Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Azad-Mufti meet: It was a courtesy call, did not discuss politics: Azad

    Srinagar: Congress senior leader and former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad did not discuss any politics with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in his meeting over breakfast at Mufti’s official residence in Gupkar on Saturday.

    When asked about the agenda of his meeting with PADP patron, Azad said: “It was just a courtesy call and no politics was discussed in our meeting. We have worked together for decades in Congress and we would often meet either in aircraft or at airports. Yesterday we though both of us will be extra busy due to upcoming assembly elections, so I decided to drop in and meet Mufti Saheb.”

    The former union health minster said that much should not be read out from their meeting as he would always invite Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah besides PDP leadership in different functions when Congress was in coalition with PDP and he was the chief minister of the state. “Let me remind you that I invited Omar Saheb on the ceremony of laying of foundation stone of Haj House and later I invited Dr Farooq Saheb and Omar Abdullah Saheb on the inauguration of Haj House,” Azad told KNS.

  • Sopore police cracks Naikoo murder case

    Srinagar: Sopore police cracked the murder case of Nazir Ahmad Naikoo who was shot dead on Tuesday night at his home at Seeloo, Sopore.

    Giving details of the case the District police authorities stated, that at about 9 pm last night, masked gunmen barged inside the house of Khazir Mohammad Naikoo at Seeloo, Sopore and fired indiscriminately on the family members killing Nazir Ahmad Naikoo and critically injuring his nephew Shabir Ahmad Naikoo. Shabir received four bullets and was shifted Srinagar hospital where succumbed to his injuries this morning.

    Sopore police registered a case FIR NO: 95/2014 U/S 302, 307 RPC and 7/27 Arms Act and initiated the investigation of the case.The house owner Khazir Mohammad disclosed that during mayhem that followed last night’s attack he was able to identify one of the assailants as Mehraj-u-din Khan alias Raja Khan son of Sardar Mohammad Khan resident of Khan Mohalla, Mundji, Zangire Sopore, who was their relative and with whom their family had a land dispute. Police swung into action and apprehended Raja Khan from his house.

    During preliminary investigation he revealed that a bitter land dispute was going on between the two families and previously a case FIR NO: 169/2011 U/S 307,148 RPC was also registered in police station, Sopore against him and his brothers which is still sub-judice in Baramulla court.

    During sustained questioning, he confessed his involvement in the attack. In the process of investigation it surfaced that the accused used the services of militants to settle the score with Naikoos. They approached one local HM militant Javaid Ahmad Matoo of Sopore town and in connivance and active participation of militants in the attack murdered Nazir Ahmad Naikoo and injured his nephew. Pertinent to mention that HM terrorist Javaid Matoo is wanted to Police in many terrorist crimes. The investigation of the case is going on. Police has launched manhunt to arrest other accused involved in the murder.

  • Al-Qaeda, Taliban have no scope in J&K: Geelani

    ‘Pandits integral part of our society, will oppose their settlement in separate cities’

    Srinagar: While giving his opinion of starting consultation regarding the creating of national consensus against the collective plan of Modi government to establish the three separate cities within the Kashmir Valley for Kashmiri Pandits, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani said that none of the Kashmiri Muslim is opposing the return of Kashmiri Pandits but by creating the separate cities for them, ‘government is actually working on its dangerous plan to harm centuries old brotherhood, to divide society and to give freedom struggle a communal colour’.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, a spokesman of Hurriyat (G) said that Geelani said that we will oppose it at every level and in every possible way. While rejecting the plans of government to settle the Pakistani refugees in Jammu and Kashmir, Geelani said that Modi government is coming up with a dangerous policy of changing the demography of Kashmir and he want to convert the Muslim majority in Jammu & Kashmir into the minorities by working on the plans of RSS.

    While terming the arrival of Al-Qaida in the Jammu and Kashmir as hypothesis, the pro-freedom leader said that there is no scope of Al-Qaida and Taliban in Jammu and Kashmir. “Ours is a local and indigenous struggle so, the government wants to kill our youth and defame our sacred struggle in the name of Al-Qaida that is why they are creating the environment of Al-Qaida in the Kashmir.”

    In the presidential address of the seminar organized by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Geelani revealed that Omer Abdullah was recently called to New Delhi and he was told there to identify the 16,800 Kanals of land in Kashmir for establishing the three separate cities for Kashmiri Pandits.

    These cities are to be established in the North, South and Central Kashmir and each of them require 5,600 Kanals of land. 75,000-1,00,000 people will be accommodated in the each city and these cities will be provided with every facility. He said that it is the grave issue for the every individual of the state. Geelani said that we will try to create a national consensus against these policies of the Indian government and in this respect we will start consultation with some pro-freedom and religious organization in near future.

