Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Hurriyat (G) terms blinding of yet another 3 teenagers by pellets as barbaric

    ‘Tall claims of ministerial heads to be seriously concerned about education of our youth’

    Srinagar: Terming the blinding of yet another 3 teenagers by pallets at Ruhmu Pulwama as barbaric, Hurriyat Conference (G) said that shrapnel’s of Indian army cease to blunt even after slaughtering thousands of our men for the last 7 decades particularly past 115 days.
    In a statement issued to KNS, Hurriyat (G) said that tall claims of ministerial heads to be seriously concerned about the education of our youth, is nullified by the ruthless killings and blinding of these girls. Hurriyat said that how can these liars face the grief stricken parents of hundreds of innocents, from Insha to Ifra, as they continue to cripple our coming generation for the lust and greed of their power.
    While giving the details of the incident at Ruhmu Pulwama, Hurriyat said that in the village army and police started house to house searches and resorted to the brutal and inhuman beating of people and villagers protested against this high headedness and hatred of rogues in uniform, who started pushing their triggers to convey the clear “date sheet” to these young girls on to where and when they have to get operated.
    Hurriyat said that these are the unending blessings of the Indian “Democracy” as in this piece of land with “special status” a special definition of democracy is practiced, and we are being treated as experimental animals to test its armory.
    Referring to the continuous and unstoppable spree of gutting the educational institutions, Hurriyat said that even those, who claim to belong to the religious families, resort to the untruly rhetoric of deceit and lies, just to safeguard their ministry and keep themselves in good books of Sang Parivaar, only to divert the attention from the basic issue and ground realities.
    Blaming the pro-freedom leadership for such unsocial acts, these foul smelling mouthpieces of the brutal oppressive regime, have once again stooped too low to be even talked about. They, after hand in glow with the Saffron brigade, have waged a war against the people especially Muslims. Otherwise everybody here knows that in the thick of night either police and armed forces roam around or those faceless politicians who represent them, as in broad daylight their wicked and cruel faces may invite public bashing and banging.
    Hurriyat questioned as who else is responsible, other than these killer forces, in destroying residential houses and ransacking the belongings of the people and burning of harvest crop during night.
    Hurriyat has always said and today also forcefully reiterates its stand and a clear position that those involved in gutting the schools, Bank robberies, thrashing of innocent people or any other unsocial activity can never be a well wisher of the movement, and these acts of grave human and social disrespect are dangerous and venomous for the movement. We believe that this is the handiwork of the government agencies and frustrated pro-Indian political elite as this only profits them.
    Hurriyat said that in the fire and flames of the buildings these stooges want to burn, the visionless eyes from Insha to Irfa, our 94 butchered fellows, our injured and crippled youngsters and in the sorrowful cracking sounds of these education houses, they want to muffle and mute the heart-touching cries and yells of our youth in various police stations and interrogation centers, only to provide a shameless shield and unholy cover for their heinous crimes.
    Hurriyat said that we only want to ask these collaborators and the willing veils of this oppressive regime, that aren’t they ashamed of anything? If not for themselves at least for the sanity and honor of the religious podiums of their forefathers, don’t they believe that if not here, they will be answerable for their evil deeds hereafter and there will be no media to give front page coverage to their trumpery lies and nonsense accusals and no armed security to harass and threaten others.
    Hurriyat said that glamour, wealth, name, fame and authority based on straight lies, prevarication, deception is artificial, unreal and imitated and their slumbered minds must also curse and condemned them sometimes.
    Hurriyat said that the present killers have flooded this valley with these armed forces to strengthen their autocratic and unjust rule and to lodge them they crafted a well-nit conspiracy in such a cunning way that not only common man but every mindful and sensible individual including judiciary cried with their throat full voices to ensure safety of schools, thereby killing many birds with one stone. These cheep and mean parasites of our blood and flesh deprived our kids of their schools, to malign and tarnish the image of present uprising, they wickedly blamed pro-freedom leadership. Above all in the name of security they provided this killer force accommodation in these schools, enlighting new generation with the real essence of the education as a long cherished goal of worthy, educated, noble, pious and God fearing education minister. Hurriyat said that nation as a whole is aware of these multi-faced punks and their sinful and loathe politick and hopefully our people will not repeat past blunders which these stooges take advantage of. 

