Moments of fear that usually pervade across the Srinagar city owing to the unprecedented dog population. Srinagar Municipal Corporation has failed to deal with the menace with its sterilization plan also falling flat in the face of objections raised by animal rights activists. On average 4000 bites are reported every year at the Anti Rabies Clinic of SMHS Hospital. The number is increasing by the day.

ARTICLES

As cheap as life

FIRDOUS SYED
Inayat, Wamiq, Zahid and many others - boys in their early teens continue to die. Forces accuse boys for stonepeting and vandalism, none of the boys killed rather murdered in cold-blood were part of any protesting crowd. Possibly, boys became victim of state repression, or wanton target of forces gone berserk. Buckling under intense public pressure and boys furry, government was forced to produce one accused as killer of Zahid. And Omar Abdullah patting himself happily sought to close the chapter, “In this particular case, by swiftly identifying the accused… we have replied many questions raised against the government”. He even thanked Union Home Minister P Chidambaram for the help in identifying the killer of Zahid. However the case is not really closed yet, all the killers have not been fully exposed and many more questions remain unanswered. Even a layman can make out, it is a white wash; entire government machinery has embarked on a mission to save the real culprits. Constable Lakhvinder Singh, presented as accused by Border Security Force (BSF) seems to be a scapegoat to protect the chain of command?Before facts firmly came to the fore that BSF personnel are involved in the ghastly crime, every effort was being made by concerned authorities to shift the blame. BSF issued a strong denial on February 6; “involvement of Border Security Force” in the killing of Zahid Farooq is “fabricated and totally baseless”. Usage of the term ‘fabricated’ was a vain attempt to cast aspersions on the Valley press for deliberately vilifying BSF’s image. It advised rather commanded the local press, “You are requested not to publish such type of fabricated news items in your paper that not only tarnishes the image of the BSF”. National press as unusual in order to serve the so-called ‘national interests also joined the campaign. Leading national daily, Hindustan Times (Delhi, February 07) prominently carried a story, ‘Mobs bigger challenge than terrorists’. Spreading canards HT reported, “It needs to be investigated but prima facie, the bullet wounds on the boy’s chest appear to have been caused due to a small weapon rather than the Insas rifle (that forces use)”. Absolving the forces completely of any wrongdoing, the report lay blame on “stone-pelting mobs and rumour-mongering” for spreading the rumors of “central security forces” responsible for the killing of Zahid.Lies have no legs to stand, as result of BSF owning the killing by one of its trooper; high velocity media campaign has crumbled to dust. Truth has prevailed albeit partially. Any body even having a little knowledge about the functioning of the forces in the valley can easily make out, BSF has presented a cock and bull story. It is not possible for a single person to venture out armed, out of his camp in volatile conditions and kill a teenager. What was the motive or provocation for the killing? And if Lakhvinder Singh was part of a convoy seated in a Gypsy with five or six others, how come he alone is responsible for the crime? Even if he only fired the bullet others were collaborators of the crime. All the traveling together in the convoy needs to be investigated for the criminal offences under section RPC 34, and 109 if not under section 302? Keeping quiet and hiding the crime before law equal’s to abetting the crime. When Lakhvinder fired upon the boy why others with him not tried to stop him and why they fled away taking along the accused in the same gypsy from the crime scene without reporting the crime to the police? Police has to identify all the persons present at the time of crime, they all stand accused for hiding the crime with ill intentions of protecting the accused. They have to be tried under section 202 of Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), which clearly states; “Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that an offence has been committed, intentionally omits to give any information respecting that offence which he is legally bound to give, shall be punished…”Moreover it was not a criminal or a gangster who killed the body on his own. Lakhvinder being member of a Para military was traveling in a convoy; surely his senior officers would have been accompanying him. Did he fire without an order from his seniors is difficult to digest? Zahid’s father has made a sensational discloser; “The officer snatched the rifle of one of his troopers and asked Zahid and his friends to runaway from the spot. Without any provocation, the officer aimed at them and then fired upon Zahid. Soon after, the officer, along with his troopers, fled from the spot. It is clear that the officer had fired with the intention to kill”. If government is really serious to punish the wrong doers this statement should become the important part of the investigation. Furthermore if government wants to shield itself from the accusations of protecting the culprits and not trying to suppress the facts, let all the persons of the convoy or gypsy be paraded before the eyewitnesses, it is a standard procedure of criminal investigation.Hardly any body in Kashmir would believe that indiscriminate killing of the boys carried in frequent intervals is not part of a state design, mainly for two reasons. a) Despite repeated assurances of ‘zero tolerance’ towards human rights violations, from Prime Minister to down below; forces continue to murder and maim the innocents, unabashedly without any fear of any reprisal. b) If killing of innocent Kashmiri youth is not part of any state policy, why no body till date has been punished appropriately, corresponding to the gravity of the crime.Many commissions of inquiry ordered by government have proved beyond reasonable doubt, the charges of excessive use of force, and mellitus intent. Yet culprits move Scot-free, which deepens the suspicion of the common masses. For more than two decades now, gross human rights violations perpetrated by forces stationed here has become a regular affair. After each and every human right violation committed, government ordered an inquiry commission. Gow Kadal, Alamgrahi Bazar, Sopore, Bijbehera, Nadimarg, Chattisingpora are few of the worst incidents wherein probe was ordered. Years have passed by; people are justified to ask question why the inquiry reports are eating the dust? Why killers [already] identified have not been brought to justice? When it comes the issue of justice for people of Kashmir, why government hide behind the so-called special powers? Why killers enjoy absolute impunity here? Is this possible in a democratic dispensation? Most of the people in Kashmir believe it is a ‘Jungle Raj’ law of the victor, which prevails here.NC-Congress government is more than a year old. Understandably it cannot be held responsible for every mistake committed in the past. Likewise, it cannot escape the responsibility for what has happened during his term. In case of Bomai, Varmul, Shopian and on numerous occasions in Srinagar and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir, government ordered judicial as well as administrative inquiries. All these inquiries have met the same fate; these have been consigned to the dustbin. No palpable action has been taken against the perpetrators of the heinous crimes. Without getting carried away by the emotions, let us dispassionately pose a straight question to the government of the besieged state. Judging by the experience of past thirteen months, why should anybody anymore believe inquiry commissions ordered by him? Why should not people in Kashmir take the assurance of Zero Tolerance with a pinch of salt. What is happening on the ground is painfully different from what government is claiming to have done. There is no respite for the people; this government like so many others in the past has failed to provide any sense of security to the people reeling under scare.

