Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Mufti played active role in erosion of Art 370: NC

    ‘PDP’s ideological roots lie in opposition to Article 370’

    Srinagar: National Conference in a statement issued from Srinagar has said that history is replete with proof and factual realities that prove that PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had played an active and unabashed role in the erosion of Article 370 and the erosion of Internal Autonomy in the State during his tenure in politics in various parties ranging from Congress to G. M. Sadiq’s erstwhile DNC to Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad’s breakaway faction of saboteurs and to V. P. Singh’s Jan Morcha.

    NC spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu has said that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had joined hands with every crony dispensation in J&K from late 1950s to 1975 that had an agenda of eroding Article 370. “Today shadow-boxers of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and PDP leaders have shown the remarkable audacity to blame National Conference for what Mufti Sayeed was overtly complicit in – be those the intrigues against Article 370 at the behest of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, at the behest of G. M. Sadiq or as a brutal, disastrous Home Minister in V. P. Singh’s Jan Morcha who joined hands with BJP to send Jagmohan to the State as Governor. From his very foray into the politics of J&K, Mufti Sahab ensured that he was a part of every crony dispensation that was put in power in J&K to dilute and erode the State’s special status. At a time when Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was incarcerated for his staunch ideological beliefs and primarily for his demands of safeguarding the State’s Autonomy and asking New Delhi to respect the sentiments of the people of J&K, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was busy switching loyalties from to G. M. Sadiq to Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad to Syed Mir Qasim to Congress and then to Jan Morcha,” Mattu said.

    Mattu said that erosion to Article 370 was carried out between 1953 and 1975 during the engineered, undemocratic rule of proxies and cronies in J&K who were usable parts of an intrigue against Shere-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, against the National Conference and against the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “While these crony, undemocratic dispensations were busy eroding Article 370 Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was a perennial feature in all such intrigues against the State’s special status. First Mufti Sahab got close to P. L. Handoo and then joined G. M. Sadiq’s DNC and was appointed a District Convener by G. M. Sadiq. It was no secret and it is a testament of history that Sadiq was responsible for some of the gravest damage to Article 370 and the State’s special status. Where was Mufti Sahab’s concern for Article 370 when he was a part of a dispensation that eroded it? Was Article 370 bad then and good now? Has history not made it evidently clear that Mufti Sayeed’s political posturing on such a sentimental and important issue depends on his ruthless personal political ambitions?,” Mattu asked.

    Mattu said that Mufti Sayeed followed the DNC troupe when it joined hands with Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad – another figure who played an abominably devious and treacherous role in suppressing the people of this State, incarcerating its popular leaders and sabotaging democracy for his personal ambitions. “Mufti Sahab’s loyalty to crony dispensations – be it to Sadiq or be it to Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad – was primarily a derivative of his automatic opposition to Kashmiri Nationalism, Article 370 and the State’s Special Status – causes for the defense of which National Conference Founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah spent more than two decades in various jails while Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was hopping from one intriguing band of conspirators in the State to another”, Junaid Mattu added.

    The National Conference Spokesman, while questioning PDP’s hypocritical remarks on Article 370 reminded the party of their sabotage of the J&K Women’s Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill in the Legislative Council, the changes that PDP made in the Transfer of Property Bill and their most recent tacit support to BJP candidates in Jammu region despite BJP stating its goal to abrogate Article 370 in its election manifesto. “PDP and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed have on numerous occasions demonstrated an uncanny tendency and willingness to barter the State’s interests and special status in bits and pieces for either political patronage from anti-J&K lobbies or promises of being given power,” Mattu said.

    Mattu has said that National Conference had opposed every overt and covert attempt made to erode and dilute Article 370 and the very fact that Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah spent more than two decades in prison while Article 370 was eroded through political intrigues is enough of a vindication. “National Conference passed the Autonomy Resolution in the State Assembly in 2000 during the rule of Dr. Farooq Abdullah and the NDA chose to ignore the democratically representative resolution at that time.

