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‘They slap PSA on HR activists, political workers, 14 years old minors’

Srinagar: Government has crossed all the limits of previous regimes in its anti-people especially anti-youth agenda, Hurriyat Conference (G) said while issuing a statement for press on Friday.
Hurriyat (G) said that, it is surprised on the statement of the government that “They need to help the agenda of development and dialogue and they understand the potential of youth and their bright future”, we fail to understand that how these stooges after merchandising their mind and soul have their oration subservient to the might of the oppressor.
In a statement issued to KNS, Hurriyat Conference (G) said that they shamelessly address the people particularly youth, who are scared of them, their armed forces and their police contingent, whose threat compels them to stay away from their homes, they shiver when they recall the horrifying behavior meted to them in their police stations and interrogation centers. They are sick of the lazy and biased judicial system, which makes them to rot for decades together, they are tired and warn out by the threats and high headedness of Panchs, Sarpanchs, MLA’s and MLC’s and bureaucracy. They have to implore these official autocrats and political turn-coats for their petty day to day needs.
Hurriyat said that their delusion and fantasy of the “development” and “bright” future has its footprints and horrifying remnants scattered throughout the valley and every village, city and town stands testimony to it, whichever way it is looked at, there is only tyranny, bloodshed, arrests, barbarism and this political vocabulary, no matter how palatable and seductive it is, can never be able to cover it up.
Hurriyat (G) said it is right that violence is not an answer to any problem, but this is surprising that those plead for “peace” have more them 10 lakh armed forces, with all its armory and legal cover and impunity are under their control who tear away the chests of our people irrespective of age and even do not hesitate to spray pallets on the school going kids, they blind our youth and cripple them to live a parasitic life on the mercy of others. They have a fleet of more than a local police, who have lost the image of a disciplined law enforcing agency and have earned a bad name of a brute and ruthless force, who are on the forefront in killing, torturing, ransacking and humiliating their own population to get rewards and promotions from none other than their political advisors. They have administrative machinery and bureaucratic hatchery who come up with latest and lethal steps to combat what they call as “anti-national” sentiments. They being highly qualified and competent shut their eyes and even their minds when they slap draconian laws like PSA on human rights activists, political workers and even 14 years old minors. Above all their political class is always on their toes to influence, harass and motivate the common and innocent people, in their own localities to subjugate and surrender from their basic rights. This all is supported and multiplied by the super-nationalist and jingoistic media who portray every Kashmiri as a terrorist and force authorities to strangulate them to the maximum. Hurriyat said that with all this power, might and media patronage on their side these collaborators and henchmen of this might, disturb and disrupt the peace themselves, when they use force to silence the just and genuine voices of the majority.
Hurriyat (G) said in case they really want peace and prosperity and permanent stability of the whole region they should use their all good offices, and the resources at their disposal to work in harmony to get the above mentioned goal, otherwise there sermons are nothing but political maneuvering, fraudulence and deceit of which the people especially youth are the worst victims for the last 7 decades, but they can’t befool them again and again.

Supports student’s demand for deferment of panned exams

Srinagar: Former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah Friday asked India and Pakistan to initiate dialogue without any further delay to resolve K-issue, saying: “Kashmiris are the worst sufferers of Kashmir issue.”
He asked state government to call joint assembly session, to discuss prevailing situation in Kashmir.
According to KNS correspondent, the meeting of all opposition parties which was convened and headed by Dr Abdullah, stressed for releasing of all separatist leaders and initiation of political dialogue with them.
During the meeting, Dr Abdullah said that on August 22, this year, a delegation of all opposition parties from J&K called on Prime Minister.
It was observed, that the PM had assured the delegation that political dialogue would be initiate with all stakeholders including separatists.
Dr Abdullah expressed ‘surprise’ that more than two months have passed and Delhi is yet to make any breakthrough in this regard.
With situation continuing to deteriorate in Kashmir, opposition political parties discussed unabated civilian killings by forces and asked New Delhi and State Government to come up with a “political plan” to address the ongoing unrest.
The leaders said that “uncertainty” continues in Kashmir.
During meeting, Dr Abdullah observed that government must take all concerns of students and their parents into consideration. “Education has suffered a lot. Four months of our students have gone waste. So, government must give due considerations to the concerns of students and defer planned exams till March 2017,” he stressed during the meeting.
The opposition leaders also unanimously agreed to impress upon the government to set up judicial inquiry commission headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge to look into the allegations of excessive use of force.
All leaders demanded immediate release of all separatist leaders, end to arrest spree, end to use of pellets and compensation to those injured in forces action and victim families.
The meeting was attended by congress state chief G A Mir, MY Tarigami, Hakim Muhammad Yasin, G H Mir and others. (KNS)

