KASHMIR DISPUTE CAN SPARK N-WAR: WATOO

Islamabad Dec 03 (Only Kashmir): – Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo Thursday warned that the Kashmir dispute required attention by the international community, and in case of any failure to resolve the issue, atomic war between Pakistan and India could not be ruled out.
During a meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee on Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan at the Parliament House, Wattoo said Pakistan and the whole world were perturbed over the prevailing situation in the Occupied Valley.
He said the latest indigenous movement had received attention of the world, especially the European countries, adding the New Delhi should stop committing the gruesome violations of human rights.
Talking about the economic potential of the region, he said G-B had a potential of producing 40,000MW while the country was experiencing a shortfall of only 5,000MW. The meeting was also informed that the federal govt was providing 100,000 tons of wheat to the people of G-B at subsidised rates.
The MPs were told that wheat was stocked by the end of October every year, to ensure sufficient supply during the winter season.
The committee directed the quarters concerned to avoid wheat shortage even in the remote areas.

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400 MILITANTS STILL IN VALLEY: POLICE

Srinagar Dec 03 (Only Kashmir): Over 400 militants are active in Jammu and Kashmir and using hit-and-run tactics to carry out subversive activities in the state, senior police officials said here.
"The militants come from other parts of the Valley, strike in the city and go back," Kashmir Inspector General of Police Shiv Murari Sahai said.
Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda had recently said there are 400 to 450 militants active in the state with nearly 100 ultras, who have sneaked into the state from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) during the current year.
Sahai said that the ultras are using hit-and-run tactics to carry out subversive activities in Srinagar before returning to their hideouts outside the city.
The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed three major encounters between militants and security forces this year but none of the eight militants killed in these gunfights belonged to Srinagar, he said.
The brief shootout at Qamarwari earlier this week, in which three local militants were killed, was the first gunfight between the security forces and ultras in the city.
Police had identified one of the slain militant as a resident of north Kashmir's Bandipora district and the two others from Sopore town.
In October, a fierce gunbattle took place between three holed-up militants and security forces in Maloora locality on the outskirts of Srinagar. The three killed militants could not be identified but were believed to have travelled from north Kashmir's Bandipora district.
The north Kashmir districts of Bandipora, Kupwara and Baramulla have seen heightened militant activity this year.
The police officials said there can be around 150 militants operating in the region, which borders the Line of Control.
"There are around 140 to 150 militants in north Kashmir and these are conservative estimates," Sahai said.
A senior police officer on duty in north Kashmir said the region is "flooded" with militants.
He, however, said the exact number of militants could not be known as they frequently move from one district to another and use multiple names to throw the security agencies off the track.
Most of the militants active in north Kashmir belong to Lashkar-e-Toiba, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

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KASHMIR PRESS ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS HELD TODAY

Srinagar Dec 02 (Only Kashmir): In the keenly contested elections of Kashmir Press Association held at Khidmat Complex Srinagar, on 2nd December, 2010, Ghulam Hassan Kaloo, Editor Mirror of Kashmir, got elected as President unopposed .while Syed Vajeh AhmadAndrabi,Editor Barge-Chinar emerged victorious for the post of General Secretary .He bagged 25 votes out of 62 votes polled .His nearest Rival candidates for the said post -Abdul Rashid Rahi and AbdulRashid Rahil bagged 15 and 22 votes respectively.
For the post of the Organizer, Mohammad Iqbal Wani emerged victorious by Bagging 35 votes out of the 61 votes polled. His only rival candidate for the post-Abdul Rashid Tantray could manage only 26 votes.
For the post of the Treasurer, Ashiq Hussain Mir, Editor Vyeth emerged Victorious as he got 32 out of the 61 votes polled, while his Rival candidate Dr Rafi bagged 29 votes.
A total of 62 members cast their votes out of 67 and thus the voting Percentage touched a high of 92.53. Miss Jasbeer Kaur, Editor Weekly JehlumPost, the only woman member of Kashmir Press Association also exercised her franchise.
The election was smoothly and fairly conducted by the Election Commission, comprising of 1)Abdul Rashid Kabli 2)Hasan Sahu 3)NazirAhmad Makhdoomi 4)Shahid Badgami 5) MuhammadYousuf Quershi and Ghulam Nabi Noorani acted as Chief Election Commissioner.
It is worth mentioning here that in an important development related to the elections of Kashmir Press Association (The highest Body Representing Media Fraternity of Kashmir Valley), Ghulam Hassan Kaloo had already been re-elected as President on 30thNovember, 2010, for the another term of three years, but on the last day of Submission of forms for the elections of KPA, no nominations were filed against Ghulam Hassan Kaloo, while a total of nine forms were Filed for the election of other three posts-General Secretary, Treasurer and Organizer.

