Category: Union Territory

Demands timely completion and fair probe in Sopore incident

Jammu: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday said the Army’s probe findings in Shopian encounter admitting violations of Standard Operating Procedures and Army conduct rules will significantly reduce the trust deficit and alienation among people in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference at the Party office in Gandhi Nagar Jammu, Bukhari extended gratitude to the country’s top leadership, NSA and the army top brass for fulfilling their commitment to a fair and transparent probe in the incident. “The firm stand taken by the Army in this case will go a long way in restoring lost trust and confidence among people,” he said.

He was flanked by the party’s vice president Choudhary Zulfikar Ali, general secretary Vijay Bakaya, provincial president Jammu province Manjit Singh, provincial president women’s wing Jammu Namrita Sharma, party leaders Bod Raj Bagat, Madan Lal Chalotra and others.

Bukhari hoped that a stern action would be taken against the guilty and the victim families of Rajouri are paid adequate compensation at an earliest. “Though the loss of human lives can’t be compensated through any means, but the speedy justice can heal their wounds to a large extent,” he observed.

Apni Party president also demanded the time bound completion of magisterial probe ordered in Sopore youth’s killing in a fair and transparent manner.

“These measures are not only essential for improving the accountability mechanisms but imparting more credibility to the security institutions in itself. We need to understand patterns of human rights violations and be firm to end the impunity. Zero tolerance against human rights violations is indispensable for successful transformative processes in J&K,” Bukhari pleaded.

On the sudden spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in J&K, Bukhari highlighted the gaps and measures that need to be taken to combat the pandemic effectively. He censured the administration for its contradictory claims about the healthcare infrastructure in government run hospitals, the inadequacy of which is also a contributing factor in the rising number of fatalities by this deadly pandemic.

“There is an acute shortage of oxygen supply, ventilators and beds in the COVID dedicated hospitals across J&K. There is bad management of the COVID situation in J&K and we need a dedicated approach from the government to stem the spread of this deadly pandemic. I call upon the government of India to help out the J&K administration at this critical juncture.”

Welcoming the Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha’s announcement of Rs 1350 Cr. economic package for the revival of ailing business sector, Bukhari said though a good beginning has been made but the Government of India needs to be more liberal in its packages in view of the magnitude of J&K’s shattered economy.

“Since the Lt. Governor has announced this package today, we will go through it before making some opinion. However, according to estimates made by the chambers of commerce and industry, J&K has witnessed a loss of over 40,000 Crores since August last year. The government of India needs to keep this whooping loss into consideration if it is serious in revival of our ailing economy,” Bukhari remarked.

Apni Party president also demanded a comprehensive job policy for redressal of rising unemployment in J&K. “It is highly unfortunate that instead of generating more employment J&K government has rendered around 3000 engineers jobless by abolishing the Self Help Group scheme. It needs to be revived again.

Similarly, the government must go for immediate regularisation of daily wagers, Daily Rated Workers, Casual Workers, Workers on Consolidated wages, ITI Skilled Labourers, HDF workers and Contingency Paid workers,” he said, and pressed for early absorption of Rehbar-e-Khel aspirants on the pattern of ReTs.
Bukhari also demanded registration and issuance of license to more than 25000 qualified Pharmacists and medical assistants who have completed their course before 5th august 2019. “This is a humanitarian issue and we need to deal with it more compassionately,’ he observed.

Highlighting the plight of Kashmiri Pandit community, Bukhari laid emphasis on fast tracking of recruitment for PMs Migrant Employment Package so that the sufferings of the community are lessened to some extent.
On the restoration of 4G internet services, Bukhari said the government of India needs to look beyond exaggerated security concerns and provide high speed mobile internet in J&K at an earliest.

“This is absolutely a cruel joke with the people of J&K especially its tech savvy youth who want to excel in every field of their life. The union home ministry should lift the ban and order restoration of 4G internet in J&K,’ he demanded.

