Srinagar: A domestic help died in mysterious circumastances at his employer’s house in Tral. According to a police statement issued to KNS, a domestic help Soni son of Geyan Chand resident of Udhampur was found dead in his employer’s house at Khasipora Tral, Awantipora. The deacesed was working as domestic servant for Ashok Singh resident of Khasipora Tral. Tral Police has started investigation under section 174/CrPC to ascertain the cause of the death. (KNS)
Srinagar: Muhammad Azam Inqilabi, former United Jehad Council chief and patron JK Mahaz-e-Azadi has shot an open letter to UJC chief Syed Salah-ud-din urging him to assert to stem the rot and rectify the wrong in the ranks of Hurriyat Conference in Kashmir.
According to the letter a copy of which has been issued to KNS, Inqilabi writes: “In the absence of Shura system of Hurriyat Conference the forum fell a prey to clandestine intrigue and conspiracies of the adversaries with the result that the forum got split into three fragments. This is a stark reality to be taken notice of. I do understand that you always felt equally worried about the internal bickering of Hurriyat forum. Now it seems that fission, schism and dissension has become hallmark of Hurriyat Conference.”
The patron of Mahaz-e-Azadi ha said: “In such a situation it is imperative for you as the Ameer of Jehad in Kashmir to assert with your wisdom, prudence, stoicism, political acumen and resolve of a committed Mujahid to stem the rot and rectify the wrong. All the votaries of freedom movement are interested in ensuring complete poll boycott in Kashmir to facilitate a peaceful and political settlement of Kashmir issue. Also complete boycott of these farcical and sham elections will signify and symbolize a genuine desire and aspiration of ours to avoid further bloodshed in Kashmir.”
He has added that, “it is now time to realize importance of constituting a committee of political scientists, analysts and militant strategists of Kashmir and Pakistan. This committee will work as a permanent workshop and think-tank to facilitate early peaceful and honourable settlement of Kashmir issue.”
Inqilabi writes: “The whole nation feels aggrieved over the flippant behaviour of the resistance leaders who matter. This is not the time for recrimination, imprecation and sarcasm and satire. It is time to show magnanimity, generosity, spirit of accommodation, reconciliation and in fact exhibition of Islamic brotherhood (akhoowat). Dear brother, be aware of your position as the supremo of resistance movement of Kashmir. Onus for genuine assertion lies on your shoulders. You cannot afford to watch the situation like a mute spectator. The whole nation is looking at you. So muster up courage to assert like a brilliant and prudent leader of Kashmir to save Kashmiri nation from confusion, chaos, commotion and pandemonium. Unity of thought and action should be prioritized. And this is what I emphasize as ex-chief of United Jehad Council and well wisher of this nation. I wish you success.” (KNS)
Srinagar: After concluding the two days long hectic visit to different parts of Maharashtra, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Gulam Nabi Azad is landing tomorrow in Kashmir Valley to campaign for coalition candidate from South Kashmir, Mirza Mehboob Beigh. After reaching tomorrow in New Delhi, he will be boarding special flight to land in Srinagar. Azad will address public gatherings at Kokernag, Dooru and other others areas of South Kashmir to garner the support for the coalition candidate, Mehboob Beigh. During his visit, he will be accompanied by senior leaders of National Conference and Congress. The Union Minister in his address will highlight the achievements of the state coalition government and UPA at the centre, which has benefited the people of Kashmir. (KNS)
Seeks registration of FIR against him for his statement
Srinagar: The opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) has lodged a complaint against National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah for using threat against PDP workers allegedly resulting in killing of a sarpanch in Pulwama. PDP chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar told KNS on phone that the complaint has been lodged both at Rajbagh police station seeking registration of FIR against NC president.
Dr. Farooq during an election rally in Srinagar had allegedly said if he had bombs and guns, he would have attacked PDP. On the same evening the gunmen had killed PDP sarpanch Mohammad Amin Pandit in Gulzarpura’s Pulwama. Akhter told KNS that on Saturday evening, PDP leader Abdul Hamid Kosheen filed a formal complaint at police station Rajbagh against utterances made by Dr Farooq.
