TALKS BETWEEN INDO-PAK MUST INCLUDE KASHMIRI LEADERSHIP: MIRWAIZ

Washington, D.C. Feb 7, (Only Kashmir): “I would like to thank the people of Pakistan for their complete and unconditional solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and their eagerness to help the people of Kashmir to exercise their right to self-determination which was guaranteed at the United Nations Security Council as early as 1948, said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman, All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) while addressing a seminar, “India-Pakistan Relations: Breaking the Deadlock Over Kashmir.” The seminar was held at the George Mason University and was attended by over 300 students, faculty, scholars and community leaders. Other speakers included: Ms. Victoria Schofield, Hon. Dagfinn Hoybraten, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Ms. Iffat Gardezi, Mr. Ali Shahnawaz Khan, Mujtaba Mumtaz Wani, Ms. Insha Zulfikhar Khan, Ehtisham Kayani, Professor Yu from GMU and Israr Mirza, the President of PSA..
Mirwaiz said that the APHC is willing to enter into dialogue with the Government of India provided she responds to the four point proposal which was put forth in 2010 and they include the demanded of (i) withdrawal of security forces from residential areas, villages and towns, (ii) end to human rights abuses, (iii) release of all political prisoners and (iv) revocation of harsh laws like the AFSPA and Disturbed Area Act.
Mirwaiz welcomed the initiative of New Delhi and Islamabad to meet this week in Bhutan. However, he emphasized that the present situation inside Kashmir makes it clear that, if talks between India and Pakistan are to mean anything, then the leadership of the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be associated and, and the talks must be accompanied by practical measures to restore an environment of non-violence.
Contrary to the sensible course we suggest, the Indian authorities have in the past persisted relentlessly, even after the announcement of the intention to hold talks, in committing atrocities and holding Kashmir under siege. Today, it is a fact that India is involved in state terrorism in Kashmir. Furthermore, the 700,000 Indian military and paramilitary forces operate outside the rule of law under the protective umbrella of an Indian immunity statute, Mirwaiz added
Mirwaiz asked, who could defend torture, disappearances, or summary executions in this day and age? The genuine test of how much we care about such abuses is what we do about them, not just what we say about them. And the United States as a sole superpower has a moral obligation to respond to the cries of people who are involved in an indigenous, popular and non-violent movement in Kashmir.


Mirwaiz concluded that our endeavor to resolve the Kashmir issue is not just a quest for peace for the people of Kashmir, we cannot overlook the fact that South Asia is a region that is becoming more and more a major role player and competitor in all international markets. Thus, it may be appropriate to point out that the resolution of Kashmir will pave the way for the peace, security and stability to the region of South Asia which includes, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Noted writer and author, Ms. Victoria Schofield asked, why have both India and Pakistan fought over Kashmir? As we know the reasons are historical but the real question to be asked today in 2011 is are the reasons the same today as they were yesterday or in 1947. I would suggest that they are not. When India and Pakistan fought in 1947-48 and in 1965, their perception of what might happen in Kashmir was different from what it is today. At that time it was expected that the whole state would either become part of India or part of Pakistan. But I do not believe today that anyone seriously sees that happening.


Ms. Schofield also asked what needs to be done to resolve this long-standing issue? That is the most important question which has to be on the agenda between India and Pakistan peace talks. But where will Kashmir be on the agenda – on the top or on the bottom or on the front burner or on the back. I personally believe that it should be at the top of the agenda. Having established that – we can move to discuss: human rights abuses, rule of law, repeal of draconian laws, Sir Creek, etc.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director, Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center insisted that the genuine leadership of the Kashmiri people be included in all negotiations over Kashmir's future with India and Pakistan. No Kashmir solution that fails to command the consensus of the people of Kashmir has a chance of success. Furthermore, simple justice and morality require permitting Kashmiris to participate in charting their own political destiny.
Fai said that Indian delegates Mr. Gopalaswamy Aynager said on January 15, 1948 at the United Nations that the question about the future of Kashmir whether to withdraw from the accession from India or to acceded to Pakistan or remain independent, it must be decided by the people of Kashmir. India, however, was soon undeceived of its delusions over Kashmir's political yearning. Recognizing that its people would never freely vote accession to India, it contrived excuse after excuse to frustrate a plebiscite. India's proclamation has never been accepted by the United Nations, which continues to list Kashmir as disputed territory and subject to the Security Council's self-determination resolutions.
Fai said that the Kashmir is not the issue of fundamentalism. The proud distinction of the Kashmiri culture is the sustained tradition of tolerance, amity and brotherhood/sisterhood between the members of different religious communities. He reiterated that Kashmir question is not a fight between Hindus and Muslims, nor it is a struggle between theocracies of secularism. Kashmir issue is about the future and aspirations of 16 million people of the States of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their religious affiliations and cultural background.
Ms. Iffat Gardezi, the DCM said I am here to reiterate the Pakistan’s unconditional moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris for a just and peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute. We stand should to shoulder with our Kashmiri brethren. She said that defying all odds, the brave desire and aspirations of the Kashmiris for liberty and justice remain strong forever. Their tale f suffering has been written in the blood of their sons and daughters. But the spirit for freedom remains unfettered and grows ever stronger.
Ms. Gardezi continued that Jammu and Kashmir remains the foremost issue that has defined the nature of relations between Pakistan and India. Our history is replete with missed opportunities embark on the path of progress by adopting a reconciliatory approach towards each other. Resolution of Kashmir issue could have enabled both Pakistan and India to spend their finite resources more on the development of their people rather than on defense expenditure. South Asia cannot overcome the immense socio-economic challenges it confronts today in the form of poverty, ignorance, extremism and terrorism without resolving the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan is open to a meaningful engagement with India. However, there can be no solution of the Kashmir issue without the involvement and acceptance of the Kashmiri people.
Hon. Dagfinn Hoybraten, the Chairman of Norwegian Christian Party said the Norwegian government was concerned about the recent information regarding new discoveries of unidentified graves in Indian-controlled Kashmir despite India being signatory to UN's Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. He said that he raised the issue of Kashmir in the Parliament and asked question to our foreign minister Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre whether the Norwegian authorities would contact the Indian government or human rights organizations for an independent inquiry about the mass graves of hundreds of unidentified bodies. Our foreign minister responded by saying that ‘We are concerned that India and Pakistan, as all other countries, do act in accordance with their obligations to the international law.'
Ali Shahnawaz Khan, Executive Director, Kashmiri Scandinavian Council said that the recent upraising in Kashmiri has completely changed the ball game. People of Kashmiri, particularly youth of Kashmir have taken the mental of Kashmir movement. The way they confronted the Indian forces and turned the entire Kashmiri movement into a peaceful resistance not only impressed the people of Jammu and Kashmiri but also intentional community. It galvanized the huge support or the cause of Kashmir. It reinvigorated the indigenous character and non-violent face of the people’s movement. It is widely acknowledged not only in India but also world over that the upsurge has nothing to do with Pakistan.
Ehtisham Kayani said that Kashmiris have a history of violence, in our documented 5000 years of history. We are peaceful human beings and we believe in human brotherhood, but when our basic right of self-determination is taken away from us, our right to live is snatched from us, what do you suggest us to do. Kayani said that today the mantle of the freedom struggle of Kashmir has been successfully passed on to lout younger generation now and we are resolute and determined to take it to its logical conclusion.
Mujtaba Mumtaz Wani said that several facts must be accepted by everyone involving the issue. First, the majority of Kashmiris are not satisfied with the current situation. Second, the majority of the people in most regions of Kashmir support independence. Third, the parties on both sides of the region have infringed upon the rights of Kashmiris. Mujtaba continued that in order to give Kashmiris what they demand, the right of self-determination, pressure must be mounted on India. He said that it is indubitable that the Indian army has committed thousands of human rights violations in Kashmir.
Mujtaba concluded that the details of a referendum on Kashmir could be discussed and debated later. The main priority of everyone should be to attract attention to the issue and to put India in a position where it has to heed to popular will. Once the pressure swells to this point, international action and the creation of a plebiscite will undoubtedly follow. However, for now, we must ask the United States support justice and its principles of government by the people, of the people, and for the people. President Obama said that Egypt’s future will be ‘determined by its people.’ We must ask why Kashmir’s future is not to be determined by its people.
Ms. Insha Zulfikhar Khan said the wars between India and Pakistan only results in problems for the people who live in Kashmir region. It is important to analyze some of the issues that affect the people of Kashmir and why freedom is the only solution to this conflict. Over the years, more and more military troops have been sent to Kashmir. It is especially important to note hat India has sent numerous numbers of military troops to the Jammu and Kashmir regions. This military force is used to ensure that the freedom of ordinary Kashmiris is highly restricted. The people of Kashmir do not have the freedom of expression that is recognized as a basic right in the Charter of the United Nations. She said that the most applicable solution would be to withdraw the Indian troops from Kashmir and advocate for independence for Kashmir. Insha concluded by saying that it is time to unite for our survival, for our security and our own dignity forgetting all the differences.
Mr. Israr Mirza, President, PSA at GMU and Mr. Usman Chaudhary, the Vice President thanked the participants for taking time to travel long distances as far as Pennsylvania and New York to make the event a great success. Israr said that he recently visited Azad Kashmir and heard the stories of anguish and horror in the refugee camps. He alerted that the student community can play an important role in mobilizing the public opinion.

