Category: Union Territory

‘False narrative being sold to Kashmiri youth joining militancy which they need to recognise and be wary of’

Jammu and Kashmir is heading towards a spell of president’s rule, the Governor Satya Pal Malik said on Thursday, even as he appealed to all political parties to participate in the upcoming panchayat polls beginning November 17.

In an interview with Greater Kashmir, Malik talked about a host of issues including governance under Governor’s rule, fight against corruption, low voter turnout in the recently-held urban local body elections and Kashmiri youth joining militancy.

‘ASSEMBLY WON’T BE DISSOLVED’

The Governor said the Assembly, which is under suspended animation for the past nearly five months, will not be dissolved.

“There is no issue with the Assembly. I don’t want to unnecessarily tinker with it. There is a reason for it. The elected people are still members of legislative assembly. They have been provided with funds to serve the people. So, even though there is not an elected government in place, the political process is going on, as the process includes political activity as well. Keeping this in mind, the Assembly will not be dissolved,” he said, when asked if any decision is being taken vis-à-vis dissolution of the Assembly.

‘J&K HEADING TOWARDS PRESIDENT’S RULE’

To a query whether J&K is heading towards president’s rule after the six-month Governor’s Rule will ends on December 19, Malik said: “Yes, of course. Jammu and Kashmir is heading towards president’s rule. It is a normal legal procedure according to the constitution.”

ON PANCHAYAT POLLS

About upcoming panchayat polls and the recently-held urban local body elections that were boycotted by the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party, Malik said: “NC and PDP did boycott, but a lot of their people did contest the elections. Besides, there is no party system in these local elections. People have been contesting even without symbols. Boycotting elections does not help in solving the Article 35-A issue or Article 370 issue. It does not help in solving any other problem of the state either.”

“Only for your own political posturing, you are boycotting them. How did you participate in the Kargil polls only a couple of months ago? The situation was not any different then. I want to appeal to all the political parties once again to participate in the (panchayat) polls,” he said.

About low voter turnout in the ULB polls and whether he expected the turnout to improve in the panchayat elections, Malik said: “I am 100 percent sure it (voter turnout) will improve. The more localised an election, the more intriguing and interesting it is for the people. I am sure that people in large numbers will cast their vote.”

He said: “As far as security is concerned, I guarantee that all arrangements will be put in place and we will keep people safe and secure. We managed to get through ULB polls without any untoward incident. We tried and succeeded in ensuring that there is no poll related violence across the state.”

‘NOT DEFAMING KASHMIRIS’

About accusations by several mainstream parties that he was defaming Kashmiris, Malik said: “I respect every Kashmiri. Kashmiris are very good people. Very sweet people. Very talented. Wherever they have gone, they have made a name for themselves. Kashmir has produced innumerable honest people. But, it is also true that during the past several years, there has been corruption in the political and bureaucratic system.”

“And it has not only happened in Kashmir, but across the country. Here, in J&K, it has happened little more than rest of the country. When I ask the people who invest money, they tell me that in Kashmir, they are asked to give 10 percent, while in rest of the country it is four percent. They tell me that if one wants to open a coffee shop, it will take the government four years to clear the file,” he said.

Malik said there is a “lot of corruption here.”

“But it is not me who is defaming the Kashmiri people. They are being defamed by the people indulging in corruption. Had there been no corruption, Kashmir would have turned into a city of gold,” the Governor said.

About his roadmap to eradicate corruption, Malik said: “I cancelled two big deals, one pertaining to Reliance mediclaim and the other related to river Jhelum. It was confirmed to me that there is some serious corruption and problems in these things. Many big names—including those related to politics, bureaucracy, business, were part of both the deals. Today, no one tries to pick up a fight with someone as big as Reliance. But I did. I just want to appeal to the people of Kashmir to help me eradicate corruption and fight the people indulging in it.”

He said his administration has decided that the Kashmir Administrative Service officers will declare their properties and assets just like the Indian Administrative Service officers.

“You will be pleased to know that more than 95 percent KAS officers declared their assets and properties within a month. All this will be uploaded on the internet soon,” he said.

He said the government has empowered the anti-corruption bureau. “It has been given the powers to arrest corrupt people and attach their properties as well. This has happened for the first time. People can appeal in the court of law against the arrests or the attachments, but the bureau is empowered. This will result in a sense of fear among the wrongdoers,” he said. “Also, our agencies are keeping a check on corrupt people.”

