Kashmir tense ahead of UN Chalo

 Srinagar,(KMW): Strict restrictions are likely to be imposed across Srinagar and other parts of the valley Friday in view of the UNO Chalo march called by senior Pro-freedom leader and Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

“After offering congregational prayers at Masjid Hamzah in Lal-Chowk on Friday, I will lead a peaceful march towards the UN office in Sonawar where a memorandum will be presented in demand for our right to self determination,” Geelani had said during a news conference at his Hyderpora residence on Wednesday morning.

According to media sources adminstration is likely to impose restrictions to thwart the UnChalo March.

Draconian Laws ruining life in Kashmir

Draconian Laws ruining life in Kashmir


Draconian laws are termed as great obstacles towards development of democracy and steps of humanity towards civilization. But in the wounded paradise of Kashmir, draconian laws have become part and parcel of the life of masses in this unfortunate land.

Pertinently, one of the most draconian laws applicable in Jammu and Kashmir, Public Safety Act (PSA), which is being liberally used as a suppressive gauge to scuttle any difference of opinion, often also for discriminating against innocent youth, ironically finds its roots in the Defense of India Act (DIA) during the British rule. In fact, the PSA happens to be a more punitive form of the DIA that was described by various National leaders including Mahatma Gandhi as draconian and a black law enacted by Britishers to suppress Indian freedom struggle.

After independence, Defense of India Act changed nomenclature in the year 1967 and is presently known as Public Safety Act, more precisely in Jammu and Kashmir as Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act-1978 with provisions and impunity almost similar to the act of British era.

Legal organizations and personalities and international human rights organizations have been persistently demanding review of this act. Besides this another draconian act Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFSPA) gives tremendous powers to security forces.

Masses on ground zero are aggrieved by these draconian acts.Gulam Bashir, a commoner said, “It is shame that such draconian acts are used in Kashmir. These should be immediately revoked for a long lasting solution to be achieved”.

Youth harassed for taking part in pro-freedom rallies:Geelani

Youth harassed for taking part in pro-freedom rallies


Veteran pro-freedom leader and chairman of Hurriyat (G), Syed Ali Geelani has urged the International human rights organizations to take note of grave human rights violations in the valley.

He said that police arrests and harasses the youth especially students of Baramulla and Sopore who attend Hurriyat (G) rallies.

“Police officers openly threaten these students with PSA if they participated in these rallies,” he alleged.

Geelani also condemned “violation of court orders” in the cases of detained separatist leaders. “These hooligans (police) are not held accountable by anybody and they pay no heed even to directions of court,” he said.

Geelani, who was in SKIMS for medical check-up of his kidney, also visited Manzoor Ahmad Mir of Nowshera who received bullet injury recently in a protest at Nowshera locality of old city.

Human Rights Situation Worsens in Kashmir

(24-04-2010- KMW Special Report)
Human rights situation in conflict-ridden Kashmir is going from bad to worse. In lees than a forth night, several innocent lives have fallen to bullets of State forces.
On 23 April, 2010 a youth Manzoor Ahmad Mir was leaving the mosque at Nowshera in the afternoon when he was hit by a bullet fired by CRPF in his abdomen. Just some days back, the chase by CRPF men during a protest demonstration in Sopore prompted a 9th class student to jump into the river. The teenager got drowned, and died thus triggering clashes across North Kashmir for several days which left injuring at least 13 persons. Indian Army on Saturday, 24 April shot dead a middle- aged man, father of seven daughters while injured another in Hannad forest area of Shopian district, sparking of violent protests and clashes in the South Kashmir Township that left nearly six people injured, three among them with bullet wounds.
Sane voices and masses are expressing deep anguish over the worsening human rights situation in the Kashmir Valley. Gulam Muhammad commoner said, “It is matter of shame for a country that claims to be the greatest democracy on earth to ruthlessly quell the sentiments of masses in such a way”.
Ground realities call for immediate halt to these human rights violations and addressing the Kashmir dispute according to wishes and aspirations of masses.

Two Hizbul militants killed in Jammu

Jammu, Apr 24: Security forces gunned down two Hizbul Mujaheedin (HM) militants in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir''s Doda District on Saturday.
Police sources said the encounter started late on Friday night and ended on Saturday morning.
Doda Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prabhat Singh said one militant was killed on Friday night while the other on Saturday morning.
The slain militants have been identified as Tanvir Ahmad, an area commander, and Zubair Ahmad, a close associate.
The encounter took place in Gandoh which is over 180 kilometres from Jammu. (ANI)

Timber smuggler killed mistakenly in ambush

Srinagar, Apr 24: In a case of mistaken identity, an ambush party of security forces killed a timber smuggler and wounded another in south Kashmir district of Shopian, evoking massive protest.

Official sources said the security forces had laid the ambush in the forest area at Chauhan Keller Shopian following a tip-off regarding militant movement.

However, during the early hours, they noticed a group of people from a distance and when challenged, they started running away.

Security forces mistook them as militants and opened fire which led to the death of one Ghulam Mohammad Kalas and injured Manzoor Ahmad Lone, who was taken to the hospital.

Both were timber smugglers.

Two horses were also killed in the firing.

As soon as the news of killing reached the villages, people took to the streets, raising slogans against the security forces.

Demanding immediate action against the security forces who opened fire on unarmed innocent people, the demonstrators blocked traffic on the main road.

Senior civil and police officials have rushed to the area, the sources said.

Obama ordered drone attacks on Pak ‘inspiring anti-American fanaticism’:

By Sahil Kapur
Washington, Apr.24: A U.S. Congressman has condemned the unmanned drones strikes ordered by President Obama in western Pakistan, arguing that such tactics are inflaming radical Islamic factions.
“I do not support the drone attacks,” said Democrat Dennis Kucinich in an interview, contending that the approach is pushing the United States “into an area of unaccountability that leads to blowback, where we actually lose friends, where we help inspire anti-American sentiments and fanaticism and radicalism.”
The strikes that began in 2005 during the Bush regime as part of an effort to wipe out spillover militant activity on the eastern side of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border have escalated under his successor.
US military leaders say the approach has purged scores of militants, including high-level Al-Qaeda operatives.
But it has also killed hundreds of innocent civilians; sparking new anger in a nation that has long been a key US ally.
Kucinich argues that the strikes are, as a result, counterproductive.
“Just as an occupation fuels an insurgency, these drones build feelings and resistance against the United States and help gain support for those elements who wish to do America harm,” he said, describing Pakistan’s cooperation as critical to halting nuclear proliferation and quelling the growth of radical Islamic factions.
The Ohio Congressman called for a careful re-evaluation of US tactics in the nation, and urged Obama to "be careful not to inadvertently create the circumstances that push Pakistan into becoming a failed state."
He didn''t, however, oppose the five-year 7.5 billion dollar aid package or new weapons the administration recently gave Islamabad to help neutralize brewing terrorist activity.
In 2008, Kucinich denounced President Bush’s use of the policy in more forceful terms, accusing him of “playing with fire” and “violating international law by invading yet another nation which has not attacked the United States.”
He dropped out of the Democratic primary in that year''s presidential race to endorse Obama.
During his first 15 months in office, Obama has unleashed about as many drone attacks as Bush did in his three years of carrying out the program.
The Obama administration publicly defended the tactic for the first time just weeks ago as legal and necessary for self-defense, but didn’t address the possibility of an anti-American backlash.
State Department Legal Adviser Harold Koh declared that the drone strikes “comply with all applicable law, including the laws of war,” in speech to the American Society of International Law on March 25.
He said: “A state that is engaged in armed conflict – or in legitimate self-defense – is not required to provide targets or legal process before the state may use lethal force.”
Although anti-war activists have strongly criticized the use of missile attacks in the region, the policy enjoys comfortable, if tacit, support from most members of Congress, a likely sign of the deference given to the executive branch on matters of war. (ANI)