ENGLISH NEWS

'Kashmiris prisoners suffering in Tihar'

Srinagar, Feb 13: The High Court Bar Association today released a report about the condition of Kashmiri detainees lodged in Tihar Jail and accused the government of keeping the detainees in inhumane conditions. The Bar said the detainees lodged in Tihar Jail were facing severe problems. Bar said they were facing acute shortage of money, adding the detainees were spending their own money. The Bar said there were 58 Kashmiri detainees lodged in Tihar and it asked people from all walks of life to provide them some monetary assistance. The Bar report has given detailed account of the detainees lodged in the jail. Bar said that a detainee Shabir Ahmad Lone was picked up on December 24, 2006, from Gool Market Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. The detainee was dealing in Kashmir shawls. He alleged that the Delhi Police special cell personnel arrested him and took him to Lodhi Colony New Delhi. The Bar said Shabir was ruthlessly interrogated in the cell. Bar said on July 27, 2007 he was taken to some place in Azadpur and then a drama of arrest was shown. The Bar said, “The doctors in the jail tell them they are involved in blasts. In the jail criminals attack them with blades.” The Bar has also reported about the arrest Ali Muhammad Sheikh and Samiullah Sheikh. The Bar said they were arrested on November 27, 2006, from Nizamudin Railway Station and later on January 1, 2007 taken to Tihar Jail. The Bar said the jail authorities denied them permission to meet Afzal Guru. The jail authorities said that to meet Guru one needs permission from the Home Ministry. Mirza Nisar, a detainee, who has spent some 16 years in the jail informed the Bar team that he hoped the sacrifices given by Kashmiris would not go in waste. Some detainees including Muhammad Afzal Kumar, an engineer, are being forced to work as carpenter in the court. Muhammad Topiwalla of Mamar Kangan is in the jail for past 15 years. He told the Bar team that his family was going through worst crises.

