Srinagar: Syed Ali Geelani, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) has asked the state government to stop arrest spree and release the youth who have been detained from different places of the city and its adjoining areas. Geelani also warned the government that ‘it will be responsible for the consequences if it did not act immediately and release the youth.’ In telephonic statement to KNS, Geelani said: “I ask the authorities that it will be responsible for the consequences if it does not stop its repressive measures and free the youth who have been detained from her and there. The situation has now become intolerable for the people as I received calls from every nook and corner complaining about police highhandedness, harassment and arrest spree. I warn the state government to release the youth without any delay or face the consequences.” Geelani also clarified that he has not extended any strike call for tomorrow.
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Gul visits injured at SMHS Hospital
Srinagar: National Conference Leader and Speaker Legislative Assembly Mubarak Gul today visited those who were injured in the incident of firing in Nawa Kadal at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar and inquired about their health from the doctors and hospital administration. According to a statement issued to KNS, Gul inquired about the facilities and treatment being provided to the injured and also met their family members and expressed solidarity with them and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured. Stating that National Conference stands with the families of the injured in this hour of grief and anguish, Mubarak Gul asked the doctors and hospital administration to provide all required assistance to the families of the injured and continue extending intensive, round-the-clock monitoring and treatment for the injured.
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Shah welcomes Pak Army Chief’s statement
Srinagar: On behalf of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK), senior leader of the amalgam Shabir Ahmad Shah on Friday welcomed the statement of Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Shareef in which he sought the resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people and UNSC resolutions for the permanent settlement of peace in the south Asia and said that the invaluable sacrifices laid down by Kashmiris will not go waste. The General also termed Kashmir as a “jugular vein” of Pakistan.
Shah said the whole leadership of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir which include Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Mushtaq ul Islam, Farooq Ahmad Dar (Bita Karatey), Muhammad Yusuf Naqash, Shabir Ahmad Dar and Muhammad Iqbal Mir, is thankful to Pak Army Chief for such encouragement.
Shabir Ahmad Shah said that Pakistan government and its people have always supported Kashmiris at political, moral and diplomatic level and expressed hope that they will continue to do so till the freedom movement reaches its logical conclusion.
Severely condemning the statement of P Chidambaram that Kashmir is an integral part of India and that the people of Kashmir participated in elections, Shah said that Chidambaram, despite being aware of the reality is not reading the writing on the wall and that Kashmir has never been the integral part of India nor ever will.
“Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir believes that the so-called elections under the Indian Constitution cannot be, in any way, an alternative to the right of self determination but the solution to this longstanding issue is in the UN resolutions or as per the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir,” Shah vowed. Shah said Pakistan has played a significant role in highlighting the Kashmir issue and the oppression its people are facing, at international level, right from 1947 and expressed hope that till Kashmiris will not get freedom from Indian forcible occupation, Pakistan will continue to extend its full support.
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Journalists accuses police of highhandedness
Srinagar: Several Kashmir journalists on Friday accused Jammu and Kashmir police of harassment and barring them from doing their professional duty during a protest in uptown Srinagar.
The journalists, while speaking to GNS, alleged that policemen hurled abused them and they were chased. “We went to Hyderpora in the afternoon. There were protests. But police stopped us from covering them. They abused us and also chased us,” Tauseef Mustafa, who works as a photographer with AFP, told GNS. He said police forced us to leave the spot.
Another photojournalist, who was also at Hyderpora, said that police men chased the media men without any reason. “We were surprised as if we were criminals. We were just doing our professional job,” he said.
“Had not locals provided us refuge in their houses, police would have thrashed us. We ran for cover and successfully left the area,” said Zubair Dar, who works as a videographer with Press TV.
On 24 April, police in Kulgam allegedly thrashed two scribes – Farooq Javed and Javed Dar – while they were covering polls. (GNS)
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Army sounds alert across north Kashmir over militant movement
Srinagar: Army has sounded an alert in parts of central Kashmir after receiving intelligence reports about the movement of a group of militants, who are planning to carry out an attack on security installations.
Official sources told Global News Service that army’s 2 RR are maintaining high alert in Narbal, Lawaypora in outskirts of Srinagar city and Soibugh and Magam area of the Budgam district following specific intelligence inputs that suggest movement of 2-3 heavily armed militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba headed by Qasim Bhai. The LeT group, sources said, were planning to sneak in north Kashmir ahead of polls scheduled to be held on May 7.
“Army has inputs that the militants were moving to Baramulla from Budgam district. From last two days, the militants are trying to enter north Kashmir district,” sources said.
“Besides Narbal, Lawaypora and Soibugh, army has started search operations in the other areas of the district to track down the militants. Highest vigil is being maintained in Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara to prevent the militants from carrying out any strike ahead of polls,” sources added.
