Silent migration of students to outside educational institutions

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 29: Incessant protests and shutdowns coupled with curfews and restrictions in the Kashmir valley for the last 79 days have forced many parents to send their wards out of the state for continuing their studies.

According to reliable sources, over 200 students of Delhi Public School (DPS) Srinagar flew to New Delhi in two flights this afternoon.

“A group of 240 students of DPS left for Delhi today,” sources said. “They were students of class 10th and 12th, and were accompanied by their parents and relatives.”

Kashmir has been reeling under unprecedented spell of unrest for the last 79 days, leaving 64 civilian dead and over a hundred maimed for life.

The ongoing agitation has hit the education sector, particularly government institutes, hard. Some well-known private schools had opted for e-teaching to make up the loss, however, students of government schools are most affected.

“The privileged class can send their wards out of the state and arrange for their special classes because they have the resources, but the poor always suffer the most,” said a political analyst. “The organisers of the ‘movement’ must be urged to increase tutoring throughout neighbourhoods. Public school teachers should do their civic duty and go to neighbourhoods.”

The DPS students, sources said, have migrated for two months to New Delhi where they would complete their syllabus and appear in upcoming examinations.

“They were carrying bags filled with books and clothes,” sources said.

In the wake of prolonged strikes, valley-based schools had taken various initiatives to prepare students for approaching examinations. DPS had uploaded lessons and assignments on its website, while Tyndale Biscoe School had asked parents to collect home assignments for their wards from the school.

Pertinently, minister for school education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, has been ad nauseam claiming that most of the schools in villages of Kashmir were functional.

“Students living in Srinagar city and some main towns of the Valley have suffered academic losses. However, 90 per cent schools are functioning in all villages,” Peerzada had said.

However, going by the ground assessment the minister’s claim seems just another attempt to undermine the gravity of the situation. The minister’s audacious claim was ironically belied by the officials of his own department, who termed the statement as “blatant lie”.

Significantly, there are reportedly 13 lakh students enrolled in about 13,000 schools in the valley.

Peerzada’s repeated pleas to parents to send their wards to schools have not made any impact as the schools continue to be closed in the wake of shut down calls, protests and curfews.

To make up for the academic loss, most of the educated youth of the valley, including some government teachers, have started special teaching academies in their respective villages and towns to help students to complete their syllabus and prepare them for upcoming examinations.

The shutdowns and curfews had forced the closure of schools in early 1990s during the heydays of militancy.

Your heart may be beating for India, hearts of Kashmiris beat for Azadi: Geelani tells Farooq

* Dares him to come to Lal Chowk and utter same words before common Kashmiris

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 27: Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference (G) today asked Farooq to come to Lal Chowk and dare to speak in the same language in which he spoke in Lok Sabha during a debate on the unrest in Kashmir yesterday.

“If Farooq’s statement holds any water then why is India shying away from holding referendum in Kashmir,” said chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani while addressing a meeting of Majlis-e Shura of the conglomerate.

Union minister and National Conference president, Farooq Abdullah, had asserted that most people of the state wanted to be with India.

Geelani said that the basic demand of the conglomerate was that Kashmiris should be given the right to decide their future.

“I wonder if Farooq thinks that most people of the state want to be with India then what holds New Delhi back from holding referendum in the state,” he said.

He said that implementation of United Nations (UN) resolutions was one of the easiest and democratic solutions to the Kashmir imbroglio.

The meeting, which was held at Geelani’s Hyderpora residence, was attended by representatives of all constituents of the conglomerate. The marathon meeting discussed all aspects of the ongoing agitation and the conglomerate’s future strategies.

“Instead of speaking about Kashmir, he (Farooq) should be more concerned about his family’s wellbeing,” the octogenarian leader said. “It’s high time he understands that the land of Kashmir is slipping below his feet.”

He said that situation had become so hostile for Farooq’s son and chief minister, Omar Abdullah that he was not able to cover a distance from his Gupkar residence to SKIMS Soura by road, and he had to fly to SKIMS to avoid road journey.

“When he landed at SKIMS, he was heckled by a handful of people present there,” he said.

The Hurriyat Conference (G) challenged the senior Abdullah to come to Lal Chowk to gauge the amount of public anger, and then give lecture in the Parliament.

“Farooq’s heart may be beating for India, but hearts of hundreds and thousands of youth and children in Kashmir beat for Azadi,” he said.

Meanwhile, Majlis-e Shura has urged people to observe Shab-e Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr in a very simple manner.

The meeting also urged bakers not to prepare bakeries for Eid-ul-Fitr. Similarly, butchers have also been asked to slaughter only required number of sheep and goats.

Meanwhile, Dukhtaran-e Millat chairperson, Asiya Andrabi, also condemned Farooq’s remarks and said that he was trying to please his masters in New Delhi.

“His (Farooq’s) remark that Kashmiris want autonomy is nothing but a bundle of lies,” she said. “By saying this he is only betraying himself.”

She said that the only demand of old and youth of Kashmir was that Kashmir should be freed from “Indian occupation”.

