Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Will Geelani-Mirwaiz rift affect their poll-boycott call?

    Srinagar: The latest rift between parallel factions of Hurriyat Conference has erupted at a time when parliamentary polls are days away in Kashmir. Though the rift and war of words between the chief of Hurriyat factions in Kashmir is not new, but this time, it has erupted at a crucial time as they have called for boycott of polls.

    “There is already division in Hurriyat camp and now this infighting. Hurriyat is losing credibility and people are also losing faith in leadership. So, it will weaken their appeal (poll boycott),” Noor Muhammad Baba, who is a Political Science professor at the University of Kashmir, told GNS.

    He said leaders must exhibit to lead people and put their influence. He, however, adds: “Those who are committed to separatist movement will surely not vote.”

    The latest rift between parallel factions of Hurriyat erupted after Syed Ali Geelani claimed that faction headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had met emissaries BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. “Those who said they have expectations from Modi over Kashmir issue and those who said that Modi won’t be hardliner any more after he becomes PM of India have actually met his people and that is why issued such statements,” he had claimed.

    Mirwaiz, hitting back at Geelani, rubbished his claims and termed them ‘baseless and fabricated’. “It is deliberate attempt to mislead the public of Kashmir as well as freedom loving people. Since 1990, people are giving sacrifices and leadership is also giving sacrifices. We want to tell Geelani that this is the same leadership which gave blood to the freedom movement,” he had said.

    A veteran Kashmir journalist, however, has different view on the rift between the warring factions and its effect on the poll boycott appeal. He says: “It is a one-sided affair. The current rift between Hurriyat factions headed by Geelani and Mirwaiz will have no effect on polling. Those who have to vote will vote and those who are with boycott will boycott.”

    He further elaborates: “The Mirwaiz faction has only called for boycott but they are not running poll boycott campaign. The Geelani faction has also called for boycott but they too aren’t running boycott campaign. Geelani himself is ill but his stature has appeal. So, it will not have any effect any polling.”

    He believes that ‘there will be slight increase in poll percentage’ in upcoming Parliament elections.

    The break-away faction of Hurriyat headed by Shabir Ahmad Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front headed by Yasin Malik has been on the fore front of running anti-poll campaign Kashmir.

    But, Dr Sheikh Showkat, who teaches International Law at Central University of Kashmir, said despite the on-going war of words between Geelani and Mirwaiz, the poll percentage will be low as compared to 2009.

    “In 2009, the poll percentage was little bit high because General Musharraf tried to engage mainstream politicians of Kashmir including Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti and during that election, they tried to capitalize it.”

    He said: It will definitely have no effect as people are committed to cause irrespective of division between leadership.” He said polling goes high in upper belts of Kashmir due to ‘militarization, illiteracy, backwardness and remoteness’, but in urban areas will people will boycott as usual.”

    A civil society member, whose group on Sunday had appealed Geelani and Mirwaiz to show restraint, also believes that there will be no effect on poll boycott appeal. “It will have no effect. The rift and boycotting of polls are two separate issues,” she told GNS.

    The Anantnag constituency is going for polls on 24 April, Srinagar constituency on 30 April and Baramulla on 30 April.  (GNS)

     

     

  • Farooq has broken all records of dissimulation: Er Rashid

    Srinagar: While castigating the statement of National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah in which he had held former Home Secretary of India R.K.Singh responsible for the secret execution of Muhammad Afzal Guru.,  MLA Langate and Awami Ittihaad  Party (AIP) President Engineer Rashid termed the same as a ploy to hoodwink voters and stated that by this statement Farooq Abdullah has broken all records of dissimulation.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, Engineer Rashid termed NC, PDP as killers of Afzal Guru and said that they cannot rid their conscience of the crimes they have committed against nation of Kashmir. “If the assertions of Farooq Abdullah have any truth in them than it becomes all the more clear that affairs of Jammu & Kashmir are run by clerks of Home Ministry,” stated Engineer Rashid. Pertinently, Engineer Rashid was today campaigning in the public rallies at Handwara and Sangrama constituency of Baramulla Lok Sabha Seat.

