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.

Will Kashmir lead to war with China ?

Bangalore, October 5: Will the current explosion in Kashmir ultimately lead India to another war with China? Reports say ruling “Jews of India” have been asked by the Jews to widen the conflagration so that China, which is already in the “Pak-occupied Kashmir”, is provoked to intervene through Pakistan. India may then seek US support, reports  Dalit Voice  (5/9)

The staple food of the Jews and “Jews of India” has been war and violence to establish world domination. Having been defeated in their experiment in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are now trying to shift the scene to Asia and confront China with the help of the “Jews of India”.

Our sources say if there is such a direct confrontation between US and China it will lead to World War-III with Russia, Iran and the entire Muslim world. Dangerous days are ahead.

Nato regrets Pak troop deaths, urges route re-opening

ISLAMABAD/BRUSSELS: Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen expressed regret on Monday for the deaths of Pakistani soldiers last week and said he hoped Pakistan’s border would reopen for NATO supplies to Afghanistan as soon as possible, reports Jumg (5/9./2010)

Angered by repeated attacks by Nato helicopters on militant targets within its borders, Pakistan blocked one of the supply routes for Nato troops in Afghanistan after a strike killed three Pakistani soldiers in the western Kurram region.

Analysts and Western officials said Pakistan’s closure of the border for a few days would not seriously impact the war effort in Afghanistan, but it would create political tension that Pakistan could exploit.

“I expressed my regret for the incident last week in which Pakistani soldiers lost their lives,” Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said after meeting Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Brussels. “I expressed my hope the border will be open for supplies as soon as possible.”

The apology came after gunmen attacked a convoy of trucks taking goods to Western forces in Afghanistan on the outskirts of Islamabad, killing three guards. The foreign minister while apprising the Nato secretary general of the gravity of public anger over Nato incursions said that Pakistan would only reopen the supply route for coalition troops in Afghanistan once public anger eases and security improves. “Unless the reaction cools down and we make sure that the supply line is secured, we cannot reopen it,” the foreign minister added. He further said the UN mandate for Isaf is confined to Afghanistan and Nato/Isaf forces are again advised to refrain from any actions that constitute a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty.

Foreign Minister Qureshi did not hold a press conference after the meeting. Hours later, suspected militants attacked trawlers carrying supplies for Nato through Balochistan, killing one man, police said.

Pakistan has officially said the border has been closed for security reasons and the Taliban threat of more attacks will likely prolong the closure of the vital supply route — now in its fifth day — and further strain ties with ally Washington, which has long demanded Pakistan crackdown on militants. “Efforts are underway to resolve this issue, but there is a lot of anger in Pakistan about the border incursion,” a senior Pakistani government official told Reuters.

ISAF spokesman Major Joel Harper told Reuters in Kabul that the border closure wouldn’t impact the mission, but that the supply lines are “an important element of the Pakistani economy. It’s important to our logistics stocks”. The closures would force more supplies through NATO’s northern supply route through Russia and the central Asian republics, he said. “Nato authorities have all along anticipated disruptions in the supply chain and have been stockpiling supplies in advance,” said Kamran Bokhari, South Asia director at STRATFOR global intelligence.

Andrew Exum, a fellow with the Center for a New American Security and former adviser on Gen Stanley McChrystal’ assessment team in Afghanistan, said the closures mattered little tactically.

“Even though it’s painful it doesn’t cripple the mission,” he said. “The larger strategic issue is that we’re seeing a period of rising public tension between the United States and Pakistan.”

“It’s clear the Pakistanis are frustrated with the United States,” he continued. “It’s clear the Pakistanis are frustrated with the drone strikes in Pakistan. What I don’t think the Pakistanis understand is how frustrated the Americans and the American public are with the Pakistanis.”

Rasmussen said the killing of the three Pakistani soldiers was unintended and showed the need to improve coordination between the NATO and the Pakistani military. He said a joint investigation was under way. “It is important we step up our cooperation,” he said. —Agencies

Mariana Baabar adds: Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), when contacted, said it cannot confirm the identity of two planes that hovered inside Pakistani airspace at the time when Nato helicopters were striking a Pakistani checkpost. A private television channel showed the footage of the incident in which for the first time the presence of these two planes came to light.

Faisal Shahzad sentenced for life

MANHATTAN: Sheikh Faisal Shazad has been sentenced for life by a court in Manhattan, Geo News reported Tuesday. There were ten separate charges pressed against him, which included weapons trade and terrorism.

After he was found guilty, he was sentenced for life. He did not repent any bit of his actions. He had been arrested on the 3rd of May. (Writer-South Asia)

US should impress upon India, Pak to resolve Kashmir: Yaseen Malik

Srinagar, Oct 3: Ahead of the United States President, Barrack Obama’s scheduled visit to India next month, two officials from the American Embassy in New Delhi on Sunday met the front The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, here to know his views and assess the situation in the disputed state of Kashmir.

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Mr. Yaseen Malik maintained that as a strategic alliance of India and Pakistan, the United States could impress upon both the countries to resolve the long-standing Kashmir dispute. 

The officials, Kailash Jha and Pushpinder Dhillon met Malik for nearly an hour and discussed several issues including the situation in Valley. “The Valley has been turned into a jail from the last four months. The people are reeling under continuous curfew since Eid. 110 civilians mostly teenagers have been killed by the troopers and cops. Hundreds of youth have been arrested and are languishing in jails. There is no accountability and rule of law and the men in uniform have been given license to kill,” Malik told the visiting officials.

Yaseen Malik said the Kashmir dispute had consumed four generations. “Kashmiris were forced to take guns in 1989 when government of India used its military might to crush their non-violent movement for the right to self-determination. The US had played an imperative role in motivating the Kashmiris to shun the gun and start a peaceful process for the resolution of Kashmir. But India is leaving no stone unturned to suppress the aspirations of Kashmiris,” Yaseen Malik said.

