Kashmir on o6 September 2010

GoI be given time to examine Geelani’s points: Omar

Says efforts on to break ice on K-issue

Srinagar: Stating that sustained dialogue was imperative to settle political tension once for all, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday called for providing time to Government of India to examine five-conditions put forth by Chairman of his faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

“Mr Geelani has put forward some points. We should give time to the government of India to examine them and provide its reply,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in response to a question by reporters after inauguration of a grid station in Kotbalwal area in Jammu.

Omar also obliquely urged New Delhi to look into the demands in optimistically, asserting: “I hope that Centre shall give such a response that will improve situation in Kashmir.”

The veteran leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani has set five conditions for reviewing the ongoing strike protests and threatened to intensify agitation incase the “five minimum” demands were not met.

The minimum necessary conditions set forth by Geelani including that India must agree Jammu Kashmir as an international dispute, Announce and begin the process of complete demilitarization, to be monitored by some credible agency like UN, Repeal “black laws” such as AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act), PSA (Public Safety Act), Immediate and unconditionally release of detainees and booking perpetrators of ‘state violence’ that claimed over 65 people.

Omar also called upon every person with a representative character to come forward and helped resolve the Kashmir issue even as he stated that no one would claim to be a lone representative of the people in Kashmir.

On Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Omar said that two options were being worked out. One, he said, is to amend the stringent sections of the AFSPA and made it soft while other is to remove it in a phased manner from areas where there is near zero militancy and no role of the Army.

“An exercise is also being undertaken in to identify districts with near there is least or no militancy,” he said.

Earlier, addressing public gatherings at Balwal (Jammu) and Budhal (Rajouri), the chief minister said that efforts were on to break the ice on Kashmir issue.

“In order to remove the political tension once for all, it is necessary to settle issues through sustained dialogue channels”, he said and assured that the interests of the State as a whole would be of paramount importance in this process.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the need of better relations between India and Pakistan.

“Unfortunately the ties between the two neighbours have not remained palatable for most of the period for various reasons”, he said and emphasized on bringing about necessary thaw in Indo-Pak relations for the larger public interests and lasting peace. He said “Pakistan has been, is and will remain our neighbour and India has always played positive role in improving the relations between the two countries”.

“We want Pakistan to be prosperous and peaceful”, he said expressing the hope that Pak will also move forward positively in the peace process, fulfilling its promises and creating an atmosphere of trust to settle issues amicably. He said we wish to transform the bitterness in Indo-Pak relations into sweetness. “Hum duo hamsaiun ke tanaaw ko mithas main badalana chathe hain (“We want to convert bitterness neighbours into sweetness”).

The Chief Minister lauded the people of Jammu division for showing highest degree of responsibility during recent situation in the Valley and not falling prey to the propagandist and vested elements. “You have foiled all attempts made to destabilize the communal harmony and brotherhood by exhibiting your political maturity and astute”, he told them calling for standing united against the perpetrators of hatred.

He said that equitable development and justice to all sections of the society was the benchmark of his government and from the day first he has tried to give good governance and attend to the day to day problems pertaining to the development of the State. “During my electioneering I asked the mandate for addressing development issues and striking on unemployment problem”, he said adding that in the last 18 months landmark achievements have been registered in the five important sectors of Roads and Bridges, Health, Education, Water and Power supply.

“We want you to judge us for the performance on development front”, he said and assured that the coalition government would fulfill its all promises made to the people during election campaign. “In fact certain elements got frustrated by the NC-Congress coalition in the State and from the day first tried to disturb the law and order and tranquility so that the attention of the government gets diverted from the development scenario”, he said and warned the people of evil designs of such elements.

The Chief Minister said that his government wants to revive Panchayats and Local Body Institutions as early as possible to transfer power to these democratic units. “This would at one hand help to address specific development needs in the specific areas and on the other help to curb misappropriation and leakage of funds”, he said and asked the people for larger participation in the elections to the Bodies.

Omar said that his government has taken many employee friendly steps since its inception including implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations. “The government recently ordered reduction in the qualifying age for pension”, he said and impressed upon the government employees to render their service to the public with devotion and responsibility.

Referring to the inauguration of two transmission lines and power stations, Omar said that power sector is receiving focused attention of the government as it is significantly essential for the all-round development of the State.

