JAMMU: The election process in Jammu and Kashmir suffered the first major setback with the bloody encounter at Hazratbal shrine and the killing of a Congress activist on the same night. ‘The fierce encounter at Hazratbal, in which JKLF chief commander Basharat Raza of the Amanullah faction was killed along with 10 others is ‘seen as the first step of the militants towards their plan to stall the elections. Some of the militants have reportedly taken refuge in the shrine thus creating fears that the crisis may again erupt at Hazratbal. “The observers also feared the cancellation of Lok Sabha polls in case such incidents reoccurred; as such incidents have serious repercussions. However, the determination shown by the Government and it’s ascertain that the polls will not be postponed has boosted the sagging morale of the candidates. The wiping out of the brass of the JKLF (Amanullah group) is also soon as a Warming to the militant outfits opposing the elections.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 27, 1996
