जम्मू (21 May 2011)। विस्थापित कश्मीरी पंडित समुदाय का अस्तित्व कायम रखने के लिए पंडितों को अल्पसंख्यक दर्जा दिया जाना आवश्यक है। राज्य सरकार को चाहिए कि वह पंडितों को अल्पसंख्यक दर्जा देने के लिए उपायों की तलाश करे। यह बात राष्ट्रीय अल्पसंख्यक आयोग ने जम्मू कश्मीर सरकार को लिखे पत्र में कही है।
आयोग के चेयरमैन वजाहत हबीबुल्लाह ने राज्य सरकार को पंडित समुदाय को अल्पसंख्यक दर्जा देने की सिफारिश हाल ही में कश्मीरी पंडित दलों के साथ बैठक करने के बाद की है। पंडित संगठनों के कई नेताओं ने ऑल इंडिया कश्मीरी समाज के बैनर तले इसी महीने वजाहत हबीबुल्लाह से बैठक कर उन्हें विस्थापित कश्मीरी पंडितों की पीड़ा को बताया था। राज्य के दौरे पर आए समाज के प्रधान मोती कौल ने कहा है कि राष्ट्रीय अल्पसंख्यक आयोग ने राज्य सरकार को अपनी सिफारिश देकर पंडितों के वर्षों के अपने दावे पर मुहर लगा दी है।
उन्होंने कहा कि आल इंडिया कश्मीरी समाज पिछले कई वर्षो से पंडितों को अल्पसंख्यक दर्जा दिलवाने के लिए प्रयास कर रहा है। इस सिलसिले में उन्होंने वर्ष 1999 से विभिन्न हस्तियों से मिल कर उनके नोटिस में पंडितों को अल्पसंख्यक दर्जा दिए जाने की मांग लाई है, ताकि अपने अस्तित्व को बचाने की लड़ाई को जीता सके। कौल ने कहा कि कश्मीरी पंडितों को अल्पसंख्यक समुदाय का दर्जा देने की मांग उन्होंने राष्ट्रीय अल्पसंख्यक आयोग के समक्ष कोई पहली बार नहीं उठाई है। इससे पहले भी वर्ष 1999 में उठा चुके हैं, उस समय आयोग प्रमुख प्रो.ताहिर महमूद ने भी राज्य सरकार को पंडितों को अल्पसंख्यक दर्जा देने की सिफारिश की थी।
(Courtesy : www.jagran.com)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
19 persons cross sides on LoC via Uri
SRINAGAR, May 19 (PBI): Nine fresh visitors from Pakistan Administered Kash¬mir were among 19 persons who crossed sides along the Line of Control via Uri in north Kashmir Baramulla district on Thursday.
Station House Officer Uri Showkat Ahmad told Press Bureau of India that while nine fresh visitors from Pak arrived here via the ‘Peace Bus’, four persons from this part of Kashmir return home, they said. The pas¬sengers travelled from Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pak, to Chakoti, near the LoC in Uri town and as a part of procedure, the travellers alighted from the bus and crossed the Aman Setu (Peace Bridge) on foot.
Four fresh visitors from this part of the Kashmir also travelled to Pak when the bus left, they said. Two residents of Muzaf¬farabad also returned home after stipu¬lated stay here, he added.
(Courtesy : http://www.kashmirtimes.com)
Station House Officer Uri Showkat Ahmad told Press Bureau of India that while nine fresh visitors from Pak arrived here via the ‘Peace Bus’, four persons from this part of Kashmir return home, they said. The pas¬sengers travelled from Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pak, to Chakoti, near the LoC in Uri town and as a part of procedure, the travellers alighted from the bus and crossed the Aman Setu (Peace Bridge) on foot.
Four fresh visitors from this part of the Kashmir also travelled to Pak when the bus left, they said. Two residents of Muzaf¬farabad also returned home after stipu¬lated stay here, he added.
(Courtesy : http://www.kashmirtimes.com)
Centre okays skills training for J&K
NEW DELHI, May 19: Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a programme worth Rs 235.3 crore to provide skill training to one lakh youth in Jammu and Kashmir over the next five years under a centrally sponsored scheme.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) which met here under Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh approved the project under Skill Empowerment and Employment Special Scheme, which will be 100 percent centrally assisted. The scheme is a placement linked, market driven skill training programme for J&K youth. The placements will be in the private sector both within and outside J&K, it said.
It will commence from June-July this year and cover youth from both Below Poverty Line and non-BPL categories. In the first year, 15,000 youth will receive training for salaried and self employment opportunities.
A recommendation in this regard had been made by a committee headed by former RBI Governor C Rangarajan. The panel was set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to suggest measures to enhance employment opportunities in the state and formulate a plan involving both private and public sectors.
Of the total expenditure, Rs 70.59 crore will be met from existing budget of the Rural Development Ministry under SGSY Scheme to cover 75 percent cost of training rural BPL youth. The remaining will be covered under special scheme for J&K to cover rural non-BPL, urban BPL and non-BPL youth.
"I think that (CCEA decision) will give a good boost to bring the youths into the mainstream because they have guaranteed 75 percent of placement in various industry and other offices throughout the country," Rural Development Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh told reporters.
The Rangarajan panel had submitted its report to the Prime Minister in February, 2011. The report suggested a two pronged approach to employment generation - identify sectoral initiatives for growth and employment generation and increase employability of youth by improving skill sets. "The objective of the scheme is to provide options and opportunities to all youth in J&K, ranging from school dropouts to college educated, to select training programme for salaried or self-employment opportunities as per their interest," the statement said.
It is estimated that 70 per cent funds will be used to provide salaried employment linked training, and the remaining for self-employment linked training. Placement for youths will be provided all over the country. Under the scheme, different training strategies will be used for diverse groups of youth -- school dropouts, dropouts of XII class level, and those who have had college education.
(Courtesy : http://www.kashmirtimes.com)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) which met here under Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh approved the project under Skill Empowerment and Employment Special Scheme, which will be 100 percent centrally assisted. The scheme is a placement linked, market driven skill training programme for J&K youth. The placements will be in the private sector both within and outside J&K, it said.
It will commence from June-July this year and cover youth from both Below Poverty Line and non-BPL categories. In the first year, 15,000 youth will receive training for salaried and self employment opportunities.
A recommendation in this regard had been made by a committee headed by former RBI Governor C Rangarajan. The panel was set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to suggest measures to enhance employment opportunities in the state and formulate a plan involving both private and public sectors.
Of the total expenditure, Rs 70.59 crore will be met from existing budget of the Rural Development Ministry under SGSY Scheme to cover 75 percent cost of training rural BPL youth. The remaining will be covered under special scheme for J&K to cover rural non-BPL, urban BPL and non-BPL youth.
"I think that (CCEA decision) will give a good boost to bring the youths into the mainstream because they have guaranteed 75 percent of placement in various industry and other offices throughout the country," Rural Development Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh told reporters.
The Rangarajan panel had submitted its report to the Prime Minister in February, 2011. The report suggested a two pronged approach to employment generation - identify sectoral initiatives for growth and employment generation and increase employability of youth by improving skill sets. "The objective of the scheme is to provide options and opportunities to all youth in J&K, ranging from school dropouts to college educated, to select training programme for salaried or self-employment opportunities as per their interest," the statement said.
It is estimated that 70 per cent funds will be used to provide salaried employment linked training, and the remaining for self-employment linked training. Placement for youths will be provided all over the country. Under the scheme, different training strategies will be used for diverse groups of youth -- school dropouts, dropouts of XII class level, and those who have had college education.
(Courtesy : http://www.kashmirtimes.com)
Amarnath yatra: over 1.30 lakh pilgrims registered
JAMMU : Over 1.34 lakh people have registered themselves for the annual pilgrimage to the 13,500-feet-high cave shrine of Amarnath in the Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Over 1,34,174 pilgrims have secured yatra permit as registered pilgrims through Internet based e-registration and at bank registration counters across the country till today, the eleventh day of registration,” vice-president and nodal officer of registration at J&K Bank Abdul Hamid said.
He said 70,565 pilgrims have opted to undertake the pilgrimage through the traditional Pahalgam route via south Kashmir while over 63,610 have opted for the Baltal route via central Kashmir.
Of these, 1,07,544 pilgrims have been registered through 149 registration counters at various banks and 26,630 registered through the Internet, Hamid said.
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) began the registration process on May 10 for the yatra which will commence simultaneously from both routes on June 29 and culminate on August 13.
“Registration counters have been set up at 121 designated branches of the J&K Bank, 24 of the YES Bank and four of the District Cooperative Banks,” an SASB spokesman said.
“Registration is going on smoothly and there is no problem to people undertaking registration at various counters across the country. A registration fee of Rs 15 is charged from each person,” he said.
The Shrine Board has this year curtailed the period of the annual pilgrimage by 15 days. Traditionally, the yatra goes on for two months beginning June 15.
Opposing curtailment of the yatra, the Baba Amarnath Yatri Niyas (BAYN), an amalgam of around 30 religious, social and trade organisations, has vowed to commence the pilgrimage on June 15. The VHP has also threatened to start the yatra on June 15.
The SASB has defended its decision saying the step was taken to ensure safe and smooth conduct of the arduous pilgrimage. (AGENCIES)
(Courtesy : www.dailyexcelsior.com)
“Over 1,34,174 pilgrims have secured yatra permit as registered pilgrims through Internet based e-registration and at bank registration counters across the country till today, the eleventh day of registration,” vice-president and nodal officer of registration at J&K Bank Abdul Hamid said.
He said 70,565 pilgrims have opted to undertake the pilgrimage through the traditional Pahalgam route via south Kashmir while over 63,610 have opted for the Baltal route via central Kashmir.
Of these, 1,07,544 pilgrims have been registered through 149 registration counters at various banks and 26,630 registered through the Internet, Hamid said.
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) began the registration process on May 10 for the yatra which will commence simultaneously from both routes on June 29 and culminate on August 13.
“Registration counters have been set up at 121 designated branches of the J&K Bank, 24 of the YES Bank and four of the District Cooperative Banks,” an SASB spokesman said.
“Registration is going on smoothly and there is no problem to people undertaking registration at various counters across the country. A registration fee of Rs 15 is charged from each person,” he said.
The Shrine Board has this year curtailed the period of the annual pilgrimage by 15 days. Traditionally, the yatra goes on for two months beginning June 15.
Opposing curtailment of the yatra, the Baba Amarnath Yatri Niyas (BAYN), an amalgam of around 30 religious, social and trade organisations, has vowed to commence the pilgrimage on June 15. The VHP has also threatened to start the yatra on June 15.
The SASB has defended its decision saying the step was taken to ensure safe and smooth conduct of the arduous pilgrimage. (AGENCIES)
(Courtesy : www.dailyexcelsior.com)
J&K interlocutors : Will shortly submit report to Chidambaram
SRINAGAR : Centre’s interlocutors on J&K today said they would shortly submit a report on their eighth visit to the Kashmir Valley to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.
"We interacted with about 30 delegations representing political parties, local government, RTI activists, civil rights’ groups, farmers, youth and women’s self-help groups during our visit. The views will be reflected, along with our analyses, in the report that we will submit shortly to Union Home Minister," Chief Interlocutor Dileep Padgaonkar told before leaving for New Delhi.
The three-member team, comprising academician Radha Kumar and M M Ansari, arrived in Srinagar on May 15 on their eight visit to the Valley since their appointment in October last year in the aftermath of the summer unrest.
"Our meetings in Pulwama and Charar-e-Sharief yielded valuable insights into what the people of the state seek by way of a political settlement in Jammu and Kashmir. As is only to be expected, the views expressed in all the meetings were diverse to the extreme," Padgaonkar said. He said the team will visit the state again for interacting with newly-elected panchs and sarpanchs.
"We hope to cover the remaining districts and areas that we have not covered so far in our forthcoming visits to continue, and conclude, extensive consultations among the stake-holders, particularly the newly elected Sarpanchs and members of Panchayats and other civil society functionaries," he said.
Giving details of their hectic tour, he said the team attended the inaugural session of a conference organised by Jammu and Kashmir peace foundation and also interacted with a large gathering of youth in Srinagar and other parts.
In Charar-e-Sharief in Budgam district, Padgaonkar said the team paid obeisance at the famous shrine of sufi saint Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani and recalled his lasting contribution to the pluralism and tolerance of Kashmiri society, an essential element in the search of peace.
"We also offered prayers at the Siddhi Vinayak Temple at Habbakadal in downtown Srinagar, where worship continues in this ancient temple despite the mass exodus of the faithful - the Kashmiri pandits - more than 20 years ago," he said.
The Chief Interlocutor said the team during their visit to Shaikhupora in Budgam noted the enthusiasm with which Kashmiri pandits are returning to the Valley, and the warm reception they have been accorded by the people.
"We also heard about some of their problems, which we have shared with the state government," he said, adding the state government has assured them that the problems would be addressed without delay.
The interlocutors called on state Governor N N Vohra and had discussions with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, President of National Conference Farooq Abdullah and other senior political leaders including State Secretary of CPI(M) Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami and PDP Legislator Nizamuddin Bhat, he said.
Padgaonkar said the team also discussed various issues relating to security with Director General of State Police Kuldeep Khoda and had a session with Chief State Information Commissioner Ghulam Rasool Sofi.
"The DGP informed us that police verification for acquiring a passport has been simplified. Passports will be delivered at a swift pace, especially for citizens wishing to perform Haj, as per the directions issued by the Chief Minister," he said.
Referring to a report in a national newspaper about certain adverse remarks allegedly made by the team about the manner in which the state government responded to the tragic incidents of last summer, Padgaonkar said, "stories of this nature are an insult to the memory of the scores of children who died in those incidents."
"Exploiting the tragedy to settle personal goals or to pursue petty political ambitions goes against the grain of all civilised behaviour," he said.
"It only serves to frustrate efforts to evolve a broad consensus on a political settlement that will be acceptable to all the people in Jammu and Kashmir - to all its regions and sub-regions - and to all its communities who contribute to the rich pluralism of the state," he added. (AGENCIES)
(Courtesy : www.dailyexcelsior.com)
"We interacted with about 30 delegations representing political parties, local government, RTI activists, civil rights’ groups, farmers, youth and women’s self-help groups during our visit. The views will be reflected, along with our analyses, in the report that we will submit shortly to Union Home Minister," Chief Interlocutor Dileep Padgaonkar told before leaving for New Delhi.
The three-member team, comprising academician Radha Kumar and M M Ansari, arrived in Srinagar on May 15 on their eight visit to the Valley since their appointment in October last year in the aftermath of the summer unrest.
"Our meetings in Pulwama and Charar-e-Sharief yielded valuable insights into what the people of the state seek by way of a political settlement in Jammu and Kashmir. As is only to be expected, the views expressed in all the meetings were diverse to the extreme," Padgaonkar said. He said the team will visit the state again for interacting with newly-elected panchs and sarpanchs.
"We hope to cover the remaining districts and areas that we have not covered so far in our forthcoming visits to continue, and conclude, extensive consultations among the stake-holders, particularly the newly elected Sarpanchs and members of Panchayats and other civil society functionaries," he said.
Giving details of their hectic tour, he said the team attended the inaugural session of a conference organised by Jammu and Kashmir peace foundation and also interacted with a large gathering of youth in Srinagar and other parts.
In Charar-e-Sharief in Budgam district, Padgaonkar said the team paid obeisance at the famous shrine of sufi saint Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani and recalled his lasting contribution to the pluralism and tolerance of Kashmiri society, an essential element in the search of peace.
"We also offered prayers at the Siddhi Vinayak Temple at Habbakadal in downtown Srinagar, where worship continues in this ancient temple despite the mass exodus of the faithful - the Kashmiri pandits - more than 20 years ago," he said.
The Chief Interlocutor said the team during their visit to Shaikhupora in Budgam noted the enthusiasm with which Kashmiri pandits are returning to the Valley, and the warm reception they have been accorded by the people.
"We also heard about some of their problems, which we have shared with the state government," he said, adding the state government has assured them that the problems would be addressed without delay.
The interlocutors called on state Governor N N Vohra and had discussions with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, President of National Conference Farooq Abdullah and other senior political leaders including State Secretary of CPI(M) Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami and PDP Legislator Nizamuddin Bhat, he said.
Padgaonkar said the team also discussed various issues relating to security with Director General of State Police Kuldeep Khoda and had a session with Chief State Information Commissioner Ghulam Rasool Sofi.
"The DGP informed us that police verification for acquiring a passport has been simplified. Passports will be delivered at a swift pace, especially for citizens wishing to perform Haj, as per the directions issued by the Chief Minister," he said.
Referring to a report in a national newspaper about certain adverse remarks allegedly made by the team about the manner in which the state government responded to the tragic incidents of last summer, Padgaonkar said, "stories of this nature are an insult to the memory of the scores of children who died in those incidents."
"Exploiting the tragedy to settle personal goals or to pursue petty political ambitions goes against the grain of all civilised behaviour," he said.
"It only serves to frustrate efforts to evolve a broad consensus on a political settlement that will be acceptable to all the people in Jammu and Kashmir - to all its regions and sub-regions - and to all its communities who contribute to the rich pluralism of the state," he added. (AGENCIES)
(Courtesy : www.dailyexcelsior.com)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Terrorism against the girl child
Rahul Sharma
Since, fours decades, we the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the crown holders of special status, are fighting against cross border terrorism. We are still struggling in order to ensure peace. But Census Report 2011, left us with some ponderable questions viz Is it the peace, that we really wish? or Are we creating a the state of "graveyard silence", for ourselves? For a man of ordinary prudence the later deserves the answer and our ill fate as well. Census Report 2011 is a coup de grace for us as presently, it evidences the terror against the girl child. Alas! We have started engineering a "female-free-state", a state in which "scissor of abortion" is even mightier than AK-47.
Preference for a male child has listed "J&K" in one of the three major states that showed decline in sex ratio in comparison to census report of 2001.As per census report of 2011 child sex-ratio (0-6 years) in J&K is aghast 859 i.e. 82 fewer to 941 of 2001. Reasons are manifold but victim is female.
The avalanche of social evils triggered the rapid oust of a particular sex from the society. To begin with dowry, the evil even post six decades of independence is persisting unabatedly and still satiating the incessant lust of materialism. Dowry has strengthened the status of daughter as an "economic burden". Dowry Prohibition Act, a toothless tiger, has changed nothing rather the word "dowry" is synonymised by the word "gifts", keeping the liability status of the daughter intact. Moreover in the present patriarchal society daughter is reared with a limited objective i.e. just to keep her stayed in her matrimonial home. Compromise becomes generality for her life, with freedom and liberty as exceptions.
