Pak says won't take 'dictation' from India, 'will' meet Hurriyat leaders.

File photo of Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz (left) and Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani.

KO News - Aug 21, 2015 : Pakistan on Friday appeared set to ignore India's advice that Pakistani NSA Sartaj Aziz should not meet separatist Hurriyat leaders before talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, putting the meeting of the NSAs scheduled for Monday in danger of being called off.

 

Pakistan responded to India's advisory by saying Aziz’s meeting with the Hurriyat would go ahead. The hardening of positions could jeopardise efforts to put the stalled bilateral peace process on an even keel.

Aziz's meeting with the Hurriyat is still on, Pakistani government sources were quoted as saying by PTI. The sources further said Pakistan will “not take dictation” from India and talks cannot be based on “conditional diplomacy”.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup spelt out India’s position in a series of tweets on Friday morning. He also said India has sought confirmation of the proposed agenda for the meeting of the NSAs, which India has insisted should be confined to “terrorism-related issues”.

 

Pakistan has said it plans to raise all important issues, including Kashmir, when Aziz meets his Indian counterpart on August 24. Aziz is expected to meet Hurriyat leaders shortly after he arrives in Delhi on August 23.

 

“India has advised Pakistan yesterday that it would not be appropriate for Mr Sartaz Aziz to meet with Hurriyat representatives in India,” Swarup tweeted.

 

“Such a meeting would not be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the Ufa understanding to jointly work to combat terrorism,” he said, referring to a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in the Russian city in July.

 

“We have also sought (confirmation) of our proposed agenda for the NSA level talks that was conveyed to the Pakistani side on 18 Aug 2015,” Swarup said.

 

Earlier, an Indian government official said: “All options are open as we see this (inviting Hurriyat) as a provocative step. One option could be preventing Hurriyat leaders from meeting Aziz, which would put the onus on Pakistan to call off the talks, if they feel so.”

 

A joint statement issued after Modi and Sharif met in Ufa said they had agreed the NSAs would meet to discuss only terrorism-related issues. But during a media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah indicated Pakistan wanted to expand the scope of the talks.

 

Pakistan “will raise all issues of importance, including Kashmir”, when the NSAs meet, Khalilullah said.

 

He also said Pakistan “expects India to allow Kashmiri leaders to meet” Aziz. “Kashmiris are important stakeholders in the context of Jammu and Kashmir dispute and efforts to seek its peaceful settlement in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions,” he added.

 

India has maintained that the separatist Hurriyat is a “third party” in the Kashmir issue that has no role in the formal dialogue.

 

Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will travel to Delhi to meet Aziz while JKLF leader Yasin Malik is likely to give a reception hosted for the Pakistani NSA a miss but will instead send a two-member delegation.

 

Last year, India called off talks between the foreign secretaries of the two sides after Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit ignored a warning from the external affairs ministry and went ahead with meetings with Hurriyat leaders.

 

India and Pakistan have hardened their positions on the separatists ahead of the talks between the NSAs.

 

The house arrest and release of Hurriyat leaders – all within 135 minutes — in Srinagar on Thursday added a fresh twist to the diplomatic tussle, with Delhi describing the proposed meeting between the Pakistani NSA and the Kashmiri separatists on the eve of talks as a grave provocation. Unfazed, Pakistan said the meeting would go ahead.

South Kashmir gunfight: JeM militant killed, Major injured

Rameez Bhatt:

A Jash-e-Mohammad militant was killed and an army Major injured in a fierce gun battle between militants and the government forces in Tral town of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday.

Official sources said a joint team of police and 42 Rashtriya Rifles conducted a cordon-and-search operation in Dadsar village in Tral this morning.

The joint team zeroed in on a house belonging to Gul Mir Son of Mohammad Akram Mir, a lone militant trapped inside it, was asked to surrender but he refused, they said.

Later, an encounter ensued and continued for some time before the joint team reportedly razed the house to rubble by using mortar shells.

Eventually, body of the militant was recovered from the debris and he later was identified as JeM’s Shabir Ahmad Khan alias Shabir Gujjar of Ladiyar Tral.

An army Major identified as Maj Kuliya was injured in the encounter and his condition was stated to be stabled. He had an injury on head, they said.

They sources said that Gujjjar was actually injured after a group of militants ambushed 42 RR patrol near Mir Mohalla, neighboring area to the encounter site, last night.