Bukhari also urged the government of India to consider inclusion of Punjabi as well as Pahari and Gojri languages in the official languages announced for J&K recently. “This will remove the sense of neglect among a large section of Punjabi and Gojri speaking people in J&K,” he observed.

Apni Party president also called for abolition of SRO 202 and immediate repatriation of J&K Employees from Ladakh UT. He also demanded revised and comprehensive policy on minor mineral rights for J&K residents.

Bukhari also spoke on restoration of passenger traffic on vital regional road connectivity links like Mughal Road and Kishtwar-Sinthan roads.

“The government of India should also go for construction of tunnels at Peer Ki Gali on Mughal Road, Singhtur and Vailoo on Sinthan Road and at Sadhna Top in Karnah Kupwara in order to reduce the distance and make these routes all weather regional connectivity links. Besides this there is a dire need for speedy completion of Jammu-Srinagar Railway line,” he demanded.

On this occasion, Mr. Faqeer Nath, SC leader and former MLA from Chenani, Prem Lal SC leader and former MLA from Hira Nagar joined Apni Party. Pertinently, Mr. Nath has remained General Secretary of the Panthers Party.

Several other political activists like Shakti Gupta Chairman of trade union (PDD), Vijay Mangotra Senior Vice President Masha Sadar Sabha J&K and Mohammad Sadeeq Ahmad, Sarpanch Baboor (Doda) also joined the party today.
Welcoming the new entrants, Bukhari said their joining will further strengthen the Apni Party at the grassroots level.

“The joining of all these veterans reflect the rising acceptability and credibility of the Apni Party agenda among the people. I am sure our party will gain from their vast experiences and their joining will further boost our cadres on the ground,” Bukhari added. (KINS)

‘Sports to give new direction to JK youth’: Lt Governor

Srinagar: International cricketer Suresh Raina today called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha here today.

The celebrity cricketer, on the request of Lt Governor, agreed to set up five schools in Kashmir division and an equal number in Jammu division to train the aspiring cricketers, particularly the youngsters from remote areas of the UT. He revealed that talent would be identified and selected from all regions of J&K, trained by professionals and would be equipped to play at the International level.

The Lt Governor appreciated the gesture of the cricketer. He also informed the latter of the government’s resolve of developing sports culture in the UT. ‘With sports and education, we shall give a new direction to the talented youth of J&K’, said the Lt Governor.

Those present in the meeting included Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam; Principal Secretary, School Education & Skill Development, Dr Asgar Samoon; Principal Secretary to Lt Governor, Nitishwar Kumar and Secretary, Youth Services & Sports, Sarmad Hafeez.

Lt Governor sets timelines for digitization of Revenue records and delivery of Domicile Certificates

Srinagar: The government is authorizing Naib Tehsildars to issue Domicile Certificates to PRC holders and their family members. The decision was announced by Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha at a meeting while reviewing the working of Revenue department and the Auqaf.

Advisors to Lt Governor, KK Sharma and Farooq Khan; Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam; Principal Secretary Revenue Department and Inspector General of Registration Dr Pawan Kotwal; Principal Secretary to Lt Governor, Nitishwar Kumar; CEO Board of Directors for specified Wakafs and specified Wakaf properties,Mufti Mohammad Farid ud Din; Commissioner Survey Land Records, Shahnawaz Bukhari and senior officers of Revenue and Auqaf were present in the meeting.

During the review meeting, Lt Governor was briefed in detail about the working and organizational structure of the Revenue Department. He was apprised about status of the first phase of ongoing process of scanning and settlement of land records in Jammu and Srinagar. The Lt Governor set timeline for digitization of all revenue records on speedy basis by September 30, 2020.

He also directed to complete the Cadastral survey under Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) across all districts of the UT by the end of May, 2021

While enquiring about the status of delivery of Domicile certificates in the UT, the Lt Governor directed to complete all long pendency by 30th September, 2020.

To speed up the process, Lt Governor announced to authorise Naib Tehsildars in addition to the Tehsildars for issuing Domicile certificate to all the PRC holders and their family members on priority.

