Massive anti-govt rally in NC stronghold Budgam

* 'Office of DDC Budgam has become NC's den'

SYED ALI SAFVI

BUDGAM, Jan 15: Like in other parts of the valley, a massive protest rally was also held at central Kashmir’s Budgam district today to press the need for a permanent resolution of Kashmir imbroglio and against the “failure” of National Conference led coalition government to provide basic facilities to the denizens of the valley.

The 5000-strong procession, led by senior PDP leaders – Javaid Mustafa Mir, Aga Syed Mehmood, Dr Mohammad Shafi, Saif-ud-Din Bhat, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura – marched from Main Chowk Budgam towards the office of District Development Commissioner (DDC) Budgam at 12:00PM. The processionists, carrying placards and lanterns, raised anti-government slogans as they marched past the residences of Minister for Science and Technology, Aga Syed Ruhullah and senior executive member of Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat Conference, Aga Syed Hassan Al-moosvi.

Large contingent of police personnel had been deployed along the road to prevent any untoward incident.

Pertinently, in May 2009, violent clashes had broken out between NC and PDP activists here after some NC activists had forced a shutdown in the Budgam Chowk to protest the conduct of PDP rally at historic Budgam Chowk, which was scheduled to be addressed by PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, the party president Mehbooba Mufti.

The NC activists had set ablaze the taxi stand at Main Chowk Budgam, and had taken the entire Budgam town hostage with police acting helplessly. The day-long clashes had resulted in injuries to at least 55 persons.

Fearing a repeat of May 2009, SSP Budgam had deployed large contingent of policemen in the area to thwart any untoward incident. However, today’s rally passed off peacefully.

It was for the first time that PDP had managed to gather so much support. The people had mainly come from Beerwah, Budgam and Chadoora assembly segments. Budgam district has always been NC’s fortress, but ever since 2009 Parliamentary elections, there has been a visible shift in the political slant in the district. In 2009 Parliamentary elections, PDP’s vote share in the district was higher than that of NC. Except for Finance Minister’s Charar-e Sharief constituency, PDP candidate polled more votes than his NC counterpart in other four assembly constituencies.

Addressing the gathering today, the PDP leaders urged New Delhi to resume dialogue with Pakistan without any delay. They also demanded release of political detenues and those youth who had been detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) on stone pelting pretext.

“PDP has been a strong advocate of Indo-Pak dialogue to help resolve the Kashmir issue,” they said.

Speaking on the occasion, former minister and senior PDP leader, Aga Syed Mehmood, lashed out at NC-led coalition government, saying that the government had failed to provide even basic facilities to people of the state.

“Government has failed on all fronts,” he said. “The inability of this government to provide uninterrupted electricity, adequate ration to the people speak volumes about its failure.”

He castigated the government for not “failing to implement Centre’s eight-point programme in the state”.

Lashing out at the district administration Budgam, Mehmood said that the DDC’s office had become more of a National Conference (NC) office.

“The senior officials of the district administration are acting as NC leaders,” he said. “It has not been able to shift the Bus stand from the present location to the new stand which was developed by PDP-led coalition government keeping in view the space constraint at present Bus stand.”

He also alleged that the district hospital had become a “hub of corruption”.

“I have reliably learnt that doctors at the hospital demand money from the patients before operating them. Patients who don’t grease doctors’ palms are referred to city hospitals,” he said.

He also condemned recent ‘clandestine’ recruitment in police.

Those who spoke on the occasion included, Javaid Mustafa Mir, Saifullah Bhat, Ghulam Nabi Hanjoora.

Similar protest rallies were also held at Sonawari, Bandipora, Baramullah. According to party spokesperson, an “infamous Ikhwani” at Sonawari was commissioned by the district administration to create trouble before the PDP sponsored rally.

“But the local people frustrated the designs of the administration,” he said.

At Baramulla, the senior party leader, Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, led the large demonstration at district head quarter. Speaking on the occasion, Iftikhar came down heavily upon the government for its failure on political and administrative fronts.

He said if the policies of PDP had been carried forward, Baramulla would have become a commercial hub of the entire region including central Asia.

“National Conference is interested only in its family rule and has sacrificed every thing else to secure it,” he said.

At Sonawari, the demonstration was led by the party leaders - Yasir Reshi, Abdul Majid, Imtiyaz Ahmed. At Bandipora, senior party leader, Nizamuddin Bhat led the demonstration. At Pulwama, the demonstration was led by Mohammad Khalil Band, Syed Bashir Ahmed, Abdul Razaq Zawoora, Zahoor Ahmed Mir.

Reports of similar demonstrations also poured in from Reasi, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Ramban.

Frictions in NC-Cong coalition wide open

*Cong high command to summon NC, JKPCC leaders to Delhi

* NC to convene party’s core group meeting

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Jan 1: Days after state Congress unit demanded change of guard in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference (NC) today asserted that chief minister, Omar Abdullah, would continue to hold the office for full term of six years.

Widening divisions within the NC-Congress coalition have forced the leadership of both the ruling parties to call for emergency meetings to resolve their differences. Meanwhile, according to reports, central high command has also decided to summon the top leadership of both the parties to New Delhi to discuss a way out of the problem.

NC has refused to entertain any move aimed at changing the power sharing deal with the Congress high command.

According to the party insiders, NC is convening a core group meeting to discuss the new strategy, which would be adopted to mitigate the differences within the coalition.

Even as NC is adamant about continuing with Omar as CM, Congress is taking a tough stand regarding change of guard in the state. The party leadership, according to sources, is demanding that National Conference should hold office of the chief minister only for three years.

Pertinently, former deputy chief minister and senior Congress leader, Mangat Ram Sharma, had on December 28 had demanded rotation of chief ministerial post. Sharma, who is also the member of Coordination Committee of the coalition, said this in presence of JKPCC president, Prof Saifuddin Soz. Sharma’s statement further fanned the divisive flames of NC-Congress coalition.

Miffed at Sharma’s “senseless” statement, senior NC leader, Dr Mustafa Kamal, said that as per the agreement between NC and Congress high command, NC would hold office of the chief minister for full six years term.

According to reports, most of the Congress leaders in Kashmir and Jammu were of the opinion that Congress would lose its support base if it allowed NC to hold office of the CM for full term.

They complained that NC leadership was not entertaining the demands of Congress workers.

The Congress high command’s silence over Sharma’s statement has not gone down well with NC, which alleged that Congress was trying to break its own promise.

Amid all the political drama over change of guard, NC today said that the coalition would complete its full term with Omar Abdullah as chief minister.

Former minister and senior NC leader, Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan, told a local news agency that statements of Sharma and Kamal were not going to affect the working of the coalition.

“As far as chief minister’s term is concerned, the Congress high command is bound by its promise and any kind of change will not be acceptable to National Conference leadership,” he said.

According to sources, NC has decided to convene the party’s core group meeting to discuss the present situation and chalk out the future strategy of the party.

Meanwhile, in the wake of present crisis within the coalition government, Congress high command has also decided to summon top leadership of NC and JKPCC to mitigate their differences.

The reports also said that the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, were in favour of continuing with Omar as the state’s chief minster for full term.

Significantly, unlike the previous Congress-PDP setup, Congress high command had while entering into power sharing pact with NC in January 2009 said that there would be no rotation of chief ministership and Omar Abdullah would hold the office for full six-year term.

