Jammu, May 29
With the detection of a Chinese mobile network in the state already having created a flutter, now another disturbing fact has come to light. For some international telecom networks, it seems, Jammu and Kashmir is not a part of the Indian territory.
Once one crosses the Lakhanpur barrier and enters Pathankot district of Punjab, the international networks flash the message “Welcome to India”. However, when one enters J&K, the networks flash the message “Hope your stay in India was pleasant”.
This was revealed to The Tribune by an import and export businessman, who carried an international mobile number. He said he was shocked to know that he was not in India as per his mobile network, even though he was in Jammu and Kashmir.
Confirming that the network was not available in just Hira Nagar and Lakhanpur, sources said the intelligence agencies were informed about the matter and the process to rectify the same was on.
Though the local police and telecom officials said they were unaware of the Chinese mobile network availability in the region, intelligence agencies revealed they were taking up the matter with the authorities concerned.
“It is a serious matter. An international mobile network, which in this case is Chinese, can be detected only after an agreement with the Indian government,” the sources said.
They added that a private telecom service provider was liable to face serious action if it does not recognise J&K as an integral part of the country.
“It is shocking that a few international networks welcome the subscriber to India when one enters Punjab from J&K. We will investigate it further,” said a security official.
Though it was common to receive Pakistan mobile network in the state, it was only recently that the signals of a Chinese mobile network company “Zong” were detected.
The detection, exposed by The Tribune early this month, came close on the Army’s claim that Chinese military personnel were present in the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
Jammu: He earned a masters in business administration (MBA) in Derbyshire and was flooded with job offers. But Gurmeet Singh Bajwa had other dreams. He has just been elected a sarpanch of a small village close to the Pakistan border.
At age 28, Bajwa says this is what he is committed to: serve village folks still steeped in poverty and corruption.
"At one point, my promise was to live up to the dream of my family who wanted me to make a mark abroad," Bajwa told IANS, speaking in a mixture of Punjabi, Engish and Hindi. "Now it is to serve my people."
He added: "Individual excellence is nothing to working for society."
The ongoing panchayat elections have produced another icon in Jammu and Kashmir in Bajwa, whose Kang village in the Ranbirsingh Pora belt lies on the international border with Pakistan.
The young Sikh belongs to one of the most affluent and influential families of the region.
His father is Trilok Singh Bajwa, a senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and a former Rajya Sabha member.
On May 17, voters decided they would give the younger Bajwa a chance to preside over their destinies. He polled 735 votes compared to his nearest rival, Karmajeet Singh, who got just 140 votes.
Kang village has a mixed population of Sikhs and non-Sikhs, the majority of whom are Jats, a community spread over both Punjab and in the adjoining belt of Jammu.
Before he contested the panchayat elections, Bajwa lived in the village, located only three kilometers from the Pakistan border.
After early education in the Jammu region, he went to Britain in 2004.
He returned to India in 2008 to help his father in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. The elder Bajwa, however, lost.
But why contest panchayat elections when Bajwa could have aimed high with his father's connections?
"It's always a small step that paves way for a big one," Bajwa said. "I want to work for my people, serve them. And if I can serve them effectively, that would be a big step in itself."
The villages in the border belt of Jammu and Kashmir have several peculiar problems: shortage of water to irrigate the fields, and recurring fights over water and land.
The villagers on the border are also victims of the uneasy India-Pakistan relations.
If and when guns boom, they have to retreat to their homes or even migrate to safe places, far away from their village, leaving their fields untended.
Bajwa has already uncovered a huge problem: corruption.
"The biggest problem I face here today is that almost 90 percent of the landlords have registered themselves as those belonging to BPL (Below Poverty Line) families," he said. "As a result, the deserving cases are suffering."
He wants to reverse this and get justice done.
"I shall work for the social uplift and justice to all sections; that's my aim," Bajwa said.
"As of now my aim is to work for the people at the local level. Tomorrow, if there is an opportunity to serve at a bigger scale, I may do that. But that's all in the realm of tomorrow.
"As of now, I want to work for the people in the village to make their tomorrow better."
Said father Bajwa: "The people of the area compelled him, and he was more than willing to contest elections and work for the people." (IANS)
Srinagar, May 24: A latest study on critically endangered species Hangul or Kashmir Stag, found only in Kashmir, has revealed that there was no significant increase in the animal population.
The survey which was undertaken by Department of Wildlife Protection in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India follows various measures announced by the state government and government of India to save the only surviving species of the Red Deer group in the sub-continent.
“The average raw count of the Hangul was estimated to be 218±13.96. The numbers although showing an increasing trend from 2009, however, is not to be considered a significant increase in the population of Hangul,” the study highlights.
Last time the survey was undertaken in 2009 which had shown Hangul population (raw count) at 175. The latest survey has shown an increase of 43.
The survey was undertaken in March this year in an area of 1,107 kilometers in 87 transects including Dachigam National Park and adjoining areas including Dara, Nishat, Braine, Cheshmashahi, Khonmoh, Khrew, Wangath, Shikargah, Khiram, Khangund Conservation Reserves and the adjoining forest areas of Sindh Forest.
Conservation of Hangul assumes great significance as the species is placed under Schedule-I in the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978 (amended up to 2002) and the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. It is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.
However in an encouraging sign the study reveals that the male: female ratio and female: fawn ratio has also exhibited a “better trend” in the current census.
