Kashmir's oldest pro-independence group starts 'court arrest' campaign

 

Kashmir's oldest pro-independence group Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has found a novel way to protest against the life sentences and death penalties given ot Kashmiri political prisoners by Indian courts. They are courting arrests.

Hundreds of pro-independence activists converged at JKLF's headquarters in the summer capital of Indian administered Kashmir after Friday prayers and started marching towards Srinagar's commercial centre Lal Chowk.

Chanting pro-independence slogans, the protestors demanded the cancellation of life sentences and death penalties awarded to Kashmiri political prisoners by various Indian courts. They urged the international community and Indian civil society to take note of the plight and alleged harassment of Kashmiri prisoners languishing in various jails across India.

Speaking to Press TV, JKLF chairman said Kashmiris made have moved from violent protests to non-violent democratic movement . But India has stepped up the campaign against the dissident political groups.

Formerly a militant outfit, JKLF gave up guns in early 1990s, and pledged to resolve Kashmir dispute through peaceful democratic struggle.

Malik says the government of India is now using its judiciary to take vengeance against pro-independence activists.

Over the course of past 18 months, Indian judicial courts have awarded life imprisonment to several Kashmiri political prisoners.

According to human rights groups, hundreds of Kashmiri political prisoners are suffering in various Indian jails.

Kashmir is a bone of contentions in ties between India and Pakistan and the two countries have fought three wars over this disputed region. India blames Pakistan for supporting separatist rebellion in the Muslim majority territory. According to human right groups more than 70,000 people have lost their lives in conflict in Kashmir since late 1980s.

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Yasin Malik has accused the Indian government of pursuing vengeance against Kashmiri political prisoners. He has filed complaints with various Indian jails and has called on world powers to intervene before it is too late.