    “ NC, PDP adopted criminal silence when they could have saved Afzal Guru and both parties played a key role in framing charges and in sentence against Afzal Guru. These parties have no right to play politics over sacred blood of Afzal Guru and should stop  playing with sentiments of people of Kashmir, added Engineer Rashid.

    Engineer Rashid made it clear that Farooq Abdullah and PDP Leaders cannot free themselves from their brutal act of taking part in murder of   Afzal Guru despite these parties cooking so many false stories. “ If Farooq Abdullah was so serious than why National Conference did not support my resolution to save Afzal Guru? .Although if the childish statement of Farooq Abdullah that Azal Guru was secretly hanged on the orders of than Home Secretary RK Singh has  some element of truth in it than it aptly proves that Jammu & Kashmir affairs are not run by the so called elected government but by clerks of Home Ministry,” observed Engineer Rashid.

    Engineer Rashid affirmed that he had been time and again stating that members of assembly are mere puppets in Jammu& Kashmir while the government is run by clerks of Delhi Darbar. (KNS)

  • Advani’s website hacked, free Kashmir slogans uploaded

    Srinagar: BJP leader L K Advani‘s official website was hacked on Monday  by some unknown hackers- writing the message of Free Kashmir on the portal.

    According to the reports received by KNS, wrote praises for Pakistan on Advani’s website and also called for the demilitarization of Kashmir. The website also mentions the name of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi saying, “Good Morning Narendra Modi” and went on to raise the Kashmir issue.

    The hackers also claimed to have Kashmir’s freedom as their goal and the reason given by them to hack the website was written that they want Kashmir to become free from ‘military rule.’

    Earlier also the fan website of bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan was hacked and the protest against the hanging of Guru was registered on the portal. The cyber crimes and the number of hackers according to the survey is increasing in South Asia due to the easy availability of the technology. Youth have been reported to be more inclined towards cyber crimes. (KNS)

     

  • Shabir Shah calls for shutdown on April 24, 30, May 7

    Srinagar: Appealing people to completely boycott the parliamentary polls to be held under the Indian Constitution on April 24, 30 and May 7, senior leader of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK), Shabir Ahmad Shah has urged people to observe complete shutdown on the respective dates and revere the invaluable sacrifices laid down by martyrs for the freedom cause of Kashmir.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, Shah said: “The martyrs gave their precious blood for the right to self determination of the nation not to elect the so-called politicians to parliament.” Alluding to India’s freedom from “The Great Britain), Shah said the nation that gives sacrifices is destined to achieve the freedom. “Just as English left India, India too has to follow the suit,” he said.

    Shah said the puppets of India by begging for votes from people in the name of development are exploiting the same elections by misleading the world community that the people of Kashmir have acknowledged the supremacy of India. “We are running a freedom movement here. By election boycott, India would be pressurized to undertake a referendum here so that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be entitled to choose their political future, as happened in East Timur and South Sudan.”

    “The denial of Kashmiris their right to self determination will push the whole South Asia to destruction of war. So there is a dire need to find a peaceful resolution to the sensitive issue. Today’s election boycott will make clear the disputed status of Kashmir and it will be a great victory for us,” Shah added.

    Shah further said: “We need to introspect that those who are hell bent upon crushing the freedom movement right from 1947 and have deployed more than 5 lakh forces for such task, put thousands of pro-Hurriyat people behind bars, committed worst kind of human rights violations, today beg for votes from the same oppressed people. We have to maintain political maturity while dealing with such sensitive issues and prevent our progeny from further slavery by completely boycotting elections.”    (KNS)

     

  • Strike affects life at large

    Day passed off peacefully: Police

    Srinagar: The strike call extended by Huriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani against the continuous detention of various pro-freedom leaders ahead of forthcoming polls, Mondayaffected life at large in various areas of Kashmir.