The joint team, they said, is believed to have spotted the house where militant had taken refuge by following blood stains.

Meanwhile, locals staged massive protest demonstrations against the incident and also accused forces of using excessive tear smoke during the encounter.  The protesters also reportedly clashed with the police and army.

Superintendent of Police Awantipora could not be contacted despite repeated attempts to cross check the reports.

Rather admits corruption exists in state; warns corrupt

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir finance minister, Rahim Rather on Saturday while stating that time has come to remove the deadwood from finance department, admitted that there were 'violations of financial discipline' in the state.

Rather told a meeting of officers of his department in Jammu  that several instances of financial indiscipline have come to light and warned the officers against such practices.

He said the officers of the finance department, especially financial advisors and chief accounts officers, were 'watchdogs of state exchequer' but regretted that 'some gross violations of financial discipline and codal formalities have surfaced in some cases'.

Rather said this was 'most unfortunate and unacceptable'.

'The state's fragile economy cannot afford financial indiscipline or irregularity of any kind of public money,' he said, adding that 'time has now come to remove the deadwood from the department'.

While giving details Rather said, despite implementation of sixth-pay commission in the state, the General Provident Fund (GPF) subscription has not increased.

“This speaks about non-seriousness of some finance controlling officers, which cannot be compromised” Mr. Rather said adding that officers indulging in fiscal indiscipline shall have to face the action shortly.

He said within three months another meeting will be held to review performance indicators of each officer. “Strict action under rules shall be taken against poor performers which shall include even termination of services, Mr. Rather added.

According to records, Jammu and Kashmir's total income from all its resources is Rs.3,200 crore, while its wage bill alone runs to Rs.14,700 crore.

Omar asks Pakistan to respond to peace initiatives

Rameez Bhatt:

Jammu: Chief Minster, Omar Abdullah on Sunday said that India stands for better relationship and asked for positive response from Pakistan to maintain peace.

“We are always for better Indo-Pak relations and have taken many initiatives to this effect. Positive and visible response from the other side of the border in this regard is need," Omar said, while addressing a gathering near the International border in R S Pura in Jammu division..

Abdullah said that violations of ceasefire create lot of difficulties for the people in border areas on the both sides and even result in loss of human lives and damage to the properties. “While we are taking every care from our side not to indulge in violation of ceasefire, Pakistan should also exhibit its responsibilities in this regard and help maintain truce at borders”, he said adding that peace at the borders is for the mutual interests of the two neighbours.

“In the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere at borders farmers can take part in agricultural activities across the borders and carry on their normal process of living”, he said adding that friendly ties between the two neighbours is the need of hour.

Omar Abdullah told the border people that government has worked out an arrangement with the BSF for providing rent to the land utilized by the BSF for fencing till the time it is properly acquired by the forces. “Papers for acquiring the land are being finalized and Divisional Commissioner Jammu is on the job”, he said and added that the land owners would get compensation for the land when it is acquired by BSF.

1 million children administered polio drops In Kashmir

Srinagar: More than 10 lakh children upto the age group of 5 years on Sunday were administered Pulse Polio drops in Kashmir division.

According to officials,  1061409 children in Kashmir and Ladakh division were given anti-polio drops under the second phase of Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme (PPIP)

In Srinagar, Director Health Services, Kashmir,  Mohammad Amin Wani inaugurated the programme at Jawahar Lal Memorial Hospital, Rainawari.

In other districts of the valley, the concerned Deputy Commissioners have launched this programme by administering the PP drops to children.

In this connection, in Srinagar district 164235 children were administered the polio drops and 2296 employees were deployed among 574 polio booths set up in the city. Likewise, in Anantnag district 131428 children were administered polio drops for which 457 polio centres were established and 2188 employees were deployed. In Kulgam, 92607 children were covered under this programme and 1764 employees were deployed and 441 polio booths were setup for this purpose.

In Pulwama and Shopian districts 132210 children were administered pulse polio drops for which 660 polio booths were setup and 2642 employees were deployed for this purpose.

In Ganderbal district 44122 children were covered under this programme for which 212 polio booths were set up and 848 employees were deployed. In Braramulla and Bandipora districts 228725 children were administered polio drops for which 3816 employees were deputed and 999 booths were set up.

