Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Mehbooba files nomination papers from Anantanag

    Srinagar: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Tuesday filed her nominations papers from Anantanag parliamentary constituency for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. She submitted her papers to the returning officer at Anantanag.
    Mehbooba was flanked by the senior party leaders and legislators on the occasion, which include Abdul Rehman Veeri, MLA;  Sofi Abdul Gaffar, MLA; Rafi Ahmad Mir, MLA; Peerzada Mansoor Hussain, MLA; Peer Mohammad Hussain, Nazir Ahmad Laway, Chaudry Nizamudin Khatana, Syed Farooq Andrabi, Abdul Rahim Rather, Advocate Shiekh Javaid, Zaffar Ullah Wani, G A Thakur and Imran Amin.
    Pertinently, the PDP has nominated the senior party leader and former deputy chief minister, Muzzafar Hussain Baig as its candidate from Baramula parliamentary constituency; the senior party leader and former finance minister has been nominated from Srinagar. Similarly, Yashpal Sharma is the party’s candidate from Jammu and Arshad Malik has been nominated from Udhampur parliamentary constituency.

  • Ashraf Sehrai reacts to Sallahuddin’s statement

    Said Shoora will decide about Geelani’s successor
    Srinagar: Reacting to the statement of UJC chief Syed Salahu Din w herein he had stated that Hurriyat Conference (G) chief’s close associate and Jama’at-e-Islami de-facto member, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai makes a ‘good successor of Syed Ali Geelani to lead the movement’, Sehrai Monday while clarifying his stand, stated that he has no interest in becoming Geelani’s Successor.
    “I have never worked with Geelani Sahib for any candidature or as a contender for the position of the Chairman. I can even work as a gate keeper for a cause. Post is not important for me,” Ashraf Sehrai told KNS over phone.
    He maintained further that whenever the situation would emerge when the amalgam has to choose Geelani’s successor- the same will be done by he constitutional process and as per the constitutional norms of Tehrek-e-Hurriyat.
    Geelani’s close aid added that it is only the Shoora that has full authority to choose the Chairman of TeH. While expressing surprise over Hizb chief’s statement, Sehrai remarked that there has been no process going on within his amalgam wherein deliberations could have been laid upon choosing the successor of the senior separatist leader. “Geelani Sahib is in sound health now- His health conditions have improved a lot- he even today addressed a seminar for 30 minutes over phone from Delhi. No discussion over the issue of successor is being discussed at present.”
    “As far as the statement of Syed Salahuddin is concerned- this could be his suggestion but for me the most important thing is to preserve the cause- I can even work as a gate keeper of Tehreek-e-Huriyat for the same.”
    Over the issue of Poll Boycott campaign launched by his amalgam, Sehrai while expressing optimism that the people will not vote during the forth coming polls, stated that the boycott campaign against the polls is being done on the party levels and that so such initiative is being taken at present to make it a unanimous effort.  There is no initiative taken by the either side so that the poll boycott campaign could be launched unanimously here, said Sehrai, adding that till people are being informed about the repercussions of voting on party basis by various pro-freedom groups.
    Meanwhile, the chief spokesman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Ayaz Akbar told KNS that the amalgam has regards to the role played by Syed Salahuddin for the resistance movement here but as far as the issue of Syed Ali Geelani’s successor is concerned- it is the constitution of Tehreek Hurriyat that shall be followed during the process. “It is the shoora that has to choose the chairman and every time the constitution shall be followed with letter and spirit.” (KNS)

  • Bhullar’s death sentence commuted to life imprisonment

    Pro-freedom camp expresses resentment
    Srinagar: Expressing strong resentment over the Supreme Court judgement that commuted the death sentence of 1993 Delhi blasts convict Devenderpal Singh Bhullar to life imprisonment on the grounds of inordinate delay in deciding his mercy petition and that he suffered from Schizophrenia, Kashmir’s pro-freedom leadership Monday stated that the judgement vindicates that New Delhi was in hurry to hang Guru.
    “This is a clear double standard- this has exposed India’s judicial system and the tall claims of justice and fair play. The reality is that two yard sticks are being adopted when a Kashmir and that too a Muslim is concerned,” said Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
    Mirwaiz added that the earlier the death sentence of the assassins of Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was commuted into life imprisonment and now 993 terror convict Devenderpal Singh Bhullar has been sentenced for life imprisonment. “This can be asked that why then Afzal Guru was hanged.”
    Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Mohammad Yasin Malik told KNS over phone that the double standards have exposed ‘bias’ of Judiciary against the people of Kashmir. “Even the court judgment stated that there was no direct involvement of Guru in parliament attack but to satisfy the collective conscience of India, he was hanged mercilessly at Tihar.”
    The Hurriyat Conference (G) led by Syed Ali Geelani remarked that the stand of the pro-freedom camp has been vindicated the Supreme Court itself. “We have been saying time and again that people of Kashmir cannot expect justice from India’s judicial system- now that has been proved and world must know how much we are being tormented at large.” (KNS)