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OMAR RAPS ARMY, TELLS THEM TO AVOID HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

Srinagar, Feb 6 (Only Kashmir): In the wake of the killing of an innocent youth in North Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today pulled up the Army for violating the Standard operating Procedure and directed security agencies to completely avoid violation of human rights.
At a meeting chaired by Abdullah this morning, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, Corps Commander of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, was conveyed in no uncertain terms that the incident involving innocent people were detrimental to the peace process and the troops should strictly adhere to SoP agreed upon at various Unified Headquarters meetings, an official spokesman said.
"Any violation of human rights at any stage while conducting security-oriented operations or dealing with any law and order situation is required to be totally avoided in order to restore confidence of the people," Abdullah told the meeting.
He said the government?s policy of zero tolerance to any human rights violation should be strictly adhered and any individual who is found responsible for such violation should be dealt with according to the law.

The Corps Commander assured the Chief Minister that the directions would be implemented in letter and spirit, the spokesman said.
The meeting came after a specialised unit of the Army -- Four Para -- had laid a cordon in an area at Handwara in North Kashmir on Friday night that led to death of an innocent who allegedly did not adhere to warnings to stop by the troops.
Gen Hasnain, while accepting the mistake on the part of the Army, told the meeting that an inquiry was underway to ascertain facts.
Police, in the meantime, has registered a case against Four-Para of Army for the death of 21-year-old Manzoor, shot dead by the Army troops when he accidentally walked into an ambush laid by the troops for terrorists who were believed to have managed to slip in from across the border.
During the meeting it was suggested to the Army that they should carry non-lethal weapons when they lay cordon in civilian areas so that such incidents did not take place in future. .

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KASHMIRI GROUP HACKS SIKKIM GOVERNMENT WEBSITE

Srinagar, Feb 6 (Only Kashmir): Hackers owing allegiance to protestors and stonepelters in Kashmir have hacked a website of Sikkim government and posted a message and pictures of the agitators on the page.
The hacked website -- www.sikkim-culture.gov.in -- belongs to the Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department of the Sikkim government, which promotes art and culture of the north -eastern state.
The group, which claimed to have hacked the website, identified itself as Z-Company and in the past several months has indulged in similar acts in the past.
"Everyday hundreds of innocent people are abused, raped and even killed in Palestine and Kashmir by the Indian and Israeli army, a third of the deaths are children, who are the real soldiers? The child holding a stone or the stranger holding a gun?," read the message posted on the webpage.
Hackers also left behind two pictures of stone- pelting protestors in Kashmir and Palestine.

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MIRWAIZ PRESSES FOR EARLY RESOLUTION OF KASHMIR

London, Feb 6 (Only Kashmir): Chairman of the moderate Hurriyat faction Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said that the US and other world powers should be pressed to facilitate early resolution of the Kashmir issue.
"The delegates should persuade the world powers including the United States to facilitate a settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes and will of the people of the state of Jammu and Kashmir," the Mirwaiz said in his address to the 59th National Breakfast Prayer (NBP) in Washington on Friday.
"We need to use weapons of love, compassion and sympathy to overcome the hatred, anger and animosity," he said.
The Mirwaiz said Hindus and Muslims have lived together for centuries in Kashmir.
"It is simply because the people of Kashmir believe in a pluralistic society based on fairness, justice and co-existence," he added.

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JUD CHIEF HAFIZ SAEED WARNS INDIA TO 'QUIT' J&k

Lahore Feb 06 (Only Kashmir): Jamaat-u-Dawah chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed on Saturday warned India to "quit" Jammu and Kashmir or be prepared for a "war" even as the extremist group organized protests at several places in Pakistan to mark KashmirSolidarity Day. Addressing a rally of about 20,000 supporters on the Mall, one of the main thoroughfares of Lahore, Saeed said in a belligerent tone: "I want to give a message to (Indian Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh... quit Kashmir or get ready to face a war". As his supporters shouted slogans like "Kashmir hamara hai" (Kashmir is ours), "Kashmir ki azadi tak jang rahay gi jang rahah gi"
(The war will continue till the liberation of Kashmir) and "Bhartio Kashmir chor do" (Indians quit Kashmir), Saeed unveiled his vision for settling the Kashmir issue.
"If freedom is not given to the Kashmiris, then we will occupy the whole of India including Kashmir. We will launch Ghazwa-e-Hind (the battle for India). Our homework is complete to get Kashmir," he thundered.
Saeed, the founder of the banned Lashker-e-Taiba, claimed 800,000 Indian soldiers should be "held accountable" for alleged atrocities they were committing in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The Kashmir cause is heading towards a conclusion and this year is very important. As the US is fleeing from Iraq and Afghanistan, we will get Kashmir this year," he claimed. Saeed, who was put under house arrest for about six months in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks after the UN Security Council declared the JuD a front for the LeT, claimed his organization was not a "terrorist outfit".
"We are neither terrorists nor suicide bombers. We are only fighting for the freedom of Kashmir and till our objective is achieved, we will continue our jihad," he said. Saeed claimed things had changed around the world. If people came out on the streets as they did in Egypt, the governments in India and Pakistan too would have to go, he said. Alleging that India wanted to occupy Pakistan's Balochistan province with the help of the US, Saeed said his groups would not let this happen.
"We will save our country," he added.
The JuD "believed in dialogue but had no trust in India", he said.
"India is destroying Pakistan's agricultural economy by building dams on our water," he added.
Criticizing the Pakistan People's Party-led government, Saeed said,
"On Indian-held Kashmir, the point of view of Pakistanis is similar to that of Kashmiris, but the Pakistani government is under pressure from India and other foreign masters".He also criticized the UN, describing it as "slave to the US".Saeed claimed the Indian government "tried hard to implicate" the JuD in the Mumbai attacks but nothing had been proved against it and nothing would be because the organization was "not involved" in the incident.
"After 9/11, our organization was targeted and it was inflicted damage. (Former President Pervez) Musharraf hurt the Kashmir cause by proposing a third option," he claimed.
JuD deputy chief Hafiz Abdur Rehman Makki and Jamaat-i-Islami secretary general Liaqat Baloch also addressed the gathering.
Saeed's remarks came a day ahead of talks between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan on the sidelines of a SAARC meet in Bhutan to find ways to revive the peace process between the two countries.India has linked the resumption of the peace process to Pakistan prosecuting the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks and winding up terrorist infrastructure on its soil.

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OMAR EXPRESSES DEEP SORROW OVER HANDWARA INCIDENT

Srinagar, Feb 05 (Only Kashmir): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah after arriving to Srinagar here this afternoon straightly drove immediately to Handwara in North Kashmir to visit the family whose son has been killed in Army ambush.
Omar Abdullah stayed with the bereaved family for quite some time, expressed his deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident, showed sympathy and solidarity with the family.
“I am here to share your grief and be with you at this movement of great tragedy”, Omar told the bereaved family while consoling them and conveying his heartfelt condolence.
The Chief Minister described the incident most unfortunate and said that he has given categoric directions to the Army, Security Forces and Police in the Unified Headquarter Meetings to apply
highest degree of caution and restraint and stick to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to avoid any killings of civilian under all circumstances. “I repeat this once again”, he said and emphasized the need for such cautions while laying ambush for militants.
Assuring the bereaved family of proper probe into the incident, the Chief Minister urged them to exhibit patience and calm. “There are people who would try to exploit your pain and feelings for disturbing peace and order as was done by them after the killing of Tufail Mattoo last June”, he told the bereaved family and a large number of people who gathered there on the occasion.
He appealed them not to get led astray by such elements.
Omar Abdullah said that he would always condemn the killings of innocents by anyone whosoever he may be and assured that during his tenure as the Chief Minister of the State he would endeavour to put an end to such incidents and work for peace and tranquility in the State.
Omar prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and patience to the family who has lost their dear one.
Later, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir also visited the bereaved family on the instructions of the Chief Minister.

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AFTER TWITTER COMMENT, OMAR DRIVES TO HANDWARA

Srinagar Feb 05 (Only Kashmir): In a powerful message of being with his own people, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday did not wait even for the weather to clear and left for Handwara where a youth namely Manzoor Ahmad Magray 24 was killed in an army ambush Friday night.
"How can one not condemn the death of 21-year-old Manzoor at the hands of the Army late last night?" J&K CM Omar Abdullah posted on Twitter.
Manzoor Ahmad Magray, 24, was killed in an ambush laid by the army for separatist guerrillas in Chogal village of Kupwara district, around 70 km from here, at 10.30 p.m. Friday.
"An FIR (26/2011) under section 302 (murder) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) has been registered in Handwara police station against the security men deployed in Gund Chogal village on the night of Feb 4-5," a senior police officer said here.