The survey indicated a positive trend in Hangul population, age group and sex ratio, which is encouraging for sustenance of this critically endangered species. It appears to be due to the effective protection, control of poaching and various conservation measures taken by the Department, apart from lending more credibility to the census operations through the involvement of independent volunteers, researchers, students and the NGOs.
Ministry of Environments and Forestry has already approved Rs 22 crores Species Recovery Plan for Hangul for a period of five years under the Species Recovery Programme of the “Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats”.
The Department has started construction of Conservation Breeding Centres for Hangul at Shikargarh, Tral with the financial assistance from the Central Zoo Authority of Ministry of Environment and Forests.
THOSE WHO MAKE A PROPAGANDA OF PROJECTING KASHMIR AS AN `UNSAFE' TOURIST DESTINATION ARE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD. LET'S HOPE PEACE PREVAILS AND TOURISTS ENJOY THEIR STAY IN THE VALLEY OF BEAUTY AND BLISS, WRITES JAVAID MALIK
This year Kashmir Valley is witnessing a huge tourist flow. People associated with the tourism sector seem to be heaving a sigh of relief with the hope that this year they would make up the loss they suffered during the three consecutive preceding seasons. Most of them believe that it’s too early to rejoice and be happy as the summer has just begun. There is no doubt about the fact that situation this year is much better than the previous years. Till date law enforcing agencies have exercised restraint and state government also doesn’t seem to be in any mood of giving any reason to separatists to start any kind of agitation.
Many people have started believing that this year would be different from the last three years so stage seems to be set for a good tourism season which government claims is the back bone of the state’s economy.
However, the propaganda launched by some people with vested interest about Kashmir being an “unsafe tourist destination” can definitely hit the tourism sector. Recently Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik had issued a statement assuring the tourists that Kashmir is the “safest tourist destination” and they are welcome. He termed rumors about Kashmir being unsafe as baseless. He had assured the tourists about their safety. Interestingly the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora had seconded Malik and had appreciated him for giving such a bold statement. It was a rare occasion, a Minister praising a separatist.
Anyway those who are propagating that “Kashmir is not safe” seem to have forgotten that not a single tourist was harmed when Kashmir was simmering last year. People were angry but despite that they exercised restraint to prove it to the world that they are not violence mongers and they respect their guests even during the worst times.
A few tourists who visited Kashmir in 2008, 2009 and 2010 publicly announced that people of Kashmir are not to be blamed for the violence. Despite 112 youth falling to bullets of government forces last year not a single member of minority community was touched. The annual Amarnath Yatra passed off peacefully with thousands of devotees visiting the cave shrine in South Kashmir. One wonders how anyone can ignore such glaring facts.
New Delhi based news channels in 2010 aired many debates on Kashmir but all these channels made violence a focal point. None of these channels bothered to highlight how tolerant and hospitable Kashmiris are. Ironically these channels claim that they are unbiased and believe in objectivity. It seems objectivity for them is only to report violence. One needs to ask them why they don’t report what Kashmiris are facing and how they treat their guests?
Scores of parliamentarians, social activists and others during all these years have frequently visited the residence of the Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who is considered to be the hardliner, but till date he has never said `no' to meeting anyone who has visited him. He has welcomed everyone with open arms. Unfortunately such events do not get reported in national dailies or channels, but whenever Geelani calls for a strike or asks people to stage a protest it makes headlines and national media leaves no stone unturned to prove that he is “out to disturb peace and ruin the economy” of Kashmir.
One fails to understand why everyone wants to see Kashmir burning. It seems peace and calm in Kashmir doesn’t suit some people even in New Delhi. Why some people want Kashmir to simmer during the peak season is a million dollar question which only they can answer.
Kashmiris have time and again proved that they are peace loving people and don’t believe in violence but situation at times compels them to give vent to their anger.
Many national and international organizations in their reports have put it on record that Kashmir is one of the heaviest militarized zones in the world and people are living under the shadow of gun.
Despite thousands of force personnel being deployed across the length and breadth of the Valley some people still claim that Kashmir is an “unsafe place” for tourists. One needs to ask how can be one of the heaviest militarized zones be unsafe for tourists. Is Kashmir unsafe because thousands of force personnel are deployed here? Anyway government claims that force personnel are in the Valley for the security of people. If it is true then why this propaganda?
It seems this tirade against Kashmir has been launched to hit its economy as some people don’t want Kashmir to prosper. Tourism sector directly or indirectly helps business and economy to flourish and everyone gets benefited in some or other way. Had Kashmir not been dependent on Srinagar-Jammu highway, only road link connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of the world, situation could have been different. Prior to 1947 Kashmir was not dependent on this highway. People from Central Asia and other parts of the world used to visit Kashmir through different routes. Kashmir was a commercial hub and a junction but after 1947 Kashmir has been cut off from the rest of the world. How unfortunate it is that when entire world is progressing and it has been turned into a global village, people of Kashmir have only one road which connects them with rest of the world.
History stands testimony to the fact that Kashmiris are the most hospitable people and they give lot of respect to their guests. Some people are of the opinion that once tourists get over the fear psychosis Kashmir has got the potential of becoming a top tourist destination. Many people don’t want that to happen. Some believe that it can make Kashmiris economically stronger. They fear that if Kashmiris become financially strong they can pose a bigger threat and can turn the tables. Poor Kashmir can never be threat as for any poor nation hand to mouth survival is the first priority. No one can predict the future but one thing is for sure that no Kashmiri would ever harm a tourist or an outsider. Had that not been a fact hundreds of non local labourers would not have stayed put in Kashmir despite adverse conditions. Kashmir separatists leaders have quite often reiterated that people of Kashmir are not against any religion or the people of India and anyone can come here without any fear.
