Friday, December 31, 2010

JANTA DAL LEADERS JOIN BJP IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Jammu Dec 31 (Only Kashmir): Five top Janta Dal (Secular) leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, including the party’s provincial president, today joined BJP, saying they have “full faith” in its ideology.
JD(S) provincial president Gulam Nabi Wani, state vice-president G M Najar and three district chiefs Gulam Hassan Wani, Mohmmad Shafiq Najar and Gulam Mohmmad Bhat joined BJP at a function, chaired by the state BJP chief Shamsher Singh Manhas, here today.
Welcoming them to the party fold, Manhas said joining of the top leadership of JD(S) is a blow to “all such forces in the Valley which have been painting the BJP as a communal party, while the facts are totally otherwise.” He said being a responsible national party, BJP has been raising people-centric issues and agitating for the welfare of the citizens.
After joining the party, Wani said, “We have full faith in the principals and ideology of BJP. Even people in Kashmir want to join in more numbers to BJP.” He said a handful of elements in Kashmir have been misleading innocents for their personal gains and many political leaders in the Valley are promoting such activities.

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JK HIGH COURT GRANTS BAIL TO QAYOOM ON CONDITIONS

Srinagar Dec 31 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir High Court today granted interim bail to the president of the lawyers body in the Valley Mian Abdul Qayoom, but set conditions for his release.
Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir granted interim bail to Qayoom till January 21 and directed him to furnish two sureties of Rs one lakh each, attested by Principal District and Sessions judge Kathua.
Directing the record to be transferred to the Kathua court within five days, Justice Mir said the Kashmir High Court Bar Association president, who was booked under Public Safety Act (PSA), should appear before the concerned Sessions Judge on January 5.
Qayoom was arrested and booked under PSA on July 7 for allegedly instigating street protests in the Valley.
The High Court quashed his detention under PSA but he was rearrested and booked for waging war against the country during his detention in Hiranagar jail in Kathua district of Jammu region.
Justice Mir directed Qayoom not to attempt to tamper with the evidence and not to leave the state without court’s permission.
The court also dismissed the petition filed Qayoom’s counsel under 561-A CrPC, seeking to quash an FIR registered against him at Hiranagar.
Meanwhile, the High Court also granted permission to a team of lawyers from the Bar Association to visit various jails in the state for ascertaining the condition of detainees.
The orders to this effect were issued by Justice Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain.

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Thursday, December 30, 2010

INTERLOCUTORS APPOINTMENT TERMED AS FUTILE EXERCISE

Srinagar, Dec 30 (Only Kashmir): The Jammu and Kashmir Tehreek-e-Hurriyat has termed the appointment of interlocutors by India as a futile exercise.
The spokesman of Thereek-e-Hurriyat in a statement issued in Srinagar said, “Such exercises are mere wastage of time and are likely to further complicate the dispute.”
He said that the Kashmir dispute could easily be resolved by giving Kashmiris their inalienable right to self-determination. “It is the simplest and practical way to resolve Kashmir.”

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CELEBRATIONS IN TANGMARG AFTER ARMY'S WITHDRAWN

Srinagar Dec 30 (Only Kashmir): Celebrations broke out in half-a-dozen villages of Tangmarg in the Baramulla district after a counterinsurgency unit of Army was withdrawn from the area.
Our correspondent from North Kashmir said that the residents of over half-a-dozen villages of Tangmarg on the Srinagar-Gulmarg highway heaved a sigh of relief after Army’s 35 RR was withdrawn from Chandal village of the area last evening.
In 1998, Army’s JAKLI unit, locals said occupied a huge chunk of forest and migrant land and set up Army camp to counter militancy in the area. After JAKLI left in early 2000, paramilitary CRPF occupied the camp. Three years ago, the camp, locals said was taken over by Army’s 35 RR.
“The camp was a nuisance for the residents of half-a-dozen villages. Thank Allah, they have finally left,” a jubilant Abdul Majeed said.
“The Army men would harass and humiliate the villagers on the pretext of security measures. We were not even allowed peaceful protests against basic amenities by the troopers,” he added.
Majeed said that the villagers of Zandpal, Baderkote, Sharya, Takia and Wanigam celebrated the moment they were desperately waiting for.
He said as the last cavalcade of Army vehicles left the village last evening, hundreds of people poured onto to streets and expressed their joy.
Majeed urged the district administration to sanitize the camp to ensure that no explosives were left by Army in the camp.

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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

SRINAGAR GETS SEASON'S FIRST SNOWFALL

Srinagar, Dec 29 (Only Kashmir): The Kashmir Valley witnessed the first snowfall of the season Wednesday evening, breaking the over two-month long cold dry spell.
While a mild snowfall mixed with rain lashed summer capital Srinagar and other places in the lower reaches of the valley, higher reaches like Gulmarg and Pahalgam reported a steady moderate snowfall.
The weather office predicted light snowfall in the plains and a moderate snowfall in the mountains of the valley till Thursday evening.
"The western disturbance persists over the valley this time and we can have light snowfall in the plains during the next 24 hours," said Sonam Lotus, director of the local weather office here.
People in Srinagar city were visibly delighted to see the small flakes of snow.
"It is a great relief. We always look forward to snowfall during the winter. Besides, it will also replenish the water reservoirs of the valley which sustain our drinking water resources for the year," said Bashir Ahmad War, 58, a retired veterinarian.

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BJYM TO HOIST TRICOLOUR IN SRINAGAR ON JANUARY 26

Madhya Pradesh, Dec 29 (Only Kashmir) : The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) will hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on the occasion of Republic Day.
Madhya Pradesh BJYM Vice-President Raju Yadav told reporters here today that terrorism was being spread in the name of 'jehad (struggle)'. Terrorist outfits were using children to spread violence.
He said the 15-day-long 'Tiranga Yatra' -- from Kolkata to Srinagar -- was being organised to bring about awareness terrorism.
Alleging that the Congress was the creator of terrorism, Mr Yadav said faulty policies on Jammu and Kashmir had made terrorism a problem in not only in Kahsmir but also in the entire country.
For making the 'yatra' successful, 'Tiranga Vahini' will be taken out at district-level in states.
The 'yatra' will traverse Gwalior, Datia and Morena in Madhya Pradesh. It will reach Jammu and Kashmir on January 25. About 25,000 workers from Madhya Pradesh will take part in the 'yatra'

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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

HURRIYAT(G) DARES POLICE TO PROVE STONE-PELTING CHARGES

Srinagar, Dec 28, (Only Kashmir): The Hurriyat (G) on Tuesday flayed the police contention about its links with militants and funding stone-pelting, daring authorities to prove a single charge, and asserted that the alliance could not be cowed down by such tactics.
“The police allegations, in fact, are a part of a huge conspiracy to brand the peaceful Kashmir movement as violent and provide a justification for jailing and terrorising the Hurriyat leadership,” the Hurriyat (G) spokesman, Ayaz Akbar, said.
“The conspiracy is a collusion between New Delhi and the National Conference, and some police officers do the bidding of their masters with eyes shut to fabricate tales that don’t have the remotest link to reality,” he said.
“The moral ascendancy which our movement has gained by the agitation of the pat months and the widespread recognition that it is not terrorism or a Pakistan-backed campaign has rattled the rulers, who have now descended to such lowly tactics,” he said.
“We do not believe in duplicitous policies, but say and act according to our convictions openly. We do not use the term peaceful agitation out of fear, but out of our long standing understanding of how to run the movement,” he said.

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DIALOUGE IS KEY FOR RESOLVING KASHMIR ISSUE: SYED NAZIR GILANI

Srinagar, Dec 28 (Only Kashmir) Maintaining that dialogue is key for resolving all outstanding issues, a human rights organisation today asked the separatists in Jammu and Kashmir to revisit their strategy.
"Hurriyat leadership, both moderate and hardliners, should revisit the wisdom of their political phrase and conduct their politics strictly in accordance with jurisprudence of Kashmir case," secretary general of London-based Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR) Syed Nazir Gilani told reporters here.
Hurriyat leadership and other political parties need to revisit the wisdom of their 20-year politics and consider seriously their understanding of the Kashmir case.
"The right to self-determination is for all people and the death of a generation in fact is the death of self-determdination," he said.
He said the Kashmiri leadership should take cognisance of suffering of common citizen.
"Jammu and Kashmir government has a principal role to play in the protection and promotion of human rights," he said.