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ANJUM ZAMROODA LEADS PROTEST AGAINST SOPORE KILLING

Srinagar Feb 05 (Only Kashmir): A woman separatist group today held a demonstration in Srinagar against the killing of two teenaged girls by unidentified gunmen in Sopore town of north Kashmir earlier this week.

Zamrooda Habib of Muslim Khwateen Markaz, a constituent of of Hurriyat Conference (G), accompanied by her party members led a protest in Srinagar's commercial nerve centre Lal Chowk against the killings.
The activists carried placards were demanding justice for the two slain girls. "We protested against the inhuman killing of two innocent girls. Anyone involved in the killing should be
brought to justice," Zamrooda said.

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NOW INTERLOCUTORS CONDEMN GIRLS KILLING

New Delhi, Feb 4 (Only Kashmir): Centre's interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir today condemned the killing of two girls by militants in Kashmir and hoped that the guilty would be punished swiftly.
The panel appreciated the State government's efforts to punish the guilty.
"The condemnation expresses a growing disgust of violence perpetrated against innocents for political or ideological ends," the three-member group -- Dileep Padgaonkar, Prof Radha Kumar and M M Ansari -- said in a statement.
Arifa (19) and Akhtar (17), daughters of Ghulam Nabi Dar, were gunned down by three militants, including a Pakistani, at around 10 PM at Muslim Peer in Sopore town, 52 kms from Srinagar on January 31.
"Our group commends the state government for its vigorous efforts to bring the guilty to book and hopes that this is done swiftly and in a transparent manner," the interlocutors said.

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MIRWAIZ FOR RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION

Srinagar, Feb 3 (Only Kashmir): The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Thursday said the World powers including the United States have the moral obligation to respond to the peaceful resistance initiated by the people of Kashmir for the inalienable right to self-determination.
Addressing the ‘South Asian Hospitality Meeting’ on the eve of the 59th National Prayer Breakfast in United Nations, Mirwaiz emphasized that the settlement of Kashmir dispute will guarantee peace and prosperity not only in Kashmir but also in the whole region of South Asia.
“Granting the right to self-determination to Kashmiris was negotiated with both India and Pakistan and endorsed by the United Nations. Therefore, the world powers including United States have the moral obligation to respond to the peaceful resistance initiated by the people of Kashmir,” Mirwaiz said.
Mirwaiz said the people of different faiths need to build bridges and work together against divisive forces. “We have much more in common in our heritage to celebrate than to differ.
It is and has been God’s intention that we should live in friendship and harmony. We need to unite to bring justice to warfare, war crimes, and gruesome human rights violations, whether in Kashmir, East Timor, or elsewhere. May we dedicate our lives to work in strife-torn communities, building bridges between alienated and traumatized people, being extraordinary agents of peace and reconciliation,” Mirwaiz said.
Mirwaiz has been invited to the high profile meeting by Congressman Jeff Miller (Republican) and Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick (Democrat). President Barrack Obama will be the keynote speaker in the Co-Chairs of the National Prayer Breakfast meeting tomorrow. The breakfast is attended by some 3,500 guests, including international invitees from over 100 countries.
Bilawal Bhutto, Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party also spoke during this event.
Delegates from South Asia, United States and Europe also participated in the function. The Kashmiri delegation included Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director, Kashmiri American Council and Ali S Khan, executive Director, Kashmiri Scandinavian Council, Oslo.
After his speech, Mirwaiz met with scores of parliamentarians, religious leaders, diplomats, businessmen, Members of Congress and leaders of inter-faith community.
Mirwaiz is also scheduled to be a key-note speaker in a seminar ‘The India-Pakistan Relations: Breaking the Deadlock over Kashmir’ at the George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia on February 5.
Mirwaiz will also be the chief guest at the Los Angeles World Affairs Council on February 8. Pertinently the World Affairs Council is a non-partisan speakers forum wherein business and community leader’s who share a mutual interest in world affairs gather to hear from an impressive array of world leaders speaking on issues of public importance.
The International Circle is the highest level of membership in the organization. Over 250 heads of state, international policy makers and top government officials have addressed the membership of the Council during our 55-year history.

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FACEBOOK USED TO FUEL UNREST IN KASHMIR: ARMY

Srinagar Feb 02 (Only Kashmir): For the first time, the Army has expressed concern over social networking sites, saying they are being used by anti-national elements to unleash propaganda against the security forces in the Kashmir Valley.
“Facebook and other social networking sites are being used as a tool of propaganda against the Army and other security agencies by elements hell-bent on disturbing peace in the Kashmir Valley,” said S A Hasnain, General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps.
Hasnain’s statement assumes importance in the wake of protesters in the Egypt crisis using Facebook to mobilise people. More so, when the Valley is staring at yet another summer in nervous anticipation of fresh trouble.
There are already many pages devoted to the burgeoning Egyptian crisis on the social sites in the Kashmir Valley. Besides, the evolving situation in Egypt has become the exciting new subject of discussion on Facebook and Twitter.

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LASHKAR DENIES KILLING SISITERS

Srinagar Feb 02 (Only Kashmir): Pakistan-based Islamic militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba denied Wednesday killing two teenager sisters in Indian Kashmir in an attack that generated widespread outrage.
The two women, aged 17 and 19, were killed in Sopore town, 55 kilometres (35 miles) north of the region's main city Srinagar, on Monday night when they were dragged from their house and shot dead.
"The police claim about the involvement of our activists in the killing of the sisters is baseless," a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) spokesman told reporters in Srinagar by telephone.
LeT is blamed by India for the attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 that left 166 people dead and hundreds injured.
New Delhi has consistently called on Islamabad to crack down on the LeT.
The chief minister of the region, Omar Abdullah, have been among those to condemn the murders.

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CONGRESS HAS DESTROYED THINKING ON KASHMIR: ADVANI

New Delhi, Jan 30 (Only Kashmir) : Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Sunday accused the Congresss of "distorted thinking" on Jammu and Kashmir and said it was a shame that two top political leaders of the country had to observe the Republic Day in the custody of a state government.
In a post on his blog, Advani said the movement for Jammu and Kashmir's complete integration with India by Shyama Prasad Mukerjee saved the country from possible "disastrous consequences" of the policies of then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
"The gross mishanding by the government of the BJP's Tiranga yatra reveals that the Congress party has still not abandoned the distorted thinking about Jammu and Kashmir state which made the government committ those early follies," Advani wrote.
"By undertaking this exercise now, the BJP has done a signal service to the cause of the country's unity and integrity, for which the party's founder sacrificed his life," he added.
Advani said that Pakistan's leadership mishandled the eastern wing of Pakistan resulting in an independent Bangladesh. "Pandit Nehru's handling of J and K state - his reference to UN the issue of Pakistan's aggression on the state, and his conceding a separate constitution and a separate flag to the state - could have had similar disastrous consequences," he said in his blog.
"The week just gone by saw the nation observing its Republic Day festivities. But it is a shame that in this largest republican country of the world, two topmost political leaders of the country, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, leaders of the opposition respectively in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, should have had to observe Republic Day in the custody of the Jammu and Kashmir state government. Their offence? They were keen to see the national tricolour hoisted in Srinagar in an area dominated by separatists," Advani said.
He said the two leaders were scheduled to address a public rally in Jammu on the eve of Republic Day in support of the BJP youth wing's resolve to hoist the tricolour in Lal Chowk, "an area in Srinagar where the separatists challengingly flaunt the Pakistani flag - they did it recently on Eid Day!"
It was disgusting to see the state government virtually make the carrying of tricolour a crime, Advani noted.

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K-ISSUE WOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED IF NEHRU HAD NOT DIED: FAROOQ ABDULLAH

Srinagar: Jan 28 (Only Kashmir): The Kashmir issue would have been resolved between India and Pakistan had the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru not died in May, 1964, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Union minister Farooq Abdullah said today.
"...When we were hopeful that the Kashmir issues will be resolved...Jawahar Lal Nehruhad decided that we will meet in June. But he died on May 27. Otherwise, with a powerful leader here and a powerful leader there - Field Marshall Ayub Khan - the issue will be resolved," he said.
The National Conference leader said he hoped that the issue will be settled in his lifetime.
Abdullah was speaking at the launch of a picture book 'Nehru's Kashmir' by late photo journalist Sati Sahni here.
Speaking on the occasion, Congress leasder Karan Singh lamented that the historice Lal Chowk was in news today "for all the wrong reasons". He was apparently referring to the stand off between the Jammu and Kashmir government and the BJP over hoisting of national flag there.
He dubbed as "actue tragedy" that the area once crowded with people has now become a centre of "tension and confrontation".

