Parvez Musharraf's Kashmir formula the second best: Research

Srinagar, Nov 4:   After the elusive plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations, former Pakistan president Mr. Pervez Musharraf’s four-point formula is the second best option available for the resolution of the complex Kashmir issue, according to a research conducted by a Kashmiri student, reports Rissing Kashmir (31/10)

The findings sum up a research titled ‘Musharraf’s 4-point formula: A study in Kashmir Response’ by Sameer Ahmad, a Kashmiri scholar at the Department of Political Sciences, University of Kashmir. The extensive research, carried out over a period of two years, says a staggering 68 percent of the people in Kashmir believe that the formula is a significant initiative towards normalization of the relations between the two nuclear  neighbour-countries.

It was in December 2006 that Pakistan, then led by General Parvez Musharraf, departed from its traditional stand and came out with his four-point formula on Kashmir resolution.

The formula included “identifying certain regions, demilitarizing the identified regions along with curbing militant aspect of the freedom movement to give comfort to the common people in Kashmir, introducing self-rule in these areas and developing a joint mechanism with India, Pakistan and certain degree of representation from Kashmir to oversee self-government and deal with residual subjects common to all identified regions”.

The research shows that a vast majority of Kashmir population (59 percent) believes that the porous border between the two nuclear countries - India and Pakistan - not only helps increase the economic well-being but also facilitates restoring of the much-needed peace in the subcontinent.   

On the question of demilitarization, an overwhelming 87 percent people believe that troops have to be withdrawn. There is a widespread notion that Kashmir is a heavily militarised region, not only in South Asia but across the globe.

Although there is some kind of uncertainty over the element of self-governance and joint management, still a significant 43 percent of people consider these as helpful to resolve the over 60-year-old dispute.

The proposal, when floated, received fair amount of acceptability and mention in both the mainstream political circles and the moderate faction of Hurriyat; however, the Hurriyat faction led by Syed Ali Geelani outrightly rejected the proposal.   The proposal has also been criticized on the ground that it was said to be based on religious identities.

Says Balraj Puri, noted journalist and human rights activist, “The proposal is based on religious identities which defies the ground realities. A solution to Kashmir problem on religious basis was unacceptable to India as it would threaten not only the secular basis of the country but also the unique Kashmiri identity and peace in the subcontinent.”

Our Agenda Settlement Of Kashmir Dispute: Panel

Srinagar, Oct 20:  New Delhi’s panel of interlocutors for Kashmir, which kickstarted its mission on Wednesday with a formal briefing by the union home minister, P Chidambaram, about its mandate, said its agenda was for a comprehensive and political settlement of the Kashmir "dispute", reports Kashmir Observer.

Emerging from the hour long meeting, eminent journalist Dileep Padgaonkar said, "The tight focus will be for seeking a political outcome so that we put this dispute well and truly behind us."

Padgaonkar was accompanied by two other panel members, noted academician Radha Kumar and former CIC member MM Ansari.

Padgaonkar said the home minister gave an extensive idea of the mandate for the group.

"The mandate, to put very simply, is that our group will hold the largest possible consultations with all sections of opinion in Jammu and Kashmir and the focus of this dialogue is to seek as large area of agreement as you can to get to arrive at a comprehensive, political settlement of the Kashmir dispute, PTI quoted him as saying.

"We are obviously aware of the history of many initiatives that have been taken but now we have been given a wide mandate.

No red lines have been drawn. We have not been told to do this or do that.

Padgaonkar said panel will soon call on the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh), UPA chairperson (Sonia Gandhi) and the leader of the opposition (Sushma Swaraj) besides members of the All Party delegation that traveled to Kashmir recently.

With a year-long timeframe to hold its discussions and submit a report, the group’s composition was the subject of severe criticism because of its non-political nature.

Though the fourth member of the group is yet to be nominated, the interlocutors are gearing up to get down to business, scepticism and criticism notwithstanding.

Earlier talking to the press Padgaonkar had said that extreme caution was necessary for a “delicate” issue like Kashmir.

“Premature comments on our mission or personal criticism will not dishearten me or tell adversely on our mission,” Padgaonkar said.

“We will be prepared to talk on any issue, and will discuss anything that is brought to the table,” he said.

The group was learnt to be planning week-long visits to the valley every month for discussions with every possible section, with particular emphasis on engaging the youth and students of the valley.

Top separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq have already termed the nomination of the interlocutors as a futile exercise not matching their expectations of a major political initiative.

Though mainstream forces repose some hopes in the group, they are not entirely happy with its composition.

Chief minister Omar Abdullah has asked the union home minister to nominate the fourth member keeping in view the expectations of Kashmiris to uphold the credibility of the group.

Kashmir: 'It's a very dangerous situation for India'

Sinagar, 9 October: Ever since the flare-up in Kashmir worsened, veteran diplomat Howard B Schaffer, author of The Limits of Influence: America's Role in Kashmir, has been a much sought after expert in think tank circles in Washington, DC, reports rediff.com

In an interview with rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa, Schaffer says if Delhi continues to be in denial, and Islamabad is tempted to stoke the fires as it always has, the Kashmir situation could unravel fast.