  • Burning of schools in Kashmir unfortunate: BJP

    ‘A few thugs want to turn Kashmir into Syria’

    Srinagar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed shock and concern over the burning of schools in Kashmir and has asked the Police and other security agencies to identify and arrest the miscreants behind this act.
    In a statement the BJP spokesman Khalid Jehangir said, “No sane society can tolerate burning of schools. It seems to be a part of a bigger conspiracy aimed at depriving the Kashmiri youth from getting educated to compete with others.”
    The BJP spokesman said, “It looks like that people who set ablaze the schools and houses of Kashmiri Pandits in nineties have once again regrouped and are indulging in arson. The government should reopen the cases which were filed against the miscreants in 1990. It would help the police and other agencies to trace the history sheeters and expose the people who are setting education institutions on fire in Kashmir.”
    Jehangir said, “In 1990 majority of Kashmiri Muslims acted as mute spectators when the minorities were hounded out. There was no backlash by the Muslim civil society. Now in 2016 same formula is being applied. It’s high time for Kashmiris society to react as it cannot be driven by a few thugs, who are hell bent upon turning Kashmir into Syria.”
    He said, “It’s unfortunate that a few people with vested interests are playing with the careers of our future generation. They will be exposed soon and people would never forgive them for their misdeeds.” 

  • Who is behind burning of schools, why is it being done; asks Mirwaiz

    ‘Such acts part of diversionary plan to shift focus from actual issue’

    Srinagar: Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who continues to be under house arrest commenting on burning of educational institutions said that no one needs to be told about the importance of education and instead of sermonizing and politicizing about the issue the question that needs to be answered is who is behind this burning and why is it being done.
    In a statement issued to Kashmir Today Mirwaiz said that every inch of Kashmir soil and every person in Kashmir is under surveillance. There are over with 7 lakh troops on ground and a huge police presence in every nook and corner of the valley. In such a security scenario is it possible that burning of schools will take place in such a systematic and frequent manner and the government forces and intelligence agencies would not be in know of the culprits to be able to nab them, when they have in the past four months in a pin pointed manner arrested more than 15000 youth in the people’s uprising for so called anti state activities. Mirwaiz said that too when government forces themselves are stationed in many schools across the valley.
    Mirwaiz said that such mischievous acts are part of the diversionary plan to shift focus from dealing with the actual issue on the ground and further harass and distress people. He said to shift focus, first war hysteria was created in the region and the Kashmir problem was externalized and now when the focus is again shifting towards the problem on ground, school burning has become the new disturbing focus.
    Mirwaiz said on one hand this government is beating its chest over burning of schools as it is greatly concerned about the “education of students “and on the other hand it is harassing and tormenting students into forcibly taking exams when they are repeatedly demanding they they be deferred for some time, keeping in view the trauma that they are going through due to the oppression faced by the nation in the last four months.
    Meanwhile, an Hurriyat (M) spokesman strongly denounced and condemned the brutal violence and barbarism unleashed by government forces on the peaceful protestors at Rohama Pulwama, Shopian, Bandipora, Anantnag and Sopore by firing pellets and bullets at them, resulting in critical injuries to dozens, including blinding of three students.
    Stressing that people were being dealt with brutal force whenever and wherever they try to bring out protest demonstrations and marches on the call of the unified resistance leadership while the government forces were continuing nocturnal raids, beating up inmates, ransacking household items and arresting youth and their family members, the spokesman said this was a challenge for the international rights bodies and emancipated nations of the world and urged them to take note of these brutal atrocities and come to the rescue of Kashmiris. 

  • Collective efforts imperative to save society, its institutions: PDP

    ‘Elements inimical to progress must be identified, isolated’