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SECURITY REVAMPED IN KASHMIR IN VIEW OF BJP YATRA

Srinagar Jan 23 (Only Kashmir): With BJP showing no signs of going back on its plan to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk here, security in the Kashmir Valley has been revamped and all attempts are being made to ensure that the Opposition party does not succeed in its endeavour.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah chaired a high level meeting of the civil administration and security agencies here on Saturday evening.
"The chief minister reviewed the general law and order situation prevailing in the Valley," an official spokesman said after the meeting, hours after which police took BJP state unit's vice president Sofi Mohammad Yousuf into preventive custody.
A senior police officer said the BJP leader was taken into custody as a preventive measure under CrPC sections 107 and 151.
Yousuf's detention was the second direct action taken by the state government against the BJP as six party activists were arrested on Saturday afternoon for violating the prohibitory orders in force in the city.
"They were pasting posters which could have led to breach of public peace. They were also found violating section 144 of CrPC, which prohibits assembly of four or more persons," the officer said.
He said 300 posters were seized from the arrested persons who were all residents of the Valley.
Similar posters, featuring images of Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and BJP stalwarts like former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani, had appeared in Bemina and Tattoo ground areas of the city yesterday but have been removed since.
The state government has decided to deploy around 100 additional companies of police and paramilitary forces to scuttle any attempts by the BJP to march towards Srinagar, official sources said.
A large contingent of police has been deployed at Lakhanpur and Nagri Narola, the entry points from Punjab to Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, the sources said.
They said sizeable forces will also be deployed at Udhampur and at Jawahar Tunnel, the gateway to Kashmir Valley, to prevent BJP activists from Jammu to march towards the Valley.
While the tunnel is closed for a few hours every year on Independence Day and Republic Day as a security measure, the authorities are mulling the option of closing it on January 25 to prevent the activists from entering the Valley, they said.
Besides gearing up for the challenge posed by BJP, the security forces have intensified checks and search operations around Bakshi Stadium, the main venue of Republic Day celebrations in Kashmir.
Vehicles entering and leaving the city are subjected to random searches and security forces have been carrying out patrols around the stadium to ensure militants do not attempt to strike the city, they said.
The snow accumulated by the roadside, which has not melted due to the intense cold wave in the Valley, is being removed to rule out the possibility of ultras planting any explosives, the sources said.

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FIFTY THOUSAND YOUTH READY TO HOST TRICOLOUR FLAG AT LAL CHOWK

Jammu, Jan 22 (Only Kashmir): BJP today claimed more than 50,000 youths will arrive in the city to proceed with 'Rashtriya Ekta Yatra', which will culminate on Republic Day after hoisting of the tricolour at Srinagar's Lal Chowk.
"More than 50,000 youth of the country are reaching to Jammu on January 25 and would proceed to Kashmir to hoist the tricolour in the Valley and no force on earth can stop us from doing so," state BJP President Shamsher Singh Manhas told reporters here today.
"Any misadventure envisaged by the state government would be thwarted and state BJP would see that tricolour unfurls at Lal Chowk," he said.
He also accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is opposing the BJP's plan", of having "strong separatist leaning".
His views were supported by national executive member Nirmal Singh and MLA Ashok Khajuria, who said the party is firm to hoist the tricolour at Lal Chowk.

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K-ISSUE IS POLITICAL ISSUE WHICH CAN BE RESOLVED THROUGH DIALOUGE PROCESS: MIRWAIZ

Srinagar, Jan 22 (Only Kashmir): The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that the Kashmir dispute is not about transfer of power, law and order, elections, packages or economic concessions but It is a political dispute which can be resolved through dialogue process.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a media interview in Srinagar said that India should create conducive environment before initiating dialogue process to resolve the longstanding dispute. “The dispute should be settled through tripartite talks between Pakistan, India and the real Kashmiri leadership,” he maintained.
Mirwaiz urged India to withdraw its troops, release pro-liberation leaders and activists, stop gross human rights violations and repeal all draconian laws including Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Disturbed Area Act in the occupied territory. “The international community is thrusting on the resolution of Kashmir. Today Washington, London, Beijing, Tokyo and Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) are stressing for resolving the lingering dispute,” he said.
The APHC Chairman hailed China’s role regarding Kashmir dispute. He welcomed the forthcoming Foreign Secretaries level meeting between Pakistan and India and said that the APHC had always supported the talks aimed at resolving the long-pending dispute.

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REMOVE AFSPA, PSA: UN ENVOY TO INDIA

New Delhi, Jan 22 (Only Kashmir): The UN envoy has said that the draconian laws like, Armed Forces Special Powers Act and the Public Safety Act should be repealed in Kashmir while continuation of other controversial laws should be reviewed. Margaret Sekaggya, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders after concluding a 10-day visit to occupied Kashmir and Indian states of Gujarat, West Bengal, Assam and Orissa said human rights are being violated both by state and non-state actors in India.
About Jammu and Kashmir, she said, the issue in Kashmir is about people. It is important to address the real issues of people there. She said that there should be efforts to heal their wounds and hoped that her recommendations in the detailed report would be implemented by the authorities.
"Throughout my mission, I heard numerous testimonies about male and female human rights defenders and their families, who have been killed, tortured, ill-treated, falsely charged, disappeared, arbitrarily arrested and detained or their offices raided and files stolen, because of their legitimate work in upholding human rights," she said.
Especially expressing concern about the situation in occupied Kashmir and Northeastern states, she said the AFSPA and PSA must be repealed.
"The Armed Forces Special Powers Act and the Public Safety Act should be repealed and application of other laws, which adversely affect the work and safety of human rights defenders should be reviewed," Sekaggya said, noting that she would file a detailed report to the UN in March.
Asked specifically about human rights violations in West Bengal, the official said
"I am particularly concerned over the plight of human rights defenders working for the rights of marginalised people that is Dalits, adivasis, religious minorities and sexual minorities who face particular risks and ostracism because of their activities".
Sekaggya said she wanted permission for at least 14 days to visit but the government of India had allowed her only 10 days.

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ALL EYES ON (GANTA GHAR) CLOCK TOWER

Srinagar Jan 22 (Only Kashmir): Historical Clock Tower, rendered ‘clockless tower’ in view of face-lifting work has become the cynosure of all eyes.
Every eye catches the glimpse of big clock ‘missing’ at top of the tower. The historical tower popularly known as ‘Ghanta Ghar’ located in the busy city center Lal chowk, the commercial hub of summer capital has assumed more significance after the BJP and JKLF have dared each other to hoist flag on its top on the Republic Day.
Security has been beefed up around the tower and frisking especially of pedestrians, bikers and three wheelers’ intensified as the Republic-Day draws nearer. The state government has already made it clear that no programme, which will disturb the law and order situation in valley, will be allowed.
For few weeks now, the tower is being repaired and renovated. In run-up to the Republic Day ahead, masons and carpenters have intensified face-lifting work on the tower. In the evening hours, security is further beefed up especially around the historical’ clockless tower’ at present.
Masons and carpenters are working under tight security cover have to complete the repair work before Republic Day to enhance its face-lifting. Bullet proof vehicle has been put on alert just under the nose tower.
Every year the tower is renovated on the occasion of Republic and Independence Day and tri-color hoisted on top of the tower. But this year, in view of the BJP and JKLF plans to hoist flags has created sensation in government circles.
In view of repairs and tight security arrangements, the traffic movement in Lal Chowk has got affected. Close vigil is being maintained on people and transport mobility in Lal Chowk. Pedestrians prefer to change their way in view of tight security arrangements in the city center, which has rendered insecurity to people.

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HILAL WELCOMES THE INTIATION OF DIALOUGE BETWEEN INDO-PAK

Srinagar Jan 19 (Only Kashmir): People’s Political Party (PPP), Chairman, Hilal Ahmad War, said, “We welcome the initiation of dialogue between India and Pakistan .He further said PPP is not averse to talks but the talks should be meaningful and result oriented. To make talks on the different Issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir a success, there should be no pre-condition from both sides. Dialogue between India and Pakistan to create mutual trust and understanding is indispensably paramount and this is an important step towards the stability and peace of this South Asian Region which will ultimately pave the way for resolution of Kashmir dispute. “India must not forget that Kashmir is the gateway to Peace, said, War”.
In response to India’s offer to Pakistan, People’s Political Party (PPP) has urged Pakistan to hold meaningful and result oriented dialogue with India ensuring that Kashmir is on top of the agenda. Commenting on India’s talk’s offers to Pakistan, PPP Chief, Hilal Ahmad War said Pakistan should stick to its stance that talks with India should not be confined to economic issues only. India, he said is trying with its best to pressurize Pakistan for not insisting on inclusion of Kashmir in the agenda of proposed dialogue. It is an attempt on the part of India and its international supporters to help India get out of present embarrassing situation in Kashmir.Mr. War said that Kashmiris had made a lot of sacrifices for the resolution of Kashmir but India always used talks as ploy to ward off the pressure.
He said whenever there is international pressure on Kashmir issue to avoid any eventuality of nuclear confrontation in South Asia, India makes talks offer to Kashmiris just to neutralize the situation. “It is in fact the international pressure that has got mounted on India and they just want to diffuse it by staging a drama in the name of talks to give an impression to the world community that it is engaged in a dialogue with Pakistan or with one section of favourite Kashmiri leadership on Kashmir”, he said. Under given circumstances, Pakistan should ensure that Kashmir is on the top of the Agenda”.
Mr. War urged the Government of Pakistan to formulate a Kashmir Policy in accordance with the letter and spirit of Shaheed Z.A. Bhutto's Kashmir Policy. He 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.

