Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • ‘J&K facing governance crises under NC rule’

    PDP to strengthen democratic institutions to ensure peoples’ participation in decision making: Mufti

    Srinagar: Reiterating resolve of his party to set up a new system of justice and equality in Jammu and Kashmir, patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today sought support of the every sections of the society to restore sanctity of democratic institutions in the State.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, he observed that for the last nearly six years credibility of the democratic institutions was badly eroded in this State due to the misdeeds of the present dispensation. Addressing a function to welcome large number of people from Handwara, Akhnoor and Bishnah areas who joined PDP here today, Mufti regretted that since formation of the government headed by National Conference a systematic move was brazenly launched, by those at the helm of the affairs, to undermine integrity of the institutions which are vital for the growth of any democratic system. He pointed towards various undemocratic steps taken by the present regime to deprive people of Jammu and Kashmir of their democratic rights. Coming down heavily on ruling National Conference for eroding sanctity of democratic institutions in the State, Mufti regretted that it was a historical fact that this party (National Conference) never allowed democracy to flourish in Jammu and Kashmir. “It is result of the deceit tactics of National Conference that unlike other parts of the country, people of Jammu and Kashmir never enjoyed real taste of democracy”, he said and mentioned that except sloganeering National Conference has nothing to maintain democratic character of democratic institutions. “To make democracy more vibrant, it is necessary to restore peoples’ faith in the democratic institutions”, he argued and added that as a responsible political party, PDP was committed to strengthen democratic institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.  “During our tenure of just three years, PDP had proved how to utilize such democratic institutions to ensure participation of common masses in the decision making process”, he reminded, adding, “three year is a very short period but PDP during its tenure had set an example of accountable, democratic and transparent system of governance”.

    Mufti said that PDP led regime had institutionalized development and recruitment process to ensure that every individual would get equal opportunity of growth and upliftment. “With its assiduous efforts the PDP had restored peoples’ faith in the democracy but the present government headed by NC has undermined democratic institutions”, he said and regretted that authoritarian attitude adopted by the coalition regime has badly shattered peoples’ faith in democracy. Listing priorities of his party, Mufti said that eliminating corruption and improving quality and efficiency of the governance in Jammu and Kashmir are focussed areas of PDP. “Apart from political uncertainty, Jammu and Kashmir State is also suffering from crises of governance during the last nearly six years”, he said while pointing towards failure of the present regime on all fronts. He added that PDP, during its tenure, had proved how to provide good governance to the people by improving quality and capacity to deliver.  Pointing towards joining of large number of people including some prominent persons, Mufti said there is a widespread public recognition of the fact that the credible leadership and pro-people agenda of PDP had positively transformed the State’s political, economic and developmental landscape after 2002. “People have realized that only PDP has vision to address grievances of all sections of the society”, he said. Prominent among those who joined PDP included FC Bhagat, who retired as Deputy Commissioner, advocate Abdul Rashid, adv Tahir Qadri, adv Nadeem Majid, Sheikh Parveez Ahmed, Nadeem Nazir, Nazir Ahmed Mir, Iryn Dar, Nazir Ahmed Dar, Dev Raj Bhagat, Dr Vishal Sapolia, Madan Lal Pargawalia, Bua Ditta and others. Abdul Haq MLA, G M Sofi, G N Panditpuri, Fayaz Ahmed Mir, Wahid Parra, Mohammad Shafi Dar, Mohammad Amin, Ghulam Mohammad Mir, Choudhary Hamid, Chatter Singh Saini, Satpal Charak, Thakur Suram Singh, Vikram Singh, Suman Sharma, Rashpal Singh Bittu, Chaman Manyal, Rehmat Khan, Daljeet Manyal and others were present on the occasion.

  • No Friday prayers at the Grand mosque

    Srinagar: Authorities on sealed all the roads – connecting to Kashmir’s Historic Jamia Masjid, located in the old city where already all its gates we closed for the devotes.

