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  • CONGRESS OPENS coalition doors for PDP

    Excerpts of the interview with the state Congress chief Saif-ud-din Soz by M.Aslam

    Q: How much is the state Congress prepared for the assembly elections?

    We are prepared. We always were prepared. The Congress is the party that upholds the democratic principles and its utmost priority has always been to strengthen the democratic in- stitutions. We always have strived for the peoples’ government. On ground also, people want the elected govern- ment to resolve their issues and Con- gress will remain in the fore front al- ways to mitigate peoples’ sufferings.

    Q: Reports on ground suggest that the promises the Congress made to the people in 2008 weren’t fulfilled. How would you respond?

    There is no doubt in the fact that the coalition government didn’t deliver what was expected from it. Congress strived and struggled every day for the timely resolution of the peoples’ issues. People of the state know that Congress raised concern while being in the government over strengthen- ing of the Panchayat institutions in the state, the incorporation of the 73rd amendment in the Panchayat Raj act. We raised voice for the border areas of the state and wanted the people living along the border areas be provided the viable shelters. We raised the issue of refugees and OBCs. People of the state know better that the Congress never compromised over the promises it made to them during 2008 elections.

    Q: Then you mean to say that National Confer ence acted as the hurdle in your way to fulfill your obligations vis-à-vis people?

    Indeed it is true. Coalition was a compulsion.

    Q: But the chief minister Omar Abdullah said Congress didn’t allow him to settle?

    Congress has a documental proofing national conference. about everything. NC always played  the delay tactics which led to the col-  lapse of the whole system. NC minister always passed the buck to each  other. Whenever we raised any issue  in the coordination committee meet,  NC ministers used to have the excuse  that they must ask Omar whether  to take that decision or not. But yes,  thank God that people of Jammu and  Kashmir are well aware that Congress  always stood by them. It strived for  the rights of the people and they understand us

    Q: As a state Congress chief, how do you see the I can only tell you that no govern- post poll scenario?

    Congress is the strong party in the state. It has strong foothold on all the regions of the Jammu and Kashmir. I am saying this with certainty that Congress will be the single largest party in the state after elections

    Q: And where do you see NC?

    As far as our reports are concerned, people are disgruntled with the na- tional conference. Also I cannot presume things. People are mature and all the parties will have to face the people of Jammu and Kashmir including national conference.

    Q: But NC claims to have taken the remarkable measures including the creation of new administrative units, enhancement of retirement age and other issues?

    How that would have been possible without Congress. Until and unless we supported the national conference, the measures would never have been taken. Congress strived for such issues and people know it.

    Q: What role you predict of Congress after the elections?

    I can only tell you that no government can be formed in the state with- out the support of Congress. Our sup- port has become inevitable for the formation of the government in Jam- mu and Kashmir.

    Q: Are you in contact with the PDP leadership as the reports suggest that meetings between PDP and Congress have been held in the past?

    I have no contact with the PDP leadership. We are all concentrating on the elections and what Congress wants is its own majority in the state. The issue of whether to forge any alliance with any party or not would be decided later.

     

  • Wasn’t acceptable in separatist camp: Sajad Lone

    ‘I never swore on Quran over not contesting elections’

    ‘Kashmir a dispute, separatists must be taken on board’

    Srinagar: Days after meeting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Peoples’ Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone said he was not an ‘acceptable entity’ in Kashmir’s  separatist camp and everything wrong taking place within the camp was attributed to him.

    In an exclusive interview with Kashmir Magazine (KNS sister concern), Sajad said that now when he has left the pro-freedom politics, the separatists can take the right decisions at a right time for themselves. “I can only tell you that I wasn’t an acceptable entity within the pro-freedom camp. There was a total mismatch in terms of ideas. Now that I have left, they (separatists) are themselves the best judges to decide about the course of action they want to take,” Sajad said when asked about the differences he had with the pro-freedom camp six years earlier.

