Thursday, June 2 2005 22:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chakoti (PoK): Pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) led by Yasin Malik seemed to dominate the show on this side of the Line of Control (LoC) as 11 separatist leaders from across the frontier crossed over for the first time today (June 2, 2005).

Banners and hoardings hailing Malik and his outfit had come up all around welcoming the outfit's Chairman.

About 150 supporters of JKLF had also collected at a hilltop overlooking the 'Aman Setu' (peace bridge) through which the LoC runs chanting slogans for freedom and Malik.

Although the delegation of separatist leaders had majority of Hurriyat leaders, only a few hoardings or banners hailing Mirwaiz Umar Farooq could be seen in Chakoti.

Incidentally, the crossover is taking place exactly 17 years after Malik along with six associates sneaked across the LoC for militant training to become the first such batch. He later led a violent movement in Jammu and Kashmir.

Malik, who has been in and out of jail since 1994, has lately turned a peacenik.

People gathered here while welcoming today's cross-over opined that hardline leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani should also have come to PoK as it was better to have all leaders on board to help in the peace process.