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His travel documents under process: Passport Office

Srinagar:  As the Kashmir American Council (KAC) Washington, D.C. invited Huriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani to participate in a seminar titled, “Is Kashmir, an Issue of election or Self determination” to be held on May 5 2014 at Islamabad in Pakistan, the senior separatiston Thursday expressed his willingness to participate in the event.

However, the Huriyat (G) chairman while passing the buck on the authorities, told KNS that his passport has been withheld and that without the vital travel document, his travel to Pakistan would be impossible. While talking to KNS, Geelani thanked KAC for inviting him to participate in the seminar. He said that he would be ready to address the seminar to be held in Hotel in G/6 Islamabad in Pakistan in case his passport is issued by the authorities.

Sources in the Srinagar passport office informed KNS that the passport of Geelani and his wife is under process and that after the due course of necessary official procedure, the same shall be issued to him.

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. Interestingly, Geelani was recently invited by the Pak high commissioner to Pakistan during the meeting on April 3 at New Delhi. (KNS)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday arrested eight youth allegedly involved in recent stone throwing attacks from different parts of Kashmir.

Official sources told GNS that police raided at Ameer-Abad in South Kashmir’s Tral and arrested four people from their residences.

Sources said Irfan Trag, Mohammad Younis Mir, Sameer Mir and Zulfkar Rasool Mir, all residents of Ameer-Abad were picked up. “They have been lodged in nearby police station and have been booked for stone throwing attacks”.

Similarly, police arrested two persons after they raided their houses at Shalteng in outskirts of Srinagar city.

“Two persons identified as Asif Bhat and Adil Bhat have been arrested and lodged in police station Parimpora”, sources said, adding that police have registered a case and further investigation taken up in this regard.

In another incident, two more youth have been arrested after police raided their houses at Ganderbal area in central Kashmir.

Official sources said Mehraj-ud-Din Ganie of Saloora and Muzamil Fayaz of Tawheed Chowk in Ganderbal. He said that in this connection a case FIR no. 59/2014 under section 147, 336 and 427 RPC have been registered and started further investigations in this regard. (GNS)

Continues boycott campaign in North Kashmir

Srinagar: Police has arrested JKLF district president Kupwara Rafiq Ahmad War from Devas Pora Handwara when he was peacefully campaigning for election boycott in the area.

According to a statement issued to KNS, JKLF has strongly condemned his arrests and termed it as mere frustration of police and authorities. It is worth to mention that besides hundreds of activists and well-wishers JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik senior leaders  advocate Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi, Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri,Imtiyaz Ahmad Bitta, Ashraf bin Salam, sheikh Abdul Gaffar ,Nazir Ahmad  kralpora,Arshid Ahmad Bhat, Ghulam Rasool Hazari, Bashir Ahmad Boya, Gayas ud Din, Mansoor Ahmad Tulmola , Mohammad Azeem Zargar, Fayaz  Ahmad, Imtiyaz Ahmad ,Mohammad Aadil ,Ishfaq Hussain, Mohammad Ahsan from Kokerbazar , Inayat Ahmad Bhat, Shabir Ahmad Sofi, Aijaz Ahmad Baqal, Nadeem Ahmad Banday , Waseem Ahmad Dar, Mohammad Shafi , Molvi Mohammad Ramzan, student Hafiz Ullah, Aijaz Ahmad Wani, Tahir Ahmad Mir ,Mohammad Irfan , Mohammad Burham, Mohammad Yasin khan have been arrested and are languishing in different police stations and jails. Many of the detained were tortured by STF and police and are still under treatment in custody.  Despite this Crackdown Jammu Kashmir liberation front (JKLF) is continuing its election boycott campaign in north Kashmir. JKLF leader Farooq Ahmad Dar along with Abdul Majeed etc visited Budan Rafiaabad, Marazgund Rafiaabad, Drusoo Rafiaabd and Kachla Qaziabad Kupwara while as JKLF activists went door to door in Tujjar Shareef, Lati Shaat, Harwan, Gund Brath and Brath Kalan and continued the campaign. Leaders stressed on the people to follow the example of south Kashmir and central Kashmir and reject with full force the election drama of India in Kashmir. Leaders while terming the Indian elections as detrimental to the sacred cause of freedom appealed the people of north Kashmir to keep vigil and boycott this fraud on 7th may 2014. Boycott related pamphlets and other material was also distributed among people on the occasions. (KNS)