Salahuddin rejects amnesty

Islamabad, Feb 12: Chairman of the United Jihad Council, Syed Salahuddin, on Friday rejected India’s offer to grant amnesty to Kashmiri militants, who want to return from Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) and join the mainstream. He demanded that India should apologize for the “offences” it had committed against the people of Jammu and Kashmir rather than talking about amnesty. “Indian leaders must be mindful of the fact that Kashmiris are neither out-laws nor have they committed any crime. They are fighting for their just and legitimate right that has been guaranteed to them by the world community and the leadership of India and Pakistan,” Salahuddin told Greater Kashmir. “Kashmiris were forced to abandon their homes by Indian troops. There is no question of amnesty or general pardon. History stands testimony to the fact that Indian forces have committed rights violations; put to death thousands of innocent civilians and destroyed properties worth crores in past 20-years,” said, Salahuddin, who is also the supreme commander of Hizbul-Mujahideen. The Convener of APHC-M Pak chapter, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar said, “First of all we are not Indian nationals, we are Kashmiris and the people of Jammu and Kashmir have never accepted India’s dominance”. “We have waged a struggle that will continue at all levels unless the ultimate goal is attained”, Saghar said. “It is not the matter of seeking or granting pardon at all, Kashmir is a globally recognized political issue. It cannot be settled just by resorting to senseless offerings or undertakings. India should accept the ground reality and resolve this dispute amicably according to the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris.”

Troops torture man with brother in PaK
Bandipora, Feb 12: At a time when the Centre has given green signal for the return of Kashmir youth from Pak administered Kashmir, troops tortured a man having his brother now settled across the line of control. Nazir Ahmed Chopan of Balhama Arin Bandipora, whose brother Muhammad Yosuf left for PaK 18 years ago, was tortured by troopers on Friday asking him to provide whereabouts of his brother. Nazir told Greater Kashmir that yesterday evening troopers of Khurryapora camp seized his identity card and asked him to come to their camp this morning. “As I entered the camp today, troopers started kicking and beating me and asked me to show my brothers’ whereabouts. They tortured me for more than an hour. I told them that my brother has not returned, but they did not listen and continuously thrashed me,” he said with tears in his eyes. Nazir said that his brother Yosuf, like thousands of other youths left to join the armed struggle and went across LoC for arms training 18 years back, but he later settled in PaK. “He married their and has one child,” he adds. But back home it has been a miserable life for the family all these years. According to Nazir, due to continuous raids in past two decades by troopers searching for his militant brother, they fled their home to escape from their wrath. “My two brothers have died and I am bringing up five orphaned children of my brothers along with my three children. Our lives have been ruined by troopers. We spent maximum time in forests due to fear of troopers. What is my sin if my brother is in PaK, even my old parents were not spared,” he said. Commanding Officer 14 Rashtriya Rifles said that he would help Nazir in getting back his I-card. “We have no deployment there. The SHO also informed me about it. I would look into the matter,” he said. SP Bandipora, Shiekh Junaid Mehmood, told GK that he had no information about the incident. “The complainant should approach me,” he said.