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KASHMIRI MOVEMENT IS TOTALLY INDIGENOUS: MIRWAIZ

The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference was given a rousing welcome in Srinagar at his arrival from New Delhi.

Srinagar, Dec 01 (Only Kashmir): The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that the Kashmiris’ struggle for securing their right to self-determination is totally indigenous.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, today, the APHC Chairman said, the indigenous character of the movement is fully recognized by the people in India and this development has caused frustration to the Indian rulers and Hindu extremists.
He maintained that the voice of Kashmiri people could not be suppressed by hooliganism and force. The dispute, he added, is of political nature and the APHC is ready to resolve it through negotiations.
Earlier, the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference was given a rousing welcome in Srinagar at his arrival from New Delhi. A large number of APHC activists, despite the heavy presence of Indian troops, received the Mirwaiz at Srinagar airport and took him in a motorcade to the Hurriyat headquarters at Rajbagh. They raised full-throated anti-India and pro-liberation slogans.

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LUNG CANCER CASES ON RISE IN THE KASHMIR

Srinagar Nov 30 (Only Kashmir):Smoking has taken its toll among the males in the Kashmir Valley with the highest number of lung cancer cases being reported in the state so far this year.
Till October this year, 316 cases of lung cancer have been registeredd at SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS). There were 363 cases reported in 2009 and the number of such patients was 265 in 2008.
This year the number of lung cancer cases registered at SKIMS, the main oncology facility in the Valley, was a record high and surpassed the number of esophageal cancer cases which was previously the most common cancer here.
More than 7,000 cancer patients registered at SKIMS in last three years who suffer from among 80 variants of the disease, around 1000 patients had developed lung cancer with nearly 900 cases blamed on smoking.
"Lung cancer is mostly caused by smoking, all types of smoking, but 90% lung cancer cases are caused by cigarettes," Dr Maqbool Lone, head of the Oncology department, said.
Since smoking is more prevalent among the men here, it is they who suffer the most. The statistics of last three years show that among the two, majority of the cancer cases are male patients.
In 2008, the number of cancer patients registered here were 1,467 against 922 female patients. In 2009, the number of male patients suffering from cancer were 1,705 compared to 1,168 female patients. So far this year, 1285 males have been confirmed of the disease as against 822 women patients.
Apart from smoking, dietary habits of Kashmiris are another reason for the growing number of cancer cases.
Lone said pickles, which are not preserved properly, very hot tea and the sun-dried vegetables meant for consumption during the harsh winters in the valley, can also cause this cancer.
He said one of the causes of breast cancer, which is on rise in the valley with 148 cases in 2008, 162 cases in 2009 and 132 cases registered till this October end, is also poor dietary habits in the valley.
"Even though we produce lots of fruits, most of it is exported and not consumed here. That is also a problem because eating fresh fruits and vegetables decrease the chances of cancer," Dr Syed Ashiq H Naqshbandi, vice-chairman of Cancer Society of Kashmir, said.

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17 YEARS OLD PATTAN BOY SUCCUMBS

Srinagar, Nov 30 (Only Kashmir): Massive protests rocked Wanigam area of Pattan after dead body of a 17-year-old student, Tariq Ahmad Kumar, who was deliberately hit and critically injured by a speedy Indian army vehicle on Thursday, was brought to his native place.
Tariq, a 12th class student, was hit by an army vehicle on November 25 when he was talking to one of his friends on the roadside at Khambiar Maud in Pattan. While his friend sustained minor bruises, Tariq was shifted to Soura hospital in Srinagar with major injuries. After battling for life for five days, Tariq succumbed to his injuries at the hospital on Monday.
As the body of the martyred student reached the area, people took to the streets and staged anti-India demonstrations. They demanded punishment to the killers.