Station, Rajbagh seeking registration of an FIR against National Conference’s candidate for Srinagar parliamentary constituency, Dr Farooq Abdullah who had claimed ‘if he had resources he would attack the PDP’.
Akhter said though the application was accepted by police but it had no knowledge about police action on their complaint. “The statement of Dr Farooq is criminal in nature and the police should have taken suo moto notice of his utterances,” he said. He said the inability of the ECI to take action on the complaints from Jammu and Kashmir reinforces the feeling that double standards are being practiced when it comes to the state and rest of the country.
The Spokesman said by refusing to formally register an FIR the police are conveying a clear bias in favor of the ruling party candidate who had issued serious threats to the PDP. “The statement of Dr Farooq Abdullah is criminal in nature and cognizable offence of which the police should have taken suo moto notice,” he said.
The Spokesman said it is unfortunate that the NC is getting away with all kinds of violations the latest by Dr Farooq Abdullah being the most serious in nature. He said the inability of the Election Commission of India to take action on the complaints from Jammu and Kashmir reinforces the feeling that double standards are being practiced when it comes to the state and rest of the country.
FIRs have been registered against senior leaders in other states apparently on milder charges but NC which through its electoral malpractices in the past has brought destruction in the state continues to be treated as ‘king’s party’, the Spokesman said and added such an attitude could vitiate the entire electoral process once again in the state. (KNS)
Survey reveals drastic increase in state’s power demand, little supply available
Srinagar: With the assembly elections scheduled to be held by the end of this year-the power crises and the promises in the improvement of the sector is expected to remain the main slogan of the major political players of the state.
The 16th All India Power Survey has projected an increase in power demand of Jammu and Kashmir with the state government still doing little on ground to improve this sector.
According to the reports received by KNS, the demand for the power in the state has been estimated at the tune of 15511 MUs during the year 2008-09 and that the same is expected to touch 4000 MWs that is 19500 MUs by 2020-21.
Much to the surprise of several observers, only 16 percent of the hydro power potential is being exploited. The details informed further that the state has the hydro power potential of 20,000 megawatts of which 16480 has been identified. Out of the identified only 2693 MWs has been exploited so far.
The details available with Kashmir News Service, Jammu and Kashmir gets 761.96 MWs in state sector from 21 power projects, 1889 MWs from the from seven projects under the central sector. The details informed that under the seven central sector projects 690 MWs are being generated from the Salal Hydel Project, 480 MWs from Uri-I, 390 MWs from Dulhasti,120 MWs from Sewa-II, 45 MWs from Nimo Bazgo , 44 MWs from Chutak and 240 MWs from Uri-II.
The installed capacity of 761.96 MWs from the state sector projects include the 450 MWs of Baghlihar phase-I constructed at the cost of rupees 5827 crores by the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation which was commissioned on October 10, 2008. the project is located at Chenab Basin at Ramban.
Though the state government claims to have done a lot in exploring state’s power potential, contrary appears on the ground. The survey done in the recent past maintained that through Chinab River only more than 11,283 MWs of power can be generated- enough for the state and even can be exported- making the state self reliant. River Jehlum has the capacity to generate more than 3084 MWs of power. From Indus we can have 1608 MWs generated and from Ravi- the estimated power generated is 500 MWs.
With generation from own hydroelectric projects showing no signs of improvement and State’s dependence on Central power supply increasing, Power crisis in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to worsen in the days ahead.
Of State’s effective installed capacity of 956 megawatts; Jammu and Kashmir is getting just 146 megawatts of power from Baglihar Hydroelectric Project that it owns and rest of the 1400 megawatts of power is being purchased from the Centre to meet peak demand of 1800 megawatts. Even after purchasing around 1400 megawatts of power, J&K is facing shortage of around 100 megawatts on an average almost every day. (KNS)
Srinagar: Former separatist leader Agha Abdul Hussain brother of Agha Hassan the Hurriyat Conference (M) leader has filed nomination papers to contest Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla constituency.