Yaseen Malik maintained that the ongoing movement was being led by Kashmiri youth. “India has even snatched a space for them to register their protests peacefully. If the suppressive policies continue, Kashmiri youth will be forced to take the violent path again to achieve their goal. It is high time to acknowledge and respect the aspirations and sacrifices of Kashmiris and resolve the dispute in accordance with their wishes,” he said.

Malik told the officials that by virtue of being in strategic alliance of India and Pakistan, the US act could be a catalyst to resolve the dispute.

“The US can use its rapport and friendly relations with Islamabad and New Delhi and impress upon them to resolve the dispute permanently for restoring peace in Valley and south Asia,” he said.

The diplomats however refused to talk to the media. Malik also reserved his comments on whether the diplomats met him in the backdrop of Obama’s visit to India.

Pertinently Obama has been stressing upon New Delhi to settle the Kashmir dispute if it wanted a ticket in the UN Security Council membership. “Go for a Kashmir solution and help bring stability to the region for a ticket to UN Security Council membership and fulfilling your big power aspirations.” Obama according to reports has conveyed to New Delhi.

Swiss Bank has agreed to disclose the funds

By: Maruti Kusalkar

Mumbai, October 3: Latest Update

1) Yes, 70 lakhs crores rupees of India are lying in Switzerland banks. This is the highest amount lying outside any country, from amongst 180 countries of the world, as if India is the champion of Black Money.

2) Swiss Government has officially written to Indian Government that they are willing to inform the details of holders of 70 lakh crore rupees in their Banks, if Indian Government officially asks them.

3) On 22-5-08, this news has already been published in The Times of India and other Newspapers based on Swiss Government's official letter to Indian Government.

4) But the Indian Government has not sent any official enquiry to Switzerland for details of money which has been sent outside India between 1947 to 2008.. The opposition party is also equally not interested in doing so because most of the amount is owned by politicians and it is every Indian's money.

5) This money belongs to our country. From these funds we can repay 13 times of our country's foreign debt. The interest alone can take care of the Center s yearly budget. People need not pay any taxes and we can pay Rs. 1 lakh to each of 45 crore poor families.

6) Let us imagine, if Swiss Bank is holding Rs. 70 lakh Crores, then how much money is lying in other 69 Banks? How much they have deprived the Indian people? Just think, if the Account holder dies, the bank becomes the owner of the funds in his account.

7) Are these people totally ignorant about the philosophy of Karma? What will this ill-gotten wealth do to them and their families when they own/use such money, generated out of corruption and exploitation?

8) Indian people have read and have known about these facts. But the helpless people have neither time nor inclination to do anything in the matter. This is like "a new freedom struggle" and we will have to fight this.

9) This money is the result of our sweat and blood.. The wealth generated and earned after putting in lots of mental and physical efforts by Indian people must be brought back to our country.  

Flights over US, EU killing people in India, China

New Delhi, October 1: Aircraft flying above North America and Europe are emitting pollutants that are poisoning the air in India and China, and resulting in deaths of thousands of people in these Asian nations, a new study has said, reports rediff.com

The study led by a team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology says airplanes flying at a cruise altitude of around 35,000 feet emit pollutants that contribute to about 8,000 deaths per year globally.

Due to high speed winds that flow east, air pollution caused by planes flying over North America and Europe is adversely impacting air quality in India and China, it said.

Nearly 3500 people - almost half of the global number - die in India and China due to this air pollution. Air travel is heaviest above North America and Europe.

"Even though the amount of fuel burned by aircraft over India and China accounts for only 10 per cent of the estimated total amount of fuel burned by aircraft across the globe, the two countries incur nearly half - about 3,500 - of the annual deaths related to aircraft cruise emissions," the study said.

The research provides the first estimate of premature deaths attributable to aircraft emissions at cruise altitudes.

Aircraft emit nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, which react with gases already existing in the atmosphere to form harmful fine particulate matter.

Part of the reason for the high percentage of premature deaths in India and China is that these regions are densely populated and also have high concentrations of ammonia in their atmosphere as a result of farming.

This ammonia reacts with oxidised nitrogen and sulphur to create fine particulate matter that people inhale on the ground.

Although agriculture is abundant in Europe and North America, the ammonia levels are not as elevated above those regions as they are in the Asian countries, the study said.

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Independent J&K to emerge as strong nation: JKLF

Srinagar, Sept 27: A day after Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani said Jammu and Kashmir’s survival as an independent state was difficult, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Sunday said the independent state would emerge as a strong nation on the world map because of its huge water and other natural resources.

Geelani in an interview with NewsX on Saturday said that he personally felt it was difficult for the state to survive as an independent entity given its geo-strategic location. However, the JKLF while rejecting Geelani’s statement said that the majority of the people in the state were in favor of independence as was “evident” from various surveys conducted by international organizations.  

Without naming Geelani, the JKLF leaders in a statement said, “A prominent pro-freedom leader on Saturday told an Indian news channel that an independent Kashmir was not viable.  There are several countries smaller than Jammu and Kashmir in terms of size and population and low on natural resources that have survived as independent entities. Furthermore, if Jammu and Kashmir is given independence it would thrive merely on its huge water reservoirs and other natural resources.”

“ In 1990, when other groups joined the freedom movement the JKLF to avoid internal anarchy announced to accept the decision of the majority during a referendum— whether in favour of India, Pakistan or independence. And the same principle was the basis of the Hurriyat Conference constitution. The JKLF leadership stands by its promise of respecting the will of the majority,” the leaders. (Writer-South Asia)

Chidambaram Appeals to People of J&K to Ensure

New Delhi, 27 September: The Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram has appealed to all sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that all schools and colleges function normally. In a statement issued here today he expressed happiness over the fact that most schools and colleges have reopened, disregarding a call by one of the Hurriyat leaders. Following is the text of the statement:

“Government is happy to learn that most schools and colleges have reopened in Jammu and Kashmir and most students have gone back to school/college today.

There was a call by one of the Hurriyat leaders to parents asking them not to send their children to school/college. Happily, parents have disregarded that call and sent their children to schools/colleges.