“Farooq’s assertion that India was in the hearts of Kashmiris may be true for his own household, but sacrifices of Kashmiris prove that they consider India as their enemy,” she said.

Yaseen Malik released after 3 months

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 25: Chairman JKLF, Muhammad Yaseen Malik, was released this afternoon after three months long detention. The ailing separatist leader was arrested on June 18 this year after his party launched Jail bharo (fill the jail) campaign, and shifted to central jail here.

After he was released on bail on July 4, Yaseen was rearrested from his Maisuma residence on July 5 by a police party during a nocturnal raid. He was shifted to Kothibagh jail.

“I was dropped at home by SHO Maisuma police station at around 3PM today,” Yasin told Kashmir Times after his release.

Yaseen had not been keeping well in jail. His cholesterol level had considerably risen, and had developed kidney stones.

After Yaseen’s health deteriorated while he was in jail, he was taken to SKMS Soura. During a medical checkup at SKIMS, head of cardiology unit, Dr Khurshid Iqbal, advised shifting Yaseen to Delhi for urgent treatment.

Doctors at SKIMS had feared that gradient of Yaseen’s artificial heart valve, implanted 18 years ago, might have developed problems, and that the prompt treatment was crucial for his life.

Yaseen was shifted to Delhi’s Escorts Heart Institute, where he remained for 12 days.

“I was accompanied by second SHO Kothibagh police station, Delhi police personnel to Delhi,” he said.

Condemning the recent spate of civilian killings in the valley, Yaseen said that his party has convened a special session of its members on Friday to discuss the present unrest

“Blood of youth and children is being spilled on the streets of Kashmir. It’s very tragic and unfortunate,” he said. “JKLF has convened a meeting of its members on Friday to discuss the ongoing situation and chalk out future strategy.”

Pertinently, in a bid to restore peace in the grief-stricken valley of Kashmir, Omar Abdullah-led coalition government had contemplated release of all the incarcerated separatist leaders.

Senior separatist leader and chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, who was arrested in June, was released earlier this month.

Significantly, police have also arrested hundreds of youths and subsequently booked them under PSA in the last two months of unrest. In the last month alone, at least a dozen separatist leaders and activists were booked under PSA. Moreover, the police also invoked PSA against Kashmir Bar Association president, Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom and general GN Shaheen.

Pertinently, senior separatist leaders, Shabir Ahmad Shah and Nayeem Akhtar have been languishing in different jails in J&K for the last several months. Shah, who is presently detained in Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu, has been booked four times this year under the draconian law.

Geelani-led Hurriyat comes out with 11-day protest calendar

Boycott panchayat, municipal polls: Geelani

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 24: Syed Ali Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference today came up with yet another protest calendar, this time for 11 days, as part of the conglomerate’s “Quit Jammu Kashmir campaign”, even as the octogenarian separatist leader today urged the people of Kashmir to completely boycott local bodies election slated to be held this year.

According to the fresh protest calendar, people have been asked to observe complete shutdown on August 25, and stage peaceful sit-in protests from morning to late afternoon (Asr) prayers. The conglomerate has urged people to offer afternoon (Zuhr) and late afternoon (Asr) prayers in congregation on roads, besides organize Qunut-e-Nazilla, said a statement issued to the press here today.

On August 26, the conglomerate has asked people to observe complete strike to show solidarity with all those detained by police, and observe the day as “Youm-e Aseeran” (Day of detainees). The people would also offer special prayers for release of the detainees, the statement added.

There would be no strike on August 27. People have been asked to wear white dresses and offer prayers in their respective district headquarters.

On August 28, there would be complete shutdown and people have been asked to stage peaceful demonstrations. Special function would be organized in connection with Youm-e Badar on the day. The biggest function would be held in Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) Srinagar where chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani, would address the gathering.

Again on August 29, 30, and August 31, there would be complete shutdown amid peaceful protests. People have been asked to organize sit-in protests from morning to late afternoon (Asr) prayers. Afternoon (Zuhar) and late afternoon (Asr) prayers would be offered on roads besides offer Qunut-e-Nazilla. There would be relaxation in shutdowns from 5 PM to 7 AM.

The netizens have been asked to register their protests on social networking websites. Similarly, employees have been asked to deposit Rs 100 in local Baitul Maal (public treasury) on August 30.

There would be no strike on September 1. The day marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali Murtaza (as), Prophet (pbuh) Mohammad’s cousin and son-in-law.

There would be complete shutdown and peaceful protests on September 2. The day would be observed as “Youm-e Tahafuz Khawateen (Day of protect women). The conglomerate has asked womenfolk to march towards Ali Masjid Eidgah on the day.

There would be no strike on September 3, while Kashmiris living outside the state have been asked to stage protests on the day.

On September 4, there would be complete strike. The conglomerate has asked people to stage protest demonstrations after every prayer. There would be complete blackout from 7 PM to 8 PM, the statement said, adding that youth would voluntarily clean their respective localities on the day.

Meanwhile, senior separatist leader, Masarrta Alam, has endorsed the calendar.

Earlier, a meeting of Majlis-e Shoura of Hurriyat Conference (G) was today held under the chairmanship of Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, at his Hyderpora residence.

