STRIKE CRIPPLES LIFE IN KASHMIR

Srinagar: Life was today crippled due to general strike, called by moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) on the 21st death anniversary of Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq, who was killed in his Nigeen house on this day by gunmen.

Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads in the restriction free areas in the summer capital, Srinagar and its adjoining areas today.

Government has imposed restriction under section 144 CrPC in most parts of the down town and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) since early this morning to prevent any rally at Eidgah.

However, some private vehicles could be seen plying on some routes in the uptown and civil lines.

Educational institutions wore a deserted look while work in offices, banks and other commercial establishments were affected due to strike.

A report from Baramulla said that life was paralysed with all shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic off the roads in this and other northKashmir towns due to strike.

Government offices, educational institutions and banks were affected due to strike as employees and students stayed away.

Business and other activities were crippled in and other south Kashmir districts and tehsil headquarters, a report from Anantnag said.

Additional security forces had been deployed on both sides of the almost deserted streets in the town, where traffic remained off the roads.

Similar reports were also received from other parts of the Valley.

Police, army working against peace: Geelani

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Tuesday said the police and the army were working against peace and stability in Kashmir as “political uncertainty in the region benefits them in many ways.”
 “They do not want peace and stability in Kashmir because political uncertainty here benefits them in numerous ways. While the army is enjoying the perks of different allowances and continues to loot the green gold in Kashmir, the police are extorting hefty sums from parents of arrested youth,” Geelani said during a meeting at his Hyderpora residence with noted Indian social activist, Swami Agnivesh, today.
He said although many delegations from India and abroad had been visiting Kashmir in the recent past, “there seems to be no change in the ground situation.”
Accusing India of showing inflexibility on Kashmir, Geelani said, “India is firm on its policy of stubbornness on Kashmir and wants to crush the peaceful struggle of Kashmiris through the might its armed forces.”
He appealed “conscientious people in India to come forward and raise their voice against the oppression and injustice being committed against Kashmiris.”
“Our fight is not against the Indian people or any religion. We are fighting for our right to self determination just as the Indians fought for their freedom from the British. India is responding to our peaceful struggle with bullets and random arrests of youth,” he said.
“There are no signs of India’s claims of being a democracy in Kashmir and human rights are violated with impunity. Forces personnel involved in the killing of 118 people last year are not only roaming free but they have been awarded with medals and promotions. All this lawlessness is being projected as a means to maintain law and order situation in Kashmir,” Geelani said.
Terming minorities as an inseparable part of the Kashmiri society, Geelani said Sikhs, Hindus and Christians in Kashmir faced no threat from their “Muslim brethren.”
“We will continue to maintain our centuries old tradition of communal harmony and brotherhood,” he said. However, Geelani said, “our non-Muslim brothers should also feel the pain of their Muslim brothers and raise their voice against the oppression being committed against the Muslims, in whatever capacity they can.”
Geelani also expressed concern over the arrest of his driver, Pervaiz Ahmad, alleging that Pervaiz, along with a vehicle (JK01E-8188), was arrested from   Shopian when he comes home on a vacation.

Militants kill cop in civics at Sopore

Srinagar: While as suspected militants killed a policeman with IG squad, unknown gunmen shot at and injured a Sarpanch candidate in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday.
Official sources told Press Bureau of India that a group of militants appeared in Tujjar Sherief and fired upon at a police Constable Mohammad Shafi Dar (belt No.1761/S) son of Ghulam Mustafa from point blank range this morning at around 1035 hours.
The cop, who was civvies when attacked, was rushed to hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.  
The cop had joined as Senior Police Officer (SPO) and remained part of special counter-insurgency squad of police. He subsequently attained promotion as Constable in police.
Soon after the attack, police and paramilitary CRPF cordoned off the area to track the attackers who reportedly came in a sumo vehicle.
The constable was presently posted in district Srinagar and is survived by parents, two sisters and a younger brother. He was an unmarried man and an appointee of the year 2006.
A spolice spokesman here said that mortal remains of the constable were laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, S M Sahai, Deputy Inspector General of Police, North Kashmir Range, Munir Ahmad Khan, Superintendent of Police Sopore, Altaf Ahmad Khan, other Police and civil Officers participated in the funeral.
Meanwhile, unknown gunmen shot at and injured a sarpanch candidate, Mohammad Maqbool Bhat son of Abdul Gaffar Bhat when he was tending kitchen garden at Hajam Mohalla in Wadoora Sopore this afternoon at around 1700 hours. Bhat was rushed to local hospital from where he was shifted to Bones and Joints hospital here. Bhat has sustained bullet injury in his right leg, sources added.     