    Locals told KNS that there was no Friday call given from the mosque for the prayers as no person was allowed to enter into its premises. “We could not offer Friday prayers as there were restrictions all around the area,” said a local.

    Reports maintained further that forces had placed concertina wires and barricades at various roads to stop peoples’ movement towards the grand mosque.

    Chairman Huriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had called for the Lal Chowk chalo on Fridayand has asked the people to assemble at Jamia Masjid to take the procession forward after Fridayprayers.

    Locals of old city also stated that authorities didn’t allow them to offer Friday prayers n other mosque- located at the main roads. However, reports informed that Friday prayers were offered in the inner areas of the old city peacefully.

    Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest on Friday and curbs were put on the movement of the Huriyat (M) chairman to stop him from leading a March towards Lal Chowk.  Huge concertina wires and barricades were placed near the Mirwaiz Manzil Nigeen to stop the entry of outsiders into the house. Reports also maintained that huge party of police personnel were deployed near the street- connecting towards Mirwaiz Manzil. 

  • Lal Chowk Chalo Curfew like restrictions in old city

    Curbs put on Mirwaiz, shutdown observed

    Situation remained peaceful: Authorities

    Srinagar: State authorities Friday foiled the convention called by Chairman Huriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday at Srinagar’s municipal park at the completion of ’50 years of resistance’ of Awami Action Committee- the parent organization of Kashmir’s chief cleric.

    According to the KNS correspondent, Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest on Friday and curbs were put on the movement of the Huriyat (M) chairman to stop him from leading a March towards Lal Chowk.  Huge concertina wires and barricades were placed near the Mirwaiz Manzil Nigeen to stop the entry of outsiders into the house. Reports also maintained that huge party of police personnel were deployed near the street- connecting towards Mirwaiz Manzil.

    In other parts of the old city, curfew like restrictions were placed in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of seven police stations of the down town area.

    Deployment of police and paramilitary personnel was made in large number in old city with the barricades and concertina wires placed at various points to stop the pedestrian and vehicular movement. However- eye witnesses told KNS that police allowed the people and also the vehicles after necessary questioning

    Reports from Lal Chowk  and erstwhile informed that a complete shutdown was observed.  However, as the time passed vehicles began to ply on the roads with the shope keepers opening their shops. Hilal War, one of the leaders of the APHC, was detained while he tried to take out a march. He was detained near Jahangir Chowk. The state authorities when contacted by KNS stated that the situation remained peaceful on Friday with no untoward incident reported from any area.

  • Geelani continuously under house arrest, barred from Friday prayers: Hurriyat (G)

    Srinagar: Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani is continuously under house detention from 16 April 2014 and it is 10th consecutive Friday when he was not allowed to offer congregational prayers.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, Hurriyat (G) questioned Omar Abdullah that for what crime and under which law and provision, the pro-freedom leader is being imprisoned and for how long will this process continue. Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar today on 20th June in a press statement said that extra police personals were deployed at Geelani ’s residence on this day and some security personals were deployed in civics in the surrounding area.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, police vehicle is as usual blocking the main entrance of his residence and the visitors are also minutely observed. He further said that in the six year rule of Omar Abdullah, Geelani  were detained for 4 long years at his home and during this period government has never came up with any official explanation for such a long house detention nor has Omar Abdullah bothered to answer that why is he so scared of the pro-freedom leader and what does he get from his imprisonment? The spokesman said that Geelani  is a well know political leader and he is representing a strong ideology.

    Government should have faced him on political front and should have fought an ideological war with him, but Omar Abdullah doesn’t have any ideology except the ideology of power and chair, so he found it safe to silence Geelani  with state-power and adopted a permanent policy of keeping the pro-freedom leader away from the people.

