Srinagar, November 29
Chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said the people in Kashmir vote to resolve their day-to-day problems.

He, however, warned that voting in Kashmir should not be construed as a vote for India.

Mirwaiz was talking to reporters in the Mandir Bagh locality of Srinagar after laying the foundation stone of the house of Moti Lal Koul, a non-migrant Kashmiri Pandit, who lost his house in the September floods.

Koul’s house is being rebuilt as part of an initiative, launched by Mirwaiz today. The project will be executed by a charity unit run by Mirwaiz’s organisation and construct about 100 homes for flood-affected families.

“There is no denying the fact that people have problems, they have their day-to-day issues. But you have to make a distinction,” Mirwaiz said when asked about his reaction on the overwhelming participation of people in the first phase of the Assembly elections and if the Hurriyat was still for the election boycott.

“And, that distinction is that the people even those who have voted (during the first phase), have voted for solving their day-to-day problems. They are not voting for India. We have said that this (election) is a redundant issue and our focus is on the resolution of the Kashmir issue,” Mirwaiz said.

The statement by Mirwaiz Umar comes at a time when the first phase of the elections saw a record 70 per cent turnout in Kashmir. Trends show higher turnout is also expected in the remaining four phases.

Mirwaiz said the sentiment for “azadi” (freedom) was strong in Kashmir and had remained intact despite the conduct of over 10 elections in Kashmir since 1947.

Mirwaiz said an impression was being created that the problems of people and their issues would be solved with the vote. “The fact remains these issues never get solved. As far as administrative issues are concerned, we did not see any administration, which was also evident during the floods,” he said, terming the ongoing elections as a “drama”.

Srinagar, November 29
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today addressed elections rallies in north Kashmir — People’s Conference stronghold — and accused it of abandoning “the slogan of azadi” to support the BJP.

“We stand at another threshold of a litmus test where everything we have stood for and rendered sacrifices for is being threatened not only by the BJP but also by its local stooges who have abandoned the slogan of azadi only to support the BJP’s aims to do away with the Muslim Personal Law, to abrogate Article 370 and to inflict irreparable damage on our state subject law which protects our state’s demographic and cultural character,” Omar told a gathering in Handwara, where from People’s Conference chairman Sajjad Lone is contesting the elections.

Omar asked the people to vote against those who “used the separatist platform and exploited thousands of young boys”. Omar, who is the working president of the National Conference, without naming the People’s Conference, accused it of jumping into the “lap of the RSS”.

The Chief Minister said his party would not allow any political force “to toy around with the political sentiments, aspirations and rights” of the state’s people.

“While both BJP and PDP might throw around money to buy people, the time-tested moral of politics is that sacrifices and honour always outweigh money and manipulation,” he said.

“I assure you that the National Conference will never shy away from rendering sacrifices to protect your honour and to protect this state from destructive political conquests by those who are reluctant to accept our flag, our constitution and our identity,” Omar said.

I assure you that the National Conference will never shy away from rendering sacrifices to protect your honour and to protect this state from destructive political conquests by those who are reluctant to accept our flag, our constitution and  our identity. —Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister

Jammu, November 29
Congress leader Sham Lal Sharma today asked workers to “expose the divisive design of the BJP which had a hidden agenda of dividing the masses in the name of religion, regionalism and communal lines”.

He said the BJP was an opportunist party and incited the sentiments of innocent people which ultimately created unrest in society.

“People must understand the game plan of the BJP and give it a befitting reply in the elections,” he said.

Continuing his campaign in Akhnoor, Sham lal, who is contesting on the Congress ticket from the Akhnoor constituency, sought votes on the basis of his performances in the past 12 years.

He said, “You assigned me three duties, first the bridge on the Chenab, degree college and upgrade of City Girls High School. I not only fulfilled them but went ahead to make Akhnoor a model constituency and got constructed four bridges on the Chenab.”

He claimed that in Akhnoor women and daughters could move without any fear.

His agenda was development, progress and prosperity of Akhnoor and in the next six years, the promise would be fulfilled. Urging women and youths to compare his performance with his predecessors, he said he was confident of his hat-trick.