AFSPA political issue between GoI and JK Govt: Army

Srinagar: Three days after Lieutenant General KT Parnaik, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Lt Gen Parnaik sounded against any amendments in Armed Forces Special Power Act, a senior army officer Tuesday said that the controversial legislation was a political issue to be decided by Government of India and state government.
“It (AFSPA) is a very political issue between government of India and state government. It is not my reach to comment on anything that government of India decides,” Major General Ravi Thodge, general-officer-commanding of the counter-insurgency Kilo Force told reporters in response to a question on sidelines of a function here.
On Saturday last, army had reiterated that it wants continuation of the controversial legislation in the state.  
“As far as the Army’s stand on revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, we have recommended its continuation in view of the situation in the State and the special requirements it entails,” Lieutenant General KT Parnaik, had said.
He was responding to a query about recommendations by army to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“After giving recommendations (to the Chief Minister), we have not heard anything about this issue as yet.”
In the backdrop of last year’s summer unrest, the government had formed two committees to review the applicability of AFSPA in the state. The committees were headed by General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar based 15 Corps and General Officer Commanding of Nagorta-based 16 Corps.
Meanwhile, to a query about infiltration along the line of control, Thodge said, “so far there are no reports about infiltration and if they (infiltrators) came, they will be dismantled at the LoC.”
Regarding last year’s summer unrest in which over a hundred youth were killed, the army officer said that it was “handled by police and paramilitary CRPF while army was involved.” “The killings were never the less were unfortunate and this is all I can say,” Maj Gen added, city correspondent said.     
He said that army has many programs for youth including generation of employment, develop their interest in sports.    
Earlier, speaking at the two-day Peace conference organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation at SKICC here, Maj Gen said that main problem in Kashmir was economical. 
The officer also claimed that the army understands the “pain and anguish” of the people in Kashmir valley.
“We are looking at this year that no human rights violations occur; we support the dignity of people. We will work with the people for betterment of the society,” he added.    

Geelani to address rally in Anantnag on May 21: Hurriyat (G)

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, will address a public gathering in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on May 21, a spokesman said on Saturday.

 “The public gathering is part of the awareness campaign launched by the Hurriyat to secure the release of political prisoners, and thousands of people are expected to participate in the rally, if the authorities do not create any disturbance,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, rejecting the police claim that it had arrested five members of the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in Pattan area of north Kashmir, the spokesman said the incident was reminiscent of the Machil fake encounter, because “ in this case too innocent youth have been made the scapegoats for the sake of medals and promotions.”

“Lawlessness prevailing in Kashmir and men in uniform harassing the ordinary civilians is an eye-opener for justice loving people. Coercing innocent people to admit to crimes through torture is commonplace in Kashmir these days. These tactics expose Omar Abdullah’s claims that no custodial torture took place during his tenure,” the spokesman said.

“The saddest part in all this is that these false claims are not made by low-rung police officers but by the top police brass in press conferences,” the spokesman said, adding that such “tactics had badly dented the image of police.”

“In civilized societies, police stands for the protection and security of ordinary people, but name of Jammu and Kashmir police conjures images of torture, harassment, arrests, etc.”

The spokesman said Geelani will address a seminar in Anantnag district on May 21 at 2:30 p.m.   

Ups and downs in struggles natural phenomenon: Mirwaiz

Srinagar: Hailing the commitment shown by Kashmiris toward the “freedom movement”, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Monday said prolonged struggles witnessing ups and down was a natural phenomenon which shouldn't disappoint anyone. 

 “Despite their day to day problems and sufferings, people have shown great commitment towards the freedom movement. And every prolonged freedom struggle has its ups and downs; we are not disappointed over that,” Mirwaiz said addressing people in Qasba Khori Batapora, Kulgam, where he had gone to lay the foundation stone of Jadeed Jamia Masjid.

Mirwaiz was accompanied by senior Hurriyat (M) leaders Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Gani Lone, Mukhtar Waza and members of the Awami Majlis Amal.

Terming the inclusion of Kashmiris in the dialogue process between India and Pakistan as imperative, Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat faction was ready to cooperate for finding a solution to Kashmir issue through meaningful talks.

Mirwaiz said the recent uprisings in Middle East had shown that the real power lies with the people and peaceful mass revolutions cannot be suppressed through force.

Hailing the unwavering commitment of Kashmiris towards the freedom  cause despite what he termed gross human rights violations and oppression unleashed by India in Kashmir, Mirwaiz vowed to take the freedom struggle to its logical conclusion.

He said Kashmir was a six decade old issue for which Kashmiris had rendered huge sacrifices particularly during the last 22 years. “Along with the people the pro-freedom leadership has also played its part. We have always raised the genuine political issues and demands of people from the pulpit of Jamia Masjid and would continue to do so,” he said.

