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Srinagar: An “overenthusiastic” officer in the security wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police took the decision to bar some journalists with adverse reports against them from attending the Republic Day function here, leading to a chaos, officials said on Monday.

After preliminary enquiry, it was found that the officer of the additional superintendent of police-rank prepared a list of journalists based on a CID report and directed his subordinates to bar them from the event, attended by several dignitaries on Saturday, they said.

According to the officials, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) gives regular reports on the background of journalists, which includes their possible leanings towards separatists or any of their kin being associated with militant groups or being an overground worker.

However, the journalists have always been allowed to attend government functions without any problem in the past, they said.

The CID report, based on which the officer issued the direction, nowhere mentions that the journalists or photo-journalists should be barred from covering the event, the officials said.

Journalists had on Saturday staged a protest against the Jammu and Kashmir government after several scribes, especially photographers, were allegedly not allowed to enter the venue of the Republic Day function despite possessing valid accreditation passes.

This had prompted Governor’s advisor K Vijay Kumar to issue a statement that the issue would be looked into. “It is learnt that today at Republic Day parade venue in Srinagar some journalists were not permitted to cover the event as the security passes issued to them were found not to be authenticated. The matter shall be looked into,” Kumar, who is in-charge of the Home Department, had said in a statement issued in Jammu.

The mediapersons, carrying placards which read “journalism is not a crime”, had staged the protest in the heart of the city.

The Editors Guild of India on Monday said the denial of entry to several senior journalists into a stadium in Srinagar to cover the Republic Day function was an “unprecedented state-sponsored attack” on press freedom and demanded an inquiry into the incident.

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police has fine-tuned the already existing surrender policy to ensure return of youth who have picked up arms and to plug the fresh recruitment, official sources told Valley Media Service.

Even though police and other forces claimed to have killed over 250 militants in year 2018, 200 were still active and majority of them locals. Officials revealed to VMS, that some 100 odd youth picked up arms last year, leaving the alarm bells ringing.

Militants placed on the list of the Subsidiary Multi-Agency Centre (SMAC) — a nodal agency comprising officials for security and intelligence inputs — will be eligible for incentives, under the fine-tuned surrender policy. A militant who has surrendered will be referred to as a “renouncer”, the policy reveals.

He will surrender only before the designated authorities — divisional commissioners, district magistrates, top police officers and heads of operational units not below the rank of Commandant. Entitled to Rs 5 lakh-6 lakh as fixed deposit, the “renouncer” will be able to withdraw the money after the lock-in period of a minimum three years, subject to continued good behaviour as certified by the CID.

“The objective is to offer an opportunity to terrorists who eschew the path of violence… The policy is particularly aimed at economic rehabilitation, enabling them to lead a normal life and contribute towards society’s progress…” reads the draft policy prepared by the Home Department.

A police officer said that the new policy was more or less same as that of the one unveiled by the former chief minister Omar Abdullah in 2004. “Just a few changes have been made to make the policy attractive,” he said.(VMS)

Srinagar, January 28: In a significant development, Hurriyat Conference (M) spokesman Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam will likely be released on a custody parole for a week and possibly the parole will be extended.

Reliable sources said that the NIA court has granted custody parole of a week to Shahid who has been languishing in Tihar since past two years. “Shahid has been granted custody parole and will be released in midnight. The expenses of the security will be borne by the Shahid himself,” a source told KNO.

Shahid was arrested in the terror funding case and that his family-wife a two daughters have been demanding his release on humanitarian grounds.

Notably, Nuzhat Shah, the wife of jailed leader Shahid-ul-Islam had survived heart stroke on January 12 this year following which she was immediately rushed to hospital for immediate treatment.

Reports added Nuzhat Shah complained of heart ailment and her condition turned unstable minutes before reaching the hospital following which all her relations were panicked about her life.

However doctors attended her well at the hospital and she was under the close supervision of doctors. She was discharged from the hospital later.(KNO)

Final decision in a fortnight after mass consultations with police, political parties, secretary

Srinagar, January 28: The Election Commission of India (ECI’s) decision to defer its visit to Jammu and Kashmir has cast doubts over the early polls being held in the trouble-ravaged State through a review meet was held in New Delhi to assess the situation, reliable sources told KNO.