New Delhi: A Hindu group has announced a reward of 'Rupees 10 lakhs on the head of social activist Swami Agnivesh' for supporting Kashmir cause and speaking against Amarnath yatra, a Hyderabad based newspaper reported on Sunday.
Uttar Pradesh unit of Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha, (ABHM) said that the Agnivesh is supporting the divisive forces in Kashmir and criticising the Amaranth Yatra.
A statement released by the group quoting its state president, Kamlesh Tiwari also appealed to activist Anna Hazare to maintain a distance from Swami Agnivesh.
Makhan Lal Zutshi Vows To Work For Welfare Of Villagers
Srinagar May 22: Another Kashmiri Pandit, Makhan Lal Zutshi, has won an uncontested Panch seat in the ongoing Panchayat elections, in Tahab village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The contended Panch, who is enjoying support of Muslim voters, is now going to contest for Sarpanch position—something, he believes, he has almost achieved.
Zutshi filed papers for Panch position from Ward 6 of Tahab village after his Kashmiri acquaintances asked him for the same, given his social commitment and benign nature.
“The election for the Panch post was scheduled for May 25. Nobody stood up against me and I won uncontested,” Zutshi told Greater Kashmir. “Now the Muslim brothers are asking me to contest for Sarpanch position, the elections for which shall be held on May 25.”
If Zuthsi wins the election, he would be the first Kashmiri Pandit to become a Sarpanch in the Valley, in the ongoing polls.
“The success behind my win is the Muslim brothers and sisters. There are 3300 voters in our village. I enjoy the support of majority of them,” he said. “Now for Sarpanch, two candidates are contesting against me. I am hopeful of my win.”
He said the villagers are vigorously campaigning for him.
Zuthsi was a Power Development Department employee who retired in 2000. During his stint at home, he remained popular among the villagers for his simplicity, and for extending a helping hand to the needy.
“Our area is backward. Muslim brothers and sisters trust me that I would work for the benefit of the villagers,” he said. “This trust has always been there. Kashmiri Muslims and Pandits are inseparable part of Kashmir society. We have been living together since centuries and have collectively faced the problems and cherished happiness.”
Zuthsi has a wife, a son and two daughters. He has a message for his community members living outside the Valley.
“We never left the Tahab village even during the peak of militancy. My conscience and sense of roots did not allow me to leave my home. Nobody came here to harm us. The villagers took care of us. We never felt threatened,” Zutshi said. “That brotherhood persists in Kashmir. There is no security threat. I appeal the Pandit community living outside to return.”
Earlier on May 10 Asha Ji, 52, who worked as a peon, shot into spotlight in Kunzar village in north Kashmir by becoming first Kashmiri Pandit woman Panch.
PaK Officials Conduct Ground Check
G U KYANI
Muzaffarabad, May 20: The process for return of Kashmiri youth from Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) has begun under the Rehabilitation Policy launched by the Jammu and Kashmir government recently.
According to sources, for the first time during the past 22-years, a team of officials from the Pakistani security establishment Thursday visited a Kashmiri refugee camp near Busnara here for ‘ground check’ and identified nine youth for their return to the Valley. The Pak officials during their visit to the camp verified the details of identity, refugee status and present occupation of the short-listed persons.
The nine youth identified by Pak officials for return include Abdul Rashid Dar alias Hussain of Shopian, Fayaz Ahmad Ganaie of Pulwama, Mushtaq Ahmad Naik of Anantnag, Raja Sajjad Ahmad Dar of Anantnag, Abdul Rashid Dar of Baramulla, Sher Khan of Kupwara, Muhammad Sajjad Shah of Budgam, Muhammad Aslam of Tral and Ali Muhammad.
Sources told Greater Kashmir that the short-listed persons expressed their willingness to go back to their homes in the Kashmir valley.
One of the short-listed youth Muhammad Sajjad Shah of Budgam said it was for the first time that such an enquiry for their return was being conducted by the Pak authorities. Sajjad said he was more than willing to go back to his home.
Pertinently, with the eruption of militancy hundreds of youth from the Kashmir valley had crossed over to PaK. While most of them went back, a large chunk stayed back and got married to local girls raising families. Each such family was being paid a monthly stipend of Rs 1500 by PaK authorities.
However, these youth complain of living in appalling conditions and are eager to go back to the Valley. However, they are worried over the fate of their wives and children, who are not the residents of the Valley and don’t fall in the ambit of the rehabilitation policy.
Reports have already suggested that the issue of citizenship of children of the youth, who had married PaK girls, would be decided under existing laws of the Government of India if such youth were allowed to return.
GOI CLEARS 5 YOUTH
GKNN Adds from Srinagar: Meanwhile, according to reports out of 23 names short-listed by the state intelligence agencies for return from PaK under the Rehabilitation Policy, clearance of 18 has been withheld by national agencies like Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) giving nod to return of five militants.
All five militants cleared for return once belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen and hailed from Islamabad (Anantnag) district of Kashmir valley. They were held-up in PaK for a period ranging between 10 to 20 years, reports said.
