Srinagar, March 23: Rejecting the banning of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Abdul Hameed Butt, the acting Chairman of JKLF has termed the decision as the outcome of ‘frustration’ and an ‘election stunt’ of the current political dispensation.
“Such undemocratic and immoral Indian acts can’t subdue our national resolve of freedom and every citizen of JK and each and every JKLF member will fight these acts with valor and passion,” Bhatt said in a press release issued here.
Bhutt further claimed that JKLF was founded for highlighting the situation of Kashmir and impressing upon the International community to consider the UN resolutions regarding the Kashmir issue in order to find a lasting solution to it. “After persuasions from the International community and Indian civil society, JKLF renounced its militant wing in 1994 and embraced the path of peaceful and non-violent struggle for freedom and right of self-determination,” Bhatt was quoted as saying by the press release. “Indian forces killed more than 600 party (JKLF) cadres and our chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik evaded 6 assassination attempts. India also tried to push Malik and his associates back to militancy by not providing any political space. But it was his strong commitment to the idea of peaceful struggle that he did not fell prey to any such plans,” Bhatt added.
The press release further added that this was not the first time when the party was banned adding that in early 90’s the party had suffered a similar ban which was later revoked.
“It was JKLF and its party Chairman, Yasin Malik, who demonstrated and encouraged the citizens of Kashmir to tread the path of non-violence and in recognition of such efforts, Amnesty International, in 1992 declared Malik as the ‘Prisoner of Conscience’ while under custody in Delhi Tihar Jail,” Bhatt added.
Butt also directed his party cadre to follow the programes being announced by JRL.
