PPP Observed 4th Death Anniversary of Benazir Bhutto

Pakistan Govt. Failed in exposing and punishing the Killers of BB.

Srinagar: PPP observed the fourth martyrdom anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto here today. In this connection a Joint meeting of Bhutto Memorial Trust (BMT) and People’s Political Party (PPP) was held to commemorate Shaheed Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto’s 4th death anniversary at party headquarters, Rajbagh, Srinagar, Kashmir. The meeting was presided over by Engineer Hilal Ahmad War, Chairman PPP. The PPP and BMT leaders paid rich tribute to the great leader in recognition of her life-long struggle for the stability, integrity and democracy of Pakistan.

Mr. War reiterated its stand that ‘Benazir Bhutto was killed at the behest of American CIA’. He further said that she and her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto vehemently opposed American Policy of making Pakistan a satellite State for its future plans. First America engineered the killing of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and then its Intelligence Agency, CIA killed Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto was part of the ploy to create instability in Pakistan in order to the takeover the control of Nuclear Weapons of Pakistan by United States, said War.

Mr.War said in his speech, “PPP Government of Pakistan miserably failed to expose and punish the killers of Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto and it appears that due to vested interest and non concern for the integrity and stability of Pakistan, some prominent members of the present PPP Government are adamant to sell off Bhutto’s of their ‘dignity and honour’ that they earned globally for their struggle to make Pakistan a stronger and “Greater Pakistan”. He further said, “Buzz is that fake Bhutto’s are thriving and acquiring benefits on the glorious sacrifices of Shaheed Z.A. Bhutto and his family”.  

The speakers emphasised that the concept of Greater Pakistan floated by Shaheed Z.A. Bhutto and his Kashmir Policy for realisation of right of self-determination for struggling people of Jammu and Kashmir were and are the source of inspiration for the political and armed activists of Kashmir Liberation Movement. The participants of the meeting urged the Government of Pakistan to formulate a Kashmir Policy in accordance with the letter and spirit of Bhutto's Kashmir Policy.

The participants of the Trust unanimously appealed to the people of Pakistan that they should rise above regional, racial and ethnic prejudices and considerations and unite together in the direction of national and emotional integration because such a course could only save Pakistan from external conspiracies aimed at disintegrating the country once again like December 1971.

After conclusion of speeches delivered by various participants’ special prayers (Fatah Khawani) were offered for the eternal peace and comfort of the souls of Shaheed Z.A.Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. (KMW News)

Kashmir unfinished Agenda of Qaid-e-Azam: War

PPP Celebrates 136th birth anniversary of Quaid -E-Azam 

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir People’s Political Party (JKPPP), Chairman, Engineer Hilal Ahmad War today while chairing high level meeting of PPP to Celebrate the136th birth anniversary of the  founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah at PPP headquarters, Rajbag, Srinagar, Kashmir. He paid rich tributes to Quaid -E-Azam, the executive members elucidated Qaid-e-azam’s vision of a united Muslim world.

Mr.War stated that the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s dream was to see Kashmir in the bag of Pakistan as its 5th Province and the unresolved  Kashmir issue is his unfinished agenda. Qaid-e-Azam was a true symbol of democracy, rule of law and universal brotherhood. He  had rejected any change by bullet and always favoured the democratic mechanism .“ 

Qaid-e-Azam used to say that after Second World War, power has shifted from brawn to brain , therefore , to resolve any conflict whether internal or  international the leaders of the conflicting zone needs wisdom .  

 

“Let us on this day re-dedicate ourselves to the democratic ideals and principles of the Father of the Pakistan Nation as well as reiterate our resolve to defeat the forces that seek to undermine the nation’s founding principles.”The PPP Chief said the Quaid stood for constitutionalism, rule of law, respect for human rights.

