Author: hamid

Srinagar: Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today held special “Toubae-e-Istagfaar” for the improvement of bad weather at Jamia Masjid in Old City, Srinagar.

During the session, Mirwaiz along with the gathering beseeched before Almighty Allah to bring improvement in the inclement weather due to which people were facing enormous problems.

The Kashmir valley is going through continuous rains even the spring has arrived. Due to rains, the Kashmir’s agriculture sector has been badly due to which farmers and people affiliated to are deeply worried.

According to GNS, the gathering also prayed before Allah to extricate the entire population from the problems they are facing. A large number of people participated in the “Toubae-e-Istagfaar” prayer along with the Mirwaiz.

On Wednesday, the Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman had also expressed concern over the bad weather in the valley. He had asked people to hold prayers for the improvement of weather.

Several clerics of valley had appealed to hold special prayers in this regard. Meanwhile, rains continued to lash Kashmir valleyon Friday.

Srinagar: Rejecting the so-called polls in Kashmir, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday applauded the people for their unflinching support and commitment to the ongoing freedom struggle.

Mirwaiz said peoples continuous  association with the freedom struggle and their  fight for  the right to self determination despite Kashmir having been turned into a police state for the staged polls and their leadership and youth being arrested  and detained by the state, is commendable.

According to a statement issued to KNS, Hurriyat (M) Chairman stated that spontaneous demonstrations against the rallies of so called mainstream parties  show peoples anger and ire against these elements and their complete disconnect with the so called electoral process. Addressing the gathering at the historic Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz said that state  had become more authoritarian in trying to impose these so  called elections on the people of  Kashmir and shove it down their throats, and in its eagerness  was arresting Hurriyat leaders and activists.

He said the army and other forces operating in the valley  have increased their patrolling along the length and breadth of Kashmir,  leading to large scale arrest of people. Mirwaiz said this was not only a matter of concern but it also shows the aggressive policies of state against people as has been the tradition.

Referring to Tosa Maidan lease issue  HC Chairman said  that there is  no need to give alternative land  to the army for establishing a firing ranges etc,  since 12 firing ranges have already been allocated to them in Kashmir. He also appealed people to stay vigilant regading any announcement by the Govt. on this issue.

Appealing  to people from all walks of life to contribute towards social reforms, he said  that only  collective efforts  towards social reforms could bring about the desired  positive and healthy change in the society. In this regard certain steps h which include forming of mohalla and area committees have been initiated which need to be supported  by all .He said that consumption of  spurious drugs, liquor and  addictive drugs are a matter of grave concern as they have led to many deaths besides ruining the society. In this regard in the next phase a  meeting with chemists and representatives of drug companies would be held, and besides other things it would be stressed upon them not to sell drugs without doctors prescription. He announced that the  next session of social reforms campaign would be held at Iddgah and  Zoonimar on Sunday.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also condoled the death of the wife of renowned doctor, Atiqullah of Sopore, who passed away recently and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family.

Meanwhile in connection with the public contact programme, several Hurriyat leaders addressed gatherings at various places in Kashmir during which they appealed people to show complete commitment towrads freedom struggle and reject the namesake elections. Senior hurriyat leaders including Zaffar Akbar Bhat and Javaid Ahmad mir adressed people at Ichgam Badgam, Syed Bashir andrabi at Bandipora, Salim geelani at badamwari, and Khwaja Allam at gagat Sopore. (KNS)

‘Election Commission seems dead in J&K; its prestige is at stake’

Srinagar: Expressing disappointment over the functioning of Election Commission of India in Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president today said it seems the ECI is dead in the state.

According to KNS correspondent, Mehbooba while addressing media persons here said that the prestige and credibility of the ECI is at stake as far as its action on National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah latest statement is concerned.

Mehbooba was reacting to Dr Abdullah statement that if he had resources he would have attacked PDP if he had bombs and guns. The PDP president said: “It is unfortunate that the election commission of India who is doing a great job in whole of the country is dead in Jammu and Kashmir. They seem to be dead. They are not taking any action as far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned.”

She said that she was not making any boons about it as she had conveyed to all the authorities about these allegations. “I have told all authorities that the Sarpanch was killed only after Dr Farooq issued threats. The intention of NC is that there should be killings in Kashmir to enforce boycott. They (NC) are trying to harass people just to enforce boycott in their favour,” she said.

