Himalayan News Service

Srinagar, April 2:

Four separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir today renewed their threat to those planning to take the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus, saying even the homes of the passengers would be attacked.

The fresh threat came three days after the first one by them. The four groups are Al-Nasreen, Save Kashmir Movement, Al-Arifeen and Farzandan-e-Milat.

In a statement faxed to local newspapers, news agencies and some television channel offices in Srinagar, the groups have issued a more serious threat to travellers on the Kashmir bus.

“We have the addresses and all the records of those intending to undertake the travel. We have in many cases warned the prospective travellers personally as well. If they do not heed us, we shall be left with no option but to attack their homes as well,” the guerrilla statement said.

It said, “The only purpose of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service is to trample over the bodies of thousands of martyrs who laid down their lives for Kashmir’s freedom. Those deciding to undertake the travel are indulging in a luxury that would be at the cost of trying to bury the Kashmir question once and forever.”

The groups have also renewed their call for a complete shutdown here on April 7.

Hardline Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani had yesterday “advised” the guerrillas not to issue threats against Srinagar-Muzaffarabad travel, as it was only earning them a bad name”.

muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir assembly was adjourned on Saturday amid protests over Pakistan’s refusal to entertain an all-party delegation from the state on the inaugural run of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus.

Pakistan on Friday refused to allow several non-Hurriyat Kashmiri politicians — including National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti and communist leader Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami — on the bus on April 7.

Almost the entire opposition was on its feet when the house assembled for the day and demanded to know how Pakistan could have rejected the delegation’s trip.

The uproar forced Chief Minister Sayeed to make a statement. He described the rejection as “unfortunate”. “It shows the helplessness of the Pakistani government.”

The opposition was obviously not satisfied. It raised its pitch prompting Speaker Tara Chand to adjourn the House. — HNS