WHEN KASHMIR WAS SLAPPED

(Note: Only Kashmir may be or may not be agree views expressed in this post. The views expressed in the post are the writer’s own.)

By: Tahir Muzter

It was in 1963--- Consequent upon Kamraj Plan of Indian National congress, in August 1963, Late Bakhshi Gulam Mohammad resigned as Prime Minister of Jammu &Kashmir and Kh, Shamus-Din took over as his successor. There was some topsy-turvy in the corridors o f power in Kashmir. Late Bakhshi Gulam Mohammad had promised to the Prime Minister late Pandit Jawaharlal Lal Nehru that he would see to it that G.M.Sadiq was elected the chief Minister , but in Kashmir the strongest contender against Sadiq becoming the Chief Minister was Bashki Abdul Rashid, the then General Secretary of the National Conference---

A move started to persuade Bakhshi to withdraw his resignation. That was the time that late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was still in Jail, and there was a strong demand emerging in rational political circles of the country for his release. However it is along and separate story Here it isjust a cursory mention of the then situation prevailing in Kashmir, though kh. Shamas-din- took over as the Prime Minister of the state in that situation. As a researcher on the subject, my opinion is that the mysterious disappearance of the Holy Relic and consequent upon sea change of Kashmir politics is not possible to understand without going through deep in the situation prevailing then.

It was in this background that the Moi-i-Muqaddas (Holy Relic of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) was mysteriously found missing on the morning of 27th December, 1963 from Hujrah Sharif of Aasari—Sharief Hazratbal(old building),obviously being politically motivated. But it was the biggest torture of the extreme love and regard Muslim have with the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and within no time of this shivring news, lakhs of people came on roads throughout length and breadths of Kashmir, mourning and weeping. This continued till 4th January , when recovery of Moi-i- Muqadas was claimed officially.

Mysteriously disappearance shook not only Kashmir but it proved a trembling news for Delhi also. With this the politics and history of Kashmir turned a new leaf. It is only to recall here that the Centre opted to remain criminally silent with regard to the conspiracy that worked behind the removal of the Holy Relic, and the culprit from whom the investigating agency recovered the Holy Relic.

It happened despite the fact that the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Lal Nehru broadcasted to the people of Kashmir, that he was sending his senior Intelligence Officer B. N. Mullick to Srinagar to take charge of the case and to recover the Holy Relic and also promised to punish the culprits.

It was a unique occasion after 1953, when the people of Kashmir trusted the Government of India and demanded the exposure of the wicked culprit and the vicious conspiracy, as it had hurt gravely the sentiments of lacks of Muslims throughout the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Indeed the movement for recovery of the Holy Relic was joined by the non-Muslims including the Hindus at Jammu. Instead of exposing the conspiracy and punishing the culprits as promised by the Prime Minister Nehru publicly the then Chief of the Intelligence Bureau of India, Mr. B.N. Mullik, , who on the directive of Pt. Jawaharlal investigated the mysterious episode, delivered a blow on the face of Kashmir is when he recorded---“Recovery of Moi-Muqaddas (Holy Relic) was an intelligence operation never to be disclosed. I cannot describe the process which led to its replacement at the place from which it had been removed on December 27. (My years with Nehru by B.N. Mullick -1972, Page142).

o give here the details of the “Tahreek Baazyabi Moi-Muqadas (SAW) (Agitation for the recovery of Moi-i-Muqadas) and its gravity is not within the scope of this brief write up but Mullik himself has confessed saying that---------- “What I saw in the town was something which I had never seen before thirty-five years of executive service dealing with law and order. Every thing was closed: offices, schools, shops, cinemas, restaurants. Langers (eating places) had been set up at various places in the town. Large crowds were coming from villages, carrying food, bedding and even fuel for warming their bodies. There was no end to the stream of people and the smallest procession was at least a mile long covering the entire width of the road including the footpaths” There is much more to tell about the Tahreek –i- Moi Muqadas (SAW) and the demand of exposing the conspiracy and punishing the culprits. But ignoring all that and against their commitment to the people of Kashmir. The Govt. of India slapped down the lakhs of people belonging to Kashmir and B.N.Mullik’s above mentioned book is a documentary proof of it. Probably it would expose some pro –India Kashmir leaders, and their political game of power struggle. Anyway, the Holy Relic episode wholly decided, directed and administered by the Central Home Ministry did not prove a hard nut for Kashmir to crack as they soon realized that the drama was enacted to hoodwink them and bring about a political change in the State that would not be as abhorrent to the people of the ill-fated State as the 1953 episode had proved.

( In this picture Late A . Ahead Lone then a sectary, J &K Mahaz-Rai-Shumari is pointing out on the door of “Hujrah Khas of Old Hazratbal , which was broken’”)

The wtiiter can be reached at: tahirmuzter.s@rediffmail.com

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MATRIC RESULTS DECLARED 5 CANDIDATES SECURE 100 PERCENT MARKS

Srinagar, Dec 28 (Only Kashmir): The Board of School Education declared results of matric on Wednesday. Out of 50685 candidates who had appeared in the exams held in October this year 29280 were declared successful.
Five candidates secured 100 percent marks while nine secured 499 out of 500 marks. 14 candidates have secured 498 out of 500 marks.
First time five students have secured 100 percent marks. They are Naseer Ahmad Rather from Sidarth Education Institute Anantnag, Khair-ul-Nisa from SAMIE Beerwah, Amir Mustafa Tyndale Biscoe, Hafsa Haroon from Presentation Convent and Khoban Jamsheed from Mallinson School.
Interestingly all of the nine students who secured 498 marks are girls.
Abid Abdullah from Higher Secondary School Vilgam has secured 497 marks and is one among fourth toppers. Syed Zeeshan Nisar from Boys High School Lajoora Pulwama has secured 495 marks and is fifth one among fifth toppers.
The overall pass percentage this year has reached 66.13 percent from 65.98 percent last year. 4238 candidates who have passed the exam have been kept in qualified but to improve which is a new category this year.
1731 candidates have secured A1 category which is above 90 percent. Last year only 872 candidates had secured A1 category. This year 3273 candidates have secured A2 grade which is above 80 percent and below 90 percent.
Meanwhile, the BOSE had kept the results available on its website www.jkbose.co.in, www.indiaresults.com.

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MIRWAIZ WEBSITE LAUNCES WEBSITE AGAINST RISING SOCIAL EVILS IN KASHMIR

Srinagar, Dec 27 (Only Kashmir): Mirwaiz-i-Kashmir (The owner of the highest religious seat in Kashmir) Umar Farooq today at Mirwaiz Manzil (the ancestor home of Mirwaiz) Rajouri Kadal Tuesday inaugurates the first of its kind Islamic Website in presence of a Galaxy of Ulamas & high dignitary persons.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who is also president of Mutahida Majlis Amal today inaugurated a website here for the protection of faith. Addressing a meeting of Ulema he called for strengthening of religious institutions and Islamic banking and to help poor and destitute people of the valley.
Mirwaiz also expressed concern over the activities of Christian missionaries. “We should strive for creating Baitul Maal, to help needy people,” he said.
The Mirwaiz said that there was a need for the formation of committee consisting financial experts who would strengthen the Islamic Banking concept in the Valley. “Jammu and Kashmir is a Muslim majority region and we should take some concrete steps to implement Islamic Banking,” he said.
Mirwaiz expressed serious concern about the conspiracies to spread sale of liquor in the valley and demanded to take back the issued licenses from the liquor shops.
He also appealed to religious scholars and preachers to play part in imparting religious teachings and principals of Islam. The Mirwaiz also inaugurated a website ‘www. tahfuzeiman.org’ to curb the conversion menace in the valley.
He reiterated his stand and said that the movement for the protection of faith is not against any religious minority community.
Rehmatullah Mir, chairman Darul Uloom Reheemia, Mufti Nazir Ahmad Qasmi, Advocate Zahid Ali, Abdul Rehman Bhat, General Secretary Jami’at Ahalhadees, Moulana Abass Ansari, Chairman Itehadul Muslileem and Moulana Ghulam Rasool Hami, Chairman Karwane Islami were present in the meeting.
Editor-in-Chief Only Kashmir was also present on the occasion.(OK)

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AFGHAN MILITANTS CAN SNEAK INTO VALLEY: LT GEN HASNAIN

Srinagar Dec 16 (Only Kashmir): General Officer Commanding of Army’s 15 Corps, Lt General Syed Atta Hasnain on Wednesday said the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan can have impact on the security situation in J&K as the leftover militants can sneak into Kashmir. He said that in the past also when Russian forces withdrew from Afghanistan, some of the militants who were fighting against Russia had sneaked to this side and were involved in the militancy related activities in the state.