2010 - The year of suspense, sensation, lot of political drama

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Dec 31: The year 2010 will be remembered for a host of reasons. From umpteen protest calendars to killing of 112 innocent civilians in police and CRPF action; from internal bickering in Congress to verbal spats between National Conference (NC) and Congress leaders; from the separatist-sponsored 'Chalo' calls to Ahad Jan throwing a shoe at chief minster; the year 2010 can be best summed up as the year of sensation, bloodbath, and lots of political drama.

Let's recall here some of the events that hogged the headlines for the most part of this year.

Tufail Mattoo's killing and its aftermath:

On June 11, 2010 a 17-year-old boy Tufail Ahmad Matoo of Saidakadal died after he was hit by a teargas shell fired by police at Ghani stadium in Rajouri Kadal. Tufail, a class 12 student, was coming back from his tuition. His killing sparked off a wave of violent protests across the length and breadth of the valley. Thousands of people took to streets and demanded stern action against Tufail's killers. The protestors were showered with tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.

In the wake of violent protests and clashes between protestors and forces, the government functioning remained only for namesake. In the absence of functioning government institutions and regulations, the valley was virtually turned into killing field where police and paramilitary CRPF men were calling the shots on the battered streets of Kashmir.

Even after daily killings of civilians, the protests didn't die down and continued till September.

When situation in the valley continued to worsen with more civilian killings in police and CRPF firing, most of the ministers shifted their base either to Jammu or New Delhi. Even the media-savvy chief minister, Omar Abdullah, could hardly be seen on television or newspapers. Moreover, when the entire valley was reeling under an unprecedented political unrest, he was holidaying with his family in Gulmarg, besides occasionally traveling to New Delhi.

A horrific killing spree - starting from the killing of Tufail Mattoo to the killings of four civilians at Palhalan on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Highway on September 13 - saw 112 civilians being mercilessly killed in police and CRPF action. Not to talk about hundreds of those civilians who were seriously injured in police firing.

It was only in late September that things started to change a bit in favour of the coalition government, headed by the beleaguered chief minister, Omar Abdullah.

Army conducts flag march:

As Kashmir continued to boil, the struggling chief minister decided to called in the Army. On July 7, six years after Army was withdrawn from Srinagar, Army conducted flag marches through curfew-bound Srinagar in a bid to restore law and order. New Delhi also sent Home Secretary GK Pillai to review the situation in the valley.

Omar's decision for reinforcement to restore order in the grief-stricken valley of Kashmir was castigated by mainstream leaders, separatists, human rights activists, and political analysts, asserting that such a move would add more fuel to a raging fire in the valley.

Pertinently, about 2000 central paramilitary troops were deployed in the valley. As many as 32 companies, which comprises over 3000 personnel, were deployed in 10 most sensitive districts of the valley to strangulate the voice of dissent.

'Quit Jammu and Kashmir campaign':

Sixty four years after the founder of National Conference (NC), Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, had given the call of "Quit Kashmir" against Maharaja Hari Singh, on June 24 Syed Ali Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference called for "Quit Jammu Kashmir" campaign, and raised the pitch of separatist rhetoric.

Senior Hurriyat Conference (G) leader, Masrat Alam, announced in a press conference that the amalgam had decided to launch the campaign against the "growing atrocities of Indian troops" in the state.

"Go India Go Back will be the slogan during the entire campaign," he had said.

As part of the 'Quit Jammu and Kashmir campaign', the Hurriyat (G) started to give protest calendars, which were keenly followed by the people so much so that they were even hanged on the walls of almost every house in the valley.

The slogan 'Go India go back' was written on almost every street and wall, in Kashmir.

All-party parliamentary delegation visits Kashmir:

A 40-member strong all-party parliamentary delegation, led by Home Minister P. Chidambaram, visited Kashmir on September 20 on a two-day visit to assess the ground situation in the conflict-ridden valley of Kashmir.

Although the major separatist leaders - Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik - had decided against meeting the delegation, some members of the delegation dropped at their door steps.

PDP patron, Mufti Sayeed and PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti, were the only ones who stayed away from the delegation.

Earlier, chief minister, Omar Abdullah, had convened an all-party meeting to find a way out of the deepening political crisis in the valley. The state's principal opposition, PDP, preferred to stay away from the meeting even after Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, personally urging the PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti, to attend the meeting.

The year end saw more delegations from New Delhi comprising politicians, members of civil society, visiting the valley to pave way for a sustained process for restoring peace and dialogue in the state.

Appointment of interlocutors:

Woken up to the ground realities and deteriorating law and order in the valley, New Delhi appointed three interlocutors on October 13, for helping restart dialogue process in strife-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Immediately after the appointment of interlocutors, New Delhi received a major set back as separatist leaders out right rejected the decision and termed it as a "futile exercise". Even some mainstream parties, including BJP, CPI-M, JKNPP, NC, sounded skeptical of non-political team of interlocutors.

After concluding their first visit to Kashmir on October 27, the panel of interlocutors called for immediate and unconditional release of all incarcerated separatist leaders and youths arrested for stone pelting and also hinted at the scope of amending the Indian constitution to resolve over six-decade old Kashmir imbroglio.

Ever since their appointment, the interlocutors have visited the valley twice and are yet to take separatists on board.

Frictions in NC-Cong coalition:

The year 2010 saw a series of verbal spats between senior Congress and NC leaders.

It all started when NC president and union minister, Farooq Abdullah, targeted bete-noire PDP for attacking NC and not Congress over the issue of Indus Water Treaty (IWT).

"Why does not Mufti Mohammad Sayeed or PDP point fingers towards Congress. It was PDP leadership which backed Nehru ji to sign the treaty while Sheikh Sahib was put behind the bars," Farooq had said during Gram Sabha rally on Mar 13, 2010.

Farooq's statement had not gone down well with Congress leaders, who were annoyed with senior Abdullah's "unacceptable" statement.

If Farooq's statement was not enough to upset the NC-Congress bonhomie, soon his brother and MLA Hazratbal, Dr Mustafa Kamal, and NC MP, Mehboob Beg, jumped on the band wagon, only to make the matters worse.

Miffed over NC leadership's assault on Congress, senior Congress leader and former minister, Abdul Gani Vakil, known for his PDP bashing, said the NC statements were unacceptable and against the spirit with which UPA chairperson and Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, had handed over the reins of power in Jammu and Kashmir to chief minister, Omar Abdullah.

Besides frictions in NC-Congress coalition, the year also witnessed internal bickering within Congress camp. Although the JKPCC tried its best to brush aside the internal bickering among rival groups in the party, but the animosity brewing in the party ranks manifested itself in several forms on several occasions.

Union minister for health, Ghulam Nabi Azad, during a four-day visit to the state, preferred to maintain silence on the issue.

Pertinently, union minister and Congress general secretary, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and JKPCC chief, Saif-ud-Din Soz had come face to face at Royal Spring Golf Course in April, but they did not even greet each other or exchange a single word.

The bitterness among rival groups in the party got augmented after Soz decided to welcome elder son of commander of government-backed gunmen and one time legislator, Kuka Parray, into the party fold.

Azad's loyalists, notably Abdul Gani Vakil, publicly castigated Soz through out the year. Vakil remained at loggerheads with Soz on different issues.

Sonia cancels Kashmir visit:

The UPA chairperson was scheduled to arrive in Kashmir on May 29 to lay foundation stone of the colony at Rakh Arath Bemina, however, she cancelled her visit and reportedly expressed displeasure over the state government's decision to rehabilitate Dal dwellers at Rakh Arath Bemina.

After Kashmir Times (KT) exposed the state government's blunder to build a colony for Dal dwellers on a wetland on May 24, Sonia sent the then minister of state in the Prime Minister's office and Congress in-charge for J&K, Prithviraj Chavan, on May 25 to undertake a spot inspection of the colony at Rakh Arath.

