Friday, October 28 2005 19:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: The Hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference today (Oct 28, 2005) received a double jolt with People's League (PL) walking out of the amalgam, while two of its former constituents joined the moderate faction.

"The decision to sever ties with Hardline faction of Hurriyat (led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani) was taken unanimously at a meeting of the People's League here yesterday", a party spokesman told sources here.

He said the party leaders met at Rajbagh headquarters under the chairmanship of Ghulam Mohammad Khan Sopori and decided to cut off relations with Geelani and pave the way for greater unity.

A spokesman of the moderate faction said two former associates of Geelani had joined their amalgam.

National Front headed by Nayeem Ahmad Khan joined the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, while Ghulam Mohammad Hubbi merged his faction of People's Conference with its parent organisation led by Bilal Lone, he said.

Khan and Hubbi quit Hardline faction last month citing dictatorial way of functioning of Geelani and the way the ageing separatist leader handled the invitation to visit Pakistan this year.

There are clear indications that People's League will also join hands with the moderate faction led by the Mirwaiz.

Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian was the first party to quit Geelani faction in July this year and join hands with the moderate faction in August.