J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Govt misusing Land Grants Act: Rather
Srinagar, November 24
The National Conference, which has extended support to the bandh call of the Hurriyat Conference against the leasing out land at Gulmarg to non-state subjects, has said that the move was yet another war on the state subject law.

JKLF to have sub-office in Srinagar interiors
Jammu, November 24
The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), headed by Mr Mohammad.Yasin Malik, has decided to set up sub-office in the interior of Srinagar, which is considered stronghold of Malovi Umar Farooq, who heads the Awami Action Committee and the APHC too.

409 more leave for Jeddah
Srinagar, November 24
As many as 409 Haj pilgrims, including 162 women, from Jammu and Kashmir left here for Jeddah in two special flights today.

3 militants shot, 1 surrenders
Srinagar, November 24
Five persons, including three militants of the Lashker-e-Toiba, were killed while one militant surrendered along with arms in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

Govt misusing Land Grants Act: Rather
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 24
The National Conference, which has extended support to the bandh call of the Hurriyat Conference against the leasing out land at Gulmarg to non-state subjects, has said that the move was yet another war on the state subject law. The hardline Hurriyat Conference, led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, had already called for a general strike tomorrow in protest against “sale of Kashmir”.

Addressing a press conference here today, Leader of Opposition in the state legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather said the coalition government had taken this decision without taking people into confidence. This came close on the heels of Tourism Minister Mohammad Dilawar Mir’s announcement to have put the decision of leasing out the land in Gulmarg on hold that would be further discussed in the Cabinet.

“The issue was not taken up in the state legislature,” Mr Rather said. The coalition government had been indulging in tampering with the issues related to the state subject law. He said the government had earlier tampered with the law by way of the Transfer of Property Act and Women’s Rights Bill. “This is the third such attempt, which is part of a hidden agenda,” he said. The government should give priority to the conflict resolution instead, he added.

Mr Rather claimed that the coalition government was misusing the Land Grants Act. He said his party would go in for an amendment to the Act that allowed leasing out of the land to non-state subjects for 99 years.

JKLF to have sub-office in Srinagar interiors
Our Correspondent

Jammu, November 24
The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), headed by Mr Mohammad. Yasin Malik, has decided to set up sub-office in the interior of Srinagar, which is considered stronghold of Malovi Umar Farooq, who heads the Awami Action Committee and the APHC too.

Mr Malik reportedly want to extend the party’s base beyond Maisuma-Lal Chowk area.

Mr Malik had, four years ago quit the Hurriyat Conglomerate. Report said besides Mr Malik Tehrik Hurriyat Conference Chief, Mr Syed Geelani, was also exploring the possibility of winning some of the supporters of Maolvi Umar Farooq to his fold. With tussle between the two factions of the Hurriyat Conference growing Mr Geelani plans to deplete strength of the APHC, led by Maolvi Umar Farooq.

Supporters of Maolvi Umar Farooq are unhappy with their leader spending more time outside the state than in Srinagar, they, however,are not prepared to disown him which is evident from the large gatherings he addresses on Fridays in Jamia Masjid.

409 more leave for Jeddah

3 militants shot, 1 surrenders