The youth, whose names have been approved for return by the agencies here include Bashir Ahmed Bhat son of Abdul Kabir Bhat of Dooru, Anantnag, Abdul Rashid alias Koka son of Habibullah, Shabir Ahmed son of Ghulam Hassan, Tariq Ahmed Lone, a resident of Qazigund and Tariq Ahmed Sheikh son of Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, all residents of Islamabad (Anantnag).
Reports said on the remaining 18 names there were objections by the national agencies.
In the meantime, names of five youth, who have been cleared by the security agencies for return, have been sent to the Union Home Ministry for final clearance and preparing their travel documents for forwarding to Pakistan High Commission to facilitate their return.
Under the Rehabilitation Policy, return of the youth could be facilitated through cross-LoC points of Poonch-Rawlakote and Uri-Muzaffarabad routes in Jammu and Kashmir, Wagah border in Punjab and Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
After the announcement of Rehabilitation Policy, the Police Department through District SPs, who had been appointed as Nodal Officers, had received about 700 applications from the family members of youth stranded in Pakistan and PaK for past 10 to 20 years.
Number of the youth from Jammu and Kashmir stranded in Pakistan and PaK varied with different security agencies. According to official sources, it could be around or over 3000.
As per the Rehabilitation Policy, the youth on their return would be kept in rehabilitation camps and subjected to questioning before being allowed to re-unite with their families.
India is reviewing a list of 50 "most wanted fugitives" it says are hiding in Pakistan, a day after one of them was traced to a prison in Mumbai (Bombay).
Feroz Abdul Rashid Khan, who is accused of involvement in a 2003 train bombing, was arrested last year and is behind bars in the city's Arthur Road jail. Earlier it turned out that another "fugitive" had already been bailed and was living in Mumbai with his mother. Opposition parties and Pakistani media have derided the episode as a fiasco. Correspondents say the mistakes are likely to cost India dear, as well as being hugely embarrassing. They say Islamabad will now be able to raise doubts about other names on the list too. For years Pakistan has denied harbouring militants India says are guilty of attacks on its soil.
Lapses :The "most wanted" list was removed from the website of the Central Bureau of Investigation after news of the second mistake emerged.
"We have an inmate called Feroze Khan in the Arthur Road jail," the Times of India newspaper quoted the inspector general of prisons, Surendra Kumar, as saying.
Mr Khan's lawyer Farzana Shah told the BBC that he had been arrested on 5 February last year and had been in jail since then.
In a statement, the CBI said "a preliminary inquiry has revealed a lapse regarding inclusion of Feroz Abdul Rashid Khan in the list".
An inspector has been suspended, two officials transferred and an inquiry launched into the lapse, the statement said.
Doubts were raised on Wednesday when it emerged that Wazhul Kamar Khan, who is also accused of involvement in a 2003 Mumbai train bombing, had already been released on bail.
India gave the list to Pakistan at the end of March when the home secretaries of the two countries met for talks.
India blames Pakistan-based militant groups, such as the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), for carrying out many of the attacks in India in recent years.
It also accuses Pakistan of providing sanctuary to former Mumbai underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Mr Ibrahim and LeT founder Hafiz Saeed are among those named on the most-wanted list.
Islamabad, May 19: For the first time in the past 64 years, civil administration officials from both parts of divided Kashmir met at Peace Bridge in Uri on the Line of Control Thursday to discuss the issues regarding the cross LOC trade and bus service.
During the meeting, both the sides unanimously recommended increasing the number of trade items, extending trade from two to four days a week and holding of monthly meetings between the traders.
“The bus service should be allowed to cross the bridge,” they also suggested.
Both the sides decided to send the recommendations to higher authorities for their approval. Hitherto the issues were being discussed at the India-Pakistan level only.
The Pakistan Administered Kashmir was represented by Director General Trade And Travel Authority Brigadier Ismail, Deputy Commissioner Hattian Bala Abdul Hameed Mughal while from this side Director Industries and Commerce Kachoo Asfandyar, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Bashir Ahmed Bhat and Trade Facilitation Officer Salamabad Nazir Ahmed Baba participated in the meet.
’People Yearn For Peace With Justice’
Srinagar, May 16: New Delhi appointed interlocutors on Kashmir Monday said participation of people in Panchayat polls and Kashmir problem were two different issues.
“Polls and Kashmir issue are far away from each other. People are participating in elections to address their basic issues,” said chief interlocutor Dileep Padgaonkar, at the 2-day “Peace Conference” organized by “J&K Peace Foundation” here. He was flanked by other two members of the panel - academician Radha Kumar and former Information Commissioner MM Ansari.
However, Padgaonkar quickly added: “There is no doubt that by participating in the polls people have reiterated their faith in democracy.”
Panchayat elections are being held for the first time in JK after more than a decade. The 16-phase elections have recorded more than 80 percent participation during the first eight phases.
Referring to the task assigned to them to prepare a roadmap for resolving the Kashmir issue, Padgaonkar said he was glad to announce that “we can see the tunnel and the light at the end of the tunnel as well. But it’s the people of Jammu and Kashmir who can exactly tell us what can constitute broad contours of the political settlement to Kashmir issue.”
This is the 8th visit of the panel to Kashmir and so far it has met more than 500 delegations from different regions of the state, Padgaonkar said. The panel was appointed last October by government of India following summer unrest in which at least 117 people were killed.
