Kashmir.Watch

Author: hamid

  • ‘I Sacrificed Something Very Dear to Me for Kashmir’: Shah Faesal

    The former IAS officer says the Kashmiri people can be pacified if the environment of siege is lifted.

    Srinagar: On January 9, Dr Shah Faesal, who topped the 2010 civil service examinations and worked as an IAS officer in Jammu and Kashmir, resigned from the civil services to protest the “unabated killings in Kashmir” and the “rise of Hindutva forces”.

    Before a press conference in Srinagar on January 11, Faesal gave an exclusive interview to The Wire, speaking about his reasons for quitting the services and the difference he hopes to make in the state nonetheless.

    Was resigning a decision you made in the heat of the moment?

    I have been thinking about it for the last two years.

    So why now, when elections are around the corner – rather than in 2016 or 2018, for example, when hundreds were killed in Kashmir?

    It was a strategic decision. In life, we need to wait for the right moment to make the right decision for the right impact. I don’t want a knee-jerk reaction. I wanted a well considered response.

    Would you encourage others to go into the civil services, despite having quit yourself?

    I am not leaving service because of disillusionment. I didn’t fail. I didn’t find myself suffocated. It was only that in Kashmir people have been making immense sacrifices to be heard. People gave up their lives, their jobs, their dreams – and I also sacrificed something very dear to me to put the spotlight on the Kashmir situation.

    You said, “I will do what the youth of Kashmir want me to do.” What if they suggest that you join the separatists? Would you?

    I am a man from the system. I believe in making change from within the system. I believe in electoral politics which is a no-go area for separatists.

    In your announcement on Wednesday, you said you resigned to protest ‘unabated killings’ in Kashmir. Many people have pointed out that you’re joining a party that also has blood on its hands.

    I have not joined any party yet. It is all speculation.

    There have been rumours for several months that you are joining the National Conference. If that’s already planned, why have you asked the youth to decide? And why the NC?

    I might not join any existing mainstream party at all.

    In an interview with the Indian Express, you acknowledged that a pro-India band of politicians is not the true representative of the people of Kashmir. How will you fit yourself in with career politicians if you believe they have no moral compass?

    I said we can re-imagine the politics and represent the people correctly.

    At a press conference yesterday, Awami Ittehad Party chief Engineer Rashid invited you to join his party. What’s your response?

    I am happy that Er. Rashid made that offer. It is very kind of him.

    How do you plan to play a role in stopping the bloodshed in Kashmir?

    Bloodshed is linked to the denial of justice to the Kashmiri people and the absence of any credible political outreach from the Centre. If we end the environment of siege in Kashmir, give people space for dissent, listen to the youth, then we can pacify the anger.

    Has your decision anything to do with your controversial social media posts? Like the one about “rapistan” – after which many people in mainstream media and politics censured you?

    Those posts were symptoms of the frustration that I was going through. This resignation is a culmination of that protest against the inability of the government to bring in effective enforcement measures to curb the rape culture.

    Some say it was ambition that moved you to quit the civil services and toward politics. True?

    Nothing wrong in being ambitious as long as it’s about using the power to change lives of the people. Life is about a constant search for meaning. The journey has to go on.

    The Interview Was Done By Auqib Javed For The Wire.

  • Kashmir struggle not driven by social media platforms: Sehrai

    Srinagar, Jan 12 : Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Chairman, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai said that the people of Kashmir are neither misinformed nor this ‘indigenous political freedom struggle’ is driven by social media platforms.
    According to a statement issued , Sehrai was reacting on General Bipin Rawat’s statement in which he had said ‘Kashmiri youth is being radicalized with misinformation by social media’.
    “The General is deliberately issuing such statements and labeling educated Kashmiris as radicalized just to hoodwink the people of India,” he said, adding that Army chief should be in know of the fact that people of Kashmir were demanding for their right to self determination peacefully since 1947 when such media platforms even doesn’t exist.
    He said before labeling Kashmiris as radicalized, General Rawat should realize that Kashmiri nation was not fighting any nation or any political party but striving for its just rights, which had been promised to them seven decades back by the international community including India’s first prime minister unfortunately, which India had so far dealt with ‘brute force’ since decades.
    “The Indian military and political leadership had no other option but to come to the grips of the reality that Kashmir issue cannot be dealt with military might or with threats but by involving all parties to Kashmir dispute in a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue process, which could also help to end political uncertainty in entire South Asia,” he said.
    Furthermore, Sehrai anguished over the frequent Cordon-and-Search-Operations (CASOs), terming it as a collective punishment.
    Condemning the frequent door to door search operations and arresting youth in south Kashmir districts Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama, Sehrai said, “This is the collective punishment inflicted on the people in the winter months that deserve all condemnation.”
    Sehrai said forces have unleashed ‘a reign of terror’ across South Kashmir by launching frequent CASOs where in people of all ages including elderly, women and children are asked to stay out of their house in the biting cold for hours together and then “harassing and arresting youth is a dangerous ploy to further pushing them to the wall. This way, people are subjected to collective punishment. He demanded an immediate end to these operations.”
    Sehrai strongly denounced the arbitrary arrest of three youth Tawseef Lone, Abdul Samad Inquilabi and Suhail Parray of Bandipora, and shifting them to outside the Valley and slapping the PSA on them.