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3 YOUTH ARRESTED BUT THIS TIME FOR SNOW PELTING

Srinagar, Jan 15 (Only Kashmir): Complete shutdown was observed across the Valley on Saturday on the call of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Police rounded up three youth for snow-pelting in downtown area of the city.
Normal life was paralyzed across the Srinagar city as shops, business establishments and government offices remained closed and traffic was off the roads. Large contingent of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed in strength in volatile areas of old city and civil lines as precautionary measure to thwart pro-freedom protests.
Meanwhile police detained three youth, who according to the locals were throwing snow balls on each other for fun, in Gojwara area of downtown. “They were throwing snow on each other and not on the cops" said locals to Only Kashmir.

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RECENT KASHMIR MOVEMENT WAS BASED ON WRONG STRATEGY: SALAHUDDIN

Srinagar Jan 14 (Only Kashmir): Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed salahuddin based in pakistan occupied kashmir has said that the summer agitation diluted the kashmir movement as that was based on wrong strategy and emotionalism.
"The solution to the Kashmir dispute could be found after bringing all the three parties, India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir on a dialogue table," Hizb chief Salahuddin told a local news agency on telephone.
The Hizb chief further said: "I gave good advices to my friends but they did not listen to me. And now, they regret. No nation can remain dependent on constant strikes. So we have to sit and carve out a result oriented program."
Reacting to recent statement of Hurriyat leader Prof Abdul Gani Bhat that top separatist leaders were killed by "our men", the UJC chairman said people named by Bhat should be brought before the people.
The HM chief also said, the solution to the Kashmir dispute could be found after bringing all the three parties, India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir on a dialogue table.
Syed Salahuddin asked the separatist leadership to join hands and put forth a common agenda before the people of Kashmir. He said,the separatist leadership should unite on the basis of 1993 constitution of Hurriyat Conference

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MIRWAIZ WELCOMES KASHMIR TROOP CUT ANNOUNCEMENT WHILE GEELANI REJECTS

Srinagar, Jan 14 (Only Kashmir) : The moderate Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday welcomed the central government's announcement of a 25 percent cut in security forces in a year's time in Jammu and Kashmir, while hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani rejected the move as "patchwork" and demanded complete withdrawal of troops from the state.

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HIGH COURT BAR ASSOCIATION TEAM TO VISIT JAILS OF KASHMIR

Srinagar, January 14 (Only Kashmir): The Vice President of High Court Bar Association of occupied Kashmir, Ejaz Baidar has said that a 15-member delegation of the Bar will visit different jails and interrogation centres of India and the occupied territory from next week to review plight of the Kashmiri detainees.
Ejaz Baidar while talking to newsmen in Srinagar said that the Bar Association through a petition had sought permission from the court, which was granted.
He said that the High Court had directed all the concerned authorities of the jails and interrogation centres of India and occupied Kashmir to facilitate the Bar team in meeting the prisoners.
The 15-member delegation would comprise Advocate Ejaz Baidar, Advocate Manzoor Ahmad, Advocate Muhammad Abdullah Pundit, Advocate Tanveer Butt, Advocate Muhammad Ashraf Butt, Advocate Bashir Siddiqi, Advocate Nazir Ahmad Ronga, Advocate Bashir Ahmad Dar, Advocate Shaukat Ahmad Hakak, Advocate Shabbir Ahmad Butt, Advocate Arshad Andrabi, Advocate Rafiq Ahmad Jo, Advocate Javed Ahmad, Advocate Hilal Ahmad and Advocate Naveed Ahmad.

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KASHMIR ISSUE GETTING DANGEROUS AND COMPLEX; SYED ALI GEELANI

Srinagar Jan 12 (Only Kashmir): Asserting that Kashmir issue was becoming more “dangerous and complex” with each passing day, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani Wednesday flayed India for adopting its “traditional policy of force and intimidation to muzzle the voice of Kashmiris.”
“Even after 64 years India seems to have no option other than force and wants to solve an issue which is getting more dangerous and complex with each passing day through the barrel of gun. But New Delhi has failed to see that Kashmiris’ resolve for freedom cannot be broken , and for the past six decades India has only succeeded in enforcing a temporary silence of the graveyard here through arrests, torture, killings and other acts of terror,”
Geelani said the state government’s “subservient and puppet role” had been proven when, according to him, New Delhi had “trashed” the National Conference Working Committee’s resolution regarding release of political prisoners in July.
“The fact is that the Indian home ministry is running the affairs of the state and the sole purpose of the so called state government is to provide cover to India’s atrocities in Kashmir and hoodwink the world into believing that Kashmir has a democratically elected government,” he said.
Reiterating the call for one hour protest after Friday prayers on January 14 and complete strike on January 15, Geelani said “calling protests and strikes is not our hobby but the only way of registering protest against oppression.”

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INTERLOCUTORS INTEREST IN THEIR SALARY NOT KASHMIR: GEELANI

Srinagar Jan 11 (Only Kashmir): Hurriyat Conferene(G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani Monday said the three interlocutors appointed by New Delhi on Kashmir were more interested in their "one lakh plus salaries" than addressing the grievances of Kashmiris, and his assertion that talks with the trio "were futile" had been proved right.
"We have been maintaining from day one that the interlocutors have no authority, they can only plead with New Delhi without being paid much attention to. Their appointment was to hoodwink the international community, these fellows are more interested in their one lakh plus salaries than addressing the issues of Kashmiris, because they have no authority to do so," Geelani said at a press conference today.

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SAJJAD LONE APPRECIATES PROF BHAT FOR SPEAKING TRUTH

New Delhi Jan 10 (Only Kashmir): Separatist leader Sajjad Lone threw his weight behind ex-Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat for his stand that "our own men" killed Mirwaiz Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone", observing that time has come for people to decide whether they are with the "murderers or murdered."

Sajjad, son of Lone, appreciated Bhat for speaking the truth on the killings of the two separatist leaders and for showing the way and said it was never late to speak the "truth."
Bhat, who once chaired the separatist amalgam All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, recently created a flutter by saying that two separatist leaders and his own brother were killed by "our own people" and not the security forces.
Bhat had said time had come to speak the truth about the killers of Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq, who was killed 21 years ago, Abdul Gani Lone, who was shot dead in 2002, and his own brother Mohammad Sultan Bhat, who was murdered in 1995.
In a first person account published in a local daily at Srinagar, Lone recalled the events of the day when his father was killed on May 21, 2002. "...and lifted the shroud and there he was--my Dad--lifeless, stone cold, eyes closed, hair curled back, in a state of eternal slumber. My Dad’s journey of life had ended."
"I got up filled with anger and began to shout hysterically and out came from my mouth the infamous statement blaming the ISI for my father’s killing. I was unmindful of the TV crews and their cameras. And in the evening it was all across the TV screens," wrote Lone in his first person account published in Greater Kashmir.
He recalled that in the wee hours of May 22, 2002 when he was planning the funeral his mother called him inside a room. "I found her behaviour strange. Her composure saddened me. I felt she was not distraught enough....she held my hands and looked deep into my eyes and (asked me to) retract the statement I made last night."
Lone recalls that he had refused buckling under pressure and made it clear to his mother that he was not going to retract. "...she sobbed and sobbed (and said) I have lost Lone sahib. I will not lose you. I will not allow a second dead body with bullets in this house," he wrote while reasoning out about his retraction of statement.
"I had lost a father not to disease or old age but to bullets of the brute. In retrospect I don’t think I should have accused an institution of the killing. But Prof. Bhat has shown the way, when he stated that it was our own people who killed Lone Sahib.
"For all those cynics and sermonizers who are questioning his timing, his intentions, I--a son who lost his father to bullets - would want to put my appreciation on record. Truth however bitter has to prevail. It is never late to speak the truth," he wrote.
"Lone Sahib, Mirwaiz Sahib have left this world. We cannot get them back. But if we do not learn any lessons from their killings we will be doing a great disservice to the very nation whose aspirations we claim to espouse. There is nothing like a good murderer and a bad murderer...
"The culture of unaccountability, impunity cultivated and nourished by a select group of intellectuals, thinkers has only emboldened the killers to indulge in more heinous acts, aimed at disempowering the Kashmiri voice and coercing it into submission. It is time that the select band, decide whose side they are on -- the murderer or the murdered," he said.