Omar said the government has to bear Rs. 1500 crore worth losses on the supply of electricity to the people annually. “Reason being partial or non-remittance of electricity fee by the consumers. Had this amount be available to the government, we need not to depend on central assistance for vast number of projects in Health, Education, Power, R&B and PHE”, he asserted and said that the availability of this amount would enable the government to address unemployment problem in a big way. The Chief Minister expressed hope that awareness about payment of electricity dues will fast inculcate in consumers which in turn, is in their own benefit. (PBI)

3 militants killed in Kupwara

Srinagar: Three militants were killed in a fierce gun battle in Kupwara districts of north Kashmir, official sources told on Monday.

They said four different battalions of army including 1 Naga, 6 para, 6 and 21 Rashtriya Rifles launched a joint cordon-and-search operation following specific information about the presence of militants in Hafrada, a forest area near Line of the Control in frontier district previous night.

They said that the militants on being challenged to surrender opened indiscriminate fire, which was retaliated. In the ensuing fierce gun battle, they said, three militants were killed. They said the searches operation in the area was going.

About the group affiliation and the identity of the slain militants, official said that it was being ascertained.

Hurriyat (M) for unconditional release of detainees

Srinagar: Expressing concern over the deteriorating health condition of pro-freedom leaders in several jails, the Hurriyat Conference (M) led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Monday demanded their unconditional release on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

“It is highly unfortunate and condemnable that Shabir Shah, Nayeem Khan, Mohmmad Ashraf Sehrai, Zafar Akbar Bhat, Advocate Mian Qayoom, Advocate GN Shaheen and other pro-freedom leaders are neither being provided adequate health care facilities under the Geneva convention nor is the government following the court orders to release them,” a spokesman of the amalgam said in a statement issued here

The spokesman said besides these pro-freedom leaders thousands of youth were being detained in several jails and notorious interrogation centers across India in “inhumane” conditions and demanded their release on the festival too.

“The international community and human rights groups should pressurize India to release these leaders and youth,” the spokesman added.

JKLF slams Farooq for his “Azadi’ comment

‘Independent JK Would Emerge As Model Welfare State’

Srinagar: Condemning National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah’s statement that ‘Azadi’ was impossible for Jammu and Kashmir, JKLF Monday said the independent state will emerge as a model welfare state.

“Pro-India leaders particularly Farooq Abdullah have been ridiculing Azadi as impossible for mere lust of power and position but surveys conducted since 1990s have clearly shown that more than 85 percent people in the state want independence. Jammu and Kashmir will not only get its Azadi but will also emerge as a great welfare state,” JKLF vice chairman, Advocate Bashir Ahmad Bhat said, according to a statement issued , Bhat led a JKLF delegation and visited families of youth killed in Islamabad district of south Kashmir by government forces over the past few months.

Bhat while paying rich tributes to the slain youth said the “young generation is writing a new chapter in the history of Kashmir with their blood.” He also castigated the government forces for use of brute force to intimidate people.

Meanwhile, JKLF has termed the killing of a youth, Showkat Ahmad Malik in Palhallan Pattan in forces’ action as the worst kind of state terrorism and said the sacrifices of youth won’t go waste while vowing to take the freedom movement to its logical conclusion.

Bear mauls Kokernag man

Srinagar: In yet another incident of man-animal conflict, a bear mauled and injured a man in Kokernag area in South Kashmir’s Islamabad district.

Official sources told that the wild beast attacked the man, Abdul Qadoos Deka son of Sona-ullah while he was cutting grass in maize fields at his native village at Deesu Kokernag. Deka was later shifted to hospital and his condition is stated be stable, they added.

Pulwama laborer dies as earth caves in

Srinagar: A labourer was buried under earth and two others had a miraculous escape as earth caved in during a digging process in Pulwama district on Monday.

Official sources told that a big chunk of earth caved in at Trich village in the southern Kashmir district, trapping three labourer, who were at work. While two were rescued, one labourer got buried. The deceased has been identified as Zubair Ahmad while those rescued include Mohammad Younis Bhat and Azad Adil Bhat.