    Hurriyat spokesman said that it is the height of state-terrorism and lawlessness to confine any political leader without any legal and constitutional justification and all the institutions of the entire state including the judiciary are maintaining silence on this grave injustice. Although a case in this regard was also registered in Srinagar High Court 3 years ago, but it also failed to provide any relief to the pro-freedom leader and till now no notice has been taken in this regard. In 2011 the Justice Barien Goush, chief Justice of that time have although announced Judgment over a writ that the imprisonment of Geelani  is an illegal act on the part of government and had announced his immediate release, but the police put that decision of High Court in the dustbin. Neither was Geelani  released nor where restrictions over his political, social and religious activities ended. Hurriyat Conference appealed all the human rights organizations to take serious notice of the illegal house detention of the pro-freedom leader and use their influence for his release.

    Meanwhile, Hurriyat Conference (G) is organizing a day-long seminar on 22 June, Sunday, 10:30 am at Hyderpora office, which will be presided by its chairman Syed Ali Geelani and in which the speakers will present their view point on the topic “Moujoodah Surat-i-Hall kay Taqazay” (Demands of Present Situation).

    The seminar will start at 10:30 am at Hyderpora and will last till 04:00 pm during which a one hour break will be given at 1:00 p.m. for Salah (prayers) and lunch. All Parties Hurriyat Conference had earlier announced a seminar on 11 June, Wednesday but police disallowed that, after which to protest this government action, Geelani  defied his house arrest and led a sit-in for half an hour on the Srinagar Airport road along with the other companions.

  • NC continuing with its old vindictive approach: Mirwaiz

    Denounces arrest, imposition of curfew, detentions  

    Srinagar: The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Dr. Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq has denounced the action of the state government’s action of foiling the holding of a public rally in connection with the 50th foundation day celebrations of Awami Action Committee (AAC) scheduled to be held today at Municipal Park Srinagar.

    Talking to KNS, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that National Conference has been always scuttling the programmes framed by Awami Action Committee for the last many decades. He termed foiling of the rally, house arrest of APHC Chairman, arrest and house arrest of leaders and activists of Hurriyat and AAC as glaring example of dictatorial politics. Mirwaiz said that policies pursued by the National Conference led government has always been based on retribution, adding, restrictions on Hurriyat leaders and placing curfew and lodging leaders and activists in jails in connection with the golden jubilee celebrations of AAC by National Conference Government is the continuation of its old vindictive approach.

    Terming the action of government as draconian and vindictive Mirwaiz said that to foil the proposed rally government had imposed undeclared curfew in most parts of Srinagar city and sealed off all the routes leading to the Jamia Masjid Srinagar by laying spools of concertina wire, besides the government had put under house arrest as well as arrested the entire Hurriyat leadership and leaders, workers and activists of AAC. Mirwaiz said that the action of the government was worst example state terrorism.

    He further stated that the ban on conducting rally, forcible restrictions on people, widespread crackdown on Hurriyat and AAC leaders and workers, was a reflection of defeat and frustration on the part of the government against the resolve of resistance leadership. Police arrested senior Hurriyat and AAC leaders including GN Zaki, Advocate Nazir Ahmad Ronga, Advocate Nazir Ahmad Baba, Advocate Mohammad Ashraf from TRC, Mohamamd Shafi Khan from Sarai Bala Amira Kadal,, Mohammad Yaqoob Masoodi Bilal Masjid, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi, and Ghulam Qadir Beigh, Farooq Ahmad Saudagar, Mohammad Sidiq Hazar, and Abdul Aziz Mir Abi Gulzar were arrested by the police on their way to the rally venue at Municipal Park Srinagar.

    The authorities also resorted to wanton arrests by arresting district president Islamabad Nazir Ahmad Sofi, district president Pulwama Habibullah Andrabi, district president Kulgam Abdul Salaam Khanday, district president Badgam Hakim Ghulam Nabi, and hundreds of activists and workers of AAC from across the valley while they were on their way to Srinagar to participate in the proposed rally at Municipal Park.