Srinagar: Governor N.N.Vohra held a meeting at the Raj Bhavan today to review the security situation consequent to the terror attack at Pampore earlier this week.
The meeting was attended by Northern Army Commander; Director General of Police J&K; GOC 15 Corps; Principal Secretary to Governor; IG, CRPF; IG, (Ops) CRPF and Intelligence Bureau head in J&K.
It was recalled that after the Pathankot terror attack, it had been decided, during the then period of Governor’s Rule, that a Multi Agency Security Audit shall be conducted by the State Police in close collaboration with the IB, CAPF, Army, Air Force and other concerned agencies. In this context, and in the background of the terror attacks at Poonch, Uri, Handwara and, most recently at Pampore, it was agreed that surveillance should be enhanced not only along the IB and LoC, as already done, but also in the entire hinterland, counter-terrorist operations should be resumed and, side by side, identified steps should be taken to safeguard and effectively ensure the safety/security of all civil and military vital installations/establishments in J&K.

Srinagar: Amid shutdown, State Government on Friday imposed curfew-like restrictions in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir Valley on Friday to prevent a separatist called protest march. Contingents of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in full riot gear were deployed in both uptown and old city areas of Srinagar to impose curfew-like restrictions to prevent a separatist called sit-in and protest march here. Coils of razor fitted concertina wire were placed on main roads and traffic intersections here by the security forces.  Both pedestrian and vehicular movements were disallowed except in city outskirts where some private vehicles were seen moving in the morning.

Resistance leadership had asked people to march to the state Rajbhawan in the high security Chashma shahi area here as part of their protest calendar.

Meanwhile, a complete shutdown is being observed on the 98th consecutive day across Kashmir on the call of separatist leaders.

Stone-pelting incidents were reported from old Barzullah area of Srinagar city where police used tear-smoke shells to disperse pro-freedom protesters. The protesting youth according to reports resorted to heavy stone-pelting when police didn’t allow them to proceed towards the main road. A protest march was taken out from Safakadal area of old Srinagar city where youth clashed with deployed government forces.

A peaceful protest was held in Rambagh area too while at Parimpora agitated youth pelted stones on police prompting them to fire tear-smoke shells. 

Clashes erupted in Kangan town of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district where police used tear-smoke shells to disperse protesters who resorted to heavy stone-pelting. Earlier, a large number of people organized a pro-freedom rally shortly after the culmination of Friday prayers.

Massive protest was organized in Palapora Eidgah where several speakers addressed the protesters. The protesters chanted pro-freedom slogans and carried out a peaceful rally.

Massive protests were staged in Rohmu village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district after police slapped Public Safety Act on a local youth Hilal Ahmed Itoo. As the news about his detention under PSA spread in the area, men, women and children took to roads and staged massive pro-freedom protest. The protesters chanted anti-India slogans and demanded immediate release of the youth. Itoo according to them was arrested by police during a night raid.

A peaceful pro-freedom protest was taken out in Tral town of Pulwama district which started from Khankah Faizpanah and culminated at Bus Stand Tral.

At least ten persons were injured in clashes that erupted after Friday prayers in Tahab village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Reports and witnesses said that youths pelted stones on forces which responded by firing teargas shells. Ten people were injured, they said. A pro-freedom rally was also organized in Kakapora area of the district. Witnesses said that large number of people participated in the rally. The participants amid pro-freedom slogans demanded immediate solution to Kashmir problem. They also demanded the release of detained youth.

A pro-freedom rally was organized in Ajas Bandipora in North Kashmir. Large number of people participated in the rally that was held in Eidgah. The rally culminated peacefully.

Clashes erupted between protesters and government forces in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district after Friday prayers. Witnesses said that forces resorted to teargas shells to break up a pro-freedom rally that was taken out from Eidgah Qadeem in old town Baramulla after joint Friday prayers. They said that forces lobbed teargas shells on the rally from across the Jhelum river, triggering massive clashes.Reports of clashes were also received from Saloosa Kreeri and Palhallan areas of the district. (CNS)

Srinagar: The ongoing unrest in Valley has affected every sector while transporters and traders are the worst sufferers. Even the Government has lost its revenue and has started feeling the heat of the unrest. However, roadside vendors are doing a crisp business and this unrest unlike for traders and transporters has turned boon for vendors doing business in uptown parts of Srinagar city. Besides vendors, the retailers in the interiors are also doing normal business.

