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Sunday, Jun 12, 2005

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JKLF factions come together

Shujaat Bukhari

Yasin Malik and Amanullah to bury their differences

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, a Kashmiri separatist group, seems to be heading towards a reunion after 10 years. Both factions of the JKLF, headed by Yasin Malik and Amanullah Khan, have agreed to bury their differences.

The decision was taken at a meeting between Mr. Malik and Mr. Khan in Rawalpindi, sources said. Mr. Malik is currently on a visit to Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with other separatist leaders.

The meeting, sources said, was initiated by another separatist leader, Farooq Haider.

The JKLF, the only organisation espousing the cause of

Independence for both parts of Kashmir, is the pioneer of armed struggle in the Valley. Mr. Malik announced a unilateral ceasefire in 1995 to pursue the struggle politically, but Mr. Khan had differences with him. Till 1995, Mr. Khan was heading the party in both parts of divided Kashmir and facilitated weapons training for Kashmiri youth.

Party restructuring

After the estranged leaders agreed to reunite, a seven-member committee headed by Mr. Haider was constituted to restructure the party.

The JKLF vice-president, Bashir Ahmed Butt, told The Hindu that the leaders had an opportunity to meet and resolve their differences.

"But the formal announcement is yet to be made. We are waiting for Mr. Malik to return," Mr. Butt said.

The JKLF headed by Mr. Malik was part of the erstwhile Hurriyat Conference but distanced itself from both the factions after its split in 2003.

Mr. Khan was operating independently in Pakistan and PoK.

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JKLF factions come together