Similarly, in Kupwara district 131730 children were administered polio drops for which 2664 employees were deputed in 666 polio booths.

The same programme was also launched in Leh and Kargil districts where 28483 children were administered polio drops for drops for which 738 booths were setup and 2942 employees deployed.

Srinagar-Jammu highway remains closed for second day

Srinagar: The 297-km long Jammu-Srinagar highway remained closed for traffic for the second consecutive day on Sunday following heavy snowfall and rains.

Over 370 vehicles, including 81 passenger vehicles, have been stranded at various points of the highway due to the closure. The highway has been closed due to heavy snowfall at Jawahar Tunnel, Banihal and Patnitop areas besides landslides, traffic police officials said.

Landslides have also been reported at Digdol area on the highway, they said, adding that Border Road Organisation men are working to clear the snow from the highway.

This is the second time that the highway has been closed in as many days. The highway was closed for traffic on Thursday but was reopened on Friday

The Rajouri-Poonch highway was also blocked due to heavy snowfall at Dera-Ki-Gali area yesterday and it has been reopened after clearance of the snow, they said.

To provide relief and medicare facilities to the stranded passengers and on the highway, the district police and civil administration have deployed various teams right up to Patnitop in the jurisdiction of district Udhampur.

JK Assembly Budget session 2011 begins on Monday

Jammu: The Budget session of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly begins on Monday with the Opposition parties prepared to grill Omar Abdullah government on issues of governance and security including alleged human rights violations and discrimination with Jammu region.

While opposition parties like Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Panthers Party (JKNPP) have formulated their strategy to corner Omar government, the ruling National Conference has held a meeting of its Member Legislative Assembly (MLA's ) under the chairmanship of party chief Farooq Abdullah to decide a line of action to defend the government on the floor of the House.

Leader of BJP Legislature Party Chaman Lal Gupta said the party will raise the issue of treatment meted out to its national leaders- Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley as well as BJP MLAs- by the state government during the "Ekta Yatra".

CBMs must before talks: Mufti tells PM

KE News:
Srinagar: Former chief minister and People’s Democratic Party patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Saturday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take certain confidence building measures before inviting both separatist and mainstream parties to a “round table conference in order to resolve the Kashmir issue.”

Addressing a party rally at Tourist Reception Centre here, Mufti Sayeed emphasized the need of creating a “conducive atmosphere”— by releasing political prisoners and youth, withdrawing Disturbed Areas Act, diluting Army’s special powers and reducing troop strength from civilian areas— for talks.

“After these measures the Prime Minister should convene a round table conference and invite both separatist and mainstream leaders to find a solution to the Kashmir issue. Most of these confidence building measures are the demands of separatist leaders, and if these demands are met by New Delhi the separatists would have no choice but to come onto the dialogue table,” he said.

Flaying the state government for “randomly arresting” youth and detaining separatist leaders in jails, Mufti said the National Conference led coalition was trying to “create an impression of something happening in June.”

“Under the false pretext of preventing violence in June, the government is arresting youth under Public Safety Act and shifting them to jails. You can jail people but not their ideas,” he said.

Mufti also condemned the detention of separatist leaders in jails “Let’s accept it that a large section of people here don’t accept Kashmir’s accession to India, but during our tenure we didn’t send anybody to jails, but today they are sending people to jails,” he said.

“An aged separatist leader, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, is languishing in a jail somewhere in Jharkhand; Bar Association President Mian Qayoom is being held despite court orders to release him. Why?” he asked, claiming that during “our tenure not a single (separatist) leader was behind the bars.”

He alleged that the National Conference had “surrendered” the state’s water resources during Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah’s tenures, respectively. “ And the biggest jolt to state’s economic independence came with the handing over of Jammu and Kashmir Bank to the Reserve Bank of India during the NC-led government,” he said.

Mufti also assured the people of Pakistan that “India and the people of Jammu and Kashmir would never want to turn that country into a desert despite losses suffered by the state due to the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan.”

JKLF hunger strike: Hundreds join Malik

Suhail Abbas:

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik was Saturday joined by hundreds of people including family members of those who lost dear ones to state action during a day-long hunger strike to protest ongoing raids and arrests against the youth in Kashmir Valley.

The protesters also demanded justice for people ‘martyred’ during the summer last year besides showed solidarity with people languishing in jails in and out of the state.

