J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

People’s Conference plans series of conventions
Jammu, August 30
People’s Conference chief, Sajjad done, plans to organise party’s conventions in the Kashmir valley to demonstrate that he too is a leader who matters in the separatist camp, another constituent of the Tehrik Hurriyat Conference, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has quit the conglomerate.

Women’s separatist group turns moral police
Srinagar, August 30
“Mariyam squad” of banned women’s separatist organisation “the Dukhtaran-e-Milat” (Daughters of Faith) today raided a number of hotels, restaurants and cybercafes here to curb growing flesh trade in the valley.

A spokesperson of the Dukhtaran-e-Millat addresses a press conference in Srinagar on Tuesday announcing the setting up of a “mariyam” squad to fight flesh trade in the valley. — Tribune photo by Amin War

Two Hizbul commanders among four militants killed
Srinagar, August 30
Four militants, including two Hizbul Mujahideen commanders, were killed, while a Special Police Officer deserted the force and joined militant ranks in Jammu and Kashmir over night, an official spokesman said today.

Dal Lake’s area reduced to 11 km
Srinagar, August 30
Expressing concern over the deterioration of the famed Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Vijay Bakaya said its area had decreased from 75 km to mere 11 km over the years.

People’s Conference plans series of conventions
M.L. Mak

Jammu, August 30
People’s Conference chief, Sajjad done, plans to organise party’s conventions in the Kashmir valley to demonstrate that he too is a leader who matters in the separatist camp, another constituent of the Tehrik Hurriyat Conference, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has quit the conglomerate.

The Jammu Kashmir People’s Movement, led by Mr G.M. Mir, has severed ties with Mr Geelani and has started getting close to the APHC, headed by Molvi Umar Farooq.

Already the Geelani faction of the Hurriyat Conference has lost support of Aga Hassan Budgami, a prominent Shia leader, after the latter felt disillusioned with what he termed as “authoritarian” attitude of Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

In fact both Aga Hassan and Mr Mir were motivated to quit the Tehrik Hurriyat Conference after they realised that Pakistan had stopped patronising Mr Geelani.

On the other hand Mr Lone, who is the son-in-law of JKLF chief Amanullah Khan, and Democratic Freedom Party President, Shabir Ahmed Shah, have started organising their party cadre so that Delhi did not ignore them while resuming its dialogue with the APHC.

Mr Shah said today that for reorganising his party cadre he would be visiting Leh and Kargil in Ladakh for 10 days so that he was able to demonstrate that a cross-section of people of the three regions supported him.

To a question he said he had always been in favour of the settlement of the Kashmir issue through a meaningful and result-oriented talks. “I am ready to be involved in the parleys in case Delhi wanted it,” he said.

Mr Shah wanted the Government of India, particularly Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and the UPA chairperson, Ms Sonia Gandhi to adopt a “flexible” approach as Pakistan had started doing it.

Similarly Mr Sajjad Lone has already conveyed to Delhi that if talks were resumed with the APHC, other separatist groups too be involved in the dialogue.

He has said that the APHC alone did not represent people of Kashmir. He seems to be critical of the APHC leadership because the APHC inducted his brother, Mr Bilal Ahmed Lone, in the executive committee of the Hurriyat Conference after the split in the people’s Conference.

What has surprised political observers is the way Syed Ali Shah Geelani has remained adamant on his stand and neither he has begged for an audience with Mr Manmohan Singh he showed willingness to get involved in the centre-separatists dialogue when Pakistan had cold shouldered him after the APHC team visited occupied Kashmir and Pakistan.

It is in this context that three major separatist groups, the Peoples’ Conference, the JKLF and the Democratic Freedom Party feel there is a chance for their being involved in the talks when Mr Geelani had been isolated both by Delhi and Pakistan. Reports said that it was on the advice of Islamabad that Mr Geelani had not been included in the list of invitees to the OIC.

However, knowledgeable sources said that agencies across the border were watching the plans and the activities of the APHC and other separatist groups and in case they were not satisfied with them Pakistan will not take much time in befriending Mr Geelani.

As such the entire separatist camp in the Kashmir valley is in disarray after unity moves failed. Mr Shabir Shah confirmed that he had restarted his exercise in bringing about unity among separatist groups but the dust kicked up by the rival factions of the Hurriyat Conference leaves hardly any scope for reconciliation.

