Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: Two army personnel including a major and three militants have been killed in an encounter which continued overnight in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. Police said the overall toll in the encounter, which has just ended at Karewa Manloo village, reached five, as one army soldier and a militant were killed this morning. The bodies of slain militants have been placed at District Police Lines, Shopian and their identity is being ascertained. Meanwhile, protests broke out near the encounter site as villagers took to streets shouting pro-freedom slogans. They also demanded the bodies of the slain militants

Town shuts; Youth pouring out on streets

Bandipora: Five youth including a pellet gun victim who was blinded in the right eye on March 18 and had to undergo another major surgery at Amritsar were detained by police in a raid last night in north Kashmir’s Hajin town.
According to witnesses, a police party at around 3 am broke into the house of Ishfaq Ahmad Parray, ransacking it, terrifying the family members and dragging him, his brother and three cousins out from a room where they were sleeping and took them away.
“They pointed guns at us when our sons were being dragged outside,” said a family member. “We stood there, watching, crying…”
Ishfaq had to undergo a surgey at Amritsar on April 28, the family said.
Station House Officer Hajin, Ateequllah, said, “Around 200 youth are involved in stone pelting. May be these 5 were among those people.”
Asked the family says Ishfaq had to undergo a surgry after two days, the SHO said, “The point is how did he become a victim?”
In response to the detentions, the entire town has shut and angry youth are assembling in the main market to protest this act of police.
According to locals, police were delibrately flaring up clashes in the town by detaining innocent civilians and provoking them to take to the streets.
Right now, hundreds of youth are taking out to streets to protest the detentions which the family and locals called unlawful.

Srinagar: Leaders and activists of Jammu Kashmir liberation front (JKLF) continued their election boycott campaign and visited many areas of Budgam, Tengmarg, Kupwara, Bandipora, Srinagar and Rafiaabad etc. Senior leader and Zonal President Noor Mohammad Kalwal visited Jamia Masjid kralpora Chadoora, Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi Jamia Masjid Chandigam Tengmarg, Master Mohammad Afzal Trehgam kupwara, , Siraj-e -Din Mir David Kunzer Tangmarg , Sheikh Abdul Rashid ( Zonal General Secretary) Coorag Ganderbal, Prof. Javed mosque fallchall khansahib , Maulvi Mohammad Yaqoob Rabbani bandGam, Ashraf bin Salam Srinagar Mukhdoom sahib shrine  Srinagar, Sheikh Abdul Gaffer Bugam , Gulzar Ahmed Pehalwan warPura , Abdul Rashid Maglu Chatrgul kangan , Syed Nisar Jilani Madwan,Sumbal,Prang, Mukhdam Vir Hajan , and Shah Gund areas, Ghulam Jilani Akhaal Kangan,Molvi Riaz Wusan Kangan etc addressed people at various places and appealed them to boycott Indian elections as these are detrimental for sacred cause of freedom. Besides these programs JKLF leaders and activists visited many places and went door to door, distributed pamphlets and met people collectively and individually. JKLF leaders Farooq Ahmad Dar and others visited many areas of Rafiabbad which included Daligund, Chraligund, Fidaar pora, Soyel sodnaar, Bachipora, Sheikh pora, Astanpora,Rawech, Warpora,Yaarbugh etc. Mohammad Ramzan etc visited areas of Budgam including Utligaam Beerwah, Charangaam ,Betapora,Zeran new colony, and Patlibagh, Bashir Ahmad Rather and Ghulam Mohammad Dar etc visited areas of Ganderbal Wakura,Aalastaing,Warpora,Baserbugh,Khalmola,MalshahiBagh, Grend,Saloora,Brahkund,and Beehama and activists in Tengmarg visited areas like Utloo,Dooru,Chapi pora,Goyeegam and Panjoura etc and distributed boycott related written material among the people.