Final decision will be taken after a fortnight after thorough consultations with police, political parties, secretary education.

According to the sources, a team of ECI was planning to visit both Jammu and Kashmir divisions on January 27 and 28 for on spot assessment of the situation regarding the holding of assembly elections.

The team, headed by Chief Election Commissioner, Sunil Arora, was to take a final call on whether to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the State or defer the Assembly elections by few months.

However, the sources confirmed the team has postponed its visit to the state due to unknown reasons.

A source, however, said that the crucial meeting was held in New Delhi by the ECI where in the situation was assessed threadbare and it has decided to put the decision as to whether the polls should be held on time or delayed.

“For a time being,, it was decided to put the decision on hold till wider consultations with various political parties, police and the intelligence grid are completed,” an official told KNO.“The final call whether JK should witness early polls will be taken in a fortnight.”

Though the entire mainstream camp, National Conference, Congress and the Peoples Conference besides independent candidates support early polls, PDP is the sole party that is not in the poll mode due to the mass rebellion party has faced of late.

The ECI, as per sources, have been told by the security agencies operating in Kashmir that there was no threat to the polls except some pockets in south Kashmir being sensitive “that could be taken care of by the security agencies as witnessed in recently held peaceful and successful ULB and Panchayat polls.”

“ECI has decided not to jump gun and instead widen the ambit of consultations before taking a final call,” a top security official disclosed.(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 28: The state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said that the party will show its power in the State on the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 03, saying that the party is fully prepared for the elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), BJP State General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Kaul said that the party is fully prepared for the elections in the State. “A meeting was recently held in Jammu on January 20, wherein the future course of action was drafted regarding elections,” Koul said.
About PM Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Koul said that party is mobilizing its each and every unity to make the event grand success. “BJP will show its power on that day and we are expecting a one lakh people will listen PM Modi who is scheduled to address public in Saroor area of Vijaypur constituency in Jammu on Feb 03,” he added.
Reacting to formal joining of Priyanka Gandhi in politics, Koul said that the vote of Congress is sinking in the State. “Earlier, the Congress claimed to emerge winner on 50 wards in recently held Municipal polls in Jammu but they bagged only 10-12 wards. Therefore, by making claims, Congress is trying to entertain its soul,” he added.
BJP leader further told KNS that Gandhi-Nehru families are trying to keep politics confined to their dynasty. (KNS)

‘They will act as a bridge between people and SMC’

Srinagar, Jan 28: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Deputy Mayor Sheikh Mohammed Imran on Monday appointed three advisors and one Personal Assistant.

Announcing the decision during the meeting, Imran said it will ease the decision-making process in the corporation.

According to order issued on Sunday, it reads Wajahat Hussain of corporator from ward no 6 has been appointed as administrative advisor, Muhammad Ashraf Palpori corporator from ward 5o has been political advisor, Muhammad Aqib Renzu Shah a corporator from ward no 3 as Political Secretary and Aijaz Nazir Bhat as Personal Assistant to Sheikh Mohammed Imran.

“They will work for the welfare of the people,” he said adding that he is sure that they will act as bridge between people and administration.

SRINAGAR, JAN 28: Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi has said Pakistan will continue to extend vigorous political and moral support to its Kashmiri brethren till realization of their principled demand of right to self-determination.

He was talking to members of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs headed by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, in Islamabad on Monday.

The Foreign Minister said the issue of Kashmir is such an issue on which there is complete national consensus.

He said reports of United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and All-Party Parliamentary Kashmir Group have unveiled Indian atrocities in the Kashmir.

He invited all the political parties of parliament and Kashmiri leadership to attend seminar organized at House of Commons on 4th of the next month and exhibition regarding Kashmir on 5th of the next month in London.

The Foreign Minister also extend invitation to the members of Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs to attend International Conference with regard to Kashmir in London. (PTK)

SRINAGAR, JAN 28: Jammu and Kashmir former deputy chief Minister and senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta said that BJP ready to talk to local militants and convey them to enter in mainstream.

While speaking to news Agency Press Trust of Kashmir Gupta said “BJP will talk to Hurriyat within Constitution. He said BJP is open to talks with separatists in Kashmir as part of efforts to resolve the problems in the state but discussions would need to be within the constitutional frame.

