Incidents and All Parties Hurriyat Conference: 2017

January 14

Srinagar

The separatists in J&K have further scaled down their ongoing agitation by restricting the strike call to every Friday and have asked people to observe a 'black day' on Republic Day. In a fresh protest programme issued late last night (January 14), the separatists - hardline APHC-G chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, moderate APHC-M chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Yasin Malik - asked the people to observe strike only on Fridays. In view of Republic Day, the separatists have called for a shutdown on Thursday (January 19) as well this week. They have also called for joint protest on Monday (January 16) after the afternoon prayer.

Non-Violent

The J&K Police has prepared a report, warning about the possibility of a 'more dangerous repetition of 2016' after March and highlighted the 'lack of the preparedness to handle such crisis on part of the civil administration and Police'. DG of the J&K Police SP Vaid confirmed that there were reports of 'possible unrest after March' but maintained that Police was ready to handle any 'law and order' situation, adding that APHC leaders who lead such agitations were to be 'squarely blamed' for the consequences. The report submitted to the chief minister's office in January sees joint APHC leadership of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer and Yasin Malik as a 'threat to peace' and their 'unification on Pakistan's insistence a trouble'. "The mass contact programme of Hurriyat leaders and their meetings with their small constituents are a matter of concern. And by reaching out to victims of the 2016 unrest, they are reaching out to the common man and thus preparing the ground for another unrest," the report said.

The separatists have called for a strike on February 13 against the killing of two civilians. Both the factions of APHC and JKLF have called for the general strike against the killings.

Life was affected in the Kashmir Valley as separatist groups called a strike in protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the State for inaugurating the Chenani-Nashri tunnel on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. Asking people to observe a general strike, the chairmen of the two factions of the APHC, Syed Ali Shah Geelani of the APHC-G and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of the APHC-M, and JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik, in a joint statement on March 30, said "all rhetoric about development or construction of tunnels and roads are futile and will not succeed in luring us". They said the Prime Minister was visiting the State at a time when the situation was "extremely gloomy".

The moderate faction of APHC pressed the Central Government to initiate a "meaningful dialogue" to find a lasting solution to the "explosive" Kashmir issue, which it said had become a "nuclear flash point". The conglomerate of various separatist groups, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, held a meeting in Srinagar to discuss the prevailing situation and the way forward.

Srinagar

The Union Government ruled out any dialogue with separatists in J&K in near future, saying its priority was to improve the situation in the Valley first. "Our priority is to improve the situation first," Union Minister for Defence and Finance Arun Jaitley said in Srinagar when asked if the Centre had any plans to hold talks with separatist groups like APHC. Jaitley, after reviewing the security situation in J&K, said it was not as bad as the impression was being given by some media outlets. The situation in the valley is improving, he said.

Srinagar District

Massive stone-pelting clashes and protests erupted in Kashmir after Friday prayers during which two persons were injured and one was detained. The call for protests was given by separatists against the detention of youth and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chairperson Asiya Andrabi. Soon after Friday prayers were over, APHC activists assembled outside Jama Masjid and staged a protest against the detentions. As the protest concluded, dozens of youth pelted stones on security forces deployed outside Jama Masjid premises in Nowhatta in Srinagar District.

Srinagar

The APHC reacted with anger and alarm to the Centre's announcement of the NIA's investigation into the source of its foreign funding. The NIA stepped in after allegations made by Hurriyat official Nayeem Khan of the Geelani faction that separatists, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, received funds from Pakistan-based terrorist organisation LeT to carry out terror activities in the Kashmir Valley. Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar, also of the Geelani faction, denied links to LeT, saying, "The agency has earlier harassed and questioned party officials, including Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai and Syed Geelani's son-in-law, but could not find anything. These are fabricated charges to pressure us, as authorities are unable to control clashes in Kashmir."

JKLF chief Yasin Malik, who joined the Hurriyat in 2016, said, "They try to prove I'm receiving funds from Pakistan.

