JKLF launches ‘jail bharo’ agitation; Malik detained

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 29

The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) today started its “jail bharo” programme to protest against “lack of political space” for the separatists.

Raising slogans against the government, the JKLF supporters led by chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik marched from the Maisuma area of the city till Budshah Chowk.

Later, Malik along with a few other supporters courted arrest at Budshah Chowk following which the protesters dispersed.

Talking to mediapersons earlier, Malik flayed the government for “disallowing” them from holding public rallies and “preventing” them from meeting people.

“We are not allowed to reach out to the people. Our public contact programme was to visit villages and towns and raise awareness for peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute. We were barred to do so, but we will not remain silent,” he said.

Malik said the JKLF cadres would continue to court arrest against “non-availability of political space”. He said the JKLF would announce its next course of action once the present “jail bharo” programme concludes.

Meanwhile, Malik said they would continue to oppose setting up of separate colonies for migrant Kashmiri Pandits.

“In Parliament, the Government of India first announced that there was no plan of setting up separate colonies. However, two days ago the Home Minister yet again talked of setting up separate colonies….Pandits are welcome to live in their previous localities or anywhere in the Valley, but separate colonies are unacceptable for us,” he said. 

‘No political space’

The government is not giving us any space for political activities. However, we will not sit silent and will fight against the curbs.

‘Not allowed to reach out to people’

We are not allowed to reach out to the people. Our public contact programme was to visit villages and towns and raise awareness for peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute. We were barred to do so.

‘Separate colonies for Pandits unacceptable’

}Pandits are welcome to live in their previous localities or anywhere in the Valley, but separate colonies are unacceptable. Yasin Malik, jklf chairman