URDU NEWS

دریاسے نایاب مورتی برآمد
سرینگر// بارہمولہ میں آج ماہی گےروں نے مچھلیاں پکڑنے کے دوران درےائے جہلم سے سنگ مرمرکی قدیم اور نایاب مورتی بر آمد کی جس کے بعد تحصیلدار بارہمولہ نے مورتی کو اپنی تحویل میں لے لیا ۔ذرائع کے مطابق کچھ ماہی گےر آج صبح معمول کے مطابق خواجہ باغ اور بارہمولہ کے درمیان محکمہ بجلی کے دفتر کے متصل درےائے جہلم میں مچھلیاں پکڑنے میں مصروف تھے ۔اس موقعہ پر ماہی گےروں نے مچھلیوں کیلئے اپنا جال پھینکا اورکچھ دےر بعد جب جال کو کھینچنے کی کوشش کی گئی توماہی گےروں نے زبردست کائوشوں کے با وجود شدید کھینچائو محسوس کیا ۔اسی دوران بے حد جدوجہد کے بعدوہ جال کو کھینچ کرسمیٹنے میں کامیاب ہوئے تاہم ماہی گےر یہ دیکھ کر ششدر رہ گئے کہ جال میں سفےد سنگ مرمر سے بنی ایک خوبصورت مورتی موجود ہے ۔چنانچہ اس واقعہ کے سلسلے میں فوری طور پر تحصیل انتظامیہ کو آگاہ کیا گےا اور تحصیلدار بارہمولہ سید محمد یوسف از خود ماہی گےروں کے پاس گئے اور مورتی کو اپنی تحویل میں لے لیا ۔ذرائع کے مطابق یہ مورتی ہندوئوں کے اُس اوتار کی ہے جسے ’’شیرا والی ماں‘‘کے نام سے جانا جاتا ہے جبکہ کشمیری پنڈت اسے ’’شارکا‘‘کے نام سے پکارتے ہیں ۔مورتی میں شیر کی شکل اور اس پر سوار 8بازوئوں والی ’’شیرا والی ماں‘‘کو منفرد اور خوبصورت انداز میں تراشا گےا ہے ۔تحصیلدار بارہمولہ سید محمد یوسف نے بتاےا کہ 2فٹانچ اونچی اور ایک فٹ0انچ چوڑھی یہ مورتی شکل سے ہی نایاب نظر آتی ہے اور ابتدائی اندازے کے مطابق یہ مورتی قدیم زمانے کی ہے ۔تاہم انہوں نے کہا کہ مورتی کے 8بازوئوں میں سے ایک ہاتھ ٹوٹا ہوا ہے ۔انہوں نے مزید بتاےا کہ مورتی کے بارے میں مزید معلومات حاصل کرنے کیلئے انہوں نے مین چوک بارہمولہ کے مندر میں مقیم مقامی پنڈتوں سے رابطہ قائم کرنے کی کوشش کی تھی تاہم وہ شیو راتری کے تہوار کے سلسلے میں جموں گئے ہوئے ہیں ۔تحصیلدار بارہمولہ کے مطابق انہوں نے مورتی کو سیل بند کر کے پولیس اسٹےشن بارہمولہ کی تحویل میں دے دےا ہے۔معلوم ہوا ہے کہ اس سلسلے میں محکمہ آثار قدیمہ کو بھی آگاہ کیا گےا ہے جو مورتی کی مزید چھان بےن اور تشخیص کیلئے مورتی کو اپنے تحویل میں لے گا۔