GB Pant employees protest salary cut

Srinagar, June 23: To protest the salary cut, scores of employees of Valley’s sole children hospital, G B Pant hospital on Monday staged anti-administration demonstrations.

our city correspondent said that scores of employees this morning staged a peaceful demonstration near the hospital to protest the salary cut by the administration during the curfew days. Shouting slogans, the protesters under the banner of G B Pant medical employees’ federation (GBPMEF) were led by the union president, Ali Mohammad Dar. The protesters said that despite working with hard work and dedication in the most difficult situation in the last three months, the authorities have cut the salary of the employees who could not reach for duty on Sundays due to the curfew and strike.

“Despite the fact that 70 percent of employees hail from other districts of the Valley, GB Pant was the only hospital that was running smoothly. The administration did not provide the employees transport facility, however the employees risked their lives and performed their duty honestly. Salary cut is unjustified and injustice,” Dar, the union president said.

“The kiths and kins of the bureaucrats working in the hospital get salary for sitting on comfortable sofas but we’re been victimized,” he added.

The Union President said that the delegation of employees called upon the Medical Superintendent, Dr Kaisar and sought his intervention.

“Instead of a patient hearing, the medical superintendent threatened to deduct some money from our allowances as well. This is height of arrogance and mismanagement,” he added.

Medical Superintendent, G B Pant Dr Kaisar told that the protesting employees have not reported duty from the last three months. However, the administration, he said, provided them the salary while sitting home.

“Two and a half day salary has been deducted from the employees as fine. Their demand is not genuine and there allegations are totally baseless,” Kaisar said.

“Out of 15; only 6 nurses reported on all these months. The protesting employees refused to join the duty when ambulances were send to collect them. They would even switch off their mobile phones,” he added.

Uri man falls from walnut tree, dies

Srinagar: A man on Monday died after falling from a walnut tree in Nowshera area of Uri in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

reports from North Kashmir said that Nazir Ahmad, 45, son of Mohammad Ali Khan of Khodhalan village of Nowshera, Uri was critically injured when he lost control and fell on the ground while plucking walnuts from a tree. The injured was rushed to the district hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

Last year, Nazir’s son had also died in a tragic road accident on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway.

4 killed in mishaps across Kashmir

Srinagar: Four persons were killed and six others were injured in separate road accidents across the in Kashmir valley, official sources told on Monday.

They said a septuagenarian man was killed and three persons injured when a load carrier (JK05B-1456) turned turtle at Kunzer in northern Baramulla district.

The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Subhan (73) son of Abdul Samad Wani while the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment.

In another a vehicle (JK09-4391) hit and injured a pedestrian Hafeez-Ullah Shah son of Ghulam Mohammad of Takia Farooq Khansahib in central Kashmir’s Budgam near JVC hospital. Shah succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS, the official added.

In another accident, minibus (JK05A-1730) rolled down into a gorge at Pathankote, in northern Bandipora district. Three persons, Ishfaq Ahmad Chechi son of Makhna of Bonar Ongam Bandipora, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Khan son of Abdul Rashid of Yari Bonekote Bandipora and Manzoor Ahmad Mir son of Abdul Gani Mir of Pazalpora Bandipora were injured and shifted to hospital. One of the injured, Ishfaq Ahmad Chechi succumbed to his injuries on way to hospital, a police spokesman said.

An unknown silver colour Santro car hit and injured a girl, Sabia daughter of Abdul Rashid Larihangi Dar of Gangerhama Ganderbal near Rabitar area in the central Kashmir district. “The injured girl succumbed to her injuries on way to hospital,” the spokesman said.

One person was injured in a collision among a Taveera vehicle (S-2746), a Maruti Car (JK05B-4918) and an Auto on Highway near Mir Gund Baramulla. The injured, Shabir Ahmad Malla (auto driver), who was injured, has been hospitalized while All the three vehicle were damaged.

24 cross LoC via Poonch

Srinagar: As many as 22 fresh visitors from this part of Jammu and Kashmir were on board Poonch-Rawalakote peace bus as 24 persons crossed sides along the Line of Control via Poonch in Jammu region.

Official sources told that said one visitor from Pakistan administered Kashmir arrived via Chakandabagh crossing point in Poonch this morning when gate was opened at around 11:55 am. There was no resident of Poonch and Rajouri on board the weekly bus service.

However, 22 first time visitors from this part of the Kashmir crossed over to PaK, after several weeks. One resident of Pak travelled back after completing their allotted stay of 28-days in this part of the divided line, they added. ( curtsy PBI...pix Burhan Kennu & aip)