[Reader-list] Hurriyat, terror groups at daggers drawn on poll boycott

[Aditya Raj Kaul]

*Hurriyat, terror groups at daggers drawn on poll boycott*


  Srinagar, Apr 17 (PTI) The moderate faction of separatist Hurriyat
Conference and conglomerate of militant outfits -- United Jehad Council --
crossed swords for the first time over calls for poll boycott in Jammu and
Kashmir.
In a strong message today, acting Chairman of Hurriyat Conference Maulana
Abbas Ansari said the "diktats" of UJC chairman and Hizbul Mujahideen terror
group head Syed Sallahuddin for a poll boycott were not acceptable.

"We do not recognise UJC. They are carrying swords. We do not accept
diktats," Ansari, who is officiating as Chairman in absence of the Mirwaiz
Umer Farooq, said. The Mirwaiz is undergoing treatment in national capital
for slip disc.

Terming the militant conglomerate as confused, he said the UJC adapted
different standards for assembly and general elections.

The UJC did not interfere in 2008 assembly polls whereas now they are asking
people to boycott, Ansari said, adding the Hurriyat has left the decision
about elections to peoples' "conscience". Hurriyat's moderate faction has
for the first time in 13 years decided not to give a call to people to stay
away from polls.

Hurriyat has maintained that elections have nothing to do with the
resolution of Kashmir issue. "Elections are for day to day governance and
development. For us in Hurriyat Conference, holding elections is non-issue,"
Ansari said.

UJC on Wednesday had attacked the stand of Hurriyat alleging "those who
claim that polls have nothing to do with freedom movement are deceiving
people". PTI