Talking to KNS, Hussain said that he wants to contest the elections to fight ‘cultural aggression’ in Kashmir. “The authorities have been denying me permission to work against the cultural aggression in Kashmir so I thought to adopt a democratic way to fight this menace.”
He said that he wants to know who is behind the wedge being created between different sects of Islam in Jammu and Kashmir. “Shias are now allowed to hold their meetings in Sunni areas. Similarly Sunnis are barred to hold their meetings in Shia areas. I want to know who is behind this wedge between the two sects of the same religion. I want to go deep behind this conspiracy by contesting elections,” he added.
Hussain said that it was his c conviction right from day one joining his separatist politics that there are some goals which can be achieved only through democratic process. “Election boycott is far from a pragmatic approach as people can achieve nothing by boycotting polls,” he added. He said that Hurriyat Conference should field their candidates in elections just like Palestinian people. “Contesting elections does not mean that Palestinian people have acceded to Israel,” he added.
He clarified that he has quit Hurriyat politics 12 years ago and had resigned from Anjuman-e-Sharia-Shian five years ago. (KNS)
Condemns use of ‘brute force’ against youth at Zoonimar
Srinagar: Terming the contribution of people from all walks of life towards reforming the society as inevitable, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Sunday stressed upon the Islamic scholars, civil society, religious institutions and parents to play their responsible role in this regard.
According to a statement issued to KNS, in connection with the social reform campaign, Mirwaiz while addressing a gathering at Zooni Mar Srinagar, said that eradication of social ills from the society was our social and religious obligations. He said that preaching goodness following the path shown by the holy Quran to stop the evil comes within the ambit of praying.
Stressing upon people to show their commitment towards politics, freedom struggle, and social reforms, Mirwaiz said that degradation of social and moral values in the society would have negative fallout on the freedom struggle. Mirwaiz said that just like Kashmiris won’t compromise on their political future, people here can’t remain silent or turn a blind eye towards the social issues and problems faced by the society at large.
The Hurriyat (M) chairman stated that Kashmiris were passing through testing times since past many decades, adding overlook collective social responsibilities is the reason why people have to face problems in all fields of life. Asserting that Kashmir struggle has now transferred to the third Kashmiri generation, Mirwaiz said along with the political responsibilities, the young generation should also come forward to fulfill their social responsibilities.
Later the participants comprising of Ulemas, local imams noted personalities, of the area assured Mirwaiz of their full cooperation towards the social reform campaign. A social reform committee was also formed on the occasion. The committee would keep an eye on social evils and at the same time would start a campaign for their eradication in their local area.
Later Mirwaiz addressed the people at Zoonimar Chowk and stressed upon them to show complete commitment towards the movement and reject the sham election process. Meanwhile, the Hurriyat (M) chairman has strongly condemned the use of ‘brute force and tear gassing by the CRPF on the congregation of youth who we’re shouting pro freedom and anti elections slogans in Zoonomar.’ (KNS)
Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) youth wing in charge, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra Sundaysaid the National Conference has felt its imminent rout from the entire state that is why it is resorting to senseless talking instead of coming out with some serious discourse for the welfare of Jammu & Kashmir.
According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing various youth interactions programmes at Pulwama, Rajpora, Shopian and Wachi, Parra said the NC leadership is feeling frustrated with the change in public mood around which is not in their favor. “Humiliating defeat is in the offing for the NC which has always exploited the sentiments and aspirations of the people for its petty political benefits,” he said and added NC will hang the Article 370 the way they hanged Mohammad Afzal Guroo in Tihar last year.
Parra said there is a huge urge for change on the ground and the people have made up their mind to taste the NC pill of its own misdeeds and malpractices. He said the NC has not only lost its ground but its identity too because it never took people and their issues serious and instead it made power its only choice every time.