Padgaonkar disclosed that the panel has prepared an interim report, which he said would be submitted to Prime Minister and Union Home Minister soon. “It will take some time to submit the final report,” Padgaonkar said. “We have to meet mainstream and non-mainstream leadership. We would try to meet even those who have kept away so far,” said Padgaonkar.
He said during their previous visits to JK they “felt that there is yearning for peace with justice in Kashmir. People asked for continuation of dialogue to find permanent settlement of Kashmir issue,” he said.
The panel has so far failed to break ice with the pro-freedom leaders except for their meeting with a senior separatist and patron of Itehad-ul-Muslimeen, Abbas Ansari. However the party was suspended from the Hurriyat Conference (M), by its chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for violating the “collective decision” of the party not to meet interlocutors.
The conference was inaugurated by the Governor, NN Vohra who was also the chief guest on the occasion.
‘JK HAS SUFFERED A LOT’
Vohra, in his address, said the state has suffered immensely in the past two decades.
“What has happened in the last 20 years is very sad, but it is repairable and we can reverse the process,” he said.
Vohra said “the common people of Jammu and Kashmir are totally committed to peace and basics of democracy.”
He, however, said the quality of governance has suffered in the past two decades because the entire focus of the government has been on tackling terror.
The Governor said the state is not only suffering from internal factors but also from “unfortunate” external factors.
“We have the misfortune of sustained external factors like infiltration which have disturbed our peace.”
Srinagar, May 16:
The Arab League Monday said it has “no position” on resolution of Kashmir issue.
“The League of Arab States has no position on the specific question of Jammu and Kashmir. We are looking forward for peaceful coexistence and tolerance in the whole region,” Arab League Ambassador to India, Ahmed Salem al Wahishi, told reporters here on the sidelines of a “Peace Conference” organized by J&K Peace Foundation.
Though he didn’t elaborate, the Ambassador said Jammu and Kashmir has passed through “violent situation of confusion and hatred for last 20 years. We hope that peace will prevail in the region.”
He was however all praise for beauty of Kashmir. Kashmir, he said is the “most preferred tourist place in the world. It is a real paradise.”
The statement by Ambassador Arab League, which is an amalgam of 22 Arab countries, comes three days after a European Union delegation led by its Ambassador to India, Danielle Smajda, said Kashmir issue has to be resolved by the people living in the region.
Wahishi said the Arab League wanted peace in West Asia and the entire continent.
“We want peace to last in West Asia, in South Asia and in whole of the continent,” he said.
Addressing the conference earlier, Wahishi called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Arab territories and supported the call for Palestinian freedom.
“We also took this opportunity to express our thanks to the Indian government for their principled position in efforts for justice and peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on international legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative for Palestinian independence and two-state solution,” Wahishi said.
Earlier speaking on the occasion, Governor NN Vohra said government had “succeeded to some extent” to address the internal dimension of Kashmir issue but he blamed Pakistan for “carrying out sustained efforts” to disrupt peace in the state.
“Kashmir (issue) has two dimensions—internal and external. As far as internal dimension is concerned we have succeeded somehow to some extent but there are sustained efforts from across LoC to disrupt peace,” he said.
The foremost requirement in JK, Vohra said, is to build peace and ensure normalcy.
“I have been appealing to all political parties, traders, and other to play their role for fostering an environment in which we can work to build Kashmir and strengthen the bonds of communal harmony.” This, he said, was high time to promote peace and normalcy in Kashmir.
Referring to the strike calls by chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani, the Governor said repeated calls for closure has left severe impact on governance, education and every other sector.
CM yet to respond to our recommendations: Lt Gen Parnaik
Rising Kashmir News
Srinagar, May 14: A senior army official Saturday disclosed that army has told the Chief minister that it is against removal of controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFPSA) from the State.“We have given our recommendations on the applicability of AFSPA in the state to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and is yet to get a response,” Northern Command Chief Lt General K T Parnaik told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He said one of the recommendations included that time was not ripe for removing AFSPA from the State.“This was not the only recommendation. There were host of issues spelled out to try and clarify why AFSPA is required in the State in the larger interest of security," he said.
Parnaik said that unless the militant infrastructure across the Line of Control and in the Valley is dismantled, there cannot be a sense of lasting peace in the State.
It is in place to mention here that the government last year formed two committees to review the applicability of AFSPA in the State. The two committees were headed by GoC of Srinagar based 15 Corps and GoC of Nagorta-based 16 Corps.
Rising Kashmir News
Srinagar, May 15: Kashmir was jolted by moderate intensity earthquakes
within a span of 10 hours on Sunday without any report of loss of life or damage to property.
Coordinator Disaster Management Kashmir, Aamir Ali said the first tremor, measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale was felt at 2.37 am followed by another tremor of 4.5 magnitude at 12.18 noon.
Aamir said the first tremor had its epicentre in Hindukush mountain range in Afghanistan. “The location of epicentre was 36.5 north (Latitude) and 70.7 east (Longitude). The epicentre of second tremor was in Manshera area of Pakistan with coordinates of 34.8 north latitude and 72.9 east Longitude,” he said.
The official said another tremor of magnitude 5.0 occurred at 12.53 pm with epicentre at 32.49N, 105.5E located in Sichuan-Gansu border region, China.
