Syed Ali Geelani, 90, resigns as head of Hurriyat Conference

Jammu and Kashmir-based separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani, under house arrest since last August, resigned as chairman of Hurriyat Conference on Monday. He was chosen as lifetime chairman of the Hurriyat.

In a letter, Geelani, 90, said there have been certain issues which forced him to resign.

“After considering the present circumstances, I announce to quit the Hurriyat forum,” Geelani said in an audio message.

Watch l SAS Geelani quits Hurriyat Conference, lashes out at cadre in his letter 

The leader referred to inaction by the Hurriyat members post the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, and the division of the erstwhile state into two Union territories.

Geelani had been leading the hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference while the moderate faction is helmed by cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.