Kashmir.Watch

Blog

  • ‘Govt frustration’ outcome of ‘successful’ election boycott: Shah

    Srinagar: Terming the frustration of government in Baramulla, Handwara and Sopore of north Kashmir and central and south Kashmir areas as the natural outcome of successful election boycott by the people, senior incarcerated Hurriyat Conference leader Shabir Ahmad Shah said it has always been the endeavor of imperialistic powers to persuade people to acknowledge the slavery as their way of life. “But Kashmiris gave them (India) a befitting reply by completely boycotting the elections,” he said.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, “The people of Kashmir irrespective of religion, caste or creed are fully determined to achieve the right of self determination and the whole nation is struggling against the Indian forcible occupation,” Shah said.

    He said it is the conspiracy of government to divide people on the lines of religion, geography and sect but the people of Kashmir will not let government succeed in its ill designs and will continue their struggle till the issue is resolved as per their wishes and aspirations.

    Terming the government’s justification of using force and arresting pro-Hurriyat people and youth under the pretext that pro-freedom leadership has links with militant leadership, Shabir Ahmad Shah said: “Can India deny that Mahatma Gandhi had links with Subash Chandra Bose.” Expressing grief over the incessant arrest of youth in Srinagar, Islamabad, Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Tral, Hajin, Baramulla, Handwara and Sopore, Shah said the youth are the future of their nation. “Hence, Kashmiri nation can’t alien themselves from their future in this regard,” he said.

  • Wamiq Farooq killing case Court issues non-bail able warrants against accused cops

    Srinagar: The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) has issued fresh non bail able warrants against two accused police personnel allegedly involved in Wamiq Farooq killing case of 2010.

    The Court has also asked SSP Srinagar to constitute special teams to execute these warrants. “…In order to ensure presence of both the accused persons, once again fresh non bail able warrants are issued against both the accused persons and SSP Srinagar is directed to constitute a special team, who would go to Talawara and execute warrants with assistance of principal of Talwara School, against accused number two and produce him in court and SSP Srinagar shall ascertain the particulars of accused where he is undergoing treatment out of state and depute special team there to execute warrants against accused number one also and produce him in court without fail.”

    The court has said that the failure of SSP Srinagar to get the warrants executed through SSP Srinagar would be viewed seriously and same may entail legal action also, as case is pending since long without any positive result and cannot be prolonged further merely to ensure presence of accused persons who are police officials well within control of police organisation.

    On April 16, the court had directed SSP Srinagar to initiate an inquiry against SHO Nowgam for his failure to execute warrants against two accused cops– ASI Abdul Khaliq Sofi and SPO Mohammad Akram. The court had also asked the Principal STC Talwara to explain his failure in non execution of warrant against one of the two accused cops reportedly undergoing training in the camp.

  • Congress Sarpanches rebut NC’s allegations

    Allege Shafi Uri worked against Shariq

    Srinagar: Around 20 Sarpanches owing allegiance to Congress today rebutted the charges of working against the coalition candidate from Baramulla parliamentary constituency for the recently concluded elections to Lok Sabha, Mr. Sharief ud Din Shariq as leveled by National Conference leader and former minister Mr. Muhammad Shafi Uri.

    In a statement issued to KNS, the Congress Sarpanches from Uri-Baramulla said that they have been working hard for making coalition successful but claimed that a majority of National Conference workers voted for People’s Democratic Party candidate Muzaffar Hussain Beigh. The Sarpanches accused Mr. Shafi of himself working against Shariq and said his son was conspicuous by his absence from a public meeting addressed by none other than the chief minister Omar Abdullah adding many NC workers were reported to be working as polling agents of PDP.

    On the charge of their meeting Mr. Baig, the Sarpanches said though they met Baig, had tea with him but told him categorically that they are bound by party directive to support Mr. Shariq. This they alleged was in contrast to a NC leader and former MLC from Uri who was openly telling his supporters to vote for Baig.

    The signatories to the statement hoped that despite the local NC workers working against their own party nominee, Mr. Shariq would get lead from Uri due to the votes polled in his favour by Congress workers and supporters.