Referring to his recent European trip, Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat has always tried to portray the real aspirations of people and presented its principled stand on the Kashmir dispute. “ It is satisfying that the international committee has realized the urgency of finding a solution to the Kashmir issue, which is not only in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people but also acceptable to the people of India and Pakistan.”

 “It is because of the people’s great sacrifices that even pro-India leaders have realized that Kashmir is an issue which needs to be resolved,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Abdul Gani Bhat   said that “we will have to accept certain facts and realities in the context of the extraordinary situation in Kashmir.”

 “Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris and they are entitled to decide its future. Hurriyat believes in resolving the Kashmir issue through dialogue and is ready to cooperate in this regard provided Kashmiris are included in the Indo-Pak talks as the principal party to the dispute,” he said.  

LeT militant killed, soldier injured in Zaloora gunfight

Srinagar: A Lashker-e-Toiba militant was killed and a soldier injured in a gunfight between militants and joint team of police and army in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, official sources said on Monday.

They said that acting on specific information, police and 10 Garhwal rifles of army launched a joint cordon-and-search operation in Gujjarpati Zaloora area in the Sopore town. 

The militants hiding in the area opened fire on the team which was retaliate by them. Intermittent exchange of fire between the two sides continued throughout the night, they said. One militant was killed in the gunfight while a soldier K Singh was injured and was evacuated to hospital for treatment.

DIG north Kashmir, Muneer Ahmad Khan confirmed to that a militant was killed in the gunfight. 

“One militant, Abu Maaz, reportedly from Lashker-eToiba militant outfit was killed and arms and ammunitions were recovered from his possession,” he said, adding, “Searches in the area were continuing.”    

Army has zero tolerance for HR violation, past record worthy: Lt Gen Parnaik

Srinagar: While claiming that army has zero-tolerance for human rights violations, Lieutenant General KT Parnaik, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Monday commended track record of the Indian Army on the front in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Addressing a seminar titled ‘Evolution of Human Rights in Kashmir and its relevance Today’, Lt Gen Parnaik emphasised the importance of Human Rights not only for the Army alone but for the civil society as a whole. 

The Army Commander commended the track record of the Indian Army, despite overwhelming challenges. 

The General officer stressed on ‘minimum force and acting in good faith’ while reiterating that the army has ‘zero tolerance’ for Human Rights. The General also hailed the role played by the media in low intensity conflict zones.

In his address, General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps Lt General Syed Atta Hasnain said that power does not come from the muzzle of the gun. “It comes from upholding dignity of the people and respecting their sentiments,” he said in his welcome address. 

Gen Hasnain said Army would try to win over hearts and use that as its main weapon in combating militancy in Kashmir. ‘Heart’ is the central concept to the thinking of the Army today,” he added.  

Spread over two sessions, the two-day seminar was participated by former Army Generals, High Court Judges, Vice Chancellors, journalists and writers took part in the seminar.

 The first session deliberated on ‘Kashmiriyat, Sufism and the aspirations of the Kashmiri Awam’, was Chaired by Manoj Joshi, a journalist. The speakers included Ms Sadia Dehlvi,; Dr Riyaz Punjabi, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University and others. 

The second session ‘Human Right Concerns of a society in Prolonged Externally Driven Conflict’, was chaired by General VG Patankar (Retd), a former Chinar Corps Commander and member of numerous National Think Tanks, with eminent speakers as Justice BC Patel former CJ of High Court Jammu and of Delhi Courts who is now a Member of the NHRC; Justice Syed Bashiruddin, a retired judge of J-K High Court; Dr Siddiq Wahid and Col NK Nijhawan.

The deliberation were attended by academicians, members of the intellectia, university students and officers of the Chinar Corps.   

BSF trooper killed on India-Pakistan border

Jammu: A Border Security Force (BSF) trooper, deployed on the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir, was killed in cross-border firing on Saturday, BSF sources said.

The trooper was killed in heavy firing from the Pakistani side on the Indian post of Budwar in Ranbirsingh Pura sector, 30 km west of Jammu, late Saturday evening, the sources said.

The trooper has been identified as Jai Kishan of BSF's 193 Battalion.

The BSF has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan and sought a flag meeting to discuss the issue of firing, the sources said.

This is the first incident of cross-border firing on the international border this year.

Pakistan’s parliament condemns US Bin Laden raid

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s parliament condemned on Saturday the US raid that killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden, calling for a review of ties and warning that Pakistan could cut supply lines to American forces in Afghanistan if there were more such attacks.

