Monday, 31 March 2014

Separatists to meet Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi

KL Report


SRINAGAR


The separatist leadership particularly Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Mohammad Yasin Malik and Shabir Ahmad Shah are scheduled to meet Pakistan High Commissioner to India on April 2 in New Delhi.


They are expected to go through the discussion on India Pakistan relations, Kashmir issue and unity among separatists during the meet.


Reliable sources revealed that Jama’at-e-Islami, High Court Bar Association, civil society members and human rights activists have also been sent invitations to meet Basit.


Hurriyat Conference (M) spokesman confirmed that besides Mirwaiz, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Gani Lone, Maulana Abbas Ansari are set to take part in the meeting with Basit in New Delhi. Hurriyat Conference (G), spokesman also confirmed that Geelani who is undergoing treatment in New Delhi will meet Basit along with other leaders of Hurriyat (G).


Sources said that JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik and chairman Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir Shabir shah are also rushing to Pakistani embassy for having a detailed meeting with Basit.






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Sehrai reacts to Sallahuddin’s statement; Says ‘no interest to be Geelani’s successor’

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Reacting to the statement of UJC chief Syed Salahu Din wherein he had stated that Hurriyat Conference (G) chief’s close associate and Jama’at-e-Islami de-facto member, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai makes a ‘good successor of Syed Ali Geelani to lead the movement’, Sehrai Monday while clarifying his stand, stated that he has no interest in becoming Geelani’s Successor.


“I have never worked with Geelani Sahib for any candidature or as a contender for the position of the Chairman. I can even work as a gate keeper for a cause. Post is not important for me,” Ashraf Sehrai told KNS over phone.


He maintained further that whenever the situation would emerge when the amalgam has to choose Geelani’s successor- the same will be done by he constitutional process and as per the constitutional norms of Tehrek-e-Hurriyat.


Geelani’s close aid added that it is only the Shoora that has full authority to choose the Chairman of TeH. While expressing surprise over Hizb chief’s statement, Sehrai remarked that there has been no process going on within his amalgam wherein deliberations could have been laid upon choosing the successor of the senior separatist leader. “Geelani Sahib is in sound health now- His health conditions have improved a lot- he even today addressed a seminar for 30 minutes over phone from Delhi. No discussion over the issue of successor is being discussed at present.”


“As far as the statement of Syed Salahuddin is concerned- this could be his suggestion but for me the most important thing is to preserve the cause- I can even work as a gate keeper of Tehreek-e-Huriyat for the same.”


Over the issue of Poll Boycott campaign launched by his amalgam, Sehrai while expressing optimism that the people will not vote during the forth coming polls, stated that the boycott campaign against the polls is being done on the party levels and that so such initiative is being taken at present to make it a unanimous effort. There is no initiative taken by the either side so that the poll boycott campaign could be launched unanimously here, said Sehrai, adding that till people are being informed about the repercussions of voting on party basis by various pro-freedom groups.


Meanwhile, the chief spokesman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Ayaz Akbar told KNS that the amalgam has regards to the role played by Syed Salahuddin for the resistance movement here but as far as the issue of Syed Ali Geelani’s successor is concerned- it is the constitution of Tehreek Hurriyat that shall be followed during the process. “It is the shoora that has to choose the chairman and every time the constitution shall be followed with letter and spirit.”






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Relief to Bhullar Highlights Discrimination in System: NC

KL Report


SRINAGAR


National Conference spokesperson Junaid Mattu Monday said that the decision by the Supreme Court to commute Devinder Pal Bhullar’s death sentence into life imprisonment highlighted stark discrimination somewhere in our system that made the central government to expedite the death sentence of Afzal Guru without him being afforded adequate opportunities and provisions to appeal for mercy – as was done in Bhullar’s case.


“While we do not resent, nor oppose the relief provided to Bhullar,” Mattu said, “we cannot help but wonder why this couldn’t be done in Afzal Guru’s case.”


He said that both the legal process that led to the execution of Afzal Guru as well as the manner of his execution raised a lot of questions about the objectivity and neutrality of our legal system.


“Guru’s family and the people of this state have felt an enormous and palpable amount of discrimination and cannot help but wonder if there are double standards in our country when it comes to such cases,” he said.


Terming the comparison between Bhullar’s case and Guru’s case as one that undermines the very perception and sense of equal and just democracy, Mattu said that unfortunately it has become apparent that citizens of various states get justice according to the number of seats their respective states occupy in the Parliament as opposed to treatment being based on the interpretations of law and on the merits and demerits of legal cases.


The NC spokesman said that a lot of questions have been left unanswered and Guru’s family deserves to be told why he didn’t deserve the same access to justice that was afforded to Bhullar.


“National Conference had repeatedly opposed the death sentence to Guru and had registered its strong resentment on the execution of Guru and also about the outrageous manner in which his execution was carried out,” he said.


He said that this unabashed exhibition of dual standards has only added to the sense of isolation and alienation in Jammu & Kashmir and addressing this feeling requires both short term and long term measures and requires certain questions to be answered with respect to Guru’s execution.






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Bhullar decision reopens Kashmir’s wounds: Mehbooba

KL Report


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.


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.


Mehbooba, who is PDP’s South Kashmir candidate for Lok Sabha election, 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.”


According to a local news gathering agency, 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.


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 alleged that 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.






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Negligence of PDD: Body part of a minor amputated

KL Report


SRINAGAR


The negligence on part of the Power Development Department ruined life of a 10 year old girl in North Kashmir’s frontier district of Kupwara, reports said.


According to a local news gathering agency, a 10 year old girl Gudi Jan daughter of late Abdul Rashid Famada resident of Padipora Hajibal Kalaroos Kupwara was on way to her tuition centre when her foot touched an unattended HT wire lying on the ground. Her brother Zaman Ahmed said that she received several shocks and was rushed to SKIMS where doctors amputated her left arm.


“The life of my sister has become hell and she is struggling for life in the hospital. She has also suffered grave head injury,” he said.


Demanding stringent punishment for the PDD officials, the family alleged that despite registering an FIR vide number 20/2014 under section 285, 337 in police station Kalaroos no action has been taken against the erring employees who made the life of a 10 year old girl miserable.


When contacted, a PDD official posted in Kupwara district, who wished to remain anonymous, said that they are investigating the matter and trying to ascertain why the HT wire was lying on the ground unattended.






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Maintain record of expenditure by candidates: EO

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Stressing on accounting for every item of expenditure to be incurred by the political parties and their contesting candidates, Election Expenditure Observer, D K Rai called for maintaining records properly in the set formats. He also highlighted the need of safekeeping video graphic evidence of all political events readily available.


Chairing a meeting with DEO Kulgam, AROs, AEOs and Expenditure Monitoring teams Monday, Rai stressed on activating flying squads to keep an eye on expenditure incurred on organizing political rallies, meetings and events.


He said all the banners, pamphlets, posters and other campaigning materials should be allowed to display only after Publisher’s and Printer’s name is mentioned on these items. He said no vehicle of any type should be allowed to participate in political campaigning unless it is duly permitted by the concerned Returning Officer.


The Expenditure Observer expressed satisfaction over the arrangements put in place and highlighted the need to make it more effective.






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Landslide damages House in North Kashmir

KL Report


SRINAGAR


A residential house of Sonaullah Wani son-in-law of Ghulam Mohammad Wani resident of Setkuji, Handwara was damaged during the intervening night of 29-30 March, a police statement said.


“The damage was caused due to the land slide in the area. The house was partially damaged, however, the inmates managed to escape from the house, during the incident,” the statement added.






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Sunday, 30 March 2014

Unwire Us

Finally Srinagar Municipal Corporation mustered courage to seek Inspector General of CRPF’s intervention in ridding city of concertina wires. How CRPF is going to respond remains to be seen. The introduction of wires in Kashmir goes back to peak militancy days when pre-dawn crackdowns and irksome frisking were order of the day. And slowly Kashmir began to see wires in an entirely different context, signs of no go zones. It was 90’s and people hoped for a better tomorrow. But as world was transforming into a better connected wireless global village, Kashmir was slipping back into darkness. What changed was the name of wires from barbed to concertina. However, the lethality remained unchanged.


