BJP took advantage of ‘weak’ NC to abrogate Article 370 in J&K: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar : National Conference leader Omar Abdullah Tuesday said the BJP-led central government was able to abrogate Article 370 after his party was rendered weak after the 2014 elections with PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Syed declining his offer of unconditional support and stitching an alliance with those who do not have ”good intentions” towards Jammu and Kashmir. Omar asked the people to support the National Conference and make it further strong to help ”reverse the changes which were forced on the people of Jammu and Kashmir” on August 5, 2019 with the abrogation of the Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories. In a reference to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha’s statement that his administration is working for the welfare of all the people of the union territory, and not just a select few, Omar said, ”I do not see it happening. What we see is that this government is only for the benefit of BJP and a few leaders of some Kashmir-based parties.” Addressing a public meeting at Chatroo in Inderwal assembly constituency of Kishtwar district, he said, ”We have started a fight for Jammu and Kashmir and its people following the changes which were forced on us – the changes which were possible because the National Conference was weak. If we have not lost the (assembly) seats in 2014 elections and formed the government, neither would they have removed Article 370 or Article 35A nor taken away land transferred to the people under Roshni Act or given jobs and contractors to outsiders,” the former chief minister said.

He said the BJP-led central government took advantage of the ”weak position” of the NC and snatched what was given to the people of J&K by the Constitution. ”I had foreseen such a situation and went to Mufti sahib to extend unconditional outside support for forming the government. I told him that the path he is going to treat (by forming the government with BJP) will be a disaster for J&K and we will not be able to save ourselves,” he said, adding ”I told him that I have no greed for power as I have just completed six years as chief minister and desist from bringing those to power who do not have good intentions for J&K.” Mufti had his compulsions and took a decision, he said and referred to a famous couplet ‘(ye jabr bhi dekha hai, taarikh ki nazron ne), lamhon ne Khata Ki Thi, sadiyon ne saza payi’ (much injustice has been seen by the eyes of history/when for a mistake made by a moment, centuries were punished). ”We do not know how long we have to suffer for that decision,” Omar said.

Targeting the Centre, he said all its claims that the revocation of the Article 370 will bring peace, development, investment, jobs and end militancy have proved false. ”Just tell me one thing which you have achieved in the past nearly two and a half years,” he asked and said “we get tired of highlighting the developmental works done by us till 2018 but they were unable carry forward the development and even failed to depute officers to new blocks, tehsils, sub-divisions created by our government to bring governance closer to the public.” Accepting failure of the party leadership to win Inderwal assembly constituency since 2002, Omar promised a local candidate for the seat in the upcoming elections. ”Though this is not the election time and I have come to assure you that whenever the elections are declared – whether in 2022, 23 or 24 – we will give preference to the local candidate and this time there will be no candidate who will be dropped by helicopter or parachute,” he said.

India persecuting Kashmiri Gujjar-Bakerwal communities by evicting them from forests: Mehbooba

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday accused the administration of persecuting members of the Gujjar-Bakerwal communities by evicting them from forest areas.

Her remarks came after reports claimed that an eviction drive by the forest department in the upper reaches of the Zampathri area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district turned violent after resistance by the communities’ members.

“A Gujjar from Kellar in Shopian was beaten to pulp by the forest department. On one hand this administration makes tall claims about the implementation of Forest Rights Act while at the same time they continue to hound and persecute these communities, the PDP chief tweeted.

The former chief minister also posted on Twitter a video of a member of the community claiming he was beaten up by forest department personnel.

LASHKAR-E-TOYIBA Warning

LASHKAR-E-TOYIBA's posted posters in civil_line areas, giving warning to All workers of

Lashkar letterpaids

NC ,PDP, congress. "Stay away or Face death"

Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) posters warning activists of pro Indian political parties and village heads not to participate in the scheduled Parliament and assembly election next year have been pasted in parts of Kashmir’s historic Old City, witnesses said on Thursday. 

The JK Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
Medicinal plants, Forest trees, Herbal seeds & Fruit plants
More: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com 

 

LeT has asked people to desist from supporting any pro Indian political party of Jammu and Kashmir and has warned village heads of dire consequences in case they don’t abdicate their posts.

"People who support the present ‘oppressive regime’ and those who favour National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Congress or BJP and intend to participate in electoral process are hereby strictly warned of dire consequences in case they continue to support or vote political parties,” handwritten posters in Urdu of LeT pasted in parts of Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar warned.

The posters, appearing at many walls and electric poles in Habakadal, Kharyar, Gowkadal and Basant Bagh area of Srinagar City on Thursday threatened, "we will put any such person to death who vote and support any political party.”

Warning village heads and district presidents of pro India political parties to relinquish their posts or face dire consequences, the posters asked them to announce their resignation during Friday prayers and through newspapers.
 
The posters have names of district commander LeT Nawab Ghaznavi and another commander Yaseen Kashmiri written on them.
 
"We are investigating the matter and it is too premature to say whether these posters are genuine or just a prank," a senior police said on condition of anonymity.

He added Police are looking into the matter. Similar posters have also appeared in different parts of Kashmir including Shupain, Tral and Varmul towns. 

Ruling National Conference said such posters were nothing new in Kashmir as "we have seen this phenomenon in the past as well".

Opposition PDP chief spokesman Nayeem Akhtar said the truth about the posters must come out and police should verify the facts.

Senior Congress leader and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil said it is the duty of the police to investigate the matter.

PDP's record performance and its roadmap 'Self Rule' motivated me to join this party: Abbas Wani

PDP's record performance and its roadmap 'Self Rule' motivated me to join this party: Abbas Wani

SRINAGAR, Nov 18: National Conference youth block president Tangmarag Abbas Wani along with 20 senior NC delegates today joined Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in presence of PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. These senior delegates include Munshi Abdul Hamid (secretary Block Tangmarag), and Bhkashi Abdul Ahad (block vice president).

PDP patron Sayeed welcomed the new entrants into the party fold, saying that their joining will add colours to the part activities in Pulwma district. "It is our pragmatic approach and political agenda which attracts people to our party folds," Sayeed added.

On this occasion, Abbas said that he was motivated by the PDP's three year performance and its concern for the resolution of Kashmir issue. "I have no words to count the performance of PDP. From development to fair recruitment, opening of Srinagar-Muzafarabad road to creation of conducive atmosphere for the ongoing peace process, establishing universities, to opening of new colleges, higher secondary schools and primary schools and above all bringing a significant change in the atmosphere of terror," Abbas added.

He said that he along with his workers would work hard to disseminate the PDP agenda which encompasses a message of peace and reconciliation. "National Conference believes in exploitation and this party has a long history of deceit and betrayal," Abbas said, and addedthat he found PDP's Self Rule as the best roadmap which can resolve the vexed Kashmir issue while taking into account the public aspirations. "The day I got the copy of the Self Rule I found it interesting and the only solution possible for resolving the Kashmir imbroglio," he said and added, that he will try his best to chennalize the public support this roadmap.

Abbas further remarked that it was the praiseworthy performance of the PDP which motivated him to join the PDP ranks. He added, "PDP said that it will open Srinagar-Muzafarabad road and it did. National Conference despite having a majority in the legislative assembly with a 60 years term, it could not do what PDP did in just three years of its rule in Kashmir," the new entrant said, and added that he will try his best to work for the betterment of people in his area. (Writer-South Asia)