Srinagar: In Kashmir, it is a season for change. Last week, after separatist leader Sajjad Lone decided to contest elections. On Thursday, for the first time in 15 years, the moderate faction of Huriyat Conference said that they will not call for a poll boycott.
The Hurriyat took the decision after two days of general and executive council meetings. The big point of discussion was the unsuccessful election boycott last year.
Just 4 month backs in December over 60 percent people voted in Assembly polls. But the new approach is accompanied by the old line.
Says Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Bhat: "The election process is non-issue. we seek a permanent settlement of the Kashmir issue in the larger interests of peace and security in the entire South Asia."
It seems that Huriyat Conference saved its face this time by not announcing the boycott. Last time they had to face embarrassment when people in record numbers participated in the elections.
There was no violence in the last year's assembly elections, but this time security forces have inputs that militants may target the elections after recent rise in infiltration in Kashmir.