    The signatories to the statement include Block President, Uri, Haji Assadullah Lone, Block President, Boniyar, Mr. Hamid ur Rehman, Sarpanch Manzoor Ahmad Naikoo from halqa Zehanpura, Sarpanch Rouf Khan from halqa Ijara, Sarpanch Irshad khan from halqa Pehlipora A and Sarpanch Farooq Ahmad from halqa Pehlipora B, Sarpanch Ghulam Qadir from halqa Limber B, Sarpanch Ghulam Muhammad Raja from halqa Bimyar, Sarpanch Ghulam Rasool from halqa Nowshehra A, Sarpanch Sheikh Nazir from, Sarpanch Rashid Sood from halqa Barnate, Sarpanch Shahid ahmad from halqa Trikanjan, Sarpanch Bashir Ahmad from halqa Boniyar, Sarpanch Gulab Din from halqa Zamboorpattan, Sarpanch Ahmad Khan from halqa Choola, Sarpanch Ishtyaq Ahmad from halqa Salamabad, Sarpanch Shabir Ahmad Mir from halqa Jabla, Sarpanch M. Arif from halqa Dachi, Sarpanch Nazir Khan from halqa Shadra, Sarpanch Ali Akbar Khan from halqa Nawarunda, Sarpanch Rashid Chichi from halqa Mayian and Sarpanch Maqbool Raja from halqa Mohura.

  • Mirwaiz condemns use of force against unarmed people

    Srinagar: Huriyat Conference (M) Chairman and Head of Awami Action Committee (AAC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Saturday convened a high level meeting of AAC members to finalize the arrangements of Hafta Shohda programme beginning from May 16  to remember the founder of AAC and noted political and social leader Shaheehd-e-Millat Mirwaiz Mohamamd Farooq on his 24 martyrdom anniversary, Shaheed-e- Hurriyat, Shohad-e-Hawal and martyrs of entire Kashmir.

    The members representing entire AAC Kashmir, central committee, Anjuman-e-Nusrat-ul-Islam, Anjuman-e- Auqaf Committee and AAC youth participated in the meeting. During the meeting, special committees were constituted to observe the Hafta Shohad-e-Programme with vigor. On the occasion Mirwaiz stated that AAC has remained on the fore front of freedom struggle and has always advocated the solution of Kashmir issue either by implementing UN resolutions or through tri partite talks keeping in view the emotions and aspirations of people.

    Asserting that Kashmiris have always exhibited communal harmony, Mirwaiz stated that Hurriyat was fighting for the rights and secure future of all people living in Kashmir. Mirwaiz said that he believes in giving representation to members of minority community in every sphere so that freedom struggle progresses forward taking along everybody.

    Condemning the use of forces against the unarmed civilians in Baramulla, Bandipora and Sopore, large scale arrests of youth and ransacking of houses by the government troops, Mirwaiz said that it reflects the frustration of government over the rejection of polls by the people of Kashmir.

    On the occasion, AAC members including GN Zaki, H.U Jeelani, Mohamamd Shafi Khan, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi, M.S Rehman Shamas, Peerzada GN Nabi including others paid glowing tributes to Shaheed-e-Millat, Hawal martyrs and martyrs of entire Kashmir during their respective addresses. The participants while addressing the gathering fumed over the double standards exhibited by the government during its public dealings. They said that resistance leaders are placed under house arrests and put in jails while pro-Indian parties are being provided every facility to conduct any rally and public functions.

    Meanwhile, while addressing a public gathering, organized by Azad Kashmir prime minister,  Chowdhry Abdul majid at Muzaffarabad, through telephone, Mirwaiz termed the solution of Kashmir as guarantor of peace in south Asia. He said that Kashmir was a an international dispute, adding, India’s repeated claims calling it as an integral part would not change its historical and political status. He said that UN has declared Kashmir as a dispute and by conducting farcical exercise of elections under the gaze of a half a million troops won’t change anything.

    Mirwaiz said that bilateral talks have proved to be futile efforts to solve the Kashmir issue. Welcoming the recent statement of government of Pakistan that it is ready to solve Kashmir issue with any government in India, Mirwaiz express his desire that whosoever government comes in India, it would shun the traditional politics and obduracy and would start a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan and Kashmiris to solve the Kashmir issue permanently.