According to JKPCC insiders, Chavan had expressed discontent over the government decision to rehabilitate Dal dwellers at Rakh Arath, where almost all the plots inundated with flood water. After flying back to New Delhi, Chavan briefed Sonia about the situation, and she decided against laying foundation stone of the colony.

However, she kept her date with the people of Jammu where she inaugurated a tribal centre.

Pertinently, experts believe that Rakh Arath project would prove a disaster. They are of the opinion that construction of concrete structures is not technically viable at Rath Arath, covering thousands of kanals of wet land. However, without paying heed to the expert opinions, the government went ahead with the project.

Padma Shri Moma Kanna:

Former militant and notorious Ikhwani, Ghulam Mohammad Mir alias Moma Kana, 60, of central Kashmir's Budgam district was awarded Padma Shri by Government of India in January, triggering a controversy between PDP and NC over the recommendation of his name for the coveted award.

While the chief minister, Omar Abdullah, rejected to have recommended Kana's name, his father and NC president, Farooq Abdullah, admitted that he had recommended the former militant's name.

Mir defended his nomination, asserting that he had helped in "apprehending or neutralising around 5,000 militants in Kashmir".

"My were brother and nephew were killed in cold blood. My son was shot at. I have suffered a lot for the country," he said. 

Geelani rejects talks with New Delhi

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Dec 6: A day after chief minister, Omar Abdullah, asked separatists to enter into dialogue with New Delhi, veteran separatist leader and chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani, denied any talks with New Delhi until it recognized Kashmir as a dispute.

“Talks with India are futile until it stops treating Kashmir as integral part and accepts Kashmir as a dispute,” Geelani said.

He, however, said that the separatist leadership would continue to aware Indian masses about the plight of Kashmiris.

“We welcome all non-official delegations that want to meet us,” he maintained.

Lashing out at National Conference (NC) patron and union minister, Farooq Abdullah, Geelani said that the Abdullah dynasty was responsible for the sufferings of Kashmiris.

“He (Farooq) is a stooge of New Delhi. He does not even deserve my reply,” he said. “National Conference is entirely responsible for the miseries and sufferings of Kashmiris.”

Pertinently, Farooq had launched a scathing attack on Geelani yesterday.

“They send their children to foreign countries for education, but people are asked to boycott schools. Geelani takes chicken soup himself, but does not allow people to even have vegetables,” the senior Abdullah had said. “I wish I be there when he (Geelani) faces God.”

Hitting back at Farooq, Geelani said that NC and the Sheikh family had deceived Kashmiris at every crucial juncture.

“Had NC leadership not acted as Mir Jafars and Sadiqs of Kashmir, political instability would never have engulfed the subcontinent and India and Pakistan would have never been at loggerheads over Kashmir issue,” he said.

Asserting that Kashmir dispute was not the creation of Hurriyat Conference or Geelani, the octogenarian leader said that it was the creation of National Conference.

“Every student of history knows the fact that Sheikh Abdullah and National Conference’s treacherous politics gave birth to the problem of Kashmir,” Geelani said.

He said that had the NC leadership not converted Muslim Conference (MC) into National Conference (NC) in 1938 “at the instance of New Delhi”, Kashmir would have been a different story altogether.

“Had it (NC leadership) not validated the accession in 1947 in exchange for power, today our youth would not have been facing bullets,” he said.

He said the “oppression and “tyranny” unleashed by Sheikh Abdullah-led NC government from 1947 to 1953 was one of the most tragic phases in Kashmir history.

“During that period pro-freedom people were tortured or exiled,” he said. “Even tuning into Radio Pakistan was considered a punishable crime.”

Geelani said that during that period a Sopore youth, Ghulam Mohammad Bullah, was beaten to death at Srinagar’s Central jail.

“That was the first custodial killing in Kashmir.”

“It was the loss of power in 1953 that, according to its own leaders, forced NC to opt for political vagrancy for 22 long years,” he added.

The Hurriyat (G) chairman said that the same party accepted the seat of power “given in charity by New Delhi” in 1975 fro burying the public demand for a plebiscite in 1975.

Castigating Farooq, he said that when he was sworn as chief minister, Farooq proved to be a “comedian” instead of a “serious leader”.

Geelani said that it was Farooq who had signed the death warrant of “Shaheed” Maqbool Butt.

“Ironically, Farooq had taken oath with him (Butt) for liberating Kashmir,” Geelani said.

The veteran separatist leader said that when Farooq began to loose support in Kashmir, he “rigged” the 1987 assembly election.

“The rigging forced irate Kashmri youth to pick up guns,” he said.

He said when militancy was at its peak in 1996, Farooq stabbed in the back of Kashmiris by deciding to contest elections.

“Similarly, in 2008 when the entire Kashmir was up in anger against Indian occupation, Farooq again betrayed Kashmiris and without caring about the sacrifices of Kashmir youth, he decided to take part in elections,” he said.

He said that the “dreaded” Special Task Force (STF), responsible for the killings of thousands of innocent Kashmiris, was Farooq’s creation.

“Indian has only one reason for occupying Kashmir and that is Farooq Abdullah and his National Conference,” he said.

Geelani said that as long as he was alive he would continue to raise his voice against the “forceful occupation of Kashmir by India”.

“I will have no regret if I am taken to the gallows,” he said. “I’ll never betray my nation like Farooq Abdullah and NC,” he said.

Delhi team for restarting composite dialogue with Pakistan

Wants Delhi to take separatists on board

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Dec 4: Concluding its three-day Kashmir visit, the delegation of parliamentarians and civil society members today asked New Delhi to respond to separatists’ proposals on confidence building measures and restart the stalled composite dialogue with Pakistan.

Endorsing formation of a Parliamentary committee, as suggested by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led Hurriyat Conference, member parliament and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chairman, Ram Vilas Paswan, who headed the 11-member delegation, accused Indian government of ignoring the recommendations put forth by the all-party delegation.

“Instead of implementing the recommendations, they (New Delhi) appointing appointed interlocutors, which however failed to change the ground situation in Kashmir,” Paswan said in a press conference at Broadway hotel here before leaving back for New Delhi.

Paswan said that the all-party delegation had recommended appointment of a team of interlocutors comprising politicians.

“Rejecting the recommendation, the government appointed non-political interlocutors, who have been unable to address the issue convincingly,” he said.

Expressing concern over unabated human rights violations in the valley, Paswan said that there was a need to look into the draconian laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Public Safety Act (PSA) besides working on withdrawal of troops.

“If demilitarization in one go is not possible, then the security forces can be withdrawn from Kashmir in a phased manner,” he said.

The former union minister emphasized the need for engaging separatist and Pakistan in talks.

“There is need to engage separatists in talks and resume composite dialogue with Pakistan,” he said.

Calling for an enquiry into the recent killings, Paswan said that the victims who were killed during five-month long unrest in the valley were not militants or Pakistanis.

“Had 112 youth been killed in any other part f India, errant forces would have certainly been brought to book,” he said. “It’s very unfortunate that no action has yet been taken against the culprits in Kashmir.”

The LJP president said that there was also an “urgent need” to look into the issue of release of political detenues and other youths, who were languishing behind bars in various jails across the state.

Paswan said that that the delegation members had unanimously decided to build a political consensus in New Delhi on formation of a parliamentary committee to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

“We will propose this issue in the Parliament,” he said.

“We are not interlocutors, but we will work to generate a common consensus on Kashmir across the country to pave the way for its final settlement,” he said.

Paswan invited separatist leaders to participate in various seminars and debates held across India.