Delhi court sentences 3 Kashmiris to death, lifer to other

Srinagar: A Delhi court Thursday awarded death penalty to three persons including two Kashmiri’s and sentenced one Kashmiri with life imprisonment in the 1996 Lajpat Nagar bomb blast case. It also handed down seven-year life imprisonment and four year and two month imprisonment to two other accused.

District and Sessions Judge S P Garg awarded death sentence to three persons including Mirza Nissar Hussain of Kailashpora, khanyar, Srinagar, Mohammad Ali Bhatt of Hasanabad, Rainawari, Srinagar, and Mohammad Naushad of Delhi.

The court pronounced rigorous life imprisonment to one Javed Ahmed Khan who was found guilty of serious offences of murder, conspiracy and attempt to murder under the IPC with the three convicts who got death penalty. It also imposed a fine of Rs 35,000 on him.

The court also sentenced Farooq Ahmed Khan of Malai Sadak Janglat Gali, Anantnag, to seven years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs.5, 000 was imposed on him.

Farida Dar, alias Farida Behanji, of Natipora, Srinagar, a kashmiri woman pro-freedom leader and the lone woman convict held guilty for a lesser offence, was awarded a jail term of four years and two months. A fine of Rs.10, 000 was also imposed on her.

Farida and Farooq were convicted for offences like possession of explosives that carry a maximum punishment of seven years.

The blast took place on May 21, 1996 evening in the busy Central Market area of Lajpat Nagar, when explosive laden stolen Maruti car went off at around 6:30 pm, killing 13 people and injuring 39 others.

Subsequently, Police blamed the Jammu and Kashmir Islamic front (JKIF) was behind the blasts and arrested 10 persons including a Farida by tracing the phone calls made by them to various media houses claiming responsibility for the attack.

Police also arrested Mohammadd Naushad, Mohd Ali Bhatt, Mirza Nissar, Javed Ahmed Khan, Farooq Ahmed Khan, Mirza Iftikhar, Latif Ahmed Waza, Syed Maqbool Shah and Abdul Gani in the case.

On August 26, 1996 Delhi Police filed a charge sheet in court against the 10 accused. It also produced a list of 201 witnesses. On November 20, 2000, Court framed charges of murder, attempt to murder, anti-national activities and charges under the explosives Act. The accused pleaded not to be guilty.

In September last, the District judge Delhi transfers the case to court of Additional Session Judge S.P. Garg where hearing began on Sep 7. On March 30, this year Court defers verdict in the case. 

On April 8, 2010 this year, the Court convicts six accused and acquits four. On April 13, the court heard the quantum of sentence in the case.

The remaining four -- Mirza Iftikhar, Latif Ahmed Waza, Syed Maqbool Shah and Abdul Gani -- were acquitted of all the charges for want of sufficient evidence on April 8. (PBI)

US slams ex-ISI chief for blaming it for Bhutto’s assassination

Islamabad, Apr.22: The United States has strongly objected to statements made by former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Hamid Gul, who had blamed the US for former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.
US’ Islamabad Embassy’s spokesperson, Richard Snelsire, criticised Gul for blaming Washington for the attack on Bhutto, and said such remarks were baseless and false.
“Lieutenant General (r) Hamid Gul has repeatedly asserted the outrageous and baseless claim that the US government was involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The United States rejects this, and other false allegations regularly made by Gul about its policies and activities,” a statement issued by Snelsire said.
Snelsire was also critical of the television journalists for failing to present a balanced view during the programme in which Gul had attacked the US.
“Despite the fact that Gul gave no proof for his allegations against the US, his statements were not challenged by any of the TV hosts who invited him to their programmes,” The Daily Times quoted Snelsire, as saying.
He also denounced the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leadership for holding the US responsible for this week’s suicide attack in Peshawar in which 24 people were killed and over 45 wounded.
“The US rejects such absurd, baseless allegations. The violent extremists who committed the vicious terror attacks in Peshawar have made it clear that they seek to kill as many innocent Pakistani citizens, soldiers and law enforcement officials as possible,” Snelsire said. (ANI)

Bhutto murder: Was Rehman Malik a culprit?

Karachi, Apr.21:  There is an increasing amount of evidence that Rehman Malik was a key player in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Mr. Malik was in charge of the security of Ms. Benzair. Mr. Malik commandeered the alternative vehicle that was available for Ms. Banazir Bhutto and sprinted out of the crime scene.
Another factor is the fact that Mr. Shahanshah worked for Mr. Rehman Malik–who was making strange movements during the speech of Benaizr Bhutto. As recorded on video, Mr. Shahanshah would look at Ms. Bhutto, run his index finger across his throat and then sit down. This strange and bizarre movement was repeated three times and is consecrated on video.
After the assassination, Mr. Rehamn Malik should have been demoted or fired. He on the other hand was promoted to the important position of Interior Minister.
Mr. Asad Rajput of the PPP has not pointed a finger at Mr. Rehman Malik. If indicted, will Mr. Rehman Malik point towards Mr. Zardari.
ISLAMABAD: Terming Benazir Bhutto’s death as murder, the Legal advisor to Benazir’s chief protocol officer has alleged that the present Interior Minister Rehman Malik and current Law Minister Babar Awan were involved in Benazir’s assassination.
However, he said that as the case is sub judice before the Lahore High court Rawalpindi bench for lodging second FIR in the case, “so we are not going to elaborate on every aspect of this case.”
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Asad Rajput alleged that the UN has established the fact that former president Musharraf was head of the entire assasination plot.
He maintained that the ex-chief minister of Punjab Pervaiz Elahi, Rehman Malik, Babar Awan, the head of the Intelligence Bureau, the FIA and the Rawalpindi police were all clearly involved in Benazir Bhutto’s murder.
Aslam Chaudhry who is the chief protocol officer of Benazir alleged that both Rehman Malik and Babar Awan broke protocol and also sabotaged security during Benazir’s rally at Liaquat Park in which she was assassinated.
Chaudhry stressed that it is obligatory for the government to initiate a crminial investigation into Benazir’s assassination following the UN report. (By The Editors Rupee News)