  • Soz expresses concern over wide ranging land slides

    Srinagar: Prof. Saifuddin Soz, president Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president has expressed concern over wide ranging land slides and caving in of large chunks of land in Laridora, Dangarpora, Nowgam, Lateefabad and adjoining areas of Kandi Narvav in Baramulla Kashmir, due to which people feel scared.
    Prof. Soz talked to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Mr. Shalindera Kumar and D.C. Baramulla Mr. Farooq Ahmad Lone and urged them to take urgent possible measures to safeguard life and property of the area. Prof. Soz has cautioned them that this area has remained vulnerable in the past and administration should devise a short term and a long term plan for the security of the people. (KNS)

  • Omar comes out in Sakina’s support

    Terms video obsolete, accuses PDP of misleading Election Commission
    Srinagar: Coming out in defence of senior NC leader and a cabinet minister Sakina Itoo over the controversy that erupted after the video showing Itoo compelling an old me to support her, Chief Minster Omar Abdullah Sunday stated that the video is obsolete and shot before the Code of Conduct was imposed in the state.
    In a video clip, Itoo and her workers are seen forcing the old man in, the 3.11 minutes video, to take oath and swear by Allah and the Prophet (PBUH) and promise that he will support National Conference.
    Opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party had registered complain against the state’s lone woman minister- urging the election commission to take action against her.
    Chief Minster Omar Abdullah Monday took to social networking site, twitter, writing, “I know the PDP is in complete panic mode but using old videos & trying to mislead the EC about code violations is desperate beyond words.”
    “Recite Kalima Toiba and take holy Quran in your hands, swear that you will support Sakina Itoo,” one of the workers not in picture directs the old man, which he repeatedly refuses.
    The video that surfaced on Facebook in the recent past showed one of the Itoo’s workers not in picture requesting the old man to do work for the party as he did in 1996. He asks the old man to take holy Quran in his hands and swear that he will work for the party to which old man replies that Holy Quran is meant for recitation and not for swearing.
    After getting his answer, Itoo retorts back and supports the arguments of her worker and tells the old man that he deviated from the right path.
    “Recite the Kalima Toiba and take pledge that you will support me,” Itoo repeatedly asks the old man and while holding his hand again and again tells him that she has no malice in her heart against him.
     “She is trying to convince an old worker of her father to come back & work for the party as he had been upset for a while.. I’ve spoken to Sakina, this video was taken months before the election code. She isn’t threatening anyone, she isn’t abusing anyone,” Omar wrote on Twitter. (KNS)

  • JKLF to organize blood donation camp

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) is scheduled to organize a blood donation camp at Abi Guzar Srinagar by Hameed Blood bank on 1 April 10:30 am sharp in commemoration of martyrdom anniversary of Doctor Abdul Ahad Guru. 
    According to a statement issued to KNS, a day before JKLF organized a condolence meeting at Mazar-e-Shuhada Eidgha in connection with the martyrdom anniversaries of Sahaheed I Kashmir Ishfiq Majeed Wani, Shaheed-I-Sadaqat Syed Shabir Sidiqi and others martyr’s Dargha a prayer meeting was held for the martyrs on the occasion.
    Jammu Kashmir Liberation front has condolence the demise of one sympathizer Gulam Hussian Baba of Dabtal Ali Kadal front leaders Noor Mohammad Kalwal, Ghulam Rasool Dar Eide, Sheikh Abdul Rashid and Bitta Guru visited the family of deseeded person and offered condolences on behalf of front. (KNS)

  • HCJK delegation led by Shah to attend Pak High Commission’s invitation in New Delhi

    Srinagar: A delegation of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK) which would be led by Shabir Ahmad Shah will leave for New Delhi on April 2 to attend the invitation extended by Pakistan high Commission.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, the Hurriyat spokesperson, however, said that due to busy schedule in connection with the ongoing election boycott campaign, Shabir Ahmad Shah will return Valley on April 3.
    “On April 2, Pakistan is organizing an event with regards to Pakistan Day at Pak Embassy in New Delhi after dawn prayers. Shah will extend his wishes and on behalf of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK) and Kashmiri nation, to Pakistan during the event,” the spokesperson said.
    He said Shah will stress on the need to resolve the longstanding dispute, the Kashmir issue which is the biggest impediment in restoring peace in the subcontinent. “He (Shah) will stress the Government of Pakistan to initiate swift measures in resolving the Kashmir issue in order to prevent the South Asia from holocaust of nuclear war,” he said.
    “Shah will also urge Pakistan to continue its political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris in their right for self determination and will deliberate on the changes taking place at international level that affect Kashmir issue in one way or other,” the Hurriyat spokesperson added. (KNS)