The meeting was attended by representatives of Tehreek-e Hurriyat, Muslim Conference, Democratic Political Moment, Mass Moment, People’s League, Tehreek-e Wahdat Islami, Employees Moment, Muslim Khwateen Markaz, and People’s Freedom League.

The meeting discussed various aspects of ongoing protest agitation and also discussed the conglomerate’s the future strategies.

Addressing the meeting, Geelani urged the people to completely boycott approaching Panchayat and Municipal elections.

“The policy makers at New Delhi are playing a dangerous game by toeing the same conventional line,” he said. “They want to hold elections at a time when blood of civilians has been spilled on the streets of valley and pro-freedom slogans are reverberating through out the valley.”

The blowing of bugle for civil body elections would add fuel to the fire, he said.

He accused New Delhi of trying to worsen the situation in Kashmir.

“Elections were held innumerable times in Kashmir, but they failed to improve the situation,” he said. “Kashmiris will no only accept the election which will be held under the auspices of United Nations where Kashmiris would be asked to choose their destiny.”

Geelani urged the people to observe Shab-e Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr in a very simple manner.

“It’s highly condemnable and unpleasant to adopt anti-Islamic methods and become a spendthrift at a time when the entire state is mourning the killings of innocent civilians and everyday people carry coffins of their beloved,” he said.

Meanwhile, the meeting also urged bakers not to prepare bakeries for Eid-ul-Fitr. Similarly, butchers have also been asked to slaughter only required number of sheep and goats.

The meeting also asked owners of private schools to charge fee-paying students only 50 per cent of school fee and 100 per cent discount on transport charges.

Appreciating the initiative taken by some educated youths of the valley to start academies in their areas, the meeting said that the academies should be started in every nook and corner of the valley.

CALENDER

Aug 25: Strike, protests

Aug 26: Shutdown; ‘Youm-e Aseeran’

Aug 27: No strike

Aug 28: Strike; ‘Youm-e Badar’

Aug 29, Aug 30, Aug 31: Strike, protests; Relaxation from 5 PM to 7 A

Sep 1: No strike

Sep 2: Strike; ‘Youm-e Tahfuz-e Khwateen’

Sep 3: No strike

Sep 4: Strike, protests; Blackout from 7PM to 8PM

Battered streets tell tales of conflict

Syed Ali Safvi

SRINAGAR, Aug 21: Shattered pieces of broken glass panes, remains of burnt tyres, wooden barriers, pebbles and brick pieces - lying scattered on the battered Srinagar streets - bear witness to the continued unrest that has left at least 62 civilians dead and maimed over a hundred for life.

The Srinagar city has been under siege for the last 72 days. A tour to this historic city gives an idea as to what has befallen the city and its dwellers.

Window panes of almost all the residential houses in downtown and uptown areas of Srinagar have been broken. The residents allege that CRPF men barge into their houses and smash window panes and thrash the inmates.

The window panes of the residential houses in Srinagar city and its adjoining areas have been covered with tin sheets, ply boards, card boards, blankets and curtains.

“Police and CRPF men pelt stones and smash window panes of our houses,” says a resident of Rajouri Kadal. “Instead of replacing the broken window panes, we have preferred to cover the windows with blankets or tin sheets.”

The city dwellers also allege that the men in uniform do not allow them to offer prayers in mosques.

“They (troops) don’t allow us to offer Fajr (morning) prayers,” said a resident of one f the valley’s most volatile areas, Nawhatta, often referred to as Kashmir’s Gaza strip.

He said that paramilitary CRPF men are deployed on the curfewed streets of Srinagar in the dead of night to restrict locals from coming out of their houses.

“CRPF personnel, patrolling the streets, thrash people going for mosques to offer prayers,” he added.

Residents of Habak, Batamaloo, Saida Kadal, and Rajouri Kadal allege that the paramilitary CRPF men had barged into residential house in the areas and looted television sets, gas cylinders.

“The troops went berserk and took away our valuable belongings,” said a resident of Saida Kadal.

The battered streets of Srinagar city speak volumes about the series of frequent clashes that have broken out between police and CRPF men and protestors, mainly youth, in the last 72 days.

At Nawhatta, pebbles and brick pieces are lying scattered along the roadside. There is also a half-burnt effigy lying almost unattended at Nawhatta chowk.

At Nala Marpalan, big cement pipes are laid on road to block vehicular traffic. Protestors have kept big rocks in the middle of the road at Saraf Kadal, Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal and Rawalpora.

At Janab Sahib Soura, debris of a ransacked CRPF bunker, evacuated yesterday, demonstrate the magnitude of anger among the protestors.

At HMT, roads, lanes and bylanes are dotted with stones, brick pieces, and burnt tyres.

At Bemina crossing, tree guards have been uprooted and kept on highway.

Left for prayers, brought back dead

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 20: A pall of gloom descended on Mudassir’s native district as soon as the word of his death spread in the area. Hundreds of people took to streets in the district and raised pro-freedom slogans.