“That will help in making people of the country aware of the true picture of Kashmir,” he said.

The delegation left fro New Delhi at 2:30 PM.

Pertinently, Paswan had Saturday said that New Delhi had “completely failed” to implement its eight-point package in Kashmir.

Urging New Delhi to respond to Geelani’s five-point proposal, Paswanhad said: “Government may have reservations to accept Kashmir as international dispute (Geelani’s first proposal), but there should not have been any problem in addressing other four proposals put forth by Geelani sahib.”

Meanwhile, the delegation comprising parliamentarians, journalists, filmakers today also called on senior separatist leader and National Front chairman, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, at his residence.

During his interaction with the delegation, Khan emphasized the need for working on the various proposals floated by Mirwiaz-led Hurriyat Conference to pave the way for dialogue process.

Pertinently, the delegation had on Sunday met chairmen Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani, Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chairman, Shabir Ahmad Shah, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti, People’s Conference chairman, Bilal Lone, and families of youth killed in police and CRPF action during the five-month long unrest.

The delegation had arrived here on December 3 on a ‘fact finding mission’. Shortly after landing in Kashmir, they drove straight to the house of Tufail Ahmad Matoo, 12, who was killed by a tear smoke shell fired by police on June 11 at Rajouri Kadal here and interacted with the Mattoo family. Later in the day, they also met JKLF chairman, Yasin Malik.

Centre's 8-point package complete failure: Paswan

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Dec 4: Asserting that New Delhi had “completely failed” to implement its eight-point package in Kashmir, the visiting delegation of parliamentarians and civil society members today asked New Delhi to respond to five-point proposal floated by chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani, to resolve the Kashmir issue.

“After our visit in September, the government announced eight-point package for Kashmir, but there is no visible implementation of the package on ground,” member parliament and Lok Janshakti Party president, Ram Vilas Paswan, who is heading the Delhi team, told reporters after the team’s two-hour long meeting with Geelani at his Hyderpora residence here.

Urging New Delhi to respond to Geelani’s five-point proposal, Paswan, who was speaking on behalf of the delegation members, said: “Government may have reservations to accept Kashmir as international dispute (Geelani’s first proposal), but there should not have been any problem in addressing other four proposals put forth by Geelani sahib.”

The LJP leader said that government should make public the number of youth arrested under Public Safety Act (PSA) and those released after New Delhi’s announcement of the eight-point package.

He also expressed disappointment over appointment of "non-political" interlocutors on Kashmir.

"They (interlocutors) have failed to take the Kashmiri leadership on board," he said.

Emphasizing the need for engaging separatists, including Geelani, in dialogue for resolution of Kashmir issue, he said, “Government must start dialogue on Kashmir and invite all separatists in it. Opening the door to dialogue is need of the hour.”

Extending the team’s full support to “peaceful struggle” of Kashmiris, Paswan said that he would raise in Parliament the continuous arrest of Geelani.

“It’s very unfortunate that he has been kept under house arrest fort he last three months. If it is necessary then the government should at least declare it officially,” he said. “I’ll surely raise this issue in Parliament.”

Paswan said that the team was on a fact finding mission to know the ground realities in Kashmir.

“After the all-party delegation visited Kashmir there was a need to engage with people and address their demands, but the government failed to do so,” he said. “Kashmiris are hurt and that’s the reason the talks, instead of moving forward, are going backwards,”

He said that the purpose of their visit was to find the actual situation in the valley so that they could tell the real story to their people back home.

“People of the country are unaware of the happenings in Kashmir. Indian media does not project the ground situation in Kashmir,” he said.

“The stereotype image of Kashmiris needs to be changed and media has an important role to play in that,” he said. “We will raise Kashmir issue in parliament and other platforms and try to create a public opinion across the country.”

Earlier, in a two-hour long meeting with the delegation, the octogenarian separatist leader, who is spearheading the ongoing “Quit Jammu and Kashmir campaign”, asked the team to raise the Kashmir issue and the stand of separatists in Parliament.

“Kashmir has been a disputed territory for the last 63 years,” he said. “Indian Home Minister has himself admitted that Kashmir is an issue of broken promises.”

Geelani told the delegation that India had promised the people of Kashmir that they would be given right to self determination.

“It was India that took the Kashmir case to United Nations. Eighteen resolutions were passed by United Nations Security Council,” he said.

He said that the UN resolutions should be implemented and troops should be removed from Kashmir to pave the way for resolution of Kashmir issue.

He said that New Delhi should accept his amalgam’s five-point proposal to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Reiterating that he was not against dialogue on principle, he said, “I am not averse to dialogue if they are meaningful and result oriented. There have been over 150 dialogue exercises which have proven to be exercise in futility.”

The delegation comprising parliamentarians, journalists, filmakers today also called on chairman Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, People’s Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti, Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chairman, Shabir Ahmad Shah.

During a meeting with Mirwaiz, the delegation condemned the recent attacks on the Hurriyat (M) chairman at Chandigarh and Kolkata.

“A handful of communal elements can not represent the Indian majority,” they said.

Mirwiaz stressed the need for resolving the Kashmir dispute amicably.

“Kashmir is a political dispute and it should be resolved politically,” he said. “The solution should be acceptable to India, Pakistan and Kashmiris. Delaying resolution of Kashmir issue is not in the interests of India, Pakistan or the sub continent,” he said.

He said that Hurriyat Conference (M) had given some proposals to change the ground situation.

“We had suggested formation of a joint parliamentary group from India and Pakistan to the members of all-party delegation during their visit to Kashmir,” he said.

Meanwhile, during her interaction with the delegation, PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti, said that New Delhi’s eight-point package had yet to see light of the day.

She cautioned that the calm on streets should not be taken for granted.

“This was the time to address the grievances of people,” she said.

“Thousands of youth have been arrested after announcement of eight-point package despite the fact that the main thrust in the package was given on release of prisoners, she said.

The PDP president said that the state government had even failed to adhere to the High Court orders.

“Absence of a substantial political initiative from New Delhi has pushed Kashmiris back to the dark ages of violence,” she said. “The state government has failed the people even in providing security to life and property which is the fundamental of any governance.”

She asked the delegation to study the ground situation seriously and try to convey the real picture to their people back home.

During his meeting with the delegation, DFP chairman, Shabir Ahmed Shah, said that Kashmir was a disputed territory and New Delhi should resolve the issue “in accordance with the aspirations of the people”.

“India and Pakistan have fought three wars over Kashmir and its resolution is in the best interest of both the countries,” he said.

The delegation also met families of victims who were killed during five-month long unrest in the valley. The family members told the delegation that they don’t want more bloodshed in Kashmir.

They also raised slogans and told the delegation that they want “Azadi” from India.

“Our loved ones have laid down their lives for freedom of Kashmir,” they said.

Pertinently, the 11-member parliamentary and civil society delegation arrived here yesterday on a ‘fact finding mission’. Shortly after landing in Kashmir, they grove to the house of Tufail Ahmad Matoo, 12, who was killed by a tear smoke shell fired by police on June 11 at Rajouri Kadal here and interacted with the Mattoo family. Later in the day, they met JKLF chairman, Yasin Malik.

11-member Delhi team arrives on 'fact finding' mission

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Dec 3: Beginning its “fact finding mission”, an 11-member parliamentary and civil society delegation led by Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) president, Ram Vilas Paswan, which arrived here today, met the family of Tufail Ahmad Matoo, 12, who was killed by a tear smoke shell fired by police on June 11 at Rajouri Kadal here. His killing triggered five-month long unrest that saw 112 youth being killed in police and CRPF action across the valley.

