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Srinagar, Jan 12 : Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Chairman, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai said that the people of Kashmir are neither misinformed nor this ‘indigenous political freedom struggle’ is driven by social media platforms.
According to a statement issued , Sehrai was reacting on General Bipin Rawat’s statement in which he had said ‘Kashmiri youth is being radicalized with misinformation by social media’.
“The General is deliberately issuing such statements and labeling educated Kashmiris as radicalized just to hoodwink the people of India,” he said, adding that Army chief should be in know of the fact that people of Kashmir were demanding for their right to self determination peacefully since 1947 when such media platforms even doesn’t exist.
He said before labeling Kashmiris as radicalized, General Rawat should realize that Kashmiri nation was not fighting any nation or any political party but striving for its just rights, which had been promised to them seven decades back by the international community including India’s first prime minister unfortunately, which India had so far dealt with ‘brute force’ since decades.
“The Indian military and political leadership had no other option but to come to the grips of the reality that Kashmir issue cannot be dealt with military might or with threats but by involving all parties to Kashmir dispute in a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue process, which could also help to end political uncertainty in entire South Asia,” he said.
Furthermore, Sehrai anguished over the frequent Cordon-and-Search-Operations (CASOs), terming it as a collective punishment.
Condemning the frequent door to door search operations and arresting youth in south Kashmir districts Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama, Sehrai said, “This is the collective punishment inflicted on the people in the winter months that deserve all condemnation.”
Sehrai said forces have unleashed ‘a reign of terror’ across South Kashmir by launching frequent CASOs where in people of all ages including elderly, women and children are asked to stay out of their house in the biting cold for hours together and then “harassing and arresting youth is a dangerous ploy to further pushing them to the wall. This way, people are subjected to collective punishment. He demanded an immediate end to these operations.”
Sehrai strongly denounced the arbitrary arrest of three youth Tawseef Lone, Abdul Samad Inquilabi and Suhail Parray of Bandipora, and shifting them to outside the Valley and slapping the PSA on them.

SRINAGAR: While reacting over the statement of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Khurshid Alam, Senior Leader National Conference (NC) said that ‘a bad workman always blames his tools’.

He said it is like, “ulta chor kotwal ko dante”. While speaking to News agency Press Trust of Kashmir Akbar Lone said, “Everything from loot, blackmailing, all have done by PDP”.

Akbar Lone asked, “Where from Khurshid Alam got all the property.”How many vehicles you (Alam) have on your own name, Lone asked.

Akbar Lone added, “Khurshid Alam was a small employee. Where from he got this much property. He was a Looter. He looted in CAPD food department.

Lone further added that he was in touch with PDP and then he became an MLC. “He should tell people where from he got all this property”.

“Rather than learning from the breakup with BJP, PDP has become more arrogant and is more obsessed with its agenda of spreading the poison of hatred,” he said.

Lone added, “He looted rice from the department and then he made lot of property and now he is talking about Sagar Sahab.

Lone added Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has done everything against people of Kashmir. “PDP’s tall rhetoric has fallen flat on its face and this recent list of the JKVIB is another proof of PDP’s insidious and nepotistic style of politics. Most of the people figuring in the final list issued by KVIB are either children of close associates of PDP leaders or have direct patronage from the powers that be,”.

He added PDP owing to the dearth of leadership in its fold is employing those with corrupt back ground to absolve Mufti’s of their undaunted attacks on state’s special status. “Posterity will never forgive Mufti’s for destroying state’s special character. PDP allow BJP to entre Kashmir and destroy the real status of Kashmir”, he said.