  • Police Golf Nursery thrown open

    DGP deliberates on endeavours for golf promotion in Valley

    Sahai throws light on history of Golf Nursery

    Srinagar: For the promotion of Golf, Jammu and Kashmir Police has been sustaining and nurturing the Golfing talent of the Valley, which has helped production of skilled young golfers, besides development of self-discipline and sportsmanship among the golfers.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, Director General of Police (DGP), Ashok Prasad said this while throwing open the Lake View Environmental Golf Training Park at a function held at Police Golf Course here this evening.

    The Golf Nursery situated on the banks of  world famous Dal Lake, with nine holes will impart training to golfers of all age groups including school going children which is a step towards exploiting the talent of youth in golf sports.

    Prasad said that Jammu and Kashmir Police has been promoting sports by organizing various activities in the State, adding that establishment of Golf Nursery is also a part of the activity to sustain the  century old sports of the Valley. He said that JKP also did a lot for the Golf sport to stay alive during the times of turmoil. The Police Golf Course remained active and constantly groomed golfers paving the way for the survival of golf in the Valley. Our aim is to promote Golf as a game and ensure production of professional young golfers; he maintained and added that the Golf Nursery has also started an endeavour of providing class tutelage in golfing to school going children.

    The DGP said that Lake View Environmental Training Park constantly started churning golfers for their graduation from Kashmir Valley Golf Course and Royal Spring Golf Course. Golfers desirous to join Royal Spring Golf Course get admission only after having a basic course, which is imparted in the Golf Nursery also. More than 400 golfers trained by the Nursery since 2003 and have got membership in Royal Spring Golf Course, said the DGP.

    Calling upon the enthusiastic youth for availing the opportunity, Mr. Prasad said that they can earn a good name and fame in the field at national and international level.

    Earlier, in his welcome address, the Additional Director General of Police (Armed), S.M. Sahai, threw light on the history of Golf Nursery, saying that the nursery was established in the year 2002 and since its inception it has been producing ace golfers.

    The DGP honoured Mr. Fayaz Ahmed Lango, Golf Trainer for his life time contribution. Besides imparting golf training to DGP and ADGP (Armed) Mr. Lango has produced many ace golfers of international and national levels.

    Mr. Zubair Zargar and Master Sharik also shared their golf experience on the occasion.

    Among others, the function was attended by Special DGP, Mr. K Rajendra Kumar, ADGP (HQs) Mr. S P Vaid, IsGP, Mr. Arun Kumar, Mr. A G MIR, Mr. Alok Puri, Mr. Muneer Ahmad Khan, S J M Geelani and Mr. P Punchok, DIsGP, S Afdha Ul Mujtaba and Mr. M M Sadiq, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah, Retired Police Officers, prominent Golfers and large number of Students.

  • Release youth on Mother’s Day: IFJHR

    ‘Tough stance against youth will not bring peace in valley’

    Srinagar: In connection with the Mother’s Day, the International Forum for Justice and Human Rights -JK (IFJHR-JK) presses for the release of all youth who were arrested recently allegedly charged with stone pelting and trouble mongering.

    Chairman of the forum, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo in a statement has said that all the youth who were arrested during the recently concluded parliamentary elections should be released on humanitarian grounds as their parents are living in misery being at bay from their loved ones.

    “We appeal government to facilitate the early release of all the youth as a goodwill gesture in connection with the Mother’s Day,” Untoo said, adding, “Government’s tough stance in dealing with arrested youth will not, in any way, contribute to ensure peace in the valley.”

    Untoo said though there are not serious cases against these youth except the alleged stone pelting which can be patched up through “other options” as counseling.

    The forum also demands justice for the families whose kith and kin have been subjected to enforced disappearance. “We want government to take up the issue of enforced disappearance and redress the same as early as possible,” IFJHR-JK chairman added.