Safe and secure environment for women is also a matter of great concern in present male dominating society. Discussion augments and ends with an open question, whether present social environment is congenial enough for the upbringing of a girl child? The answer may maximise towards negation. Domestic violence, sexual harassment against women at work places, eve teasing etc. created an embargo in the individualistic development of women. Apart from economic burden, daughters are still considered as social liability, their chastity & honour, timely marriages are vital matters of family concern. Underneath evils like incest and child abuse are contributors inter alia social problems.
Adverse side of the science in order to exploit economic gains from the social evils, abetted at its level best to achieve present gender imbalance. Hippocratic Oath that…I will not give a pessary (historic use) to a woman to cause abortion… became utopian concept in front of capital greed. Advancement in science and technology facilitated female foeticide. Mushrooming diagnostic centres, ultrasound clinics are making money out of the social-economic imbalance. Methods like amniocentesis, chronic villus sampling, ultra-sonography benefitted families ,both by keeping them free from a future liability and by saving them from infanticide.
Contextually, Preconception and Prenatal Sex Selection (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2002(PPSSA),is there to prohibit sex determination tests but what medical practitioners cannot do directly are doing it indirectly e.g it is reported that instead of actively revealing the sex of foetus ,they inform the families through signs. The most prevalent practice was that if doctor comes with red pen or article, one should link it with presence of unfortunate probability. Such type of techniques and practices altered the demographic profile of the state. Amid such a pandemonium of gender biasness nurturing of female by a female becomes a practical rarity. In the words of Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, all these gender centric evils in a way affected/affecting … the agency aspect of women... i.e. if we consider women as an agency, any impact on women, be it by the way of female mortality (female foeticide/infanticide) would definitely effect the social structure of the society. Herein the demography of the state is at stake by inward graph of female ratio. Even, on 10-09-2003, Supreme Court of India in the case of CEHAT vs. Union of India directed all State Governments/UT Administrations …to create public awareness against the practice of pre-natal determination of sex and female foeticide through advertisement in the print and electronic media by hoarding and other appropriate means. Had PPSSA and the directions of Supreme Court been implemented in a proper way situation would not be so alarming.
Ironically, people applied their self-centred approach for an economically favourable future and welcomed a future in which same -sex relations and polyandry may become compulsion.
Albeit stringent laws shall be made in order to curb such a stringent situation. The problem may be dealt with, if a three tier mechanism is developed wherein Government, Social groups (NGOs/Institutions), and individuals (herein natives of state), work and perform in toto for the same cause. To elaborate, firstly; state government should strengthen the system by two ways-(a) by amending the existing Preconception and Prenatal Sex Selection (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2002 to make it more stringent and later by ensuring its implementation with all vigour and zeal. (b) affirmative action i.e.by providing incentives/benefits ,to the family of girl child, girl-child-beneficial schemes. Such kind of approach can be finalised after the comparative analysis of similar models working in different states (initiatives of Haryana & Rajasthan govts. may be taken into consideration).Secondly, proactive role social groups can play a significant role in awaring the people of the ill effects of degrading gender ratio. Sensitization programmes may be conducted in an organised way so that both village & urban population can come under one awareness ambit. Lastly, each individual, being a basic unit of society, shall take individual responsibility and mark his/her contributory stand amid this debacle.
Role of individual can only be expected if one's rationality can be delinked from the influence of religion. Gender stereotypes, certainly the outcome of religion, that son advances the patriarchal lineage (vansha), son gives old age parental care, son lights parent's funeral pyre, and primogeniture, women shall remain veiled etc., left a male-biased society before us. When these orthodoxies couple with other epidemic social evils, acceptance/recognition of daughter in the society becomes the first causality. Before giving blessings like putra vati bhava,the so called propounders/interpretators of religion shall foresee the revival of Mahabaratha with the presence of Panchali(distinct example of polyandry). Whatever may be the future, one thing is certain that female will be a sure victim unless our religious interpretations take an unbiased fresh revision and religious psyche of people is redeveloped. A sincere immediate action should be our utmost priority, so that "devies" shall remain protected in the land of Mata Vaishno Devi, both in terms of their number and rights.
(The author is a practicing Advocate in the Supreme Court of India.)
(Courtesy : www.dailyexcelsior.com)
Since, fours decades, we the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the crown holders of special status, are fighting against cross border terrorism. We are still struggling in order to ensure peace. But Census Report 2011, left us with some ponderable questions viz Is it the peace, that we really wish? or Are we creating a the state of "graveyard silence", for ourselves? For a man of ordinary prudence the later deserves the answer and our ill fate as well. Census Report 2011 is a coup de grace for us as presently, it evidences the terror against the girl child. Alas! We have started engineering a "female-free-state", a state in which "scissor of abortion" is even mightier than AK-47.
Preference for a male child has listed "J&K" in one of the three major states that showed decline in sex ratio in comparison to census report of 2001.As per census report of 2011 child sex-ratio (0-6 years) in J&K is aghast 859 i.e. 82 fewer to 941 of 2001. Reasons are manifold but victim is female.
The avalanche of social evils triggered the rapid oust of a particular sex from the society. To begin with dowry, the evil even post six decades of independence is persisting unabatedly and still satiating the incessant lust of materialism. Dowry has strengthened the status of daughter as an "economic burden". Dowry Prohibition Act, a toothless tiger, has changed nothing rather the word "dowry" is synonymised by the word "gifts", keeping the liability status of the daughter intact. Moreover in the present patriarchal society daughter is reared with a limited objective i.e. just to keep her stayed in her matrimonial home. Compromise becomes generality for her life, with freedom and liberty as exceptions.
Safe and secure environment for women is also a matter of great concern in present male dominating society. Discussion augments and ends with an open question, whether present social environment is congenial enough for the upbringing of a girl child? The answer may maximise towards negation. Domestic violence, sexual harassment against women at work places, eve teasing etc. created an embargo in the individualistic development of women. Apart from economic burden, daughters are still considered as social liability, their chastity & honour, timely marriages are vital matters of family concern. Underneath evils like incest and child abuse are contributors inter alia social problems.
Adverse side of the science in order to exploit economic gains from the social evils, abetted at its level best to achieve present gender imbalance. Hippocratic Oath that…I will not give a pessary (historic use) to a woman to cause abortion… became utopian concept in front of capital greed. Advancement in science and technology facilitated female foeticide. Mushrooming diagnostic centres, ultrasound clinics are making money out of the social-economic imbalance. Methods like amniocentesis, chronic villus sampling, ultra-sonography benefitted families ,both by keeping them free from a future liability and by saving them from infanticide.
Contextually, Preconception and Prenatal Sex Selection (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2002(PPSSA),is there to prohibit sex determination tests but what medical practitioners cannot do directly are doing it indirectly e.g it is reported that instead of actively revealing the sex of foetus ,they inform the families through signs. The most prevalent practice was that if doctor comes with red pen or article, one should link it with presence of unfortunate probability. Such type of techniques and practices altered the demographic profile of the state. Amid such a pandemonium of gender biasness nurturing of female by a female becomes a practical rarity. In the words of Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, all these gender centric evils in a way affected/affecting … the agency aspect of women... i.e. if we consider women as an agency, any impact on women, be it by the way of female mortality (female foeticide/infanticide) would definitely effect the social structure of the society. Herein the demography of the state is at stake by inward graph of female ratio. Even, on 10-09-2003, Supreme Court of India in the case of CEHAT vs. Union of India directed all State Governments/UT Administrations …to create public awareness against the practice of pre-natal determination of sex and female foeticide through advertisement in the print and electronic media by hoarding and other appropriate means. Had PPSSA and the directions of Supreme Court been implemented in a proper way situation would not be so alarming.
Ironically, people applied their self-centred approach for an economically favourable future and welcomed a future in which same -sex relations and polyandry may become compulsion.
Albeit stringent laws shall be made in order to curb such a stringent situation. The problem may be dealt with, if a three tier mechanism is developed wherein Government, Social groups (NGOs/Institutions), and individuals (herein natives of state), work and perform in toto for the same cause. To elaborate, firstly; state government should strengthen the system by two ways-(a) by amending the existing Preconception and Prenatal Sex Selection (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2002 to make it more stringent and later by ensuring its implementation with all vigour and zeal. (b) affirmative action i.e.by providing incentives/benefits ,to the family of girl child, girl-child-beneficial schemes. Such kind of approach can be finalised after the comparative analysis of similar models working in different states (initiatives of Haryana & Rajasthan govts. may be taken into consideration).Secondly, proactive role social groups can play a significant role in awaring the people of the ill effects of degrading gender ratio. Sensitization programmes may be conducted in an organised way so that both village & urban population can come under one awareness ambit. Lastly, each individual, being a basic unit of society, shall take individual responsibility and mark his/her contributory stand amid this debacle.
Role of individual can only be expected if one's rationality can be delinked from the influence of religion. Gender stereotypes, certainly the outcome of religion, that son advances the patriarchal lineage (vansha), son gives old age parental care, son lights parent's funeral pyre, and primogeniture, women shall remain veiled etc., left a male-biased society before us. When these orthodoxies couple with other epidemic social evils, acceptance/recognition of daughter in the society becomes the first causality. Before giving blessings like putra vati bhava,the so called propounders/interpretators of religion shall foresee the revival of Mahabaratha with the presence of Panchali(distinct example of polyandry). Whatever may be the future, one thing is certain that female will be a sure victim unless our religious interpretations take an unbiased fresh revision and religious psyche of people is redeveloped. A sincere immediate action should be our utmost priority, so that "devies" shall remain protected in the land of Mata Vaishno Devi, both in terms of their number and rights.
(The author is a practicing Advocate in the Supreme Court of India.)
(Courtesy : www.dailyexcelsior.com)
Interlocutors working with Govt to ensure peace : Padgaonkar
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 18: Centre’s Interlocutors today said they were working closely with the State Government to ensure that calm and stability prevails in the State.
"We are working closely with the State Government to ensure that calm and stability prevails in the State. We have already given some recommendations and many more are in the pipeline towards achieving this goal," chief Interlocutor Dileep Padgaonkar said.
He said certain remarks about the conduct of the State Government during last year’s summer incidents in the Valley have been wrongly attributed to the Interlocutors in a media report.
"There is not a shred of truth in the report. We have not made those remarks in any of our written or oral communications, neither officially nor even in private conversations to anybody," Padgaonkar said.
The veteran journalist said the report seeks to create fissures between "the Interlocutors and the State Government. This we will not allow."
Describing the report as 'baseless', Mr Padgaonkar said it was duty of the Reporter to verify facts from him before publishing such a report.
The Interlocutors, which also include academician Radha Kumar and former Central Information Commissioner M M Ansari, are on their eighth visit to the State since their appointment in October last year to find a political solution to the Kashmir problem.
They called on Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and National Conference (NC) president, Dr Farooq Abdullah at the latter's residence today.
The Union Minister told the Interlocutors that National Conference has always batted for strong ties between India and Pakistan. He said that his party believes that bond of friendship needs to be strengthened between these two countries as it, according to him, benefits the people of the State in the longer run.
"National Conference has always been a votary of peace in the State and same is possible only when both India and Pakistan come close. We always want both India and Pakistan to give up acrimony and live in peace and brotherhood. In fact, we have facilitated as a bridge between both these countries so that they forge strong and better relationship," Dr Abdullah said.
The NC president said that peace in the sub-continent is possible only when India and Pakistan resolve all the outstanding issues and live in peace and harmony. He said that people of State have always yearned for bonhomie between these two countries as the same guarantees life with peace and dignity for them.
"National Conference that represents the true secular nature of the State believes that issues can be solved by reconciliation and peace. We have always promoted peace, friendship and bonhomie in the State and it is due to this reason that people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions live in harmony," he added.
Dr. Abdullah presented his party's view point about the solution to the Kashmir problem saying that granting greater autonomy is the best solution to this issue. He said NC has always followed the path of equitable development for all regions of the State without any discrimination.
The NC president informed the Interlocutors about the political situation of State and also apprised them of the problems being faced by common masses. He said people of the State have always been peace loving and don't want any violence to affect their life.
The Interlocutors informed the Union Minister about their interactions with people belonging to varied shades of life. They said that during their visits so far they have got access to the diverse opinions of people adding that the same would get reflected in the report to be presented by them to the Union Home Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Interlocutors visited the Budgam area today and talked to the people there. They carried out deliberations with various groups of people and listened to their suggestions and, also paid heed to the problems being presented by them.
On Tuesday, the Interlocutors visited Pulwama area and talked to various groups of people. They carried out deliberations with transporters and also got to know about the problems being confronted by people living in this South Kashmir district.
The Interlocutors, who arrived here on Sunday, took part in the inaugural day proceedings of two day peace conference organized by Jammu & Kashmir Peace Foundation (JKPF) on May 16-17.
(Courtesy : www.dailyexcelsior.com)
SRINAGAR, May 18: Centre’s Interlocutors today said they were working closely with the State Government to ensure that calm and stability prevails in the State.
"We are working closely with the State Government to ensure that calm and stability prevails in the State. We have already given some recommendations and many more are in the pipeline towards achieving this goal," chief Interlocutor Dileep Padgaonkar said.
He said certain remarks about the conduct of the State Government during last year’s summer incidents in the Valley have been wrongly attributed to the Interlocutors in a media report.
"There is not a shred of truth in the report. We have not made those remarks in any of our written or oral communications, neither officially nor even in private conversations to anybody," Padgaonkar said.
The veteran journalist said the report seeks to create fissures between "the Interlocutors and the State Government. This we will not allow."
Describing the report as 'baseless', Mr Padgaonkar said it was duty of the Reporter to verify facts from him before publishing such a report.
The Interlocutors, which also include academician Radha Kumar and former Central Information Commissioner M M Ansari, are on their eighth visit to the State since their appointment in October last year to find a political solution to the Kashmir problem.
They called on Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and National Conference (NC) president, Dr Farooq Abdullah at the latter's residence today.
The Union Minister told the Interlocutors that National Conference has always batted for strong ties between India and Pakistan. He said that his party believes that bond of friendship needs to be strengthened between these two countries as it, according to him, benefits the people of the State in the longer run.
"National Conference has always been a votary of peace in the State and same is possible only when both India and Pakistan come close. We always want both India and Pakistan to give up acrimony and live in peace and brotherhood. In fact, we have facilitated as a bridge between both these countries so that they forge strong and better relationship," Dr Abdullah said.
The NC president said that peace in the sub-continent is possible only when India and Pakistan resolve all the outstanding issues and live in peace and harmony. He said that people of State have always yearned for bonhomie between these two countries as the same guarantees life with peace and dignity for them.
"National Conference that represents the true secular nature of the State believes that issues can be solved by reconciliation and peace. We have always promoted peace, friendship and bonhomie in the State and it is due to this reason that people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions live in harmony," he added.
Dr. Abdullah presented his party's view point about the solution to the Kashmir problem saying that granting greater autonomy is the best solution to this issue. He said NC has always followed the path of equitable development for all regions of the State without any discrimination.
The NC president informed the Interlocutors about the political situation of State and also apprised them of the problems being faced by common masses. He said people of the State have always been peace loving and don't want any violence to affect their life.
The Interlocutors informed the Union Minister about their interactions with people belonging to varied shades of life. They said that during their visits so far they have got access to the diverse opinions of people adding that the same would get reflected in the report to be presented by them to the Union Home Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Interlocutors visited the Budgam area today and talked to the people there. They carried out deliberations with various groups of people and listened to their suggestions and, also paid heed to the problems being presented by them.
On Tuesday, the Interlocutors visited Pulwama area and talked to various groups of people. They carried out deliberations with transporters and also got to know about the problems being confronted by people living in this South Kashmir district.
The Interlocutors, who arrived here on Sunday, took part in the inaugural day proceedings of two day peace conference organized by Jammu & Kashmir Peace Foundation (JKPF) on May 16-17.
(Courtesy : www.dailyexcelsior.com)
NO INFILTRATION THIS YEAR: ARMY
Srinagar May 18: For the first time since eruption of militancy, no infiltration bid was reported from any part of the state between March and May. A senior Army officer on Wednesday told Greater Kashmir that it is for the first time in the past 20-years that no infiltration bid had taken place from March to May from any side along line of control (LoC).
“During past 20 years infiltration bids along the LoC were noticed during the early spring, beginning from middle March. The infiltration usually used to occur during these months as militants start crossing over with the melting of snow in the upper reaches,” he said.
“We have noticed infiltration bids as early as in March when large number of militants would make attempts to cross over from different routes along LoC in north Kashmir. Mostly we used to notice such attempts in Machil, Keran and Gurez sectors,” he added.
“We don’t know why the infiltration bids have not taken place this year. Whether, it is a strategic retreat or a well calculated move. It needs to be assessed,” the official added.
Pertinently, two top army officers had recently stated that no infiltration attempts were reported from any part of the state during past 3-months.
(GOC-in-C) of Northern Command Lt Gen K T Parnaik, had recently stated: “As far as our information is concerned,they (militants) have not succeeded in infiltrating into our side yet.” Major General Ravi Thodge, GOC Kilo Force, who is in-charge security of north Kashmir, at the sidelines of a function on Tuesday here had said, “So far there are no reports about infiltration and if they (infiltrators) come, they will be dismantled at the LoC.”
2010 INFILTRATION BIDS
While giving details about the encounters which took place last year the senior Army officer said that nearly 35 persons were killed during infiltration bids or cross LoC encounters in three months (March, April and May) in 2010. On March 26, 2010, first infiltration bid was foiled in north Kashmir’s Keran sector when Army claimed to have killed one militant near Ustad post.
Following the incident, another infiltration bid was noticed on March 27 in the same area. The army claimed that eight persons, including five militants and three soldiers were killed in the ensuing gunfights. The Army on April 30, 2010 had claimed to have foiled another infiltration bid by killing three militants in Machil sector.
The biggest encounter last year occurred from May 7 to May 17 when Army claimed that they had intercepted a “biggest infiltrating group” of around 14 to 22 militants in Rafiabad area of north Kashmir. The Army had said the group had infiltrated through Uri along LOC.
After 10-days of several encounters in Rafiabad forests the then GOC Kilo Force, Major General N George had said 13 persons, including 11 militants and 2 soldiers, were killed in different encounters in the area.
On May 10, paramilitary BSF had claimed to have killed an “infiltrator” in R S Pura sector of Jammu. One soldier was killed in Chowkibal area after militants opened fire on army contingents who had intercepted an infiltrating group on May 12, 2010. Further two soldiers were killed along LoC in Krishna Ghati sector of Rajouri sector.
