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22 days on, Shopian back to business for a while
Army operation in Kupwara continues
Judicial Commission gets one more month to probe Kishtwar violence
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Kishtwar riots planned by separatists: Civil society report
Assembly session today
Speaker seeks cooperation for smooth functioning of House
Kashmir-based politicians demand probe into VKleaks
On the frontline
BSF ADG visits forward posts on Indo-Pak border
Guv wants women panches to be aware of their rights
Focus on extra-curricular activities alongside academics: Guv to youth
Centre patronises forces preaching secessionism: RSS
Cross-LoC Trade
J&K’s accession to Union of India
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22 days on, Shopian back to business for a while
Srinagar, September 29 Shops and other businesses opened in the district for the first time since September 7, when the Kashmir region was shut to protest the internationally acclaimed musician Zubin Mehta’s concert in Srinagar. Shopian district, 60 km south of the Srinagar city, remained under curfew for 15 consecutive days and observed a shutdown for the next seven days till yesterday. On the afternoon of September 7, when Zubin was performing in Srinagar, four protesters were allegedly shot dead by CRPF men outside their Gagran camp in Shopian and on September 11 another person was shot dead at the same place. This led to protests in the district and a spell of curfew which continued for 15 days and was lifted on September 22. The district, however, remained shut for the next seven days till September 28 as protesting residents demanded removal of the CRPF camp from Gagran and filing of a case against CRPF personnel who allegedly shot dead the five persons, one of whom is suspected to be a militant. A resident of Shopian district said the decision to end the shutdown was taken by a local leader of the hardline Hurriyat faction, who called a meeting of the district’s traders’ federation, businessmen, fruit growers, teachers and other sections of society. At the meeting it was decided to end the weeklong shutdown but observe a shutdown in the district on October 4 and 7. The protesters have threatened that if the government failed to remove the camp by October 10, residents of the Gagran area will migrate to Shopian town. It was decided at the meeting that the protesters would put up tents and sit on an indefinite protest in
Shopian. Demand for Removal of CRPF camp
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Army operation in Kupwara continues
Srinagar, September 29 A group of 30 to 35 militants had tried to sneak into the Indian territory on September 24 in the Keran sector, about 130 km from here. However, their attempt was foiled by the Army resulting into heavy exchange of fire. Bodies of 15 militants have been seen lying in the encounter area, but the Army has not been able to retrieve any of them due to bad weather and intermittent firing. Sources said there was no exchange of fire between militants and security forces today. However, the search operation is going on. “Weather didn’t allow us to carry on the operation in the morning. However, in the afternoon we moved forward carefully towards the hiding militants,” an Army official said. He said some militants might have crossed back into the other side of the Line of Control (LoC). The troops from 5 Assam, 57 Rastriya Rifles and 3/3 Gorkha Rifles, besides Army’s elite para-commandos are involved in the operation.
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Judicial Commission gets one more month to probe Kishtwar violence
Srinagar, September 29 Justice RC Gandhi (retd) Commission of Inquiry has been asked to complete its probe by October 22 and submit the report. Three persons were killed and many others were injured during the communal riots in Kishtwar on August 9, in which property worth crores was destroyed by communal elements. As per a notification issued by the General Administration Department on Friday, the state government has extended the time for the submission of the report by one month. Earlier, the commission had been asked to submit its report within one month from its appointment. Over two weeks after communal violence shattered peace in Kishtwar district on August 9, the state government had constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry on August 23 and appointed Justice RC Gandhi, a retired judge from the state, to probe into the matter. Justice Gandhi was mandated to inquire into the circumstances which led to the communal violence in Kishtwar, and its surrounding areas on Eid-ul-Fitr on August 9. |
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Kishtwar riots planned by separatists: Civil society report
Jammu, September 29 In its interim report on the August 9 violence in Kishtwar, which was released here today, the society claimed that business establishments of minorities were targeted under a “planned conspiracy”. “Rioters were fully prepared with flammable liquid substance and sharp edged weapons,” the report mentioned. “On August 9, when the incident happened, a procession comprising around one thousand people from the villages of Sangrambata, Hullar, Puhi, Bandrna and Honzala assembled in the town and raised pro-freedom slogans. They were carrying rods, plastic cans and some sharp edged weapons with them. Pakistan flags were also seen on the spot and members of minority community were beaten, their shops and houses were looted and burnt within minutes,” it claimed. The report, which has been prepared by the society members who visited Kishtwar earlier this month, is based on the eye witness accounts and queries made from the local population, eminent citizens and riot victims. The local people told the team