What is your take on the flare-up in Kashmir? Is it the so-called 'intifada' of two decades ago all over again?

It's a very dangerous situation for India because I believe this is a very genuine expression of thorough dissatisfaction with Kashmir's connection to India, launched by young people who can remember only conflict in their lives -- when you consider that the conflict began just about 20 years ago with the outbreak of the insurgency and the people who are involved in it now cannot remember any kind of stable situation.

And, they are convinced from various points of view -- the economic, political and cultural -- that they have no future as part of India, that their economic futures look very dim. Obviously, they don't trust the Indian authority and they seem to have turned their backs on all of the political leadership, both in the pro-India parties, which are taking part in the political process, and on the Hurriyat group because the Hurriyat people, it seems to me, seem to be sidelined and they are in the situation of leaders who are hastening to catch up with their followers.

I hope that India will follow through with the political efforts that have now been undertaken following the visit of that all-party group to the state a week ago. But what's very important is this -- that the record would indicate that India announces efforts to reform and then these peter out when the situation in the valley calms down. I hope that won't happen now.

Twenty years ago, too, when the insurgency first began, it was an indigenous movement; but then it got contaminated?

Yes, then too, 20 years ago, it started as an indigenous movement. The Indian side admitted that it was an indigenous movement but the Pakistanis moved to take it over. And, their efforts to take it over were quite brutal because people to who they looked for support and whom they supported turned on -- at Pakistani direction -- those who favoured independence and not an amalgamation with Pakistan. Now, so far at least, no evidence, credible to me, has been brought to light that the Pakistanis are involved. But the ISI will be strongly tempted to fish in these troubled waters, just as they did 20 years ago.

What is the distinct difference between then and now? As you said, these are young guys who grew up -- as you say -- knowing nothing but conflict, suppression, repression, etc. But you still find the old guard like Syed Ali Shah Geelani making the tough provocative statements as if he calls the shots and is pulling the strings?

I don't believe so for all his talk, because as I said, I believe the Hurriyat leaders have not been at the centre of things. They've been completely sidelined, (but) they've been trying to get back into controlling position. You hear interviews with these young people and they are seemingly acting on their own. Now Geelani is trying; he declares boycott days, shutdown days, but I think the difference to me is that this seems to be a very spontaneous movement by people without solid political background.

Why is it so dangerous? Couldn't the argument be made that this is a bunch of kids who started pelting stones at the Indian troops who probably overreacted?

It's dangerous for the reason that the Pakistanis will again be tempted to intervene and -- coming at a time when India-Pakistan relations continue to be tense in the wake of the Mumbai attack -- that this could create the possibility of another confrontation.

You indicated that the Indian government seems to have made the right moves, with the all-party delegation giving pretty much an objective report to Delhi and there being some genuine efforts to address some of the grievances?

I believe the Indian response has been useful although it is very belated. After all, the troubles began on June 11 and it wasn't until mid-September that the Indians recognised that the situation was serious enough to lead them to take what was an unprecedented step of sending an all-party group to Kashmir. Obviously, they wanted to diffuse the responsibility and the blame among other political parties in India.

Now, some of the steps that have been taken are good ones, but it is much too early to make a judgement as to how far the Indians will be prepared to go to offer concessions that will be meaningful to the Kashmiris. They have once again talked about economic efforts, but these things have happened repeatedly in the past and the Indians will tell you quite rightly that India has invested a lot of money in Kashmir. But the trouble has always been that the money has gone into the wrong pockets.

As far as political changes go, we have to see what they are going to do about the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. It's good that they are releasing a bunch of youngsters from jail, that they are going to try to be less combative in dealing with these stone-throwing incidents, that people who have not committed serious crimes will be let off.

These are all good things, but again, we've got to see where it all leads to. And, the problem remains that -- and polling confirms this and this is incredible -- after 63 years as part of India, Kashmiris remain alienated and want to be outside of India. They no longer are interested in joining Pakistan. I mean, who would be interested in joining Pakistan?

But it is amazing that so much time has passed and so many Indian efforts have been announced but this sense of alienation continues all the way through society among Muslims in the valley.

UN records database J&K, AP as separate countries

New Delhi, Oct 9: While India continues relentlessly to assert that Jammu Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are both integral part of the country, United Nations does not seem to agree.

A report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations has named Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal as completely separate countries in the list of East Asian countries.

The names of the disputed states figure in Annexure 5 of the 2010 FAO report on assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from the dairy sector.

Besides this, Arunachal Pradesh has been spelt as ‘Arunashal’ Pradesh.

Another disputed region that has been treated as a separate country by FAO is Aksai Chin, which China holds as its integral part.