    With the schools and colleges remained closed, university of Kashmir also wore a deserted look with almost all its departments witnessed a thin attendance.

    The shops and other business establishments in valley remained closed. In Lal chowk the business activities also witnessed a major halt with only few people seen present in Srinagar’s main market.

    Transport services also were affected with only some private vehicles plying on the roads. The commercial transport remained shut. Also various petrol pumps also were closed with chains stopping the main entrance of the compounds.

    Private and government offices also witnessed a very less attendance due to the non- availability of the transport services. People at large prefer to remain indoors with the roads wearing a deserted look.

    The police spokesman told KNS that there were no restrictions imposed at any place in valley including Srinagar and that the day passed off peacefully.

    However, according to the reports received by KNS, some youth in Srinagar’s old city assembled in groups and placed barricades in the middle of roads- forcing people not to move ahead. However no reports of any clashes were received by the news desk so far.

    The Huriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani addressed the press conference after returning from Delhi on April 16. The senior separatist leader accused that the state government has launched a massive crackdown against separatists in valley and that most of the political leaders and activists are being continuously detained by the police at large. Geelani while appealing people to observe strike against the state action on pro-freedom camp also urged masses to boycott the forthcoming polls. (KNS)

     

  • Modi’s agenda destructive, wants to spark another partition: Dr. Farooq

    ‘NC will stand as a wall between BJP and J&K’

    Budgam: National Conference Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah addressed an impressive public meeting at Chadoora, Budgam and said that Narendra Modi had an agendra of destruction and division and wanted to spark another partition in the country. The remarks made by a BJP leader that all opponents of Modi are Pakistan supporters reflects the poison and venom that dictates the policies of BJP and Narendra Modi.

    Speaking at the public meeting which was organized by MLC Panchayati Raj and NC District President Budgam Ali Mohammad Dar, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that BJP had made it amply clear in its manifesto that the party wanted a Uniform Civil Code in the country and this obviously implies that BJP wants to banish the Muslim Personal Law Board in this country despite the religous sentiments of Muslims. Dr. Farooq Abdullah said  “BJP was out to wage a war not just against the minorities of India but also against the very idea of India. Narendra Modi speaks about development but refuses to talk about the multiculturalism and communal harmony that has bound this country together for centuries”.

    Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that BJP had also made it clear in its manifesto that Narendra Modi wanted to aborgate Article 370 of the Indian Constiution and hence destroy J&K’s Special Status. Dr. Farooq said “Modi should know that there is a party called National Conference that has bled in the lanes of our towns and villages and sacrificed in the annals of our history to safeguard Article 370. Modi should know that a thousand Modi’s cannot stand in front of National Conference and Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s vision of amity, brotherhood and a dignified relation with India”.

    Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that BJP has also made it evident in its manifesto that the party wants to construct Ram Manndir at the site of the demolished Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Dr Farooq said “BJP has kept bricks, mortar and stones ready to construct a Temple on the ruins of a viciously and ruthlessly martyred Babri Masjid despite the matter being sub-judice in the Supreme Court of India and despite the sentiments of the millions of Muslims in the country. Will the same party and the same leader do anything for the cause of minorities?”.

    Speaking to the public, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that despite Modi’s outrightly communal, anti-Muslim and anti-Kashmir ideology, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had embraced Modi with an affection that reflects Mufti Sahab’s lack of integrity and loyalty to his own people – a trait that Mufti Sahab has demonstrated all his life to the ultimate disappointment to the people of J&K. Dr. Farooq Abdullah asked the people to vote in large numbers in favor of the NC-Congress Coalition so that the BJP-PDP partnership can be nipped in the bud before it endangers this State and its people.