    The Speakers other then Geelani who spoke on the occasion where Mohammad Ashraf Sehraie, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom, Ghulam Nabi Sumji, Dr. Sheikh Showkat, Abdul Majeed Zargar, Dr Javed Iqbal and Anwar Asahaie and the dice-incharge where Ayaz Akbar.

  • Army ready to face any challenge including Al-Qaeda: Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh  

    Srinagar: Lt General Gurmit Singh, General Officer Commanding (GoC) 15 Corps on Sunday claimed that army is well prepared to take any security challenge in Kashmir including the reports about al-Qaida possible intrusion in Kashmir.

    According to KNS correspondent, while talking to reporters here on Sunday, Let gen Singh said that army is well prepared to take on any challenge posed by the ‘forces inimical to peace’.

    The GoC 15 Corp informed the reporters that army has an effective counter-infiltration grid in place along the LoC besides having an excellent intelligence network and good synergy with J&K police and other security forces agencies to deal with any kind of challenge.

    Giving details of the anti-militancy operations in 2013-14, Lt Gen Singh informed reporters that the corps commander said the security forces have managed to neutralize 61 militants during the period. He said that 41 militants including 17 from LeT and 11 from Hizbul Mujahideen were killed during this period. Lt Gen Singh said that 23 militants have been apprehended during this period. He said 365 weapons including 177 AK 47 rifles, 151 pistols besides nine IEDs have been recovered during the operations against militants in the valley.

    He said that 40 militants were killed this year upto June which include both foreigners and local militants and 10 top militant leaders in five months as compared to 10 top militant leader killed in the year 2013.  He lauded army for its professionalism saying that in just 40 minutes operation it neutralized two militants who had snatched weapons from Jammu and Kashmir police constables.

  • Ambika to chair Congress crucial meeting at SKICC on Monday

    Meeting to discuss strategy, preparedness for upcoming assembly elections

    Srinagar: The Congress is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting of its party legislators and other party leaders of the state in Srinagar on Monday. The meeting that will be chaired by incharge Jammu and Kashmir affairs Ambika Soni will discuss the strategy and preparedness vis-à-vis upcoming assembly elections in the state.

    Reliable sources told KNS that the meeting will start at 3 pm at SKICC here. General Secretary AICC,incharge Jammu and Kashmir affairs, Ambika Soni will be arriving in Srinagar at around 11:30 am. The meeting will be attended by all state general secretaries, state vice presidents, all district presidents and sitting legislators including ministers.

    The meeting will discuss the problems and difficulties faced by the party probable candidates in their respective constituencies.  Sources told KNS that Ghulam Nabi Azad, AICC senior leader who was here yesterday flew to New Delhi to apprise the party leadership about the prevailing political situation in Kashmir.

    Azad has been also called to Delhi to attend a meeting convened by Party president Sonia Gandhi on political uncertainty in Assam where the party is likely to replace Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

    Sources told KNS, that Prof Saifuddin Soz also reached Srinagar today after meeting the party high command in Delhi on Saturday. Prof Soz has reportedly apprised the party senior leadership about the prospects of winning party’s probable candidates whose names are yet to be approved by the party high command. Some sitting legislators who were contacted by the KNS said that the party should announce a list of candidates for some constituencies in first phase in order to address the dilemma and confusion prevailing over candidature among the workers.

  • JKLF quit Kashmir call: Restriction likely to be imposed in certain areas of Srinagar on Monday

    Srinagar: Authorities are likely to impose restrictions on public assembly in certain areas falling under civil lines on Monday in order to prevent any law and order situation that can arise out of JKLF’s ‘quit Kashmir’ call.

    Sources in the administration told KNS that authorities may take restrictive measures including putting barricades at the entry points of central market in Lal Chowk in view of the imminent protest marches that can be taken out by JKLF cadres.

    Sources said that police has also intensified its search operations to nab the senior leadership of JKLF including its chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik who according to JKLF has gone into hiding in order to lead the a  protest march on Monday.

  • Water Safari

    Tourists Sunday enjoy rafting on Lidder in picturesque hill resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir.

  • Omar promoting political corruption: Karra

    Srinagar: PDP leader MP Tariq Hameed Karra today said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s admission that the BJP legislators bargained and voted for his National Conference (NC) candidates in 2011 polls for six Legislative Council seats has only brought out the fact that how NC is having a simultaneous alliance with Congress and BJP. He said the revelation points to the disturbing fact that how political corruption is being promoted by this government at the highest levels.