Kashmir Police thwart attempt to hold separatist seminar in Srinagar

Srinagar, Apr 21(KMW): The Jammu and Kashmir police foiled an attempt to hold a seminar by Human Rights activist here on Wednesday. The seminar was supposed to be telephonically  addressed  by some of the most wanted militant leaders included , Syed Salluhu-Din, Hafiz Sayed and Azhar Masood  from Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. The trio are wanted by the Government of India in many cases like 26/11 and Parliament Attack etc.
The seminar  was organized by a former militant turned Human Rights Activist under the banner of lesser known International Forum for Justice , was reportedly to be addressed by leaders of both factions of Hurriyat Conference including pressure groups like People’s Political Party (PPP) headed by Hilal Ahmad War and Dukhtaran-e-Milat headed by Asiya Andrabi.  
However,   when the seminar was about to start , the City Police Chief of  Jammu and Kashmir police, Mr. Javaid Riyaz Bedar entered the Conference Hall along with Station House Officer, Maisuma, Mr. Zahoor Khan entered the Conference Hall  in the Taj Hotel and sealed it ahead of the scheduled programme and  arrested the  organiser of the programme, Mr. Ahsan Untoo.
 “We had an idea that Salahuddin was to address the seminar. I don’t know exactly that whether Azharuddin (Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar) was to address or not,” said Zahid Ali, spokesperson of Jamaat-e-Islami.KMW

No compromise on human rights violation: Omar

Srinagar, Apr 20: Reiterating the Jammu and Kashmir government’s determination to protect and uphold human rights under all circumstances, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said no compromise at all will be made on the issue of human rights violation.

''The blood of innocent people in Jammu and Kashmir is not so cheap that those responsible for its shedding will be allowed to go scot free,'' Mr Abdullah said at a public meeting at Kalamchakla Langate in the frontier district of Kupwara.

''We will ensure justice to every sufferer as has been done by us in various such cases during the last 15 months,'' he asserted, claiming that his government’s track record speaks loud and clear about its commitment for zero tolerance against violation of human rights.

Speaking after inaugurating two bridges over Nallah Mawar, the Chief Minister said his government would fulfil all promises made to public during electioneering.

''Equitable progress of all areas with special focus on the double speeded development in rural backward areas is our endeavour,'' he said and assured the people of the state that the government would leave no stone unturned in proving its mettle on account of delivery of basic amenities.

The Chief Minister said during the 15 months of his government, special attention had been paid to upgrade and improve road communication sector in the state.

''More than 50 bridges have been constructed during this period while equal number of bridges is under various stages of execution,'' he claims. (UNI)

BJP confident of its rally's success tomorrow

New Delhi, Apr 20 : BJP leaders and activists today asserted that despite scorching sun, tomorrow's rally against price rise in the national capital would be a huge success.

In what they termed as one of the biggest rallies the city has ever witnessed, around five lakh people are expected to demonstrate against the wrong economic policies of the Congress government resulting into price spiralling.

The leaders, overseeing the arrangements for the event, said heat could not deter the activists from across the country and they have already started gathering here.

Talking to UNI, Delhi BJP Secretary Virender Sachdeva said around one lakh people have already arrived by trains and over a lakh were on their way.

'' So, at least 2.25 lakh people would only be coming by trains,'' he added.

Mr Sachdeva said the people from neighbouring states like Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttaranchal, Himachal and Uttar Pradesh would come by buses for which more than 2500 buses have been booked.

Adequate arrangements have been made for the stay of the activists. '' Around 200 'Dharamshalas' (rest houses) and guest houses have been booked at various places in the city, including Old Delhi, Bhogal and Paharganj,'' he said.

Shelters have been erected in Ajmal Khan Park, DCM park and Kingsway Camp. In Paharganj, altogether 500 rooms have been booked in different guest houses.

Information booths installed at all major railway stations and inter-state bus terminals would guide the activists reach the venue.

Keeping the hot weather in mind, elaborate arrangements have been made for non-stop supply of water to the participants, he added.

Elaborating the details of water arrangements, State BJP Treasurer Praveen Khandelwal informed that with the help of social organisations and others, over 100 water stalls would be erected on different roads of Delhi leading to Ram Lila Ground and on route of the rally which would begin from Ram Lila Ground and culminate at Jantar Mantar.

Apart from these, mobile water vans will also be plying on the roads.

'' In order to protect the participants from any kind of dehydration, each water stall will have ORS solutions and glucose packets, '' he said.

State BJP leaders have also been organising street plays and public meetings for the past several weeks to encourage local people to participate in the rally.

Around 50,000 people from Delhi alone are expected to be participating in the rally. (UNI)

Israelis celebrate Jewish state's 62nd birthday

Jerusalem, Apr 20: Israelis fired up barbecues in packed campgrounds and beaches across the country today as they celebrated the 62nd anniversary of the creation of the Jewish state.

The air force and navy held displays, including a helicopter overflight of the president's residence in Jerusalem, and several military bases were open to the public.

President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and chief of staff Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi staged a singalong of Israeli songs at the presidential residence.

Celebrations kicked off at sundown on Monday with fireworks in honour of Israel's founding on May 14, 1948, corresponding this year to April 20, according to the Jewish calendar.

US President Barack Obama released a statement to honour the anniversary and affirm his country's "unbreakable bond" with Israel. (AFP)

'Capturing or killing Osama America's top priority'

Washington, Apr 20:Al-Qaeda terror group's elusive chief Osama bin Laden remains a top priority for the US and it is going all out to either capture or eliminate the world's most wanted terrorist, the White House has said.

Noting that America has been successful in inflicting damage to the terror group by arresting several of its top leaders, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said, "Bringing him (Laden) to justice, capturing or killing him obviously remains a priority."

"I think, if you were to only focus on one and not on, quite frankly, a broad array of important players in al-Qaeda, we wouldn't be discussing today an important and debilitating step that helps further cripple al-Qaeda in Iraq," he said. (PTI Lalit K Jha)

New army chief to visit J&K Wednesday

Jammu, Apr 19:  New Indian Army chief General V.K. Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday for the first time since assuming office. Singh will visit all the three major regions of the state - Jammu, Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley. He will review the situation with Northern Command chief Lt. General B.S. Jaswal, and the corps commanders about the level of preparedness along the Line of Control, as also along the Line of Actual Control -- the border with China in Ladakh region -- in light of incursions from across.’ Preparations are on for the visit and each and every detail of the army's strategy and its challenges will be placed before the new chief,' an army officer said. The new army chief's statement last week that dilution in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir and other insurgency-hit areas in India Jammu, Apr 19:  New Indian Army chief General V.K. Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday for the first time since assuming office. Singh will visit all the three major regions of the state - Jammu, Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley. He will review the situation with Northern Command chief Lt. General B.S. Jaswal, and the corps commanders about the level of preparedness along the Line of Control, as also along the Line of Actual Control -- the border with China in Ladakh region -- in light of incursions from across.’ Preparations are on for the visit and each and every detail of the army's strategy and its challenges will be placed before the new chief,' an army officer said. The new army chief's statement last week that dilution in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir and other insurgency-hit areas in India would hurt the operations of the army has not gone down well with the separatists. Agencies

Kashmir in the dock at UN: Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani

On April 12, 2010 UN General Assembly President Dr. Ali Treki discussed the Middle East situation and the United Nations role in the Arab-Israeli conflict in talks with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on the third leg of a tour of the region. Earlier in September 2009 Libyan President Muammar al-Qadhafi supported the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir in his address at the sixty-fourth session of UN General Assembly in New York. Ever since Kashmiri leaders or the Government of Pakistan did not make any genuine effort to connect Libyan support with the duration of Presidency of UN General Assembly attained by Libya since its election at the sixty-fourth session of the United Nations General Assembly on 10 June 2009.
An immediate interaction with Dr. Treki after the express support of Libyan President at the UN General Assembly would have helped the Rights Movement of the people of Kashmir in an exceptional manner because he has represented Libya on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights from 1986 to 1990 and most recently, in 2003. He has listened to various opinions on Kashmir during the sessions of United Nations Commission on Human Rights. More so Dr. Treki has served three times as his country’s Permanent Representative to the world body—from 1982 to 1984—when he also chaired the General Assembly’s Fourth Committee on Decolonization.
Kashmiri leadership is still struggling to position itself in regard to its manifesto and does not appear to have any clue whether it needs to hang on as equal people to the right of self determination as envisaged in UN Charter and press for UN mechanism on Kashmir as set out in UNCIP Resolutions or remain loyal in the sale of Musharraf formula or wait for a tripartite dialogue and hammer out something fresh without any historical/legal sanction or reference to the people of Kashmir. Of course anything that develops during a tripartite dialogue would be at variance to the universality of self determination and the resistance moment for which a generation has been sent to grave and the living continue to suffer a trauma never witnessed in the last 133 years since 1877.
One needs to ask a simple question - if the universal authority of 194 countries represented in UN resolutions on Kashmir could not persuade Indian Government or the Government of Pakistan to honour their respective obligations under UNCIP Resolutions on Kashmir, how is it possible that five or double the number of Kashmiri leaders could influence the two countries during any tripartite dialogue on Kashmir. Kashmiri leaders on the contrary don’t care to consider that every day that passes adds new difficulties in the cause and lives of the people. One such bolt from the blue has been a reference to Kashmir in the 3 members UN report on the assassination of Benazir Bhutto made public on April 15, 2010.
It would have never crossed any mind that the report submitted by the three-member commission appointed by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to enquire into the circumstances that led to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto at Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007, released to the public on April 15, 2010 would make a damning finding that Pakistani military and ISI used Lashkar-e-Taiba and other such groups in the Kashmir insurgency after 1989. It has observed that the bulk of the anti-Indian activity was and still remains the work of such groups in Kashmir which have an involvement in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. The silver lining remains that although the report admits the clandestine nature of these groups yet it confirms that any such connection in an attack on her is very difficult to detect or prove.
It is heartening to note that UN Commission has not found any blood on Kashmiri hands yet a serious doubt has been created around the indigenous claim of the Kashmiri resistance. Merits of Kashmir resistance have been called into question by the observation that "A common characteristic of these jihadi groups was their adherence to the Deobandi Sunni sect of Islam, their strong anti-Shia bias, and their use by the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies in Afghanistan and Kashmir." The non-participation of non Muslims (other communities) and non-Valley regions in the Rights Movement has remained a serious weakness in convincing the world opinion around the popular merits of Kashmir case (present struggle). The differentiation between Deobandi Sunni sect of Islam and Shia highlighted in the UN report has added another pound to the existing weight of doubts and difficulties in the path of Kashmir movement.
Dr. Treki and Emir of Kuwait in their meeting have reaffirmed the need to strengthen the United Nations and the role it plays in resolving the Palestinian question and ending the human tragedy in the Gaza Strip. On the contrary Kashmiri leaders are deliberately encouraged to condemn the UN and dismiss its role in Kashmir. Kashmiri leaders, Government of Pakistan or any member of OIC have made no such effort since Libyan election as President of UN General Assembly in the best interests of the people of Kashmir. Our leaders look out for an unfortunate death or violation of human right by the administration to surface on the scene and prove their relevance in Kashmir politics. They have got their visit priorities wrong. May be because these are outsourced lock, stock and barrel.
The role of our leaders should have been to animate the principal manifesto in popular interest. The first important step is to understand the principle of arithmetic and start believing that every single person is important and extraordinary. The tragedy is that we have a society where too many people never get to fulfil that extraordinary potential. The job of a leader or the government is to help them to do it. It can be done only if we move beyond the monopoly of political arithmetic sustained as an aristocracy.
Author is London based Secretary General of JKCHR – NGO in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations.  Email dr-nazirgilani@jkchr.com

Bangalore Blast: Home Ministry expresses unhappiness with Karnataka Police

New Delhi, Apr 19: Union Home Ministry on Monday expressed its unhappiness with Karnataka Police for not taking proper security measures during the Bangalore IPL match.

At least 17 people were wounded when two bombs exploded on Saturday, which caused an hour''s delay in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Home Ministry sources also expressed shock over a State Police decision to go ahead with the match even after the explosion and asked the state Police to submit a report on this.

The ministry suspects the involvement of Yasin Bhatkal of the Indian Mujahiddin (IM), who was also behind the Pune blast.

Sources suspect that Bhatkal might have fled to Dubai after the Pune incident.

On Sunday, the Bnagalore Police defused three bombs near the Stadium.

The first one around 100 meters from the stadium and the second one near the Gandhi statue at M G Road.

A third explosive was defused near Gate Number One of the stadium.

Sources said bombers had time placed the devices behind a flex board.

Roughly 20,000 people were packed into the stadium and hundreds more were streaming in when a loud explosion at Gate Number 12 rattled nearby buildings.

The first explosion occurred at 3:15 p.m., and the second, 20 minutes later. The explosives were found in bushes.

Preliminary forensic investigation revealed that the explosive was an ammonium nitro glycerine gelatin stick. It was detonated with the help of a microchip timer.

On Sunday, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) shifted both semi finals from Bangalore to Navi Mumbai.  (ANI)

At least 25 killed in second Peshawar bomb blast

Peshawar, Apr 19: At least 25 persons have reportedly been killed in a second bomb blast in Peshawar’s crowded Qisa Khawani bazaar area on Monday evening. Television reports said that Peshawar''s Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) has died in the incident. Earlier, a child was killed in the blast and over ten others were left injured, the Dawn reported. There are reports that a Jamat-e-Islami rally protesting against load shedding was the target.(ANI)

Govt. bans post-paid SMS service in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir, 17Apr: The Government of India has decided to ban the SMS services for post paid mobile subscribers in Jammu and Kashmir. Only pre-paid customers will have this short message service but it has been restricted to 10 SMSs per day per pre-paid subscriber.
According to sources, the decision was taken unanimously by the state and Union Govt. Earlier the Department of Telecom has also tighten the screws of private mobile service provides in verification of the subscribers identification.
This was seriously considered as the state is always under threats of terrorist attacks and the terrorists misuse the mobile services for their missions. The SMS facilities have been dropped for increased security concerns. The DoT has asked all the 12 operators of the state to withdraw text message service from their postpaid users. It has been informed by a statement issued by DoT.
Moreover, all operators have been asked to stop tariff packages offering free SMS service immediately. Apart from that, DoT has also informed that SMS from outside J&K and networks of International Long Distance (ILD) operators will not be delivered tomobile subscribers in the state.

