May 27, 2003	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 24,1424

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MUZAFFARABAD, May 26: Kashmir’s leading and mainly indigenous fighter group, Hizbul Mujahideen, on Monday said it was struck with dismay on the removal of Syed Ali Shah Geelani from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference executive council.

“We are filled with dismay on the removal of Geelani Sahib from the Hurriyat Conference,” said the group in a statement, after its command council met in Muzaffarabad to discuss the development in the occupied territory.

The meeting was presided over by Hizb supreme commander Syed Salahuddin.

Held Kashmir’s Jamaat-i-Islami on Saturday replaced Mr Geelani with Sheikh Ali Mohammad advocate as its representative to the 7-member executive council of the Hurriyat, citing his ailing health as the reason in a communication to the conglomerate’s chairman Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat.

The move has however not been taken well by the Hizb which has never concealed its support and liking for Mr Geelani.

The group warned that “attempts to sideline Mr Geelani will help India accomplish its designs to de-track the liberation movement.”