Terrorist Groups

"Despite massive rigging and false claims by India, it has become crystal clear to the world community that the people of Kashmir want their basic right (to self-determination) and not any kind of elections… The so-called elections do not provide any base for the settlement of the issue. Therefore, instead of emphasizing for the same, the US should keep in view the wishes of the Kashmiris."

- Syed Salahuddin, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen ‘supreme commander’, Muzaffarabad, September 24, 2002.

"At a crucial juncture of jihad, several dailies published from Srinagar have not given enough coverage to the poll boycott campaign and instead projected what New Delhi wanted them to… we know the black-sheep within the journalistic fraternity, but we want to provide them with a chance to mend their ways."

- United Jehad Council statement, September 18, 2002.

"We are responsible for the blast [Shaleel village near Kupwara] outside the polling station as we do not believe in these elections."

- Sheikh Jabbar, Spokesperson, Lashkar-e-Jabbar, September 16, 2002.

"The boycott is a referendum against India. Now the international community and the world powers must accept the Kashmiris' decision and exert pressure on India to accede to their basic right… The leadership of the Mujahideen is with the people of Kashmir and will accelerate the resistance movement against the occupation forces."

- Syed Salahuddin, chief, Muttahida Jehad Council, Muzaffarabad, September 16, 2002.

"(Following the killing of Law Minister Mustaq Ahmed Lone) …We will continue such attacks on all who are participating in the polls."

- Lashkar-e-Toiba spokesperson, September 11, 2002.

"We not only stand by our announcement to disrupt the mock polls, but we are vigorously implementing it… We have killed around 25 activists, including candidates, of the National Conference (the ruling party in occupied Kashmir) in the past three months. All of them were active in electioneering… These people want to keep up and strengthen India's rule in Kashmir. Whosoever, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, Kashmiri or non-Kashmiri, strengthens India's illegal occupation will be our target, just like the Indian soldiers… There is no harm in killing those who want India's system or constitution in (held) Kashmir."

- Abdur Rafia, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, Muzaffarabad, September 10, 2002.

"We are of the firm opinion that no Kashmiri will take part in the polls willingly. If anyone showed up at the polling stations, he would have been driven there at gunpoint by the task force or the renegades… We [candidates] regard them as treacherous. Their crime is not less than those who have forcibly occupied our land. They are the real culprits and we will target them."

- Sheikh Jameelur Rehman, chief of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen, September 10, 2002.

"The people of Kashmir, who are fighting Indian occupation at different levels, will completely boycott the polls by themselves… We are not killing even those who are taking part in the elections, although we believe they are committing treachery and betrayal with the blood of the martyrs."

- Salim Hashmi, spokesperson of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, September 10, 2002.

"Active workers and members of (the ruling) National Conference have already been warned. No political organization or party will be allowed to make a sell-out with the blood of martyrs."

- Al Badr, Srinagar, September 3, 2002.

"We appeal to the employees and transporters to remain away from the election drama and not extend cooperation to the pro-India administration in this regard… Participation in the elections is an act of betrayal with the 90,000 martyrs and no Kashmiri can commit such a mistake."

- Saif-ul-Islam, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen ‘commander-in-chief’ for Kashmir, August 27, 2002.

"Our principal stand is clear and categorical. Everybody who is directly participating in the forthcoming assembly elections in Kashmir is our target.''

Ghulam Rasool Shah, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen ‘Supreme Commander’, August 20, 2002.

"We welcome (United States Secretary of State Collin) Powell's announcement that Kashmir is an international issue. But as far as his stand on the forthcoming farcical exercise (elections) in Kashmir is concerned, we disagree with him… We make it clear that we are least concerned about the polls, whether they are free, fair or fraudulent."

- Salim Hashmi, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen spokesperson, Islamabad, July 31, 2002.

"Any person, who as a candidate, or as a voter or supporter or as a transporter, takes part or assists in the elections willingly, will be deemed a traitor and meet an exemplary fate…No person will escape his fate who betrays the blood of 80,000 martyrs in Kashmir, or who tramples over the feelings of the Kashmiri people by participating in the elections."

- Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan occupied Kashmir, July 27, 2002.

"… Take [All Parties Hurriyat Conference] a clear, categorical and unequivocal stand regarding the so-called elections in the occupied territory [Jammu and Kashmir] and represent the sentiments of the Kashmiris by launching a vigorous anti-polls campaign."

- United Jehad Council, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan occupied Kashmir, July 2, 2002.

"Those who are thinking of participating in the so-called election will be dealt with exemplary punishment."

- Jameel Ahmed, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen spokesperson, Srinagar, June 28, 2002.

"Participation of Kashmiri people in the election could give a severe blow to the movement."

-Tahirul Islam, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen ‘deputy commander’ June 28, 2002.

"These politicians [Jamaat-e-Islami and All Parties Hurriyat Conference] …leaders were the champions of armed struggle at the onset of militancy and used to take lead over one another but have succumbed to the political pressure and just for the lust for power term armed struggle as the handiwork of misguided people."

Saif-ul-Islam, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen ‘commander-in-chief’ for Kashmir, April 29, 2002.

"Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir cannot stand as candidates and fight elections under the Indian Constitution as it amounts to strengthening the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India… Elections under the Indian Constitution are in the interest of New Delhi. Therefore, all adult Muslims cannot take part in the electoral process… anybody who violates the decree and stands as a candidate or campaigns will attract death penalty."

- Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, April 10, 2002.

"If any Hurriyat leader including Syed Ali Shah Geelani and the Democratic Freedom party leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah, are found involved in any (election) activity, it would attract serious consequences.''

- Jammu and Kashmir Islami Front, Srinagar, March 24, 2002.

"Hizbul Mujahideen believes in democracy and is prepared, like before, for meaningful talks to resolve the Kashmir issue…"No militant associated with Hizbul Mujahideen will ever participate in the elections under the Indian Constitution."

- Juniad-ul-Islam, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen spokesperson, Srinagar, March 16, 2002.