Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Elections not a referendum on Kashmir: JeI

    ‘Can’t go for door-to-door poll boycott campaign’
    Srinagar: Jamat-e-Islami (JeI) has termed elections as an administrative issue-stating that the same is neither a referendum nor a plebiscite as far as the Kashmir issue is concerned.
    “Elections are for the administrative affairs and in no way can affect any dimension of Kashmir dispute. Polls are for electricity, roads and water-since 1947 polls never affected reality of Kashmir dispute,” Mohammad Abdullah Wani-JeI chief told KNS. He added polls can never be a substitute of Kashmir resolution as the same is not a referendum nor a plebiscite but clearly an exercise for administrative issues. “Even if 3% people vote- we have seen in the past that governments form. If only 1% people will vote still the formation of the government is inevitable.”
     Reacting to the recent statement of Huriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq wherein he described the role of NDA vis-à-vis Kashmir more than UPA, JeI chief stated that everyone has right to express the opinion about any mater but it has been the policy of every Indian government to maintain rigid attitude towards Kashmir. “If the governments in India would have been serious for Kashmir resolution- the same would have been resolved long ago.”
    Stating that election boycott is not the one point agenda of Jamat-e-Islami (JeI) Ameer Jamaat stated that his organization is too busy in other party works that it could not launch a door to door campaign against polls here. Wani while talking to KNS, stated that his organization has right from day one believes that Kashmir is a dispute and needs to be resolved through the implementation of UN resolutions. However, if UN resolutions are not implemented, the dispute could be resolved through tri-partite dialogue, Wani added.
    He stated that for JeI door to door campaign against the forthcoming polls is not possible due to the dearth of manpower and time being faced by it. “We have distanced ourselves from the polls and hence are asking people to boycott the same.”
    Without naming any pro-freedom party, Wani the chief of religious, socio, political organization said that some groups in valley have made election boycott a one point agenda but JeI has other priorities as well.  Wani reiterated that JeI distanced itself from polls after the massive rigging in elections during 1987. “When we were the part of Huriyat Conference- our stand was the same as we have today- we have boycotted the polls and also urge people to follow our call.” (KNS)

  • JKLF condemns Tihar ‘assault’ report

    Srinagar: Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has has strongly  condemned the ‘brutal inhuman attack’ on Kashmiri inmate Rafiq Ahmad Shah in Tihar jail Delhi.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, while terming this attack on Rafiq Ahmad Shah and others as open opposition of Geneva convention on prisoners, JKLF said that Kashmir’s will not remain silent on these attacks and if these brutal acts and attacks are not  stopped immediately, Kashmir’s will start a comprehensive protest against this state sponsored terrorism. (KNS)

  • BOPEE paper leak scam Court declares 14 accused as proclaimed offenders

    Srinagar: A city court on Wednesday declared 14 accused including six student and eight parent involved in the Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) paper leak scam of 2012 as proclaimed offenders. Sources told KNS that if they fail to appear before the April 24 as has been directed by the court, their properties can be attached by the Crime Branch.  
    Notice to this effect has been issued by the court and the matter has been listed for hearing on April 24. It may be recalled that the High Court had also directed the Crime Branch to use its tools to arrest the absconding student beneficiaries involved in the scam.  
    On March 1, the Crime Branch had filed supplementary charge sheet against 19 accused in CET—2012 paper leak scam. This charge sheet against 19 accused included six students and nine parents of students who allegedly benefited out of the paper leak scam in 2012.
    The 19 accused against whom the supplementary charge sheet was filed also included Mushtaq Ahmad Baqaal, alias Pir the former Chairman BOPEE, Sajad Ahmad and Haroon.
     The Crime Branch later filed a supplementary charge sheet against three more students in a juvenile court here. On February 22, the anti corruption court here had rejected bail applications of all the accused including Mushtaq Pir, former chairman BOPEE sofar arrested in the matter.
    On February 17, in compliance to the high court directions, the BOPEE cancelled admissions of 12 students who had allegedly purchased papers prior to the conduct of CET in 2012. The admissions of the 12 beneficiary students were cancelled as their names surface in the Crime Branch list of students who secured admissions in government medical college here after purchasing the CET question papers two years ago.
    Six of them are presently lodged in Central Jail here while fresh arrest warrants have been issued against three others—two  of them girls—by the Court.  The three remaining beneficiaries are minors (below 18-years of age) and they have been lodged in juvenile home, sources in crime branch had said.  The High Court had earlier censured BOPEE for its ‘snail pace’ shown in prerequisite legal formalities for cancellation of admissions of tainted candidates. The court had said that nobody would be allowed to reap fruits of   CET-2012paper leak scam. Since the high court is scheduled to hear the matter on Tuesday, the BOPEE filed its status report informing the court about cancellation of admissions. (KNS)

