Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Geelani lauds OIC for its resolution on Kashmir

    ‘Integral part rhetoric has not changed disputed nature of Kashmir’

    Srinagar: While terming the reaction of India to the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) resolution on Jammu and Kashmir as unrealistic and rigid approach, which was adopted during the conference of Councils of Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Countries held in Jeddah, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani said that the disputed nature of Kashmir is a big and huge reality and India can’t change it by turning her face away from the truth.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, he said that the ‘integral part rhetoric’ has neither changed the disputed nature of Kashmir in the past and nor will it make any difference in future.

    While expressing happiness and satisfaction over the passing of resolution on Jammu & Kashmir in the OIC conference which was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Hurriyat (G) chairman said that the reaction of the spokesman of external affairs ministry of India over this resolution is totally unrealistic and ridicules and it is the traditional policy of rigidity and stubbornness of India regarding the Kashmir.

    “By terming the stand of OIC regarding Kashmir as misleading, the Indian spokesman Mr. Akbar-ud-Din has denied the big and open reality of Kashmir that it is a disputed territory, it is neither any part of India or Pakistan and its people are still to be given a chance to decide their future. Not only Muslim countries but all other world bodies accepts the disputed nature of Kashmir and the biggest international organization UNO has passed as much as 18 resolutions regarding this dispute favoring the right to self determination of Kashmiri people which are still to be implemented.”

    Geelani said that in the light of these facts, the OIC is not ill-informed but it is the Indian spokesman Akbar-ud-Din who is very much ill-informed and whose reaction is totally misleading. The pro-freedom leader said that the Kashmir dispute is not any myth or story but it has a strong history at its back and every history student is aware of it. If the partition of India and Pakistan is a reality then no one can deny the fact that the Indian occupation over the Muslim majority state of Kashmir is an open and clear violation of the principles of the partition which were formulated for the partition process.

    Geelani advised the Indian rulers that they should end this integral part rhetoric and accept the open and clear reality of Kashmir dispute which they have to face and which they can’t change. The pro-freedom leader said that India did lot of experiments during the 67 years in this regard. India used its entire military power to delete the “disputed” word from Kashmir and tried its best by giving lures and rewards to change the reality but it all proved futile and Kashmir dispute is still alive and a Stigma on the democratic claim of India. India has not only failed in satisfying the world community in this regard but it has miserably failed in changing the mindset of the people of Kashmir. The freedom sentiment of Kashmiris has strengthened and they are still firmly protesting the illegal military occupation of India.

    Geelani said that the realistic approach of Indian leadership will not only benefit Kashmir but it will be a favor to the millions of Indians because the Kashmir dispute is the main hurdle in the way of peace, development and prosperity and this south Asian region will come out of the political uncertainty and instability with its resolution.

  • Removal of advertisements unfortunate, unacceptable: Hurriyat (M)

    ‘NC Govt’s oppressive measures to scuttle AAC programmes reflects frustration’

    Srinagar: Terming of removing hoardings, banners, and advertisement regarding the 50th foundation day celebration of Awami Action Committee from across the Srinagar city as a case of political vandalism, the spokesman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Saturday stated it was highly unacceptable that National Conference led government resorted to such cheap tactics of disrespecting the party and its leadership by tearing apart the promotional content carrying their images.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, a Hurriyat (M) spokesman stated that National Conference government stopped the holding of public rally in connection with the golden Jubilee celebrations of AAC by resorting to oppressive tactics and put restrictions on the entire Hurriyat leadership, workers and activists by arresting and house arresting them, adding, now the removal of banners, hoardings and advertisements by police and other agencies reflect the frustration, narrow mindedness, and vindictive approach of the present government.

    The spokesman said the AAC has a vital place in politics and history, of Kashmir adding, the images of Muhajir-e-Millat Molvi Mohammad Yousuf Shah and Shaheed-e-Millat, Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq are dear and sacred for all Kashmiris and for the followers of Mirwazain in particular. He stated that the way authorities have shown irreverence to the AAC leadership by tearing apart hoardings and banners carrying images which has hurt the feelings of the people which is bound to have serious consequences.

