JKLF, Geelani pay tributes to Moulvi Farooq

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 20

Separatist group JKLF and senior leader Syed Ali Geelani on Monday paid tributes to Moulvi Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone, the two separatist leaders whose anniversaries will be observed on May 21.

In a statement, JKLF said the two leaders “represented the spirit of our resistance against oppression and illegal occupation. The best tribute to be offered to these great sons of soil is to safeguard our resistance, unity and oneness among the ranks and files of the resistance camp,” it said.

Moulv Farooq, father of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was assassinated at his home in the city here by suspected militants in 1990 while Lone, father of former minister Sajad Lone, was shot dead by suspected militants at a rally to commemorate Mirwaiz’s anniversary in 2002.

In a separate statement, Geelani said the two leaders played a “glaring role” in the movement for right to self-determination. Geelani said he always treated them as “younger brothers”.