Mudassir had sustained injuries when a patrolling party of paramilitary CRPF men 177 battalion had opened fire upon a group of youth at Hajjam Mohalla in Sopore town. Two bullets hit Mudassir in abdomen and chest. In critical condition, he was rushed to SKIMS where he succumbed to his injuries this morning.

Mudassir’s body was brought to his native village at around 3:30 PM today, and was kept in the compound of his house. Beating their chest, hundreds of women showered flowers and sweets on his body. The women applied Mehndi on his hands and bade him tearful adieu by singing traditional Kashmiri marriage songs.

Mudassir’s body was taken in a procession to Chanki Pora, where thousands of people offered his funeral prayer.

Mudassir, who was working with a private telecom, was finally laid to rest at local Martyrs’ graveyard in the evening amid pro-Islam and pro-freedom slogans.

Pertinently, Mudassir’s first cousin, Parvaiz Ahmad Hajam son of Ghulam Hassan of Hajjam Mohalla was also killed in CRPF firing on January 15, 2010.

Mudassir’s father, Nazir Ahmad, said that his son had left home for offering special Ramadan prayers (Taraveeh).

“Little did I know that his dead body will reach back home,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sopore police today registered a case Fir No 413/2010 under section 302 RPC against the CRPF men.

A police officer, while confirming the filing of murder case against CRPF 177 Battalion, said the Sopore police has initiated investigation into the killing.

Meanwhile, CRPF spokesman said that the protesting youth had pelted stones and broken glass bottles at CRPF 177 Battalion, injuring several CRPF men including an assistant commandant, SK Dass.

“CRPF men had to fire in self defense,” he said.

2 more shot dead, 200 injured as protests rage

No relaxation in curfew restrictions in 8 major towns of Kashmir

SYED ALI SAFVI / SHABIR-UL-HAQ

SRINAGAR/ANANTNAG, Aug 20: Two more persons fell to bullets of police and paramilitary CRPF men since last evening, even as curfew was clamped in eight major towns today as a precautionary measure. With the fresh deaths, the toll of civilians killed in police and CRPF action since June 11 has risen to 62 in the last 71 days.

Despite call for half-day relaxation in the weekly-protest programme given by Syed Ali Geelani Shah-led Hurriyat Conference, fresh protests erupted across length and breadth of the besieged valley of Kashmir. The ensuing clashes between protestors and the men in uniform left at least 200 persons injured, including assistant commander of CRPF and sub-inspector of police.

Eighteen-year-old, Mudassir Ahmad, son of Nazir Ahmad Hajam, who was critically injured in CRPF firing at Hajjam Mohalla of Sopore in Baramulla district yesterday evening succumbed to his injuries at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) here this morning.

According to reports, Mudassir sustained injuries when a patrolling party of paramilitary CRPF men 177 battalion, led by an assistant commandant, opened indiscriminate fire upon a group of youth at Hajjam Mohalla. Two bullets hit Mudassir in abdomen and chest. In critical condition, he was rushed to SKIMS where he succumbed to his injuries this morning.

“The teenager had suffered multiple injuries in the abdomen. His intestines were ruptured. The doctors operated upon him last night, but he did not survive. He died this morning,” Medical Superintendent of SKIMS, Syed Amin Tabish, was quoted by a local news agency as saying.

Sopore police has registered a case Fir No 413/2010 under section 302 RPC against the CRPF men.

Mudassir’s body was taken in a procession to Chanki Pora, where thousands of people offered his funeral prayer.

Mudassir, who was working with a private telecom, was finally laid to rest at local Martyrs’ graveyard in the evening amid pro-Islam and pro-freedom slogans.

Massive protests rocked New Colony, Arimpora, Batapora, Krala Teng, and Neharpora areas. At Takiabal in Sopore town, CRPF men fired rubber bullets on protestors, injuring Hafizullah Pandit, son of Mohammad Subhan, Kamran Ahmad, son of Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar of Naseer Abad, and Feroz Ahmad Malla, son of Mohammad Ashoor Malla of Chanki Pora.

In wake of the killing in Sopore, authorities had reimposed curfew in Baramulla town.
Police had laid concertina wire on all the three bridges connecting Baramulla with Srinagar. Police and CRPF men were heavily deployed in the area to restrict people from coming out on the roads. However, after offering Friday prayers, hundreds of protestors took to streets and attacked all the three bridges – Cement bridge, SRTC, and Azad bridge - forcing police and CRPF men to retract. The protestors threw the concertina wires in Jhelum river. Police and CRPF men swung into action and clashes erupted between protestors and the men in uniform. The clashes also took place at Main chowk, Tehsil Road, Faroqi point, Fire Service lane, Bus stand and other areas.

People at Bijbehara in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district took to streets early this morning and staged pro-freedom demonstrations.

Police and CRPF cane charged protestors to disperse them. However, the irate protestors retaliated and started pelting stones towards police and CRPF. After failing to quell the protestors, police and CRPF opened fire upon them, injuring Aquib Bashir son of Bashir Ahmad Ganai, who was shot in the shoulder. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

After the protests intensified, police and CRPF men again fired indiscriminately, killing 27-year-old Nazir Ahmad Wani son of Abdul Rehman Wani of Persha Mohalla in Bijbehara, on spot.