There were a few minor incidents of stone-pelting on school buses at Habak, Bemina and Nowgam. How can any right thinking person pelt stones on school buses? I hope that such mischief will stop immediately. Anyone who has the interest of the children at heart cannot indulge intone-pelting; nor should anyone support such mischievous attempts to interfere with the functioning of schools and colleges.

I am confident that the few schools and colleges that remain closed today, presumably out of caution, will reopen tomorrow. I am also confident that the attendance will improve significantly tomorrow. The Government of J&K has assured us that every effort is being made to ensure that all schools and colleges reopen and function normally and that security will be provided to enable the students to attend schools and colleges.

I appeal to all sections of the people of J&K, especially parents, to cooperate with the State Government and ensure that all schools and colleges function normally”.

9/11 remark meant to 'assist' Americans: Ahmadinejad

Srinagar, September, 27: Shrugging of the volley of criticism against him for listing conspiracy theories behind 9/11 attacks at the United Nations, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad  underlined that his remarks were meant to help Americans, reports rediff.com (27/9) from Geneva.

"We are trying to defend the rights of the American people so that their money is not used for killing people in Iraq and Afghanistan, so that their children do not end up in locations where they do not understand and must not go to in the first place to die," Ahmadinejad said.

"Do you think these are bad statements to make," he added, at a packed press conference in a New York hotel on Friday.

"This is assistance. This is what I call assistance," he added.

Earlier this week, speaking at the UN General Assembly, Ahmadinejad indicated that American and Israeli forces could have carried out 9/11 and called for a UN investigation into what really happened.

He had caused widespread outrage in his speech on Thursday to the General Assembly by claiming that some "segments" of the US government "orchestrated" 9/11 to "reverse the declining American economy and its grips on the Middle East in order also to save the Zionist regime".

"That some segments within the US government orchestrated the attack to reverse the declining American economy and its grips on the Middle East in order also to save the Zionist regime," the president told world leaders.

"It is proposed that the United Nations set up an independent fact-finding group for the event of September 11 so that in the future expressing views about it is not forbidden," he said.

On Friday, Ahmadinejad reiterated his calls for an investigation. "Two countries were invaded and up till now, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed as a result," the Iranian leader said.

"Don't you think that that excuse needs to be revised? Don't you feel that if a fact-finding mission was present from the start to explore the true reason behind September 11, that we would not see the catastrophes in Afghanistan and Iraq today?" he added.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama  has slammed these remarks as "hateful" and "offensive" in an interview with BBC's Persian news service on Friday.

"And particularly for him to make the statement here in Manhattan, just a little north of Ground Zero, where families lost their loved ones," he said. "For him to make a statement like that was inexcusable."

Ahmadinejad, however, asserts that all governments and people do not have to take the view of the US government, and asserted that the majority of Americans are suspicious about who carried out 9/11.

"If the US government is upset I can see why..because the US government expects everyone to follow it and to follow its decisions," he said.

'Mosque and temple can be built side by side in Ayodhya'

Srinagar,September, 27: Is it possible that the Allahabad high court's much-awaited verdict in the Babri Masjid  title case will lead to the construction of a mosque and a temple side by side in Ayodhya? If so what will be the reaction of the Muslim community?

A respected religious leader of the community and the Secretary of All India  Muslim Personal Law Board Moulana, Abdul Raheem Qureshi, has said that Muslims will not have any objection to such an eventuality as there was nothing wrong in it , reports rediff (27/9/) from New Delhi.

Speaking in Hyderabad on Monday, Abdul Raheem Qureshi said that already many such mosques and temple exist in the country and if this happens in Ayodhya, there is nothing wrong in that.

However, he said that the government should ensure that there were separate ways for the mosques and the temples so that no disputes or problems arise in future. "The vast land acquired by the government should be divided in to portions to provide separate ways to the mosque and the temple," he said.

Moulana Qureshi said that if the court decides so, the temple can come up at the place where Ram chabutra existed in the outer courtyard of the mosque, while mosque can be rebuilt at the place where the old mosque building with three domes and inner court yard existed.

"The chabutra was used from worship by the Hindus for 150 years and the Muslims have not opposed it. In 1885 a Mahant had claimed that chabutra was the birth place of Lord Ram and he had even gone to a court with the claim and Muslims not opposed it," he said.

His remarks came on a day when the AIMPLB decided to move a petition before the Supreme Court to oppose any further delay in the pronouncement of the verdict by Allahabad high court in Babri Masjid title case.

Abdul Raheem Qureshi said that the board decided to move the petition because it was question of rule of law in the country and any further delay in coming out with the verdict will not be in the interest of the justice.

He expressed hoped that the apex court will not delay the verdict of HC any further because the earlier decision of deferring it from September 24 was taken by the junior member of the two member judge of Supreme Court.

"Because of the differences between the two judges -- Justice Ravindran and Justice Gokhale -- the matter has been referred. We have moved our petition to make our stand clear that judicial verdict should not be delayed. It should be pronounced and respected by all. The dissatisfied party can always appeal to the Supreme Court," he said.

He said that the board was opposed to delay in the verdict because it involved many important issues. Recalling the night of 22 December 1949, when idols were installed in the Babri Mosque in Aydohya, he said that it was a trespassing, an offence but instead of punishing the culprits, Muslims were punished by stopping them from entering the mosque.

Elaborating why the board was against delaying the verdict, Moulana Qureshi said that one of the judges of the Allahabad high court was going to retire on September 30. "If a new judge comes and he wants fresh arguments once again, verdict will not be possible for another two years and it will be very unfair," he noted.

He also exuded confidence that on the basis of the available records and evidences, the Allahabad high court can give a verdict that the Babri Masjid with its inner court yard belongs to Muslims and outer court yard belongs to the Hindu community.

Referring to the statements of some people that out of court settlement was still possible, Moulana Qureshi said that many such efforts were made in the past, but they could not succeed as the organisations like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bharatiya Janata Party refused to budge an inch from their stand. "Without that no compromise was possible," he said.