members that just two days before the incident, miscreants had pasted posters depicting separatist leader Shabir Shah, parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and late Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leader Maqbool Bhat at Kitchloo Mohalla with provocative slogans. “They told us that it was brought to the notice of the police, but no action was initiated. They added that provocative activities were going on in the area for the last many months,” said Dineshwar Singh Jamwal, a human rights activist and member of the society. Highlighting the inaction of the district authorities and the police, KCS Mehta, a member of the society, said: “It was only after the Army marched in the town that the order was restored…that too in the late afternoon. Till then rioters had a field day and they destroyed property worth crores of rupees.” The report mentions that there were clear indications of the mounting trouble, as on July 28 the Kalash Yatra procession was attacked at Sangrambata village. It added that on August 4 a rally was organised at Nali Banjwa village in which the speakers spitted venom against the minorities. — TNS |
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Assembly session today
Srinagar, September 29 Apart from the people’s problems and development works, most of the members are expected to focus on the recent incidents of violence and developments like the terror attacks in the Jammu region and the former Army Chief (retd) General VK Singh’s revelations. Legislators of the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) met here today to work out a strategy for the smooth functioning of the brief Autumn session and the issues to be raised. Provincial president of the NC Nasir Aslam Wani said while the people’s issues had been submitted by all legislators, recent important developments would also come up in the brief session. “We have condemned the terror attacks and the government is taking adequate measures,” the NC MLA said. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti chaired a meeting of the party legislators here today and discussed current issues. Past strategies were also discussed. The meeting dwelt upon the party’s role in the brief session and addressing the issues concerning the public at large. “The focus has to be on the public issues and crucial issues of national importance,” a PDP MLA said. MLA Hakeem Mohammad Yasin, president of the People’s Democratic Front, said apart from the people’s issues, the focus should be on the basic issue which is the root cause of all problems. “A conducive atmosphere needs to be created for a meaningful dialogue,” said Hakeem Yasin, who is also a former minister. He said whenever there had been any important events and meetings between the leaders of India and Pakistan, major incidents had taken place like the latest terror attacks in Jammu. He sought to have a “concrete” approach and a road map to put an end to such a situation. |
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Speaker seeks cooperation for smooth functioning of House
Srinagar, September 29 The Speaker said this while chairing a meeting of party leaders and Chief Whips of political parties here yesterday. Members of various political parties suggested for increasing the timing of business during the Autumn session and advocated for conducting three sessions in a year. The Speaker hoped that the members would utilise the time fixed for the session judiciously to highlight the public interest issues in a democratic manner. He sought cooperation from all political parties to ensure the smooth conducting of the session beginning from Monday. — TNS
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Kashmir-based politicians demand probe into VKleaks
Srinagar, September 29 Former Army Chief (retd) VK Singh had said the Army used to fund politicians in the state. This was stated today in a joint statement by communist leader and state secretary of the CPM MY Tarigami, Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) leader and MLA Hakim Mohammad Yasin, former MP Abdul Rashid Kabuli and Sanjay Saraf of the Lok Janshakti Party. “We are astonished and express our concern on the delay in a thorough probe into the controversy over the alleged misuse of defence funds,” the statement read. “We are of the opinion that the import of these revelations, which have undermined the whole democratic process, has far more serious implications than meets the eye in Jammu and Kashmir,” it said. “We think the controversial remarks made by former Army Chief (retd) General VK Singh have further created chaos and confusion and only a thorough investigation by a credible commission headed by a Supreme Court judge is the need of the hour to clear the air,” the statement said, while demanding a judicial probe into the matter. Stating that the functioning of the Technical Services Division and other such units of the Army, which have been questioned, had “created a dent in the accountability and fairness in the entire institution”, the statement said it is “fraught with dangerous consequences”. “In our opinion, any overt or covert intervention from the security apparatus in the political domain is harmful and does not augur well with democracy,” read the joint statement, while advising various security agencies to “confine themselves to their defined mandate”. |
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On the frontline
Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has been bleeding Jammu and Kashmir for quarter of a century, and still there is no anti-terrorism policy in place. Pakistan has been enjoying every moment of misery that it has inflicted on the people of Kashmir. Its terrorism starts with guns and grenades and moves on to blocking the usage of water resources of the state.