Srinagar

The NIA questioned Kashmiri separatists for the second day in connection with its probe into the role of LeT 'chief' Hafiz Mohammed Saeed and hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The NIA further questioned Farooq Ahmad Dar alias 'Bitta Karate', Javed Ahmed Baba alias Prince alias Gazi in Srinagar regarding their involvement in raising, collecting and transferring funds through hawala and other channels for terror funding in Kashmir. The NIA is probing all aspects of funding of separatist leaders and the use of these funds in fuelling the unrest in the Valley, the NIA spokesperson said in a statement.

JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was arrested from his residence in Srinagar, the Police said. A Police official said Malik has been shifted to central jail in Srinagar. He was arrested from his residence in Maisuma near Lal Chowk on May 28-morning. The JKLF chairman had on May 27 visited the residences of slain HM terrorists.

New Delhi

Three Kashmiri separatists appeared before the NIA in New Delhi for questioning in connection with a case related to the funding of terror and subversive activities in J&K. Sources said Farooq Ahmad Dar alias 'Bitta Karate', Nayeem Khan and Javed Ahmed Baba alias 'Gazi' of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat have arrived in New Delhi for questioning by NIA sleuths. Dar, Ahmed and Khan were asked to bring certain bank and property documents, besides other papers, before the NIA team that had questioned them here for four consecutive days earlier this month.

Srinagar

JKLF leader Muhammad Yasin Malik was released from Srinagar Central Jail.

Delhi & J&K

NIA raided 14 locations in Kashmir and eight in Delhi in connection with the terror funding case. According to sources, the raids were in connection with alleged hawala operations between Pak-based terror groups and Kashmiri separatists. The NIA also raided separatist leaders' house, office and commercial locations. According to reports, NIA has registered a case against hard-line separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in the matter. Earlier, the agency scrutinised five bank accounts allegedly linked to Geelani as part of its probe into suspected terror funding.

Jammu and Srinagar

For second consecutive day today, the NIA conducted simultaneous raids in Jammu and Srinagar to unearth the nexus of hawala funding to separatists, OGWs and others to fuel militancy and unrest in the Valley even as the raiding teams were reported to have recovered foreign currency apart from yesterday's (June 3) seizure of cash, gold and other items including documents. The NIA has frozen bank accounts and lockers of some of the separatists and traders, whose houses and business premises have been searched in the biggest ever crackdown to unearth hawala and terror funding in the Kashmir valley from Pakistan and some other foreign nations during the past two days. Nearly 40 locations have been raided and searched since yesterday by large number of NIA personnel, assisted by the Enforcement Directorate sleuths with the protection of paramilitary and Police personnel.

J&K

Police foiled a proposed meeting of three top separatist leaders to discuss raids by NIA during past two days in Kashmir as part of alleged hawala funding to them. The chairmen of moderate Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, JKLF Yasin Malik and hardline Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani were scheduled to meet at Hyderpora of Budgam District - the residence-cum-office of Geelani - at 11 am on June 5 and then address a press conference. However, Police did not allow the meeting to take place and placed Mirwaiz and Geelani under house detention while it detained Malik, who was lodged in Maisuma Police Station after being detained from his residence on June 5 morning. The Police also sealed off the lane leading to the house of Geelani at Hyderpora by erecting concertina wire. '

Jammu and Kashmir Police has put three Hurriyat Conference leaders, identified as Ayaz Akbar, Altaf Ahmad Shah and Raja Mairaj ul din Kalwal, under preventive detention ahead of their pre-planned protest in Valley. The leaders, who are said to be in close circle of Hurriyat leader SA Geelani, were previously interrogated in a money laundering case. According to reports, the Police raided the houses of these leaders and arrested them. Police also raided the residence of another Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader Pir Saifullah, however he was not present. Tehreek-e-Hurriyat confirmed the arrests but did not confirm the charges on which the arrest has been made.