In 2012, a ten-year-old girl Muskaan Latief from Wazir Bagh was caught in concertina wire outside her house when chased by a pack of stray dogs. She received 10 stitches on her head. But Muskaan is not the only victim who was caught in the maze of razor sharp wires that are spread across the city. Almost all major roads in city are guarded by bunkers making movement of vehicles and pedestrians difficult. And these bunkers are guarded by rolls and rolls of concertina wire to keep any threat away. After 2008 mass movement against transfer of land to Amarnath Shrine Board, which saw people protesting on streets to get their voices heard, CRPF used concertina wires to stop movement and mobilization of civilians. Most of the roads were sealed by CRPF with heaps of wires putting lives of civilians at risk. After the protests were over CRPF didn’t bother to lift the siege of concertina wires and it slowly became part of peoples’ lives.


In last two and half decades of conflict, Kashmir is virtually turned into a garrison with every nook and corner guarded by men in uniform. The first thing one notices in Kashmir while coming from outside is the volume of armoured vehicles plying on roads meant for civilian traffic. And every now and then one has to make his way through concertina wired check posts where a single wrong cut can land you in mess. In recent past these wires have been a handy tool for authorities to keep civilians off the roads whenever the need arises.


With SMC making efforts to clear Srinagar of encroachments of all sorts including concertina wire occupying major part of vital transport routes, it is a welcome step.


Hope it is just the beginning. Rather than counting number of tourists arriving in Kashmir and passing it on as a sign of normalcy, it would be a good start if state could remove all bunkers and wires to help move freely in and around their localities. Otherwise with heaps of wires clogging city roads, it would be futile to hope that Srinagar could ever be a favoured tourist destination.






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Link to the Past

Youngsters quest to find missing links to their troubled past has upped the sale of history books in Kashmir. Irfan Tramboo reports the trend


Historic-Book It were the events of 2008 summer that made youngsters flock towards bookstores in Srinagar, in order to counter what they feel is India’s soft-war against Kashmir. A walk around Srinagar’s half a dozen remaining bookstores, which once served tourists and travelers; one can clearly see Kashmir’s new grown appetite for history.


In this conflict hit region, where the younger generation is on the receiving end, in and outside Kashmir, link to the past is crucial. But with most of curriculum monitored and controlled by state, the quest to seek undiluted history has ushered new life into Srinagar’s bookstores. “There is a visible change in our cliental after 2008 mass movement,” said a bookstore owner who wished not to be named. And it is interestingly Kashmir history that is fascinating youngsters.


The surge in reads saw authors like Alastair Lamb, Sir Walter Lawrence, Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz, Muhammad Sultan Pampori etc., covering the various phases of Kashmiris troubled history, back on shelves.


The reason behind their popularity is that they provide the links of the present turmoil with the decisive events which occurred during the Dogra rule. Pandit P N Bazaz in his book ‘History of Struggle for Independence in Kashmir’ digs out the history of Kashmir to the times when the Kashmir was under the Hindu rule.


There is visible change in Kashmir’s book market as people are now ready to invest on a good piece of history or literature.


Sensing opportunity in youngsters’ newfound love for history, Ali Mohammad and Sons (AMS), one of the oldest surviving publishing houses in Kashmir which was established in 1920, started printing cheaper versions of important books relevant to Kashmir’s troubled past and present. The most popular and sought after books at AMS bookstore are History of Srinagar by Muhammad Isaaq Khan, Mas-alay-e-Kashmir Ki Tareeki Asliyat by PG Rasool are the books most liked by people here.


“Everyday a numbers of youngsters come asking for Alastair Lamb’s Kashmir: A Disputed Legacy and Incomplete Partition: The Genesis Of The Kashmir Dispute,” says the owner of Password bookstore.


But Alastair Lamb is not the only sought after author in Kashmir, there are many other writers including some prominent local names who have been equally popular among youngsters. “There has been a surge in demand for Basharat Peer’s Curfewed Nights and Mirza Waheed’s The Collaborator,” says the owner of Gulshan Bookstore.


The reason for such kind of books becoming popular among youth is that they invalidate the version of history which state propagates.


“These books have succeeded in providing the genuine answers to various questions and queries which originated in the minds of young Kashmiris post 2008,” feels Raashid Maqbool, a media scholar and analyst.


Given Kashmir’s reliance on tourism sector and influx of foreigners till militancy broke, reading was part of common Kashmiris life. Even during Maharaja’s rule, which many historians considered suppressive for the majority community, locals have developed secret libraries at their homes.


Kashmir valley has always remained the hub of knowledge and wisdom from the very beginning, many rulers while using the repressive measures, many a times destroyed the historical rich records which were maintained by the writers of those times, and even exiled many among them. Some retaliated and recorded the events, while some perished.


Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din Zain-ul-Abidin (reigned: 1418-1419 and 1420-1470), fondly remembered as Budshah or Great King, is still popular among Kashmiris despite the fact that he ruled some 500 years back, assigned job to 20 of his men to travel around the world and collect important manuscripts and books from every part of the world. At the end of their mission they collected some 2500 books and manuscripts which were kept at Kashmiris first library established at the present day downtown, Srinagar. Interestingly, Budshah’s library survived almost a 100 years after his death.


Experts find events of 2008 summer as the catalyst movement for Kashmir’s grown hunger for knowledge. “In order to present their views in front of the world young Kashmiris took part in television debates and seminars, and for that one needs to know his/her past well,” feels Maqbool.


But Kashmir’s rekindled love for books is not confined to history only; there are people who search beyond their missing links to the past. “There is good demand for both fiction and non-fiction books among youth. They want to read whatever new comes to the market,” says the owner of Password bookstore.


But in a place like Kashmir where narratives and counter narratives occupy most of the political and social space, equipping oneself with right history is an important investment. “It is a good sign that young generation wants to know about their roots. One cannot afford to detach himself from history especially when you live under the shadow of guns,” feels Maqbool.






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bigWIGS

With smaller parties and neo-politicians out to claim their pie in the electoral cake, the trend has the potential of offsetting the overall calculations and even altering results of J&K’s main stakeholders in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, reports Shah Abbas


Cover-Photo Psephologists may have to wait a bit more to understand how the camel behaves in the biggest democratic dance of the world. Though the mandate is clearly fractured in the state, more so in Kashmir, there is every possibility that the smaller players can play a spoilsport to the extent that even results can have an impact. There are many players in Kashmir and also in Jammu who are out to prove their relevance to the society.


Take Abdul Rashid Sheikh, aka Engineer Rashid, for instance. As any poll agreement between his Awami Ittihad Party, (AIP) and the two arch rivals of Jammu and Kashmir: ruling National Conference (NC) and opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) failed to happen, Rashid decided to contest. An incumbent lawmaker representing north Kashmir Langate, Rashid has pitted himself against his neighbour Shareef-ud-Din Shariq, the NC’s incumbent MP, and Muzaffar Hussain Beig, PDP candidate and a former deputy chief minister.


The move has left both NC and PDP thinking about the possible disruptive role that AIP can play with its small vote share in the region.


Despite Rashid occupying the front page of newspapers routinely on daily basis – he also writes columns as well, is unlikely to wrest the seat from Shariq. But his presence in the electoral fray can affect vote share of bigger stakeholders like NC and PDP. Can it be decisive to alter the results?


Political commentators, who have been keenly observing Rashid’s rise as the ‘common man in politics’ believe that any alliance between AIP and PDP would have tilted balance in PDP’s favour. But despite backdoor efforts there could not be an agreement as the process threw up a series of disagreements.


Mehbooba Mufti and Dr Mehboob Beg

Mehbooba Mufti and Dr Mehboob Beg



“Our party was approached by both NC and PDP, and they sought our support but finally it was not possible,” a very active member of AIP revealed to Kashmir Life. “Our president seldom hides anything from the party and when he sought our opinion we told him that NC and PDP should know that Kashmir politics is not their property and there is no big difference between the two so how could we choose and select between them?”


Insiders in PDP admit there was an effort to get Rashid in support. “We got certain conditions of engagement discussed but then it seemed as if he was keen to retain his alliance with the NC, something he was in last time,” an insider said. “As the talk started walking, he got positive feelers from somewhere else so he was off the scene.”


