J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Hurriyat leaders return to low-key reception
Srinagar, June 16
With the hope of involving Kashmiris in the dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue, nine-member delegation of Hurriyat leaders returned here today after two weeks after deliberations with leadership in Pakistan and PoK.

In video (28k, 56k) Hurriyat leaders at Kaman bridge on Thursday. They returned from Pakistan & PoK after two week visit. — Photo by Amin War

Muzaffarabad bus: Indians denied clearance
Jammu, June 16
The state authorities feel intrigued over the way the government of occupied Kashmir had not given clearance to the list of 75 people who were to travel to Muzaffarabad on June 2.

PDP leader, 3 militants killed
Srinagar, June 16
A leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party was killed by unidentified militants in Baramula district yesterday, while at least 14 were injured in a grenade explosion at Awantipora on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway today.

Shaheedi divas observed
Jammu, June 16
Shaheedi divas of Guru Arjan Dev was observed at Gurdwara Digiana Ashram under the supervision of Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Nangali Sahib here today.

Hurriyat leaders return to low-key reception
Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 16
With the hope of involving Kashmiris in the dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue, nine-member delegation of Hurriyat leaders returned here today after two weeks after deliberations with leadership in Pakistan and PoK. Their return on Jhelum Valley road after crossing Kaman bridge or “Aman Setu” at the LoC in north Kashmir, was marked by low-key reception on the appeal of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq due to “mayhem” in Pulwama. It was also overshadowed by the remarks of the JKLF chairman, part of the nine-member delegation, over Information Minister of Pakistan, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, having extended support to Kashmir militancy.

When asked about the visit, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq described it as successful and a “good exercise” and held that the viewpoint was conveyed to the leaders in PoK and Pakistan during their two weeks stay. He expressed the hope that the dialogue would continue for an amicable solution of the Kashmir issue. The Mirwaiz held that the APHC would talk to the Government of India after it had detailed discussions with the Pakistan government, opposition leaders and militant groups. He pointed out that the visit was first step towards the peace process and this long-standing demand of the APHC had been fulfilled at a time when other confidence-building measures had been taken by India and Pakistan. The visit and talks with the leadership in Pakistan was a “complete support” for the APHC demand of trilateral talks to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Mohammad Yaseen Malik, chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) on his return reiterated his stand on the involvement of Kashmiris in the dialogue between India and Pakistan. He said that though this point of view was put forward during the Pak visit, much needed to be done to involve Kashmiris in the dialogue process even as various confidence-building measures were taken by the two neighbouring countries. He said that the people of Kashmir felt “humiliated” as they came to know of the Indo-Pak dialogue on Kashmir through media.

The JKLF Chairman pointed out that his comments on the Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad were presented in a wrong perspective by the media. “I did not mention anything about gun or training” in the lecture at an Exhibition in Islamabad, he clarified. He held that when the Kashmiri boys were facing difficulties Sheikh Rashid had provided accommodation in his farmhouse. He said that the Pakistan Minister having his Kashmiri origin should be allowed to visit the valley and “I will receive him”, Mr Malik said.

The nine member delegation, which crossed over to PoK by Muzaffarabad bus on June 2 last, comprised seven members of the moderate APHC led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Others included Mr Abdul Ghani Bhat, Maulvi Abbas Ansari, Bilal Lone, all executive committee members and Fazal-ul-Haq Qureshi. Two other members of the Mirwaiz’s Awami Action Committee included Mohammad Yaqoob Vakil and G M Bhat. JKLF Chairman, Mohammad Yaseen Malik, accompanied by Mohammad Abdullah Tari, an associate of Shabir Ahmad Shah, also comprised the nine-member delegation of Kashmiri separatist leaders.

During their stay in PoK and Pakistan, the separatist leaders held meetings with Pakistan President General Parvez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, other leaders, opposition parties and militant groups. Several of these leaders already held meeting with the Pakistan President, General Parvez Musharraf in Delhi last April. The five member delegation of the APHC had two rounds of talks with the NDA government till early last year. The dialogue could not be continued with the UPA government since it took over a year back, and is now expected to be taken forward after the separatists meeting with Pakistan leaders.