Separatist groups in Kashmir fear that categorising HM 'chief' Syed Salahuddin as "a global terrorist" may "drift militancy in a different direction in Kashmir as the decision has the potential to shrink space for pro-dialogue groups, too". In an interview, Hurriyat 'chairman' Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed apprehensions that the US' move has "far alarming ramifications" internally in Kashmir. "Indigenous militant outfits here never linked up with global terror and worked around the Kashmir issue. My fear is that militancy can drift in a different direction as any wrong branding of forces will pave way for those forces who completely reject the international system. Unfortunately, the U.S. decision will be responsible for this."

Condemning the US' stand on Salahuddin, who also heads the UJC that comprises around 13 militant outfits and is based in PoK, the Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat commitment to dialogue and its position on seeking U.S. intervention "will stay the same." "However, I fear the new U.S. position may shrink space for those canvassing for dialogue processes in the J&K," he added. The Mirwaiz said hostility between India and Pakistan, and Srinagar and New Delhi had "reached a new level." "The militaristic position taken by India on the Kashmir issue pushes south Kashmir to the brink of a nuclear war. In this situation, the U.S. has to take more pragmatic decisions."

Srinagar

JKLF chairman Yasin Malik was arrested by Police and sent to the Central Jail in Srinagar. "Malik was arrested today when police raided the JKLF's office at Abi Guzar. He has been shifted to Central Jail, Srinagar, on a judicial remand," a spokesman of the separatist group said. The Police did not give any reason for the arrest but it is believed to be a preventive action since HM 'chief' Syed Salahuddin has given a call for agitation to observe first anniversary of its slain militant Burhan Wani on July 8.

The NIA arrested seven separatist leaders including son-in-law of APHC chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani from New Delhi and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and charged them with acting in connivance with top militant outfits like LeT, HM and DeM. IG of NIA, Alok Mittal, described arrests of seven separatist leaders as "one important step'' and declared that investigations in the case would continue and all those found connected/involved in the case would be examined, raided and appropriate action taken against them at an appropriate time. "We have arrested the separatist leaders based on the evidence gathered during raids at various places few days back and follow up investigations," Mittal said, adding that six arrests were made from Srinagar and one from New Delhi.

All those arrested in Srinagar are being shifted to New Delhi for questioning after Police remand from the court, he added. Those arrested include Altaf Ahmad Shah alias Altaf Fantoosh, Ayaz Akbar Khandey, Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Peer Saifullah, Aftab Hilali Shah alias Shahid-ul-Islam, Nayeem Khan and Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate. Bitta Karate was arrested in New Delhi and the other separatist leaders were arrested from Srinagar and have been taken to New Delhi. They will be produced before the Special Judge, NIA, Patiala House, New Delhi on July 25.

Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah was arrested by the ED in connection with over a decade-old money laundering case against him for alleged terror financing. Officials said Shah was arrested in Srinagar and is expected to be brought to New Delhi on July 26. He would be produced in a court in New Delhi. A Delhi court had earlier this month issued a NBW against the separatist leader. "The warrant has been executed," a senior official said.

HC leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's son-in-law is among seven separatist leaders who will be interrogated by the NIA for 10 days as a Delhi court allowed its plea to examine their complicity in a case of alleged terror funding in the Kashmir valley to fuel unrest. District judge Poonam A Bamba allowed the agency to interrogate in custody Altaf Ahmed Shah, popularly known as Altaf Fantoosh, along with six others to unearth the "complete conspiracy". They may be taken to the Valley for investigation for unearthing their modus operandi to raise funds to carry out secessionist and terror activities in the Valley.

J&K

A special court sent three separatist leaders from Jammu and Kashmir to the jail till September 1 while granting custodial remand of four others to the NIA, which told the court that it wanted to further interrogate the four separatists in connection with terror funding and other aspects of the case. The NIA had arrested a total of seven separatist leaders from Kashmir and New Delhi in connection with terror funding, hawala operations, fuelling unrest etc on July 24 and was engaged in their sustained interrogations. Simultaneously, the ED had arrested another separatist leader Shabir Shah in connection with using foreign money to fund terrorism. His custody with the ED had been extended only yesterday (August 3) by the Court for six days.