  • Radio Kashmir to re-start ‘Dhadkan’

    Srinagar: The Radio Kashmir Srinagar is re-starting the live Radio Game Show ‘Dhadkan’ after the break of almost eighteen months.
    Dhadkan – which is a popular quiz show – had been stopped eighteen months ago due to reasons best known to the authorities. The show has been a grand success in bringing fame to the station and connecting youth with the radio. There has been a diverse range of listeners across the valley and at times it happened that the people outside the valley also participated.
    One of the youths, who happens to be an avid listener of Dhadkan, told GNS that it has been an ‘excellent’ Radio program which has captivated our minds that we never thought of sunday without listening to the program. This has been a medium through which we could express ourselves, and motivated us to think big.
    The way, mentor Syed Humayun Qaisar managed this show for almost ten years was simply showing his class and care towards the youth.
    The show was also hosted by Rashid Nizami, a veteran broadcaster in Qaisar’s absence. As soon as the news came, the youth across the valley felt enthralled and wished the host team adding that the show will soon regain its charm.
    While confirming the news, Syed Humayun Qaiser – who is a senior broadcaster – told GNS that, “Yes, the show is going to start from April 6”. The timing will remain  as scheduled for the earlier programme, he said, adding that  due to public demand, we are starting it again. (GNS)

  • Geelani concerned over Eypt crises

    Srinagar: Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani termed the mass death sentence of 529 followers of President Mohammad Mursi including Spiritual guide of Muslim Brotherhood Mohammad Badie by an Egyptian court as worst kind of state-terrorism
    According to the statement issued to KNS, Geelani while terming it as a worst joke of 21 century, the Huriyat chief  criticized the role of so-called champions of justice and democracy who not only maintained a criminal silence over this lawlessness but they are also patting the back of Egyptian government. He said that the removal of first elected government and situation arising thereafter have actually removed the curtain from the ‘New World Order’ policy and have proven the fact that the West with its Zionist mind have started a war against the Islam and its real followers and want to eliminate them from the world. In a press release from New Delhi, Geelani Sahab expressed his deep sorrow and distress over the role of those Muslim rulers who are openly supporting the army generals in suppression of Islamist people in Egypt and are providing them a justification to this lawlessness. T
    he chairman Hurriyat said that these Muslim rulers have actually a threat of losing their throne which they are holding with the help of so-called champions of democracy like America and its allies. They have a single point agenda i.e. to protect their throne and for this, they [Muslim Rulers doesn’t even care for the Islamic teachings or the collective benefit of Muslim Ummah. Geelani Sahab said that the mass death sentence of 529 persons in a single judgment is reflecting the reality of Egyptian judiciary and it also proves that the butchers and murderers are occupying the sacred chair of justice who are following the directions of army generals instead of observing the nature of the case and ease their ways by hanging the innocent and respectable people of the society.
    The pro-freedom leader said that this kind of verdict in 21st Century is not only an open expression of state-terrorism and lawlessness but it is the slap on the face of those people who term this era as the era of democracy, civilization and development. He said that this judgment should have created ripples in the whole world but the so-called democratic world is silent as if nothing had happened.
    Geelani maintained that those people who claim to be the followers of religion and democracy, are basically the followers of dual standards who respect only those people who are of the same ideology or who follow their dictations and those people who follow any other ideology especially Islam, are out rightly rejected and banned from the society, despite how peaceful their message would be. The pro-Islamic leader said that the fascist ideology is pushing the whole world towards the uncertainty and instability and it is proving to be the root cause of the increasing violence in the world. While terming the Egypt government as the Pharaoh (Fir’awn) of 21st century, Geelani said that the Almighty Allah will definitely send a Musa (PBUH) who will bury their pride and arrogance. It is the law of nature which can’t be changed. (KNS)

