Separatist leader warns against plebiscite in J&K

NEW DELHI, JAN 6: A referendum (plebiscite) in Jammu and Kashmir in the present circumstances is fraught with dangerous consequences includi...

NEW DELHI, JAN 6: A referendum (plebiscite) in Jammu and Kashmir in the present circumstances is fraught with dangerous consequences including large scale communal disturbances and bloodshed, a top separatist leader has warned.

“If a referendum (plebiscite) is held in the Valley under the present charged atmosphere, it will result in large scale communal disturbances, bloodshed and mass migrations, irrespective of the result of the referendum,” Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Amanullah Khan has said.

The 63-year-old founder of banned JKLF outfit has added that communal disturbances and bloodshed would occur even if referendum is held region, district or areawise because at least 10 of the 14 districts of Jammu and Kashmir (excluding Pakistan-held areas) have a large percentage of religious and ethnic minorities.

Stating that the mixed population makes even the division of the state risky, he says, “Division of any kind of the state on communal basis or otherwise during the present charged atmosphere is definitely going to result in genocide and mass migration of minorities.”