JKLF to start fast unto death against attack on Muslims in Jammu

Srinagar, Aug 4 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Mohammad Yaseen Malik has decided to start fast unto death from tomorrow in protest against alleged attacks on Muslims by communal forces in Jammu.

''Though a united and peaceful movement was necessary to fight the communal forces in Jammu, I am going to start fast unto death at Maisuma, near the headquarters of the JKLF from 1000 hrs tomorrow,'' Mr Malik told reporters here this afternoon, He alleged that the government had failed to protect the lives and property of Muslims of Jammu, who are living in fear after they were attacked and their property looted by the ''communal criminals''.

Mr Malik said it was unfortunate that despite deployment of the Army the situation has not improved and Kashmiri drivers were still being targeted by these forces.

Alleging that the administration in Jammu was hand- in -glove with the communal forces Mr Malik said the curfew in Jammu was '' fake''.

The pictures in the newspaper and television channels clearly shows that the Army was friendly with those indulging in looting and attacks on Muslim driver and passengers from Kashmir.

We know what the real curfew means as we have witnessed it for weeks during the past 20 years, he said, adding the law enforcement agencies besides local administration remained a mute spectator during the attacks on muslims.

He further alleged that several drivers who had left Srinagar yesterday after assurance from the authorities that highway was safe had to return here in injured condition after they were attacked with petrol bombs. The injured have been admitted to Bone and Joint hospital at Barzulla.

It was a conspiracy to repeat the 1947 when the Muslim tongawallas and others were killed in Jammu, he alleged.

Mr Malik appealed to people in general and those who believe in communal harmony in particular to come forward and help to save the situation.

He expressed concern over the what he said criminal silence of Delhi and others.

The JKLF chairman said the people of Kashmir would not be cowed down by such attacks and threats. ''We will fight against this communal war peacefully,'' he said and appealed to Kashmiris to exercise restraint and not get provoked.

''If you close the Srinagar-Jammu road, which is our natural route, let the Srinagar-Muzaffar road be opened,'' he said.

About the threat of Fruit Growers Association (FGA) threat to take the fruit trucks through Jhelum valley route, he said the FGA has postponed it by three days.

''We are with them and will extend all support to them,'' he said.

Later Mr Malik along with his supporters took out a peaceful procession from JKLF headquarters and marched through different areas.

The processionists were raising anti- Shiv Sena and communal forces slogans.

Mr Malik said the procession was taken out in protest against the attack on Kashmiri drivers and others and Muslims of Jammu.

UNI BAS SB HT1432