JKANC RTI Application Creates Ripples

SRINAGAR,KMW News:In a significant development, the RTI application moved by JKANC through its Provincial Secretary  Jammu Shri Narinder Dev Chuni seeking information regarding allotment of forest land, barren land, government land, uncultivated land and river embankments to former and sitting Ministers, MLA’s, MLC’s, Public Servants, NGO’s and Businessmen which was allotted to them since Khariff 1996, sought from revenue commissioner J&K Government, has created ripples in the Government machinery. This was stated by ANC Sr. Vice President Mr. Muzaffar Shah in a press statement issued in Srinagar today.

The revenue commissioner J&K Government acted swiftly and forwarded the RTI to Div. Comm. Jammu/Kashmir with directions to expedite the matter within the stipulated time. 

The RTI cells of the ANC have been activated at the Provincial level at Jammu and Srinagar who are monitoring and following all the RTI applications submitted before various authorities of the State Government. A former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court has offered his services to monitor and peruse these RTI’s and take them to their logical end.  If the authorities fail to provide the sought information within the stipulated time, the ANC RTI cells at Jammu and Srinagar will approach the J&K High Court and shall not desist to approach the Hon’ble Supreme Court if the need arises, he said.

Mr. Shah said that ANC is reaching out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Behum Khalida Shah to come up with a clean and efficient political alternative that the people of Jammu And Kashmir State are yearning for desperately. On the other hand ANC has unleashed a war against corruption by pursuing people’s sentiments to unmask the corrupt politician/bureaucrats nexus in the state.

 ANC has undertaken the task to unmask one and all who have indulged in wanton loot of the state exchequer and amassed huge wealth with corrupt means, rendering the entire state at the verge of bankruptcy and unprecedented corruption leaving a dark future to the 6 lakh unemployed youth in the state.

 These conditions always invite dissatisfaction and bloody a revolution. The party has undertaken to use RTI apparatus on a war footing and posed some serious matters before the Government to be answered.

ANC Protests Growing Corruption

JAMMU: Thousand of ANC workers led by their Senior Vice President Mr. Muzzafar Shah Shah  along  with the  top brass of ANC Jammu Province Senior leader  Mr Gulam .Qadir Wani, Provincial President  Sr.Gyan singh,  Distt President urban Vijay Mangotra, Distt President Rural Sant Ram Baghat , Distt President Kathu,  Bakhtawar Singh  , Distt President Samba  Madan lal,    Prov. President  Women wing Pushpa Dogra,Pushpa Sharma, Sunita Sharma,  Vice President Province Thakur  Randhir Singh, Prov. Seccy Kewal Sharma and Narinder Dev Chunni (Head POK Refugee Wing )were barred by the distt. Administration to take out a peaceful Protest  in Jammu , the winter capital of Jammu & Kashmir State. They were raising their voice against the growing menace of corruption , nepotism, redtapism , scandalization  and   misgovernance  in the state , demanding declaration of moveable and immovable  properties   in and  outside the state, of  all people in public life at the helm of the affairs now or  in the past .

The impressive ANC Protest march included  a large Contingent of its  Women Wing and  the Youth Wing , was stoped by Police  as soon as they Started  from Press Club Jammu on way  to the State Secretariat. In spite having informed distt. Adminstration in writing, the large police contingent pleaded before ANC Senior Vice President to call of the protest and didn’t allow the peaceful demonstration to proceed further .A ring of police personnel  ghearoed Muzzafar Shah, virtually putting him under arrest .  The Protest  march  was cheered  and   joined by people on the road  who joined  in support of the demands  made by ANC workers ,who were carrying party flags , banners, Placards  and  shouting  slogans  demanding  employment to six lac unemployed youth, end to human rights violations, good governance without bloodshed, end to  price rise of essential commodities and end to  the failed collation government in Jammu and Kashmir .