Srinagar: Political parties across the division has welcomed the outcome of the army enquiry conducted in Shopian encounter in which army had claimed three militants were killed; who later turned out civilians from Rajouri.

Army on Friday said that a high-level Court of Inquiry set up by it into the July 18 encounter at Amshipora Shopian has concluded, bringing out “certain prima facie evidence indicating that during the operation, powers vested under the AFSPA 1990 were exceeded.

Army also said “Do’s and Don’ts of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) as approved by the Supreme Court have been contravened”.

Soon after the Army issued a statement regarding the outcome of the enquiry in Shopian encounter, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to Twitter and wrote, ” The families of the three murdered men had continued to proclaim their innocence.

Disciplinary action initiated by the army would suggest the army agrees with the families. The process must remain transparent & the guilty must face the full weight of the law.”

Senior Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party leader Ghulam Hassan Mir demanded punishment to the guilty and compensation for the families.

Taking to KNS, Mir said, ” army enquiry proved it was a fake encounter. Action should be taken against all those who were involved in it. These young boys won’t come back but atleast Government other than punishing guilty should pay compensation to their families.

PDP leader and Youth President Waheed Ur Rehman Parra said Government should also punish those involved in killing of Batmaloo woman and custodial killing in Sopore.

“We welcome any move towards the justice but question is guilty should bepunished. But an ecosystem of fear, fake encounters, custodial killings, attrocities has been created where some people think they can do these acts and get away with it. The Government should also provide justice in custodial killing of Sopore youth, cross firing killing of a woman in Batmaloo. Will Government justify killing of a woman in crossfire, custodial killing of a Sopore youth.”(KNS)

PLA has deployed over 12,000 troops, with tanks and artillery guns

New Delhi: The strategically-located Depsang Plains in Ladakh did not find any mention in defence minister Rajnath Singh’s detailed statements in Parliament despite Chinese soldiers blocking all Indian patrols there since April and a massive mobilisation by the two rival armies in the region.

A senior defence official, asked about this by TOI on Thursday, said Depsang was an “old lingering issue” that should not be “equated or conflated” with the “new flashpoints” in Pangong Tso-Chushul, Gogra-Hotsprings and Galwan Valley area this year.

“There is no immediate military stand-off at Depsang, where there are huge overlapping claims about the Line of Actual Control (LAC). There is no fresh attempt to change the status quo there,” he added.

But there is growing concern in security circles that China could be diverting India’s attention from the far more important Depsang region through its aggressive manoeuvres in the Pangong Tso-Chushul and other areas lower down along the frontier in Ladakh.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has for the last five months been actively blocking Indian soldiers in Depsang from going to their traditional Patrolling Points 10, 11, 11A, 12 and 13, which are well short of India’s LAC claim further to the east there, as was earlier reported by TOI.

PLA troops camping near the ‘Bottleneck’ or ‘Y-junction’ area in Depsang, which is around 18 km inside what India perceives to be its territory, swing into action to block an Indian patrol whenever they see it approaching.

China, in fact, claims 972 square km of territory in the region. A core concern for Beijing is that the Depsang-Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) sector is in close proximity to its Western Highway G-219, which connects the Tibetan Autonomous Region to Xinjiang.

The PLA has deployed over 12,000 troops, with tanks and artillery guns, from its 4th Motorised Infantry Division and 6th Mechanised Infantry Division, in its depth areas across the LAC there.

Since May, India has also counter-deployed with two additional brigades (each has around 3,000 troops) as well as tank and mechanised infantry regiments in the Depsang tabletop plateau, which located at an altitude of 16,000 feet provides access to the DBO advance landing ground and the critical Karakoram Pass in the north.

“India could be playing into the hands of China by trying to delink Depsang from the friction points to the south and allowing the PLA to get away with what it wants,” another officer said.

“Unlike the Line of Control with Pakistan, which is physically held with permanent deployments, the only way to press our claim along the LAC is to patrol to our PPs. But access to our PPs has been cut off in Depsang,” he added.