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4 PERSONS INCLUDING ONE POLICEMAN KILLED IN ENCOUNTER

Srinagar, Nov 29 (Only Kashmir): Indian troops, in their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred three more innocent Kashmiri youth in a shoot out in Srinagar city, today. The troops martyred the youth in a vindictive operation after a policeman was killed in an attack in Qamarwari area of the city, this afternoon.
The area has been sealed off and search operations are on.

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DELHI COURT ORDERS FOR FIR AGAINST GEELANI & ARUNDHATI

New Delhi, Nov 27 (Only Kashmir): A New Delhi Court on Saturday ordered Delhi Police to register an FIR against veteran Hurriyet leader Syed Ali Geelani, renowned writer Arundhati Roy and five others for allegedly making 'anti-India' speeches during a seminar here on October 21.

Sushil Pandit, the complainant in the case, had filed a complaint on October 28 at Tilak Marg police station against Syed Ali Geelani, Arundhati Roy, and others, and demanded that a First Information Report be registered for their alleged anti-India speeces at a seminar titled 'Azadi - the only Way' here.
According to the order by Patiala House district court, the others against whom the FIR is to be registered include Delhi University professor, S.A.R. Geelani, who was acquitted in 2001 parliament attack case, and Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a professor of the Jammu and Kashmir University.

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KASHMIR STONE PELTERS HAVE LINKS WITH LASHKAR-E-TOIBA: POLICE

Srinagar Nov 27 (Only Kashmir): S.M. Sahai, Inspector General of Kashmir Police (IGP), Friday evening also told the media here that protests during the past five months were not spontaneous and "were masterminded by terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba".
"Sixty-odd government employees have been arrested by the police for their involvement in stone pelting incidents," he said.
The IGP disclosed that seven of the arrested government employees have been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
"Police have also sent recommendations about the involved government employees to their respective departments and we hope disciplinary action would be taken against them," Sahai said.
He said some timber smugglers and criminals had taken advantage of the recent unrest in the valley as the attention of the police had remained focused on law and order during this period.
Asserting that "protests during the last five months were not spontaneous," Sahai said: "These were masterminded by the terror outfit LeT."
"Investigations reveal the agitation was increasingly a thoughtful plan carried out by the LeT," Sahai said.
To support his stand, the IGP said a module of grenade throwers had been busted by the police in Batmaloo area of Srinagar city, and those involved in stone pelting incidents had a nexus with the LeT.
"There is also a nexus between the separatist leaders and the LeT."
"Recently we arrested the tehsil sadder of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (Syed Ali Geelani's separatist party). His telephonic conversation with LeT commander Furqaan reveals he was linked to the outfit."
The IGP said militancy related incidents had started increasing as stone pelting incidents had started coming down in the Valley.

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INDIAN CIVIL SOCIETY DENOUNCES ATTACK ON MIRWAIZ

Srinagar, Nov 26 (Only Kashmir): A group of Indian civil society has strongly condemned the attack on APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was heckled and roughed up at a seminar in Chandigrah on Thursday by hooligans of a Hindu extremist organisation, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
The Indian civil society group in a statement termed the attack undemocratic and an activity of anti-social and fascist elements. “This is a violation of human rights and an attack on the democratic norms,” it said.
The Indian civil society members said that they fully appreciated and endorsed the efforts of pro-liberation leaders to reach out to the people in India to discuss the Kashmir dispute and establish a sustained process of dialogue and understanding
Demanding Indian government to establish special investigation team to punish the individuals and organizations involved in the criminal act, they urged the civil society groups all over India to invite pro-freedom leaders to their cities and also enable people from different parts of the country to visit the occupied territory to promote better understanding about the longstanding dispute which would eventually lead to its resolution.
The Civil society members who denounced the attack included Swamy Agnivesh, Admiral Ramdas, Mazher Hussain, Mahesh Bhat, Mohini Giri, Kamala Bhasin, P.V. Raja Gopal, Jatin Desai and Sandeep Pandey.
Meanwhile, the Head of Dal Khalsa Amritsar, H S Dhami, in a statement said that the assault was planned with the connivance of the state authorities to deter the resolve of the real Kashmiri leadership in reaching out to Indian civil society to muster the support for their just cause.
On the other hand, the President of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Forum, Pandit Bhushan Bazaz in a statement in Jammu also denounced the attack on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