Speaking to the ANC Workers outside  the  Jammu Press Club , ANC Senior  Vice President Mr. Muzzafar Shah said that this highhandedness of the collation government in muzzling the voice of the people will by itself be responsible for its death .This cry and war against corruption will take the shape of a cyclone  and the corrupt will have to pay for their misdeeds in front of peoples court .we have started a decisive  War against corruption and  misgovernance  and the people of Jammu and Kashmir  were in search of an efficient , honest and  an experienced political alternative who would put an end to human rights violation and  gross missuse of political power  in the state . we will forcefully raise voice against  injustice meted out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and ensure that the war against corruption that has been launched by the party   is taken to its logical conclusion . Time has come for all politicians and political leaders to come clean before the people and   to begin with, they will have to make details of their moveable and immoveable properties public. ANC is effectively using the J&K RTI act for this purpose, which is being monitored by the ANC Legal Cells in both Provinces of J&K Divisions with a hook up to its Legal Cell in the Supreme Court. More than 2 dozen applications under this Act have been put up by ANC till date, pertaining to very critical areas of Public interest, Mr. Muzzaffar Shah said.

Mr. Muzzafar Shah thanked the ANC Jammu functionaries & workers for mobilizing a grand show and stated that he was looking forward to take this protest all over the state of Jammu and Kashmir,  so that a new beginning could be made to make our state  free from all political , economic and social ills and make it a prosperous and vibrant Jammu and Kashmir where economic, administrative and social justice will prevail . 

PPP, BMT to mark 4th death anniversary of Shaheed Benazir with respect

SRINAGAR, (KMW News): Jammu and Kashmir People’s Political Party (PPP), Chairman, Engineer Hilal Ahmad War, who also heads Bhutto Memorial Trust, would be paying homage and glowing tributes to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on her 4th death anniversary on December 27, 2011.

Pertinently, Benazir was assassinated on this day after addressing a mammoth election rally at Rawalpindi.

ZAB reference case on Monday

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has constituted an-eleven member larger bench to resume hearing from Monday, a presidential reference, regarding revisiting of late premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's murder case.

The larger bench includes the Chief Justice, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Justice Nasir ul Mulk, Justice Jawwad S. Khawja, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Tariq Parvez, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmani and Justice Amir Hani Muslim that will take up the Presidential reference sent to apex Court under Article 186.

The counsels for the parties as well as amicus curiae are being requested to ensure their presence for the case as it is likely to proceed on day to day basis from 12th December to 16th December, 2011 as the Court will have break for winter vacations from 19th December to 31st December 2011.

Notices to all concerned including incumbent president of Supreme Court Bar Association have been issued.

On the last date of hearing on June 29, the matter was adjourned by the larger Bench with the observation that the apex Court would take up the case subject to availability of the Bench.

On April 21, the Court had also appointed amicus curiae including senior advocates/jurists, M/s Ali Ahmed Kurd, Tariq Mehmood, Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, Khalid Anwar, Makhdoom Ali Khan, S. M. Zafar, Aitzaz Ahsan, Zahoorul Haq and Abdul Latif Afridi.

Khalid Anwar had expressed his inability to assist the Court as amicus curiae by sending a written request which was accepted by the Court and in his place Qazi Muhammad Ashraf was appointed as amicus curiae.

During the course of hearing on June 29, Attorney General for Pakistan also requested more time to prepare further arguments particularly with reference to each question referred by the President of Pakistan.

While Dr Babar Awan, counsel for referring authority had completed his arguments over the case raising five major questions for the apex Court to revisit the murder case.

The amicus curiae would start their arguments in the case.

Besides, the Chief Justice of Pakistan also constituted four benches (to sit after larger bench) at the Principal seat to hear a number of important cases in the next week starting from December 12.

The first bench includes the Chief Justice and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, the second bench of Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Jawwad S. Khawja and Justice Amir Hani Muslim, third bench of Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani and Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, third bench of Justice Nasirul Mulk and Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmani, and fourth bench of Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Tariq Parvez will take up a number of cases.