He insisted that while Muslims were ready to abide by any court verdict, they will never ever willingly hand over the mosque to others.

We will shed our blood, as freedom can only be achieved through sacrifices and martyrdoms: L&T

Pakistan is ready to fight thousands of battles for the liberation of Kashmir, Jamaat ud-Dawa chief and Lashkar-e-Tayiba founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed said at a meeting of the party in Lahore, reports Rediff.com

"We will shed our blood, as freedom can only be achieved through sacrifices and martyrdoms," said Saeed.

"For the liberation of Kashmir, we can fight thousands of wars with India. The government of Pakistan should stop begging India for talks on Kashmir. Just like Aazad Kashmir, Indian occupied Kashmir can only be freed through Jihad," declared Saeed.

Hafiz Saeed was annoyed over Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani-led government's efforts about the Kashmir issue and said, "During the earlier government, the Kashmir cause suffered badly, as the government's stance was not aggressive. Unfortunately, the current government is also following the same policies."

He alleged that,"The government is making transit agreements (with India) under the supervision of the United States. Pakistani rulers should know that American slavery is not acceptable to our nation.

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)

OIC Kashmir contact group condemns curbs on Mirwaiz

Srinagar, 24 Sep: Indian Police have arrested a youth on the charges of posting a list with the names of police officers who belong to the Valley on social networking site Facebook, reports Greater Kashmir on 24/9/2010.

Faizan Samad, an 18-year-old Class XII student, was arrested from Nishat on the city outskirts.
Samad, according to police, has been booked under 66 IT Act and Section 13 of prevention of unlawful activities Act.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Kashmir Contact Group (KCG) of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) has strongly condemned the continued house arrest and curbs on political and religious activities of All Parties Hurriyet Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

A special session of the KCG held here was attended by the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, the Executive Director of Kashmir Centre Washington, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai and representatives of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Nigeria.

The APHC Chairman was invited by the OIC to participate in the session, however, due to continued house arrest he could not attend the meeting. The APHC has an observer status in the OIC.

On the other hand, the APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a statement in Srinagar hailed the recent assertion of UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon in which he had expressed concern over the situation in Kashmir. The Mirwaiz hoped that the UN would play its role in resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the Kashmiris’ aspirations. (Writer South Asia)

Kashmiris asks OIC to snap ties with India

Srinagar, Sept 23:  Hurriyat Conference  on Thursday urged Prof Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu the General Secretary of Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) to take cognizance of the ongoing human rights violations in the Valley.

In a statement, APHC said the Conglomerate had conveyed to the OIC about the prevailing situation across the Valley and exuded hope that it would take cognizance of it.

“During the last three months, 103 youth have been killed and thousands injured. Besides hundreds of youth have been arrested and booked under various acts including PSA,” Geelani has written to the OIC.

 “If the OIC only passes resolution on the situation in Kashmir, it will be like adding insult to our injuries. It is the moral and legal responsibility of the OIC to come to the rescue of Kashmiris. The OIC must snap economic ties with India to show its seriousness,” he said. 

APHC condemned the imposition of curfew on Thursday and termed it as Government’s frustration. He reiterated that there will be no strike on Friday. (Writer-South Asia)

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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)

A Tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Sahib: 11th August Foundation, Kashmir

Sheikh GULZAAR

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)

Medicinal Plants of India

Medicinal plants play an important ROLE IN HUMAN LIFE TO COMBAT DISEASES SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL. The rural folks and tribals in India even now depend largely on the surrounding plants/forests for their day-to-day needs. Medicinal plant are being looked upon not only as a source of health care but also as a source of income. The value of medicinal plants related trade in India is of the order of 5.5 billion US$ (Exim Report-1997) and is further increasing day-by-day. The international market of herbal products is estimated to be US $ 62 BILLION. India share in the global market of medicinal plants trade is less than 0.5%. In view of the innate Indian strengths, which include diverse eco-systems for growth of medicinal plants, technical/farming capacity, strong manufacturing sector, the medicinal plants sector can provide a huge export opportunity after fulfilling domestic needs.

Govt of India has been implementing Contractual Farming Scheme under which financial assistance @ 30% of the project cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 9.00 lakhs, is provided to farmers / growers for cultivation of identified medicinal plants. The Scheme is implemented through State Government. The Goovt of India had identified list of 32 medicinal plants for cultivation and development on priority basics-I. However, as per Operational Guidelines, projects for cultivation of other commercially important plants can also be considered for which assured market exists.

The present e-book also covers systematic account of most different plants with pictures used in medicines. It covers Medicinal Plants containing alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, additives and other active matabolites.

It also contains details of Govt. Schemes for Medicinal Plants. We hope that this e. book will be useful not only for technologists, professionals, but also for farmers, traders, students, NGOs, institutions, exporters and importers of Medicinal Plants.

The CD-based book costs Rs. 550/-

Payment: Demand Draft/MO only in favour of "International Information Resource Centre",
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Saffron in Kashmir: Saffron in Kashmir

Saffron in Kashmir: Saffron in Kashmir

Media Directory

International Information Resource Centre presents World Media Directory and brought out a Database in electronic format. It containing complete details of 3000+ such as Music, Sports, Kids, Informative, Religious, News, Entertainment, Fashion, Geographic, Religious, Cartoon, Charity, Science & Health etc. TV Channels from around the world.