    Srinagar: Making a strong plea for an open social discourse on the current situation in the valley and the resultant damages to its ethos, institutions and resources, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has termed collective efforts as an imperative to save the society and its institutions from peril and destruction.
    Addressing a well-attended gathering of senior party functionaries, Ministers, Legislators, District and Zone Presidents of South Kashmir at Anantnag, the Party General Secretary, Mohammed Sartaj Madni said that the unfortunate happenings over the last four months in the valley have thrown up a poser for the society at large and called for every conscious citizen to close ranks and bring the society back from the brink of annihilation. “Protests have taken an unfortunate turn which is gravely afflicting the society by challenging its ethos. The assets that took decades of hard work to come about are being prowled at, so as to deprive the society of benefits of these institutions of delivery,” Madni said.
    Grieving over the fact that some elements are taking undue advantage of the uncertainty, Madni called for public support to isolate anybody who is inimical to our growth and survival.
    He said that forces inimical to peace and development have curbed the semblance of a normal life and have created impediments for free movement of people and their urge to live a dignified life as well as their initiative to progress.
    Underlining the well thought out machinations of some people to deprive Kashmir of education and enlightenment, Madni said the burning of schools and other institutions of empowerment is a ploy to create a generation of disempowered youth, who can be used to further their nefarious designs.“Burning of schools is a grave and serious issue. It is a mindless act that has no space in any civilised society. Everyone must come forward and expose these elements that have no good to offer to Kashmiris and they aspire for nothing but a bleak future for our youth, “he added.
    Addressing the meeting, senior party leader and Minister for R&B and Parliamentary affairs Abdul Rehman Veeri has said that the government is working tirelessly for the overall development and welfare of the people of J&K.In his address to the party functionaries, the senior party leader and Minister for Finance and Culture, Dr Haseeb Drabu said that government would provide every succour in the revival of economy but those who are out to damage our interests and keep the pot boiling will have to change their mind-set and methods so that the people do not suffer.Speaking on the occasion, the senior party leader, Nizammudin Bhat said that the PDP is committed to the implementation of the ‘Agenda of Alliance.’“However it needs a congenial and peaceful atmosphere for the government to pursue its agenda,” he said.
    Lauding the efforts of the government for ensuring basic necessities and essential services like ration, electricity, health services and drinking water facilities to people despite the uncertainty, Bhat said, that government has effectively rolled out these services and will continue to serve the people of the state.
    Those who participated in the meeting include the senior party leaders Syed Farooq Andrabi, Zahoor Ahmed Mir; Ministers of State, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain; VC, KVIB, Nazir Ahmed Laway; MP, Mohammed Yousuf Bhat, Aijaz Ahmed Mir, Ab Rahim Rather, Ab Majid Padroo; MLAs, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas; MLC, Sajjad Hussain Mufti; Lok-Sabha Co-ordinator, Sofi Ab Gaffar, Rafi Ahmed Mir, Ab Razaq Zawoora, Zaffar Chowdhary and others. (KNS)

  • Allow UN access to Kashmir to investigate allegations of rights abuse: Indian civil society

    Srinagar: A motley group of writers, rights activists, journalists, lawyers and others, have called upon the government to grant an “unfettered” access to the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) to investigate allegations of Human Rights violations while seeking an end to repression in Kashmir.

     In a number of demands, they asked the government to immediately lift the curfew and stop violence against civilians in Kashmir.

     “Open channels for political dialogue in consultation with all stakeholders and explore every possible solution including–complete autonomy or pre-1953 position and even plebiscite.

      “Immediately drop all charges against activists, human rights defenders and civilians booked under the PSA and release them.

     “Grant unfettered access to United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) to investigate allegations of Human Rights violations.

     “Work forcefully to demilitarize both sides of the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. Further, to demilitarize all of Kashmir and immediately revoke impunity laws such as the AFSPA, PSA, and DAA etc.

     “Create credible mechanisms for accountability and justice, (such as an international criminal tribunal), for human rights abuses in Kashmir over the past three decades, including extra-judicial killings, torture, sexual and gendered violence, enforced disappearances and unknown and mass graves.”

     The members said that they were dismayed over the ongoing crisis in Kashmir.

     “We have watched in horror and shock the repetitive cycle of state aggression leading to violence, deteriorating state of civil liberties, violation of fundamental rights and ever escalating loss of human life and dignity in Kashmir. In the last 114 days, we have lost over 100 lives in Kashmir.More than 15,000 civilians have been injured, out of which 4500 persons have suffered grievous injuries due to pellet-guns, 4664have been injured by bullets.Over 8000 people have been arrested out of which 434 people have been detained under the Public Safety Act (toll as on October 30, 2016),” they said.

     They also censured the government for imposition of curfew and gag on newspapers.

     “Stop the crackdown on media and lift the ban on Kashmir Reader,” they demanded.  It said that there are reports of vandalism and violence during raids by the police and security forces.

     “As the pillars of a modern democracy are wrecked with the media gag, the abuse of the impunity accorded to the law enforcement agencies is bound to escalate. There have been instances of harassment, abuse and baseless arrests of Kashmiris working and studying, not only in Kashmir but also in different parts of India, for having voiced their political views.”

     Intense militarization of the valley has left deep scars on the social, economic and psychological well being of every life in Kashmir.

