Yaseen Malik breaks his fast unto death

Srinagar, Aug 10 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik broke his fast unto death following an assurance by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that every effort would be made to keep the National Highway of Jammu and Kashmir open and no economic blockade of the state will be allowed.

Mr Malik, who was on fast since August 5, broke his fast at 1630 hrs after he was offered a juice of glass up juice by the mother of Asif Mehraj, who was killed in police action during demonstrations at Maisuma against the economic blockade and attack on Muslims and Kashmiri drivers in Jammu.

The message of Dr Singh was conveyed to Mr Malik in the Shar-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) at Soura where he was admitted on August 7, after his condition become was critical.

The message also said necessary steps will be taken to ensure complete communal harmony in the state and safety of its citizens.

Dr Singh said Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil is already in the state to resolve the crisis.

UNI BAS FMH ARB RN1910