Up-to-date classified Information of various TV Channels are available on hundreds of world' major cities and few of them are listed below:-


Middle East
(1) Armenia (2) Azerbaijan (3) Bahrain (4) Cyprus (5) Georgia (6) Iran (7) Iraq (8) Israel 9. Jordan (10) Kuwait (11) Lebanon (12) Oman (13) Palestine (14) Qatar (15) Saudi Arabia (16) (17) Syria (18) Turkey (19) United Arab Emirates (20) Yemen

Asia
( 1) Afghanistan (2) Bangladesh (3) Bhutan (4) Brunei (5) Cambodia (6) China (7) Hong Kong (8) India (9) Indonesia ( 10) Japan (11) Kashmir (12) Kazakhstan (13) Kyrgyzstan (14) Laos | Macau (15) Malaysia (16) Maldives (17) Mongolia (18)Myanmar ( 19) Nepal( 20) Pakistan (21) Philippines (22) Singapore (23) South Korea (24) Sri Lanka (25) Taiwan (26) Tajikistan (27) Thailand (28) Turkmenistan (29) Uzbekistan (30) Vietnam

Europe
(1) Albania (2) Andorra (3) Austria (4) Belarus (5) Belgium (6) Bosnia and Herzegovina (7) Bulgaria (8) Croatia (9) Czechia (10) Denmark (11) Estonia (12) Faroe Islands (13) Finland (14) France (15) Germany (16) Gibraltar (17) Greece (18) Hungary (19) Iceland (20 Ireland (21)I taly (22) Latvia (23) Liechtenstein (24) Lithuania (25) Luxembourg (26) Macedonia (27) Malta (28) Moldova (29) Monaco (30) Montenegro (31) Netherlands (32) Norway (33) Poland (34) Portugal (35) Romania (36) Russia (37) San Marino (38) Serbia (39) Slovakia (40) Slovenia (41) Spain (42) Sweden (43) Switzerland (44) Ukraine (45) United Kingdom (46) Vatican City


Africa
(1) Algeria (2) Angola (3) Benin (4) Botswana (5) Burkina Faso (6) Cameroon (7) Cape Verde (8) Chad (9) Congo-Brazzaville (10) Congo-Kinshasa (11) Djibouti (12) Egypt (13) Eritrea (14) Ethiopia (15) Gabon (16) Ghana (17) Guinea (18) Ivory Coast (19) Kenya (20) Libya (21) Madagascar (22) Malawi (23) Mali (24) Mauritania (25) Mauritius (26) Mayotte (27) Morocco (28) Mozambique (29) Namibia (30) Niger (31) Nigeria (32) Reunion (33) Senegal (34) Somalia (35) South Africa (36) Sudan (37) Swaziland (38) Tanzania (39) Tunisia (40) Uganda (41) Western Sahara (42) Zambia (43) Zimbabwe


South America
(1) Argentina (2) Bolivia (3) Brazil (4) Chile (5) Colombia (6) Ecuador (7) French Guiana (8) Paraguay (9) Peru (10) Suriname (11) Uruguay (12) Venezuela

North America
1. Aruba 2. Bahamas 3. Barbados 4. Canada 5. Costa Rica 6. Cuba 7. Dominican Republic 8. El Salvador 9. Greenland 10. Guadeloupe 11. Guatemala 12. Haiti 13. Honduras 14.Jamaica 15. Martinique 16. Mexico 17. Netherlands Antilles 18. Nicaragua 19. Panama 20 Puerto Rico 21. Saint Pierre and Miquelon 22. Trinidad and Tobago 23. Alabama 24. Alaska 25. Arizona 26. Arkansas 27. California 28. Colorado 29. Connecticut 30. District of Columbia31. Florida 32. Georgia 33. Hawaii 34. Idaho 35. Illinois 36. Indiana 37. Iowa 38. Kansas 39. Kentucky 40.Louisiana 41. Maine 42. Maryland 43. Massachusetts 44. Michigan 45. Minnesota 46. Mississippi 47. Missouri 48. Montana 49. Nebraska 49. Nevada 50.New Hampshire 51. New Jersey 52. New Mexico 53. New York 54. North Carolina 55. North 56. Dakota 57. Ohio 58. Oklahoma 59. Oregon 60. Pennsylvania 61. Rhode Island 62. South Carolina 63. South Dakota 64. Tennessee 65. Texas 66. Utah 67. Vermont 68. Virginia 69. Washington 70. West Virginia 71. Wisconsin 72. Wyoming 73. United States 74. Virgin Islands

Pacific
1. Australia 2. Fiji 3. French Polynesia 4. New Caledonia 5. New Zealand 6. Papua New Guinea 7. Timor Leste 8. Vanuatu 9. Wallis and Futuna Islands

Features : Each data Contains Name of the TV Channel , Channel Logo, Complete postal address, Email, Address,website address, phone No, Fax No. etc.

Very useful to:
Media organisations, Broadcasting Units, Advertising agencies, NGO's, Newspapers, News agencies, Journalists, Editors, Individuals, Service providers and almost all who are in Media & Entertainment industry and especially who seek an edge over its' competitors.

| Pages: N/A | | Format: Word | | Price Rs: 5550/- US$250
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Batla House fake encounter

Lessons from Batla House encounter: Truth will prevail

By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net,

Mahatma Gandhi started his satyagraha from Champaran district of Bihar. This force of truth is what ultimately led to India’s independence. After independence, India adopted "Satyameva Jayate" [Truth Alone Triumphs] as its motto. A 23 year-old youth from Champaran is testing India’s commitment to its truth and in the process showing the mirror to the Indian republic and asking them the same questions that Gandhi’s followers asked the colonial rulers.

Afroz Alam was born in Champaran district of Bihar in 1987. He is acutely aware of the historical importance of Champaran in India’s freedom struggle. Through Right To Information (RTI) Act, he has started his own “satyagraha” for seeking out the truth. Since 2005, he has filed thousands of RTI applications seeking information on local and national issues but what has made him famous is his unprecedented successes in finding truth of Batla House killings of Sept 19, 2008 that was termed as encounter by Delhi Police and fake by the population living in that area.

RTI activist Afroz Alam Sahil

Two years ago today, in Batla House area of Jamia Nagar, Delhi two civilians Sajid and Atif, and a police officer Mohan Chand Sharma were dead after some gun-shots were heard in the morning. What had happened there in flat number L-18 that day that led to three deaths is not clear. Afroz Alam Sahil, then a student of Mass Communication in Jamia Millia Islamia and an RTI activist, filed around 40 applications seeking more information about this “encounter” but has met by deafening silence from all sides.