Mehbooba said that she has already lodged complaint before the ECI about issues like Wazwan cherished by NC, holy Quran used by a female leader of NC (Sakina Itoo), PDP is in league with militants, and NC to teach a lesson to PDP before the authorities.  “We are very disappointed with the functioning of ECI. The model code is being violated on daily basis. Administrative machinery is being misused. They are not taking Kashmir seriously. We want ECI to go through the allegation leveled by Dr Farooq Abdullah. They created STF, SOG they have. We know what the NC-Congress is doing in the state. We want to know why the ECI is not taking any action on these inflammatory statements and all these statements are being followed by violence,” said the KNS correspondent.

She said the prestige and credibility of the ECI is at stake. “If they don’t take cognizance of these complaints it means that they are giving a long rope to hang the democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir.” She said the threats issued by Dr Abdullah against PDP are too serious to be ignored by the ECI if they want to conduct free and fair polls in J&K. “ECI should have taken a suo motto notice of the threats issued by Dr Abdullah but we are still lodging a formal complaint,” she said.

Mehbooba said that it was not out of reach for Dr Abdullah to have his threats executed. He as the architect of infamous task force and the creator of  ‘the unknown gunman’ could still be retaining sufficient fire power to hit at his rivals especially when it is dawning on him that the game is up for the NC. She said the imminent defeat of NC-Congress alliance at the Centre and in the state has made the NC leadership too jittery for even conducting a civilized campaign and Dr Abdullah is leading that party in its tirade of abuse and violence.

While condemning the killing of Mohammad Amin Pandith, Sarpanch of Gulzarpora, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said the threats issued by Dr Farooq Abdullah were apparently taking toll on the ground. According to KNS correspondent, while addressing a press conference here today, Mehbooba said within hours of Dr Abdullah having said ‘PDP needs to be taught a lesson’, Pandith, who was the member of PDP, was killed by unknown assailants. She said after facing public wrath at different places Dr Abdullah issued serious threats against PDP on Thursdaysaying ‘If he had resources he would carry out hundreds attacks on PDP leaders and workers.’ He made these remarks at around 2:30 PM and at around 9:30 PM Pandith was shot dead.

Mehbooba said there is a very obvious plan for creating a scare that the NC has been implementing in absence of a performance report that is necessary for all political parties at the time of elections as it has to be presented to the voters especially by a ruling party. Since, there is nothing except death, destruction, scandals, atrocities and victimization of youth that NC-Congress could talk about as their achievement in the last five years. “They see their only chance in creating scare and forcing people to boycott elections.”

She said earlier Dr Abdullah had accused PDP of being in league with militants and said that it is not Pakistan but PDP that would target their workers and immediately after two NC workers were targeted and their houses set on fire in Srinagar.

Mehbooba said she had cautioned about such tactics by NC to achieve their limited agenda of staying in power by hook or crook. She said it was disappointing that Election Commission of India had taken no notice of the brazen violation of model code of conduct by the NC. She said while it is appreciable that ECI had taken prompt actions on complaints but in case of Jammu and Kashmir the election body had shut its eyes.

Mehbooba later visited the house of late Mohammad Amin Pandith at Gulzarpora to condole his death. She expressed her solidarity with the bereaved family. Speaking to the people present on the occasion killing innocents’ people will achieve nothing except creating more tragedies. This, she said, has been happening over the past quarter century without resulting into anything positive only graveyards and number of widows and orphans are increasing. (KNS)

JKLF continues with its boycott campaign, visit Budgam, Ganderbal areas

Srinagar: Chairman Jammu Kashmir liberation front (JKLF) Mohammad Yasin Malik who was arrested by police on 17th April still remains in police custody while as zonal chief organization JKLF Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri was also arrested by police in a nocturnal raid last night.

“Police is also in search of many JKLF leaders and activists and nocturnal raids, restrictions and other oppressive measures are being taken by the police. Despite these undemocratic measures JKLF Public awareness program asking people to keep away from Indian elections continued today and various JKLF leaders and activists visited many villages, towns and other important places in central Kashmir Budgam and Ganderbal districts.”

According to a statement issued to KNS, leaders apprised people of the bad effects and consequences of participating in Indian elections and said that boycotting Indian elections is our moral and political right as well as duty because these elections are meant to weaken our freedom struggle and voice.

