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Candidates finalized; list to be out shortly

Srinagar: The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met in Srinagar last evening under the chairmanship of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to discuss the electoral strategy for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. Apart from the party president Mehbooba Mufti, those who participated includde senior leader and MP Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Maulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, Tariq Hameed Qarra MP, S Rangeel Singh, general secretaries, M Dilawar Mir and Yashpal Sharma, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Dr Sameer Kaul, Tarlok Singh Bajwa and Naeem Akhtar.

The PAC reviewed the political situation of the state in light of the results of the Lok Sabha elections in which the party swept the Kashmir valley winning all three parliamentary seats. The ruling coalition faced a complete white wash.

The party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed while expressing his appreciation for the well organised election campaign said the ability of the party leaders and workers in carrying its message to the voters had been crucial to their mobilisation. He said the absence of negativity in the party’s poll discourse, clear agenda and our ability to identify actual issues had brought the PDP to the centre stage of state’s political scenario. The renewed and broad based faith of the people earned by the party had not only made it the premier political party of the state but has added to its challenges in view of the difficult situation created by the present coalition, he said.

Mufti said peace and development along with a special focus on issues facing the youth, especially employment generation should continue to guide party’s policies and agenda. He said the party would continue to provide an inclusive platform for all regions and communities of the state for opportunities of growth. “It is unfortunate that the elections in many areas were driven by a communal polarisation and it would be necessary to reverse this trend for building a modern welfare state” said Mufti.

Mufti said there are strong indicators that the PDP is headed for victory in the Assembly elections as well but the LS election results should not lead to complacency. “We have to continue with our mass contact program and organisational activities to seek a decisive mandate from the people for a strong and accountable government” Mufti said and added the people must get a dependable alternative which can address their problems, curb corruption, ensure upholding of human rights and offers a new world to youth.

A spokesman of the party said the names of party candidates were discussed considering different parameters. He said for a party which happens to be the youngest political organisation of the state it was a matter of satisfaction that the selection has to be made from multiple choices. He said the PAC recorded the contribution of all contenders for the party mandate and the obvious inability to accommodate all of them should not shut doors on their growth within the party. “The PDP is a vibrant and growing party based on democratic principles and every worker will receive due place and opportunity to serve people through different democratic institutions which have been made dysfunctional by the present government” the spokesman said.

Srinagar: A ten-year-old girl was raped by her 65-year-old tutor on the outskirts of Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar, an official said here on Monday.

He said Ali Mohammad Mir raped the minor girl at her home in Panthchowk last week.

Mir has been arrested after the family of the girl launched a complaint with the police. “We have registered a case and he is under arrested,” the official said.

Srinagar: Chief Patron Jammu Kashmir Mahaz-e-Azadi (MeA) Muhammad Azam Inqilabi Monday censured India’s Defence Minister Arun Jaitley’s ‘no talks outside ambit of Indian constitution’ remark.

In a statement here, Inqilabi said, “We reject the minister’s statement. We don’t accept Indian constitution. There can be no solution of Kashmir dispute within the purview of India’s constitution.”

He said Indian leadership hasn’t shifted from path of “intransigence on Kashmir.”

“India wants to suppress the resistance in Kashmir by force. Draconian legislations continue to guide occupation of Kashmir,” he said.

MeA patron said the present situation of Kashmir demands initiation of “bold steps”.

“Pakistan should allow Azad Kashmir to play its historical role in liberation struggle. If this doesn’t happen India would continue to create problems for Pakistan,” he said.

He said in present circumstances there is “no other way for revolutionaries on either side of ceasefire line to look for ways of resistance without stopping way of UJC supremo Syed Salah-ud-Din.”

“It is incumbent on us all to fight against Indian imperialism according to one’s capability,” he added.

“We also appeal OIC, 57 Muslim member state organization, to stop trade with India and oil supply as well. This will help in finding a peaceful solution to Kashmir issue,” the statement reads.

Inqilabi said India reneged on its promise of plebiscite in Kashmir. “This persisted misery of Kashmiris.”

“Indian troops killed six-lakh Kashmiris during the past 67 years, tortured and then killed 10 thousand people without any trace. India hanged our national hero Maqbool Butt and Afzal Guru and outraged modesty of our womenfolk,” he said.