He added that National conference care about the feeling of people and always tries its best to solve all the issue of Kashmir Lone added. (PTK)

Says ‘militants failed to vitiate atmosphere, Pak frustrated after successful conduct of Panchayat polls’

Srinagar, Jan 12: Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Satya Pal Malik on Saturday said that atmosphere in Kashmir is peaceful, saying that the militants have failed to vitiate peaceful environment in the Valley.
As per Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, talking to reporters in Jammu, Governor Malik said that Pakistan is frustrated after the peaceful conduct of Panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir. “The militants were asked by their chief to vitiate the peaceful environment in the Valley but they failed to do so as the forces with the help of people, who are supporting us, foiled their plans,” he said.
About the killing of Army men including a major on LOC, the Governor called it as ‘frustration of Pakistan’, saying that the forces are giving them (Pakistan forces) a befitting reply on border and the infiltrators are not being allowed to cross the border, adding these attacks are the outcome of successful conduct of Panchayat polls that indicates the ‘frustration’ of Pakistan.
About Shah Faesal’s resignation from country’s elite service and his plans to join politics, Malik wished Faesal well for his future course of action but said “it could have been better in case he could have sustained to serve the people being an IAS.”
“I don’t know what he has done in IAS and what he is going to do in politics but I would like to wish him a well,” he added.
Governor Malik also said that his administration is concerned over the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley. (KNS)

Srinagar, January 12: Gunfight erupted in Katapora area of Yaripora in South Kashmir’s Kulgam between militants and goverment forces.

Reports coming from Katapora says that a joint team of army and SOG kulgam launched cordon and search operation.

As the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot the hiding militants fired upon goverment forces triggering an encounter.

A senior Police officer also Confirmed about exchange of firing between militants and goverment forces.

As per sources two to three militants are believed trapped.

Till this report was filed intermittent firing was going on.

ISLAMABAD: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president and member Parliament Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said the party wouldn’t support ‘Operation All-out’ launched against the militants if his party is elected to power with a majority in the upcoming assembly elections.

While talking to the reporters at south Kashmir’s Islamabad town, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said that talking to Pakistan was imperative.“ I request Rajnath Singh to send an invitation to Hurriyat before elections and it is very important to talk to Pakistan,” Dr Farooq said.

“How can we support something where there is suppression? We do not want our people to be beaten at their homes. We are not going to support any violation of human rights, we live in a free country,” he said.

He said that there should be a reconciliation commission to probe the killings of 2016, “we will announce on the very (first) day when the new government takes over that we will appoint such a commission (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) and see to it that the results are brought before the people not only in Jammu and Kashmir but in rest of the world,” he said.

Within less than six years influential officer raised to grade pay equivalent to IAS officer at behest of Director

Shocking it may sound but it is true that Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneur Development Institute (JKEDI) has apparently created a safe haven for accommodating and adjusting blue eyed candidates at the behest of incumbent Director.

In a glaring example, an influential officer, who had experience of casual labour was appointed to the post with grade pay equivalent to junior scale KAS officer. “A lady officer, who was appointed as Jr. Stenographer on contract for a period of two years vide order No. EDI-83 of 2007 dated 11.9.2007 and her services were regularized vide order No. EDI-141 of 2009 dated 19.9.2009,” said sources, adding that later on the Institute advertised post of Executive Assistant to Director on Stop Gap Arrangement. The eligibility for the post was Graduate with a speed of 70 words per minute in Shorthand and work experience of five years.

Sources maintained that the lady officer was earlier working as Casual Labour on Need Basis in Water Works Division Srinagar. Her experience as Casual Labour on need basis was considered fraudulently by the Director for the post of Executive Assistant, which is equivalent to the post of Junior Scale KAS Officer.

“Later on in the month of March, 2013 she was adjusted as Executive Secretary to the Director in the 4thpay scale of Rs.15600-39100 with GP of Rs.6600/- without any order and procedure,” alleged sources, adding that by this type of fraud by the Director, she gained the experience of five years and was promoted as Sr. Manager in the pay scale of Rs.15600-39100 with GP of Rs.7600/- which is equivalent to the Grade of Sr Scale IAS officer.

Moreover, sources said that there were six posts of Training Associates available in the Institute. Dheeraj Handoo, Irshad Kar, Sabia Manzoor, Akhter Bashir and Ishfaq Ahmad Dar were appointed against five post and one post was kept deliberately vacant.

