Emergence of separatist-turned-pro India leader Sajad Lone has prompted his elder brother Bilal Lone to change the name of his faction of Peoples Conference (PC) to Peoples Independent Movement (PIM) to stay course in the separatist camp.
Both Sajad and Bilal were heading their factions of Peoples Conference — one pro India and another separatist — and staking claim for the legacy of their father Abdul Gani Lone who was assassinated by terrorists in May 2002.
"Previous name of my party, Peoples Conference, had resulted in confusion among the rank and file of the party and I decided to change the name of party. After consultations with my party workers, zeroed in on the name – J&K Peoples Independent Movement," said Bilal Lone.
Expressing full faith in the Hurriyat Conference and its leadership, Bilal said to change the name of his party was taken after taking workers into confidence.
"My affiliation and attachment with the freedom movement of Kashmir was his father's legacy and he and his workers will remain steadfast towards the movement as people of Kashmir have offered their priceless sacrifices for the pious goal of right to self determination," he said.
Bilal noted that Kashmir issue has to be resolved by India and Pakistan but not without the active participation of people of Kashmir. "The party under its new name will strengthen the Hurriyat and hands of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq," he said.
After the assassination of Abdul Gani Lone in 2002, Sajad was elected president of then united Peoples Conference and Bilal was made permanent representative of the party in the Hurriyat Conference.
