Hurriyat Conference downsizing

This alliance of over two dozen groups, led by Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, with many groups insisting on complete separation from the Indian union, has wound up all its district and zonal units in the past few days, reports Rashid Ahmad.

An unlikely entity has chosen to downsize its operations and staff strength — the All Party Hurriyat Conference.

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This alliance of over two dozen groups, led by Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, which espouses self-determination for the people of the state, with many groups insisting on complete separation from the Indian union, has wound up all its district and zonal units in the past few days. A number of office workers at the Srinagar headquarters too have been told their services are no longer required.

While Hurriyat spokesmen declined to comment, a leader said 20 of the 35 people working at its central office in Raj Bagh had been laid off. “The district and zonal offices have also been closed and the committees there dissolved,” he said.

The district offices, set up last year to reach out to people across the state, were the brainchild of Democratic Freedom Party chief Shabir Ahmed Shah.