Author: Press Trust of India
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: December 26, 2001
Curbing of funding by some groups
in Pakistan of Hurriyat Conference has worsened the growing infighting
within the amalgam with some of the leaders making frantic calls to Islamabad
for the release of funds, intelligence sources said today.
They said that some of the "moderate
leaders" of the 23-party conglomerate had made frantic calls to their party
workers across the border asking them to impress upon the "authorities"
to release funds immediately.
However, under the ISI's new gameplan,
some of the militant outfits have been asked to rein in Hurriyat leaders
by publicly asking them for the accounts of funds allegedly misused by
them. In this context, Al-Barq had issued statements to the vernacular
press in Kashmir alleging that Hurriyat Conference leader Abdul Gani Lone
owed the organisation nearly Rs 4.5 crore.
Hurriyat insiders said that now
some of the moderate leaders were getting in touch with representatives
across the border to clear the allegations and ensure free flow of funds
from there (Pakistan).
Hurriyat insiders said some of the
hardliners within the amalgam had also recommended blocking of funds to
the moderate leadership in the conglomerate while doubting their sincerity
towards the 'Kashmir cause'.
Piqued by this, the moderate leadership
within the amalgam was now conveying to "deciding authorities" that funds
used by hardline leaders were being used to enhance their own public image
rather than helping poor and needy Kashmiris.
The moderate leadership, for instance,
has objected to construction of a mosque in north Kashmir, which they claim,
has been built by a Hurriyat leader with money that was meant for needy
Kashmiri people.
Much to the worry of the APHC, some
overseas organisations other than those in Pakistan have also started asking
for records from Hurriyat leaders about utilization of money meant for
disbursement among needy persons, insiders said, adding none of them had
been able to give a clear picture.
