J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Qureshi favours Centre’s move
NEW DELHI, May 24 — Founder father of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and hijacker of Indian Airlines plane in 1971 to Lahore, Hashim Qureshi, today said that talks between the Hurriyat Conference and other parties of the state and the Centre were a must to end the decade-long violence in the state.

JKLF chief begins fast
SRINAGAR, May 24 — Chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and an Executive Committee Member of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, Mohammad Yasin Malik, along with more than 100 of his (separatists) supporters today began a 36-hour fast to protest against the alleged “custodial” killings of Kashmiris by Indian security forces.

Qureshi favours Centre’s move

NEW DELHI, May 24 (PTI) — Founder father of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and hijacker of Indian Airlines plane in 1971 to Lahore, Hashim Qureshi, today said that talks between the Hurriyat Conference and other parties of the state and the Centre were a must to end the decade-long violence in the state.

Holland-based Qureshi, who formed his own Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Liberation Front (JKDLF) after spliting with JKLF chairman Amanullah Khan, said talks were the best way to end impasse in the valley and ensure that long lasting peace was restored.

In a statement faxed from Amsterdam, Qureshi said gun and violence was never a solution to any problem. “There has been a lot of destruction in the valley and it was not prepared to bear the tragic happening anymore.”

JKLF chief begins fast

SRINAGAR, May 24 (ANI) — Chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and an Executive Committee Member of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, Mohammad Yasin Malik, along with more than 100 of his (separatists) supporters today began a 36-hour fast to protest against the alleged “custodial” killings of Kashmiris by Indian security forces.

The fast began in a tent in Srinagar.

On Monday, Malik alleged that since January Indian security forces had killed 77 “innocent people” in custody and also said that if Indian security forces did not stop “custodial killings” he would go on an indefinite fast in New Delhi.

On the other hand, the Indian government had denied Malik’s charge saying it would investigate all such charges and punish those found guilty.

The JKLF, which declared a ceasefire against Indian security forces in 1994, is fighting “politically” for Kashmir’s independence both from India and Pakistan.

While India controls 45 per cent of the disputed region, Pakistan holds just over one third of the territory and China controls the rest.

Meanwhile, sops and business establishments remained closed today in Srinagar in response to a two-day strike call given by the APHC. Most Srinagar lanes wore a deserted look. Most schools and colleges also remained closed.