Srinagar, Oct 5: “If participation in elections is a democratic right then boycotting these is also a democratic right. Spree of arrests and other anti-democratic measures taken by authorities is a glaring example of these elections being bogus and absurd,” said the chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik on Friday.
In a statemen, Malik condemned the “ongoing military operation in the name of Municipal and Panchayat elections in Jammu Kashmir”.
He said on one hand, authorities boast about upholding democracy but on the other hand, a spree of arrests and other anti-democratic measures have been started.
“A military and police operation has been launched in Jammu Kashmir under the garb of Municipal and Panchayat elections. Many leaders and activists from joint resistance leadership have been arrested, slapped with PSA and shifted to jails outside Kashmir. In addition thousands of youth from every nook and corner of Kashmir have also been detained and are languishing in jails and police stations across the valley,” he said.
“Police and military operation is being named as empowering common masses and strengthening of democracy which is actually ridiculous and absurd,” Malik added.
Terming elections as harmful to the cause and interests of the people of Jammu Kashmir, JKLF chairman said that New Delhi has always portrayed these elections as being a vote in favour of its “illegal occupation” of Kashmir.
He said those participating or voting in these elections are damaging the interests of Kashmiris and playing as “collaborators of India”.
“It is the duty of every Kashmiri to stay away from this process and boycott these elections with passion and valour,” he said.
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