Category: Union Territory

Condemns arrest of JKLF leaders, says they have been lodged at SOG’s Air Cargo camp
Srinagar: The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) on Sunday issued a statement condemned the arrest of JKLF vice-chairman Bashir Ahmad Butt, JKLF senior vice president (zonal) Muhammad Yasin Butt and senior resistance member Muhammad Amin Magloo who have been arrested by SOG (police special operations group) and are languishing in task force custody at Air Cargo camp. This was stated by JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik who himself is incarcerated at Humahma JIC in his message sent out from incarceration on Sunday.
The JKLF chairman said that the SOG arrested senior JKLF leader and zonal vice president Muhammad Yasin Butt along with senior resistance member Muhammad Amin Magloo while police and SOG on Sunday morning cordoned the masjid at Methan Chanpora and arrested JKLF vice chairman Bashir Ahmad Butt who was offering morning prayers inside the masjid. Both Bashir Ahmad Butt and Muhammad Yasin Butt have been jailed at SOG camp air cargo while Muhammad Amin Magloo is languishing at police station Sadar.
The incarcerated JKLF chairman said that it is highly ironical that same people who are day in and day out propagating with pride that they disbanded the SOG and saved people of Jammu and Kashmir from their tyranny are now using the same infamous force against known political leaders, activists, youth and students and suppressing the democratic voices of the people. He said that advocate Bashir Ahmad Butt, Muhammad Yasin Butt and Muhammad Amin Magloo are all known as peaceful political figures and jail, incarcerations, and tortures are not new to them, but the irony is that a force like SOG is being employed to arrest them and its notorious camps are being used to cage them down. This is being done, he said, by the same rulers who talk about dignity, peace, Goli Nahin Boli, battle of ideas, disbanding SOG and so on.
The JKLF chairman said that 80 days of curfew and lock down, about 100 innocent killings, more than 15,000 injured persons, more than 600 blinded men ,women and children , 6,000 arrests among whom more than 500 have been booked under black law PSA, are enough evidence of Indian oppression in Jammu and Kashmir but what is more gruesome is that the sadistic mindset of  pro-India rulers of Jammu and Kashmir is not yet satisfied and they want more repression, more blood, more people to be jailed, more and more use of black laws to cage down political opponents.
Malik said that suppressing people’s voices with police and military might, intimidations, nocturnal raids, arrests, slapping PSA, vandalising private properties, putting a ban on mobile phone and internet may establish peace of graveyard in Kashmir but it can never eradicate the love, passion and desire for freedom from the hearts and minds of Kashmiris who are ready to sacrifice everything to attain this goal.
The JKLF chairman said that the reign of oppression has now reached Chinab and Pir Panjal regions where so –called rulers and their authorities at the behest of RSS and other chauvinist forces have started terrorising Muslims and those who have raised their voices against killings in Kashmir. While condemning the recent arrests in Kishtwar and other areas and imposition of curfew there, JKLF chairman said that the PDP-led coalition has surpassed every tyrant and oppressive regime in Jammu and Kashmir.
Yasin Malik said that Indian rulers and their Kashmiri stooges should read history carefully and understand that military might, oppression and suppression have never defeated people’s resolve and history bears witness to the fact that no nation desiring and striving for its freedom has ever been defeated by occupants and tyrants. He said that according to the law of retribution every tyrant and oppressor has to answer for his crimes against humanity and the time is not far when the reign of terror unleashed by India and its stooges against Kashmiris will end.

HIGHLIGHTS

Muzaffar Wani , the father of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, whose encounter death triggered the continuing cycle of violence in Kashmir, tells that his son’s dream was to join the Indian Army when he was 10 and also play cricket like Parvez Rasool – one day hopefully for India. The government school principal also rules out Pakistan’s role in Uri, Pathankot and Pampore attacks and insists that as a teacher, he tells his students the importance of taking up “good careers” like Kashmir Administrative Service and the IAS.

Almost two months since Burhan Wani’s death, protests in Kashmir haven’t receded. Who’s responsible?

There’s no call by the Hurriyat Conference for any shutdown. We didn’t realise that these shutdowns would turn violent. We’ve lost so much in the last two months. We want some resolution. It depends on the people, how they want to look at the assurances from India or the J&K government. When my own two sons got killed, others too lost their family members.

After your son’s death, do you think Kashmiri youth should pick up guns and fight against security forces?

How difficult has been Burhan’s loss to bear?

It was very difficult but we learnt to bear it. In the last five years, I met him two or three times for just around two or three minutes. The last time was two-and-half years ago. He was always on his own. I am in a government job for my family. He was working for entire J&K.

How did your other children react to their brother’s militancy?