    Dr. Farooq Abdullah picked up from where Shere-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had left and ensured that the State Assembly unequivocally asks for the restoration of Internal Autonomy-a legal document that is in line with our ideology and stand. Our intentions to safeguard Article 370 and to strive for the restoration of Autonomy are clear and supported by our actions at every juncture of history-be that Sheikh Sahib’s valiant struggles for his people or be that the fact that Dr. Farooq Abdullah as the Chief Minister of J&K got the Autonomy Resolution passed in the State Assembly in 2000″, Mattu said while adding that National Conference would continue to stand up for upholding the rights and dignity of the people of J&K

  • HCJK will celebrate May 30 as Asiya-Neelofar Day every year: Shah

    Srinagar: Despite strict restrictions from government, Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir leaders led by Shabir Ahmad Shah today succeeded in reaching Shopian on the 5th anniversary of fateful Asiya-Neelofar tragedy. The leaders included Shabir Ahmad Shah, Muslim Conference chairman Shabir Ahmad Dar, Islamic Political Party chairman Muhammad Yusuf Naqash, Mahaz-e-Azadi president Muhammad Iqbal Mir, Bilal Ahmad Shah of Muslim League and Muhammad Yasin Ataai.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, the leaders applauded the valor and courage of the people of Shopian for bearing every kind of loss for months while raising their voice against the tragedy and government oppression. The leaders also assured the people of Shopian that they will, at any cost, expose the culprits of the Shopian double rape and murder.

    Lashing out at Omar Abdullah government of shielding the rapists and murderers, Shabir Ahmad Shah said that the so-called chief minister, by doing so disappointed us severely. “Instead the government threatened those who raised their voice against the injustice. They (Omar Abdullah government) tasted the defeat in parliamentary polls and we hope the people of Shopian will make them face the worst defeat again in upcoming assembly elections,” Shah said.

    Shah said the nation will never forget the tragedies like Shopian, Tabinda Gani, Kunan Poshpora and several similar incidents. “It is a reality that until Indian forces remain here, our life, honor and dignity is at stake. Our freedom movement is a movement to safeguard the lives and honor of our people and we will continue our struggle till human rights violations stop here and we achieve complete freedom from Indian occupational forces.”

    He said India failed to suppress the people of Kashmir by force and when it tried to do so, that resulted in militancy. “Till date, we have sacrificed more than five lac lives for the cause of freedom.”

    “Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir has decided that it will celebrate May 30 as Youm-e-Tahaffuz-e-Khwateen(Women Protection Day) every year,” Shah declared.

    Terming Kashmir dispute as the result of partition of subcontinent, Shah expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its relentless support to the freedom movement of the people of Kashmir against the forcible rule of India. He also expressed hope that with the changing situation, Pakistan will come forward to fulfill the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir and continue their support to them.

    Shah said the new generation of Kashmir is filled with the spirit of freedom. He said the martyrdom of Shaheed Muhammad Bhat and Shaheed Muhammad Afzal Guru are showing colors. “Our young generation pushed themselves before Indian tanks in 2008, 2009 and 2010 but didn’t surrender. Still we didn’t close the doors for peaceful talks.”

    Shabir Ahmad Shah said that hues and cries over “Integral part” and “Article 370” by Modi led government do not make any sense for us. “We want complete freedom from Indian forcible occupation and will continue our struggle till the movement reaches its logical conclusion in the form of tripartite dialogue or through the implementation on UN resolutions,” Shah added.

  • PDP asks government to explain JK Bank bungling

    If not clarified, will ask for special RBI audit: Spokesman

    Srinagar: Expressing deep concern at the murky details of non performing assets (NPA) revealed in the Greater Kashmir today, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the government to come clean on these reports. In a statement the party chief spokesman, Naeem Akhtar said the reports of creating NPAs to the tune of Rs 2500 crores are highly disturbing but of greater concern are the attempts to conceal them in order to show higher profits.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, Akhtar said the state finance minister must come out with government’s response on the report since the bank management seems involved in these malpractices that could threaten the very health of the Bank as is apparent from the crash of its share prices today. He said the finance secretary of the state who is on the Bank’s board of directors should also come out on the goings on in the bank as the political leadership of this government has lost all credibility. “Should that not happen and a convincing explanation does not come from the government the PDP would be forced to write to the Reserve Bank of India for instituting a special audit to reach the truth” said Akhtar.

    The PDP spokesman said it was extremely worrying that state’s most important and premier financial institution had been compromised by appointing wrong persons on the board of directors and the bank management. It appears even the auditors come under cloud as reported by the newspaper.