According to cause lists, no application for adjournment through fax will be placed before the Court. If the counsel is unable to appear for any reason the Advocate-on-Record will be required to argue the case. Besides, no adjournment on any ground will be granted.

Prominent Jammu Citizens join ANC

Jammu: Several prominent citizens of Jammu including members from Sikh community, educationist, Rtd. Army and police officials, youth and large number of women on Saturday joined Awami National Conference before senior party leaders of Jammu province Sh. Ghulam Qadir Wani (Ex MLA Doda), Sardar Gyan Singh, Provincial President ANC Jammu and Sr. Vice President Muzaffar Shah.

In a short, but impressive function at ANC office Jammu, the joining ceremony for new commers was organized by the party leader to welcome the people in party fold. In his welcome address, senior Vice President ANC Muzzafar Shah said that the aim and objective of ANC is to give transparent and corruption free government to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Mr. Shah urged the newly joined people to work with zeal and zest for the betterment of the party, besides strengthening the people to people contact. Mr. Shah said that people of Jammu and Kashmir are fed up with the corrupt and anti people policies of National Conference and Congress government as a result of which people in large number join ANC on each and every day. Mr. Shah said that ANC in coming days will emerge as a major public power in state of Jammu and Kashmir. On this occasion, Mr. Shah also informed the gathering about the proposed march of the party from Press Club Jammu to Indra Chowk on 15-12-2011 against the growing menace of corruption and nepotism in the present coalition government.

Among the prominent that joined ANC at Jammu today includes Madan Mohan Nargotra (Rtd. Xen Reasi) President Gurdawara Prabandak Committee Gadigarh Chata Sardar Seetal Singh along with his committee members Sardar Assa Singh (VP), Balvir Singh Raina (Gen. Secretary), committee members Dasvir Singh, Sardar Charanjeet Singh, Sardar Gurcharan Singh, and Sardar Jasbir Singh, besides Ghulam Hussan Shah (Rtd. Police Officer) Karnah, Mohammad Sarwar Khan (Rtd. Police Officer)  Jammu, Mohammad Bashir (Rtd. Army Capt.) Narayan Dutt Mahajan, Vikas Malik, Iqbal Khan, Mohammad Yaseen (Shopian), Surinder Kour.

Human Rights Day and Kashmir

Time to Ponder

SRINAGAR: Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December. In parts like kashmir, which is one of the deadliest conflict zone on the planet earth this day assumes special significance. On account of state atrocities of past two decades used to quell the pro-liberation movement of the kashmir; this day has got special significance in Kashmir.

Pertinently, the date 10th December as world human rights day was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. The formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on 4 December 1950, when the General Assembly declared resolution 423(V), inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate the day as they saw

According to expert voices, the people of Kashmir valley are wounded physically, socially, culturally and psychologically due to the long turmoil. The afflictions are deeply engraved in the hearts and minds of the people. Kashmiris (living on both the sides of tunnel) are left with only questions but no concrete answers. The human rights day reminds the people of Kashmir of the enormous atrocities in the shape of custodial killings, rapes, tortures etc mostly by the organs of state to quell the pro-freedom sentiment.

But, what was more painful about the celebrations of world human rights day this year was the complete lack of unity among the Pro-freedom factions. Hurriyat (M) celebrated it in own way, Hurriyat (G) in its own way; the Bar Association in its own way. At least, these days provided the pro-freedom camp opportunity to address cross section of society collectively rather than addressing their pick and choose audience and intellectuals. But, once again the pro-freedom camp has missed the vital opportunity to unite the nation.

Fight militancy for true celebrations of human rights: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated the pledge to fight militancy and alleviate poverty to usher in peace and freedom for the true celebrations of human rights. “Let us pledge on this day to strengthen forces of peace and democracy and resist violation of human rights at all levels to make Pakistan a peaceful and prosperous country,” he said and added this is the way forward for laying a firm basis for the people to celebrate human rights in accordance with its this year theme. 