Srinagar, November 29
The National Conference today said it has filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for “violating” the model code of conduct by using the Srinagar Airport premises to telephonically address election rallies in the region.

“The use of public infrastructure and the premises of a building that comes under the purview of the government for the purpose of electioneering is a major model code of conduct violation. We have written to the Election Commission and hope that cognisance is taken impartially and in a time-bound manner and due action is taken against the BJP and Rajnath Singh,” NC spokesman Junaid Mattu. — TNS

Jammu, November 29
The quality of governance decides the destiny of nations, societies and individuals. This was observed by Governor NN Vohra at the diamond jubilee lecture on “Governance in Transition”.

The event was organised by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), J&K Regional Branch, at Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium in Jammu University today.

The Governor said the Constitution provided the framework and goals of governance. However, in actual practice, in the past years, the institutions of governance had suffered decline and, therefore, the demand for good governance was being repeatedly voiced.

This was because of the endemic inefficiency, malfunctioning, corruption, lack of accountability and transparency and other failures in the functioning of the administrative systems. For achieving balanced growth and development it was necessary to ensure effective delivery of good governance.

Praising Dr Pratap Bhanu Mehta, who delivered the jubilee lecture, the Governor urged the IIPA to ponder over the analysis put forward by Dr Mehta and organise further debates and discussions on the factors highlighted by the speaker, particularly viewing them in the context of governance in J&K.

Earlier, Dr Mehta, president of the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, highlighted the factors which needed to be focused upon for achieving developmental goals. He emphasised the need to remove the existing paralysis and plutocracy in the political systems of the country for good governance.

The Governor also released the IIPA Regional Branch Newsletter and launched its website.

Usha Vohra, First Lady of the state, was also present on the occasion.

Jammu, November 29
Governor N N Vohra, also the Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, has expressed grief over the demise of Dr Vidushi Kapahi Sharma, serving as Deputy Medical Officer at the University.

In a condolence message, the Governor expressed grief on the passing away of Dr Sharma at a young age. He prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family in their hour of grief.— TNS 

Jammu, November 29
Governor N N Vohra released a book- “Sajda” at Raj Bhawan today. The book has been authored by litterateur Dr Jitendra Udhampuri, a recipient of Padma Shri award for his outstanding work in the field of Dogri literature.

“Sajda”- a collection of Punjabi songs and poems, is rooted in Sufism. The Governor complimented Dr Udhampuri for contributing to the enhancement of literature of various languages and for his exceptional capability of bringing out a volume of Sufi poetry in Punjabi language.

Present on the occasion, among others, were Rakesh K Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Prof Parvinder Kaur, HoD, Punjabi, University of Jammu; Prof Lalit Magotra; Pritpal Singh Betab; O P Sharma; and Shailender Singh.

Srinagar, November 29
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address his maiden public rally at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on December 8. He was earlier scheduled to address two election rallies, each in Srinagar and Anantnag districts of South Kashmir, on December 6.

The new schedule, however, has not included his rally in Anantnag. The PM’s rally on December 8 would be ahead of the fourth phase of Assembly elections in which Srinagar and other districts of Anantnag and Shopian are going to the polls on December 14.

Modi has been visiting Jammu and Kashmir frequently since he took over as the Prime Minister in May this year.

He had addressed election rallies in Udhampur and Poonch districts of Jammu region yesterday and it would be his first election and a public rally in Kashmir valley since he took over.

Several top BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who visited Kashmir yesterday, have been frequenting Kashmir to campaign for the party and achieve BJP’s Mission 44 plus in the 87-member State Assembly. 

Jammu, November 29
Sharpening the attack on BJP for abandoning contentious issue of Article 370, the Congress today dared BJP to clear its stand on the issue, which is the core of BJP’s ideology.

Addressing a press conference today, national spokesperson for Congress Randeep Singh Surjewala took the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to task for maintaining a guarded silence on the issue, which was core of the party’s (BJP) ideology since its inception.

“What is the Prime Minister and BJP’s stance on abrogation of Article 370?” he asked.