Omar takes surrendered militant home to hear his grievances

Jammu April 17: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah brought to his residence a surrendered militant, his wife and child, who attempted to stop the Chief Minister's cavalcade last evening, an official spokesman today.

A surrendered militant along with his wife and a child tried to stop the motorcade of the Chief Minister as soon as he left the Secretariat last evening, the spokesman said.

‘’On seeing them, Mr Abdullah directed the accompanying officials to bring them to his official residence for hearing their grievances,’’ the spokesman said.

The surrendered militant and his family were brought from civil secretariat to the CM’s Wazarat Road residence in an official vehicle. ‘’Mr Abdullah gave a patient hearing on the issues raised by them’’ the spokesman said.

The surrendered militant, who is presently living in Jammu city with his family, had received arms training in Pakistan and had laid down his arms in 1990 at Darhal in Rajouri district.

The spokesman, however, did not disclose the militant's name. (UNI)

Police defuse third bomb found in Bangalore stadium

Bangalore, Apr 17: The third bomb found hear near gate number eight of M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday evening was defused by police.
Bomb diffusion squads, which present on the site, defused the bomb.
In the evening, at least 10 people were wounded when twin bombs exploded outside the stadium, which was packed to witness Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Bangalore and Mumbai teams.
The blasts blew off portions of an outer wall of the stadium,.
Bangalore police commissioner Shankar Bidari said the bomb might have been hidden behind a plastic board.
Bidari, however, said: “there is no reason to panic.”
No one has claimed responsibility for the Bangalore blast.
Police commissioner Bidari said forensic science experts were scouring the area for clues.
Meanwhile, the injured were admitted to the Malya Hospital for medical attention.
Sniffer dogs and bomb squad were pressed into service and examining the stadium walls for more posible bombs, officials said.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Union Home Ministry asked other major cities in the country to be on high alert and increase security in key installations. (ANI)

Benazir’s assassination result of failures at number of levels: US

Washington, Apr.17: Backing the UN enquiry commission’s report over former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, the United States has said that the slain leader’s murder was a result of ‘failures at a number of levels.’
Interacting with media persons during a regular press briefing, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Philip Crowley said: “Benazir Bhutto assassination was a result of failures at a number of levels where she did not have the protection that she deserved and obviously needed.”
Noting that Washington “cooperated fully” with the UN investigation team, Crowley said the US is committed to help democracy flourish in Pakistan.
“The assassination was a tragedy for the people of Pakistan. We will continue to work with Pakistan to make sure that we build the institutions of democracy going forward,” The News quoted Crowley, as saying.
The UN enquiry commission’s report has blamed the then Musharraf government of ‘deliberately’ failing to probe the December 2007 gun and bomb attack, saying the tragedy could have been averted if adequate security arrangements would have been made.
“The Musharraf government failed to provide foolproof security to Ms. Bhutto which ultimately allowed a lethal assault on her. The security breach left wide-open room for an attack to happen,” the report said in its opening remarks. (ANI)

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returns after weeklong US, Brazil tour

New Delhi, Apr 17: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived in New Delhi on Saturday after his two-nation tour of the US and Brazil.
During his visit Dr. Singh attended the Nuclear Security Summit and the India, Brazil, South Africa, (IBSA) and the Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) meets.
He also held bilateral talks with US President Barack Obama and other world leaders.
    
With ash cloud from Iceland''s erupting volcano creating havoc for flights in northern Europe, Dr. Singh''s special aircraft Air India One, took a detour on way back from Brasilia.
The aircraft had a stopover in Johannesburg in South Africa, instead of Frankfurt in Germany.
    
During his first leg of the eight-day tour, Prime Minister Dr Singh was in the US where he attended the Nuclear Security Summit and met President Obama.
During his discussions with President Obama, Prime Minister Dr. Singjh asked him to press Pakistan to rein in Lashkar –e –Taiba (LeT) and other terror outfits targeting India.
 
He also secured an assurance from President Obama for India to get access to Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, who has confessed to plotting Mumbai attacks.
    
At the Summit, Dr. Singh warned of dangers posed by nuclear explosives falling into the hands of non-state actors.
    
After his four-day US visit, Dr. Singh visited Brasilia to attend the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) and Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) Summits.
    
Besides attending IBSA and BRIC summits, he held bilateral meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev and discussed various issues with them.
    
At the IBSA Summit, Dr. Singh pitched for greater focus on investments in infrastructure and inclusive growth.
       
At the BRIC meet, Dr. Singh sought close cooperation among the four countries in the fields of energy and food security besides tapping potential in other sectors. (ANI)

Septuagenarian militant turns out to be civilian from Lolab

Handwara (Kupwara), Apr 16: Two days after the Army claimed to have killed a 70-year-old unidentified militant in an encounter in Handwara forest, the unknown militant Friday turned out to be a civilian resident of Lolab.
On Wednesday, Army had claimed to have killed an unidentified militant in Rainawari forest area near Pahaldaji Village of Handwara in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district in a gun-battle. Army had also claimed to have recovered arms and ammunitions’ from the slain militant.
“Today morning at around 4 AM, our patrol parties along with police had an exchange of fire with a militant in Rainawari forest. In the ensuing encounter, the lone militant was killed’. Srinagar based Army spokesman Lt Col JS Brar had said, adding “An AK Rifle along with four magazines and 67 rounds were recovered from the slain militant. His identity is yet to be ascertained,”
Army, sources said, had filed a case 54/2010 under section 307 RPC, 7/27 IPC against the slain militant, charging him of carrying weapons and attacking the Army men.
Reliable sources revealed that Raj Mohammad, a resident of Lolab valley of Kupwara district today morning approached police post Magam after hearing the news from local residents that his father Habib-Ullah Khan’s photographs had appeared in news papers. During the verification process at the police post, sources said, Raj Mohammad identified the slain militant as his father.
“My father was not mentally stable. He was a spiritual man and would roam around forests and villages. Last week, he left from home, but he didn’t return,” sources quoted Raj Mohammad saying to police.
“The locals had spotted the photographs of my father in newspapers. I rushed here, once I heard about it,” he had added.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Handwara, Rafiq Vakil told that a youth from Lolab valley approached police claiming that the slain man was his father.
“We have decided to send a team to Lolab to carry out the investigations. Let the things be clear,” he added.
Despite repeated attempts, Srinagar based Army spokesman Lt Col JS Brar did not attend the phone calls. (PBI)

ISI used LeT to foment anti-India passion in Kashmir: UN report

NEW YORK: Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI continues to have close links with Lashkar-e-Taiba and has used the terror group's services to foment anti-India passion in Kashmir and elsewhere, a UN report said today.