Terming Indian democratic system a “defunct system” and a “complete failure”, Tufail’s family told the delegation that New Delhi had “unleashed a rein of tyranny” in Kashmir in the name of democracy.

“Police killed my son in cold blood. When he was killed he had a five-rupee coin in his hand, not stones,” Mohammad Ashraf, Tufail’s father, told the delegation. “Hundreds of young boys were mercilessly killed and thousands are languishing behind bars. Is this what you call democracy? Shame on Indian democracy, and its leaders,”

Stating that Kashmiris were the most oppressed people in the world, Ashraf blamed prime minister, Manmoham Singh, and chief minister, Omar Abdullah, for the recent killings in the valley.

“The men in khaki killed our youth at will and with impunity,” he said.

Refusing ex gratia relief, the Matto family demanded stern action against those involved in the killing of Tufail.

“Money can not fill the vacuum left behind by Tufail’s death,” Ashraf said.

Pertinently, a 40-member strong all-party parliamentary delegation, led by Home Minister P. Chidambaram, had visited Kashmir in September to assess the ground situation in the valley, which was then reeling under unprecedented political unrest.

Significantly, Paswan, who was also part of the all-party parliamentary delegation, had expressed disappointment over appointment of "non-political" interlocutors on Kashmir.

The visit of parliamentary and civil society delegation is the brainchild of New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Analysis (CPA).

The delegation comprising Paswan and Shoaib Iqbal of LJP, Gopal Choudary of CPI-M, D Raja of CPI, Namo Nageshwar Rao of Telgu Desham Party, Danish Ali of Janta Dal (Secular), Maheshwar Hazari of Janta Dal (United), Shahid Siddiqui of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RJD), film maker Mahesh Bhatt, journalist Seema Mustafa and academician Prof Kamal Mitra Chenoy, is likely to meet chairmen Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani, senior separatist leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah, mainstream politicians including chief minister, civil society groups, families of those killed in five-month long unrest.

"Kashmir is peaceful now. It does not mean that the problem is solved,” Paswan had said. “Our delegation is not an official one, but we will be meeting common people, youth and political leaders and create an atmosphere of peace."

CPI-M leader, D Raja, told reporters on the sidelines of the delegation’s visit to the Mattoo family that they would meet a cross section of society to grasp the ground situation.

“We are here on a fact finding mission and will listen to grief and grievances of people, and covey it to the people of India and also present a report to the government,” he said.

He said that the team would also asses the reaction of denizens of the valley to eight-point initiative announced by New Delhi for the state.

Earlier, the delegation, after arriving in Kashmir, drove straight to the Matto residence at Saida Kadal in old Srinagr city this afternoon.

Tufail’s father told the delegation that he and his family members were receiving threats from certain quarters to accept the ex gratia relief and stop pursuing the case.

“Several people from intelligence agencies have come to my house, asking us to stop pursuing the case,” he said.

Asking New Delhi to honour the commitment made by Jawaharlal Nehru to the people of Kashmir, Ashraf said, “Nehru’s soul must be restless. India has crushed Gandhi’s principles under its military boots.”

Later, the delegation met JKLF chairman, Yaseen Malik at Maisuma. After the photo op, media persons were asked to leave the meeting room by one of the members of the delegation, Seema Mustafa.

During the close-door meeting, Yaseen Malik, according to sources, told the delegation that he had urged the all-party parliamentary delegation to constitute a parliamentarian committee, comprising of all political parties, to hold talks with Kashmir separatists

He also assailed the appointment of three-member team of interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir.

“Appointment of interlocutors was a big joke with the people of Kashmir,” he said.

The delegation, which is on three-day visit to Kashmir, would also meet youth and families of victims killed during the five-month unrest in the Valley.

From north to south, normal life goes out of gear

• Protest in Shopian against police crackdown on youth

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Dec 1: Normal life in Shopian was completely thrown out of gear today as massive protest demonstrations rocked the south Kashmir’s apple-rich town against arrest of local youth by police on charges of stone-pelting. Meanwhile, north Kashmir’s Bandipora town also observed complete shut down today in protest against the killing of a local 'militant’ in an encounter with police at Qamarwari on Monday.

According to reports, massive protest demonstrations were held at Jamia Masjid, Bon Bazar, Aliyal Pora and Bongam in Shopian, 56 kilometers from here, against alleged police highhandedness, amid claims of Shopian police that it had arrested a kingpin of a group of stone-pelters - Moti Gang, which, they said, was active in organizing protest demonstrations in the town

Refuting the police claims, locals said that police had unleashed a rein of terror in the town, and had arrested many youth during nocturnal raids.

“They (police) conduct night raids and arrest our youth on flimsy charges,” said Shamim Ahmad of Bongam Shopian. “Later, they dub them as stone pelters.”

Hundreds of people took to streets in south Kashmir’s apple-rich town, to protest the arrest of the local youth by police. Shouting pro-Islam and pro-freedom slogans, they irate protestors demanded release of all arrested youth and stop crackdown “against innocent youth”.

“We ask police to immediately release all the arrested youth, failing which we will intensify the protests,” they said.

According to reports, police had to resort to teargas shelling to disperse the protestors.

The locals also alleged that the police had arrested a local youth – Yasir – at Srinagar yesterday.

All shops and other commercial outlets, private offices remained closed in the Shopian town and its adjoining areas. Transport was also off the roads.

Earlier in the day, announcements were made from local mosque loudspeakers, urging people to observe complete shutdown today to protest the arrest of local youth by police.

The reports said that police, in civvies, arrested a local youth – Tawseef Ahmad Bhat alias Moti, son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of Baba Mohalla, Shopian.

Tawseef had recently appeared in class 10th examinations.

The Shopian police claimed that Tawseef, 19, was a kingpin of a major group of stone pelters – Moti Gang - in Shopian. They said there were 12 FIRs registered against him. Police also said that the group had been active in organizing protest demonstrations in the town.

“The group was paying Rs 500 to every new member for holding violent protests in the area,” police said.

Another 19-year-old, Imran Ahmad, of Shopian, was arrested enroute Srinagar.

Pertinently, police had, two days ago, claimed to have arrested a ‘stone pelter’ - Sadam Husain, who, they said, was involved in organizing “violent protests” in the town.

Massive protests rocked Shopian town today against the arrest of local youth. Additional forces were deployed on streets. Policemen, in civvies, were also deployed in the town, the reports said.

However, SSP Shopian, Shahid Meraj, out rightly rejected the reports of protest demonstrations at Shopian.

“There was no protest in Shopian,” he said.

Shahid said that the police had arrested a youth today at Singlu Chowk who was threatening shopkeepers to down their shutters.

Asked whether Shopian police had arrested any youth on charges of stone pelting, Shahid said, “We have only arrested two people who were involved in criminal activities.”

“Two days ago, we had arrested one youth who had 28 criminal cases registered against him,” he said.

Meanwhile, according to reports, shops, commercial establishments, government and private offices also remained closed in north Kashmir's Bandipora town, to protest the killing of a local ‘militant’, Zahoor Ahmad Hajam, in an encounter with police at Qamarwari on Monday.

Hundreds of people took to streets at Nabripora and raised slogans against Zahoor’s killing.

They alleged that Zahoor was not a militant and that he was killed in a “fake encounter”. They demanded stern action against errant policemen. The protestors dispersed off peacefully.

Pertinently, Zahoor, 26, who was working as a teacher at Kausaria High School Chak Reshipora, Bandipora, was laid to rest yesterday at Mazar-e Shauda Nasu Bandipora yesterday amid massive protests.

Bodies of 'militants' killed in Qamarwari shootout burried amid massive protests

KT NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Nov 30: Bodies of slain ‘militants’, killed in Monday’s shootout at Qamarwari here, were taken to their respective native places amid massive protest demonstrations.

Pall of gloom descended on Bandipora when the body of Zahoor Ahmad Hajam, 26, son of Ghulam Qadir Hajam of Hajam Muhalla Bandipora was brought from Srinagar after he was identified by his relatives. Hundreds of people, beating their chests, assembled outside Zahoor’s residence. Complete shutdown was observed in the area. Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the road.

A large number of people carried out a protest march from Nabirpora to DC office Bandipora and raise pro-Islam slogans.

When Zahoor’s body was brought to his native place this afternoon, massive protests erupted in the area. His body was, in a procession, taken to Mazar-e Shauda Nasu Bandipora where he was laid to rest at around 3:30Pm. Hundreds of people offered his funeral prayers and bid adieu to him with numb eyes.

Zahoor, a graduate from Islamia College Srinagar, was working as a teacher at Kausaria High School Chak Reshipora, Bandipora up to October 2010.

‘He was innocent’

“He wanted to study further and had decided to pursue masters from Kashmir University,” said his father, Ghulam Qadir.

He said that Zahoor had shifted his base from Bandipora to his aunt’s place at Mala Bagh here to prepare for KU entrance examination and also prepare for civil services.

“I was coming out of my home this morning when I saw a large number of people gathering outside the local mosque,” said Qadir. “When I inquired, I was stunned to know that my son had been killed in firing at Srinagar.”

He said that his son was innocent and he had no connection with militants.

Zahoor’s cousin, Mubashir Ahmad said that Zahoor was also doing a computer course.

“He had gone to Srinagar a month ago to submit admission form at Kashmir University,” he said. “He had briefly visited his home on Eid.”

According to Mubashir, Zahoor had on Monday morning at around 10:25 AM informed his cousin on phone that he was on his way to Bandipora to apply for teacher post in state education department.

“When he did not reach home till late in the evening, we tried his mobile number several times but he did not receive our call,” Mubashir said.

He said that he was a pious person and would impart free Quranic education to orphan children at a local Madrassa.

“He was arrested four years ago, but was released after he was given a clean chit,” he said. “He was not a militant.”

Zahoor’s family members said that after their relatives identified Zahoor’s body, they staked claim for it.

“But the police initially refused to hand over the body and instead asked us to tell shopkeepers to open their shops,” they said.

Arshad Bashir

Meanwhile, body of another youth – Peerzada Arshad Bashir of Al-Safa colony Sopore - who was killed in yesterday’s encounter with police, was also taken to his native place.

According to reports, word of Arshad’s killing spread like a wild fire in the apple town, triggering massive protests in the area.

A pal of gloom descended on Al-Safa colony when the body of Arshid was brought there. Hundreds of people carried out a protest march up to Achabal. They were raising pro-Islam slogans and calling the Qamarwari encounter “fake”. They also demanded high level probe into the incident and demanded stern action against the errant cops.

Arshid’s body was, later, taken, in a procession, to local Mazar-e Shauda, falling between Achabal and Al-Safa colony, where he was laid to rest.

According to the reports, complete shutdown was observed in the area in protest against the killing.

‘My son was not a militant’

“Police showed me his (Arshad’s) identity card and mobile,” said his father, Bashir Ahmad. “He was not a militant. He had gone to Srinagar to submit examination form at Bemina Degree College.”

Arshid’s uncle said that he was a student of B.Com Ist year at Bemina Degree College.

“He was on his way to Qamarwari on a bike with one of his friends when some militants opened fire at police,” he said. “In retaliation, police fired indiscriminately killing innocent youth including Arshid, and later dubbed them as militants.”

Ridiculing the state police claim that Arshid had fired at police with a pistol, he said that he possessed a valid election card, which the police returned to them on Monday evening.

“He (Arshid) was killed in cold blood by police,” said his family members.

‘Cold blooded murder’

Senior National Conference (NC) leader and Member Parliament (MP), Sharif-ud-Din Shariq, who is a close relative of one of the slain youth, Arshid Bashir, termed the killing of the three youth as “cold blooded murder”.

“The policemen involved in the firing should be arrested forthwith and murder case registered against them for killing the innocent youth,” Shariq told media persons. “I will raise the issue with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah so that the guilty are brought to book.”

Ridiculing the place claim, he termed the encounter as “entirely baseless”.

“Recovery of Voter Identity card and Kashmir University roll number slip from Arshad Bashir is the vivid evidence of his being innocent,” he said. “If police can go to the extent of spilling the innocent blood and brand the youth as militants then God save the hapless people of this state.”

Waseem Ahmad

Meanwhile, body of the third youth killed in Monday’s encounter, Waseem Raja, 24, was also taken to his native village of Seer Jagir in Sopore. According to his family members, he was missing for the last two months.

Waseem’s brother, Aijaz Ahmad Gooru said that Waseem had completed his graduation two years ago from Degree College Sopore.

“He dramatically went missing before two months,” he said. “We tried our best to locate him but to no avail.”

He said after failing to trace Waseem, they had filed a missing report in police station Sopore.

“He never went to Pakistan,” he said. “We don’t know who he met and where he went after he disappeared.”

According to reports, it was learnt that Waseem was a surrendered militant and was trying to join the militant ranks again.

Hundreds of people offered his funeral prayers before he was laid to rest at a local Mazar-e Shauda this morning amid pro-Islam slogans.

‘They acted as Jaish module’

Director General of Police (DGP), Kuldeep Khoda, today said that the slain three ‘militants’ were working as “Jaish module’.

“The three militants were working as a Jaish module, which was headed by Waseem Raja Guru and the rented accommodation of Arshid Bashir was used as a hideout,” he said. “The module was also involved in the killing of two CRPF men on November 10, 2010 in Pattan.”

Giving description about Wasim, he said Waseem had gone for training across border in 1991 and returned in 1994.

“He was working as Battalion Commander of JeM outfit in Sopore. He was associated with JeM commander, Shoaib alias Yasir resident of Pakistan. He was booked under PSA in 2007 and was released in 2008. He restarted his activities in 2008. He was categorized as ‘A’ Category JeM militant in 2009,” Khuda said.

About Zahoor Ahmad, Khuda said he was a local trained militant affiliated with Al-Badar outfit.

“His was working under code name of Tanveer /Imran. He was arrested on August 23, 2004 by 15 RR, at Hospital Road Bandipora. One Pistol with magazine and seven rounds were recovered from his possession,” he said. “He was also detained under PSA for a period of one and a half year in 2004. Zahoor was also found involved in instigating public for agitation in 2008.”

Referring to Arshid Bashir, the DGP said Arshid had close links with militant organizations and his house was raided in 2009 by Police and Army for the presence of Jaish Mohammad militants.

“He had developed liaison with JeM militant, Waseem Raja Guru, in 2008-2009 and was seen with him off and on,” he said.

Frequent, unscheduled power cutts irk Valleyites

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Nov 29: Even as the state government claims, ad nauseum, that it would provide uninterrupted power supply to the valley, frequent and long power cuts have only added to the woes of denizens of the valley.

Chief minister, Omar Abdullah, had on record said that the expeditious harnessing of hydel power potential of 20,000 MW would not only make J&K self-reliant, but it would also help to meet the power requirement of India. However, there is no denying the fact that the state power sector continues to be one of the most underdeveloped sectors in the state.

Come winter, Kashmiris not only have to bear intense cold, but have to experience frequent and long power cuts. The entire valley plunges into darkness, making life more miserable for denizens of the valley. Industrialists, hoteliers, student community, house boat owners, and news paper owners face the most brunt of the prolonged power cuts.

Locals allege that there is a proper schedule of power cuts in place, but the concerned PDD employees have failed to adhere to that schedule.

“They (PDD employees) cut power supply according to their choice,” they said.

They also claim that the PDD employees at concerned grid stations are developing a knack of violating the power cut schedule.

“They provide power supply only to those areas where traders and industrialist grease heir palms,” locals said. “Sumbal Sonawari can serve a classic example of the hightening corruption tide in the department.”

Residents of Sumbal allege that areas like Nesbal, Wangipora, Asham, Anderkot Nogam, Batta Mohalla, Wangi Pora, Shilwath plunge into darkness as winter dusk sets in.

“Employees at local grid station, in complete violation of power cut schedule, provide power supply to other areas,” they said.

Similar complaints have been echoed by residents of civil line areas.

“Students, who have to appear in examinations, are worst sufferers as they face lot of hardships in wake of unscheduled and prolonged power cuts,” they said. “Children of affluent persons don’t face problems as they have inverter facility available; however, it is children of poor who suffer the most.”

Residents of north Kashmir and central Kashmir’s Budgam district also face similar problems.

The PDD has also resorted to heavy and unscheduled power curtailments in metered areas, contradicting the claims of regular power supply in metered areas by the government.

“Despite assurances by PDD of providing regular power supply in metered areas, the ground reality narrates a dismal tale of official apathy,” said Basheer Mir, a resident of Sanat Nagar. “Government is only making tall claims, but the ground reality is different.”

Pertinently, the state government had recently sough Rs 5, 851 crore assistance from New Delhi for implementing reforms programme in power sector and improving distribution and transmission system in the state.

However, according to senior PDD official, the state has not yet received “a single penny”.

Significantly, union minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah, had recently targeted New Delhi for denying completion of major power projects in the state.

“I had handed over seven major power projects to the Central government as the Chief Minister of the Jammu and Kashmir and it was assured that these projects would be completed within five years but none of the projects has been completed even after the lapse of 10 to 12 years,” Farooq had said. “Our tragedy is that the projects, which were to be completed in five years, had not been completed in 23 years. Salal project was 17 years behind schedule. Look at the escalation of cost from Rs 3000-5000 crore to many thousands of crores at the time when it is producing just 300 MW power.”

In the wake of government apathy, PDD employees’ callous attitude, the power scenario is unlikely to improve in the valley, at least in near future.

Mirwaiz Umar heckled, again!

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Nov 28: Two days after chairman Hurriyat Conference (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was hackled allegedly by a group of Kashmiri Pandit activists at a seminar in Chandigarh, the Mirwaiz had to face a similar situation at Kolkata today when activists of BJP’s student wing hurled eggs at his vehicle after attending a seminar on Kashmir.

According to reports, the Hurriyat (M) chairman was coming out of an auditorium after attending the seminar - “Kashmir- A Way Out” - organised by Centre for Peace and Progress when some irate student activists of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) started raising slogans for his alleged “anti-India statements” during his addressed at the seminar. The protestors also carried banners, reading 'Bharat Ek Hai' and 'Mirwaiz Murdabad'.

Police personnel swung into action and whisked the senior separatist leader from the spot. The protestors hurled eggs at Mirwaiz’s vehicle as it drove away from the seminar venue. Later, the security personnel reportedly arrested 25 members of ABVP.

Earlier, addressing the seminar at Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata, Mirwaiz urged the Indian intelligentsia, and denizens of Kolkata to make people aware of ground realities in Kashmir, and build pressure on New Delhi for amicable resolution of Kashmir dispute.

Mirwaiz reiterated that Kashmir was a “disputed land” and that New Delhi should realize the “strong sentiments of 'Azadi' (freedom) of the people of the valley”.

"Until and unless New Delhi addresses the core issue, nothing can be achieved,” he said, adding the core issue was not development or economic packages, but “it is the strong sentiments of the people of Kashmir who want Azadi”.

Accusing New Delhi of “double speak”, Mirwaiz said, “on one hand they claim that they want to resume dialogue process and on the other hand they are arresting Kashmiri youth”.

“Enough is enough, we want a solution,” Mirwaiz reportedly told the jam packed auditorium.

Mirwaiz, who is also the head priest of historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar, told the gathering that he had not been allowed to offer Friday prayers for the last three months.

“I have been restricted to perform my religious duties,” he said.

He said the world community had declared Kashmir as “disputed territory” and it was stressing the need for resolving Kashmir according to the wishes of its denizens.

Stating that resolution of Kashmir issue was imperative for peace in the sub continent, Mirwaiz said, “unless and until Kashmir issue is resolved, the bilateral relations between India and Pakistan can not improve”.

Referring to the amalgam’s demand for complete demilitarization of Kashmir, Mirwaiz said, “Government has over and again stated that infiltration has come down then I wonder what is the use of keeping a much larger number of troops in the valley”.

“Why are the black laws not yet withdrawn? Why is the government using force in the Valley," he asked.

While referring to dialogue process, Mirwaiz said that the dialogue must be “meaningful” and “result oriented”.

“Hurriyat Conference (M) had in 2004 proposed repeal of AFSPA and other black laws, remove of bunkers and watch towers from Srinagar city, release of political detenues, but none of these issues has been addressed so far by New Delhi," he said. “New Delhi must realise the sentiments of people of Kashmir.”

The reports said when Mirwaiz was asked by one of the speakers at the seminar, former army chief General (retired), Shankar Roy Choudhury, if he considered Kashmir a part of India, the Hurriyat (M) chairman said: "No, Kashmir is a disputed land and we want a solution."

Meanwhile, Hurriyat Conference (M) has strongly condemned attack on Mirwaiz at Kolkata, and said that the amalgam would not be cowed down by such incidents.

In a statement issued to the press here, the spokesperson of the party said that the conglomerate would continue its struggle for the freedom of Kashmir.

Pertinently, on November 25, the Hurriyat (M) chairman was attacked by Kashmiri Pandits and activists of Hindu groups far an “anti-India speech” at Chandigarh. A criminal complaint was also filed today in a local court accusing the Mirwaiz of “waging a war against the country by making seditious statements”.

CM discuuses coalition functioning with Sonia at Delhi; back home fissures wide open

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Nov 27: Even as chief minister, Omar Abdullah, today gave detailed resume of functioning of coalition government to UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, at New Delhi, back home fissures within the coalition government have started to widen again.

The street battles may have shown signs of diminishing, but political battle between the coalition partners – National Conference (NC) and Congress – has once again started hogging headlines after five-month hiatus.

Since the formation of the coalition government, the two parties have often been at loggerheads on different issues ranging from Indus Water Treaty (IWT) to Kashmir’s accession, and now, much-touted rehabilitation policy, aimed at the return of Kashmiri militants from across the border.

Even as Congress ministers have maintained absolute silence over the issue, some of the party stalwarts expressed their disappointment over the decision, fearing a certain political backlash in Jammu region.

“The decision has directly gone in favour of NC,” said a senior JKPCC member. “It seems our ministers have been caught napping by the coalition partner.”

At times the coalition partners have preferred silence, but most of the times they have openly and publicly criticized each other.

On November 25, 2010 senior NC legislator and former minister, Dr Mustafa Kamal, had accused New Delhi of betraying Kashmiris.