On May 23, 2010, a Pakistani soldier was killed in cross LoC clash in Poonch district while as on May 25 a BSF personnel was injured in the clash. On May 26, 2010, the army claimed to have killed two “infiltrators” in Tanghdar district. The senior army official had said apart from infiltration bids, the cross LOC clashes too have declined in 2011. “In Kashmir there has been no clash registered. But in Jammu sporadic shoots out do occur,” he added.
(Courtesy : www.greaterkashmir.com)
“During past 20 years infiltration bids along the LoC were noticed during the early spring, beginning from middle March. The infiltration usually used to occur during these months as militants start crossing over with the melting of snow in the upper reaches,” he said.
“We have noticed infiltration bids as early as in March when large number of militants would make attempts to cross over from different routes along LoC in north Kashmir. Mostly we used to notice such attempts in Machil, Keran and Gurez sectors,” he added.
“We don’t know why the infiltration bids have not taken place this year. Whether, it is a strategic retreat or a well calculated move. It needs to be assessed,” the official added.
Pertinently, two top army officers had recently stated that no infiltration attempts were reported from any part of the state during past 3-months.
(GOC-in-C) of Northern Command Lt Gen K T Parnaik, had recently stated: “As far as our information is concerned,they (militants) have not succeeded in infiltrating into our side yet.” Major General Ravi Thodge, GOC Kilo Force, who is in-charge security of north Kashmir, at the sidelines of a function on Tuesday here had said, “So far there are no reports about infiltration and if they (infiltrators) come, they will be dismantled at the LoC.”
2010 INFILTRATION BIDS
While giving details about the encounters which took place last year the senior Army officer said that nearly 35 persons were killed during infiltration bids or cross LoC encounters in three months (March, April and May) in 2010. On March 26, 2010, first infiltration bid was foiled in north Kashmir’s Keran sector when Army claimed to have killed one militant near Ustad post.
Following the incident, another infiltration bid was noticed on March 27 in the same area. The army claimed that eight persons, including five militants and three soldiers were killed in the ensuing gunfights. The Army on April 30, 2010 had claimed to have foiled another infiltration bid by killing three militants in Machil sector.
The biggest encounter last year occurred from May 7 to May 17 when Army claimed that they had intercepted a “biggest infiltrating group” of around 14 to 22 militants in Rafiabad area of north Kashmir. The Army had said the group had infiltrated through Uri along LOC.
After 10-days of several encounters in Rafiabad forests the then GOC Kilo Force, Major General N George had said 13 persons, including 11 militants and 2 soldiers, were killed in different encounters in the area.
On May 10, paramilitary BSF had claimed to have killed an “infiltrator” in R S Pura sector of Jammu. One soldier was killed in Chowkibal area after militants opened fire on army contingents who had intercepted an infiltrating group on May 12, 2010. Further two soldiers were killed along LoC in Krishna Ghati sector of Rajouri sector.
On May 23, 2010, a Pakistani soldier was killed in cross LoC clash in Poonch district while as on May 25 a BSF personnel was injured in the clash. On May 26, 2010, the army claimed to have killed two “infiltrators” in Tanghdar district. The senior army official had said apart from infiltration bids, the cross LOC clashes too have declined in 2011. “In Kashmir there has been no clash registered. But in Jammu sporadic shoots out do occur,” he added.
(Courtesy : www.greaterkashmir.com)
Interlocutors working closely with JK Govt: Padgaonkar
Srinagar, May 18: Interlocutors appointed by New Delhi to hold deliberations with various shades of opinion in Kashmir on Wednesday said they were working closely with the state government to ensure that calm and stability prevails in the state.
"We are working closely with the state government to ensure that calm and stability prevails in the state. We have already given some recommendations and many more are in the pipeline towards achieving this goal," Chief Interlocutor Dileep Padgaonkar told Greater Kashmir.
He said certain remarks about the conduct of the state government during last year's summer incidents in the Valley have been wrongly attributed to the interlocutors in a media (Times of India) report.
"There is not a shred of truth in the report. We have not made those remarks in any of our written or oral communications, neither officially nor even in private conversations to anybody," Padgaonkar said.
He said the report seeks to create fissures between "the interlocutors and the state government. This we will not allow."
As part of their engagements in the Valley, the interlocutors visited central Kashmir's Budgam district where they interacted with a number of political, social and religious delegations from the area.
The interlocutors, which also include academician Radha Kumar and former Central Information Commissioner M M Ansari, are on their eighth visit to the state since their appointment in October last year to find a political solution to the Kashmir problem.
(Courtesy : www.greaterkashmir.com)
"We are working closely with the state government to ensure that calm and stability prevails in the state. We have already given some recommendations and many more are in the pipeline towards achieving this goal," Chief Interlocutor Dileep Padgaonkar told Greater Kashmir.
He said certain remarks about the conduct of the state government during last year's summer incidents in the Valley have been wrongly attributed to the interlocutors in a media (Times of India) report.
"There is not a shred of truth in the report. We have not made those remarks in any of our written or oral communications, neither officially nor even in private conversations to anybody," Padgaonkar said.
He said the report seeks to create fissures between "the interlocutors and the state government. This we will not allow."
As part of their engagements in the Valley, the interlocutors visited central Kashmir's Budgam district where they interacted with a number of political, social and religious delegations from the area.
The interlocutors, which also include academician Radha Kumar and former Central Information Commissioner M M Ansari, are on their eighth visit to the state since their appointment in October last year to find a political solution to the Kashmir problem.
(Courtesy : www.greaterkashmir.com)
Army arrests militant sympathiser in J&K
Jammu, May 18 (PTI) Army troops today arrested a suspected militant sympathiser during a search operation in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.A joint operation launched by Rashtriya Rifles and J&K Police in Kurnag village in Kishtwar district apprehended the sympathiser during the raid from a hideout in the forest belt, an Army spokesman said.He has been identified as Jalaldin Gujjar of Gujjar Basti in Saranwa area of the district, the official said, adding he was working as an informer, courier and guide of militants.
(Courtesy : http://ibnlive.in.com)
(Courtesy : http://ibnlive.in.com)
Former militants turn drug lords in Kashmir
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Jammu & Kashmir police have busted a gang of former militants who were running one of the biggest drug cartels in the north Kashmir area. Four persons were arrested of whom three were former militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizb-ul-Mujhadeen.
The accused have been identified as Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat alias Muza of Batpora Sopore, Irfan Ahmad Gazi alias Raju of Shahabad Sopore, Azad Ahmad Wani of Chankhan Sopore and Arif Ahmad Sheikh of Binner Baramulla.
Police said Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat has been an active militant of the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e Taiba (LeT) who was arrested in 2008 by Sopore police in 2008 under section 307 RPC, 4/5 Explosive Substances Act and was detained under Public Safety Act (PSA). Police said he was later released in April 2009. He had again been detained for militancy related activities in 2009 and released in Jan 2011.
Similarly, Irfan Ahmad has been an active militant of Hizb-ul-Mujhadeen who was arrested by Sopore police. He was detained under PSA and released in May 2009.
Police said Azad Ahmad Wani is also a released Pakistan Trained Militant (PTM) who was arrested in 1994 by BSF in Sopore while as Arif Ahmad is a driver. Police said following specific information, cops intercepted a vehicle near Mirgund, Pattan on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway. The vehicle loaded with bottles of proscribed syrup, usually used for treating the chronic chest disease patients, was on its way from Srinagar to Sopore.
(Courtesy : www.dnaindia.com)
Jammu & Kashmir police have busted a gang of former militants who were running one of the biggest drug cartels in the north Kashmir area. Four persons were arrested of whom three were former militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizb-ul-Mujhadeen.
The accused have been identified as Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat alias Muza of Batpora Sopore, Irfan Ahmad Gazi alias Raju of Shahabad Sopore, Azad Ahmad Wani of Chankhan Sopore and Arif Ahmad Sheikh of Binner Baramulla.
Police said Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat has been an active militant of the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e Taiba (LeT) who was arrested in 2008 by Sopore police in 2008 under section 307 RPC, 4/5 Explosive Substances Act and was detained under Public Safety Act (PSA). Police said he was later released in April 2009. He had again been detained for militancy related activities in 2009 and released in Jan 2011.
Similarly, Irfan Ahmad has been an active militant of Hizb-ul-Mujhadeen who was arrested by Sopore police. He was detained under PSA and released in May 2009.
Police said Azad Ahmad Wani is also a released Pakistan Trained Militant (PTM) who was arrested in 1994 by BSF in Sopore while as Arif Ahmad is a driver. Police said following specific information, cops intercepted a vehicle near Mirgund, Pattan on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway. The vehicle loaded with bottles of proscribed syrup, usually used for treating the chronic chest disease patients, was on its way from Srinagar to Sopore.
(Courtesy : www.dnaindia.com)
High voter turnout doesn’t mean J&K issue is resolved
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
In Jammu & Kashmir, a three-month long, 16-phase panchayat (local) elections are under way. On May 12, marking the ‘successful completion’ of half the electoral exercise, about 76.8% of the voters participated in eighth phase of the election. The panchayat elections, scheduled to be held last year, were postponed owing to the civilian unrest. The 2010 uprising had shaken the state administration, which was unsure about participation of the electorate. For this reason only were the panchayat elections split into 16 phases spread over three months.
The All-Party Hurriyat Conference faction of Syed Ali Geelani described participation in the elections as a “betrayal of the martyrs” and asked the people to stay away from the panchayat elections. Contrary to all apprehensions and emotional blackmail, people of the valley so far have participated in a big way.
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The participation of the rural masses in the keenly contested elections even surpassed 80% of the total electorate in the earlier phases. It is not for the first time that the people have rebuffed the boycott call of the separatists. After the divisive Amarnath land row of 2008, which had almost torn apart Jammu & Kashmir on communal lines, a very low voter turnout was anticipated in the valley. Barely three months after the land row, the serpentine queues outside polling booths surprised many Kashmir watchers. Chief minister Omar Abdullah has, in a way, declared the present elections as a rare event, when he said: “In reality this is the first panchayat election after 33 years. [The panchayat elections of] 2000 was only on paper; more than half the seats remained empty.”
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too has described these elections as “a matter of great happiness” The prime minister’s keen interest in the panchayat elections being held in Kashmir and his appreciation that “70 to 85% polling shows that people want to decide their fate themselves and are capable to do so” sounds unusual. Omar Abdullah has cautioned that the ongoing panchayat elections should not be taken as a ‘referendum’ on the Kashmir issue. Actually every election since 1989 has been turned into a sort of referendum on the Kashmir dispute.
Separatists, including militants, have on the eve of every election made all-out, rather desperate, efforts to deter the masses from participating in the electoral process. However, the people’s participation has gradually increased after every other election taking place in the state. The government is also to be blamed for over-reading the people’s participation in the elections as a verdict against separatism in Kashmir. Manmohan Singh, from the ramparts of Lal Qila (Red Fort) in his Independence Day speech of 2009, had declared: “The people of all areas of the state have participated vigorously in both the [assembly and Lok Sabha] elections. This is a proof that there is no place for separatist thought in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Going by this yardstick of people’s participation in elections indicating the “end of separatism in Kashmir”, there should have been no 2010 uprising, in which more than 110 innocents lost their lives.
There seems to be two parallel processes simultaneously at work. Disregarding threats by militants despite some person even getting killed, the people have usually participated in elections. And in spite of people’s participation in the democratic process, the deep alienation with the state and the system is a reality in Kashmir, which cannot be wished away easily.
People with a superficial understanding of the Kashmir scene may construe it as a confused state of mind. There is nothing extraordinary in participating in elections and at the same time vying for a permanent solution of the Kashmir problem. It is not possible for the people to suspend their day- to-day life while anticipating the resolution of a long-drawn-out political problem.
Meanwhile, the election of Ashaji, 52, a Kashmiri Pandit woman as a panch [council member] in Wussan village of Baramulla district has attracted the attention of the media. Ashaji, unsure of her win initially in a Muslim-dominated village, is overwhelmed.
“All the votes cast in my favour belonged to Muslims,” she pointed out. Out of the 10 Pandit families in Wussan, five migrated out after trouble began in the state. Asha’s family was among the five that stayed back. “Even in last three agitations, we were not touched. Life was tough, but Muslim brothers and sisters were with us,” she said in praise of her neighbours.
Asha, true to the meaning of her name, has emerged as a flicker of hope; she wants the pandits living outside the Valley to return immediately, “They should come home”. Certainly Kashmir is eagerly waiting for the Pandits to return. The time has arrived to turn a glimmer of hope into a beam of light.
(Courtesy : www.dnaindia.com)
In Jammu & Kashmir, a three-month long, 16-phase panchayat (local) elections are under way. On May 12, marking the ‘successful completion’ of half the electoral exercise, about 76.8% of the voters participated in eighth phase of the election. The panchayat elections, scheduled to be held last year, were postponed owing to the civilian unrest. The 2010 uprising had shaken the state administration, which was unsure about participation of the electorate. For this reason only were the panchayat elections split into 16 phases spread over three months.
The All-Party Hurriyat Conference faction of Syed Ali Geelani described participation in the elections as a “betrayal of the martyrs” and asked the people to stay away from the panchayat elections. Contrary to all apprehensions and emotional blackmail, people of the valley so far have participated in a big way.
Article continues below the advertisement...
The participation of the rural masses in the keenly contested elections even surpassed 80% of the total electorate in the earlier phases. It is not for the first time that the people have rebuffed the boycott call of the separatists. After the divisive Amarnath land row of 2008, which had almost torn apart Jammu & Kashmir on communal lines, a very low voter turnout was anticipated in the valley. Barely three months after the land row, the serpentine queues outside polling booths surprised many Kashmir watchers. Chief minister Omar Abdullah has, in a way, declared the present elections as a rare event, when he said: “In reality this is the first panchayat election after 33 years. [The panchayat elections of] 2000 was only on paper; more than half the seats remained empty.”
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too has described these elections as “a matter of great happiness” The prime minister’s keen interest in the panchayat elections being held in Kashmir and his appreciation that “70 to 85% polling shows that people want to decide their fate themselves and are capable to do so” sounds unusual. Omar Abdullah has cautioned that the ongoing panchayat elections should not be taken as a ‘referendum’ on the Kashmir issue. Actually every election since 1989 has been turned into a sort of referendum on the Kashmir dispute.
Separatists, including militants, have on the eve of every election made all-out, rather desperate, efforts to deter the masses from participating in the electoral process. However, the people’s participation has gradually increased after every other election taking place in the state. The government is also to be blamed for over-reading the people’s participation in the elections as a verdict against separatism in Kashmir. Manmohan Singh, from the ramparts of Lal Qila (Red Fort) in his Independence Day speech of 2009, had declared: “The people of all areas of the state have participated vigorously in both the [assembly and Lok Sabha] elections. This is a proof that there is no place for separatist thought in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Going by this yardstick of people’s participation in elections indicating the “end of separatism in Kashmir”, there should have been no 2010 uprising, in which more than 110 innocents lost their lives.
There seems to be two parallel processes simultaneously at work. Disregarding threats by militants despite some person even getting killed, the people have usually participated in elections. And in spite of people’s participation in the democratic process, the deep alienation with the state and the system is a reality in Kashmir, which cannot be wished away easily.
People with a superficial understanding of the Kashmir scene may construe it as a confused state of mind. There is nothing extraordinary in participating in elections and at the same time vying for a permanent solution of the Kashmir problem. It is not possible for the people to suspend their day- to-day life while anticipating the resolution of a long-drawn-out political problem.
Meanwhile, the election of Ashaji, 52, a Kashmiri Pandit woman as a panch [council member] in Wussan village of Baramulla district has attracted the attention of the media. Ashaji, unsure of her win initially in a Muslim-dominated village, is overwhelmed.
“All the votes cast in my favour belonged to Muslims,” she pointed out. Out of the 10 Pandit families in Wussan, five migrated out after trouble began in the state. Asha’s family was among the five that stayed back. “Even in last three agitations, we were not touched. Life was tough, but Muslim brothers and sisters were with us,” she said in praise of her neighbours.
Asha, true to the meaning of her name, has emerged as a flicker of hope; she wants the pandits living outside the Valley to return immediately, “They should come home”. Certainly Kashmir is eagerly waiting for the Pandits to return. The time has arrived to turn a glimmer of hope into a beam of light.
(Courtesy : www.dnaindia.com)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Dialogue alone can resolve Kashmir problem: Interlocutors
Centre’s chief interlocutor on Jammu and Kashmir Dileep Padgaonkar said there is a deep yearning for peace and justice among the people of the state and dialogue alone can lead to a political settlement of Kashmir problem.
The three—member team of interlocutors has reached some broad conclusions, and one of them is that there is a deep yearning for peace and justice among people of the state, he said.
The other is that “dialogue alone conducted on a sustained basis and with sincerity can lead to a political settlement (of the Kashmir problem),” the eminent journalist told a “Peace Conference” here.
Mr. Padgaonkar said the Central team has met more than 500 delegations during their eight visits to Jammu and Kashmir. “Since our appointment in October last year, we have met more than 500 delegations during our eight visits to the state so far.
“We have met all kinds of people including those who have been displaced, so—called stone—pelters and the young,” he said. There is a view that pluralism should be upheld in the state as an example for rest of the country, Mr. Padgaonkar said.
“There is a belief the state should not be divided, trifurcated or bifurcated because it is one unit where all religions and all languages can blossom,” he said. There is also a need to take urgent measures to address issues agitating minds of the people, Mr. Padgaonkar said.
“Some issues are related to governance and some to confidence—building, but none of these can take attention away from the main point which is political,” he said. No settlement can be arrived without the consensus of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Padgaonkar said.
The conference, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, was attended by Governor N.N. Vohra, Arab League Ambassador to India Ahmed Salem al Wahishi and representatives of mainstream political parties. Radha Kumar and M.M. Ansari, two other interlocutors, also attended the conference.
(Courtesy : www.thehindu.com)
The three—member team of interlocutors has reached some broad conclusions, and one of them is that there is a deep yearning for peace and justice among people of the state, he said.
The other is that “dialogue alone conducted on a sustained basis and with sincerity can lead to a political settlement (of the Kashmir problem),” the eminent journalist told a “Peace Conference” here.
Mr. Padgaonkar said the Central team has met more than 500 delegations during their eight visits to Jammu and Kashmir. “Since our appointment in October last year, we have met more than 500 delegations during our eight visits to the state so far.
“We have met all kinds of people including those who have been displaced, so—called stone—pelters and the young,” he said. There is a view that pluralism should be upheld in the state as an example for rest of the country, Mr. Padgaonkar said.
“There is a belief the state should not be divided, trifurcated or bifurcated because it is one unit where all religions and all languages can blossom,” he said. There is also a need to take urgent measures to address issues agitating minds of the people, Mr. Padgaonkar said.
