Category: Union Territory

Basharat Bukhari opens “pandora box”, claims, “File was sent to then CM”

Srinagar, Mar 20: As the debate on the fate of ” domicile Certificate Commission” recommendations, popularly known as ” Parray Commission Report on Fake State Subject certificates”, has intensified following a story by a local weekly, the buck seems to be stopping none other than the former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti’s door as the file finds its traces to her office wherefrom “Nobody knows” where it actually landed.

Mehbooba’s one time close aide and former Revenue Minister Syed Basharat Bukhari has hinted that the “missing file” may have been shelved or thrown to dustbin by Mehbooba herself to appease her then ally BJP. He however, did not name or accused Mehbooba directly, but said the file had been sent to her office.

The National Conference leader and then revenue minister, Syed Basharat Bukhari who in the story has been blamed by some unknown PDP worker of ” having slept” over the file, Tuesday sought to clear the air and said the file along with ” specific” recommendations was sent to then Chief Minister for approval wherefrom it didn’t come back till he held the portfolio, to say the least.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Mr. Bukhari said that nobody knows, not even he himself, where the file went thereafter from the then CM’s office but made it clear that he hasn’t seen it again eversince.

According to RNA, the former minister said, that he wanted to remian quite after a PDP leader (Nayeem Akahter) claimed to have no knowledge about the issue and someone from the party blaming him (Bukhari) for having slept over the file, but was forced to respond after many called him up and expressed unhappiness, saying,”they didn’t expect him to do like this.”

“I didn’t want to react but the water has began flowing over the head and my credibility seems to have come at stake, so I am here to make the things amply clear.” Bukhari told in a jam packed Press conference in the Nawa-e -Subah Complex and flanked by two other senior NC leaders.

“I raised the issue in Cabinet and briefed it about the violations that had been committed by the officers and reported by the commission. It triggered a heated debate in the cabinet as BJP ministers were also there, but I didn’t relent and put across my word.” Said the former Revenue minster, adding that a few days later, making that cabinet discussion the basis, ” I moved a note along with certain recommendations to then Chief Minster seeking her approval for not only the cancellation of 136 fraudently issued PRCs but also action against the officers involved.”

According to Mr. Bukhari he had unambiguously recommended action against the officers, officials and the abettors as per law, besides proposing to adopt the report of the commission and take “consequential” actions against the “delinquent” officers.

According to RNA reporter covering the presser, Bukhari said the file was sent to then Chief Minister, but added that he has never seen the file again thereafter.

“Those who say, we don’t have any idea were part of that cabinet where I raised the issue.” Said Bukhari, adding that if people want to play “martyr on Article 370 and 35-A, “why to do it by lying and “riding my back”.

“I even went to the extent in asking them why they all only speak on the 370 in public and actually doing nothing in practical to safeguard it.”

While referring to the source (the PDP leader) of the newspaper he Bashrat Bukhari said,” the PDP leader should tell people where the file is and what happend to his (Bukhari’s) note instead of pleading “fake ignorance.” (RNA)

Srinagar: Custodial killings of a teacher amounts to murdering a whole generation. This is the oppression that is and has pushed our generations to the wall. This was stated by the senior vice chairman of Jammu Kashmir liberation JKLF Abdul Hamid Bhat in a statement issued to media today. Terming the custodial killings of teacher Rizwan Ahmad Pandith as gruesome and state-sponsored terrorism, JKLF leader said that even tyrants like Hitler spared teachers as they are responsible for shaping the future generations but so-called biggest democracy has and is busy in eliminating teachers, scholars educationalists at will and that too without any shame and regret. Butt sahib said that today a young brain has been victimized and killed in cold blood by NIA and SOG of police and we are being asked to keep mum as the so-called probe has been ordered. History of such brutal killings and massacres is a witness that these so-called probes and investigations are only meant at hoodwinking the public opinion and provide clean chit to the killers in uniform. JKLF leader said that martyr Rizwan Ahmad Pundits blood will not go in vain and according to the universal law of retribution killers, their abettors in the form of civil administration, ruling regime and others will have to answer for their crimes and murders. While expressing solidarity with the bereaved family of Rizwan Ahmad Shaheed, JKLF vice chairman prayed for the heavenly abode of all martyrs.

“If he is willing to cooperate and appear before the Agency, we will provide security and ensure his safety,” a senior officer said.

