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Friday, Oct 24, 2008
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JKLF leaders held after anti-election campaign

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik and Jamiat-e-Ahlahadees president Moulana Showkat Shah were arrested on Wednesday night a day after they launched an anti-election campaign in north Kashmir.

The National Conference has meanwhile launched its election campaign from Budgam.

Stating that these leaders had indulged in ‘unlawful activities’ by inciting people against elections, a senior police officer confirmed that Mr. Malik and Mr. Shah were arrested and lodged in the Sumbal police station. He did not say whether they would be released soon or not.

Mr. Malik’s arrest sparked off protests in Maisuma, where a crowd indulged in stone-throwing.

Police resorted to lathicharge and teargas to disperse it. Shops remained closed in the area.

Both factions of the Hurriyat Conference have chalked out a plan for anti-election campaign throughout the Valley.

Meanwhile, National Conference president Omar Abdullah addressed a party convention in Budgam in central Kashmir. He said elections had nothing to do with the larger problem of Kashmir and these were meant for addressing day-to-day problems.

“People are facing enormous problems on account of hospitals, schools and other issues. These can only be solved when there is an elected government. If someone will assure us that these issues can be resolved without an elected government, I will be the first to boycott polls.”

Mr. Abdullah charged the People’s Democratic Party with misleading people with empty slogans.

The Congress and the PDP are yet to make their plans public.

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