Also variously referred to as the Plebiscite Front, Mohaz Raey Shumari and Mohaz Rai Shumari, several article make mention of Mahaz-e-Raishumari in the context of both Indian and Pakistan Kashmir (The Pakistan Newswire 5 Jan. 2003; The Indian Express 31 May 2001; Dawn 7 Sept. 2001; ibid. 6 Sept. 2001; ibid. 9 Mar. 2001; The Tribune 18 May 2001).

The Mohaz Rai Shumari was reported to have participated in a rally held in Lahore, Pakistan, on 5 January 2003 (The Pakistan Newswire 5 Jan. 2003). According to the article, the rally was held to protest India's refusal to conduct a plebiscite on the issue of self-determination for Jammu and Kashmir as was called for in a 1949 United Nation's Security Council resolution (ibid.).

Reporting on attempts to reach a political consensus on the Mangla Dam Raising Project in Kashmir, Pakistan, a 7 September 2001 article stated that Abdul Khaliq Ansari of Mohaz Raey Shumari had boycotted a meeting on the issue organized by the All Party Conference (APC) (Dawn 7 Sept. 2001). Abdul Khaliq Ansari is reportedly the founder and president of the Plebiscite Front, also referred to as the Jammu and Kashmir Plebiscite Front (ibid. 9 Mar. 2001; ibid. 6 Sept. 2001).

Although not referring to the Plebiscite Front in Pakistan, the following information may also be of interest.

Promoting secession, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah founded the Plebiscite Front in India in 1953 (Rediff 10 Dec. 1999). The group was reportedly disbanded by Abdullah on 5 July 1975 (Express India n.d.). However, a May 2001 article reported that, "in the wake of the ceasefire in Kashmir and efforts for a dialogue to solve the vexed problem," the Plebiscite Front was attempting to "revive" itself in India (The Tribune 18 May 2001).

As well, a February 2002 article reported that the Jammu Kashmir Plebiscite Front had merged with six other United Kingdom-based groups, including the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and the Jammu Kashmir National Liberation Front (JKNLF), to form the Jammu Kashmir National Independence Alliance (The Hindu 27 Feb. 2002). The Alliance was reportedly formed to "give greater coherence to their campaign for a solution of the Kashmir dispute on the basis of the wishes of the people of the State" (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Dawn [Karachi]. 7 September 2001. "APC Fails to Agree on Mangla Dam Project." http://www.dawn.com/2001/09/07/top12.htm [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

_____. 6 September 2001. Ahmed Hassan. "AJK Parties to be Briefed on Mangla Dam Extension." http://www.dawn.com/2001/09/06/nat4.htm [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

_____. 9 March 2001. "Kashmiri Leaders Apply for Visa." http://www.dawn.com/2001/03/09/nat4.htm [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

The Hindu [New Delhi]. 27 February 2002. Hasan Suroor. "U.K. Kashmiri Groups Merge." http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2002/02/27/stories/2002022702201200.ht m [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

Express India. n.d. Nazir Masoodi. "A Brief History of Kashmir." http://www.expressindia.com/kashmir/kashmirlive/hist-crono.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

The Indian Express [Mumbai/Bombay]. 31 May 2001. Tariq Bhat. "Pant Misses Meet With J-K- Ex-CM, Seeks Another Date." http://www.indian-express.com/ie20010531/nat7.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

The Pakistan Newswire. 5 January 2003. "Kashmir: Kashmiris Observe Self-Determination Day." (Pakistan Press International/NEXIS)

Rediff. 10 December 1999. "The Men and Women Who Shaped Events in Kashmir." http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/dec/10blood.htm [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

The Tribune [Chandigarh]. 18 May 2001. "Plebiscite Front Revived After 26 Years." http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010518/j&k.htm [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

Europa

IRB databases

NEXIS

Political Handbook of the World

Internet sites, including:

BBC

Dawn

The European Country of Origin Information Network

The Hindu

The Indian Express

Rediff

South Asia Terrorism Portal

The Times of India

The Tribune

World News Connection

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