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`Third Front' not to participate in J&K elections

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR JULY 7. The much-publicised "Third Front" in Kashmir has said that it will not participate in the coming Assembly elections before a dialogue on the Kashmir issue takes place.

The front spokespersons, Mushtaq Sagar and Bashir Asad, told reporters that 14 political and social groups besides prominent individuals met today in Srinagar and discussed the possibility of bringing like-minded separatists on one platform.

The parties included Shabir Shah's Democratic Freedom Party, the Ummat-e-Islami, the Salvation Movement and the Republican Party. Senior separatist leader, Azam Inquillabi, was also present.

The spokespersons said that all issues relating to the ongoing movement were discussed. "There is no question of participating in the Assembly elections as they are aimed at governance of the State,'' they said.

"We are not averse to a dialogue if it is for the resolution of the Kashmir problem,'' they said.

To a question, Mr. Sagar said the "front" members were in touch with the leadership of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference but did not give details. However, he struck a note of optimism saying "we are hopeful of a merger of all the separatist groups".

The militants were also part of the movement. They too had sacrificed for the "cause", the spokespersons said.

Today's meeting was chaired by Khaliq Hanief, who was expelled by the Jamat-e-Islami for meeting the Officer on Special Duty at the PMO, A.S. Dulat.

Meanwhile the chairman of People's Conference, Sajjad Lone, denied that he had plans to join the front.

"There is no question leaving the Hurriyat. We will make it stronger," he told a Jammu-based English daily.

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