Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • I was offered JK CM’s post thrice by BJP: Tariq Karra

    Srinaagar: Tariq Hameed Karra, who had quit PDP and the Lok Sabha over the government’s handling of the recent unrest in Kashmir today claimed he had been offered the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister’s post thrice by BJP before and after Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s death.

    “I was offered the chief minister’s chair twice after Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s death, and once even when he was alive, by the BJP. Their agenda was to keep the (PDP-BJP) government in place,” Karra told reporters.

    Karra said the offer was made by the “top brass of the BJP”, but did not name any leader of the party.

    Karra said the BJP had asked him to take over as the chief minister when Sayeed was not keeping well. Sayeed passed away in January this year. 

    “They told me that Mufti Sahib is not able to run (the government) effectively and asked me to become the chief minister but I rejected it,” he said.

    He said there was no truth in allegations that he had quit the PDP and the Lok Sabha in September as he did not find any place in the council of ministers in the dispensation led by Mehbooba Mufti who succeeded her father Sayeed.

    “When I rejected the chief ministership offer three times, why should I hanker after ministerial berth?” he said. On his political future, he said he had three options, including floating a new political party, and he would opt for the one which will lead to resolution of Kashmir issue and oppose the BJP and RSS policies in the state.

    He said a decision in this regard will be taken in consultation with his workers.

  • This Lady from Mumbai visited Kashmir alone and what she experienced was something absolutely beautiful

    My name is Bela Desai. I am from Mumbai.

    It was 10th June 2016 and my birthday. I gifted it to me…from me…an air ticket from Mumbai to Srinagar in coming December. I decided to travel all alone. Though I have two members in my family who belong to army background and it was against my family’s wish that I visited Kashmir alone as Kashmir was going through worst period of unrest at that time, but I still went.

    My flight took off at 10 pm from Mumbai on 2nd December 2016 and it landed at Delhi airport at 12:40 am. My Srinagar flight was scheduled at 12pm on 3rd December. The entire night flew away in enthusiasm and in dreams of landing next day in my dreamland, Kashmir. We landed at Sheikh ul Alam Airport at around 1:30 pm and finally I reached the place I always wanted to visit.

    I had already booked my Kashmir plan through Kashmiri locals. There was a car ready with a driver and my journey from Srinagar airport to Dal Lake was with chit chat and exchange of good wishes. I reached Dal Lake Ghat 17 where my booking was in a House boat “Merry Dawn”. I was the only tourist, not only in my houseboat but also in other houseboats around. I guess I was the only tourist in entire Dal Lake at that time. But it didn’t hinder me. I was quite excited to roam around in Srinagar and so within a short time, I freshened up, changed my dress and reached via shikara to my car waiting for me at Ghat 17.

    I am very fond of Chinar trees and so I first went to Pari Mahal and Cheshmashi, and then to Nishat Bagh. I clicked my pics under the Chinar tree. It was my dream evening watching the sunset on banks of the Dal Lake. A divine, deep feeling of belonging to Kashmiri land rose within me with the setting sun. The colour of the sky, my feelings and emotions within were chasing each other and they came to a point where they overlapped each other. I strongly felt I belonged to this land.

    After getting dropped at Ghat 17 again I went to my house boat, “Merry Dawn”, where Peerzada uncle was there to welcome me with a smiling face. I was served very tasty vegetarian food: two sabji, dal, roti and rice. Even though we had frequent power cuts, the night went peacefully with no fear at all. I felt so safe.

    The next day I went to Pahalgam and stayed there for two nights. These two days were deal days in Kashmir, that is, no strike or curfew on these days. I stayed in a beautiful hut which had a perfect view. I walked around alone in Pahalgam where I met Showkat who was preparing for UPSC exam. We had a healthy discussion on Kashmir issue. On the 2nd day in Pahalgam, I went to the house of a pony-wala (horse-rider) and had namkeen and chai. The family was very warm and welcoming and were very happy to host me.

    After two nights, I went to Gulmarg on 5th December. Their was no deal on that day, but a complete shutdown had been called by Hurriyat. We had started early from Pahalgam and reached Gulmarg by 8 am. I didn’t face any issue in traveling though. In Gulmarg, I took a Gondola ride. The hut I stayed in Gulmarg neither had any tourists nor the neighboring huts. It was just me and two attendants, and still somehow it felt safe to me.