  • Khurshid Alam looted CAPD, made huge property: Akbar Lone

    SRINAGAR: While reacting over the statement of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Khurshid Alam, Senior Leader National Conference (NC) said that ‘a bad workman always blames his tools’.

    He said it is like, “ulta chor kotwal ko dante”. While speaking to News agency Press Trust of Kashmir Akbar Lone said, “Everything from loot, blackmailing, all have done by PDP”.

    Akbar Lone asked, “Where from Khurshid Alam got all the property.”How many vehicles you (Alam) have on your own name, Lone asked.

    Akbar Lone added, “Khurshid Alam was a small employee. Where from he got this much property. He was a Looter. He looted in CAPD food department.

    Lone further added that he was in touch with PDP and then he became an MLC. “He should tell people where from he got all this property”.

    “Rather than learning from the breakup with BJP, PDP has become more arrogant and is more obsessed with its agenda of spreading the poison of hatred,” he said.

    Lone added, “He looted rice from the department and then he made lot of property and now he is talking about Sagar Sahab.

    Lone added Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has done everything against people of Kashmir. “PDP’s tall rhetoric has fallen flat on its face and this recent list of the JKVIB is another proof of PDP’s insidious and nepotistic style of politics. Most of the people figuring in the final list issued by KVIB are either children of close associates of PDP leaders or have direct patronage from the powers that be,”.

    He added PDP owing to the dearth of leadership in its fold is employing those with corrupt back ground to absolve Mufti’s of their undaunted attacks on state’s special status. “Posterity will never forgive Mufti’s for destroying state’s special character. PDP allow BJP to entre Kashmir and destroy the real status of Kashmir”, he said.

    He added that National conference care about the feeling of people and always tries its best to solve all the issue of Kashmir Lone added. (PTK)

  • Atmosphere in Kashmir peaceful: Guv Malik

    Says ‘militants failed to vitiate atmosphere, Pak frustrated after successful conduct of Panchayat polls’

    Srinagar, Jan 12: Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Satya Pal Malik on Saturday said that atmosphere in Kashmir is peaceful, saying that the militants have failed to vitiate peaceful environment in the Valley.
    As per Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, talking to reporters in Jammu, Governor Malik said that Pakistan is frustrated after the peaceful conduct of Panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir. “The militants were asked by their chief to vitiate the peaceful environment in the Valley but they failed to do so as the forces with the help of people, who are supporting us, foiled their plans,” he said.
    About the killing of Army men including a major on LOC, the Governor called it as ‘frustration of Pakistan’, saying that the forces are giving them (Pakistan forces) a befitting reply on border and the infiltrators are not being allowed to cross the border, adding these attacks are the outcome of successful conduct of Panchayat polls that indicates the ‘frustration’ of Pakistan.
    About Shah Faesal’s resignation from country’s elite service and his plans to join politics, Malik wished Faesal well for his future course of action but said “it could have been better in case he could have sustained to serve the people being an IAS.”
    “I don’t know what he has done in IAS and what he is going to do in politics but I would like to wish him a well,” he added.
    Governor Malik also said that his administration is concerned over the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley. (KNS)

  • Gunfight rages in Kulgam Village

    Srinagar, January 12: Gunfight erupted in Katapora area of Yaripora in South Kashmir’s Kulgam between militants and goverment forces.

    Reports coming from Katapora says that a joint team of army and SOG kulgam launched cordon and search operation.

    As the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot the hiding militants fired upon goverment forces triggering an encounter.

    A senior Police officer also Confirmed about exchange of firing between militants and goverment forces.

    As per sources two to three militants are believed trapped.

    Till this report was filed intermittent firing was going on.