     “Laws such as Public Safety Act (PSA), Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) etc., are draconian and are not conducive to contributing to a solution. Irrespective of what the situation is, whether we agree with what the Kashmiris are demanding or not, there is no law in India which allows the Indian armed forces to use their position to ransack people’s houses, decimate their food grains, crops and livestock.”

     Impressing upon the government to understand that Kashmiris were the principal party to the settlement of the dispute, they said: “Whatever the stand of the Government of India on the demand of Kashmiri people for independence, it is imperative to create an environment of understanding and openness and initiate a purposeful and sincere dialogue with all the stakeholders for an amicable settlement.”  (CNS)

  • Burhan’s father appeals people to secure school buildings

    Deplores burning of institutes

    Srinagar: Amid rising incidents of burning of schools in Kashmir, the father of slain Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani Tuesday appealed people to make sure that such incidents aren’t repeated and the schools all over the Valley are secured.
    Talking to KNS correspondent in Tral, Muzaffar Ahmad Wani, a higher secondary principal, said, “As teacher, I appeal everybody to make sure that educational institutes aren’t targeted. We have to secure the school buildings as these institutions belong to our future generations.”
    “Instead of going into the blame game as who was behind the burning of school buildings, whosoever is doing it is trying to push students out of schools which is deplorable,” he added. (KNS)

  • Devise teams of teachers, chowkidars to prevent torching of schools: Div Com

    Srinagar: In response to the directions of J&K High Court, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan Tuesday chaired a high level meeting convened to adopt the measures to be taken to prevent school buildings from fire incidents, besides to ensure smooth conduct of examinations.

    The meeting was attended by the Inspector General of Police, SJM Gillani, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, Director School Education, SSP Srinagar, Joint Director Fire & Emergency Services, Chief Education Officer Srinagar, besides all Deputy Commissioners of the valley through video conference.

    The Div Com expressed his concern over the burning of schools in the valley and directed for taking preventive measures to safeguard school buildings so that educational setup doesn’t get affected. 

    He impressed upon all the Deputy Commissioners to hold meetings with SSPs, CEOs and ZEOs of their respective jurisdictions and prepare comprehensive plans

    in the categories of normal, sensitive and hypersensitive areas so that the institutions of learning are saved from such fires.

    He directed all the Deputy Commissioners to submit the list of schools falling under their jurisdiction to the IGP and to his office.

    He directed the CEOs/ZEOs to constitute the committee of teachers, numberdars, chowkidars and contingent paid employees for keeping vigil to protect school buildings, besides called for involvement of Imaams, and civil society members in the process.

    He also directed for establishing special control rooms to monitor the process. He said collective efforts are needed to safeguard school buildings so as to save education system in the valley.

    Speaking on the occasion, IGP said that all the examination centers would be provided adequate security especially during night hours to avoid any untoward incident.

    He directed all the SSPs to speedup the investigation process of burning incidents of school buildings to identify the culprits involved in such cases. He also directed the police to ensure checking of school buildings while patrolling during night hours.

  • School burning incidents: ‘Most of the culprits have fled to either Jammu or Chandigarh: Police

    Anantnag: A top cop Tuesday revealed that most of the culprits involved in school burning incidents have either fled to Jammu or Chandigarh. “All efforts are on to trace and nab them,” Deputy Inspector General South Kashmir Range Nitesh Kumar told news agency CNS.

        “We have constituted Special Investigation Teams in all the districts. Thorough investigation has been taken up to identify the culprits responsible for school burning incidents,” Kumar said.

        He added that 12 persons from Kulgam district and 8 persons from Anantnag district have been arrested and are being questioned in this regard. “Culprits will not be spared while innocents will not be targeted,” he said.

         Responding to a question, Kumar said that there are inputs that most of the culprits have fled to Jammu and Chandigarh. “We are doing our best to trace and nab them. The culprits will be exposed soon,” he said.

       Pertinently, all but 29 schools have been gutted in mysterious circumstances.  (CNS)

  • Seven Killed In Cross-Border Firing CM expresses deep anguish over killing of civilians in border shelling

