Kashmir.Watch

Author: hamid

  • Geelani writes letter to Guv Vohra

    “Kashmir is essentially a political problem in need of a political solution”

    Srinagar: Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani Friday wrote an open letter to Governor NN Vohra, reading: “problem of Kashmir is essentially a political problem in need of a political solution.”
    According to a statement issued to Kashmir Today, “As the primary agent of Indian rule in occupied Jammu and Kashmir you must be very well in know that during the last seventy years the actions of your country have left tens of thousands of people dead in Jammu and Kashmir,” reads the letter.
    “Your army enforcedly disappeared thousands of people mostly youth, staged fake encounters, arbitrarily arrested and tortured the youth, destroyed property and resorted to arson and plunder as a collective punishment and as a war weapon against a population resisting Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir,” it adds.
    “Your state used all means of repression in the book including, systematic sexualized violence, to subdue our movement for freedom and justice. And you have found that a nation that has resolved to achieve freedom cannot be defeated,” it reads.
    “The past seventy years are a testimony to the courage, fortitude, resistance, resilience and repeated resurgence of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The history of freedom struggles across the world bear witness that military might and repression has always failed in the face of peoples’ yearning and determination for freedom,” it adds.
    “You very well know that the problem of Kashmir is essentially a political problem in need of a political solution. Because of the non-resolution of this issue the whole region lives in a state of fear, uncertainty and mistrust. Wars have been fought, thousands of lives lost, blood spilled but to no avail. This situation has remained so because of India’s refusal to grant right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, although India took this issue to the United Nations where many resolutions in this regard are pending implementation,” it reads.
    “Holding a referendum for the right to self-determination is the only way forward. As you are the key agency to oversee implementation of Indian policy in Jammu and Kashmir, it is your moral duty to convey Indian State to accept that Kashmir is a political problem and hence can only be resolved politically and not militarily. No amount of military might will resolve it as has been made evident over and over again in the past seven decades,” it adds.
    “Tell your state and your people not to soak their hands further in the blood of people who are just asking for their basic human and political right to which each individual and nation is entitled. We call on your conscience to help end this long chapter of deception, tyranny, death and destruction,” it reads.

  • Tweet Missiles from London will not get IIT and IIM to Kashmir Er Rasheed to Omar Abdullah

    Offers Omar support if he heads the agitation over the issue.

    Srinagar: AIP President and MLA Langate Er Rasheed has asked Omar Abdullah to stop wounding Kashmiris and reminded him that shooting tweets from streets of London will not get IIM and IIT for Kashmir. In a statement issued today Er Rasheed said, “Omar needs not to forget that dominance of Jammu region started from the day when his late grandfather converted Muslim Conference in to National Conference, just to please then Congress leadership and it was the start of an endless era of miseries for Kashmiris. It sounds good when Omar Shab shoots tweets from beautiful streets of London and cries regional discrimination but he needs know that battle for rights for Kashmiris needs to be fought on the streets of Srinagar. May one humbly ask Omar Shab where was his conscience when AIP had a three day sit in outside secretariat last year but none of the major political parties including NC uttered even a single word and down played the issue. The recordings and proceedings of assembly prove that NC didn’t ever support AIP’s demand at floor of the house seeking IIT and IIM for Kashmir. The party always speaks with one tune in Kashmir, second tune in Jammu and third one in Delhi. The latest example of playing regional and communal card by NC surfaced on 15th August when party boycotted all Independence Day functions in Kashmir as if it was expressing solidarity with people of Kashmir, but it’s provincial President Devendar Raina and other top leaders were sitting in front rows in independence day functions in Jammu province, trying to prove that they were more Indians than everybody else”. Er Rasheed asked Omar Abdullah that if he instead shooting tweet atomic missiles from foreign countries will start a sincere compaign for IIT and IIM, AIP will provide him full support and follow him at least over this issue. Er Rasheed also asked officers of J&K Police to learn a lesson from the incident that led to suspension of a senior Police officer for just receiving a suspicious phone call and added that despite none of his fault he was humiliated and orders for his suspension were issued at the directions of Home Ministry from New Delhi. He said that it yet again proved that New Delhi uses Kashmiri politicians and bureaucrats like tissue papers and the JKP force, who often try to prove more Indian than the Indians and commit atrocities on their own people, are not the exception.