“Credit goes to the people for squeezing the political space of NC, which has always bartered their identity, self-respect for power,” Parra said and called upon the people to finish the remaining story of NC by voting overwhelmingly in the forthcoming polls.
He said NC is the architect of all ills in Kashmir and till it pursues its politics of deceit and tricks there could be no significance change in the lives of people. “People have to come out to vote in large numbers in favor of the PDP only then we can end the monopoly of NC and can build a state which is peaceful and developed,” he said and adding NC has developed vested interests in violence because it suits them.
Parra said the NC leadership is well aware about fact that their game is up and that is the reason it has started intimidating its rivals with ‘dire consequences’ instead of taking them politically.
He said by way of performance the ruling party, though, has nothing to show to the people and now it is in search ways and means to create a fear on ground so that people will not come out to vote. But everyone is now aware about its all tricks and propaganda and it will have to taste the humiliating defeat by the hands of people very soon, he added. (KNS)
Omar Addresses election rallies in Bijbehara, Pahalgam, Shangus
Anantnag: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who is also Working President of the National ConferenceSunday reminded the people of the great sacrifices rendered by the National Conference and its leadership to highlight the cause of the State and its people.
According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing election rallies in Bijbihara, Pahalgam and Shangus in South Kashmir today, Omar Abdullah said that National Conference is a time tested public movement rather than a political party that panders to power at the cost of the State’s interests. He said National Conference is the undisputed heartbeat of J&K and has always proven to be the real and sincere friends of the masses.
The Working President of National Conference said that National Conference is the only party with a firm, ideological agenda for the equitable political, social and economic welfare of the State. He said NC has the sincerity of purpose and the political capacity to represent the aspirations of the people both within the State and in the Indian Parliament.
“History is a testimony and records of the Parliament are proof of the commitment of National Conference for the political stability, equitable development and economic welfare of all sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir”, he said. Omar added that National Conference MPs have always batted vigorously for the State and its people in the Parliament and were capable to voice the difficulties of the State and the grievances of its people at national fora. He said and asserted that the NC would continue its struggle for building a peaceful, modern and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar said that the track record of PDP and National Conference is before the people to be compared. He said while Dr. Mehboob Baig reverberated the Parliament with his speeches to highlight the Jammu and Kashmir Centric issues, Mehbooba Mufti miserably failed to represent Jammu and Kashmir. He said voting in her favour will prove dangerous for the State as well as the Country. He said PDP is an open supporter of BJP and Narendra Modi and wants Modi to be the Prime Minister of India despite his communal record and open animosity towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are all aware about the hostility of Modi and BJP towards Jammu and Kashmir besides this party’s agenda of divide and rule”, Omar said and maintained that voting in favour of PDP would be directly supporting Modi to become the Prime Minister of the Country while voting in favour of National Conference would amount to strengthening the democracy and pluralistic ethos of the Country represented by Rahul Gandhi.
The Working President of National Conference asked the people to beware of the conspiracy being hatched by PDP and BJP to divide the State on regional and communal lines. Omar Abdullah said that Muftis owe their political existence to BJP and it was BJP that founded PDP in J&K and today Narendra Modi is the Godfather and political patron of the Mufti father-daughter duo and their party. He said Mufti Mohammad Sayed and his daughter Mehbooba Mufti want to repay Modi and BJP for the blessings and benefits they have derived from them time to time.
The Chief Minister said that Narendra Modi carries with him the stigma of Gujarat riots and has not even expressed regret for the innocent killings in Gujarat but has exhibited his particular ideology by rejecting the offer to wear a cap presented to him by an Imaam Sahib. Omar Abdullah said that Narendra Modi has blatantly disowned sending his emissaries to Syed Ali Shah Geelani and has also denied engaging in any dialogue to address Jammu and Kashmir Centric political issues. “This is yet another proof of his approach and mentality towards Jammu and Kashmir”, Omar Abdullah said and added that despite all this PDP is hell-bent to support Narendra Modi for vested interests and for the greed of the Chief Minister’s chair.
