By News Agency of Kashmir
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Jammu: Around dozens of Shiv Sena activists today thrashed Chairman Jammu Kashmir Salvation Movement, Zaffar Akbar Bhat (a constituent of Hurriyat Mirwaiz group), who was addressing a press conference, here this afternoon.
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This is third time when Hurriyat leaders were attacked by the activists of Jammu Kashmir Shiv Sena. The Sena has also given seven days Ultimatum to PDP workers of Jammu to restrain themselves from making propaganda of the PDP in the region.
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Bhat is chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM) who is a constituent of Hurriyat conference Mirwaiz group and was on tour to Poonch-Rajouri.
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Minutes after Hurriyat leader could put his view point before the media; a group of Shiv Sena workers entered the Press club raising slogans "Bharat Mata Ki jai" and "Yadi Bharat mein rehna hoga, Vande Matram kehna hoga" ("If you have to live in India, then you will have to say Vande Mataram").
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Shiv Sena forced the Hurriyat leader to say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' which he refused. The Sena activist then starts thrashing him and was left unconscious. The workers of Bhat tried to stop them were also attacked. "I can say Jai Jammu and Kashmir or Naar-e-Takbeer but not Jai Bharat", Zaffar shouted at the Sena Activists.
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Inspite of their protest Zaffar Bhat retorted and said if you won't allow me to address the press persons "I will not do or say what I don't believe and I have every right to put my view point before press".
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On this Protesting Shiv Saniks asked Zaffar Bhat "Unless, you won't say 'Hindustan Zindabad', you will not be able to hold any press conference in Jammu,"
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Bhat was received a blow from one of the Sena activist and fell unconscious. Meanwhile a police party reached the spot and disperses the Sena activists, Zaffar Bhat, who fell received a blow in his chest was immediately taken to GMC in a police gypsy.
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Shiv Serna workers were protesting against the Bhats anti-India and pro-Pakistan statements. "We will not allow you to address the media until you won't say Bharat Mata Ki Jai" shouted a Shiv Sanik
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"we simply ask him to say Hindustan Zindabad but he threatened me of dire consequences saying that he was a militant", Anan Sharma told News Agency of Kashmir, adding this irritates my workers who thrashed him.
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"Soon after the conference started, they (Shiv Saniks) storm inside the hall and start thrashing us. "We have informed the police before four days but no deployment was made on the venue" alleged Javid JKSM supporter, adding that police also remain silent and did not control the situation.
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When contacted Superintendent of Police, Jammu City Sanjay Kotwal told News Agency of Kashmir that an FIR has been lodged and details are being ascertained. "We have lodged an FIR and the details were being collected from concerned Police Station", Kotwal said adding we may also arrest some people in this connection.
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Meanwhile, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, in a statement in Srinagar, strongly condemned the life attempt on Zaffar Akbar Bhat and his colleagues by the Shiv Sena workers.