    Calls for immediate political dialogue to deescalate situation

    Srinagar: Expressing deep anguish and grave concern over the loss of innocent human lives and destruction of properties in unabated border shelling in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today made a fervent appeal for peace and political dialogue between India and Pakistan to de-escalate the perilously hostile situation prevailing in the region.
    “I am deeply pained over the fresh spate of civilian killings, including children and women, in border shelling and urge the political leadership in New Delhi and Islamabad to take effective and urgent measures to de-escalate the situation and bring an end to the miseries of the hapless people of Jammu and Kashmir who are caught in the deadly crossfire,” the Chief Minister said.
    She said the unabated border shelling has seen a tragic humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, where innocent civilians and their properties are being targeted. “We in J&K yearn for peace as we have been suffering immensely because of the hostility and violence in the region and know very well its dangers and perilous consequences,” she said and added that India and Pakistan must open the channels of communication, at the earliest, realizing the dangerous consequences of any escalation of ongoing confrontation along the borders.
    Maintaining that the necessity and urgency of dialogue has assumed more significance in the prevailing disturbing situation, Mehbooba said the escalation of violence along the borders and LoC should keep reminding both India and Pakistan of the inevitability of sitting across the table to find a peaceful, just and pragmatic solution of all the contentious issues. “We see world-over how wars have resulted in complete destruction of once most prosperous countries and annihilation of cultures,” she said and added that it is the responsibility of the Indo-Pak political leadership to save the region from such a devastating scenario.
    “Whatever be the reasons for hardening of stances and attempts by the vested interests to subvert the peace process, there is, however, no substitute to the reconciliatory policy which was started in 2003 and had worked so well,” she said and called for serious efforts at the political and civil society levels to revive the peace and reconciliation process for the larger good of the people sandwiched in a gory scenario of death and destruction.
    She said the senseless violence is the common enemy of the people in both India and Pakistan as the scourge of bloodshed has devoured their lives over the years.
    The Chief Minister asked the Divisional administration in Jammu and the concerned District Administrations to reach out to the people affected by the border shelling with all possible support.

  • Mirwaiz should shun his hypocrisy NC reminds Mirwaiz of his Wikileaks expose

    Srinagar: National Conference on Tuesday said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s proximity to the establishment and intelligence apparatus in New Delhi was a well known fact and that National Conference didn’t require sermons from someone who was willing to break bread with intelligence officers in five star hotels in New Delhi. NC State Spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu said Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s numerous secret rendezvous’ with the high and mighty in New Delhi belied his moralistic press statements in Kashmir. 

    Expressing amusement at Mirwaiz’s moral pretence of being outraged at Omar Abdullah’s factual and accurate assertions while speaking at an even at New York University, the NC Spokesperson said Omar Abdullah has the courage and stature to say openly and unambiguously what Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is known to have advocated behind closed doors in New Delhi as was revealed by Wikileaks.
    “If Mirwaiz would like, we would be happy to share the exact dates and venues of his meetings with the high and mighty captains of the intelligence apparatus in New Delhi”, the NC Spokesperson said in a statement to Kashmir Today
    “We don’t require sermons from Mirwaiz. Omar Abdullah’s speech in New York is only what Mirwaiz and many others consider to be historically accurate even if what he has said is unpalatable to some. “We all know how Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was exposed by Wikileaks when a US secret diplomatic cable revealed that Mirwaiz wanted the LoC to be converted into a permanent border and three separate legislative assemblies for Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir regions with Chief Minister and Governor from each region on rotation basis. The cable clearly said the Mirwaiz wanted this ‘because he was concerned about his own political future’. So it’s quite amusing why he is suddenly livid with anger at what Abdullah has said – not sure what he is trying to prove. Unlike Mirwaiz, what Omar Abdullah has said is based on his convictions and the unadulterated truth as opposed to Mirwaiz’s personal political motives as the US diplomatic cables clearly highlighted”, the NC Spokesperson further added.
    The NC Spokesperson said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq should stop hoodwinking the people of Kashmir by hiding his own reluctance to call a spade a spade behind the sanctity of a genuine political sentiment in the State. “A man who dines with the high and mighty of the intelligence establishment in New Delhi should at least try to stay away from podiums of morality here. Would the Mirwaiz at least have the courage to acknowledge the identity of his father’s assassins? A person unable to do even that can hardly hold up a mirror to others”, the NC Spokesperson said.
    The NC Spokesperson said what Omar Abdullah stated in New York was not only factually correct but also historically accurate. “National Conference believes the restoration of the pre-1953 status and granting of Autonomy to J&K is a pragmatic and holistic political solution. Omar Abdullah has reiterated this while speaking in New York and the party will continue to struggle for the solution we have striven for since decades. His remarks about the technical pre-requisites for a Plebiscite – as established by the United Nations – are based purely on the content and conditions listed in the UNSC resolutions that Hurriyat leaders term to be the basis of their politics. Sadly most of them have never read the resolutions – which is another travesty”, the NC Spokesperson said.