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Monday, December 27, 2010

BENAZIR KILLED AT THE BEHEST OF CIA: HILAL WAR

Srinagar, Dec 27 (Only Kashmir): A high level meeting of Bhutto Memorial Trust (BMT) and People's Political Party (PPP) was held to commemorate Shaheed Benazir Bhutto's 3rd death anniversary at party headquarters, Rajbagh, Srinagar, Kashmir.
PPP Chairman, Hilal Ahmad War said that Benazir Bhutto was killed at the behest of CIA. He further said that she and her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto vehemently opposed American Policy of making Pakistan a satellite State for its future plans. First America engineered the killing of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and late its agency, CIA got Benazir eliminated. Mr. War said that assassination of Benazir Bhutto was part of the ploy to create instability in Pakistan. This type of condition is created in Pakistan to justify the take over of Nuclear Weapons of Pakistan by United States, said War.
War said Z.A. Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto created thousands of Bhuttos after their assassination. They were such a strong inspiration that many Bhuttos were born as a result of their martyrdom, said War. War said Bhutto's not only threw challenge to the anti-democratic forces in Pakistan but were a thorn in the flesh of the anti-Muslim forces worldwide. The anti-Muslim forces in the world never wanted to see Muslims united and as a result they saw Z.A. Bhutto as the biggest threat, and that is why they conspired with various forces within the country to liquidate him, said Engineer Hilal War. PPP and BMT have demanded Z. A. Bhutto's murder case be reopened and the culprits be punished. We demand the reopening of the Shaheed Z.A. Bhutto murder case, so that the perpetrators are brought to book.
Mr.War said in his speech , it appears that due to vested interest and non concern for the integrity and stability of Pakistan, some prominent members of the present PPP Government are adamant to sell off Bhutto's of their dignity and honour that they earned globally for their struggle to make Pakistan a stronger and Greater Pakistan He further said, Buzz is that fake Bhutto's are thriving and acquiring benefits on the glorious sacrifices of Shaheed Z.A. Bhutto and his family.
The speakers emphasised that the concept of Greater Pakistan floated by Shaheed Z.A. Bhutto and his Kashmir Policy for realisation of right of self-determination for struggling people of Jammu and Kashmir were and are the source of inspiration for the political and armed activists of Kashmir Liberation Movement. The participants of the meeting urged the Government of Pakistan to formulate a Kashmir Policy in accordance with the letter and spirit of Bhutto's Kashmir Policy.
The participants of the meeting also disfavoured and disapproved the proposed idea of showing any flexibility by government of Pakistan with regard to settlement of Kashmir Dispute as such a flexibility is bound to cause a irreparable damage to Kashmir Cause and shall affect Kashmir Liberation Movement which has so far taken heaviest toll of life, honour and property in entire J&K State.
The participants of the Trust unanimously appealed to the people of Pakistan that they should rise above regional, racial and ethnic prejudices and considerations and unite together in the direction of national and emotional integration because such a course could only save Pakistan from external conspiracies aimed at disintegrating the country once again like December 1971.
After conclusion of speeches delivered by various participants special prayers (Fatah Khawani) were offered for the eternal peace and comfort of the souls of Shaheed Z.A.Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.

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EVERY STONE PELTER GETS RS 400 A WEEK: POLICE

Srinagar Dec 27 (Only Kashmir): J&K police claim to have unearthed a nexus between some government employees, Hurriyat members and militants to foment violence in Sopore, an official release said. According to a stone pelter who was arrested recently, each stone pelter is paid Rs 400 every Friday.
Police said the money is being raised locally by Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani's followers. Most of the money comes from fruit mandi and saw mills, the police said.
Hurriyat cadres who collected the money have been identified as Ghulam Mohammad Tantray of Behrampora, Ghulam Hassan Mir alias Chotta Geelani of Duroo, Mohammad Rustum of Amargarh, Sopore, Gani Guroo of Chankhan, Ashraf Malik, a government employee in Education department of Batpor and Bashir Ahmad Tali, a resident of Chankhan, Sopore and an employee of Food & Supplies department. Tantray and Rustum have been been detained under PSA and Malik is currently in custody. The rest are absconding.
DIG North Kashmir Range Muneer Ahmad Khan said Sopore police arrested one Firdous Ahmad Sheikh alias Firbal of Jalalabad, Sopore who revealed the nexus between militants particularly Qalimullah of HuM and Abdullah Uni of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hurriyat cadres, some government employees and stone pelters. Subsequently, numerous arrests were made based on his revelation, he said.
One Abdul Lateef Lone of Radbough, Kupwara who worked as an Imam of Jamia Masjid Amargarh, Sopore and also as a stone pelter was arrested. It was Lone who revealed that protesters were being paid every week. Lone is currently detained under PSA, the release said.
According to the police, stone pelters were also planning a fidayeen attack on security forces. A cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the house of one Mohammad Amin Dar of Badami Bagh, Sopore. The cache included a pistol, a pistol magazine, two satellite phones (Thurya), a grenade, a Tata mobile set, a AK 47 rifle, 10 AK 47 magazines, 32 AK rounds, a AK butt, a bayonet, two combat uniforms, a pistol cover, a composer, three pouches, 11 UBGL shells and a UBGL.

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Sunday, December 26, 2010

MIRWAIZ & GEELANI SLAMS BJB LEADERS

Srinagar, Dec 26 (Only Kashmir): Syed Ali Geelani and the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have castigated the Bharatiya Janta Party leaders on their recent statements on Kashmir.
These leaders during their ongoing visit to the occupied territory had described Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India demanding the abrogation of article 370 of the Indian constitution that guarantees a special status to the territory.
Syed Ali Geelani in a statement in Srinagar said that provocative assertions and slogans by the BJP could not change the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that Indian communal forces were again trying to defame Kashmiris’ struggle for right to self-determination by communalizing the situation in Jammu. However, he added, the people of Kashmir will never allow them to succeed in their nefarious designs.
The APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that the BJP statements were made deliberately from communal angle rather than political one. He said that due to the recent uprising in the territory the international community had realised the urgency of resolving the Kashmir dispute.

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Saturday, December 25, 2010

S.M.SAHAI HOLD TALKS WITH STONE PELTERS OF BARAMULLA DISTRICT

Srinagar Dec 25 (Only Kashmir): In a surprising development, the stone pelting youth of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday interacted with the top cops of the Valley.
Reliable sources told Press Bureau of India that a meeting between stone pelters and the top police administration was held at Gulnaar Park in the Baramulla town this afternoon. The meeting was presided over by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Shiv Murari Sahai, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) North Kashmir, Muneer Khan and other officials of the police department.
In the meeting that lasted for nearly 90 minutes, both the parties discussed various issues ranging from stone pelting, arrests, peaceful protests and rehabilitation of the stone pelters. The family members of several youth, booked on charges of stone pelting, were present on this occasion.
Quoting stone pelters, a youth told the top cops in the gathering that the presence of stone pelters in the meet should not be misconstrued as surrender. The stone pelters, he said, believe that Kashmir issue was a political issue that needs to be solved politically.
“The stone pelters want space for peaceful protests. They have pledged not to hurl stones, if allowed to stage protests in a peaceful manner,” the youth quoted the stone pelters of having said.
“They (stone pelters) want end to arrests and harassment by police,” he added.
Former councilor, Baramulla Municipal Committee (BMC) and National Conference (NC) activist Riyaz Ahmad Nagoo told Press Bureau of India that he took up the issue of shifting the detained youth from outside jails to Valley with the IG, Kashmir during the meet.
“I urged IG to forgive the stone pelting youth and shift them from Jammu jails to Valley on humanitarian grounds. He (IG) assured to consider my request,” Nagoo added.
“The youth asked the top cops to withdraw PSA’s against the stone pelters. They assured police of not resorting to stone pelting, if allowed to hold peaceful demonstrations,” a senior member of Auqaf-e-Islamia who attended the meet said on the condition of anonymity.
Among others who apprised Sahai about their difficulties was the family members of Parvaiz Ahmed Kaloo alias Meena Kumari, son of Abdul Ahad Kaloo of Ganaihaman who was arrested by police last month.
A youth who suffered serious injuries in eye during clashes also met the top police brass.
When contacted, IGP, Kashmir, however denied having any such meeting. “I had no meeting with the stone pelters in the town,” IGP, Kashmir said.

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THOUGHTS OF JINNAH PROVIDE BASIS FOR KASHMIRI STRUGGLE

Islamabad, Dec 25 (Only Kashmir): The All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that the thoughts of Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah provide the basis for Kashmiris’ liberation struggle and formation of Pakistan is incomplete until Kashmiris are given their right to self-determination.
The APHC Chairman telephonically addressing a seminar “Kashmir issue and Quaid-e-Azam” held in Islamabad Pakistan, said that Muhammad Ali Jinnah was able to secure an independent state for the Muslims in South Asia after an untiring struggle. The seminar was organised by Anjuman-e-Sharie, a constituent of the APHC. He said that the Quaid-e-Azam faced all hardships with courage to achieve his goal.
The Mirwaiz said that Kashmiris had been offering supreme sacrifices for the liberation of Kashmir from India and they would take the movement to its logical end at all costs. He said that both Kashmir and Pakistan were incomplete until Kashmiri people were given the right to decide their future themselves.
Addressing the seminar, senior APHC leader, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi said that Quid-e-Azam the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Anjuman-e-Sharie had termed Kashmir as the jugular vein of Pakistan. He said that existence of Kashmir and Pakistan was interlinked.
Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi maintained that the permanent seat to India in the UN Security Council must be linked to the settlement of the Kashmir dispute. He demanded of repeal of black law, release of illegally detained Hurriyet leaders and activists in occupied Kashmir. He also thanked the participants.