    The spokesman stated that by using oppressive tactics and military might nobody can suppress the genuine voices of Kashmir or exploit the prevalent sentiments of people for freedom. He further stated that AAC has always rejected the politics of dominance from its very inception, adding, it is committed to counter such politics in future as well.

    Meanwhile spokesman has prayed rich tributes to Shaheed Adil Ahmad Shah, Shaheed Tariq Ahmad Parray, and Shaheed Adil Ahmad Mir who were martyred in Tral stating that the sacrifices of the martyrs is a precious asset of the movement. The spokesman further said that APHC wants resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir and is engaged in a peaceful struggle for the same.   He said that opting for an armed struggle by even the educated youth is a natural response to the military approach and suppression of the people which can have dangerous consequences. He said that is high time that the government of India realizes the gravity of Kashmir issue and start a meaningful dialogue process among all the stakeholder for the resolution of the same. 

  • Assemble elections 2014: Congress finalizes list, to announce names of candidates shortly

    Party high command giving final touches to list in consultation with Soz, Azad

    Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee has almost finalized the list of its probable candidates for Kashmir valley for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. The party high command is expected to take a final call on these party candidates with  few weeks, informed sources told KNS.

    Sources said that while Taj Mohiuddin will be contesting from Uri, the PCC has evolved consensus over Salman Anees Soz, son of Prof Saifuddin Soz who may be asked to contest from Baramulla constituency. Sources said that Haji Abdul Rashid Dar will be contesting from Sopore while as advocate Mohammad Abdullah will be fielded from Langate while as Shoab Lone will be the candidate from Sangrama constituency.

    The PCC has reportedly decided to field Nazir Ahmad Khan from Beerwah constituency while as Usman Majeed will be asked to try his luck from Bandipora constituency. The PCC has also given its nod to field Imtiyaz Parray from Sonawari constituency while Haji Farooq will be asked to contest from Lolab Kupwara, sources informed KNS.

    While the minister for tourism Ghulam Ahmad Mir will be contesting from Dooru, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed minister for Haj will be asked to contest from Kokernag. Sources said that party may field Gulzar Ahmad from Shangus while as Mohammad Amin Bhat will be contesting the upcoming assembly elections from Devsar. The party may also filed Mohammad Anwar Bhat from Pampore while Bashir Ahmad Magrey will be asked to contest from Pulwama. Hilal Ahmad will be fielded from Anatnag constituency while as Inaytullah rather will be fielded from Home Shalibugh constituency. The party has almost decided to field Mushtaq Ahmad Khanday from Shopian.

    The party senior leaders including PCC president Prof Soz and former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad are said to have discussed their influence in their respective constituencies in a recently held meeting between the two. Sources said that their names will be announced by the party high command in Delhi very soon within few weeks.

    Both the leaders Prof Soz and Ghulam Nabi Azad are in Delhi finalizing the list of candidates to be announced very soon, party sources revealed. “yes we have almost finalized the list of probable candidates and party leadership in New Delhi is giving a final shape to the list of list in consultation with Soz Saheb and Aazd saheb. The list will be first approved by the party leadership in Delhi and will be announced by the PCC president here   very soon,” Ghulam Nabi Monga, senior vice president PCC confirmed to KNS.

  • J&K Govt for recognition of Nepal as an approved route: Omar

    Return and Rehabilitation Policy: 

    ‘Majority of returnees opt for Nepal’

    ‘Returnees yet to integrate fully with the society’

    Srinagar: The state government is vigorously pursuing for recognition of Nepal as an approved route for the youth who want to shun violence and return to Valley from Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK) under rehabilitation policy.