    Speaking on the occasion Senior NC Leader and Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather said that no power on earth can harm Article 370 as this Article is the constitutional bridge of accession between J&K and India. Rather said that Article 370 has been ratified by the Indian Parliament and the first Prime Minsiter of Independent India, Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

    Those who spoke on the occasion included Senior National Conference Leader and Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather, Senior NC Leader and MLA Budgam Aga Syed Ruhullah, MLC Panchayati Raj and District President Budgam Ali Mohammad Dar, MLC Panchayati Raj Dr. Shehnaz Ganai, Ex-MLA and Leader Democratic Party Nationalist Advocate G M Bawan. Many senior NC leaders and office-bearers were present on the occasion. (KNS)

  • Mufti responsible for Kashmir Massacres: Nizami

    RSS, BJP diving India on religion basis

    SRINAGAR : J&K Pradesh Congress Committee, Joint Secretary Salman Nizami today in a statement said that PDP in J&K is a mouthpiece of BJP. PDP for power change their stance like cameolons. In 2008 they killed more than hundred youth in Kashmir in Amarnath land row to oust out Ghulam Nabi Azad, they have to answer for all those deaths and they should face public trial. PDP is anti Kashmiris, anti people, they are now joining hands of communal forces just to gain power. These communal forces who have divided India on the basis of religion. They are befooling naieve kashmiris that they will sort out Kashmir issue actually they are the root cause of the problem in valley, Mufti Mohammad Syed during his tenure of Home Minister of India in V.P Singh’s Jan Morcha govt in 1989 was responsible for massacre in valley. PDP coming to power will be disastrous for J&K.

    While reacting to the statement of RSS Chief Parveen Tagodia, Nizami said that It is shamefull and un acceptable, such people have no place in a country of secularism, brotherhood and peace. Such a statement from a partner of BJP is safe to conclude that they have a design to divide out secular country on the basis of religion. He should be immediately arrested and booked, it has hurt the sentiments and emotions of the whole nation.

  • Rulers, their forces always use force, illegal arrests for oppression: Malik   

    JKLF leaders continue their boycott campaign in Habakadal area

    Srinagar: JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik along with senior front leaders advocate Bashir Ahmad Bhat, leaders Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri  and Mohammad Azeem Zargar continued to remain in police custody today, said a statement issued to KNS. According to this statement, nocturnal raids, searches and creating fear by police and other forces is continuing and police have arrested JKLF activists Arshid Ahmad Bhat (Jan Kachroo), Fayaz  Ahmad and Imtiyaz Ahmad from their houses. Arshid Ahmad has been shifted to Islamabad district jail while as Fayaz Ahmad and Imtiyaz Ahmad have been lodged at central jail Srinagar. Police also raided the house of senior JKLF leader Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi and people related to JKLF in Padsahahi Bagh, Siotaing and Lasjan areas and harassed their kith and kin. Police also raided front activist Shahid Ahmad and is in search of many other JKLF leaders and activists throughout valley.

    Terming this crack down on peaceful political workers and activists as state sponsored violence, JKLF chief who is himself in police custody said that this police crackdown is most undemocratic unilateral state sponsored violence against a democratically legitimated and peaceful boycott campaign of JKLF. Yasin Malik said that this crackdown ,arrests and raids have once again proved that rulers and their forces are not able to fight resistance camp politically and they always use force and illegal arrests’ to oppress and suppress the voices of dissent .He said that these rulers and their forces must bear in mind that these kind of atrocities, arrests and oppressive measures cannot deter freedom lovers from pursuing the path of struggle and that  history bears a witness to the fact that the last victory belongs to the oppressed not oppressors.

    Malik also condemned the ill treatment meted out to Kashmiri inmates at Tihar jail Delhi and said that Kashmiri prisoners including lifer Javed Ahmad Khan have been shifted from their barracks and their clothes and other necessary things have been snatched and these prisoners are compelled to live without any clothes from last many days.