They said that security has been put on maximum alert across north Kashmir, ahead of Lok Sabha elections. Army, sources said, has also intensified patrolling in many volatile parts of north Kashmir amid apprehensions that the militants might try to disrupt the elections.
“Nakas have been established at many places along the Srinagar-Baramulla -Bandipora -Sopore -Handwara-Kupwara highways. Small passenger and private vehicles are being thoroughly checked at several places. Besides it, motorcyclists are also thoroughly frisked by the forces, deployed in huge numbers,” sources said.
The security, sources said, has been beefed in Lolab Valley, where army has already started search operations in the forest areas on Tuesday. (GNS)
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Curfew to continue in Down Town on Saturday
Srinagar: The curfew will continue in downtown area of Srinagar for third consecutive day on Saturday. The curfew was imposed within the jurisdiction of five police stations in old city on Wednesday evening following the killing of a 22-year-old Youth, Bashir Ahmad Bhat at Nawakadal. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Shah told GNS that curfew will continue in Old City to avoid any law and order problem. “The downtown will continue to be under curfew tomorrow,” he said. (GNS)
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Congress will vote for PDP in Baramulla on May 7: NC
Srinagar: Ahead of the polls scheduled to be held on May 7 in Baramulla-Kupwara Lok Sabha constituency, National Conference Friday claimed its coalition partner Congress will again go for the cross voting as it did in South Kashmir’s Anantnag on April 24.
“It was all done in the broad day light in Anantnag and everyone knows that Congress did vote for the PDP on April 24. We sacrificed everything for them and what they in return backstabbed and ditched us,” NC’s firebrand leader Dr Mustafa Kamal told KNS.
He added that the one of the senior leader from the Congress who hails from South Kashmir was already demanding at least one seat from valley and when it didn’t happened, he expressed his rancour.
Kamal stated that the Congress cadre in South Kashmir voted for the PDP and this perhaps would have been done on the directions of the party leadership. “Not all in Congress could be like this but some for sure have acted as the spoilsport.”
However, Kamal who is also the brother of NC patron Dr Farooq Abdullah stated that NC is confident that it will emerge victorious from South Kashmir and that majority voted in NC candidate’s favour.
Kamal while commenting over the polls scheduled to be held on May 7 in North Kashmir’s Lik Sabha seat, stated that Congress leaders itself have made clear before the National Conference that it would be difficult for them to transfer Congress votes in NC’s favour. “I wonder what sort of leaders are they when they have no command on their cadre on ground. Yes we know that Congress in North Kashmir also will vote against the NC candidate.” Pertinently, the news in the recent past spread like the wild fire that the Congress workers have gone for the cross voting and have voted in PDP’s favour in South Kashmir. (KNS)
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Day 2: Curfew, shutdown, protests in Kashmir
Srinagar: With no letup in protests against the killing of a youth the hands of ‘security forces’, three people sustained injuries amid curfew in downtown and spontaneous shutdown in most parts of the valley on Friday.
22 year old Bashir Ahmad was killed after ‘security forces’ opened fire on protesters in Nawa Kadal area of Old CityWednesday late evening soon after the polling for parliamentary constituency of Srinagar concluded at 26 percent turnout.
The killing sparked widespread anti-India clashes in parts of Srinagar particularly in downtown areas that left around 18 people including a woman and forces men injured. The government announced curfew on Wednesday late evening to curb protests and clashes in downtown while pro-freedom leaders called for a shutdown for today. The government reportedly also ordered ‘magisterial probe’ in the incident.
The downtown areas continued to reel under curfew for the second straight day with hundreds of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in riot gear and holding assault rifles were deployed across the downtown. The forces had erected barricades, concertina wires and mobile bunkers to restrict the civilian movement, eyewitnesses told GNS.
“The curfew was strictly imposed in volatile areas of downtown including Nowhatta, Saraf Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Nawa Kadal, and Kawdara,” they said, alleging many people weren’t allowed even to buy milk and bread in the morning.
Due to government curfew, forces didn’t allow people to offer Friday prayers in central Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta.
Meanwhile, protests broke out in Hyderpora area of uptown against the killingof Bashir.
“Scores of people took to streets and held pro-freedom protests. The protests were chased away by police and they in return pelted stones on them,” witnesses told GNS.
During the clashes, a man was detained by police from his house, locals alleged.
In many parts of downtown, the clashes broke out after authorities lifted curfew. The youth took to streets and pelted stones on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police retreating from curfew areas.
In Nawab Bazar area of old city, intense clashes broke out between youth and CRPF. Locals alleged that CRPF smashed window panes and glasses of many residential houses during clashes. The clashes continued till evening during which police fired several tear smoke shells to disperse the youth.
Meanwhile, a spontaneous shutdown was observed in most parts of the valley.
The Civil Lines areas of city wore a deserted look and traffic thin while most of the schools, colleges and shops were closed.