“Even today thousands of our resistance leaders, activists and youths are languishing in jails. How is it possible that our 50 resistance leaders are serving life imprisonment and we will remain silent?” he said.

He demanded immediate release of Dr. Qasim, Mushtaq-ul-Islam, Masarat Aalam and others. “If political prisoners aren’t released, then we will reply accordingly,” he warned.

MeA patron said, “Allah (SWT) doesn’t like oppression and oppressors. We shall see how India’s fort of oppression will dismantle and vanish into thin air.”

Urges world apex bodies to help in resolving K-issue

India can’t suppress our voices for long: Naqash

Srinagar: According to the spokesman of Islamic Political Party JK a meeting of the Supreme council of the party consisting central office bearers and council members including Shiekh Basharat,Tariq Ahmad Shiekh, Showkat Ahmad Bhat, Mohammad Ayub Dar, Mohammad Yousuf Mir,Moulvi Buland Shah,Rouf Kashmiri and Nazir Ahmad Sofi party was convened on Sunday at its head office where all the issues related to Kashmir were thoroughly discussed. The important meeting was presided over by senior member Hurriyat Conference JK and Chairman Islamic Political Party, Muhammad Yousuf Naqash.

According to the statement issued to KNS, all the Kashmir related issues were thoroughly deliberated in the meeting. During the meeting it was repeatedly stressed to resolve the long pending issue as Kashmir is a recognised dispute and the right of determination of the people of Kashmir has been usurped by India since 1947.

Naqash appealed the world apex bodies like United Nations, European Union, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to use their good offices and impress upon the India to solve the long pending Kashmir dispute. “The issue should be settled on the principle  Right to self determination enshrined in the charter of United Nations which entitles the peoples and territories under foreign occupation  to Independence.

He urged all the world apex bodies to help Kashmiris for the just and honorable solution of the issue.

Naqash made it clear that Indian occupation is never acceptable to the people of Kashmir and India will never succeed in curbing and suppressing the inherent Right to Self Determination of Kashmiri People.

Naqash further said that so far thousands of international delegations and dignitaries including the diplomats of all most all the countries visited Kashmir and took stock of the dangerous and uncertain situation but unfortunately could neither help in putting an end to gross human rights violations perpetrated by Indian forces in Kashmir nor took any initiative for the just, honorable and lasting solution.

“We hope they will physically and diplomatically intervene in the interest of serving humanity and take immediate, appropriate and just initiatives with a serious thought to restore the forcibly curbed freedom of Kashmir,” he added.

Srinagar: Chairman Huriyat Conference (M)  and head of Awami Action Committee (AAC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Sunday convened a gathering of members of Youth Action Committee (YAC) at party headquarters, Mirwaiz Manzil.

According to the statement issued to KNS, AAC central leadership, party office bearers on Tehsil and district level, YAC members and large number of youth participated in the gathering.

During the gathering, participants offered tributes to Shahee-d-e-Masjid Moulvi Mushtaq on his 9th martyrdom anniversary, besides it also gave final nod to the programmes arranged for celebrating 50th golden jubilee celebrations of AAC.

Paying glorious tributes to Shaheed-e-Masjid for his contribution towards the AAC and freedom movement the participants stated the party has the history of sacrifices offered by its leadership towards the freedom struggle while as its workers and activists have immensely suffered for the sole cause of party and the movement.

Paying tributes to Shaheed-e-Millat, Shaheed-e-Masjid, the participants stated the towering sacrifices of Kashmiris have helped in progressing towards achieving the objectives of the movement.

While paying rich tributes to Shaheed-e-Masjid, Mirwaiz stated that the deceased was a great religious and political personality. He stated that Moulvi Mushtaq devoted his entire life towards strengthening the AAC.

Terming the 50th foundation day of AAC as a historical milestone, Mirwaiz stated the role of the leadership, workers, activists and office bearers in the party was prideful. He stated the sacrifices of party members including Shaheed-e-Millat and other hundreds of activists and workers was a priceless asset with AAC.

Mirwaiz stated that youths have to play a major role in furthering the vision of the party founder in the future. Terming the large participation of youth in the gathering as a reflection of commitment and resolve towards AAC, APHC Chairman stated that the contributions of youth in taking forward the freedom struggle was of immense importance.

In connection with the golden jubilee celebrations, Mirwaiz announced that AAC would conduct social, religious and education seminars besides it would also conduct rallies on 20th of each month for the whole year aimed to strengthen the party and promote its policies and programmes on grass root level.