    Over the reports of him being the next chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Sajad said: “I am fully aware about my humble position in Kashmir politics. I don’t want to overestimate my position; neither do I want to underestimate it. My whole concept of being in politics is to be able to contribute to change in the most constructive form. I see electoral politics as a way of making J&K an economically viable entity, not dependent on doles. I would want to give a decade or so to politics and have the moral courage to groom a second line of leadership to take over. I would not want to remain glued to politics for the rest of my life. so let us see what chance we get to serve as. May be as an assembly member or a minister and if chance arises, may be as the head of the state. As I said I know my humble position and I have the patience to wait. I am in no hurry. But yes– being in power gives you a much bigger chance to bring change in the political and governance systems.”

    Castigating media for attributing wrong statements to him, Sajad said that he never put his hand on Quran and said he will never contest elections and that if the recordings are provided to him, he will not contest the elections. “I said at that time that I put my hand on Quran that I have nothing to do with the elections that were taking place at that time and neither did I put up any candidate in 2008 elections. If anyone brings me the recording that I have said I will never contest elections, I will do the same.”

    Over Jammu and Kashmir’s unique identity and Article 370, Sajad stated that he would not only strive to protect it but would strive to restore its lost glory. “Achievable Nationhood inspires me politically. Article 370 is a pale shadow of what it used to be and has been eroded by successive regimes. It was eroded by Congress while partnering sometimes with National Conference and sometimes with the erstwhile state Congress leaders who now heads a regional entity. As far as I am concerned, I look at augmentation, enriching its content and economic powers. We are for enhancement in sync with today’s realities. I look at enhancing Article 370. I want to make 370 richer, more intense,” Sajad said, adding that he promises to the people of Kashmir that if he is elected with good numbers, he will be the biggest guarantor of Article 370 and that PDP and NC are linked with the erosion of Article 370.

    My past is not linked to erosion of Article 370 or fake encounters or invoking of PSA, Sajad, son of a former separatist leader told Kashmir News Service while taking dig at National Conference and PDP, saying that both the parties are the experts of double speak. “Both of them follow a typical pattern. One statement in Kashmir publicly and a counter statement in Delhi privately. Take the case of my meeting with Prime Minister. Publicly they have said nothing adverse but their known sympathizers have launched a vicious campaign on the social media. Omar was the minister in BJP government and Mufti was the home minister backed by the BJP government. They have to answer questions. I have no questions to answer. I met the Prime Minister of India and have every right to meet him.  Why is this whole song and dance being enacted. I made the mistake of entering an arena which they feel is monopolized arena of the two families. But the writing on the wall is clear. Change is clearly visible.”

    Over the question that why he chose the mainstream line when his father was a known separatist leader, Sajad said he is proud of his father and that his soul would be proud of his son. “He was Abdul Gani Lone and I am Sajad Lone. He was a different generation and I am a different generation. My father was the most liberal father. He never issued diktats to his children.”

    Stating that he would not mind if his son tomorrow joins the separatist camp, Sajad said he would advice his son certainly not to pelt stones. “I will also tell children of other people not to pelt stones. I am not one of those persons who would be happy in watching the neighbor’s son pelt stones and reprimand their own children for doing the same.”

    Over the role of separatists in Kashmir politics in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, Sajad remarked that both India and Pakistan must come forward to talk to the parties associated with Kashmir. “It is for us to convince Delhi on the need to talk to separatists. I can tell you with certainty that biggest enemies of separatists are PDP and NC. Publicly they say that New Delhi should talk to separatists and in Delhi they tell the government privately that separatists are non entities. NC and PDP see separatist camp as a threat. I don’t see it that way. I believe that talks should be held with them. BJP government has initiated talks with the separatists in the past. Everyone remembers that tenure of Vajpayee and how he initiated talks which were not unfortunately carried forward by the Congress government in the same spirit.”

    Over the cancellation of the foreign secretary level talks in the past, Sajad said that one must not get excited by the ups and downs of diplomacy. “Diplomacy is all together a different world. There are ups and downs and there are movements of togetherness and movements of bitterness. ”

    Sajad while commenting upon the resolution of Kashmir issue told KNS, “My whole idea is that economics has made geography irrelevant. Role of economics in solution is greater than change in geography. You need to accelerate the economic activity rather than be focused or obsessed with redrawing the geographical borders. My stand is that role of economics is far greater than any other factor in resolving the conflict.”

