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  • Omar comes out in Sakina’s support

    Terms video obsolete, accuses PDP of misleading Election Commission
    Srinagar: Coming out in defence of senior NC leader and a cabinet minister Sakina Itoo over the controversy that erupted after the video showing Itoo compelling an old me to support her, Chief Minster Omar Abdullah Sunday stated that the video is obsolete and shot before the Code of Conduct was imposed in the state.
    In a video clip, Itoo and her workers are seen forcing the old man in, the 3.11 minutes video, to take oath and swear by Allah and the Prophet (PBUH) and promise that he will support National Conference.
    Opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party had registered complain against the state’s lone woman minister- urging the election commission to take action against her.
    Chief Minster Omar Abdullah Monday took to social networking site, twitter, writing, “I know the PDP is in complete panic mode but using old videos & trying to mislead the EC about code violations is desperate beyond words.”
    “Recite Kalima Toiba and take holy Quran in your hands, swear that you will support Sakina Itoo,” one of the workers not in picture directs the old man, which he repeatedly refuses.
    The video that surfaced on Facebook in the recent past showed one of the Itoo’s workers not in picture requesting the old man to do work for the party as he did in 1996. He asks the old man to take holy Quran in his hands and swear that he will work for the party to which old man replies that Holy Quran is meant for recitation and not for swearing.
    After getting his answer, Itoo retorts back and supports the arguments of her worker and tells the old man that he deviated from the right path.
    “Recite the Kalima Toiba and take pledge that you will support me,” Itoo repeatedly asks the old man and while holding his hand again and again tells him that she has no malice in her heart against him.
     “She is trying to convince an old worker of her father to come back & work for the party as he had been upset for a while.. I’ve spoken to Sakina, this video was taken months before the election code. She isn’t threatening anyone, she isn’t abusing anyone,” Omar wrote on Twitter. (KNS)

  • JKLF to organize blood donation camp

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) is scheduled to organize a blood donation camp at Abi Guzar Srinagar by Hameed Blood bank on 1 April 10:30 am sharp in commemoration of martyrdom anniversary of Doctor Abdul Ahad Guru. 
    According to a statement issued to KNS, a day before JKLF organized a condolence meeting at Mazar-e-Shuhada Eidgha in connection with the martyrdom anniversaries of Sahaheed I Kashmir Ishfiq Majeed Wani, Shaheed-I-Sadaqat Syed Shabir Sidiqi and others martyr’s Dargha a prayer meeting was held for the martyrs on the occasion.
    Jammu Kashmir Liberation front has condolence the demise of one sympathizer Gulam Hussian Baba of Dabtal Ali Kadal front leaders Noor Mohammad Kalwal, Ghulam Rasool Dar Eide, Sheikh Abdul Rashid and Bitta Guru visited the family of deseeded person and offered condolences on behalf of front. (KNS)

  • HCJK delegation led by Shah to attend Pak High Commission’s invitation in New Delhi

    Srinagar: A delegation of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK) which would be led by Shabir Ahmad Shah will leave for New Delhi on April 2 to attend the invitation extended by Pakistan high Commission.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, the Hurriyat spokesperson, however, said that due to busy schedule in connection with the ongoing election boycott campaign, Shabir Ahmad Shah will return Valley on April 3.
    “On April 2, Pakistan is organizing an event with regards to Pakistan Day at Pak Embassy in New Delhi after dawn prayers. Shah will extend his wishes and on behalf of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK) and Kashmiri nation, to Pakistan during the event,” the spokesperson said.
    He said Shah will stress on the need to resolve the longstanding dispute, the Kashmir issue which is the biggest impediment in restoring peace in the subcontinent. “He (Shah) will stress the Government of Pakistan to initiate swift measures in resolving the Kashmir issue in order to prevent the South Asia from holocaust of nuclear war,” he said.
    “Shah will also urge Pakistan to continue its political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris in their right for self determination and will deliberate on the changes taking place at international level that affect Kashmir issue in one way or other,” the Hurriyat spokesperson added. (KNS)