Asks people to defeat communal, deceptive forces

‘NC-Congress alliance to strengthen communal harmony, sustain peace’

Tanghdar: Reiterating that Lok Sabha Election is for electing the Members of Parliament and the Prime Minister of the Country, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who is also Working President of National Conference Wednesday said that people of Jammu and Kashmir have to make a clear choice between secular representatives of the NC-Congress Coalition led by Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi and communal and divisive forces represented by BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

“While victory of NC-Congress Coalition candidates from J&K would pave way for Rahul Gandhi to be the Prime Minister of India every vote cast in favour of PDP will automatically amount to helping Narendra Modi to be in power at New Delhi”, he said adding that people of Baramulla-Kupwara-Bandipora Parliamentary constituency have to rally behind the NC-Congress candidate Sharief-ud-Din Shariq to protect the secular and democratic fabric of the State and keep communal and anti-J&K forces at bay.

According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing Election rallies in Tangdhar and Gurez today, Omar Abdullah said that an elaborate conspiracy has been hatched by BJP and PDP to divide the voters in the State on one or the other pretext for their vested interests and hunger for personal power. He cautioned the people against this conspiracy and told them to exhibit their unity and faith in NC-Congress alliance stating that the NC-Congress alliance is committed to the inclusive and equitable development of the State and has been working with dedication to usher the State into an era of reconciliation, peace and prosperity.

Omar Abdullah said that the PDP leadership was ‘hand-in-glove’ with BJP to help Narendra Modi to come to power despite his open anti-Jammu and Kashmir agenda and communal mindset. He said voting in favour of PDP candidate Muzaffar Hussain Beigh will be voting in favour of Narendra Modi while pressing the button of plough symbol of National Conference will amount to casting vote in favour of Rahul Gandhi who is an unquestionable friend and well-wisher of Jammu and Kashmir and its people.

Omar Abdullah appealed to NC-Congress workers to exhibit their unity at all levels from the grassroots and upwards to ensure overwhelming support to NC-Congress candidate in Baramulla-Kupwara Parliamentary constituency going to polls on the seventh of May.

Working President, National Conference said that the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir have a greater responsibility to ensure the defeat of communal forces at the Centre and in the State so that the ages old communal harmony, mutual amity and brotherhood for which Jammu and Kashmir has earned a glorious name the world over is safeguarded.

“We cannot allow the secular ethos and history of the State to be disturbed by the conspiracy of communal and deceptive forces led by BJP in the Country and PDP in the State”, Omar Abdullah said and asked the people to rise to the occasion and foil all designs being hatched against Jammu and Kashmir, its special status and its people.

The Elections rallies were also addressed by NC-Congress Coalition Candidate for Baramulla-Kupwara-Bandipora Seat Sharif-ud-din Shariq, Senior NC Leaders Mian Altaf Ahmed, Nazir Ahmed Khan Gurezi, Kafil-ur-Rehman and A. R. Badana. (KNS)

‘Curfew imposed to prevent people from sympathizing with bereaved family’

Srinagar: While expressing grief and profound sorrow over the recent loss of life in Srinagar, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Dr. Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, who continues to be under house arrest for the second consecutive day, has paid rich tributes to Bashir Ahmad Bhat of Gretbal, Nawakadal who was martyred by the forces in unprovoked firing at Shehr-e-Khaas on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued to KNS, Mirwaiz said on one hand, the state has given license to forces to kill people at will and on the other curfew and restrictions have been imposed to prevent people from sympathizing and expressing solidarity with the bereaved family.

The Hurriyat (M) Chairman had a telephonic talk with the bereaved father Ghulam Mohammad Bhat during which, while expressing his heartfelt sympathies Mirwaiz ensured him that entire people of Kashmir and leadership was with him and his family in this hour of grief and testing times. Asserting that countless sacrifices offered by Kashmiris can never be forgotten, Mirwaiz said at this crucial juncture complete unity among the Kashmiris and the expression of their commitment towards the movement was inevitable.

Mirwaiz stated that entire Kashmir has been converted into a big jail due to militarization, adding, forces whenever and wherever want, they can kill any innocent person. He said the authorities arrest the resistance leadership and activists, adding, and at the same time, they impose declared and undeclared curfew to restrict the movement of people so as to lend protection to their political interests and power.

