Rebels call cross-border Kashmir bus a 'coffin'

Four guerrilla groups said in a joint statement that those planning to ride the bus would face the consequences of being branded "traitors" by anti-Indian rebels.

"We humbly request persons selected to travel on the first and second bus to Muzaffarabad not to enter the coffin but if they do, they will find their names in the list of traitors," the groups said in the statement faxed to journalists in Srinagar.

Civilians are periodically killed in Kashmir by rebels who accuse them of collaborating with India's security forces or for ignoring the diktats of the dozen-odd militant groups fighting against Indian rule in the divided region.

The statement, issued by the al-Nasireen, Save Kashmir Movement, Farzandan-e- Millat and al-Arifeen groups, was accompanied by the list of 40 people, complete with residential addresses, selected to travel on the maiden service.

They also called for a general strike in Indian Kashmir on April 7 when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to launch the service.

The bus between the Indian and Pakistani zones of the disputed region has been hailed not only as a historic boost to peace between the two nuclear rivals but also as a way of reuniting families divided for nearly six decades.