Pakistan has been working on multiple planes to bleed Kashmir. It wants to send people of Kashmir to an ICU (intensive care unit) from where they can never come out. The proxy war since the late 1980s is a classic example of this. It has left more Kashmiris dead and maimed than others. It has brought darkness to the lives of tens of thousands of Kashmiris, who have lost their near and dear ones. There is neither solace for them nor any light at the end of the tunnel. This is where Jammu and Kashmir stands today. It has no pathfinder and is getting deeper and deeper into the quagmire. Certain facts are being ignored and the sufferers are the people of the state. Pakistan’s role is being ignored by many in the state, simply for the reason that they don’t want to annoy the Pakistani establishment. Those who can take on Pakistan are in a minority. It is a known fact that Pakistan has been working overtime to raise tensions on the borders. Ceasefire violations and infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC) almost daily have made life of border residents miserable. This helps Pakistan in internationalising the issue. It enjoys while Kashmiris suffer, and the bigger tragedy is that none of the leaders in the Valley has ever summed up the courage to denounce Pakistan. In one way or the other, they speak the language that pleases Pakistan. Pakistan has been eyeing the waters of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the least bothered about what happens to the people of Kashmir. It has come with one objection after another to stonewall the hydroelectric projects in the state. The question arises that in what sense can Pakistan claim to be a friend of the people of Kashmir. It is high time that the gullible population of Kashmir told Pakistan that its acts were unfriendly and inimical to the interests of the Valley. The Pakistani leadership has always maintained “Pakistan first” stance, the people in the state should also tell Islamabad and rest of the world that for them “Jammu and Kashmir is first”. Whatever may be said here and there about the status of the state, the fact of the matter is what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at the United Nations General Assembly in New York: “Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India”. This should silence the sceptics within the state and outside it. No one is sure about what Pakistan will do next. In 1999 after the Lahore Declaration, it did Kargil to India. After the Sharm el-Sheikh meeting, it did 26/11. It has been playing a game of hide and seek on the issue of punishing the perpetrators of 26/11. And now again it has started a season of terror in the state. It has been sponsoring elements to kill soldiers, civilians on the borders and the hinterland. Pakistan has made life a “living hell” for the people of Kashmir, and the men sponsored by it are creating discord between communities in the state. The hate-mongers are spreading canards and communalising the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Unfortunately, some of the mainstream leaders, in a bid to save their vote banks, have walked into the trap laid by Pakistan. The matters are being further complicated in Jammu and Kashmir, where common people feel alienated. They feel that there is no one who cares for them. The peace and prosperity that was promised to them has been gobbled up by self-serving politicians. People have been left high and dry, and that’s where Pakistan is adding to the uncertainty. Jammu and Kashmir is lost in that alley of darkness, not knowing where to go from here. |
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BSF ADG visits forward posts on Indo-Pak border
Jammu, September 29 The terror attacks in Kathua and Samba districts on September 26 left 10 persons, including a Lieutenant Colonel, dead. The BSF mans the 191.5-km-long international border from Paharpur on the Punjab border to the Chicken Neck area of the Pallanwala sector in Akhnoor subdivision. The Tribune had reported that the three
fidayeens, who killed 10 people, including Lt Colonel Bikramjeet Singh, four policemen, three soldiers and two civilians, in twin attacks, might have intruded into the Indian territory from the Chhap
nullah, close to Paharpur. Talking to mediapersons at Samba, the ADG said the BSF had started an investigation to see whether the terrorists had infiltrated from across the border. “The preliminary investigation of the BSF suggests that no infiltration had taken place from across the border. No fence was found cut,” he said. But if detailed investigation proved otherwise, the BSF would go into the reasons responsible for it and requisite action would be initiated, Singh said. When asked about the possibilities of terrorists having entered the Indian territory through any of the rivulets that flow into Pakistan, the ADG said, “It doesn’t appear so, but we would be able to come to a conclusion only after a detailed inquiry.” On August 31, it was published in these columns that recent torrential rains had damaged nearly 800 metres of fence and seven forward posts along the border. One of the posts was washed away after a rivulet changed its course due to the flash floods triggered by torrential rains. Accompanied by top officers, including BSF Jammu Frontier IG SS
Tomar, the ADG visited all forward posts in Paharpur, Pansar and Bobiyan in the Hiranagar and Samba sub-sectors. The low-lying areas, particularly those close to the Basanter river, Devak and Tarnah rivers, Chhap nullah in the