     

     

  • Farooq Abdullah calls for resolution of Kashmir issue, says ‘friends can be changed, not neighbours’

    “All of us are looking for the way forward and not looking back at what happened,” he said, adding he was “always in favour of peace”.

    Srinagar: India and Pakistan must talk and solve the Kashmir issue to end terrorism in the region, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said, speaking for the first time since the ongoing unrest erupted in the Kashmir Valley.

    “Both countries must sit and have talks on Kashmir. That is the only solution to end terrorism, otherwise it will keep on escalating,” Abdullah told reporters after a meeting of opposition parties here.
    “All of us are looking for the way forward and not looking back at what happened,” he said, adding he was “always in favour of peace”.
    The National Conference President said he was concerned about the turmoil in the Kashmir Valley that has left over 90 people dead and thousands injured since the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
    The meeting of opposition parties discussed the Kashmir situation and the way the state and central governments were dealing with it.
    Abdullah said the situation demanded that “a solution needs to be found” to the vexed Kashmir issue.
    Abdullah, according to reports, said that friends could be changed but not the neighbours, in an obvious reference to India and Pakistan.
    Both the countries, he said, should sit down and settle the Kashmir issue.

  • Portugal’s Guterres appointed as next UN chief

    United Nations (United States) (AFP) – The UN General Assembly on Thursday appointed Antonio Guterres as the new secretary-general of the United Nations, in a shift towards a more high-profile leadership of the world body.

    The former prime minister of Portugal pledged to work as a “bridge-builder” and “honest broker” after the 193 member-states unanimously named him to be the world’s diplomat-in-chief beginning January 1.

    The socialist politician, who also served as UN refugee chief for a decade, is expected to play a more prominent role at the helm than Ban Ki-moon, the South Korean who will step down after two five-year terms.

    Guterres was greeted by loud applause as he entered the packed hall following the vote and told the assembly he was “fully aware of the challenges the UN faces and the limitations of the secretary-general.”

    “The dramatic problems of today’s complex world can only inspire a humble approach,” he said, adding that the UN chief “alone neither has all the answers, nor seeks to impose his views.”

    US President Barack Obama congratulated Guterres, saying in a statement that “he had the character, vision and skills needed to lead the United Nations at this critical moment.”

    Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned Guterres from the Kremlin and wished him success “in this important and demanding position.”

    French President Francois Hollande said “the world more than ever needs a strong United Nations” and praised Guterres for his demonstrated ability to “set a course of action, show leadership and enact reforms.”

    – End divisions over Syria –

    The appointment of the 67-year-old polyglot comes at a time of global anxiety over the ongoing war in Syria, the refugee crisis and raging conflicts in South Sudan and Yemen.

    On Syria, the most pressing crisis on the UN agenda, Guterres said it was time for world powers to overcome divisions about ending the war, just as key players were gearing up for a new round of talks at the weekend.

    “Whatever divisions might exist, now it’s more important to unite,” Guterres told reporters after the vote. “It’s high time to fight for peace.”

    The United States and Russia will be joined by regional heavyweights for talks in Lausanne on Saturday, and Washington will then meet with its European partners on Sunday.

    The Security Council is deadlocked over Syria after two draft resolutions were defeated in separate votes — one of them vetoed by Damascus ally Russia.

    – Fighting terror groups and populists –

    Guterres, the first former head of government to become UN chief, called for determined action to confront terror groups and populists who “reinforce each other” in their extremism.

    “We must make sure that we are able to break these alliances between all those terrorist groups or violent extremists on one side, and the expression of populism and xenophobia on the other side,” he said.

    The remarks were apparently directed at European far-right politicians and also US presidential contender Donald Trump, whose anti-immigrant rhetoric has caused global concern.

    Citing Guterres’ political and UN experience, US Ambassador Samantha Power said he brings “both head and heart” to what has been described as the most impossible job in the world.

    “We have selected a candidate who is prepared to cut past the jargon and the acronyms, and the sterile briefings, and get real,” she said.