“Some issues are related to governance and some to confidence—building, but none of these can take attention away from the main point which is political,” he said. No settlement can be arrived without the consensus of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Padgaonkar said.
The conference, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, was attended by Governor N.N. Vohra, Arab League Ambassador to India Ahmed Salem al Wahishi and representatives of mainstream political parties. Radha Kumar and M.M. Ansari, two other interlocutors, also attended the conference.
(Courtesy : www.thehindu.com)
Arab League Washes Hands Off Kashmir Issue
Srinagar, May 16, KONS: Ruling out his organisation’s intervention in resolving the Kashmir issue, the Arab League ambassador to India on Monday urged New Delhi and Islamabad for an urgent bilateral settlement of the 63-year-old question, on which, he said, the league had adopted “no position.”
In Srinagar for a conference organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, ambassador Ahmad Salem Al Wahishi voiced opposition to third-party mediation on the state which, according to him, had passed through a “violent situation of confusion and hatred for the past 20 years,” and said that “people directly linked” to the conflict should be empowered to resolve it.
"The League of Arab states has no position on the specific question of Jammu and Kashmir...We look forward for peaceful coexistence, tolerance and dialogue among different civilisations," the ambassador was quoted by the PTI as having told reporters on the sidelines of the conference. Wahishi refused to elaborate on the statement, the news agency said.
The Arab League envoy’s assertion comes barely three days after a European Union delegation led by the EU’s ambassador to India, Danielle Smajda, said that the Kashmir issue had to be resolved by the people living in the region themselves. Wahishi said that the Arab League wanted peace in West Asia and the entire continent.
"We want peace to last in West Asia, in South Asia and in whole of the continent," he said. Earlier, speaking at the "Peace Conference," Wahishi called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Arab territories and supported the call for Palestinian freedom.
"We also take this opportunity to express our thanks to the Indian government for their principled position in efforts for a just and peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on international legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative for Palestinian independence and two-state solution," Wahishi said.
In his speech, the ambassador said that Kashmir was the "most preferred tourist place in the world."
"It is a real paradise," he said. “The state of Jammu and Kashmir has passed through the violent situation of confusion and hatred for the last 20 years. We follow these sad events."
(Courtesy : www.kashmirobserver.net)
In Srinagar for a conference organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, ambassador Ahmad Salem Al Wahishi voiced opposition to third-party mediation on the state which, according to him, had passed through a “violent situation of confusion and hatred for the past 20 years,” and said that “people directly linked” to the conflict should be empowered to resolve it.
"The League of Arab states has no position on the specific question of Jammu and Kashmir...We look forward for peaceful coexistence, tolerance and dialogue among different civilisations," the ambassador was quoted by the PTI as having told reporters on the sidelines of the conference. Wahishi refused to elaborate on the statement, the news agency said.
The Arab League envoy’s assertion comes barely three days after a European Union delegation led by the EU’s ambassador to India, Danielle Smajda, said that the Kashmir issue had to be resolved by the people living in the region themselves. Wahishi said that the Arab League wanted peace in West Asia and the entire continent.
"We want peace to last in West Asia, in South Asia and in whole of the continent," he said. Earlier, speaking at the "Peace Conference," Wahishi called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Arab territories and supported the call for Palestinian freedom.
"We also take this opportunity to express our thanks to the Indian government for their principled position in efforts for a just and peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on international legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative for Palestinian independence and two-state solution," Wahishi said.
In his speech, the ambassador said that Kashmir was the "most preferred tourist place in the world."
"It is a real paradise," he said. “The state of Jammu and Kashmir has passed through the violent situation of confusion and hatred for the last 20 years. We follow these sad events."
(Courtesy : www.kashmirobserver.net)
Over 80,000 get registered for Amarnath pilgrimage
15 May 2011
Srinagar, May 15 (PTI) More than 80,000 pilgrims have registered themselves for the upcoming annual Amarnath yatra in the Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir in the four days since the registration process began. "A total of 43,435 people have opted for the traditional Pahalgam route and 36,878 have secured registration for the Baltal route," Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board R K Goyal said. The registration for the yatra had began on May 10. "Yatra permits have been secured through internet based e-registration facility and 149 bank branches spread across various states during the first four days," Goyal said. PTI AZH MIJ
(Courtesy : http://ibnlive.in.com)
Srinagar, May 15 (PTI) More than 80,000 pilgrims have registered themselves for the upcoming annual Amarnath yatra in the Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir in the four days since the registration process began. "A total of 43,435 people have opted for the traditional Pahalgam route and 36,878 have secured registration for the Baltal route," Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board R K Goyal said. The registration for the yatra had began on May 10. "Yatra permits have been secured through internet based e-registration facility and 149 bank branches spread across various states during the first four days," Goyal said. PTI AZH MIJ
(Courtesy : http://ibnlive.in.com)
PAK to send more militants to India
New Delhi, May14 (TruthDive): Pakistan might send more militants into Jammu and Kashmir to create trouble so as to divert attention from its failures after the Osama killing said a top Indian Army brass while Pakistan Parliament reeling under the attack from Taliban said that it would cut off the supply route to NATO forces for its killing of Osama.
“It is quite likely that Pakistan under pressure, because of so many questions being asked (about Osama), could adopt a strategy of diverting attention which they have always done” General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Army’s northern command Lt General K T Parnaik told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He said as one of the tactic, Pakistan can send an increasing number of militants to Jammu and Kashmir. “And one of the ways is to push in more people (militants) into J-K so that the attention gets diverted from their internal problems to external areas,” Lt Gen Parnaik said.
Members of Pakistan’s Parliament slammed the United States on Saturday for the raid that killed Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden on their soil, but also demanded that an independent commission probe the debacle instead of one led by the country’s powerful armed forces.
The parliamentary resolution followed a rare, private session with top military officials that began Friday and ran past midnight. During the session, Pakistani intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha indicated he’d be willing to resign if lawmakers demanded it, but no one did.
(Courtesy : http://truthdive.com)
“It is quite likely that Pakistan under pressure, because of so many questions being asked (about Osama), could adopt a strategy of diverting attention which they have always done” General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Army’s northern command Lt General K T Parnaik told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He said as one of the tactic, Pakistan can send an increasing number of militants to Jammu and Kashmir. “And one of the ways is to push in more people (militants) into J-K so that the attention gets diverted from their internal problems to external areas,” Lt Gen Parnaik said.
Members of Pakistan’s Parliament slammed the United States on Saturday for the raid that killed Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden on their soil, but also demanded that an independent commission probe the debacle instead of one led by the country’s powerful armed forces.
The parliamentary resolution followed a rare, private session with top military officials that began Friday and ran past midnight. During the session, Pakistani intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha indicated he’d be willing to resign if lawmakers demanded it, but no one did.
(Courtesy : http://truthdive.com)
India warns Pakistan against ceasefire violations on international border in Jammu
15 May 2011
JAMMU: India Sunday warned Pakistan against ceasefire violations on the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, Border Security Force (BSF) officials said.
The stern message was delivered to Pakistani Rangers by BSF officers at a flag meeting on the border in Ranbirsingh Pora sector in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday after two incidents of ceasefire violations on the international border since Saturday evening, BSF sources said.
Sources said that the Indian side made it amply clear to Pakistani Rangers that their action of heightening tensions on the borders would not be tolerated and the Indian side reserved the right to respond in kind.
(Courtesy : http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com)
JAMMU: India Sunday warned Pakistan against ceasefire violations on the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, Border Security Force (BSF) officials said.
The stern message was delivered to Pakistani Rangers by BSF officers at a flag meeting on the border in Ranbirsingh Pora sector in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday after two incidents of ceasefire violations on the international border since Saturday evening, BSF sources said.
Sources said that the Indian side made it amply clear to Pakistani Rangers that their action of heightening tensions on the borders would not be tolerated and the Indian side reserved the right to respond in kind.
(Courtesy : http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com)
Gilani urges people to vote for PPP in AJK elections
MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday urged the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to vote for candidates of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which is committed to empower people and protect their rights.
Addressing leaders and workers of the PPP AJK chapter at a convention, Gilani pledged that the elections will be transparent and fair and the people will be free to express their choice. He was confident that people would support the PPP candidates in the upcoming elections in AJK. The prime minister said the PPP was founded on the basis of the Kashmir issue as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto raised the slogan that he would fight for the rights of the Kashmiris for a thousand years.
Gilani lauded the services and sacrifices of the party leaders and workers for the promotion of democracy and welfare of people. The prime minister said that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto were in the forefront of the struggle for democracy and had restored the rights of the people.
He said that the PPP has its roots in democracy, and gradually formed its government through hard work of the people and not through any shortcuts. Gilani advised the PPP leadership to shun their personal differences and unite in line with the vision of their leader Benazir Bhutto.
He said that the PPP was the biggest federal party of the country and had governments in Islamabad, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “We respect the mandate of the people and we have no intention to cause any government to fall, as we want to strengthen democracy and the national institutions,” the prime minister added.
Gilani said that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir’s main focus was to empower people and make Pakistan a prosperous country, rather than holding office. He reiterated the resolve of the Pakistani government to continue moral, diplomatic and political support for the freedom of Kashmir. Commenting on the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, Gilani said, “The blood of the Kashmiris will bear results and the sun of freedom will rise for the people of AJK.”
The prime minister said that the people of Pakistan and Kashmir were bonded in spiritual ties and shared a common destiny.
He promised that development activities will be carried out in AJK without making any financial cuts and the projects of telecommunication, hospitals, colleges, universities and power stations will be completed as soon as possible.
Acknowledging the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir, the prime minister said the government was committed in resolving the problems of the people, create jobs, raise their living standards and create a vibrant economy.
Gilani said the government would continue to implement policies for the benefit of the AJK labourers, farmers and vulnerable sections of society. He said the PPP was the party, which made Pakistan a nuclear power and enhanced its image in the comity of nations.
“We are against terrorism and we do not want the law and order situation to deteriorate in Pakistan,” Gilani said adding, “We want to work with the international community against terrorism on the basis of equality and with dignity”. The prime minister asserted that the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces, police and paramilitary forces were more than the combined sacrifices of NATO and the international forces.
Thousands of party workers were present at the convention, who warmly welcomed the Gilani on his arrival at the venue. The prime minister announced financial grant for the local press club, saying it will help to make the media strong so it can disseminate information among the people. app
(Courtesy : www.dailytimes.com.pk)
Addressing leaders and workers of the PPP AJK chapter at a convention, Gilani pledged that the elections will be transparent and fair and the people will be free to express their choice. He was confident that people would support the PPP candidates in the upcoming elections in AJK. The prime minister said the PPP was founded on the basis of the Kashmir issue as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto raised the slogan that he would fight for the rights of the Kashmiris for a thousand years.
Gilani lauded the services and sacrifices of the party leaders and workers for the promotion of democracy and welfare of people. The prime minister said that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto were in the forefront of the struggle for democracy and had restored the rights of the people.
He said that the PPP has its roots in democracy, and gradually formed its government through hard work of the people and not through any shortcuts. Gilani advised the PPP leadership to shun their personal differences and unite in line with the vision of their leader Benazir Bhutto.
He said that the PPP was the biggest federal party of the country and had governments in Islamabad, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “We respect the mandate of the people and we have no intention to cause any government to fall, as we want to strengthen democracy and the national institutions,” the prime minister added.
Gilani said that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir’s main focus was to empower people and make Pakistan a prosperous country, rather than holding office. He reiterated the resolve of the Pakistani government to continue moral, diplomatic and political support for the freedom of Kashmir. Commenting on the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, Gilani said, “The blood of the Kashmiris will bear results and the sun of freedom will rise for the people of AJK.”
The prime minister said that the people of Pakistan and Kashmir were bonded in spiritual ties and shared a common destiny.
He promised that development activities will be carried out in AJK without making any financial cuts and the projects of telecommunication, hospitals, colleges, universities and power stations will be completed as soon as possible.
Acknowledging the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir, the prime minister said the government was committed in resolving the problems of the people, create jobs, raise their living standards and create a vibrant economy.
Gilani said the government would continue to implement policies for the benefit of the AJK labourers, farmers and vulnerable sections of society. He said the PPP was the party, which made Pakistan a nuclear power and enhanced its image in the comity of nations.
“We are against terrorism and we do not want the law and order situation to deteriorate in Pakistan,” Gilani said adding, “We want to work with the international community against terrorism on the basis of equality and with dignity”. The prime minister asserted that the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces, police and paramilitary forces were more than the combined sacrifices of NATO and the international forces.
Thousands of party workers were present at the convention, who warmly welcomed the Gilani on his arrival at the venue. The prime minister announced financial grant for the local press club, saying it will help to make the media strong so it can disseminate information among the people. app
(Courtesy : www.dailytimes.com.pk)
Make the interlocutors' report on Kashmir public : BJP
14 May 2011
JAMMU: A day before before the state visit of Dileep Padgaonkar-led Interlocutors' group beginning Sunday, BJP state chief spokesperson & national executive member Dr Jitendra Singh has demanded that the interlocutors' report be made public and left open to a wider debate before the Congress-led UPA government before it takes any decision about implementation of any of the recommendations.
Dr Singh expressed serious objection to the reported contents like change of nomenclature to Sadr-e-Riyasat in the final part of interlocutors' report ready for submission to home ministry. He further warned that the party will launch a mass movement across the country to expose this conspiracy and to oppose any such proposal which is Kashmir-centric and negating interests of Jammu and Ladakh and tends to weaken Jammu and Kashmir's relationship with the rest of India.
BJP leader also alleged that the interlocutors had followed a biased approach right from the beginning and their report failed in its avowed objective of projecting an objective view of every section of polity as well as civil society.
(Courtesy : http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
JAMMU: A day before before the state visit of Dileep Padgaonkar-led Interlocutors' group beginning Sunday, BJP state chief spokesperson & national executive member Dr Jitendra Singh has demanded that the interlocutors' report be made public and left open to a wider debate before the Congress-led UPA government before it takes any decision about implementation of any of the recommendations.
Dr Singh expressed serious objection to the reported contents like change of nomenclature to Sadr-e-Riyasat in the final part of interlocutors' report ready for submission to home ministry. He further warned that the party will launch a mass movement across the country to expose this conspiracy and to oppose any such proposal which is Kashmir-centric and negating interests of Jammu and Ladakh and tends to weaken Jammu and Kashmir's relationship with the rest of India.
BJP leader also alleged that the interlocutors had followed a biased approach right from the beginning and their report failed in its avowed objective of projecting an objective view of every section of polity as well as civil society.
(Courtesy : http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Army vetoes Omar Abdullah, says AFSPA needed
15 May 2011
Srinagar : The army has vetoed Omar Abdullah government’s plan of reviewing the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir saying the law was necessary until the terrorist infrastructure was dismantled across the Line of Control (LoC).
Lt General KT Parnaik, general officer commanding in chief Northern Command, said army has submitted its recommendations to the chief minister listing why AFSPA was necessary in J&K.
“Obviously the recommendation was that the time is not rife for removal of AFSPA. This was not the single recommendation but there were host of issues which we have spelled out. We have tried to clarify why AFSPA is required in J&K in the larger interest of security. We perceive that unless terrorist infrastructure is dismantled across the LoC, you can’t have sense of lasting peace”, said Lt Gen Parnaik.
The Northern Army Commander said the recommendations were made by two core committees formed by the chef minister Omar Abdullah to look into the issue.
“Both committees met in February-March and gave recommendations to chief minister and thereafter we have not heard (from the government) on this issue”, he said. On September 29, the J&K government had constituted two committees comprising senior civil and security officers who will carry out a detailed review and submit their recommendation to the apex committee.
On March 5, Omar told Legislative Assembly said he was in favor of removing those areas from the ambit of Disturbed Areas Act (DAA), where the situation has improved and there is no requirement of AFSPA. “If situation remains peaceful the Government will remove many areas out of DAA list this year”, he had said.
With army making its intentions clear, Omar government is facing a tricky situation how to pacify opposition PDP and separatists who have been gunning for his head over the AFSPA issue.
On the possibility of Pakistan’s upping the ante on militancy front in the aftermath of Osama episode, Lt Gen Parnaik said it was quite likely that Pakistan may push in more people into J&K so that attention gets diverted from internal problems to external areas.
“It is quietly likely that Pakistan under pressure because of so many questions being asked to them, could adopt strategy of diverting attentions which they always done. One of the ways is to push in more people into J&K. It is apossibility we have to wait and see”, he said. Lt Gen Parnaik said Chinese presence in the neighborhood in PoK is a cause of concern.
(Courtesy : www.dnaindia.com)
Srinagar : The army has vetoed Omar Abdullah government’s plan of reviewing the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir saying the law was necessary until the terrorist infrastructure was dismantled across the Line of Control (LoC).
Lt General KT Parnaik, general officer commanding in chief Northern Command, said army has submitted its recommendations to the chief minister listing why AFSPA was necessary in J&K.
“Obviously the recommendation was that the time is not rife for removal of AFSPA. This was not the single recommendation but there were host of issues which we have spelled out. We have tried to clarify why AFSPA is required in J&K in the larger interest of security. We perceive that unless terrorist infrastructure is dismantled across the LoC, you can’t have sense of lasting peace”, said Lt Gen Parnaik.
The Northern Army Commander said the recommendations were made by two core committees formed by the chef minister Omar Abdullah to look into the issue.
“Both committees met in February-March and gave recommendations to chief minister and thereafter we have not heard (from the government) on this issue”, he said. On September 29, the J&K government had constituted two committees comprising senior civil and security officers who will carry out a detailed review and submit their recommendation to the apex committee.
On March 5, Omar told Legislative Assembly said he was in favor of removing those areas from the ambit of Disturbed Areas Act (DAA), where the situation has improved and there is no requirement of AFSPA. “If situation remains peaceful the Government will remove many areas out of DAA list this year”, he had said.
With army making its intentions clear, Omar government is facing a tricky situation how to pacify opposition PDP and separatists who have been gunning for his head over the AFSPA issue.
On the possibility of Pakistan’s upping the ante on militancy front in the aftermath of Osama episode, Lt Gen Parnaik said it was quite likely that Pakistan may push in more people into J&K so that attention gets diverted from internal problems to external areas.
“It is quietly likely that Pakistan under pressure because of so many questions being asked to them, could adopt strategy of diverting attentions which they always done. One of the ways is to push in more people into J&K. It is apossibility we have to wait and see”, he said. Lt Gen Parnaik said Chinese presence in the neighborhood in PoK is a cause of concern.