"The Pakistani military organised and supported the Taliban to take control of Afghanistan in 1996. Similar tactics were used in Kashmir against India after 1989," said the much-awaited report by UN-appointed independent panel to probe the killing of former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto.

The three-member panel concluded that such a policy of the Pakistan military to use terrorists as a tool to achieve its strategic objectives against its neighbours resulted in active linkages between elements of the military and the Establishment with radical Islamists at the expense of national secular forces.

Noting that the jihadi organisations are Sunni groups based largely in Pakistan's Punjab, the 65-page report said that members of these groups aided the Taliban effort in Afghanistan at the behest of the ISI and later cultivated ties with Al-Qaeda and Pakistani Taliban groups.

"The Pakistani military and ISI also used and supported some of these groups in the Kashmir insurgency after 1989. The bulk of the anti-Indian activity was and still remains the work of groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, which has close ties with the ISI," said the panel headed by Chile's UN ambassador Heraldo Munoz.

"A common characteristic of these jihadi groups was their adherence to the Deobandi Sunni sect of Islam, their strong anti-Shia bias, and their use by the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies in Afghanistan and Kashmir," the report said.

It said that while several Pakistani current and former intelligence officials told the Commission that their agencies no longer had such ties in 2007, but virtually all independent analysts provided information to the contrary and affirmed the ongoing nature of many such links.

The report said Qari Saifullah Akhtar, one of the founders of the extremist Harkat-ul-Jihad Islami (HuJI), was reportedly one of the ISI's main links to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and is believed to had cultivated ties to Osama bin Laden, who lived in Afghanistan during that period.

"Akhtar's one-time deputy Ilyas Kashmiri, who had ties with the Pakistani military during the Afghan and Kashmir campaigns, had been a senior aide to bin Laden's deputy Ayman al Zawahiri," it said.

"It was such links and connections between elements in the intelligence agencies and militants, which most concerned Bhutto and many others who believed that the authorities could activate these connections to harm her. Given their clandestine nature, any such connection in an attack on her is very difficult to detect or prove," the report said.

Govt bans SMS for post-paid mobile users in J&K

Srinagar, Apr 16:The government today banned short message service (SMS) for post-paid subscribers in Jammu and Kashmir while restricting the facility for pre-paid subscribers to 10 outgoing SMSs a day effective from midnight tonight.

The Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications and IT have issued directives to 12 Unified Access Services (UAS) and Cellular Mobile Telephone Service (CMTS) licensees including BSNL to immediately stop schemes and tariff packages of free SMS service in the state.

The number of outgoing SMSs has been capped at 10 SMS per day per subscriber in the case of prepaid subscribers in J&K service area. In the case of post-paid subscriber in J&K service area, the facility to originate SMS has been withdrawn altogether.

These directives which service providers are directed to comply with include stoppage of schemes/tariff packages of free SMS service. All SMS messages originating outside J&K service area in India and from the networks of ILD operators will not be delivered to Mobile subscribers in Jammu and Kashmir service area.

"In case of bulk SMS connection/facility/SMS interface given to the telemarketers/users with regard to J&K, this facility will no longer be available until further directions nobody/no organisation/no agency will be given facility for sending bulk SMS through any portal to the subscribers in Jammu and Kashmir," the directive said.

Facility to the existing users is to be immediately withdrawn, it added.

Voice-call facility will not be given to the telemarketers and existing voice-call facility given to the telemarketers will also be withdrawn immediately.

These instructions have been issued to UAS/CMTS service providers by the licensor in exercise of power conferred under clauses 10.1, 10.6, 30.1 and 41.11 of the UAS/CMTS licence in the interest of the national security.

The Service Providers concerned have been directed to furnish necessary compliance of above instructions to Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring (TERM) Cell of J&K and send a copy to Department of Telecom by April 19.

Licensees which have been issued directives are Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, Bharti Airtel Ltd, Dishnet Wireless Ltd, Reliance Communications Ltd, Vodafone Essar Spacetel Ltd, Datacom Solutions Pvt Ltd, Idea Cellular Ltd, Loop Telecom Pvt Ltd, S Tel Pvt Ltd, Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd, Tata Teleservices Ltd and Unitech Wireless (North) Pvt Ltd. (UNI)

Dr. Asrar Ahmed's demise is a great loss for Muslim world

New Delhi: “The demise of the renowned Islamic ideologue & Quranic scholar Dr Asrar Ahmed on 14 April 2010 is a great loss for the Muslim world and particularly for the Muslims of the Sub-continent,” stated a press release issued by Mr Syed Shahabuddin, President of All India Muslim Majlis e Mushawarat (AIMMM).

Dr Asrar Ahmed, an Indian who migrated from Jalandhar to Pakistan during the partition was a physician by profession. However, after studying the Quran in detail, he became one of its greatest exponents and interpreters of in the modern context.

As mentioned in the statement, Dr Asrar wanted to see Pakistan develop into an Islamic Welfare State, at peace with its people & with the world and never collaborated with anti-democratic & military rulers.

It further stated, a few years ago, on his visit to India to deliver lectures he was deeply impressed by the democratic freedoms which the Muslim Indians enjoyed and the resilience with which they preserved their religious & cultural identity. Dr Asrar had then stated that he had travelled throughout the world & had come to believe that the renaissance of Islam shall take place in the sub-continent; it shall rise from the soil of India, not of Pakistan.

The AIMMM pays its humble tributes to his memory, conveys its sincere condolences to his associates of his organization Tanzim-e-Islami, to the people of Pakistan and to the members of his family. The release stated that Dr Asrar Ahmed shall be long remembered for his interpretation of the true spirit of Islam and for his unique style of communication with the educated Muslims.

Life remains crippled in Baramulla and Sopore in north Kashmir

Baramulla, (KMW) Apr 14: Life remained crippled due to spontaneous strike in Baramulla and Sopore town for the second day today.Today the strike was observed in protest against the death of a youth due to drowning after he was allegedly chased by security forces during the demonstrations yesterday in Sopore.Shops and business establishments remained closed in Baramulla town and its adjoining areas though there was no strike call by any organisation today. Traffic also remained off the roads. However, government offices remained closed due to holiday.A report from apple township of Sopore said life was crippled today with all shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was also off the roads.The people are protesting against the yesterday's incident in which five youths jumped into river Jehlum after they were being allegedly chased away by the security forces during demonstrations.One of the youths Zubair Ahmad drowned while four others swam to other side of the river safely. Later his body was fished out, leading to more protests.Security forces had to open fire to control the situation resulting in bullet injuries to three. The injured were hospitalised.Yesterday Baramulla and Sopore observed strike on a bandh call given by the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) in protest against the conviction of six Kashmiris, including chairperson of Mass Movement (MM) Fareeda Behanji in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, blast case.