The last major troops face-off in Depsang Plains, incidentally, took place in April-May 2013. The PLA troops had then intruded 19 km across the LAC to camp at the Raki Nalla area, with the confrontation finally resolved after 21 days of hectic diplomatic negotiations.

With inputs from Times of India

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

This temple was built around 200 years ago and is believed to be dedicated to Lord Ram. The construction of the temple was done by Maharaja Gulab Singh in the year 1835.

The temple will be ready within the next four to five months, following which it will be reopened for the public.

Acenturies-old temple, situated on the banks of River Jhelum in Srinagar’s old town area, is being renovated by the Jammu and Kashmir tourism department after 30 years.

Noor Mohammad, an official with the tourism department, said, “This temple is around 300 years old. We are doing restoration work of the temple. We are restoring the maharaja brickwork, CGI sheeting and taking all the stuff and mud out.”

“We have been given Rs 43 lakh for its restoration and we have been working here for the last three months. We are sure people will come here after the restoration.”

He said the temple will be ready within the next four to five months, following which it will be reopened for the public.

This temple was built around 200 years ago and is believed to be dedicated to Lord Ram. The construction of the temple was done by Maharaja Gulab Singh in the year 1835.

The Kashmiri Pandits in the valley have welcomed the step and said all the temples which have been left in ruins need to be restored soon.

Sanjay Tickoo of the Kashmir Pandit Sangharsh Samiti said: “It is a welcome step that Raghunath temple which is 250-300 years old is getting renovated. We are happy that the temple bells will again reverberate and puja will be held.”

“And we are hopeful that all the temples which are in ruins will be restored so that people can go and pray at these places.’’

The tourism department under the smart city scheme has taken up three projects of renovation in Srinagar city. The Raghunath temple, a church at Dalgate and a mosque in the downtown area of Srinagar will be renovated.

The church, also believed to be 200 years old, is being renovated by the tourism department in Srinagar. A shrine and gurdwara are other structures that are being restored as part of the project.

Mohd Afzal, the individual supervising the church restoration at Dalgate, said, “This is an old church and tourism department is doing these restorations, we have started with roofing of the church and we want to bring back the church in its original glory. It is completely damaged and we are expecting that within months we will be able to restore it.”

The government said this is the first step taken towards restoration of these historic monuments and more such steps will be taken in future.

With inputs from India Today

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Political leaders in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) are pitching for the region to become the country’s fifth province following the provocative move by India last year to abrogate the contentious Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.

Gilgit Baltistan was earlier known as the Northern Areas and once part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, the region has been under Pakistani control since 1947.

However, since New Delhi on Aug. 5 revoked the special status hitherto enjoyed by its side of Kashmir and further split it into two federally administered territories, many residents of Gilgit Baltistan are urging Islamabad to fully incorporate the region as a full-fledged province of Pakistan.

“We’re patriotic Pakistanis as our elders liberated this region from Dogra rulers in 1947 and no one here [GB] is ready to accept the Indian claim over Gilgit Baltistan,” Muhammad Ali Khan, the provincial minister of GB, told Anadolu Agency.

“From day one we merged with Pakistan and now the government should declare this region a fifth province of the country,” he added.“You can watch the Pakistani flag on houses and buildings in the region, which show our people’s decision,” said, pointing to the banners hoisted on local residents’ houses and buildings, on Aug. 14 Pakistan’s Independence Day.

Why provincial status for Gilgit Baltistan?Currently, much of administrative power related to the region rests with the Federal Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, including the final say on all regional legislation and policies.“The government of Pakistan has granted limited powers to GB. However, much power still rests with the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan,” Khan said.

The region also has no representation in the national assembly, nor in the country’s senate.In 2009, then-President Asif Ali Zardari had granted limited autonomy and renamed the region from the Northern areas to Gilgit-Baltistan. Under the 2009 Gilgit Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order, the region received a status similar to provinces and created its own provincial assembly with offices of governor and chief minister. However, the chief minister and provincial assembly have limited powers.