Srinagar

The ED arrested alleged hawala dealer Mohammad Aslam Wani in coonection with a decade-old money laundering case involving Kashmiri separatist Shabir Shah from Srinagar. A Delhi court sent alleged Mohammad Aslam Wani to ED custody till August 14.

J&K

Joint separatist leadership called for a shutdown in Kashmir on August 12 against alleged attempts to abrogate the Article 35-A of Indian Constitution. In a statement issued in Srinagar, the joint separatist leadership comprising of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik appealed people to observe shutdown on August 12 and take to streets against alleged attempts of abrogating State Subject law which has remained in place since centuries. The separatists also said that the shutdown would be observed to protest the alleged "excesses on the people of South Kashmir, crackdowns across Valley and NIA raids on their leaders.

Srinagar

Clashes and protests erupted in multiple parts in Valley after Friday prayers against alleged attempts of abrogating Article 35-A of the Constitution. The call for protests was issued by joint separatist leadership. Soon after Friday prayers were over, the activists of moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq held a protest outside Jama Masjid in Nowhatta area of Srinagar. While Hurriyat activists protested peacefully but dozens of youth assembled inside the compound of Jama Masjid and pelted stones on Police and paramilitary personnel. The security personnel retaliated with stones and teargas canisters. The clashes in the area continued for many hours. However, no one was reported injured.

Delhi

Four Kashmiri separatists, including the son-in-law of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali shah Geelani, were sent to judicial custody by a Delhi court in a terror funding case. Duty Magistrate Pankaj Sharma sent Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah, popularly known as Altaf Fantoosh, Peer Saifullah, Mehrajuddin Kalwal and Nayeem Khan to jail for 14 days. The court's order came after the NIA submitted that they were not required for further interrogation. The agency had arrested seven persons on July 24 in the case of alleged funding of terror and subversive activities in the Kashmir valley to fuel unrest. The other three separatist leaders - Shahid-ul-Islam, Farooq Ahmed Dar and Mohamad Akbar Khanday - were sent to the judicial custody till September 1.

Baramulla, Handwara and Srinagar

The NIA teams are carrying out raids at 12 places in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla, Handwara and Srinagar in connection with its terror funding and civil unrest probe involving Hurriyat leaders. Sources said that fresh raids have been carried out on those people who have financial links with the pro-Pakistani Hurriyat leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The names of these persons have been disclosed by seven separatists, who were arrested by the agency last month for allegedly organising the funds and civil unrest in the valley.

Separatists announced multiple protests starting from Friday (August 25) this week and a strike on August 29 when SC will be hearing PIL on Article 35-A. Separatist leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, 'chairman' of the APHC-G, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, 'chairman' of the APHC-M and Yasin Malik, chief of JKLF, in a joint statement, warned of agitation if "Supreme Court rules against Article 35-A".The separatists called for a shutdown in State on August 29 when the Apex Court will hear the case. Besides, the separatists said that Kashmir Bar Association will hold peaceful protest demonstration on August 25 against "conspiracies to finish State Subject law".

The NIA has again summoned two sons of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, 'chairman' of the APHC-G for questioning in New Delhi, in connection with terror funding and hawala cases. Sources said the NIA, which had earlier also quizzed Geelani's two sons-Nayeem Geelani and Naseem Geelani and then allowed them to leave for Jammu and Kashmir-has called the duo again at its headquarters in New Delhi for fresh round of questioning. The NIA is likely to quiz the Geelani's sons on their assets and other issues, which have surfaced during questioning of already, arrested separatist leaders and a businessman, sources said, adding the NIA could call some more persons from the Kashmir valley for interrogation in the next few days.