    This has been disclosed by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his reply to a DO letter written to him by Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, the CPI (M) State Secretary and MLA Kulgam. According to this reply, a copy of which is in possession of KNS, Omar has said that his government has already taken up the matter with the union ministry of home affairs for exploring the possibility of recognizing Nepal as one of the routes for return of such people which is being pursued vigorously.

    Tarigami had shot a letter to Omar on May 9, 2014 with reference to death of Saira Bano daughter of Mohammad Sadiq Khan resident of Dalhozi Abbotabad PAK. Saira had immolated herself before she battled for life at SKIMS Soura. “I share deep pain and concern at the tragic death of Saira Bano who was married to Abdul Majeed Lone son of Ali Mohammad Lone resident of Bathipora Naidkhai (Bandipora),” Omar has said in his reply to Tarigami’s letter.

    According to the chief minister Lone had crossed over to PAK in July 1993 and returned to the state along with his wife and three children (all below 10 years of age) via Nepal in June 2012 to join his family at Bandipora Kashmir. “Reportedly after joining the family there had a property dispute within the family of Line. Under the distressed state of affairs Saira had been insisting for her return back to PAK but could not do so as she was not in possession of the requisite travel documents. The situation led to acrimony in the relations which prompted Saira to take extreme step of self immolation resulting in her death. The state police has already registered FIR in this behalf under number 84/2014 under section 309 RPC,” Omar has said in his reply.

    The chief minister has said: “Here I would like to invite your (Tarigami) attention towards the rehabilitation policy which was notified by the state government in consultation with the union ministry of home affairs in the year 2010. The main objective of the policy is to motivate the youth to return to the state who had crossed over to PAK and have now eschewed the path of violence and are willing to join the national mainstream.”

    Pertinently, the government has approved four routes , Wagah-Attari, Salamabd-Uri, Chakan-da-Bagh-Poonch and Indira Gandhi international Airport-New Delhi for the purposes of return of youth under the said policy.

    “However, it has been observed that majority of the returnees are opting to return via Nepal. The avoidance of the return through approved routes by returnees is presumably attributed to the certain difficulties faced by them including threat to their lives from inimical forces operating from across the border. Though Nepal is not an approved route for the purpose and the beneficiaries as such are not entitled to the benefits envisaged in the rehabilitation policy,” Omar has said in his reply. The chief minister has said that the state government is trying to facilitate the returnees by way of providing education to their children etc ‘but they have not been able to fully integrate themselves with the society as yet.’

  • Sopore attack: 6 brothers among 7 held

    Srinagar: Police on Saturday arrested seven persons including six brothers in connection with an attack on Congress activist’s house that left one dead and another seriously injured at Seeloo Sopore on Friday late evening.

    Official sources told GNS that seven persons have been arrested during intervening night of June 20/21 from Mundgi area of Sopore in connection with the attack.

    Sources identified the arrested persons as Lateef Ahmad Khan son of Ghulam Mouhidin Khan and six brothers Mehraj-ud-Din Khan alias Raja Khan, Firdous Ahmad, Imtiyaz Ahmad, Abid Ahmad, Ishfaq Ahmad and Ayoub Ahmad sons of Sardar Khan, all residents of Takikhan Mundgi Sopore.

    Around 9:00 pm on Friday Nazir Ahmad Naikoo son of Khazir Mohammad was killed and his cousin brother Shabir Ahmad Naikoo injured when the masked gunmen barged inside the house and fired indiscriminately.

    Meanwhile, confirming the arrests, Deputy Inspector General Of Police North Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Bhat told GNS that a Pakistani and as well as a local militant were involved in the attack by the family of Mehraj-ud-Din Khan of Mundgi Sopore.

    DIG said that in February last year, a militant Mohammad Shafi of Zaloora was killed near the residence of Khazir Mohammad Naikoo and the attackers tried to pass-off the incident as the revenge which is actually not the case.

    “There was a dispute between the two families and the incident related to it only”, DIG added.

