Resolving DIALOGUE

Mufti_Mohammad_Sayeed.Reiterating resolve of his party to work as a peace facilitator to ensure de-escalation of tension on the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Thursday asserted that PDP would convince political groups of the country to initiate a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan to restore lasting peace on the borders.

He said the normalcy between India and Pakistan is must for the socio-economic growth of the people of South Asian region.

“From these border areas, I appeal Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and leadership of opposition NDA to evolve consensus for taking some concerted steps to control escalation of tension on the borders because peace is the urge of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”, he said while addressing border residents at several places, said the statement received by Kashmir News Service.  He said that peace on the borders is in the interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir because they bear maximum brunt of the hostility between the two countries.

Mr Sayeed expressed his concern over recent unpleasant events on the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts and emphasized on the need of taking some effective steps to avoid reoccurrence of such unfortunate incidents in future. He said that the ceasefire, which was announced on the borders by the former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in the year 2003, had brought positives changes in the lives of the common people in Jammu and Kashmir.

“For the people of Jammu & Kashmir the ceasefire had brought peace in their lives so I am hopeful the leadership of country would realize the importance of maintaining the spirit of the ceasefire at any cost”, he said and exuded confidence that political leadership of Pakistan would also exhibit wisdom at this crucial juncture.

PDP patron said that there is no substitute to the dialogue so the policy of peace and reconciliation started by the PDP must be taken to its logical conclusion for establishing lasting peace in this region.

“I appealed Prime Minister of India and political leadership of Pakistan to adopt realistic and purposeful policy to establish lasting and sustainable peace in this region’, he said, adding, “Peace is precondition for solving all issues”.

Lifted SECURITY

The authorities have removed security cover of Ghulam Hassan Khan, former minister and senior Congress leader from his Shopian residence.

Khan termed the decision unfortunate and a ‘reward’ for speaking truth about the recent firing incident that took place at Gagran in Shopian resulting into the death of four youth.

“I had said that the youths killed in the incident were civilians. I think, this is the sin I committed that the authorities have withdrawn my security cover,” Khan said.

Giving details about his security cover, the former minister said a total of 13 CRPF guards including a sub inspector were attached with him since 1996. “I don’t know who has issued the orders for removal of my security cover which took place at 11 in the morning today,” Khan said, adding that he had inquired about it from the deputy commissioner and Superintendent of Police Shopian but couldn’t get a satisfactory answer.

“They told me that they will look into the matter,” the senior Congress leader from Shopian informed. He also termed the move as a ploy to prevent him from discharging political activities in his constituency which according to him is known for militant activities.

“God forbid if anything untoward happens with me or my family; the state government shall be responsible for that,” Khan said, adding that some vested interests have hatched a sinister plot to restrict his movement.

Prof Saif-u-Din Soz, president Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) when asked about the issue, said that he is in Jammu and has not received any such information. “I am coming to Srinagar in a day or so. I will surely take this issue with the concerned authorities,” Soz added.

On September 12, while refuting the police claims that one among the four youth killed in Shopian was a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant, Khan had said that the slain was a Bihari labourer who had nothing to do militancy.

Petitioning PEPPER

A day after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court declined to accept a PIL filed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq seeking ban on the usage of pepper gas and pellet guns in Kashmir, the Hurriyat (M) Thursday said that it will file a review petition against the High Court judgment in coming days.

“The legal cell of the APHC is exploring provisions of a review petition or filing an appeal against the High Court’s judgment in a few days,” said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) while talking to Kashmir News Service.

Pertinently, on Tuesday, the High Court besides Mirwaiz’s petition had dismissed all the connected petitions on the same subjects.

In its judgment, the Court had said the petitioners had oblique motive in their petition which was moved half heartedly before the Court. The Court has said that the prayers in the petition cannot be accepted in view of the law laid down by the Supreme Court and their own observations.

In May, this year, the Court had admitted a PIL filed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of Hurriyat (M), against the use of pellets and pepper gas used by police and CRPF to deal with law and order situations.

Mirwaiz had referred to a youth Suhail Ahmad Khan son of Abdul Majid Khan of Khalid Colony Soura who according to him was critically injured after being hit by pellets fired by forces in old city.

‘Drowned’ REPORT

Police submitted the ‘conclusive’ report of Zahid Iqbal case to the court. Giving details of the case the District Police Authorities stated that Srinagar police fished out a body of a missing person Zahid Iqbal Bhat son of Mohammad Iqbal resident of Padshi Bagh, Srinagar from river Jhelum on August 26, 2013.

Pertinently Zahid Iqbal of Padshahi Bagh, Srinagar whose body was fished out from river Jhelum had died of drowning while his friend was booked for concealing his belongings for person use.