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Friday, December 24, 2010

GOVT EARMARKED 410CRORE TOWARDS KASHMIR

Srinagar Dec 24 (Only Kashmir): The Jammu and Kashmir government has earmarked Rs 410 crore toward the establishment of 12,000 income generating units in Srinagar district under its Credit Action Plan (CAP) for the 2010-11 financial year.
Out of the total amount, Rs 217.84 crore has so far been advanced for setting up income generating units in the district, an official spokesman said.
He said Rs 195.67 crore was extended to priority sector units, while Rs 11.86 crore was advanced for agriculture sector projects and Rs 11.52 crore for non-farm services initiatives.
The spokesman said the remaining of CAP funds would be disbursed by the end of this fiscal.
The government had earlier budgeted Rs 67.03 crore for setting up 4,493 income generating units in South Kashmir's Anantnag district and Rs 44 crore for setting up 2,878 units in Central Kashmir's Budgam district.

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MIRWAIZ BACKS AFTER 14 FRIDAYS

Srinagar, Dec 24 (Only Kashmir): The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has urged India to realise ground reality in occupied Kashmir and take serious and sincere steps without wasting further time for the resolution of dispute in accordance with the Kashmiris’ aspirations.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, while addressing Juma congregation at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, said that the use of brute force by Indian troops could not prevent the people of Kashmir from raising voice for their just right to self-determination.
The APHC Chairman paid rich tributes to the Kashmiri people for showing perseverance against Indian state terrorism.
On the other hand, the occupation authorities placed senior Kashmiri Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Geelani and APHC leader, Shabbir Ahmad Shah under house arrest, today, to prevent them from offering Juma prayers.
The leaders of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front-R, Farooq Ahmad Dar and Javed Ahmad Mir, while addressing a public gathering in Budgam, said that the sacrifices of Kashmiris would not be allowed to go waste.
Meanwhile, anti-India demonstrations were held in Shopian, Islamabad, Pulwama, Parimpore, Sopore, Baramulla, Beerwah and Bandipora areas against the arrest of youth by Indian police and troops.

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GEELANI WELCOMES UN RESOLUTION ON KASHMIR

Srinagar Dec 24 (Only Kashmir): Syed Ali Geelani has welcomed the UN General Assembly’s approval to a resolution seeking world attention on right to self-determination of Kashmiris and Palestinians.
Syed Ali Geelani in a statement issued in Srinagar urged the international body to take concrete steps beyond passing resolutions in favour of the oppressed nations.
Stating that the current organisational structure is responsible for inefficiency of the United Nations in resolving the international disputes, including Kashmir and Palestine, the veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader said that the international body must re-frame its organisational charter keeping in view the demands of justice and democracy.
He called upon the United Nations to settle the international disputes including Kashmir as India had occupied the land for last several decades against the will of the people of Kashmir.

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Thursday, December 23, 2010

POLITICS IS LINKED WITH ISLAM: MIRWAIZ

Srinagar Dec 23 (Only Kashmir): Rejecting IGP Kashmir, SM Sahai’s Jamia Masjid siege remarks as “unrealistic and irresponsible,” Hurriyat Conference (M) Thursday said Islam doesn’t treat politics and Islam as separate entities and Muslim scholars and clerics are duty bound to raise “issues relevant to the society in their sermons.”
“ Not only the Mirwaiz at Jamia Masjid, but Ulemas have been raising and leading people in their political, social and religious matters for centuries at all the important religious places because Islam is a complete way of life and politics,” a spokesman of the amalgam said
“The position of the Valley’s top Islamic leader(Mirwaiz) does not represent an individual but a movement and an institution responsible for leading people out of their issues and problems . It is unfortunate that the government has brought officers from outside who have no idea about these realities. The government should educate them about our centuries old traditions and culture rather than encouraging their activities aimed at damaging our values,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman while responding to Sahai’s allegations of Mirwaiz instigating violence on Eid said the procession from Eidgah to Lal Chowk was completely peaceful and it were some “unscrupulous anti-movement elements” who caused damage to public property at Numaishi. “Not only did the Mirwaiz condemn the incident he also demanded an impartial probe into the incident for truth to surface,” he said.

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SMS BAN REMOVED ON POST-PAID MOBILE SERVICES

Jammu Dec 23 (Only Kashmir): In a New Year gift to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the state government on Wednesday withdrew the ban on Short Messaging Services (SMS) using post-paid mobile phone but the ban on sending of bulk messages remained in force.
The decision was taken at the directive of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who reviewed the overall situation in the state with senior officials as well as intelligence agency sleuths, official sources said.
The ban was imposed in June this year following widespread unrest in the Valley, which was further fuelled by bulk messages sent in by anti-national forces.
According to the order, which comes barely 9 days ahead of the New Year, the state government asked mobile service operators to allow SMS services from all post-paid phones.
However, the ban on bulk messages sent usually from computers remained banned, the notification said.

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Monday, December 20, 2010

CHINA CONSIDERS J&k AS DISPUTED TERRITORY

New Delhi, Dec 20 (Only Kashmir): China has described the Sino-Indian border as 2,000 km long by not considering nearly 1,600 km line which separates Jammu and Kashmir on one hand and Xinjiang and Tibet on the other as a border with India.
Xinhua, a Beijing based multilingual newspaper, reported by quoting an official briefing by Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister, Hu Zhengyue, ahead of Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao's recent visit to India that China no longer treated the line of nearly 1,600 km as border with India. The border as per Indian account is 3,500 km, the report added.
Hu Shisheng, a strategic analyst at the China Institutes for Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), in a media interview, said that it had always been China's position that the length of the border was 2,000 km, which did not include the disputed western section and Indian claims on the entire region of Kashmir, including Azad Kashmir.
He said, “China's position had been consistent since its 1963 treaty with Pakistan, holding that it would remap its border after Pakistan and India settled the Kashmir dispute.”
It may be mentioned here that earlier China had started issuing stapled visas to the Kashmiris by declining to consider them as Indian citizens due to disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir.

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Sunday, December 19, 2010

INTERLOCUTORS TO GET RS 150000 A MONTH AS REMUNERATION

New Delhi Dec 19 (Only Kashmir): Each one of the three-member team of interlocutors for Jammu and Kashmir will get Rs 1.5 lakh as monthly remuneration and enjoy the status of a state guest when visiting the state.
The three interlocutors, journalist Dileep Padgaonkar, academician Radha Kumar and economist M M Ansari, appointed on October 13, 2010 would also be provided three rooms at Vigyan Bhavan for their common office, conference and staff respectively, the Home Ministry has said in an RTI reply.
"In case of M M Ansari, (former) Information Commissioner, the remuneration would be minus existing lump sum pay/pension (after retirement)," the reply to S C Agrawal said.
"Until the office accommodation is provided, they can meet at India International Centre. The charges will be reimbursed by the MHA. They will be provided Secretarial assistance of one or two persons as per need from the Ministry," it said while replying to the question of pay and perks given to the group.
Each of the interlocutors will also be allowed to have an Executive Assistant who will be appointed by them with an overall remuneration not exceeding Rs 40,000 per month.
"Necessary office equipment and computers including furniture shall be lent by MHA," the ministry said.
The ministry will reimburse the cost of travel outside Delhi in "Executive Class". Travel expenses incurred within the national capital, for official purpose, will also be reimbursed.
The expenses on meetings in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir would be reimbursed as per actual subject to a ceiling of Rs 200 per head, it said.
However, in case of interlocutor for Nagaland, Home Ministry has given the status of Cabinet Secretary to K Padmanabhaiah and gave him all the perks accordingly.

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Saturday, December 18, 2010

WARNING AGAINST GOVRNMENT BY MMU

Srinagar, Dec 19 (Only Kashmir): Castigating the government for repeatedly sealing off the Jamia Masjid for Friday prayers and “debarring” the chief cleric and Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from participation, Mutahida-Majlis-Ulema Saturday warned of serious consequences if the government continues to pursue its policy.
The body had last month twice threatened to issue a fatwa against the government.
“The government has repeatedly intervened in the religious matter of Muslims by locking up Jamia Masjid and other major Masjids for Friday prayers and imposing restrictions on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for 14 consecutive Fridays to stop him from rendering his duties as the Mirwaiz of Kashmir. If the government doesn’t stop hurting the religious sentiments of Kashmiri Muslims, the Mutida-Majlis Amal will be forced to take concrete steps, and the responsibility would solely lie on the government,” the Ulema said in a email statement to Only Kashmir.