    Next day outside my hut, I met few people. One of them, Khurseedji, asked me where I am from and what I do. I said I work in Idea Cellular and he said he also worked in Birla Sun Life Insurance. We had a good chat as we had similar work backgrounds. Next day, I received a call from Khursheedji early morning that he is leaving for Jammu and though he won’t be there, he would like me to visit his restaurant in Tangmarg for breakfast or atleast a cup of Kehwa. So on my way back, I went to his restaurant and the restaurant attendee gifted me a Kashmiri shawl on behalf of Khursheedji. It was quite a touching gesture for me. It is very hard to find people like that who show kindness without any expectations. I guess you can call it a Kashmiri gesture.

    Also in Tangmarg, I had to buy few things, but the shops were closed as it was a strike day. But to my surprise, one of the shopkeepers opened his shop for me. Even though I just bought only a small ring from his shop, he offered me a cup of Kehwa too. I felt that was a very nice gesture from his side, as in India you find people who offer things to prospective customers but hardly anything they would offer if you are not a prospective customer.

    By that evening I was in Srinagar again. I had a Shikara ride and also drove my Shikara for a while. It was a beautiful evening again at the houseboat.

    Next day, I had my return flight, but I came to know at the airport that all flights had been cancelled due to bad weather and my rescheduled flight was after 4 days on 13th December. I didn’t know what to do now, and so then I called the local Idea Cellular Manager and he said, I should reach the CCD in Sonawar, Srinagar and have coffee till he picks me up. But unfortunately, it wasn’t a deal day and so the CCD was closed. So I was stranded on the gate of CCD with two bags. A Kashmiri woman saw me and walked upto me, and asked me what happened. Though initially she had thought I was a Kashmiri myself and was running away from my home as she saw me with two bags, I told her I am a tourist and she shouldn’t worry as I was waiting for someone to pick me up. Then a Kashmiri sardarji to whom I said, Sasriyakalji, he asked me what happened. He offered to wait till someone comes to pick me up and if someone doesn’t come, he said, I can come to his home and stay as his sister. I said someone is going to pick me up and so he need not worry. In the meantime, Junaid also called, to ask if I had reached Mumbai. I told him about the flight cancellation and me being at the CCD. He said that I should go to Akbar hotel just across the road and he would arrange my stay there. But the Idea Cellular manager came and he had already organised a stay for me at Hotel Regal Palace in Regal Chowk.

    Hotel Regal Palace had 6 storeys and each floor had 10 rooms but I was the only tourist in the hotel. Even in that case, somehow, I didn’t feel afraid. 50% reason of feeling safe and secure, I can say, was due to my braveness and 50% due to the people of Kashmir. For the next two days I visited Lal Chowk and Maulana Azad Road. Luckily, these were deals days and shops were open.

    I spent my last two days in Shivpora with a Kashmiri family: Farooq Bhai, his wife and children. The children called me “masi” instead of “aunty” The woman of the house let me use her kitchen and I made vegetarian food for them. The experience with the family is something that I will never forget. Now I am back in Mumbai, but I still talk to the family almost twice a day either through phone or Skype.

    People ask me why I didn’t go to Uttarakhand or Himachal for holiday and chose Kashmir, especially, during the unrest period. I say that I have a strong connect with Kashmir which is hard to articulate in words.

    Finally, I have decided I want to be in Kashmir. I will try to get transferred to Kashmir on basis of my telecom experience but if Idea or Jio don’t let me work in Kashmir, I might start some small business there.

    The trip to Kashmir has changed my life and these 11 days have gifted me fearless and more confident life. I have found a purpose which is to spend the rest of my life spreading love.

    People across Kashmir are full of love and good human values. They respect women. They take care of tourists. I got an opportunity to stay with a Kashmiri family for the last two days of my trip and those two days of my stay became a life-time relation. I would recommend people across the globe to visit “paradise on earth”. Dal Lake house boat, Chinar tree, Pahalgam Hut and Valley and river, Gulmarg Hut and hilly snowy mountains, Kahwa, Namkeen chai and Kashmiri roti, Rajma chawal and over and above people with beautiful heart.

    I love Kashmir and my ultimate wish is to have my last breath under the Chinar tree

    The Article Was First Published On: http://www.gyawun.com/

  • HIV AIDS slowly spreading in state

    Jammu: Despite Jammu and Kashmir listed among the states with low prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in India, the deadly virus is slowly spreading its tentacles in south Kashmir and southern districts of Jammu region.