  • Shafi, Kamal are threat to coalition: Nizami

    “They should work for strengthening coalition rather than personal scors”

    Srinagar: Joint Secretary of State Congress, Salman Nizami today said that the two senior NC leaders Mustafa Kamal and Shafi Uri by giving irresponsible statements are a threat to the NC-Congress coalition. They by way of their irritational statements have created chaous and confusion among the coalition cadres. People in the coalition on ground are in a fix and in a state of shock by way of their childish statement. Shafi sahib and Kamal sahib must understand that they have to be role models for the workers who actually on ground risk their lives to sustain the coalition. They need to be magnanimous to rise above personal eye differences and see to it that coalition is strengthened. They should acknowledge and realize the fact that congress actively participated in the rallies and campaigned for coalition candidates, PCC President Prof. Saifudin Soz and Union Minister for Health G.N. Azad while actively involved in campaigning both saw to it that each and every congress worker votes for the coalition candidate. Lets take a vow on this day that such irresosposible statements from such senior leaders are not repeated in future. Nizami said that coalition is intact and all Lok Sabha parliamentary seats will be won by coalition which will be reply to the communal forces who are hell-bent in breaking the coalition.

  • Geelani threatens government with agitation after May 13

    Srinagar: The Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani has threatened government agitation ‘if raids, arrests and autocracies aren’t stopped till Tuesday’.

    In a statement issues to GNS, the octogenarian leader said: “the complete election boycott of the people of Kashmir have frustrated the rulers from New Delhi to the Srinagar and they are now subjecting the entire population to the political ‘vengeance’ by unlashing the reign of terror and atrocities upon the common people.”

    While threatening with agitation, Geelani said: “if the process of raids, arrests and autocracies are not stopped till 13th May, we will come up with a disciplined programme in public against these excesses and atrocities after 13th May.”

    Geelani said that no strike or shutdown will be observed anywhere in Jammu and Kashmir till 13 May and appealed the people especially youths to ‘show discipline and unity at this crucial juncture and follow the programme with letter and spirit’.

    “The arrest spree, raids and barbarism launched by the state administration have created panic among the general masses and they are spending sleepless nights. After the successful election boycott in Jammu and Kashmir, the authorities in New Delhi and their local employees have made plans to avenge the boycott practice of people by using autocratic and violent ways and to implement these plans, the police and Indian army have been given full authority to prosecute the common people particularly the younger generation,” the senior resistance leader said.

    He said that the youth and students are ‘severely tortured, abused, harassed and insulted in the police stations and jails and they are pushed to the wall’. “Under the so-called ‘national interest’, India with its secret agencies is busy in suppressing the peaceful political voice of Jammu and Kashmir by using state power, violence, and force and is committing atrocities,” he said, adding: “From minors to elders, everybody is arrested and detained in police stations and then they are tortured and abused by the civilized police officers and are pressurized to stay away from the freedom movement.”

    The Hurriyat chairman strongly condemned these acts of police and demanded the immediate release of the detained people, youth and students.

  • Gadkari’s rant half-baked, grossly ill-informed: Mattu

    ‘They are confused between State Subject Laws and Article 370’

    ‘NC will defend both State Subject Laws and Article 370′

    Srinagar: National Conference Spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu has said that BJP’s Nitin Gadkari’s rant against National Conference and the State of J&K was “half-baked and grossly ill-informed”.

    Stating that Nitin Gadkari and his boss Narendra Modi should brush up on their basics about the Constitutional Law of the land and the Constitution of India, Mattu said “BJP leaders have repeatedly exhibited their astronomical ignorance about the difference between State Subjects Laws and Article 370. This dangerous misrepresentation of facts and distortion of legality and reality is aimed at intimidating the people of Jammu and Kashmir and polarizing people within the State for political gains”, Mattu said.

    Junaid Mattu said that J&K’s State Subject Laws are different from Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. “J&K’s State Subject Laws have been there even before India’s independence and have nothing to do with Article 370. J&K is not the only place that has laws that bar outsiders to buy and own property within the particular State. The purpose of such laws is to protect the demographic character and profile of these States. We will not allow BJP to distort facts to intimidate the people of J&K”, Mattu said.

    Junaid Mattu added that Article 370 was the constitutional bridge between J&K and the rest of the country and BJP’s shocking display of deliberate ignorance about the Constitution of India was ridiculous. “Article 370 limits the power of the Parliament of India to legislate for J&K and is a result of a negotiated accession. BJP cannot so much so touch Article 370 without re-opening the accession debate. All noises that BJP is making on Article 370 are attempts at encouraging dangerous misinformation as part of an elaborate agenda of divisive politics”, Mattu said.