“The full provincial status would provide opportunities of jobs, development and much power to the local government and would pave the way for local youth to join the civil service and serve their region. Currently, all senior officers in all key posts in GB are from other provinces,” Naveed Akbar, a local student from Karakoram University, said.

“If India has scrapped the special status of Indian-occupied Kashmir and divided it into two union territories, then why isn’t Pakistan stepping up to declare GB its fifth province?” Akbar asked.

Political leaders also want to abolish the Gilgit-Baltistan council and transfer its powers to a Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, as well as eliminate the role of the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs.Tax-free zoneCurrently, the GB region enjoys the status of a tax-free zone and the local government has no power to introduce taxes in the region, while the federal government subsidizes wheat and petroleum products for locals.

“Without taxes, no government can run and develop its region. When I introduced some taxes, local people resisted and the federal government withdrew the order,” said Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, former chief minister of GB, adding that the regional government also could not enact legislation.

Gilgit Baltistan as special provinceAccording to Rehman, the federal government of Pakistan can impart full provincial status to the region by amending the constitution.

“I think it would not be difficult for the government to give interim or special provincial status to GB, subject to a plebiscite to be conducted under UN resolutions,” said Rehman, who completed his five-year tenure on June 23.

The full provincial status would empower GB assembly to legislate and the local government to make its own policy decisions for the development of the region, he explained.Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver of Kashmir is also held by China.

Last year, Pakistan’s top court ordered the government to grant fundamental rights to residents of GB and ruled that the powers of the top court also extended to the region. However, the federal government is concerned that the integration of Gilgit Baltistan could jeopardize its demands for the dispute surrounding Kashmir to be resolved according to UN resolutions.

“We granted administrative autonomy to the regions of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, which was the demand of the local people during our government but declaring the region as a full province of the country could weaken our principled stance on the Kashmir dispute. Because, Jammu and Kashmir’s future has to be decided by a plebiscite as declared in UN Security Council resolution” said Ahsan Iqbal, a former Interior minister of Pakistan.

However, Iqbal added: “It is possible to grant interim provincial status to the region through constitutional amendments.”

With inputs from EurAsian Times

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

DNA report awaited

Srinagar: Army on Friday issued a statement regarding alleged Amshipora fake encounter saying that the inquiry ordered by the Army authorities into Operation Amshipora has been concluded.

The inquiry ordered by the Army authorities into Op Amshipora has been concluded. The inquiry has brought out certain prima facie evidence indicating that during the operation, powers vested under the AFSPA 1990 were exceeded and the Do’s and Don’ts of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) as approved by the Hon’ble Supreme Court have been contravened. Consequently, the competent disciplinary authority has directed to initiate disciplinary proceedings under the Army Act against those found prima-facie answerable.

The statement said that: “The evidence collected by the inquiry has prima-facie indicated that the three unidentified terrorists killed in Op Amshipora were Imtiyaz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed and Mohd Ibrar, who hailed from Rajouri. Their DNA report is awaited. Their involvement with terrorism or related activities is under investigation by the police.”

“Indian Army is committed to ethical conduct of operations. Further updates on the case will be given periodically without affecting due process of the law of the land,” the statement concludes. (KNT)

All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC M) expressed shock and grief at another gruesome killing in Kashmir. A day after the killing of the 24 year old youth from Sopore in police custody, a 45 year old woman from Batmallo, Kauser Sofi was killed on the spot by the bullets of forces. As seen in media reports her family is inconsolable as they are unable to understand why she has been killed in this manner.

According to statement issued to KNS reads, APHC said the incidents of killing of Kashmiris by forces continue unabated for the past thirty years. (KNS)

Welcoming the statement of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterating his stand on resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, APHC said that the onus of a peaceful resolution and an end to human rights violations in J&K lies with it.

UN should ensure India and Pakistan resolve the issue through dialogue as per the wishes of people of J&K so that people of J&K stop being killed and live with dignity. (KNS)