  • Today’s Curfew in City a blot on Indian Democracy: Mir

    Srinagar: JKLF Chairman and senior Hurriyat Conference leader Javaid Ahmad Mir has strongly condemned the detention of Hurriyat Leaders Including the APHC chairman Mirwaiz Omar Farooq. He said barring the movement of people and the pro-freedom leaders is a bolt on Indian democracy.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, he said the imposing Curfew in the city when Mirwaiz Sahib was proposed to hold a grand rally from Jamia Masjid Srinagar to Municipal Park in view of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations is directly the interference in Islam and shows the real face of democracy of India in Kashmir. He said the J&K puppet government should feel ashamed to impose restrictions on the movement of local people and the leaders as well.
    Meanwhile JKLF Chairman Javaid Ahmad Mir has paid rich tributes to martyrs of TRAL, Adil Shah, Adil Mir and Tariq Perray. He said, Kashmiri freedom fighters have once for all decided to break the chains of slavery. The freedom movement will not be stopped by any oppressive actions. He said Kashmir dispute is a bolt on the democratic face of the international community including UNO, EU and World human rights groups. Spokesperson appealed to the international community to play its responsible role in getting the dispute resolved. 

  • Begum Khalida to visit USA

    Muzaffar to take party responsibility

    Srinagar: The General Secretary of the Awami National Conference (ANC) in his recent statement has stated that the President of the Party, Begum Khalida Shah would leave for a personal visit to the United States of America by the end of this month (June).

    According to a statement issued to KNS, in view of the same Begum Shah, has handed over the responsibility of the party to its Senior Vice-President,  Muzzafar Shah and also delegated to him the authority to devise the strategies and policies of the party in view of the forthcoming Assembly Elections. In consonance with the said decision, the party Senior Vice-President  Muzzafar Shah would arrive in Srinagar in the next couple of days to take over the command of the party.  Shah is also supposed to form a core committee of the senior party members who would propose the plan of action as well as the names of the candidates for the upcoming assembly polls which would in turn be submitted by  Muzzafar Shah to the Party President for her formal approval, nomination and declaration.

    The core committee would toil to further the names of only those candidates who have a clean and pro-people track record for all the three regions of the State. The acting President,  Muzzafar shah would also formulate different committees and groups to ensure the smooth functioning of the party and election programme in the coming months. It is pertinent to mention here that  Muzzafar Shah would also send a committee to New-Delhi to hold parleys with the Election Commission of India in order to deliberate over the issue of the election symbol.

    According to the party President the names of three candidates from each assembly constituency would be declared in the beginning and after thorough scrutiny and analysis only one name would be finalized for each constituency.

  • Rajendra stresses for improvement in proficiency, attitude for crime detection and prevention

    Jammu: Director General of Police (DGP), Mr. K. Rajendra Kumar has stressed upon the jawans and officers of Jammu and Kashmir Police to improve their proficiency to gain public confidence.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, he said that improvement in attitude and proficiency will bring positive change in public perception.

    Rajendra was addressing Police Darbars at District Police Lines Kathua and Samba today, during his two day visit to Jammu province. He said that JKP with its dedication and desire of sacrifice has succeeded in bringing normalcy in the State and the force needs strenuous efforts to bring about more improvement in system and management. “Men in Khaki” are the representatives of police Parivar and they always perform under the gaze of public, as such their performance should be of highest standards, he added.

    DGP said that the force has faced many challenges during past two decades on various fronts and the situations have been dealt with courage and confidence. Cooperation of people has always encouraged our personnel in dealing the challenging situations and we have to gain public confidence to further strengthen our net work. He asked for maintaining continuous vigil to curb infiltration in the border districts. Besides ensuring rule of law in the state, the force has to improve its techniques of investigation for prevention and detection of crime. Time bound disposal of people’s grievances and reform in our attitude would reshape our professional policing, the DGP added. JKP has played a commendable job in ensuring free and fair Lok Sabha elections in the State which has boosted the confidence of people. Smooth and peaceful conduct of Yatra and upcoming Assembly elections are the challenges and we have to share our responsibilities, the DGP said.