    Affirming that there would be a big political change in Jammu and Kashmir after 2014 elections, Sajad said that after around 40 to 50 years, the state would for the first time get rid of the dynastic rule of NC and PDP. “Hopefully we will have a NC-less, PDP-less government.” (KNS)

     

  • Manzoor Wangnoo bereaved

    Srinagar: Mother of prominent businessman and social worker Manzoor Ahmed Wangnoo passed away Wednesday afternoon after a brief illness at SKIMS Soura. The mourning is being held at Wangoo family’s Lal Bazar residence near Darul Uloom Bilaliya. People from various walks of life including ministers, bureaucrats, politicians, religious scholars and those from business fraternity including tourism have condoled the demise. Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation have also condoled the demise.

  • Modi cancels Kashmir visit

    Srinagar: Prime Minister NarendraModi has cancelled his proposed visit to Kashmir on November 21 and will now address an election rally in Kishtwar on November 22
    “His (Modi’s) Kashmir rally has been postponed,” a top BJP leader told Greater Kashmir over phone from New Delhi.
    He said the BJP’s star campaigners and Prime Minister NarendraModi will address at least four election rallies in Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and other areas. “Modi will address first election rally in Kishtwar district of Jammu region on November 22 and this will be the beginning,” he said.
    He said the Prime Minister will address the rally to woo voters of phase-one in which six Assembly segments including Ramban, Banihal, Doda, Bhaderwah, Inderwal and Kishtwar are going to the polls on November 25.
    He said Kishtwar rally will be followed by Modi’s another rally in Udhampur on November 30.
    The BJP leader said on November 20, the party president, Amit Shah will chair a “crucial” meeting of the party in Jammu. “Besides discussion on arrangements for PM’s Kishtwar rally, preparations for elections would be thoroughly discussed,” he said, adding, “Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to attend PM’s rally in Kishtwar.”
    BJP spokesman Khalid Jehangir admitted that Modi will arrive in Kishtwar on November 22. “We have been told that PM will address the rally. I don’t know who else will be with him,” he told Greater Kashmir.
    Pertinently, in 2008 assembly elections, the BJP got only 11 seats in J&K. During this year’s LokSabha elections, the BJP won 3 seats—Ladakh, Jammu and Udhampur.

     

  • “Joining BJP is an act of jihad for me”

    Calling National Conference (NC) led government as a “den of dacoits” and the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, as a “party of brokers,” Dr Hina Bhat, daughter of former NC leader, Muhammad Shafi Bhat, who is contesting from Amira Kadal constituency on a BJP ticket, in a freewheeling interview with Authint Mail, says joining BJP is an act of ‘jihad’ for her.

    BY NAZIR GANAIE (Authintmail)

    AM) Why did you join politics?

    HB) After being closely associated with the National Conference and seeing the way they have been doing things for people, nothing really could attract me. Same was the case with Congress and PDP. Since BJP formed government at the centre, they have done what they promised. They want to handle Kashmir issue with Kashmiriyat and in a democratic way. Everybody is working very strongly for BJP and so am I. I believe the flags of BJP will rise in Kashmir soon. We are trying to build up the party in other regions too. When I am with BJP, it means I have devoted myself to strengthen the party.

    AM) For a good number of Kashmiris, BJP is synonymous with ‘anti -Muslim riots’, ‘massacres’ and ‘mayhem’. Did you ever consider that before joining the party?

    HB) There is no party in Kashmir that is owned by people. At least BJP has won through a majority vote in centre and I know they have respect for women with determination and confidence. I knew joining the party was going to be a very tough decision, keeping the Kashmir context in mind, but it is the job of any leader to convince his people through good governance and development.

    AM) Do you face any tough words from people, being a BJP leader, or land in situations where you have to justify your association with the party?

    HB) Yes, sometimes, but I have my own way to convince them. That’s the reason I believe joining BJP from Kashmir is a jihad for me.