Transporters are the worst sufferers as they are unable to avail even the benefits from the evening relaxation period periodically announced by separatist leadership. Transport Welfare Association General Secretary Sheikh Muhammad Yousf told news agency CNS that a transporter loses Rs 15oo per day given the fact he has to pay toll tax, passenger tax and fitness fee. “Besides a transporter who is a loanee has  to pay 14.50% interest to the Bank,” he said adding that there are 35000 Sumos and 6000 buses and mini-buses operating in Valley while in Srinagar alone 1800 mini-buses are operating on Eastern and Western routes.

Shiekh Muhammad Yousuf however added that transporters are bearing such losses as they are hopeful the Kashmir issue will be resolved. “It is question of prestige and dignity. Though we are the worst victims of this unrest yet we support and back the Resistance leadership calendar because people here in Kashmir have not only lost lives but innocent teenagers have been blinded by Indian armed forces.

People associated with tourism industry have also incurred huge losses. Tourism players admitted that industry is on decline and due to present turmoil hotels and houseboats are empty with no tourists residing in them. “To have a glimpse of tourist here in such circumstances is a distant dream. We can’t do anything but supporting the freedom movement with a hope that present unrest will yield positive results,” said a tourism player. Even a government official admitted that tourism industry has received a big jolt as they can’t attract outside tourists in such situation. “Please don’t mention my name. I do believe and same is the view point of my peers that State Government in consultation with Government of India should intervene and find an amicable solution to this problem. Unfortunately, both the State and the Central Government are in no mood to blink. I am afraid that we will lose everything if governments continue to act as mute spectators,” the official said adding that till this situation is addressed and the issue resolved, the tourism would continue to be affected.

“If we rely on the figures of economists and traders, since July 9, Kashmir has suffered a

whopping Rs 13,230-crore loss to the economy. These figures are tentative while the loss is much higher than this. Properties worth crores have been damaged both by the government forces as well as some miscreants. Besides, more than 90 human lives are lost and hundreds have lost vision. Recently, Geelani Sahab had sought our suggestion over the current imbroglio, though some suggested that relaxation timing should be extended but majority favoured the continuation of strike as they think it has now become a point of prestige for the people of Kashmir,” said a renowned trader wishing not to be named.

The current unrest has also witnessed a dip in the revenue generation of state government. The state government according to a Finance Department official has suffered revenue losses close to Rs 600 crore since July 9. “The collection of sales tax has been hit while the collection of levies and taxes has come down drastically,” he said.

Pertinently, the businesses of Valley have badly hit due to curfew and separatist sponsored strikes. Life has come to a halt for the past 98 days after protests erupted in Kashmir following the killing of Hizb poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on July 8. (CNS)

Srinagar: National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah lost his cool when a reporter from New Delhi repeatedly tried to know his view point about Uri attack during a press briefing here in Srinagar.

Farooq Abdullah was addressing reporters shortly after the meeting of opposition parties at his Gupkar residence. As Farooq Abdullah was making his assessment about prevailing Kashmir situation, a Delhi based female journalist intervened and asked Farooq Abdullah to express his opinion about the recent Uri attack. “Look we are here to discuss Kashmir issue. We all are here to find ways and means to douse the fire in Valley and you are talking about Uri. I have nothing to say about it,” replied Abdullah.

However the lady journalist didn’t stop and said that, “does it mean you have no sympathies for the Indian soldiers? “You are trying to put your words into my mouth. I said that I am here to discuss about the complexities of Kashmir and I have nothing to say about Uri attack this time,” visibly angry Abdullah mocked at her calling her an agent.

Even senior legislator Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami according to news agency CNS asked the said journo from New Delhi to refrain from asking those questions that are not on the agenda.

Though Farooq Abdullah didn’t speak anything about Uri attack, yet most of the Indian news channels claimed that Farooq Abdullah showed no interest in Uri attack. Even Pakistan based Geo TV reported that Farooq showed no interest in discussing Uri attack.

A senior National Conference worker said that there are certain elements that want to deflect the attention of people from Kashmir issue. “I am quite sure the journalist who asked questions about Uri attack was in Srinagar with a sole objective to demean the position and authority of opposition leaders on Kashmir issue,” he said and added that Delhi based news channels conceal facts and air only those reports that suit to their viewers. (CNS)