Kashmir.Watch

Author: hamid

  • Inclement weather forced postponement of flight

    Azad keeps tryst with people, addressed masses telephonically
    Jammu: With the weather playing spoil spot, Ghulam Nabi Azad, union health minister and senior Congress Candidate for Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency on Friday addressed gatherings telephonically.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, due to inclement weather his Chopper could not take off. “Keeping in mind the huge gatherings that has converged at various places in different hilly belts of Doda-Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency to listen to their Congress candidate known for his Developmental Mantra, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad chose to address public meetings telephonically.”
    Despite his physical absence in the snow clad and remote hilly belts including Laatti, Gordi, Pancheri of Chennani Assembly Segment and Panara, Satyian and Chowki of Ramnagar Assembly Segment, hundreds of people listened to Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad heartedly and voiced for his victory in the general elections with record margin. Mr Azad in his respective candid speeches greeted the people on the ongoing auspicious Navratras festival and was apologetic for not interacting in person due to whimsical weather, causing inconvenience to Chopper to take off.
    In his telephonic conversation, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad called upon the people to beware of the policies being formulated by the divisive forces and urged them to strengthen the hands of secular Congress party, which ensures development and integrity of nation. Mr Azad said, “It is not just me but all of you are Ghulam Nabi Azad. So, if you want developmental works to continue, all of you must caste vote in your own favour by switching on Congress button on April 17th to meet the left out dreams”.
    He reminded the people that “when I took over the reign of the state in 2005, I finalized number of new road construction projects to connect the far flung and hilly belts with town areas. And almost 40 to 45 per cent work has already been completed under the leadership of chief minister of Omar Abdullah heading Congress-NC coalition government in the state. He hoped that when next time he would come to meet the people, whom he couldn’t meet today, would come by road and not by Chopper service. He assured them the road projects initiated by him during his tenure as chief minister of the state are on anvil to bring them at par with town populace.
    The thoughtful leader reminded the historic decisions of Congress led UPA and state coalition government, facilitating people with health care and education in the absence of road connectivity. “Revolutions never take place in a day, but we are trying utmost best to give sigh of relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and other states” said Mr Azad adding, “Creation of new administrative units, opening of hospitals, health centers, presence of AASHA workers, NRHM reveals our commitment and dedication towards the rural populace”.
    While lashing out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mr Azad said, “Their policies to cheat people on the basis of religion will never bring them to Parliament as voter always stays with the surface”. The proclaimed wave of a leader (Modi) cannot let him to veil the remarkable achievements of Congress party, especially the golden era of past ten years, which reach out to grass roots level be it education, health, infrastructures and other progressive steps. Mr Azad said, “When any ones takes a flight, he can witnesses the machineries which have been put in service to connect the people of the rural areas with the urban areas through the road network, the dream was envisioned by Congress and it is Congress gratifying it”. In the past ten years of UPA-I and UPA-II, the people of hilly areas are sighing relief and in the UPA-III they will be in age of comfort.  (KNS)

  • No respite in arrest of HCJK leaders

    ‘Shah, Nayeem, Dar, Naqash lodged in Police Station Sadder’
    Srinagar: “As soon as Hurriyat Conference delegation led by Shabir Ahmad Shah which included Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Shabir Ahmad Dar, Muhammad Yusuf Naqash, Muhammad Yasin Ataai, Ajaz Ahmad Mir and other dozens of activists, were scheduled to visit various areas of south Kashmir in connection with election boycott campaign, a large contingent of police intercepted them and prevented them from moving ahead. As the leaders still tried to March but the police arrested them and lodged them at Police Station Sadder,” said a statement issued by HCJK to KNS.
    According to HCJK spokesperson, the leaders were scheduled to visit various areas of Shopian to aware people from the negative consequences of participating in elections under Indian Constitution and to prevent them from falling prey to the machinations of occupational rulers.
    He said Hurriyat Conference will be active in making the election boycott campaign successful at any cost. “The government on one hand terms election boycott campaigns democratic but on the other hand is restricting every movement of its political opponents,” the spokesperson said.
    He said: “Today the whole world is supporting every freedom fighting nation but to suppress Kashmiri resistance groups can’t be tolerated at any cost. The resistance leaders have to utilize their every effort to take the movement to its logical conclusion.”
    Condemning the continuous arrest of its leaders, the spokesperson said that such tactics have failed in the past and will not yield any result in future. “Hurriyat Conference is a political movement and will continue till the people of Kashmir are given their due rights. Those who were also arrested included Bilal Ahmad Shah, Rouf Kashmiri, Gowhar Ahmad, Ghulam Muhammad Muqdam, Waheed Ahmad, Abdul Hameed, Firdous Ahmad, Ashiq Ahmad, Muhammad Ibrahim and others.   
    Meanwhile, the spokesperson while severely condemning the intimidation of Greater Kashmir columnists by some elements said such hooliganism cannot be tolerated at any cost and termed such acts as immoral and unjustifiable.  (KNS)