“Leaders and activists addressed people in many mosques and other places and also distributed pamphlets and other matter regarding the election boycott etc at many places. The places visited by JKLF leaders and activists today included  Jamia Masjid Narkurra, Budgam, Jamia Masjid Tul Molla Ganderbal, Jamia Masjid Kangan, Jamia Masjid Raheemiyah Chadoora Budgam, Jamia Masjid Nasarullah Pora Budgam, Jamia Masjid Rethsona Beerwah Budgam, Jamia Masjid Cheerwan Ganderbal, Jamia Masjid Mamar Ganderbal, Jamia Masjid Manigam Ganderbal and Jamai Herdweer Budgam etc”

While speaking to the people at various places JKLF speakers said that the main aim and objective of elections organized by India and held under Indian constitution is to prolong the slavery of Kashmiris, to legislate new tyrannical and oppressive laws against people of Jammu Kashmir and to subject Kashmiris to torture and repression.

“Therefore participation in these election In any name is showing enmity with Kashmir and Kashmiris. Leaders said that participating in Indian elections is like legitimizing Indian oppression in Jammu Kashmir and iris will have to keep their eyes and hearts open and keep away from this sugar coated poison that is used to weaken and finish our resistance and struggle for freedom. The leaders aid that every nation safeguards its own interests and it is the duty of every Kashmiri to recognize and safeguard the interest of Kashmir.”

While condemning the arrest of JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, JKLF leader Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri and other resistance leaders and activists, police raids, restrictions and other oppressive measures by police and forces, JKLF leaders said that these arrests and other oppressive measures have once again proved the fact that Indian elections in Jammu Kashmir are a mere eye wash and a stage managed drama aimed at hoodwinking the international opinion and befooling their own people in India.

The speakers said that these arrests and restrictions on peaceful political activities have proved that these elections are an institutionalized manipulation and India through these Gimmicky measures is only trying to befool international community. Now that India and its Kashmiri puppets have resorted to such repressive measures, it is the duty of worthy columnists, writers, journalists, intellectuals and ulema to rise to the occasion and pen down these atrocities and human rights violations and  aware  the international community about the real happenings in Kashmir, asserted the  speakers. (KNS)

Omar Abdullah Addresses workers meeting in Tral

Tral-Pulwama: Addressing a workers meeting at Tral in Pulwama district of South Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who is also the Working President of National Conference Fridaysaid that PDP thrives on falsehood and has a habit of fishing in troubled waters to fool the people with their hollow slogans and speeches.

According to a statement issued to KNS, Omar said that PDP was acting as a proxy ally of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir and is following the diktats of Narendra Modi to fragment and fracture the voice of our people. He said that it was BJP that founded PDP in Jammu and Kashmir to carry forward its agenda of ‘divide and rule’ and to flare up communal tensions and regional animosity in the State. Omar said that the Mufti father-daughter duo is a part of this conspiracy and by providing tactical support to BJP in the current Parliamentary Elections they were finally repaying the debt they owe to BJP for their political existence.

The Working President of National Conference said that despite the communal agenda, totalitarian approach and overt animosity harbored against Jammu and Kashmir by Narendra Modi, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti are openly supporting BJP and Narendra Modi for their personal ambitions of power.

Speaking on the occasion, Omar said that Rahul Gandhi symbolized the secular, democratic traditions and ethos of the country and is a leader who carries all sections of the society with him without any prejudice or bias. Omar Abdullah said that Rahul Gandhi was a time-tested and consistent friend of the people of Jammu & Kashmir and has empathized with them at every given opportunity. “We want him and UPA-III to be in power at the Centre to safeguard the pluralistic and secular democratic traditions of India besides protecting the interests of Jammu and Kashmir and its people”, he said adding that people have to make a choice between a Modi who represents authoritarian and communal politics and a young, dynamic Rahul Gandhi who has emerged as the champion of inclusiveness and  secularism in the country. Rahul Gandhi represents the modern India of today where all sections of society have equal opportunities and avenues for growth, justice and development.

Omar said that this Parliament Election was for electing the Parliament Members and eventually the next Prime Minister of India and not MLAs and the Chief Minister of the State. “It has nothing to do with the Election of MLAs or the Chief Minister. That occasion will be before you in November this year and we will fight those elections on the basis of our historic achievements in governance and development during the last five and a half years”, he said maintaining that all votes caste against the NC-Congress Coalition Candidates would automatically be votes cast in favor of Narendra Modi. “It is hence necessary to vote for the NC-Congress Colaition Candidates to ensure that communal forces represented by BJP and helped by PDP do not come to power. That would be a dangerous consequence for the country in general and for Jammu and Kashmir in particular”.