“The geopolitics of this region especially that of Afghanistan has impact not only on Pakistan but also in Kashmir. In this context, next two years will be influenced by the overall situation in Afghanistan,” Hasnain said on the sidelines of an ‘Awami Sunwai’ in Uri.
He said that army is ready to foil any infiltration bid and apprehensions of infiltration during the winter season from Uri sector are high as most of the areas of Machil, Karnah and Gurez witness high snowfall.

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GROWING US-PAKISTAN TENSION WORRIES KASHMIRIS

Srinagar, Dec 5 (Only Kashmir): In the wake of the NATO attacks in Pakistan that killed 28 soldiers, the common man in the Kashmir Valley is worried about the region's instability and its fallout here.
Kashmiris have always reacted with concern to political upheavals in Pakistan. What has increased the common Kashmiri's worries about Pakistan is the latest statement by its army chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, authorizing ground soldiers "to retaliate with full force without fear of cost and consequences" if such an attack is repeated.
Worsening ties between the US and Pakistan and a statement by Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani that there was no apprehension of an army coup in the country are being discussed by the locals these days with concern.
"If the US war against terror loses its support from Pakistan the region faces a grave situation. Believe it or not, the instability in Pakistan could have a serious fallout in Kashmir", said Javaid Shah, a local newspaper editor here.
The common man is keenly watching the developments and hoping things do not come to a showdown between the US and Pakistan.
"It is like an earthquake that has its epicentre somewhere in Pakistan. If Pakistan is jolted by political or security turmoil, we cannot escape the consequences.
"The entire prospect of peace in Kashmir depends upon the stability in the region and better relations between India and Pakistan. Unless the government there is in full control how can it engage in peace talks with New Delhi," a Nizam-ud-Din, 59, a retired school teacher here, told IANS.
When Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged on April 4, 1979, there were violent protests in the Valley during which five persons were killed in police firing. Even the death of the Pakistan dictator, Gen. Ziaul Haq, in an air crash on August 17, 1988, caused law and order problems in Kashmir with protesters blaming the US for engineering the crash of the plane carrying him and the American ambassador.
"Emotions have always run high in Kashmir with the unfolding of events in Pakistan. Today, when that country is placed precariously vis-a-vis its relations with the US, the growing concern in the Valley is understandable. Nobody would benefit if Pakistan comes to harm," said Professor Muzaffar Ahmad, a college teacher here.
"The undermining of the political authority in Pakistan would definitely affect the future of the peace process between the two countries whose inevitable fallout could be the continuation of turmoil in the Valley," Ahmad told IANS.
As cable television networks beam commentaries and news about the strain in relations between the US and Pakistan, for a change Kashmiris remain glued to these programmes during the chilly winter evenings.(Inputs: IANS)

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ER. HILAL WAR SLAMS MIRWAIZ OVER THE MEETING WITH ER. RASHID

Srinagar Nov 22 (Only Kashmir): Questioning the mandate of the secret meeting recently held between Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Dr. Umar Farooq and Pro-India politician and member of assembly (Langate constituency) Er. Sheikh Rashid, Chairman People’s Political Party (PPP) Er. Hilal Ahmad War has asked that when Mirwaiz Umar Farooq maintained to stay away from the interlocutors appointed by the Government of India (GOI) in April 2011 and suspended former Chairman of APHC Moulana Abbas Ansari and even derecognized his party as a unit of Hurriyat (M) faction on the same grounds then, on what basis and grounds he held a secret meeting with Er. Rashid who also has accepted the constitution of India and is moreover a Pro-India politician. Er. War asked Mirwaiz that he ought to forward a justification and detailed explanation before the entire nation for this act and appealed the entire separatist leadership in general and Syed Ali Shah Geelani in particular to demand a detailed explanation from Mirwaiz.
In his press statement, Er.Hilal War revealed that a few days back Mirwaiz held an hour long closed door meeting with Er.Rashid. Expressing deep sorrow, agony and annoyance over this episode Er. War said that holding secret and back channel parleys with a pro-India politician was against the principles of separatist leadership and had even no room within the domain of Hurriyat Constitution. PPP Chairman further said that the regional Pro-India leaders and politicians were on their task of very craftily and cunningly vindicating the forceful and illegitimate occupation of Kashmir by India and were trying to the hilt and the edge to dilute the pious struggle of freedom in Kashmir, which was quite evident to everyone. He said Er.Rashid is a part and parcel of this vicious and evil conspiracy who masqueraded as pro-people just to dilute the impact of resistance leadership.
Taking note of sacking of Moulana Abbas Ansari and his Party from the membership of Hurriyat for meeting the GOI appointed Interlocutors by Mirwaiz, Mr. War said that Er. Rasheed adorned the constitution of India by contesting the elections and was doing his political tasks assigned to him by the GOI. War said, Why did not pro-freedom leadership including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Shabeer Shah and others demand explanation from Mirwaiz and Company for the closed door secret meeting with Er. Rasheed which was organised and directed by Indian Intelligence Agencies. Questioning Mirwaiz, PPP Chief enquired as to why did he hold closed door parleys with Er.Rashid and what all discussions took place therein and said that Mirwaiz should clarify his stand; if a planning to field in proxy candidates in the elections was going on and had Er. Rahsid come to receive the blessings in that regard only. PPP Chairman further said that Hurriyat Chairman must aware the nation of all those issues and dialogues. Meanwhile Er.War asked Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Shabir Shah and other separatist leaders to enquire all these issues from Mirwaiz and endeavour to bring the reality on the forefront.
PPP Chairman further said that Er. Rahsid’s issuance of statements and slogans against the human rights violations of Kashmiris at the hands of armed forces merited no rationale as he himself stood up in the assembly elections conducted by the Election Commission of India further strengthening Indian Occupation of J&K and accepted the constitution of India by taking the oath to abide by the same and after doing all that he was doing a melodrama to gather sympathies of innocent Kashmiri masses and pretended to be a noble, pro-people and pro-Kashmir leader
Mr. War said if at all Er. Rashid felt sorry for projecting Indian hegemony over the territory of J&K including its people, he should openly tender an unconditional apology before the people of J&K and relinquish all his monetary and other benefits. He said in case he (Er .Rashid) really wanted to do something for the Kashmir cause and become the well wisher and sympathiser of the people in real sense he should quit the assembly and start his work as a foot soldier in the pro-freedom camp.
Er. War said if Mirwaiz has any plans of fielding proxy candidates, he shouldn’t ditch the nation and should come out in the open rather than patronising stooges like Er. Rashid.
Er. War asked Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Shabir Shah and other senior pro-freedom leaders to take a strong note of this incident and form a commission of enquiry to look into it.

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THE WEDDING KASHMIR STYLE

Harmonious Communal Harmony

Srinagar: It was the most pleasant when a crowd of Kahmiri Muslim women came out in streets in old Srinagar to receive a Pandit bride with their traditional wanvun, the Wedding songs.

The marriage took place early this week in Sheikh Mohalla in Maharaj Ganj area of Srinagar.

The bridegroom Bharat Bhushan expressed great pleasure over this unique gesture of Hindu-Muslim harmony. His bride Priti was also seen knowing nom bounds of her joy when Muslim women welcomed her with open heat and local folk songs.

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WHY KASHMIR HAS NO PRESS CLUB?