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Friday, December 17, 2010

I WILL HELP FINANCIALLY TO KASHMIR JIHADIES: OSAMA BIN LADIN

London, Dec 18: Al-Qaeda supremo Osama bin Laden had promised militants fighting in Kashmir that they will not "run short of funds" and was willing to "divert" $20 million to support Kashmir-oriented militancy, Indian officials were quoted as telling US diplomats by WikiLeaks.
In a cable dated May 24, 2006 containing the details of a Joint Working Group (CTJWG) meeting in Washington published by WikiLeaks, ministry of external affairs additional secretary (international organisations) KC Singh was quoted as saying that India is now more prominent on al-Qaeda's radar.
He pointed out to Osama's deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri's April 29 video message praising "popular jihadist movements against Indians in Kashmir" and calling India "the best candidate for carrying out the Zionist-Crusader scheme to humiliate, weaken, and dismember Pakistan."
He said that al-Zawahiri's recent reference to the US-India civil nuclear agreement demonstrated that Delhi's growing cooperation with Washington was drawing al-Qaeda's attention, the US cables published by the Guardian said.
Singh asserted that Pakistan's ISI retains connections to al-Qaeda and has been privy to Osama bin Laden's communications.
To a query by a senior American diplomat, joint secretary (cabinet secretariat) Sharad Kumar stated that Indian intelligence has transcripts of pre-9/11 meetings between Laden and Mullah Omar during which Jammu and Kashmir was discussed.
He continued that Laden had been "willing to divert $20 million" from Central Asian programming to support Kashmir-oriented militancy.
Kumar was also quoted as saying that Laden promised that the Kashmiri jihadis "would not run short of funds."
Kumar added that when Laden sent his bodyguard contingent to help the Taliban fight the Northern Alliance, the temporary chief of his security force was an unnamed individual who went on to join Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Singh ascribed al-Qaeda's increasing interest in India to the July 18 Indo-US civil nuclear agreement.
"ISI seeks to heat things up" to interfere with growing US-India convergence, he claimed.
Kumar observed that, "al-Qaeda franchises," if not al-Qaeda proper, are and have been very active in India.
He defined "al-Qaeda franchises" as groups that espouse the same extremist ideology and share some logistical and funding infrastructure even while remaining discrete organisations, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Not all these groups or their attacks are linked, he continued; each must be investigated individually to locate their intersections.

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MUHARRAM PROCESSION TAKEN OUT FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF VALLEY EXCEPT ABIGUZAR

Srinagar, Dec 17 (Only Kashmir): Zuljannah processions were taken out in various districts of the Kashmir valley today in which thousands of mourners joined to pay rich tributes to grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). The processions after passing through various bazaars and localities culminated at respective Imambaras.
At Srinagar, Zuljannah processions were taken out from Lal Bazar, Shalimar Hawal, Hassanabad while in Budgam processions were taken out in Budgam and Yachgam. The procession from Magam will be taken out tomorrow.
In district Anantnag, similar Zuljannah processions were taken out from Chatergul, Wullarhama, Halakha, Bonegund Dooru and Warigam.
The procession from Baramulla districts were taken out from Delina, Moongam, Singhpora Kalam, Pattan, Ahmadpora, Ikhwanpora and Danisaidan in Uri. Similar processions were also taken out from tehsil Sumbal areas.
In Pulwama, the Muhurram procession was taken out from Gongo village and culminated at Imambara.
District administration had made elaborate arrangements for the mourners, which include drinking water and medicare facilities. The processions were provided ambulances, equipped with necessary first aid, doctors and para-medicos.
Since last 20 years, Muhurram processions remained restricted in Abiguzar area, accordingly this year also, as per police spokesman, the restrictions were imposed in Abiguzar area.
Similar, Muhurram processions were drawn from various area of Jammu Division. Thousands of mourners joined to pay rich tributes to grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). The processions after passing through various bazaars and localities culminated at respective Imambaras.

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MY GOVT DON'T CONDONE TORTURE: OMAR ABDULLAH

Jammu Dec 17 (Only Kashmir): J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday distanced himself from the WikiLeaks cable emanating from the US Embassy in Delhi relating to alleged human rights violations in Kashmir in 2005 and indirectly blamed the then government led by opposition PDP.
"I am not getting into anything more than the fact that these transcripts or these leaks pertain to 2005.
You can do your own maths as to what regime was in power at that time. All I am saying is that as far as this government is concerned we do not condone torture. We never have, we never will," the NC leader said.
In a rare briefing with the then US envoy to India, the International Committee of the Red Cross had in 2005 expressed concern over alleged human rights violations in Kashmir and spoke about torture in detention centres, though it pointed out that the situation was much better than in the 1990s.
"I think it's important first to put into perspective that this is a report carried by diplomats of the US Embassy based on what they might have heard from the Red Cross. Also it is important to understand that this pertains to the year 2005 and during the much-talked about healing touch regime.
"That having been said, I can only talk about this government both at the Centre and at the state. We are determined not to allow any sort of incidents of custodial torture or any sort of breach of law," he said.
Omar also dismissed a question on whether any investigation based on the WikiLeaks cable for the incidents in 2005 would be instituted.
"Well, unless there is something specific unfortunately we have nothing to investigate. It is, as I said, is based on a cable sent by the US Embassy to their own government in Washington. Unless there are specific instances where names are mentioned whether by Red Cross or by these WikiLeaks cables or individuals, there is nothing unfortunately for us to investigate," he said.

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NO FRIDAY PRAYERS IN JAMIA

40 PERSONS ARRESTED FROM MIRWAIZ MANZIL INCLUDED MIRWAIZ UMAR FAROOQ
Srinagar Dec 17 (Only Kashmir):Srinagar Dec 17 (Only Kashmir): There were no Friday congregational prayers in historical Jamia Masjid and other major mosques in old city Friday in wake of the Curfew, reports and witnesses told. Reports said Jamia Masjid, in the heart of Srinagar’s old city, remained out of bounds for the people due to imposition of curfew.
Meanwhile Thursday Night Police raided Mirwaiz Manzil and arrested 40 persons including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq along with Journalists and several workers and activists of Awami Action Committee.
However Mirwaiz was later shifted to his Nigeen residence and the authorities put him under house arrest. While hundreds of workers and activists of Mirwaiz have been transferred to several police stations of city vis-à-vis Ram Mushi Bagh Police Station, Kothi Bagh Police Station.
Today People staged protest demonstrations at Lalbazar and Narwara in Srinagar against the arrest of Mirwaiz and imposing Curfew restrictions in Srinagar on Aashura.

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Thursday, December 16, 2010

MONEY WAS BEHIND KASHMIR PROTESTS: MILITANT LEADER

Jammu Dec 16 (Only Kashmir): A heavy flow of money was behind the stone-pelting protests in Kashmir last summer, according to a top militant leader who was believed to be instigating the stir in the Valley.
Hardline Hurriyat leader Masarat Alam, who became an icon for protesters, has told interrogators that he spent Rs 40 lakh to organise the protests that left more than 110 people dead in clashes with security forces.
"He also revealed that he had received the money from separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani," a senior police officer said.
"We are trying to find out the channels through which the money came to Geelani and was distributed among the protest instigators like Masarat Alam," Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda has been quoted as saying in local newspaper Daily Excelsior.
Alam was arrested in October and curfew was imposed in Srinagar and other major towns of the Valley a day after the arrest to prevent any violence.
The protests gained in intensity following the death of 17-year-old Tufail Mattoo after he was hit by a teargas shell in Srinagar on June 11. The subsequent unrest in the Valley claimed 110 lives, of mostly youngsters.

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PEOPLE ARE REQUESTED TO COVER JAMAI MASJID TOMORROW: MIRWAIZ

Srinagar, Dec 16 (Only Kashmir): The All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has announced that despite imposition of restrictions by the authorities, he will offer Juma prayers at historic Jamia Mosque in Srinagar, tomorrow. The APHC Chairman addressing a press conference at Mirwaiz Manzil in Srinagar, today, urged the people to massively congregate in the Jamia Masjid at Juma prayers.
He reiterated that the struggle for securing Kashmiris’ right to self-determination would continue at all costs. The authorities have not allowed the APHC Chairman to offer Juma prayers for the last many Fridays.

