Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Mehbooba Cavalcade Stoned In Yaripora

    Srinagar: A group of young men pelting stones on two candidates in south Kashmir’s Yaripora town when they had come for campaigning. These included an independent candidate and PDP president Ms Mehbooba Mufti.

    Reports reaching from the township said they attacked the cavalcade of an independent candidate in the morning. Later when Ms Mehbooba reached the small township, she also was treated on the similar lines. Within minutes after the brief stone pelting, the town closed and the shutters were down.

    The independent candidate was not identified but residents said he has his cricket bat as his election symbol.

    Neither of the candidates was permitted to make a speech, last reports reaching from the area said. The situation was termed tense.

    Weekend attack came within a few days after the locals raised barriers on the road to prevent entry of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the area. Mehbooba is pitting against NCs Mehboob Beig for the south Kashmir constituency that goes to polls on Thursday.

     

  • Protesters spoil wazwan, forces NC Minister to retreat

    Srinagar: Much to the embarrassment of the National Conference senior leader and Higher Education Minister, people forced him to leave Shahgund Hajin without attending workers meeting on Saturday.

    Muhammad Akbar Lone arrived at Shahgund Hajin to attend a workers meeting that was supposed to take place at the residence of NC worker Muhammad Maqbool Ghasi. As the word about his visit spread in the area, people used public address system urging shopkeepers and traders to close down their shops and observe a complete shutdown in the area.

    Eyewitnesses told CNS that as the Lone reached Shahgunds, scores of people encircled his vehicle and amid anti-NC and anti-Minister slogans did not allow him to proceed towards the venue. People demanded punishment to the ‘killers’ of Farhat Ahmed Dar who was allegedly killed in police firing last month during a protest.

    As the security guards of the Minister tried to disperse the protestors, the agitated people resorted to stone-pelting and forced Muhammad Akbar Lone to retreat from the place without attending the workers meeting.

    During the clashes between people and police, at least three persons were injured. People alleged that the police and CRPF personnel thrashed tow scribes Inayat Hajni and Zahoor Ahmed Bhat. “I was beaten to pulp while covering the clashes by police and CRPF personnel. Blood oozed out from my mouth and nose and I don’t know who shifted me to Srinagar for treatment,” Inayet Hajni told CNS.

    Reports said that amid clashes, agitated protestors barged into the house of District president National Conference Khazar Muhammad Dar and ransacked the belongings there. People smashed the windowpanes of the house and caused damage to furniture. Eyewitnesses told CNS that agitated protestors entered the house of Muhammad Maqbool Ghasi in Bagatmohalla where the Minister was supposed to attend the meeting and spoiled the ‘wazwan’ (dishes) there, that was prepared for the Higher Education Minister.

    Confirming the incident, DIG North Kashmir Ghulam Hasan Bhat told CNS that protestors stopped the Minister questioning him why he did not turn up when a youth got killed last month. He said that protestors also attacked the houses of two NC workers,” he said.

     

  • UPA-I and UPA-II ensured unprecedented development across country: Azad

    Marathwada: “There has been unprecedented all round development taken place during rule of Congress led UPA-I and UPA-II across the country. There has been revolution in almost all sectors including that of Road connectivity, Education, Power generation and Industry,” stated Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad at Aurangabad, here today.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, earlier, while addressing a press conference at Aurangabad and later while addressing mammoth gatherings in Aurangabad, Malegaon and Dhule, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed concern and said that “unfortunately this revolution could not get proper coverage and publicity at regional as well as national level”.

    “People in both rural as well as urban areas of the country have not got that much benefits in the shape of development in past over 55 years, which Congress party and its allies delivered in every nook and corner of the country in past 10 years of its rule,” added Mr Azad.

    “During past 10 years, there has been global crisis in economic sector, due to which most of the countries even well established country like United States and most of the European and Gulf countries suffered heavy setbacks, which virtually made their developmental works to standstill,” pointed Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad and further highlighted that “it was only India which under the able leadership of Congress leaders withstood the onslaught of global economic crisis. Not even a single centrally sponsored scheme was stopped. Rather more centrally sponsored schemes were added to benefit the people across the country both in rural,  urban areas and sub-urban areas.

    “Never before in the history of India so many skilled and un-skilled jobs were created through MNREGA and other similar schemes. Never before in the history of the nation so many Educational and Health Institutions were created. Never before in the history of the country so many power projects were established so much power was generated, asserted Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad and further said that “there has been a great revolution in the field of communication and information technology. Almost every house of the country has accessibility of mobile phones and internet services even in the remotest part of the country. All it happened under the leadership of Congress party”.

