The Shah government is dismissed on 7 March. By November Farooq is back in power, after coming to an agreement with Rajiv Gandhi. This alliance loses both the National Conference and the Congress party considerable support in the Valley. The Muslim United Front comes into being in January when various Islamic organizations come together to oppose the National Conference-Congress electoral alliance. Farooq wins the elections in March but faces allegations of rigging.
Protests begin in the valley along with anti India demonstrations.
At least ten people are killed in police firing, the protests continue and there is curfew in the Valley in August. The violence begins when two bombs are thrown at the police. The incident is followed by grenade attacks by militants. In July, General K V. Krishna Rao becomes governor and in August, Yusuf Halwai, a National Conference worker, is shot dead by militants. On 13 December, Rubaiya is released in exchange for five JKLF leaders whose release from prison results in victory celebrations in Srinagar.