‘SHUN MILITANCY’

On alleged increase in number of Kashmiri youth joining militancy since the Governor’s rule was imposed in J&K, Malik said: “The perception is wrong that a lot of people have joined militancy since I took over. Since I assumed the charge of Governor—three months as on November 23—only 1 or 2 local youth have picked up arms. Besides, stone-pelting has also lessened to a great extent. I have tried to change the narrative of the people.”

“I am the first politician who has said, yes, New Delhi has been at fault as well. It did not happen during Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji’s time. It happened before that. Due to the faults of New Delhi, which included making the winners lose and the losers win in elections, making a party win unethically and under rigged elections, the people felt alienated. I spoke honestly about this, and even the Hurriyat leaders said that the Governor’s statement is 50 percent right.”

Malik said he had tried to “set a narrative that violence will not yield anything. And I am not the only one who has said this. Even Parvez Musharraf, the former president of Pakistan, had told the Hurriyat leaders and some big local politicians, behind closed doors, during the Agra summit, that India is a superpower. He has said that he would not be able to separate Kashmir from the country and that is why it is better to take whatever concession you get from the Indian government.”

“The worst part is that many local political leaders, after returning from meetings in New Delhi, always sold false dreams to the people. This is what made the situation worse,” he said.

About his message to the Kashmiri youth who have joined militancy, Malik said: “I want to tell them that one day, they must leave their weapons behind and come to the Raj Bhavan to meet me. I guarantee you a safe passage to the Raj Bhavan. Come and have food with me and try to make me understand the logic behind picking up arms and what it will yield. I understand that someone has sold you the idea that you will be a martyr and enter paradise. That is your personal matter. I cannot say anything about whether you will or will not enter the paradise. But what I can say is that you have already been bestowed with paradise, which is Kashmir region.”

“In my native village, there are people who kill themselves, claiming it to be sacrifice for some god/goddess, but in reality they are also just fooled by someone into doing it. Similarly, the Kashmiri youth are being sold a false narrative, which they need to recognise and be wary of. The state has a separate constitution, a separate flag. No one can trouble or touch the local people. You can ask for anything that is permissible under the Indian constitution and I assure you that it will be granted.”

The Governor said that New Delhi was not ruling the people. “We—the central government and me—want the people to know that we are friends. We can help each other out. Let us come to a common platform and hold talks. Talks are the best bet. You will surely get whatever you deserve.”

‘INTERLOCUTOR ON JOB’

Asked if the role of interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma has lessened since he joined as the Governor, Malik said: “No. He met me more than a couple of times in the past few months. He is still visiting places and he is satisfied. But there is one thing, some people meet me. But these are not the people that used to meet him. Political people used to meet him and he still does meet delegations. He is on the job.”

‘RATH’S TRANSFER A ROUTINE THING’

Asked why IPS officer Basant Rath was transferred, he said: “In a government job, transfers are inherent. Transfers are a regular thing. It is not like his transfer happened due to any complaint. He is a good officer. He should utilise his potential. I wish him well.”

“Some officers do have a tendency to be more interested in publicity than work. But they need to remember that you have to come here to serve the people, to ensure discipline, to maintain law and order, and not project yourself. I am saying this to every officer, not only him,” the Governor said.

“Basant Rath’s transfer was a normal transfer. It is not a punishment posting. We will post him somewhere else very soon. No one has any ill-will against him. Neither any officer, nor the department.”

Asked about a strong speculation that Rath was transferred due to his altercation with Srinagar mayor Junaid Mattu on social media, the Governor said: “No. The transfer had nothing to do with the spat. But the spat should never have happened in the first place. Being a good officer, he shouldn’t have called the mayor a cabbage.”

“Basant Rath could have told the mayor that he did not agree with him. If he had only done that, it would have been totally fine. But he went a length too far by calling the mayor a cabbage.”

‘SATISFIED WITH GOVERNANCE’

To a query whether he was satisfied with the present governance of Jammu and Kashmir, he said: “I am satisfied in the sense that I am doing my duty honestly. I do not take orders from anyone, except the President and the Prime Minister, who are my heads as per the constitution. I have two constitutions, one of India and the other of J&K, which I try to follow. This makes me satisfied and it makes me happy that the people across the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir are helping me and showing their love.”

