Category: Union Territory

New Delhi: Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on Monday batted for the removal of Article 370 and Article 35A from the Constitution, which give special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, saying that there should be “one rule for one nation.”

“Article 370 and Article 35A should be removed. There should equal laws for everyone. Why are Kashmiris getting everything special? Kashmiris can fight elections anywhere in the country but anyone other than Kashmiris cannot fight polls in the state. The whole country should be united and should be one,” he told ANI.

Article 370 of the Indian Constitution grants special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. On the other hand, Article 35A, incorporated into the Indian Constitution in 1954, grants special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. (PTK)

Srinagar, February 25: The Supreme Court (SC) is unlikely to hear the Article 35A case on Tuesday (February 26). Awami National Conference (ANC) Senior Vice President, Muzaffar Shah told KNO the Supreme Court (SC) is unlikely to hear the Article 35-A case on Tuesday. Earlier, the case was listed between Feb 12-14 at Supreme Court (SC), the state government yesterday sought the adjournment of the hearing into the case.

Standing Counsel for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Advocate on record M Shoeb Alam had submitted the application for adjournment before Registrar General of Supreme of India. However, the SC has reportedly asked the Advocate not to seek adjournment of the case. (KNO)

Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora has suspended the class work and postponed all exams till February 28.

The decision has been taken in view of the prevailing panic like situation and uncertainty in the valley over hearing of Article 35(A) in Supreme Court, said a varsity official.

“All exams are postponed and classwork has been suspended till February 28,” vice-chancellor IUST Prof. Mushtaq Sidque told.

He said the varsity may be able to conduct the exams as per scheduled from March 01.

NEW DELHI — The central government said Saturday that incarcerated senior Hurriyat leader Shabir Ahmad Shah was absolutely “fit and fine” as were other inmates from Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan lodged in Delhi’s Tihar jail.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released a statement following rumours over the health of the Hurriyat leader, lodged in the Tihar jail since his arrest on July 25, 2017.

Tihar prison authorities have denied occurrence of any untoward incident or mishap involving Shah, the government statement said.

Refuting fake news circulating in a section of media, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Tihar prison Shailendra Parihar said, “Shah is absolutely fit and fine.”

“All other inmates from Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan are also fine,” he said, adding the prison authorities appealed to all to be cautious against fake news. Putting the rumours to rest, Ruwa Shah, daughter of Hurriyat leader Altaf Ahmad Shah, who is also lodged in Tihar jail, said her father not Shabir Shah was injured when a tile fell off the washroom and hit his head.

“My father, Altaf Shah was injured yesterday in Tihar jail after a tile fell off the washroom wall and hit his head. This snowballed into a rumour about Shabir Shah because of the same surnames. Shabir Sb is fine. Altaf Sb has got a minor injury,” Ruwa Shah tweeted. (PTI)

Source: ThePrint

New Delhi: Villages on both sides of the India-Pakistan border in Jammu & Kashmir have been advised to stay ready for “any eventuality”, local sources told.

There has been an increase in shelling from Pakistan, including on civilian areas, over the past few days, amid fresh bilateral tensions in light of the 14 February Pulwama attack.

The terror attack, which killed 40 CRPF personnel, was claimed by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

According to a report in news agency PTI, Indian security personnel have “reacted strongly” to the shelling, which constitutes a violation of the 2003 ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

Several schools in the area have been earmarked for conversion to makeshift camps in case the shelling and heavy gun fire from across the LoC don’t stop or become more frequent.

A security official told that warnings to civilians on the Indian side were mainly aimed at preventing loss of lives in shelling, which is expected to intensify further.

“We have shared with them information about the camps that have been established in case inhabitants of these villages have to move out of their houses,” the official told on the condition of anonymity.

“But, all these are precautionary measures that will become operational in case shelling from across the border increases,” the official added.

‘Remain vigilant’
It was less than three years ago that villagers of the same region, along with the residents of border villages in Punjab, were evacuated in the thousands amid fears of a retaliatory attack by Pakistan in the wake of the September 2016 surgical strikes, when an Indian Army team crossed into POK and destroyed multiple terrorist launchpads.