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I AM NOT HURT WITH THE INCIDENT OCCURED WITH ME: MIRWAIZ

Chandigarh Nov 26 (Only Kashmir): Hurriyat Conference chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was roughed up at a seminar here Thursday, said he was not hurt and appealed to people to resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue.
Mirwaiz was attacked by displaced Kashmiri Pandits and right-wing Hindu activists who objected to his anti-India comments at the seminar.
"I am not hurt. I am totally fine. We were sitting here to discuss things. If they had something to share, then they could raise the issue and it can be debated. For every problem there is a solution and it was the main aim of this round table conference," Mirwaiz said.
"I cannot comment on anything about the security arrangements as it is the duty of the organisers. But here in Chandigarh, I am quite satisfied with the security part. See, you cannot stop anybody if he is coming with some wrong intentions," he added.
At least a couple of protestors jumped on the conference table and attacked him. He was sharing the dias with leaders of other political parties, including the general secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal Prem Singh Chandumajra.
The organisers immediately jumped in to save Mirwaiz. There was total chaos inside the hall for close to 30 minutes as the protestors shouted slogans against Mirwaiz, Hurriyat Conference and Pakistan.
The police later detained 20 activists, including some women.
Even after the seminar concluded, police had a tough time escorting Mirwaiz to his car. A police Gypsy escorted his car.
"There are many forces that are trying to mislead people but we will continue our efforts. People of India have big stake in the issue of Kashmir and they have to come up to solve this problem. We would go to various places and present the real picture of Kashmir," he said.
"It is our conscious decision to disseminte knowledge about our movement and about the probems of Kashmir all across the country. We have started it from Chandigarh and I am happy with the response. From here, I would travel in different parts of the country," he said.
Mirwaiz also attacked the Jammu and Kashmir government.
"Half-hearted steps of the state government would not take us anywhere. We need a comprehensive plan to create a conducive environment to solve the Kashmir problem. On one side, chief minister is giving positive statements but on the other, they continue arresting, detaining and killing people. These things are totally contradictory. One thing should be very clear that killings and dialogues don't go hand in hand," he said.
Mirwaiz said Pakistan was also a part of the Kashmir problem.
"It is a fact that Kashmir is a dispute and we all have to be together to address it. We have to take care of the aspirations of Kashmiri people and it is totally wrong to give this issue a Pakistani colour. Pakistan is also the part of this problem. We have to involve people of both Pakistan and India while finding a solution," he said.
Talking about resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits in the valley, Mirwaiz said: "Kashmiri Pandits are part and parcel of our society but their return to the valley is a different issue than our problems. We also want them to return. Currently 9,000 Kashmiri pandit families are staying along with their Muslim brothers."

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AWAMI NATIONAL CONFERENCE CONDEMN ATTACK ON MIRWAIZ

Srinagar Nov 25 (Only Kashmir): Mr. Muzaffar Shah, Sr. Vice President, Awami National Conference has condemned the brutal attack on Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq in a seminar at Chandigarh. He further said that in a civilized society and a democratic set up such acts are highly condemnable and all opinions must be heard and debated, as dialogue is the only way out.
He cautioned that such disruptive elements should be booked and severe punishment meted out to them who don't want dialogue to proceed further. Castigating the UT government of Chandigarh he said that it was their prime duty to prevent such dastardly acts and ensure safety of all the participants of the seminar.
The Chandigarh administration should have made preventive arrangements in light of a similar attack on a seminar at Delhi, which also stands condemned by ANC.

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1000 CRPF PERSONNEL, 10 MORE BUNKERS TO GO FROM SRINAGAR

Jammu Nov 25 (Only Kashmir): In a major decision, Jammu and Kashmir Government today ordered withdrawal of nearly 1000 CRPF personnel from Srinagar town besides removal of 10 more bunkers as part of its peace initiative to make life easy for the people of the state.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cleared the proposal this evening after assessing the law and order situation in the Valley, which has seen a violent summer this year, official sources said here.
According to the sources, 10 more bunkers will be removed from Srinagar city raising the number of bunkers removed to 26 since October five.
A plan had been worked out by the local police with the CRPF in consultations with the security agencies for withdrawal of one battalion of the CRPF (1000 personnel) from the city, a move which is seen in tandem with the Chief Minister's promise of reducing foot prints of security personnel in the civilian population if there was an improvement in the situation.
Earlier, as per the decision of the unified headquarters, 16 bunkers were to be removed.
The CRPF has been assisting the state police in maintenance of law and order in Srinagar and other towns and its personnel are manning the bunkers dotting the city.
The Centre had also requested the state government to review the deployment of security forces in Kashmir Valley with particular reference to descaling the number of bunkers and check-points in Srinagar and other towns, and to review the notification of areas as 'disturbed areas'.