A: Before Burhan my son Khalid, who is four years elder to him, was killed in April 2015 by the security forces when he’d gone for a picnic. He was tortured to death. Police believed he’d gone to meet Burhan. There was no blood on Khalid’s body. He was with this three friends, who were first arrested and later released.

Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif invoked Burhan at his UN speech.

When Bhagat Singh was fighting against the British, they called him a terrorist, but Indians maintained he was a freedom fighter. When the problem of Kashmir will be solved, India will realise Wani was a freedom fighter. I liked everything that Nawaz Sharif said. He said Burhan’s killing had brought a new light in this movement of freedom.

But Burhan in his videos instigated youths to join the war against India?

His aim was not to kill pro-Indians. He used to say those who are anti-Hizbul and police informers, will be killed. But although he was commander for two years he did not kill anybody. He was only issuing warnings. He wept when eight CRPF men had died.

Your meeting with spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar was much talked about. How did it happen?

Nobody fixed that meeting. I had to visit a hospital. I thought why not stay at the ashram. I had seen Sri Sri on TV years ago. I had learnt that Dr Zakir Naik had met him. So why couldn’t I? We talked about Kashmir and he asked me about the solution. I told him that Indian leadership must talk to Pakistan. He asked me about how Burhan left us. He said it was Allah’s decree.

How do you look at PM Narendra Modi’s invoking Vajpayee’s call of Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat, and Jamhooriyat?

He is wazir-e-azam of Hindustan. More than 100 people have been killed in Kashmir in the last two months. He hasn’t shown any grief. He only expressed grief over the killing of soldiers.

Do you fear that your third son may pick up a gun?

I am certain Naveed will not do so. He has seen his brother Burhan and has desired to study. I would want my daughter Irm Jahan, who is in college, to become a teacher.

Are you inclined to join Hurriyat Conference or any political outfit?

I have six years of service left. I don’t think I want to join a political party.

I am proud to have produced many Kashmir Administrative Service and Kashmir Police Service officers. I like to give good education to kids at school where I work as an administrator and tell them they must take up excellent careers. I don’t want other parents to allege that just because my son became a militant, I want their kids to become one. I want young kids to work hard, get educated and become good. (Times Of India)

Srinagar: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today asked party leaders to work hard for the restoration of peace and reach out to the people, admitting that she was in a difficult situation. She said this while talking to the party leaders who met here for the first time since the unrest began in Kashmir following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8. “I am in a difficult situation, but people who have great expectations from the PDP should trust me,” a senior party leader quoted the Chief Minister as having said during the meeting. “The party agenda and its mission is dear to me. Power is only meant to meet the end and the objective. I have lived with people, struggled along with them, so they are dear to me. They have expectations (from me) and should trust me. I am in a difficulty but we will certainly overcome it. And I promise to people that I will not let them down,” she was quoted by the leader. She asked the party legislators and leaders to work again for improving the ground situation for creating a congenial atmosphere in J&K to rebuild the peace and reconciliation process. “I wish that peace is restored at the earliest so that we are able to fulfil the agenda with fidelity,” she was quoted. “We are concerned about the situation. The loss of lives is a great loss. We all have sympathies with those who have suffered. But anything can happen if peace is not restored amid confrontation,” Mehbooba said. The meeting, attended by MPs, legislators and senior party leaders, was held at a time when the party is facing intense protests, especially in its bastion, south Kashmir. Many party leaders have faced attacks over the past two months. Mehbooba said she felt that everything was fine in south Kashmir as she got a convincing win during the elections. South Kashmir’s four districts have been the epicentre of the unrest as a majority of the civilian killings took place in these areas. “I got a convincing victory from south Kashmir. I felt that everything is fine, but it changed overnight. We have to improve the situation, which is important for the peace process. In 2002, Kashmir atmosphere was good. Only then we could do other things,” she told the party leaders who huddled together on how to play a role in normalising the situation that has crippled the region. “We have to again work to improve the situation.” Mehbooba, who is also the president of the Peoples Democratic Party, said there would have been visible progress on the Common Minimum Programme, but due to the disturbances it could not be achieved. The other party leaders who spoke said nothing against the alliance with the BJP. The party leadership did not discuss anything on party founder Tariq Karra’s resignation. However, an MLA without naming Karra said that some people come and go and it makes no difference. Party MP and senior leader Muzaffar Baig said soon after Mehbooba took over, there was sudden “upsurge which spread to rural areas” and “she has shown enough wisdom and patience to deal with such a kind of grave situation”.