JKLF leaders while addressing people at various places appealed them to refrain from and boycott Indian elections as these were detrimental for the sacred cause of freedom.  Leaders said that exemplary boycott by the people in south Kashmir should be followed in letter and spirit as this has indicated the love of kashmiris with the martyrs and freedom struggle. Leaders said that today pro India parties and their leaders fearing the strength of boycott have started a malicious campaign against the boycott call. They are propagating that this boycott is benefitting some and harming some pro India parties. We want to tell them all that elections held under the Indian constitution are in every case harmful for the nation of Kashmir and people who contest and take part in these are nothing but stooges of India and they are the handle of Indian axe that is and has been crushing and killing Kashmiris. Leaders said, that for freedom lovers, it hardly matters who is a beneficiary and who is loser. For the people of Jammu Kashmir all these pro India parties and leaders are same and their job is to harm the interests of Kashmiris. Leaders appealed the people that they should remember the mission and sacrifices of innocent martyrs and boycott these elections because boycotting Indian elections is the need of the hour to safeguard our national interests. Leaders while condemning the arrest of JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, Advocate Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri, Mohammad Azeem Zargar said that today JKLF district president Ganderbal Bashir Ahmad Rather (Boya), Gayas Ud Din who after arrest has been tortured by Ganderbal police and Mohammad Aadil of Maisuma have been arrested by the police. Leaders also condemned the brutal revengeful acts of Indian troops and police at Pulwama and other areas of south Kashmir.

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senior leader former deputy chief minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig has said it was PDP which forced Dr Farooq Abdullah through its positive agenda of peace to change his language of war that he has been following for years to endear himself to hoax in Delhi.

According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing a well-attended public meetings in Seeri Waripora and Khaipora villages of Tangmarg segment of Baramullah Lok Sabha Constituency Baig said it was ridiculous of Dr Farooq Abdullah to have said that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was a hurdle in Indo-Pak friendship.

Baig said Dr Farooq was the one chief minister who had made it a standard of recommendation to attack Pakistan. “Whether the issue related to mis-governance, corruption or the atrocities that his government committed against the people of Jammu & Kashmir till 2002, Abdullah would suggest bombing of Pakistan as the only solution to these problems”.

He said the NC leadership changed its language and started talking of resolution only after the PDP made it part of its manifesto in 2002 to convert Kashmir into a bridge of friendship between India and Pakistan. Baig said though Abdullah family has richly itself from Pakistan also during the ‘Raishumari’ campaign but their habit of advocating war with Pakistan doesn’t completely go away even though the people of Kashmir oppose any kind of confrontation. He said only a few months back amid tensions over seize fire  violations Omar Abdullah had said that India must attack Pakistan, but the people of Kashmir for the first time under the banner of PDP organized a historic protest against war.

Baig said the PDP advocates friendship between India and Pakistan and for that matter both the countries have to shun the animosity and start a dialogue process to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem and other related issues. He said the PDP has vision and agenda to smoothen the relationships between the two countries and the party will play an important role to bridge the gaps between India and Pakistan so that a permanent peace is realized in the region.

Reiterating his resolve to fight for the rights of the State that were systematically surrendered by the National Conference (NC) leadership in pursuit of power, Baig said PDP would pursue it at all forums, on the streets, in the Assembly and in the Parliament. “NC sold the very soul of the State by gifting water resources to the NHPC, which generated billions from it and Jammu & Kashmir having steeped into perpetual darkness as a result”, he said and added; “Let NC leaders name one substantial political or economic concession the State got through any of the party’s accords with Delhi.”

Muzaffar Baig said NC through all its accords right from the Delhi Agreement of 1952 had only surrendered the rights of the State and got nothing in return for the people except power and luxuries to build personal fortunes. He said NC has all along been exploiting the Kashmiri sentiment and the State’s resources to keep New Delhi happy. “No wonder people now view NC as a source of all their troubles,” he added.