Mirwaiz also expressed concern over the situation in Pakistan and stated that conspiracies have been hatched to destabilize the country since it was born.

Huriyat (M) chief stressed upon the leadership of YAC to get involved in AAC programmes regarding golden jubilee celebrations and make it success at all levels. He stated the YAC should also start a membership drive movement on Mohalla, Block, tehsil and district levels. 

Srinagar: A blood donation camp on the eve of World Blood Donors Day with the theme of “safe blood for saving mothers” was organised by J and K state aids prevention and control society in collaboration with Department of Hematology and transfusion medicine Government Lal Ded Hospital, Srinagar.

According to the statement issued to KNS In this camp the jawans belonging to all the districts of Kashmir valley donated blood. This donation of blood will be of great help to the pregnant women who are admitted in the hospital and suffer hemorrhages during the delivery of babies.

In all 137 blood uints were deposited with the department of Hematology and transfusion medicine Government Lal Ded Hospital.

Divisional commissioner Kashmir Shalinder Kumar who inaugurated the camp and a civilian also donated blood in this camp.

Earlier one blood donation camp was organized at DPL Srinagar wherein top police officers and jawans donated blood which was deposited with bone and joints hospital Srinagar.

Curtailment of flight timing at Srinagar Airport will jeopardize tourism: Karra

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today sought the intervention of the Union Defence Minister to ensure speedy disposal of land compensation and rental cases pertaining to the assets under the use of Army in Kashmir.

According to the statement issued to KNS, “There are hundreds of cases where the compensation/rentals for the land under Army use have been settled but the money is not being disbursed among the people due to procedural delays,” senior PDP leader and Member  Parliament Tariq Hameed Karra said while addressing people in Ganderbal Assembly segment. He said the Union Defence Minister,  Arun Jaitley should take a call on the matter and order speedy disbursement of the land compensation/rent as, for most of the people this is the only source of income.

Expressing dismay over the curtailment of flight timings at the Srinagar International Airport, Karra sought the intervention of the Defense Minister in the matter so that the tourist season doesn’t get affected due to the decision of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Karra said given the fact that June, July and August is the peak tourist season in Kashmir, the IAF decision to begin runway renovation at this time seems to be an unwise move as it will jeopardize the tourist arrivals to Kashmir which is already facing a brunt due to excessive air travel charges. Referring to the local issues of Ganderbal constituency, Karra said that several areas especially in Sherpathri belt are facing acute drinking water and irrigation water scarcity and the government must address the issue on priority.

He said the locals complain that no water is being released from the power canal for the irrigation purposes severely hitting the agriculture activity in the area. Senior PDP leader Qazi Mohammad Afzal also addressed the public meetings.

Expressed condolence with family of Nisar Khan

Srinagar: Terming the re-arrest of resistance leaders Masarat Alam Bhat and Mushtaq ul Islam as “frustration of so-called government”, senior Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir leader Shabir Ahmad Shah said it is irony that on one hand the government beats the drums of democracy and justice and on other they violate the court orders openly by re-arresting the pro-freedom leaders under false charges.

“The senior Hurriyat Conference JK and Muslim League leader Mushtaq-ul-Islam is being shifted from one jail to another since last three months despite being granted bail by court. This is a big blot on the face of so-called claimers of democracy,” Shah said.

He according to the statement issued to KNS said the rulers are trying their every bit to suppress the people through military might in the name of peace and democracy and fabricate them under false charges but the pro-freedom people of Kashmir gave them befitting reply during the recently concluded parliamentary elections.

Applauding the courage and steadfastness of Hurriyat leaders and activists, Shah said we will leave no stone unturned to take the freedom movement to its logical conclusion.

Meanwhile, a delegation of HCJK led by Shabir Ahmad Shah which included Muhammad Yasin Ataai, Feroz Ahmad Dar and Firdous Ahmad today visited Khan Mohalla, Chanapora to express solidarity with the bereaved family of Nisar Ahmad Khan on the sad demise of his father, Muhammad Aslam Khan. Nisar Ahmad Khan is lodged in central jail, Srinagar from last four years.

Shah while highlighting the contribution of Nisar Khan’s family expressed condolence with the bereaved family and prayed for the heavenly abode of the deceased.