As per reports, FAO has defended its treatment of these states citing that the disputed areas were deliberately being treated as independent entities. Agencies

We invite Omar Abdullah to join Pro-freedom Camp: Hilal War

By: Khailal-ul-Rehman

Srinagar, Oct 8:  The Chairman of People’s Political Party (PPP), Engineer Hilal Ahmad War, has appreciated Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah’s statement and his acknowledgment that Kashmir is an International Issue which has its roots as deep as 63 long years in the contemporary history, has vindicated not only our stand but also the stand of J & K Plebiscite Front wherein his grand father had categorically raised an official slogan that ‘ People are masters of their own fate’ .

PPP Chief said “Omar Abdullah’s statement is not only the victory of   the pro-freedom parties stand but also the temporary victory of   Omar Abdullah’s ‘conscience’. If his conscience has really woken up he must quit his service from Indian Government and resign from  Chief Ministership in order to complete the unfinished agenda of his grandfather, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and join pro-freedom camp and plead the case and cause of right of self-determination of people of entire pre-august 1947 J & K State, said Mr.War. We invite Omar Abdullah to join pro-freedom camp and fight for freedom of Kashmir. If he (Omar) accepts our invitation, we will appoint him as an ambassador and Chief of Foreign Affairs to plead Kashmir case at International level, said War.


PPP Chief, said that Signing of so-called document of Accession is a controversial issue and a debatable question, there are legal provisions and by virtue of Indian Independence Act, passed by British Indian Govt. on July 15, 1947 the Maharaja Hari Sigh was ceased to be a ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, therefore, he had no authority to Sign any document according to aforesaid Act and the relevant provisions International Law. The second argument is that no document of Accession Signed by Maharaja Hari Singh, there was only Bhutan Type Treaty signed by him renewable after every 10 years. According to Indian argument and the fake document of Accession was signed but subject to the ratification by masses directly through referendum.

Elaborating, Hilal War  said that at the time of signing of the “so-called” instrument of accession, the then Indian rulers had subjected it to the condition  of  ratification through referendum directly my the masses of entire  Pre-August 1947 J & K State which India has not done so far, therefore, so-called accession is invalid and a dead document. In 1948 Government of India pledges before the United Nations, Security Council to hold a plebiscite  in order to ascertain the WILL of the people of Jammu and Kashmir whether they want to stay with India or Pakistan. It is ironic that India has not fulfilled its promises till date and has not conceded the just demand of right of self-determination of people of Jammu and Kashmir. (Writer-South Asia)

Pervez Musharraf admits Pakistan role in Jammu and Kashmir Jehad

Johan Simith
Srinagar- Oct 6: Former Pakistan  Pervez Musharraf has admitted that his country had trained underground Kashmiri freedom fighter groups to fight Indian rule in Kashmir.

"They (underground militant groups to fight against India in disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir) were indeed formed," Musharraf told German magazine Der Spiegel in an interview.

Asked why did Pakistan train militant underground groups to fight India in Kashmir, the former President said Nawaz Sharif’s apathy to the Kashmir issue was one of the reasons, so was the fact that the world had turned a blind eye to the dispute.

"Yes, it is the right of any country to promote its own interests... When India is not prepared to discuss Kashmir at the United Nations and is not prepared to resolve the dispute in a peaceful manner," Musharraf claimed adding, “Nawaz Sharif Government turned a blind eye because they wanted India to discuss Kashmir”.

The former Pakistan president indicated he had no regrets for the Kargil intrusion that led to an armed conflict with India in 1999 and argued that each country had a right to promote its national interest.

He slammed the international community, particularly the West, for persistently ignoring the Kashmir issue, and for singling out Pakistan for all blames.

"The West was ignoring the resolution of the Kashmir issue, which is the core issue of Pakistan. We expected the West—especially the United States and important countries like Germany—to resolve the Kashmir issue. Has Germany done that?" the former Pakistan military ruler asked.

"The West blames Pakistan for everything. Nobody asks the Indian prime minister, why did you arm your country with a nuclear weapon? Why are you killing innocent civilians in Kashmir? Nobody was bothered that Pakistan got split in 1971 because of India’s military backing for Bangladesh. The United States and Germany gave statements, but they didn’t mean anything," he said.

Musharraf charged the international community of courting India for strategic deals, while treating Pakistan as a rogue state.

"Everybody is interested in strategic deals with India, but Pakistan is always seen as the rogue," Musharraf said.

The former Pakistan ruler also said the worst blunder of the US would be to quit in Afghanistan without winning. "Then militancy will prevail not only in Pakistan, India and Kashmir, but perhaps also in Europe, the United Kingdom and in the United States. That’s my belief," he said.

AJK Premier urges Obama to resolve Kashmir dispute

Srinagar, September, 27: Ahead of his India visit, US President Barack Obama was reminded of his election promise to help resolve the Kashmir dispute by Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Attique Ahmed Khan

Attique Ahmed Khan urged President Obama to keep up his election commitment and help resolve the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.