مقررہ وقت کے اندر سکیم مرتب ہوگی
سرینگر//وزیر اعلیٰ عمر عبداللہ نے کہا کہ مرکزی سرکار کی جانب سے پاکستانی کشمیر میں موجود جنگجوﺅں کومعافی دیناریاستی سرکارکی پالیسی پرمہر ثبت کرنے کے مترادف ہے۔کیونکہ ریاستی سرکارکا یہ موقف ہے کہ جوواپس آکر پرامن زندگی گذارنا چاہتے ہیں اُنہیں موقعہ دیا جائے۔ وزیر اعلیٰ نے کشمیر عظمیٰ کو بتایا کہ مرکز کی طرف سے سرحد پار سے جنگجوﺅں کی محفوظ راہداری سے یہ بات واضح ہوگئی ہے کہ مرکز امن عمل کوآگے لے جانا چاہتی ہے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ ایسے اقدام سے ریاستی سرکار ان نوجوانوں کیلئے ایک سکیم مرتب کرے گی ۔تاکہ اس بات کو یقینی بنایا جائے کہ وہ ایک مقررہ وقت کے اندر واپس آسکیں۔انہوں نے مرکزی وزیر داخلہ پی چدمبرم کے اس بیان کو خوش آئند قرار دیا جس میں انہوں نے کہا ہے کہ کوئی بھی بھارتی جوسرحد پار کرکے پاکستانی کشمیر میں ہے ،واپسی کا ارادہ رکھتا ہو اسکا خیرمقدم کیا جائے گا ۔عمر عبداللہ نے کہا کہ وہ 2006ءسے ہی اس بات پر زور دے رہے تھے کہ پاکستانی کشمیر میں موجود کشمیری نوجوانوں کو محفوظ راہداری فراہم کی جائے ۔انہوں نے کہا ”جب وہ پہلی مرتبہ پاکستان گیااور وہاںسابق صدر پرویز مشرف سے ملاتو اس وقت کئی کشمیری نوجوان میرے پاس آئے اور اس بات کی خواہش کی ظاہر کی کہ وہ واپس آنا چاہتے ہیں اور جب میں واپس آیا تو میں اس معاملے کو مختلف فورموں میں اُٹھایا۔وزیر علیٰ نے کہا کہ نیشنل کانفرنس نے اسمبلی میں پرائیویٹ ممبر بل جوسی پی آئی ایم کے محمدیوسف تاریگامی کی طرف سے لایاگیا تھا،کی حمایت کی تاکہ سرحدپار نوجوانوں کی واپسی ممکن ہو۔تاہم پی ڈی پی نے بل کی مخالفت کی جسکی وجہ سے بل پاس نہ ہوسکا ۔اُن کا کہنا تھاکہ اگر پی ڈی پی نے مخالفت نہ کی ہوتی تو یہ عمل کب کا شروع ہو چکا ہوتا ۔عمر عبداللہ نے کہا کہ وزیر اعلیٰ کی کرسی سنبھالنے کے ساتھ ہی انہوں نے اس معاملے کووزیر اعظم منموہن سنگھ ، وزیر داخلہ پی چدمبرم اور وزیر دفاع اے کے انٹونی کی نوٹس میں لایااور مجھے بہت سارے لوگوں کو اس تجویز پر قائل کرنا پڑاکہ اگرایسا کوئی اقدام اُٹھایاگیا تو یہ سب سے بڑا اعتماد سازی کا اقدام ہوگا۔اُن کا کہنا تھا کہ بہت سارے کنبے اپنے عزیز و اقارب کی واپسی کا انتظار کر رہے ہیں اور اس وقت تک اُن کے پاس ایسی کوئی امید نہیں ہے لیکن اس اقدام سے یقینا اُن کی امیدیں بر آنے کا امکان پیدا ہوگیا ہے۔