    Akhtar said the press release of the Bank issued in response to the GK story does not deny the figures quoted in it. Far from giving any comfort the bank response raises more questions than it has tried to answer.

    Akhtar said the shady deals in the bank are provided a cover by appointing blue eyed persons with dubious record who apparently are beneficiaries of the malpractices. He said it was ironical that a government that served a severe blow to state’s financial autonomy by shifting to RBI for overdrafts had claimed that the move would improve transparency in the bank. That spurious argument has been turned on its head as exposed in the GK report and now it is clear that the changeover was only another installment of the price that NC has historically been paying at the cost of state’s resources and institutions, Akhtar added.

    Akhtar said while within the state the bank loans are very stingily sanctioned big loans outside the state are obviously given to those who don’t even deserve them. He said while Millions of youth in the state are struggling to set up small businesses and denied loans but the bank with resource base in the state has apparently been made a handmaiden of vested interests outside the state which could benefit a few in position of power at the cost of a national asset of the state. 

  • J&K Bank clarifies misgivings

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Bank has appreciated the concern that has been expressed by its stakeholders in response to the ‘baseless news report’ that has appeared in one of the news dailies today.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, a public relations officer of the JK Bank has said: “We feel it expedient to clarify the misgivings arising out of the said news report. As far as the balance sheet of your bank is concerned it is being managed with prudence. Our prudent management of balance sheet can be substantiated by non-volatility of earnings for more than last 5 years; we have been showing a consistent growth in profits in highly stressed economic conditions from 2008 to 2013 when the whole industry was experiencing earning volatility. For last many quarters, stress in assets has been rampant across the banking industry. In March, 2014, we hadgross NPL’s around 783 Cr while as the Net NPL’s were 102 Cr.”

    He added: “But there is a marked difference between the stressed assets and Non Performing Loans. Normally, decision to declare an asset as non-performing has to be taken in accordance with the prescribed guidelines of the regulator, borrowers’ repayment history and market credibility. As a responsible corporate, we have been following all the prudential guidelines as stipulated by RBI for declaring sticky loans as NPA’s or restructuring advances. Besides our restructured asset portfolio graph is witnessing a downward trend. Currently it hovers around Rs 1500 Cr which is quite normal as per industry standards.”

    The statement reads: “Moreover, while declaring any advance as stressed, restructured or NPA we follow laid down processes and procedures which are quite robust and in accord with prescribed regulations and industry best practices. We have been consistently prudent when it comes to deal with stressed/non performing loans. Like in case of Kingfisher, when big banks struggled to recover their loan from the grounded Airlines, we got back 90% of our loan.”

    It adds: “J&K Bank is subjected to a robust audit process including Statutory Audit through auditors appointed by CAG and Annual Financial Inspection by RBI. The accounting policies pertaining to determination of NPAs have been followed and auditors have done their scrutiny thoroughly, which has been expressed in their reports. It is only a figment of someone’s imagination to fancy that one can evade the scrutiny from strong audit processes stipulated by the regulator and the industry.”

    The public relations officer of the bank ha said, “Let me reiterate, we stand on a solid foundation of trust and credibility since last 75 years which is reflective of our success. We assure you all that your bank has robust procedures and systems in place to check deviation, if any, instantly in the conduct of business procedures. Moreover, we believe that trust of our stakeholders is the most valued asset we have and we will continue to have that.”

  • J&K is ‘India’s crown’: Grand Mufti

    Demands ban, investigation on Cadbury ice creams

    Srinagar: Terming Kashmir as ‘India’s crown’, Grand Mufti Basheer-ud-Din has cautioned that repealing of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status is fraught with the dangerous consequences that could also jeopardize peace in the entire sub-continent.

    According to the KNS correspondent, Mufti Basher-ud-Din stated that Kashmir is not the ‘personal property of anyone’ and that ‘it is due to Article 370 that India is in Kashmir’. “Kashmir is not a personal enterprise of any one nor is it the integral part of any country. Article 370 guarantees India’s presence in Kashmir. Its repealing will endanger peace and harmony that could be difficult to control,” he said while addressing people at Charar-e- Sharief shrine.

