Separatist factions clash in Kashmir

SRINAGAR - The rivalry between Kashmirs hardline and moderate separatist factions spilled out on the streets when Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) activists were allegedly attacked by workers of the hawkish Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani in north Kashmirs Sopore town.

Several JKLF activists were injured Sunday evening when “some goons owing allegiance to Geelanis group” attacked them with stones and daggers, a spokesman of the pro-independence outfit said.

The clash occurred when JKLF chairman Yasin Malik was returning from Sopores Chinkipora where he had gone to distribute relief money to the families whose houses had been damaged in a shootout between security forces and militants recently.

When JKLF activists led by Malik were leaving the town after distributing relief among affected people of Chinkipora, some goons associated with Geelanis party intruded into the rally and tried to disrupt it, the statement said.

Malik, who is a known moderate separatist, escaped unhurt as he was in one of the vehicles at the front of the convoy and had driven off when the attack began. They were “shouting pro-Geelani slogans, the statement added.

However, Peer Saifullah, a leader of the Geelani faction, denied the allegation and said the outfit will look into it.