    AM) Can you elaborate what kind of ‘jihad’ is this?

    HB) See, I have joined politics to clean the system. I am a Kashmiri first, then a Muslim first and then a BJP leader. We know what our state has been going though from last three decades. The corruption has gone up. There is no governance, no development and minimal prosperity. Innocent people are being killed for no sin or crime of theirs. Working in this system, giving people their share of benefits, to become their voice here, and in New Delhi, that is jihad for me.

    AM) India’s prime minister Narendra Modi has a tainted past. Would he be able to woo voters in Kashmir valley?

    HB) Look, I think he is charming and a versatile prime minister. He touches a chord with people. We have seen how people voted for BJP in the recent Maharashtra and Haryana assembly polls. In Kashmir also, things are going to change. Achay din zaroor aayen gay (Good days will surely come).

    AM) BJP’s is on Mission 44 plus to form its own government in J&K. How is your party trying to achieve this uphill task?

    HB) No task is worth achieving unless and until there is hard work and commitment involved in it. With all this hard work, struggle and determination, people will see the change ahead. There is a speculation that there is BJP wave in Jammu and PDP wave in Kashmir. I must tell you that there is no PDP wave. Earlier, people in Kashmir had only two options, but now people will vote for us. I am sure about it. There is no comparison between BJP and PDP. I think there is only BJP wave across Jammu and Kashmir.

    AM) The abrogation of Article 370 is high on the agenda of BJP? Your comments?

    HB) Unfortunately, some political parties are misleading the people that BJP is after Article 370. Show me on record where anyone from BJP has said they will dissolve Article 370. It was only Dr Jitendra (MoS PMO) who gave his point of view, not the verdict. I am going to say goodbye to BJP if the party abrogates Article 370. I will pick up the gun against people who think of abrogating it.

    No matter how powerful and how absolute majority the BJP government enjoys at the centre, it can’t abrogate Article 370. The only way they can abrogate Article 370 is by dissolving the present J&K assembly and create a new constituent assembly, as it existed in 1951, which is not possible.

    AM) So you mean to say that BJP is not for abrogating Article 370?

    HB) Yes. And if it still does, I told you my views. More than anything else, Kashmir is dear to me, but as far as I know, BJP has a focus on restoring the lost Kashmiriyat.

    AM) You talka lot about ‘Kashmiriyat‘. What does it means to you?

    HB) (Laughs) Kashmiriyat to me means when our Kashmir inhales a pollution free air, an air clean of all the turbulences, when Kashmir will have its autonomy, its own prime minister and a special status.

    AM) Do you believe, with these views, you can sustain in BJP for long?

    HB) Of course. Why not? When I first met Modi ji and his team, I shared same views there also. I believe when you are sincere, it takes no time to achieve your goals.

    AM) Did you get any offer from any other political party from Kashmir?

    HB) Congress approached me and then National Conference also approached me. One of its sitting MLAs came with an offer, but after many deliberations with my father, I chose not to join it. They had been promising a lot to me, but delivering nothing.

    AM) What are your views and BJP’s views about Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)?

    HB) My views are crystal clear that BJP will not remove AFSPA till things get normal here. Everyday, something happens. Militant activity is so much here that they cannot lift it.

    AM) There is a strong voice of chief minister Omar Abdullah and also by people of Kashmir that the draconian law should be revoked? Your take!

    HB) Well, this isn’t something in my hand. There is a consensus that if the Army leaves, it will not take Pakistan even half an hour to occupy us. It will not take 10 minutes for China to occupy us. This force is Indian. You do not have threat from India, but you definitely have one from Pakistan.

    AM) How are you going to fare in this election?

    HB) I will win.

    AM) What preparations have you made in run up to your debut election?

    HB) I am not a new entrant to politics. My father has been a great inspiration and mentor for me. I believe things will improve and Kashmir will witness a change soon. I have seen the number of orphanages growing, and the plight of women and their suffering increasing. I want to change that. I want to bring happiness to their lives.

    AM) How will you do that?

    HB) (Laughs) I will work with utmost dedication.