Reports reaching GNS said that a spontaneous shutdown was observed north Kashmir’s Baramulla, Palhallan, Bandipora, Hajin, Naidkhai, Sopore and Kupwara.
The post-Friday protests broke out in Hajin, Naidkhai, Bandipora town, Papchan, Sopore, Khanpora in Baramulla town, and Palhallan.
Two people sustained injuries during clashes in Baramulla clashes.
A spontaneous shutdown was also observed in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. Post-Friday clashes and protests broke out in Qamaria Chowk and at Saloora in the district.
In south Kashmir’s Qazigund, a person identified as Aijaz Ahmad Shiekh sustained injuries during clashes between youth and government forces against the killing of downtown youth. Besides, a complete shutdown was also observed in the town.
The shutdown was also observed in Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag towns.
In Pulwama, minor stone-throwing incidents took place at Samboora and in Pulwama town. The minor clashes also broke out in Anantnag town, Khudwani and Qaimoh in Kulgam. (GNS)
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People finally calling NC’s bluff: Baig
Srinagar: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) party senior leader and former deputy chief minister, MuzzafarHussainBaig has said the people are finally calling National Conference and its leadership’s bluff who have always thrived on lives, lies and emotional exploitation.
Addressing various roadside meetings in Uri segment of Baramulla parliamentary constituency, Baig said it is now obvious that the NC is losing its battle of survival and the people are not any more misled by their propaganda against their political rivals.
On the occasion senior party leadersPeerzadaMansoorHussain, MLA Sangrama; JavaidHussainBaig, State Secretary; DrShabir Ahmad Mangral, Janak Singh Sodhi, president, ShiromaniAkali Dal, Kashmir; NajeebNaqvi, party and others were also present.
He said in the past NC used to brand its rivals as IB agents while carrying out all the dirty jobs themselves. That is how they prevented competition to the NC in the mainstream politics as they were always more comfortable to have opposition pushed outside the democratic system and enjoy monopoly over the government, said Baig.
The former deputy chief minister said if the NC had used even a small portion of its political influence and power on welfare of the people and resolution of issues the state would not had faced the terrible times that it has gone through. He said it is now becoming clear that people have had enough of NC and they have decided to defeat it in the LoKSabha elections which would set the trend for their rout in the assembly polls which are scheduled later this year.
Baig said the PDP during its brief tenure in the government not only set an example of good governance but it took historical steps to normalize the relations between India and Pakistan. He said opening of the Line of Control (LoC) was the biggest ever Confidence Building Measure (CBM) between the two countries but the ruling government failed to carry forward the peace and reconciliation process. He said India and Pakistan should carry forward the peace process in accordance with the vision that had evolved over the years.
Baig said Uri is destined to become the northern gateway of J&K and the travel and trade across the LoC will definitely be taken to next level with the support of people.
Speaking on the occasion Janak Singh Sodhi said the NC has always exploited Sikh community for its political purposes and now they are thoroughly feelingdisappointed with it. He said Akali Dal was inspired by the policies and agenda of the PDP and called upon the people particularly Sikhs to vote for the PDP in the elections.
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Geelani’s passport requirements not complete: Passport Officer
Authorities forcing for cancellation of Geelani’s Pakistan visit: Hurriyat (G)
Srinagar: As the Passport Officer Srinagar on Friday said that the requirements for issuance of Passport in favour of Syed Ali Geelani are incomplete, Hurriyat Conference (G) accused the authorities for forcing its chairman to cancel his Pakistan visit.
Talking to KNS, Firdous Iqbal Passport Officer Srinagar said: “We were approached by his (Geelani) family today as well but since the requirements for issuance of his passport are incomplete we cannot help in this regard.”
Naseem Geelani, son of Syed Ali Geelani who had approached the passport office today in the morning informed KNS that he was told that some requirements which are a must before issuing a passport are not complete. “It means the authorities are not in a mood to issue Geelani sahib this vital travel document. This way the authorities are simply forcing him to cancel his scheduled visit to Pakistan,” Naseem told KNS on phone.
Geelani was invited by Kashmir American Council (KAC) Washington DC, to address a seminar titled “Is Kashmir, an Issue of election or Self determination” to be held on May 5 2014 at Islamabad in Pakistan. The Hurriyat (G) chairman had shown willingness to participate in the event provided he is issued the vital travel documents.
Geelani has thanked KAC for inviting him to participate in the seminar. Reports maintained that the seminar is aimed to highlight the Kashmir issue in the back drop of elections being held in Kashmir and political changes in the sub-continent. It is also aimed to discuss and debate the various peaceful options to strengthen the struggle for right to self-determination of Kashmiri people. All expenses including boarding and lodging including business class tickets would be provided to foreign delegates attending the conference in Pakistan. (KNS)