashmir issue." "Both New Delhi and Islamabad should endeavour to start a simultaneous process of sustained political engagement with all shades of opinion in Kashmir, including the APHC leadership," said NC spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu. Describing the dialogue "a positive development", Mattu said: "There is no alternative to dialogue and political engagement and the people of Jammu and Kashmir stand to benefit from peace and cordiality between India and Pakistan."

Two hardliner Hurriyat Conference leaders, met Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit in Delhi and told him that Islamabad should maintain "consistency and firmness" over its Kashmir policy. They also emphasised that Pakistan should play an "active role in highlighting the human rights violations" in Jammu and Kashmir at international fora. "A Hurriyat delegation sent by chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani held a detailed meeting for one-and-a-half hours with Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit in New Delhi.

Moderate Hurriyat Conference welcomed the decision of India and Pakistan to hold comprehensive bilateral dialogue and appealed to their political leadership to rise above their "traditional stances" and show statesmanship and "seriousness" in resolving all complex issues including Jammu and Kashmir. In an Executive and General council meetings chaired by APHC-M chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the recent visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Pakistan earlier this month and holding meetings with the leadership including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was welcomed. In a resolution, the moderate faction called upon "the Indo-Pak leadership to rise above their traditional political stances and show statesmanship and seriousness in resolving the complex issues for ensuring long-lasting peace and stability in the region."

Senior separatist leader and chairman of moderate APHC, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq warned Kashmiri Muslims not to play into the hands of elements promoting extremism and terrorism. Delivering his presidential address at a Seerat conference organised by Jammu Kashmir Awami Majlis-e-Amal at Mirwaiz Manzil in Rajouri Kadal area of Old City Srinagar, Mirwaiz without naming any group or outfit said these elements were "fulfilling their selfish interests" by backing certain groups and "then presenting a wrong picture of Islam by connecting the peaceful religion to extremism and terrorism".

The moderate separatist group in Jammu and Kashmir urged the top political brass of India and Pakistan to ensure that "rabble-rousers" in both countries are not allowed to vitiate the "atmosphere of peace" emerging after the recent thaw in Indo-Pak relations. The APHC headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq hoped that the leadership in both the countries will carry forward the peace process in a "bold way" and resolve all outstanding issues including Kashmir. It also said that it would not shy away from talks with the Government, adding that any dialogue should be "with an open mind and heart".