Elections in Kashmir a fraud, says Hurriyat leader

PHC terms on going election in Indian Kashmir a meaningless exercise

ISLAMABAD: All Parties Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Geelani termed the recently held elections in Indian Kashmir a fraud and claimed that they had been manipulated with the help of police and armed forces.

In an interview to the Kashmir Media Services, Geelani said, "It has been proven beyond doubt that elections are being held under the shadow of gun and these elections can in no way be called peaceful and democratic."

Criticising the Indian police chief’s statement that he would crush APHC’s anti-election campaign, Geelani termed it as an act of state-terrorism.

"Despite turning Gandarbal and Bandipora into an army garrison, the people and youth protested and expressed their resentment," he said. The Hurriyat leader reiterated his appeal for election boycott and called for protests in other districts on the day of so-called elections.

Describing the on going elections as a meaningless exercise, the APHC in a statement said, "Staging the drama of elections under massive military cover and false promises of development can not change the historic reality over Jammu and Kashmir, which has to be ultimately resolved as per UN resolutions."