rediff.com: Hizbul threatens census officials with death

The Hizbul Mujahideen has issued a fresh warning against conducting census operations in Jammu and Kashmir and threatened to eliminate all involved in the exercise, even while accusing India of following an Israeli gameplan in this regard.

"If the government does not adhere to the warning we will not desist from opening our guns at them," local newspapers quoted 'commander' Masood, spokesman of the outfit, as having said in a statement.

He said the Hizb was willing to give one concession to the government, that is till all the doubts are removed the census should be suspended.

Warning the state government not to endanger lives by resorting to "adventurism", he asked how in the prevailing situation, when so many had migrated and thousands of youth had either gone underground or were reported missing, a valid census could be taken.

Alleging that the government's plans were to change the demographic pattern of the state so that avenues of development for Muslims were restricted, Masood said, "We know the intentions of the government behind this adventurism and we will never allow its nefarious designs to succeed."

The spokesman said the demographic changes in the state were being brought about on the advice of the Israelis who did the same in the occupied areas in Palestine.

Terming it as a conspiracy against Muslims, Masood castigated the Hurriyat Conference for its silence on the issue.

"The leaders claiming to be the representatives of the people should instead of exploiting the public sentiments rise to the occasion and raise their voice against the conspiracies being hatched against the Muslims,'' he said.

The outfit also asked the leadership either to support the Hizb programme on the issue or come out with their argument against it.

Official sources said provisions had been made in the census with specific columns in the enumeration sheets to identify migrants from other areas and members of the armed forces. Therefore there is no question of the armed forces or migrants changing the demographic data of the state, they added.


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