    Anantnag, Kulgam, Samba and Kathua have reported a number of HIV cases which are mainly attributed to greater usage of drugs rather than sexual transmission.

    Though senior officials in J&K State AIDS Control Society (JKSACS) refused to give district-wise figures, citing the policy of not creating a public scare, they expressed concern over youth falling to the trap of drug mafias. They demanded a rethink on the traditional approach to deal with the spread of the disease.

    Official sources admitted that the drug menace had reached an alarming proportions in both regions of the state.

    According to the latest figures, J&K has a prevalence of 0.05 per cent of HIV which is lowest in the country. Till October, 2016, 5,018 persons were affected by HIV while 746 persons had died due to AIDS in the state since the first case was detected 30 years ago.

    “The usage of drugs is a major reason for HIV transmission, mainly in the Kashmir Valley. Apart from that women sex workers and truckers are main transmitters. The movement of people to other parts of the country for work adds to the risk,” said a senior official in JKSACS.

    By October this year, 60,930 people have been tested for HIV in J&K which include 26,630 pregnant women. Out of them 183, including 10 pregnant women, tested positive for HIV in 2016.

    Recently, Minister for Health Bali Bhagat had also asked agencies to take measures and keep a constant vigil. “The situation in J&K is not as alarming when compared to other states yet there is no scope for slackness. We need to re-double our efforts in fight against the HIV menace,” Bhagat had said.

    According to the figures around 300 people living with HIV (PLHIVs) have been provided financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per annum by the state government.

    In order to reduce the window period in HIV testing methods, the JKSACS has submitted a proposal for upgrading the HIV testing to the latest technology like ELISA fourth generation testing and Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) testing to the Central government.

  • Convent girls shine in Bangkok

    Srinagar: The four Presentation Convent girls have brought laurels for State by winning medals in the THAITAE International-2016 championship held in Bangkok, Thailand.

    The four valley based girls, Shah Rutbah, Ayesha Javaid, Saleeja and Hibra who study in Presentation Convent were part of 12-member Indian team in the event. In the event, Indian team was fielded by Taekwondo Organization of India.

    For India, Shah Rutbah bagged gold, Ayesha Javaid bagged silver while as Saleeja and Hibra bagged bronze medals. The J&K contingent was accompanied by Coach, Ajaz Rasool Mir

    Meanwhile Shah Rutbah has previously bagged medals in Malaysia, Hongkong, Dubai and Bhutan. She has also qualified her Dan 1 black belt and is a 6-7 nationals of Taekwondo and Vovinam martial arts medalist.

     

  • Anger brewing in ‘power-less’ Kashmir

    Srinagar: The arbitrary and prolonged power cuts continue to increase people’s woes in Kashmir amid chilly winter despite repeated assurances by the Government to ensure better supply of electricity. Amid the deteriorating situation, anger is brewing among people in different parts of Kashmir who have threatened to hit roads in case the Government failed to improve the supply.

    For the past few weeks the situation has gone worse with people expressing anguish against the erratic energy supply even as Power Development Department (PDD) Kashmir has been asking consumers for making judicious use of the electricity for better and dependable supply.

    Following outrage over unscheduled power cuts in valley, post bi-annual durbar move in November, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, while chairing a meeting here on December 5 to review winter arrangements in Kashmir, expressed her dismay over reports of frequent and unscheduled cuts in power supply and asked the PDD to devise ways and means to ensure regulated supply of electricity during winter months.

    But there has hardly been an improvement in the scenario with reports pouring in from rural Kashmir as well as townships and the summer capital Srinagar talking about the deteriorating power supply.

    “Every year we are assured of better power supply but the situation worsens shortly after the seat of governance shifts to Jammu,” said Arslan Hussain of Bilal Colony Soura. “We barely get 3-4 hours of power supply and the authorities resort to power cuts as per their own wishes.”

    Civil society group KCSDS has now asked the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) to intervene to provide relief to consumers.

    “This erratic power supply is a breach of agreement by the PDD with consumers. The SERC should take note of these violations and direct consumers to pay only for the supplies they get rather than as per the agreement,” said civil society member Shakeel Qalander.

    The KCSDS said it won’t desist from mobilizing public against the discrimination consumers are made to face.

    As per the reports the power woes are equally growing in both metered and non-metered areas. “The department (PDD) hardly follows its schedule in our area and whenever we get the supply the quality (voltage) is extremely poor,” said Muhammad Yasin Rather of Zaffran Colony, Pantha Chowk. Similar complaints of very low voltage came in from Peerbagh, Srinagar.