In fact, villages in vulnerable areas are evacuated whenever tensions between the nations result in an exchange of fire at the border. In March 2018, several villagers were evacuated as shelling from Pakistan intensified also resulting in civilian deaths when the neighbours’ relationship hit another rocky patch over the alleged harassment of diplomats.

Meanwhile, sources told that locals in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) have also been advised to “remain vigilant”.

According to available information, the district management authority of POK is said to have asked villagers living near the LoC to build bunkers if there aren’t any and avoid switching on “too many lights during night time and refrain from congregations”.

“Shepherds should also avoid taking their animals near the line of control for grazing,” one such order.

However, locals on the Indian side doubted that the preparations and orders spell a build-up to war or armed conflict.

“There is no movement of troops and guns that we last witnessed during Operation Parakram (after the Parliament attack of December 2001). But, yes, there is some panic,” said a local functionary in Nowshera.

SRINAGAR: While addressing a public meeting in Jammu, Shah said,””Forty of our CRPF men lost their lives in the Pulwama attack, their sacrifice won’t go in vain. We will take revenge, which is why the forces have been given a free hand to hit back.”

“Earlier governments talked lot , made scheme on papers but did nothing for farmers empowerment,” said BJP chief Amit Shah in Jammu.

“It’s BJP’s resolve that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and nobody can seize it from us,” said Amit Shah in Jammu. (PTK)

SRINAGAR: It was told early morning today that more than 100 companies of Indian Security Forces had been deployed in Jammu and Kashmir. It was being speculated that all of it was being done as the decision on 35A was about to come and that action against separatists had been launched. But now the governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satyapal Malik, has clarified the reason. He said that the step has been taken for elections.

In the meeting, the Governor was briefed about the current security situation in Jammu city after the lifting of the curfew a few days ago and also the restoration of normalcy in the place. He was also informed of the situation in the Kashmir Valley and the gradual induction of additional Central Forces for election purposes.

The Governor was informed that General Elections are imminent and the requirement of additional Security Forces is large. During the Panchayat Elections, over 400 additional companies of Central Police Forces were provided to conduct the Urban Local Body and Panchayat Elections over a total of 13 phases. In the presence of these forces and as a result of their efforts, the elections were conducted peacefully, without any incident.

However, there were many attempts during these elections to frighten people from participating in the political process. Death threats were given by terrorist organisations to anyone planning to contest the election. Candidates were asked to go with their coffins to file nominations and that they should be prepared for their dead bodies to leave polling booths. Voters were also threatened with severe consequences if they came to vote.

After the Pulwama indident, the security concerns in this regard are much higher with the possibility of terrorist organisations increasing their activities against candidates and voters on a much larger scale.

In this context, a much larger number of additional Police Forces are needed for conducting General Elections. Normally, forces are inducted a month before elections so that they settle down and familiraise with the ground situation. It is in this context that 100 companies of Central Forces are being inducted into the State at the moment. This is less than the actual additional forces required and more would be inducted in the coming weeks.

The Governor appealed to the people that the induction of forces be seen only in the context of conducting elections and should not be attributed to any other cause. The Governor appealed to the people not to believe in rumours of any extreme nature which are circulating widely in some quarters and to remain calm. These rumours are unnecesarily creating an atmosphere of fear in the minds of people, leading to stress and distruption to normal life. Rumours about curfews and other actions should not be believed. There is some security related action being taken by the forces, but this is purely related to the Pulwama attack which is unprecedented one. The response of security forces is guided solely by the need to counter both the impact and any further action that may be taken by terrorist groups who are still out to disrupt our country and its democratic processes.

The SAC was also informed that the supply situation of petroleum and other products in the Kashmir Valley is critically low. The availability of petrol in the Kashmir Valley is adequate to meet the needs for just one day and that of diesel for four days. There is no stock of LPG in the Kashmir Valley. This is a result of the earlier blockage of the National Highway for seven days and the ongoing blockage for the past four days, leading to disruption of supplies from Jammu to Srinagar. The government is taking measures to enhance the supplies to the Kashmir region. However, as a precautionary measure, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir has rationed petrol and diesel supply, so as to conserve whatever is available for emergency purposes. Steps are being taken to increase the availability of stocks in the Kashmir Valley. People of the state should not read anything more into this but see it only as an administrative measure in a shortage situation. On the medicine front also, the instructions to hospitals to increase availability of medicines is also to be seen in the context of shortage of supplies as a result of the prolonged disruption in transport.