  • Bhullar decision reopens Kashmir’s wounds: Mehbooba

    ‘PDP will build democratic resistance to such double standards’
    Srinagar: Reacting to the Supreme Court decision about 1993 Delhi bomb blast case convict, Davinderpal Singh Bhullar the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Monday said it is another example of double-standards displayed vis-à-vis Kashmir and with every such development as like the latest by the Apex Court or its earlier verdict on convicts who have been on death row the wounds of Kashmiris are re-opened.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing various roadside meetings in Tral segment of Anantanag constituency, Mehbooba said such discriminatory approach about Kashmir needs to be responded forcefully to prevent their repetition in future and that will call for an united and strong response at political level and through democratic institutions.
    She said the National Conference, which should have represented the sentiments of the people of the state, unfortunately, collaborated in the hanging of Mohammad Afzal Guroo in the most inhuman manner by even denying him a last customary meeting with his family.
    Mehbooba said such an approach will perpetuate the feeling of discrimination which makes the task of reconciliation even more difficult than it has always been because of the wrong policies followed by NC and its allies.
    She said Guroo will keep Kashmir reminding of the miscarriage of justice in the entire process leading him up to gallows.
    Mehbooba said the PDP’s agenda is to prevent such things in future and the party will work to uphold the sentiments of people and protect the interests of the state, which has always been supreme for it than power and will build democratic resistance to such double-standards.
    The PDP chief said her party is having a positive agenda for the Kashmir issue and the issues of Kashmir both at the state as well as national level and it will revive the reconciliation and reconstruction process it had started in 2002.
     Mehbooba said people of J&K have been discriminated in all respects whether it is the practices followed the democratic processes or governance with the result corruption, misgoverance and unaccountability has not been checked the way it should have been. She said if cases like Haji Yousuf, Cricket Scam, Drug Scam, PHE Scam, Land Grab scandal, recruitment frauds, molestation case involving Shabir Khan, ex-health minister would have happened in any other part of the country situation would have been altogether different and the culprits would not have been roaming free as it is happening here. 
    “This all leads to one inference that J&K is being treated differently when it comes to the enforcement of law. Here action against anybody is brushed under carpet as if investigating cases of corruption and other malpractices will mean assault on the integrity of the country,” she said.
    She said if voted to parliament the PDP will strive to build a national consensus on Kashmir issue by involving various shades of public and political opinion both in and outside the parliament so that the prevailing mistrust between New Delhi and Kashmir is minimized and there is a forward movement on Kashmir resolution.
    She said the NC has never been serious about the state and its people and it has always played a damaging role through its repeated sell-outs, U-turns and treachery with the result there has been no headway in resolving the Kashmir issue over the last 60 years.
    Mehbooba said PDP during its brief stint in the government not only changed the people’s perception about politics but it played a pivotal role in changing the political discourse about Kashmir issue, which was otherwise seen only through security perspective. She said an atmosphere was created in the state which gave a hope that things can be changed, if taken seriously. (KNS)

  • All pro-India parties equally dangerous for Kashmir: Hurriyat (G)

    Srinagar: Stating that pro-India parties were using Kashmir issue as an election card, Hurriyat Conference (G) Monday said that “all pro-India parties in Kashmir were equally dangerous for Kashmir cause.”
    “The role of National Conference, Congress, PDP and BJP is dangerous and harmful for the Kashmir cause and all of them are using Kashmir cause as an election card,” general secretary of Hurriyat Conference (G), Ghulam Nabi Sumji in a statement issued to GNS said
    He said that “in reality they have nothing to do away with the miseries and difficulties of Kashmiri people.”
    He termed “the praises to Vajpayee’s Kashmir policy as unwise.”
    “Vajpayee was not having any policy on Kashmir and he did nothing different from the UPA government which should be praised,” he said.
    The Hurriyat general secretary also expressed sorrow over the “reaction to Geelani statement without understanding it.”
    “The Hurriyat chairman had expressed his satisfaction and happiness over the stand adopted by pro-freedom and major religious organizations with regarding to the election drama and had criticized those organizations who are working in public to propagate their sects and groups but remain silent on the collective national and religious issues like election drama,” Sumji said.
    On leaked video showing Social Welfare Minister and National Conference leader Sakeena Itoo asking for a pledge from an old man to vote for her, Sumji said “it is not anything new but a usual exercise of National Conference and other pro-Indian parties to use religious card at the time of election drama to woo voters.”
    “Kashmiri nation has sacrificed everything for the sacred cause and to protect these sacrifices we have to boycott the elections,” he added. (GNS)

  • Youth who killed mother arrested

    New Delhi: A 19-year-old youth who strangled his mother here and dumped her body in the box of a bed has been arrested, police said Monday.
    Sumitra, 50, was found dead Sunday afternoon at the first floor of her house in Vikaspuri in west Delhi.
    Sumitra’s elder son, who resided on the ground floor, found her body. As the victim’s younger son Rohit who was residing with her was missing, police went after him.
    Rohit was arrested Sunday night from Subhash Nagar in west Delhi. He confessed strangling his mother to death apparently to avenge the frequent beatings he was subjected to.