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CHANDHIGARH INCIDENT AIMED TO CREAT COMMUNAL WEDGE IN KASHMIR: KPSS

Srinagar, Nov 25 (Only Kashmir): Kashmiri Pandit Sangarash Samiti (KPSS) has condemned the act committed by some right wing Hindu groups in Chandhigarh under the KP banner to widen the gap between Kashmiri communities.
In a statement Sanjay K Tickoo, President of KPSS, said the role of UT government and the organizers should also be put under scanner who allowed the people to instigate the situation that can lead to more damage in Kashmir Valley.
“In 2008, during Shri Amarnath land row, when so called Indian mechanism failed to protect the rights and lives of minorities in the Valley from the un-scrupulous elements, it was Syed Ali Shah Geelani, , Mirwaiz UmarFarooq and other Hurriyat leaders who provided sigh of relief to the minorities living in Kashmir by showing concern and sending their cadre to protect the minorities whenever needed,”.
Whatever the political or religious ideologies Syed Ali Shah Geelani or Mirwaiz and other pro freedom leaders belong to, they always extended the helping hand to the minorities in the hour of need,” he said.
KPSS believes that India as per the constitution possesses a mature democracy, which is gifted with gripping political dissents and diverse viewpoints, and everyone should be allowed to use this opportunity. Also, every one has the right to accept or reject any body’s views, which is also an intrinsic part of democracy but the difference of opinion must be decent, civil and democratic.
KPSS expresses concern over such incidents which are becoming a norm in India whose leaders have always spelt democracy backwards and forwards suiting their immediate concerns. Tickoo said that it was the duty of government over there to provide security to Hurriyat leaders as such events are always the playground of unscrupulous elements whose main aim in life seems disruption only. He wondered why the security was so loose that a group of hooligans managed the entry into the police cordon and indulged in uncivil and un democratic behavior in a seminar where intellectual debate was taking place.” Has the hooliganism become the new form of ‘governance and administration in India”, he questioned. He questioned the motives of the elements who resort to hooliganism instead of debate to voice their views. “These elements have always worked for the disintegration of society in India while falsely projecting themselves as the ‘Heroes’. They are the real cowards who fear the debate and hide their cowardice behind their aggressive and indecent activities.
“It is a humble submission to the local people of valley that they should always try to avoid the negative forces statements/actions which unnecessarily give opportunity to those forces which are bent upon disturbing already isolated Kashmiri society.
Meanwhile Police said that Mirwaiz UmarFarooq is completely safe The rumor that Mirwaiz has got injured at a function in Chandigarh is totally false. The miscreants have been arrested. Meanwhile Police said that Mirwaiz UmarFarooq is completely safe The rumor that Mirwaiz has got injured at a function in Chandigarh is totally false. The miscreants have been arrested.

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RSS HOOLIGANS ATTACK MIRWAIZ IN CHANDIGARH

Chandigarh, Nov 25 (Only Kashmir): The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was attacked by the hoodlums of the Hindu communal organisation, Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh in Chandigarh, today, during a seminar on Kashmir and Pak-India relations.
The attackers barged onto the stage, where Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had just started his speech and snatched mike before him.
They subjected the APHC Chairman to physical assault.
It may be mentioned here that the hooligans of Hindu extremist organizations had earlier attacked veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani, and senior APHC leader, Shabbir Ahmad Shah. APHC and other pro-freedom parties have strongly condemned the attack on Mirwaiz.

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WORLD REALIZES URGENCY OF KASHMIR SETTLEMENT: MIRWAIZ

Srinagar, Nov 20 Only Kashmir: All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that due to unparalleled sacrifices of the Kashmiri people the international community has realized the urgency of resolving the Kashmir dispute.
The APHC Chairman addressing a press conference at his Nigeen residence in Srinagar, today, termed his continued house arrest as the worst form of political vendetta. He pointed out that after snatching political rights of the people, the puppet administration, under a conspiracy, was now preventing them from offering their religious obligations, which was condemnable. The Mirwaiz appealed to the Organization of Islamic Conference to discharge its obligations towards the Kashmiri Muslims.