(Courtesy : www.dnaindia.com)
Top militant leaders adopt new strategy to dodge security
13 May 2011
Jammu, May 13 (PTI) Militants in Jammu and Kashmir have adopted a new strategy to divert attention of security forces from their top commanders by spreading canard of their death. Militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) has unleashed a propaganda that its top commander of Rajouri-Poonch border region, Abu Huzefa, against whom security forces have launched several operations, was drowned in a river in Poonch district, a senior police official said. "As per recent intercepts of LeT militants, two commanders, Hajula (Huzefa) and Osama were drowned in Suran river during an operation in Surakote belt of Poonch district a few days back," Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone, Dilbagh Singh said here. This input made security forces fan out in large numbers to locate the bodies but in vain. Surprisingly, there is no stream in the area, he said. Huzefa, a dreaded terrorist commander hailing from Punjab Province in Pakistan, is the backbone of LeT. He had survived several encounters. LeT over ground workers (OGW) network also started a campaign saying Huzefa and his accomplice Umer had drowned and got washed away in a fast flowing stream near Bafliaz. The intelligence agencies feel it is an attempt by the LeT to mislead the security forces. PTI AB SMI
(Courtesy : http://ibnlive.in.com)
Jammu, May 13 (PTI) Militants in Jammu and Kashmir have adopted a new strategy to divert attention of security forces from their top commanders by spreading canard of their death. Militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) has unleashed a propaganda that its top commander of Rajouri-Poonch border region, Abu Huzefa, against whom security forces have launched several operations, was drowned in a river in Poonch district, a senior police official said. "As per recent intercepts of LeT militants, two commanders, Hajula (Huzefa) and Osama were drowned in Suran river during an operation in Surakote belt of Poonch district a few days back," Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone, Dilbagh Singh said here. This input made security forces fan out in large numbers to locate the bodies but in vain. Surprisingly, there is no stream in the area, he said. Huzefa, a dreaded terrorist commander hailing from Punjab Province in Pakistan, is the backbone of LeT. He had survived several encounters. LeT over ground workers (OGW) network also started a campaign saying Huzefa and his accomplice Umer had drowned and got washed away in a fast flowing stream near Bafliaz. The intelligence agencies feel it is an attempt by the LeT to mislead the security forces. PTI AB SMI
(Courtesy : http://ibnlive.in.com)
Interlocutors to submit interim report soon to Home Ministry
Friday, 13 May 2011
Srinagar: The Centre’s interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir, who are arriving here on May 15 for their seventh visit, will submit there interim report to the Union Home Ministry soon. Noted academician and one of the interlocutors, Radha Kumar, told KNS that that they would submit interim report of last six-months to Home Ministry soon. “Though we submit report every month about the Confidence Building Measures, it will be six-month review report.”
Dismissing media reports that interlocutors have failed to submit the final report within stipulated time, Radha said, “It (final report) about political contours will take some more time. It can’t be prepared in six-months. Kashmir is 63-year old problem and how can it be solved in six-months.” “There are different stakeholders involved and we have to take everybody’s opinion into account,” she added.
Radha said that they have gone through constitution of undivided Hurriyat Conference, Geelani’s five demand, Mirwaiz’s four demands and Yasin Malik’s demands. “As none of them met us personally we have taken there point of view into account by going through their demands which they make in media. There is a need for consensus building and we are trying for it,” she told KNS.
Asked whether they would meet the separatist leaders in their coming visit, she said, “Our efforts are on to make a breakthrough. But I can’t divulge all the details.”
Asked to comment about Kashmir Committee head, Ram Jethmalani’s statement that interlocutors haven’t been able to meet separatists, she said, “There is no comparison between them (Kashmir Committee) and us (interlocutors) They are from civil society and we are government appointed. May be separatists will have no problem in meeting them, but they have meeting us.”
(Courtesy : www.kashmirdispatch.com)
Srinagar: The Centre’s interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir, who are arriving here on May 15 for their seventh visit, will submit there interim report to the Union Home Ministry soon. Noted academician and one of the interlocutors, Radha Kumar, told KNS that that they would submit interim report of last six-months to Home Ministry soon. “Though we submit report every month about the Confidence Building Measures, it will be six-month review report.”
Dismissing media reports that interlocutors have failed to submit the final report within stipulated time, Radha said, “It (final report) about political contours will take some more time. It can’t be prepared in six-months. Kashmir is 63-year old problem and how can it be solved in six-months.” “There are different stakeholders involved and we have to take everybody’s opinion into account,” she added.
Radha said that they have gone through constitution of undivided Hurriyat Conference, Geelani’s five demand, Mirwaiz’s four demands and Yasin Malik’s demands. “As none of them met us personally we have taken there point of view into account by going through their demands which they make in media. There is a need for consensus building and we are trying for it,” she told KNS.
Asked whether they would meet the separatist leaders in their coming visit, she said, “Our efforts are on to make a breakthrough. But I can’t divulge all the details.”
Asked to comment about Kashmir Committee head, Ram Jethmalani’s statement that interlocutors haven’t been able to meet separatists, she said, “There is no comparison between them (Kashmir Committee) and us (interlocutors) They are from civil society and we are government appointed. May be separatists will have no problem in meeting them, but they have meeting us.”
(Courtesy : www.kashmirdispatch.com)
Solution to Kashmir issue must to win trust of J&K people : PDP
Srinagar, May 13 (PTI) Asserting that concrete steps were needed to find a holistic solution to the Kashmir issue, Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today said any further delay in resolution effort was prone to be viewed as delaying tactics by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "The political and economic problems of the state have resulted in immense sufferings for the people and it is time for solid steps to initiate a resolution process that looks beyond firefighting or patchwork approach," PDP president Mehbooba Mufti told a five-member European Union delegation here headed by Ambassador Daniele Smajda. She said there was hardly any aspect of the Kashmir issue that was not known and further delay in finding a resolution even after numerous fact finding missions and discussions was prone to be viewed as delaying tactics by the state's people. "The EU could help by extending its moral influence in this enterprise of peace and conflict resolution that could impact a large portion of humanity residing in South Asia," she said. Expressing confidence in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's determination to resolve the Kashmir issue and create new friendship and peace with Pakistan, Mehbooba said his sincerity needs to be backed with a combined national effort. She told the delegation that unless the people of the state witness a positive change in their lives they would continue to remain cynical of any declarations of intent. On the immense response of people to the Panchayat elections held in the state after 10 years, she said it was their "repeated assertion in democratic methods".
(Courtesy : http://ibnlive.in.com)
(Courtesy : http://ibnlive.in.com)
European Union not to interfere in Kashmir issue
Srinagar: The EU delegation met the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Mohammad Yasin Malik, who appealed the EU to use its influence with India and Pakistan to take solid and constructive measures to address Kashmir issue.
"European Union has friendly ties with both India and Pakistan and our sincere appeal is to use the influence to make the two countries agree to demonstrate sincerity to resolve Kashmir issue," Malik told the delegation.
"The two countries need to take solid and constructive steps to address this long standing and dangerous issue, rather than sticking to the past exercise of cosmetic measures," Malik said.
The JKLF chief said besides the world, New Delhi and Islamabad should accept that Kashmir is not a border dispute between India and Pakistan but an issue concerning the future of crores of Kashmiris.
"Kashmir is not only a political issue but a human issue as well," he said urging the European Union to play its role in resolution of the issue.
Terming Kashmiris as a basic party to the dispute, Malik said the involvement of the people of Kashmir in the talks and decision making is imperative to find an everlasting solution to the problem.
Malik briefed the delegation about the genesis of Kashmir problem, transition from violence to non-violence and alleged human rights violations.
(Courtesy : www.sify.com)
"European Union has friendly ties with both India and Pakistan and our sincere appeal is to use the influence to make the two countries agree to demonstrate sincerity to resolve Kashmir issue," Malik told the delegation.
"The two countries need to take solid and constructive steps to address this long standing and dangerous issue, rather than sticking to the past exercise of cosmetic measures," Malik said.
The JKLF chief said besides the world, New Delhi and Islamabad should accept that Kashmir is not a border dispute between India and Pakistan but an issue concerning the future of crores of Kashmiris.
"Kashmir is not only a political issue but a human issue as well," he said urging the European Union to play its role in resolution of the issue.
Terming Kashmiris as a basic party to the dispute, Malik said the involvement of the people of Kashmir in the talks and decision making is imperative to find an everlasting solution to the problem.
Malik briefed the delegation about the genesis of Kashmir problem, transition from violence to non-violence and alleged human rights violations.
(Courtesy : www.sify.com)
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Lashkar, ISI engineered car bomb blast in JK: Police
Jammu, May 11 (PTI) The Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Pakistan's ISI engineered the May 2 car bomb explosion in Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir Police said today after arresting a government officer on charges of conspiracy and detaining several others.A sleeper cell of LeT headed by Ghulam Sarwar of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, who is at large, on the direction of its mentors in Inter Service Intelligence had executed the car bomb explosion at Udhampur to target a top army officer, they said.Commandant of Military Hospital, Major General D S Pathania escaped narrowly in the blast on Jammu-Srinagar national highway at Bremi bridge in Udhampur district in which a milk vendor was killed and 10 others were injured."We have cracked the case of the car bomb blast. One PoK militant of LeT was involved in the blast along with some Over Ground Workers (OGWs). He is at large," Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, Dilbagh Singh told reporters."
The LeT had engineered the blast on the directions of its cross-border mentors in ISI through its sleeper cell to keep the pot of militancy boiling in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.Singh said that Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has been constituted, is working hard to track down the main accused Sarwar."LeT OGW and state government's agriculture extension officer Abdul Majid has been arrested in the conspiracy of the blast and several others including the local wife of Sarwar have been detained," the IGP, who was flanked by DIG,
Udhampur-Reasi Range, Jagjit Kumar and SSP, Udhampur, Surinder Gupta said.The Maruti car used in the blast was purchased from New Delhi in the name of Majid at a cost of Rs 27,000, laden with explosives in Jammu and later blown up through a remote control in Udhampur, he said. The remote control was also recovered from his Tata Sumo vehicle at Sidhra in Jammu.The militant was operating as a sleeper cell in Jammu city since 2008 when he came via Bangladesh to Delhi and then to Jammu.
(Courtesy : http://ibnlive.in.com)
The LeT had engineered the blast on the directions of its cross-border mentors in ISI through its sleeper cell to keep the pot of militancy boiling in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.Singh said that Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has been constituted, is working hard to track down the main accused Sarwar."LeT OGW and state government's agriculture extension officer Abdul Majid has been arrested in the conspiracy of the blast and several others including the local wife of Sarwar have been detained," the IGP, who was flanked by DIG,
Udhampur-Reasi Range, Jagjit Kumar and SSP, Udhampur, Surinder Gupta said.The Maruti car used in the blast was purchased from New Delhi in the name of Majid at a cost of Rs 27,000, laden with explosives in Jammu and later blown up through a remote control in Udhampur, he said. The remote control was also recovered from his Tata Sumo vehicle at Sidhra in Jammu.The militant was operating as a sleeper cell in Jammu city since 2008 when he came via Bangladesh to Delhi and then to Jammu.
(Courtesy : http://ibnlive.in.com)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
J&K : Muslim village elects first woman pandit to panchyat
M Saleem Pandit, TNN | May 11, 2011
Winds of change: Aasha Jee is the first Kashmiri Pandit woman to win the panchyat polls in a predominantly Muslim village in Kashmir's Kunzer block.
KUNZER: Aasha Jee is the first Kashmiri Pandit woman to win the panchyat polls in a predominantly Muslim village in Kashmir's Kunzer block. Aasha defeated her lone rival Sarwa Begum by 11 votes to be elected as a panch of Wusan village. Aasha won 55 votes while Sarwa got 42 votes.
Around 20 km from Srinagar, only four Pandit families currently live at Wusan. Aasha's family was one of those who stayed back when others from the community left Kashmir for militancy. Aasha (59), who lives with husband Radha Krishan and two sons, said, "Muslim brethren of the village voted for me. I will try to live up to their expectations if the state government gives powers to panchyats under 74th amendment of the Constitution."
Local revenue official Abdul Hamid Wani had encouraged Aasha to contest. "It didn't matter whether she is a Muslim or not. She is a nice person. So, we chose her," said Wani.
Her rival Sarwa Begum was gracious in defeat. "Luck played a part in the elections. I wish Aasha success and hope she will work for the village," she said. Aasha's elder son Suresh Kumar is a constable in Jammu & Kashmir police while the younger one helps his father at his village grocery shop. A proud Radha Kishan said, "She is an energetic woman and will definitely help in the village's development."
Wusan doesn't have a police post or a security force camp though Aasha is vulnerable to attacks by militants who had called for poll boycott in the state.
"My victory should send a clear message to migrant Kashmiri Pandits living in exile in other parts of the country that there is no threat to their lives in Kashmir now," she said. Her parents live in Doda, home to Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, she proudly said.
Over 2,000 sarpanch and more than 15,000 panch were elected for 15,000 constituencies across J&K," said B R Sharma, chief electoral officer. Panchayat polls in the state were held after more than a decade. The last panchayat polls were held in 2001. The state government is now contemplating elections for municipal corporations and committees in urban areas.
(Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Winds of change: Aasha Jee is the first Kashmiri Pandit woman to win the panchyat polls in a predominantly Muslim village in Kashmir's Kunzer block.
KUNZER: Aasha Jee is the first Kashmiri Pandit woman to win the panchyat polls in a predominantly Muslim village in Kashmir's Kunzer block. Aasha defeated her lone rival Sarwa Begum by 11 votes to be elected as a panch of Wusan village. Aasha won 55 votes while Sarwa got 42 votes.
Around 20 km from Srinagar, only four Pandit families currently live at Wusan. Aasha's family was one of those who stayed back when others from the community left Kashmir for militancy. Aasha (59), who lives with husband Radha Krishan and two sons, said, "Muslim brethren of the village voted for me. I will try to live up to their expectations if the state government gives powers to panchyats under 74th amendment of the Constitution."
Local revenue official Abdul Hamid Wani had encouraged Aasha to contest. "It didn't matter whether she is a Muslim or not. She is a nice person. So, we chose her," said Wani.
Her rival Sarwa Begum was gracious in defeat. "Luck played a part in the elections. I wish Aasha success and hope she will work for the village," she said. Aasha's elder son Suresh Kumar is a constable in Jammu & Kashmir police while the younger one helps his father at his village grocery shop. A proud Radha Kishan said, "She is an energetic woman and will definitely help in the village's development."
Wusan doesn't have a police post or a security force camp though Aasha is vulnerable to attacks by militants who had called for poll boycott in the state.
"My victory should send a clear message to migrant Kashmiri Pandits living in exile in other parts of the country that there is no threat to their lives in Kashmir now," she said. Her parents live in Doda, home to Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, she proudly said.
Over 2,000 sarpanch and more than 15,000 panch were elected for 15,000 constituencies across J&K," said B R Sharma, chief electoral officer. Panchayat polls in the state were held after more than a decade. The last panchayat polls were held in 2001. The state government is now contemplating elections for municipal corporations and committees in urban areas.
(Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
2020 तक पाकिस्तान के कब्जे वाले कश्मीर पर होगा चीन का कब्जा: रिपोर्ट
नई दिल्ली. भारत सरकार रणनीतिक दृष्टि से महत्वपूर्ण पाकिस्तान के कब्जे वाले कश्मीर (पीओके) पर अपने दावे पर मुखर हो, वरना चीन 2020 तक इस क्षेत्र को अपनी सीमा में ले सकता है। देश में रक्षा क्षेत्र के थिंक टैंक माने जाने वाले इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ डिफेंस स्टडीज एंड एनालिसिस ने अपनी रिपोर्ट में सरकार को चीन के इस इरादे से चेताया है।
रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि इस क्षेत्र में चीन की बढ़ती सक्रियता सीमा पर नए सामरिक आयाम दे सकती है। यह वास्तविकता भारत के दीर्घकालिक सुरक्षा हितों को नुकसान पहुंचा सकती है। इसलिए देश के नीति-निर्माताओं को पाक अधिकृत कश्मीर (पीओके) पर सक्रिय नीति अपनानी चाहिए।
रिपोर्ट में चिंता जताई गई है कि पाकिस्तान को चीन से जोड़ने वाले काराकोरम हाईवे के जरिए चीन पाकिस्तान को गुप्त रूप से परमाणु सामग्री पहुंचा सकता है। इसके न केवल भारत बल्कि इस क्षेत्र के लिए कई सामरिक निहितार्थ हैं, जिसे रेखांकित किए जाने की जरूरत है।
रिपोर्ट में पाकिस्तान कश्मीर में चीन की गतिविधियों पर कहा गया है कि चीनी कंपनियां अनेक हाइडल प्रोजेक्ट जैसे नीलम-झेलम, गोमलजाम, मंगला बांध आदि पर काम कर रही हैं। रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, पाकिस्तान ने चीन के साथ अनेक ऐसे करार किए हैं जिसमें पारदर्शिता नहीं अपनाई।
इसलिए चीन के पीओके में सक्रियता के बारे में पूरी तरह कह पाना मुश्किल है। रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि इस क्षेत्र के लोग भी यह आशंका व्यक्त कर रहे हैं कि जिस तरह से चीन इस क्षेत्र में अपने प्रभाव जमा रहा है, वह 2020 तक गिल गित-बाल्तिस्तान को कब्जे में ले लेगा। रिपोर्ट में न्यूयार्क टाइम्स में छपे उस लेख का भी हवाला है जिसमें कहा गया है कि 7 से 11 हजार चीनी सैनिक इस क्षेत्र में हैं।
रिपोर्ट में सरकार को सुझाव दिया है कि वह अतंरराष्ट्रीय मंचों पर अपने दावे के साथ-साथ इस क्षेत्र के खराब हालात और शासन को प्रभावी ढंग से उठाए। रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि इस क्षेत्र में पाकिस्तान के खिलाफ लोगों की नाराजगी बढ़ती जा रही है।
(Courtesy : www.bhaskar.com)
रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि इस क्षेत्र में चीन की बढ़ती सक्रियता सीमा पर नए सामरिक आयाम दे सकती है। यह वास्तविकता भारत के दीर्घकालिक सुरक्षा हितों को नुकसान पहुंचा सकती है। इसलिए देश के नीति-निर्माताओं को पाक अधिकृत कश्मीर (पीओके) पर सक्रिय नीति अपनानी चाहिए।
रिपोर्ट में चिंता जताई गई है कि पाकिस्तान को चीन से जोड़ने वाले काराकोरम हाईवे के जरिए चीन पाकिस्तान को गुप्त रूप से परमाणु सामग्री पहुंचा सकता है। इसके न केवल भारत बल्कि इस क्षेत्र के लिए कई सामरिक निहितार्थ हैं, जिसे रेखांकित किए जाने की जरूरत है।
रिपोर्ट में पाकिस्तान कश्मीर में चीन की गतिविधियों पर कहा गया है कि चीनी कंपनियां अनेक हाइडल प्रोजेक्ट जैसे नीलम-झेलम, गोमलजाम, मंगला बांध आदि पर काम कर रही हैं। रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, पाकिस्तान ने चीन के साथ अनेक ऐसे करार किए हैं जिसमें पारदर्शिता नहीं अपनाई।
इसलिए चीन के पीओके में सक्रियता के बारे में पूरी तरह कह पाना मुश्किल है। रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि इस क्षेत्र के लोग भी यह आशंका व्यक्त कर रहे हैं कि जिस तरह से चीन इस क्षेत्र में अपने प्रभाव जमा रहा है, वह 2020 तक गिल गित-बाल्तिस्तान को कब्जे में ले लेगा। रिपोर्ट में न्यूयार्क टाइम्स में छपे उस लेख का भी हवाला है जिसमें कहा गया है कि 7 से 11 हजार चीनी सैनिक इस क्षेत्र में हैं।
रिपोर्ट में सरकार को सुझाव दिया है कि वह अतंरराष्ट्रीय मंचों पर अपने दावे के साथ-साथ इस क्षेत्र के खराब हालात और शासन को प्रभावी ढंग से उठाए। रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि इस क्षेत्र में पाकिस्तान के खिलाफ लोगों की नाराजगी बढ़ती जा रही है।
(Courtesy : www.bhaskar.com)
Home ministry official in Srinagar to discuss militant rehab
M Saleem Pandit, TNN | May 11, 2011
SRINAGAR: A top home ministry official met senior Jammu & Kashmir officials to discuss the state government's rehabilitation policy for former militants stranded in PoK on Tuesday.