This situation has converted Baramulla into an amphitheatre. Rashid is pitting against major stakeholders NC and PDP. Then, there is Abdul Salam Bajad, nominee of Sajjad Lone’s People’s Conference. In 2009 elections, Lone, who had contested personally, had polled 65403 votes. NC had polled winning 203022 votes, defeating PDPs Dilawar Mir who secured 138208 votes.


Peoples’ Conference has its base housed in the region. In interesting twist that is rooted in history, when Abdul Gani Lone, Sajjad’s father was setting up the party in the region, Muzaffar Huassain Beig was part of his team. Even Rashid belongs to the same political stock. What impact will it have on the electorate, remains to be seen?


But Rashid says he will ensure 2014 to be different from 2009. Asserting that his base in his Langate is intact, Rashid’s AIP men say they have grown in Sopore, Handwara and Bandipora too.


The question is if AIP take X votes, will that be his own or that of NC or PDP? That is how the mandate will witness the suffering of a small player.


“Everybody knows that Engineer Sahab was in alliance with NC in 2009, but this time their alliance could not happen. As he is contesting himself this time, he will affect NC’s vote share, his earlier ally and not ours,” feels PDP spokesman Naeem Akhtar. “We were not in alliance with anyone last time nor will we do it this time. What we got (votes) in 2009 was our own and what we will be getting this time is also ours.”


There are even chances of Congress’s voters not following Rahul-Omar. In Gurez, there is a rebellion going on and it is erstwhile NC MLA, now with Congress, Faqir Mohammad, who says his voters would prefer boycott rather than going with Shariq. Similar situation is seen in Uri’s Pahari pockets.


Dr Farooq Abdullah and Tariq Hamid Karra

Dr Farooq Abdullah and Tariq Hamid Karra



But the small party crisis is not north-centric. Even Srinagar that has NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah pitted against PDPs Tariq Hamid Karra will have its share of this spectacle.


While AIPs, Rashid Rahil, (a news paper owner) is no big player, together with Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) RTI activist turned politician, Raja Muzaffar, NC can feel a bit of heat.


“Raja in the north of the constituency and Rahil in the south of it can disturb the overall results or minimize or maximize the margin of defeat or success,” a political commentator wishing anonymity said.


In 2009 Dr Farooq Abdullah defeated his PDP rival Molvi Ifkikhaar Hussain Ansari with a modest margin of 30242 votes. Farooq had polled 147035 and Ansari 116793 votes.


Party agendas apart, PDP thinks it will be NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah’s person that will be an issue apart from the performance of the coalition government. “People will definitely think about Dr Farooq’s perception vis-a-vis Kashmir and Kashmiris before voting,” Akhtar said. The opposition has been repeatedly talking about Dr Abdullah’s ‘Maha Choor’ comment for all these days. “His victory will be an endorsement of this statement,” says Karra.


But equations are entirely different down south. It is not just ‘a’ difference between Mehbooba versus Mehboob. For Mufti Sayeed whose daughter is seeking election from the region, it is a larger ideological battle. He has been retaining the region for his party since 2002 and defending it to the extent that NC still has just one assembly segment to its credit. In fact, PDP has all the segments except the four – one with NC, two with Congress and one with CPI (M).


PDP had this Lok Sabha segment in 2004 and even prior to that as well. But in 2009, it was wrested by Dr Mehboob Beig when he defeated Pir Hussain just by around 5000 votes. Then, NC’s Dr Baig polled 148317 votes and PDP got 143093. There were 13 candidates in the field and Islamabad had a total of 1176223 electors in 2009.


As Ms Mufti and Dr Beig are sure, in their own right, to win, political observers believe CPI (M)’s Yousuf Tarigami, who represents Kulgam in the state assembly for the last three consecutive terms, can play Rashid’s role. It can prove more decisive than in north. Both NC and PDP are said to be in touch with valley’s lone leftist face as they understand his importance in Islamabad constituency.


Muzaffar Hussain Beigh and Shariq ud din Shariq

Muzaffar Hussain Beigh and Shariq ud din Shariq



“It is final that our party is not going to contest Lok Sabha election but we are yet to decide about supporting or not to any contesting parties,” Tarigami told Kashmir Life. “Any final call will be taken once I reach Srinagar next week.”


What is interesting is that as the dance of India’s democracy jumped the mountains, roles change and change totally. NC is obviously missing in action because it has a tie-up with Congress. PDP, however, exists for the lack of an ally. But that does not prevent PDP from playing the same spoilsport to which it is confronted with back home. While PDP’s high-altitude ambition in Ladakh might be a tall order but it is contesting both the Jammu seats. It has Yesh Pal Sharma for Jammu-Poonch and an erstwhile NC contractor Arshad Malik for Udhampur-Doda as its candidates.


Till recently the TV channels in Delhi had given the two seats to BJP’s Dr Jitendera Singh and Jugal Kishore. But the situation has changed after party high command literally forced a reluctant Ghulam Nabi Azad to contest from his home segment. That has changed the situation totally.


Commentators see many happenings, apparently coincidental, going in Azad’s support.


Firstly, it is BJPs crisis within that is hitting its Udhampur prospects. At the time of fielding, it preferred RSS nominee Dr Singh over BJP’s old hand Nirmal Singh who lost it in 2009 just by a whisker. Later, when the BJP started talking to its rebels (seven MLAs), it got five back and sealed the return track of two including its veteran Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, who has served Udhampur twice in parliament and became MoS Defence in Vajpayee era.


A hurt Gupta fielded his son Anil Gupta. Given the support, Prof Gupta has in parts of Udhampur, it is obvious that his son will cut a share from BJPs kitty.


Secondly, Prof Bhim Singh, founder of the Panthers Party, can have a similar impact. Singh garnered almost 70,000 votes in 2009. This all will reduce the Hindu vote that BJP is harping on.


Dr Jeetindra Singh and Ghulam Nabi Azad

Dr Jeetindra Singh and Ghulam Nabi Azad



These developments will definitely consolidate the Muslim vote. But there was every chance that part of it would go to PDP because its candidate Arshad Malik has been there for a long time and has some influence. Given the conditions prevailing in the region, PDP, according to insiders, has gone slow. Mufti Sayeed has cancelled most of his engagements in the region after Azad filed his nominations. Sources said this was not done under an agreement but just as a good will gesture.


But that is not same role that PDP anticipates for itself in Jammu-Poonch seat. Here Congress’s Madan Lal Sharma is pitted against BJPs Jugal Kishore Sharma.


Congress’s both the candidates in last Lok Sabha, Lal Singh and Madan Lal have not been able to carry everybody along. The Muslim belts in the region were at the fag end of their properties. That was precisely why there was lot of resistance to the candidacy of Lal Singh that eventually forced High Command to send Azad to have his maiden Lok Sabha election from his home state.


Unlikely Lal Singh, Sharma was not changed. One factor is that he has a formidable position in Akhnoor, his home belt. He is pitted against BJP and both are non-Muslims. They lack an appeal in Pir Panchal valley where PDP has worked substantially over the year. There is possibility of PDP’s Yash Pal emerging second from the region.


In last elections, PDPs S Tarlok Singh secured 93730 votes from Jammu-Poonch against Madan Lal’s 382305 who defeated as many as 21 candidates.


Besides, Refugees United Front (RUF) and the Panthers Party are a concern for the established players like Congress and BJP. The RUF is an outfit of the Pakistani Hindus who are settled in parts of Jammu after 1947. RUF has fielded Labha Ram Gandhi from Jammu. The RUF has historically been with the Congress and NC but this time it has fielded its own candidate to counter PDP’s Yashpal Sharma, who is himself a Hindu from Pakistan.


A similar danger is lurking in Ladakh after Congress finally decided to field its Leh district president Tsering Samphel as the alliance candidate. Leh and Kargil districts have exhibited a strange relationship in Lok Sabha. It happened twice that when a party decided to field a candidate from Leh, Kargil fielded an independent and won. Even Leh did this once.


Given the crisis that Congress and NC are embattled in Kargil’s LAHDC, the possibility of Kargil emerging with its own ‘independent’ cannot be ruled out.


Mandate is highly fractured in J&K. As people start dancing to the tunes of democracy, it fractures further.






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PDP Petitions EC Against Sakina Ittoo

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally petitioned the Election Commission against National Conference cabinet minister ms Sakina Itoo. She has been accused of coercing people to join her party and vote for it by invoking faith.