سرحدپار مقیم کشمیری نوجوانوں کی واپسی
مسئلہ انسانیت کاکریڈٹ گیم کھیلنے کا نہیں
سرینگر//سرحدر پار مقیم کشمیری نوجوانوں کی عام معافی اور ان کی بازآباد کاری کے سلسلے میں تمام سیاسی جماعتوں سے تعاون طلب کرتے ہوئے حکومت نے کہا کہ اس پر ”کریڈٹ گیم“ کھیلنے کی بجائے تمام سیاسی جماعتوں کو اس کے حق میں آگے آنا چاہئے۔جمعہ کو ایک پریس کانفرنس سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے سیاحت اور شہری ترقی کے وزیر ناصر اسلم وانی نے کہاکہ وزیر اعلیٰ عمر عبداللہ کی طرف سے سر حد پار گئے نوجوانوں اور کئی خاندانوں کی کشمیر واپسی اور ان کی با ز آباد کاری پر ایک بحث چھڑ گئی ہے اور ہم اس سلسلے میں حکومت کا نقطہ نظر واضح کرنا چاہتے ہیں انہوں نے کہا ”حکومت کی پالیسی ہے کہ جوناگزیر حالات یا کسی بھی وجہ سے وادی چھوڑ کر چلے گئے ،اُن لوگوں کو واپس لاکران کی با ز آباد کاری کو یقینی بنایا جا ئے اور اسی پالیسی کے ایک حصہ کے تحت ہم 1990سے سر حدپار گئے نوجوانوں اورمتعدد کنبوں کو واپس لا کر ان کی باز آباد کاری کر نا چاہتے ہیں“ ۔پر یس کانفرنس میں صحت کے وزیر مملکت جاوید احمد ڈار بھی موجود تھے۔ ناصر اسلم وانی نے مزید بتا یا ”عمر عبداللہ نے 2005ءمیں نیشنل کانفرنس صدر کی حےثےت سے اپنے دورہ پاکستان کے دوران یہ مسئلہ پاکستانی حکومت کے ساتھ اٹھاےا تھا “۔ انہوں نے کہا”یہ مسئلہ ان گھرانوں کا ہے جو ٹوٹ کر تقسیم ہو گئے ہیں ،جنکے لخت جگر سالہاسال سے سرحد کے دوسری طرف رہ رہے ہیں ،یہ مسئلہ ان نوجوانوں کے مستقبل کا ہے جو کئی وجوہات کی بنا ءپر سرحد پار چلے گئے “۔شہری ترقی کے وزیر نے کہا ” 1990ءمیں نا مساعد حالات کے باعث دوردراز سرحدی علاقوں کے لوگ ہجرت کرنے پر مجبور ہو گئے اور اس صورتحال سے کیرن کا علاقہ سب سے زےادہ متاثر ہوا جہاں دو تہائی آبادی کنٹرول لائن کے اُس پار چلی گئی اور ہم انسانی بنیادوں پر انہیں واپس لاکر ان کی با ز آباد کاری چاہتے ہیں “۔ ناصر اسلم نے کہا کہ حکومت نے جو پالیسی مرتب کی ہے وہ صرف1990ءکے بعد سرحدپار جانے والے لوگوں کی واپسی تک محدود ہے اور 1947ءکے مہاجرین کی واپسی ایک بہت بڑا مسئلہ ہے اور جب موجودہ منصوبے کو عملی جامہ پہنانے کا عمل شروع ہو گا تو اس بارے میں ایک الگ حکمت عملی مرتب کی جائے گی۔انہوں نے کہا کہ یہ کوئی سرنڈر نہیں بلکہ با زآبادکاری پالیسی ہے اور ہم ان لوگو ں کی بازآبادکاری چاہتے ہیں جو واپس آکر پرامن زندگی گزارنا چاہتے ہیں ۔ناصر نے کہا”کچھ سیاسی جماعتیں اس مسئلہ پر سیاست کر نا چاہتی ہیں مگر ہمیں کر یڈٹ گیم کھیلنے کی بجائے سرکار کو تعاون دینا چاہئے “۔پی ڈی پی کی طرف اشارہ کر تے ہوئے ناصر اسلم نے کہا کہ جب اعتماد سازی کے ایک قدم کے طور پر حکومت ہند و پاک نے سرینگرمظفرآباد شاہراہ بس سروس شروع کر نےکا فیصلہ کیا تو اس جماعت نے اس کا سہرا اپنے سر باندھنے کی کوشش کی مگر آج ہمیں کریڈیٹ لینے کی بجائے اس مسئلہ کو انسانیت کی عینک سے دیکھنا چاہئے۔انہوں نے پی ڈی پی پر الزام عائد کیا کہ اس سلسلے میں جب اسمبلی میں ایک قرار دادلائی گئی لیکن اُس جماعت کے ارکان نے اس کی مخالفت کی اور آج سہرا اپنے سر باندھنے کی کوشش کر رہے ہیں۔ایک سوال کے جواب میں انہوں نے کہا کہ سرحدپار مقیم کشمیریوںکی تعداد کے بارے میں ابھی تک اعداد و شمار جمع نہیں کئے گئے ہیں تاہم ناصر نے کہا کہ اس منصوبہ کو عملی جامہ پہنانے میں پاکستان کا سب سے اہم رول ہے اور اس سلسلے میں نئی دلی کو اسلام آباد کے ساتھ معنی خیز بار چیت کرنی چاہئے۔
چودا سال سے محروس نوجوان کی جان کو خطرہ
سرینگر// ایسوسی ایشن آف فیملیز آف کشمیری پرزنرس نے مسلسل گرفتاریوں پر اپنی تشویش کا اظہار کیا ہے۔ایک بیان میں تنظیم کی چیئرپرسن انجم زمرد حبیب نے کہا ہے کہ قیدیوں کے حقوق کی پامالیاں اور بلاجواز گرفتاریاں ہر گز برداشت نہیں کی جائے گی ۔انہوںنے کہا کہ نظربندوںکے افراد خانہ کو یہ بھی معلوم نہیں کہ ان کے عزیز کس جیل خانہ میں اور کس حال میں ہیں۔ زمرود حبیب نے کہاکہ 14برسوں سے تہاڑ جیل میں نظربند جاوید احمدخان کی بگڑتی صبح پر ان کے افراد خانہ بے حد پریشانہیںاور مسلسل اسیری کی وجہ سے وہ ذہنی بیماری میں مبتلا ہوگیا ہے۔ والدین کا کہنا ہے کہ ملاقات کے دوران انہیں یہ دیکھ کر حیرت ہوئی کی 27سالہ جوان 50سال کا ضعیف لگ رہا تھا۔ زمرود حبیب نے سٹیٹ ہیومن رائٹس چیئرمین سے اس بارے میں مداخلت کی اپیل کی ہے۔