Baig said PDP has become a thorn in the side of NC as it has emerged as the only credible option for the people of J&K. He said having suffered for generations at the hands of NC’s unchallenged domination, the people are now endorsing PDP’s policies after judging the party’s performance during the 3 year brief stint in power from 2002 to 2005. (KNS)

United Nations must come forward, implement resolutions

Srinagar: Urging United Nations to initiate process of implementing its resolutions guaranteeing ‘right to self determination’ Jammu and Kashmir People’s league Chairman, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza while addressing Fridayprayers in Islamabad district said through Economic packages and military might New Delhi can’t justify its illegal occupation.

According to a statement issued to KNS, terming the exemplary boycott eye opener for New Delhi, Waza said, “Since 1951 people have never put faith in Indian democracy and have boycotted these sham polls and this time again People of South Kashmir rejected these polls by exemplary boycott.” Adding, this poll boycott must serve eye opener New Delhi which has ever since showed reluctance in resolving the decades old Kashmir issue which has visible potential of sparking nuclear war in south Asian region.

He said that time a come when international community especially United Nations has to full fill its responsibility as people of Jammu and Kashmir since decades now have laid down uncounted sacrifices. He welcomed the statement of Pakistan foreign spokesman in which they have said that elections in the state can’t be substitute to right to self determination and hope Pakistan will continue to support Kashmiri people and continue to provide them on political, moral and diplomatic help.

Waza said that economic packages can no longer help India in continuing its illegal occupation over the state neither their military might can muzzle the ongoing freedom struggle. He said that instead of oppressive and repressive tact’s Indian must take bold steps for the early resolution of Kashmir issue.

He appealed International community especially United Nations to initiate the processing of implementing resolutions guaranteeing ‘right to self determination’ taking into account the sentiments and aspirations of Kashmiri people which they again expressed by boycotting the so-called elections.

Waza denounced the arrest spree and use of brute force on peaceful protesters in this southern region of valley since yesterday and demanded unconditional release of all the detainees. He appealed international human rights watch dogs including Amnesty International to take a serious note of current situation in the valley.

Srinagar: A Kashmir man, who the government forces claimed to have nabbed during an anti-militancy raid, was summoned by police and arrested, his family said on Friday.

In a statement issued on Wednesday army claimed that based on an intelligence input they apprehended Bilal Ahmad Bhat, a Hizbul Mujahideen militant, from North Kashmir’s Baramulla. “During the raid the joint team of party apprehended a militant of HM outfit,” the statement read, adding that one AK- 47 rifle, one magazine and 20 rounds ammunition was recovered from his possession.

However, Bilal’s father, Sanaullah Bhat rebutted army and police’s claim and said his son was was summoned by police on March 30, 2014, and he went to police station Kunzar the next day.

“On 30 March, we got a call from Kunzar police station and they asked for Bilal. I gave phone to Bilal and he spoke to him. They told him to come to police station Kunzar as they have to talk to him,” Bhat told GNS.

He said next day at 9:00 am, Bilal went to Police Station Kunzar and they told him there that ‘you are being summoned by Special Operation Group (SOG) and Pattan and you will go to Pattan’. “He came back to home and after having lunch and some work, he went to Pattan SOG camp. When he went to Pattan SOG, he was told by cops to wait as ‘Sahab’ is not here. It will take time so wait,” Bhat said.

Bhat said: “He called us and said ‘Sahab’ is not here and it may take time so I am staying for night. We told him you should have come back, but he said it is alright as they he has to talk to me.”

Next, day, Bhat says, he was still at SOG Pattan. “We took lunch for him. Four days passed like this and after four days the ‘Sahab’ finally met him and spoke to him.” Bhat said after SOG officer met him, we asked him that ‘what is the issue’ and he and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Pattan said: “It will take a day and he will be released. He has no problem.”

Bilal, 24, is an Imam in local Masjid of Kunzar and he also teaches kids in a local Darasgah.

