Kashmir separatists underplay ensuing polls

Srinagar, Mar 7 (ANI): Separatist leader and Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference or APHC, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said his party action plan is for more of interaction with the people of Kashmir and not the elections to the Lok Sabha.

Addressing the congregation of the weekly Friday prayers at the Jamia Mosque in Srinagar on Friday, Farooq said, "As far as elections are concerned the Hurriyat Conference is not a part of the electoral process. Our focus will be to strengthen our movement, Hurriyat, people to people dialogue, communication level between the Hurriyat and the people should be carried on."

He further said that the party would decide at the next week's meeting whether to launch a campaign to boycott the polls in the Kashmir valley.

" The elections are not the solution to the Kashmir dispute. To this end, APHC wouldn't give much importance to the polls and on the contrary would work to reinforce Hurriyat at grassroots level," he added.

Meanwhile the supporters of APHC clashed with the police in which over a dozen protestors and security personnel were injured.

The activists and supporters of APHC, mostly youngsters, indulged in throwing stones at the police.

In retaliation, the police had to summon the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to disperse the agitating crowd by baton charge and firing of tear gas shells. (ANI)