    The Grand Mufti also asked New Delhi to start meaningful dialogue and take the arrival of Pakistan’s premier in Delhi during Modi’s oath ceremony a good omen.  “Sharief’s acceptance of Modi’s invitation must not be taken as his weakness.”

    Kashmir’s grand Mufti also expressed serious concern over the alleged reports of ‘presence of pig fat in Cadbury Ice creams’ and asked the people to avoid consuming it. He also stressed for the early investigation into the matter. “Some Muslim countries have already banned its usage and also the people here should avoid using it including children. Anyone having further information over the same should inform the court.”

  • Geelani expresses gratitude to people for observing strike in Shopian

    Hurriyat (G) condemns his continuous house arrest

    Srinagar: Thanking the people of Shopian for observing complete shutdown in the district against the double murder and rape case of Asiya and Neelofar, Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani reiterated his appeal that this case should be investigated by some independent agency and culprits should be punished accordingly. He said that Indian army and other government forces have been using the rape and molestation of women as a weapon of war and these incidents will continue to occur in future also if the accused are not booked and punished.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, Geelani said that Kashmiris have offered precious sacrifices for their freedom movement and now it is the time to protect these sacrifices. Our collective and national responsibility is to stay away from every such act which will harm or damage our freedom struggle. He said that the purpose of remembering Asiya, Neelofar and other like incidents is that we should not enter in any type of compromise with these people who have committed these heinous crimes and who are continuously attacking our basic and birth rights.

    Meanwhile, Geelani is continuously under house arrest and today 30th May he was once again ‘forcibly stopped to offer Friday prayers’. While terming the action of government as unconstitutional and interference on the religious affairs, Hurriyat Conference questioned that for how long will this process continue and when will be this pro-freedom leader released.

    Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar said that Geelani was placed under house arrest at the same day when he returned from New Delhi to Srinagar on 16 April which is still continuing. “Today when Asiya and Neelofar are being remembered in the entire state, additional police forces has been deployed at Geelani residence and he has been barred 7th time in 2014 from offering Friday prayers.” Hurriyat spokesman said that Geelani has been forced under illegal imprisonment on the basis of power otherwise his detention doesn’t have any constitutional, legal or moral justifications nor has it any known reason.

    The spokesman expressed sorrow that justice is being openly crushed under feet with regarding to the illegal confinement of Geelani and all the institutions of the state are maintaining a criminal silence and till now not a single voice have been raised against this grave injustice. The High court was also appealed in this regard but after so many years neither this case was solved nor was any kind of relief provided to the applicant. The local non-government human rights organizations are also not fulfilling their responsibilities and international human rights organizations are not paying their much attention towards this lawlessness.

    Hurriyat (G) spokesman said that the continuous restrictions over the political, religious and social activities of Geelani and confining him to his house have adversely affected his health and his routine exercise has also got disturbed. His imprisonment in 2014 has completed six weeks now, but the government is still to produce any document for his continuous detention that under which act he has been confined to his home. Hurriyat spokesman appealed Amnesty International and other human rights organizations to use their influence for releasing the pro-freedom leader. 

  • Congress to hold series of grass-root level retrospective meetings:  Soz

    ‘Both me and Mr Azad will jointly reach out to people’

    Srinagar: The state Congress is scheduled to host a series of retrospective meetings wherein reasons for its debacle in just concluded Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be deliberated threadbare.

    Confirming it to KNS, Prof Saif-u-Din Soz, president Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) said that the party has called a meeting of its block presidents of Rajouri-Poonch on Saturday. “After Rajouri-Poonch, we will hold a meeting of block presidents of Sambha, Kathua and Jammu  to know what were the factors that led to our defeat in the juts concluded elections,” Soz told KNS.

    He said that with these meetings, the party will also kick start its election preparedness drills for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. The PCC president however, informed that the party has not taken any decision with regard to forging pre poll alliance with its coalition partner National Conference in the state for the upcoming assembly elections.

    “I hope a decision will be taken very soon and whatever the decision, the same will be arrived at taking party’s interests into active consideration,” he added. Soz informed that senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad is arriving in Jammu on Monday where he will meet people to express gratitude to them for supporting him in the just concluded elections. “Both me and Mr Azad have decided to reach out to people of the state jointly to strengthen the party at the grass root level. The workers of the backbone of a party and we will try our best to hear him patiently and try our best to address his grievances,” Soz added.