  • Modi’s claims: Will come Up with policy statement soon: Malik

    Will wait and watch Modi’s claims:Mirwaiz: 
    Vajpayee had no policy at all on Kashmir: Hurriyat (G)
    Srinagar: Reacting to BJP prime ministerial candidate Narindera Modi’s remarks that his party will pursue Vajpayee’s policy vis-à-vis Kashmir, pro-freedom camp on Wednesday stated that they will adopt wait and watch policy as far as Modi’s claims are concerned.
    “We will adopt a wait and watch policy and will closely monitor what their measures will be for the Kashmir resolution,” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman Huriyat Conference (M) told KNS. He added that it has been observed in the past that during elections tall claims are being made and at the end of the day these claims turn out to be a ‘hoax’.
    However, Mirwaiz observed that at the time when the people of India are choosing their government at New Delhi-it must be understood that it is the Kashmir issue that needs to be resolved for a sustainable peace not only in India but in the entire sub-continent.   
    He added that the defense expenditure has reached to 48 billion dollars and due to Kashmir issue more than 40% of India’s population is living under below poverty line. Mirwaiz maintained that the people in India must understand the importance of Kashmir resolution so that new horizons could be scanned with hope and zest.
    Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Mohammad Yasin Malik stated that he is the next two days will issue a detailed policy statement vis-à-vis the policies adopted by then Prime Minister Vajpayee vis-à-vis Kashmir and the statement of Modi at Jammu region.
    Huriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani claimed that Vajpayee had no policy over Kashmir and the same is being politicized in an absurd manner. The amalgam stated that it is surprised that some pro-freedom parties are praising the efforts of Vajpayee and NDA. It added that neither Modi nor anyone else has sincere policy over Kashmir resolution and even Kejriwal has anti-Kashmir policy.
    Senior Huriyat Conference JK leader Shabir Shah maintained that Modi will never follow Vajpayee’s suits and that latter’s stature was far higher than the former. Pertinently, Modi while addressing a rally at Hira Nagar in Jammu stated that the  path of Vajpayee that was democracy and Kashmiriyat will be carried forward.  (KNS)

  • PDP earned credibility of all sections of society: Mufti

    “Performance of present coalition appears only on papers”
    Jammu: Calling upon the people to compare performance of three year tenure of PDP led government with the decades long mis-governance of successive National Conference led regimes, patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that in span of just three years, the PDP led regime has carved out a path of peace and equitable development in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that PDP has earned credibility of all sections of the society through its convictions and commitments.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing a function organised by Jagjeet Singh Jagga at Trikuta Nagar area, Mufti said that PDP was the first party which addressed aspirations and wishes of all sections of the society. He told the gathering that Trilok Singh Bajwa was nominated as Rajya Sabha member and Manjeet Singh was made minister in the PDP-Congress coalition government for six long years. He said that PDP has formulated its policy and programmes by accommodating wishes and aspirations of all sections of the society.
    Lambasting a blistering attack on National Conference-Congress government, Mufti said that as far as the performance of this alliance is concerned, it appears only on papers and nothing concrete visible on ground.
    “For the last five and half years functioning of this dispensation is appearing only on papers and at grassroots level not even a single promise has been so far implemented”, he said and reminded the gathering that during campaign of the assembly elections, National Conference had made a number of promises with the people but these promises are yet not translated into reality.
    Highlighted achievements of PDP coalition in the State, he said that it was only during his three year regime equal treatment was given to all regions and sub-regions of the State. “Before formation of PDP led regime in 2002, there were complaints of discrimination and step motherly treatments”, he recalled and hastened to add, “our regime not only removed these discrimination but also empowered Jammu region”.
    Reiterating resolve of his party to pursue the pro-peace agenda, he said that PDP has pioneered a reconciliatory policy and peace process which was endorsed by the successive regimes at New Delhi and Islambad. “PDP has shown in the past that it can facilitate the resolution process with prudence, and it is ready to shoulder the responsibility of taking the process to its logical conclusion,” Mufti said.
    He reminded the people that by facilitating the peace and reconciliation process in the region PDP had proved that its policies and programmes were guided by the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
    “In 2002 we had only 16 members but still we had pursued the peace process and established peace in this region. It was due to the efforts of the PDP that peace was restored in the sub-continent”, he said.
    Trilok Singh Bajwa, Jagjit Singh Jagga, Amrik Singh Reen, Surjeet Kour, Advocate Surinder Singh, Deepinder Kour, Narinder Singh Raina, H S Sodhi, Sandeep Singh, Varinder Singh Sonu, Gurdeev Singh, Jagjit Singh Jagga (Lubana biradari), Kulwant Singh, Rita Arora, Champa and others also spoke on the occasion. (KNS)

  • Will follow Vajpayee’s policy on Kashmir: Modi

    Srinagar: The BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Wednesday pledged to carry forward policies of Atal Behari Vajpayee, BJP leader and former prime minister vis-à-vis Kashmir.
    Addressing a rally at Hira Nagar in Jammu, Modi stated that the path shown by Vajpayee shall be followed with zeal and zest. He also promised that democracy and Kashmiriyat were the main priorities of Vajpayee during his stint as the prime minister of the country.
    Modi stated that if the NDA government could have sustained for another term, the face of Kashmir would have been changed and the problems being faced by the people here would have ended.
    Pertinently, Modi arrived in the state on Wednesday to pay obeisance at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. He later addressed the rally at Hira Nagar. This was the second rally of Modi in the state after being nominated as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. (KNS) 

