Srinagar: In a setback to unity efforts between rival factions of the Hurriyat Conference, the 'Itehadi' force, a task group of erstwhile constituents of the undivided Hurriyat, which was working to bring the two factions on a single platform, today (August 3, 2004) stated that it had failed in its efforts.

Announcing the dissolution of Itehadi force, president of Kashmir Bar Association (KBA) Mian Abdul Qayoom, who headed the force, said both factions of Hurriyat were equally responsible for failure of the Itehadi force as they were not sincere to the unity efforts.

The Itehadi force, comprising Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, JKLF (Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front), Peoples League, Democratic Freedom Party, Jamiat-e-Ahlihadees, Jamiat-e-Hamdani and Jamaat-e-Islami came into being soon after the split in the Hurriyat last year and assigned itself the difficult task of uniting the rival factions of the Hurriyat led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Maulvi Abbas Ansari.

The decision of Itehadi force to dissolve the unity forum came a day after Jamaat-e-Islami surrendered before Syed Ali Shah Geelani when it announced its decision to join the Hurriyat faction led by Geelani and allowed the hardline leader to float his own party.

Qayoom told reporters the Jamaat's "meek surrender" before Geelani came without informing the Itehadi force with which Jamaat had remained associated for nine long months.

In a candid admission of the "failure" of the force to unite the rival factions of Hurriyat, Qayoom said "the force apologises to the people and takes the issue of unity among the separatists in the people's court."

Replying to questions, he said it was "painful" to dissolve the Itehadi force "As we failed to accomplish the task assigned. Asked whether the remaining six outfits would form a third front, Qayoom said the Itehadi force was not formed to make another front to confuse the people of Kashmir.

The main objective of the force was to bring the warring factions together and to avoid confusion among the people.

About talks between Hurriyat and the centre, the bar President said, "Hurriyat conference is in shambles, nobody can claim to represent the people to hold talks."