JKLF's 'freedom journey' marches ahead in south Kashmir

Srinagar, July 6 (UNI) The ''Safar-e-Azadi (journey to freedom)'' of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has so far toured about 200 villages in three district of south Kashmir in almost 45 days, the outfit said in a statement today.

The campaign on wheels, being led by JKLF chairman Yasin Malik, was all set to cover the entire the state.

The statement said the campaign was buoyed by the huge public support it garnered in the rallies and processions in various villages of Kulgam, Anantnag and Shopian districts.

The march was now entering Pulwama district, it added.

The ''Safar-e-Azadi'' campaign was kicked off on May 20 from Duksum village in Kokernag area of Anantnag district.

The march was also joined by trade union leader Sampat Prakash and Kashmir Times Group of Publications chairman Ved Bhasin.

The journey is part of the JKLF's three-month-long campaign named as ''Peace in South Kashmir: Kashmir First and Kashmiri First''.

Through the campaign, the JKLF wanted to make serious efforts to seek the inclusion of the people of the state in the ongoing dialogue process between India and Pakistan aimed at bringing peace and reconciliation in the strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir.

The JKLF had earlier postponed the ''journey to freedom'' after police had arrested Malik and other senior leaders in Kokernag on May 5, a day ahead of the scheduled launch of the ''Safar-e-Azadi'' from south Kashmir.

Malik had later threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike from May 26 if the Jammu and Kashmir government once again stopped him from undertaking the campaign on wheels from May 20.

UNI