    AM) How much work needs to be done in your constituency?

    HB) Not even five percent work has been taken up. The sitting MLA has been a complete failure. It feels I am walking through a village, a far-flung village. In Natipora village, I saw one house. I saw it completely covered with wires and rubber sheets. This is a shame on Omar and his cabinet.

    AM) How would you rate Omar Abdullah as a chief minister?

    HB) There are only dacoits and incompetent people in his cabinet. He has been a complete failure

    AM) Do you see any hope in PDP’s president Mehbooba Mufti?

    HB) Honestly speaking, she has lost it. During floods, I was expecting a lot from her, but she was nowhere. PDP is worse than NC.

     

  • Boy has sex with sheep to get rid of exam stress

    New Delhi: A 23-year-old student who “had sex with a sheep” told police that he was stressed out about a midterm story, it has been reported.

    He is alleged to have been found having sex with a sheep by a fellow Fresno State University student who heard bizarre noises coming from a barn on campus.

    The student was arrested and charged with sexual assault of an animal. He told police that he was stressed about an upcoming exam and had been drinking, the metro.co.uk reported.

    “It’s just kind of disgusting and revolting and personally makes me angry. I mean, why would you do that? “the report quoted Marisa Burkdoll, a student who works with animals on campus, as saying.

    “It’s just kind of sick. It’s unnatural and the animals they can’t really, I mean they can’t defend themselves. They can to an extent but they’re innocent, you know what I mean?” she added.

    The sheep, one of many used for breeding at the school, is being treated by vets.

  • Yasin Malik Admitted in SKIMS Soura

    Srinagar: Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman, detained in district jail Islamabad was on Tuesday admitted in SKIMS Soura for medical checkup.

    A JKLF statement said that incarcerated Malik has been admitted in SKIMS for some medical checkups. “Doctors there diagnosed him of having developed several stones in both of his kidneys,” the statement said.

    Earlier, doctors at district hospital Islamabad advised authorities to shift Malik to Srinagar hospital for some important tests, the statement added.

    “Malik is now in ICU and nobody is allowed to meet him in the said ward on the orders of authorities,” JKLF statement said.

    Meanwhile JKLF vice chairman Showkat Ahmad Bakshi has expressed concern over the deterioration of Malik’s heath and said that refusing a meeting with ailing leader is highly condemnable and speaks volumes about the anti democratic and inhuman attitude of rulers.

    Malik along with many other separatist leaders was arrested ten days earlier and was shifted to district jail Islamabad.

     

  • Mushaal urges UN, world to pressurize India for provision of RSD to Kashmiris

    ISLAMABAD (NNI): Chairperson Peace & Culture Organization Mushaal Hussein Mullick has strongly condemned the bigot statement about Kashmir Conflict made by the Indian diplomat Mianicjoshi at United Nations, declaring it another bamboozle act from India.
    In a press release Mushaal Hussein Mullick pointed out that when United Nations has declared Kashmir as a disputed territory, the behavior of the Indian diplomat was completely undemocratic, undiplomatic, unethical, unlawful and irresponsible. Mushaal said that India has left no stone unturned through nefarious designs to suppress the Kashmiris’ legitimate right to self-determination but has failed to break the will of the Kashmiri people. The presence of such a large number of Indian troops certainly incites unnecessary incidents of violence which further aggravates the populace, serves as an explanation for warlike situations, violation of ceasefire line, draconian laws, disappeared persons, half widows, half mothers, rape victims, economic blockades, lockdowns and curfews that last for weeks and weeks. She expressed utter disappointment and shock over the contradictory behavior of the Indian Diplomat at the UN Assembly where a war of words was exchanged with his Pakistani counterpart Diyar Khan over Kashmir Conflict.
    “India has been putting a blanket ban on religious processions during the month of Muharram since 1989,the argument put forward by the world’s largest democracy which claims, has the capacity to accommodate cultural, religious, linguistic, ethnic and other diversities is security risk in the name of Religion. Quiet clearly it is an absolute brazen violation of international law, freedom of religious practices and right to worship.” Mushaal Hussein Mullick stressed that if India has respect for Democracy, why is it not allowing Kashmiri people to cast their votes to decide their future according to the Security Council resolutions of United Nations.
    The Kashmir dispute is one of the oldest issues on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council. The United Nations has passed resolutions that have given the people of Jammu & Kashmir the right to decide their future. She added that If Kashmir is not a Dispute, why has India deployed 700,000 troops in Indian Occupied Kashmir, why the troops from the two sides are sitting eye-ball to eye-ball on Line of Control (LoC).