PDP spokesman Naeem Akhter said the party wants the EC to take action against the minister because the issue is a major violation of Model Code of Conduct. He said the video that has gone viral on the social networking sites clearly shows the lady minister compelling an old man. He said the issue is sensitive and the Commission must take note of it.


But Ms Ittoo is having the complete support of the party. Earlier in the day, a spokesman of the party said there was nothing serious in the video which is not rooted in culture of the place. “Let them (PDP) go to the Election Commission and then we will respond,” Junaid Mattu said. “Let it reach a level where the EC treats it a violation.”


Later, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah used twitter to talk about the issue. “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,” Omar said in the first of his series of tweets involving the only women minister in his cabinet. “I’ve spoken to Sakina, this video was taken months before the election code. She isn’t threatening anyone, she isn’t abusing anyone.”


“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,” Omar said in another tweet, adding, “She isn’t asking for votes or in anyway talking about elections / rival candidates. How is this then an election matter?”






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Mufti Conspired Against Regional Identity: NC

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Sharply reacting to the PDP observation that NC has lost regional character, an NC spokesman termed Mufti Sayeed a politician who has conspired against regional character of NC in the past.


“It is immensely funny that Mufti Sayeed’s daughter speaks about NC’s regional character given the fact that Mufti Sayeed, in all his political manifestations all his life has been one of the biggest conspirators against the regional identity of Jammu & Kashmir,” party spokesman Junaid Mattu said. “NC is not an opportunistic bandwagon of individuals but a political movement and institution that bases its politics on the representation of the people of J&K.”


Mattu said Mufti’s ideological opposition to Article 370 is etched in the pages of history and PDP’s attempts to fool the people with such statements are ridiculous attempts to misrepresent history. He alleged that PDP is using “special contacts” in Delhi to warm up to Narendra Modi. “These multiple and frequent meetings are apparently facilitated by a senior journalist and a former Director of Intelligence and are being held to give a tactical shape to the BJP-PDP hidden alliance,” he said.


Asking Mehbooba Mufti to make up her mind, Mattu said she waxing eloquent about the need for a “regional character” in politics today had expressed her interest to speak on behalf of the “Muslims of India” a couple of days ago. “Does Mehbooba Mufti want to represent the people of J&K or is she deluded into aspiring to represent the Muslims of the entire country? Where was Mufti Sayeed’s concern for the Muslims of India when he was hand-in-glove with Jagmohan – who is widely considered to be an anti-Muslim, communal bigot? Why didn’t Mufti Sayeed raise his voice for the Muslims of India when Jagmohan destroyed the properties, shops, homes and lives of hundreds of Indian Muslims at Turkeman Gate?,” Mattu asked.


Mattu said that it was a fact validated by archival record in the Lok Sabha that Mehbooba Mufti as an MP chose to never speak up in the parliament – neither for Kashmiris nor for the Muslims of this country. Her newfound realization about the need to espouse and advocate the cause of Indian Muslims is convenient and hypocritical. Why did she consciously abstain from doing so when she was in the Parliament?






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The confined tale

Bilal Handoo


Prison


It is raining heavily tonight. A haunting darkness has wrapped hundreds of households in downtown Srinagar. The clock has just touched 10 pm. In Khanyar locality, somebody is knocking hard at the door of Mir House. It is 2005. It is different regime operating at state level. The fresh ‘claim’ asserts: militancy and counter-militancy have dipped. They are applying ‘healing touch’ on everything. But in spite of all this ‘assurance’, these untimely knocks have set hearts on racing mode in Mir family? It is no 90’s. Dreadful knocks don’t haunt these days. But why these looks of alarm have flashed on their faces. They aren’t sure. Perhaps, this is how they have learned to react over such untimely calls.


In the family of four, the elder musters courage to attend the loud knocks. He takes a candle with himself. It is a power cut tonight. His steps are getting heavy as he approaches near the door. The knocks are getting desperate now. “Who is this,” Mir raises his voice of inquiry in a low tone. “Please, open the door,” someone shouts from outside. The rain is still falling quite heavily. And then, with trembling hands, Mir unbolts the door.


In a flash, a shabby looking man—sporting long hair and beard, rushes inside. He is huffing quite heavily. The man turns backwards and bolts the door immediately. A jet of air blows off the candle. In that dark company, Mir can clearly feel a loud panting of a stranger. “Don’t worry,” assures the stranger. “I am among the family!”


Mir has no idea: how to react over the presence of stranger in his home. He is tight-lipped. And then, both of them move towards the living room—where Mir’s wife and two kids are quietly seated. The entrance of the stranger derails the mood in the room. He looks like a runaway convict. Quick glances are being exchanged. Nobody has seen the man before. He is still panting and is soaked wet. Mir fetches a glass of water from him. He gulps it in one go. They hand over him a towel to wipe out his hair and beard.


As he lifts his head up, Kulsum—Mir’s wife, takes a good look at his face. She begins finding some resemblance from his eyes. She clearly recognizes these pair of eyes! Yes, she does. They are the same eyes which made many girls to fall for them. These are same eyes, which mysteriously went missing from everybody’s sight a decade ago. She is now certain about the identity of the stranger. And then, a wailing cry ended all mysteriously of the man: “Myane Baaya!”


In the garb of stranger, Kulsum has traced her lost cousin.


Now, all fears have been replaced by smiles and joys in the room. A decade old uncertainly over the fate of missing soul has finally ended in this pitch-black night. But before miserable tales of ten years would have unfolded, Basharat Ahmad, the stranger-turned-missing cousin is being comforted. Hugs, kisses, tears, wails, smiles: all human emotions are at display tonight.


Another hour or so has passed now. Still, nobody is scratching the painful past. Kids have started yawning. Kulsum accompanies them to their bedroom. After a while, she joins back her cousin and husband in the room. Under the candle light, Basharat’s big brown eyes are reflecting remorse. The rainfall has stopped. A dead silence is prevailing over everything. And then, Kulsum touches the raw nerve: “You absence turned all of us mad.”


Basharat is still quiet. But, the remark wells up his eyes with tears. He too wants to tell her: how he felt once he lost touch with his parents, his relatives, friends and his love—Shagufta, the affection.


That day, in the fall of 1995, he was heading home back from SP College—where he was pursuing Bachelors in Science. Protests were happening in his locality over the arrest of five locals. He was young, emotional and charged up. He saw women beating their chests, pulling their hair and crying haplessly. He couldn’t withstand it. He was brewing inside. He charged nearby sand bunker along with the young horde. They were soon dispersed when they shot bullets in the air. Later that day, he was reported missing. Nobody saw him after that day…


But in this dark night, ten years of emotional trauma has finally unfolded. Basharat heard her cousin saying: the last decade devoured your parents as well as your love. He restrains himself from emotional display upon hearing all this. In a sobbing tone, she keeps reflecting everything.


Amid the stretched conversation, clock touches mid-night. Sensing a need to halt the talk, Kulsum insists Basharat to take some rest now. He is yet to narrate his own tale. But she shows no urgency as of now. She has all the time now to hear him out. He must be tired, she thinks. He should rest now.


Within the next 10 minutes, Basharat is lying on the softest bed he comes across from last 10 years. He remembers very well: how he was made to sleep on frozen ice. Sometimes, bedding on concrete turned living hell—as his badly beaten back wasn’t ready for such surfaces.


But now, physical agony has taken form of mental trauma. Previously, there was mere longing; but now, loss of loved ones is haunting him like this night—which has no room for the light.


Earlier in the day, they were taking him for the court hearing. He managed to give them a slip at Srinagar’s Lower Court. He merged with crowd at Lal Chowk and was soon out of their sight. Till the evening, he hid himself in an abandoned pandit house at Habba Kadal. And as darkness spread, he rushed to his residence at Khanyar. His saw his house razed to ground. They had recently displaced scores of households from the area and spread them on the outskirts of city. He then ran towards her cousin—Kulsum’s home in the area. Till the time he reached there, it was already dark and raining.


But tonight, all his memories are devouring his sleep. The very thought of losing mother is indeed enormous for every son. He is no exceptional. But he lost her in exile. It is disturbing. He lost his father too. He is biting his nails in silence over the irreversible loss. He was their only son who was missing from their dead bed.