    Junaid Mattu lashed out at BJP for displaying the moral audacity to lecture Kashmiris about secularism and democracy. “Where was BJP’s high-morality on democracy in 2002 when its Chief Minister didn’t bother to accept moral responsibility for an unprecedented carnage that engulfed the State for three whole days?” Mattu asked. “Their sermons about dynastic politics are hypocritical. What about Akali Dal in Punjab which is BJP’s ally and has Prakash Singh Badal as the Chief Minister and his family members holding key positions in the government? What about Varun Gandhi? A few months back Narendra Modi addressed a political rally in Chattisgarh and lectured on dynastic politics by stating that had Raman Singh, the Bharatiya Janata Party Chief Minister, been a Congress politician, his son would have received a party ticket. Last month the same party gave a ticket to Raman Singh’s son Abhishek under the leadership of the same Narendra Modi. Isn’t this the most apt example of Modi’s hypocrisy? What about Shiv Sena? Doesn’t BJP see dynastic politics in Shiv Sena?, Mattu asked.

    Drawing a few of the many more examples to highlight BJP’s inherent hypocrisy, Mattu pointed out at the examples of Anurag Thakur from Himachal Pradesh who is the son of former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and Dushyant Singh from Rajasthan who is the son of Chief Minister Vasundha Raje Scindia. “BJP hypocrisy and lies are so brazen that one cursory look at reality punctures their balloon of rhetoric”, Mattu said.

    Stating that National Conference was a party that thrived on robust internal democracy, Junaid Mattu said “National Conference was a party that had risen from the grassroots level in J&K. We have rendered thousands of sacrifices to protect democracy and secularism in the State. The very idea of a BJP leader coming and giving us half-baked, ill-informed lectures on democracy is unacceptable and laughable”.

    Junaid Mattu said that Omar Abdullah was an iconic and popular leader of J&K who derives his strength and leadership from the grassroots and not from his ancestry. “Omar Abdullah is one of the very few leaders in the country who BJP and Narendra Modi have failed to bully and intimidate. And this is precisely the reason for such rants from BJP leaders at this stage”, Mattu added.

    NC-Congress Alliance ideological. Certain sections wrongly projecting a rift between NC and Congress – Shariq.

  • My remarks were distorted, twisted: Shariq

    ‘NC and Congress workers were united in elections’

    Srinagar: Member of Parliament from Baramulla and Senior National Conference Leader Sharif-ud-din Shariq has said that the NC-Congress Alliance was an ideological coalition and not an opportunistic marriage of convenience. “Our alliance with Congress is ideological and is in pursuit of the common values and ideals of secularism, pluralism and communal harmony. There was no rift between the coalition partners during the course of the Parliamentary Elections and the question of a rift now doesn’t arise”.

    Stating that certain sections were wrongly projecting a rift between NC and Congress at the behest of some vested interests, Shariq said “My remarks were distorted and twisted at certain places and in some reports. I stand by the NC-Congress ideological coalition’s united efforts in these Parliamentary Elections and am confident of a win for the NC-Congress Coalition from all six Parliamentary Seats in the State”, Shariq said.

    Sharif-ud-din Shariq said that the alliance between National Conference and Congress was an alliance between secular forces against the march of communalism and divisive politics. “We are united in our resolve to protect the secular ethos and traditions of not just J&K but the entire country. Our workers are informed political minds who understand the importance of standing united against the threat of communalism. Both parties have similar ideological goals in this context and have similar foes”, Shariq said.

    Condemning the assault on voters in certain areas of North Kashmir, Shariq said that these unfortunate incidents had the potential of fragmenting the Kashmiri society to the ultimate detriment of this nation. “While people have  a right to boycott elections, people also have an equal right to participate in elections. Both rights need to be upheld and coercion or intimidation is not acceptable”, Shariq said. Shariq appealed to the people of North Kashmir to respect each other’s’ sentiments and differences of opinion and asked responsible citizens in their respective areas to facilitate a reconciliation between the people.