  • History of JKLF adorned with sacrifices, martyrdoms, bravery: Yasin Malik

    ‘Many JKLF leaders arrested on way to Shopian’

    Srinagar: “The history of JKLF is adorned with sacrifices, martyrdoms, bravery and continued struggle for freedom of Jammu Kashmir. Today we are trying to make this organization stronger, institutionalized and democratic and also we are reiterating our pledge that all our efforts and energies will remain vested for the cause of freedom and independence of our mother land,” this was stated by the supreme leader of JKLF Aman Ullah khan and Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik while addressing a historical meeting of recently elected JKLF supreme council members who participated in a joint meeting held via video link.

    JKLF supreme council members from Indian held Jammu Kashmir, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, united kingdom and Europe and United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia etc participated in the meeting. The meeting held on the occasion of 37th foundational day of JKLF was presided over by supreme leader Aman Ullah Khan. The meeting started with the recitation of holy Quran and after inaugural remarks from Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik all the newly elected members of supreme council were sworn in by Jenab Aman Ullah Khan.

    “After the oath taking ceremony JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik delivered a welcome address to the members of newly formed SC who were connected through a video link from different parts of the world Chairman said that today JKLF has created a history again and we all living in different parts of the world are united and sitting together to take our freedom struggle to its desired goal. Yasin sahib said that this is the first ever meeting of SC and I hereby welcome and congratulate all the members and leaders who are attending this meeting. He said that by Allah almighty’s grace JKLF is going to elect all its office bearers including the chairman on 14th June 2014. The elections will be held under the supervision of a 5 member election commission that has already been formulated. Election commission includes Ghulam Mohammad Qadri and Haji Bashir Ahmad Khan from Indian held Jammu Kashmir, Khwaja Ghulam Ahmad Butt and doctor Sultan Hyder from azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and Syed Tahseen Geelani from overseas. The election commission will be headed by Jenab Ghulam Mohammad Qadri and the last date for filling nominations is 10th may 2014. Yasin Malik hoped that this process will conclude with dignity and will strengthen JKLF and the freedom movement.”

    On the occasion a special speech by Supreme Head Jenab Aman Ullah Khan was relayed on the occasion wherein he presented the historical background of party foundation. He mentioned how the right of independence was dropped in UN which in sixties made them to form Independence committee based on only 25 members. He said, after hanging father of kashmiri nation martyr Mohammad Maqbool Butt , the sacrifices rendered by the people of the state, especially after JKLF initiated a new phase from 1988, highlighted the issue at international level. For this wide range of publicity of the ideology, now supported by the overwhelming majority of the people of the state, the credit goes to the JKLF leadership and martyrs, he added.

    Others who spoke on the occasion  included Adv Bashir Ahmad Butt, Noor Mohammad Kalwal ( zonal president IOK) Dr. Toqeer Gilani (President AJK & GB Zone),Prof. Azmat Khan (President UK & Europe Zone),Raja M. Hanief Khan (President Middle East Zone),Prof. Raja Zaffar Khan (Chairman Diplomatic Board),Khuwaja Manzoor A. Chisti (In charge Finance Board),Sardar Abid (Memeber SC, UAE).Senior most leaders who were present on the occasion Sabir Ansari Adv.Hafiz Anwar Samavi,Khuwaja Saifudin, engineer Ghulam Rasool Dar Eidhi ,Showkat Aahmad Bakhshi, Raja Haq Nawaz,Saleem Haroon,Sajid Sidiqee,Manzoor A. Khan,Syed Tehseen Gilani (Gen. Sec. UK & Europe Zone),Gulriyaz Malik (President Saudi Arab Branch),M. Rafiq Dar and many others.