In an open letter to the U.S. President - released as an advertisement to all major dailies by the PaK Government - Khan pointed out that the Kashmir dispute had been a topic of the election campaign of Obama. ``The people of J&K remind the President of the United States on the eve of his visit to India who is a signatory to the Kashmir resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan.'' (Writer-South Asia)

CPI (M) calls for All-India shutdown in support of Kashmiris

Hyderabad (India), September 27  The Communist Party of India (Maoist), declaring that Kashmiris’ struggle for right to self-determination is completely justified, has called for a 24-hour All India shutdown on September 30 to protest the death of more than 100 civilians in occupied Kashmir in last three months.

The CPI (M) in a statement said, “We firmly believe that Kashmiri movement for freedom and their right to self-determination is completely justified.” It said that Indian forces were carrying out massacres and oppressing the democratic rights of Kashmiri people. It demanded immediate withdrawal of Indian army and paramilitary forces from the Kashmir Valley, repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and unconditional release of all political prisoners.

The statement, signed by Abhay, spokesperson for the central committee, and Anand, central regional bureau spokesperson, said that the determination and sacrifices of Kashmiris would forever be etched in the annals of history. “We express deep condolences to all the martyrs' families and to the whole Kashmiri society who had lost their beloved sons and daughters to the bullets of the troops,” the statement maintained.(Writer-South Asia)

Why isn’t India a pariah state?

Srinagar: The Indian occupation of Kashmir between 1989-2009 has resulted in more than 70,000 deaths but there are no serious moves to delegitimize the country, Rob Brown article in JPOST-19/9/2010.

Most citizens of this country probably feel they already have quite enough on their plates dealing with Hizbullah and Hamas without pondering what’s happening way off in the Himalayas. Current events in Kashmir do, however, deserve serious consideration, if only because dark and dangerous parallels between that conflict and the Israel-Palestinian one are being drawn by global jihadists, as well as by some influential international opinion-formers who should know better.

An “intifada-style popular revolt” is how The New York Times has portrayed the latest popular uprising against Indian occupation which has swept through this predominantly Muslim province this summer, making the breathtakingly beautiful Kashmir Valley appear even more of a paradise lost. Although not clad in keffiyehs, young Kashmiri teenagers can sometimes resemble their Palestinian peers as they throw stones at army patrols and dodge tear-gas canisters on the streets of the state capital, Srinagar.


But what the world is never told by The New York Times, nor by most other supposedly liberal organs, is that New Delhi’s response to such civil disobedience has been far more savage and brutal than anything authorized in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, leading in the past to serious armed insurrection (often incited by Pakistan).

The Indian essayist Pankaj Mishra justly observed recently: “The killing fields of Kashmir dwarf those of Palestine and Tibet. In addition to the everyday regime of arbitrary arrests, curfews, raids and checkpoints enforced by nearly 700,000 Indian soldiers, the valley’s 4 million Muslims are exposed to extrajudicial execution, rape and torture, with such barbaric variations as live electric wires inserted into the penis.”

A LEADING local NGO, the International People’s Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in Indian-Administered Kashmir, has reported that extrajudicial killings and torture are commonplace there. It claims that the Indian military occupation of that state between 1989-2009 has resulted in more than 70,00 deaths, and many of these killings were deemed “acts of service” by India’s feared Central Reserve Police Force, leading to promotion and financial reward (bounty is paid after claims made by officers are verified, apparently).

Still, there are no serious moves afoot in editorial corridors or academic campuses anywhere in the Western world to transform India into an international pariah. No calls for boycotts, disinvestment or sanctions against the world’s largest democracy.

The deafening silence over Kashmir speaks volumes about the double standards by which different governments around the globe are judged on their human rights records.

Partly this stems from the post-imperial guilt complex which continues to afflict so many citizens of the West.

The atrocities committed by former colonies are endlessly excused by loose-thinking liberals in London and Paris, however flagrant and ugly such abuses might be. On the extremely rare occasions when repugnant regimes are taken to task, the real responsibility for their brutality is usually reported to lie with external agents.

The Pakistani Marxist polemicist Tariq Ali recently regaled readers of the zealously anti-Zionist London Review of Books with the claim that the real cause of Kashmiris’ current suffering is the ever-evil IDF. “It has been open season on Muslims since 9/11, when the liberation struggle in Kashmir was conveniently subsumed under the war on terror,” he wrote. “Israeli military officers were invited to visit Akhnur military base in the province and advise on counter-terrorism measures.”

Ali gleefully quotes the Web site India Defense, which noted in September 2008 that “Maj.-Gen. Avi Mizrahi paid an unscheduled visit to the disputed state of Kashmir last week to get an up-close look at the challenges the Indian military faces in its fight against Islamic insurgents.

Mizrahi was in India for three days of meetings with the country’s military brass, and to discuss a plan the IDF is drafting for Israeli commandos to train Indian counter-terror forces.”