But apart from his parents, the loss of his love is equally troublesome. He had promised her that they would marry after his graduation. She was in same class—studying Humanities, at Srinagar’s Women College. At the time of his disappearance, they were already in love for five years.


She was a beautiful, and he was a daredevil. They were both in Class 8 when he had proposed her outside her school in presence of her friends. She was touched and impressed by his bold nature. He then handed over a love letter to her.


Later at home, she unfolded the letter—inked in his blood, and sprayed in pleasant perfume. She had cried like a child over this act of his. The next morning, she wanted to meet him to say: you are the best for me. But she couldn’t. It was a crackdown—that lasted for three days.


Later when caged ones were set free; she saw him waiting outside the school. She blushed over the very idea to reveal her heart to him. She couldn’t utter a single word. Mere looks of shyness and smile crossed their ways. But, the message couldn’t have been more direct to him. And thus, their love bloomed alongside with the disturbing situation around.


But earlier tonight, Kulsum had informed him that Shagufta couldn’t withstand his separation. Soon after his disappearance, she had turned silent. She had also stopped her college. To end her plight, her parents had decided to marry her off. But once she sniffed the intentions, she silenced herself, forever.


All these thoughts are disturbing him very badly. He remembers the pile of letters he wrote to her, saying: “My love, please move on. I don’t think, our union is possible as long as these forced cages would confine us. Please, move on!” But his words lost in transition.


They had charged him in a murder case. From last one decade, he has failed to make a sense of the charge. And, when all his rationality failed to made a sense of it; he would catch a state of nuts! He would then smile. And then, that smile would change into an insane laughter. But when he would return to his senses, only a heartfelt cry had prevailed. And, that is how all these years have been passed by.


He once wrote in their cage: “How ironic! You are trying to create castles on human miseries. Remember, the end of Hitler is no glorifying chapter in history books! It rather calls for introspection.”


But the notes of his confinement never reached anyone. And, he continued to remain untraceable for all his loved ones. No letter of his was allowed to escape from the fortified walls of the prison. He had a company of Sonauallah Ranjay in Kot Bhalwal Jail all these years. But as the jail figured on the attention of press after Ranjay’s murder, his case was taken up for a hearing. But he had already lost his ten years till that happened.


With these thoughts, he finally passed into a slumber. As dusk next morning; knocks have again appeared at the front door of Mir House. With a sleepy state of mind, elder of the house opens the door. He is stunned by the sight outside! It is government forces looking at him from the other side of door. They push him aside and start pouring in.


And within no time, Basharat has been taken out of his sleep. They bundle him inside the vehicle and left the family wailing.


Perhaps, henceforth: Kulsum would never know her cousin’s tale—she postponed last night!






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BJP Fields Three Muslims From Kashmir

BJP's Kashmir team: (L-R) Mushtaq Ahmad Malik, G M MIr, Ramesh Arora and Arif Majid.

BJP’s Kashmir team: (L-R) Mushtaq Ahmad Malik, G M MIr, Ramesh Arora and Arif Majid.



KL Report


SRINAGAR


After roping in the Task Force founder Farooq Khan in Jammu, the BJP on Sunday announced its candidate for the Lok Sabha from Kashmir. They were formally introduced in a press conference at party’s Rajbagh office by Ramesh Arora, party’s state vice president.


Aroda said the party is fielding G M Mir from north Kashmir Baramulla, Mushtaq Noorabadi from south Kashmir Islamabad and Arif Raza from Central Kashmir Srinagar constituency.


The party press release issued in the press conference talks about 11 things, which apparently seem to be state specific. These include Rs 50,000 grant for a female for Nikkah, old age pension to everybody after 60 years, peace and development, “stephens” (it seems it is stipend) to all educated youth, development of all three regions, action against corrupt politicians and “burocrats”, solution to all issues on negotiation table, encouraging tourism, food to every one, electricity and water to every house and an investigation into how central sponsored schemes are being misused by political leaders.






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Landslide Fear Forces Evacuation In Baramulla

KL Report


SRINAGAR


At least one house was damaged as a landslide struck Kawhar Sheeri village in Baramulla. This necessitated shifting of many families to safer places in view of possible recurrence in this landslide prone Chandoosa belt, official reports said.


A police spokesman said a house owned by four families was damaged while two other houses of Naseer Ahmad Bhat and Reyaz Ahmad Reshi were exposed to imminent danger in Kawhar Sheeri village.


It was in follow up to this action that the government advised evacuation of various families in Kahutpora, Laridoora, Muran, Tengwari, Kawhar and Walraman to safer places.






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Kashmiri Students Develop A Pulse Feeling Glove

pulse glove students KL Report


SRINAGAR


Four Kashmiri students currently perusing their students in a Punjab education institution have designed a “Life Saving Glove” that could help cardiac patients have their pulse rate detected automatically. All the four students have engineering background and have collaborated with the institutes nursing and medical staff to make this happen.


The students were identified as Showkat, Danish, Ishfaq and Adil (all B Tech ECE students) who were mentored by their teachers in the process. The Nursing team members included Rashpal Kaur, Alisha Khanna and Sonia (all from Punjab).


The glove to be worn by the patient possesses a technology that will check the pulse rate of the patient at frequent intervals. Any exceptional change in pulse rate caused due to cardiac disease which is beyond the standard limit will be detected by the glove. It can call or generate an SMS to a doctor or a relative of patient automatically. This will enable timely attention to the patient.


The glove, according to Showkat works both on the battery and power supply. It also envisages a SIM card which works under the GSM (Global System for Mobile) module. The contact number of doctor and relative of patient are recorded in micro controller and can be changed by simple modification in the programme. Danish, another boy who was part of the project, said the glove can have a link to an LCD which can display the heartbeat of the patient in terms of numerals.


Kashmiri boys and Punjabi girls who worked on the glove incurred Rs 25,000 on the project and working for around 40 days. Though the glove is currently wired, the students are improving it to become wireless for any commercial use. The institute has given the group a one lakh rupees grant to improve the glove further.






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Saturday, 29 March 2014

Army patrolling party attacked in North Kashmir; Police registered open FIR

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Army Saturday claimed that a suspected militant attacked its patrolling party near New Colony Palhalan area of North Kashmir’s Pattan town.


“Our patrolling part personnel from 29 RR came under attack when a suspected militant fired upon them with AK-47 riffle. We exercised maximum restraint and did not retaliate,” an Army official told CNS on condition of anonymity.


Reports said that soon after the incident police, Army and Special Operation Group personnel cordoned off the area and with the help of sniffer dogs recovered some arms and ammunition from a band saw mill.


A police official while confirming the incident said that the assailant before fleeing from the spot had left one AK-47 riffle, one magazine and 9 rounds near a band saw mill which were recovered by the joint searching party.


“We have registered a case vide FIR number 46/2014 under section 7/27 arms act in this regard and investigation is going on,” the police official said.






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Video surfaced on facebook shows old man forced to take oath by Sakina Itoo

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Much to the embarrassment of National Conference female leader and Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo, her video has appeared on the social networking site facebook in which she along with her party workers have been shown compelling an old man to support her during coming elections.


The Minister and her workers are shown forcing the old man to take oath and swear by Allah and the Prophet (pbuh) and promise that he will support the National Conference.


“Recite Kalima Toiba and take the 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 duration of the video is 3.11 minutes and in this video it is evident that Sakina Itoo and her party workers show eagerness to seek the support of the old man.


One of the workers not in picture requests 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, Sakina 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,” Sakina Itoo repeatedly asks the old man and while holding his hand again and again tells him that she is no malice in her heart against him.


Soon after the surfacing of the video on the social networking site, netizens are busy in posting their comments.






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Police man shot and injured in south Kashmir

KL Report


SRINAGAR


A police man was injured when suspected militants fired upon him at Kakapora, main market in south Kashmir, police said on Saturday.


Panic gripped in the Kakapora, town when people heard some gunshots in the busy market area. Eyewitnesses told Kashmir Life that everybody ran for life as they saw a man in uniform in a pool of blood.


Police sources said that a police party was on duty in the market when they were fired upon injuring one cop.


They added that the injured has been identified as Javed Iqbal. He was rushed to hospital for treatment by his colleagues.