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IPL A BOON FOR KASHMIR CRICKET BAT INDUSTRY

Srinagar Jan 09 (Only Kashmir): The success of Indian Premier League (IPL), where the franchise owners splashed millions of dollars to acquire their favourite players this weekend, is having a positive effect on the cricket bat manufacturing industry in Kashmir as well.
As the IPL bandwagon spread to two more cities Pune and Kochi -- in the fourth edition, the manufacturers are hopeful that the league's expansion will translate into more orders for cricket bats this winter.
The cricket bat sector in Kashmir Valley has more than 200 units, both registered and unregistered, with a collective turnover of over Rs 10 crore per year.
"The IPL has been a huge bonanza for our sector as the number of bats sold since the inception of the league has gone up. We are expecting more orders from cities like Pune and Kochi this year as these cities will be featuring also," Abdul Majeed Dar, the president of the cricket bat manufacturers' association.
Dar said over the past three years, the bat manufacturers have expanded their dealings directly to cities like Kolkata, Hyderabad and Jaipur.
"Cricket is undoubtedly the number one followed sport in every city and town of India but our business dealings were mostly restricted to big cities like Delhi, Mumbai and to some extent Bangalore. Now we have enquiries from other areas like Baroda and Indore as well," he said.
Feroze Ahmad, who has a bat manufacturing unit in this highway town, 40 kms from Srinagar, said although the first three months of the year were generally low on sales as the students across the country were busy with annual examinations, the IPL has changed that.
"Since the IPL is held in the months of March, April and May, the dealers from across the country place advance orders so that they can cash on the popularity of cricket following the conclusion of the event, which coincides with school holidays," Ahmad said
While the things look rosy for the bat manufacturing units, which provide direct and indirect employment to nearly 15,000 people in the Valley, they have many worries to take care of. Smuggling of clefts, the raw material for bats, and dwindling plantation of willow trees are just two of these.
"Thousands of clefts are illegally smuggled to some cities in neighbouring Punjab even after the state government imposed a ban on the practice. This has caused a major dent in our earnings as the processing units have better seasoning facilities at their disposal in Punjab which results in a better product," Dar said.
He said the state government has installed a seasoning unit in Sangam area, where most of the units are located, but it has not been made functional yet.
The mushrooming of plyboard peeling units in the Valley has also led to decline in growing of willow trees, considered best after English willow.
"The Poplars grow faster and bring better returns to the farmers from the peeling units. The farmers are now focusing on growing the Poplars only," Dar said.
With demand for bats rising every year and the supply of raw material dropping sharply, the cricket bats are going to be expensive in coming years, he said.

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MORE DEATHS DUE TO ROAD MISHAPS THAN MILITANCY IN J-K IN 2010

Jammu Jan 08 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir has recorded more deaths in traffic accidents than due to militancy in 2010.
"More people have been killed and injured in road mishaps in the state than in militancy. The death toll in road mishaps is almost double than the number of people killed in militancy last year," a senior police officer said.
As many as 889 people were killed and 7,178 were injured in 5,053 accidents in Jammu and Kashmir upto November end 2010, he said.
However, there were only 488 incidents of militancy in which 475 persons, including 232 ultras, were killed in 2010 in the state, he said.
There were a large number of traffic violations for which 3,29,651 vehicles were fined for violation in 2010 in J&K, he said.

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PLEASE FORGIVE US: DR FAROOQ TO PANDITS

New Delhi, Jan 8: (Only Kashmir): Terming the displacement of Pandits from the Valley as "one of the darkest chapters" in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah today asked the displaced people for "forgiveness."
"One of the major tragedies that we had to go through was the ethnic cleansing that took place in the state of Jammu and Kashmir," he told reporters here at a sidelines of a function.
"I think it was one of the darkest chapters in the history of the state that will always remain and for which even for years if we ask God for forgiveness I wonder if it will ever come," he said.
The minister was alluding to the displacement of Pandits from the Valley at the peak of militancy in the early 1990s.
"People had to leave their land and other holdings suddenly overnight, not knowing what the future holds for them. The hurt due to this tragedy still exists in young Pandits," he said.
Abdullah also rued the loss of cultural identity that these people have to face due to their displacement.
"People in Kashmir don't know what Pandits look like..What the now empty temples meant for them.. They have become aliens..I wonder if I'll be able to see it (the repatriation) in this birth," he said.
"Everyone wants to die, be buried and cremated in his own land. I lived in England for 12 years but I never became English though I married an English woman. For me those narrow lanes in Kashmir meant far more that the beautiful roads in England," he said.

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HAZRATBAL SHRINE GETS ILLUMINATION PROJECT AT RS 4 CRORE

Jammu, Jan 7 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir government today sanctioned Rs four crore for the illumination of the Hazratbal shrine located in Srinagar.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, also the Chairman of state Wakf Board, sanctioned the amount for the project to be executed by Bajaj Electricals.
He also fixed June 15 as deadline for commissioning the project and completion of all ongoing structural works.
"I give you six months time to complete all the structural works including repairs to the tomb and water proofing of roofs", he told the Wakf Board.
Omar also directed for exploring possibility of harnessing solar energy to run the project.

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CONGRESS, PDP SLAM BJP'S FLAG HOISTING PLAN

Jammu, Jan 6 (Only Kashmir): A day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cautioned the BJP against hoisting the national flag at the historic Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Republic Day, the Congress and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its plan.
State Congress president Saif-ud-Din Soz said: 'BJP has embarked on a policy of dividing the people. The move to hoist the flag on Republic Day is a political gimmick to gain the political mileage and reflective of vote bank politics.'
Soz was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a party function here.
Earlier Thursday, PDP patron and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that whenever the BJP was out of power, it resorted to such 'gimmicks'.
He said that when the BJP was in power, it did not 'talk of abrogation of Article 370 (granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir within Indian union), and now it is raking up the issue while it is out of power.'
Almost all parties in Kashmir, including the separatists, have decided to oppose the BJP's Republic Day plans.
The BJP, on the other hand, has maintained the flag hoisting was part of its nationwide campaign for unity and solidarity.
'Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part and we are within our rights to hoist the flag on the national festival in any part of the country,' Nirmal Singh, member of the national executive of the party, told reporters Wednesday.
He was reacting to Omar Abdullah's statements terming the flag hoisting a 'provocative act', saying that he feared the move could trigger a fresh wave of violent protests in the Valley.
All About: National,Jammu And Kashmir, Congress, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), State Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

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DGP LAUNCHES TRAFFIC POLICE WEBSITE & FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

‘Srinagar, Jammu to have electronic traffic signal system soon’

Jammu, Jan 06 (Only Kashmir): The Director General of Police, Mr. Kuldeep Khoda launched the website and facebook account of the J&K Traffic Police at a function held at Police Headquarters here today.
The website, www.jktrafficpolice.nic.in and the facebook account, igtraffic_jk@ymail.com of the State Traffic Police have been exclusively dedicated to the traffic related issues.
Giving details of the newly launched website and the facebook account, the DGP said that it will help largely in getting the feedback and suggestions from the road users and public at large about the traffic management. Appealing the people, particularly the youth to come forward with their suggestions in this regard, he added that these would help in bringing continuous improvement in the traffic management.
Mr. Khoda asked the concerned police officers to make the people aware about the website and the facebook account through the print and electronic media so that they make best use of this facility by sending their feedback and valuable suggestions. He asked them to regularly update the website. He also impressed upon them to launch a massive State wide awareness campaign about traffic rules and regulations by organizing seminars, debates and discussions utilizing all mass communication means for achieving the desired results.
Referring to utilization of latest technology to facilitate traffic management, Mr. Khoda said that the Chief Minister is taking keen interest in further streamlining of the Traffic Department, adding that within next few months the two capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu will have electronic traffic signal system. Later, this signal system will be installed in major towns and highways of the State, he added.
Regarding the installation of CCTV cameras, the DGP said that work on installation of 50 such cameras each in Srinagar and Jammu cities is going apace. He said that later this facility will be extended to the major towns of the State in a phased manner.
Earlier, the Inspector General of Police, Traffic, J&K, Mr. Hemant Kumar Lohia gave a detailed power point presentation on the website and the facebook account and threw light on the benefit of this facility in bringing about improvement in the traffic management. He also dwelt on the short and long-term measures being planned for bringing about the progressive improvement in the overall traffic management scenario in the State.

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OBSEVE 26 JANUARY, "A BLACK DAY": HILAL WAR

Srinagar, Jan 06 (Only Kashmir): The Chairman of People’s Political Party ( PPP), Hilal Ahmad War , has appealed the general masses of Kashmir to observe January 26, Indian Republic Day as ‘Black Day’ and convey a message to the International Community that people of Kashmir are struggling for the attainment of right to self-determination as enshrined in UN Charter.
Mr. War in a statement said ,every Kashmiri will observe January 26, a ‘black day’ as a mark of protest against the continued denial of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination which is contrary to its claim of being a democratic republic and against ongoing human rights violation in the Valley. War said we have appealed the people of Kashmir to observe a 26 January a Black Day in order to remind the Indian leadership and the world community that the presence of Indian Occupational Forces in Jammu and Kashmir is illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional is clear violation of United Nations Charter as well as U.N. Plebiscite Resolutions passed by U.N.O.
Therefore, by no law all over the world or morals can justify their presence in Jammu and Kashmir Nation be justified.
PPP Chief said, “we believe that Pak-India peace needs a boost and participation of Kashmiri leadership within and without Hurriyat Conference in any result-oriented dialogue process is a must. He said, “There are political parties in the entire J&K State with conflicting ideologies and
stands regarding Kashmir Issue. Therefore, no person, party or conglomerate of diverse ideologies can be recognized as political attorney of the common man of Jammu and Kashmir as a whole”.
He, however, said that before initiating talks, India should create conducive atmosphere by taking steps like demilitarization, repeal of black laws, put an end to human rights violations in the occupied territory and release all illegally detained youth, pro-freedom leaders and activists.
India must not forget the issue of Jammu and Kashmir has assumed the shape of an International Conflict ,therefore, the intervention of superpower nations like United States of American and China is unavoidable and in accordance with golden principles of United Nations Charter in order to maintain International Peace and Security . These powerful Nations including
European Union knew that the gateway of World Peace is the resolution of Kashmir Tangle. The PPP Chairman said that the international community had accepted that the Kashmir dispute was the main hurdle in cordial relations between New Delhi and Islamabad and its amicable settlement could bring peace in the region in particular and world in General.