    Mirwaiz stated that aggressive measures taken by the government against the APHC would in no way affect our freedom movement; neither would it stop Hurriyat from pursuing their political agenda.  He stated that the leadership would soon announce new programme in connection with the 50th AAC foundation day celebrations.

    The spokesman strongly condemned the house arrest of Chairman APHC Mirwaiz Dr. Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq and other senior Hurriyat leaders including Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi Al-Safvi, Bilal Gani Lone, Moulana Abbas Ansari, and Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam to foil the golden jubilee celebrations.

    He also condemned the arrest of senior Hurriyat leaders Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, arrested and lodged at Sherbagh police station, Islamabad, Zaffar Akbar Bhat arrested at Chanapora, Syed Bashir Andrabi and Engineer Hilal Ahmad arrested by Kothi Bagh police station, and Hakim Abdul Rashid arrested at Lal Bazaar. The spokesman condemned the use of unprovoked force against hundreds of Hurriyat activists and workers while they were protesting against the restrictions laid on the Hurriyat leaders and people to prevent the rally from taking place.

    The spokesman said the head of Hurriyat Jammu chapter D.R Sharma, Kanwaljeet Singh from Poonch, Abdul Gani Shah from Kishtwar and scores of other leaders and workers were stopped while going to Municipal Park Srinagar.

    The spokesman stated that Hurriyat or AAC had not given any call from strike or protest. He however, he hailed people for observing a protest strike on their own against the atrocities of administration and curbing the proposed rally by arresting and house arresting leaders and workers of AAC and Hurriyat, besides imposition of curfew, and unprovoked use of force against people protesting against the undemocratic measures taken by the government. 

  • Omar calls on Modi, Rajnath discusses J&K affairs

    New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Friday afternoon called on Prime Minister, Narindera Modi here and discussed Jammu and Kashmir affairs with him in detail.

    During the meeting the Chief Minister apprised the Prime Minister about the prevailing peace and development scenario in the state. He also talked about various development projects under implementation in the state for inclusive and holistic development. He referred to the special focus being laid on the development of power sector and measures initiated to make Jammu and Kashmir a self-reliant state in the power generation.

    Matters relating to the early completion of centrally sponsored projects and flow of central funds for completion of various ongoing schemes were also discussed in the meeting. Preparedness for the conduct of Shri Amarnath Yatra this year and issues concerning rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits also came up for discussion in the meeting.

    Meanwhile, on Friday morning Omar met Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh here and discussed with him various matters relating to the peace and development in the state. During the meeting matters relating to the prevailing security scenario also came up for discussion. The two leaders took stock of the preparedness of the state for the conduct of Shri Amarnath Yatra beginning from June 28, 2014. Aspects regarding rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits were also discussed in the meeting as also the steps underway in this regard.

  • Yasin Malik, associates go into hiding Will lead Lal Chowk Chalo protest on 23rd June 2014

    Protest rallies will be held throughout Azad Kashmir on 23rd June. A protest sit in at UN observer’s office Islamabad Pakistan will also be held on 25th June in this connection: JKLF

    Srinagar: Chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JLKF) Mohammad Yasin Malik has gone in hiding to evade arrest as police early morning today searched his residence. Yasin sahib will lead a protest march towards Lal Chowk on 23rd June 2014 against the anti Kashmiri nefarious designs of RSS and BJP. Similar kind of processions will be taken out in many cities of azad Kashmir and Islamabad Pakistan. This was stated by the chief spokesman of JKLF Mohammad Rafiq Dar in a press statement issued today.

    Spokesman said that today early morning police searched the residence of JKLF chairman Yasin Malik but failed to arrest him as he had gone in hiding for making Lal Chowk Chalo call a success. Spokesman said that today when 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 and will fight all these conspiracies and resist all these moves and motives. Spokesman said that JKLF has already decided to re-start “quit Kashmir” movement from 23rd June the day RSS and BJP celebrate as “merger of Jammu Kashmir with India” day. He said 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 against Kashmiris. Spokesman said that chairman JKLF Mohammad Yasin Malik will himself lead a peacefull procession on the day and for this purpose he has gone in hiding and evaded the arrest.