Police also thrashed several protestors, some of them severely, who were later admitted in sub-district hospital Bijbehara.

The announcement of Nazir’s death was made through loudspeakers of the mosques. The announcers asked the people to come out on streets to protest the killing. Thousands of people carried the body of Nazir to Jamia Masjid, where they offered his funeral prayers. Nazir was laid to rest in a nearby graveyard.

Nazir’s killing sparked fierce clashes between police, CRPF and protestors, mainly youth, who attacked police station Bijbehara and tried to torch it by throwing petrol bombs in its compound.

However, police and CRPF men swung into action and fired hundreds of rounds in air to disperse the angry youth.

Meanwhile, curfew was today lifted from Anantnag town as people resumed their work after seven days. However, pro-freedom rallies were carried out from Jamia Masjid Ahlihadith, Rehat-Ded mosque Lal Chowk and Jamia Masjid Hanfia, after Friday prayers. The processionists marched towards the house of Irshad Ahmad Latoo in S K colony, who was killed in CRPF firing on Saturday to express solidarity with his family.

In Mattan town, despite severe restrictions, people marched towards the house of slain youth, Muhammad Abass Dhobi, who succumbed to injuries after being severely thrashed by the CRPF men.

In Shopian town, people took to streets early this morning and organized massive pro-freedom demonstrations. The youth later entered into clashes with police and CRPF men who resorted to teargas shelling and baton charging, injuring several protestors. Police fired rubber bullets to quell the protesters.

Three youth, namely Riyaz Ahmad Malik, Bilal Ahmad Ganai and Tariq Ahmad, who sustained rubber bullet injuries, were referred to Srinagar hospital.

“Two police men of IRP Battalion were also injured after being hit by the rubber bullets fired by their own men on the protesters,” police sources said.

After the Friday prayers a huge procession was taken out from the Jamia Masjid, which marched through the length and breadth of the town. More than 20 persons were injured in police action, including some policemen.

Massive pro-freedom rallies were carried out, after the Friday prayers, in Pulwama, Kakapora, Pampore and Tral townships also.

In Kulgam, thousands of people took to streets after Friday prayers and staged massive pro-freedom demonstration. Curfew was clamped in Qaimoh town of Kulgam. However, massive protests rocked Khudwani, Redwani, Wanpora and Rampura areas.

Massive pro-freedom demonstrations were held on Srinagar-Gulmarg road near Kunzar. Hundreds of people took to streets after Friday prayers, and attacked Kunzar police station. The protestors also pelted stones at 52RR camp. Police resorted to teargas shelling and fired several rounds in air to disperse the protestors. Policemen also caught hold of some protestors and severely thrashed them.

At least 60 protestors were injured in the incident, most of them in the stampede following the firing in air by police.

Protest demonstrations were also held in Singhpora Pattan, Kupwara, Kralpora, Trehgam, Kangan, Beihama in Ganderbal, Hajin, Sonawari, Safapora, Chhon, Budgam, Magam, Beerwa, Sheikhpora, Ompora.

A protest rally, led by senior separatist leader, Aga Syed Hassan Budgami, was carried out in Budgam town today after Friday prayers. The processionists shouted pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans.

At Nagam Chadoora, police fire teargas shells at protestors, injuring Rashid Ahmad daughter of Mohammad Aslam of Lassipora Chadoora.

Meanwhile, according to police handout, some protestors pelted stones on J&K Bank cash van at Kralpora Budgam.

Thousands of people staged pro-freedom demonstrations in Srinagar today. A group of youth at Rainawari took to streets this morning and shouted anti-Indian and pro-freedom slogans. Police and CRPF men swung into action and fired teargas shells to disperse the protestors, who were pelting stones at them. The clashes continued for an hour.

In Khanyar area of old Srinagar city, at least four people were injured in clashes between protestors and police this afternoon. A group of youth, according to reports, came out on streets after Friday prayers and tried to stage pro-freedom demonstrations. However, police and CRPF men thwarted their attempt, triggering off clashes. CRPF and police lobbed tear smoke shells to disperse the stone pelting youth.

Clashes between protestors and CRPF and police were also reported from Brein, Nishat. Residents alleged that the men in uniform smashed window panes of residential houses in the area.

According to reports, clashes also broke out in Gojwara, Kawdara, Nowhatta, Soura, Anchar and other areas.

A photo journalist, Tawseef Mustafa, was hit by a teargas shell while covering clashes in Nawhatta.

Meanwhile, according to police handout, situation in the valley remained by and large peaceful barring few incidents of stone pelting in Bijbehara, Shopian, Baramulla and Handwara in which one person was killed and twenty policemen were injured including an SHO.

“A huge mob attacked Bhijbehara police station in Anantnag today. The police used tear smoke shells and cane charge to disperse the mob. The mob did not relent. The miscreants tried to set the police station, Court complex and the SDPO office on fire by throwing petrol bombs,” the official handout said. “The policemen inside the police station had to fire some rubber pallets in self defense. Two persons sustained injuries one of whom namely Nazir Ahmed resident of Treash Mohalla, Bijbehara succumbed to his injuries. Some policemen were also injured in the incident.”

