Srinagar, July 10: Maintaining that the two-tier organizational structure of the amalgam would remain intact, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Tuesday said that General Council (GC) members would head Working Groups (WG) for devising comprehensive strategy on political, economic and legal matters.
Addressing a news conference here after chairing two-day joint session of Executive Council and General Council members here, Mirwaiz said that there would be no change in two-tier organizational makeup- Executive Council and General Council- of the amalgam. Mirwaiz’s statement comes in the wake of demands by some members for restructuring of the amalgam and expansion of Executive Council.
“After discussing different suggestions put forth by constituents in past for strengthening of the amalgam, the majority view was that two-tier system should remain intact,” Mirwaiz said, adding that during last meeting he was empowered by members to take final call on restructuring. However, Mirwaiz said that GC members would have bigger say in Working Groups for strengthening of the amalgam.
“These Working Groups would be headed by General Council members and every constituent would have adequate representation in them,” he said and added that GC would be taken on board in consultations.
Mirwaiz said that individual opinions cease to exist when collective decisions are taken in forum politics. “Internal issues should be discussed within the forum rather than going to public or media,” he said.
“We have always tried to take others along for demonstrating collective approach,” he said.
Referring to differences within the amalgam over remarks of Muslim Conference chairman Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat and demand for restructuring by some of the members, Mirwaiz said: “Hurriyat is not a political party but a forum and there can be divergence of opinion in forum politics.”
Replying to a query about the demand of Democratic Freedom Party chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah that notices issued against some members for indiscipline should be withdrawn, Mirwaiz said: “We are satisfied with the response of Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat and Nayeem Ahmad Khan   to the notices, Azam Inqilabi has not responded and he himself decided to disassociate from the amalgam.”
Asserting that Hurriyat cannot shut its eyes over economic exploitation of Jammu and Kashmir, Mirwaiz said State Government and Government of India were hand in glove in plundering resources of Kashmir.
“We cannot be mute spectators to economic exploitation of our natural resources and we have decided to constitute Economic Advisory Committee to formulate a strategy for protecting our resources. We will involve civil society members, traders and businessmen to have broad strategy over economic issues,” he said, adding, “Hurriyat cannot keep itself aloof from day-to-day problems of people.”
“The control of CBMs like cross-LoC trade should be in the hands of Kashmiris on both sides of Kashmir and not in the hands of agencies or in the hands of traders of New Delhi and Islamabad,” he said.
Mirwaiz also hailed civil society for raising voice against “economic exploitation” and said that civil society members would have advisory role in the proposed WGs.
Delving on Kashmir issue, Mirwaiz said that nobody should construe Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) as solution to Kashmir issue.
“CBMs can only create conducive atmosphere for resolution, but not the resolution. We will oppose tooth and nail any move aimed at projecting CBMs as resolution of the issue,” he said.
Reiterating his call for involvement of Kashmiris in talks, the separatist leader said that bilateral process between India and Pakistan can only lead to CBMs.
“We support dialogue process between the countries but for finding solution to Kashmir dispute they have to involve Kashmiris at any cost,” he said.
“It is high time for both the countries to take advantage of peaceful situation in JK and resolve the issue,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST