Yasin on hunger strike to highlight excesses

SRINAGAR, Feb 26: A prominent Kashmiri leader observed a daylong hunger strike on Saturday against large-scale arrests in the aftermath of massive anti-India protests last year. Yasin Malik, the chief of the pro-inde- pendence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, said more than 4,000 Kashmiris had been jailed by Indian law-enforement personnel since 114 people were killed last year, mostly shot by police. "This is a peaceful protest against the unabated crackdown on our youth," said Malik, flanked by over a dozen leaders, as some 400 protesters shouted: "We want freedom." The demonstration took place in the centre of Indian-held Srinagar, which has been wracked by more than two decades of armed revolt against Indian rule. Police agree that more than 4,000 people were arrested in connection with stone-throwing and other offences during last year`s five-month confrontation between security forces and protesters, but say all but 208 have been released. The Kashmiris insist that none of those arrested have been freed.—AFP