“It will be a fight between me and the political parties after I launch a campaign against corruption. I am ready for that. The support the people have shown and are continuing to show is helping me. I want to appeal to everyone to keep supporting and cooperating with the Governor’s administration,” he said.

Srinagar: According to director school education Kashmir G N Itoo, the news about announcement of winter vacation, circulated in WhatsApp groups and Facebook portals, is totally Fake.

SRINAGAR: Former Pakistan international cricketer Shahid Afridi has asked India and Pakistan to leave Kashmir “for the sake of humanity” and let Kashmiris decide their own future.

“Don’t give Kashmir to Pakistan or India either. Let them be independent. Humanity is big thing. Human are being killed there (Kashmir). It hurts to see humans are being killed whatever religion they may belong,” Afridi said while addressing the students at British Parliament.

“Pakistan doesn’t need Kashmir; it is not able to even handle the four provinces it has,” Afridi can be heard in a video of the press interaction. However, while admitting that Pakistan had failed in its efforts to keep the country united and safe from extremists, the former cricketer ranted that people were dying in Kashmir and it pains to see that happen.

“Say Pakistan doesn’t need Kashmir, don’t give it to India as well, let Kashmir become a country. The people dying there should not die, humanity should stay alive. It pains to see people die there,” he told the press.

It is not the first time that Afridi has commented on the Kashmir issue. Earlier this year too, he had tweeted on the matter in April.

“Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren’t they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?” he had written on the social media platform.

Srinagar: Social media users in Kashmir expressed their anger against the transfer of IGP Traffic Basant Kumar Rath and blamed Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Junaid Mattu for government’s decision to remove the highly popular IPS officer.
Rath, who is credited with streamlining the traffic system in Jammu and Kashmir in less than one year of being appointed as IGP Traffic, was shunted out Tuesday.

The government’s decision came just four days after a Twitter spat between the IPS officer of 2000 batch and SMC mayor Junaid Mattu, leading to an outcry that he used his clout with the governor’s administration to have him removed.
A Twitter user ran an online poll asking people to vote in favour of the person they support in this spat.
“They say, elected leader is more powerful than IAS/IPS. Let Kashmiris vote. Given a chance, who would they vote for?” Amit Tyagi, a frequent traveller to Kashmir, wrote in his post along with the poll.
Many users voted in favour of Rath.
Another user, naqeeyousuf1408, praised the IPS officer saying, “Maintaining law and order in J&K with respect to traffic problems a person single handedly overcame that , Now transferred #BasantRath #respect #we need officers like you.”
Majidmalik40 tweeted that there was no space for Rath in “this #corrupted country”.
One Mohsin Ahmed said, “Dear officer, Basant Rath @KangriCarrier, we salute you for being an honest and dedicated officer. Love you always and you’ll always stay in our heart and our blessings are always with you.We are going to miss you sir.”
Twitter user Shakeel Hamid said, “Cabbage unfolded his layers. #BasantRath #JunaidMattu.”
The tiff between the the SMC mayor and Rath began with the IPS officer hitting out at him for saying that wetlands in the city were not of much use if the city did not have proper infrastructure for expansion.
“What will you do in wetlands? Watch birds? There is a dearth of space and we need infrastructure for the city’s growth. We are a poor state and have to create employment avenues,” Mattu said in his maiden press conference soon after being elected mayor.
Without naming the mayor, Rath had responded on Twitter, “Wetlands are precious and a vital part of our ecosystem. Only a cabbage will think otherwise.”
In another apparently related tweet, the IPS officer said, “Land grabbers don’t make good policy makers. With or without a Twitter account.”
A day later, the SMC mayor had tweeted about the traffic situation in the city.
“Have received numerous complaints about traffic mismanagement issues in the city. I have spoken to the SP Traffic (Urban) and sought a review of current traffic diversions and plans. The SMC has been directed to help with decongestion of alternate routes for some relief,” he said.
Rath was quick to respond, saying traffic management was not the mayor’s domain.
“Not your domain. Traffic diversion at Jehangir Chowk is a compulsion. The vendors have created a mess on Amira Kadal – HSHS – Maharaja Bazar – LD Hospital stretch. SMC needs to clear the mess,” he replied to Mattu.
Known for his penchant for the unusual, the IPS officer would not wear his uniform while on duty and would spend most of the time on roads to monitor the traffic management done by his staff.
He invoked provisions of various laws and traffic rules to clear the pavements in Jammu and Srinagar cities, drawing protests from affected people but the general public was appreciative of his measures
His transfer was a shock that most of his fans were expecting sooner than later as they believed that he was the odd man out in the system which they alleged was corrupt and in inertia.
Rath was replaced by 1997 batch IPS officer Alok Kumar and attached with the office of Commandant General of Home Guards.