  • Bhullar decision reopens Kashmir’s wounds: Mehbooba

    ‘PDP will build democratic resistance to such double standards’
    Srinagar: Reacting to the Supreme Court decision about 1993 Delhi bomb blast case convict, Davinderpal Singh Bhullar the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Monday said it is another example of double-standards displayed vis-à-vis Kashmir and with every such development as like the latest by the Apex Court or its earlier verdict on convicts who have been on death row the wounds of Kashmiris are re-opened.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing various roadside meetings in Tral segment of Anantanag constituency, Mehbooba said such discriminatory approach about Kashmir needs to be responded forcefully to prevent their repetition in future and that will call for an united and strong response at political level and through democratic institutions.
    She said the National Conference, which should have represented the sentiments of the people of the state, unfortunately, collaborated in the hanging of Mohammad Afzal Guroo in the most inhuman manner by even denying him a last customary meeting with his family.
    Mehbooba said such an approach will perpetuate the feeling of discrimination which makes the task of reconciliation even more difficult than it has always been because of the wrong policies followed by NC and its allies.
    She said Guroo will keep Kashmir reminding of the miscarriage of justice in the entire process leading him up to gallows.
    Mehbooba said the PDP’s agenda is to prevent such things in future and the party will work to uphold the sentiments of people and protect the interests of the state, which has always been supreme for it than power and will build democratic resistance to such double-standards.
    The PDP chief said her party is having a positive agenda for the Kashmir issue and the issues of Kashmir both at the state as well as national level and it will revive the reconciliation and reconstruction process it had started in 2002.
     Mehbooba said people of J&K have been discriminated in all respects whether it is the practices followed the democratic processes or governance with the result corruption, misgoverance and unaccountability has not been checked the way it should have been. She said if cases like Haji Yousuf, Cricket Scam, Drug Scam, PHE Scam, Land Grab scandal, recruitment frauds, molestation case involving Shabir Khan, ex-health minister would have happened in any other part of the country situation would have been altogether different and the culprits would not have been roaming free as it is happening here. 
    “This all leads to one inference that J&K is being treated differently when it comes to the enforcement of law. Here action against anybody is brushed under carpet as if investigating cases of corruption and other malpractices will mean assault on the integrity of the country,” she said.
    She said if voted to parliament the PDP will strive to build a national consensus on Kashmir issue by involving various shades of public and political opinion both in and outside the parliament so that the prevailing mistrust between New Delhi and Kashmir is minimized and there is a forward movement on Kashmir resolution.
    She said the NC has never been serious about the state and its people and it has always played a damaging role through its repeated sell-outs, U-turns and treachery with the result there has been no headway in resolving the Kashmir issue over the last 60 years.
    Mehbooba said PDP during its brief stint in the government not only changed the people’s perception about politics but it played a pivotal role in changing the political discourse about Kashmir issue, which was otherwise seen only through security perspective. She said an atmosphere was created in the state which gave a hope that things can be changed, if taken seriously. (KNS)

  • All pro-India parties equally dangerous for Kashmir: Hurriyat (G)

    Srinagar: Stating that pro-India parties were using Kashmir issue as an election card, Hurriyat Conference (G) Monday said that “all pro-India parties in Kashmir were equally dangerous for Kashmir cause.”
    “The role of National Conference, Congress, PDP and BJP is dangerous and harmful for the Kashmir cause and all of them are using Kashmir cause as an election card,” general secretary of Hurriyat Conference (G), Ghulam Nabi Sumji in a statement issued to GNS said
    He said that “in reality they have nothing to do away with the miseries and difficulties of Kashmiri people.”
    He termed “the praises to Vajpayee’s Kashmir policy as unwise.”
    “Vajpayee was not having any policy on Kashmir and he did nothing different from the UPA government which should be praised,” he said.
    The Hurriyat general secretary also expressed sorrow over the “reaction to Geelani statement without understanding it.”
    “The Hurriyat chairman had expressed his satisfaction and happiness over the stand adopted by pro-freedom and major religious organizations with regarding to the election drama and had criticized those organizations who are working in public to propagate their sects and groups but remain silent on the collective national and religious issues like election drama,” Sumji said.
    On leaked video showing Social Welfare Minister and National Conference leader Sakeena Itoo asking for a pledge from an old man to vote for her, Sumji said “it is not anything new but a usual exercise of National Conference and other pro-Indian parties to use religious card at the time of election drama to woo voters.”
    “Kashmiri nation has sacrificed everything for the sacred cause and to protect these sacrifices we have to boycott the elections,” he added. (GNS)

  • Youth who killed mother arrested

    New Delhi: A 19-year-old youth who strangled his mother here and dumped her body in the box of a bed has been arrested, police said Monday.
    Sumitra, 50, was found dead Sunday afternoon at the first floor of her house in Vikaspuri in west Delhi.
    Sumitra’s elder son, who resided on the ground floor, found her body. As the victim’s younger son Rohit who was residing with her was missing, police went after him.
    Rohit was arrested Sunday night from Subhash Nagar in west Delhi. He confessed strangling his mother to death apparently to avenge the frequent beatings he was subjected to.