Minorities part of my body: Geelani

‘Don’t force them to join protests’

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 8: Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani, today made a fervent appeal to the people of Kashmir not to cause any harm to Kashmiri Pandits (KPs), terming them as “part of my body”.

“Islam ensures the security of minority,” he said, urging the people not to force members of Sikh or any other minority community to join protests.

According to reports, delegations of Kashmir Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS), led by Sanjay Tikoo, and that of All Party Sikh Coordination, led by Jagmohan Singh, today called on the septuagenarian leader at the latter’s Hyderpora residence.

The delegations apprised the Hurriyat (G) chairman about various apprehensions regarding the safety of the minority communities in wake of ongoing unrest in the valley.

“We feel scary at times, particularly when protestors use uncomfortable words against us during protest demonstrations,” they told Geelani.

The delegation, according to the reports, also reposed full faith on Geelani, asserting that as long as he was alive the minority communities were safe.

“You are not only a part of our society, but also a part of my body,” Geelani told the delegation. “If any part of the body gets hurt, the entire body feels the pain.”

He said among other religions, Islam was the best supporter of security of minorities.

“Islam also teaches Muslims that if people of other religion are worshipping idols, they (Muslims) should not speak anything about the idols,” he said.

Maintaining that Kashmiri struggle was not against any community or a particular group of people, Geelani said the struggle was for the liberation of the state.

“There may be some elements in the ongoing struggle which would be spreading animosity,” he said. “Their only aim is to make use of the present situation and defame the struggle.”

He cautioned the people to remain vigilant and do not allow the divisive forces to succeed in their “nefarious ambitions”.

“Those who are well versed in Islamic teachings will not cause any harm to the members of minority communities,” he said.

Geelani also urged the delegations to keep check on those elements (in the minority communities) which try to defame and damage the moment.

“There is a dire need to stop their activities,” he said.

The Sikh delegation told Geelani that they received letters asking them to participate in protest demonstrations.

“The delegation told the Hurriyat (G) chairman that they are ready to join protests and take bullets, if Geelani wishes,” the reports said.

Referring to the Chattisinghpora massacre and the onslaught on Sikh community after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, Geelani lauded the Sikh community for having stayed back in Kashmir during the last 20 years.

“I will ensure the safety of people belonging to the minority communities,” Geelani said, and appealed to the people not to force them to take part in protest demonstrations.

The Sikh delegation told Geelani that the community would organise peaceful protests against recent spate of civilian killings in the valley.

“We don’t want people to force us to join protests,” the delegation said.

Is J&K govt helpless before CRPF?

‘UHQ meeting postponed’

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 13: Has the state government failed to rein in paramilitary CRPF men in conflict-ridden valley of Kashmir? The issue again came to the fore after a New Delhi-based news channel reported that chief minister, Omar Abdullah, had canceled the unified headquarters meeting, scheduled to be held this evening, in protest against the latest killings.

State information department, however, was quick to assert that the unified headquarters meeting was postponed owing to “engagement of the senior police and paramilitary officers in the law and order duties in the field”. The meeting, according to the official handout, would be held tomorrow.

Four more civilian were killed in north Kashmir today in alleged CRPF firing. Interestingly, state police, in its daily bulletin, defended the killings.

“Four persons lost their lives two at Bomia in Sopore where security force camp was attacked by a huge mob. One person lost his life in Trehgam, and one in Pattan,” the bulletin read.

Paramilitary CRPF men have been accused of unleashing a reign of terror in the valley. The state government has not only failed to rein them in, but has also failed to take an unflinching stance against the central forces on the issue of civilian killings. The grief-stricken valley of Kashmir has been reeling under curfews, shutdowns, and violent protests. So far 55 civilians have been killed in the last two months, mainly in CRPF action.

When state law minister, Ali Mohammad Sagar, had in June this year accused CRPF men of failing to observe restraint, he was snubbed by CRPF top brass, and Indian home secretary, GK Pillai.

Significantly, presiding over a meeting of ministers and senior civil and police officers at his Gupkar residence on June 26, the chief minister had asked senior police officers to strictly follow standard operating procedures (SOP), and exercise utmost restraint while dealing with the protesters.

Maintaining that the government would not tolerate any human rights violations, Omar had said, “Killing of innocents will not be tolerated in any case".

However there has been no let up in the civilian killings in the valley. Moreover, according to political analysts, the decision for sending more troops only added more fuel to the raging fire.

The decision for reinforcement was condemned by all hues of politicians of all hues. Even National Conference’s coalition partner, Congress, castigated the move, saying that deploying more troops would not help in improving the situation in Kashmir.

The beleaguered chief minister has been criticized by the state Congress unit and some of his own party men for failing to control the situation.

Pertinently, Prime Minister’s all-party meet on Kashmir failed to break any ice. PM’s decision to consider autonomy proposal has not find any takers in Kashmir. Mainstream leaders, separatist, BJP, Shiv Sena, VHP have slammed PM’s remarks on autonomy.