India Today TV learnt NIA is ready to provide foolproof security to Mirwaiz

NIA officer said that he will be given enough men to guard him during process of questioning and travel period`

So far Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been summoned twice

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will soon issue third summon to Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for not withstanding his plea before the investigating agency “to question him in Srinagar instead of New Delhi”.
The religious leader on Monday (March 18) iterated that he is willing to cooperate with the Agency in the matter, but sought for the venue for examination to be shifted from Delhi to Srinagar.

Mirwaiz has expressed apprehensions over his security in Delhi.
India Today TV learnt that the NIA is ready to provide foolproof security to Mirwaiz from the port of his departure till his return.
It is not precedent to move offices from one city to another with reason of a security threat.
The plea, the NIA believes, would be taken by others who would be called for questioning.
“If he is willing to cooperate and appear before the Agency, we will provide security and ensure his safety,” a senior officer said, on condition of anonymity, stating he will be given enough men to guard him during the process of questioning and travel period.
Many regional parties, including People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference have put their weight behind separatist leader stating that the premier agency should not be made a point of prestige to summon Mirwaiz to New Delhi.
So far Mirwaiz, whose house was raided last month, has been summoned twice, but, Mirwaiz has not complied with the summons. Instead, he has sent a plea through his lawyers.
He has, however, in his plea, written to the agency that he is willing to cooperate but he fears for security.

Srinagar, March 19: A youth from Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, was allegedly killed in police custody on Tuesday after he was held in connection with some militancy related case.

Official sources told GNS that Rizwan Asad Pandit died in police custody at Srinagar during intervening night of March 18 and 19.

A police officer also confirmed the death of Rizwan and said that he had been arrested for questioning in connection with some militancy related case.

“We have requested for magisterial inquiry under 176 CrPc to initiate the thorough probe to ascertain the actual cause of death,” the officer said.

He said that police has also ordered a separate inquiry to probe the incident.

Meanwhile, in wake of the death, the authorities of Islamic University Awantipora have closed the varsity for the precautionary measures. (GNS)

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Monday again decided not to travel to Delhi, where he has been summoned by the National Investigation Agency for questioning in a funding case.
Mirwaiz’s lawyer wrote to the agency that the chief cleric was facing an “assassination threat” and he should, therefore, be questioned in Srinagar only.
The Hurriyat Conference (M) also supported the reasons cited by the Mirwaiz’s lawyer and stated that many people have been questioned by the agency at Humhama in Budgam and that he (Mirwaiz) too should be questioned in Srinagar.
Mirwaiz was summoned the second time by the NIA since March 10. He was asked to present himself before the agency’s office in Delhi on March 18.
Mirwaiz’s lawyer, advocate Aijaz Ahmed Dhar, had in his first letter also cited hostile atmosphere and security concerns as major reasons why his client couldn’t travel to Delhi. In his fresh response, Mirwaiz’s counsel writes that it is unfortunate that his client has not received any “express response” to his earlier communication.
“Instead a poor transmission of a notice which is not legible was delivered at his residence. My client also informed the local police station (about the issue) but they expressed their helplessness. With great difficult it appears that my client has once again been summoned to Delhi on March 18,” Dhar’s reply reads.
“It appears that the genuine concerns which had been mentioned in the earlier response have not been considered objectively. I reiterate that my client is not refusing to be examined in connection with the subject matter of some investigation.”
The chief cleric’s counsel further states in his response that his client has serious concerns about his safety, adding that security cover provided to him had been withdrawn “unilaterally”.
“Your attention is invited to some of the distressing comments which have appeared in mainstream print media since the news about him being summoned to Delhi. There are open calls for assassination,” the reply reads. “Merely stating in the notice that security will be provided to (Mirwaiz in Delhi) appears to be perfunctory observation.”
The Hurriyat chairman’s lawyer further states that there are serious implications to his client travelling to Delhi apart from security concerns, which were broadly identified in the first response.
“It seems that such concerns have escaped the attention of NIA,” the response reads. “I therefore ask you to consider the earlier responses and the present one fairly and fix time, date and place for examination of my client at Srinagar as may be convenient.”
Mirwaiz’s lawyer has in his reply mentioned the assassination threats issued to the Hurriyat chief on social media ever since NIA summoned him to Delhi.