The concern isn’t that such conspiracy theories are recycled on the pages of the LRB – a small, self-important literary journal – but they are also plastered across countless Islamofascist Web sites, reinforcing the dangerously warped worldview of some of the most dangerous people on the planet. In her days as director-general of the British security service MI5, Eliza Mannigham- Buller observed how jihadists are driven by “a powerful narrative that weaves together conflicts from across the globe, [including] long-standing conflicts such as Israel-Palestine and Kashmir.”

What this leading spook didn’t add is that the crazed fury which results from such communal paranoia isn’t directed with equal vehemence and violence against the various alleged perpetrators. The once heavenly Kashmir Valley has become hell on earth for many of its inhabitants, but Indians are unlikely to have to endure the same hellish condemnation as Israelis. The sole Jewish state on the planet is proving a wonderful lightning rod for Islamic militants – and their misguided liberal-leftist allies – in a way that the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir could never be.

People may be killed like poultry in Kashmir, as in Tibet, but even “progressive” Western politicians are too chicken to jeopardize their countries’ rapidly expanding commercial connections with either India or China. Of course, little Israel isn’t anywhere near as lucrative a marketplace. Consequently, a Kashmiri (or a Tibetan) life will continue to count for far less than that of a Palestinian.(Jpost Israel)

Three more Kashmiri youth martyred

Srinagar, September 22 :  In disputed state of Jammu and  Kashmir, three youth were martyred, today, due to the continued acts of Indian state terrorism by Indian paramilitary forces and police personnel.

One youth each was shot dead by Indian troops during their siege and search operations in Hindwara and Dooru Sopore.

Another youth critically injured in police firing last week succumbed to his injuries in a hospital in Srinagar, today. Forceful anti-India demonstrations rocked his home town, Shaikh Pora in Budgam.

Strict curfew remained in force in Srinagar and other major towns of the territory for the eleventh day, today. Defying curfew restrictions people took to the streets in Samboora Pampore.

The members of Indian All-Party delegation met illegally detained senior APHC leader, Shabbir Ahmed Shah at Chopra Nursing Home in Jammu, last night. The senior leader told on the occasion that India must repeal draconian laws and release Hurriyet leaders and activists, to create a favourable atmosphere to resolve the Kashmir dispute through talks. Members of Kashmiri civil society in their meeting with the delegation demanded phased demilitarisation of the territory and initiation of dialogue for an amicable solution of the Kashmir dispute. The members included Abdul Majeed Zargar, Dr Altaf Hussian, Anwar Ashai, Bashir Ahmad Dar, Hameeda Nayeem and Qurat-ul-Ain.

The All Party delegation had to cancel its visit to Bone and Joint Hospital in Barzulla and Soura Medical Institute as its members had to face patients’ wrath in SMHS hospital.  When a group of delegates led by Sushma Swaraj arrived the hospital amid tight security cover, the patients and their attendants shouted, “Go India go” and “We want freedom”.

Indian paramilitary personnel ruthlessly beat up a photojournalist, Farooq Ahmed Shah at Humhama in Budgam, fracturing his arm and injuring his head.

In Geneva, Kashmiri representatives, Altaf Hussain Wani and Mir Tahir Masood addressing the United Nations Human Rights Council urged the international community to take note of the current situation in occupied Kashmir where Indian troops and police personnel were committing Kashmiris’ genocide. (Writer-South Asia)

Indian troops martyr 14 more innocent youth

Srinagar, September 07:  The Indian authorities in have imposed strict curfew and other restrictions in Srinagar and other cities and towns following the killing of 14 innocent civilians in police firing at Palhalan in Pattan and other parts of Kashmir, yesterday. The four civilians including two teenagers were martyred and over a dozen others injured when the personnel of Indian police opened indiscriminate firing on protesters at Butt Mohalla in Palhalan.

Veteran Kashmiri writer and freedom fighter, Hilal Ahmad War, who has been placed under house arrest in Srinagar by the occupation authorities, in a statement strongly denounced the civilian killings in Palhalan. He said that India could not suppress Kashmiris’ liberation struggle through such tactics. The veteran leader called for a complete shutdown, tomorrow, to protest against the killings and appealed the people to observe the day as Prisoners’ Day.

The APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi, Professor Nazir Ahmed Shawl, Farida Bahenji and other pro-movement leaders and organisations in their separate statements termed the killing of four civilians in Pattan as the worst form of Indian state terrorism.

On the other hand, Indian troops, during their fresh siege and search operation, martyred 14 more innocent Kashmiri youth in Nowshera area of Gurez. Earlier, two troopers were killed in an attack in the same area. (Writer-South Asia)

‘Youths have given fresh lease of life to movement’ WAR QUESTIONS MIRWAIZ’S ‘UNITY’ MOVE

Srinagar, Sep 06: PPP Chairman Engineer Hilal Ahmed War has questioned Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s hollow unity initiative terming it as mere political stunt. War said that Kashmiris who are laying down their lives for the attainment of right to self-determination cannot be fooled by such gimmicks. “More than sixty youths have been martyred by police and paramilitary for raising their voice against Indian occupation and nobody would be allowed to play with their blood,” said War adding “I think Mirwaiz hasn’t done enough homework or else it is some foreign idea which Mirwaiz wants to experiment.” War said that unity shouldn’t be restricted to three people offering Eid namaaz. “Such trinity shows can’t be used to hoodwink the masses.  These are mere photo-ops and the pro-freedom leadership needs to be more practical,” said War.