    “He knows the only measure of our work here is whether we are or are not helping and supporting real people.”

    Guterres last week won the unanimous backing from the Security Council to take the helm of the United Nations, capping a campaign that saw 13 candidates run for the top post including, for the first time, seven women.

    The incoming UN chief has pledged to make gender parity a priority of his reforms during his five-year term at the world body.

    Women currently only make up 25 percent of senior leadership posts at the United Nations and there had been calls during the campaign for the first woman to be elected secretary-general, after eight men in the job.

  • GoI silent as integral part of country going trough worst crisis: Congress

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) vice president and MLC G N Monga today questioned the silence maintained by the Government of India over prevailing situation in the Valley.
    “At a time when integral part of the country is going through most difficult time, the silence maintained by the BJP led Centre government is unfortunate. What is stopping Narendra Modi led government from defusing the situation in Kashmir is questionable?” Monga said in a statement to KNS.
    He said that it seems from the last one and half months, the Central government has no interest over the happenings in Kashmir. “Even at the beginning of the unrest, it was efforts of Congress Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad sahib that the Center government sent an All Party delegation to Kashmir. But since then there has been no headway which is unfortunate,” he rued.
    Lashing out at Centre for adopting negligent attitude about the current turmoil prevailing in the Valley, the Congress leader said that people in Kashmir were suffering immensely for the last almost 100-days due to continuous strike, curfew and violence. “Every sphere of life has been badly hit by the unrest. While education sector has been the worst victim, the transporters, businessmen, people associated with tourism and other sectors are in deep crisis,” he said.
    “At a place where more than 90 people have been killed, thousands others injured, hundreds blinded or maimed for life, hundreds booked under PSA, the lack of concern on the part of Centre to put an end to current unrest is unfortunate. No serious efforts were being made by the government to put an end to the unrest,” Monga added.
    Appealing people of the State to maintain communal harmony and age old tradition of unity and brotherhood, JKPCC vice president said that people of the State have always respected emotions of one another and this time too, they should continue to remain united thereby not getting swayed by the elements vitiating peace and communal harmony to serve their vested interests. (KNS)

  • Various initiatives taken for all round development of children: Naeem Akhtar

    UDHAMPUR: Highlighting the importance of adopting new technological methods for imparting education and improving the functioning of schools, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar said that various initiatives have been taken by the government for all round development of children.

    The Minister said this while his visit to various government schools in Majalta.

    MLA Ramnagar R.S Pathania and Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Niraj Kumar accompanied the Minister.

    Highlighting the various initiatives taken by the government for providing quality education in schools the minister said that efforts have been taken to improve the standard of Government schools by conducting more academic programmes, vocational courses, improving the infrastructure, revisiting the curriculum and by maintaining required teacher to students  ratio in various Government schools.

    During the inspection of Government Middle School for Boys and Government Middle School for Girls the minister took stock of the quality of education being provided to the students. He also inspected different  classrooms and laboratories  and interacted with the students  of the schools to get an insight into the functioning of the schools.

    The Minister also inspected some locations  to identify suitable site for construction of the building of Government Degree College , Majalta  temporarily being run in a school building.

    Expressing his concern over the poor pass percentage of the Government Higher Secondary school Majalta  , the minister directed the concerned Principal to take immediate steps to improve the same .

    Later, a public grievance reddressal camp was also held at Mansar where the minister was apprised about the various problems being faced by the common masses of the area.

  • Kashmiriyat thrives despite unrest as local muslims get Kashmiri Pandits married

    A marriage between Kashmiri Pandits, graced by the efforts of local Muslims in Loswani tells more than what appears on the surface when turmoil has gripped Kashmir.

    In a rare instance of communal harmony and Kashmiriyat, Muslims arranged for the marriage of local Pandits in small village of Tahab in Pulwama District of south Kashmir.

    This comes at a time when Kashmir is reeling under possibly its worst unrest, stone pelting and witnessing protests every day for more than three months now.

    The Muslim community came forward and made arrangements for the marriage of Aashu Tikoo, the son of Maharaj Tikoo. Aashu, a resident of Tahab Pulwama got married to Neeshu Pandita of Loswani, Pulwama today.tahab1WEDDING BELLS

    Continuing the old tradition, the bridegroom reached the house of bride at 11 in the morning and returned at 8 in the evening, spending nine hours there along Bharaties including Muslims and Pandits together, before bringing the bride home at Tahab.