     Appreciating the jawans and officers of JKP for their bravery on different fronts, Mr. Rajendra said that our men have exhibited maximum restrain to avoid collateral damages and saved human lives while fighting the militants. He said that our primary duty is to serve the people and ensure safety of their lives and property. Supreme sacrifices of our Jawans and officers have made us proud and it is our responsibility to take care of the families of the martyrs.

    Elaborating the welfare policy, the DGP said that the schemes in force are being simplified and reviewed to make them more beneficial for the personnel and their families. The hardships faced by the cops have been raised with the government at different levels including enhancement in monthly honorarium of SPOs and  removal of pay anomaly, he disclosed.  During the twin durbars, the DGP heard the jawans patiently and assured that their problems would be looked into at Zonal and PHQ level. He also issued on spot directions to senior officers present in the Darbar to redress their grievances within their competence.

    Earlier the DGP laid foundation stone of a multi-storey hostel building at Sidhra, the three block building is being constructed by Police Housing Corporation, (PHC). Managing Director PHC Mr. Dilbagh Singh apprised the DGP about the construction plan of the building. He said that the construction is being carried out at an estimates cost of Rs. 5.35 crores to accommodate officers. DGP stressed upon the engineers to ensure use of quality material and completion of work within the stipulated time.

  • HCJK leadership under house arrest, police detention

    Shah, Khan placed under house arrest, Naqash, Mushtaq-ul-Islam detained

    Srinagar: According to Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir spokesperson, the leaders of the amalgam Shabir Ahmad Shah and Nayeem  Ahmad Khan have been placed under house arrest while as Muhammad Yusuf Naqash has been detained in police station Safa Kadal and Mushtaq ul Islam is being shifted from one jail to another.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, “This is totally out of our understanding as on what grounds are these leaders detained. This is condemnable on part of so called administration,” the spokesperson said. He said such acts by administration are useless and will not help resolve any issue. Condemning the arrest of leaders, the spokesperson said that India and its local collaborators are scared to compete with pro-freedom leadership at political level, that is why they are resorting to such unlawful methods by detaining the leaders. “But Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir will continue its freedom movement with full resolve till the mission is taken to its logical conclusion,” the spokesperson added. 

  • Jora hands over keys of 21 flats to special people at Bahrar colony

    Srinagar: Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora today personally visited Srinagar’ Bahrar area and handed over keys of 21 flats to people who were suffering because of a particular disease.

    Speaking to a gathering, Mr Jora apologised to the locals for the delay in handing over the flats to deserving people, said a statement issued to KNS.

    “I am relieved today we have handed over 21 flats to people who have suffered all their lives. This is a small token to alleviate their living conditions,” he said.

    The colony for these special people has come up at the cost of Rs 4.19 crore. The work on the colony was started in 2009.

    “Last year when I visited the colony, the work was progressing but slowly. However, we ensured with the help of other departments that the work is completed as soon as possible,” said the minister.

    The minister said 18 more flats will be handed over in coming two months. “I am hopeful that all 66 flats will handed over to the needy before the code of conduct,” he added.

    The flats were distributed on a closed-chit basis where the names of the needs were put in a box. The chits were drawn by a young boy from the colony.

    “Those whose names have not come up right now should not be disheartened. We will take care of all the needy in the colony,” said Mr Jora. Mr Jora was accompanied by Satish Nehru, Secretary Housing & Urban Development, and Dr G N Qasba, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Commissioner.

    Speaking on the occasion, Mr Nehru said, “The colony has come up under the Basic Services to Urban Poor scheme. We have ensured all the basic facilities like roads, electricity and water supply to these flats. They are ready to move flats.” Several kitchen wares were also distributed among the needy. “This was a small token from the department besides the scheme to help these people raise quality of their lives,” said Dr Qasba.