    Lashing out at BJP and its allies, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad stated that “It is unfortunate that false propaganda of the opposition BJP, RSS and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi throughout the country is suppressing the ongoing developmental works across the country.” He further appealed to the people irrespective of any caste, religion and region to rise to the occasion and standby the policies and programmes of Congress. He said that Congress is the only party, which can keep the country united, strong and vibrant.

    Castigating the saffron brigade for spreading communalism and hatred throughout the country, Congress stalwart, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad stated that “BJP is playing divisive politics. Its leadership on one side is perpetuating divisive forces through RSS during nights while holding parleys with people like Hurriyat Conference  leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. They are living in fool’s paradise if they (BJP) think that they will achieve success in befooling the innocent people. They stand exposed before the people who had and will give them befitting reply by again voting Congress to power”. (KNS)

     

  • Geelani must come out with proof to substantiate his allegation: Mirwaiz

    ‘He has no copyright on Kashmir’s resistance movement’

    Srinagar: Taking strong exception to the statement made by Syed Ali Geelani that emissaries of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi had met some Hurriyat leaders, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) on Saturday said the allegations of Geelani need to be substantiated by him with proof of when, where and with whom this meeting took place.

    “If he fails to do so and if he has any moral integrity he needs to apologize for these fabrications not to us but the nation which he is trying to mislead and among whom he is trying to create mistrust,” Mirwaiz said while addressing a press conference, according to KNS correspondent.

    Mirwaiz said that time and again Geelani has been creating situations where pro freedom leaders have to prove their sincerity to the movement. “But his sincerity is above doubt it is a far granted. All else for him are guilty till they prove their innocence.”

    Mirwaiz said: “Many times I, my party and people have been hurt by Mr Geelani’s  remarks wanting to create suspicion in the minds of people  but resisted responding only keeping in view the integrity and unity of the movement. But there is a limit to tolerance,” the Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman maintained.

    He said Geelani’s ‘fabrications and allegations’ have gone too far this time. “Our patience should not be viewed as our weakness. It is a quality inherited from my family, forefathers and my father who for the past decades have rendered innumerable sacrifices for the nation and whose sole purpose in life was safeguarding the interests of Kashmiri people.”

    Mirwaiz said that he has inherited this legacy of sacrifice of patience of tolerance of faith in goodness of human being of trust of accommodation not a legacy of creating mischief suspicion and misgiving. “Does meeting people with differing or opposite views construe a sellout or insecurity towards the movement? Is it some kind of a benchmark of sincerity? We have always kept the public well informed about any and every meeting. Who can dare to sell out or compromise on the Kashmir issue especially people like us whose family has been the founders of the movement and have dedicated ourselves to the cause for the past  more than 100 years.”

    Such statements vitiate the atmosphere and create and facilitate such serious situations that become the cause of physical elimination of which my family has become a target not once but twice. One fails to understand why Mr Geelani is trying to project his image before people as the most sincere, holier than other leaders and has to do so at the expense of others by trying to malign them. “Would we have doubted his sincerity if he had met Modis emissaries and not told the nation?” he asked.

    He said: “Mr Geelani has made a deliberate attempt to mislead the people of Kashmir and since 1990- he has been continuously doing so.” Mirwaiz added that Geelani is not a god father of the ongoing resistance movement of Kashmir and that no person shall be allowed to create misconception at this crucial juncture of the movement.

    Clarifying that his faction of Huriyat has not met any emissary of Modi, Mirwaiz stated that whenever his amalgam held dialogue- the same was carried out openly. “Our stand is clear that Kashmir can either be resolved through the implementation of UN resolutions or through the dialogue between India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir.”

    He asked: “Geelani is trying to create chaos in Kashmir and due to his irresponsible statements several Huriyat leaders have been targeted in the past. Geelani should come clear about whom he wants to get killed this time.”

    He said the nation can never forgive Geelani and that before pointing fingers at anyone, he should have gone for self introspection. “He is the man who has contested Indian elections for many a times and took oath of the constitution of India.”

    Mirwaiz said that almost every time Geelani uses the traditional rhetoric of ‘sell out’. “Who the hell is Geelani? He has no right to give irresponsible statements,” said Mirwaiz, adding Geelani’s questioning the relevance of Tosamaidan issue is absurd as the firing range at this meadow reflects the mindset of government of India.

    Stating that Kashmir is at the state where its leadership has to take serious responsibilities and that farsightedness is the need of the hour. “Geelani sahib should not treat our patience as our weakness and we must not be compelled to come out on streets and in media as far as Mr Geelani’s approach and mindset is concerned.”