Kashmiri youth in PaK can return: PC

* Amnesty Idea Accepted, To Be Formulated Into Scheme* PaK Is Indian Territory * Leader Of Opposition In JK Will Be Consulted

New Delhi, Feb 11: In a big confidence building measure for Jammu and Kashmir, the central government has accepted the state’s proposal of amnesty to Kashmiri militants in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) who want to return home without weapons and want to join the mainstream, “The idea that any Indian who had crossed over to PaK and wishes to return is certainly welcome,” Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters here. “The idea is accepted. This idea must now be translated into a scheme,” the Home Minister said, adding it was one of the recommendations of one of the Working Groups appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for recommending measures to address problems of Jammu and Kashmir. Replying to questions at a briefing after meetings of the Cabinet and Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, Chidambaram said the return could be facilitated through a scheme which will entail identification, screening, travel, debriefing, rehabilitation and reintegration. Noting that “PaK is actually an Indian territory”, he said the government “should facilitate the return” of those who had gone across the Line of Control for “some reasons”. Significantly, his statement counters the view of his Cabinet colleague and former JK Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who has questioned the idea of allowing the return as he apprehended that they could come here to “create trouble”. Thousands of Kashmiri youths had crossed over to PaK from 1989 to join militant ranks. While many of them returned, a large number has not returned. Around 800 of them are understood to have conveyed their desire, through various channels, to return home. “We will consult all sections of opinion in Jammu and Kashmir,” Chidambaram said noting that there were two parties, National Conference and Congress, in the ruling coalition in the state. The Leader of Opposition in Jammu and Kashmir would also be consulted on this issue, he said, adding “Then we will formulate a scheme. It will take time.” Pertinently, Omar Abdullah earlier this week during the conference on internal security held in New Delhi had said, “To encourage more militants to return to the state and manage their transition to civilian life, a new surrender and rehabilitation policy of militants is under active consideration of my government”. The issue of return of Kashmiri youth from PaK shot to prominence in 2006 when a delegation of leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, including Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, went to Pakistan. Several Kashmiris stuck in PaK met them and asked them to facilitate their return, saying they were “homesick”. The issue later had its echo in the state Assembly but the Government had stated that there was no proposal to facilitate the return of these youth.
Big relief for militants’ families: Omar

*Move To Strengthen Occupation: Hurriyat (G)

