Politician. A prominent Kashmiri politician and nationalist who championed the cause of an independent homeland for his people. His firm stand in favour of self-determination earned him the wrath of the Indian government and his utterances against terrorism and sectarianism also set him at odds with groups fighting for merger of Kashmir with Pakistan. Lone while studying law at Aligarh Muslim University became active in politics. On his return to Kashmir he got involved in party politics and served in the local government ministry. Continuous attempts by Delhi to manipulate the politics of Kashmir, for a long period of time, led to his disenchantment with the Indian parliamentary system. In 1987, when the state assembly elections were rigged to defeat candidates perceived as anti-Indian, Lone, like many other Kashmiris chose the path of separatist movement. In 1993, he joined the umbrella grouping of Kashmiri nationalist forces in India, the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and remained one of its most well known faces till his death. Lone, whose voice of moderation and reason that never closed the door of dialogue, was born in Haral village, Beramulla, Kashmir. Statesmanlike in deportment and attitude, he spoke out against the terrorist killing of anyone including non-Muslims Kashmiris. He was shot dead in Srinagar.