The Plebiscite Front

During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, the efforts of Pakistan to win over the Kashmiri population did not get any appreciable response and the Pakistani infiltrators were beaten back. Meanwhile, the anti-India and pro-Pakistan activities of the Plebiscite Front (PF) led to its ban in January 1971 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Sheikh Abdullah, M.A. Beg and G.M. Shah were ordered to leave the State. The activities of the PF received considerable setback after the Indo-Pak war of 1971 and the consequent creation of Bangladesh. The reality of the situation had a sobering impact on Sheikh Abdullah and his supporters and they started thinking in terms of evolving a solution of the Kashmir problem within the frame work of the Indian Constitution and therefore, started laying more emphasis on autonomy.