Samba-Kathua sector, Aik nullah, Nikki and Baddi Tawi in the RS Pura sector of Jammu district and the Chenab in the Pargwal sector of Akhnoor sub-division get inundated during the monsoons, causing damage to the border fence and BSF posts. On July 28 last year, villagers in
Chalyari, a forward village in the Samba sector, had detected a 540-m trans-border tunnel which had originated from the Shakkergarh area of Pakistan. |
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Guv wants women panches to be aware of their rights
Srinagar, September 29 He was addressing a two-day conference on “Empowerment of Women in Panchayats: The Road Ahead”, organised by the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, and the University of Kashmir, which concluded here this afternoon. The Governor observed that women had to play a vital role if the state had to achieve speedy progress and prosperity. Quoting constitutional provisions in support of women empowerment and decentralisation of powers, the Governor stressed the need for spreading awareness among women sarpanches and panches so that they were fully aware of their rights and duties. He added that the devolution of powers at the grass-roots level was the key to securing balanced all-round development. Vohra complimented the Institute of Social Sciences and the University of Kashmir and their collaborators for organising the conference and hoped that both institutions would join hands to organise many such programmes in the future. M Aslam, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, New Delhi, in his valedictory address, spoke about varied aspects of women empowerment and the need for further strengthening the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the state. Seema Khajuria, Additional Advocate General, J&K, dwelt on the constitutional aspects of women empowerment. George Mathew, Chairman, Institute of Social Sciences, emphasised the need for ensuring adequate representation to women at all levels of the panchayat in the state. He thanked the Governor for taking a keen interest in the empowerment of people and the functioning of the panchayats. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, dwelt on the aims and objectives of organising the conference.
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Focus on extra-curricular activities alongside academics: Guv to youth
Srinagar, September 29 He said the same was necessary to prepare the youth to successfully shoulder the future responsibilities of nation building. The Governor was addressing the concluding function of the week-long National Integration Camp, organised by the Bharat Scouts and Guides at Boniyar in Baramulla district. Over 500 scouts and guides from across the country, including the members from Jammu and Kashmir, participated in the camp. Pointing to the scouts and guides movement, Vohra observed that it was a very important activity, which nurtures the spirit of discipline, camaraderie and brotherhood and strengthens national integration. He insisted that a much larger number of youth need to be brought under this movement. The Governor observed that in J&K, scouting and guiding had made tremendous progress in the past few years. He called upon all the stakeholders to continue with their efforts, so that J&K emerges as a front-line state, not only in the academic arena, but also in sports and other extra-curricular activities. The Governor, who is the patron of the J&K State Bharat Scouts and Guides, later gave away the certificates to the scouts and guides who participated in the camp. He also presented mementos to the civil, police and Army officers for their valuable support in successfully organising the camp. Minister for Youth Services and Sports Taj Mohiuddin, who was also present on the occasion, said India was the best example of unity in diversity. |
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Centre patronises forces preaching secessionism: RSS
Jammu, September 29 “The Centre’s weakness is encouraging politicians like Omar Abdullah to propagate secessionism and to challenge the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union of India,” Bhagwat said while addressing a gathering of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers and sympathisers in Jammu this evening. Omar Abdullah, while interacting with a delegation of the European Union on Wednesday, had said Jammu and Kashmir had only acceded to and not merged with the Indian Union. “I want to remind Omar Abdullah that the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with India is unconditional, unchallenged and irreversible so the country would not accept such secessionist language,” the RSS chief asserted. He regretted that it was unfortunate that the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir was speaking such language. Quoting some historical fact, the RSS chief said since the days of King Lalitaditya, about 1500 years ago, Kashmir was a part of India. In an obvious reference towards the Centre and the state government, Bhagwat said parties raising question over the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country for petty political gains were playing into the hands of outside forces. Pointing towards the Thursday’s terror attack at Samba and Hiranagar, the RSS chief emphasised on the need for support of all sections of society, including the civil society, to eradicate terrorism. “Security forces alone cannot fight the war against terrorism. The civil society should also stand like a rock before the security forces in their war against terror,” he said and pointed out that the people of Jammu were facing attacks from different sides. “One the one hand, the people of Jammu are facing the onslaught of terror and on the other hand, they are a victim of the discriminatory policies of the successive state governments,” he said. While expressing his concern over Kishtwar violence, Bhagwat said riots were aimed at displacing the minority community from the belt for petty political gains. “It is unfortunate that the state is sponsoring violence in Jammu and Kashmir to force the displacement of a particular community,” he alleged. |
