SRINAGAR: Police and security forces fired in the air and burst teargas shells to disperse a big procession led by APKHC leaders at Maisuma near here last week. Several APKHC leaders including Abdul Gani Lone and Shabir Ahmad Shah outlawed Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chief Yaseen Malik, Shakeel Bakshi and Nanaji were taken into custody by the police when they refused to disperse. A few people were reportedly jured in the teargasing and lathi charge, eyewitnesses said.
The APKHC called the setting up of LAHDC as a “conspiracy to divide Jammu and Kashmir and to incite regional and communal passion,” and sought UN intervention for the right of self-determination to Jammu and Kashmir.
They said they would not allow Jammu and Kashmir to be divided at any cost.
Shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was off the roads. Educational institutions, state and Central government offices wore a deserted look as employees stayed away from work in response to the call.
Meanwhile, as many as 22 Congress nominees have elected unopposed after all other candidates withdrew from the fray.
Article extracted from this publication >>September 8, 1995