The tremors rattled Srinagar and other parts of the valley, prompting the people to rush out. “There are no reports of any damage so far,” he said
It may be mentioned that more than half a dozen earthquakes have rocked the valley during the last two months. Jammu and Kashmir is located in a highly earthquake-prone Seismic Zone V.
A devastating earthquake of 7.4 magnitude had flattened the border areas of the Valley on October 8, 2005, leaving more than 1,300 persons dead and many more injured.
‘Little Progress Made On 2010 Killings Probe’
Srinagar, May 13: Global human rights watchdog Amnesty International in its latest report has castigated the Jammu and Kashmir government for “little progress” in the inquiries ordered into the civilian killings which took place during 2010 unrest.
“An inquiry, instituted by the state authorities, covered 17 out of 100 deaths, despite demands by Amnesty International and other organizations for an independent, impartial and thorough investigation into all the deaths. The inquiry made little progress,” the report states.
“Between June and September (2010), the police and security forces fired at protesters during pro-independence protests demanding accountability for past violations in the Kashmir valley. More than 100 people, mostly youths, were killed and 800 others, including media men, were injured,” the report added.
Referring to the ongoing turmoil in the Valley for past 2-decades, the report states, “Impunity for past violations in Kashmir, including the disappearance of thousands of people since 1989 during the armed conflict, continues.”
It stated that over thousand people were killed in ‘faked encounters’ in India between 1993 and 2008. “Recent data disclosed by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India on people killed in clashes with the police between 1993 and 2008, showed 2,560 deaths.”
1224 KILLED IN FAKE ENCOUNTERS
“At least 1224 (deaths) occurred in faked encounters implying they were extra-judicial executions. By the end of the year, the NHRC had awarded compensation to the relatives of 16 victims,” the report mentions.
“Convictions of those responsible for extra-judicial executions were exceptionally rare and proceedings in such cases remained slow,” AI said.
(By Greaterkashmir)Wussan (Kunzer), May 10: There is a batch of joyous villagers including women sitting in the courtyard to get a glimpse of the lady. Media men are anxiously waiting for her to get an interview. The otherwise silent house has become a centre of buzz.
Asha Ji, 52, grabbed spotlight in this tiny hamlet of north Kashmir by becoming first Kashmiri Pandit woman Panch in the ongoing Panchayat polls. Her win was being celebrated by the villagers on Tuesday. And her message was clear- the migrant Pandits should return to Kashmir as there was no security threat or vicious atmosphere as being projected.
“I want the Pandits living outside Valley to return immediately to their homeland,” Asha told Greater Kashmir. “There is no threat as such. I am a living example of that. Our family never left the Valley, neither we were harmed by anybody in the past 20 years. They should come home, not to the camps or colonies set up by the Government.”
She said both Muslim men and women encouraged her to file for the Panch post.
“I was not sure of my win. But it happened. All the votes which were cast in my favour belonged to Muslims,” Asha said. “I have no words to describe my happiness.”
Wusan village lying in the foothills of Pirpanchal range houses 295 families. Ten were Pandit families.
“Five families left,” she said. “However, we along with five others stayed back. The Muslim brethren did not allow all the Pandits out of the village to leave.”
In 1990s life was not easy in Wussan. Crackdowns, raids and violence went on unabated. The top three Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commanders- Muhammad Ahsan Dar, Shams-ul-Haq and Ashraf Dar belonged to nearby Kalipora village.
“The Pandits never even got a scratch. Even in last three agitations of 2008, 2009, 2010 we were not touched,” Asha said. “Life was tough, but Muslim brothers and sisters were with us.”
Asha actually belonged to Baderwah area of Jammu and was married to Radhakrishan in 1984. She has two sons, Suresh Kumar Bhat, a police constable, and Ashok Kumar. Apart from doing domestic chores, she works as a peon in a nearby school.
After the news of her becoming Panch came out, the entire village became jubilant. The villagers including women and men gathered at her house to congratulate.
“She is a good woman,” Abdul Qadir, a villager said. “And we wanted to vote for her.”
Asha said she would come to the expectations of the village and help in its progress. “Through Panchayat system many things can be resolved. We have no electricity, water or good roads. We can work in that direction.”
Asha belonged to Ward 5 of Wusan village, but she contested from Ward 4 as it was reserved for woman. Out of 98 votes polled in her Ward, she got 54 votes while her opponent Sarwah Begum got 43. One vote was rejected.
Sarwah Begum, the defeated candidate, however complained that there was bungling in voting.
“Asha belongs to (Agriculture Minister) Ghulam Hassan’s Mir’s party. They in connivance with administration and local polling officers were involved in rigging and bungling,” Begum said. “How is it possible that Ganaie Mohalla which was backing me and has largest number of votes will vote for Asha? I was not allowed to enter polling station but Asha was allowed during voting and as well as during counting. I demand re-polling for the post.”
ISSUE BY PROF UPENDRA KAUL
An uneasy calm in the troubled valley and neighboring areas should not be misinterpreted by India’s Kashmir policy think tank. Those congratulating each other on the successful conduct of the first round of Panchayat Elections should not forget about the 2008 legislative assembly elections which were also hailed as a ‘resounding success”. Claiming that participation in a “democratic election” is a vote for acceptance of the state being an undisputed, integral part of India has repeatedly been proven wrong. The masses have repeatedly shown that the same persons who go to the polling booths also spearhead the anti India rallies and protests. The Amaranth land issue of 2008, Shopian killings in 2009 and police firing on demonstrators of in 2010 are too recent to be forgotten.