The state government announced the policy last year and has received over 600 applications from former militants wishing to return home. They would be allowed to return only if they shun violence and granted amnesty besides financial assistance.
Officials said Joint Secretary (Kashmir affairs) K Sakandan met chief secretary Madhav Lal and J&K police chief Kuldeep Khoda among other senior senior officials at Srinagar's civil secretariat.
Sources said the state officials briefed Sakandan on the applications received . "He (Sakandan) told them to expedite the process of verification of militants wishing to return. Sakandan told state officials that militants ready to join mainstream should be given a chance on priority to return," a source said.
(Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
SRINAGAR: A top home ministry official met senior Jammu & Kashmir officials to discuss the state government's rehabilitation policy for former militants stranded in PoK on Tuesday.
The state government announced the policy last year and has received over 600 applications from former militants wishing to return home. They would be allowed to return only if they shun violence and granted amnesty besides financial assistance.
Officials said Joint Secretary (Kashmir affairs) K Sakandan met chief secretary Madhav Lal and J&K police chief Kuldeep Khoda among other senior senior officials at Srinagar's civil secretariat.
Sources said the state officials briefed Sakandan on the applications received . "He (Sakandan) told them to expedite the process of verification of militants wishing to return. Sakandan told state officials that militants ready to join mainstream should be given a chance on priority to return," a source said.
(Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
First Kashmiri pandit woman wins panchayat polls in Valley
M Saleem Pandit, 10 May, 2011
KUNZER: Aasha Jee is the first Kashmiri Pandit woman in the Muslim dominated Kashmir valley to be elected as a Panch in the J&K panchayat polls.
Pandits, a minority community in Kashmir, were displaced after the eruption of violent insurgency against India in 1989-90. However, Aasha's family is one of the four that stayed back in her village Wussan, Kunzer block on Srinagar-Gulmarg road.
Aasha defeated her lone rival, Sarwa Begum, a Kashmiri Muslim woman, by 11 votes in the seventh phase of polling on Sunday. Aasha bagged 55 votes while Sarwa got 42 votes.
(Courtesy : http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
KUNZER: Aasha Jee is the first Kashmiri Pandit woman in the Muslim dominated Kashmir valley to be elected as a Panch in the J&K panchayat polls.
Pandits, a minority community in Kashmir, were displaced after the eruption of violent insurgency against India in 1989-90. However, Aasha's family is one of the four that stayed back in her village Wussan, Kunzer block on Srinagar-Gulmarg road.
Aasha defeated her lone rival, Sarwa Begum, a Kashmiri Muslim woman, by 11 votes in the seventh phase of polling on Sunday. Aasha bagged 55 votes while Sarwa got 42 votes.
(Courtesy : http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Of UNSC resolutions and disputants
11 May 2011
Zahoor Ahmad Bhat
No doubt Kashmir is one of the most beautiful places on the earth. Its strategic importance and beauty make it a prized possession. The snow-capped peaks, lush green fields, beautiful lakes and flowers made the great emperor Jahangir once say: “If there is paradise anywhere on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here!” But today’s Kashmir has turned different. Its people are struggling for their right to live with honor.
This struggle is not a territorial dispute, it is all about rights. Kashmiri’s are paying a heavy price for their struggle for just rights. Kashmir is a core political issue between India and Pakistan. Pakistan keeps trying to persuade India to resolve the Kashmir issue according to the will of the Kashmiri people and in accordance with the UN resolutions. Unfortunately India has never been comfortable and has always showed Kashmir as its integral part. In fact at the time of the partition of the subcontinent, the wish of 94 percent Muslim majority of Kashmir was ignored.
Despite the UN Security Council resolutions calling for plebiscite, the Kashmir issue is still a bone of contention between India and Pakistan. In three resolutions, the UN Security Council and the United Nations Commission in India and Pakistan recommended that as already agreed by Indian and Pakistani leaders, a plebiscite should be held to determine the future allegiance of the entire state. History is on record that the Kashmiri freedom fighters resisted the Indian occupation of Kashmir and waged struggle against Indian forces through out Kashmir and were able to take possession of territories in Northern Areas and those parts of Kashmir, which are now known as Azad Kashmir. The hostilities between Indian and Pakistani forces also erupted, on the Kashmir front.
India failing to re-capture the parts, which were taken over by the tribals, approached the Security Council of United Nations to intervene in the matter. The Security Council was able to secure ceasefire between the two countries and also passed resolutions for permanent settlement of the dispute on the basis of right of self-determination by the people of Kashmir but the resolutions of the Security Council have not been implemented till today.
While signing the acceptance of the instrument of accession Mountbatten put forth the condition that as soon as peace is restored in Kashmir the people of Kashmir should confirm the accession of the State. On November 1, 1947 Mountbatten held a meeting at Lahore with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah & Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. Nehru on the pretext of illness failed to attend meeting. Pakistani leaders made it clear that accession was based on fraud and violence and was not bona-fide. Mountbatten proposed plebiscite through United Nations.
On January 1, 1948 the Security Council of United Nations was called upon by India under article 34 and 35 of Chapter VI of the United Nations. In Indian complaint it has been pledged that once the soil of the State had been cleared of the invaders and normal conditions restored its people would be free to decide their future by the democratic method of plebiscite or referendum which in order to ensure complete impartiality might be held under international auspices. The Security Council met on January 15, 1948.
The Indian delegation also included Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, head of Interim Government under Indian occupied Kashmir. The Indian representative referred to note of Mountbatten on instrument of accession that question of State’s final accession should be settled by reference to the people of Kashmir. Pakistan’s representative protested against Indian forces in Kashmir. He said that in the presence of Indian forces people of Kashmir could not express free will. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister made a forceful speech for five hours and made a history in annals of United Nations. On January 20, 1948 Security Council by resolution No.39, established the United Nations Commission on India & Pakistan (UNCIP). On February 8, 1948 discussions in the UNO broke down on the question of free administration, as India wanted Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to continue as head of the administration during plebiscite or referendum.
Negotiations again restarted in March 1948 in UNO and on April 21, 1948 a resolution of Security Council was carried by nine votes against none, with Soviet Union and Ukrainian delegations abstaining. The Resolution called Government of Pakistan to withdraw from Jammu & Kashmir all its forces, Tribals & Government of India was asked to reduce her forces to minimum strength after which plebiscite be held on the question of accession of State to India or Pakistan. The resolution asked for U.N delegation to proceed to sub continent at-once. It did not condemn Pakistan as aggressor as desired by India nor it touched upon the legal aspect of Kashmir’s accession to India.
The UN Security Council resolution of April 21, 1948, clearly states that the final status of Jammu & Kashmir should be decided through an impartial plebiscite held under the auspices of the world body. Subsequent UNSC resolutions reiterated the same position. However, despite first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s repeated pledges that the right to self-determination will be given to the people of Kashmir, Indian leaders have held on to their uncompromising stance that Kashmir is an integral part of India.
As the resolution very clearly states that “the question of the accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be decided through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite” and the Indian rulers had promised before the UN to provide Kashmiri’s with their basic right, but later backed away from their commitments. It is unfortunate that India has been putting peace, security and stability of the entire South Asia at stake by not responding positively to the efforts made by the international community to settle the Kashmir dispute.
On November 2, 1947 speaking on all India Radio Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru said, “Fate of Kashmir is ultimately to be decided by the people. The pledge we have given not only to People of Kashmir, but to the world. We will not and cannot back out of it” On November 25, 1947 Nehru informed the Indian Parliament that we have suggested, “When people of Kashmir are given a chance to decide their future, this should be done under the supervision of an impartial tribunal such as United Nations Organization”.
When the Kashmir dispute erupted in 1947-1948, the United States took the stand that the future status of Kashmir must be ascertained in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of the territory. The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution on April 21, 1948 which was based on that unchallenged principle. So the idea that ‘Kashmir is an integral part of India’ is in contravention to India’s international obligations. Any such suggestion is an insult to the intelligence of the people of Kashmir. The people revolted against the status quo and status quo cannot be an answer? Also, Kashmiri’s wish to emphasize that their land is not a real estate which can be parceled out between two disputants but the home of a nation with a history far more compact and coherent than India’s and far longer than Pakistan’s.
No settlement of their status will hold unless it is explicitly based on the principles of self-determination and erases the so-called line of control, which is in reality the line of conflict.Facts are facts and can not be twisted. Kashmir is the most militarized territory in the world. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has talked of “zero tolerance” for human rights violations. But when we have innocent, young boys dying such rhetoric sounds absurd. Special laws like the Disturbed Areas Act and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that allow the security forces to get away with murder, literally, must be withdrawn.
If India is keen to restore peace and order in the region, it must come up with some really courageous and decisive measures and fast, beginning with the immediate withdrawal of security forces. If the generations of Kashmiri’s have grown up hating everything Indian, the credit largely goes to the heavy military presence in the state. Ordinary Kashmiri’s are the ones who suffered. People lose their livelihood and all sections of society are affected. Who is to blame for this? Of course, many would blame the Indian security forces, police, state and central governments.
The time for realization has come. Human rights organizations around the world are condemning the atrocities committed by Indian forces in Kashmir. Their conscience has forced even some of the Indian leaders to speak their mind. “Kashmiri women were being treated in the most inhumane way all over Kashmir.” (Dr. Mohini Giri, the chairperson of the Indian Commission for Women, Aug. 10, 1997).
“There is a growing realization in South Asia that peace is vital for economic prosperity. An amicable solution to Kashmir is key to peace and development in the subcontinent.” (Ajai Sahni, executive director of the Institute for Conflict Management, Delhi). “I believe Kashmir is not an integral part of India. It is a historical fact. By describing the pro-freedom leaders in the Valley as separatists, India in a sense has already acknowledged that secession has taken place.” (Arundhati Roy, Booker Prize winner). These quotes are true reflection of the facts that annexation of Kashmir by India was an unjust deal and the time has come to resolve the dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
However, there is but one fair, just, legal, and moral solution to Kashmir which was provided by the United Nations. The procedures contemplated at early stage of the dispute at the United Nations for its solution may be varied in the light of changed circumstances but its underlying principle must be scrupulously observed if justice and rationality are not be thrown overboard. The setting aside of the UN resolution is one thing; the discarding of the principle they embodies is altogether another. So the settlement has to be in accordance with the wishes of the people; impartially ascertained; in conditions of freedom from intimidation.
(The views expressed in the column are the views of the author)
(Courtesy : www.kashmirdispatch.com)
Zahoor Ahmad Bhat
No doubt Kashmir is one of the most beautiful places on the earth. Its strategic importance and beauty make it a prized possession. The snow-capped peaks, lush green fields, beautiful lakes and flowers made the great emperor Jahangir once say: “If there is paradise anywhere on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here!” But today’s Kashmir has turned different. Its people are struggling for their right to live with honor.
This struggle is not a territorial dispute, it is all about rights. Kashmiri’s are paying a heavy price for their struggle for just rights. Kashmir is a core political issue between India and Pakistan. Pakistan keeps trying to persuade India to resolve the Kashmir issue according to the will of the Kashmiri people and in accordance with the UN resolutions. Unfortunately India has never been comfortable and has always showed Kashmir as its integral part. In fact at the time of the partition of the subcontinent, the wish of 94 percent Muslim majority of Kashmir was ignored.
Despite the UN Security Council resolutions calling for plebiscite, the Kashmir issue is still a bone of contention between India and Pakistan. In three resolutions, the UN Security Council and the United Nations Commission in India and Pakistan recommended that as already agreed by Indian and Pakistani leaders, a plebiscite should be held to determine the future allegiance of the entire state. History is on record that the Kashmiri freedom fighters resisted the Indian occupation of Kashmir and waged struggle against Indian forces through out Kashmir and were able to take possession of territories in Northern Areas and those parts of Kashmir, which are now known as Azad Kashmir. The hostilities between Indian and Pakistani forces also erupted, on the Kashmir front.
India failing to re-capture the parts, which were taken over by the tribals, approached the Security Council of United Nations to intervene in the matter. The Security Council was able to secure ceasefire between the two countries and also passed resolutions for permanent settlement of the dispute on the basis of right of self-determination by the people of Kashmir but the resolutions of the Security Council have not been implemented till today.
While signing the acceptance of the instrument of accession Mountbatten put forth the condition that as soon as peace is restored in Kashmir the people of Kashmir should confirm the accession of the State. On November 1, 1947 Mountbatten held a meeting at Lahore with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah & Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. Nehru on the pretext of illness failed to attend meeting. Pakistani leaders made it clear that accession was based on fraud and violence and was not bona-fide. Mountbatten proposed plebiscite through United Nations.
On January 1, 1948 the Security Council of United Nations was called upon by India under article 34 and 35 of Chapter VI of the United Nations. In Indian complaint it has been pledged that once the soil of the State had been cleared of the invaders and normal conditions restored its people would be free to decide their future by the democratic method of plebiscite or referendum which in order to ensure complete impartiality might be held under international auspices. The Security Council met on January 15, 1948.
The Indian delegation also included Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, head of Interim Government under Indian occupied Kashmir. The Indian representative referred to note of Mountbatten on instrument of accession that question of State’s final accession should be settled by reference to the people of Kashmir. Pakistan’s representative protested against Indian forces in Kashmir. He said that in the presence of Indian forces people of Kashmir could not express free will. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister made a forceful speech for five hours and made a history in annals of United Nations. On January 20, 1948 Security Council by resolution No.39, established the United Nations Commission on India & Pakistan (UNCIP). On February 8, 1948 discussions in the UNO broke down on the question of free administration, as India wanted Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to continue as head of the administration during plebiscite or referendum.
Negotiations again restarted in March 1948 in UNO and on April 21, 1948 a resolution of Security Council was carried by nine votes against none, with Soviet Union and Ukrainian delegations abstaining. The Resolution called Government of Pakistan to withdraw from Jammu & Kashmir all its forces, Tribals & Government of India was asked to reduce her forces to minimum strength after which plebiscite be held on the question of accession of State to India or Pakistan. The resolution asked for U.N delegation to proceed to sub continent at-once. It did not condemn Pakistan as aggressor as desired by India nor it touched upon the legal aspect of Kashmir’s accession to India.
The UN Security Council resolution of April 21, 1948, clearly states that the final status of Jammu & Kashmir should be decided through an impartial plebiscite held under the auspices of the world body. Subsequent UNSC resolutions reiterated the same position. However, despite first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s repeated pledges that the right to self-determination will be given to the people of Kashmir, Indian leaders have held on to their uncompromising stance that Kashmir is an integral part of India.
As the resolution very clearly states that “the question of the accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be decided through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite” and the Indian rulers had promised before the UN to provide Kashmiri’s with their basic right, but later backed away from their commitments. It is unfortunate that India has been putting peace, security and stability of the entire South Asia at stake by not responding positively to the efforts made by the international community to settle the Kashmir dispute.
On November 2, 1947 speaking on all India Radio Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru said, “Fate of Kashmir is ultimately to be decided by the people. The pledge we have given not only to People of Kashmir, but to the world. We will not and cannot back out of it” On November 25, 1947 Nehru informed the Indian Parliament that we have suggested, “When people of Kashmir are given a chance to decide their future, this should be done under the supervision of an impartial tribunal such as United Nations Organization”.
When the Kashmir dispute erupted in 1947-1948, the United States took the stand that the future status of Kashmir must be ascertained in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of the territory. The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution on April 21, 1948 which was based on that unchallenged principle. So the idea that ‘Kashmir is an integral part of India’ is in contravention to India’s international obligations. Any such suggestion is an insult to the intelligence of the people of Kashmir. The people revolted against the status quo and status quo cannot be an answer? Also, Kashmiri’s wish to emphasize that their land is not a real estate which can be parceled out between two disputants but the home of a nation with a history far more compact and coherent than India’s and far longer than Pakistan’s.
No settlement of their status will hold unless it is explicitly based on the principles of self-determination and erases the so-called line of control, which is in reality the line of conflict.Facts are facts and can not be twisted. Kashmir is the most militarized territory in the world. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has talked of “zero tolerance” for human rights violations. But when we have innocent, young boys dying such rhetoric sounds absurd. Special laws like the Disturbed Areas Act and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that allow the security forces to get away with murder, literally, must be withdrawn.
If India is keen to restore peace and order in the region, it must come up with some really courageous and decisive measures and fast, beginning with the immediate withdrawal of security forces. If the generations of Kashmiri’s have grown up hating everything Indian, the credit largely goes to the heavy military presence in the state. Ordinary Kashmiri’s are the ones who suffered. People lose their livelihood and all sections of society are affected. Who is to blame for this? Of course, many would blame the Indian security forces, police, state and central governments.