Omar asked the people to vote in large numbers in favour of the NC-Congress joint candidate Dr. Mehboob Baig and help democracy and secularism to get strengthened in the Country and help sustained socio-economic development in the State. The meetings were also addressed by Provincial President National Conference, Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo and various senior leaders of National Conference and Congress. (KNS)
‘New Govt at the Centre should renews peace process with Pakistan’
Anantnag: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that Jammu & Kashmir is at the crossroads of historic opportunity for change where great hope and promise lies ahead for its people. He expressed the hope that the new government at the Centre would carry forward the peace process with Pakistan in the interest of the people of the region.
According to a statement issued to KNS, “The subcontinent’s turbulent history makes it imperative for both, India and Pakistan to resolve their mutual conflicts and forge a strong alliance towards achieving the desired level of human development and economic prosperity for the region,” Mufti said while addressing impressive election rallies in Noorabad and Dooru assembly segments of Anantnag Parliamentary constituency. He said peace and progress in the subcontinent have, probably, been never as critically linked with stability in Jammu & Kashmir as they are today. “Obviously, the future would now solely be determined by the region’s political leadership on how they cope up with the challenge amid fast-changing equations,” he said and added that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are the highest stake-holders in the Indo-Pak peace process.
Mufti emphasized that the onus shall now lie on the new government in New Delhi to consolidate the peace initiative, launched by the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee from Srinagar in April 2003, and carried forward by Dr Manmohan Singh through cross-LoC Confidence Building Measures. “The fruits of peace and prosperity would be shared not only by the people from all the regions of the State, but the whole subcontinent as well,” he said adding; “I am confident of positive action, at the highest level, towards consolidation of the Indo-Pak peace initiatives around J&K.”
Mufti said it is heartening to note that the constituency for peace and reconciliation is becoming larger and louder in the sub-continent and as a strong regional voice PDP has played a modest role in ensuring popular legitimacy of the peace process within and outside the State. He said PDP’s Self-Rule offers a viable framework for the amicable settlement of the Kashmir issue encompassing both the bilateral and the internal dimensions of the problem. Mufti said the confidence building process will have an impact on the ground only when conducive atmosphere is created within the State where the people are in control of the things and their life and dignity is not threatened. “This would be possible only when we send strong political representatives both to the Parliament and the state legislature,” he said.
Mufti said alongside the broader political and economic initiatives, PDP addressed the basic developmental requirements of the State as well, while heading the Coalition Government between 2002 and 2005. “While during our previous term in government, various initiatives were taken in horticulture, tourism, power and education sectors including abolition of toll tax, establishment of fruit mandis, setting up of tourism development authorities, opening of three new universities, adding five campuses to the universities of Kashmir and Jammu, opening 42 degree colleges and upgrading thousands of schools, if people give us the mandate, in our next term focus would be on the development of infrastructure in road communication, health, power, employment generation and social sectors,” he said.
Accusing National Conference of exploiting the people through emotive slogans, Sayeed said instead of going to the people with their report card, the functionaries of the NC-Congress coalition government are just beating about the bush. “I am sure that the emancipated people of Kashmir won’t now get carried away by the emotive and propagandist rhetoric of NC leaders and would look for alternative representatives who would serve them better,” he said adding; “I challenge the present government to showcase a single project of public importance that it has accomplished during the past five and a half years of its rule, while on the other hand the signposts of the developmental initiatives by PDP-led government are visible in every nook and corner of the state. He urged the voters to support PDP candidate Mehbooba Mufti by pressing Ink-Pot button on the Electronic Voting Machine. PDP leaders Choudhary Zulfikar-MLA, Peer Mohammad Hussain, Abdul Majid Padroo, Farooq Indrabi, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, Choudhary Gulzar Amad Khatana , Adv Mohd Hussain , Bashir Ahmad Phalwan Abdul Razak, Imtiyaz Khatana and others also addressed these rallies. (KNS)