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

MOURNERS GET POLICE BATONS IN SINAGAR

Justify FullSrinagar Dec 15 (Only Kashmir): At least a dozen people on Wednesday were injured when Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Police used batons and lobbed teargas canisters to break up Muharram processions in city centre here.
Press Bureau of India city correspondent said scores of mourners led by Hurriyat Conference (G) leader, Nisar Hussain Rather tried to take out Muharram procession from Jehangir Chowk this afternoon.
Carrying religious banners and shouting pro-Islam slogans, the mourners tried to march towards the city centre were administrations had imposed curfew. However, when the procession reached near Budshah Bridge, CRPF and police intercepted the mourners and asked to them to retrieve. As the mourners offered stiff resistance and tried to break the cordon, the government forces resorted to baton charge and fired numerous teargas canisters to disperse them. At least two mourners suffered injuries in the action.
The action set off violent clashes between the forces and the mourners and the pitched battles continued for over an hour.
Later, some mourners regrouped and tried to take out a procession from Regal Chowk where curfew was in place. Police resorted to cane charge to chase away the mourners.
Around 1500 hours, eyewitnesses said, a group of mourners attempted to take out a procession from Shaheed Gunj area of the city.
When the mourners reached near old secretariat, police and paramilitary forces lobbed several teas smoke shells to disperse them. The forces also thrashed several mourners. At least, ten mourners suffered injuries in the action while several were arrested.
Earlier in the day, strict curfew was clamped in the areas falling under Maisuma, Kralkhud, Kothibagh, Shaheed Gunj and Ram Munshi Bagh police stations, which used to be the route of 8th Muharram procession before the onset of militancy.
A police spokesman here said that “some miscreants” in the afternoon attempted to defy the curfew restrictions and assembled near DC Office Shaheedgunj and Chinkral Mohalla- Srinagar, which was foiled by the timely intervention of Police. “Miscreants were chased away,” the spokesman said.

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RS 36.35 LAKH SANCTIONED AS EX-GRATIA FOR MILITANCY VICTIMS

Srinagar Dec 15 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir government has sanctioned an ex-gratia relief of Rs 36.35 lakh, to be distributed among 52 victims of militancy-related violence in the district.
The ex-gratia relief was sanctioned by District level screening-cum-coordination committee, which met on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Deputy commissioner of Srinagar Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo here, an official spokesman said on Wednesday.
In the meeting, the cases of victims of militancy were discussed and 52 of them were considered for sanction of ex-gratia relief, compensation and for entitlement of benefit under SRO-43, which provide a job to the next of kin of those killed in violence, he said, adding, ex-gratia sanctioned was to the tune of Rs 36,35,000.

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KASHMIR PROBE TO BE OVER BY JANUARY-END

Srinagar Dec 15 (Only Kashmir) : The commission of enquiry set up to probe 17 civilian killings from June 11 to July 13 during the unrest in the Kashmir Valley is likely to submit its report by the end of January.
The two-member commission comprising Justice (retired) Bashiruddin and Justice (retired) Y.P. Nargotra was set up by the Jammu and Kashmir government in August.
Although the commission was to submit its report within two months, it sought extensions. It is likely to submit the report by the end of next month, Bashiruddin told reporters here Tuesday.
Of the 17 deaths probed by the commission, seven occurred in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, seven in north Kashmir's Baramulla district and three in Srinagar district.
The commission held hearings at Srinagar, Baramulla, Sopore and Anantnag to know what led to the deaths of the civilians and fix responsibility for use of excessive force by security forces.
Besides the statements of the next of kin of the victims, the commission has recorded statements of police officers and security personnel.
The victims' relatives and the security officials were given the opportunity to cross examine each other to help the commission reach fair conclusions.
As many as 110 people were killed in clashes between unruly mobs and the security forces in the Kashmir Valley during five months of unrest that began June 11.

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RECENT UNREST IN KASHMIR WAS MINOR ABERRATIONS: LT GEN HASNAIN

Srinagar Dec 15 (Only Kashmir): Chinar Corps Commander, Lt General S A Hasnain today described the recent unrest in the valley as “minor aberrations.”
“The recent incidents in the valley were minor aberrations,” Lt General Hasnain told the visiting members of Gandhi Parikrama for Global Peace during an interaction here. He said peace was the essence of development. “Kashmir was a great example of Sufism and culture of peace,” he told the visitors, Defence Communique stated.

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

LET THE PROCESS BE COMPLEATED IN AFZAL GURU CASE: OMAR ABDULLAH

Jammu Dec 14 (Only Kashmir): On the ninth anniversary of Parliament attack, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the judicial process in Afzal Guru case should be completed irrespective of its implications in the country and the state.
"We have a system in the country where processes have to be completed. Let the process be completed in the case of Guru," Omar said, when asked by reporters on the sidelines of a function at Zorawar Singh Auditorium here.
To a question about the implications if the Parliament attack convict's hanging is confirmed, Omar said, "After the judicial process is completed, we will sit and see what can be its implication in the country and in Jammu and Kashmir."

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INDIA NEEDS TO RESPECT THE ASPIRATIONS OF KASHMIRI PEOPLE: MIRWAIZ

Srinagar, Dec 14 (Only Kashmir): Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Monday said that Kashmir situation was “explosive” and India needs to respect the wishes and aspirations of the people.
In an interaction with a delegation of Swaraj Peeth Trust, a Gandhian center for nonviolence and peace, who called on him at his Nageen residence here, Mirwaiz deplored the “criminal silence” observed by a “vast section” of Indian civil society over the grave human rights violations in Kashmir.
The Valley’s chief cleric urged the delegation to apprise the Indian public about the “explosive” situation in Valley.
“Being the followers of Gandhiji’s non-violent philosophy, it is your duty to inform the Indian masses about the ground situation in Kashmir and impress upon the Indian government to stop human rights violations in Kashmir and resolve the Kashmir issue according to the wishes and aspirations of people,” Mirwaiz said.

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FATHER OF DISAPPEARED SONS PINS HOPE ON CM

Srinagar, Dec 14 (Only Kashmir): At his age he would have received attention and care from his sons whom he had groomed as any father does, but for the last 10 years this septuagenarian has visited every nook and corner of India and Nepal to get clue of his disappeared sons.
Abdul Ahad Rah, 70, of Sheikh Mohalla Mahraj Gunj is now slowly losing his vision and the hope to trace Mushtaq Ahmad and Muhammad Shafi.
Rah’s sons were into leather business and were based in Nepal when police in Kathmandu along with 25 others took them into custody in September 2000.
“After detaining them, police released 10 persons and rest were handed over to Indian authorities,” Rah said, adding since that day he had been searching for their whereabouts.
Rah has moved from pillar to post to trace the whereabouts of his sons and in this connection, he visited Nepal where he was told that Kathmandu police handed over them to Indian officials.
“First I was told they are lodged in Jodhpur jail and after getting requisite court order I visited there, but was denied meeting with my children though officials informally admitted that they were present there. We were later informed that they are in Delhi jail and were also given the phone number of a person who could provide information about my sons. But the concerned person did not meet us,” he said.
Rah’s search did not end and he continued to visit the jails in and outside the state.
“I approached everybody including ministers, police and civil administration here to help me, but only hoax promises were delivered,” he said.
“If other states are concerned about their residents, then why the state government is indifferent towards us? I appeal to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah to help in locating my children. If my sons have committed any crime, then they should be punished,” he demanded, while showing the photographs of his two sons and clipping of Kathmandu Post, the daily published from Nepal which reads “police operation against suspected Kashmiris,” dated September 8, 2000.
When contacted, principal secretary Home, B R Sharma, said that he (Abdul Ahad Rah) should approach the concerned deputy commissioner.
“I don’t know about this case or has gone through this file, and it is better for him to approach the concerned deputy commissioner and government will help him,” he said.

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Saturday, December 11, 2010

AFKP OBSERVES INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Srinagar Dec 11 (Only Kashmir): On the eve of world human rights day, a daylong conference Cum Group Discussion on the topic “Sufferings of Kashmiri Youth” was held by Association of Families of Kashmiri Prisoners at Hotel Grand Mumtaz Srinagar in which the high caliber youth of valley studying in different Institutions and budding journalists (included Editor Only Kashmir, Bilal Bashir Bhat) illuminated the program with their thoughts. Speaking on the occasion,
Anjum Zamrud Habib, chairperson and founder of AFKP gave the welcome speech and called upon the youth to actively take part in different intellectual endeavors that would bring liberation to Kashmir and narrated the experience of her prison days and laid emphasis on the sufferings of youth. “My youth have suffered a lot and faced brute form of suppression from Indian state for raising their voices against illegal occupation. I call upon the youth to raise their voice in one unison for achieving our desired noble goals”, Said, Zamrud.
Rameez Makhdoomi, a young Journalist and editor Kashmiriwomen.com, said, “We need to have an intellectual platform under the educated face to achieve the just resolution of our conflict and termed political sufferings as the biggest form of sufferings and said it is in our genetics to seek freedom”. Uzma Falak, a young Women journalist said, “We need to memorize and keep a strong memory of the brutalities that have been perpetrated against us for raising our voices against injustice. Memory plays a vital part in struggles”. Mohammad Tauseef Mir, a Young journalist was the anchor of program. O the occasion a resolution was passed in one voice by participants with regard to continuing the intellectual discourses under the guardianship of Zamrud Habib and to awaken the world community about plight of Kashmir and work in union and with coordination and determination to achieve results for “Kashmir cause” and boost personal talent to achieve liberation for Kashmir. The resolution also laid emphasis on multi-strategic approach to achieve the goals of struggle.Justify Full

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Friday, December 10, 2010

48,664 WEAPONS RECOVERED IN KASHMIR IN 20 YEARS: GOVT

Jammu Dec 10 (Only Kashmir): The over two-decade long militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has seen the recovery of 48,664 weapons, including 30,473 AK-series rifles, a state home ministry report said.
As per the recent report on militancy compiled upto November end, as many as 48,664 weapons, including 30,473 deadly AK-type rifles and 11,189 pistols and revolvers were recovered by security forces and police during the past two decades.
Giving further details, it said 30,473 AK rifles of 47, 56, 74-make, 1,189 pistols and revolvers, 1,023 Universal Machine Guns (UMGs), 77 Carbines, 2147 rocket RPG and launchers, 216 LMG and SLRs, 284 number of 303 rifles, 386 sniper Rifles, 69 GPMGs and 2,800 rocket boosters.
The highest number of 3,504 AK type rifles were recovered in 1992 and 295 rifles were recovered this year, as compared to 285 in 2009, it said.
Similarly, 185 pistols were recovered in 2010, followed by 186 in 2009 and highest number of such recoveries of 1,052 in 1996.