Police and forces immediately started search operation in the area to nab the attackers. Police sources however said no one was arrested.


Pertinently, Lok Sabha election activities in J&K have already started. Amid high security alert suspected militants strike in Kuthua district on Friday. An IED was detected in the Srinagar outskirts on Saturday morning and suspected militants attacked a police cop in south Kashmir in the afternoon.






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PDD lineman electrocuted in South Kashmir

KL Report


SRINAGAR


A PDD lineman was electrocuted while repairing a HT wire in South Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, a police statement said.


“A PDD lineman Ghulam Nabi reshi son of Abdul Majeed resident of Veer Saran, Pahalgam was electrocuted while repairing a HT wire at club park Pahalgam. He received sever burn injuries and was shifted to hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries,” the statement said.






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05 injured in road mishaps; Fire damages 3 structures

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Five persons were injured in two different road accidents across the valley while two residential houses and a shop were damaged in different fire incidents, last evening, a police statement said.


“A bus bearing registration number 2270/JK04 driven by Bashir Ahmad Mir son of Late Abdul Gaffar Mir turned turtle near Zainapora Hajan. Four persons were injured in this accident. All the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment, the statement said.


In another accident, police said, “an auto rickshaw bearing registration number JK01E/1422 driven by Ishfaq Ahmad son of Ghulam Mohammad resident of Pampore collided with a truck bearing registration number JK14A/3097 near Panthachowk. In this accident the driver of the auto rickshaw was critically injured. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment.”


Meawhile, fire engulfed two residential houses and a shop were damaging them, the statement added.


“Fire broke out in the residential house of Bashir Ahmad Najar resident of Khashi Pora Telbal, Srinagar. The house got partially damaged in this incident. Fire was brought under control by fire tenders and police,” it said.


“Fire broke out in the residential house of Mohammad Afzal Bhat son of Late Mohammad Khalil resident of Amdakadal. In this incident the house got partially damaged. Fire was brought under control by fire tenders and police,” the police said.


In another incident, it said, fire broke out in the kiryana shop of Mushtaq Ahmad Mir son of Ghulam Mohammad Mir resident of Shalgund, Lalpora, Kupwara. The structure got partially damaged in this incident.


Police said that it have registered cases to investigate the incidents.






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Tourist dies in Gulmarg

KL Report


SRINAGAR


A tourist Dev Chand Godha son of Lalji Godha resident of Shivtari, Mumbai died near hotel Affarvwat Gulmarg, police said on Saturday.


After performing medico-legal formalities the body was handed over to his relatives for cremation. The cremation was done by his relatives at Batamallo.


Meanwhile, a Nepali labour Take Bahadur son of Lal Bahadur resident of Dong reppi, Nepal was found dead in his room at Somoor Nobra in suspicious manner.


The postmortem of the body was carried out at Sub District Hospital Nobra. Police has registered a case under section 174 CrPC in this regard.






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Friday, 28 March 2014

Election notification for South Kashmir Lok Sabha seat to be issued on 29th of March

KL Report


SRINAGAR


According to Returning Officer 3-Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency, the election notification for the elections of said constituency will be issued on 29th of March 2014.


Candidates can file their nomination papers in the office of returning office or Assistant returning officer Anantnag during office hours up to 5th of April 2014 till 3 PM on all working days, an official statement said.


The scrutiny of nominations will be done on 7th of April 2014 while candidates can withdraw their nominations up to 9th of April 2014. The polling will be held on 24th April 2014 from 7 a.m. to 6 PM, the statement added.






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Omar condemns Kuthua militant attack

KL Report


JAMMU


Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has condemned the ‘heinous act of terrorists’ killing one civilian and injuring three in Dayala Chak belt of Kathua district in the wee hours on Friday.


“Such barbarian act of terrorists amply exposes their anti-human face,” Chief Minister said in a statement.


The Chief Minister in his condolence message to the bereaved families has expressed solidarity with them and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and early recovery of the injured.






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Police detains Shah, house arrests Khan

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Police arrested Hurriyet Conference Jammu Kashmir leaders, Shabir Ahmed Shah, along with his associates in Srinagar, on Friday.


Police arrested Shah and Muhammad Yasin Attai from Sanat Nagar area of Srinagar when they were leaving for Pakharpora where they were scheduled to address an election boycott rally, a Hurrriyat statement said.


It added that police also arrested Mohammad Yusuf Naqash, and lodged him at Safa Kadal Police Station.


Meanwhile, authorities placed another Hurriyat Conference (JK) leader, Nayeem Ahmad Khan under house arrest. Zafar Akbar Butt, another separatist leader was also house arrested


According to a Hurriyat (JK) statement police also raided the residences of, Mushtaq-ul-Islam and Farooq Ahmad Dar.






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2 Militants, Army man, civilian killed, encounter going on in Kuthua

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Two suspected militants, Army man and a civilian were killed in the ongoing encounter between militants and the forces which started Friday morning in a village in Kuthua district, police sources said.


Earlier, the militants in Army fatigues opened fire at a vehicle in Kathua district.


Three suspected militants wearing Army uniform intercepted a vehicle and opened fire on passengers at Tarnah Nallah Bridge in Dayala Chak belt of Kathua district on Friday morning.


One civilian was killed and three others injured in the militant firing the Jammu-Pathankot Highway.


The vehicle which was hijacked by the suspected militants was later intercepted by the Army near a private college in Kalibari-Janglote belt of Kathua district, resulting in an encounter. “The encounter was going on when the reports last reports came in,” police sources said.


Meanwhile, security has been stepped up in Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts after the attack and the Jammu-Pathankot Highway has been closed.






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Deputy Director Prosecution Bari Andrabi resigns, joins PDP

KL Report


SRNAGAR


Deputy Director Prosecution Syed Bari Andrabi, who resigned from his service few days back Friday, joined People’s Democratic Party (PDP).


“I had resigned some 15 days before and today joined PDP because I found the party as the best platform to serve the people,” Bari told Kashmir Life.


Hailing from Pucchal, Pulwama, Bari, has served as Chief Prosecuting Officer Srinagar from 2002 to 2013.


49 years old Bari, did his LLB from Kashmir University in 1990. He has also a diploma in business administration to his credit.






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Thursday, 27 March 2014

SMC asks CRPF to clear concertina wire from City

KL Report


SRINAGAR


The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) presently all set to launch a vigorous anti encroachment drive in Srinagar city has shot a letter to the CRPF to remove concertina wires placed in several areas in order to facilitate a free pedestrian passage in the city, a statement said.


In its letter, to the Inspector General of CRPF Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Shafqat Khan, health officer of SMC has said that besides being a serious public health hazard as it is reported that same is causing injuries to women and children and the elderly, the concertina wire is also becoming a reason of defacement of many important and vital areas in the heart of Srinagar City.


“SMC has launched massive anti encroachment drive in Srinagar city in order to clear all encroachments in the Srinagar City and during the said drive it has been found that at many places the concertina wire is causing obstruction and hindering free passage to pedestrian movement. The concertina wire has also become a serious public health hazard as it is reported that same is causing injuries to women and children and the elderly,” the letter shot by SMC has said.


Dr Khan has said that the concertina wire is also becoming a reason of defacement of many important and vital areas in the heart of Srinagar City. “It is therefore requested that in the common interest of general public and in view of the inconvenience and a public health concern, kindly issue immediate instructions to your field staff to remove the extra quantity of concertina wire from all the prominent places of the city and in future adopt a more humane and rational use of this concertina wire,” the SMC letter reads.






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CEO reviews law and order situation; 5618 weapons deposited, 7513 pamphlets/flags seized

KL Report


SRINAGAR


In order to ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha Election 2014, Chief Electoral Officer, J&K Umang Narula Thursday held a high level meeting and reviewed law and order situation in two Parliamentary Constituencies of Jammu and Udhampur, an official statement said.


On the occasion a video conference with the ROs of Jammu and Udhampur-Doda Constituencies, DEOs and respective District Police heads was organized.


The issues which came up during the meeting and exhaustive deliberations on which were done inter-alia include: Deployment of SAP and CAPF, Communication Plan, Transport Plan and other security related matters, the statement said.