Bilal’s father says that due to absence of Imam, few locals of Kinzar went to Police station Kunzar, which had earlier summoned Bilal and asked police why is he under detention. Bhat said: “The police replied that Bilal was clean. We sent him to Pattan SOG and we don’t think he is involved in any mischief.”

Bhat, in order to get his son released, met Minister of Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir and he had told him that Bilal was clean and will be freed soon.

But, Bhat alleges, Bilal was shifted to SOG Kreeri and was tortured. “He was badly tortured and thrashed at Kreeri.”

“I went again to seek help from Mir and he promised that your son will be released on 22 March,” Bhat said. But, he said, “We were shocked when we came to know that he was branded as militant and police as well as army said they arrested him on Wednesday.”

While questioning police claims, he asked: “Where was he then before his arrest? Aren’t police a government department?”

He demanded immediate release of his son and said: “This is injustice and height of oppression.”

Denying family allegations, an army spokesman based in Srinagar told GNS that police had detained the Bilal in last month and released. “But, he was ordered to report before police every week. However, on a specific input of SOG, we arrested him along with an AK-47 rifle.” The army maintained that Bilal is a militant. (GNS)

Waterhail (Khansahib): Emphasizing the need of restricting march of communal and deceptive forces towards New Delhi to grab the power, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who is also the Working President of the National Conference Friday said ‘it is all the more necessary for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to blunt the attempt of parties like BJP possessing harsh attitude and nurturing a particular agenda against Jammu and Kashmir’.

The Working President, National Conference said that PDP is acting as B-team of BJP in the State to garner the support for Narendra Modi by fielding its candidates tactfully in the current Parliamentary Elections. He referred to the fielding of PDP candidates in Jammu-Poonch and Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary Constituencies to divide the votes and help Narendra Modi. He said PDP is engaged in deceitful propaganda in the State to create gulf between various regions and various sections of the society to provide tactical support to the BJP.

Omar Abdullah told a big Waterhail crowd in Khansahib area of Budgam district this afternoon, to remain cautious against the propagandist elements who in different shapes and forms attempt to create confusion and fan emotions and sentiments for their vested interests. “You should defeat all these elements and groups who want to divide you, and are hatching conspiracy against Jammu and Kashmir”, he said and asked the people to exhibit their unity and rally behind NC-Congress candidates to help strengthen secular, democratic credentials of the Country and pave the way for bringing a Jammu and Kashmir friendly government in power at the Centre which would be of representative character and would care for all regions of the Country and all sections of the society equitably.

Making a fervent appeal to the people of Srinagar-Budgam Parliamentary Constituency to return NC-Congress candidate Dr. Farooq Abdullah to the Lok Sabha, Omar Abdullah asked them to vote in great numbers ensuring thumping victory for their popular leader who has always rendered his service to the people and the State.

Omar Abdullah said that National Conference has always relied on the support of people and has upheld the cause of the State under all circumstances. He said the NC-Congress Coalition Government would work together to strengthen the pluralistic ethos of the Country and equitable and comprehensive socio-economic development of the State besides restoration of permanent peace and stability in the State.

The Working President, National Conference said that the detractors of National Conference have always tried their best to create fissures between the people and National Conference but masses have vehemently foiled all such attempts in the past and will do so in the future.

Omar Abdullah expressed gratitude to the people for their unflinching faith and trust in National Conference and its leadership and  said that sacrifices of National Conference and its leadership has always been for the public good and in the larger interests of Jammu and Kashmir.

Castigating PDP for its deceitful politics and propagandists approach, Omar Abdullah said that the leadership of this party has always tried to fool the people on different counts. He said that the candidate of this party which is in the election fray from Srinagar-Budgam Parliamentary Constituency had repeatedly requested the NC leadership to admit him in the party till yesterday and today he is asking for votes in favour of PDP. “This denotes the power thirst of PDP and its leaders”, he said and asked the people to respond to these opportunists elements by handing them a resounding defeat in the current Parliamentary Elections.