Tribune News Service

Wasim”s spin assault routed the West Indies for a low score of 115 in 19.5 overs which Pakistan surpassed in 14.2 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim took a career best five for 14 to help Pakistan defeat world Twenty20 champions West Indies by nine wickets in the first match in Dubai on Friday.
Wasim’s spin assault routed the West Indies for a low score of 115 in 19.5 overs which Pakistan surpassed in 14.2 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Dwayne Bravo hit a gritty half-century to avoid a total disaster, adding a new world record Twenty20 stand of 66 runs for the ninth wicket with Jerome Taylor who made 21.
Pakistan had lost opener Sharjeel Khan for 22 in the fourth over but Babar Azam (55 not out) and Khalid Latif (34 not out) ensured the target was chased down comfortably.
Babar hit two consecutive fours to bring up the victory, hitting two sixes and six boundaries overall in his 37-ball knock.

Earlier, Bravo scored a 54-ball 55 for his fourth half-century and lifted the world champions from a precarious 48-8 in 11.3 overs before being bowled off the penultimate ball.
Wasim made his career milestone in his four destructive overs – the third best figures for Pakistan in all Twenty20 cricket – after Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to bowl on a slow turner at Dubai stadium.
Bravo smashed paceman Wahab Riaz for a six to reach his half-century and led the recovery from a poor start which saw the West Indies struggling at 46-5 in the first ten overs, in danger of falling for under a 100 total.
Wasim chipped in with wickets of Andre Fletcher (two) and Marlon Samuels (four) in the third over to leave the world champions tottering at 15 for three.
West Indies lost Johnson Charles (seven) and debutant Nicholas Pooran (five) in the next two overs make it 22 for five.
Bravo and Kieron Pollard (nine) took the score to 47 before Wasim struck twice to improve his previous best of four for 11 he took against Zimbabwe at Harare last year.
Bravo found Taylor as an able ally – the only two to cross the double figures – bettering the previous record of 63 for the ninth wicket between Saeed Ajmal and Sohail Tanvir against Sri Lanka at the same venue three years ago. Agencies

Sheikh Zaffar Iqbal

The NDTV

The last time 17-year-old Suraya Gulzar was in a classroom was three months ago. Suraya had to stop going to school in South Kashmir’s Islamabad since clashes broke out in the Valley following the killing of popular militant commander Burhan Wani.

The fear of irreparable harm to her education has “forced” her to migrate to Jammu to take admission in a government school.

“The time lost by the students can’t be made up. Students are suffering the most. There are no arrangements. My exams were going on, but now they have also got postponed, I don’t know when I will be able to sit for the exams again. That’s why I have come here,” said Suraya.

Suraya is not alone. In the last three months, hundreds of students have moved out of the Valley to Jammu and to other places in the country.

For the last three months, educational institutes in the Valley are shut. The state government’s efforts to open schools have not succeeded.

At a government higher secondary school at Sunjawan in Jammu, 30 Kashmiri students have taken admission. Special classes are now being organised for the students who have taken admission mid semester.

“For the last two weeks, we have been getting a lot of phone calls. People want to check whether children can get admission here. Education and security are their two major concerns,” said Prem Singh, Principal of the government higher secondary school in Sunjwan.

While those can are finding alternatives, for scores more, for financial or other reasons, schools remain out of reach. For them, uncertainty looms large on not just their studies but more.

(The news story first appeared in the NDTV.com)

However, he mellowed down the rhetoric, saying both countries should “fight the war”, but against poverty, unemployment and illiteracy — and “let’s see who wins”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday squarely targetted Pakistan, saying India will not forget the “sacrifices of 18 soldiers” killed in the Uri attack and will work to isolate Pakistan globally for exporting terror.

Pakistan were given a solid bowling start by Imad Wasim who picked a fifer and that proved enough for a 9-wicket win.

Pakistan dominated West Indies from start to finish – including the toss – to pick up a 9-wicket win in the opening T20I in Dubai. Imad Wasim was the pick of the lot for Pakistan to pick up five wickets and never leave any chance for the reigning World T20 Champions.

After winning the toss, Sarfraz Ahmed sent the Windies in to bat and Wasim struck in the very first over and never looked back. By the time he was done, West Indies were not even giving a contest at 48/8. That’s when Dwayne Bravo and Jerome Taylor provided some solidity to take the visitors over the 100-run mark. In the end, West Indies were in it by an inch with a 116 run target for Pakistan.

Samuel Badreee did give early glimmer of hope but that soon evaporated as Babar Azam and Khalid Latif steadied the ship and never gave West Indies much of a chance. It didn’t help that the Carlos Brathwaite led side made plenty of errors in the field.

Eventually Pakistan raced over the line with a fifty for Azam and their second consecutive 9-wicket win having done so in the only T20I in England too.

“Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits have faced political agendas with ignited minds, they have long understood the world of letters – the world of education.”