“Parliament ... condemned the unilateral action in Abbottabad which constitutes a violation of Pakistan’s sovereign,” it said in a resolution issued after security chiefs briefed legislators.

Pakistan has dismissed as absurd any suggestion that authorities knew Bin Laden was holed up in a high-walled compound near the country’s top military academy.

The resolution, however, also demanded that an independent commission probe the debacle instead of one led by the country’s powerful armed forces.

The parliamentary resolution followed a rare, private session with top military officials that began Friday and ran past midnight. During the session, Pakistani intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha indicated he’d be willing to resign if lawmakers demanded it, but no one did.

In fact, it appeared lawmakers from the weak civilian government and the opposition essentially closed ranks behind a military establishment humiliated by the May 2 US Navy SEALs attack on Bin Laden’s compound in the northwest garrison city of Abbottabad. Pakistani leaders have insisted they had no idea Bin Laden was staying in the city.

Few lawmakers were willing to discuss details of the confidential session, but the hours it covered suggested that the generals were questioned extensively — a rarity in a country where the military operates largely beyond civilian control and has staged multiple coups.

Intelligence chief Pasha spoke at length, and defended the military’s record in fighting Islamist extremist movements, some of which have staged numerous deadly attacks on Pakistani soil.

Pasha admitted negligence in tracing Bin Laden, but also noted that Pakistan had cooperated with the US in helping kill or capture numerous Bin Laden allies, severely diminishing Al-Qaeda’s terrorist infrastructure.

Bin Laden was like a “dead person despite being alive,” federal Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan quoted the intelligence chief as saying.

Pasha rarely talks to media on the record. The army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, was present, but there were no accounts of him speaking.

According to Awan, an air force official said the military learned “American planes were loaded with bombs” and in the air in Afghanistan, ready to retaliate if Pakistani planes went after the US helicopters sent after Bin Laden.

The US has said it sent extra helicopters into Pakistani airspace to provide backup for the Navy SEALs.

The military leaders assured lawmakers that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenals are safe and promised to improve the country’s air defenses, Awan said.

The parliamentary resolution that emerged from the gathering termed the US raid as an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty. It also criticized American drone strikes in Pakistan’s militant-riddled tribal areas, which many suspect Pakistan secretly allows while publicly denouncing.

The resolution also called for an independent body to look into the Bin Laden raid. Earlier in the week, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the military would lead the probe, but that upset opposition leaders.

Awan told state-run Pakistan TV that lawmakers had expressed full confidence in the country’s security forces.

Pakistan became an ally of the US in the fight against Islamist militants after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, but the relationship has long been an uneasy one, with mutual distrust that has only deepened since the Bin Laden killing.

Although American officials have said so far they have seen no evidence the top Pakistani military officials knew of Bin Laden’s whereabouts, the US has long harbored suspicions that elements of Pakistan’s armed and intelligence services provide assistance to some militant groups battling Western troops in Afghanistan.

Pakistani officials deny any links to such groups, including the feared Haqqani network in eastern Afghanistan.

But analysts say Pakistan may be maintaining ties to some insurgents, including the Haqqanis and Afghan Taleban leaders, because it wants leverage in Afghanistan — and a wedge against archrival India — once the US pulls out.

Pak may send more militants in India after Osama death: Army

Srinagar: The Army today said Pakistan may sneak in more militants into Jammu and Kashmir to divert attention from its "internal problems" after the killing of al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

"It is quite likely that Pakistan under pressure, because of so many questions being asked (about Osama), could adopt a strategy of diverting attention which they have always done," General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Army's northern command Lt General K T Parnaik told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

He said as one of the tactic, Pakistan can send an increasing number of militants to Jammu and Kashmir.

"And one of the ways is to push in more people (militants) into J-K so that the attention gets diverted from their internal problems to external areas," Lt Gen Parnaik said.

International seminar on UNESCO nomination for Mugal Gardens

Srinagar: With an aim to Re-examine the Mughal gardens, their wider landscapes; historical evolution and significance; conservation approaches and finally working towards UNESCO World Heritage nomination for these Gardens a three day international seminar began at Kashmir University Ibn -Khaldoun auditorium today.

The seminar where  J&K Governor  N N Vohra was the chief  guest  has been  organized by India National Trust for Art and cultural heritage ( INTACH) J&K Chapter , University of Kashmir Department of History and supported by  Department of Floriculture  J&K.

Vice chancellor University of Kashmir- Prof Riyaz Punjabi,  Minister of state for R&B  and Floriculture, Javied Ahmad  Dar, Convener INTACH Mohammad Saleem Beigh,  Prof Ebba Koch, Professor Institute of art  and history University of Vienna , Prof Mohammad Asharf wani , Dean faculty of social sciences,  and G H Naqash director Floriculture were present at the inaugural session .