“The accords and promises made by Delhi were never kept. They always backstabbed us,” he had said while addressing the party activists at Nawa-e Subha here. “New Delhi is equally responsible for introducing gun culture in Kashmir.”

However, Kamal’s remarks didn’t go down well with the state Congress unit. Vice president of JKPCC, Ghulam Nabi Monga, said that the statement had been deliberately issued to create cracks fissures within the coalition government.

“Dr Kamal has forgotten the 1975 historic accord signed between his father Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi,” Monga had said. “Such remark will definitely affect smooth functioning of the coalition government in the future.”

Pertinently, Kamal’s nephew and the state chief minister, Omar Abdullah, had in his October 6 speech in the state legislative assembly said that J&K had “acceded to India under unique circumstances and it had not merged with India.”

Senior Congressmen at New Delhi had supported Omar’s statement, however, state Congress unit chief and head of J&K coordination committee, Saif-ud-Din Soz, strongly reacted to the chief minister’s remarks.

“I advise the young Omar to go through the book of his grandfather,” he had said while addressing a public meeting at Dayalachak in Kathua district. “Sheikh had, in fact, rejected two-nation theory prior to 1947 when he had a meeting with Jinnah at the latter's residence in Delhi as recorded in his autobiography 'Aatish-e-Chinar.”

A series of verbal fights had ensued between senior NC and Congress leaders on different platforms in the past. It had all started when union minister and president NC, Farooq Abdullah, had, at a function, targeted bete-noire People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for attacking NC and not Congress over the issue of Indus Water Treaty (IWT).

Farooq’s statement had not gone down well with Congress leaders, who were annoyed with senior Abdullah’s “unacceptable” statement.

If Farooq’s statement was not enough to upset the NC-Congress bonhomie, soon his brother and MLA Hazratbal, Dr Mustafa Kamal, and NC Member Parliament, Mehboob Beg, jumped on the band wagon, only to make the matters worse.

After situation seemed to be slipping out of control, it was left to Farooq to do much needed damage control exercise.

Farooq asserted that the two leaders were not eligible to issue statements on behalf of the party. Brushing aside reports of cracks in the coalition, Farooq said that the coalition government in the state was working in close harmony and there were no differences between the partners.

Miffed over NC leadership’s assault on Congress, senior Congress leader and former minister, Abdul Gani Vakil, known for his PDP bashing, cautioned the chief minister against the activities of some elements trying to weaken the coalition government.

The chief minister chipped in and on May 20 urged NC activists to strengthen the bond of NC-Congress coalition at grass root level.

Iran sympathises with ‘oppressed people of Kashmir’

KT NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Nov 15: Showing solidarity with people of Kashmiri, supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, has urged the Islamic Ummah to sympathize and provide assistance to Kashmir.

In a message to Hajj pilgrims, Ayatollah Khamenei, said that the major duties of the elite of the Islamic Ummah was to provide help to the Palestinian nation and the besieged people of Gaza, “to sympathize and provide assistance to the nations of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Kashmir, to engage in struggle and resistance against the aggressions of the United States and the Zionist regime, to safeguard the solidarity of Muslims and stop tainted hands and mercenary voices that try to damage this unity, to spread awakening and the sense of responsibility and commitment among Muslim youth throughout Islamic communities”.

He also expressed confidence about the bright future of the Muslim community due to the growing Islamic awakening in the world.

"The expanding wave of Islamic awakening in the world today is a reality that heralds a bright future for the Islamic Ummah," Ayatollah Khamenei said in the message.

Pertinently, Iran had in the past openly extended its support to Kashmir cause. The separatist youth of Kashmir were highly influenced by the 1979-Iranian revolution. However, after the militancy erupted in the state, Iran became cautious. It is after a long time that ‘oppressed people of Kashmir’ have got a mention in the message of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Significantly, Ayatollah Khamenei is believed to adore Kashmir, its culture and people. He had visited Kashmir in early 80s and also delivered sermons at Jamia Masjid Srinagar and Imambara Budgam.

Condemning the “extensive propaganda of the enemy” to spread Islamophobia, Khamenei said their “offhand efforts to create discord among Muslim sects, to incite sectarian prejudices, to bring about pseudo-confrontations between the Sunnis and the Shiites, to create disunity between Islamic states and to aggravate their differences, to change them into hostility and unsolvable conflicts, its employment of intelligence and espionage outfits to propagate corruption and immorality amongst the youth-all these are nervous and bewildered responses to the steady and firm advances of the Islamic Ummah towards awakening, honor and freedom.”

He said that the Zionist regime was no more the “undefeatable monster” of 30 years ago.

“The United States and the West are also no more the unquestionable decision-makers of the Middle East that they were two decades ago. Contrary to the situation that existed ten years ago, the nuclear know-how and other complex technologies are no longer considered inaccessible daydreams for Muslim nations of the region,” he said. “Today the Palestinian nation is an acknowledged paragon of resistance, the Lebanese nation has single-handedly demolished the fake awesomeness of the Zionist regime and emerged as the victor of the 33-day war, and the Iranian nation is at the vanguard of the movement towards the looming peaks.”

“Today the arrogant United States, the self-styled commandant of the Islamic region and the real sponsor of the Zionist regime, is bogged down in the quagmire of its own making in Afghanistan. As a result of all its crimes against the people of Iraq, it is in the course of becoming isolated in that country. It is hated more than ever before in disaster-stricken Pakistan. Today, the influence of the anti-Islamic front which since the past two centuries has acted as a despotic overlord over Islamic nations and states and plundered their resources, is receding before the heroic resistance of the Muslim nations.”

“On the opposite side, the wave of Islamic awakening is steadily advancing and growing in depth day by day.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said that the glorious spectacle and stage of Hajj provided Muslims with an opportunity for the fulfillment of these duties and “summons us to intensify and redouble our resolution and efforts”.

What’s Omar reading?

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Nov 8: It seems chief minister, Omar Abdullah, has finally paid heed to the suggestion of Congress’ state unit chief, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz to read “Aatish-e Chinar”.

A photograph circulated by state-run information department in its daily bulletin today showed the English version of his grandfather’s autobiographical book, “Flames of the Chinar” lying on his office table.

The chief minister, in the photograph, is seen holding video conferencing at his Jammu office to review the development as well as law and order situation in the valley. Besides his grandfather’s autobiographical book, his favourite Blackberry mobile phone is also seen on the table.

Pertinently, Soz had, on October 24, advised Omar to read Sheikh’s book.

“I advise the young Omar to go through the book of his grandfather,” he had said.

The chief minister had, in his October 6 speech in the state assembly, said that J&K had “acceded to India under unique circumstances and it had not merged with India.” He had also stressed for inclusion of Pakistan in the 'final settlement of the issue'.

Significantly, India’s external affair minister, SM Krishna, had supported Omar’s statement, saying that the state of J&K had acceded to India just like Mysore.

However, JKPCC chief had strongly reacted to Omar's statement.

“Sheikh had, in fact, rejected it (two-nation theory) prior to 1947 when he had a meeting with Jinnah at the latter's residence in Delhi as recorded in his autobiography 'Aatish-e-Chinar,” he had said while addressing a public meeting at Dayalachak in Kathua district.

A staunch supporter of the Sheikh and one-time NC stalwart, Soz was invited to join NC by the Sheikh himself and asked to contest for his native Baramulla seat in late 70s. However, according to Soz, Sheikh’s family members had opposed his nomination.

Soz remained close to Farooq Abdullah and served three terms as an NC member parliament (MP). However, he didn't like Farooq's style of governing, and finally in April 1999 he was ousted from the party after he had caste vote against NC-supported BJP-led government.