The NIA questioned two sons of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, 'chairman' of the APHC-G at its headquarters in New Delhi in connection with terror funding probe and hawala operations in the Kashmir valley. This is for the second time that both sons of Geelani have been questioned by the NIA. Sources said that the NIA wants to know the source of funding for assets managed by them and their other family members, apart from some benami transactions, which the Agency suspects were owned by the family members of the separatist on various names. Sources said Nayeem and Naseem, sons of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, were questioned earlier on August 8. The elder son Nayeem is a surgeon by profession, while Naseem is an employee of the Jammu and Kashmir Government. According to sources, the two were asked to bring certain documents related to financial transactions that have come under the scanner of the NIA.

Kashmiri separatists withdrew their five-day protest programme against a move to get Article 35A of the Constitution repealed, after the Supreme Court deferred hearing on a petition challenging the validity of the provision. "The protest programme, including the proposed strike on August 29, is postponed for the time being as the hearing," separatist leaders, including chairmen of both factions of APHC Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Yasin Malik said in a statement in Srinagar. A new protest schedule would be issued whenever needed, they added.

New Delhi

A Delhi court, extended the judicial custody of three Kashmiri separatist leaders in a terror funding case by a month. District Judge Poonam A Bamba extended the judicial custody of Shahid-ul-Islam, Farooq Ahmed Dar and Mohamad Akbar Khanday till September 27 when they will produced before the court along with four other accused, including the son-in-law of APHC leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Besides Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah, popularly known as Altaf Fantoosh, the other accused who are in judicial custody are Peer Saifullah, Mehrajuddin Kalwal and Nayeem Khan.

New Delhi

The NIA raided the house of one Mohammad Razak alias Ashoka, a close aide of APHC leader, Shabir Shah, in Jammu. "The NIA team this afternoon raided the house of a property dealer, who is a close aide of Separatist leader Shabir Shah in terror funding case," official sources said. "The house was cordoned by the CRPF men and the NIA team later raided the house," they said.

In a similar development, the NIA raided the house of senior leader of APHC Aga Syed Hassan at Badgam in Badgam District. The search operation was going on when the reports last came in, sources said, adding that details are awaited. The NIA raid came after chairmen of both the factions of the APHC - Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq - and JKLF chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik announced to court arrest before the NIA headquarters at New Delhi on September 9 in protest against the ongoing investigations in terror funding case.

Srinagar

Chairman of APHC Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that the separatist leadership will extend full support to meaningful dialogue meant to resolve Kashmir issue. Addressing a gathering at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, Mirwaiz said that all stakeholders need to sit together if Centre wants to resolve Kashmir issue through dialogue. "If they (Centre) wants to resolve Kashmir issue through dialogue then it is imperative that all stakeholders sit together. And GoI needs to adopt a political approach instead of military policy. If that happens, we will render our full support so that this long pending issue is resolved," said Mirwaiz. The APHC chairman said that they want end to hostilities and better Indo-Pak relations. "We want better relations between India and Pakistan so that all issues, including Kashmir are resolved peacefully", he said.

Srinagar

Kashmir witnessed a shutdown over the NIA's move to summon KTMF president Yasin Khan and Kashmir University scholar Aala Fazil to New Delhi for questioning in an 'illegal funding case'. Several supporters of Yasin Khan held a silent sit-in in Lal Chowk in Srinagar against his summoning. The NIA had asked Yasin Khan to present himself before the NIA on September 25. "We would continue our peaceful protest until Yasin sahab leaves the NIA headquarter," said a protesting trader. The shutdown call by traders, supported by separatists, impacted the daily life in the Valley.

The 'chairman' of the APHC-M, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, "The NIA is resorting to coercive and intimidating tactics against people of Kashmir".

New Delhi

A court in New Delhi extended till November 14 the judicial custody of seven Kashmiri separatists arrested on various charges, including receiving funds from Pakistan to sponsor terror activities and stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir. During the in-camera proceedings, District Judge Poonam Bamba extended the judicial custody of Aftab Hilali Shah alias Shahid-ul-Islam, Ayaz Akbar Khandey, Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate, Nayeem Khan, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal and Bashir Ahmad Bhat alias Peer Saifullah.