A question raised by Tahir Muzter

• IS KASHMIR JOURNALISTS A SELF-CENTERED LOT?
• ARE NOT THEY CONSCIOUS OF ITS IMPORTANCE IN RELATION WITH A NEED AND THEIR DIGNITY?
• IS THERE ANY RECORD WHEN THEY EXERTED THEIR POWER AND INFLUENCE JOINTLY TO GET A PRESS CLUB ESTABLISHED IN SRINAGAR?
• ARE THEY HAVE BEEN ALWAYS STRIVING FOR FLOW OF ADVERTISEMENTS.

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GOOGLE TEAM STARTED SEARCHING KASHMIR FROM UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR

Srinagar Nov 02 (Only Kashmir): A top level team of senior executives from Google, USA visited the Business School, University of Kashmir and interacted with students and the faculty.

The team included, Ms. Mary Himinkool: Head of Global Entrepreneurship Outreach, Ms. Sonia Wadhawan: Senior manager, New Business Development, Mr. Divon Lan: Product Manager, Ms. Olivia Ma: Global Entrepreneurship Manager, Mr. Debu Pukayastha: Principal, New Business Development from Google, USA. The team was also accompanied by Mr. Andy Dwonch and Mr. Usman Ahmad from Mercy Corps.The team was received by the Director, the Business School and senior faculty members. The Director, Business School, Prof. Shabir A. Bhat in his welcome address termed the visit of senior executives from Google, USA a historic moment for the Business School as it provided an opportunity to the students and the faculty to interact with some of the best brains in the world, who are playing a significant role in shaping the future of global information communication technology.
The welcome address by the Director was followed by the interaction of the executives from Google team with the students and the faculty. Mr. Divon Lan: Product Manager, Google, USA, introduced his team and spoke extensively about Google and the world of information and communication technology Mr. Divon said that the information communication technology has greatly eliminated the physical and geographical barriers and made it possible for us to think of a world without any barriers. He further added that the future of the world is greatly dependent on web connectivity. Other members of the team shared their view with the audience about the future cutting edge technologies being developed by the Google. They also extensively talked about the operating systems developed by Google, such as android and other applications like Google Chrome and Google Plus. The members also shared their experiences about the work culture in Google, they said that the competence and capability is the only criteria at Google and persons from any background ethnic, cultural or national are welcome to work at Google. The team members also gave their perspective on processes initiated by Google to keep the client information secure and safe and to keep hackers at bay. The members also encouraged the students to think innovatively and creatively in order to be the business leaders of tomorrow. They stressed on the need to identify gaps in business and to develop successful and sustainable business models. The team members also threw light on how businesses could be promoted on social networking sites. The session was also followed up by question answers from the audience. Students enthusiastically participated in this session and asked some insightful and thought provoking questions.
The team members answered these questions with great expertise knowledge and patience. In their interaction with the students, the team members from Google greatly appreciated the talent and capability of the students.
In his concluding remarks Prof. Shabir stressed the need to strengthen the linkages between the academic institutions and world renowned corporate houses to groom the competent, capable and professional managers of tomorrow. He further added that interaction with distinguished team from Google, USA will ignite the spark among the capable and competent youth of our valley to dream bigger and to strive to achieve these dreams. Prof. Shabir also emphasized that in today’s world of communication and technology, Google has emerged as an organization that is shaping tomorrow’s world and is playing a pivotal role of empowering the people by providing information at the click of a button. Prof. Shabir also thanked Mr. Usman Ahmad, Head Mercy Corps, India for his support and his role in promoting entrepreneurship among the youth of the state and also appreciated the role of Mr. M. Ayub Shah, Placement Officer in coordinating these interaction programs.
Bilal Bashir Bhat, Editor-in-Chief Only Kashmir was also present on the occasion.

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HIZBUL MUJAHIDEEN ALMOST WIPED OUT IN KASHMIR

Courtesy: Times of India

New Delhi Oct 19 (Only Kashmir): Once the most formidable face of Kashmir militancy, Hizbul Mujahideen is slowly fading away as its remaining commanders and cadres are being taken out on a regular interval by security forces.

According to estimates available here, there is hardly over two dozen active militants left in HM, the biggest indigen ous militant group ever in Kashmir. Even the remaining militants have not resorted to any major action in months now. "They are

basically reduced to throwing occasional grenades or random firing, even those are very rare," a senior official said on the plight of HM.

Over the last few weeks, security forces eliminated or arrested many of the remaining HM operatives in the Valley. On October 13, Kashmir Valley's longest serving militant and one of the senior-most HM members, Mushtaq Killer alias Mustaq Janghi, was killed. In the same operation, another militant was killed while a third one was arrested.

A few days prior to the operation, security forces had arrested Mohammad Shafi, also known as Dr Dawood, believed to be the head of operations of HM in the troubled state. He, along with former operational chief Abdul Majid Dar who was killed in 2003, and HM's Pakistan-based chief Syed Salahuddin, were among the early members of HM who played a critical role in shaping the militancy that has raged for the past quarter century.

Started by Jamaat-e-Islami members who revolted against the 1987 rigged elections and other oppressive policies, HM grew into the dominant militancy group by the early 1990s, with almost full membership comprising of local Kashmiris. Though they had foreign hands, HM's dominant presence as a militant group of locals gave the Kashmir insurgency a completely local flavour and some amount of global justification.

In 2000, the group took the bold initiative of entering into a ceasefire with the security forces, but within weeks it was scuttled by powers that be in Pakistan. The ceasefire and subsequent talks with New Delhi's representatives catapulted Abdul Majid Dar, the then chief commander of HM in the state, into the limelight. Dar had by then resigned to the need for a peaceful settlement but his immediate superior Salahuddin, who has been based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for the past two decades, withdrew his endorsement of the ceasefire within days. Dar was later suspended from HM, and was shot dead in 2003.

Around the same period, ideological differences between other groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, which now dominates Kashmir insurgency, also emerged. LeT had started launching suicide bombers (fidayeen) in 1999 but HM disagreed with the tactics. The Kashmiri group believed it was un-Islamic to give up life.

Long-time observers of Kashmir within the establishment point out that the slow death of HM is a sign of the disenchantment of the local population towards violence. But if New Delhi fails to seize the political space available to make lasting peace, a new kind of violence, more deadly and foreign cannot be ruled out, they warn.

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KASHMIR IS A PART OF INDIA, BHUSHAN IS WRONG: ANNA HAZARE

New Delhi 14 Oct (Only Kashmir): Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Friday distanced himself from Prashant Bhushan's remarks on Kashmir and said that the entire state was an integral part of India. Bhushan had earlier said that plebiscite should be carried out in Kashmir to determine its future.

Anna displayed his displeasure at Bhushan's comment and said, "Prashant Bhushan's views on Kashmir are wrong. We do not endorse Prashan Bhushan's statement on Kashmir. I will tell Prashant Bhushan that if he is giving an opinion on a subject, he can give it in his personal capacity. If he is giving the team's view, he should speak to the team before."

Anna also cleared his stand on the Kashmir issue and said, "My personal view is that Kashmir is an integral part of India."

Bhushan, an integral part of Team Anna, was brutally attacked on Wednesday for his remarks by three people - Tejinder Singh Bagga, Inder Verma and Vishnu Gupta.

Anna also added that future of the senior lawyer as a member of his team is in doubt following the controversial comments. "We will decide if Bhushan would be part of Team Anna," said Anna.

The 74-year-old also clarified that the Team Anna will only fight against corruption and for a strong Lokpal. "Team Anna will work to bring Jan Lokpal Bill and corruption free India," he said.

Bhushan's comments for plebiscite in Kashmir has also been criticised by Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray. Thackeray supported the Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena members who attacked Bhushan.

In an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna', Thakerey wrote that Bhushan's attackers were not rogues or thieves but were genuinely angered by Bhushan's comment on Kashmir and if their actions are widely criticised, so must be Bhushan's statement.

Thackeray also attacked Anna for criticising the violence but not commenting on Bhushan's statements on Kashmir. He said such people should get a dose of nationalism and supporters of Hindutva must show them how the torch of a revolution is lit.

Bhushan has, however, stood by his comments on Kashmir and claimed that merely expressing a view that is not liked by some sections of the society does not mean that the statements are seditious.

He said that fascist mindset was now increasingly being seen in several people and several organisations and added that if someone does not agree with any viewpoint then that person has every right to express his opposition, but that should not become a license to indulge in violence.