    Spokesman said that as a show of solidarity with “quit Kashmir” movement protest marches and sit in will be held in all major districts of Azad Kashmir on 23rd June 2014. Besides this a protest sit in led by JKLF supreme head Jenab Aman Ullah Khan will be held at United Nations observer’s office in Islamabad Pakistan on 25th June 2014. A memorandum will be handed over to UN on the occasion.

    Meanwhile meetings of all district bodies of JKLF headed by district presidents were held today in all districts. Threadbare discussions were held to make 23rd June protest shut down and Lal Chowk Chalo program successful. District bodies resolved that no stone will be left unturned in this regard and this important peaceful protest will be made a success. (Insha’Allah).

    Meanwhile JKLF has strongly condemned the indiscriminate firing on a funeral procession in Sangeth Kulgam today in which dozens have been injured seriously. JKLF district president Kulgam Abdul Satar and others also participated in funeral of martyred youth Zakir Ahmad and paid rich tributes to him

    Meanwhile JKLF has expressed its heartfelt grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Ghulam Nabi Malik @Jouhar of Parray colony Sopore. The deceased was the father of a great martyr Naseer Ahmad Malik. A JKLF delegation consisting of Abdul Rashid Magloo, Farooq Ahmad Dar (zonal deputy general secretary), Molvi Reyaz, Ghulam Qadir khan, Mohammad Azeem Zargar and Abdul Rashid Mir (Resh Moul) visited the residence of the deceased and paid rich tributes to him. Delegation while praying for the departed soul also prayed for the bereaved family.

  • Cabinet approves 5 year services of ReTs

    Enhances retirement age of teaching faculties to 62

    Srinagar: The Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah approved the reckoning of the five years of service, rendered by ‘Rehbar-e-Taleem’ teachers before regularization,  for the purpose of  fixing their seniority and counting such service, notionally, for pension and other retirement benefits, wherever applicable.  It was also decided that, after regularization, the services of ‘Rehbar-e-Taleem’ teachers shall be transferable within the district to which they belong.

    The cabinet also approved enhancement in the prescribed age of retirement on superannuation in the case of members of the teaching faculties of the Universities of Kashmir/Jammu, SKUAST, Kashmir/Jammu and Government Medical College, Srinagar/Jammu from the present 60 years to 62 years.

  • UJC, Hizb pays tributes to 3 slain militants

    Srinagar: Hizbul Mujahideen has paid tributes to the three slain militants who were killed in an encounter at Tral.

    In a telephonic statement to KNS, Baleeg-u-Din, operational commander of Hizbul Mujahideen said” “Three militants Adil Ahmad alias Sarfaraz, Adil Ahmad Shah alias Haroon Baie and Tariq Ahmad Mir alias Hamza Baie were affiliated with Hizb were martyred at Tral.”

    He said that UJC cheif and Hizb supreme commander Syed Sallauhdin, deputy supreme commander Saifullah Khalid and operational chief commander and command council top leaders have paid tributes to ‘all the three martyrs’. “The UJC leadership resolved that martyrs blood will not be allowed to go waste,” Baleeg-u-Din told KNS.

  • Azad Urges People to Vote for Congress

    Assures Governance Based on Efficiency, Transparency Equity

    Srinagar: Continuing with his tour of Chenab Valley, Ghulam Nabi Azad today held a series of public meetings at Thathri, Kahara, Bhatyas and Gundoh area of District Doda for expressing gratitude to the people for voting in his favour in a big way in the recently held Parliamentary election.

    Azad was given rousing welcome by the people at all the places and an unexpected wave of enthusiasm in the people was seen to greet and meet the popular leader. According to a statement issued addressing the people, Azad said that in the recent elections divisive political forces have succeeded in swaying the minds of people, particularly youngsters, by polarizing the society on religious linesand that these experiments may help one to earn a few electoral victories but the damage to the social harmony can be too deep and lasting. Maintaining that J&K is known for its composite cultural heritage and exemplary religious harmony, Azad said that due to its inner resilience, our society has never yielded to the extremist ideology and that it has always bounced back after every aberration.

