JKLF offers voluntary arrests against life imprisonment

SRINAGAR: With around fifty persons offering themselves for voluntary arrests, JKLF on Friday started a five-phase protest programme against “harsh” punishments that various trial courts awarded to some erstwhile militants. Yasin Malik personally led the campaign and was arrested.

JKLF that over the years has evolved itself into a purely Kashmiri nationalist group, equidistant from the rival factions of the Hurriyat Conference has exhibited its frustration over the gradual change in the separatist discourse. On Sunday, Malik in a seminar said the Kashmir struggle is “feeling orphaned” as the discourse is being diverted towards issues of governance.

“We feel the freedom struggle has lost its steam,” Malik was quoted saying. “An impression is going to Delhi that Kashmiris have accepted the defeat psychologically. There is a dire need of pondering over the issue so that the struggle is taken to its logical conclusion.” Malik said Kashmiris are being forced to live a life of “disgrace and disrespect”.

Though the party had earlier sponsored a strike against the frequent capital punishments being awarded to the erstwhile militants, Friday was the first effort by the party to get directly involved. Soon after the Friday congregation was over, dozens of JKLF supporters including members from some like-minded groups and relations of the detained assembled at the party office in Maisuma. Within a few minutes, they walked to the nearest CRPF camp where police started arresting them. They were taken into an awaiting police truck and driven away.

Party sources said the number of persons who offered voluntary arrests were around 48 and it included the president of Association of Parents of the Disappeared Persons (APDP) Ms Parveena Ahnager. They said they were taken to the central jail. Party plans five phases of voluntary arrests ending January 14. Police skipped offering any statement but sources said they have arrested 26 persons. Cases have been registered as well.

Courts have awarded life sentences in 28 cases as Afzal Guru is waiting for the outcome of his mercy petition. There are hundreds of cases currently at various stages in courts and the numbers are expected to rise in coming days.