While giving details of law and order scenario in the state, the CEO said so far 5618 licensed arms have been deposited and 3 impounded. No incident of violence related to poll campaign, political rivalry has been reported, he added.


He said 2553 nakas have been operationalised, the flying squads have seized 7513 pamphlets/flags, 170 electric poles and 115 empty liquor pouches seized. 693 cases have been put up under preventive sections of CRPC out of which 669 persons bound over under preventive sections of CRPC.


It was informed that 315 hamlets have been identified as vulnerable and 308 persons identified as probable source of trouble.


Special Director General, Police K. Rajendra, Inspector General, Police, Jammu Rajesh Kumar, Director Information Tasaduq Jeelani and Dy. CEO Rakesh Sarangal, attended the meeting.


KL Report


SRINAGAR


In order to ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha Election 2014, Chief Electoral Officer, J&K Umang Narula Thursday held a high level meeting and reviewed law and order situation in two Parliamentary Constituencies of Jammu and Udhampur, an official statement said.


On the occasion a video conference with the ROs of Jammu and Udhampur-Doda Constituencies, DEOs and respective District Police heads was organized.


The issues which came up during the meeting and exhaustive deliberations on which were done inter-alia include: Deployment of SAP and CAPF, Communication Plan, Transport Plan and other security related matters, the statement said.


While giving details of law and order scenario in the state, the CEO said so far 5618 licensed arms have been deposited and 3 impounded. No incident of violence related to poll campaign, political rivalry has been reported, he added.


He said 2553 nakas have been operationalised, the flying squads have seized 7513 pamphlets/flags, 170 electric poles and 115 empty liquor pouches seized. 693 cases have been put up under preventive sections of CRPC out of which 669 persons bound over under preventive sections of CRPC.


It was informed that 315 hamlets have been identified as vulnerable and 308 persons identified as probable source of trouble.


Special Director General, Police K. Rajendra, Inspector General, Police, Jammu Rajesh Kumar, Director Information Tasaduq Jeelani and Dy. CEO Rakesh Sarangal, attended the meeting.






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‘Kashmiriyat’ depends on National Conference’s success: Dr Farooq Abdullah

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Addressing National Conference women workers’ meeting organized at its Headquarters at Nawa-e-Subh in Srinagar, Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that women have always played a vital and important role in the history of Kashmir ever since they were led towards social, economic and political empowerment by Madar-e-Meharbaan Begum Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, a party statement said.


Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who is NC-Congress Lok Sabha candidate from central Kashmir, said that history is a witness to the fact that National Conference has always given utmost respect, dignity and a sense of equality to women and made education accessible to them in the State. “It is because of the leadership of National Conference, its vision and policies that women of J&K are today playing a vital role in the transformation and development of our State. National Conference came into being to uphold the self-respect and dignity of the people of this State and has rendered numerous sacrifices for the sentiments and aspirations of the people,” he said.


Dr. Farooq Abdullah added that from the very day Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah started our movement for the rights and empowerment for our people numerous conspiracies were hatched against National Conference and its leadership to weaken the State and dilute its special status. “There have been perennial as well as seasonal, covert and overt foes and detractors of the party who have left no stone unturned to weaken National Conference so that the representational character and voice of J&K could be fragmented and fractured.”


However, he maintained, their nefarious designs have always been defeated in the past and will always be thwarted by the people of this State who consider National Conference to be the custodian of their rights, sentiments and honour – a bond that has stood the test of time.


Abdullah said that historic decisions and steps taken by Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Madar-e-Meharbaan Begum Akbar Jahan for the upliftment and welfare of women continue to help us scale new heights even to this day. National Conference has always played a pivotal role to open closed doors and empower the women of our State to break the glass-ceilings of suppression and gender inequality.


The statement quoting Farooq said, “National Conference prioritized the dream of women empowerment by incorporating transformational policies in the Naya Kashmir vision document of National Conference, a historic document that has been a coherent script for J&K’s well-being, safety and honor. It was decades ago that National Conference in ‘Naya Kashmir’ spoke in detail about the empowerment of our womenfolk.”


He further said that Kashmiriyat has been nurtured by the sacrifices and blood of National Conference and for Kashmiriyat to survive and flourish the flag of National Conference will have to stay hoisted in the State for all times to come.


Abdullah impressed on the Women’s Wing workers to mobilize their cadre with utmost dedication and zeal to ensure that the candidates put forth by the party in the Parliamentary elections emerge victorious with huge margins as has been proven at all junctures in the past.






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Fire damages 03 houses; 04 injured in road mishaps

KL Report


SRINAGAR


A police statement Thursday said that three residential houses were damaged in two separate fire incidents across the valley while four persons were injured in two separate road accidents across valley.


“Fire broke out in the residential house of Ghulam Hassan Bhat son of Umar Bhat resident of Kalarooch Kupwara, resulting in partial damage to the house. Fire was brought under control with the help of fire tenders and police,” the statement said.


In another incident, fire broke out in the residential house of Abdul Rashid Chraloo son of Mohammad Sultan resident of Sonar Koul, Safakadal Srinagar which engulfed the adjacent joint residential house of Ghulam Nabi Shah, Abdul Aziz Shah Sons of Ghulam Hassan Shah and Mubashir Ahmad Shah son of Ghulam Qadir Shah, resulting in damage to both the houses. Fire was brought under control by fire tenders and Police, the statement added.


Meanwhile four persons were injured in two separate road accidents across the valley, police said.


“A Swift Dezire car bearing registration number JK03D/1331 and a Maruti Car bearing registration number JK01D/3291 collided near Iqbalabad on K.P Road, Mattan Anantnag, resulting in injuries to Maruti driver Abdul Rashid resident of Tral,” it added.


The injured has been shifted to hospital for treatment. Mattan Police has registered a case in this regard.


“In another accident, three persons were injured when a Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK03C/8715, they were travelling in turned turtle at Buchoo, Kokernag Anantnag.”


The statement informed that all the injured were shifted to Hospitals concerned for treatment and cases were registered to investigate them.






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2 – Way traffic on Jammu-Srinagar highway from April 1st

KL Report


JAMMU


According to Inspector General of Police Traffic, J&K Jammu, LMV’s (Private/passenger) shall be allowed to ply, both ways, on Jammu – Srinagar highway (and vice versa), every day, w.e.f 01.04.2014, till further orders in view of improved weather conditions and condition of road, however, these LMVs shall cross TCP Nagrota up to 0900 hours, TCP Udhampur up to 1100 hours (when plying from Jammu side towards valley) and Lower Munda up to 1200 hours and Jawahar Tunnel up to 1300 hours (when plying from Srinagar towards Jammu) on daily basis, an official statement said.


The medium as well as commercial passenger vehicles including buses, heavy trucks and all load carriers shall continue to observe one way traffic till further orders as the restoration work of highway is not yet completed in few stretches. On 01.04.2014, all such type of vehicles shall ply from Jammu side towards Srinagar in a regulated manner and on the next day (viz 02.04.2014) it will be from Srinagar side towards Jammu and this alternate movement will continue, till further orders. The heavy vehicles plying from Srinagar to Jammu are required to cross Lower Munda (Qazigund) by 1400 hours positively while plying from Jammu towards valley shall cross TCP Udhampur by 1400 hours positively, beyond which no vehicle will be allowed to onward journey.


The statement further said that the Trailers and Multi-axle vehicles (but not with more than 18m length) shall also observe the above one way traffic plan, till further orders. However, keeping in view the overall road condition, such type of vehicles shall be allowed to ply during night hours only and in no case will allowed to ply during day time to avoid traffic jam on highway. Moreover, no such vehicle will be allowed to cross Lower Munda (Qazigund) before 2200 hours during down convoy (i.e. from Srinagar to Jammu) days. Similarly, during up convoy days (Viz from Jammu to Srinagar) no such vehicle shall be allowed to cross TCP Udhampur before 2200 hours. The movement convoys of Army/BSF/CRPF and other Security Forces shall continue to observe one way traffic plan till further orders. However, the general public is informed to contact the Traffic Control Rooms at TCU Ramban 9419993745, TCU Jammu 2459048, 9419147732 TCU Srinagar 0194-2450022, 2485396 for the purpose.






