Category: Union Territory

‘Hartal politics snatched right to earn from common man’

Srinagar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today said Kashmiri people don’t recognize the so-called civil society members, who have advised separatists to continue the shutdown in Kashmir.

BJP spokesman Khalid Jehangir said, “The people, who attended the so-called meeting of stakeholders, comprised of businessmen, who are multi-millionaires and have got nothing to do with the common people. Besides these few people, separatists had invited their own activists for the meeting to ensure that no one opposes them so that they can carry on with the protest calendar which has ruined Kashmir.”

 He said, “The people who attended the meeting were the stooges and yes-men of separatists. Genuine representatives of the people were not invited for the meeting as they would have embarrassed the separatists by opposing them.”

Jehangir said that as its people are defying the shutdown call given by the separatists and are openly opposing their diktats. “The henchmen of separatists are leaving no stone unturned to terrify the people by setting vehicles, shops and schools on fire. This all is being done to create fear psychosis among the people who have raised the banner of revolt against the so-called well wishers of the people who have taken entire Kashmir hostage for the past more than 4-months,” he added.

“Separatists should see the writing on the wall and call off this hartal politics which has snatched the right to earn from a common man,” he added. (PTK)

‘Rise above personal gains, save ‘pious freedom movement’

Srinagar: The incarcerated chairman of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Shabir Ahmad Shah, who is also the general secretary of Hurriyat (G) today appealed the resistance leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Muhammad Yasin Malik to come to a single platform by reconstituting the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) saying the “pious” freedom movement is “the mission of martyrs and above anyone’s personal gains”.

Shah said the move should be initiated as per the wishes and aspirations of the people of the disputed region.

Addressing Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, Shah said: “Now, as you have acknowledged the single leadership, issue joint programme after mutual consultation with Syed Ali Geelani Sahib, and have buried the past differences, why not reconstitute a single Hurriyat to fulfill the longstanding wish of the people of Jammu Kashmir.”

“To our immense satisfaction, the movement is moving forward under the leadership of Syed Ali Geelani and we want to add this milestone (of reconstituting the APHC) to the history of our freedom movement. We are the heirs of our martyrs and guardians of their invaluable sacrifices and to accomplish their mission is our agenda,” Shah added.

The pro-freedom leader said the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Jama’at-e-Islami, Bar Association, Umat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ahle Hadith, and several social, political, and religious organisations were the constituents of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) but “due to some unwanted and foregone circumstances these parties separated themselves from the conglomerate”.

“Now, the unity among the pro-freedom leadership has paved way for all these groups to assemble under the same umbrella of APHC while keeping their individual identities intact. After all, we’re fighting for the same goal and situation is also favourable,” he said.

Meanwhile, Shah strongly condemned the “murderous” attack on Kashmiri students in Noida, Delhi saying “no place in India is safe” for them. Holding the extremist groups responsible for the attack, Shah warned of “serious repercussions” if such incidents don’t stop. (PTK)

Rs 50 crore being spent in tourism sector in the District this year six

KISHTWAR: Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti has complimented people of Kishtwar for maintaining age old communal harmony and brotherhood despite provocations.

Interacting with several deputations and a number of people who came to meet her during her visit to the town yesterday, the Chief Minister said development of Kishtwar has always remained close to her heart adding the Government would give the necessary push to the developmental activities so that people in the area reap the benefits at the earliest.

Mehbooba Mufti said tourism in the area would be given big boost by linking the region to the adventure track and trekking circuit. She said this year Rs 6 crore would be spent on upgrading tourist facilities in the district and in the coming four years Rs 50 crore would be expended in tourism sector in the region.

The Chief Minister said the shrines of Hazrat Shah Asrar ud Din (RA) and Hazrat Shah Farid ud Din (RA) would be brought under pilgrim tourism and the facilities for Machail Yatra would be upgraded.

The Chief Minister said with the setting up of new Panchayats many of the local issues of the people would get immediate redressal.

Mehbooba Mufti listened patiently to the issues brought to her notice by the deputations and assured them of appropriate action.

A deputation of District Bar Association demanded posting of mobile traffic magistrate besides regulating traffic in the main town.

A deputation of Congress demanded setting up of a fire station at Chatroo besides construction of Chatroo-Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel.

Another deputation of BJP demanded enhancement in the ration quota and upgradation of Batote-Kishtwar road.

A deputation from PDP demanded opening of a Women’s College in the town and asked the power companies working in the district to spend the money under CSR for the infrastructure development of the area.