    Meanwhile JKLF leaders advocate Bashir Ahmad Butt, Noor Mohammad Kalwal,Showkat Ahmad Bakshi, Mohammad Yasin Butt and Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri were arrested by police at Newah Pulwama when they were on their way to Shupian . The leaders were to take part in the Memorial Meeting and protest of Shaheeda Aasiya and Shaheeda Neelofar who were killed in 2009 .as soon as JKLF leaders reached near Newah police and forces in large numbers cordoned their vehicle and arrested them. Before the arrest JKLF leaders while talking to media said that our honored sister’s Aasiya and Neelofar were attacked and killed by savages in 2009 but till day their assailants remain at large. Instead of arresting these criminals rulers and their forces used all their efforts in suppressing protests against this criminal act. This shows the negligence and Apathy of these rulers’ visa-vise humans and especially women folk. Leaders said that the people who raised hue and cry over dishonoring a girl in Delhi have kept mum on Aasiya and Neelofar’s case because this suits their so called national interest. Leaders said that Kashmiris will keep protesting till these innocent sisters of us get justice and their killers and culprits and not penalized. Leaders while paying rich tributes to Assiya and Neelofar prayed for the Patience of their bereaved families. 

  • Farooq Abdullah to be party’s face in assembly elections: NC

    ‘Party paid price due to the disconnect with people’

    Srinagar: Revealing that National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah is going to be face of the party during the upcoming assembly elections in the state, NC Friday said that the party is on tenterhooks to rectify the wrongs it committed in the past.

    “We have to redeem the situation. The dis-connect with the people of the state proved disastrous for the party during the recently held polls. We have to do the needful to turn the situation in our favor before it is too late,” said NC additional general secretary Dr Mustafa Kamal.

    He added that during the forthcoming polls for assembly in JK, NC will have Dr Farooq Abdullah as its face and that due to his absence from the party affairs during the past five years, NC suffered a lot. “He was representing the state in the parliament but at the same time our party suffered as there is no one like him. He is a real statesman and NC cadre identifies with him here at large.”

    Terming Dr Farooq  a one man army to face the rivals, Kamal who is also the brother of NC patron remarked that there is no other choice with NC but to ask Dr Farooq to lead the party. “To all of us, he is the best leader and a seasoned politician. As he was busy in Delhi during the past five years, now we know that he will turn the tables around.”

    Kamal also maintained that the main reason for the recent debacle of NC was its disconnect with the people in general and party activists in particular. “Yes we have to admit that we were not connected to our cadre as we should have been. Now the time has come when we have to rectify the wrongs.”

  • Abrogation of Article 370 a non- issue for Huriyat: Mirwaiz

    ‘Successive regimes diluted Kashmir’s special status after 1953’

    Srinagar: Stating that BJP should have avoided talking about the abrogation of Article 370 at this stage, Huriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that Kashmir’s special status has been diluted after 1953 by the successive regimes at New Delhi.

    Mirwaiz while talking to KNS said that Article 370 exists on papers only at present and that on ground, Kashmir has been virtually converted into a police state and is being run by the Army at large.

    One of BJP minister in the recent past revealed to Press that the party is working to repeal Article 370 and that the talks in this regard is going on with the stake holders. He also had remarked that Article 370 should be eroded for the greater common good. The comments of the BJP minister triggered a widespread debate in valley with both ruling and opposition parties in valley rebuking the comments.

    Mirwaiz maintained that Kashmir is not the issue of its relationship with New Delhi but also about the fate of the people of the both sides. “Abrogating and strengthening Article 370 is a non- issue for us. It is being understood by the people here at large that the special status exists on papers only and not on the ground. In actual forces are running the affairs of the state,” said Chairman Huriyat (M).

    Mirwaiz also remarked that Kashmir used to enjoy autonomous status under the umbrella of Indian constitution before 1953 but the successive regimes and parties in power at New Delhi diluted the same to the extent that it remained limited to papers only.

    Mirwaiz said that BJP should have avoided talking about the abrogation of Kashmir’s special status as Huriyat demands meaningful dialogue so that ice could be broken and disputes between India and Pakistan are resolved at the earliest. “We must accept that the people here have lost faith and hope in the dialogue process as the same has not yielded any results on ground as the situation has not changed in Kashmir with the crackdown against people and pro-freedom leadership continues.”

    Kashmir’s chief cleric while demanding the involvement of militant groups and political leadership of both the sides in the dialogue process for Kashmir resolution stated that when people of India and Pakistan have given absolute majority top Modi and Sharief, bold decisions are expected from the duo for the sustainable peace in south Asia. “Huriyat Conference believes that there is no other option in hand but to resolve Kashmir politically. There must be thaw between India and Pakistan so that result oriented dialogue could be initiated.”