  • If NC Comes Into Power Operation All Out has to go: Farooq Abdullah

    ISLAMABAD: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president and member Parliament Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said the party wouldn’t support ‘Operation All-out’ launched against the militants if his party is elected to power with a majority in the upcoming assembly elections.

    While talking to the reporters at south Kashmir’s Islamabad town, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said that talking to Pakistan was imperative.“ I request Rajnath Singh to send an invitation to Hurriyat before elections and it is very important to talk to Pakistan,” Dr Farooq said.

    “How can we support something where there is suppression? We do not want our people to be beaten at their homes. We are not going to support any violation of human rights, we live in a free country,” he said.

    He said that there should be a reconciliation commission to probe the killings of 2016, “we will announce on the very (first) day when the new government takes over that we will appoint such a commission (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) and see to it that the results are brought before the people not only in Jammu and Kashmir but in rest of the world,” he said.

  • At JKEDI, influentials with experience of casual labour gets grade equivalent to junior scale KAS officer

    Within less than six years influential officer raised to grade pay equivalent to IAS officer at behest of Director

    Shocking it may sound but it is true that Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneur Development Institute (JKEDI) has apparently created a safe haven for accommodating and adjusting blue eyed candidates at the behest of incumbent Director.

    In a glaring example, an influential officer, who had experience of casual labour was appointed to the post with grade pay equivalent to junior scale KAS officer. “A lady officer, who was appointed as Jr. Stenographer on contract for a period of two years vide order No. EDI-83 of 2007 dated 11.9.2007 and her services were regularized vide order No. EDI-141 of 2009 dated 19.9.2009,” said sources, adding that later on the Institute advertised post of Executive Assistant to Director on Stop Gap Arrangement. The eligibility for the post was Graduate with a speed of 70 words per minute in Shorthand and work experience of five years.

    Sources maintained that the lady officer was earlier working as Casual Labour on Need Basis in Water Works Division Srinagar. Her experience as Casual Labour on need basis was considered fraudulently by the Director for the post of Executive Assistant, which is equivalent to the post of Junior Scale KAS Officer.

    “Later on in the month of March, 2013 she was adjusted as Executive Secretary to the Director in the 4thpay scale of Rs.15600-39100 with GP of Rs.6600/- without any order and procedure,” alleged sources, adding that by this type of fraud by the Director, she gained the experience of five years and was promoted as Sr. Manager in the pay scale of Rs.15600-39100 with GP of Rs.7600/- which is equivalent to the Grade of Sr Scale IAS officer.

    Moreover, sources said that there were six posts of Training Associates available in the Institute. Dheeraj Handoo, Irshad Kar, Sabia Manzoor, Akhter Bashir and Ishfaq Ahmad Dar were appointed against five post and one post was kept deliberately vacant.

    “Sixth post of Training Associate was advertised and Vijay Kumar was appointed and as per the minutes, sister of influential lady officer was appointed under waiting list as the seventh candidate against the sanctioned strength of six posts which is totally a fraud and damage to the state exchequer,” said sources, adding that all these malpractices were held at the behest of incumbent director-JKEDI that too violating the very mandate of the institute.

    This Story First Appeared In The Typewriter

  • Let us give up beaten tracks and stop disgracing our own self respect further

    I have been constantly of the opinion that NC had always a strong base and hold and even in much talked 1987 elections Kashmiris voted for NC

    Er Rasheed

    In a sensitive state like J&K where six lac precious lives have been lost since 1947 and the final settlement of the political dispute is yet to come, a stable government should always be the first choice. Omar Abdullah rightly asked people not to give a fractured mandate in upcoming assembly elections. Before asking masses to give his party overwhelming mandate he is morally duty bound to introspect and answer what happened to the previous huge mandates which his party got from time to time. In fact only party which got an absolute or even two-thirds majority in any election till 2002 has been none other than NC. After Indra Abdullah accord, in all the three general elections to state assembly in – 1977, 1983 and 1987 – NC got two-thirds majority.
    I have been constantly of the opinion that NC had always a strong base and hold and even in much talked 1987 elections Kashmiris voted for NC. Unfortunately from 1975to 1990 party couldn’t restore the autonomy which it publically promise and even in Indra Abdullah accord there is no such agreement or assurance. After Kashmiris took up arms NC again participated in 1996 elections, even against the wishes of its own cadres, as New Delhi was running out of options. However, party promised again restoration of autonomy as it’s main objective without realising that sacrifices of Kashmiri’s deserve implementation of UN resolutions, not restoration of autonomy.

