Geelani to float new separatist party

Firebrand Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Friday said he would launch a new separatist party.

Geelani, who was relieved of his charge as head of the political bureau of Jamaat recently, said the formation of the new party was essential as 'Hurriyat has lost its way'.

"I have nothing against Hurriyat conference, but the separatist conglomerate has lost its way," Geelani told a public meeting shortly after Friday prayers at Handwara in the frontier region of Kupwara.

"The formation of new separatist organisation has become imperative. I am in search for honest people to carry forward the ongoing struggle," he said.

The formation of the new party would be announced in Srinagar shortly, said Geelani who parted ways with Hurriyat on the issue of fielding of candidates by its constituent, People's Conference, in the last assembly election.

Reiterating his demand for tripartite talks, he said the Kashmir issue could be resolved through dialogue among India, Pakistan and representatives of people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Rejecting division of Jammu and Kashmir on communal lines, he said, "The people living in three regions of the state, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, are brothers and cannot be separated."

He also urged the Pandits to return to their homeland.