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RAW PLANS TO LAUNCH KASHIMIRI TALIBAN GROUP

Islamabad, Dec 10 (Only Kashmir): The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), a notorious Indian intelligence agency, is likely to launch a fake group of militants namely “Kashmiri Taliban’ to malign the Kashmiris’ peaceful struggle for their right to self-determination, cause commotion in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and give a new dimension to its orchestrated propaganda against Pakistan as being a state which harbours terrorism.
It has been revealed by a prominent Pakistani journalist, Zahid Malik, in his recent article ‘Kashmiri Taliban in the offing!’ published in daily Pakistan Observer on December 06, 2010. Malik quoting his sources says that the preparatory work in this regard has been completed in all respects and the group will be launched under the guidance of Indian National Security Advisor’s office.
Disclosing further details, he maintains that the so-called Kashmiri Taliban group will openly support an independent Kashmir including Gilgit-Baltistan and Aksai Chin. This will not only create an impression in Pakistan that Kashmiris are no longer interested to join Pakistan but also to create some misunderstanding with its time tested friend China, the author states.
He says that the group will be tasked first to launch a few mock attacks inside India to establish its credibility and then carry out a series of devastating attacks inside Azad Kashmir and even in Pakistan in the name of Islamic Army of Kashmiri Taliban (IAKT) on the pattern of banned so-called Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Zahid Malik points out that India will seek support of the United States and other Western countries under the pretext that Kashmiris, Pakistanis and Afghan Taliban are chips of the same block and they need to be crushed simultaneously.

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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

INDIAN ARMY ENGAGED IN KASHMIRI GENOCIDE: WIKILEAKS

Srinagar Dec 09 (Only Kashmir): While the leaks of Wikileaks continue to give shocks and awes to the many global leaders and has exposed as to how safe, secret and secure the state of the most sensitive affairs of the Unites States’ government is, a careful and in-depth study of some out of the quarter million secret cable files, released by Wikileaks reveals what the US officials were holding in their chests and minds about India, Indian Army and Indian leaders.
These findings indicate that Wikileaks reveal that a cable sent from a US Mission in India termed former Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor as an incompetent combat leader and rather a geek. His war doctrine, suggesting eliminating China and Pakistan in a simultaneous war front was termed as “much far from reality”. Another cable indicates that General Kapoor was dubbed as a General who was least bothered about security challenges to the country but was more concerned about making personal assets and strengthening his own cult in the army. The cable also suggested that a tug of war between Kapoor and the current Indian Army Chief had divided the Indian army into 2 groups. Yet another cable suggested that the current Army Chief of Indian General VK Singh was having an aggressive approach and believes that “offense is the best defence”. General Singh has also been described as “Pakistan, China centric”, with an added aggression towards China. The cable mentioned General Singh as an egotist, self-obsessed, petulant and idiosyncratic General, a braggadocio and a show-off, who has been disliked (and barely tolerated) by all his subordinates. An earlier cable described Indian Army in gross Human rights violations in Indian Held part of Jammu and Kashmir while some Lt. Gen HS Panag, the then GOC-in-Chief of the Northern Command of the Indian Army was equated with General Milosevic of Bosnia with regard to butchering Muslims through war crimes.
The cable urged Washington to secretly divert UN attention towards the genocide of innocent civilians in Held Kashmir on the hands of Indian Army and also suggested that US should avoid holding any joint drill with Indian army until it stops inhuman activities in Kashmir. The cable termed one Lt. Col. AK Mathur as “Devil’s Advocate” at Srinagar. Another cable indicated involvement of top Indian Army leadership in engaging Hindu extremist militants to carry out certain terror operations to keep Indian Muslims on the back foot and to keep pressure on neighbouring Pakistan’s army and intelligence agencies, particularly the Inter services Intelligence. The cable refused to confirm any involvement of ISI in any terror incident across India and did confirm intelligence collection by its agents and operatives. Another cable confirmed that there was a nexus of top Indian army officials and extremist Hindu outfits. This cable suggested that an Indian Police officer, a counter terror specialist with the name of Hemant Karkare had exposed this nexus to some extent when he arrested a serving Colonel of Indian Army, Lt. Colonel Purohit for blazing a Pakistan bound train ( Samjhota Express).
The cable suggested that Hemant Karkare held a secret meeting with a senior US diplomat at New Delhi during the national day reception of a friendly country and briefed him about the gravity and the growing depth of the nexus between top Indian army leadership and the militant Hindu fanatic groups. Karkare sought the security for him and his family from the said American diplomat as he feared that the army and establishment would eliminate him as intended to move further to expose the network. He had further briefed the said US diplomat that a former Commander in Chief of the Central Command of the Indian army, Lt. General P.N Hoon was heading the militancy wing of the Hindu extremists and was getting full tactical, logistic and financial support from senior army officers. The day, Karkare was eliminated in a pre-planned ambush during the Mumbai attacks, a cable sent to the US read “we have lost an important link and a vital evidence”. Another cable sent to Washington termed Hindutva brotherhood in general and Shiv Sena in particular, as ticking time bombs with regard to militancy and terrorism. It was suggested that fund raisers like Hindu Students Council of America etc should be banned to raise funds as they were generating funds for the Hindu militant outfits under the garb of charity. Another file dubs Hindutva Brotherhood as a far bigger threat to regional and global peace that Taliban, Al-Qaeda and LeT and the later three were declared as “peanuts” if equated with Hindutva Brotherhood and Sangh Parivaar and Washington was urged to take up the issue with New Delhi. Another cable expressed grave concern over Indian government’s ability to handle naxal insurgency movement as 80 per cent of Indian nuclear and missile facilities were present in the insurgency hit areas of India while the Indian security forces were totally helpless in ensuring the writ of the government in that particular area, known as the “Red Corridor of India”. Another cable from Islamabad suggested that there were enough evidences of Indian involvement in Waziristan and other tribal areas of Pakistan as well as Balochistan. ISI Chief General Ahmad Shuja Pasha’s extension in services was termed as a good omen in one such cable and it was added that his further presence on the scene would enhance the agency’s abilities to combat anti-terror war. An earlier cable did rule out any direct or indirect involvement of ISI in 26/11 under Pasha’s command while Mumbai’s dossier, based on prime accused Ajmal Kasab’s confessional statement was termed funny and “shockingly immature”. Another cable confirmed the interception of radio communication by Pakistani and NATO forces in regional Indian languages in the Waziristan agencies.

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NOTICE AGAINST SHAM LAL SHARMA

Jammu Dec 09 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said due notice has been taken of controversial remarks made by Minister Sham Lal Sharma and appropriate action would follow after analysing contents of his speech.
“As far as the minister’s remarks are concerned, due notice has been taken at appropriate quarters,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
“Please allow them to examine not only the statement but also contents (of the minister’s speech) and after that whatever is to be done will be done.
“I am sure whatever action needs to be taken, if deemed necessary, will follow,” the Chief Minister said.
The Health and Horticulture Minister, belonging to the Congress, had stoked a controversy when he said at a rally on Sunday that Kashmir be granted “Azadi”, Jammu should be made a separate state and Ladakh be given the UT status.
The remarks, made at a rally in Kathua district in the presence of PCC head Saifuddin Soz, had embarrassed his party which termed these as his personal view.
In a statement here yesterday, the minister sought to clarify his remarks and said Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and its accession to the country was final and irrevocable.
"What I have said (at the rally) is that if we do not adhere to the principle of coalition dharma, then forces who want UT for Ladakh, separate state for Jammu and autonomy for Kashmir will gain momentum in their nefarious designs," Sharma had said.
On the recent attack on a school bus by separatists in Srinagar, the Chief Minister said "children and schools should be kept out of agitational politics."
"I have already said everybody, every right thinking person, whether a separatist or a part of the mainstream, has condemned this attack," he said.