In his message on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, being celebrated on December 10, the President said,our religion Islam also teaches us deep respect for rights of all human beings.  It upholds the eternal values of equal rights, social justice and peace, and banishes discrimination on the basis of class, colour or creed. 

He said the International Human Rights Day is a reminder to democratically conscious citizens to reiterate their commitment individually and collectively to make renewed efforts to promote a culture of tolerance, respect for human rights, diversity, and pluralism.

The theme of the Day this year “Celebrate Human Rights” underscores the fact that governments all over the world must regard enforcement of human rights as something to be celebrated and not endured and despised,he said.

Celebrating human rights calls for defeating militancy so that our people do not have to endure the tyranny of religious apartheid and the dictate of a few individuals in the name of religion, he said, adding,ending poverty and working towards equality and non-discrimination are necessary elements for creating a peaceful society. 

The right to representation, to dissent, to justice and the right to food, clothing, shelter, education and health and the right to freely practice one’s religion are all parts of the basic human rights and a cause for celebration, the President said. 

He said the struggle of our people over the decades to achieve these rights is indeed commendable and is worth celebrating but much more also needs to be done.

He said Pakistan is a responsible state fully cognizant of its International Commitments. We have ratified, Convention against torture and International Convention on civil land political rights and most of the reservations have been withdrawn with the exception of a few, he said and added that practical steps are being taken for the implementation of both the instruments.

ANC files 10 RTIs to unearth unholy Babu- Politician nexus

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Awami National Conference (ANC) has filed as many as 10 RTI applications on various issue to unearth the unholy Babu- Politician nexus in the State. A party handout here today said that ANC has launched a crusade against the menace of corruption in the State which has been spreading like wild fire. The handout said that the party has filed an RTI under J&K RTI Act with the Revenue Department demanding the detailed particulars of all MLA's, MLC's Ex MLA's EX MLC's Cabinet Ministers, government officials including NGOs, who have acquired waste land, Nazool, forest and uncultivable government land in border areas and on river embankments in their favour or in favour of their immediate family members after the Khariff and Rabbi year 1996. ANC in another RTI application has sought information from the revenue department to provide detailed particulars of all the plots allotted by housing/ revenue/local bodies including all other authorities in favour of public servants, politicians and bureaucrats and members of the state cabinet, MLAs and MLCs since 1996 in the state along with the names of the beneficiaries with their status. It is to be recalled here that ANC under RTI Act has already asked the status of the total forest area recorded with the forest department in 1947 and what was the area under forest cover as of now and who were the beneficiaries of the forest land and under what criteria was forest land allotted to them.

My struggle was for peaceful solution of Kashmir dispute: Dr Fai

WASHINGTON: Executive Director of Washington-based Kashmiri American Council, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai has said that his struggle was not against any country but for a peaceful solution of Kashmir dispute.

This statement present before the court in Washington, he said that he had arranged meetings between Indian and Pakistani officials for peaceful solution of Kashmir, adding that we had organized a number of conferences on Kashmir issue which were attended by Indian and Pakistani officials and diplomats of Pakistan and India.

He said that we did not closed the doors for Indian officials, while the Indian diplomats given him a message for meeting a day before his arrest.

He said that he wants that the Kashmir dispute should be solved and the people of Kashmir should live freely and the struggle in this response would be continue.

During the proceeding, he admitted the two charges leveled against him in the case and signed a pre-agreement from accepting for making conspiracies and not paying income tax properly.

It would be expected that Dr Fai would face imprisonment for 11 years but in case of pre-agreement the imprisonment would be one and half year, while Dr Fai agreed to pay 0.15million dollars in his account to US government.

It is worth mentioning here that the verdict of the case would be announced on 9th March, 2012, while the counsels would decide if both sentences would be faced at the same time or separately.

