The Hindu : Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah arrested

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 27, 2004

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Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah arrested

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, MARCH 26. The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik, and the Democratic Freedom Party chief, Shabir Shah, were arrested today at two separate places along with scores of their supporters. They were on way to address anti-election campaign rallies in Bandipora and Kupwara.

Mr. Malik and his deputy, Javed Mir, were detained near Sumbal in Baramulla district.

Mr. Malik was going to Bandipora to address a Friday congregation in connection with his party's signature campaign asking people to stay away from the elections. When police asked Mr. Malik to return to Srinagar, he insisted on visiting Bandipora. Apprehending trouble, police took Mr. Malik and Mr. Mir into custody, sources said.Mr. Shah was detained near Mirgund on the Srinagar-Baramulla national highway. He was on his way to Kupwara to address a meeting. Talking to The Hindu over phone from the police station, Mr. Shah said he had planned to address a rally to create an awareness among people on the ongoing political situation.

Meanwhile, both Mr. Shah and Mr. Malik told the visiting British High Commissioner in India, Sir Michael Arthur, that they would not participate in the coming elections.

`A bilateral issue'

Sir Michael later told The Hindu that he had wide-ranging discussions with the Governor, the Chief Minister, the top brass of the Army and separatist leaders to assess the situation for himself. ``Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and we cannot mediate unless asked for it,'' he said. Sir. Michael said that the situation in Kashmir had changed a lot and interaction with the people also reflected a change in the people's mood, particularly in the backdrop of improving relations between the two countries.

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