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Clashes erupt between rival members of Kashmir's separatist

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December 18, 2000 

NEW DELHI-- (UNB/AP) - Members of rival Kashmiri separatist parties clashed in Kashmir's capital Sunday after a meeting between their leaders to discuss peace talks with the Indian government, domestic news agencies reported. Twelve people were injured in the fighting that erupted when activists supporting Kashmir's merger with Pakistan raised slogans to shout down supporters of Kashmiri independence as their leaders emerged from a meeting of the executive council of the All Party Hurriyat Conference, Kashmir's main separatist alliance.

Yasin Malik, chairman of the pro-independence Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front slapped an activist from a rival pro-Pakistan group and a free-for-all erupted. Senior Hurriyat leaders tried to pacify their supporters, but failed and left. Police had to charge with batons to keep the clash from spreading, the Press Trust of India reported.

Dozens of rebel groups have been fighting with Indian security forces to either separate Kashmir from India or for a merger with neighboring Pakistan. India accuses Pakistan of fomenting and backing the insurgency, a charge Pakistan denies.

More than 30,000 people have been killed in the 11 years of fighting, according to the government, while human rights groups say 60,000 have died.

Sunday's meeting was called by Hurriyat leaders to discuss the situation arising from the unilateral cease-fire called by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. While Kashmiri political parties have welcomed the cease-fire, militant groups have rejected it.

A statement issued after the meeting at the Hurriyat headquarters in Srinagar, Kashmir's summer capital, said the cease-fire was a "positive change in the attitude of the government of India."

"The Hurriyat leadership is of the opinion that it be given a chance to initiate talks with the militant leadership, besides the government of India and Pakistan so that a process for meaningful and result-oriented dialogue for resolution of the Kashmir issue," the statement read, according to PTI.

Top Hurriyat leaders said Sunday's clash didn't mean there were differences within the 23-member alliance.

"Leaders of all the constituents are united. Supporters do not represent the leadership," said Abdul Ghani Lone.