“NC and Congress have a  clear agenda to strengthen communal harmony and secular traditions in the country besides ensuring equitable development of all sections of the society and also safeguarding Article 370 so that we could keep working for the holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir”.

Making a comparison between Mehbooba Mufti and Dr. Mehboob Baig, Omar said that Mehbooba Mufti had miserably failed to represent Jammu and Kashmir in the Parliament and her disappointing and dismal track record is clear proof of her incapability to be a deserving voice for our people. Omar said that in stark comparison to this Dr. Mehboob Beg’s performance as an MP is exemplary and the Lok Sabha record is a validation of his active role in the Parliament to highlight the issues and sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Omar asked the workers to work hard to return Dr. Mehboob Beg to Parliament with a greater margin so that the issues of Jammu and Kashmir continue to be raised in the Lok Sabha and it is ensured that the people of J&K are represented with clarity, courage and commitment. The workers meeting was also addressed by NC Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, Senior NC Leader and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayti Raj Ali Mohammad Sagar, NC-Congress Coalition Candidate, Dr. Mehboob Beg besides various senior leaders of National Conference and Congress. (KNS)

BJP emissaries met me, rejected their offer

Srinagar: Reiterating his call poll boycott call against the forthcoming elections in valley, Huriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani Friday called for a complete shutdown on April 21 against the police crackdown on the pro-freedom camp here at large.

According to the KNS correspondent, Geelani after returning from New Delhi on April 16 addressed the press conference at his Hyderpora residence wherein he made some important revelations including the reasons behind some separatist groups praising BJP’s Prime Ministerial Narendra Modi.

“Those who have said that Modi’s policy after he becomes PM regarding Kashmir would be Kashmir friendly and those who are issuing statements in Modi favor have actually met Modi’s men in Kashmir,” Geelani said, adding  Modi had sent his people to various pro freedom leaders including him who tried him to get ‘commitment from Modi vis-à-vis  Kashmir resolution.

Geelani stated that two pundits came to meet him on March 22 to get his commitment on Kashmir. The senior separatist stated that he rejected the proposal –rebuking them that neither Modi nor his party has any policy on Kashmir settlement.

Castigating Kashmir’s mainstream, Geelani stated the parties are justifying India’s ‘illegal’ occupation in Kashmir and that there representation can in no way be termed as legitimate.

Reiterating his poll boycott call, Geelani stated that it is the right of Kashmir’s separatist leadership to hold boycott rallies. He accused that polls in Kashmir are being held under the shadows of guns and that those who said that gun is no solution to Kashmir issue must know that India has occupied this land at the gun point.

“Wrong notion is being given about the polls in Kashmir by India and that need of the hour is to aware people about the issue so that boycott call could become successful in Kashmir.

While slamming the state authorities over cracking whip on Kashmir’s pro-freedom camp, Geelani stated that the massive crackdown has been lunched against the activists and leaders of the separatist groups and that is being suppressed everyday through various forceful tactics.”

Appealing people to observe complete shutdown on April 21 against the detention of separatist leaders in Kashmir stated that the tall claims of democracy are getting nullified by the acts in which the leaders are been either kept under house detention or lodged in various police stations across valley.

With the poster behind glued on the wall-showing Geelani addressing boycott rallies, the octogenarian leader while issuing the poll boycott calendar said, “On 24 April, civil curfew in South Kashmir will be observed. Central Kashmir on 30th April will observe civil curfew and also in North Kashmir on 7th May. Besides, we appeal people to hold protests a day before they go for polls from Magrib to Isha.” Also people were asked to sit at home on poll days. (KNS)

Srinagar: The Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani has called for complete shutdown on April 21 (Monday) against detention of separatist leaders and youth. The veteran leader, who addressed media persons here this morning, also called for day-long civil curfew in Kashmir constituencies going for polls on their respective days: April 24 (Anantnag); April 30 (Srinagar) and May 7 (Baramulla). The civil curfew, Geelani insisted, shall remain in force constituency-wise, and not across Kashmir. He said a day before the polls, people in the respective constituencies should hold protests from ‘Magrib to Esha’.