“Sixth post of Training Associate was advertised and Vijay Kumar was appointed and as per the minutes, sister of influential lady officer was appointed under waiting list as the seventh candidate against the sanctioned strength of six posts which is totally a fraud and damage to the state exchequer,” said sources, adding that all these malpractices were held at the behest of incumbent director-JKEDI that too violating the very mandate of the institute.

This Story First Appeared In The Typewriter

Srinagar, Jan 12: Widespread snowfall started across the Kashmir Valley on Saturday as the weather office said there would be an improvement in the weather from Sunday.
An official of the MET department said the minimum temperatures improved across Jammu and Kashmir because of the night-long cloud cover bringing in some respite from the severe cold wave.
Srinagar recorded minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam minus 0.9 and Gulmarg minus 2.4 as the minimum temperatures on Saturday.
Leh town recorded minus 11.9 degrees Celsius, Kargil minus 16.8 and Drass minus 10.3 as the night’s lowest temperatures.
Jammu city recorded 8.5 degrees Celsius, Katra 6.6, Batote 1.8, Bannihal 0.7 and Bhaderwah 0.6 as the minimum temperatures. (KNS)

‘Kashmiri youth has not much to do in evening’

Jammu: Governor Satya Pal Malik Friday said the administration was ready for assembly elections in the state and a call in this direction should be taken by the Election Commission of India and New Delhi.
“Whenever, they (ECI) tell us, we are ready for the polls to Assembly,” Malik told reporters here after the oath-taking ceremony of sarpanch of Jammu region.
On IAS officer Shah Faesal’s resignation, he said he himself was a government employee and did not wish to comment on the matter.
The ECI had in November last said fresh elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be held within the next six months, even as the body did not rule out the possibility of holding the state polls before the Lok Sabha polls due this year.
“The Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls must be held on the first occasion before May. It could be held before the parliamentary elections also,” Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat had said.
He said as per the Supreme Court, the outer limit for holding fresh polls after the dissolution of the House was six months, that is May, 2019.
It may be recalled that the Government of India (GoI) on December 28 told the Lok Sabha that Jammu and Kashmir Governor had no option but to recommend President’s Rule in the state as no party or alliance staked claim to form the government.
Malik further said the Kashmiri youth has not much to do in the evening as he asked authorities to build a playground in every village of the state.
He said sports helps in overall development.
“The youth has nothing to do after 6 pm even in Srinagar city. They do not have a cinema hall, cafes or a place to go out for entertainment,” Malilk said while addressing sarpanches here.
The Governor said that he has instructed its deputy commissioners to ensure carving out of playgrounds in every village.
He also announced to set up two international stadiums in Jammu and Srinagar.
Talking about the active participation of the youth of the state in sports, he said Real Kashmir, a football team of Kashmir, recently defeated Mohun Bagan football club and the match was watched by 27,000 people.
On the recently held local bodies elections, he said despite receiving threat calls, the state managed to conduct peaceful polls. PTI

Srinagar: Shah Faesal who recently resigned from the Civil Services Friday said that Hurriyat can’t provide him a chance to express himself as they don’t believe in electoral politics. He said that youth have lost interest in politics due to kind of politics that is being conducted in Kashmir.

Addressing a jam packed press conference here in Kashmir capital Srinagar, Shah Faisal said that he must thank all the well wishers who has supported me in this amazing journey.

“This service has given me an opportunity to understand the problems of the state and serve the people at gross root level.”

“In last few years there have been some circumstances within the state and rest of the country which made me realize that there is time to speak up. By today’s resignation I am putting across a small act of defiance to remind the central government of its responsibilities towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” “I am resigning in protest against the lack of political initiative to assuage the hurt feelings of people of Kashmir. Lack of a credible political initiative from Central Government and denial of justice to the people of Kashmir has resulted in the massive escalation of violence in the Valley due to which lot of lives have been lost in recent years. I wish to remind to Central Government that it is important that the right to life of the Kashmiri youth be respected. At the same time, if we look at the recent years we have seen serious attacks on the special identity of Jammu and Kashmir.”

“The constitutional arrangement which exists between state of Jammu and Kashmir and Union of India and the articles like 370 and 35A have been constantly invoked for electoral gains in India.”

