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Hold Kashmir talks only in state, says Omar
Azad lashes out at BJP
UPA bungled on Kashmir issue: VHP
Hardliners denounce Natwar-Kasuri talks
Three beheaded in Rajouri
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Plastic bags banned on Amarnath Yatra route
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Hold Kashmir talks only in state, says Omar
Srinagar, September 8 In an obvious reference to the latest round of talks between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan, Mr Omar Abdullah said: "Kashmiris were not involved, and unless that is done, the issue cannot be resolved." He was addressing a large gathering at Naseembagh, close to Hazratbal, near the grave of his grandfather, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, whose 22nd death anniversary was observed today. Senior party leaders, including general secretary Sheikh Nazir Ahmad and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather, were among those present on the occasion. "Its (Kashmir) resolution will only be possible in Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag... and not in Islamabad, Delhi or Washington DC," Mr Omar Abdullah said. He added that this was necessary for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth, who had suffered a lot. The NC President said these talks should be only about resolving the Kashmir issue and the future of its people. He added that the ongoing talks between the two neighbouring countries were on cricket, bus services, culture, etc, and questioned as to what was the progress on Kashmir. He also referred to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil's assertion that talks with the separatist Hurriyat Conference would be held within the framework of the Indian Constitution. This, he said, would not be possible as the Hurriyat Conference stood for "azadi and Pakistan". He also referred to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Independence Day speech admitting that certain mistakes had been committed regarding Jammu and Kashmir, which could be rectified. Claiming that the National Conference was the true representative party of the people of the state that could not be ignored in any dialogue on resolving the issue, Mr Omar Abdullah asked the Mufti-led coalition government to take care of the problems faced by the people. He said the opening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was the subject of India and Pakistan, and not that of the state government and hoped that the road would be opened with the help of the NC. He also expressed concern over PDP President Mehbooba Mufti's demand for the return of Pak nationals in jails here and questioned as to why a similar demand was not made for those languishing in jails in Pakistan. He also criticised the PDP for its role in the defeat of the Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill, 2004, in the state legislature. Referring to the problems faced by the people since the government took over, Mr Omar Abdullah claimed there was an increase in human rights violations. He blamed the government for not investigating "any incident" of rights violations by the security forces, and referred to the death of five persons at the hands of security forces at Chithaybandi, Bandipore, in Baramula district early this year. |
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Azad lashes out at BJP
Jammu, September 8 Mr Azad said the people had voted for the secular policies of the Congress and its allies. The BJP led NDA government was bent upon disintegrating the country, he alleged. He said restoring peace in Jammu and Kashmir was on top of the agenda of the UPA government. Mr Azad advocated that the Kashmir issue could be resolved only through dialogue with Pakistan as nothing had been achieved out of the four wars between the two countries. He stated that the build-up on the borders for nine months during the NDA regime was an unfruitful exercise. He accused the BJP of having safronised the educational institutions in the country and asked the Congress activists not to be complacent and fight the divisive forces. |
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UPA bungled on Kashmir issue: VHP
Jammu, September 8 Reacting to the talks between the External Affairs Ministers of India and Pakistan, Mr Dubey said here today that it appeared that Mr Natwar Singh had steered the talks to a wrong direction and weaken India’s stand. He said that Mr Natwar Singh should have prepared India’s case properly before going to the talks with his Pakistani counterpart Mr Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri. Mr Dubey alleged that certain international powers were conspiring against India on the Kashmir issue and were indirectly backing Pakistan. Mr Natwar Singh should have stressed on vacation of Kashmir territories occupied by Pakistan and China. Mr Dubey accused the UPA government of having adopted a weak-kneed policy towards Kashmir as it was allowing foreign diplomats and Army officers to interact with the separatist leaders and Pakistan-sponsored terrorist groups on the Indian soil. He expressed surprise over conflicting statements given from time to time by certain Central Government ministers and Army officers regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that while one minister claimed that terrorism was on the rise in the state, the other contradicted by claiming that militancy had declined. He urged the Centre to take strict action against infiltrators from Bangladesh. |
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Hardliners denounce Natwar-Kasuri talks
Jammu, September 8 The chairman of the Pakistan based United Jehad Council, Syed Salahuddin, yesterday accused India of dilly-dallying and avoiding a direct discussion on the Kashmir issue. Salahuddin, who hails from Srinagar district and crossed to Pakistan in early nineties to organise jehad in Kashmir, alleged that Delhi tried to bide time and refused to address the Kashmir problem on a priority basis. He did not approve of Delhi and Islamabad spending hours discussing fringe issues, including those connected with the reopening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, and the promotion of trade and commerce between the two sides. The Council chief said India-Pakistan talks would not prove meaningful if the representatives of Kashmiri people were not involved. After returning to Srinagar from Delhi, where he had a five-hour-long session with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Syed Ali Shah Geelani said that even though Kashmiris were the main party to the dispute they were being sidelined during every dialogue between the two sides. He said if Delhi-Islamabad talks were sufficient to resolve the problem, the Kashmir issue would have been settled by the Tashkent Declaration or the Simla Agreement. The dispute remained alive because the people of Kashmir were not involved in the bilateral parleys, he added. |
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Three beheaded in Rajouri
Jammu, September 8 According to reports reaching here, these persons were dragged out of their houses by militants and beheaded. It is learnt that the militants stormed into Mara Doria village in the district and killed Kalu Din (25) and Mishri Gujjar (35). They were dragged to a nearby forest, where they were beheaded. Thereafter, the terrorists went to Fabri Dhok village, where they killed Ghulam Shah (50). |
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Plastic bags banned on Amarnath Yatra route
Pahalgam, September 8 Jammu and Kashmir Governor S.K. Sinha, who took stock of the cleaning up operations on the yatra track and base camps in Nunwan and Baltal yesterday, said the master plan would focus on facilities for pilgrims and ensuring pollution-free environment. Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) would arrange jute bags for use during the massive pilgrimage as is being done in Katra, the Governor, who was accompanied by state Forest Minister Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Sofi said. Interacting with the NGOs, the Governor, who is SASB Chairman, said suggestions on disposal of waste would be taken into account while formulating the master plan. He said the SASB had already planned to raise environmental friendly toilets and shelter sheds at various points and base camps of the yatra. About 716 toilets had been erected this year in a record period of 15 days. Forest Minister Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sofi said the government would work in tandem with SASB in preserving the environment along the yatra route and providing various facilities to pilgrims. Earlier, the Governor visited Baltal and took stock of the cleaning up operations being carried out by NCC cadets.
— PTI |
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