    Remarking the Huriyat (G) chairman was never right in his approach and policy, Mirwaiz said that Geelani has no copyright on Kashmir’s resistance movement. “Geelani wants to be seen as the sole conscience keeper of this nation. He has to change his approach. He is always surrounded by a coterie of so called columnists who declare him right all the time and portray others with the different brush.”(KNS)

     

  • Seven panchayat members quit after Sarpanch’s killing

    Srinagar: At least seven panchayat members in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have resigned following the killing of a colleague by unknown gunmen on Thursday evening.

    On Thursday, unidentified gunmen shot dead 45-year-old Mohammad Amin Pandith, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sarpanch, in Gulzarpora village in Awantipora.

    Official sources told GNS that Sarpanchs Ghulam Nabi Dar son of Mohammad Akbar Dar of Palpora, Mohammad Auob Mir son of Ghulam Hassan of Zahid Bagh, Watchi and Panches Shahzada Begium wife of Mohammad Amin Shah, Farooq Ahmad Mir son of Mohd Maqbool, both hailing from Rakhi Litter Pulwama, Hameeda Bano wife of Mohammad Akbar, Mohammad Ramzan Reshi son Mohd Akbar son of Azad and Mohd Ayoub Mir son of Ghulam Hassan, hailing from of Zahid Bagh, Watchi and all associated with opposition Peoples  Democratic Party (PDP) made announcement at the local Masjids after congregational prayers were offered Friday last.

    The Panchayat members had also put posters in their respective areas in announcing their resignation. The posters by the Panchayat members also announced disassociation from pro-India parties.

    In past, hundreds of Panchayat members have announced their resignations after being attacked or witnessing attacks on the members by suspected militants.

    Meanwhile, posters of militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen on Saturday appeared in many areas which include Nowpora, Achan, Lasipora and its adjoining areas in Pulwama district.

    Reports reaching Global News Service said that the hand written posters appeared in these areas urging people to stay away from the political activists, who support the oppressive regime in the state. The posters have asked the people not to fall in the trap of pro-India parties like BJP, Congress, NC and PDP.

    The outfit has warned the political activists of dire consequences if they continue their support to the main stream parties. Don’t consider it a threat. You’ll see the results shortly if you fail to act on the above said statements.”The poster carrying seal of the Hizbul Mujahedeen outfit”.

    Pertinently, posters of LeT have also appeared earlier in different parts of north and south Kashmir. The appearance of posters earlier this year, had led to a resignation spree by the Panchayat members. (GNS)

     

  • Mirwaiz knee jerk reaction unwanted, uncalled for: Hurriyat (G)

    Srinagar: Terming Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s press conference as a kneejerk reaction which according to it was ‘unwanted’ and ‘uncalled for, Huriyat Conference (G) Saturday stated that it has not named any leader meeting BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s emissaries.

    Huriyat (G) chief spokesman Ayaz Akbar told KNS on phone that people are the best judges and the reaction of Mirwaiz is in itself self speaking.  “We are on record of not naming any person or party vis-à-vis Modi’s issue but what Mirwaiz Sahib has accused cannot be answered in the same tone.”

    “We had not named any party during Geelani sahib’s press conference but now as Mirwaiz Sahib is speaking over the issue- people can decide themselves as they are the best judges.” Akbar added that Hurriyat (G) cannot cross the ‘fine line of etiquettes and morality’ by reacting harshly to Mirwaiz’s allegations.

    The Hurriyat (G) also condemned the statement wherein Mirwaiz accused Geelani of preparing ground for the killing of the leaders in Kashmir. “We can have difference of ideologies but never have we believed in harming anyone nor we use the language that Mirwaiz sahib is using,” Akbar said. (KNS)

     

  • Identify the men of NaMO: Omar asks Geelani

    Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday told Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani to identity the emissaries he claimed approached him on behalf of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

    Geelani had told media persons Friday that two Kashmiri Pandits had called on him in Delhi, asking him to engage in a dialogue with Modi.

    The BJP has said that no one from the party approached the separatist leader.

    Amid claims and counter claims, Omar tweeted: “So who is lying SAS Geelani or the NaMo campaign? Easy way to find out – let SASG identify the emissaries who met him on behalf of NaMo.”

     

  • Don’t kill local militants in encounters unless they fire at you: GOC to his men

    Srinagar: With the expiry of the Tosamaidan lease to Army on Friday, GOC 15 Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh said that he has already forwarded his recommendations to the Government and it is now responsibility of the Government to take a decision in this regard.

    Gurmeet Singh told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS that that there is a requirement for Army to have land in Kashmir for carrying out artillery drills. “As far as Tosamaidan issue is concerned, we have already forwarded our recommendations to the government. I can’t have independent comments on the issue as there are people in Army who are superior to me. If I will comment beyond this, that means I will create confusion. My only comment is that I have sent my recommendations and now Government will take a decision in this regard, “Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh said.