“One more important source of my rejection with the present government is the failure of the government to facilitate the homecoming of Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir Valley.”

Shah Faesal according to news agency CNS said that: “Kashmiri Pandits are an important element of our diverse culture and unless you create a situation and circumstance favourable to their return in Valley, they will not be able to come back. It has also failed to bring peace in border regions of the state including RS Pora, Rajouri and other areas where loss of life is a regular feature.”

“Outside the state we have seen that there are constant attempts to undermine the regional integrity of the state. And an attempt is being made to pit one region with the another- Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley which are equal in character and any attempt to play one region against another needs to be resisted.”

“When it comes to factors outside the state the rise of lynch mob nationalism has led to extreme marginalization of the of both ideological and religious minorities of the country. It has become a source of extreme rejection for me.”

“I also wish to express that curbs are being placed on the free speech of individuals in the country. A culture of hate and intolerance are being used to win elections in India. The credibility of important institutions like NIA, RBI and CBI are being undermines and these have the potential to deface the edifice of the constitution of India. Today when I spoke up, I am feeling extremely relieved. I wish to make an appeal to the people of India that they need to come to the rescue of the people of Kashmir. It’s time we work together and counter hateful communal elements to ensure tolerance and peace. I will be expecting the support from people across the country.”

“I will go to people and its time to reimagine the politics of Jammu and Kashmir. Its time that we destruct the politics of Jammu and Kashmir the way it has been happening.”

When asked why he can’t be like Imran Khan of Pakistan and launch his own party, Shah Faesal said that he is deeply inspired from Imran Khan and Kejriwal. “We know that we are operating in a conflict zone and it’s not very easy for us to work in that space that has lost legitimacy in last few years. I wish if the youngsters of the state will give me that kind of opportunity I will be very happy to do a retake of Imran Khan and Kejriwal in the state.”

In response to a question, Shah Faesal thanked Engineer Rasheed for inviting him. He said that he will meet the youth and arrive at a consensus before taking any decision to join any party.

Shah Faesal said that: “mainstream politics should be re-imagines and we need to tell the truth to the people. As of now, I don’t have any plans to join any existing political party. As of now I am planning to go to the field and listen to youngsters, people and stake holders and then only will take decision.”

“In response to a question, Shah Faesal said that he will be very happy to contest upcoming elections and in fact I believe that parliament and legislative space is an important space. We need well meaning and right people in politics. Its just that in recent years due to de-legitimization of electoral process, because the way it has been conducted, we have lost the trust and our youth are not attracted towards it. I think we need to change that attitude.”

When asked whether he will like to fight elections as Independent candidate, Shah Faisal said that he will take the decision only after talking to people.

“Over the launch of his own party, Shah Faisal said that his only worry at this stage is that there is lot of trust deficit among youngsters. The moment you start a party, people say that this is a party sponsored by the Agencies. The moment you go Independent, people say he is an Agency person. The moment you join the existing political party people have problems in that as well. Unless there is a consensus I won’t take any decision. From tomorrow I am going to meet people and try to understand them.”

“When asked why he doesn’t join Hurriyat Conference, Shah Faesal said: “I am a man from the system and I have an experience and specialization in the Governance. I am not essentially trained in politics, so I will be happy to do something in an Institution where I can use my skills as an administrator. I wish I could do that elsewhere as well but because Hurriyat doesn’t give me that kind of opportunity very rightly because they don’t believe in electoral politics. We have to accept the difference of opinion. So I think, at this moment, maybe I may not be able to do that.”

Shah Faesal said that different narratives are being fed to the people of India about Kashmir. “People of India are being fed with narratives that youth in Kashmir are jobless, they are drug addicts and have suicidal tendencies. My narrative is that there are sentiments in Kashmir. We have to propagate this narrative which is absolute truth.”

Shah Faesal said that he will do a different kind of politics. “In Harvard, I witnessed how great people with lucrative jobs have resigned and brought change in the society. Harvard taught me it is very easy to leave the jobs and give sacrifices.” (CNS)