JKLF Chief to go on hunger strike against HR abuses on Sep 7

Srinagar, Aug 28 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman Yasin Malik today said he will go on hunger strike on September 7 in protest against the alleged increase in human rights violations in the Valley.

Addressing a news conference here, Malik said the JKLF would launch a mass arrest campaign from September 9 in all major district and town headquarters of Kashmir in protest against the alleged unabated human rights violations in the Valley.

He urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to impress upon the security forces to honour the commitment made during his visit here in May this year that there would be zero tolerance for human rights violations in the Valley.

The JKLF Chairman also threatened of more strong steps if there was no improvement in the human rights situation in the Valley during the next two-three months.

Malik had returned here a few days ago after his nearly three- month visit to the United States.

Briefing the media about his visit, the JKLF Chief said at various forums he advocated merits and necessity of the inclusion of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the dialogue process.

''I explained to the US officials, scholars and intellectuals that the future resolution process must be based upon direct and good faith negotiations between the three parties to the dispute -- India, Pakistan and the representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I argued that the people have everything at stake and the peace process will not succeed unless it ensures that they have self-representation in the dialogue process,'' he added.

Malik said the need of the hour was to build a non-violent and ideological force that would be more vocal and powerful in its actions. No movement could succeed unless it has two things -- a vigorous grassroots people's support for that pushes forward its just cause and proper international understanding and support for that cause, he added.

''Our cause is just and our sacrifices colossal. We all must continuously return to our basic principles and ensure that an ethical articulation of our struggle is put forward so that we are properly understood and win more and more friends around the region and the world as we move forward,'' the JKLF said.

UNI