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Hurriyat
response raises hopes Security
forces fire on protesters, 3 hurt Pak
shelling in Rajouri, 1 killed LeT
commander killed |
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Hurriyat response raises hopes Srinagar, November 22 This is for the first time over the past decade that the APHC has favourably responded to the Centre’s initiative, that too excluding Pakistan. The main separatist conglomeration had not softened its approach to such an extent, even though some moderates had been in this favour for quite some time. Significantly, this step has taken place at a time when hardliners, led by a former chairman and senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, have parted ways with the conglomeration. The constituent groups of the APHC, led by Moulvi Abbas Ansari, form an amalgam of religion and politics, with the other three top members being Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Ghani Bhat and Bilal Ghani Lone. In view of the timing of its announcement, it seems that the dialogue process may take off in Delhi after Id, which falls on November 26. Though the details of the outline are not known, there seems to be clarity in the approach of the Hurriyat Conference. An added factor is the posture taken by New Delhi, asserting that the dialogue would be unconditional and would focus on Kashmir. All eyes are now set on the beginning of the dialogue process. Both sides will have to take concrete measures to end the crisis in Kashmir. For the first time, people here seem to be optimistic about the developments. While mainstream political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have hailed Hurriyat’s move, the gun-wielding youth and their organisations are yet to react. However, there is an indication that this approach of the APHC may not be digested by militant organisations operating in Kashmir. The Lashkar-e-Toiba had rejected the offer last month, describing it as a ploy to “deceive” the people of Kashmir. Its spokesman had stated that “mujahideen” were the only representatives of the people of Kashmir and not the “politicians.” Meanwhile, the Hurriyat faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani held a meeting of its 16 constituent groups here today to take stock of the developments. It has outrightly rejected the offer, saying that it would not solve the Kashmir problem. The meeting observed that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan on April 18 here, but had been declining to hold talks with the leadership of this important party to the dispute. “The APHC observes that the aim of talking to ‘their own people’ is only to repeat the 1975 (Indira-Abdullah) Accord”, its spokesman said. The Geelani faction’s rejection of the talks offer is in line with the militants stand, who have been expressing doubts about the sincerity of New Delhi. However, observers feel that success or failure of talks hinges on international backing, which some say, may help in neutralising Pakistan’s role. |
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Security forces fire on protesters, 3 hurt Srinagar, November 22 Thousands of residents of Qaziabad village in the Handwara area of the district staged a protest as word spread that two brothers — Mohammad Iqbal and Tariq Ahmad — were mercilessly beaten by security personnel after being taken into custody yesterday resulting in the death of Mohammad Iqbal, the sources said. However, an official at Handwara police station told PTI that there had been no death and that Iqbal had been hospitalised. He, however, refused to divulge the cause of injuries to Iqbal. Hospital sources said Iqbal was in a critical condition and had been referred to a hospital in Srinagar. They said the protesters had gathered outside the camp of security forces who fired several rounds to disperse them. So far three persons, injured in the firing, have been shifted to SMHS hospital here, the sources said. Meanwhile, five leaders of separatist Kashmir Mass Movement (KMM) were arrested today while trying to take out a procession here, official sources said. KMM chairman Moulvi Bashir Ahmad and a few dozen protestors tried to take out a procession at Lal Chowk here demanding immediate release of the Kashmiri detenues from various jails across the country, they said. The police swung into action and took Bashir Ahmad and his four associates — Farooq Ahmad, Fayaz Ahmad, Abdul Rashid Khan and Rafiq Ahmad — were taken into custody, they added.
— PTI |
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Pak shelling in Rajouri, 1 killed Rajouri, Jammu, November 22 Official sources said one person, Ramesh Kumar, was killed while Raman Lal was injured in the heavy mortar shelling by the Pakistani troops. The injured was later shifted to the Sunderbani Army hospital for treatment, the sources said. Baramula: One person was injured and a number of houses were damaged in fresh shelling by Pakistani troops in Gurez sector today. Official sources said Pakistani troops fired mortars and artillery shells,
targeting civilian areas and security installations in forward area in Gurez sector immediately after the holy Ramzan fast began. Sources said some of the shells fell at Davar, injuring Abdul Jabbar Magray, who has been
hospitalised. Pakistani troops have been firing mortars and artillery shells in the northern sector for the past two days, disrupting normal life. On Thursday evening, two persons, including a girl, were killed and about a dozen houses and two security force barracks were damaged when Pakistani troops fired mortars and artillery shells in the sector. Official sources said Pakistani troops had fired more than 50 mortar and artillery shells at the security force installations and civilian areas in Gurez sector since last evening, killing Mohammad Maqbool Lone and Afrooza a student of Class X. A woman, identified as Zooni was also injured in the shelling.
— UNI |
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Jammu, November 22 Official sources said acting on a tip-off, troops launched a seek-and-destroy operation. When challenged, militants opened fire with automatic weapons. In the ensuing gunbattle, an LeT area commander was shot dead. The militant was identified as Abu Usman. Some arms and ammunition were also
seized from the encounter site, the sources added. SRINAGAR:
Two persons were shot dead by militants in Budgam district of central Kashmir, official sources said on Saturday. Militants killed Ghulam Hassan Ganai, a barber, at Snoorkalipora while he was returning home after offering Friday prayers at a local mosque, they said. Militants barged into the house of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat at Kramshoor in the same district on Friday night and critically injured him, they said, adding that Bhat was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
— UNI, PTI |
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14 Bangladeshis arrested Jammu, November 22 On noticing them moving towards the international border in the Sangral area of R.S. Pura sector this morning, the BSF took them into custody.
— PTI |
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