    Azad said that he will never endorse the politics of opportunism and division adding that Congress Party has always stood for the promotion of the cherished values of peace, harmony and mutual brotherhood in the society and this agenda of integrating and harmonizing the society will be pursued consistently.“Congress party has always been secular in its policy towards people. Unlike BJP, it doesn’t believe in dividing people on religious lines. Our party stresses only on developmental issues which have greater importance for people,” he said.

    Criticizing the recent statements of NDA Government at the Centre asking the people to be ready for hard economic decisions, Azad said that the same BJP, prior to elections used to allure people by its tall claims of bringing down inflation overnight, and soon after coming to power, gave first dose of misery to the people of country by effecting a hike in the prices of petrol and diesel, adding that this will have cascading effect on prices of all items.

    He asked why the BJP Government at Centre hiked petrol and diesel prices within a fortnight when its entire leadership was “tong and hammers” before the election claiming to reduce the inflation in the market. “Prices of food items have started getting out of control and as per the newspaper reports prices of onions alone are about to reach hundred rupees a kilogram in the coming days. Is this what BJP used to promise the people of country? Azad asked.

    Azad said that we want to know about the “magical policies” and dreams which BJP and its leadership was busy selling to the people before the elections. He assured thepeople that as Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, issues concerning common man will be raised vociferously on the floor of the House to hold the Government accountable for its misdoings.

    Azad said United Progressive Alliance (UPA) during its ten years rule, strictly focused to build infrastructure in every nook and corner of the country and provide liberal financial support to the States. Massive funding was made available to the States for road connectivity and rural electrification under CRF, PMGSY and RGGVY schemes and their impact on the ground has been quite heartening. J&K State has also been extended liberal financial support for power projects, roads, hospitals, schools, colleges, etc under UPA Government. Azad said that after his entry into State politics, he could observe the “developmental deficit” prevailing in the State and that he worked tirelessly to build infrastructure in all regions and sub-regions of the State without any bias or prejudice adding that interests of all the sections of the State were kept in consideration.

    As Union Health minister, Azad said that he sanctioned five medical colleges for the State so that young aspiring medicos would be trained within the State only to economize their training and degree costs adding that he expects State Government to soon commence the execution of these precious projects in a fast track mode.

    Describing Chenab Valley as treasure trove of natural resources and quality human resource, Azad stated the he endeavoured in his very brief spell of two and a half years as Chief Minister put this region on the track of development and progress.

    Azad said that though the neglect of decades could not be compensated in a short span of two and half years, yet I draw satisfaction from the fact that a beginning was made, adding that a process of creating basic infrastructure like power projects, roads, hospitals, schools, colleges, Tourism Development Authorities, etc was taken up vigorously and the results are discernible and encouraging. Azad assured the people that the BJP will not survive for more time and will soon start tottering under its own self-contradictions, since its agenda for election campaign was based on propaganda and false claims.

    He urged the people to strengthen the vote base of Congress Party by ensuring the victory of Congress MLA’s to take the State on the path of progress, prosperity and harmony.  “I need all 8 seats from Chenab Valley and I am sure we will form the government in state. If we come to power I promise you all, we will serve the people in the best possible manner and unfold a structure of governance, based on efficiency, transparency and equity” he said while asking people to gear up for the Assembly elections which are likely to be held in November this year. Later, Azad also inspected the ongoing work of 100 bedded hospitalbeing funded under NRHM at Gundoh and hailed the efforts of Housing Board for the speedy execution of the work.  He was accompanied by Mohammad Sharief Niaz MLA Bhaderwah, G M Saroori, MLA Inderwal and Naresh Gupta, MLC.