Srinagar, March 30
Describing the move as an “Indian agenda,” four underground militant organisations here today appealed to the people not to venture to board the Muzaffarabad bus service scheduled to start on April 7. It has also called for a general strike on the occasion when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flags off the first bus here next week.

The four organisations (two of them hitherto unknown), Save Kashmir Movement, Farzandan-e-Millat, Al Arifeen and Al-Nasireen, faxed a joint statement to some local media agencies here today. The statement included a list of the 40 persons, including three journalists, who have been enlisted to board the first bus. It also carried details of application forms. The decision, according to the spokesman, had been taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of a supreme commander of the jehadi groups.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has forwarded a list of 10 top state politicians to Pakistan for the first Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus starting on April 7 and is waiting for its approval.

“We will go there with a message of peace and expect that they will reciprocate,” said Mr Mangat Ram Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir.

According to media reports, the important leaders who are set to ride the first bus are PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and PCC chief Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed.

All formalities have been completed for the leaders in connection with issue of the travel permit. If the Pakistan Government gives its approval, then it will be first visit of state politicians in a group to the other side of the border in five decades.

“A delegation going to PoK is in itself an achievement. We want to live like brothers,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.