“BJP’s policy can be described in 3D’s, ‘double speak’, ‘dithering’ and ‘deception’ for 67 years. BJP has kept abrogation of Article 370 as part of their agenda manifesto. RSS, Modi, Advani, Joshi have spoken about it,” he added.

Surjewala said during the NDA regime, BJP had taken excuse of coalition compulsions to abandon the issue but now it was high time that BJP cleared its stand.

“None other than MoS in PMO Jitender Singh declared that they will repeal Article 370. Soon, they said they would have a dialogue. BJP candidates in the Valley say they will pick up guns if the article is touched and the BJP’s manifesto is silent,” Surjewala said.

“The PM addresses three rallies in Jammu and Kashmir and remains silent on Article 370,” he alleged.

Taking a dig at BJP for going all out to appease separatists, Surjewala said, “The Prime Minister and BJP must answer what is their policy on entering into a dialogue with separatists or those who have no faith in the Indian Constitution or status of Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India,” he demanded.

}None other than MoS in PMO Jitender Singh declared that they will repeal Article 370. Soon, they said they would have a dialogue. BJP candidates in the Valley say they will pick up guns if the Article is touched and the BJP's manifesto is silent.~

Randeep Singh Surjewala, National Spokesperson for Congress

Srinagar, November 29
Actor-turned politician and Congress leader Raj Babbar said people in Kashmir were feeling neglected as the funds coming from the Central Government for development works were not reaching them.

“Since 1982, I have been saying that the money coming from Delhi does not reach Kashmir… That is why the people here feel that they are neglected”, Raj Babbar said at a press conference today. He had yesterday campaigned for the Congress candidates in the Khrew area of the Pampore constituency and the Arihal area of the Rajpora constituency in Pulwama district, going to the polls in the third phase on December 9.

Earlier, in the first phase of elections, he had campaigned in Bandipora and Ganderbal districts and in downtown Srinagar.

He said there was need to understand the problems of the youth in the state and listen to their issues so as to bring back the smile on their faces. “We should not shy away from the problems of the youth…. We should understand their problems”, Raj Babbar said.

He regretted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address in the Jammu region yesterday, in which he had asserted that he was the only PM visiting the state every month. Babbar held that it was because BJP leaders were not ready to wipe off the tears of people. He sought to “understand the point of view” of all sections of society in J&K.

“Voh (BJP) chahtey hain ki aansoo niklein…. Aap ko baat karnay ki himmat na ho… Yeh awaaz ko rokna chahtey hein, yeh aap ki baatcheet ko rokna chahtey hein”, he commented.

The Congress leader asserted that the party had always kept Jammu and Kashmir’s affairs at the top.

On the PM’s reference to the “rule of two families” in Jammu and Kashmir, Babbar said the state had only “individuals and not families”. “We visited the constituencies of workers and not VVIPS,” he asserted. 

Jammu, November 29
Close on the heels of a terror attack by four heavily armed Pakistani terrorists in Arnia that left three soldiers and five civilians dead, an Army vehicle carrying ration to forward positions was today blown up in a powerful IED explosion in the Nangi Tekri area of the KG sector along the Line of Control in Poonch district.

The Army driver and his co-driver escaped unhurt. The incident occurred around 10.30 am.

“Around 10.30 am today, a 2.5-tonne Army vehicle passed over a powerful IED planted on a road that leads to forward defence locations in the Nangi Tekri area. As soon as the vehicle passed over the IED, it exploded and ripped the vehicle in two,” said an Intelligence source.

The vehicle was carrying rations supplies and other sundry items for the forward positions, he added.

Intelligence agencies suspect it to be the handiwork of terrorists from across the LoC.

The incident took place some 2 km inside the Indian territory from the Zero Line, he said.

It appeared that the IED was planted by some rogues from across the LoC with an ulterior motive of causing casualties of soldiers.

Confirming the IED blast, defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Mehta said the heavy vehicle suffered minor damage. “The IED exploded close to the LoC in the KG sector around 10.30 am today. The area was immediately cordoned off and a search operation was launched,” he said.

He said there were no casualties to soldiers in the blast. — TNS