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Tuesday, December 7, 2010

ADDS SHOULD BE ROUTED THROUGH INFORMATION DEPTT. :GOVT

Jammu, Dec 07 (Only Kashmir): The Finance Department has issued a circular whereunder strict instructions have been issued to all the departments and government owned corporations not to issue government advertisements to print and electronic media directly and all the advertisements are required to be routed through Information Department. All the treasury officers have been directed not to entertain any bill on account of charges presented to them on account of advertisements issued directly by the Print and electronic media.
The balance payment available with all the departments and corporations under the head of “Advertisement and publicity” whether under Non-Plan budget or under IEC and “work contingency” portion meant for publicity purpose under plan budget has been frozen and the same shall not be available for expenditure by the concerned departments. The amount after reconciliation shall be transferred to Information Department.

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LT. GEN HUSNAIN CALLS ON OMAR ABDULLAH

Srinagar Dec 07 (Only Kashmir): GoC 15 Crops, Lt. Gen, Syed Ata Husnain who took over recently, today called on Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah here this evening.
In about half an hour meeting the Lt. Gen. briefed the Chief Minister about the security scenario prevailing in the valley.

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HURRIYAT (M) TO HOLD SEMINAR ON DEC 09

Srinagar Dec 07 (Only Kashmir): To draw the attention of international community toward the rights violations allegedly committed by armed forces in Kashmir, Hurriyat (M) will organize a seminar ‘Respect for Human Rights Guarantees Global Peace’ on December 9.
“During an executive meeting led by chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today, the party extended full support to Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front’s torch procession on the international human rights day,” Hurriyat said.
JKLF has announced to carry out the torch procession against rights violations in Kashmir. Hurriyat, who lately got support from JKLF, has urged people to participate in the programmes by the group.
The executive council, Hurriyat said, also urged clerics to raise the issue of rights in Masjids across the Valley during the sermons on December 10.

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Monday, December 6, 2010

DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER ISSUES WARRANTS UNDER PUBLIC SAFETY ACT AGAINST FIVE PERSONS

Srinagar, Dec 06 (Only Kashmir):-Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon issued warrants under Public Safety Act against five persons involved in Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. The accused are Gulzar Ahmed Parray S/o Mohammed Amin Parray, Sajad Ahmed Parray S/o Ghulam Mohammed Parray, Manzoor Ahmed Parray S/o Mohammed Hatam Parray, Nisar Ahmed Bhat S/o Abdul Rashid Bhat and Abdul Hamid Parray @ Nikka S/o Ghulam Mohammed Parray all residents of Chursoo, Katpora Awantipore (District Pulwama).
Under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988 the Central and State Governments are empowered to make orders of detention with respect to any person, including a foreigner, if they are of the opinion that it is necessary so to do, with a view to preventing them from committing illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, which includes cultivation of opium poppy or any cannabis plant, or engaging in the production, manufacture, possession, etc., of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substance.
Under the Act, drug traffickers can be detained for a period of one to two years, so as to prevent them from indulging in such illegal activities.
Earlier, on 29th September 2010 Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, had issued warrants under PSA against four persons Wali Mohammed Bhat S/o Abdul Majeed Bhat R/o Reshipora, Awantipora (Pulwama), Ghulam Mohammed Bhat S/o Late Abdul Ganai Bhat R/o Reshipora Ullar Tehsil Awantipora, Shabir Ahmed Parray S/o Mohammed Kamal Parray R/o Charsoo, Katipora Awantipora and Mukhtar Ahmed Bhat S/o Ghulam Rasool Bhat R/o Kunjipora, Pulwama.

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GUIDELINES FOR WINTER SCHOOLING ISSUED

Jammu, Dec 06 (Only Kashmir): Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah has appreciated the proposal of School Education regarding winter schooling in Kashmir. In a high level meeting chaired by him here today, it was observed that winter schooling is inevitable for securing the future of lakhs of the students of Kashmir.
The meeting among others was attended by Minister for Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. B. B. Vyas, Commissioner/Secretary, School Education, Mtr. Naseem Lankar, Director School Education, Kashmir, Mtr. Shagufta Parveen, Director School Education, Jammu, Mr. G. A. Qureshi and Secretary State Board of School Education, Dr. Sheikh Bashir Ahmad.
The guidelines approved in the meeting regarding winter schooling state that all the government and private High and Higher Secondary schools of Kashmir valley will remain open during winter, all elementary schools including elementary classes attached with the high and higher secondary schools will observe winter vacation along with the teaching personnel, however the teaching staff of the elementary schools needed for teaching at high and higher secondary stage shall be retained on need basis by the head of institution.
The functioning of private schools during the winter for high and higher secondary classes is mandatory. The management shall have to make necessary/requisite arrangements in this regard. The teaching personnel involved with the teaching of students during the period shall be entitled for one month’s earned leave as is applicable to non-vocational employees for which the heads of the institutions concerned will make necessary entries in their service records duly countersigned by the respective Chief Education Officers.
Plus two subject Lecturers presently working on academic arrangements will continue to work till winter schooling continues. This will however not confer any right to them for permanent absorption or continuation in the department.
The Chief Education Officers of the respective districts will ensure effective heating arrangements in all the high and higher secondary schools in their respective jurisdiction after observing all codal formalities/procedures.
The funds for heating arrangements as per the norms will be provided by the concerned CEOs to the Heads of Institutions well in time.
Principal SIE Srinagar will be responsible for imparting necessary ten days training to the teaching personnel through concerned DIETs/SIE and will develop special capsule course for outgoing class 12th students.
The monitoring committees constituted at Zonal, district and divisional level shall also monitor the functioning of schools during winter for which the respective CEOs and Principals DIETs will be personally responsible.
The Head of the Institution will make the necessary minor repairs like seepage, replacement of broken glass panes, windows wherever needed for which funds have been provided by the government.

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MIRWAIZ CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH OF DETAINED LEADERS

Srinagar, Dec 06 (Only Kashmir): The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating health of illegally detained Hurriyet leaders and activists.
The APHC in a statement issued in Srinagar, today, after a meeting of its Executive Committee demanded immediate release of Mian Abdul Qayoom, Ghulam Nabi Shaheen, Aasiya Andrabi, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Yasmeen Raja and Zafar Akbar Butt.
The meeting was presided over by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and attended among others by Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi, Muhammad Abdullah Tari and Mukhtar Ahmed Waza. The participants paid rich tributes to the Hurriyat leaders for their commitment to the Kashmir cause and their determination to continue the liberation struggle. They expressed the confidence that the day was not far off when sacrifices of the Kashmiri people would bear fruit and they would get rid of Indian bondage.

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GRENADES HURLED AT TOWN HALL SOPORE

Srinagar Dec 06 (Only Kashmir): Militants lobbed several grenades in the Town Hall in Sopore, which houses several government installations, including the official residence of Superintendent of Police, police sources said.
The ultras hurled three to four grenades at the Town Hall in Sopore town, 52 kms from here. The official residence of Superintendent of Police Sopore Altaf Khan is situated in the complex, they said.
However, there was no casualty or damage to the buildings in the attack, they said.
The attack took place in the wee hours this morning, they said, adding the militants managed to escape after carrying out the attack, taking the advantage of darkness.
Local residents said they heard several blasts followed by heavy gunfire in the area around midnight.
Police said the investigations have been started into the incident and preliminary reports suggest that militants fired rifle grenades towards the complex.
No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

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OMAR WANTS SEPARATISTS TO TALK 'PEACE' WITH CENTRE

Srinagar Dec 06 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said separatists in the state should enter into a dialogue with the Centre to resolve the Kashmir issue.
"If they (separatists) can hold talks with parliamentarians and the Pakistan High Commissioner (in Delhi), what is the problem in talking to the Central government," Omar said, addressing a gathering at the mausoleum of his grandfather and National Conference founder Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah on his 105th birth anniversary.
"Dialogue is the only way out and they should enter into talks with the Centre," he said, adding, nothing can be achieved by resorting to violence by stone-pelting, killing people or burning school buses.
Referring to the BJP's criticism over his remarks on Kashmir in the state Assembly in September, the Chief Minister said, "I have said it in front of Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh at Qazigund) and reiterate that Kashmir is a political problem. Funds can help in mitigating the problems and meeting the development needs of the people only," he said.
Omar had said that Kashmir had acceded to the Union of India and not merged with it, which was widely criticised by opposition parties, especially the BJP.
Addressing another function in connection with the NC founder's birthday, Omar said the recent unrest in Kashmir Valley had badly affected the economy of the region and thousands of people had lost their livelihood.
He expressed apprehension that some people might try to create further unrest in the Valley during the next summer.
"For the last three years, whenever the tourist season approaches here they (separatists) ask for shutdowns. We have seen this in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Now they must be preparing (to do so) for June 2011, but we will use all our efforts so that they do not succeed in it," he said.
The Chief Minister blamed the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for remaining indifferent to the suffering of the common people.
"I am talking about my own people who are in the Assembly with us. When there is a semblance of normalcy, they say this is deception, fraud. They say this not the ground situation.
Instead of working for peace so that more tourists come, they are doing the opposite," Omar said.
"That is why I repeat until we find a solution to this issue, we should not add more miseries to the people," he added.
Omar said this year Kashmir had more than five lakh tourists but the five months of unrest destroyed the season.
He said the Valley would be teeming with tourists if the situation improves here.