  • Separatists to discuss Indo-Pak relations, Kashmir issue, unity with Basit

    Srinagar: The separatist leadership particularly Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah scheduled to meet Pakistan High Commissioner to India on April 2 in New Delhi, are expected to go through the discussion on India Pakistan relations, Kashmir issue and unity  among separatists during the meet.
    Reliable sources revealed to KNS, that besides separatists High Court Bar Association, civil society members and human rights activists have also been sent invitations to participate in the ceremony.
    While talking to KNS, spokesperson of Hurriyat Conference (M) confirmed that besides Mirwaiz, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Gani Lone, Moulana Abbas Ansari are all set to take part in the ceremony. Hurriyat Conference (G), spokesman confirmed to KNS that Geelani who is undergoing treatment in Delhi will take part in the ceremony along with other leaders of Hurriyat (G).
    Reliable sources told KNS revealed that JKLF chairman Yasin Malik and chairman Hurriyat Conference Jammu and Kashmir Shabir shah are also rushing to Pakistani embassy for having a detailed discussion on present scenario of Kashmir with Basit. According to a statement Shabir shah will stress upon Pakistan to be consist for giving support to Kashmir until it gets freedom from India. (KNS)  

  • 12 injured in road accidents

    Srinagar: Twelve persons were injured in different road accidents across the valley. According to a police statement issued to KNS, a Maruti car bearing registration number JK01K/4045 hit and injured a pedestrian Tawseef Ahmed Khan son of Farooq Ahmed Khan resident of Gurveth at Gurveth, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Khansahib. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard.
    Meanwhile, an Auto driven by Abdul Rehman son of Ghulam Mohammad Ganaie resident of Ashmuji Kulgam, hit an unknown vehicle at SKAUST Khudwani, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Kulgam, resulting in injuries to the driver and two passengers Gul Mohammad Bhat son of Mohammad Abdullah and Irshma Akther daughter of Mohammad Ashraf Naikoo residents of Baan. Both the injured were shifted to District Hospital, Anantnag for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard.
    In another accident a Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK09/1028 turned turtle after hitting a cow at Matipora, Drugmulla in the jurisdiction of Police Station Kupwara. In this accident seven passengers who were boarding in the vehicle got injured. All the injured were shifted to Sub District Hospital, Kupwara for treatment. A case has been registered in this regard.
    In another accident, a motorcycle bearing registration number JK05/5384 hit and injured a pedestrian Khazir Mohammad Bhat son of Mohammad Sultan resident of Edipora Bomai at Bomie Chowk, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Bomie. The injured was shifted to Sub District Hospital, Sopore for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard. (KNS)

  • Modi wave a hoax by BJP: Omar Abdullah

    ‘J&K will vote for NC, Congress candidates’ Omar Abdullah
    Srinagar: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who is also Working President of National ConferenceMonday said that there is no Modi wave in the Country particularly in Jammu and Kashmir describing the assertions in this regard circulated by BJP as a mere hoax.

    “People in the State and elsewhere in the Country uphold the high principles of pluralistic ethos, communal harmony and brotherhood and want young leadership to lead the country strengthening these principles and taking the country towards new heights of peace, development and modernization”, he said adding that the days are gone when people could be astrayed in the name of religion, creed, caste and region.

    Addressing Election rallies in support of joint candidates of National Conference and Congress alliance at Nowshera, Kalakote and other places in Rajouri district, Chief Minister said that the people in the State and the Country are emancipated enough to understand the designs of certain politicians aimed at dividing the society on various grounds including region, religion and caste for vote bank politics and vested interests of grabbing power.