Srinagar: Following a forecast for snow in plains of Kashmir valley, the rains are lashing Srinagar and major parts of Kashmir valley from early morning. A MeT official said snow is likely to occur in the plains and upper reaches of Kashmir valley in the afternoon today and is expected to continue till Thursday.

Centre May Announce Fresh Assembly Election Date In JK Next Month

SRINAGAR: In politics, they say, perception is everything. Within political circles in the Kashmir valley, the perception is fast gaining ground that the BJP has decided on its alliance partner for assembly elections in the state which may be announced by next month. And the man they have decided to partner with — who could eventually become the next CM of Kashmir — is Sajjad Gani Lone, son of former separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone, who was assassinated in 2002. The affinity between the saffron party and Lone — a former separatist leader who is now a mainstream politician — had been building up for some time, political observers say.
In the aftermath of the fall of the Mehbooba Mufti government (in June this year), BJP general secretary and the party’s Kashmir in-charge Ram Madhav had made it a point to meet Lone during his visit to Kashmir to explore the way ahead in the post-Mehbooba scenario.
Since then, during his frequent visits to the valley, Madhav has met Lone several times, most recently accepting an invitation to dine with him to celebrate the clinching of the Srinagar mayor post by the People’s Conference (PC).
Interestingly, even though BJP has decided to tie up with Lone, the chances that the party can form the government in the current scenario, with him at the helm, seem bleak. People’s Conference currently has just two MLAs and even with the support of BJP’s 25 legislators and PDP rebels (if they are convinced to join the alliance), is far from the magic number of 44 to stake a majority in the 87-member House. With the six-month limit for President’s Rule in the state ending next month and no party seemingly in a position to form the government, the buzz in political circles is that the central government may have polls conducted in Kashmir by March and a formal announcement of the BJP-PC alliance may take place before that. If this happens, Lone will be projected as the CM face of the alliance.
This would be the culmination of a long-held dream for Lone who was thrust into politics after the sudden death of his father 16 years ago. He has come a long way since then — from advocating separatist politics and talking about ‘Achievable Nationhood’ for Kashmir to being seen as the BJP’s man in the valley. In fact, Lone had started developing strong ties with the BJP even in 2014 when his party became a part of the BJP-PDP alliance. According to sources, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had tried to sideline Lone following the alliance with BJP but the right wing party put its foot down and gave a ministerial berth to Lone from its own quota.
Insiders say that by propping up Lone and projecting him as a fresh new face, BJP is also seeking to counter the old guard — National Conference’s Abdullah family and the PDP’s Sayeeds, with whom it has had a fallout.
Taking the cue, Lone, too, has been of late talking about how dynastic politics (referring to NC and PDP) has led to centralisation of power leading to lack of governance in Kashmir. “We are looking for a space to contribute,” he told TOI.
“The slack in governance is massive. It would need a blend of experience and youth to get together and make our state a role model. For far too long we are amongst the low performing states. Our state has to come out of sluggishness. A group of like minded people is getting together and we are in the process of creating a team which will replace the politics of dynasties with politics of deliverance.”
To a query on whether he felt “capable of being CM of this sensitive state if a new alliance emerges,” Lone had recently told TOI’s sister publication ET: “We don’t have a lot of capable ex-chief ministers around, so there is not a lot of competition. Governance really is not rocket science. But one needs compassion and an unwavering belief that things can change.”
If he does get to be CM — he has a tough fight ahead in assembly elections where he is likely to be facing National Conference’s strong candidate Choudhary Ramzan in his pocket. (TOI)