  • NC custodian of identity, secularism: Farooq Abdullah

    JK witnessed unprecedented development, pro-people Governance: Omar
    Srinagar: National Conference President and Senior Cabinet Minister in the UPA Government, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that the 2014 Parliamentary Elections offered a significant opportunity to stop communal forces in India from attaining a position which would allow them to carry forward their agenda of dividing the people of this country on the basis of religion, caste and creed.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Dr. Farooq said that the idea of India is one of a secular and inclusive nation and Narendra Modi opposes everything that the founders of this nation enshrined in the constitution and history of India.
    Speaking at a workers’ meeting at NC District Office in Budgam, Dr. Farooq said that there was a threat at our doors that needs to be defeated if we have to safeguard the interests of the people of this State and of this country. The Narendra Modi who ruthlessly and arrogantly disrespected and sidelined his own seniors and mentors in BJP, can offer no hope of inclusiveness to the people of this country. This election is unlike all elections in the past as we are face-to-face with a figure who aims to polarize the people of this country on communal lines – an evil design that needs to be thwarted without any compromise.
    Dr. Farooq added that this was not the time to bicker or argue amongst ourselves, but a time of reckoning for all secular forces in the country to rise up to the occasion and come together to defeat Modi. Terming PDP a creation of BJP to divide the representation of the people of J&K, Dr. Farooq Abdullah asked the workers to defeat the BJP and PDP nexus to ensure that J&K continues to resiliently grow with equity and dignity for one and all.  
    Speaking at the workers’ meeting, NC Working President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the State had witnessed unprecedented governance in the last five years of the NC-Congress coalition government. Omar Abdullah said that National Conference workers form the back-bone of the party and the party’s history is a testimony of secularism, pro-people struggles and public service. Terming the upcoming Parliamentary Elections as the first test of strength and dedication this year, Omar Abdullah asked his colleagues and workers to take the achievements of the governance to the people and expose the hollow rhetoric of the detractors of this State’s unity and our identity.
    Stating that he is dedicated to serving the State for years and decades to come, Omar Abdullah said that he was committed to continue to transform this State towards equitable development and transparent governance. Omar Abdullah termed the upcoming elections as a collective decision that the people have to make between communal, divisive forces and the secular ethos and identity of this State. PDP has tactically fielded candidates in the Jammu Province from certain areas with an eye to divide local votes in particular areas of these constituencies to directly benefit the Narendra Modi led BJP in the upcoming polls.
    There is a clear choice that the people have to make in casting their votes. All votes that will be cast against National Conference would invariably be votes in favour of Narendra Modi and the people of this State are wise enough to understand the importance of stopping the bandwagon of communalism and opportunism to take roots in our State. The people of this State will play a frontal role in stopping Narendra Modi from wreaking havoc with the secular and egalitarian fabric of not only this State but the entire country.
    Omar asked his senior colleagues and workers to leave no stone unturned to ensure a resounding victory for the candidates put forth by the party so that they could continue to be strong, resolute voices of the people of J&K in the Parliament.
    The workers’ meeting was also addressed by Senior NC Leader and Cabinet Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather, MLA Budgam Aga Syed Ruhullah, NC Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani and MLC and District President Budgam Ali Mohammad Dar. Those present on the occasion included NC Spokesman Junaid Mattu, NC Provincial Secretary Showkat Ahmed Mir, leaders of the party’s youth wing, representatives of the Women’s Wing and student leaders of the National Conference Students Union. (KNS)

  • Overloaded school buses irk parents

    Srinagar: Parents from central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district Thursdayexpressed anguish over the over-loading in school buses and held protests.
    While speaking to GNS, parents alleged that the buses of various private schools are over-loading and their children are ‘being boarded like cattle in the buses’.
    In protest, the parents stopped a bus of a private school for nearly an hour at Dudharhama and demanded intervention of authorities. “This is clear injustice with our children. They are being kept like cattle in these buses. This practice should end,” an agitated parent told GNS.
    The principal of the concerned school assured that the demand of parents will be met.
    Abdul Majeed, who is Additional Regional Transport Officer, told GNS that these days he is busy with election duty but tomorrow he will send an Inspector so that the issue gets solved.
    The Superintendent of Police (SP) Traffic said he is unaware about the issue. “I will look into it,” he said. (GNS)