Women’s separatist group turns moral police

Srinagar, August 30
“Mariyam squad” of banned women’s separatist organisation “the Dukhtaran-e-Milat” (Daughters of Faith) today raided a number of hotels, restaurants and cybercafes here to curb growing flesh trade in the valley.

Activists raided the Civil Line areas, including Lal Chowk, Court Road, Regal Chowk, Lambart Lane, Moulana Azad road and Residency road. Daughters of faith in “burqa” were seen advising people, including women, present in these hotels and centres, to avoid visiting these places.

You are warned not to visit these areas again, this is first warning and second time you will have to face consequences, they were heard telling customers present in restaurants and cyber cafes.

They also asked the owners of these hotels, restaurants and cyber cafe centres not to allow any couple to sit in cabins.

The Dukhtaran-e-Milat was banned by the central government in 2002 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).

Evading arrest since then, the chief of the Milat Asiya Andrabi in an appeal, sought the help of the general public to curb flesh trade in the valley. The organisations also gave a mobile number and the organisation’s e-mail address so that the people could contact the group about any such activity in their areas.

Asiya Andrabi alleged that there was a nexus between those involved in the flesh trade and the state police.

She asked the people that they should not inform the police, but her organisation about any such activity at hotels, restaurants, guest houses, cyber cafes, houseboats and other “suspicious” places in their areas.

Andrabi said her organisation had formed a special squad of women for the purpose.

Andrabi is said to be wanted under POTA for allegedly receiving money from the Pakistan’s ISI through UK based Kashmiri expatriate Ayub Thakur and his local conduit Imtiyaz Bazaz. The money was reportedly meant for the Jamait-ul-Mujahideen militant outfit.

Several militant organisations had launched a sustained campaign in the early ‘90s for the closure of cinema halls and wine shops, video parlours and beauty saloons, forcing these to close business in the valley.

However, in the recent past, a few wine shops have opened in the Srinagar city, particularly in the security zones.

The militant groups had also banned cable television operations in Kashmir for “spreading obscenity in society”.

Groups such as Allah Tigers and the Dukhtaran-e-Milat had spearheaded the campaign against “obscenity and promiscuity” in Kashmir wherein local womenfolk were asked to wear ‘burqa (veil)’. These groups also banned the access of women to contraception and abortion.

The state government earlier this month issued licences for opening of more wine shops in the valley, prompting the people to take to streets in these areas. — UNI

Two Hizbul commanders among four militants killed

Srinagar, August 30
Four militants, including two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commanders, were killed, while a Special Police Officer (SPO) deserted the force and joined militant ranks in Jammu and Kashmir over night, an official spokesman said today.

He said the police and the security forces in a joint operation killed, an HM batallion commander in the Malwan forest in Anantnag district last night. Some arms and ammunition were seized from the slain militant who was wanted in various killing cases.

The security forces also gunned down two militants in an encounter at Soof Shali in the same district last night. Two AK rifles, five magazines, 143 rounds of ammunition, one wireless set and one hand grenade were seized from the slain militants, identified as Abu Shamsher, a resident of Pakistan, and Nassarullah Khan of Badgam.

He said an encounter took place between a joint search party of the police and the security forces at Benali Dramnkoteo in Udhampur district of Jammu region last night during which a HM deputy district commander Shamas Din was killed. One AK rifle and other arms and ammunition were seized from the slain commander.

The spokesman said during a search operation, militants attacked the security forces at Jaglanoo village under Kandi police station in Rajouri district last night. SPO Muneer Hussain was injured while another SPO Mohammad Tariq fled from the cordoned off area and joined militants.

He also took away one AK rifle, one wireless set and ammunition issued to him.

Militants shot at and wounded Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, a shopkeeper, at Gatlipora in Pulwama district last night. He has been hospitalised. — UNI

Dal Lake’s area reduced to 11 km

Srinagar, August 30
Expressing concern over the deterioration of the famed Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Vijay Bakaya said its area had decreased from 75 km to mere 11 km over the years.

He said joint efforts by the government and the public were needed to save this natural gift from further pollution. Speaking at a function at the Dal Lake, he said the government would take various measures to preserve the lake and protect it from further deterioration.

Describing the Dal Lake as the heartbeat of every Kashmiri, he said it was the symbol of centuries old Kashmiryat and a glorious heritage for which every one should feel proud of. — UNI