Category: Union Territory

Masjids, shrines reverberate with special night prayers

Shab-e-Me’raj was observed across J&K with religious zeal and fervour. Thousands of devotees from across Kashmir thronged Hazratbal mosque shrine here and offered night-long prayers.
Around 80,000 devotees offered Friday prayers at the mosque and the number of devotees went higher in evening as more people assembled for night prayers.

The J&K Wakf Board, controlling the shrine, had made special arrangements for the devotees.
On Saturday, the holy relic will be also displayed after Nimaz-e-Zuhr at 2 pm, after Nimaz-e-Asr at 5:25 pm, Maghrib at 7:8pm and Isha prayers at 8:45 pm.
A fleet of vehicles from state road transport corporation ferried devotees to and from the shrine, especially from far-flung areas of Kashmir.
Authorities had made arrangements for transportation of devotees which plied till late evening.
Elaborated route plan were published for devotees for the smooth regulation of traffic on the roads leading to Hazratbal.
Srinagar municipal corporation commissioner Riyaz Ahmad Wani said the corporation took up all operations of sanitation, street lights especially at Hazratbal, Jenab Sahib Soura and Asar-i-Sharief Kalashpora.
Meraj-e-Alam was also celebrated with religious fervor in various Masjids and shrines including Jenab Sahib Soura, Asar-i-Sharief Shehri Kalashpora, Ka’aba Marg, Asar-i-Sharief Baramulla, Aham Sharief Bandipora and other places.
Religious scholars in their sermons highlighted the importance of the night and its blessings. They also highlighted teachings and various aspects of the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Earlier, Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and others had greeted people of the State on the auspicious occasion of Shab-e-Meraj.
They had prayed that this pious occasion brings peace, prosperity and happiness for the people of the State.

Jammu: In a clear attempt to lend his voice to the sensitivities of Kashmiris, Tassaduq Mufti, brother of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and a minister in her government, on Friday stated it clearly that the PDP had “no moral right” to continue in the coalition government with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir.

Tassaduq, a fresh face in the Kashmir politics, has virtually set the agenda for his party PDP’s meeting on Saturday. The party has been in alliance with the BJP for a little over three years. Tassaduq was inducted into the government and made Tourism Minister on December 28, 2017.

The PDP is facing a lot of political flak for sharing the alliance with the BJP whose two ministers Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga had sided with the Hindu agitators in Kathua in demanding a CBI inquiry into the rape and murder of an eight-year-old nomad girl.

Tassaduq told The Tribune: “I strongly believe that there needs to be a comprehensive shift in our approach and we must begin to make amends for all our mistakes.”

That was perhaps his clearest reference to the PDP’s alliance with the BJP under which the situation in Kashmir has deteriorated and the rate of civilian deaths has been quite high.

Emphasising his point, Tassaduq said: “We have no moral right to continue (in the government).”

Mehbooba to chair party meeting today

Srinagar: In the backdrop of the Kathua rape-murder case and civilian killings in Kashmir, the PDP will hold a meeting of party leaders and legislators under the chairmanship of its president and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti here on Saturday. Besides the two issues, the overall situation in Kashmir valley would be taken up at the meeting, which is being held ahead of the bi-annual Durbar move. Several other issues, including those raised by legislators in connection with their constituencies and law and order situation, would be taken up, Rafi Ahmad Mir, PDP spokesman, said. Legislators and senior party leaders would share their views on various issues, the spokesman added. TNS

Says situation in 2016, 2017 was not good for India, Pak talks but we’re ‘pursuing’

Srinagar, April 13 : Ruling partner in the coalition with BJP, Peoples Democratic Party on Friday made it clear that there was no threat to alliance following Tassaduq Mufti candid admission about the failure of the government in various fronts.

“Tassaduq Mufti’s statement is that Kashmir issue is a political issue and that we could not follow the agenda of the alliance. We have our reasons and Delhi has own reasons. We don’t see much more than this,” PDP’s chief spokesman Rafi Ahmad Mir told GNS.

Asked whether the coalition will break after the statement by the scion of Mufti family, Mir said: “It has nothing to do with it.”

“He (Tassaduq) has given his views about the prevailing state of affairs. There are views of course view people also that we could not make India and Pakistan talk over Kashmir which was essentially part of the agenda of the alliance but the situation did to remain good in 2016, 2017. We are pursuing as we are in government and our attempts will continue in future to make India and Pakistan talk over Kashmir.”

Asked about PDP’s meeting, Mir said: “This is routine meeting and it has routine agenda. Darbar move offices are reopening in Srinagar and there are other issues. Even though we can discuss all issues in the meeting of course but it has routine agenda.”

Denouncing his own party for non-fulfilling of commitments, Tassaduq Mufti, who recent became tourism minister in ruling alliance said that PDP has ended up being partners in a crime with BJP “that an entire generation of Kashmiris might have to pay with their blood”.

In an interview, Tasaduq has said that he was not going to be quiet and act as if he was unmoved by the tragedy that was unfolding at ground level “just because I am part of the government.”

“All lives matter. Lives of the people on both sides of the ideological divide. And this is a government for the people and I see nothing wrong in standing with the people to find a solution to the ongoing crisis,” he said. (GNS)

Srinagar: Speculations are rife after ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday directed all its ministers, legislators and senior leaders to be present for a special meeting on Saturday.