Restrain excessive Pepper Gas on humans: SHRC

Srinagar:  State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Wednesday asked police to restrain use of excessive ‘Pepper Gas’ on humans while observing that that if the experts view was considered, its use was without any rebuttal a serious Human Rights Violation.   

SHRC recommendation to police came on a petition filed by International Forum for Justice headed by Ahsan Untoo. 

“….A group of dozens of boys involved in stone pelting could be dealt in a manner which could not endanger health of old, infant and pregnant woman. For a sin of dozens of youngsters, thousands of peace loving people could not be punished and their rights enshrined in the constitution be violated in any circumstances or in any manner. Life is precious and right of life is a fundamental right,” SHRC member said, according to judgment circulated to media men by the petitioner.     

“In case doctor’s opinion and expert opinion is taken into consideration without any rebuttal, it is definitely serious human rights violation. Authorities are impressed to restrain to use excessive Pepper Gas on Human beings.”  

The IFJ in the petition says that on 25th of last month, police used pepper gun gas in huge quantity due to which residents of Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Nawa Kadal, Rajouri Kadal and adjoining areas were subjected to torture as the infants and elderly persons got unconscious due to inhaling of the Pepper Gas.

“It is further averred that as per experts excessive use of Pepper Gas is dangerous for human life,” the SHRC member said while reading the petition.

As per senior doctors, Pepper gas can cause weakness in eye sight particularly among infants and minors, the petitioner said. “It can cause severe chest pain, infection, which in turn can lead to Tuberculosis and Asthma. The gas is very harmful and risky for pregnant woman.”  

In its petition, Untoo has mentioned the opinion of Deborah Bluam, who writes about the science. 

“She cites 2004 shady health hazards of Pepper spray which found that a douse of some of the chemicals in pepper spray can produce respiratory cardiac and neurological problems and even death.”   

Ignoring Geelani's warning,38 students leave for Bharat Darshan tour

Srinagar: Ignoring breakaway Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelni's warning, 38 Kashmiri students, including 18 girls today left for Bharat Darshan Tour organised by Border Security Force (BSF).

Mr Geelani has warned management and teaching staff of educational institutions in the Kashmir valley not to send their students, particularly girls, on Army's Wattan-Ki-Saiar.

The group from different remote and far flung areas in the valley, left by air on educational-cum-motivational Bharat Darshan Tour.

A BSF spokesman said the students would be visiting Ahmedabad, Gandhi Nagar, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Jaipur, Delhi and Agra.

He said," the main aim of the tour is to acquaint them with varied cultural ethos of our country. It will also afford these students a chance to broaden their horizon and make them aware of the opportunities awaiting them in the country." He said the tour would also help in motivating the students to develop an adventurous spirit and aim higher in life. 

Arundhati, Bose likely to address HR seminar in Srinagar

Srinagar:  Noted social activist and author Arundhati Roy, Indian filmmaker and human rights activist, Tapan Bose are among several intellectuals expected to speak in a Human Rights seminar here on Saturday, organizers—Kashmir High Court Bar Association, said. 

A spokesman of the lawyers’ body told said that the organization was holding a daylong seminar on Saturday at Sadder Court complex Srinagar on Human Rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of world human rights day.

“Prominent intellectuals, academicians, human rights activists members of civil society and lawyers have been invited to participate,” the spokesman said.  

The spokesman said the Bar Association is expecting participation of prominent human rights activists, leading journalists, lawyers and intellectuals including Miss Arundati Roy, Tapan Bose, Vaid Basin, Parvaiz Imroze, Senior Advocate, Z. A. Shah, Ex-Bar President N A Ronga, Advocate Z A Qureshi, Advocate Teesta Setalvad, Dr Hamida Nayeem, Professor Noor Mohammad Baba, Dr Javeed Iqbal, Z G Mohammad, Dr Sheikh Showkat and Miss Qurat-ul-Ain in the seminar. 

