Crackdown against Jammu Kashmir Liberation front (JKLF) activists continued on Friday as police in a nocturnal raid arrested Front’s district president Ganderbal Bashir Ahmad Rather (Boya) and activist Gayas ud din.In a statement a spokesman of the JKLF said Police also raided the houses of JKLF vice chairman Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi and zonal organizer Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri. Police have already arrested JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, vice chairman advocate Bashir Ahmad Bhat, secretary general Ghulam Rasool Dar Eidi, deputy organizer Siraj Ud Din Mir, district presidents Gulzar Ahmad Pahalwan and Rafiq Ahmad War, activists Abdul Ahamd and Mohammad Jamal Dar.
“Among arrested leaders Bhat is being shifted to some jail. Despite all these arrests and restrictions JKLF leaders and activists today visited various areas of Kashmir and continued their election boycott campaign. JKLF leaders and activists visited Aanchar Soura, Brath Zaingeer, Rehmat Abad Rafia Abad, MakhdomYari Hajin, Arawuhunpora Kulgam, Gudar Kulgam, Sagam Kokernagh, Kori Gam Qazigund, Mehdi Pora Budgam, Pathanpora Budgam, Arihal Pulwama, and besides protesting against the arrest of Malik and others apprised people about the importance of election boycott,” the statement said.”On the occasions JKLF leaders asked people to keep vigil and understand the ill consequences of the elections held under Indian constitution. Leaders told people that these elections are harmful for Jammu Kashmir and against their interests,” it added.
While speaking to the people JKLF leaders said,”The spree of arrests, intimidations, restrictions are actually an announcement of the defeat that has been conceded by India and its Kashmiri stooges long before the battle. Speakers said that India and its stooges have resorted to unilateral state sponsored terrorism against a peaceful struggle and this is being done because these people fear a total boycott like previous Indian parliamentary elections.”They said it cannot deter resistance camp from continuing its freedom struggle which will surely continue till the achievement of desired goal. “Pro India parties propagate that boycott will help BJP but we want to ask these people that what they have done when in power so far. These people are actually spreading these fabricated things only to defeat and weaken boycott,” they said.Meanwhile JKLF has expressed its grief and sorrow over the demise of trader Mohammad Shafi Kitab of Kitab family. While expressing condolences to the bereaved family JKLF leaders prayed for his heavenly abode.