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BOLLYWOOD STORY LIKE INCIDENT HAPPENS IN KASHMIR

Stolen as infant, back as teen: Kashmiri twin’s tale

Srinagar Sep 26 (Only Kashmir): His story would put Bollywood’s lost and found tales to shame. Sarmad, a teenager, says he was sold for Rs.10,000 by a nurse in Srinagar’s biggest maternity hospital to a childless couple Aug 2, 1994, soon after he was born.
Separated from his twin brother at that time, Sarmad has made a tortuous and heart-rending journey back to his biological parents and the rest of his family 17 years later.
“My mother gave birth to twins in the hospital and the nurse assisting the childbirth sold me to a childless couple who paid her Rs.10,000,” Sarmad said.
“My mother insisted she had given birth to twins as her doctor had taken an ultrasound prior to admission in the hospital. The ultra sound had confirmed that my mother was bearing twins. But the attending nurse told her she had given birth to the baby boy who was in the cradle alongside her bed in the hospital”, Sarmad said.
The teenager, who will appear for his Class 10 exams this year, has learnt this story just now after reuniting with his biological parents. His foster parents live in the old city area of summer capital Srinagar.
Back in 1994, in order to hide his place of birth and the actual date of birth, his foster parents recorded his date of birth in the school records as Oct 25, 1995, says Sarmad.
“Later my foster father fought with my foster mother and she had to leave her husband’s family. She took me along to her parents’ home where my foster grandfather brought me up with love and care.
“Everything was going smoothly till my foster grandfather died in 2004. My foster mother took me back to her husband’s home where I found I was no longer welcome. The foster father again quarrelled with my foster mother, telling her in no uncertain terms that I could not live with her if she wanted to make up with him.
” ‘Go find your parents, you are not our blood’ – these remarks from my foster parents struck me like a bolt from the blue,” he said. The foster mother is, however, not living with the father but with her sister now, said Sarmad.

“I spent three days without food at a local mosque. Then a relative of my foster parents told me the names of my biological father and mother and also where they lived. I do not want to disclose the name of this relative who was like an angel in my life.

“I went there and my real mother did not take a second to recognise me – her maternal instinct worked,” he said. There he met his twin brother, who was first shocked and then embraced him. And, of course, they look similar. Besides, there are two other brothers as well. Amina, 42, Sarmad’s biological mother, said she had no doubt her lost son had come back. “I do not need any DNA test to recognize my blood. He was born to me and I know he is my son,” she said, surcharged with emotion.
For legal reasons, Sarmad’s biological father Muhammad Lateef said he would have the boy’s DNA matched with himself and Amina.
“In future, the question of inheritance is going to rise. I don’t want Sarmad to fight another battle with his three brothers. He has already suffered enough,” Lateef told Media.
The boy is happy to have got his real family back even though he still loves his foster mother. “Allah must have already ordained my fate. I am prepared for any medical examination, including the DNA test,” he said. Doctors at the maternity hospital simply refused to answer any questions in this regard.
“These are just allegations without any proof. How do you expect me to react to something that happened 17 years back?” said a doctor who did not wish to be named. Sarmad does not want to fight any legal battle against the hospital.

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MY SUFFERING SOUL

“An open letter to my suffering soul”
An open heart writhes for all those who suffer.
By: Altaf Bashir
My Dear Realself,

Love surrounds you, always. In times like these, it certainly doesn’t feel it. Amid suffering you feel blinded to any and all light — even as the sun shines brightly through your windowsill. In times like these your spirit is stagnant, your heart beats just to beat — not because it has cause, or hope, or good reason to keep on. And yet love surrounds you always. I can hear you quipping, “That’s easy for you to say…”, and indeed it is. In life is it easy to speak from experience when the experience has long since passed. So, too, is it easy to speak of “ideals” and “wants” and “shoulds”, especially without the intimate knowledge of the suffering you have been chosen to endure. But suffering is just that. It is chosen. We suffer by our choice, or we suffer by the choices of others, or we suffer by the choice of fate… destiny… God… or life itself. And although your suffering is completely overwhelming right now, the magic of time slowly unburdens all pains — affording us the opportunity to reflect, to learn, to grow, and to turn suffering into vital lessons. These irreplaceable lessons teach us how to attain the single most elusive pursuit in the history of humankind: purposeful living.
True happiness.
… It is an ongoing spiritual process in which we are liberated from attachments and compulsions and empowered to live and love more freely. …You see, every event in our lives serves significant purpose — each moment, each day, each experience; whether glorious and loving or devastating and painful. Every gracious moment of tearful joy is, at its core, remarkably similar to each forced-upon feeling of victimization and suffering by a heartless and chaotic world. The effects — how we feel — are distant. But the cause what causes … Sometimes this letting go of old ways is painful, occasionally even devastating. But this is not why the night is called ‘dark.’ …Every terrible feeling; every bout of debilitating depression, every instance of suffering is a genuine opportunity for something newer and better. As stepping upon fiery coals surges forth an uncontrollable, instinctive reaction to run and escape the pain; suffering, heartache,
depression, are humanity’s natural means to propel a mental-emotional surge of conscious change. … The darkness of the night implies nothing sinister, only that the liberation takes place in hidden ways, beneath our knowledge and understanding. …Suffering is the fire beneath our feet that sets a storm of instinctive reactions in our brains to escape, to run, to live, to change. The burden of our suffering is so severe because pushing our thinking minds to the brink of overwhelming, total collapse demands immediate action. This is the feeling of a breaking point, when “something has to give.” What nature intends to break, I believe, is not our will to live. It’s counter logical for human instinct to ever push a human being to self-destruct — such is the incomprehensible yet prevalent tragedy of suicide. Nature, I believe, intends to break the human Ego.… It happens mysteriously, in secret, and beyond our conscious control We suffer to reduce our individual, egoism perceptions of Self — the labels, the titles, what we “do for a living”, and who we “think” we are. Amid such unbelievably heavy sorrow, suffering reduces our egotistical self-perceptions and returns us to a purer state.
A humbled state. A vulnerable state.
We feel far from invincible; we feel that we’re crumbling. We feel far from any job title’s description; we feel only raw human emotion. We feel far from any thing or any one person being able to alleviate our pain, give us pure joy, or fill the void of our sadness. The labels are gone. Our ego is hurt. Money and possessions are meaningless. Our ego reels. All of the unnecessary perceptions of “who we are” and judgmental thinking patterns about others are reduced to rubble. Our ego is silent. Instead there is only our true Self. And who we each are at the core of our Being as humans is a simple, caring and compassionate being, longing for fulfillment and happiness in life.… For that reason it can be disturbing or even scary, but in the end it always works to our benefit. But the burden of suffering doesn’t only serve to destroy our own ego. When a compassionate soul sees suffering in another human being, the egoic walls of self-defense are dissolved. We see others who suffers and innately lend our hands as best we can, realizing that we are not very different. Instead, we see ourselves in each other. As love binds us, suffering binds us. And that is why we must suffer.