    At the residence of Aashu at tahab, locals Muslims arranged, and helped the family in all works. The community arranged wood and tents, cleaned the premises, and decorated the house and surroundings.

    In a rare instance of communal harmony and Kashmiriyat, Muslims arranged for the marriage of local Pandits in small village of Tahab in Pulwama District of south Kashmir.

    This comes at a time when Kashmir is reeling under possibly its worst unrest, stone pelting and witnessing protests every day for more than three months now.

     

    WHEN KASHMIRI SONGS FILLED THE AIR

    A scene was created when the women of two communities were seen singing local Kashmiri songs and dancing throughout the day alongwith the Pandit women who had come from Jammu to participate in the marriage ceremony.

    The bride’s village, Loswani, was lit up for the ceremony.tahab-2People of Muslim and Sikh Community were seen participating in the marriage, and were busy making arrangements for the bridegroom.

    Men and women came forward to arrange food, erect tents, treating guests and decorating the house and even were seen serving the food to pandit guests.

    ‘OLD BROTHERHOOD STILL ALIVE’

    Earlier on the Mehandi Raat at both the places, women of these communities spent the night while singing the Kasmiri songs.

    The Pandit guests, who are also migrants, expressed disbelief at the thread of brotherhood kept alive. Usha Kumari, a pandit guest from Jammu said, “I was amazed to see that our Muslim community women sang along us, men made most of the arrangements like serving food, erecting tents etc. It is unbelievable that the old tradition and brotherhood is still alive.”

    The locals said that the Pandits and Sikhs were and will remain their own people. (India Today)

  • Journalists hold silent protest against ban on ‘Kashmir Reader’ Demands revocation of ban

    Srinagar: Journalists working with local and other media outlets on Thursday held a silent protest demonstration at the Press Enclave against the ban on daily Kashmir Reader newspaper.
    According to KNS correspondent, the journalists demanded revocation of the ban on the newspaper, which completed 12 days on Thursday. Journalist expressed their displeasure by holding placards, banners and posters.
    The Srinagar magistrate on October 2 had asked the owner of Kashmir Reader not to publish the newspaper citing reasons that its contents ‘tends to incite violence and disturb peace and tranquility.’
    The Editors Guild of India had also asked chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to “reconsider the order to ban the publication” of Kashmir Reader. International rights watchdog Amnesty International also urged the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to revoke the ban, saying it is “against the spirit of democracy and freedom of press”.

  • Sacrifices will not go waste: Hizb

    Srinagar: Hizbul Mujhadeen has paid rich tributes to the Dr Ghulam Mohammad Raina of Hussipora, Chadoora.
    In an emailed statement to KNS, Hizb spokesperson Saleem Hashim quoting Supreme commander Syed Salahuddin as saying in a command council meeting that supreme sacrifices of Raina would not get waste.
    “Raina was a pious man and used to spend nights in the remembrance of Allah. In 1990, he left his profession as Doctor and joined Hizbul Mujahideen. His only Muhammad Yasir alias Muhammad Muzafar Riana also followed the footsteps of his father. He got martyrdom in 1991 while fighting with Indian troops,” reads the statement.
    Hizb has termed Raina an intellectual, adding, “His supreme sacrifices will not go waste. Despite harassments by Indian agencies, he remained firm for the cause.” (KNS)

  • Army facilitates peaceful Muharram processions

    ‘Medical Camps set up for providing immediate medical aid’

    Ganderbal: Army stepped forward to facilitate peaceful processions through the traditional routes as Ashoora-e-Moharram was observed with religious fervour and solemnity.
    In a show of solidarity and bonhomie and to ensure peace and clam the Army camps at Sumbal and Widdipora undertook a unique initiative to assist the mourners in every possible way. The Camp established various sharbat points, “Sabeel” (Spring of life- Giving Water) for mourners and provided Water Tankers as part of the processions. Medical Camps were also set up for providing immediate medical aid to the mourners.