    Responding to a query, Gurmeet Singh said that every Kashmiri youth is not a ‘Slumdog millionaire’ but a ‘slumdog trillioner’ (referring to the Bollywood movie Slumdog Millionaire’) replete with aptitude and talent. “These youth were born during turmoil and yet they have capabilities and can do wonders. Instead of following the footprints of my predecessors, I tried to customize the things and I felt that local militants are misguided youth. I instructed my subordinates not to kill local militants during encounters because it is my personal belief that they have been subject to false propaganda. I told my officer’s not to target any local militant unless he fires at you,” Singh said.

    Elaborating further, Singh told CNS that instead of killing notorious local militants the Army honoured his word and apprehended the militants like Talib Lali and Hizb District Commander Major Saqib. “Very few people know that during an ambush in Tral, Army instead of killing two extortionists who were carrying toy guns apprehended them. I awarded the Army commander who was handing that operation for using his brain and respecting my word,” he said adding that that we could have easily killed a 22 year old “drug addict” at Boniyar Uri who came close to our ammunition point, putting the lives of Army personnel into danger but we didn’t do that just because you can’t be a good soldier unless you are not a good human being.

    GOC 15 Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh told CNS that after the Hyderpora deadly militant attack in which 8 of their jawans were killed, he carried out in depth introspection and, “I came to conclusion that Army ought to carry out truthful, professional, and ethical operations only. I have understood that unethical operations can have short term gains for you but at the end of the day you are the loser. Besides, there are so many agencies operating in Jammu and Kashmir and you can’t keep anything under carpet for a long time. Keeping these things into mind, I instructed my soldiers to be humane and during every counter terrorism operation, ensure the safety of common people,” he said adding that you will find a total change amoung soldiers operating in Kashmir.

    “If my soldier fails to eliminate a militant with single bullet during the encounter then I feel that his training has gone to waste. There is no fun to create panic and chaos in and around encounter site by firing hundreds of bullets. I have talked to 47,000 soldiers ever since I assumed the charge of GOC here and I have told them to ensure the safety of common people,” he said adding that pro-people approach helped us to eliminate most of the foreign militants. “You will not believe that all the foreign militants killed so far during the initial months of the current year were eliminated with the help of local people who provided information to police to Army about their presence in the area,” Singh said.

     

  • Maqbool Bhat’s brother arrested in Hyderpora attack

    SRINAGAR —  Police in Kashmir have booked Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Maqbool Bhat’s younger brother Zahoor Bhat for the attack on an Army convoy ahead of UPA chairperson and PM Manmohan Singh’s visit in June last year.

    Bhat, a senior JKLF member, has been booked for murder and criminal conspiracy in the attack which had left eight Indian Army men dead and 12 more injured.

    Police has accused the Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit for carrying out the attack on June 24 in Hyderpora on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

    “Bhat has been taken on a judicial remand in the Hyderpora attack case and has also been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) vide detentions orders passed by District Magistrate, Budgam, against him on March 29 in the same case,” The Tribune reported.

    A supplementary charge-sheet filed by police in the case blames Bhat for being ‘involved in hatching a criminal conspiracy with other terrorists … of being affiliated with the LeT’.

    Bhat’s family has refuted the allegations and approached the high court. In her habeas corpus petition, Bhat’s aged mother submitted that her younger son Zahoor was never released since his arrest by the police in Kupwara in October 2013 and was thereafter booked twice under the PSA.

    “In the supplementary chargesheet, it has been alleged that Zahoor was apprehended by the Budgam police at Humhama on the Airport Road on March 7,” The Tribune reported.

     

  • TBF threaten mass migration to Tosa Maidan

    Srinagar: The activists of Tosamaidan Bacho Front (TBF) Friday threatened that if the lease agreement is extended in Army’s favor, they would permanently relocate in Tosamaidan to face all ‘Inevitable’ dangers.

    According to the reports received by KNS, the activists of TBF and RTI movement Friday staged a protest demonstration at Jamia Masjid Beerwah which reportedly was attended by a large number of people.

    Addressing the gathering, the deputy chairman of TBH Molvi Mohammad Maqbool  stated that the lease agreement of the tosamiadan must be extended and that the same has made the lives of the inhabitants living in the areas ‘miserable’. “The streams have turned poisonous and the fear is being unleashed upon the children of tosamaidan. They are frightened and many have lost their lives.”

    He added that if the lease agreement is extended, they will go for the mass migration to Tosamiadan and will settle there along with their families.

    The activists also cautioned that if the relocation of the artillery fire range is done in the area, the same will be opposed tooth and nail. Later the procession reached near JK bank Beerwah and dispersed peacefully. (KNS)