On July 24, the NIA had arrested the seven on charges of criminal conspiracy and waging war against India. Altaf Ahmad Shah is the son-in-law of hardline APHC leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Islam is a close aide of moderate APHC leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Khandey is the spokesperson for the Geelani-led APHC.

Eight days after UHM Rajnath Singh announced 'sustained dialogue' on Jammu and Kashmir and appointed former IB Director Dineshwar Sharma as Centre's representative, the Kashmir separatists dismissed the talks offer as futile exercise. The three top separatist leaders of Valley including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a joint statement, said the Government of India is continuously refusing to acknowledge Jammu and Kashmir as a dispute which, they said, is 'basic premises' for talks. "In principle, the (separatist) leadership always advocated and supported sincere and productive dialogue as a means of conflict resolution over Jammu and Kashmir. What it inherently entails from all participants to dialogue is the basic acknowledgment that there is a dispute that has to be resolved. But Government of India continuously refuses to accept this basic premise and the reality on the ground," said the separatist trio in the statement. The decision to dismiss the talks offer was taken after a joint meeting of Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik at former's Hyderpora residence in Sri Nagar.

Srinagar

APHC leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's younger son Naseem Geelani ignored the NIA summons in connection with its probe into alleged terror funding by Pakistan-based terrorist groups to stoke unrest in Kashmir Valley. "He did not depose before the agency investigators today (December 26)," an NIA official said. The official declined to say if any new summons had been issued to the younger Geelani.

Earlier, the NIA had summoned Naseem, a professor at Sher-e-Kashmir Agriculture University in Srinagar, last week to appear before the agency on December 26 at its headquarters in south Delhi's Lodhi Road area. The anti-terror agency, which has been probing terror funding by Kashmiri separatists and has so far arrested half-a-dozen separatists including Syed Ali Shah Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmad Shah, suspects that Naseem was also involved in the terror funding. The NIA had registered a number of cases in connection with terror funding in the Valley against several top separatist leaders in the month of May.

J&K

Coinciding with Union Government's special representative Dineshwar Sharma's stay in Jammu and Kashmir, three senior separatists leaders were released from jails. In an apparent move to soft pedal on separatists for time being, the Government also allowed JKLF chief Yasin Malik to visit volatile Handwara, while an NIA summon to Syed Ali Geelani's son was cancelled "without citing any reason".

Muslim League chairman and former Hizbullah commander Mushtaq-ul-Islam, arrested in July this year, was released. Two days ago, Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Syedah Asiya Andrabi and secretary Sofi Fehmeeda were also released. The Government also allowed JKLF chief Yasin Malik to meet the families, who relatives died in counter-insurgency operations, in volatile Handwara. Otherwise, the government has been consistently placing the separatist leaders under the house arrest.

Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference refused to comment on the releases. However, the spokesman of Democratic Front Party, whose chief Shabir Shah was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate earlier this year, said, "Releasing political prisoners is a positive step and the positive steps always bring positive results. It is of utmost importance to take positive steps to bring a change on the grass root level."

Srinagar

Separatist leaders in Kashmir have called for a boycott of the upcoming panchayat polls in the State, as the authorities on December 28 clamped down on its top leadership in Srinagar. "Any sort of election under the Indian occupational system, be it for so-called Assembly, Parliament, municipal committee or panchayat, is meant only to harm the interests of Kashmiris. The Indian rulers have been using this election drama to negate Kashmiris' demand for self-determination and freedom," said a statement issued by the JRL, comprising Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani, APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik. Appealing for "a complete and comprehensive boycott of the panchayat elections", they said, "By an exemplary boycott of these elections, Kashmiris will deliver a message to India and to the international community that Kashmiris want freedom." The government recently announced to held panchayat polls in February next year.