  • Mehbooba should be immediately disqualified: NC

    Srinagar: The National Conference today called for immediate cancellation of the nomination of PDP President & candidate from Anantnag Mehbooba Mufti for ‘electoral fraud’.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Nasir Wani the provincial president of National Conference asked: “How can someone open an account when it’s a bank holiday.” “It’s an electoral fraud, and it proves the seriousness of PDP in contesting these elections.” He added, “Today again filing her nomination proves beyond doubt that there has been an electoral fraud and needs immediate intervention of the Election commission”
    “Her nomination should be rejected and she should be disqualified immediately” said Nasir adding, “When Mehbooba cannot correctly fill the nomination form what was will she do in the parliament which in any case she will lose,” he added
    “People should see for themselves how blatantly she misuse’s her authority” said Nasir “We will seek immediate disqualification of hers from the election for her electoral fraud & complain to the CEC to take immediate action against her candidature,” said Wani. (KNS)

  • Asiya Andrabi flays Indian Muslim clerics

    Srinagar: The chairperson of Kashmir’s one of the largest women pro-freedom organizations, Dhukhtran-e-Milat, Asiya Andrabi, Friday accused Indian Muslims clerics of playing into the hands of Congress and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and forgetting the ‘riots against them’.
    “Indian Muslims and clerics unfortunately forgot everything. They have forgotten Gujarat riots, Muzzafar Nagar riots, demolition of Babri Masjid and hundreds of other riots against them. They vote for Congress and BJP which are responsible for their plight and this very shameful,” Asiya said, adding: “How shameful is that Muslim clerics are campaigning for BJP and Congress.”
    The DeM chairperson urged Muslims of India not to vote for BJP, Congress, and other parties including Aam Admi Party (AAP). “I want to tell them that all of them are same because they have anti-Muslim agenda.”
    She said: “But unfortunately the Indian Muslims have no leadership of their own. They are divided. They aren’t using their senses. Had they been united, they would have dictated terms to Indian people and I hold clerics of India responsible for all this.”
    Reacting over the India media reports that claimed former Prime Minister of India, P V Narsimha Rao – who was associated with Congress – along with BJP leader LK Advani and other Sangh leaders were aware about the ‘planned demolition’ of historic Babri Masjid, Asiya said: “Everyone knows that Rao was the member of RSS. They deliberately allowed Hindu fanatics to demolish Babri Masjid and watched like mute spectators. And, instead of acting against culprits, the Muslims were butchered and martyred.”
    She alleged: “Their claims of secularism is farce. They are anti-Muslim and anti-Islam like BJP.”  (GNS)

  • No improvement in weather till April 8: Met Office

    Srinagar: Predicting more rains in the coming days in Valley, state’s weather departmentFriday said that weather conditions are likely to improve after April 8.
    “There were reports of light to moderate rainfall across valley and at some places in Jammu region on Friday but the weather at Ladakh region mainly remained dry,” Director Metrological department Sonum Lotus told KNS.
    He added that the weather conditions in valley are likely to improve after April 8 and moderate to light rainfall will continue in valley for coming four days.
    Sonum stated that after April 6, there will be a slight improvement in the weather conditions and by the evening of April 7- the rainfall is likely to stop. He maintained that there will be no rainfall after April 8; however, clouds will continue to cover the sky.
    Pertinently, rains lashed many parts of Kashmir including plains and higher reaches. Maximum and minimum temperature recorded in Srinagar was 15.2 degree Celsius and 7.0 degree Celsius respectively.(KNS)