According to party insiders the special meeting is convened will prevailing situation in valley and post darbar darbar move political scenario.

The meeting is convened to devise future strategy of the party, said the party man.

PDP is under tremendous pressure in Asifa Rape and murder case as two ministers from the coalition govt partner Bharatiya Janata Party attended a Hindu Ekta Manch in support of the accused in the crime.

Voices have been raised as to how such a callous approach could go un noticed and no action against the ministers is taken.

The pressure on the party has raised further due to BJP allegedly supporting the Jammu bandh and demand to hand over the case to CBI raising questions on the state police and crime branch.

“BJP asking for CBI probe while raising fingers on state police meaning they dont believe in the police and government they hold has created serious fissures among the two partners,” an insider said.

“There might be some serious decisions to be made, as of now, let the meeting happen,” he said.

Srinagar: Angered by the killing of three civilians by government forces Wednesday during an encounter and subsequent protests in Kulgam, the joint resistance leadership or JRL asked the people to ready themselves for an uprising.
Addressing a joint press conference where JRL leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani, under house arrest, spoke via phone in presence of JKLF chief Yasin Malik the three called for a shutdown and protests for Thursday against the latest civilian killings.

“Tomorrow (Thursday), entire Kashmir will observe a complete shutdown. After (Zuhr) afternoon prayers, people in their respective areas should stage a protest against the killings in South Kashmir. In the evening, a complete black-out should be observed to protest these killings,” Malik told reporters.
Addressing reporters over a phone line, Syed Ali Geelani said New Delhi had given its forces in Kashmir unbridled powers under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to kill people.
“It is in fact a license to kill civilians. Forces don’t only kill the civilians but also blind them by using lethal pellet guns,” Geelani said, adding it was not possible to remain silent on the killings of teenagers.
“We want to convey to Delhi that no matter how tough they will go on implementing its repressive policies, we will not surrender.”
Mirwaiz said repression has pushed Kashmiri youth to the wall and frequent “bloodbath” was routine.
“What is the option with us other than to come out on roads,” the octogenarian leader said. “We appeal people of all walks of life, traders, lawyers, doctors, to be mentally ready for mass uprising to press for the final solution of Kashmir,” the Mirwaiz said.
“They started operation all out but that’s actually operation wipe out aimed at killing every Kashmiri.”
After the press conference, the JKLF chief, along with dozens of JRL activists took out a protest march from Abi-Guzar to main road of Residency Road where they were detained by police. Malik was later lodged at the central jail in Srinagar.

Jammu: Days after bunch of lawyers from Kathua obstructed Crime Branch and tried to prevent it to file a charge sheet against the rape and murder accused, Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Thursday said that the Law will not be obstructed by the irresponsible actions.
Crime Branch has already filed a charge sheet against 8 accused who raped and murdered a little Bakarwal girl Asifa in Rasna area of Heeranagar. Some BJP backed supporters are trying to defend the rapists demanding transfer of case from Crime Branch to CBI.
Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister today tweeted: “The Law will not be obstructed by the irresponsible actions & statements of a group of people. Proper procedures are being followed, investigations are on the fast track & justice will be delivered. #JusticeForAsifa”

Srinagar: Authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar city on Thursday to prevent protests against the killing of four civilians in Kulgam clashes on Wednesday.
The police said restrictions were imposed in Srinagar’s old city and also in the uptown areas falling under the jurisdiction of Maisuma and Kralkhud police stations.

Canceling a cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday in Jammu, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti returned to Srinagar on Wednesday to take stock of the situation in the aftermath of the killings.
A shutdown has been called by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), a separatist conglomerate headed by Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik.
Geelani and Mirwaiz have been placed under house arrest while Yasin Malik is in police custody. (With IANS inputs)

New Delhi, Apr 11: Amidst the recent spurt in violence in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed with him the security situation in the state and how to bring back normalcy, officials said.

During the 20-minute meeting, the two leaders discussed the initiatives taken by the Centres representative Dineshwar Sharma in holding talks with a wide cross section of society.

The chief minister briefed the home minister on the prevailing law and order situation and the steps taken to restore peace in the Valley. The situation along the border with Pakistan, which often witnesses attempts of infiltrations by militants and cross border firings, also came up for discussion, the home ministry official said.

The meeting came in the wake of growing demands for a CBI probe into the gangrape in Kathua and incidents of militant violence and encounters with security forces.

They also discussed how to ameliorate the misery of the civilian population, who often face firing from across the border, and the implementation of the prime ministers development package, another official said.

There has been a spurt in the violence perpetrated by militants in the Kashmir Valley.

Srinagar: Two army men and a CRPF trooper were injured in an ongoing gunfight with militants in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday.
An official said that the gunfight broke out in Wani Mohalla area of Khudwani at 11 pm after forces launched a cordon-and-search operation.

“During the search operation, some gunshots were heard after which an encounter started. The gunfight is still underway,” he said, adding three forces’ personnel wounded in the firefight were evacuated to an army hospital.
Two militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba are believed to be trapped inside a house.
Authorities on Wednesday suspended Internet services in twin districts of Kulgam and Anantnag.
Meanwhile, clashes have erupted near the site of the gunfight between the forces and the protesters.