The time for realization has come. Human rights organizations around the world are condemning the atrocities committed by Indian forces in Kashmir. Their conscience has forced even some of the Indian leaders to speak their mind. “Kashmiri women were being treated in the most inhumane way all over Kashmir.” (Dr. Mohini Giri, the chairperson of the Indian Commission for Women, Aug. 10, 1997).
“There is a growing realization in South Asia that peace is vital for economic prosperity. An amicable solution to Kashmir is key to peace and development in the subcontinent.” (Ajai Sahni, executive director of the Institute for Conflict Management, Delhi). “I believe Kashmir is not an integral part of India. It is a historical fact. By describing the pro-freedom leaders in the Valley as separatists, India in a sense has already acknowledged that secession has taken place.” (Arundhati Roy, Booker Prize winner). These quotes are true reflection of the facts that annexation of Kashmir by India was an unjust deal and the time has come to resolve the dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
However, there is but one fair, just, legal, and moral solution to Kashmir which was provided by the United Nations. The procedures contemplated at early stage of the dispute at the United Nations for its solution may be varied in the light of changed circumstances but its underlying principle must be scrupulously observed if justice and rationality are not be thrown overboard. The setting aside of the UN resolution is one thing; the discarding of the principle they embodies is altogether another. So the settlement has to be in accordance with the wishes of the people; impartially ascertained; in conditions of freedom from intimidation.
(The views expressed in the column are the views of the author)
(Courtesy : www.kashmirdispatch.com)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
No al Qaeda in Kashmir: CM
SRINAGAR, May 9: Hoping that some heated exchange of words between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of killing of Osama bin Laden would not derail peace process, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said India has no intention to carry out American type strikes in Pakistan or Pakistan administered Kashmir (PAK).
Addressing a press conference at Civil Secretariat here after the reopening of “darbar move” offices, he said, “Pakistan has warned us against any misadventure on its soil. We have no intention for such a misadventure.”
During the press conference chief minister talked about a number of issues. He hoped that after Osama’s killing the dialogue process between India and Pakistan would not get derailed again. He said there was no intelligence evidence of Al-Qaeda’s presence in Kashmir. Chief minister asked the separatists not to delay the political solution of Kashmir issue by refusing talks with interlocutors and also hoped that the dialogue process between India and Pakistan would lead to a solution of Kashmir issue with which the people of the state are satisfied.
Omar said he will not get engage in war of words with Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) to avoid inconvenience to the people in the form of strikes and protests. However, he refused to comment when asked as to why the state government objected to the public interest litigation (PIL) of JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik for registration of cases against the police and security men involved in the killing of civilians during last year’s civilian unrest. “This is a legal issue. I do not know about it. You better approach our law department and they will tell you,” said chief minister when a media person asked him as to why the government presented the list of criminal cases against Yasin in the court when prime minister has no objection meeting and talking to him.
Chief minister said the then chairman of J&K Bank Dr Haseeb Drabu was not sacked but he resigned after he learnt that his term was not getting extended. About Drabu’s criticism of the pact between J&K and RBI, he said infact the former was himself keen for the agreement. “Now Drabu has no work, he is using high class English in his writings in press to present a wrong picture,” Omar said. He described the pact between the two banks as a win win situation for J&K bank, government and people.
About the rehabilitation policy for militants, he said it is evoking positive response and the state government has received 700 applications from the families of the youth, who are in PAK and want to return to Kashmir. He also defended his using Twitter saying he would stop tweeting the day he feels that it affects his official work.
Chief minister started the press conference with the opening remarks that the people of the state want peace and development. He stated that his government is trying its level best to come upto their expectation and would dedicate this summer for development. “Government of India has initiated talks on two levels- one through interlocutors in J&K and the second with Islamabad. I am hopeful that separatists would join the talks as they have been claiming that they are for a solution through dialogue. If they refuse to join the dialogue they are delaying the political solution. We are hopeful that India and Pakistan will reach a solution, which satisfies the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Asked whether Geelani’s strike and protest call against the arrest was a reaction to his recent statement in which he had stated that he would not allow the Hurriyat (G) chairman to become hero, chief minister said,” I do not want to get involved in this war of words. Geelani sahib is a senior member of society. I hope he would not cause inconvenience to people with his actions and if he has to say something he must do so
politically without disturbing the people.”
Chief minister said militancy in Kashmir has an external dimension but said there is no intelligence evidence regarding link between Al-Qaeda and Kashmiri militancy. “Osama bin Laden had talked about the unfinished agenda on Kashmir several times. But during my two and a half year long tenure as head of the unified headquarter I did not come across any evidence, linking militancy here with Al-Qaeda,” he said.
About a Canadian newspaper report that Abbottabad house of Osma belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen, Omar said he cannot comment since there was no confirmation from the independent sources.
Chief minister said India will not carry out the US type strikes in Pakistan. “Immediately after Osama’s killing our foreign ministry stated that the dialogue with Pakistan would not be discontinued. Pakistan has warned us not to carry out any misadventure there. But we have no intention to do so,” he said.
Omar stated that with great difficulty the dialogue between India and Pakistan was brought back on track after it had got derailed due to Mumbai attack. “It should not get derailed again,” he said.
Chief minister described as a win win situation for the state government, J&K Bank and people of the state, the pact between J&K Bank and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This is a wrong notion that we are selling out J&K Bank to RBI. The pact has only cancelled the overdraft facility to the state government, which had risen from Rs 700 crore to Rs 2,300 crore in a few years. J&K Bank continues to be the financier to the state government," he said.
Elaborating Omar said the Union Finance Commission has recommended an award of Rs 1,000 crore to the state government and the provision of borrowing another Rs 1,000 crore at low interest rates from the market. "This will save the state government the interest it had to pay to the Jammu & Kashmir bank, while the bank will have Rs 2,000 crore to pump into the market. The only thing is that the bank employees will now have to work harder to get people to sell loans to customers," he said. According to him, due to the pact, the people will have more access to funds from the bank, as earlier, these used to be tied up by the state government. The bank continues to be the property of the people of Jammu & Kashmir and the RBI has allowed a special dispensation for it (J&K Bank) to be the sole financier to the state government," he said.
About his tweets, chief minister said,” It does not take much time to write a tweet. Through Twitter I am in touch with others and get feed back. I am not saying so since I have 23,000 followers. The moment I will feel tweeting hampers my official work I will stop doing it.”
Asked whether he drove fast when he reached Srinagar from Jammu in five and half hours yesterday , Omar said,” No I did not. There was no convoy from Srinagar to Jammu and it helped. The speed of my jammer, which moves ahead of my vehicle, does not exceed 80 kms per hour.”
He appealed to the media not to highlight tourism related rush as it creates problems.
Earlier, the chief minister was presented guard of honour by cops when he reached the civil secretariat at 9.30 A.M. He was accompanied by some other ministers Abdul Rahim Rather, Taj Mohi-u-Din, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Peerzada Sayeed Ajaz Ahmad Khan, Nasir Aslam Wani, Abdul Gani Malik, and Javid Ahmad Dar.
(Courtesy : www.kashmirtimes.com)
Addressing a press conference at Civil Secretariat here after the reopening of “darbar move” offices, he said, “Pakistan has warned us against any misadventure on its soil. We have no intention for such a misadventure.”
During the press conference chief minister talked about a number of issues. He hoped that after Osama’s killing the dialogue process between India and Pakistan would not get derailed again. He said there was no intelligence evidence of Al-Qaeda’s presence in Kashmir. Chief minister asked the separatists not to delay the political solution of Kashmir issue by refusing talks with interlocutors and also hoped that the dialogue process between India and Pakistan would lead to a solution of Kashmir issue with which the people of the state are satisfied.
Omar said he will not get engage in war of words with Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) to avoid inconvenience to the people in the form of strikes and protests. However, he refused to comment when asked as to why the state government objected to the public interest litigation (PIL) of JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik for registration of cases against the police and security men involved in the killing of civilians during last year’s civilian unrest. “This is a legal issue. I do not know about it. You better approach our law department and they will tell you,” said chief minister when a media person asked him as to why the government presented the list of criminal cases against Yasin in the court when prime minister has no objection meeting and talking to him.
Chief minister said the then chairman of J&K Bank Dr Haseeb Drabu was not sacked but he resigned after he learnt that his term was not getting extended. About Drabu’s criticism of the pact between J&K and RBI, he said infact the former was himself keen for the agreement. “Now Drabu has no work, he is using high class English in his writings in press to present a wrong picture,” Omar said. He described the pact between the two banks as a win win situation for J&K bank, government and people.
About the rehabilitation policy for militants, he said it is evoking positive response and the state government has received 700 applications from the families of the youth, who are in PAK and want to return to Kashmir. He also defended his using Twitter saying he would stop tweeting the day he feels that it affects his official work.
Chief minister started the press conference with the opening remarks that the people of the state want peace and development. He stated that his government is trying its level best to come upto their expectation and would dedicate this summer for development. “Government of India has initiated talks on two levels- one through interlocutors in J&K and the second with Islamabad. I am hopeful that separatists would join the talks as they have been claiming that they are for a solution through dialogue. If they refuse to join the dialogue they are delaying the political solution. We are hopeful that India and Pakistan will reach a solution, which satisfies the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Asked whether Geelani’s strike and protest call against the arrest was a reaction to his recent statement in which he had stated that he would not allow the Hurriyat (G) chairman to become hero, chief minister said,” I do not want to get involved in this war of words. Geelani sahib is a senior member of society. I hope he would not cause inconvenience to people with his actions and if he has to say something he must do so
politically without disturbing the people.”
Chief minister said militancy in Kashmir has an external dimension but said there is no intelligence evidence regarding link between Al-Qaeda and Kashmiri militancy. “Osama bin Laden had talked about the unfinished agenda on Kashmir several times. But during my two and a half year long tenure as head of the unified headquarter I did not come across any evidence, linking militancy here with Al-Qaeda,” he said.
About a Canadian newspaper report that Abbottabad house of Osma belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen, Omar said he cannot comment since there was no confirmation from the independent sources.
Chief minister said India will not carry out the US type strikes in Pakistan. “Immediately after Osama’s killing our foreign ministry stated that the dialogue with Pakistan would not be discontinued. Pakistan has warned us not to carry out any misadventure there. But we have no intention to do so,” he said.
Omar stated that with great difficulty the dialogue between India and Pakistan was brought back on track after it had got derailed due to Mumbai attack. “It should not get derailed again,” he said.
Chief minister described as a win win situation for the state government, J&K Bank and people of the state, the pact between J&K Bank and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This is a wrong notion that we are selling out J&K Bank to RBI. The pact has only cancelled the overdraft facility to the state government, which had risen from Rs 700 crore to Rs 2,300 crore in a few years. J&K Bank continues to be the financier to the state government," he said.
Elaborating Omar said the Union Finance Commission has recommended an award of Rs 1,000 crore to the state government and the provision of borrowing another Rs 1,000 crore at low interest rates from the market. "This will save the state government the interest it had to pay to the Jammu & Kashmir bank, while the bank will have Rs 2,000 crore to pump into the market. The only thing is that the bank employees will now have to work harder to get people to sell loans to customers," he said. According to him, due to the pact, the people will have more access to funds from the bank, as earlier, these used to be tied up by the state government. The bank continues to be the property of the people of Jammu & Kashmir and the RBI has allowed a special dispensation for it (J&K Bank) to be the sole financier to the state government," he said.
About his tweets, chief minister said,” It does not take much time to write a tweet. Through Twitter I am in touch with others and get feed back. I am not saying so since I have 23,000 followers. The moment I will feel tweeting hampers my official work I will stop doing it.”
Asked whether he drove fast when he reached Srinagar from Jammu in five and half hours yesterday , Omar said,” No I did not. There was no convoy from Srinagar to Jammu and it helped. The speed of my jammer, which moves ahead of my vehicle, does not exceed 80 kms per hour.”
He appealed to the media not to highlight tourism related rush as it creates problems.
Earlier, the chief minister was presented guard of honour by cops when he reached the civil secretariat at 9.30 A.M. He was accompanied by some other ministers Abdul Rahim Rather, Taj Mohi-u-Din, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Peerzada Sayeed Ajaz Ahmad Khan, Nasir Aslam Wani, Abdul Gani Malik, and Javid Ahmad Dar.
(Courtesy : www.kashmirtimes.com)
Militancy on rise
A raid conducted by the police and security forces jointly on a militant hideout in the Kupwara jungle has unearthed a big cache of arms. According to sources militant hideout was busted in the Rajwar forest area of Handwara in Kupwara district by troops of 6 and 7-Rashtriya Rifles assisted by the police. Eight AK-56 and four AK-47 rifles, one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, 40 UBGL grenades and 31 hand grenades were recovered from the hideout.
The forces also recovered 10 IED boxes, 48 detonators, 25 switches, 30 meters cordex wire, 42 magazines of AK rifles, 694 AK ammunition and 63 PIKA rounds. In addition sophisticated navigation and communication equipment were also recovered from the hideout. This shows that the assertion of the 15 Corps Commander about terrorists assembling on the other side of the LoC and looking for an opportunity to infiltrate is based on hard facts of ground situation. Maybe some of them have already infiltrated. Ground situation shows that terrorists have fully escalated their subversive activities.
The recent failed attempt on the life an Army General near Udhampur and the links of the conspiracy now disclosed by the police can give an idea of the magnitude of damage the ISI-sponsored militancy in Kashmir is contemplating. The ultras have become active in Kupwara and Rajouri-Poonch Range. They want to reinforce their so-called Pir Panchal division with its headquarters in Kishtwar-Doda region. There is likelihood of Pakistan trying hard to escalate tension along the LoC after it met with a shameful debacle in the decapitation of Osama bin Laden by the Americans. ISI, whose chief is absconding, is trying hard to restore its battered and mauled image. Keeping all these factors in view, it is important that our Government and security forces mount vigil on the movement of the militants who have adopted new tactics of subversion by roping in some policemen and insiders into their subversive schemes. We need to keep strict vigil on our borders and deny the in-coming terrorists any opportunity of pushing their agenda in Kashmir. (Editorial)
(Courtesy : www.dailyexcelsior.com)
The forces also recovered 10 IED boxes, 48 detonators, 25 switches, 30 meters cordex wire, 42 magazines of AK rifles, 694 AK ammunition and 63 PIKA rounds. In addition sophisticated navigation and communication equipment were also recovered from the hideout. This shows that the assertion of the 15 Corps Commander about terrorists assembling on the other side of the LoC and looking for an opportunity to infiltrate is based on hard facts of ground situation. Maybe some of them have already infiltrated. Ground situation shows that terrorists have fully escalated their subversive activities.
The recent failed attempt on the life an Army General near Udhampur and the links of the conspiracy now disclosed by the police can give an idea of the magnitude of damage the ISI-sponsored militancy in Kashmir is contemplating. The ultras have become active in Kupwara and Rajouri-Poonch Range. They want to reinforce their so-called Pir Panchal division with its headquarters in Kishtwar-Doda region. There is likelihood of Pakistan trying hard to escalate tension along the LoC after it met with a shameful debacle in the decapitation of Osama bin Laden by the Americans. ISI, whose chief is absconding, is trying hard to restore its battered and mauled image. Keeping all these factors in view, it is important that our Government and security forces mount vigil on the movement of the militants who have adopted new tactics of subversion by roping in some policemen and insiders into their subversive schemes. We need to keep strict vigil on our borders and deny the in-coming terrorists any opportunity of pushing their agenda in Kashmir. (Editorial)
(Courtesy : www.dailyexcelsior.com)
Indo-Pak dialogue to continue: Omar
‘Separatists Should Join Talks, No Al-Qaeda Presence In JK’
MUDDASIR ALI
Srinagar, May 9: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday hoped that Osama killing aftermath would have no impact on the renewed dialogue process between India and Pakistan to resolve outstanding issues including Kashmir. While urging Government of India to speed up the dialogue process, both at the internal and external levels to resolve Kashmir, he asked separatists to join the talks.
“It has taken lot of efforts to put the rail back on track after Mumbai attacks. It would not only be our attempt but demand to ensure that relations (Indo-Pak) remain normal,” Omar told media persons on the opening of civil secretariat here after the annual Durbar Move. If the train, Omar said, gets derailed again, it would be “unfortunate” and will have bad impression on people’s mind.
The Chief Minister said there were some statements from Pakistan that Government of India should not think of any “misadventure.” “I don’t think we are considering any misadventure,” Omar said.
Soon after the killing of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Abbotabad, Pakistan, Army Chief General V K Singh and Air Force Chief P V Naik had said that Indian armed forces were “competent” to carry out an operation similar to the one conducted by the US. Pakistan had reacted sharply warning India against any Abbottabad-like “misadventure”, saying it would be responded to “very strongly” and could lead to a “terrible catastrophe”.
Responding to a question whether there was any presence of Al-Qaeda in Kashmir, Omar turned it down. He said a “lot of people” have tried to draw parallels on links between the Al-Qaeda, Osama and what has happened in JK, adding Osama has from time to time spoken about Kashmir as his unfinished agenda.
There is no doubt that militancy in JK has external dimension, Omar said. But he said as head of the unified command he was yet to be shown any piece of intelligence that would suggest the link. “I have read reports that the house used by Osama belonged to them (Hizbul Mujahideen) but there is no way to independently verify the veracity of the reports.”
ON DIALOGUE PROCESS AND SEPARATISTS
Omar called for speeding up the dialogue process both at the internal and external fronts. The dialogue at the internal level between the Government of India and state Government should be speeded up and attempts should be made to “widen the circle,” Omar said.
Referring to the attempts to renew Indo-Pak dialogue process, Omar said the state Government was hopeful that it would be “intensified in right direction” and a solution which is acceptable to India, Pakistan and more importantly people of Kashmir, is reached at.
Referring to separatists leaders, Omar said those who have not participated in talks should come forward and join the process. They, Omar said, agree that solution to Kashmir issue is possible only through talks, then remaining out of the process is delaying the solution to the issue.
ON GEELANI
Responding to a question on strike called by Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman on coming Saturday, Omar said if he (Geelani) has some “difference of opinion with me then we can take it up in public forum, without inconvenience to people.”
“He (Geelani) is a senior member of the society and I am sure that he will not like to put people to inconvenience beyond a point.” Omar said if Geelani has “disagreement” on some point with him, he can disagree. “There is no doubt,” he said, “that from time to time Geelani says things I disagree with.”
“This is part of politics. But I will never inconvenience people because of something he (Geelani) has said and if he disagrees with something we both can agree to disagree without inconvenience to people. But my earnest appeal to Geelani would be if he has some difference of opinion with me we can take it up in public forum. We need not to take it up by calling for hartals and strikes because it only brings inconvenience to people,” Omar said.