Getting information through RTI has never been easy but it has been a special challenge to find out anything about the Batla House encounter case. He has filed appeals after appeals with different departments but without much success. He has filed RTI applications with the Prime Minister’s Office, President of India, Union Home Ministry, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi Police, and Delhi Minority Commission with little or no response from most of these organizations.

But his dogged persistence has paid off when in March this year, NHRC finally released the post-mortem report of Atif Amin and Mohammad Sajid, two youth who were killed in Batla House encounter. The post-mortem report, which AIIMS and Delhi Police still refuses to give, revealed that both Atif and Sajid had injuries on their bodies which occurred before their death. Delhi Police’s version of event had it that no physical interaction happened with the youth and the police but then how would one explain these injuries that AIIMS doctor clearly marked as “ante-mortem” or before death.
http://www.twocircles.net/2010mar17/batla_house_post_mortem_report_confi

Just a few days ago, RTI officer at AIIMS again refused to give any information about post-mortem reports of Batla House victims, thought it has been already made public by the NHRC. The reason for refusal, cited by the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) is RTI act 8 (g) and 8 (h):

8. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen,

(g) information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person or identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement or security purposes; (h) information, which would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders.

I would leave it to the readers to figure who will get hurt from the information that is being refused to be given by various government agencies and who benefits from this silence?

Though harassed along the way and humiliated by government officials, Afroz has refused to give in. It was big news when in July 2009, NHRC gave clean-chit to Delhi regarding their action in Batla House. "We are clearly of the opinion that having regard to the material placed before us, it cannot be said that there has been any violation of human rights by action of police," the commission wrote in a report submitted to the Delhi High Court. But a year later, in June 2010, NHRC finally admitted that it never paid a visit to Batla House flat, where the encounter took place, or talk to anyone involved in the case. In fact, India’s statutory human rights body conducted the enquiry only after they were ordered by the Delhi High Court and relied solely on Delhi Police version and evidence, and that too uncritically. One might ask what is the usefulness of NHRC if they will enquire only when ordered to do so and then believe what police had to say about the incident.

But what Afroz Alam has seen so far leaves no doubt in this mind that Batla House encounter was fake. And he finds it strange that though CBI is enquiring encounters in Gujarat, where BJP is the ruling party but not in Delhi, where Congress is in power.

Another unintended revelation from Afroz’s RTI activism was that Muslim organizations have been totally ineffective in India. Muslim youth in India were hunted down in the name of terrorism since 2001 and Muslim organizations except for issuing statements have not been able to do much in this regard. They were unable to convince the larger population that various encounters were fake or work with the government to get innocents released those that had been arrested and framed on terrorism charges. The story of Afroz Alam Sahil is a matter of inspiration and hope for Muslim youth and organizations- there are many legal means of getting justice in India, though it may be a long and frustrating journey but there is no other way to hard work and the truth will prevail.

CLARY SAGE-Salvia sclarea seeds for sale

CLARY SAGE-Salvia sclarea
Family : Lamiaceae

Details : The Romans called it sclarea, from claurus, or “clear,” because they used it as an eyewash. The practice of German merchants of adding clary and elder flowers to Rhine wine to make it imitate a good Muscatel was so common that Germans still call the herb Muskateller Salbei and the English know it as Muscatel Sage. Clary sometimes replaced hops in beer to produce an enhanced state of intoxication and exhilaration, although this reportedly was often followed by a severe headache. It was considered a 12 th-century aphrodisiac.

Part used : herb/flowering tops and foliage

Constituents : linalyl acetate, linalol, pinene, myrcene, saponine and phellandrene.

Actions : anticonvulsive, antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, bactericidal.

Medicinal Uses : Like its relative sage, clary tea, the leaf juice in ale or beer, was recommended for many types of women’s problems, including delayed or painful menstruation. It was once used to stop night sweating in tuberculosis patients. An astringent is gargled, douched and poured over skin wounds. It is combined with other herbs for kidney problems. The clary seeds form a thick mucilage when soaked for a few minutes and placed in the eye, helps to removed, small irritating particles. A tea of the leaves is also used as an eyewash. Clary is also used to reduce muscle spasms. It is used today mainly to treat digestive problems such as gas and indigestion. It is also regarded as a tonic, calming herb that helps relieve premenstrual problems. Because of its estrogen-stimulating action, clary sage is most effective when levels of this hormone are low. The plant can therefore be a valuable remedy for complaints associated with menopause, particularly hot flashes.

Cultivation details : Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position. Thrives on any ground that is not too wet. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet. Hardy to about -20°c. A biennial or short-lived perennial. The flowers can be air-dried and used as everlasting flowers. A very ornamental plant, it is strongly aromatic and is sometimes cultivated for its essential oil, there are some named varieties. When bruised, the leaves release a deliciously pungent and refreshing smell of fresh grapefruit. The flowers are very attractive to bees. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation: Seed - can be sown in situ during spring. Alternatively seed can be sown in August/September to overwinter, it will then produce larger plants Thinnings can be transplanted. The seed remains viable for 5 years.

Clary-Salvia sclarea cashmiriana seedsAvailable :In stock
Qty: Number of Seeds Per Pack: 50
Price: 550/US$10/pkt
More details:
Chenab Industries Kashmir-CIK
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR Jammu and Kashmir  190001
Ph: 09858986794
Landline: 01933-223705
e-mail: cikashmir@gmail.com, iirc@rediffmail.com
home: http://chenabindustries.blogspot.com

Crackdown on Kashmir MEDIA

Srinagar, Sep 20: The participants of the high profile all party delegation will arrive to a ‘no-newspaper state’ when they land in Srinagar Monday morning.

Their arrival and the subsequent engagements, however significant, would will go unnoticed in the Valley as the newspapers here are facing a virtual ban because the stringently imposed curfew, beating and harassment of newspaper staff and repeated cancellation of curfew passes has made their operations impossible. Besides this indirect gag on vernacular press, local TV networks as also a foreign news channel have been banned by an official embargo. To continue with the ban on Kashmir media is ostensibly to keep the members of All Party Delegation in dark. Newspapers would obviously publish the miseries of the people and the un-ending curfew in which millions of people have been caged for last three months particularly after Eid.