Meanwhile, police today appealed to parents of youth to cooperate with the men in uniform.

“The public at large and parents of the youth in particular are requested to cooperate with the police in maintaining peace and order in their vicinities,” the statement added.

Besieged Valley increasingly becoming unsafe for media persons

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 7: The besieged valley of Kashmir is increasingly becoming one of the most unsafe places for media persons to perform their professional duties. With the valley caught in the grip of yet another cycle of agitation, journalists, mostly video and photo journalists, see themselves as having been caught in the line of fire.

“Mediapersons in Kashmir have for long been at the receiving end,” said a senior journalist of the valley. “More often than not they get caught into clashes while performing their duties and end up becoming victims of violence themselves.”

Pertinently, several journalists were beaten to pulp during the ongoing unrest. A senior journalist, working for BBC Urdu service, Riyaz Masroor was severely thrashed by police last month outside his Alochi Bag residence. The ruthless beating left Masroor with a fractured arm. In a similar incident, another journalist, Gauhar, was attacked by police while performing his professional duty.

One of the photo journalists, Aman, was critically injured when a senior police cop allegedly fired at him in January this year.

“It is tough to work in an atmosphere where everything is controlled by security agencies. They make you notice that your work is being monitored no matter how honestly you are performing your job,” Desk Editor BBC Urdu Service, Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor, told Kashmir Times. “As a journalist I don’t represent government or other part, but if you tell me what to publish and what to broadcast, then you are putting pressure on me to toe your line. That is what has become a practice in Kashmir, especially with local journalists.”

She said that international journalists do their job without tough restrictions “but even they can not escape the monitoring net of censorship authorities”.

According to a data, several Kashmiri journalists, including a woman scribe, Asia Jeelani, have been killed in the conflict-ridden valley of Kashmir since 1989. They include Mushtaq Ali (ANI), Ghulam Mohammad Lone (News Agent), Ghulam Rasool Azad (Newspaper owner), Mohammad Shaban Vakeel (Al-Safa), and Parvaiz Ahmad Sultan (NAFA).

Among those who were tortured and illegally detained include Muhammad Maqbool Sahil (Chattan), Rehmatullah Khan (Editor, Rehmat), and Syed Iftikhar Gilani (Kashmir Times).

“Journalists in Kashmir have been the most wanted throughout the 22 years of turmoil. They have suffered more than any other community. We lost 11 people and many were subjected to torture and shifted to various jails,” said Sahil Maqbool, who spent 40 months behind bars. “Even today I am facing court cases and have been put in the ‘vulnerable’ list of Kashmiri people. My passport has been seized by the government and I am not allowed to move out of the country.”

The state governments have been ad nauseum claiming that media persons were allowed to move out freely, but the happenings of recent past and situation on ground belie their claims.

In an unprecedented move, authorities had clamped restriction on Press Enclave last month, and journalists were not allowed to come out of their offices. Moreover, hundreds and thousands of police and paramilitary CRPF men were directed not to allow any journalist move around.

Still and video cameras of journalists were seized by police in a bid to restrict them from covering the clashes and protests in the valley.

“Journalist of Kashmir have stood through think and thin and have often put their lives at risk while performing their duties,” said another senior journalist.

The journalists here alleged that most of the times security forces refused to entertain curfew passes issued to us by the district magistrate.

“They (security forces) don’t even entertain special passes. The only thing they say is that ‘we have been instructed not to allow anyone move around’,” said a journalist working with a local news channel.

Significantly, the authorities have banned local news channels here to run current affairs programmes or political commentaries.

During 2008 Amarnath land row, publication of newspapers was suspended for several days. This year also, newspapers did not hit the stands for several days.

After the attack on journalists, representative bodies of newspaper owners, journalists associated with print media, photo and video journalists had suspended the publication of all newspapers earlier in July to protests against continues attack by the men in uniform on media persons. They had also claimed that authorities had issued insufficient number of curfew passes to them.

National and international media organizations, showing solidarity with Kashmiri journalists, have lashed out at the state government for “curbing the press".

Chitambaram a liar, Omar inexperienced, Azad adding fuel to the fire: JKPCC

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 6: As the valley continues to seethe with anger and both New Delhi and state government adopting every tactic to douse the flames, Home Minister, P Chitambaram, today came under scathing attack from an unusual quarter: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC).

The state Congress unit has strongly condemned Home Minister's recent remarks in Lok Sabha over the recent unrest in Kashmir.

Lashing out at the home minister, senior Congress member and secretary JKPCC, Mohammad Sultan Mandu, said that he had cheated the Parliament, the highest organ of government.

''He (Chitambaram) is a liar, and is unnecessarily provoking people of Kashmir,'' he said.

Chitambaram had, in a statement in the Lok Sabha on August 4, said that security forces were fired upon by 'some militants' during the clashes.

''There have been instances where the security forces have been fired upon by some one in the protesting crowds,'' he said. ''There is reliable intelligence that some armed militants may have mingled with the crowd and fired at the security forces.''