In this connection, an extra ordinary meeting of the Bar Association, presided over by the Vice President Bashir Ahmad Dar was held and an 11-member organising committee was constituted.   

The speakers are expected to express their views on one of six topics mentioned topics including, “Denial of right of self determination to the people of J&K, a basic violation of United Nations Human Rights Charter.”

Other topics according to spokesman include De-militarisation and withdrawal of AFSPA and Disturbed Areas Act from Jammu and Kashmir a way forward for protection of human rights, Role of lawyers, and members of civil society in promotion and protection of human rights in J&K, Attacks on Media and Human Rights Defenders, cause and effects, Juvenile arrests and teen age killings by the forces, a cause of concern and legal remedies and Extra judicial killings and random detentions under PSA, social and legal concerns.  

Geelani calls for protests on Friday against liquor shop reopening

Srinagar:  Chairman Hurriyat Conference(G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani Wednesday  appealed Islamic scholars and clerics to mobilize public opinion for a complete ban on liquor sale  in Kashmir.

Geelani also appealed people to stage peaceful protests this Friday against National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah's "advocacy for opening of liquor shops in Kashmir."

" Let us send a message to the rulers that we won't allow them to make liqour sale commonplace in Kashmir," he said.

Geelani said there was a need for  mass awareness campaign against the menace of liquor." I appeal Ulema  to apprise people about the ill-effects of liquor from an Islamic and moral viewpoint  and organise public opinion in favour of a complete ban on its sale in Kashmir," Geelani said in a  statement issued here.

" More than economics, a nation's development and prosperity  depends  on  ethics . History bears witness to the destruction of nations which fell into an abyss of moral bankruptcy," he said.

Geelani said despite remaining under foreign occupation and oppression for centuries, Kashmiris "have been able to maintain a high standard of moral values."

" Which is why , having failed to suppress our resistance movement through use of force,   India is now trying to use cultural aggression for the purpose through its pawns in Kashmir," he said.

Geelani said that the National Conference had been at the "forefront of giving practical shape to this strategy."

"  The imprudence with which Farooq Abdullah has called for opening liqour shops in Kashmir is a challenge to the honour of Kashmiris , and if we remain silent at this decisive moment, we will be entitled to the wrath of Allah," he said, adding that "it is our religious and moral duty  to stand up against the sale and consumption of liquor in Kashmir."

Curfew imposed in parts of Srinagar to prevent Muharram procession

Srinagar, Dec 6 (KMW News) Curfew has been imposed in parts of Srinagar city, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of summer capital, this morning to prevent Muharram procession on the tenth day (Youm-e-Ashroo) of Muharram month of Islam.

Situation elsewhere in the valley was normal, where Muharram processions were taken out peacefully.

However, police said restrictions under section 144 CrPC were being strictly imposed in areas falling under police station of Kothibagh and Maisuma.

The situation on the ground was entirely different in these areas where security forces and police personnel were directing people to remain indoors because of curfew restrictions imposed since 0600 hrs this morning.

Even the mediapersons were directed to go back or face the music by the security force and police personnel deployed in the civil lines.

Hundreds of security force and police personnel had sealed the entire Civil Lines area since early this morning to prevent the 'Ashroo'procession, which has been banned by the authorities since 90s citing security reasons.

The otherwise busy Civil Lines wore a deserted look with only security forces and police personnel seen deployed to strictly impose the restrictions.

Both the busy Amira Kadal and Budshah bridges on the Jehlum river connecting uptown with the Civil Lines have been closed with barbed wire and nobody was being allowed to cross them.

"We have orders that nobody should be allowed to move towards Budshah Chowk", a police personnel said at Jehangir Chowk, asking people, including mediapersons to go back to their homes.

Mothers waits sons return from 14 years

Srinagar: Old age has turned her weak but with the hope that her son may return, she (Muglee) sits at the window, looking out at the door to get the glance of his son. When she hears voice similar to her son, she gets thrilled in excitement but it remains only for a short time.