Speaking of the occasion chancellor University of Kashmir and Governor of the state  N N Vohra  said that  though state of J&K  has a rich history of garden making activity but we have not been able to maintain a bit of what we could do to preserve the cultural heritage of our state.   Vohra referred to the climate change at the global level and said like many areas it has also started affecting the cultural heritage sites especially our gardens for which we need to do something. In modern day world our gardens do not need only preservation but maintenance as well, he added. Referring to the valuable artifacts, paintings and monasteries in the Ladak region of the state, Vohra lamented that due to sheer ignorance many people consider it as a barren desert.  He said that instead it is land with rich heritage which must be preserved at all costs.

Vohra said that out of the 900 places on the UNESCO list of heritage sites only 33sites from India have been able to find place there.  .He also wished more gardens from the state of J&K find recognition at the international level so that they could be well preserved and maintained to attract more tourists across the globe. Praising Kashmir University and Vice chancellor KU Prof. Punjabi for what he termed his “imagination and interest” in safeguarding our heritage  Vohra emphasized that the government, academicians and voluntary organizations should join hands to reclaim the old glory of the heritage gardens. He lauded the efforts of INTACH especially its head Mohammad saleem Beigh in this direction.

Vice chancellor KU Prof Punjabi complimented chancellor for his interest in Ku programmes and assured him that KU will support all initiatives aimed at preserving our gardens and other heritage sites. “Without mourning on what we have lost, let us join hands to preserve and conserve whatever is left behind” said VC.

Prof Mohammad Ashraf wani, Dean social sciences presented a research paper on the theme “history of gardens in J&K” and claimed that Kashmir has a rich and old history in garden making and preservation and it is in no way limited to the Mughal rule. 

Prof Ebba Koch, University of Vienna, delivered a presentation on Mughal architecture and correlated the same with the architecture of the Mughal Gardens in Kashmir. Mohammad Saleem Beigh, Head INTACH Kashmir chapter referred gardens of Kashmir as natural and cultural assets of Kashmir and said that the proposed recognition will help us to preserve these gardens for posterity. Minister of state for R&B, Floriculture, Horticulture and agriculture, Javaid Ahmad Dar spoke about the efforts by his ministry for the restoration and maintenance of these gardens “ we would do every thing to restore them  to their pristine glory “ he asserted . Director Floriculture, Ghulam Sarwar Naqash delivered vote of thanks.  The international conference will continue for another three days and it has participation from renowned academicians, experts from Archeological Survey of India, School of Planning and Architecture, Aga Khan Trust of Culture, Scientists from Geology and Geo Physics. By AGENCIES

Kashmiri Culture Teaches Sympathy and Compassion for all Humans: Fai

Jakarta, Indonesia: “The main characteristics of Kashmir dispute is that it prevails in what is recognized - under international law and by the United Nations - as a disputed territory. According to the international agreements between India and Pakistan, negotiated by the United Nations and endorsed by the Security Council, the territory's status is to be determined by the free vote of its people under U.N. supervision” said Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director, Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center while speaking on the subject, “India – Pakistan Relation: The issue of Kashmir” in Jakarta, Indonesia. Dr. Fai also addressed the ‘International Family Conference’ in West Java, Bandung, Indonesia that was attended by the delegates from more than 40 countries.

Fai elaborated, “It is an undeniable fact that the past 64 years have proven that bilateral India-Pakistan negotiations to resolve Kashmir conflict are simply charades that achieve nothing but more strife and horror stories in Kashmir. A new negotiating formula is thus urgently required both in the name of international peace, security and human rights. The element that has been missing in efforts towards a settlement is the political representation of Kashmiris on the negotiating table along with India and Pakistan”.

India claims to be the ‘World's Largest Democracy’ but its actions in Kashmir speak otherwise. Rather than seeking to rectify its human rights record, India has legalized state-sponsored terror in Kashmir." Fai quoted Bertrand Russell who said in 1964, “The high idealism of the Indian government in international matters breaks down completely when confronted with the question of Kashmir.”

He expressed his serious concern that India commits massive human rights violations in order to suppress a popular movement for self-determination. It has been met with studied unconcern by the United Nations. This has given a sense of total impunity to India. It has also created the impression that the United Nations is selective about the application of the principles of human rights and democracy. There is a glaring contrast between the outcry over the massacre in Tiananmen Square, on the one side, and the official silence over the killing and maiming of a vastly greater number of civilians in Kashmir and the systematic violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention.