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Cross-LoC Trade
Srinagar, September 29 “The meeting in New Delhi has been called by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which has always been helpful in promoting the cross-LoC trade. So traders are expecting that this meeting will clear the hurdles that led to the suspension of the trade,” general secretary Salamabad-Chakoti Traders Union (SCTU) Hilal Turkey said. The cross-LoC trade through Salamabad-Chakoti axis remains suspended since September 3, following the order of the Customs Department that forbids trade of items produced in Pakistan. “As per the standard operating procedure, 21 items can be traded between the two parts of Kashmir. However, the
latest order of the Customs Department has created such an impediment that very few items can
be traded,” said a cross-LoC trader. He added that if tomorrow’s meeting failed to withdraw the customs order, the traders would be forced to take to streets. “We will have no option, but to protest,” he said. The Jammu and Kashmir Government had taken up the issue of the suspension of the cross-LoC trade with the Union Home Secretary, following which the Union Ministry of Home Affairs called for a high-level meeting. Tomorrow’s meeting is scheduled to be attended by the officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Finance, apart from the officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs the J&K Government. State Commissioner-Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Farooq Ahmad Faktoo, who will be a part
of the meeting, said he was “hopeful” about the interaction. “We are hopeful of a breakthrough and the trade will resume shortly,” Faktoo told The Tribune. The cross-LoC trade on the Salamabad-Chakoti axis had begun on October 21, 2008, and is considered as a major confidence-building measure between the two neighbouring countries since Partition. |
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J&K’s accession to Union of India
Jammu, September 29 Omar while interacting with a delegation of the European Union on Wednesday had said: “While all the states acceded to the Union of India and then merged with it, Jammu and Kashmir only acceded and did not merge with India.” The Chief Minister had said that was the reason why Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed a special status, a constitution of its own and a separate flag. Though, a Congress minister in the Omar-led coalition government on Saturday made a veiled attack on the Chief Minister for raking up the issue, it has given much needed ammunition to the BJP to target its political rivals. The party has decided to rake up the “controversial” statement at the national level to “expose” the Congress. “The Congress should explain its stand on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s oft-repeated statements about accession and merger,” BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma said. “If Congress does not agree with Omar's views it should immediately withdraw from the coalition or bring no-confidence motion against the Chief Minister in the Legislative Assembly session beginning September 30 at Srinagar,” he added. The BJP leader alleged that the Congress was party to every decision of the government. Earlier in his speech in the state Legislative Assembly on October 6, 2010, Omar had said J&K had acceded to India and not merged with it, as it did not sign the instrument of merger like the other princely states did. “We had opposed Omar Abdullah’s statement in the year 2010 also. But in the election year his statement has provided us the much needed ammunition to target the Congress, as it is running a coalition government with the National Conference,” a senior BJP leader said. “Very soon the party is going to launch an agitation in Jammu in which Omar’s statement on accession would be the main focus,” the leader said on the condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, the BJP state president said by making such “mischievous observations”, Omar was trying to create “confusion” in the minds of people and “appease the separatists”. |
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The south Kashmir district of Shopian resumed business on Sunday for the first time in the last 22 days after the agitating residents decided to go with a protest plan.
Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has been bleeding Jammu and Kashmir for quarter of a century, and still there is no anti-terrorism policy in place. Pakistan has been enjoying every moment of misery that it has inflicted on the people of Kashmir. Its terrorism starts with guns and grenades and moves on to blocking the usage of water resources of the state.
Governor NN Vohra has impressed upon the women panchayat members to take a keen interest in their new role and contribute in a big way to securing efficient implementation of welfare and development programmes in villages.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement on accession of Jammu and Kashmir with the Indian Union is snowballing into a major political controversy in the country as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat today blamed the Centre for patronising forces preaching secessionism in the country.