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NC continued to remain part of NDA even after Gujarat riots: Mehbooba

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Thursday said while the PDP is going into Lok Sabha with an agenda primarily for raising the issue of Kashmir and the problems faced by the people, but it will also try to provide voice to the aspirations of Muslims across India, a party statement said.


Addressing a meeting of Kulgam and Noorabad assembly constituencies in Kulgam, Mehbooba said the position of Jammu and Kashmir as the only Muslim majority state of the country is unique and National Conference’s failure in rising above ministerial positions for its members and personal interests has deprived even Indian Muslims a credible leadership.


Mehbooba said, “PDP will seek an implementable Kashmir policy at the national level and keeping that in view the present parliamentary elections could prove a turning point in asserting our democratic right. While doing so, we will also try to fill the representation gap for the 20 crore Muslims of the country, who have unfortunately been pushed back in the race for development,” she said.


Mehbooba, who is PDP’s South Kashmir candidate for Lok Sabha elections, said the NC focused only on ‘personal luxury and positions of power and never stood up for the rights either of the people who voted them or the Muslims of rest of the country’.


She said NC continued to remain part of the NDA even after the Gujarat massacre and didn’t sacrifice the Minister of State’s job, which Omar Abdullah was holding in the Vajpayee government. “Not only this, Farooq Abdullah gave a clean chit to Modi even before the courts did so and lately claimed to have seen Allah in his eyes,” she said.


Mehbooba said NC must share the failure of the UPA government to solve the problems of the Muslims of the country. “NC never raised their voice against any communal riot, as representatives of the only Muslim majority state; it also failed to press the passage of Communal Riots Bill,” said Mehbooba, adding, they never pressed the UPA for implementation of Sachar Committee report, which had identified the problems facing the Muslim community and listed the biases and discrimination against them.


She said after committing ‘huge frauds, deceit with the people and selling the interests of the state’, the NC has lost its regional character unlike other regional parties of the country which don’t shy away from agitating when they feel the interests of their people have been compromised. “But NC can’t to do that, because power has made it blind to see anything beyond that,” she said.


Mehbooba said the emergence of the PDP on the political sphere of the state has helped to change the political discourse about J&K both in and outside the state and it will continue to do so in order find a lasting solution to the problem.






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Spill over

Rakshanda Ali


Writer


Reasoning. They call it. One may be intelligent enough to play mind games with ‘others’ but can’t deceive oneself. Its biology. Reasoning at times is just a futile exercise—to satisfy, a psychological urge of not being a loser. While as, in the subliminal mind, ‘self’ is always aware of the trickery thee or thy may play.


To deceive the inner core of ‘self’, one has to be a ‘super-man’ or be a ‘God’ but both not possible! The other way to deceive is possible: tear the self from the realization of ‘self’.


Mind is a terrible tool. It has dangerous utilities. Just download an app from the Marx or Freud; upload it, and there you are. Self is just a thought that haunts you! And, anything that reminds you of ‘self’ is ‘drug’ in Marx’s words—which he spelled, for religions. Ultimately, in the words of Kant: ‘self-imposed-immaturity’.


In this state of selflessness, man can be un-manly. Even, a woman can be un-womanly—maybe, like an American novelist, Ayn Rand. Just look at me; how well, I could begin with the denial of any possibility of self deception. And, it ends in the corridors of possibility of self deception. They call it, confusion. Give dog a bad name, and he is a superstar!


I don’t know why I start to write. Something was in my mind, which I lost. My skull was overloaded. Thoughts may have overlapped. Or Derrida would have crept in the cellular form beneath my skull. It deconstructed a well created thought of mine. I had managed to keep myself intact. And, kept writing in pursuit of that original idea—that, I had to pen down.


May be that’s the bad thing about the digitalization of writing. Having a pen and a copy. Thigh as a table. Flip through the empty pages. Roam around the deserted lanes called lines. The sea-saw happening between two fingers. Pen tossing the white sheet. Thoughts would have been intact. But in the digital writing, I could keep clicking the words. The click would have led me to some other ‘network’—where, my server would have gone astray. And, I lost the thought just like the Malaysian Airline!


I really had a thought. Nevertheless my mind made me realize that it is not enough to fill the cranium with information. It needs well handling too. Or for that matter, ‘manhandling’ in my case! As the whole world is governed or mis-handled actually. The handlers are long gone. The reasonable say: “let the bygones be bygone.”


Reason speaks loud, much louder than the spirit. Soul, if unheard, creates psychopaths (in terms of reasonability). Still they call them: ‘mentally disturbed’. How could I ask for a handler—for, if I do; I am disturbing the peace! I am a serious disease for the hybrid society—that has been under the much severe biological attack than anthrax.


Humanity is lost. Man has seized to exist. The original reason is bound to be imprisoned. Man belongs to his creator.


Noah (AS) was not the lone survivor, but he was the only survival kit. So is the resistance now. Till “thy kingdom” comes, I will be manhandled. End of the ‘now-mega-narratives’ is a destiny!


(An avid reader, Rakshanda Ali has done Bachelors in Business Administration. She hails from Srinagar.)






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Picture of the week

Rules Are For Fools

Rules Are For Fools



Photo by:- Hanan Khan


It is prohibited under various environmental legislation to carry on any commercial or residential activity near a water body, but then such rules are for fools to follow. A cement tile manufacturing unit and an automobile workshop both adjacent to a channel of Dal lake.






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Wednesday, 26 March 2014

Governor prorogues State Legislature

KL Report


JAMMU


According to a statement issued by the government spokesman, NN Vohra, Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him under Section 53 of the State Constitution, issued orders Wednesday to prorogue both Houses of the State Legislature.






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Sensing defeat Abdullahs planning for rehabilitation in Delhi: Baig

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Taking jibe at the ruling National Conference patron, Farooq Abdullah for his remarks that his chief minister son will shift to New Delhi after the parliamentary polls, the senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former deputy chief minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig Wednesday said this is clear realization that the ruling coalition government in J&K is on its way out and had no chances of making a comeback that is why the NC patron is trying to find some employment for Omar Abdullah in New Delhi.


Addressing a well attended workers meeting of Baramulla in Baramulla, Baig said Farooq Abdullah’s remarks clearly indicate that he is now trying post 2014 rehabilitation for Omar Abdullah as he knows well the time is up for them in J&K. He said elections always mean for NC that how many Abdullahs get jobs both in the state and Centre at the cost of people’s sufferings and state’s interests. He said this government has nothing to show as its achievements and that is why they are now making future employment plans for Omar Abdullah.


He said the pain, misery and sufferings of people, which though are the direct result of NC’s treachery, U-turns and sell-outs, are no more issue before the ruling party but future rehabilitation plans for Abdullahs are. Even in the worst of times they will only think how they could ‘adjust’ themselves even on humiliating terms like Farooq Abdullah is currently doing as minister of a department that was specially created for him, said Baig.


Coming down upon the NC-led government he said it had virtually wasted the gains made between 2002 and 2008 by again turning Kashmir into a cage for its own people. He Omar Abdullah has unleashed a terror on people by arresting innocents, denying civil liberties to the people and pushing the state into another cycle of disturbances. He said Omar Abdullah is responsible for the killing of 120 innocent youth in 2010 and his coalition can’t absolve itself of the hanging of Mohammad Afzal Guroo.


Baig said the coming Lok Sabha polls are a fight for dignity and justice for the people of the state and whosoever forms the government in the Centre, the PDP will engage all, be it the opposition, regional parties and other shades of opinion both in and outside the parliament, to seek a new Kashmir policy along with a roadmap for its implementation.


Calling upon the people owing allegiance to the different political and ideological thoughts, Baig said everyone has to rise above party lines to vote for PDP because the party is going to the national level with the agenda for the entire state and all its people in an attempt to restore the rights of people, which has been trampled for the last 65 years. “We acknowledge that there are lots of people aligned to different ideological thoughts in the state and even parties like Congress and NC who would want to contribute to the welfare of the state and who find resonance in the agenda of PDP. I appeal them to vote for us because this is not just an ordinary vote for just to ‘adjust’ some politicians,” said Baig. “This time the fight for the rights of our people will be taken to rest of the country at different levels and PDP will require a decisive mandate for that”, he added.


Pertinently Farooq Abdullah in an interview has said, “If UPA-III comes to power at the centre after Parliament elections; Omar will be very ready to join that government under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.”






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