Dr. Fai said that the international community and particularly developed countries see economic potential in India. They don't want to loose this economic opportunity by raising the question of human rights in Kashmir. Otherwise, the situation in Kashmir is no more difficult than in other trouble spots of the world. The only difference is that there is no international electronic media that can show the atrocities in Kashmir to the outside world.

Dr. Fai said that the solution to the suffering of everyone in Kashmir — Muslim, Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs — lies in finding a peaceful negotiated settlement to the crisis. This can only happen if the United States and the United Nations take an active role in facilitating a dialogue between all the parties to the dispute. Any attempt to strike a deal between two without the association of the third, will fail to yield a credible settlement. This has been made unmistakably clear by the flimsy arguments that were contrived in the past six decades.

Kashmiri culture is neither vengeful nor retributive. It teaches sympathy and compassion for all humans of whatever station, religion, ethnicity, or ideological persuasion, Fai added.

Dr. Fai reminded President Obama that an appointment of a special envoy on Kashmir would hasten the process of peace and stability in the region that includes India, Pakistan, Kashmir & Afghanistan.

Sonia to take final decision on joining Mamata govt

Kolkata: Congress President Sonia Gandhi will take the final decision on the party's participation in the new government in West Bengal after discussing with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.

"The issue will also be discussed at the CWC meeting today and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee may make an announcement," WBPCC vice-president Debabrata Basu said here today.

Pranab Mukherjee and AICC general secretary in charge of West Bengal Shakeel Ahmed will arrive here tomorrow, he said.

Basu lauded the leadership of Banerjee for bringing in a change in state politics and hoped that an effective government under her leadership would soon take over for better governance and development in the state.

The Trinamool Congress-Congress victory was 'absolutely upto expectations' and a 'glorious moment' in the state's politics, he said adding he believed that this would bring joy in the people's life.

Squeeze poppy cultivators, drug traffickers, J&K minister

Srinagar: Expressing serious concern over alarming rise in consumption and cultivation of illicit drugs in south Kashmir, Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani called for imposition of complete ban on cultivation of poppy.

He, However, lauded the role of police against the poppy cultivators in south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Shopian and Pulwama.

Mr Wani, chairing a review meeting of south Kashmir Range at Anantnag today, called for imposition of complete ban on cultivation of poppy in South Kashmir districts, which have borne the brunt of drug menace over the past few years.

He lauded the efforts of police in destruction of poppy cultivation spread over thousands of kanals across South Kashmir.

He expressed serious concern over alarming rise in consumption of illicit drugs in Anantnag and adjoining districts.

The Minister asked the police authorities to squeeze the activities of people involved in poppy cultivation and narcotics trade.

"The menace of drug addiction has gripped the Valley with mostly youngsters falling into the trap. We need to put an end to this menace and crack down on poppy cultivators and drug traffickers," he maintained.

Jammu and Kashmir has arrested more than 40 drug smugglers, including about a dozen residents of Punjab, during the past six months and recovered thousands of kgs of poppy straw, bhang, charas, brown sugar in the Kashmir valley. Majority of these arrests were made in Anantnag and Pulwama districts on Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

The divisional commissioner, Kashmir, has also booked 24 drug smugglers under Public Safety Act (PSA) since December last year.

Jammu and Kashmir police Drug De-Addiction centre, Police Control Room (PCR) has yesterday organized a drug de-addiction counseling cum Treatment camp at general bus stand, Batamaloo.

About 200 drug addicts, including drivers and conductors were treated at the camp.

'Abbottabad hideout was 'active' command centre for Osama'

Washington: Osama bin Laden's Abbottabad hideout was an "active command and control centre" of al-Qaeda, the US has said, releasing five videos of the slain terror kingpin seized during the daring raid on his compound in Pakistan that showed how he "jealously guarded" his image.

Bin Laden's Abbottabad compound was "an active command and control centre" for al-Qaeda's top leader. It is clear that he was not just a strategic thinker of the group. He was active in operational planning and driving tactical decisions inside al-Qaeda," a senior intelligence official said, giving an insight into the lifestyle and personality of the al-Qaeda chief. 

Al-Qaeda confirms Bin Laden is dead, vows revenge

ISLAMABAD (Update): Al Qaeda has acknowledged that Osama Bin Laden is dead, dispelling the doubts of some Muslims over whether the militant group’s leader had really been killed by US forces, and vowed to mount more attacks on the West.

The announcement on Friday by the Islamist militant organization, which promised to publish a taped message from Bin Laden soon, appeared intended to show its followers around the globe that the group had survived as a functioning network.

In a statement online, it said the blood of Bin Laden, shot dead by a US commando team in a raid on Monday on his hide-out in a Pakistani town, “is more precious to us and to every Muslim than to be wasted in vain.”