Yours truly,
Altaf Bashir

(Altaf Bashir can be reached at: isaismoon@gmail.com)

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A RENDEZVOUS WITH TAHIR MUZTER

Only Kashmir Exclusive

A RENDEZVOUS WITH TAHIR MUZTER

By: Altaf Bashir

One day in autumn, and the month of September 2011, I received call from him, in the very morning of Friday when he asked me to meet at his residence, provided me his address and location where he lives, and I was excited also to meet him, and quick after the Friday prayer were over, I directed my steps towards his residence, saying to myself, this is an opportunity I have long sought, and the meeting will be an excuse for meeting such a personality
As I knocked the door, the man opened it whom I had been longing to see opened it. He was holding in one hand his spectacle, and other hand he shook with me, saying, welcome, son, to my residence, he hugged me warmly and kissed me two. As we directed towards his lawn where he offered me to sit, and take breathe into a calm and serene atmosphere, where the aroma of flowers soothe ones heart and soul, the peaceful atmosphere surrounding and green carpet glisten like the dew drops resting on the grass blades to provide a luminous look, as I sat on couch and begin to talk, he offered me juice and than tea.
Saying I am pleased to see you here today, as I had only grandson whom I have lost when he turned 16 of age, recent back all of sudden, I had pinned my hopes over him, that he will be my support and act as my old stick to guide me and become the reason to live my lasting days in the world. While he was commemorating the things he used to share with grandson, he was sighing wistfully, and resting off his spectacle from and was wiping his eyes with handkerchief, saying I have no hopes in the world to live more, though I spend my time on writing my books and reading now, and if I have no support of laptop and facebook, I would die overnight, it keeps me engaged with the world and I love to meet the young blood now, who are creative and innovative in the fields of knowledge and insight.
He narrated me the story of this world which is ugly and have no comfort for the virgin soul, easiness you will not find my son here.
As the world is cruel and it will maul you up in one go,
As they love substances not your vigor and gesture,
As he told me in the sad tone of his voice that, I have seen both good and bitterness of the world and I have long lasting experience, and that glister is lost now which I was finding some decades before…..
The world I was longing before were pure like the snow water, and now it’s been dampen with the greed and gory…
A rival who brought the misery, was the plot of my fate who took my grandson from and than the world of substance, where feeling and sympathy were diminishes…
World is cruel and demanding, possessing empty and lure, with the name of substance. It will follow you wherever you go….
And will watch like sentinel, brings restlessness to my heart and nature of being……
I am not like as I seem to be, I am lover of nature and creativity, world had ardent love for me, but destiny and the vindictive nature of human has spotted blackness to my psyche and I failed to understand in which world I am drawn in.
Furthermore, he told me that I asked once to my beloved in the forest, under the trees, by lakes I cannot find him, for substance, he, spirited him to the clamorous city and placed him on the throne of quaking, metal riches, loathe he the material pursuits as he was brought up by nature and which nurtured his surroundings and life he lived is all about the nature and nothing, so, substance….
He calls for him with the voice of knowledge and the song of wisdom. He does not hearken, for substance, has enticed him into the dungeon of selfishness, where avarice dwells. And when he told me, that he called up the realself, at the dawn when nature smiles, but he does not hear, for excess has laden his drugged eyes with sick slumber, and he beguiled realself, at the eventide, when silence rules and the flower sleep. But he responds not, brings, and shadows his thoughts.
He told me, my son, man is my sweetheart and I want to belong him; and he has learned to shriek and cry for his enemy, substance; he would like to teach him how to shed tears of affection and mercy from the eyes of his soul for the things, and the utter sighs of contentment through those tears, he keep saying that his heart is still pains when he commemorates his grandson died and left and pierce and void into his heart which inflicts him always and at the penury of his heart keeps flaming on and the embers of his heart are without smoke and he didn’t know how to extinguish them…
And further more at the end of our conversation he narrated me a good poem which relates to the modern materialistic man and the story that he told me, and advice me that son, life is bunches of ups and downs, and with each down we develop and sense of maturity. So son, beware of life and I wish you luck all the time…..

Once upon a time, son,
they used to laugh with their hearts
and laugh with their eyes:
but now they only laugh with their teeth,
while their ice-block-cold eyes
search behind my shadow.
There was a time indeed
they used to shake hands with their hearts:
but that’s gone, son.
Now they shake hands without hearts
while their left hands search
my empty pockets.
‘Feel at home!’ ‘Come again’:
they say, and when I come
again and feel
at home, once, twice,
there will be no thrice-
for then I find doors shut on me.
So I have learned many things, son.
I have learned to wear many faces
like dresses – homeface,
officeface, streetface, hostface,
cocktailface, with all their conforming smiles
like a fixed portrait smile.
And I have learned too
to laugh with only my teeth
and shake hands without my heart.
I have also learned to say,’Goodbye’,
when I mean ‘Good-riddance’:
to say ‘Glad to meet you’,
without being glad; and to say ‘It’s been
nice talking to you’, after being bored.
But believe me, son.
I want to be what I used to be
when I was like you. I want
to unlearn all these muting things.
Most of all, I want to relearn
how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror
shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs!
So show me, son,
how to laugh; show me how
I used to laugh and smile
once upon a time when I was like you.

By : Gabriel Okara

After a deep thought of around 2-3hours, and listening to him keenly with the golden word, which I commit that day I will ink them up soon, and before I left his place, he told me to stay with him, as he love to converse with me and his heart unburdened from the yoke he carried into his heart.
As i rose from my seat to depart, Tahir Muzter Sb, came to me soberly and said. Now my son, since you know your way to this house, you should come often and feel that you are coming to your father's house, consider me as your grandfather or father, and this house your own house.
I left the house. The Muzter Sabhib, accompained me to the edge of their house, and say GOD BLESS YOU my son....

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ANGEL OF DEATH ARRIVED IN GHANDHI BHAWAN KASHMIR UNIVERSITY’S STAGE

Only Kashmir Exclusive

Aga Apni Mout se koi Bashar Nahi
Samaan Soo Baras Ka Khabar aik Pal Ki Nahi

Srinagar, Sep 13 (Only Kashmir): Dr. S. K. Pathan, Vice President, Indian Society of Geomatics and Group Director, Space Application Centre, ISRO Ahmedabad, passed away today at the Kashmir University Ghandi Bhawan Hall where speaking on stage at 2-day Regional Conference on Geometrics for Good Governance organized by the Department of Geology, Geophysics and Geoinformatics of the Kashmir University where he presided the inaugural session of the event in the forenoon today.
Dr S K Pathan (53) was a reputed scientist in the field of space technology and had pioneered the use Geo- spatial technologies for good governance all over the country. He is the architect of the model of NUIS National Urban information system model which has been adopted at the national level all over the country .Dr Pathan was a scientist H and spent thirty five years in ISRO at different administrative and scientific positions.
Meanwhile Governor N.N Vohra and the Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University Dr Talat Ahmad has condoled the sad demise of Dr. Dr S K Pathan.
Only Kashmir also expresses grief and sorrow over the untimely demise of Dr S K Pathan.

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REJOINDER BY GHULAM NABI KHAYAL

Only Kashmir Exclusive

Z G Mohammad's “Review” (?) on my book!
Rejoinder by Ghulam Nabi Khayal
For any scribe or a columnist, it is imperative that he should have ample knowledge of any subject he intends dealing with.
Z G Mohammad has done a very cursorily written review on my latest English publication titled Progressive Literary Movement in Kashmir, reflecting his utter ignorance of this epoch making movement that laid down new foundations of Kashmiri literature about sixty years ago.
First of all, this so called review run by a local newspaper, where he is an employee, on 5 September 2011 begins with a very distasteful note that progressive writers in Kashmir were nicknamed as pongas an trying to bind together broken strings he connects this slangy term with Poga Mogul meaning inauspicious Mughals, though he is not sure about it. This assertion is not based on any kind of research but is an outcome of his own imagination. Similarly, pro-establishment workers were called gogas, a term coined locally without any historical or linguistic etymology. According to the reviewer, “communists occupied the intellectual space of the State for about two decades.” Can he cite one simple example of any progressive writer holding the party card? Even the patron of the Movement, G M Sadiq was not a card-holder communist. The reviewer is also not happy about progressive writers’ role when Sheikh Abdullah was arrested in 1953. This is one’s own outlook as to what was in his mind about Abdullah regime when the skin of political opponents of the time was peeled off from their naked bodies with hot irons and boiling potatoes were thrust into their mouths. When scores of people were forced to go into exile, flee Indian Kashmir and take refuge in other part of Kashmir.
Unfortunately, the reviewer has failed to understand vast difference between a communist and a progressive writer. The patrons of progressivism have been great religious personalities like Maulana Hasrat Mohani and Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali. Communism is a way of life and Marxism rallies around the philosophy of economic awareness among the common masses against their exploiters. No doubt, Marx did write the manifesto of Communist Party in 1848 but by religion, he was a Germany-born Jew.
Zahid talks about his interviews with K A Abbas and BPL Bedi without substantial evidence whether there have been any such interviews or not, for, there is no reference to authenticate this claim.
He also talks about Mohammad Ali Jinnah deputing Mian Iftikharuddin, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Dr Mohammad Din Taseer to pursue Sheikh Abdullah to come to Karachi for parleys with Jinnah. As a researcher of Faiz, I have nowhere found this imaginary happening, about which the reviewer has been told by some body who is no more to accept or reject this version.
The reviewer has not understood many observations made in the book. Therefore he stumbles at places from one misnomer to another about his own assertions. According to him, BPL Bedi drafted Naya Kashmir. This is not correct. In fact, it was K M Ashraf, a staunch communist quite close to Sheikh Abdullah, who wrote this manifesto of National Conference and not Bedi.
He also gives out his own imaginary and falsified notion that Kashmiri Sufi poets were impressed by Progressive writers’ movement, forgetting that with the beginning of this movement in mid fifties of the 20th century, almost all the Sufi poets had already passed away. Only Ahad Zargar and Samad Mir were living and that too had never associated themselves, even indirectly, with the Movement.
In this hurriedly done exercise, the reviewer has also not adhered to the niceties of language and begins one of his sentences with unheard words like “But instead.”
By all means, the reviewer has not done any justice to this publication, the first of its kind, in his review done probably in haste to coincide its publication with the date of its formal release. This could be described an inadvertent mischievous effort to create confusion among the readers or those more than 200 eminent persons who attended this grand function presided by HE the State Governor.
However, I forget about the reviewer’s error of wrongly spelling my name.
The review of Z.G. MUHAMMAD was published in Daily Greater Kashmir on 05/09/2011 and can be read by visiting following link: http://greaterkashmir.com/news/2011/Sep/5/communists-and-kashmir-33.asp