It was the sixth fortnightly run of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service today since it began on April 7, which was flagged off here by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson, Ms Sonia Gandhi. In all 62 persons crossed over to this side of the LoC at Kaman bridge today, with nine separatist leaders, 23 others returning from PoK and 30 others on their first trip. Thirty others boarded the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus from here, including 16 fresh visitors and 14 on return journey.

Muzaffarabad bus: Indians denied clearance
M.L. Kak

Jammu, June 16
The state authorities feel intrigued over the way the government of occupied Kashmir had not given clearance to the list of 75 people who were to travel to Muzaffarabad on June 2.

The result was that not a single person from Jammu and Kashmir boarded the Muzaffarabad-bound bus from Srinagar today. Though 30 passengers from the occupied Kashmir boarded the Srinagar-bound bus from Muzaffarabad today.

Senior state government functionaries said we would wait for the next bus schedule and in case clearance was not given to the list of passengers sent by us by occupied Kashmir authorities, we would take up the matter with Delhi.

The passport authorities said, “we are flooded with the applications for securing travel documents and we issue the relevant documents on time.” They said it was upto the state government to send the list of passengers who have secured valid travel documents from our department.

A police officer said in view of the increase in the number of aspirants wishing to visit Muzaffarabad and other adjoining areas in occupied Kashmir, the state government had already approached the Govern-ment of India for increasing the frequency of the bus service after consultation with Islamabad.

Reports from the border belt of Poonch and Rajouri have revealed that majority of the people have been looking for the day when one of the three routes in the belt could be opened for bus service linking Jammu with Rawalakot and Kotli (in Pakistan).

PDP leader, 3 militants killed
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 16
A leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was killed by unidentified militants in Baramula district yesterday, while at least 14 were injured in a grenade explosion at Awantipora on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway today.

Three unidentified militants were killed when the security forces foiled an infiltration bid near the LoC in the Tanghdar area of Kupwara district today, a defence spokesman said.

The police here said militants shot dead Dr Reyaz Ahmad Bhat, associated with the PDP in his home village Hanjiveera, Pattan in Baramula district last evening. He was an unemployed BUMS graduate and was presently zonal president of the PDP. He was fired upon by militants and he succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to the hospital.

At least 14 persons, including two CRPF men, were injured when suspected militants hurled a grenade in Awantipora town, 35 km from here, on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway today. Those injured included 12 civilians and two CRPF men, who were hospitalised.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Tourism Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir have condemned the killing of Dr Reyaz Ahmad Bhat. In his message, the Chief minister expressed shock over the killing and termed it as a heinous crime against humanity. He expressed sympathies with the bereaved family. The Tourism Minister visited the family today and expressed his sympathies.

He said such killings were the acts of frustration by those who did not want peace to prevail at a time when friendly relations between India and Pakistan were fostering and the state was on the path to peace and development.

Gujjar front assails recruitment policy
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 16
The Jammu and Kashmir Gujjars United Front has strongly assailed the contractual and ad hoc recruitment policy of the Mufti led coalition government.

Mr Anwar Choudhary, president of the front, said here today that the decision of the government to fill about 26,000 posts in various departments on contract and ad hoc basis indicates that the present government had failed to provide permanent employment to the educated youth and had adopted a stop gap arrangement.

Such a step would reprieve the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities from getting the government jobs.

Mr Choudhary alleged that the previous National Conference government resorted to filling the vacant posts through backdoor recruitment and the Mufti government was following its footsteps.

Mr Shah Mohammad Choudhary, secretary general of the front, alleged that the government had flouted rules while recruiting teachers.

The front urged the government not to go ahead with making contractual appointments and fill all the gazetted posts through the Public Service Commission and others through the Subordinate Services Recruitment Board.

Shaheedi divas observed
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 16
Shaheedi divas of Guru Arjan Dev was observed at Gurdwara Digiana Ashram under the supervision of Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Nangali Sahib here today.

Hundreds of devotees paid homage to Guru Arjan Dev.

Mahant Manjit Singh, while addressing the gathering, said that the Guru laid his life for the sake of humanity, and stressed upon the youth to avoid drugs and alcohol.