Deferment of polls admission of defeat: Hurriyet leadership

Srinagar: In occupied Kashmir, the joint resistance leadership comprising Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik has said that deferment of sham polls in the territory vindicates that pro-India political parties and their masters in New Delhi have virtually accepted defeat.

The leadership in a joint statement issued in Srinagar said, “New Delhi’s own index of treating elections as a gauge of people’s faith in democracy stands completely exposed as they were totally rejected and resisted by the people in one part of Kashmir and were forced to postpone the exercise in another.”

In the face of extreme repression, where police and armed forces have been given a free hand to kill innocents, forcing the regime to backtrack speaks volumes about the bravery and resolve of the Kashmiris, the leaders said.

They hailed people for a complete and unprecedented poll boycott in Srinagar, Badgam and Ganderbal districts on Sunday. They urged the people to boycott proposed re-election tomorrow (Thursday) in poll-bound areas and again make the election boycott a success.

The leaders said, “People’s verdict against Delhi’s control is loud and clear. It has proved that people are committed to achieve their fundamental political right according to their will and aspirations.”

The leadership said that wherever and whenever these elections would be staged, people would observe a shutdown and stay away from these elections. “Exemplary valour and courage once again displayed by the people and particularly youth has marked a milestone in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. People’s verdict served a message to New Delhi and the world that their goal is the right to self-determination and nothing else. It has created ripples in New Delhi,” the leaders added.

Calling people to offer joint Friday prayers in Badgam on April 14, the leaders asked them to express solidarity with the families of brave hearts killed by Indian troops on April 9. While referring to poll boycott on April 9, the resistance leaders said, “It is high time for India to shun egoistic approach and accept people’s verdict.” They extended their gratitude to people and particularly to youth for their exemplary sacrifices and said, “We need to pursue mission with same spirit and passion.”

The leaders rejected blame-game against Pakistan and said that it was ridiculous to blame Islamabad and it depicted frustration of Indian authorities. “Ours is an indigenous movement,” they added.