“It will remain, with permission from Allah the Almighty, a curse that hunts the Americans and their collaborators and chases them inside and outside their country.”

Al Qaeda urged Pakistanis to rise up against their government to “cleanse” the country of what it called the shame brought on it by Bin Laden’s shooting and of the “filth of the Americans who spread corruption in it.”

The statement also warned Americans not to harm Bin Laden’s corpse and to hand it and those of others killed to their families, though US officials say Bin Laden’s body has been buried at sea and no others were taken from the compound.

Some Muslims have been skeptical of Bin Laden’s death, especially as the United States has said it will not release what it called gruesome images of his corpse for fear of inciting more violence.

One survey conducted in Pakistan this week by the British-based YouGov polling organization found that 66 percent of over 1,000 respondents did not think the person killed by US Navy SEALs was Bin Laden.

The raid, of which the US administration has declined to give details, has also raised questions about the legality of Bin Laden’s killing.

He was unarmed when he was shot dead, but US President Barack Obama has continued to bask in public approval for the killing, and flew to a military base at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to thank special forces involved in the raid.

“This has been an extraordinary week for our nation,” Obama told a jubilant audience of troops. “The terrorist leader who struck our nation on September 11 will never threaten our nation again.” But he warned “this continues to be a very tough fight.”

US-Pakistan tensions

Anger and suspicion between Washington and Islamabad over the raid in Abbottabad, 30 miles (50 km) from the Pakistani capital, showed no sign of abating.

The New York Times on Saturday quoted Pakistani officials as saying the Obama administration had demanded Pakistan disclose the identities of some of its top intelligence operatives as Washington seeks to find out whether they had contact with Bin Laden or his agents before the raid on his compound.

The officials were providing details of what the Times called a tense discussion between Pakistani officials and a US envoy in Pakistan on Monday.

Many in Washington suspect Pakistani authorities had been either grossly incompetent or playing a double game in the hunt for Bin Laden and the two countries’ supposed partnership against violent Islamists.

One of Bin Laden’s wives, Amal Ahmed Abdulfattah, told Pakistani interrogators the Al-Qaeda leader had been living for five years in the compound where he was killed, a revelation sure to deepen doubts about Pakistan’s military and spy agency, the most organized establishments in a chaotic country.

Pakistani security forces took 15 or 16 people into custody from the Abbottabad compound after US forces removed Bin Laden’s body, a Pakistani security official said. They included Bin Laden’s three wives and several children.

In Washington, a US official said US intelligence had established on-the-ground surveillance in Abbottabad before the raid. A phone call last year to a man known as the main courier to Osama Bin Laden helped lead the CIA to Bin Laden’s compound, The Washington Post reported on Saturday.

US officials also said among materials found at Bin Laden’s hide-out was evidence indicating Al-Qaeda at one point considered attacking the US rail system on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks later this year.

Officials said evidence analyzed so far indicated Bin Laden was still involved in directing Al-Qaeda’s activities, even though he had largely avoided the public spotlight for years.

The fact that Bin Laden was found in a garrison town — his compound was not far from a military academy — has embarrassed Pakistan and the covert raid has angered its military.

The Pakistani army threatened to halt counterterrorism cooperation with the United States if it conducted any more unilateral raids.

But on Friday, a US drone killed 17 suspected militants in northwest Pakistan, and pressure is building in the US Congress to suspend or at least review US aid to Pakistan.

Video footage

Pakistani security officials have alleged that US troops, after landing by helicopter, shot the unarmed Al-Qaeda leader in cold blood rather than in a firefight, as US officials first suggested.

Amid differing accounts of how much hostile fire the SEALs encountered in the compound, one Pakistani security official said on Friday that US forces should release video footage he said they “must have” of the operation.

UN human rights investigators called on the United States to disclose the full facts “to allow an assessment in terms of international human rights law standards.”

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the relationship with Pakistan was “complex” but pointed to Islamabad’s effort against the Taleban and Al-Qaeda in its own tribal areas and the use of its territory as a US supply route.

“At the same time, there’s no question they hedge their bets,” said Gates, fielding questions from service members at an Air Force base in North Carolina. “Their view is that we have abandoned them four times in the last 45 years. And they’re not sure we’re going to stay in the region.”

“So we just have to keep working at it, on both sides,” he added.

The United States sees Pakistan’s influence over the Taleban as key to ending the war in neighboring Afghanistan, and Gates said on Friday the killing of Bin Laden “could be a game-changer” in that conflict.

Sixth phase of Panchayat polls on Wednesday

Srinagar: Amid elaborate security arrangements, nine blocks of Jammu and Kashmir will go to polls under sixth round of multi-phased Panchayat elections on Wednesday.

