APHC boycotts local polls

SRINAGAR: Four influential Kashmiri groups called on Tuesday for a boycott of municipal elections to be held next month in held Kashmir after a gap of 25 years while three militants died during a clash with Indian troops.

“Elections have always damaged the interests of Kashmiris,” the leaders of the four groups said in a joint statement. “Hence we appeal to the people to boycott the upcoming municipal elections.”

The statement was issued jointly by three pro-independence groups, the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, the Democratic Freedom Party and the Jamiat Ahle Hadith, and by the Kashmir Bar Association.

The pro-freedom political parties say Kashmir is disputed territory and its status must be resolved before voting can be held. afp

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