Srinagar police initiated inquest proceedings under section 174 CrPC to ascertain the cause of the death. After conducting post mortem his body was handed over to his legal heirs for last rites.

According to the report, during the investigation of the case, some friends of the deceased were called for questioning. Search of the cell phone and SIM Card was made through surveillance unit Raj Bagh, during which it came to surface that cell phone is being used by a lady from Soura, Srinagar.

She was called for questioning. During questioning she stated that the said cell phone was given to her by her nephew namely Ruhail Gowhar Sofi son of Mohammad Sidiq Sofi resident of Padshahi Bagh. The Ruhail Gowhar was called to police station for questioning during questioning he disclosed that the deceased was his friend and neighbour.

On August 25, 2013 after Friday prayer both went towards river Jhelum, where deceased went for bathing in the river while he went to other side for smoking. When he came he found the cloths of the deceased on river bank. Before going for bathing the deceased had handover watch and cell phone to Ruhail Gowher. On his return he did not find the deceased at bathing place, he was afraid and left the place.

It further added that subsequently police seized the cell phone and wristwatch. Later on post mortem report was also obtained from the concerned quarters, “which shows that the death of deceased was caused due to drowning.”

The items wrist watch and cell phone of deceased which were recovered and seized were kept by the Ruhail Gowhar Sofi dishonestly for his personal use and he was booked under section 404/RPC.

Speaking FIREBAND

Mustafa-KamalNational Conference legislator and uncle of the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Shiekh Mustafa Kamal Wednesday alleged New Delhi for “harbouring Syed Ali Geelani to weaken NC in Jammu and Kashmir.”

“Not only Pakistan but New Delhi is also providing monetary assistance to Geelani and other like-minded separatist leaders to uproot National Conference from the political map of the State,” Kamal told Srinagar based news agency. He however added “people have lost faith in Geelani.”

Kamal alleged that Geelani was released to persuade people especially the supporters of Jamat-e-Islami to caste vote in favour of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in forthcoming Parliament and assembly elections.

“Geelani and Company will now visit NC bastions to enforce election boycott and would urge upon Jamat-e-Islami supporters and leaders to help PDP during elections,” he said.

He said that PDP and Jamat-e-Islami are hand in glove while Geelani is playing a key role in strengthening their bond. “They should know that they can’t uproot NC as it is the only party in Jammu and Kashmir which has a strong base. Geelani, Jamat-e-Islami or PDP will never succeed in their designs,” Kamal said.

National Conference Additional General Secretary lashed out at Hurriyat leaders and said that they are playing negative politics to digest the funds which they receive both from India and Pakistan.

“What these Hurriyat leaders could do for people when they are themselves scattered and disintegrated, if their agenda is one, then why they have opened their shops separately. The fact is that they fill up their coffers and befool fool,” Kamal said adding people of Kashmir should try to find out the reasons why these separatist leaders are not ready to share the same dais.

Kamal reiterated that Geelani was not arrested by the Government but sometime authorities imposed restrictions on his movement to avoid untoward incidents.

Criticising CM

Omar_AbdullahSeparatist leadership Tuesday ridiculed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement suggesting that Irish model and Scotland devolution can be an inspiration for future settlement of Kashmir issue.

Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani said that any solution other than right to self determination is unacceptable to Kashmiris. “No solution which aims at status quo will be acceptable to people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Geelani said Jawahir Lal Nehru the then Prime Minister of India along with Sheikh Abdullah had promised on November 12, 1952 Kashmiris that any solution to the Kashmir issue will be based on political aspirations of Kashmiris.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik today said the political mainstream of the state should not say what is beyond their defined mandate.

“The state assembly is fragmented. Some say Self Rule, some say Autonomy and now someone says Irish and Scotland models. This is again an effort to dilute   the Kashmir issue and the statement has been given to give an impression to West that Kashmiri are a fragmented lot,” Malik said.

He said the political mainstream of Jammu and Kashmir has exhibited its powers so far in failing to get Armed Forces Special Powers revoked. “The state Assembly couldn’t save Afzal Guru from gallows while as killers of Rajiv Gandhi were saved by their respective states.  The members of this Assembly should not trespass their mandate by making big slogans which are beyond their jurisdiction,” he added.

Shabir Shah, president Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has expressed strong resentment over Omar’s statement saying that the chief minister is unaware of the reality of history and geography of Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah said the new generation of Kashmir has waken-up from centuries old deep slumber. Omar Abdullah can’t make them sleep again at any cost. He said we will continue our struggle till Indian forcible occupation ends in Kashmir. Terming Omar’s statement as open proof of  “slavery mindedness”.

Asiya Andrabi, chief of Dukhtarn-e-Millat (DeM) straightway rejected Omar’s statement saying that the chief minister wants to play to galleries for the coming assembly elections.

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