ON RBI TAKE OVER OF JK BANK ROLE
Omar said to the best of his knowledge, Dr Haseeb Drabu, former chairman of JK Bank, was not sacked. Drabu’s term of office, Omar said, was coming to an end and there was no clear indication from the Government that his term would be extended as he had already got one extension. “Possibly he (Drabu) got better offer from somewhere else,” Omar said.
About RBI taking over the role of JK Bank in the state, Omar said the bank continues to be the property of the state. The only thing that has changed is rather than implementing the over-draft from JK Bank, the Government would be implementing the ‘ways and means position’ of RBI through JK Bank which is again a “special dispensation” created for JK state. Normally, he said, the state would have to implement the ‘ways and means position’ through a bank nominated by RBI. “But looking at our special relation with JK Bank, RBI created special dispensation for us.”
“Over the years the over-draft (OD) had gone up to Rs 2300 crore which is way over the RBI norms. The OD never came down below Rs 2000 crore and as a result we had to pay the interest on Rs 2000 crore OD which we were not able to use,” he said.
Elaborating further, he said the state Government approached GoI and as a result the 13th Finance Commission approved a special grant of Rs 1000 crore and another Rs 1000 crore as loan on low interest rates.
“That will clear our balance sheet off and we will be able to operationalize a more reasonable level of OD through JK Bank, and make available money to the bank to lend it in the market. It is a win-win situation for Government, bank and its customers too,” Omar said. To another query, Omar said: “The proposal for (RBI’s role) was mooted in Drabu’s presence when he was the bank’s Chairman.”
Omar candidly admitted that many development projects including some road projects like Srinagar-Charar-e-Sharief project have got delayed. But the Government, he said, needs a good atmosphere for carrying out the works. “I have not seen Boulevard Road (VIP route around Dal Lake) in such a bad condition. It will be our attempt to try and see that this working season is not wasted.”
On the ongoing tourist season, Omar said state receives tourists every year but “somebody chases them away. We will like not to give hype to tourist influx here this season.”
125 rehabilitation applications cleared
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that 125 applications have been cleared under the rehabilitation policy to facilitate return of Kashmiri youth who had gone to receive arms training in Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PaK) and are now eager to come back. He said his Government has received 600 to 700 such applications. “The necessary information will flow to the families concerned and youth on how to return,” he said.
(Courtesy : http://greaterkashmir.com)
MUDDASIR ALI
Srinagar, May 9: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday hoped that Osama killing aftermath would have no impact on the renewed dialogue process between India and Pakistan to resolve outstanding issues including Kashmir. While urging Government of India to speed up the dialogue process, both at the internal and external levels to resolve Kashmir, he asked separatists to join the talks.
“It has taken lot of efforts to put the rail back on track after Mumbai attacks. It would not only be our attempt but demand to ensure that relations (Indo-Pak) remain normal,” Omar told media persons on the opening of civil secretariat here after the annual Durbar Move. If the train, Omar said, gets derailed again, it would be “unfortunate” and will have bad impression on people’s mind.
The Chief Minister said there were some statements from Pakistan that Government of India should not think of any “misadventure.” “I don’t think we are considering any misadventure,” Omar said.
Soon after the killing of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Abbotabad, Pakistan, Army Chief General V K Singh and Air Force Chief P V Naik had said that Indian armed forces were “competent” to carry out an operation similar to the one conducted by the US. Pakistan had reacted sharply warning India against any Abbottabad-like “misadventure”, saying it would be responded to “very strongly” and could lead to a “terrible catastrophe”.
Responding to a question whether there was any presence of Al-Qaeda in Kashmir, Omar turned it down. He said a “lot of people” have tried to draw parallels on links between the Al-Qaeda, Osama and what has happened in JK, adding Osama has from time to time spoken about Kashmir as his unfinished agenda.
There is no doubt that militancy in JK has external dimension, Omar said. But he said as head of the unified command he was yet to be shown any piece of intelligence that would suggest the link. “I have read reports that the house used by Osama belonged to them (Hizbul Mujahideen) but there is no way to independently verify the veracity of the reports.”
ON DIALOGUE PROCESS AND SEPARATISTS
Omar called for speeding up the dialogue process both at the internal and external fronts. The dialogue at the internal level between the Government of India and state Government should be speeded up and attempts should be made to “widen the circle,” Omar said.
Referring to the attempts to renew Indo-Pak dialogue process, Omar said the state Government was hopeful that it would be “intensified in right direction” and a solution which is acceptable to India, Pakistan and more importantly people of Kashmir, is reached at.
Referring to separatists leaders, Omar said those who have not participated in talks should come forward and join the process. They, Omar said, agree that solution to Kashmir issue is possible only through talks, then remaining out of the process is delaying the solution to the issue.
ON GEELANI
Responding to a question on strike called by Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman on coming Saturday, Omar said if he (Geelani) has some “difference of opinion with me then we can take it up in public forum, without inconvenience to people.”
“He (Geelani) is a senior member of the society and I am sure that he will not like to put people to inconvenience beyond a point.” Omar said if Geelani has “disagreement” on some point with him, he can disagree. “There is no doubt,” he said, “that from time to time Geelani says things I disagree with.”
“This is part of politics. But I will never inconvenience people because of something he (Geelani) has said and if he disagrees with something we both can agree to disagree without inconvenience to people. But my earnest appeal to Geelani would be if he has some difference of opinion with me we can take it up in public forum. We need not to take it up by calling for hartals and strikes because it only brings inconvenience to people,” Omar said.
ON RBI TAKE OVER OF JK BANK ROLE
Omar said to the best of his knowledge, Dr Haseeb Drabu, former chairman of JK Bank, was not sacked. Drabu’s term of office, Omar said, was coming to an end and there was no clear indication from the Government that his term would be extended as he had already got one extension. “Possibly he (Drabu) got better offer from somewhere else,” Omar said.
About RBI taking over the role of JK Bank in the state, Omar said the bank continues to be the property of the state. The only thing that has changed is rather than implementing the over-draft from JK Bank, the Government would be implementing the ‘ways and means position’ of RBI through JK Bank which is again a “special dispensation” created for JK state. Normally, he said, the state would have to implement the ‘ways and means position’ through a bank nominated by RBI. “But looking at our special relation with JK Bank, RBI created special dispensation for us.”
“Over the years the over-draft (OD) had gone up to Rs 2300 crore which is way over the RBI norms. The OD never came down below Rs 2000 crore and as a result we had to pay the interest on Rs 2000 crore OD which we were not able to use,” he said.
Elaborating further, he said the state Government approached GoI and as a result the 13th Finance Commission approved a special grant of Rs 1000 crore and another Rs 1000 crore as loan on low interest rates.
“That will clear our balance sheet off and we will be able to operationalize a more reasonable level of OD through JK Bank, and make available money to the bank to lend it in the market. It is a win-win situation for Government, bank and its customers too,” Omar said. To another query, Omar said: “The proposal for (RBI’s role) was mooted in Drabu’s presence when he was the bank’s Chairman.”
Omar candidly admitted that many development projects including some road projects like Srinagar-Charar-e-Sharief project have got delayed. But the Government, he said, needs a good atmosphere for carrying out the works. “I have not seen Boulevard Road (VIP route around Dal Lake) in such a bad condition. It will be our attempt to try and see that this working season is not wasted.”
On the ongoing tourist season, Omar said state receives tourists every year but “somebody chases them away. We will like not to give hype to tourist influx here this season.”
125 rehabilitation applications cleared
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that 125 applications have been cleared under the rehabilitation policy to facilitate return of Kashmiri youth who had gone to receive arms training in Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PaK) and are now eager to come back. He said his Government has received 600 to 700 such applications. “The necessary information will flow to the families concerned and youth on how to return,” he said.
(Courtesy : http://greaterkashmir.com)
Sonia to visit Jammu on May 23
Jammu (PTI), 09 May 2011 : United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is arriving in Jammu on a day-long visit on May 23. She will be accompanied by Defense Minister AK Antony.
She will lay the foundation stone of 592-meter-long cable stayed bridge over river Ravi at Basoli (14.74 km) on Dunera-Durban-Basohli-Bhadarwah road under project Samapark costing Rs 7147 lakh. The project, sanctioned in 2007, is to be completed by September 1, 2014.
Sources said that Gandhi will be arriving to lay foundation stone of the bridge following which she will address a public meeting at Basoli. The MoS defence, M M Pallam Raju, who visited the construction site Monday, took stock of the preparations for the event, sources said.
(Courtesy : http://greaterkashmir.com)
She will lay the foundation stone of 592-meter-long cable stayed bridge over river Ravi at Basoli (14.74 km) on Dunera-Durban-Basohli-Bhadarwah road under project Samapark costing Rs 7147 lakh. The project, sanctioned in 2007, is to be completed by September 1, 2014.
Sources said that Gandhi will be arriving to lay foundation stone of the bridge following which she will address a public meeting at Basoli. The MoS defence, M M Pallam Raju, who visited the construction site Monday, took stock of the preparations for the event, sources said.
(Courtesy : http://greaterkashmir.com)
'Political initiative required to sort out Kashmir issue'
Srinagar, May 9 (PTI) Ruling National Conference today stressed the need for political initiative to address the Kashmir issue and said the conditions of accession and the Delhi agreement should be made the basis for finding a lasting solution to the problem."At the time for a solution to the Kashmir issue, the conditions of accession (of Jammu and Kashmir with Union of India) and Delhi agreement should be made the basis for reaching a final settlement," General Secretary of the party Sheikh Nazir Ahmad said while interacting with party legislators and workers here.He said this would pave the way for meeting the political aspirations of the people and help in restoration of peace in the sub-continent."There is a need for political initiatives on Kashmir... The Centre has to find a solution to the Kashmir issue by taking the political ideology of the people of the state into consideration, so that the real nationalists can be provided with an opportunity to prosper," Ahmad said.He said his party's political and economic stand provide the basis for democratic rule, which is also in line with the constitution of the country."
As long as the party's stand was respected in formation of the government, the state was progressing fast with developmental works reaching new heights under peaceful atmosphere," he said and blamed the Centre for the crisis."The Centre under the influence of handful of communal elements created a wedge between the state and the country and with the passage of time such a political dispensation was allowed to groom against the wishes and interests, which ultimately resulted in serious consequences," he said.Not only the people of the state under went mental and physical agony but the entire sub-continent was gripped in uncertainty, he said.Reiterating his party's demand for restoration of internal autonomy, he said this stand is "pro-people, powerful and beyond any doubt"."The rumours being spread by our adversaries about the change in the stand are baseless," he said.
(Courtesy : http://ibnlive.in.com)
As long as the party's stand was respected in formation of the government, the state was progressing fast with developmental works reaching new heights under peaceful atmosphere," he said and blamed the Centre for the crisis."The Centre under the influence of handful of communal elements created a wedge between the state and the country and with the passage of time such a political dispensation was allowed to groom against the wishes and interests, which ultimately resulted in serious consequences," he said.Not only the people of the state under went mental and physical agony but the entire sub-continent was gripped in uncertainty, he said.Reiterating his party's demand for restoration of internal autonomy, he said this stand is "pro-people, powerful and beyond any doubt"."The rumours being spread by our adversaries about the change in the stand are baseless," he said.
(Courtesy : http://ibnlive.in.com)
No, al-Qaeda has no links in the Kashmir Valley, says Omar Abdullah
Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 0:40 IST
Srinagar : Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said militancy in the state had no links to al-Qaeda, though Osama bin Laden had talked about Kashmir as “unfinished agenda”.
“Osama from time to time had talked about Kashmir as one of his unfinished agendas, but in the two-and-half years as chairman of Unified Command, I am yet to be shown any piece of intelligence that suggests a link between al Qaeda, Osama and what happened in J&K,” Omar said during the bi-annual shifting of headquarters to summer capital city of Srinagar. The chief minister, however, hastened to add that there was an external dimension to militancy in the state.
Omar also played down media reports, which suggested Hizb-ul-Mujahideen owned Osama’s Abbottabad mansion. “Unless I have credible information, I will take it (the media reports) with a pinch of salt,” he said, adding that derailing talks with Pakistan would affect people in the Valley.
The CM noted that recent Indo-Pak bitterness would not affect the thaw in the relationship. “It is a fact that Pakistan warned about any sort of misadventure. I feel we are not thinking of any misadventure,” he said. He also announced that the rehabilitation policy for youth stranded in PoK has received overwhelming response. “Around 600 to 700 applications have been received, of which 125 have been processed and cleared,” he said.
(Courtesy : www.dnaindia.com)
Srinagar : Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said militancy in the state had no links to al-Qaeda, though Osama bin Laden had talked about Kashmir as “unfinished agenda”.
“Osama from time to time had talked about Kashmir as one of his unfinished agendas, but in the two-and-half years as chairman of Unified Command, I am yet to be shown any piece of intelligence that suggests a link between al Qaeda, Osama and what happened in J&K,” Omar said during the bi-annual shifting of headquarters to summer capital city of Srinagar. The chief minister, however, hastened to add that there was an external dimension to militancy in the state.
Omar also played down media reports, which suggested Hizb-ul-Mujahideen owned Osama’s Abbottabad mansion. “Unless I have credible information, I will take it (the media reports) with a pinch of salt,” he said, adding that derailing talks with Pakistan would affect people in the Valley.
The CM noted that recent Indo-Pak bitterness would not affect the thaw in the relationship. “It is a fact that Pakistan warned about any sort of misadventure. I feel we are not thinking of any misadventure,” he said. He also announced that the rehabilitation policy for youth stranded in PoK has received overwhelming response. “Around 600 to 700 applications have been received, of which 125 have been processed and cleared,” he said.
(Courtesy : www.dnaindia.com)
Amarnath Yatra registration to begin Tuesday
IANS | May 10, 2011
JAMMU: The air has been cleared for the annual Amarnath "yatra" (pilgrimage) as the weather has impoved in the Kashmir Valley over the past week, enabling the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to start registration of pilgrims from Tuesday.
This year the pilgrimage will be held between June 29 and August 13. The annual summer pilgrimage to the 13,500-ft high Himalayan cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in south Kashmir usually faces uncertainties because of the unpredictable weather conditions and security concerns.
The present clear weather in the valley and the mountains is seen as a positive sign. "The registration for the yatra will begin tomorrow (Tuesday) which will mark the start the process for the pilgrimage," R.K. Goyal, chief executive officer of the shrine board, said Monday. The registration is open online as well as across the 149 branches of various banks across the country.
Some of the Hindu groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), have been pressing for a minimum duration of two months for the pilgrimage to enable more pilgrims to visit the shrine. Last year, more than 450,000 pilgrims visited the Amarnath shrine to worship a stalagmite of snow inside the cave that is believed to be an embodiment of the deity.
The VHP started its own website on Sunday to register the pilgrims. The Jammu and Kashmir unit chief of the VHP, Rama Kant Dubey, told reporters that any "curtailment in the duration of the pilgrimage would be met with severe resistance."
"We will start our yatra on June 15, let anyone dare to stop it," Dubey said. He, however, added that it was the duty of the state government to provide facilities and security to the pilgrims. Justice (retired) G.D. Sharma, a shrine board member, however, defended the decision to conduct the pilgrimage for 46 days this year. "There is snow all over the mountains and we cannot take risk with the lives of pilgrims," he told IANS.
There are two treks leading to the shrine from Srinagar - the shorter but steeper Baltal-Sangam route, 110 km north of Srinagar, and the 46-km trek from Pahalgam, 100 km to the south of Srinagar. In the backdrop of the continuing militancy in the region, the government has to sanitise the routes and deploy security personnel to guard the pilgrims.
A number of healthcare facilities are also being set up along the route. "Both the routes are covered by snow and it would take a minimum of eight weeks to clear the snow and make the trails trek-worthy," Goyal said, adding that the work has started. With so much of snow this year, no one has even gone close to the cave and seen whether stalagmite "Shivalinga" has been formed.
Earlier, by March-end, Gujjars and Bakerwals - the shepherds and nomads - would visit the area and report back about the presence of the stalagmite which last year stood almost nine feet tall. According to the Hindu calendar, Ashaad Purnima is the most auspicious day to begin the Amarnath pilgrimage and Shravan Purnima to pray at the shrine.
(Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
JAMMU: The air has been cleared for the annual Amarnath "yatra" (pilgrimage) as the weather has impoved in the Kashmir Valley over the past week, enabling the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to start registration of pilgrims from Tuesday.
This year the pilgrimage will be held between June 29 and August 13. The annual summer pilgrimage to the 13,500-ft high Himalayan cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in south Kashmir usually faces uncertainties because of the unpredictable weather conditions and security concerns.
The present clear weather in the valley and the mountains is seen as a positive sign. "The registration for the yatra will begin tomorrow (Tuesday) which will mark the start the process for the pilgrimage," R.K. Goyal, chief executive officer of the shrine board, said Monday. The registration is open online as well as across the 149 branches of various banks across the country.
Some of the Hindu groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), have been pressing for a minimum duration of two months for the pilgrimage to enable more pilgrims to visit the shrine. Last year, more than 450,000 pilgrims visited the Amarnath shrine to worship a stalagmite of snow inside the cave that is believed to be an embodiment of the deity.
The VHP started its own website on Sunday to register the pilgrims. The Jammu and Kashmir unit chief of the VHP, Rama Kant Dubey, told reporters that any "curtailment in the duration of the pilgrimage would be met with severe resistance."
"We will start our yatra on June 15, let anyone dare to stop it," Dubey said. He, however, added that it was the duty of the state government to provide facilities and security to the pilgrims. Justice (retired) G.D. Sharma, a shrine board member, however, defended the decision to conduct the pilgrimage for 46 days this year. "There is snow all over the mountains and we cannot take risk with the lives of pilgrims," he told IANS.
There are two treks leading to the shrine from Srinagar - the shorter but steeper Baltal-Sangam route, 110 km north of Srinagar, and the 46-km trek from Pahalgam, 100 km to the south of Srinagar. In the backdrop of the continuing militancy in the region, the government has to sanitise the routes and deploy security personnel to guard the pilgrims.
A number of healthcare facilities are also being set up along the route. "Both the routes are covered by snow and it would take a minimum of eight weeks to clear the snow and make the trails trek-worthy," Goyal said, adding that the work has started. With so much of snow this year, no one has even gone close to the cave and seen whether stalagmite "Shivalinga" has been formed.
Earlier, by March-end, Gujjars and Bakerwals - the shepherds and nomads - would visit the area and report back about the presence of the stalagmite which last year stood almost nine feet tall. According to the Hindu calendar, Ashaad Purnima is the most auspicious day to begin the Amarnath pilgrimage and Shravan Purnima to pray at the shrine.
(Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
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