    Despite the arrests and other oppressive measures by police and forces, JKLF leaders continued their election boycott campaign and visited many areas in Haba Kadal constituency in Srinagar today. JKLF leaders Noor Mohammad Kalwal, Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi ,Ghulam Rasool Hazari, Imtiyaz Ahmad ,Molvi Abdul Rashid and others visited Purshyaar, Drubyaar, Dal Hasan Yaar Karfali Mohalla, Sona Masjid, Qazi Masjid and Syed Ali Akbar Feteh Kadal areas and apprised people about the importance of boycotting Indian elections. Leader’s appealed people to safeguard the sacrifices rendered by great martyrs and boycott these farce elections .Leaders also distributed boycott related pamphlets among the people. Leaders said that Indian elections are meant to defeat our movement and we are duty to boycott these and honor the sacred blood of martyrs.

    Meanwhile JKLF has expressed heartfelt grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Ghulam Mohammad Wani. The deceased was brother in law of JKLF well wisher Farooq Ahmad Gilkar (Bahaw ud din sahib Nawhatta). JKLF while expressing solidarity with the bereaved family prayed for the heavenly abode for the departed soul. (KNS)

     

  • We have commitment not to name 2 emissaries: Hurriyat (G)

    Srinagar: Rebutting a news report carried by a Chennai based English daily in which names of two Kashmiri Pandits were published who had reportedly met Geelani on behalf of BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the Hurriyat Conference (G) on Sunday said it is committed under oath not to reveal the names of Modi’s emissaries who had met its chairman on March 22 in Delhi.

    The Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani had on Friday claimed that Modi had sent two emissaries to him making a “commitment” to seek a solution to Kashmir issue. The English daily had today named Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) National Youth President Sanjay Saraf and ML Mattoo, a former legislator from old-city Habbakadal as the two emissaries of Modi who had met Geelani in Delhi.

    Saraf has already dismissed the reports. Talking to KNS, Saraf said he has a personal relation with Geelani and meets him frequently but he has never met Geelani on behalf of Modi. Ayaz Akbar chief spokesperson of the Hurriyat (G) said that the news report of the English daily naming Saraf and Matoo as Modi’s emissaries who met Geelani is totally baseless and far from truth.

    “We are under oath not to reveal their names. But surely they met Geelani sahib on behalf of Modi. If anybody is interested to know who the two gentlemen were, he should verify their names from Mr Modi whose party in a fit of frustration is now denying such a meeting. They are denying this meeting for political reasons,” Akbar said.

    Akbar also commented on chief minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks in which Omar had questioned the secrecy behind the move and asked Geelani to identify Modi’s emissaries to establish who was “lying”. Akbar said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has an old relationship with BJP as he was a minister in BJP led NDA government and it is better for Omar to verify the facts from his old friends. “Why is Mr Omar Abdullah wasting his time in posing questions on names of two gentlemen who had met Geelani Sahib? He should ask his old friend Mr Modi about the same and he will quickly get the answers,” Akbar added.

     

  • 2nd batch of Kashmir top guns concludes

    Srinagar: The second batch of Kashmir Top Gun, an imitative of army to empower and train the aspiring youth of Kashmir Valley who wish to join Indian Armed Forces as Officers, concluded here on 15 Apr 14. According to an army statement issued to KNS, a total of 15 youth including boys and girls under went over two weeks of training which started on 28 Mar 14. These boys and girls hailed from all the regions of Kashmir Valley.  A series of motivation talks and lectures were delivered by Army officers in various schools and colleges across Kashmir Valley to educate, motivate and identify suitable aspiring youth for the Top Gun project. Besides, experienced Army officers, a group of professionals and retired Army Officers were also associated with this training. The two weeks training included series of group discussion, group tasks, interviews and counseling.  The response of the trainees was overwhelming and they actively participated in the training. The training created an atmosphere filled with mutual trust, friendship and harmony. Apart from professional training, some of the aspirants hailing from far flung areas were provided free of cost boarding and lodging for the duration of the training. The next batch under the project Kashmir Top gun is scheduled to start around last week of June 2014. Interested youth can contact nearest Army Camp or may contact on tele No 0194-2468088. (KNS)