Hurriyat (M) praises people for showing consistency in ongoing movement

Srinagar: Hurriyat (M) on Wednesday lauded the people of Kashmir for showing consistency and steadfastness in taking the ongoing mass uprising into the fifth month and for following the call of the unified resistance leadership.
In a statement issued to Kashmir Today, Hurriyat (M) said people’s trust in their leadership and leaderships complete support from people would go a long way to carry forward the resistance movement towards the right to self determination and freedom.
The spokesman said for suppressing the sentiments of the masses, the ruling regime has left no stone unturned, like its predecessors since 1947. “Pellets and bullets have rained to control the mass revolt in which over 100 innocent civilians have been killed, over 15000 people, blinded, maimed and handicapped, over 15000 people mostly youth and children arrested ,thousands of houses damaged people harassed and beaten and what not, to crush the people’s movement,” he said.
The statement said the government forces continued their crackdown and raids in Daberna Islamabad, Naid Khai, Tulmullah, Singhpora, Bandipora, Kreeri, Pulwama, Shopian and other areas across Kashmir and said on Monday over three dozen innocent civilians were arrested in Bandipora, another 44 youth had been booked under the infamous Public Safety Act, residents were being beaten, residential properties damaged and household items ransacked.
Meanwhile, on the advice of the Hurriyat (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq, a delegation of Hurryiat leaders comprising Hurriyat members Moulvi Muhammad Ashraf, Haji Bashir Ahmad Khan, and Jammu Kashmir Awami Action Committee (AAC) Halqa Safa Kadal General Secretary, Khawaja Ghulam Hassan Shah offered the Fateh Khawani of Qaiser Hameed, who was martyred a few days back, and paid glowing tributes to him.
Remembering engineer Gowhar Ahmed of HMT, who was brutally murdered by the forces last year this day, the spokesman said “the sacrifices of youth like Qaiser and Gowhar are the real asset of the ongoing resistance movement and Inshallah will bear fruit.”

Asks charitable organizations to emulate Islamia Faridia, BGSBS, MVDSB model using offerings for spread of education

KISHTWAR: Underscoring the importance of education in the socio-economic empowerment, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said Islam has laid ample stress on seeking knowledge, making it a compulsory obligation.

Addressing the annual day function of Islamia Faridia Educational & Research Institute here, the Chief Minister said education is a great leveler to bridge any social and economic gap in society and reminded the students how much stress Islam has laid on seeking knowledge.

Mehbooba Mufti reminded the students that Iqra (learn) was the first verse to have been revealed upon the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and seeking knowledge was made Farz (compulsory) for every Muslim. Importance of education has been stressed in Islam time and again and preventing or disrupting education is a disservice to Islam, she said.

The Chief Minister complimented the Islamia Faridia Educational & Research Institute for its efforts in spreading education in Chenab valley region during 111 years of its existence since 1905. She announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh for the school for its further development and infrastructure upgradation while assuring all possible help to the institute.

Mehbooba Mufti asked the charitable institutes like Auqafs and trusts in the State to emulate successful models like Islamia Faridia Trust, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah, Mata Vaishno Devi University etc. where the offerings and other donations were gainfully used to spread education, make colleges, universities and hospitals. This is the best use of these offerings and real tribute to these saints and deities, she said.

Felicitating people on the Urs of Hazrat Shah Asrar ud Din (RA), the Chief Minister said development of the region has always remained close to her heart. She said she is fully aware of the problems and aspirations of the people of the area. She said immediately after taking over she had decided to undertake a detailed visit of the area to further assess the development needs but couldn’t due to the situation in Kashmir Valley.

Responding to the demands put forth, Mehbooba Mufti said there is a need to construct tunnels like Vailoo-Singhpora and on Mughal road. She said the bed strength of Kishtwar hospital would be increased from 100 beds to 200 and possibility of setting up a cancer hospital would also be explored. She said one nursing college has been started in the town and another college would also be set up soon.

The Chief Minister described Kishtwar as hub of generating hydel power and assured people that money under Corporate Social Responsibility of the companies operating in the area would be spent on the welfare of its people.

Earlier on her arrival, the Chief Minister was given a warm reception by the students of the institute. She was taken by a contingent of students of the institute to the podium.

The Chief Minister, on the occasion, distributed Faridia Gold medals among the dedicated teachers of the institute.

Minister of State for Hajj & Auqaf, Syed Farooq Andrabi in his address also appreciated the contribution of the school in the spread of education in the area and hoped one day the institute would become a good university in the region. He said the nursing college started by Wakf Council has started admissions and efforts would be made to upgrade its infrastructure.

MLC, Firdous Tak also addressed the gathering and thanked the Chief Minister for starting a nursing college in the town. He said it was the dream of late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed to see Kishtwar develop as any other modern town of the State.

MLA, G M Saroori, members of the management of the Islamia Faridia Educational & Research Institute, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, G N Balwan and other officers of district administration were present on the occasion.