Predicating clear victory of NC-Congress candidate from Anantnag Parliamentary constituency in the poll that took place on 24th of this month, the Working President, National Conference asked the people to come out in large numbers to vote for NC-Congress joint candidate from Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency in high spirit and enthusiasm ensuring his thumping victory in the polls on 30th April, 2014.

The Election rally was also addressed by the President, National Conference, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Provincial President, NC, Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Budgam, Aga Ruhulla Mehdi and various other senior leaders of Congress and NC were present on the occasion. (GNS)

Srinagar: Hizbul Mujahideen has paid tributes to the three militants killed in Shopian encounter on Friday. Baleeg-u-Din, an operational spokesman of Hizbul Mujahideen told KNS on phone: “Three militants Asif Wani alias Muzamil Ahmad son of Abdul Khaliq Wani resident of Drubgam Pulwama, Abdul Khaliq alias HaMeem, resident of Arwani Islamabad and Shabir Ahmad alias Hyder Ali resident of Rajouri have been martyred in Shopian today. The Command Council and the top leadership of Hizbul Mujahideen have paid glowing tributes to all these martyrs.”(KNS)

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti has said Central and North Kashmir will complete the whitewash of the National Conference in the state as the voters of Anantnag parliamentary constituency set the trend for change in Thursday’s polling braving heavy odds.

According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing various roadside meetings in Charar-e-Sharif segment of Srinagar parliamentary constituency Mehbooba said the PDP would emerge victorious in the entire Kashmir Valley as people are disillusioned with the misrule, bad governance and political backstabbing of the NC. Senior party leader Gh Nabi Lone Hanjura, Dr Nazir Ahmad Lone, Aftab Ahmad, Ab Rehman Nengroo and others  were also present on these occasion.

She said the NC rule reinforced alienation in Kashmir by targeting all sections of the society especially the youth and tried to benefit from it in Anantanag parliamentary constituency. But, the hatred against it is so widespread and deep-rooted that even an enforced boycott could not help it, she said.

Mehbooba said while a section of the people is definitely alienated from the system as a result of NC’s policies a more matured opinion has been able to realize that NC has now developed a vested interest in instability, violence and anger among the youth, which it is deliberately promoting. “To the contrary the performance of the PDP in government and in the opposition has convinced people that this party has stakes in peace, prosperity and development,” she said.

Mehbooba said the people are now able to clearly see and find the difference between the two parties as the NC which wants to keep Kashmir boiling. While Dr Farooq Abdullah introduced gun by rigging the 1987 elections Omar Abdullah handed stones to the youth as a result of his inefficiency and mis-governance, she added.

She said the performance of Omar Abdullah’s government has been disastrous over the last more than five years where the ordinary people have to face tremendous hardships because of the anarchy prevailing in the system. She said under the present regime corruption has touched new heights in the state, power scenario has gone abysmal, the development process has taken a back foot, there is growth stagnation prevailing and the policy paralysis has created havoc in the system which is also responsible for the disillusionment among people.

She said the Omar Abdullah’s government has miserably failed to tackle the growing unemployment among the educated youth and instead of working to tackle the issue it brazenly reemployed more than 400 corrupt bureaucrats with huge salaries and perks.

The PDP president said by way of ‘performance’, Omar Abdullah has only few things to his credit which include the introduction of Chili Grenades, Pepper Guns and Pellet Guns to be used against the Kashmir youth, who dare to raise their voice against injustice and misrule.

She said now the people have to make a clear choice and decide whether they want to suffer under the burden of NC or want to move ahead and allow the state to grow at par with other developed states of the country. Mehbooba said the PDP has clear vision and agenda for the development of J&K and the party will pursue it vigorously to get the state out of this prevailing mess and for that people have to give the party a decisive mandate in the elections. (KNS)