She has still hope that her son would come one day, despite 14 years has  passed, since then, her son was picked up by the security forces and has become an epitome of the struggle of his family members.

Fourteen years ago, when Ashiq Hussain Malik of Peer Bagh Srinagar was picked up by the 20 Grenade Army from his residence, since then, he never returned home again and (Muglee) has been craving to see his son.

Narrating that fateful night, which used to be Ashiq's last night at home,  Mohammad Kamal Malik, elder brother of Ashiq Hussain, told Agence India Press that, "On 23rd,  24th intervening night of May 1997,  clocks were striking to 11pm, Army persons climbed over the gate and barged into our house and called him (Ashiq) out by his name."

“When he (Ashiq) came out, he was wearing undershirt and trouser. They (Army persons) told him to show them the house of Ghulam Qadir Bhat, a local resident of our locality. But they put him in an Army vehicle and took away," shares Kamal.

Kamal claims that they went to the local police station Humhama, Budgam to registered an FIR but the case was registered in an ordinary note book.

Ghulam Qader Bhat, a local resident was also picked by same army company that night, after five days he was released outside his house at 9pm.
" On hearing the news about Bhat's release, our all family members went outside to find him (Ashiq), but we could not find him anywhere in our locality,” says Kamaal in a dejected voice.

While sharing his woeful tale, Ghulam Qader Bhat, said, “When Army picked him (Ashiq)  from his house, I was already in the same vehicle, they took us together to 20 Grenade Army camp Zainakote HMT Srinagar. We were separated in the camp but at the time of serving meals, they opened our handcuffs. I looked at Ashiq Hussain who was badly tortured and his skin was burnt. On the fifth day, when I saw him last time he was wearing army clothes."

"I thought they will release him. I told him to convey my family that I am in 20 Grende army camp. Then, they took him in a vehicle, after half an hour they took me in another vehicle and released me outside my house," says Bhat.

 The family member of Ashiq claims that, they went to 20 Grande army camp to know the whereabouts of Ashiq, but ' they (Army persons) did not allow us to enter inside the camp. Even they refused that they have picked him with Bhat.'

The family members had also approached to Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani, the local MLA and Ali Mohammad Sagar, Home Minister at that time to know the whereabouts of Ashiq, but to no avail.

  "Then we filed a case in the J&K Human Rights Commission Srinagar and filed suit in the Srinagar Wing of High Court. They asked us for FIR copies, when we went to the local police station for an FIR copies, they refused that any FIR has been registered in the station,"  shares Kaleem, family's woeful tail, how much they endeavored to trace the Ashiq.

By adding he said, "The Human Rights Commission asked to present eye witnesses and Honorable High Court referred case to the Budgam Lower Court to listen eye witnesses. We presented eye witnesses including Bhat and then Lower Court Budgam sent report to the Srinagar High Court on behalf of eye witnesses."

On the orders of the Honorable High Court, Police has registered an FIR on February 03, bearing No 18/2005 under section 342,365 P/S Budgam.
"One day Badgam police said that he was jailed in army camp Solina near Silk factory Srinagar and on the next day, police refused that.  We went to Solina Army camp to inquire about Ashiq, but they refused regarding any information about Ashiq," says Kaleem , while agony vividly reflects from his face.

Thereafter, the whole army company was shifted and camp was lifted.  "We went to search him outside the state and even went almost too every jail of India but no one accepted my younger brother was ever arrested,” says Malik.

“Later Human Rights Commission offered us compensation and closed the case but we refused the offer because we cannot sell our brother for few pennies,” he asserts.

Since then, the family is yet to know the whereabouts of Ashiq and are waiting for justice with a silver-lining. While, everyday, she (Muglee) sits at the window, looking out at the door to get the glance of her son, with the hope that Ashiq would return home one day.