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MIRWAIZ PAYS RICH TRIBUTES TO SOPORE MARTYRS

Srinagar, Jan 06 (Only Kashmir): The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has paid glowing tributes to the martyrs who fell to the bullet of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Sopore on January 6, 1993.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and in a statement issued in Srinagar, today, said that Kashmiri martyrs sacrificed their lives for a sacred cause and the sacrifices would not be allowed to go waste. They deplored that no action had been taken, so far, against the killers of the innocent people despite passing of sixteen years.
He maintained that the ongoing movement would be taken to its logical conclusion and appealed the international community to help resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with Kashmiris’ aspirations and relevant United Nations resolutions.
It is worth mentioning here that more than 55 people were martyred, hundreds of shops and houses gutted down and property worth crores of rupees was destroyed by the BSF troopers in Sopore on January 6, 1993, in vengeance of the killing of their colleague in a firing incident in the area.

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GOVT TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT TO 100000 YOUTH

Srinagar, Jan 6 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir government will provide employment opportunities to one lakh educated youth in the next three years, a state minister has said.
"As many as one lakh educated youths would be provided employment opportunities in the next three years," Minister for Medical Education R S Chib said while addressing a 'public darbar' at north Kashmir's Baramulla district yesterday.
Chib described Sher-i-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Policy for Youth (SKEWPY) as a revolutionary employment package introduced by the Omar Abdullah-led government.
The minister also reviewed the ongoing developmental works in the district, an official spokesman said.

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GOVERNOR'S HOUSE GETS SOLAR-POWERED CARS

Jammu, Jan 05 (Only Kashmir) The Raj Bhawan or the governor's residence in Jammu will now have solar-powered battery cars to ferry visitors and guests, something quite unique for Jammu and Kashmir.
The state Governor N.N. Vohra and union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah took the first ride Tuesday on a battery car within the Raj Bhawan, which is spread over 10 acres.
'Similar battery cars would be installed in Raj Bhawan in Srinagar. These would be used to ferry the visitors and guests,' a spokesman of the Raj Bhavan said in a release issued here.
The Raj Bhawans in Jammu and Srinagar - the two capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir - are visited by central ministers, chief ministers and other VIPs.
The Raj Bhawan has a 20-kilowatt solar power plant which provides energy for illuminating the security lights in its complex, and water heating system which heats 2,000 litres of water.
These systems have been installed at the Raj Bhawan on the pattern of Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.

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NATIONAL CONFERENCE IS THE ICON OF DARKNESS: MEBOOBA MUFTI

Srinagar Jan 04 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party PDP Tuesday held a protest demonstrations in Srinagar and Jammu against the electricity crisis, shortage of water, non availability of cooking gas, kerosene oil and other basic facilities in the state.
The demonstrations led by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti saw a large number of workers demonstrating while carrying placards lanterns and raising slogans against the present coalition government.
The demonstrators demanded return of the power generation projects from the NHPC that had been gifted by the National Conference from time to time to the central government in order to secure its rule in the State.
Mehbooba Mufti in her address to party workers said that the state government has failed to give good governance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “She said her party had deliberately adopted a low profile over the past three months hoping that the state government would have learnt some lessons from its debacle on all fronts that had resulted in extraordinary alienation and loss of precious 112 lives. She said the party had also been watching the situation under the 8 point formula announced by the central government as a guide to the state and had hoped some relief would be provided to common people, but so called agenda proved yet another cruel joke that was implemented only in contravene, adding that instead of releasing the youth and political detainees more are being arrested. The youth were now hounded both in and outside the state, in the process demonizing every Kashmiri as a stone pelter. This had further enlarged the gulf between the state and rest of country she added”.
Mehbooba said that in the past two years over 500 megawatts had been added to the state generation system but immediately after the NC led coalition assumed office they started load shedding and have now revived the pre 2002 scenario.
The PDP president said as with the political problems of the state the NC is directly responsible for bartering away the state resources to the NHPC which was making money at the cost of state resources while common are suffering in darkness. She said while Farooq Abdullah handed over seven most feasible power projects to centre in 2000, Omar Abdullah continued the process by entering another agreement with NHPC to give them majority stakes in three more projects.
Mehbooba said this has served the most deadly blow to state’s economic prospects, but PDP would intensify its campaign for renegotiating the terms of agreement with NHPC which at present gives a paltry 12 percent royalty to the state. She declared appealing people to support this demand proactively for the sake of coming generations.
Mehbooba said on the one hand state is facing power and water shortage on the other hand other essentials like and food commodities, LPG, kerosene oil and other things are black marketed in the state especially in Kashmir. The government she said was hand in glove with hoarders and profiteers who were looting the common man. Even the Public distribution system, she said had almost completely collapsed as its stocks were being pilfered and sold in black market.

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EU CALLS FOR KASHMIRI PEOPLE'S INVOLVEMENT IN RESOLVING THE KASHMIR ISSUE

London, Jan 04 (Only Kashmir): European Commission is very closely following developments in Held Kashmir and supports the reconciliation process between India and Pakistan.This was stated by Jean-Christian Remond, Asia Head of European Commission External Relations Directorate General, in response to a letter from Mushtaq A. Jeelani, Executive Director, Toronto-based Peace and Justice Forum (PJF).The PJF’s letter drew EU President Jos Manuel Barroso’s attention to the situation in Kashmir.
Issuing response on behalf of President Barroso, Remond wrote:
“I am sure you [Mr. Jeelani] know that the European Commission and the Delegation of the European Union in New Delhi follow developments in Kashmir very closely.”
He further underlined: “The annual visits to Jammu and Kashmir by Delhi-based EU Ambassadors and embassy staff indeed bear witness to the commitment. During the last such visit in November 2009, the delegation had the opportunity to meet with representatives of political parties, separatist movements, the security forces, civil society, and the universities, in order to assess for itself the situation pertaining in Kashmir.”
“It has been a longstanding position of the EU to support the reconciliation process between India and Pakistan and to call for the Kashmiri people themselves to be as involved as possible in this process,” underscored Remond.
He further stated that he has taken note of Jeelani’s comment regarding a possible mediation by a third party. “But, in our view, such a course of action would require conditions which are not presently met,” Remond added.
“The European Commission remain hopeful that dialogue between all parties concerned including the people of Kashmir, India and Pakistan may begin again, thus assuring the long-term socio-economic and political stability of the region,” he concluded.

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UN IS A "FAILED BODY" K-ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED THROUGH "INTERNATIONAL MONITORING: HURRIYAT (M)

Srinagar, Jan 4 (Only Kashmir): Terming UN as a "failed body", the moderate Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq today said they expected little from it on the Kashmir issue and pressed for talks involving India, Pakistan and Kashmiris under 'international monitoring' to resolve the imbroglio.
"We cannot expect much from a body which has failed to implement its own resolutions (on Kashmir). India and Pakistan have to talk to Kashmiris under international monitoring for resolving the Kashmir issue," the Mirwaiz said addressing a seminar organised by the amalgam on the 61st anniversary of UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir.
The Hurriyat has so far been pressing for implementation of the UN resolutions on Kashmir.
The Mirwaiz said such a dialogue process has to be time bound as "bilaterialism between the two countries has failed to make any progress".

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PROF BHAT'S STATEMENT PROVES OUR POINT: KULDEEP KHUDA

Jammu, Jan 3 (Only Kashmir) : Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Bhat's admission that militants and not Indian security forces were to blame for the killing of top separatist leaders vindicates the police stand, the Jammu and Kashmir police chief said Monday.
"Bhat has said what we have been saying all along," Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda told the media while commenting on the remarks of the former All Parties Hurriyat Conference chief.
Bhat told a seminar in Srinagar Sunday that the assassinations of Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq, father of moderate Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Peoples Conference chairman Abdul Ghani Lone were caused by militant rivalry and that the security forces had no hand in them.
The statement stunned the audience, among whom were several separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
Khoda said the police had always maintained that militants were killing leaders of rival factions.
"Now, when a separatist leader himself makes this disclosure, all I can say is that our stand has been vindicated," he added.