Jammu: BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Tuesday said militants behind the killings of a senior party leader and his brother in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district would be neutralised soon.
BJP state secretary Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet Parihar were shot dead on November 1 by suspected militants in a dark, narrow lane leading to their house. The brothers were fired upon from close range.
“Right now, our main challenge is to track down the militants (behind the killings) and neutralise them. That will be done very soon,” Madhav told reporters in Kishtwar, 230 kilometres from here.
“That (neutralising terrorists) is the important thing here. Of course, we will not allow these kinds of activities to create instability and violence in Kishtwar or Doda, the peaceful areas of Jammu region. That is our priority and we are focusing on that,” he added.
Madhav, accompanied by Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh and state BJP president Ravinder Raina, visited Kishtwar to pay homage to Parihar and his brother.
On November 5, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik had said those involved in the killings had been identified and will be brought to book soon.
“It has been proved that it was an incident of militancy,” he had said, adding that it “was an act of frustration on the part of militants and Pakistan”.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the killings.
The SIT has been directed it to expedite the investigation and submit its report as early as possible. It has detained some persons in connection with the killings.

Srinagar: General officer Commanding (GoC) 15 Corps, Lt Gen A K Bhatt on Monday said there was no “concrete evidence” that the missing youth Ehtisham Bilal Sofi has joined militant outfit ISIS.
“Facts about his joining militant outfit are being ascertained,” he said on the sidelines of an event organised at the sector headquarters at Hyder Beig, Pattan.

While referring to the Sharda university incident in which Ehtisham and two other Kashmiri students were allegedly thrashed, Bhat said the Kashmiri students studying in different states of the country “should be taken care of and it should be ensure that such incidents don’t take place”. He appealed to the Kashmiri youths to join mainstream politics and play their role in the nation building.
He said there is no such operation like ‘operation all out’ and reiterated that local militants can surrender even during the encounter and all doors are open for them.

SRINAGAR: A 36 year old house wife turned Mrs. India International-2018, Nursrat Parveen from Yaripora Khanpora village of Kulgam District in South Kashmir has produced a Kashmiri song partly based on her life experience.

A teaser of a song titled “ADHOORI KAHANI” (DIL WANAI DILDAR WANAI) has been released on Nusrat Parveen’s YouTube channel recently on November 3 under the banner of NP Production.

The song features Nusrat Parveen and Asif Sheikh, both from Kashmir. According to Nursrat Parveen, the song has been shot in Kashmir showcasing the picturesque scenes. However the story line of the song depicts the plight of a woman in failed relationship.

Interestingly, the entire team for the composition and production of the song is from Kashmir. The song is sung and composed by Owais Bhatt. The Lyrics are penned by Owais Bhatt and Asif Sheikh. The Music of the song is given by Faizan Showkat.

Nusrat told that the full song will be released soon. Adding that the besides depicting a story of a suffering lonely woman, the idea behind the recording a song in Kashmiri and shooting in Kashmir is to express my love for my homeland.

Pertinently Nusrat was recently in the headlines when she bagged international pageant title 2018 in Malasiya. She became first Muslim woman from India and first from Kashmir to bag the crown at first place.

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir is unlikely to have a popular government anytime soon as New Delhi may recommend a spell of President’s rule at the expiry of Governor’s rule on December 19 , official sources said.
Under the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, there is no provision for extension of Governor’s rule. The state is under central rule since June 19 after the BJP withdrew support from the then Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government.
The six-month term of Governor’s rule comes to an end on December 19.
Therefore, for the extension of the central rule in Jammu and Kashmir, a spell of President’s rule would be necessary as there may not be an elected government, a source privy to the development said.
An elected government is unlikely to be formed in Jammu and Kashmir anytime soon under the current assembly, the source said.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik had told PTI last month that he was in favour of holding early elections in the state as he did not think a popular government can be formed out of the present House.
No party enjoys a majority in the 87-member Assembly, in which the PDP has 28 MLAs, the BJP 25 and the National Conference 15.
President’s rule can be imposed after the Union Cabinet, headed by the prime minister, makes a recommendation to the President to this effect following a report of the governor.
If President’s rule is imposed, it will be effectively a “fresh spell” of central rule even though it would be like an extension of the current spell of Governor’s rule, the source said.
Under such circumstances, there is no need for the central government to get parliamentary nod for extension of central rule beyond December 19.
Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir is imposed under Section 92 of the state’s Constitution, President’s rule is imposed under 356 of the Constitution.
Therefore, practically, the central government would not be required to get the approval from both Houses of Parliament for extension of central rule in Jammu and Kashmir if its rule is extended beyond
December 19 , another source said.
PTI