Besides Malik and victim families, leaders of Hurriyat Conference (M), member of bar association and people from other walks of the life joined the hunger strike at Maisuma here in civil lines.

JKLF Chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik alleged that New Delhi was forcing ‘non-violent’ Kashmiri youth to violence again.

“Our student teenagers are arrested and labelled as stone pelters by Indian security agencies. By these tactics India is forcing them to take the gun again,” Malik said.

“The need of the hour is to safeguard and sustain the ongoing peaceful agitation to reach the right to self determination,” he added.

He said that the Indian government and its civil society should recognize it and give a proper political space to the Kashmiris.

He said that the hunger strike was joined by almost all the families whose children were killed in last year’s unrest. “Apart from these families, the protest was joined in people from intelligentsia, lawyers and from other walks of life. At least 3000 people took part in it which clearly sends out a message that this oppressive tactic of rounding up people should and as soon as possible,” he said.

Drawing parallels with current wave of demonstrations in Arab world, he said, “What is happening in Middle East is what the people of Kashmir had shown through a transition from a violent to a non-violent movement. The discourse of this peaceful way of struggling against the dictatorship was actually started by the people of Kashmir,” he said.

The Hunger strike was joined in by senior Hurriyat (M) leaders including Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Bilal Gani Lone, Mukhtar Ahmad waza, Masroor Abbass, Hakim Abdul Rashid, advocate Shahid-ul Islam and others.

Advocate Zafar Shah, Advocate Nazir Ahmad Ronga, APDP Chairperson Parveena Ahanger, Dr Ghulam Qadir Allaqaband, and activists of Anjuman-e-Sheri-Shiyan and Muslim Khateen Markaz led by Yaseem Raja also participated in the fast strike

Most of the speakers stressed upon peaceful and sustain the peaceful agitation till its logical end, urging youth to desist from non-violent methods to avoid any damage to the ongoing ‘peaceful’ struggle.

Professor Abdul Gani Bhat called for a disciplined means to continue the “freedom struggle”.

He also divulged on three member interlocutors by New Delhi and stressed that there was “no fun in talking them as they only can recommend things to the decision makers.”

“The panel can only recommend while as the power to implement it rests with some other people. Our stand is to seek a permanent settlement of Kashmir so the recommendations will not serve any purpose,” he said.

“Though the final decision on talks with the panel rests with the party, there seems no fun in talking to them,” Bhat added.

Army’s ‘census’ sparks outrage in Sopore, admin unaware

KE News:

Srinagar: Strong resentment is brewing among the locals in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district where Army has started a census operation in the last few days.

Locals said that the personnel of Army’s 46 Rashtriya Rifles visited many localities of the Apple town and asked the residents to furnish the names and contact details of their family members. The census, they said was completed by Army in at least four areas of the town, including City Colony B and C, Noorabad and Shalimar colony by Thursday this week. The census, they said was in progress in Baghat, Iqbal colony, Batpora and Chinkipora and other areas.

“The Army gave me a form and asked me to submit it. It carried various columns, ranging from name, age, occupation, contact details and more. I declined, but they issued subtle threats,” a Mohalla elder, wishing not to be named, due to the fear of reprisal by Army said.

“I was also asked to furnish the details of the former militants with pictures. This is sheer harassment,” he added.

Not just the residents, but the traders are under scanner in the Apple town. Army, the locals said frequently visited various markets and photographed the shopkeepers. More recently, the Army teams visited General Bus Stand and captured the pictures of the traders.

“Army took our pictures and said it was part of their anti-militancy operations. They said, they want to keep a record of the shopkeepers,” a trader, pleading anonymity said.

He said that an Army team carrying cameras today visited Iqbal market, apparently to continue the exercise.

“Today they didn’t click. They roamed around the market and left,” he added.

Deputy Commissioner (DC), Baramulla, Bashir Ahmad Bhat said that he was not aware of the Army’s census in the Sopore town. However, he said he’ll look into the matter.

“I have no information about this issue. Census is carried nationwide in a well planned manner by the government. Army has no role in it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the government will find out the truth behind the Army census in the volatile town.

"I don't base things on newspaper stories. I'll find out what the facts are & make my own assessment," Omar, tweeted on the micro-blogging website twitter last night.