    Reports pouring in from other parts of summer capital Srinagar said that people have been complaining of prolonged and unscheduled power cuts.

    “The department is not sticking to its own schedule to supply power,” said Muhammad Arif of Dalgate here.

    The PDD on the other hand maintains that it continues to supply 1200-MW supply, almost double the load agreement of 650 MW with the consumers. “The consumers need to understand their responsibility for making judicious use of electricity especially during peak (evening) hours when the system witnesses maximum load,” said a senior PDD official adding the consumers need to come forward to desist from illegal use of power through different means like hooking.

    Another official said the system might witness some improvement by the mid of the January next year as the department was likely to complete the process of augmentation of at least three grid stations in Kashmir.

    However the erratic supply is now forcing people to come out of their houses to stage protests. Residents of many villages in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district including Plan, Nowpora, Muslim Abad, Kaloosa, Onagam, Watrin, Watapora, Qazipora, Panzigam and Putushai on Sunday told Greater Kashmir that the PDD was resorting to massive power curtailments. “The department has failed to provide electricity as per new schedule, thereby making people face lot of inconvenience,” said Altaf Ahmad, a resident of Kaloosa.

    He said that in 24 hours the department resorts to more than 15 hour curtailment. The villagers said that the irregular and prolonged power cuts have left the villages reeling under darkness and the department seems least bothered.

    People in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district have also been up in arms against the PDD for failing to provide them uninterrupted power supply. Locals alleged that despite housing three power projects, Ganderbal was seeing worst power crisis. Reports from different areas of Ganderbal including Ganderbal town, Lar, Kangan, Gund and other areas said that the unscheduled power cuts have grown giving tough time to people, especially during evening hours.

    “It is shocking that instead of ensuring regular power supply the Power Development Department is resorting to erratic supply cuts,” said Fayaz Ahmed, a resident of Lar town.

    Opposition National Conference today criticized Peoples Democratic Party-led Government for subjecting people across Kashmir to sufferings and ignoring Srinagar.

    “The PDP led Government is deliberately punishing people of Srinagar for no fault of theirs and subjecting them to worst power crisis ever,” said NC’s Tanvir Sadiq in a statement. “There is no kerosene, no basic amenities, power situation is worst ever,” Tanvir said while interacting with people in the interiors of downtown Zadibal.

    “While the PDP MLA and ministers are enjoying themselves in Jammu and elsewhere, people in Srinagar and all over Kashmir are left to fend for themselves,” said Sadiq. “The Chief Minister is totally oblivious to the suffering of people. If they are even a bit considerate towards people of Srinagar they should start 175 MW Pampore Gas Turbine immediately,” demanded Sadiq.

    Asking people to use power “intelligently,” Chief Engineer MnRE Shahnaz Goni said the Department was trying its best to manage the system and not to put people to any inconvenience.

    The Chief Engineer said the Department was going to augment four grid stations including Rawalpora and Kulgam grids in coming days which would help to improve the situation.

    “If people cooperate to use the power intelligently the department assures to provide better supply of the electricity,” she said, adding the overloading of the grid stations was forcing the Department to go for cuts.

    The Chief Engineer claimed that there was no complaint from Srinagar city. “We have been able to manage the city well,” she said.

    The Department had also called the meeting of Superintending Engineers today to discuss “ways and means” to improve situation. We have also decided to snap power supply to cement factories and other industries from 8 pm to 10 pm to divert it for domestic use,” said the CE, adding the department was working on a re-arrangement program.

