Srinagar: Amidst the unrest in Valley, a five-member civil society group led by Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Thursday met hardline Hurriyat Conference's leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
The group, which also included Air Vice Marshal (retired) Kapil Kak, OP Shah, journalist Vinod Sharma, Khalid Tufail, met the octogenarian hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani, at his uptown Hyderpora residence in Srinagar last afternoon.
A short video has emerged showing the members of delegation meeting Geelani.
While taking his seat, Geelani said: “You have occupied the place with the help of Army.”
To his comment, everybody, including Aiyar, burst out laughing.
Watch the 2 minutes 27 seconds uncut video here:
Earlier Thursday morning, the team called on Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, the chairman of the moderate Hurriyat group at his city outskirts Nigeen residence in Srinagar.
The delegation later called on another senior separatist leader, Shabir Shah, the chairman of Democratic Freedom Party.
The delegation met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in the evening.
Meanwhile, the Congress declined to comment on Aiyar's meeting with Hurriyat leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the party has never backed separatists and does not recognise those who are "unelectable and unrepresentative".
"I shall not comment on individual citizens' actions. We are commenting about the government, what they are doing, how they are engaging, do they have a roadmap. That is of paramount importance," said Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma when asked about Aiyar meeting Hurriyat leaders.