“It is beyond me why Mirwaiz called All Parties Meeting at Mirwaiz Manzil Rajouri Kadal in the month of June if his definition of unity is bringing just two more people in confidence. Confining the effort to three  people and barring other pro-freedom parties and genuine resistance forces is highly questionsable,” said War.

He said that the resistance movement has reached the decisive phase and the Kashmiri youths are doing a commendable job by taking it out from mosques and shrines by reaching out to the world through all possible means. “From internet resistance to street resistance, Kashmiri youths have given a fresh lease of life to the movement spilling their blood for the attainment of the right to
self-determination,” said Er Hilal War.

He said Mirwaiz needs to refrain from such futile, childish exercises and try to understand the dynamics of Kashmir issue.

India ignoring ground realities,warned the government not to force Kashmiri youth to become Fidayeens

By: Johan Simith

Add caption

Srinagar, August 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Friday warned the government not to force Kashmiri youth to become Fidayeens (suicide bombers), by responding to the peaceful protests with bullets. The Front chairman urged Kashmiris to keep the ongoing protests peaceful.
 

“I want to tell New Delhi and political leaders of India that they should not compel Kashmiri youth to become Fidayeens. The whole Kashmir is out on the roads, protesting peacefully, seeking right to choose their destiny. I urge the government of and world community that without wasting anytime start working for resolution of Kashmir. (But) they should keep one thing in mind that Kashmir will not be solved unless the aspirations of the people are kept in mind,” Malik told the Friday congregation here.
 

Terming youth as “leaders and soldiers” of the movement, Malik asked them to keep the ongoing movement peaceful. “A peaceful movement will be poisonous for India. Peaceful revolution is powerful than atom bomb. They have overthrown many governments in the past,” he said.
 

He said the ongoing movement in Kashmir witnessed a transitional shift from gun to peaceful protests. “India would always bring it up as an excuse that for talks it was necessary that the Kashmiri youth should give up their gun. Our movement witnessed a transition to peaceful protests. But India continues to crush our peaceful struggle with force and bullets,” he said.
 

Referring to the peaceful protests going on for the past three months, Malik said the state government has caged the people in their houses by clamping down frequent curfews and restrictions.
 

“Teenagers are being killed with bullets and beaten to death in police stations. They are accused of burning down the police stations and damaging government vehicles. Our youth are being targeted for taking over the reins of the ongoing movement from their elders. Sixty-five Kashmiris particularly teenagers and youth were killed during the past three months,” Malik said. “Even my house was targeted. My two relatives (nephew and maternal cousin) became the target of state violence. Our youth are out on the roads to talk about right to self determination but he is meted with bullets and lathis.”
 

He termed Kashmir youth as the “leader and the solider” of the ongoing movement. “He is the one who receive bullet on his chest and gives blood to the movement. He is the leader of the movement going on this time on the roads and streets of Kashmir,” Malik said.
 

He asked families of the persons killed during the past three months to get the cases of their dear ones registered in the police stations.(Writer-South Asia)

Indian troops martyr nine innocent Kashmiri youth

Srinagar, August 31 : Latest reports from Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred nine innocent Kashmiri youth during a siege and search operation in Uri area of Baramulla district.

Complete shutdown was observed in the occupied territory, today, call for which had been given by veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani as part of the Quit Kashmir Movement.

Shops, businesses establishments, educational institutions, banks and post offices remained closed while transport was off the road.

On the other hand, the occupation authorities continued to clamp curfew in parts of Srinagar and in Kupwara and Kralpora while imposing restrictions in Hyderpora, Budgam, Islamabad and other towns to prevent people from holding anti-India demonstrations.

Five youth were wounded, two of them critically, when Indian police resorted to firing in Maisuma area of Srinagar. Local residents told mediamen that the youth were playing carrom when the police fired at them without any provocation. Angry people, raising anti-India and pro-liberation slogans, took to streets to protest against the incident. The APHC spokesman in a statement in Srinagar strongly denounced the police action.

Hurriyet leader and the Vice Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League, Masarrat Alam Butt, in a media interview in Srinagar reiterated the pledge to continue the liberation struggle till its logical conclusion, despite all odds.

A trooper of Indian Border Security Force committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle while on duty at Khayara Post in Samba district. This raised the number of such deaths amongst Indian troops and police personnel in the occupied territory to 191 since January 2007.

Kashmiris ask India to withdraw troops

Srinagar, August 28 : The All Parties Hurriyet Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani, leading big demonstrations in Srinagar, today, asked India to withdraw its troops from occupied Kashmir. The APHC Chairman before participating in a procession from Jamia Masjid to Naqashband Sahib, where a sit-in was staged, addressed Juma congregation.