  • Post-Burhan, count of foreign militants up by 150% in Valley

    Their number swelled from 71 to 178 during five months of unrest

    Srinagar: The insurgency in Kashmir strengthened its hold this year as the number of foreign militants operating in the Valley has more than doubled during the months of paralysing unrest, according to police records.The surge of foreign militants indicates an “escalation of 151 per cent” as their number leaped from 71, prior to the unrest, to 178 during the unrest which began on July 8 and led to a halt in counter-insurgency operations.Most of the foreign militants remain affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Toiba, which now contributes almost 50 per cent of the total militants operating in the region. “The reason for increase in foreign militants is the successful infiltration bids that occurred during the unrest and suspension of well-coordinated anti-militancy operations,” says a police document discussing the increased influx of foreign militants.The anti-militancy operations had remained suspended for several months following the July 8 gunfight in which militant commander Burhan Wani was killed, triggering a widespread spell of protests in the region.Foreign militants have been involved in some of the most deadly attacks this year which caused heavy death toll among security forces. The foreign militants were involved in almost all fidayeen attacks that were carried on security forces installations this year, including the attack on an Army base near north Kashmir’s Uri town in which 20 soldiers were killed.Most of the foreign militants, according to police records, remain in districts of north Kashmir, bordering the Line of Control from where the militants infiltrate into the Valley. Some have been killed in counter-insurgency operations and while carrying out the attacks.The influx of foreign militants and the addition of local recruits have also led to a surge in the number of total militants operating in the region, which has also almost doubled. “The overall local recruitment figures and foreign militant figures indicates 95 per cent escalation during the unrest,” the police document states.The number of total militants operating in the region is estimated to be 235 to 250, out of whom 217 are named and categorised. Among the categorised militants, 107 are linked to the Lashkar, 89 to the Hizbul Mujahideen, 19 to Jaish-e-Mohammed and two to Al Badr. (TNS)

  • Normal Life Picks Up in Kashmir Valley, Streets Abuzz With Activity In Valley

    SRINAGAR: Normal life resumed across Kashmir Monday on the second day of the five-day relaxation period, the longest called by the unified leadership since the current uprising began in the Valley.

    The leadership, comprising of two Hurriyat factions and JKLF, announced a new protest calendar for the next two weeks till the end of this month.

    The unified Hurriyat has asked people to strike only on Fridays and Saturdays, meaning the Valley would witness five days of normal business  every week now, first time since unrest erupted in July this year.

    All shops and business establishments opened early in the morning, while traffic was plying normally on all the roads in Srinagar, other major towns and on the inter-district routes.

    The Valley erupted in rage on July 8, hours after news spread that government forces had killed Burhan Wani, a popular militant commander in south Kashmir. Subsequent protests and police action left some 100 people dead and thousands others injured.

    Even chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, acknowledged that unwarranted force was used on protesters during the last five months. “During the past five months, excessive force was used and I don’t deny that, but normalcy has started prevailing. I hope police will cooperate and change their behavior while dealing with people,” Mufti had said, speaking at the passing-out parade of Jammu and Kashmir Police at Commando Training Centre in Lethpora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

  • BJP ministers: Will block ex gratia to Burhan’s family

    Jammu: Amid outrage over the decision of the state government to sanction ex gratia to the family of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, BJP ministers today assured party leaders that they will stall the move to release the compensation.This assurance was given during the meeting of the office-bearers and legislators, which was convened this afternoon to devise the party’s strategy for the coming Budget Session of the Assembly.Sources said the issue of compensation to Burhan’s family was raised by some legislators but they were assured by ministers that only a notice in this regard had been issued by the Deputy Commissioner concerned and no final decision had been taken in this regard.“To placate party leaders, the BJP ministers assured that sanctioning compensation in favour of any person who dies under mysterious circumstances is a very cumbersome process. They said it was rather impossible to get clearance to release compensation for Burhan’s brother,” the sources said.As reported earlier, there was a strong anger among the BJP cadre after the state government announced the compensation for the death of Burhan’s elder brother Khalid Wani, who was killed by the Army on April 13, 2015. The sources said in the meeting, the BJP legislators were directed to raise only those issues which pertained to the constituency of the party. “The legislators were asked to raise the issues of border inhabitants, refugees of PoJK and other problems being faced by the residents of the Jammu region,” the sources said.The sources said the legislators were directed by the party leaders to strongly take up the issue of settling foreigners, including Rohingya refugees and some Bangladeshi on the outskirts of Jammu city. As reported earlier, some social and business organisations have already expressed their concern over settling foreigners in Jammu city.

    Respect SC verdict on J&K: BJP to parties  

    Jammu: While the Kashmir-centric parties and separatist groups are enraged over the verdict of the Supreme Court on  the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, the ruling BJP on Monday said all political parties should respect the judgment of the apex court. “The recent judgment of the Supreme Court on SARFAESI Act lays down in categorical terms what is legal and factual position of Jammu and Kashmir as a constituent unit of India. It has conclusively held that there is no concept of partially sovereignty of J&K and that attributes of sovereignty are exclusively vested with India,” said BJP chief spokesman Sunil Sethi. 

  • This Girl From Magarmal Bagh Srinagar Has A Last Message For You Help me.