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MIRWAIZ FAROOQ AND GANI LONE WERE KILLED BY OUR OWN PEOPLE: FORMER APHC CHAIRMAN

Srinagar, Jan 3 (Only Kashmir) : Senior separatist leader and former chairman of the moderate Hurriyat group, Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, Monday blamed separatist gunmen for the murder of his brother in 1995.
Bhat, who is chairman of the separatist Muslim Conference, has always been in disagreement with the hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani, and this is well known both in public and separatist circles.
Bhat's brother, Muhammad Sultan Bhat, 55, was killed by unidentified gunmen in 1995. Speaking to IANS here Monday, Bhat blamed separatist gunmen for the murder.
"Everybody knows who killed my brother. He was also killed by our own people," Bhat said.
Bhat ruffled many a feather Sunday when he told a separatist seminar organized by the pro-azadi Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) that two senior separatist leaders had been killed by separatist gunmen.
"There is nothing new about what I said here yesterday," Bhat said.
"I have always said that serious mistakes have happened and the best way to rectify such mistakes is to introspect seriously.
"I have always said that Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone were killed by our own people."
Maulvi Farooq and Lone were killed in 1990 and 2002 respectively.
"In any conflict situation, the most important thing is to control and calibrate the movement so that it can be taken to a logical conclusion.
"I am sad to confess that we have not succeeded in controlling the separatist movement," Bhat admitted.
"Everyone among us has his own perspective of things and I as a humble person have always made myself clear without caring for the repercussions.
"The truth has to be said however bitter it might sound," he asserted.
Without naming Geelani, Bhat said, "No human being can ever claim to be always right and I believe all of us are ordinary mortals. If someone among us thinks he is infallible than I can only say it is our misfortune."

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EVERY SECTION OF SOCIETY SHOULD PLAY THE ROLE IN ACHIEVING THE GOAL OF "RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION": MIRWAIZ

Srinagar Dec 03 (Only Kashmir): The Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said there was need for introspection at individual and collective levels.
“Since 2008, there have been ups and downs in the Kashmir struggle. We need to know why this happens,” he said. “Why we are not able to take the sentiments forward to achieve the results”
He said the intellectuals should think and write about it. “If intellect and politics are forged together, surely the outcome would be fruitful”.
Mirwaiz said every section of the society should play its role in achieving the “ultimate goal of right to self determination.”
“Sacrifices for the cause are huge. We desperately need a direction to reach our goals,” he said, adding, “The leaders alone cannot take the struggle forward. We have to move collectively and every individual has a responsibility to contribute towards the cause”.
He said leaders have “not been able to capitalize on the successive three years of peaceful resistance in Kashmir.”
“I don’t know whether it is lack of understanding or something else. The intellectuals should reflect on this,” he said.
Mirwaiz said apart from Jamiat Ahl Hadith there is no organization that discusses other issues facing the Kashmir society.
“We have to counter the state discourse,” he said. “The state is now being divided into minority groups like Shias, Gujars, and Baltis. We have to stand up and oppose this.”
He said for better results on Kashmir resolution “we need to be collective and leaders cannot alone do everything.”
Mirwaiz said the leaders should be open to criticism. “Columnists writing in newspapers thrust on history. Those who write on current issues only point out mistakes in leaders,” he said. “Nobody says what the leaders should do. There is no proposal or suggestion coming from them which could guide the leaders to move forward”

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RECORD NUMBER OF PILGRIMS VISIT VAISHNODEVI IN J&K in 2010

Jammu Jan 02 (Only Kashmir): Over 87.5 lakh devotees have visited the Vaishnodevi shrine located at Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir in 2010, the highest in the past two decades.
"The pilgrimage to Mata Vaishnodevi has set a new milestone in 2010 with a record number of 87,49,326 lakh pilgrims visiting the cave shrine. The number has broken the previous record of 82,34,896 in 2009," Additional Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board Mandeep K Bandari told PTI.
"SMVSB is expecting one crore pilgrims in the next few years," he said.
In 2008, as many as 67,92,223 pilgrims visited the shrine, while it was 74.17 lakh in 2007 and 69.5 lakh in 2006.
Vaishnodevi is the second busiest shrine after Tirupati. The number of pilgrims rose from three lakh in 1970 to 52 lakh in 2000.
Traffic to the holy cave increased by nearly 10 lakh in just one year-- from 21.69 lakh in 1990 to 31.16 lakh in 1991.

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J&K GOVT TO SET UP UMTA FOR MANAGING TRAFFIC

Jammu, Jan 2 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to set up Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority for the better management and regulation of vehicular traffic in state's two capital cities and major towns.
"For regulation, coordination of several departments and smooth operation of vehicular traffic, J&K government has decided to setup Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) in the state," Minister for Transport Qmar Ali Akhoon.
He said the government has already setup a committee under Chief Secretary for this purpose.
UMTA would take care of coordinations of various transport departments, regulation and smooth operation of traffic in Jammu and Srinagar, besides other major towns in the state.
Akhoon appealed to the youth to obey traffic rules and educate their family members and neighbours to follow the instructions.
He said traffic rules will be strictly implemented for the safety of commuters as well as drivers.

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OVER 7000 PEOPLE KILLED IN J&K VIOLENCE IN LAST 10 YEARS

New Delhi. Jan 01 (Only Kashmir): A total of 7,031 civilians and security force personnel have lost their lives due to violence in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 10 years.
"4,812 civilians and 2,219 security force personnel have lost their lives since 2001 to August 2010 in Jammu and Kashmir," the Home Ministry said in reply to an RTI query.
Many areas of J-K have witnessed several incidents of violence in terms of stone pelting, violent protests, encounters with armed terrorists and terror attacks in the recent past resulting in death of and injuries to civilians and securitymen.
"Law and order is a state subject and measures are taken by the Jammu and Kashmir government to maintain peace and public order," the Home Ministry said.
Exercising his Right to Information, Ashwini Shrivastava had asked the Ministry to give details of casualties due to stone pelting and terror or infiltration attempts by the terrorists since 2001 to till date.
The Ministry declined to share reports citing Section 8 (a) of the RTI Act which bars disclosure (of information) which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence.

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TWO ARMY MEN KILLED IN ENCOUNTER IN RAMBAN

Jammu Jan 01 (Only Kashmir): Two Army jawans were killed by militants during an operation in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu Two Army jawans were killed by militants during an operation in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mohmmad Sharief and Mohmmad Khalil of 163 Territorial Army Battalion had gone for a specific operation in Khora-Baghpora area in Bhimdasa belt of Gool tehsil in Ramban district today, Public Relation Officer, Ministry of Defence (MOD), Lt Col Biplav Nathan said.
During the operation, the duo were killed by militants, he said adding both the bodies have been recovered from the area.

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WADOO NAMED FOR 2011 LOIN AWARD

Srinagar, Jan 01 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir chapter of All India Boys Scouts has named ace Kashmiri footballer Mehraj-ud-Din Wadoo, who will be representing India at the Asian Cup football tournament in Qatar, for the 2011 Lion Award.

The executive committee of J&K Scouts and Guides Association, an affiliate of All India Boys Scouts, said Wadoo brought "international prestige" to the sports fraternity of the state.
"The news of Wadoo's selection in the Indian squad for Asian Cup has made the Jammu and Kashmir state proud. All India Boys Scouts, J&K Chapter, has decided to honour Wadoo with 2011 Lion award for his contribution to football," the Association said in a statement.
Wadoo was selected in the 23-member Indian squad for Asia Cup 2011 which is scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar from January 7.
Wadoo, who hails from south Kashmir, plays as a midfielder.

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533 GUESTS FROM POK WHILE 222 KASHMIRIS VISITED OTHER SIDE IN 2010

Srinagar, Dec 31 (Only Kashmir) : Against 553 guests from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), only 222 Kashmiris could cross over to other side of the Line of Control (LoC) in 2010.
This was mainly because of the delay by the Pakistan government in clearing the names of residents of this side.
The Karvan-e-Aman bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, capital of PoK, was started to help the families divided in 1947 to meet each other.
However, both the Indian and Pakistan governments had agreed to allow the travel of residents of PoK and Kashmir on permits instead of International permit.
Both the governments had also agreed that no person would be allowed to travel without clearance from both the sides.
Official sources said if a person applies for a permit in Kashmir, his or her documents would be forwarded to Pakistan for clearance. Similarly PoK residents had to get clearance from this side before undertaking journey to Kashmir, they said.
The Pakistan and Indian governments agreed that only residents of PoK and Jammu and Kashmir could visit through this route.
However, it took months to receive clearance or rejection from the Pakistan government, they said adding in some cases there was no reply.
The fortnight service was started when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flagged off the first bus from here on April 7, 2005 in presence of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed despite threats by militant organisation, who were opposing it.
A day before the first bus travelled to PoK, militants carried out fidayeen attack on Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), where the passengers of first bus were put up.
However, it was made weekly from October 2008 when the Centre allowed trade between the two parts.

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MOST 10 POPULAR PERSONALITIES OF KASHMIR IN 2010

Only Kashmir Exclusive:
1. Tufail Matoo (24%)
2. Syed Ali Geelani (15%)
3. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq(14%)
4. Masrat Aalam(11%)
5. Dr Shah Faisal(10%)
6. Abdul Ahad Jan(9%)
7. Umar Abdullah(8%)
8. Zahid Farooq(5%)
9. S.M.Sahia(3%)
10. Yasin Malik (1%)

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GORY KASHMIR PICTURE-2010

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