    “PDP has right from the beginning maintained that while NC is having an overt coalition with the Congress in the state, it is enjoying a covert alliance with BJP simultaneously,” Karra said while addressing a series of public meetings in Chrar-e-Sharief assembly segment.

    Chief Minister had recently said in Jammu that BJP legislators after “bargaining” with the government voted for NC-Congress coalition candidates during the 2011 polls for six LC seats. NC-Congress alliance had won five out of the six seats with the help of BJP. Omar had also said that BJP legislators had earlier also voted for Dr Farooq Abdullah during the latter’s election for Rajya Sabha.

    “Doesn’t Omar’s admission of purchasing BJP votes make it a fit case of corruption against not only those who got the money, but also those who paid it for buying votes,” Karra said. It has been NC’s trait, right from the beginning, to misuse the state and its official organs for power, he added.

    Karra said if such a thing would have happened in any other state, the culprits, howsoever powerful, would have been since behind the bars, “but unfortunately the rule of law could never cross the Lakhanpur Toll Post to make the individuals and institutions accountable in J&K.”

    “This is one of the primary reasons why people in J&K have least faith in the institutions of governance and the democratic system,” Karra said and added that it is now very clear that what could have led to the mysterious death of NC activist Haji Yousuf at the Chief Minister’s official residence in intriguing circumstances as it also revolved around political corruption.

    Reiterating his demand for a thorough probe into the allegations of favoritism and nepotism in the recruitments in J&K Bank, Karra said the revelations by senior NC’s Dr Mehboob Beigh that hundreds of backdoor appointments were made in the Bank on the behest of the Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather can’t be brushed under the carpet.

    “Unemployment being the major concern of every stakeholder in the state, nobody can be allowed to play with the future of educated unemployed youth by resorting to nepotism in recruitments and these need to be probed so that people know what’s going on in this premiere financial institution,” he said.

  • Police Crackdown On JKLF throughout the Valley Continues

    Several senior leaders, hundreds others arrested so far. Nocturnal raids, searches, harassment continue.

    People of Kashmir  will not budge before this oppression , JKLF will continue its “quit Kashmir movement” and Lal Chowk Chalo, protest strike programs  will be held on 23rd June 2014

    Srinagar: A full-fledged crack down on JKLF leaders and activists has been launched by police and other forces throughout the entire valley and many JKLF leaders, activists along with hundreds of workers and well-wishers have been arrested so far. Among those arrested are Master Sheikh Mohammad Afzal (vice chairman JKLF), Engineer Ghulam Rasool Dar Eidi (general secretary) ,Mohammad Yasin Butt ( zonal senior vice president), sheikh Abdul Rashid (zonal general secretary),senior leaders and activists including Ghulam Mohammad Dar, Mohammad Ishaaq Ganai (Distt president Islamabad), Mohammad Ramzan Sofi, Mushtaq Ahmad Boitengoo, Mohammad Shafi Lone ,Mohammad Ayub Naikoo, Mohammad Rajab,Ghulam Mohammad Malik and many others. Also police and forces raided several places including chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik’s residence, JKLF head-quarters for arresting yasin Malik who has gone into hiding and will lead “Quit Kashmir” movement of JKLF that is going to restart from 23rd June 2014 when Kashmiris besides observing a total shut down will march peacefully towards Lal Chowk and demonstrate their resistance against the sinister design of RSS and BJP against Kashmiris. Besides this police has and is raiding and harassing the relatives, well-wishers, associates and freedom lovers across the valley and has actually created a war like situation through these oppressive, undemocratic activities. condemning this oppression and crack down in strong words JKLF chief spokesman Mohammad Rafiq Dar said that these undemocratic, oppressive behaviors, raids, crackdown and arrest clearly show the level of frustration Indian rulers, their Kashmiri puppets and forces are suffering from. He said that authorities are afraid of the resistance of people and popularity of JKLF and its leaders and have resorted to dictatorial measures against a peaceful and democratic political program. Spokesman said that Kashmiris across the globe are supporting “quit Kashmir” movement of JKLF and rallies, sit in and processions will be taken out in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan and other parts of the world as a show of solidarity with JKLF program. Spokesman said that harsh measures by Indian forces cannot deter JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik and other from leading peaceful and democratic protest strike and March towards Lal Chowk and kashmiris through a comprehensive total shut down and peaceful march towards lal chowk will will demonstrate their resistance against the anti Kashmiri nefarious designs of RSS and BJP. He said that the enemies of Jammu Kashmir are conspiring to destroy and snatch the “Muslim” identity from Jammu Kashmir and RSS and BJP are planning to declare Lakhs of outsiders (Non-Kashmiri) “refugees” (Sharnarthees) as the citizens of Jammu Kashmir to change the demography of Jammu Kashmir. Kashmiris cannot remain silent over this and will fight all these conspiracies and resist all these moves and motives. He said that Kashmiris will re-start “quit Kashmir” movement and on Monday 23d June 2014 a total shut down will be observed in Kashmir and people will march towards Lal Chowk and stage a peaceful protest against these dangerous designs.