On the issue of safety and security of Kashmiris residing outside the state, the Governor clarified that the Honorable Prime Minister has given clear directions to the country yesterday. The PM’s statement that there is no fight against Kashmiris but that it is a fight for Kashmir is a clear signal that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are not only the integral part of India but it is the responsibility of the country to take care of their safety wherever they may be. Over 22,000 Kashmiri students are studying outside the state and the number of students who have actually been injured or hurt in incidents is not even in single digits. The state’s system of Liaison Officers in nine major cities has worked effectively so that there is no panic anywhere and students continue their studies safely. The work of LOs, helplines in State and other measures have ensured that the vast majority of students continue their studies uninterrupted. Media has played up a few scattered incidents more than what has actually happened which has been a major cause of fear and anxiety among parents whose children are studying outside the state. The exaggerated reporting has led to unnecessary excessive reactions in the Kashmir Valley. It is necessary for everyone to avoid fear mongering and not to worsen matters. The Principal Secretary, Planning and Monitoring along with Principal Resident Commissioner and the Commissioner/ Secretary, Higher Education will be briefing the media separately on students related issues later in the evening. After the Prime Minister’s statement, a state of calm should prevail and that is the request to all concerned.

The Governor thanked the excellent cooperation rendered by the administration and police of other states for taking steps and going out of the way to provide security to students who were afraid of any untoward incident. The Governor also complimented the work done by our Liaison Officers in handling the worries of students round the clock.

The Governor also wanted to re-assure all government emoployees and their families who stay in Jammu that their safety and security is of primary importance to the Government and from day one, measures were taken to ensure their safety. The situation in Jammu city is normal and government employees should feel safe as they go about their normal work.

In conclusion, the Governor once again appealed to the people of the state to stay calm and not believe any rumours floating around in any form of media. The Government is concerned about people’s welfare and will ensure that they are safe and can carry out their normal activities. (PTK)

MUMBAI: Lodging a heavy attack on Pakistan, All India Muslim Ittehadul Musalmin (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday termed the terrorist organization Jaishe Muhammad an army of demons and called Maulana Masud Azhar a ‘Satan’.

Owaisi, who was here to address a public rally for the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) – the alliance forged along with Adv Prakash Ambedkar.

While addressing the rally at the iconic Shivaji Park at Dadar, Owaisi said that Pakistan is responsible for the ghastly attack at Pulwama and that the AIMIM is with the government in all its efforts to give a befitting reply to Pakistan.

“We are one when it comes to the nation. India presents a wonderful blend of all religions. Here the bells shall ring at temples and churches even as the Azan would be heard from a mosque. This character of India would be preserved. Leaders of Pakistan should not worry about Indian Muslims. We have discarded Jinnah way back when he formed Pakistan and decided to shift out of Mumbai,” Owaisi said.

However, while putting the blame on Pakistan and questioning them for the terrorism, Owaisi also questioned Prime Minister Modi for failures of his government on multiple fronts of politics, diplomatic and foreign relations.

“Modi will have to explain how 200 kgs of RDX came to India. The Prime Minister should ponder over whether this is a failure of our intelligence agencies if he could find some time from photoshoots,” Owaisi said.

China blocking efforts to declare Masood Ajharan international terrorist is the political failure of Modi government, Owaisi said while pointing at Chinese premier Xi Jinping’s Gujarat visit when he was given a grand welcome by PM Modi.

“Modi will have to explain to the nation several issues like mob lynching. He keeps quite when such things happen and speaks only after a week or so,” Owaisi said and added, “We say Modi should live for 180 years. His own people too don’t say this. But, we only seek answers.”

Owaisi came down heavily against the Modi government’s decision to grant 10 per cent quota for EBCs. He also questioned foreign minister Sudhama Swaraj’s presence at the meetings of Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC).

“How can our foreign minister attend the meeting of countries who refer to Kashmir as India Occupied Kashmir. We should be forcefully telling them that Kashmir is an integral part of India,” he said.