BSP leader shot dead at a rally in Uttar Pradesh

Gond (Uttar Pradesh), Apr 14 : A Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader was shot dead by some unidentified men during a protest rally against Women’s Reservation Bill here on Wednesday evening.Hanuman Sharan Shulka, a local BSP leader and a member of the Zila Panchayat was sharing the dais along with other leaders during the rally when he was shot at.The incident took place during a BSP rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Gond town.According to police the criminals shot dead Shukla, who was sitting on the dais, when district BSP coordinator Chithu Prasad was addressing the gathering.Police have ruled out political rivalry as a motive to the killing.An investigation has been launched into the matter.The assailants fled the scene after the killing, leaving behind the country made pistol used in the crime. (ANI)

Law affects daily lives of people: JKCHR writes to AJK SJC

LONDON, 12 Apr: Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR) has taken cognizance of an allegation made by ex-Registrar of AJK High Court in his testimony in reference case pending before AJK Supreme Judicial Council and has conveyed its interest to be party in the case to the Chairman Supreme Judicial Council.
Secretary General JKCHR Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani has said that People of State of Jammu and Kashmir are engaged in a Rights Movement and the people distributed under three administrations need to have judges in judicial robes, who are remarkably dedicated public servants and are profoundly decent human beings.
Nazir Gilani in his letter sent to Chairman AJK Supreme Judicial Council  has said that in this day when the judges of independent mind are needed, with a record of excellence and integrity, a fierce dedication to the rule of law and a keen understanding of how the law affects the daily lives of the people, the allegation made by the witness ex Registrar of AJK High Court against a second Supreme Court judge if proven raises a fundamental question whether some of our judges have been wearing the judicial robe with due honour and humility or not.

Subscribing JKCHR interest in the reference case Dr. Nazir Gilani adds that the allegation further embeds the risk that Government of Pakistan, which has assumed trust duties under UNCIP Resolutions and have authored a ‘Constitutional Discipline’ for the people guaranteeing fundamental rights and providing a better Government and administration of AJK until such time as the status of Jammu and Kashmir is “determined in accordance with the freely expressed will of the people of the State through the democratic method of free and fair plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations as envisaged in the UNCIP Resolutions adopted from time to time,” may have failed in its trust obligations during the appointment of judges in AJK.

JKCHR letter to chairman Supreme Judicial Council adds that it is understandable that a judge of the manner as described by the ex-Registrar of High Court can’t be trusted that he could have understood as to how the law shapes the lives of ordinary people in real and practical ways. Unfortunately a judge as described by the Registrar in his testimony could not have the ability to enrich the lives of everyone at the court through his intellect, independence, and warm grace. An independent and impartial judiciary and legal profession are prerequisites for the protection of human rights and the prevention of discrimination in the administration of justice.

JKCHR has subscribed its interest in the present hearing of Reference filed against Chief Justice of AJK Justice Riaz Akhtar Chaudhry. It has pointed out that the NGO wishes to know whether the Registrar has been cross examined by the defence and what degree of credibility the SJC has accorded to a serious allegation made against the judge of the Supreme Court. It has a serious bearing on the judicial culture in Azad Kashmir and it throws into full dispute the credibility of the decisions made on his own or in partnership with other brother judges by this judge.

JKCHR letter submits that unless there is a mala fide embedded in the statement of the Registrar the allegation accrues a liability of all sorts. If SJC is minded to call the judge as a witness, JKCHR would like to cross examine the Registrar and the judge without prejudice to anyone. We would like to cross examine other witnesses who have testified so far. (SANA)

Obama to ask Pakistan to take stern, decisive action against Lashkar-e-Taiba

Washington, Apr 12: A senior United States official has said that U.S. President Barack Obama will ask Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to take stern and decisive action against banned militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
According to the official, despite the fact that the Strategic Plan Division of the Pakistan National Command Authority has about 10,000 trained soldiers to protect country’s nuclear weapons and the infrastructure that produces it, the US still believes that a major threat comes from the LeT.
The official also said President Obama in his meeting with Prime Minister Gilani would appreciate Pakistan’s role in dealing with the terrorists in Swat and tribal areas of Pakistan.
He will also renew the US pledge to overcome Pakistan’s energy crisis, strengthen democratic institutions and country’s economy, The News reports.
However, President Obama will be very frank and open in telling the visiting Prime Minister that it would be in the interest of Pakistan and the world to take action against LeT without any delay, he added.
The organization is banned as a terrorist organization by India, Pakistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Russia and Australia.
The LeT is currently based in Muridke (near Lahore) and operates several training camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
It was held responsible by the Indian Government for the December 23, 2000 attack in Red Fort, New Delhi, and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Gilani, who is in Washington to attend the Nuclear Security Summit, will have an extensive meeting with the US President during his stay.
President Obama is also likely to tell Gilani that US will be open in considering all options, including the civilian nuclear technology, to overcome Pakistan’s energy crisis. (ANI)

J-K Government threatens to sack government employees

Srinagar, Apr 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday warned state government employees, who have been protesting against the imposition of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), to resume their work immediately or they would be terminated from their services. With the strike entering its tenth day, the government has now threatened to terminate the services of those employees who do not report for duty immediately. Over four lakh employees are on strike to demand arrears of their revised salaries after the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission report and enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60.Minister for Medical and Technical Education R S Chib, however, said the doors were still open for a dialogue with state government employees over the issue."The protestor should call off the strike and come to the negotiating table for which government is ready," he added. Chib said services of adhoc, contractual and need-based employees in hospitals would be terminated if they did not resume work immediately, adding that the para-medical staff have been asked to report within 48 hours to shun suspension. The State Government imposed the ESMA after the government employees continued their strike demanding pay and perquisites at par with the Central Government’s sixth Pay Commission recommendations. (ANI) Srinagar witnessed chaos on Saturday as the police personnel deployed in large numbers foiled the attempt of the protestors to disturb law and order. They used mild baton charge and water cannons to disperse the agitated employees, and detained all the lady government employees taking part in the protests. At least 20 employees were reportedly injured in the clash with the police. Despite a strict warning issued to the government employees from the State Government that they would lose their salary of they did not return to their jobs, they abstained from their esignated work for the tenth consecutive day.

OGW detained under Police safety act in Doda

Jammu Apr 12: An Over Ground Worker (OGW) was detained by the police under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for a period of two years in mountainous Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. ''Abdul Qayoom, son of Mangta Bhat, resident of Upper Dandi, Bhaderwah was detained yesterday under the PSA after an order was issued by the District Magistrate (DM) and a dossier prepared by the police against him for acting as a supporter of the militants,'' official sources here told UNI. They said Qayoom was actively working for the militants while he has been sent in the jail for two years under the PSA.

J&K employees extend strike till April 19

Jammu, Apr 11:Ignoring a fresh offer for talks and warnings of termination of services, Jammu and Kashmir’s striking government employees Sunday extended their agitation till April 19 for demanding arrears due to them under the Sixth Pay Commission.” It is a struggle that we cannot leave midway,” said Ravinder Gupta, a leader of the 450,000 striking employees, after calling up media persons in Jammu Sunday to announce the extension of the strike. The Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC), which is leading the stir, has announced that protesters will lock all offices Monday. The employees have also planned a march to the civil secretariat. An official spokesman said Saturday evening that the government would “terminate the services of employees if they did not report to work by April 12 (Monday)”. The strike, which started April 3, prompted the government to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) April 5. The strike was earlier scheduled to end April 6 but was extended up to April 12 by the EJAC. The protesting employees are demanding arrears as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission and the enhancement of the retirement age from the present 58 to 60 years. They are also demanding house rent allowance (HRA) on par with the central government employees. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday appealed to the striking employees to resume work. Speaking on the last day of the budget session in the assembly, Omar reiterated his commitment to “give arrears to the employees”. The state government requires Rs.4, 200 crore to pay the employees’ dues but it does not have the money to do so.