  • Death of Fake Currency Racket accused

    SHRC takes cognizance, issues notices to DG, DC, CO 166 TA
    Srinagar: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Friday took suo moto cognizance of death in custody of fake currency racket accused Muneer Manhas  asking the DGP, DC Srinagar, CO 166 territorial Army to submit their reports in the matter.
    Rafiq Fida, the acting chairman of the Commission has also issued notice to SHO police station Ram Munshi Bagh, Srinagar for his report by or before the next date of hearing which has been fixed for May 6.
    The notices have been issued after the Commission took cognizance of news reports about death of a soldier of 166 Territorial Army (TA) Muneer Ahmad Manhas, (30) son of Nazir Ahmad Manhas resident of Saraibala, Bandi, Kamalkote, Uri of District Baramulla in Police Station Ram Munshi Bagh, Srinagar on April 3.
     “Manhas had dinner on Wednesday as routine and went to bed in the lockup and entered the bathroom inside the lockup during night and hanged himself to death by using a pair of socks to hang himself by tying them with one another,” the Commission’s order reads further. The Commission has said: “They (family) further alleged that Muneer and his brother-in-law Tariq Ahmad received a phone call on Wednesday morning from a local Police Inspector identified as Javed Ahmad stationed in Kupwara who took them to Ram Munshi Bagh Police Station and on Thursday Police informed them that Muneer has been found dead in the Police Station.”
     The family of Manhas has strongly negated the version of Police that the deceased was involved in fake currency racket and said that he was working in Territorial Army and if there were any charges against him the Police could have easily approached the concerned Battalion for his arrest, the commission has said. Fida has observed that the news items prima facie make out a case of human rights violations. “Therefore, taking Suo Moto cognizance in the matter, Office is directed to register this note and the news reports…. which shall form part of this order, as a complaint and in the first instance issue notices to Director General of Police, J&K, Dy. Commissioner Srinagar/Baramulla, Commanding Officer 166 Territorial Army C/O 56 APO and SHO P/S R. M. Bagh, Srinagar for their respective detailed factual reports in the matter. A copy of today’s order and press clippings be also sent to them,” the Commission has ordered. Manhas’s family has also been directed to appear on the next date of hearing and file correct statement of facts regarding the incident. (KNS)

  • Dr. Farooq asks people to guard their identity, culture, language

    Srinagar: National Conference Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah met various public delegations who called on him in Srinagar and took stock of public grievances, while assuring people that for National Conference the needs of the people come first.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that National Conference had a history of rendering sacrifices for the people of this State and is the sole guardian of J&K’s identity, culture, diversity and unity. Asking people to take pride in their culture and mother-tongue, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that the identity of a nation was its most valuable asset.
    Interacting with the public, Dr. Farooq said that Jammu & Kashmir had survived numerous conspiracies and ploys to dilute its unique constitutional status and that National Conference will never allow the apologetic proxies of communal parties to divide the people of this State for their short-term, electoral and political gains. Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that it was Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah who prepared and presented a blue-print for the welfare and progress of Jammu and Kashmir. It was Sheikh Sahib who demonstrated that political power was not an end in itself but the means to an end. Political power is a medium to protect, nourish and nurture the identity of a people and this ideal has been upheld by National Conference since its very creation.
    Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that it has always been the goal of National Conference to fight poverty, destitution and hopelessness and the party has achieved historic feats in mitigating the problems of our people. Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that the people of this glorious State had been dwarfed into slavery and servitude by brutal dictators and monarchies and it was National Conference that started the movement to give our peasants their rights and our people the pride of belonging to this glorious motherland.
    Speaking to the public delegations, Dr. Farooq Abdullah highlighted the importance of guarding our culture and languages in these changing times since these are the most vital assets of a nation that aspires greatness and glory. Party Leader Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, senior leader Main Altaf Ahmed, senior leader Ali Mohammad Sagar and A. R. Badana were also present there. (KNS)