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PDP TO BYCOTT KASHMIR PANCHAYAT POLLS

Jammu Dec 06 (Only Kashmir): The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced Sunday that it will boycott panchayat elections to be held on a non-party basis in Jammu and Kashmir in January 2011, saying the "conditions are not conducive".
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, addressing a meeting of party workers in Jammu, said: "The conditions are not conducive for holding of panchayat polls, hence PDP will oppose the polls."
Mehbooba Mufti, who represents the largest opposition group both within and outside of the state legislature, said the "government had not taken into consideration the ground realities and is moving ahead with the panchayat polls in a bid to run over the public mood".
She was referring to around 110 killings in the past five months in the Kashmir Valley due to clashes between stone throwers and police and security forces.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had announced Tuesday the holding of panchayat polls on non-party basis from January. According to him, the panchayat elections, which have not been held for the past seven years, would help in devolution of power to the grassroots level in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Sunday, December 5, 2010

KASHMIR WILL NEVER BECOME PART OF PAKISTAN: FAROOQ ABDULLAH

Srinagar: Dec 05 (Only Kashmir): In the first public function in the city after the unprecedented five month long separatist groundswell, leading to death of 116 youth, union minister for non-renewable resources Dr Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said that the state would never become a part of Pakistan even as his son, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged separatists to come forward for talks with New Delhi, now that they had talked to parliamentarians.
The function was held on the bank of Dal lake at the mausoleum of the National Conference founder Sheikh Abdullah on his 105th birth anniversary. With thousands of people attending, the function also served as a symbolic return of the ruling National Conference to the centrestage in Kashmir, after being virtually relegated to the margins through the summer agitation.
“There will be no Pakistan here. Kashmir will never become a part of Pakistan,” Abdullah thundered as the people listened in rapt attention. Abdullah said that only solution to Kashmir was his party’s long standing proposal for autonomy to the state within constitution of India. “ Only autonomy to Kashmir will help restore peace,” he said.

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MIRWAIZ VISITS SOFI'S RESIDENCE

Srinagar Dec 05 (Only Kashmir): Soon after being released from house arrest, Mirwaiz rushed to meet Sofi Mushtaq who was released from Police remand before some days. Speaking on the occasion Mirwaiz highly condemn the arrest of Sofi Mushtaq, Meanwhile Sofi Mushtaq was recently send on Police remand and was released before some days.
Mirwaiz was also accompanied by Pr Habibullah Jeelani, Ghulam Nabi Zaki, Farooq Ahmad and Myself (Editor Only Kashmir).

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Saturday, December 4, 2010

KASHMIR IS A POLITICAL ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RESOLVED THROGHT PEACEFUL MEANS: MIRWAIZ

Srinagar Dec 04 (Only Kashmir): Mirwaiz Umar Farooq talking to a delegation of Indian parliamentarians and civil society members, which met him at his residence in Srinagar, today, maintained that Kashmir was a political dispute which needed to be resolved through peaceful means. He said, the APHC wants a settlement of the dispute acceptable to Pakistan, India and the people of Kashmir.
The Indian delegation included Ram Vilas Paswan, Seema Mustafa, Professor Kamal Chenoy, Shahid Siddiqui and Mahesh Bhatt.

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UN RESOLUTION PROVIDE RESOLUTION OF KASHMIR DISPUTE: DR FAI

New York, DeC 04 : The Executive Director of Kashmir Centre Washington, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, has said that the United Nations resolutions on Kashmir constitute a binding and solemn international agreement about the settlement of the dispute.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai during a lecture at The Alexander Hamilton CentJustify Fuller, Department of Political Science, New York University said, “The United Nations resolutions are not the resolutions in the routine sense of the term. Their provisions were negotiated in detail by the Commission with India and Pakistan and it was only after the consent of both Governments was explicitly obtained that they were endorsed by the Security Council. They thus constitute a binding and solemn international agreement about the settlement of the Kashmir dispute.”
Professor Shinasi A. Raama, the Deputy Director of the Center and former Spokesman, Provisional Government of Kosovo moderated the lecture.
Dr Fai explained that India should recognize that there couldn’t be a military solution of the problem and any such solution was bound to invite challenge. “This should exclude consideration of the ‘Line of Control’ as a prospective boundary between the two countries. For Kashmiris, the ‘Line of Control’ is only the glorified name given to a cease-fire line between two armed forces fixed purely on a military basis on a certain date. Its legitimacy has nothing to do with the life of the people on either side except to disrupt it. It has existed as the Line of Conflict and its perpetuation would mean not the solution but the perpetuation of the dispute,” he added.
The Executive Director further explained that the United Nations was well equipped to orchestrate free and fair elections to end conflicts and Namibia, Mozambique, Cambodia, and East Timor were splendid examples. The United Nations was prepared to conduct a free and fair plebiscite in Kashmir more than 60 years ago, but was stymied by India’s intransigence. Mountains of misery could have been averted if the United Nations had been permitted to step into the Kashmir breach, he stated.
He demonstrated that a Kashmiri nation would be a model of democracy and religious pluralism. Kashmiris of all faiths--Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or otherwise--have historically enjoyed amicable and warm relations. During its centuries of autonomy or virtual independence, communal violence or abrasiveness was unknown between the members of different religious communities. Kashmiris, he added, shared values and a heritage that far transcended religious divides.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai underscored that alternate options for reaching a peaceful solution deserve serious exploration because bilateralism has proved fruitless for more than half a century. “The peace in South Asia in general and Kashmir in particular is too important to be left to two rivals alone. Options for fashioning a dispensation for Kashmir must directly involve the people of Kashmir because their sovereignty and right to self-determination are at stake,” he maintained.
The Executive Director elaborated that conflict resolution characteristically requires an outside group, nation, or individual to bring the adverse parties together. “The origins of a solution must be politically palatable to both sides, and that ordinarily means a politically neutral intercessor. If a party to a conflict resists a third-party facilitator, then the prospects of finding a resolution diminish. It sends a signal of intransigence, and a belief that unilateral or overwhelming force will prevail. Thus, India’s historical rejection of a mediator to resolve the Kashmir conflict is a source of enormous dejection. The people of Kashmir were gratified when candidate Obama said that he would appoint President Bill Clinton as a special envoy on Kashmir. The people of Kashmir were never surprised that India said no to President Obama appointing a special envoy on Kashmir. What was astonishing was that President Obama took the “NO” of India as an answer,” he said.
He further explained that Kashmir is not beyond a solution if all involved parties, Pakistan, India, and Kashmiris, make concessions. The next step is not to craft a solution, but to set the stage for crafting a solution. Key to that objective is the appointment of a person of an international stature like Bishop Desmond Tutu to facilitate negotiations. He made a reference to an article in Daily Guardian, August 14 2010, written by Mr. Pankaj Mishra, a renowned Indian scholar, who wrote “Once known for its extraordinary beauty, the valley of Kashmir now hosts the biggest, bloodiest and also the most obscure military occupation in the world.” “The hundreds of thousands of demonstrators that fill the streets of Kashmir's cities today are overwhelmingly young, many in their teens, and armed with nothing more lethal than stones. Yet the Indian state seems determined to strangle their voices as it did of the old one.”

Dr Fai said that Mishra wrote, “They (the protesters in Kashmir) indeed have a broader mass base than the Green Movement does in Iran. But no colour-coded revolution is heralded in Kashmir by western commentators. The BBC and CNN don't endlessly loop clips of little children being shot in the head by Indian soldiers.” Dr Fai cited columnist Swaminathan Aiyar of New Delhi who wrote in The Times of India, “We promised Kashmiris a plebiscite six decades ago. Let us hold one now, and give them three choices: independence, union with Pakistan, and union with India. Let Kashmiris decide the outcome, not the politicians and armies of India and Pakistan.”
The Executive Director also made a reference to a statement of Mr. Gautum Navlakha of ‘Economic and Political Weekly’ who said, “Long and short of it is that Indian state has become its own worst enemy. There is no point blaming Pakistan, fundamentalists, human rights activists and the usual alibis used by the Indian state. It is time to acknowledge that ‘national security’ paranoia cannot hide the reality that Muslims of J&K have no confidence in the Indian state.”

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