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SYED ALI GEELANI VISITS USUALLY FOLLOWED BY VIOLENCE, STONE PELTING: GOVT SPOKESMAN

Srinagar Sep 04 (Only Kashmir): An official spokesman today decried attempts of separatist leader Mr. SAS Geelani to disrupt peace by making provocative speeches which invariably lead to serious law and order disturbances in the Valley.
In a statement released to the media, the spokesman said whenever Mr. Geelani is allowed to address gathering at any place, it is followed by large-scale stone pelting and attacks on Police and Paramilitary Forces leading to serious law and order problem in these areas. July 20, Mr. Geelani addressed a gathering at Verinag, Anantnag, which was followed by heavy stone pelting, forcing the Government to escort him back to Srinagar,the spokesman said and added a similar incident took place on August 31 when he addressed an Eid congregation at Sopore.
On September 2, after his address to Friday congregation at Masjid Bitual Mukaram, Baramulla, he took out a procession up to General Bus Stand, which was followed by heavy stone pelting. Similarly yesterday in Anantnag, his address was followed by stone pelting, the spokesman added.
Criticizing Mr Geelani' shutdown call for September 6 & 7, the spokesman said such calls bring miseries to the people and threaten peace in the State. Government can allow antics of one person to result in law-and-order disturbances, which cause miseries and sufferings to general masses and adversely affect education of children and trade of business fraternity. In future, if any restrictions are put on the movement of Mr.Geelani, he and his actions alone would be responsible for this, the spokesman said.
The spokesman further said that the Government has already granted amnesty to all the stone pelters and is regularly reviewing the cases of detenues under PSA on the instructions of Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah.

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SHAMMI KAPOOR RESTS IN DAL LAKE

Srinagar Sep 03 (Only Kashmir): Shammi Kapoor, the man who turned singing in a shikara into a style statement with his Tareef Karoon Kya Uski number in the 1964 blockbuster Kashmir Ki Kali, was destined to end his journey in the same Dal Lake.
The veteran actor who passed away on August 14, 2011, have his ashes immersed in the famous lake in Kashmir. And to complete the momentous journey, the late actor's leading ladies Asha Parekh and Sharmila Tagore accompany his son Aditya Raj Kapoor and daughter Kanchan. Good friend Amitabh Bachchan and Shabana Azmi was also the part of the entourage.
Considering that Shammi Kapoor, the filmstar has always been associated to the snow capped mountains of Kashmir and the beautifully decorated shikaras in the Dal lake, his family decided to immerse his ashes in the very place.
"It was my sister Kanchan's idea to immerse our father's ashes in the Dal Lake. He was supposed to visit Kashmir now to celebrate the completion of 100 years of the Lalit Hotel, previously known as the Oberoi. My father stayed in one particular suite in this hotel every time he visited the place," said Shammi Kapoor's son Aditya Raj.
"We are all going there on my father's behalf. He romanced on the Dal Lake, added to the beauty of the gentle shikara, turned Kashmir into a haven for people to fall in love. Tareef karoon kya uski jissne Shammi Kapoor ko banaya," added Aditya.
Amitabh Bachchan, a sel-confessed admirer of the late Shammi Kapoor insisted on being a part of the final journey. The entourage left for Srinagar on Friday morning.
While the Big B and Tina Ambani (also a part of the entourage), flew out on a private jet, the others including Shammi Kapoor's children Aditya Raj and Kanchan took a commercial airline.

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VALLEY JOURNOS PROTEST POLICE ATROCITIES

Srinagar Aug 25 (Only Kashmir): Valley journalists held a protest in Srinagar on Thursday to seek action against the police personnel involved in the thrashing of two photojournalists last Friday. "Journalists have been target for the last two decades in Kashmir. The police are now using unpleasant descriptions like'parasites' and 'security forces' agents' openly against journalists, which is highly condemnable," said, a senior journalist.
Last Friday, an Al Jazeera photojournalist and another foreign photojournalist were thrashed by the police at Nowhatta. Another journalist alleged that the police made him undress before ruthlessly beating him. The police, according to a photojournalist, also decamped with Rs 50,000 from foreign journalist.
"It is the job of journalists to be at the spot. The perception of police officers that journalists fuel protests is ill-founded. I hope the police will allow us to work professionally. If this is a systematic target then the government should issue a formal statement banning media in Kashmir," said Hussain, while addressing local, national and international journalists assembled for the sit-in near Press Enclave.
"Those involved in the thrashing of the journalists should be punished and transferred. It's unfortunate that journalists are not allowed to function professionally," said a local Journalist.
Srinagar-based photojournalists' body has threatened to launch a stir in case the government fails to stop harassment of journalists and take concrete actions against the cops.
Meanwhile, director general of police Kuldeep Khuda has assured action in the incident. Khuda, who is outside the valley, is convening a meeting soon to look into the matter.

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MAJOR INFILTRATION BID FOILED, 12 LASHKAR MEN KILLED

Srinagar, Aug 20 (Only Kashmir) : Foiling a major infiltration bid from across the Line of Control (LOC) in north Kashmir's Bandipora district Saturday, the army killed 12 persons of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), an official said. An army officer was also killed in the fierce gunfight.
"Twelve infiltrating terrorists of LeT oufit have been killed while one lieutenant was martyred in the gunfight with the intruding terrorists. Two of our jawans sustained injuries in foiling this major infiltration bid from across the LOC," 28th Mountain Division commander, Maj Gen S.K. Chaturvedi, told Only Kashmir in Gurez.
The guerrillas were crossing the Kishenganga River, which forms the LoC in this sector between Indian and Pakistani Kashmir, Friday night when they were detected and asked to surrender.
"But they started firing at the troops resulting in a gunfight that ended today (Saturday) afternoon. Six bodies of the slain terrorists have been retrieved from the river while the bodies of the other six slain terrorists were washed away into the Pakistan side of the border," Chaturvedi said.
The killed officer was identified at Lt. Navdeep Singh.
The army displayed arms and ammunition recovered from the slain persons.
This was the eighth and the biggest infiltration bid by the millitants this month, the army said.