    Meanwhile JKLF has paid rich tributes to a innocent martyr Ajaz Ahmad Bazaz @ Yasir of Mandir Bagh Srinagar who was martyred by SOG in custody. JKLF delegation led by zonal organizer Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri visited the residence of the martyr and paid rich tributes to him and expressed solidarity with his family.

     

  • Take unemployment in JK as a national challenge: Mehbooba urges Modi

    Asks youth to gear up for upcoming assembly elections

    ‘J&K can be the best model for SAARC unity’

    Srinagar: Reiterating the party’s resolve of making Jammu & Kashmir an epicenter of South Asian co-operation Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti,Sunday called upon India and Pakistan to end their differences for the lasting peace in the region. She also said youth are the core of PDP’s agenda and the party will make all out efforts to ensure their dignified life and employability in its future scheme of things.

    Addressing a well-attended youth convention in Ganderbal, Mehbooba said resolution of J&K issue is a must to realize peace and development on the ground and the PDP, with the support of people, has a pivotal role to take the state out of the present quagmire. She said Kashmir has been a challenge for all the prime ministers of India since 1947, and there is need for serious efforts to address the prevailing alienation among the people of Kashmir. “I hope Prime Minister, Narendra Modi restarts stalled the process of dialogue and reconciliation that was initiated at the level of the then deputy prime minister L K Advani under the Vajpayee led government,” she said. Mehbooba said there was a need for a sustained dialogue between different shades of public opinion in J&K and New Delhi and between New Delhi and Islamabad for a dignified solution of Kashmir issue. She said that SAARC cooperation should begin from Jammu and Kashmir and the state should become a model of the economic integration among all these neighboring countries. Jammu and Kashmir can become a model for a free economic zone wherein all the neighboring countries invest and the state could reap the economic dividends, which would result in creating livelihood on a mass scale. “There is no better place than Kashmir to start the Handicrafts University proposed by the SAARC countries, which has historically been the hub of handicrafts and traditional arts in the entire world.” Mehbooba stressed.

    Jammu and Kashmir has been the gateway to the central Asian countries but unfortunately after the partition of the sub- continent Kashmir became hostage to the animosity between India and Pakistan. So while the NDA government has expressed its willingness to engage with all its neighboring countries including China what better way than to restoring the old silk route that connects the whole region.

    The PDP president said that though Kashmir issue needs a apolitical solution but bad governance, corruption and unemployment has further complicated the issue thus creating enormous instability and insecurity among the people.

    Mehbooba said that the present Parliament results are an indication that the people want a change and they are looking towards PDP as better alternative to address the governance deficit and also create reconciliatory atmosphere on the ground for peace process to move forward. Pointing to the central government she said that besides issue of Kashmir, unemployment is the most pressing task before it and it needs to be taken as a national challenge and addressed very seriously. Referring to the poll boycott she said that democracy is a battle of ideas and everyone has a right to propagate their ideology therefore it is the people who have to decide which side they want to be.

    “People need to support us to establish a new a system of hope in the state so that we could end this growth stagnation, corruption and unemployment among our youth and will create a congenial atmosphere for the resolution of Kashmir issue.” PDP’s agenda is a combination of political process along with good governance, therefore while complimenting the youth for their huge support in the recent parliament elections she further appealed to them to gear up for the upcoming assembly elections. She assured them that PDP will give priority to the youth and leave no stone unturned for creating avenues for their dignified livelihood.

    Speaking on the occasion senior party leader, Qazi Mohammad Afzal said it was only during the PDP’s brief tenure in the government Ganderbal could see a robust infrastructural development and said the National Conference has always exploited the area for its political interests. In his address the party’s youth wing president, Waheed-Ur-Rehman Parra said time has come for the youth to fully assert themselves to become an active part of the system of governance and the PDP provides a platform to all those people who want to become part of the party’s story to see the state out of present uncertainty, underdevelopment and economic backwardness.Shri Bashir Ahamad, Senior leader,PDP,Ghulam Rasool Shaheen,Z.P,Ganderbal,Abdul Wahid and other P.D.P leaders were present on this occasion.