Official sources said that 2563 candidates are in fray for four blocks in Kashmir division including Langate (Kupawara), Tangmarg (Baramulla), Khag (Budgam) and Breng (Anantnag).

They said that there will be no polling in thirteen constituencies—two Sarpach and 11 Panch—as no candidate filed nomination papers for theses posts.

In Langate block of north Kashmir’s frontier district, 672 candidates are in the fray for 52 Sarpach and 419 Panch constituencies.

“While 199, all males, are in fray for Sarpanchs, 620 candidates including 459 males and 161 females are contesting for Panchs,” election officer, Tariq Ahmad Zargar told Press Bureau of India.

104 panch candidates have been declared unopposed in the polls while there are two vacancies for Sarpch constituencies in the block, he added.

For Breng block in southern Anantnag district, a total of 1060 candidates will battle it out for Sarpanch and Panchs constituencies.  “While 215 candidates including 213 male and two women candidate are in contest for 58 Sarpach constituencies, 845 candidates including 269 females are in fray for 416 Panch constituencies,” election officer Nissar Hussein said.  

He said that two Sarpanchs and 57 Panchs have been declared unopposed in the block.

Similarly, for Khag block in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, 496 candidates are in the fray for Sarpachs and Panchs in the block. “93 candidates, all males, are in fray for Sarpanchs while 403 candidates will vie for Panchs constituencies,” election officer, Mohammad Ashraf Dijoo, told .

He said that eleven Panch constituencies were vacant in the block as no candidate offered candidature while 38 entrants were declared winners unopposed.   

For Tangmarg block, a total of 335 candidates are in fray for Sarpanch and Panch constituencies while 83 candidates have been declared winners unopposed. 

Five constituencies going to polls in Jammu include Reasi (Reasi district), Majalta (Udhampur), Billawar (Kathua), Doongi and Thanamandi (Rajouri).

So far five phases of the polls have been completed after beginning on April 13 last. The seven phase will be held on May 8 while eighth on May 12, ninth on May 16 and the 10th to 16th phases will be held on May 21, May 25, May 29, June 2, June 6, June 11 and June 18 respectively.

Panchayat polls are being held through ballot boxes as the State Panchayat Raj Act does not allow the use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs) in the polls. The polls are being conducted after ten years gap in the state. 

Geelani flays Laden’s ‘barbarous’ burial at sea

Srinagar: Flaying Osama Bin Laden’s burial at sea as a “barbarous and evil act,” Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Tuesday once again paid tributes to the slain Al-Qaeda founder for standing up to “oppression and injustice.”

“This cowardly act has no moral or legal justification. Burying the enemy according to his/her religion, and with due respect, is an accepted custom in every civilized society, but it (Osama’s burial at sea) has revealed the extent of moral degradation to which a person or State can stoop under the intoxication of power,” Geelani said in a statement issued.

In an apparent reference to America, Geelani said the “self-proclaimed champions of human rights and democracy have brought shame to the entire humanity through this barbarous and evil act.”

 “This contemptuous treatment of dead bodies is a reminder of Stone Age and a so-called superpower has put question marks over its civilization and moral traditions,” Geelani said.

Geelani further described Osama as a “brave man who didn’t stand a mute spectator to oppression and injustice, even though one could disagree with his methods.”

“When he was young, Osama saw how Muslims across the globe were being subjected to oppression and how Muslims from Palestine to Kashmir had been enslaved. The path Osama chose for himself needs to be understood in this context. He didn’t give up a life of wealth and comfort for the sake of some hobby; he saw Muslim women, children and men drenched in blood from Kashmir to Iraq and reacted to state-sponsored terrorism,” he said.

Geelani said that resistance against foreign occupation was a natural reaction and if any powerful nation like America, Israel, Britain   or India occupied other nations and killed innocent civilians, the reaction would be no different.

“As long as the foreign occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Kashmir continues, resistance would surface in different forms and manifestations, and until the foreign powers recall their forces back from these regions and adopt the policy of live and let live, we cannot realize the dream of making the world a peaceful place,” he said. 

HC pulls up AI management, pilots over stalemate

New Delhi: With the strike by Air India pilots entering the seventh day, the Delhi High Court today rapped the airline management and the pilots' association for their rigid attitude and appointed a counsel to assist it in resolving the stand off.

"It seems that you are also not interested in getting the strike called off," a division bench headed by Justice B D Ahmed told Lalit Bhasin, the counsel for the Air India Limited.

"This court does not want to be assisted by a partisan person like you. We will appoint an amicus curaie to assist us on the legal issue," the bench told Bhasin, disapproving of his arguments on behalf of the airline management.