Press Guild of Kashmir (PGK) Sunday strongly condemned the ban imposed by the government on the publication of Kashmir-based newspapers and other media institutions.

JK Police/STF/CRPF later the evening ransacked the house of Writer-South Asia, editor Sheikh Gulzaar's residence on the Pampore by the CRPF/Police. The family accused the police of ransacked the our property and Van worth Rs. 5 lac, from the house besides thrashing them and Sheikh Gulzaar seriously injured by troops.

Editor's Conference  strongly condemn the targeting of the journalists in Kashmir and said that while the state government is brining ‘embedded journalists’ from New Delhi to report what the government wants them to report, the local journalists who portray the actual picture of the current situation in Kashmir are being deliberately targeted.

The Kashmir writers/editors Conference strongly condemns the attack on the Pampore residence of the South Asia Stragic Affairs editor of  “Writer-South Asia” .

The Kashmir writers/editors Conference while condemning the attack has termed it as attack on the freedom of the press in the Kashmir which has been under attack from the armed forces since the present turmoil erupted in the Kashmir valley.

At an emergency meeting held here under the chairmanship of PGK president Bashir Ahmad Bashir the meeting deplored the government action to create a situation under which the newspaper publication had been put to halt from September 13 to 18, 2010. A statement issued here by the PGK said even as some of the media houses tried to resume the publication on Saturday but a reign of terror was let loose on them making the distribution of newspapers impossible. “Several journalists and workers of Greater Kashmir, Rising Kashmir, Kashmir Uzma and Buland Kashmir were ruthlessly beaten by the police and some of them were taken to hospital,” the statement said.

It further said that several thousand newspapers are lying in the respective offices as the police chased the distributors and hawkers in their offices during wee hours in the morning. “This has made the intentions of government clear that it does not want that the newspapers are published from Kashmir,” the statement said, adding, “This has not only resulted in huge losses to this industry but also deprived the masses of necessary information during this situation of crisis.”

The meeting, statement said, also condemned the recent attacks on the journalists and ban of local TV news networks. “The meeting was attended by the representatives of Greater Kashmir, Rising Kashmir, Kashmir Uzma, Srinagar Times, Aftab, Uqab, Nida-e-Mashriq, Chattan, Kashmir Images, Kashmir Monitor, Buland Kashmir and Kashmir Life,” the statement said.

Responding sharply to the undeclared ban on local media in Kashmir, Srinagar-based newspapers today expressed inability to publish the newspapers. Online editions of only a few newspapers are being updated but they hardly reach to the majority of population. Hence the people have no choice but to be contended with the “filtered” flow of information from Delhi based channels and newspapers. Press Guild of Kashmir, a noted representative body comprising prominent Srinagar newspapers held a crucial meeting of the editors here on Sunday. “It’s an undeclared ban. The government issues passes, which the police and other forces do not honor. Several newspaper journalists and other staffers have been beaten. The administration has broken its own promise which it had made in July when we suspended publications in protest,” said a PGK functionary adding that it was impossible to publish newspapers. The Journalists are aghast at the indifference exhibited by the government, which is supposed to be a “popularly elected one”. Even as the State Information department does not lose any moment to mount pressure on media to accommodate the press releases of Chief Minister and Ministers but it does not have courtesy to ask about the welfare of the staff of newspaper offices who are facing the wrath of government forces. On Sunday also the department had cheeks to call the newspaper offices to cover the press conference of Law Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar showing disrespect to the institution of Journalism, which is facing worst ever onslaught of government in past 20 years.“This is worse than what we saw in early 90’s when then Governor Jagmohan took on us” said a senior journalist. Kashmir Press Association too has expressed anguish over what it described an “unwritten ban” on local media outlets. “It is ironical to note that the government has adopted a discriminatory attitude and not only facilitated entry of Delhi based journalists but has put all help, assistance and full government hospitality at their disposal so as to ensure the coverage of the events, as it deems suitable. And on contrary scores of local journalists have been thrashed while discharging their professional duties,” said a KPA functionary. The recurrent ban on Kashmir press and discriminatory treatment meted out to the local journalists is being widely condemned by the Kashmir-based media bodies. Five representative bodies of media fraternity of Kashmir viz Kashmir Press Association, Press Guild of Kashmir, Kashmir Writers/editors Conference, Kashmir Journalists Corps, Kashmir Press Photographers Association and Kashmir Video Journalists Association had in July unanimously decided to suspend publications as long as the government continues with its restrictive attitude toward Kashmir press. This is for the third time in last three months that newspapers could not be published due to restrictions imposed by the government. The industry is facing huge losses and many publications had to lay off the staff. “We are at the brink of closure as the strikes called by separatists are continuing coupled with this war on Kashmir media by the government” said an editor of a local daily (Writer-South Asia)

Kashmir Centre EU erects military tent in Geneva

Geneva, September 16: The International Council for Human Rights (ICHR) and International Human Rights Association of American Minorities (IHRAAM) organize parallel events within and outside the Palai des Nations, Geneva by erecting the military tent under the theme ‘Kashmir UN Week – Killing Fields of Indian Held Kashmir’ and by holding the conference on ‘International Human Rights Norms and the Crowd Control’, reports KMS from Geneva.

The International Council for Human Rights (ICHR) Kashmir Centre European Union once again embarked on an unprecedented activity here at Geneva by installing a military tent outside the Palais des Nations near the famous three legged chair. The tent, once again, signifies the continued occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India and its military and paramilitary forces.

The theme of the tent ‘Killing Fields of Indian Held Kashmir’ directly relates to the current state terrorism perpetrated by the Indian forces in the occupied territory. Whereas inner part of the tent represents the scene of martyrdom, however, its outer part registers the names of all those who have been martyred between 11th June to 6th September 2010 identifying the date of killing of each martyr. Hundreds have visited the tent over the last two days including journalists, diplomats, NGOs and tourists. Analysts see it as a major source of exposing the real face democratic India and representing a total reality on ground in occupied Kashmir.