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EID MUBARAQ

Only Kashmir wishes all its reader a happy and prosperous Eid. May this Eid bring Peace and Prosperity to the whole world on general and to the people of Kashmir Particular.

Eid Mubaraq

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KASHMIR STILL IN DISPUTE LIST UNDER UN

United Nations, Nov 17 : The Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains on the United Nations Security Council’s agenda, a UN spokesman categorically stated Monday, while rejecting as “inaccurate” reports that it has been removed from the list of unresolved issues.“Some articles today on Kashmir are inaccurate,” UN Spokesman Farhan Haq said, referring to those reports. He said the latest list of matters the Security Council is seized of “continues to include the agenda item under which the Council has taken up Kashmir which, by a decision of the Council, remains on the list for this year,” the spokesman added.
Earlier, a spokesman for the Pakistan Mission clarified that Pakistan’s Acting Ambassador Amjad Hussain Sial, in his speech to the General Assembly on Friday, November 12 had referred to the omission of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in a statement by the President of the Security Council, and NOT from the Council’s Annual Report-as reported in a section of press.
“The agenda item entitled, ‘India and Pakistan Question’, which covers Jammu and Kashmir dispute, is duly mentioned in the Annual Report of the Security Council and is also present on its agenda,” Spokesman Mian
Jehangir Iqbal said in a statement. In his statement, the 15-member Council’s President for the current month, British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant, while presenting the Annual Report to the 192-member assembly, did not mention the Kashmir dispute in the context of unresolved long-running situations, despite the fact decades-old issue is included in the Annual Report.
“We understand this was an inadvertent omission, as Jammu and Kashmir is one of the oldest disputes on agenda of the Security Council,” Ambassador Sial remarked, after Grant’s statement.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon, who is on a visit to Pakistan, said there was no question of the Kashmir issue being dropped from the Council’s agenda. “The Security Council Report in its annexures is explicit,” he said in a statement.
“The President of the Security Council, the Permanent Representative of the UK, is amply clear on the subject and is cognizant of the matter. I would request all concerned not to speculate unnecessarily upon the subject”.

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HURRIYAT (G) WARNS AGAINST GEELANI HOUSE ARREST

Srinagar Nov 17 (Only Kashmir): While Syed Ali Shah Geelani remained under house arrest, the amalgam Tuesday threatened serious repercussions in case the chairman was not allowed to offer Eid prayers tomorrow.
Hurriyat (G) spokesman, Ayaz Akbar told Press Bureau of India that Geelani would be offering prayers at Hazratbal. “In case the government doesn’t allow him to offer prayers, it would have to face serious repercussions,” Akbar warned.
He also condemned the continued house arrest of Geelani and accused the government of infringing his religious rights by barring him from offering Friday prayers. Akbar also condemned the raids on the houses of Hurriyat (G) office secretary, Mohammad Abdullah Sheikh and Geelani’s driver, Ishar Ahmad. He also condemned government cold-shoulder to court orders. “By refusing to release Hurriyat (G) leaders, Mir Hafizullah, Moulvi Bashir and Mohammad Rafiq Ganai despite court order, government is contradicting its talk of releasing political detainees.”

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KASHMIR IS INDIA'S INTERNAL ISSUE: US ENVOY

New Delhi Nov 16 (Only Kashmir): With Kashmir reportedly being excluded from the UN list of unresolved disputes, the US said it was an "internal issue" of India and should be resolved bilaterally through negotiations with Pakistan.
"This is an internal issue for India. It is a bilateral issue between Pakistan and India, to discuss term, scope, character and pace," US Ambassador Timothy Roemer said.
He was asked to comment on UN excluding Kashmir from list of unresolved international issues.
"The (US) President (Barack Obama), I think was very articulate on this issue of Kashmir. This is an internal issue for India," he said on the sidelines of a function here.
Roemer noted that during his visit, Obama had said that he encouraged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and people of India to engage with the government and people of Pakistan.
He underlined that whenever India and Pakistan talk, it will be at the "pace and character" of the two countries.
On Obama announcing support for India's bid for permanent UNSC membership, he said the US will now work to realise the promise.
"We are very proud about President's announcement that he is unequivocally and fervently in favour of India having a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations. It was one of the many highlights of (his) visit to India..We will be working to see that happen," Roemer said.

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