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IT NEEDS RBI'S PERMISSION FOR ISLAMIC BANKING REACTS JK BANK CHAIRMAN AGAINST MIRWAIZ

Srinagar Aug 17 (Only Kashmir): The Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Mushtaq Ahmad Wednesday said that there was scope for Islamic banking in the state but it needs to be understood in its right perspective first.
“Reserve Bank of India has authority to give permission for the Islamic banking. But we have not approached them yet,” Mushtaq said.
However, he said implementing Islamic banking in Jammu and Kashmir was completely different from Middle East. “We have to take permission from the RBI first,” he added.
The Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had recently called for abolition of ‘interest-based’ banking, and pitched for introduction of Islamic banking in the state.
He had asked the state-owned J&K Bank to take steps in this regard.
Addressing a Friday gathering at Jamia Masjid on Friday, Mirwaiz had said there was no place for ‘interest-based banking’ in Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim majority state, and the J&K Bank should play its role in introducing Islamic banking here.
Senior Congress leader and Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Taj Mohi-ud-Din supported idea of Islamic banking in the state. “If guidelines of RBI permit it, state government has no objection,” he said.
Opposition Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said people should have a choice in deciding it. “Islamic banking should be available and it should be left to people to decide what they want. Islamic banking is gaining popularity in West also. We aren’t supporting it because J&K is a Muslim majority state, but it is a positive development,” she told KNS.
Senior PDP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig said that a group of citizens should approach the RBI with a plea to start Islamic banking in the state. “Then only it can be permitted,” he said.
Reacting to Mirwaiz’s statement that J&K Bank should take steps in this regard, he said, “Miwaiz isn’t correct. J&K Bank can’t do it on its own. They have to take permission from the RBI and it can only happen when citizens of the state will approach them (RBI),” he added.

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40,000 PEOPLE KILLED IN KASHMIR REVOLT

Srinagar Aug 16 (Only Kashmir): Nearly 40,000 people have been killed in violence linked to an Islamist rebellion in Kashmir that erupted more than two decades ago, the national parliament was told on Wednesday.

Junior home minister Jitendra Prasad said 39,918 had died including 21,323 "terrorists" -- the word used by India to describe Muslim insurgents battling New Delhi's rule in the disputed region.
"As per reports, 13,226 civilians and 5,369 security force personnel have been killed in terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir during the period from year 1990 to April 2011," the minister told parliament.
The figure is lower than the official police count in Indian Kashmir of more than 47,000 dead. Some rights groups in Kashmir say the toll could be close to 100,000 from the revolt which began in late 1989.
Violence has sharply declined in the Himalayan region since India and Pakistan started a peace process in 2004.
The statement in parliament came after three policemen and an army officer were arrested in Kashmir following a probe into the death of a man in custody and an allegedly faked gunbattle last month.
Kashmir, a picturesque region in the Himalayan foothills, has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan since partition of the subcontinent in 1947 at independence from Britain.
The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two of their three wars over control of Kashmir.

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J&K: GIRLS TO RECEIVE ARMS TRAINING TO COUNTER MILITANTS

Jammu (Only Kashmir) Aug 13: The Indian Army officials in Rajouri district imparted arms training to girls with an aim to combat militancy in Jammu & Kashmir.
Girls in Rajouri district were trained to use the weapons by the army personnel of the paramilitary 63 Rashtriya Rifles. The aim of the training is to curb the rising militancy in the state.
Young girls, who generally live in a protected environment, came forward to learn the usage of weapons, which they could use in self-defence.
At the 'Know Your Army' stall, visitors got an opportunity to see various weapons, which the army had taken into its custody after it had conducted raids at the militant camps in the valley.
Priyanka Sharma, a local told Agence India Press that the Indian army has organised a fair here. They have a stall here by the name of 'Know your Army'. The officials told us about various arms and ammunitions. Many schoolchildren received arms training for their own security. We learnt how to use these rifles and if need be, we would be able to use them.
The main purpose of the fair was to create awareness about the functioning of the defence forces among the general population and the various career opportunities that were provided by the armed forces.
"There was a small camp set up in this area by the army. Numerous weapons were displayed in the fair. We had never seen these weapons earlier, so we got to learn a lot from these army officials," said Parveen Akhtar, a local.
The visitors got a chance to see tanks and infantry combat vehicles and they were also allowed to take a ride on few of these vehicles.
The villagers also got an opportunity to learn the usage of the highly advanced AK-47 rifles.
Army officials organised this fair, with an aim to promote the spirit of women empowerment among the locals.
"This is a backward area, so girls generally stay inside their houses and don't move out often. This is an initiative to bring these girls to the forefront.
Many girls participated in this event. The army officials imparted knowledge about various ammunitions as well, so that girls gain confidence, so that they can become independent and work in the future," said Colonel D.D. Swen, member, 63 Rashtriya rifles.

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HURRIYAT (M) VOWS TO CONTINUE MARTYRS’ MISSION

Srinagar, Aug 11 (Only Kashmir): The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (M) led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while paying rich tributes to prominent APHC leader, Shaikh Abdul Aziz on his third martyrdom anniversary, today, has vowed to continue Kashmiri martyrs’ mission till it reaches its logical conclusion.
The APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Professor Abdul Ghani Butt, Bilal Ghani Lone and Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi, while addressing a seminar in Srinagar at party headquarters said that India had failed to suppress Kashmris’ liberation Movement through its state terrorism and would never be able to frighten the Kashmiri people into submission. Others who spoke on the occasion included Bashir Ahmad Butt, Hakim Abdul Rashid and Muhammad Yousuf Naqash.
The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement held a seminar in Jammu on the occasion. The Chairman of Peoples League, Shaikh Muhammad Yaqoob in his telephonic address from Muzaffarabad to his party workers in Srinagar maintained that the services of Shaikh Abdul Aziz for the Kashmir cause would always remain unforgettable.
The authorities arrested senior APHC leader Shabbir Ahmad Shah and Mukhtar Ahmad Waza and placed veteran Kashmiri Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Gilani, Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Zafar Akbar Butt under house arrest in Srinagar to prevent them from addressing the functions, which were organised to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Shaikh Abdul Aziz. The Indian police had imposed restrictions around the martyrs’ graveyard at Eidgah in Srinagar to stop people from gathering at the grave of the martyred leader.
The APHC, AJK Chapter, in a prayers meeting at its office in Islamabad, today, offered Fateha for Shaikh Abdul Aziz and other Kashmiri martyrs.
It was on this day in 2008 that Shaikh Abdul Aziz was shot dead by Indian troops while he was leading a procession from Srinagar to the Line of Control against the economic blockade of the Kashmir valley by Hindu extremists of Jammu.

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JKPF ORGANIZING BHARAT-BANGLADESH-PAKISTAN CONFERENCE

Srinagar, Aug 6 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation (JKPF) is organising Bharat-Bangladesh-Pakistan peace conference here later this year.
This information was given by chairman of the JKPF Fayaz Ahmad Bhat to Governor N N Vohra who met him at Raj Bhawan here, an official spokesman said here today.
He said Bhat up-dated Governor about the varied activities of the Foundation which are aimed at promoting peace and strengthening communal harmony in the state.
Mr Bhat gave details of the Bharat-Bangla Desh-Pakistan Peace Conference proposed to be organized by the JKPF in Srinagar later this year, as also a Peace Conference to be organized at Anantnag and, besides, other programmes of the Foundation.
The Governor complimented Mr Bhat and his colleagues for the useful initiatives being taken by the Foundation and for organizing programmes which shall contribute towards deepening understandings and usher the state into an era of lasting peace, harmony and normalcy.

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MIRWAIZ’S ARREST LEADS VIOLENT PROTESTS IN SRINAGAR

Srinagar Aug 05 (Only Kashmir): Clashes between police and protesters broke out in the Kashmir Valley after Friday prayers after the state government put top separatist leader and Chief Cleric of Jamia Masjid Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest.
Several youths took to streets at Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar shortly after Friday prayers to protest against the government decision to put Moderate Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq under house arrest on the first Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan.
As the protesters started marching towards Nowhatta Chowk, police and paramilitary forces used batons and fired teargas shells to disperse them, official sources told Only Kashmir. They said the protesters resorted to stone-pelting and the clashes were continuing in the area and adjoining localities till Iftaar (Breaking of Fast).
Mirwaiz and other separatist leaders, including chairman of the hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani, were put under house arrest this morning as authorities apprehended their presence at Friday prayers could lead to violent protests. In Sopore town of Baramulla district, protesters staged a demonstration against the custodial death of 28-year-old Nazim Rashid on July 31.
Similar protests were also witnessed in south Kashmir Pulwama town where a local militant commander was killed in an encounter with security forces on Thursday.