  • Any attempt to extend Tosa Maidain lease unacceptable: Mirwaiz

    ‘Army in possession of 3000 acres of meadow, 6500 kanals of forest land in Tosa Maidan’
    Srinagar: Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Dr.  Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq has said that Jammu and Kashmir has become an area with the highest concentration of Armed forces in the world and India instead of decreasing its army establishment it is increasing on one excuse or the other in order to prolong its forced occupation of this land.
    Addressing a huge gathering at Srinagar’s Historic Jamia Masjid before Friday prayers, Mirwaiz said that any attempt to extend the lease of Tosa Maidan land to Army will be unacceptable. Mirwaiz said that India is trying to legitimize its huge army presence here and the people claiming to be the elected representatives are actively acting as helpers of Indian establishment in accomplishing their plans. He said in Tosa Maidan area  army besides occupying  three thousand acres (3000)  of meadow  has in its possession  six thousand five hundered (6500) kanals of forest land  the lease period for which  is expiring  this April.
    Mirwaiz said that according to general estimates seventy one thousand five hundred (71500) acres of land are under Army possession and in addition to that agricultural land including land used for horticulture in different areas and even the land at world famous tourist spots like Gulmarg, Tangmarg, Pahalgam, Soamarg etc. has been occupied by the Army and turned into army camps and mini cantonments. In Gulmarg alone one hundred eighty (180) acres of land has been illegally occupied by the army. Mirwaiz said that by bringing the land in these areas under the  army use the importance of these tourist destinations is intentionally being reduced besides destroying the forest cover and affecting the fragile eco system of these areas. Turing these areas into firing ranges has made the lives of the people living there miserable and vulnerable. In Tosa Maidan area alone sixty seven (67) innocent people have so far got killed  and many injured,due to the firing  related exercises by the army and unexploded shells lying around in the area
    Mirwaiz said that on the one hand the state government is talking about boosting tourism in Kashmir and on the other it is planning to hand over  large chunks of land at prominent tourist spots to Army thus destroying the historical and tourist  importance of these places.
    Mirwaiz said the way armys presence and writ  is increasing in the valley that  day is not far when the people of Jammu and Kashmir may require a permission from the army to visit  their  own tourist spots.
    While fully supporting the demand of local population for not extending the lease of Tosa Maidan land to army Mirwaiz said such  a step would be unacceptable and  greatly resisted by  the people. 
    Mirwaiz appealed  to the United Nations and International community to intervene and stop the vandalization of our  land and other resources by the army and use its influence for demilitarization of the area.He reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is a political issue involving the sentiments and aspirations of the people and no amount of military might can suppress it.  On this occasion a collective prayer led by Mirwaiz for the improvement in the prevailing unfavouralbe weather conditions in Kashmir was also offered in the Jamia. (KNS)

  • Mehbooba files second set of nomination papers

    Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Friday filed a second set of nomination papers for Anantnag Parliamentary constituency as ‘a matter of abundant caution’ due to some problem in her bank account.  
    The Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) Anantnag Ghulam Rasool Wani told KNS: “Yes we have received the second set of her nomination papers with all the details of her fresh bank account. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on April 7.”
    Syed Altaf Bukhari, PDP senior leader when contacted by KNS said, Mehbooba filed her second set of nomination papers as a measure of abundant precaution.
    As per the election commission rules, a candidate can file four sets of nomination papers either in a bunch or separately, said the ARO Anantnag Lok Sabha seat.   
    Sources said that the PDP president had submitted an active bank account number with the first set of her nomination papers but today she submitted a fresh bank account number opened in a nationalized bank here.
    The last date of submitting nomination papers for Anantnag Lok Sabha seat is April 5 while as these papers will be scrutinized on April 7. In the third of the five phases of polling in the state, Anantnag Lok Sabha seat is going to polls on April 24. (KNS)

  • Congress scores Shahi Imam’s support

    New Delhi: One of the country’s most prominent religious Muslim leaders has declared his support for the Congress for the national election which begins on Monday.

    Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid mosque in the capital, said today, “The nation is in danger from communal forces. We should ensure secular votes are not divided.”
    A few days ago, Congress president Sonia Gandhi met the Imam and asked him to ensure the minority vote in India is not split. Yesterday, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, accused Mrs Gandhi of indulging in “open communalism” by seeking votes on the basis of religion. The party has made the same complaint to the Election Commission. 
     
    The Imam also said today that Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party, which governs Uttar Pradesh, and which he had backed in the 2012 state polls, had failed to protect Muslims. He cited September’s riots in Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh in which nearly 60 people were killed and nearly 80,000 displaced in Hindu-Muslim violence.In retort, the Samajwadi Party’s Naresh Agarwal said that the Imam has a record of switching allegiances and that reports of his influence among Muslim voters are exaggerated.

    In 2004, the Imam flummoxed the Muslim community by endorsing the BJP’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Congress won 36 per cent of Muslim votes, and BJP could win only seven per cent, a sign that the Imam’s endorsement failed to influence the minority vote.

    In the next general election in 2009, the cleric backed the Congress.

    “This is a shameless attempt by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to polarise voters. The Election Commission should take note,” the BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad said after the Imam’s declaration.