Are we waiting for an issue to erupt again this summer? Already issues like Dogra Certificate which some responsible persons in the Government are offering on a platter to the separatists are starting to spark of controversies once again. Interestingly, April and May have traditionally been volatile and controversy driven months and the mood in the alley already seems apprehensive.
Jammu and Kashmir has been the core issue of independent India. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru was a party to this when he declared that the final accession will be after ascertaining the views of the people. This problem cannot be wished away. The issue has been discussed several times at the United Nations, and several wars have been fought over it. International powers have tried to mediate but the problem lingers on. The failure to acknowledge the centrality and the primacy of this issue creates tension. Trivial incidents like a hit by an army or police vehicle are enough to spark full scale riots, and the subsequent police actions only add fuel to the fire.
A new generation of youth in Kashmir feels deeply disillusioned by the leaders on both side. This group needs to be convinced that their deep resentment and strong feelings are not being ignored. Discrediting separatist leaders with a mass following and ignoring them is a very dangerous trend. This is a sure way of inviting Talibanization and anarchy. Money power from both Indian and Pakistani intelligence agencies to corrupt the leadership is also an important reason for the present state of affairs. This has been compounded by the well known interests of army and para military forces to stay back in the valley for personal gains and promotions. Last year’s ‘Machil’ fake encounter can never be forgotten. Such incidents are bound to recur as long as the core issue is not addressed.
Unfortunately the problem can not be solved by pre emptive arrests of young men or self acclaimed leaders. This myopic attitude is bound to fail. After all the Kashmir problem has been conceded by many stalwart statesmen in recent years. Vajpayee wanted to solve it on the principles of `Insaniyat', Narasimha Rao saw `sky as the limit' and the present home minister Chidambram calls it `unique problem needing a unique solution'.
The time to act is now. Talk to any Kashmiri and it will be very clear that hardly anybody wishes to join Pakistan, a country which is on the path of self destruction. There might be sympathy for Pakistan because of religious bonding but it ends there. Pakistan herself is so plagued by a host of problems. The Azadi sentiment which is an emotional issue with most Kashmiris needs to be seriously and sympathetically viewed. The problem can not be wished away as an internal or local problem. There are a number of ways to handle it and several such plans have been on the Indian Government’s drawing board for more than a decade now.
Even the BJP, the organisation that wanted to unfurl the tricolor in Lal Chowk on 26th January 2011, as a solution to this complex problem under Vajpayee’s able leadership had come very close to accepting it. It is high time the interlocutors appointed by the Government come out with possible ways of handling the problem as per the wishes of the Kashmiri people. What is required is some give and take and adjustments on both the sides. The involvement of the so called separatist leaders and that of Pakistan is critical in resolving the long standing issue.They must be engaged carefully but constructively. Leaders like Yasin Malik and Umar Farooq are aware of the political compulsions in India and Pakistan. Together they have considerable following and should be taken into confidence and engaged properly before things get out of their control also. A solution is possible even at this stage. It however requires a bold and proactive stance and leadership from India. Peace in Kashmir has been Manmohan Singh’s self professed top priority. This is the time for courage and initiative.
(Prof. Upendra Kaul is a prominent Delhi based cardiologist, originally from Kashmir. He is well known in the valley for his contributions in the field of medical science)
The reality is different from how it is generally perceived to be
EXPERIENCE BY NAYEEMA AHMAD MAHJOOR
What you constantly hear about Arab society is not always true. And, if the word comes from the West, think twice before you begin to believe it. The same applies to the East which boasts about its strong social value system and keeps blaming the West for exporting its lifestyle, fashion and promiscuity and for polluting its social and family institutions. This is far from the truth. Everything is not bad in Arab society. The political and economic system in the Arab world is beyond any doubt autocratic, despotic or monarchic, its social and family system is still strong.
Living in Western society can make us realize the value of life, value of time and value of freedom that is still lacking in Eastern society, mostly in the Arab world. However, it is ironic that the foundation of these values were laid in the Arab land by virtue of being the house of monolithic religions). They have not reached the stage of evolution where even single soul is considered precious and invaluable. But the concept of relationship, family and home (based on Islamic principles) cannot be matched with the West.
On my recent visit to Saudi Arab, I was really overwhelmed to see the fabric of Saudi society still strong. The family is considered the most important unit of human life and which cannot be compromised, at least not for the monetary or material benefits.
Driving through the decorated, big and well-maintained motorway which gives you the first impression of a wealthy nation. I had never imagined that I would see Saudi women on roads, sea beaches or shopping malls. I had the same feeling as if I was walking through the streets of Khyber Pass where you can hardly see any women or if you see some they will be veiled in Burqa.
Saudi woman is not only the queen of her house but she rules the big markets of the wealthy nation. I had expected to find her confined to her house with the responsibility of bearing and rearing children only. Instead, I saw her taking pride in caring for her family and children and at the same time doing business or working in the office according to her own liking.
I saw them professionally dealing with customers on streets to big markets, indeed beyond my imagination. The stereotypical image of Saudi woman portrayed on the TV screens has conditioned our mind in such a way that initially I thought the women doing business were immigrants from other countries. During conversation they revealed their Saudi identity and their status as business entrepreneurs. It was amazing to find women everywhere walking shoulder to shoulder with men, from markets to mosques, from hospital to police departments, all covered in Hijab or scarf or in Chador. They have learnt the art of maintaining their attire while doing their job.