Inside the Palais des Nations, IHRAAM conducted a conference on “International Human Rights Norms and the Crowd Control” chaired by the Chairman of ICHR Kashmir Centre Brussels, Barrister Abdul Majeed Tramboo. The panelists included analysts, human rights experts and journalists.

In his opening remarks Barrister Tramboo said, one of the fundamental human rights is that of freedom of expression that in many instances comes in the form of a protest or demonstration. “Indeed, in such situations the good or bad practices of the police force become an issue particularly where violence is used to quell a legitimate protest,” he said. He pointed out that the current spree of unmitigated use of live ammunition and teargas by the Indian military and paramilitary forces in occupied Kashmir was in direct response of widespread peaceful assemblies across the territory dissenting the suppression of 64 years demand for the right of self-determination. “The forces have brutalized each peaceful assembly without provocation with the knowledge and tacit sanction of the government of India thereby effecting gross human rights violations to maintain militarized occupation and governance,” he added.

The Executive Director of Kashmir Centre London, Professor Nazir Ahmed Shawl, in his address expressed concern over the actions of Indian police in the territory. “They are beating our people with their plastic sticks. They are killing us. They are violating all norms of civilized behavior and showing no respect to the international law. There is a real crisis situation. Armed Forces Special Powers Act and other draconian laws are used as licence to kill,” he said. Professor Shawl appealed to the international community to save the suffering Kashmiris and facilitate a result-oriented dialogue between the people of Kashmir, India and Pakistan to bring peace to region and to resolve the dispute.

Kashmir was presented as a human tragedy in a direct testimony by an Italian journalist Ms Francesca Marino, who had just returned from Srinagar. She described in detail the repression that is being perpetrated by Indian police in particular against students and innocent people, like very young children, who take part in peaceful manifestations to roar their own message of freedom.

“Is it too late to do something?” asked PJ Mir, a political analyst and the Head of ARY News. “Peace is never too late”, he declared. But at the same time he lamented that there is calculated genocide taking place in occupied Kashmir and Kashmiris were being hunted like animals by Indian forces. He asked Indian leadership to demonstrate political will and redeem the right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. PJ Mir emphasised that the role of Kashmir Centres in highlighting the Kashmiris’ tragedies was more crucial now.

Alfred de Zayas of Public and International Law Geneva School of Diplomacy & International Relations, focused on the contradictions of India. He pointed out that on one hand India was a democracy, but on the other, it was inflicting excesses on the people of Kashmir. Referring to the international law, he said, every restriction must be justified otherwise it does not fall within the ambit of humanitarian law and it could be in direct contravention of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights. He insisted that the UN norms through special rapporteurs, working groups and committees must be invoked in order to engage the mandates and the countries involved.

Roland Barnes of International Peoples and Nations Coalition considered the parallelism between his own people and Kashmiris. But recognised that there was no violence against the indigenous people of Alaska. “It is important that meetings like these take place in the UN to continue to raise the issue and to keep it in the limelight.

The conference concluded by adopting a statement that the international human rights norms demand that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms and that the right of peaceful assembly must be recognised with no restrictions placed on the exercise of this right and that the people of Jammu and Kashmir under the occupation of India are no exception to this.

International Donors, Indian Resources for NGOs, Grants, Projects

The International Climate Protection Fellowships enable prospective leaders to conduct a research-related project of their own choice during a one-year stay in Germany. Submit an application if you are a prospective leader from a non-European threshold or developing country (see list of countries) working in the field of climate protection and resource conservation in academia, business or administration in your country. Applicants must provide a clearly visible leadership potential either by experience in a first leadership position or be able to provide appropriate references. They must also have completed their first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent academic degree)  less than 12 years prior to the start of the fellowship (1 September 2011) with outstanding results. They must also hold a further academic or professional qualification (Master’s, PhD, LL.M., MBA etc.) or have extensive professional experience in a leadership role (at least 48 months at the time of application). Furthermore, they are expected to have gained initial practical experience through involvement in projects related to climate protection and resource conservation. The fellowship will enable the recipients to conduct a research-related project of their own choice with hosts in Germany whom they are free to choose themselves.

The programme, which is being funded under the International Climate Initiative by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, includes a preparatory intensive language course in Germany, a several-week introductory seminar, a two-week training course and a final meeting in Berlin. These activities will enable you to gain additional insights into academic, social, cultural, economic and political life in Germany.

In addition to applicants who have been trained in the natural and engineering sciences, candidates who have been engaged in legal, economic and societal issues relating to climate change are encouraged to apply for this programme. Every year, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is granting up to 20 International Climate Protection Fellowships to prospective leaders from the countries named. The programme is currently scheduled to run until 2012.

Closing date (date of receipt at Humboldt Foundation): 15 December 2010
More details: http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/ICF.html
Other details: http://ngoinindia.blogspot.com

NGOs in India, international/National Donors, Govt. Resopurces for NGOs, Trusts

National Youth Foundation is inviting applications fron NGO's providing Education to Poor Children for Grants under UJAALA Campaign.

The NGO's running Schools for Poor Children shall be considered.
E-Mail Profiles to rppandey.nyf@gmail.com,premasis@giveablanket.com
More details: http://www.nyfindia.org
Head Office
National Youth Foundation
B-1/95A, Vipul Khand, Gomti Nagar
Lucknow-226010, India.

Ph: 0522-3211150, 4011150
Fax: 0522-4011150
E-mail:  feedback@nyfindia.org

Key Persons:
Mr. Vibhuti Raman Acharya
General Secretary
Mob: +91-9984065000
E-Mail: vr.acharya@hotmail.com

Mr. Ram Pratap Pandey
Treasurar
Mob: +91-9336080268
E-Mail: rppandey.nyf@gmail.com

Mr. Faiyaz Basha
National Coordinator
Mob: +91-9441612957
E-Mail: faiyaz.nyfindia@gmail.com