He urged India to stop state terrorism in the occupied territory and take steps to settle the Kashmir dispute by holding talks with Pakistan and genuine Kashmiri leadership.

Syed Ali Gilani led a big protest in Hyderpora and addressing a gathering on the occasion pointed out that the people of Kashmir had been rendering sacrifices to secure their inalienable right to self-determination and not for perks and privileges.

APHC leaders, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi, addressing protesters in Badgam and Ghulam Ahmed Mir in Thanamandi emphasised that India would not be able to subdue Kashmiris’ movement through force. Anti-India demonstrations were also staged at Lal Chowk, Soura, Buchpora and Residency Road in Srinagar and in Islamabad, Bijbehara, Sangam, Pulwama, Tral and other towns. Liberation leaders addressing the demonstrators urged India to show seriousness in resolving the dispute in accordance with the Kashmiris’ aspirations.

Illegally detained senior APHC leader, Shabbir Ahmad Shah talking to mediamen at a hospital in Jammu said that the present surge in the liberation struggle had unnerved Indian authorities, who were engaged in a genocidal spree in the occupied territory. The authorities had brought him there for medical check-up.

The Executive Director of Kashmir Centre London, Professor Nazir Ahmad Shawl, in a statement in Islamabad said that resolution of the Kashmir dispute was vital to the peace and stability in South Asia. Kashmiri intellectual and lecturer in Delhi University, Syed Abdur Rehman Gilani in a media interview in Bangalore said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir should be given an opportunity to decide their future themselves.

On the other hand, the 43rd death anniversary of prominent Kashmiri liberation leader and religious scholar, Mirwaiz Muhammad Yousaf Shah will be observed, tomorrow, and special functions will be held on the occasion on both sides of the Line of Control.

Meanwhile, China has refused visa to a serving Indian army general, B. S. Jaswal, on the ground that he is the incharge of the Indian forces in occupied Kashmir. China has been describing Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory. (Writer-South Asia)

The Kashmir situation

Feedback from Sanjay:

Kashmir is back to the boil again. The army had to be called in after 15 years of relative normalcy in the valley. The situation threatens to spiral out of control just when you would’ve thought it was getting better.

How did it all come to this? Where did we go wrong? Where ARE we going wrong?

There has been a lot of discussion about the history of the Kashmir issue – the wars, the UN resolutions, the Shimla accord and so on. What we don’t discuss regularly are the people of Kashmir and their concerns. They include those on the other side of the border, those who live in the valley, those who have been chased out of the valley, and even those who live in the Jammu and Laddakh regions.

Why many of us don’t feel any pain whatsoever when human rights are violated in the region? Why don’t we create the kind of uproar we saw in the Ruchika or Jessica case when similar, if not more disgusting, crimes are committed in Shopain? Why do we go hysterical when a ‘prince’ falls in a bore well but not when a school boy is killed by security forces in Srinagar on his way home from school?

Let’s face it. Those who are out on the streets in Kashmir are not terrorists. They are not even militants. They are ordinary teenagers whom the system has failed. They deserve the same freedoms that we take for granted. If we wouldn’t like our PM telling us not to let our children out on the streets, the Kashmiris shouldn’t be told that too. If we like political freedoms in our colleges and universities, the Kashmiris should have that political engagement too. If we like to live in our homes, the Kashmiris should be resettled in their homes too!

What we need is to show some empathy towards the Kashmiris. If we can’t do that much, we have not right to call Kashmir an integral part of India.

Sanjay Bhat, New Delhi

Pakistanis still consider India as a major threat than Taliban, AL-Qaeda

By: Johan Simith

 Islamabad, 30 Jully: Though terror groups continue to strike in their country, a majority of Pakistanis still consider India as a major threat, view America as an enemy and are far less concerned about the Taliban and the Al Qaeda.

While Pakistanis express serious concerns about the United States, they are more worried about neighbour and longtime rival India than extremist groups within Pakistan, according to the prestigious Pew Research Centre opinion poll carried out inside Pakistan.

"When asked which is the greatest threat to their country -- India, the Taliban or Al Qaeda -- slightly more than half of Pakistanis (53 per cent) choose India, compared with 23 per cent for the Taliban and just 3 per cent for the Al Qaeda," it said.

However, despite the deep-seated tensions between India and Pakistan, most Pakistanis want better ties with India.

Roughly 72 per cent said it is important for relations with India to improve and about 75 per cent support increased trade with India and further talks between the two rivals.

In spite of pumping in billions of dollars in economic and military aid, the United States' image in Pakistan was at its lowest ever among the 22 nations included in the poll. Fifty-nine per cent of the respondents described America as an enemy and only eight per cent trusted President Barack Obama.

Pakistanis perceived little threat from the Taliban and the Al Qaeda and only 25 per cent of the people said it would be bad for Islamabad if Taliban takes over Afghanistan again.

