No Pro-Indian Politician Will Be Targeted in Kashmir: Hizbul Chief

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Nov 15: The chief commander of pro-Pakistan militant group, Hizbul Mujahideen, Syed Salah-ud-Din has assured that the militant group will not target the pro-Indian politicians in Kashmir during the elections.

In an interview with Rising Kashmir, Srinagar-based newspaper, Salah-ud-Din said that the militant group will not resort to violence during the elections. "The elections have become a stigma among the people and the masses have rejected the election process".

He said, however, that if Indian army soldiers force the people to cast votes, the militants of the group will attack them.

The chief commander of the pro-Pakistan militant group admitted that killing of pro-Indian political workers took place during 2002 elections in Kashmir. "It was because of the fact that pro-Indian political workers and leaders were part of a larger coercive operation against the people. Our boys did react to that," he said.

He was quick to add that the outfit regrets those actions. "We are now following a different approach and believe that Kashmiris have grown politically very conscious and can take on pro-Indian politicians and their agents," he said.

When asked whether the current non-violent movement has rendered the role of the gun irrelevant, the Hizbul chief commander said, "We believe that while an effective non-violent political struggle and diplomatic efforts carry importance, a formidable armed resistance is also the need of the hour. Although we recognize the importance of non-violent struggle and diplomacy but those who believe that these alone would pressure India to leave Kashmiris are living in a fools' paradise".

He said that elections cannot be an alternative to the right to self determination. "Elections will have no bearing on the disputed nature of Kashmir but India wants to convey to the international community that Kashmiris have endorsed the accession treaty concluded between Maharaja and New Delhi in 1947 and duly ratified by the then popular Kashmiri leader, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah," he added.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.

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