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  • Division in Hurriyat Conference unfortunate: Jamaat-e-Islami  

    ‘Power will make Modi to change his rigid attitude’  

    Srinagar: Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday said that the division in Hurriyat Conference is unfortunate and damaging for the Kashmir movement. Talking to KNS, Mohammad Abdullah Wani said that Jamaat had tried its best to reunite the two factions of Hurriyat Conference in past but its efforts yielded no results. While reacting to Geelani’s allegations that BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendera Modi’s emissaries has met some separatist leaders in Kashmir and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s reaction in his today’s press conference, Wani said that the differences between the different factions of Hurriyat Conference is harming the cause of Kashmir movement. “This infighting is in no way benefiting the people of Kashmir. On the other hand the Government of India’s divide and rule policy is paying its dividends when we witness these kinds of differences,” Wani observed. The Jammat chief said that his party in past has met all the leaders including Geelnai, Mirwaiz, Shabir Shah, Yasin Malik, Nayeem Khan and others and appealed them to united in the interest of Kashmir movement but all its efforts have failed to deliver any results. On Geelani’s allegations, the Jammat chief said that his party has not met any of the emissaries of Modi nor was there any need to meet them. “What could have BJP got out of meeting us, I fail to understand.” Asked about the Modi’s policy on Kashmir, Wani said that both Congress and the BJP are the two faces of the same coin when it comes to interests of Muslims   in India. “In whose time was Babri Masjid demolished. In whose tenure Muzaffar Nagar riots took place? These area a few questions to understand the pseudo secularism credentials of Congress. Similarly, BJP is openly fascist and communal in its politics.” On Modi’s personal political character, Wani observed that he can change his rigid attitude once in power. “I think the country’s responsibility can fine tune him and change his rigid attitude towards Muslims. But equally I may be wrong in my perception. Everything will be clear once the election results are made public,” Wani said. (KNS)

  • 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.”

     

  • Kashmir has no expectation from Narendra Modi; Congress hanged innocent Afzal Guru – SAS Geelani

    Samiya Latief

    In an exclusive interaction with I am in DNA reporter Samiya Latief, senior separatist leader SAS Geelani talks about BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the way forward for Jammu and Kashmir

    Here are edited excerpts:

    You have given a boycott call again for elections? Do you think simply boycotting the elections would yield anything?

    A place that has been enslaved does not get anything by voting. When we don’t have basic freedom to live peacefully, what does a vote mean to us? Elections mean something wherein rights are respected but the rights of Kashmiris have been violated again and again, so the voting process is futile for us. We have to first get freedom from the occupation. It is our responsibility to guide people but ultimately it is their decision.

    You chose the democratic way of elections in 1971, what has changed since then?

    I decided to fight elections to counter Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and his government, their ideas and plans. I had two main objectives while fighting elections. One that all the political parties were selling lofty ideas and development to the people but in the Assembly they used to make laws against the social and moral fabric of the society like lease of the land by the National Conference at that time and other things. The second objective was the most important issue of Kashmir and whenever I voted it was anti-India and pro-Kashmir.

    The major concern of people while boycotting elections is where will they go for their basic needs like bijli and paani?

    The Hurriyat leader responded that things won’t change even if we vote. Whether we vote or not, whoever forms the government has the duty to fulfill these basic needs and requirements of the people. Kashmiris do pay taxes. The first and foremost responsibility of any government is to take care of human lives, property, religion but they have always failed to protect us. Instead of protecting us, they are misusing us and our resources including water and land. They are using our water resources to build power projects and then give electricity to India while we remain in darkness. They are exploiting our land by giving it to the Army like in Gulmarg 28 lakh kanals are under the control of the Army, similarly 5200 kanals of forest land in Shopian is now an army cantonment. And yes, we are fighting for our rights of Azaadi where development is not the first priority.

    Have you at any point felt that youth of Kashmir are a little disconnected from you and their priorities are changing?

    Tha jo na khoob, batadreej wohi ‘khoob’ hua – ke ghulami main badal jata hai qaumun ka zameer. That there is a small section of youth who get disillusioned with things like jobs and development offered to them. The youth is an asset in every nation and the pro-occupation forces are after them everywhere. They try to woo them with different policies but majority of the youngsters of Kashmiris I assure you are with the freedom movement. And plus, this is all propaganda of the Indian media creating wrong conceptions that youth of Kashmir do not want Azaadi. Why doesn’t the media show the killings and rapes? Why is it silent when there are human rights violations in Kashmir every single day? The youth of Kashmir is much more conscious today and they very well know the importance of azaadi from India.

    What are your expectations from the new government which will be formed in May?

    As far as dispute of Kashmir is concerned, it does not matter which party is at the Centre. Congress has ruled for more than 40 years, but it didn’t help in any way to solve the issue of Kashmir. There were more than 40,000 riots during the Congress rule, Congress hanged our Afzal Guru who was an innocent.

    Are you in any way worried about Narendra Modi becoming Prime Minister? Do you think Modi will try to take forward the talk Vajpayee had started during the NDA rule?