    Political analysts were always of the opinion that autonomy slogan is nothing but New Delhi’s prescription to dilute and confuse the Kashmir cause. Still a small minority within J&K were of the opinion that if NC gets autonomy restored it may prove a step in the right direction for the ultimate resolution, but nothing happened and NC went on making new promises only to break old ones. People felt further let down creating a political vacuum. NC often cries victim saying that PDP was the creation of New Delhi to weaken NC, dividing the mandate of Kashmiris.
    Respectfully one can ask NC leaders if they thought J&K as their colony; shouldn’t it be always left to the wisdom of masses to make the better choice. One wonders what NC has been accusing New Delhi of, PDP is accusing of the same when other smaller political parties are launched in J&K. It is ironical that those who always acted as proxies of New Delhi, talk about sentiments, sacrifices, and aspiration of Kashmiri people. Should every individual surrender and sacrifice his self-respect and legitimate opinion only because it makes betrayal difficult for NC and PDP.
    Had NC implemented even one tenth of its promises it would not have been reduced to 15 seats from 58 seats. It is for Omar Abdullah and his team to answer that who divided Kashmiris and why. Those who believe in their words, and have a conviction, don’t need authentication from New Delhi and Islamabad; they always derive strength from the masses and their own conscience. Omar Abdullah has thrown the ball in people’s court and now people should decide if they believe supporting NC is remedy to their sufferings. If they still hold the opinion that both NC and PDP are responsible for their miseries, It is a golden opportunity to uproot both of them.
    A leadership by the people, for the people and of the people must emerge that should dare to tell New Delhi that enough is enough, and the only way to bring peace, not only to J&K but the entire sub-continent, is to give Kashmiris the right to self-determination on both side of LOC.
    Let us give up beaten tracks and stop disgracing our own self respect further.

  • Fresh snowfall in Kashmir, weather to improve from Sunday

    Srinagar, Jan 12: Widespread snowfall started across the Kashmir Valley on Saturday as the weather office said there would be an improvement in the weather from Sunday.
    An official of the MET department said the minimum temperatures improved across Jammu and Kashmir because of the night-long cloud cover bringing in some respite from the severe cold wave.
    Srinagar recorded minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam minus 0.9 and Gulmarg minus 2.4 as the minimum temperatures on Saturday.
    Leh town recorded minus 11.9 degrees Celsius, Kargil minus 16.8 and Drass minus 10.3 as the night’s lowest temperatures.
    Jammu city recorded 8.5 degrees Celsius, Katra 6.6, Batote 1.8, Bannihal 0.7 and Bhaderwah 0.6 as the minimum temperatures. (KNS)

  • Ready for Assembly polls in JK: Governor

    ‘Kashmiri youth has not much to do in evening’

    Jammu: Governor Satya Pal Malik Friday said the administration was ready for assembly elections in the state and a call in this direction should be taken by the Election Commission of India and New Delhi.
    “Whenever, they (ECI) tell us, we are ready for the polls to Assembly,” Malik told reporters here after the oath-taking ceremony of sarpanch of Jammu region.
    On IAS officer Shah Faesal’s resignation, he said he himself was a government employee and did not wish to comment on the matter.
    The ECI had in November last said fresh elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be held within the next six months, even as the body did not rule out the possibility of holding the state polls before the Lok Sabha polls due this year.
    “The Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls must be held on the first occasion before May. It could be held before the parliamentary elections also,” Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat had said.
    He said as per the Supreme Court, the outer limit for holding fresh polls after the dissolution of the House was six months, that is May, 2019.
    It may be recalled that the Government of India (GoI) on December 28 told the Lok Sabha that Jammu and Kashmir Governor had no option but to recommend President’s Rule in the state as no party or alliance staked claim to form the government.
    Malik further said the Kashmiri youth has not much to do in the evening as he asked authorities to build a playground in every village of the state.
    He said sports helps in overall development.
    “The youth has nothing to do after 6 pm even in Srinagar city. They do not have a cinema hall, cafes or a place to go out for entertainment,” Malilk said while addressing sarpanches here.
    The Governor said that he has instructed its deputy commissioners to ensure carving out of playgrounds in every village.
    He also announced to set up two international stadiums in Jammu and Srinagar.
    Talking about the active participation of the youth of the state in sports, he said Real Kashmir, a football team of Kashmir, recently defeated Mohun Bagan football club and the match was watched by 27,000 people.
    On the recently held local bodies elections, he said despite receiving threat calls, the state managed to conduct peaceful polls. PTI