Manmohan Singh to meet President Obama today

Washington, Apr 11: Ahead of Monday''s Nuclear Security Summit, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, will meet US President Barack Obama, at Blair House in Washington tonight.During their meeting, Dr. Singh is expected to review bilateral ties and share views key on regional and global issues. Officials said they would include the situations in Afghanistan, the progress made in the Pakistan, 26/11 investigation, nuclear terrorism and civil nuclear energy issues. Dr. Singh and Obama would also discuss the AFPAK policy, they added. Leaders of 47 nations will attend the Nuclear Security Summit; Dr. Singh is expected to pitch for firm response to the challenges of proliferation and the possibility of terrorists gaining access to atomic material.The aims of the summit are to come to a common understanding of the threat posed by nuclear terrorism, to agree to effective measures to secure nuclear material and to prevent nuclear smuggling and terrorism. Ahead of his visit, Dr. Singh expressed hope that the summit would focus on nuclear terrorism and the security of sensitive nuclear materials and technologies, as these are legitimate concerns, which require firm responses. "India has a well developed indigenous nuclear energy programme, which dates back six decades. We have an impeccable record of security, safety and non-proliferation which reflects our conduct as a responsible nuclear power," he said."India has been a consistent advocate of complete and universal global nuclear disarmament," he added.Besides President Obama, Dr. Singh would also hold bilateral meetings with Brazil President Lula da Silva, President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, President Sarkozy of France, Prime Minister Harper of Canada, President Hu Jintao of China and President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia. (ANI)

Kashmir Bandh on April 13: Hurriyat (G)

Srinagar, April 10: The Hurriyat (G) Saturday called for complete strike on April 13 against the conviction of six Kashmiris by a Delhi court, including Hurriyat leader Farida Behanji.
In a statement issued here, Hurriyat (G) spokesperson said the executive meeting was held here, in which representatives of the constituents of the conglomerate participated.
The meeting, chaired by acting general secretary Feroz Ahmed Khan, was also addressed by Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani over phone from New Delhi.
"Complete strike will be observed on April 13 against the conviction of five Kashmiris in Delhi, including Farida Behanji," the members resolved.
Others convicted are Farooq Ahmed Khan, Mirza Nisar Hussain, Javed Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Ali and Noushad Ahmed.
"Indian judiciary is playing partisan and biased role. The Kashmiri people are beung targetted here while those accused of Gujarat riots are roaming free," Geelani said.
The Hurriyat (G) has appealed traders and transporters to make the call a success. (KMW)

Hideout busted, 4 HM and Lashker militants arrested in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 10: Security forces busted a hideout and also arrested a Lashkher-e-Taiba (LeT) and three Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants in the Kashmir valley overnight, official sources said here today.A hand grenade was also recovered from a shop at Sopore.They said on a tip off about a militant hideout, troops of 39 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir launched a joint operation at village Danwasd Gadool in south Kashmir district of Anantnag.During the search a militant hideout was unearthed, they said adding utensils, blankets, sleeping bag, medicines and Army uniforms were recovered. However, the militants had left the hideout before the raid, they said adding no one was arrested.They said in another operation in the frontier district of Kupwara, one Over Ground Worker (OGW) of LeT Nazir Ahmad Mir, a resident of Pahaldogi was arrested from main market Magam alongwith two hand grenades by police.Meanwhile, 6 RR apprehended three HM militants Bilal Ahmad Wani , Imran Ahmad Wani and Mohammad Ashraf Gogri at Handwara. One AK 56, two magazines, 60 rounds and eight UBGL were recovered from their possession.Sources said on specific information police broke open the shop of Showkat Ahmad Shalla near Hotel Plaza Sopore in Baramulla District in presence of tehsildar Sopore and some civilians. During the search one hand grenade was recovered from the shop, they said adding the shopkeeper was absconding. (UNI)

Employees continues strike, in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 10: Employees' strike in the Kashmir valley continued for the sixth day today, affecting functioning of government offices, hospitals and educational institutions. However, the Out Patient Department (OPD) in SMHS and other hospitals, associated with Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, were functioning under unprecedented security arrangements, while government-run ration depots remained closed. The Employees Joint Consultative Committee (EJCC) and Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC), spearheading the agitation, had called for the strike till April 13, despite warnings of ''no work no wages'' and invoking of Essential Service Maintenance Service(ESMA) by the State government. They are demanding payment of arrears under Sixth Pay Commission, increase in the retirement age from 58 years to 60 years and regularisation of daily wagers and contractuals in the state among other things.The employees unions have threatened to intensify their agitation if government failed to accept their demands and also did not revoke ESMA. They also demanded immediate release of their leaders, arrested in Kashmir valley and Jammu region. However, the state government had ruled out any change in their stand, saying arrears could not be paid without assistance from the Centre and increase in the retirement age would further complicate the unemployment problem in the state. Nevertheless, work in all government offices remained paralysed due to the strike. Ration depots of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) remained closed, though Fair Price shops of the CA&PD were open at some places, providing rice and flour to consumers. Educational institutions also bore the brunt of the strike as colleges and other government-run institutions remained shut. Fortunately, OPD and emergency wards in hospitals in Srinagar were found to be functioning, which was a great relief for the people.A KMW correspondent, who visited SMHS hospital today, saw senior and junior doctors attending patients in the OPD amid heavy security, comprising hospital security, personnel and state police. (KMW)

Hurriyat rejects controversial J-K Inter-District Recruitment Bill

Srinagar, Apr 10: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, leader of moderate faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), has rejected the controversial Inter-District Recruitment Bill.
On Friday, the Jammu and Kashmir State Assembly had passed the Bill that bans inter-district recruitment.
Though it says that people from a particular district can seek jobs only within that district, but Farooq opposed the amendment in the Bill.
A new amendment keeps eight percent jobs reserved for the Scheduled Caste community.
"It is the responsibility of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and mine; we cannot remain mum on steps which hurt the interests of Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir state. You are seeing how the government tried to get a bill passed, in which one area is being benefited and the other is neglected," Farooq said.
He expressed apprehensions about people from the Jammu region applying in the Kashmir Valley, which has negligible scheduled castes population and is a Muslim-majority region.
"We want to make clear that the state of Jammu and Kashmir is a Muslim majority province and any such step should not be picked up which compromises with the interests of Muslims," Farooq added.
Chaos prevailed in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Friday even as the controversial Inter-District Recruitment Bill was adopted.
Various political parties expressed their unhappiness with the bill. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) observed a shutdown in the Jammu region.
However, the National Conference (NC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have favoured the ban on inter-District recruitment. (ANI)