Gupta added Kashmir issue should be taken up with those who “accept the Constitution of India”. He added until Pakistan can’t stop insurgency activities no talk will be started with them.

Gupta added, “We are always ready for talks with Pakistan but with a caveat that militancy and talks cannot go together. There cannot be a comprehensive dialogue till Pakistan shuns terror”.

He further added, “Some people suggest that we should engage in dialogue with Pakistan. I would like to say that we are ready to talk to anyone. But Pakistan is unable to understand this thing, till Pakistan does not stop its attempts to destabilise and weaken India by encouraging cross-border terrorism, holdings talks with it has no meaning.”

Gupta added “Kashmir under fire because of Congress and national conference”. He said the Kashmir problem is the Congress’s legacy, adding “now instead of learning from its past mistakes, the Congress wants to precipitate a crisis for this country.” (PTK)

SRINAGAR: National Conference senior leader and former legislator Muhammad Akbar Lone today said that national conference will talk to Militants as well as Hurriyat and Pakistan, if comes to power.

While speaking to News agency Press Trust of Kashmir Lone said the both state and central Government are not taking Kashmir issue seriously until both the government can’t take issue seriously nothing can be achieved.

He added that National conference always focused to find a way to solve issues added both countries come together to resolve Kashmir issue.

Lone further added that National conference will talk to local militants as well to Hurriyat. He said that NC will highlight issue with central govt and try to talk with Pakistan and find out a solution of Kashmir issue.

Akbar Lone added till date national conference will fight alone and win election with majority. (PTK)

‘Farooq Abdullah encouraged elimination through “Chit System” during Ikhwan era’

Srinagar, Jan 28 : Peoples Conference on Monday said that Omar Abdullah was the first person from Kashmir to wear ‘RSS knickers’ when he was made a foreign minister of the BJP government at a time when human rights violations were at its peak in Kashmir.
In a statement issued , the PC spokesperson Adnan Mir said the sole motive of making him a junior foreign minister was to parade him across the world and show a Kashmiri face vouching that no human rights violations were taking place in Kashmir.
“And now he is the new BJP baiter in town. And he expects to walk off from his past with not even the remotest hint of remorse. Incidentally he walked off from the RSS camp- not because there were human rights violations in Kashmir or that the autonomy resolution was not accepted. He walked off because Papa was not made the vice- president of India by the then BJP government,” he said.
The spokesman said NC seems to have off late donned the ‘defenders of faith’ hat and are busy issuing diktats left and right.
“May we very humbly remind them that one needs to have a faith in order to defend the faith. In order to become the defender of Islamic faith one needs to strictly adhere to the Islamic tenets. Our humble advice is to not venture too far into the defender of faith space. It will open up a debate which will be very unpleasant for them. They issue diktats, they sing bhajans, they are the Ram Mandir walas. How many hats will they don’t?” the PC spokesman asked.
The spokesman said NC used Ikhwanis to kill Kashmiris during 1996 to 2002.
“Why is the NC not owning up its Ikhwan links? Is it not a fact that Farooq Abdullah addressed rallies organized by Ikhwan? Is not a fact that during the NC regime of 1996 to 2002, the Ikhwan was active and killed hundreds of people? Did NC not give mandate to Ikhwanis to fight elections? What was Farooq Abdullah’s role in all this? Are you telling us that he was sitting and did nothing while the Ikhwanis went on a rampage,” he said.
“Is he not the same person who was posing for photographs with the Ikhwan leaders, attending their rallies? Did he not encourage the “chit system” wherein a name was scribbled on a chit for elimination given to Ikhwan. Not just that, the NC later issued mandates to the same Ikhwanis, made them MLCs. We are ready to debate this with the National Conference; we have all the data. Let the people know what the National Conference has been up to. The records are not a figment of our imagination, it is the truth NC can’t wish away,” he said.
He said that it was Farooq Abdullah who recommended one of the country’s highest civilian award for a dreaded counter-insurgent (Ikhwani) responsible for hundreds of unimaginable atrocities on hapless, innocent Kashmiris.
“Ikhwan candidates, Ikhwan MLCs, Ikhwan photo-ops, Ikhwan rallies, Ikhwan killings and yet the NC wants us to believe that they are squeaky clean and got nothing to do with any of it,” he added.