    If people think Vajpayee had a soft stand on Kashmir, it is all untrue. Whatever Atal Bihari Vajpayee said was in air and nothing was done on the ground. Even in the NDA rule, same things happened in Kashmir. Pro-freedom movement was heavily curbed. And about Modi, I have no hesitation in calling him a murderer. It was his responsibility being the Chief Minister of Gujarat to protect and safeguard the minority but he did not do so. He is a RSS follower. Hurriyat and the people of Kashmir have no expectations from them at all. There have been many talks during these years but they start this only to buy time. India is not sincere to resolve the dispute of J&K at all, all they want to do is to occupy people of Kashmir by force.

    When we talk about Kashmir, you have always maintained that Pakistan is the alternative for Kashmiris. But with Pakistan itself so weak and unstable do you still pin your hopes on it?

    Pakistan since its inception has been a victim of propaganda by the US, Russia, India and others. Pakistan is the only country among 57 others with nuclear power, so it comes under attack very often. Pakistan is surely a stake-holder in the J&K dispute. When the accession of princely states of India was in process, the three major points kept in consideration were: geographical position of a place, the religious inclination and most of all the cultural similarities between the people. All these reference points prove that we should have been part of Pakistan and not India.

    Tehreek-e-Taliban in Pakistan and their policy about anti-girl education has been termed dangerous worldwide, what do you have to say about it?

    I despise the idea vehemently as there is very harmful. Everything in this world can be achieved by education and persuasion and the women form an important part of our society. Even Islam has emphasized about the importance of girl education. Nothing can be achieved by killing or by force. Killings anywhere by anyone is condemnable.

    US withdraws its forces from Afghanistan, is there is any chance of Taliban and Al-qaeda turning towards Kashmir?

    It is a propaganda of different countries and media. Even if NATO forces leave Afghanistan, there is a lot for Taliban and others to take care of in Afghanistan. The internal conflict of Afghanistan between various parties like Communists and different ideologies won’t give the Taliban the time to think about Kashmir. Otherwise when Soviet Union had left Afghanistan, it could have formed a normal government but it could not.

    Do you feel that the increasing tensions of Pakistan and Iran have a harmful impact to both countries?

    These two nations need to shun their differences, proceed with a dialogue and should be unified for peace. It is my humble request to both the countries and my wish also that they should come together in the interest of the whole Ummah.

    Coming back to Kashmir, does anything chane if PDP or BJP comes to power?

    No matter who comes to power at the Centre or the state, for the people of Kashmir only the faces change, rest remains the same. They are all ‘one’ when it comes to the dispute of Kashmir – be it Congress and BJP or NC and PDP. Even the emergence of AAP is the same and nothing changes.

    BJP manifesto talks about abrogation of Article 370, what is your view about it?

    The only issue right now is occupation. Article 370 is empty, it doesn’t matter whether it is abrogated or not. Our sole issue is that the guidelines of the UN resolution should be passed. Everything other than that is a non-issue.

    The latest speculation is that you nominated your son as your successor.

    Nothing like that has even happened or been discussed. It was only a rumour created by media.

    What after Geelani then? Who will be the face of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat after you? Is there any leadership crisis within this separatist faction?

    Tehreek-e-Hurriyat has a plan of its own. The Constitution of the party will surely produce some alternative as and when required and that decision would be in the interest of the people of Kashmir.

     

  • JK loses Rs 500 cr foreign deal, courtesy govt indifference

    Oman-based ATTE Pvt Ltd was keen to invest in JK’s marble, granite industry: Stakeholders

    Srinagar: Government’s failure to revalidate lease for extraction of marble and granite in favour of private players, has cost the state a foreign deal worth Rs 500 crore.

    President, Chamber of Marble and Granite Industry, Abdul Majid Khan said that an Oman-based ATTE Private Limited, had in 2013 shown keen interest to invest in the granite and marble industry of Jammu and Kashmir.
    The company, according to Khan, had proposed to send a team of its engineers to the areas in the state where the granite and marble minerals are found.
    Khan said after working out all the details and agreeing on all the nitty-gritty, the chamber had signed an MoU with the world renowned company for exploitation of these resources.
    “The MOU envisaged technological collaborations between the local stakeholders and the company while requiring the latter to facilitate marketing of our products on international and national markets,” he said, adding that the company had also agreed to train “our manpower.”
    “Following the signing of MOU, an expert team of the company headed by its CEO visited Kashmir and Ladakh. However, the team had to return disappointed after the government failed to renew the leases in our favour.”
    “The team was impressed by the quality of granite and marble available here,” he said, adding that the Oman-based company had agreed to invest Rs 500 crore for developing mines using latest technologies.
    “Besides, they proposed to adopt few marble industries in the state and market their products in the Middle East countries,” he said.
    Khan said the MoU was grounded because of the reluctance of the state government to renew the lease.
    He said the chamber even approached Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with a plea for renewal of the leases. “But nothing happened. Neither did the CM act not any other minister came to our rescue,” he alleged.
    President, Federation Chamber of Industry Kashmir, Muhammad Ashraf told Greater Kashmir that marble and granite industry has been totally neglected by the state government.
    “It is a labor-oriented sector which can help create thousands of jobs in Kashmir. But unfortunately the authorities seem least interested to develop the industrial sector in Kashmir. They only make hollow promises and issue rhetorical statements,” Ashaf alleged.