Claiming that the Home Minister knew "nothing about Kashmir", Sultan said Chitambaram treated Kashmir as a colony.

"He said it because he wanted to justify innocent killings in Kashmir. He has failed to reach out to people here," he said. "People are asking us about his statement, what would we tell them? We want to live here, and live with peace."

Sultan, who is also a member of JKPCC executive committee, said, "If two students get killed elsewhere in India, the members of Parliament rock the House, but it is very unfortunate that even after killings of over 15 students in Kashmir, New Delhi has failed to take proactive measures to contain the unrest in the valley."

He also criticized New Delhi for adopting "double slandered" in Kashmir.

"On one hand Prime Minister says that gun is not the solution, talks are the only way we can reach to the amicable solution, and on the other hand civilians are being killed in cold blood," he said. "Can I ask them who is using the gun in Kashmir now?"

Sultan, who has himself served as a police officer, also condemned New Delhi's decision to send in more troops to Kashmir.

"Reinforcement will not work here," he said.

He also castigated Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, for having failed to deliver.

"Omar is a thorough gentleman, and a very honest person, but he has no experience," he said. "He has been unable to control the situation. He has not seen the sufferings of Kashmiri people."

Taking a dig at union minister, informer Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Sultan accused him of spilling the beans here.

It's very unfortunate while Kashmir was burning, his (Azad's) loyalists in state Congress unit went all the way to New Delhi to persuade Prime Minister to impose governor's rule in the state or bring Azad back as CM," he said.

Dissidence and infighting within the ranks of JKPCC has been going on for a long time now. Two factions of state Congress unit, one owing allegiance to JKPCC chief, Saif-ud-Din Soz, and the other to Azad, have been at loggerheads for long. Even the two – month long political crisis in the strife – torn valley has failed to end the internal bickerings in the JKPCC.

The months – long bitterness among the rival groups had got augmented after Soz decided to welcome elder son of former commander of government – backed gunman and one time legislator, Kuka Parray, in to the party fold. Significantly, Azad and Soz have also maintained distance with each other.

Senior Congress leader and member of state legislative council, Abdul Gani Vakil, who is considered very close to Azad, has been spewing venom against the JKPCC top brass, particularly against the state congress chief.

Kashmir's Children of conflict- worst sufferers of ongoing unrest

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 5: A young boy, amid a huge gathering of mourners, waving a green flag, at Martyrs' grave yard at Eid Gah, during funeral procession of one of the stain youth yesterday evening, was vociferously chanting pro-freedom slogans. He is not alone in demanding freedom, but there are hundreds and thousands of young Kashmiri's, aged between 10 to 25 years, who take to the battered streets of Kashmir day in and day out to went their pent up anger against, what they say, "reign of terror unleashed by the men in uniform."

Irrespective of whether they resort to stone pelting or not, the children of conflict have become the worst sufferers of the ongoing unrest that has so far claimed over 25 young lives and named over 100 for life.

Significantly, according to eye witness, major chunk of youth who take to the streets are the children or relatives of either slain militants or of those persons who have disappears in the police custody.

"In the present crisis, they see an opportunity to settle scores," says an elderly person, part of a protest demonstration.

"There is no denying the fact that children whose relatives/parents come under the line of fire often find their economic/ social security reduces," says Sameer Bhat, Kashmiri's wildly-read blogger and freelance journalist face in middle East. "This also leads to a break down of community trust".

The on going unrest has so far consumed many a young life. Nine-year old, Sameer Ahmed Rah, who was beaten to death by the men in uniform, is the youngest causality. He was an eighth class student. The spine-chilling eye witness account of Rah's killing than give any one goose pimples. According to the eye witness, Rah, a resident of Sheikh Dawood colony Batmaloo, was first chased by police and CRPF personnel and then beaten to pulp.

"I saw them kicking his head several times after forcing a stick down his throat," he says.

There are tens of children, injured in the clashes, under going treatment in various hospitals in Srinagar. The condition of some of them is said to be critical. Almost all of them have been hit by bullets.

Sameer Bhat believes that children are facing worst kind of conflict.

"Children in Kashmir are victims of the conflict than ever before. So many children are directly affected by violence simply because of the social milieu they come from. They inherited scars of war which leave very awkward impression on their minds," he says.

The current cycle of agitation started when Tufail Ahmed Mattoo,17, was killed after he was hit by a teargas shell at Ghani stadium in Rajori Kadal while coming back from his tuition.

"Don't forget this is the generation which has been brought up in conflict situation. They are not afraid of bullets," says a political observer. "They have seen blood flowing like water here."

He thinks it will not be easy for New Delhi and the State government to contain the young protesters.

"They don't carry weapon. Their only weapons their unflinching resolve and commitment, he says,

Kashmir has been on boil for the last 54 days. From north to south the Valley has been seething with anger. The rage of people can be gauged from a range of slogans reverberating through the Valley.

"This generation has seen it all. They were born and grew up under the shadow of gun," says Suhail Bashir, a local.

"Force cannot stop or win over them, they have already lost much and it seems as if they have nothing to lose. They don't care about their lives."