The markets outside Makkah and Medina are mostly women markets selling clothes to shoes to dates to perfumes. Their unique way of dealing with customers is inspirational. Only once they tell you the price and then, they do not talk. If a customer is Saudi he hardly wastes any time in bargaining but if he is from South Asia, he tries hard to bargain and yet she never talks or tells anything. The South Asian customer walks silently or comes under pressure to buy the commodity.
Saudi Arab is not a crime free society but the crime rate is very low. Mostly, the crime happens in the areas populated by Asian or African immigrants. Crime against women is very rare and there is hardly any eve teasing, rape or sexual assault. Saudi men attribute this to the Islamic dress code for women who strictly follow it outside the house.
The Saudi woman walks freely during the day and night without fear of theft/mugging or assault. Most of the Saudi markets or mobile shops remain open for twenty four hours without any break. Only five times Namaz during the day interrupts the business. The moment the Azan emanates from the minarets of the mosque, everything is left as it is. Shops, vehicles, offices or buildings become deserted and mosques, streets, stairs or shopping malls become populated with worshippers.
The strange phenomena appear everywhere the prayer goes. Women pray after men or vice versa…no prejudice or argument about who should be in the first row or second or that women should follow the men. The prayer is short, precise and quick. After Namaz, the business goes as usual as if there was no break or pause. And, there is no argument whether women should enter the mosque or stay behind the men.
While doing Tavaf of Khani-e-Kaaba, all become one, irrespective of cast, creed, sect or gender. Men, women and children all pray hand in hand. Husband holding his wife’s hand, brother making way for his sister and old being guided by children. No matter what your status, identity or country is, all are the same and equal hand in hand promising before God almighty that we are all his servants and we are in submission. It really reminds one of the era of Prophet Muhammed (PHUH) when Muslims were united, pious and without prejudice against the gender, rich or other religions. Only pure, honest and God-fearing hearts and minds are together in the house of God asking for his forgiveness and blessings; what matters here is to submit before God.
I wish the worship at Khan-I Kabba to Saudi life style to women’s role in family and business were broadcast live throughout the world so that the true picture of Arab society is shown to those who have confined their view of Islam to the Burqa, beard or sword only.
The land of the Prophet (PBUH) is the safest place on the earth and the women of His land have got the respect, status and the real freedom of life. I wish this sacred place remains the same and all the women of the world get a chance in their life to see the true face of Islam which has no practice of discrimination against gender, religion or status.
You are the greatest gift of the Creator to his creation
MOTHERS' DAY BY RAFIA TAFAZZUL
Today when some lucky souls will be busy designing the day with special love for their most intimate creators, my brain is getting hammered by my thoughts just in preparing the manuscript of the meaning of the word “Mother”. I always try to cultivate shorthand to render the several meanings of this word in simplicity but this practice has often swelled my pages.
Mother- the only darling creation of the almighty, and nobody of course can stand more in need of her than a child and especially - a daughter. I could recall that whenever I used to have doubtful tastes, her order of ideas, their suddenness and relevance always was true to life. Her eyes always used to give a dose of assurance even in the lost hopes.
Now than a decade has passed since you left, my mom but your dearth in my life has increased in leaps and bounds. Your mere presence would have been sufficient enough to bear some part of my emotional burden which sometimes becomes too heavy for my one pair of shoulders. Your absence adds to the darkening in the passage of my life and leaves my wit wandering around the bushes of uncertainty. I always get mortified with the same intensity which I felt a decade before, when you left and it carries only wine to my wound.
However, life’s certain obligations tried to bring in, a form of your replica and I also tried to be true to that-but in no time suspicions started crossing my brains and my honest actions got restrained by the appearance and figure of this illusion. It had such an awkward impression to my mind that I started guarding my own reliable sensibility. My good sense and good education got forced to be doubted by my trusted own self. It was a world of pains. But, I can claim that your presence would not have made my heart so torpid and my picture so miserable in the times of pain. At times I also feel a pain of sheepish inferiority for your absence.
I fear in this interval of life that I may become a prey to more sorrows as you being not around to protect. I perceive my heart to be locked up and scarce feel any sensation. I cry for the powers of nature which stir my thoughts with pity , when I imagine how your soul could have taken me in her arms of trust. I miss that unmatched look of kindness.
I try hard to let my thoughts fly to the places where I attempt their deliverance but now I know they can never get that affectionate and tender awakening again which your mere presence could have created. I miss that flow of your systematic reasoning in every word as if you had a key for my every lock. I miss that safest web of your kindness made of soft threads of love and desires which never used to entangle.
In every attempt of recalling the reasons behind my miseries, my weakness starts insulting my wisdom as I have a lot in treasure which you had given me my mom but I too burst in to tears, knowing how much more you could have given me.
O’ supreme power you know all fates, all grave and quite happenings, all wishes, and all evils then why I am left wondering even when my compromises were no less than a mountain? Why my soul only seems to be the thirstiest one in the sandiest desserts of the world. Though I know the great works of nature and have nothing to say but this nothing just desires to communicate that my Mom’s presence would have made the unobserved and dark corners of my heart loud enough even if unspoken- I miss you my Mom.
(Feedback at rafiataf@rediffmail.com) SOURCE: GreaterKashmir.com
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