J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Self-rule answer to Kashmir issue: Mehbooba
Srinagar, August 24
Reiterating its stand on self-rule formula, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has claimed it “has to be implemented on both parts of the dividing line”, and therefore will ensure adequate guarantees by both the countries.

Bismillah Khan’s Kashmir connection
Srinagar, August 24
Renowned shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, who breathed his last at Heritage Hospital in Varanasi a few days back, is equally remembered in Kashmir.

Badal urged to snap ties with BJP
Jammu, August 24
Leaders of various Sikh organisations in Jammu and Kashmir have suggested to Mr Prakash Singh Badal, chief of the Akali Dal(B), to snap ties with the BJP in protest against the failure of the BJP-headed government in Rajasthan to protect the religious rights of Sikhs in that state.

2 ultras killed, one surrenders in Doda
Jammu, August 24
Kuldeep Kumar Sharma, a self-styled area commander of Hizbul Mujaheedin, was among the two ultras who were shot dead by a joint team of the Army and the police in Doda district early this morning.

Self-rule answer to Kashmir issue: Mehbooba
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 24
Reiterating its stand on self-rule formula, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has claimed it “has to be implemented on both parts of the dividing line”, and therefore will ensure adequate guarantees by both the countries.

She said it would at the same time address the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who had suffered for long.

Addressing party workers here yesterday, Ms Mufti pointed out that the self-rule proposal was taking the centre stage of discussion as a viable solution of the Kashmir problem.

She added that some political parties or groups could have “difference of opinion, but at least for the first time a proposal was emerging as an obvious meeting ground for various shades of the political opinion, both within and outside the state”.

This she said in a covert reference to reports of difference of opinion on the issue with the main alliance partner, the Congress.

She also pointed out that the institution of government had not proved an impediment but a mediator for the party to advance its cause, with conviction, for the peaceful and dignified resolution of the Kashmir issue.

She said unlike other political parties, who, in and outside the government, kept changing their stance, the PDP had, while in government, fearlessly struck a new route for conflict resolution by laying strong foundations for value-based politics.

Ms Mufti said the very foundation of the PDP was based on the principle that the Kashmir problem should have a dignified solution not only with the endorsement of India and Pakistan but also in accordance with the wishes of the state’s people to make it tenable and sustainable.

“Whether in or outside the government, we have been pursuing this agenda with consistency and determination, and it is because of these very policies that much headway was made towards creating an environment for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir problem during the past four years”, she said.

Ms Mufti added that consistency on party agenda and ideology had become a trait the PDP was now known for.

She said Kashmir’s political landscape had undergone a sea change during the past four years and people were now extremely conscious of their political and administrative rights, as they had tasted real empowerment during this period.

The PDP, she added, took pride in the fact that it had more forcefully pushed through its agenda for peaceful and dignified resolution of Kashmir problem while in the government.

She said after coming to power in 2002, the PDP used the opportunity to implement its political agenda of facilitating peaceful resolution of the Kashmir problem, both on external and internal fronts.

She said the party remained on the forefront of reconciliation, unlike other mainstream political parties, which spoke different languages in and outside of power.

Bismillah Khan’s Kashmir connection
Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 24
Renowned shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, who breathed his last at Heritage Hospital in Varanasi a few days back, is equally remembered in Kashmir. His keen interest in future performances in the valley during his visit here in September last year, however, could not be realised as death came less than a year later. It was after a gap of 35 years that he had mesmerised the unique class of music lovers in Kashmir.

It was on September 13 last year that the shehnai maestro along with his nine-member troupe performed before a jam-packed audience at Tagore Hall, even as the then Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, had to wait for 45 minutes before the commencement of the programme.

“You should invite me to this beautiful valley at least once a year. I will be glad to perform even at your weddings,” he had said in his comments after the performance. He was then brought to the stage on a wheelchair.

Speaking on the occasion, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had hailed the contribution made by the shehnai maestro in the field of music. “With his melodious voice Khan Sahib has kept the shehnai vadan alive after decades of hard work”, the Mufti had stated. He had then expressed the hope that Khan Sahib’s recital would prove to be a good omen for the state government and help in creating an atmosphere of peace and development. He thanked Khan Sahib for the visit, saying he would visit Kashmir in the days ahead as well.

“He would be remembered for his enormous contribution to the classical and instrumental music and for keeping a great tradition alive for years together”, the Mufti said. He added that Ustad Bismillah Khan was an institution by himself and his demise had created a void in the arena of classical music that would be difficult to fill.

Khan Sahib frequently visited Kashmir in the 1970s, according to many art and music lovers here. “He would make it a point to visit Kashmir at regular intervals”, recalled Ashraf Sahil of Doordarshan, who had frequent interactions with the music maestro. “It was always fascinating to watch his performances and programmes in Lucknow, a few decades ago”, recalled Ashraf Sahil.

A special programme of tributes to the legendary figure was organised by the news section of Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, in which prominent artistes, singers and others paid rich tributes to the Ustad.

“The sun has set on the music world”, commented renowned Kashmiri singer Shameema Azad, wife of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. “I had long wished to meet the legendary figure and it was granted when I met the music maestro last year in Mumbai, she said.

She recalled the distinguished and unique art and qualities of the legendary figure. “Khan Sahib was an institution by himself”, said Ms Seema Sehgal while paying tributes to the Ustad.

Badal urged to snap ties with BJP
Our Correspondent

Jammu, August 24
Leaders of various Sikh organisations in Jammu and Kashmir have suggested to Mr Prakash Singh Badal, chief of the Akali Dal(B), to snap ties with the BJP in protest against the failure of the BJP-headed government in Rajasthan to protect the religious rights of Sikhs in that state.

At a meeting here today, which was presided over by Mr S.S.Wazir, a former president of the State Gurdwara Prabandhak Board, the Sikh leaders said it was time for Mr Badal to break his alliance with the BJP. Among those who attended the meeting included Mr Paramjit Singh, president, AISSF, Mr Mohinder Singh, chief organiser, Bhai Kanaya Nishkam Sewa Society, Mr Amar Singh, president, Sikh Welfare Society, and Mr Kulwant Singh, chief adviser, Sikh Noajawan Sabha. Appreciating the police role in arresting all culprits, the Sikh leaders demanded stern action against them.

2 ultras killed, one surrenders in Doda
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 24
Kuldeep Kumar Sharma, a self-styled area commander of Hizbul Mujaheedin, was among the two ultras who were shot dead by a joint team of the Army and the police in Doda district early this morning.

Kuldeep, a resident of Zihand tehsil of Doda, had joined the terrorist outfit six years ago after embracing Islam.

This is the first time that a Hindu area commander belonging to a Pakistan sponsored terrorist outfit has been killed.

The other ultra killed has been identified as Abdul Latief.

According to SSP Manohar Singh, on information regarding the presence of terrorists in the house of Ghulam Mohiuddin at Kalihand, the joint search operation was launched.

The terrorists lobbed grenades at the operation team which was followed by firing from both sides.

Meanwhile, a section commander of the Harkat-ul-Jehad-i-Islami (HUJI), Nazir Hajam, today surrendered before the Army in Nagni village of Doda district.

Hajam was active in terrorist activities for the past two years.