  • ‘When I close my eyes, I see Faisal’s body on the steering wheel of the car’

    Basim Ahmad Bhat, a 14-year-old Class IX student, was in a car with his four friends when they were fired upon by armymen on Monday evening in Chattergam on the outskirts of Srinagar city. Two of his friends died, two are in hospital. Basim survived unhurt to tell this story:

    It was a cloudy afternoon. I was waiting on the highway in Nowgam for some of my friends from school. Suddenly, a white Maruti car stopped in front me. Faisal (Burhan) was in the driver’s seat, there were three other friends. Faisal asked me to go with them to Suthoo, a village some 3 km from my house, to watch the Muharram processions.
    Shakir was sitting in the front but got out to let me take his place and moved to the back seat with Meraj and Zahid.
    It was a smooth drive to Suthoo. But when we reached there, we realised that one procession had already left and the other had not yet started. It was turning dark so we decided to return. On the way back, we were joking, laughing at each other. The Bollywood song ‘Ek mulaqat zaruri hai sanam’ was playing in the background.
    We reached Chattergam, just outside Srinagar city. The light was getting dim and the paddy fields to our left were fading in the fog. Meraj told Faisal, “We will go to Pahalgam after a few days. I will treat you to a big bash there.”
    Suddenly, I felt a little shake. Faisal had tried to overtake a ‘tipper lorry’ and our car had brushed against it. The driver of the lorry yelled at us. Faisal accelerated to get past him. It was then that some soldiers standing on the roadside whistled loudly – perhaps asking us to stop.
    Faisal didn’t see them, but we alerted him. “I will stop on the edge of the road,” he said and applied the brakes.
    There was no checkpoint on the road, no barricades. Just soldiers. There was no army vehicle either – or at least I failed to notice any.
    But before our car could come to a halt, I heard a gunshot. I looked at Faisal, I saw blood dripping from his arm. He lost control of the car which hit an electricity pole.
    Then I heard a series of gunshots from two sides. “Hatai Mouji (Oh my mother),” Faisal screamed, his head on the steering. “Hato Khudaya (Oh my God),” shouted somebody from behind. I looked back – Meraj, Zahid and Shakir were motionless.
    There was total silence inside the car but the guns were still roaring outside.
    I tried to open the car’s door but failed. I then rolled down the window and crawled out.
    I was lucky. The paddy fields on my left were slightly lower than the road surface. I rolled over for a few metres. The bullets whizzed past me – the soldiers had seen me and were firing. But the fog
    helped me escape. I ran for a few hundred metres, jumped over a compound wall and found myself inside a house. Those inside were surprised but I quickly told them about the incident. They gave me a glass of water and a Rs 10 note, saying it was for the bus fare to reach home. It was dark when I entered my house. Everyone was weeping – they had already been informed about my death. They saw me, hugged me but continued to cry. I pacified them. I wanted to go to the houses of Faisal, Meraj, Zahid and Shakir to inform them about what had really happened. But I couldn’t gather the courage to do so – the entire neighbourhood was already out wailing and crying. I now know that my life will be never the same again – I have lost two of my friends and two are in hospital. It has been three days now but I haven’t slept even for a moment. When I close my eyes, I see Faisal’s body on the steering. I see Meraj, Zahid and Shakir. I see the blood splattered on the car. I tell myself it was was not a bad dream – how I wish it had been one.

    (As told to Basharat Masood) 

  • A dutiful son

    A man carries his mother on shoulders to a hospital during a curfew in Srinagar on Sunday. Restrictions were imposed in various parts of the city to prevent Muharram processions.