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RAMADHAN FASTS AS USUAL FOR BOTH ABDULLAHS’

Srinagar, Aug 5 (Only Kashmir): Like other devout Muslims, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his father, union New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah, have been keeping the mandatory dawn to dusk fast during the holy month of Ramzan.
"Day 3 of waking up for Sahri. This is getting easier now. The first 2 days were tough & no coffee was the toughest part of the day," Omar tweeted Thursday.
Sahri is the pre-dawn meal the Muslims take before starting the daylong fasting.
For the coffee-loving Omar Abdullah, the most difficult part is skipping his cup of hot coffee, which he is known to partake as frequently as possible throughout the day.
The sahri period ends around 4 a.m. in the valley which means after that there is no eating and no drinking, not even a sip of water, till the iftaar (breaking of fast) at 7.32 p.m.
Farooq Abdullah has also been keeping fast regularly ever since the month of Ramadan started.
"Dr. Abdullah always keeps fast during the month of Ramzan. He also attends the 'Taravi Prayers' (special prayers of Ramzan) in the evenings at the local Syed Yaqoub Sahib(RA) mosque near his residence in Gupkar road," said sources close to the elder Abdullah.
The fasting and regular prayers are a lesser-known side of the otherwise flamboyant elder Abdullah. But people close to him say he was regular in his religious observances.
"He would always fast ever since I have known him, being part of his personal security for many years," said a retired police officer here.

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MIRWAIZ THREATENS VIOLENT STIR AGAINST GOVT CURBS ON SEPARATISTS

Srinagar August 02 (Only Kashmir): Moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday threatened violent protests if the state government did not remove restrictions imposed on the movement of separatist leadership in Kashmir Valley.
“We warn government to remove these restrictions and let Hurriyat have the right to say its point of view to the people. If government continues to place restrictions, then we will be forced to chart out such a programme which can turn violent,” Mirwaiz said.
He said if the leadership is placed under house arrest, then the issue will be taken by the people.
“So far, we have told people to protest peacefully but if restrictions are placed on us to impede our religious rights, then as Mirwaiz of Kashmir I will have to call the people to come out to defend their religion,” he said.
Several separatist leaders have been placed under house arrest by the government since a 28-year-old man was killed in police custody in Sopore.

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RAMADHAN MUBARAQ

Let this Ramadhan erase all your sins; bring Peace & Solution to this Bleeding Paradise called Kashmir. Try to forgive all your enemies, Read Quran with meaning, Do Charity, and make humble to all your nears and dears, This is the message of Only Kashmir on the eve of Ramadhan. And please do remember whole Only Kashmir team in your prayers. Thanks---------Editor-in-Chief: Only Kashmir

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GHULAM NABI FAI RELEASED ON USD 100,000 BOND

Washington 27 July (Only Kashmir): Prominent Kashmiri separatist leader Ghulam Nabi Fai who was produced before a US court on Wednesday has been released on USD 100,000 bond.
Fai, who appeared before the US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia for a detention hearing on Wednesday, was released into the custody of his wife and placed under home detention.
The FBI, which arrested Fai last week on charges of being an ISI agent who lobbied for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue in the US, had carried extensive search of his home in Fairfax, Virginia - a suburb of Washington - and the office of Kashmir American Council (KAC) in Washington, a few blocks away from the White House.
62-year-old Fai, headed KAC, which espoused the cause of Pakistan on Kashmir and campaigned against India in the US.
US Attorney Gordon Kromberg informed the Alexandria court and defence attorney that he "intends to offer into evidence" or even disclose in proceedings information obtained and derived from electronic surveillance and physical search conducted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
The FBI has alleged that Fai received money from the Government of Pakistan, the ISI in particular, to lobby on their behalf in the US.
FBI says he violated the law as he did not register himself or the KAC as registered agent for foreign government.
While neither the FBI nor the Department of Justice were willing to divulge any details of the material seized from his home and office.
However, it is learnt that federal agencies have obtained huge cache of material from Fai's residence and office which would strengthen its point that Fai worked for the foreign government in violation of the rule of the land.

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HINA RABBANI KHAR ASSURES MIRWAIZ OF SUPPORT ON KASHMIR

New Delhi, July 26 (Only Kashmir): Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Tuesday assured Chairman Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Omar Farooq of Pakistan’s support on Kashmir issue. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar met Mirwaiz Omar Farooq at Pakistan High Commission here on Tuesday.
Mirwaiz Omar Farooq accompanied by Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, Agha Syed Hassan Badgami, Bilal Ghani Lone, Mukhtia Ahmed Waza, Mussadiq Adil and Muhammad Abdullah Tarri had come from Srinagar to meet Foreign Minister Khar.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar was consulting Kashmiri leadership prior to the Pakistan-India ministerial meeting on 27 July, which will also discuss the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Hina assured Mirwaiz of Pakistan’s principled position on Jammu and Kashmir based on the realization by the Kashmiri people of their right to self determination and that Pakistan sought the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Mirwaiz Omer Farooq and the Kashmiri leaders appreciated the political, diplomatic and moral support given by Pakistan to the Kashmiri cause.

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LOOT IN KASHMIR UNIVERSITY

Courtesy: Weekly Voice of Kashmir
Srinagar: A move to bring accountability and transparency in the affairs of Kashmir University (KU) by its new Vice Chancellor, Dr Talat Ahmad, has made a section of “vested interests” restless and they have started a sinister campaign stories to divert the attention from a process aimed at saving the varsity from financial and academic crisis.
Reliable sources in KU disclosed that this section has been feeling the heat since the new dispensation took over the reins of the University a month back. Though small but this “powerful” lobby in the University had thrown cordon around the former Vice Chancellor and were busy in making the hay while the sun was shining. These academics or officers not more than 20 had virtually made former VC Riyaz Punjabi hostage to their whims and had extracted “fabulous packages” thus making the University to bleed financially.
Sources said that it was unheard of how the administration had opened the doors of exchequer to please this group by giving them an honorarium of Rs 10,000, a vehicle, a free mobile phone for the officer and his driver and a “free hand” for making appointments. A rough estimate suggests that nearly 800 appointments through backdoor have been made through back door by these officers without following the standing rules and regulations. The appointments have mostly taken place in North and South Campus, Iqbal Library, Hostels and Proctoral wing of the University.
A senior teacher, who is close to a separatist leader, has allegedly made at least 40 appointments in a particular wing.
Similarly the University finances were looted under the transport head as many vehicles were purchased and put at the disposal of these people, who were only “enjoying the luxury” and not showing any tangible results.
The Vice Chancellor Dr Talat Ahmed has said that the number of vehicles in University was eleven times more than required. Subsequently a team was constituted, which has suggested that VC, Registrar and Controller should only use vehicles and rest of the vehicles should be kept in pool and can be used by the officers as per their requirements.
Interestingly the vehicles had been purchased out of the resources generated through payments seats, which is otherwise meant for upgrading the infrastructure of various departments.
All these irregularities and bunglings were covered under a well-structured media campaign and this “strong lobby” did not allow the administration to even breathe.
Since the noose has started tightening and the influence of this group of vested interests is declining, they have reportedly begun to “malign” the administration on the pretext of face lifting on the eve of a high profile visit by NAAC team. This has, however, been defended by the majority of the faculty and other staff in the University saying that it is important to project the institution in a positive manner.
“It is surely better than purchasing high class vehicles like Scorpio at the cost of students,” said a University Professor referring to hike in the student fee and spending that on purchasing the vehicles.
However, they are facing heat from a strong section of academics who have put their foot down and have rallied behind the administration in its endeavor to ensure accountability and transparency in this highest seat of learning. An indication to this was available on 16 July evening when two groups entered into a verbal duel after offering Isha prayers at the University mosque. The young teachers took exception to this “smear campaign” and entered into arguments with some of those owing allegiance to the group of “vested interests”.
However, the changing air in the campus has rekindled the hope of transparent administration, which the teachers in University believe would help to regain its academic glory.

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