    Srinagar: Sana Bhat, the girl from Magarmal Bagh locality of Srinagar has been diagnosed with relapse acute myeloid leukemia (a type of blood cancer). She is currently under treatment at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute New Delhi.

    Sana belongs to a very poor family and her father has expired. So all the responsibility lies on her siblings who are finding it almost impossible to make ends meet. The patient is currently going through Blood Transfusion (Blood and Platelets) on alternate days which cost Rs 25000 (Twenty Five Thousand).

    “Doctors have prescribed after the transfusion she has to undergo systematic cycles of chemotherapy followed by Allogenic stem cell transplant which would cost her 15-20 lakh Rupees, says the report,” her sister, who is attending her in Delhi hospital.

    9990942412 Contact No. Of Her Sister Sabiya Yousuf 

    Sana Yousuf Bhat, ACC: 20287040015, State Bank of India (SBI), Address: Residency road, Srinagar, IFSC: SBIN0000722

    Watch Video Here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDTcYqOncZA

  • Talk to Hurriyat: Yashwant Sinha to Centre

    “The situation has not yet improved, rather it is deteriorating day by day as the people of the Valley feel completely alienated,” he said.

    Srinagar: Senior BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha has advocated that the government should engage in dialogue with all stakeholders in trouble-torn Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the prevailing problems as the situation in the Valley was turning grave.

    “In order to solve the problems, an initiative should be made to hold talks with all stakeholders including All Party Hurriyat Conference in the Kashmir Valley, where people are feeling completely alienated,” Sinha, also a former Union Finance Minister, said.

    Speaking on “Issues related to Jammu and Kashmir”, organized by Jamshedpur Citizen Forum here on Saturday, Sinha said over 100 persons were killed and around 1,000 people lost their eye-sight in pellet gun shots by forces since the violence broke out following the killing of Burhan Wani on July 7 .

    “The situation has not yet improved, rather it is deteriorating day by day as the people of the Valley feel completely alienated,” he said.

    Referring to the political arrangement reached between PDP and BJP for forming a government in the Valley, Sinha said the ruling alliance agreed to resume dialogue with the people of Kashmir Valley on the 

    spirit espoused by former Prime Minister Atal BIhari Vajpayee, which was based on “Insaniyat” (Humanity) and assurance not to tamper with Article 370 of the constitution.

    Stating that bullet will not solve any problem, Sinha, who had twice visited the Kashmir since the trouble broke out in July including between December 10 to 14 last, favored a dialogue with all stakeholders to restore peace in the Valley.

    During his recent visit, Sinha said people were appreciative about Vajpayee’s approach to resolve all issues in the Valley.

    “The people of Kashmir valley still remember Vajpayee ji for understanding their problem and his approach on Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.  Recalling an interaction with a person in Shopian during the recent visit, Sinha said the person had (sarcastically) thanked Indian government for ‘dispelling’ all fears from their heart as they no longer fear bullet or pellet gun in the wake of government’s approach.

    About the reason for people of the Valley to feel alienated, Sinha said the people during the interaction complained that the forces did not use pellet guns during agitations by Jat community, Patel community in Gujarat, on Cauvery issue but only in Jammu and Kashmir.

    They alleged that “the government wants to blind the youths by using pellet guns only in the Valley.”  Sinha said the recent visits of non-political leaders to the Valley was based on the guiding principles of Jayprakash Narayan, who believed that dialogue was the only way to solve any problem and favoured talks in the Valley.

    Accusing the previous governments of failing to resolve the issue with Pakistan despite having opportunity in the past, Sinha said the problem in the Valley was prevailing for last seven decades without any solution as yet.

    The BJP leader said Pakistan had taken advantage of “completely rigged 1987 assembly election” in the Valley and engineered cross-border activities since 1988-89.

    About the resumption of bilateral talks between India-Pakistan, Sinha said militant activities from across the border and talk cannot take place together as stated by Vajpayee ji. Pakistan will have to stop cross-border terrorism and prevent groups from using their territory against India to resume composite dialogue with India, he observed. 

    Sinha also hailed Modi for taking initiative to resume talks with Pakistan.

    “Modi had invited his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his oath taking ceremony and also made sudden visit to Pakistan to attend a function.

    “Besides both the PMs did have talks at international meets a couple of times,” he said while regretting that all these attempts by the Indian government were not reciprocated by Pakistan. PTI