    Omar Abdullah said that parties like BJP and PDP are thriving on the politics of ‘divide and rule’ and want to wedge apart various sections of the society for party politics and vote bank gains. He cautioned the people against this tactics and impressed upon them to vehemently reject the hate politics and nurture mutual brotherhood, amity and togetherness for which National Conference and Congress have always been torch bearers. He said both these parties have sacrificed all along to keep the secular democratic traditions of the Country and the State alive and strong.

    Omar Abdullah said that Jammu and Kashmir has received unprecedented help from the UPA Government led by Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi adding that time has come when the people of the State will exhibit their high characteristic of recognizing their friends and extending them full support. “Let us all vote the joint candidates of NC and Congress in the Parliamentary Elections and strengthen the hands of Dr. Manmohan Singh, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Mr. Rajiv Gandhi and give a message to the Country that the people of Jammu and Kashmir do not forget their friends”, he said and added that the all round development, massive economic upliftment and peace that has taken place in the State during the last five years owes a lot to the UPA Government.

    According to CNS, Omar Abdullah said that the restoration of peace, construction of thousands of bridges, roads, schools, colleges, universities and other developmental schemes besides enactment of historic legislations to empower people and ensure transparency in all fields of administration by the State Coalition Government has been possible with the financial and logical support by the Congress led UPA Government in the Country. He said this mission will get further fillip by returning to power the UPA-III in the Centre.

    Taking a dig on BJP, Omar Abdullah said that the party (BJP) which has no regard for its own elders and stalwarts cannot give regard to the common people. He asked the people to remain united and foil all attempts at dividing the society and flaring up tension in the name of region, religion and caste. He said people of Jammu and Kashmir have in the past rejected this kind of politics and will also defeat this thinking at present and in the future. (CNS)

  • Ganderbal NC leader quits the party

    ‘I know everything how Haji Yousuf died’
    ‘Farooq Abdullah was losing Ganderbal seat in 1987’
    Srinagar: In a startling revelation, prominent National Conference leader from Ganderbal Muhammad Yousuf Bhat from Ganderbal Monday said that he saved Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his party National Conference by not sharing information about the circumstances in which NC worker Haji Yousuf died.
    “I protected Omar Abdullah and saved his chair. I maintained silence when Haji Yousuf died. I know every secret of his ‘murder’ but did not share those with anyone so far,” Muhammad Yousuf Bhat told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS adding that National Conference is the source of continuous miseries for the people of Kashmir Valley.
    Pertinently, Yousuf Haji, a National Conference senior leader was summoned by the Chief Minister to his house on the evening of 29th September, 2011 along with two other persons Muhammad Yousuf Bhat and Salam Reshi who had given Rs1.8 crore allegedly to Haji Yousuf to buy them seats in the Legislative Council. Police had said that Yousuf died of cardiac arrest
    “I have decided to contest the Parliament elections as an independent candidate and after 39 years I quit this party which has become the family’s ‘fiefdom,’ he said adding that time has come that he breaks the silence and expose the ill-designs of National Conference.
    Holding National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah responsible for prevailing ‘gun culture’ in Jammu and Kashmir, Bhat told CNS that he is witness to the fact how Farooq Abdullah indulged in coercion and rigging during 1987 Assembly elections when there was Muslim United Front (MUF) wave.
    “I was an NC agent during 1987 assembly elections and am witness to the fact how on the instructions of Farooq Abdullah, elections were rigged. The NC candidate from Ganderbal (Farooq Abdullah) had tasted defeat but he was surprisingly declared as the winner,” he said adding that it was only after the rigging on mass scale that Kashmiri dejected youth lost faith in democratic set up and started resistance movement.
    He said that it was fraud committed by National Conference for sake of grabbing power that gun culture flourished in Valley. Bhat alleged that NC has always betrayed his party workers and ignored Ganderbal. “I had joined this party where family members decide the course of action through dictatorial means in 1975. I worked as a dedicated and hardworking party worker in Ganderbal but I have realized now that there is no place for hardworking and loyal workers in the party. This party is sidelining seniors and giving preference to the scions of some affluent politicians,” he told CNS citing the examples of Nasir Aslam Wani and Davinder Singh Rana who according to him are the junior leaders of the party.
    Pertinetly few months back Sheikh Saloora of Ganderbal also quit NC and formed his own party namely Awami Insaf Party. (CNS)