Mirwaiz offered special prayers for the speedy recovery of those persons who were injured in old city due to unprovoked firing. The injured include Shakeel Ahmad Shah of Khan Sahib Badgam, Khalid Ahmad Khan of Rajouri Kadal, Saleema Bano of braripora, Adnan Shah Badamwari, Mohammad Momin of Rajouri kadal, Mohamad of nawakdal and may others. Meanwhile, on the instruction of Mirwaiz, a high level delegation visited various hospitals to see the injured patients.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat spokesman has condemned the use of wanton force against the innocent people in Baramulla due to which four youth got badly injured. He also condemned the imposition of curfew and restrictions put on the movement of people due to which they are going through innumerable sufferings.

The Hurriyat spokesman has sternly condemned the house arrest of APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Dr. Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi Al-Safvi, and arrest of various leaders including Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, Engineer Hilal Ahmad war, Hakim Abdul Rashid, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi, Syed Bashir Andrabi, Jameel Ahmad War, Khazir Mohammad Wani, Sheikh Ghulam Mohamamad, Sajad Nurabadi, and Roman Dar who have been detained in different police stations of the valley.(KNS)

Expresses grief over killing of Srinagar youth

Srinagar: Expressing grief and anguish over the killing of a Srinagar youth in forces firing Wednesday evening, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senior leader and former deputy chief minister, Muzzafar Hussain Baig has said that dealing with such tragic incidents on case-to-case basis has proved quite inadequate and recurrent innocent deaths underline the urgency of initiating tangible the process for a lasting solution.

While talking to various delegations at Baramula Baig said the Omar Abdullah-led NC-Congress coalition has left deep scars of torment on the body and soul of J&K in its 6 years of draconian rule and unfortunately before being voted out, the present government is trying to put Kashmir again on fire.

“Ironically, while the present Government set out with the terrible death of two innocent ladies – Aasiya and Neelofar – of Shopian in 2009, on its way out in 2014, Omar Abdullah-led Government seems to have not learnt any lessons from its past follies, and is departing on a gory note with the latest spate of innocent killings,” he said and added that while the heartrending bloodbath of 120 innocents during 2010 unrest is still haunting the people, the present Government is setting the stage for another phase of death and destruction.

Referring to the last year’s killings in Gool and Markundal and this year in Naidkhai , Baig said the Omar Abdullah’s government can’t wash its hands of the heinous crimes and war it let loose upon the people in Kashmir.  He said four innocent youth were killed by the government forces in Shopian at a time when chief minister and his elite company was busy enjoying western music on the lawns of Shalimar Garden.

He said the NC always thrived in insecurity and at this crucial juncture when the NC feels its very existence as a political party is threatened it tries to create instability in Kashmir.

“After having lost its credibility among the people and without any solid performance report card in its hands, the NC is now looking for cheap ways to create instability in Kashmir,” he added.

Baig said the ruling government has also proved disastrous for the people of the state as during the last five and half years and the alienation of people have been increasing with every passing day and credibility of the government has reached its lowest ebb. He said has been exposed due to its misdeeds, misgovernance and maladministration and there is now huge yearning for an honest, accountable and transparent governance system in the state.

Srinagar: Taking strong cognizance of the use of lethal weapons by government forces while dealing with law and order situation, the International Forum for Justice and Human Rights -JK (IFJHR-JK) vetoes for use of such weapons and demands that culprits involved in Wednesday’s killing of Nawakadal be brought to book. The forum has also called for probe by State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) into the incident.

“We demand that forces involved in killing of a youth Bashir Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Hassan Bhat resident of Gratbal Nawakadal in Old City’s Nawakadal be booked under section 302,RPC as the firing was totally unprovoked,” chairman IFJHR-JK Muhammad Ahsan Untoo said on Thursday.

He said there is no justification of using lethal weapons in self defence as forces claim but the protesters can be dealt in a manner that may not tend to claim their lives or render them disabled. “The forces can use such weapons only if the opposite party too is in possession of some life-taking tool or vice-versa,” he said.

Untoo also questioned the intention of government forces that they did it all under “self defence” and said majority of the injured persons are targetted above abdomen. “What can be the better excuse for them (forces) to issue such silly statements while the innocent people continue to lose their lives. Stones cannot be countered by bullets in any way,” he said.

Rubuffing the magesterial inquiry ordered by government in the Nawakadal killing, the HR forum chairman said such probes are meant only to pacify the public fury and to add to the list of already unprobed cases. “Till date, there have been around 783 magesterial inquiries ordered by the government since past two decades but to no avail. Such kind of  probes only boost the spirit of forces and they should be held accountable for their acts,” Untoo vowed, adding the incident should be probed independently by SHRC.