While 18 per cent said it would be good for Pakistan, 57 per cent were not concerned.

State Department spokesman P J Crowley conceded that there is a huge trust deficit between the US and Pakistan.

"We understand that there's a deficit in trust in our relationship. There are those in Pakistan who recall and sense that they were abandoned by the US and the international community, going back 20 years or more," he said.

Crowley said the US has worked hard in recent months to try to turn this relationship around.

"I think we recognise that this was not going to occur overnight. We have tried to communicate forcefully to not only the government, but also to the people directly, that the US is committed to the future of Pakistan," he said.

"We are, in fact, a partner. I think we're not surprised that people want to see fruits of this partnership; that's exactly what we're trying to do. It goes back to what the (Secretary of State Hillary Clinton) announced in Islamabad last week -- concrete projects that -- on energy, on health, on education -- that will create tangible results so the people of Pakistan can see it. And when they see it, then we would expect to see those poll numbers prospectively improve," he said. (Writer-South Asia)

Indian Army restrict Kashmiris to houses: Mirwaiz Farooq

Srinagar, Jully 1 (Writer-South Asia): In disputed state of Kashmir, the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that, on one side, the Indian troops and police personnel are killing Kashmiris and, on the other, the people of Kashmir have been restricted to their houses through undeclared curfew.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a statement issued in Srinagar appealed Kashmiri people to continue their peaceful protest against Kashmiris’ massacre by troops. He said that if the occupation authorities prevented them from holding demos on roads, then they protest in mosques.

He said that the people of Kashmir have pledged to take the ongoing liberation struggle to its logical end despite the use of brute force by Indian troops. He said that no power of the world could stop them from their just struggle for right to self-determination.

The APHC Chairman appealed the world community to send teams to the occupied territory to review the situation and also urged it to put pressure on India to stop massive human rights violations in Kashmir and resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with Kashmiri’ aspirations.

Pakistan is estimated to have more nuclear warheads than India: NNW, report

Srinagar: Pakistan is estimated to have more nuclear warheads than India and the two Asian neighbours along with China are increasing their arsenals and deploying weapons at more sites, two eminent American atomic experts have claimed.


While Pakistan is estimated to possess 70-90 nuclear weapons, India is believed to have 60-80, claims Robert S Norris and Hans M Kristensen in their latest article 'Nuclear Notebook: Worldwide deployments of nuclear weapons, 2010'.

Estimated Globa l Nuclear Weapons Inventories , 2010
Russia 13,000*
United States 9,400**
France 300
China 240
Britain 180
Israel 80–100
Pakistan 70–90
India 60–80
North Korea ?
Iran ?
Tota l ~23,360

The article published in the latest issue of 'Bulletin of the Atomic Science' claimed that Beijing, Islamabad and New Delhi are quantitatively and qualitatively increasing their arsenals and deploying weapons at more sites, yet the locations are difficult to pinpoint.

For example, no reliable public information exists on where Pakistan or India produces its nuclear weapons, it said.

"Whereas many of the Chinese bases are known, this is not the case in Pakistan and India, where we have found no credible information that identifies permanent nuclear weapons storage locations," they said.

"Pakistan's nuclear weapons are not believed to be fully operational under normal circumstances, India is thought to store its nuclear warheads and bombs in central storage locations rather than on bases with operational forces. But, since all three countries are expanding their arsenals, new bases and storage sites probably are under construction," the two nuclear experts said.

No plan to ban Lamhaa, says Govt

Srinagar, 30, June: With Kashmir on the boil, one would think a film with the troubled valley as its theme could run into trouble with the government. But Union Home Secretary G K Pillai says the government has no plans to stall the release of Lamhaa, which stars Sanjay Dutt , Anupam Kher, Bipasha Basu and Kunal Kapoor . Producer Bunty Walia's film is slated to release on July 16, reports rediff

The film, set in Kashmir, tells the story about a soldier played by Dutt and his Kashmiri love interest, played by a de-glamorised Basu. Parzania director Rahul Dholakia had made the film. Director Rahul Dholakia told 16 June to Ed. Sheikh GULZAAR in from Mumbay that film is stated to release on Jully 16.

The home secretary felt that stalling or banning a movie is not the answer to the problem. "This is a democratic set-up and in a democracy people have the right to speak up and put forth their views. I am confident that the release of such a movie will not add to the existing problem," he added.

Dholakia told Rediff.com that he is happy with the home secretary's statement. "This is the right decision. It is the time to create an environment of trust so that the problems are solved. Kashmir is burning today and it is our responsibility to create an environment of trust," the director said.

His movie, he added, is not reflective of the government's views, but deals with the plight of resident Kashmiris. The film does not deal with the sentiments of India or Pakistan on this issue, he added. "We are just dealing with the state of the residents of that beautiful place."

"I am hopeful that the movie will do well," Dholakia said. His last film, starring Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika is yet to be released in Gujarat.