*Welcome Change: PDP

Srinagar, Feb 11: Centre’s decision to offer amnesty to Kashmiri youth in Pakistan administered Kashmir who want to return home without weapons has evoked a mixed response from various pro-freedom and mainstream parties in Kashmir.Talking to Greater Kashmir over phone from New Delhi, the Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, said, “New Delhi’s move has no significance. This is an attempt to strengthen its occupation in Jammu and Kashmir.”Geelani said India’s Kashmir policy is remains unchanged and it continues to be rigid on its stand. “Kashmiris are not being allowed to stage peaceful protests forcing our youth to pick up guns. Under such conditions how can we welcome the move,” he said, adding it was for the militants to decide whether or not they want to give up militancy.No Hurriyat Conference (M) leader, including its chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was available for comment.Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has termed the move as a big gift for the families of militants who are living in PaK.“It was needed. That’s why we had been asking for it,” the CM said in his immediate reaction to the announcement in New Delhi. He said the central government had accepted the idea of granting amnesty to Kashmiri militants in PaK who want to return without weapons and join the mainstream.Opposition People’s Democratic Party has also hailed the move saying it was a “welcome change.”“It’s a welcome and pleasant change in the entire Kashmir issue and we hope for its speedy implementation. We hope the other recommendations of the Hamid Ansari working group like demilitarisation of civilian areas, repeal of AFSPA will also be considered by the centre,” PDP chief spokesman, Naeem Akhtar, said.State Congress President, Prof Saif-ud-din Soz, backed the chief minister on the issue. “Omar Abdullah’s statement regarding surrender by militants and their rehabilitation in the mainstream, which he made in the Chief Ministers conference last week, cannot be faulted,” Soz said.He said the suggestions and propositions were made by several experts in the past. “All such suggestions are already under consideration of the Government of India.” The idea to rehabilitate them on humanitarian basis was first floated in May 2006 when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held the second roundtable conference on Kashmir in Srinagar. Azad was then heading the Congress-Peoples Democratic Party coalition government in the state.Pertinently, another congress leader and former J&K chief minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday had said that the surrender of the militants on their return from Pakistan could pose a serious danger to security in the state.Bharatiya Janta party and Panthers Party have opposed the move. Senior BJP legislator, Ashok Khajuria, said the decision amounted to government’s surrender before the militants.“It’s surrender to the militants. This would open the flood gates for terrorists,” he said, adding “It is a reward to anti-national forces and a snub to nationalist forces.” Panthers Party even went on to demand dismissal of the chief minister while its Chairman, Prof Bhim Singh, termed it as a “misadventure of the CM.”

Bar to forge united front against HR abuses

Srinagar, Feb 09: The Jammu Kashmir High Court Bar Association Tuesday called a meeting of separatist leadership on February 13 to chalk out strategy for response to the killings of civilians, human rights violations and assured legal help to the family members of victims.Bar is scheduled to convene a special meeting on February 13 and has invited the separatist parties to participate.“We’ll deliberate on the prevailing situation and continued human rights violations in the State. The recent killings will be the immediate context to the meeting,” Qayoom told Rising Kashmir.At least seven civilians were killed allegedly by troopers and police from January this year.Stating that people would never surrender the aspirations and sentiment, Qayoom said: “People could never be silenced with force.”Qayoom urged New Delhi to take steps for the peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute. “The resolution must be according to the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”Meanwhile, a delegation of Bar Association led by the President Mian Qayoom visited the residence of Wamiq Farooq, 13, of Rainawari who was killed by police on January 31 and Zahid Farooq, 16, of Nishat who was killed in an unprovoked fire on February 5 allegedly by BSF men.Expressing solidarity with the family members of Wamiq, Qayoom said: “Killing of the innocent children is an act of the oppressing troopers and administration to harass young generation and suppress their resistance sentiment.”Qayoom assured the family members of Wamiq complete legal help to plead the case. “We’ll provide every possible help to the family members of the innocents killed recently.”

A legend we must not forget

Altaf khan
A few days back I was at my friend’s computer centre. Proof reading a book on Shaheed Maqbool Bhat (R.A.). A young boy in his twenties from Batamaloo was also correcting his work on other computer. While his work was being done he was keenly watching us finalizing the title page of the book with a photograph of Maqbool Bhat. With some hesitation he asked me. Brother who is this man? I looked at him…surprised… Baya you don’t know this man…I asked…No sir, he replied. ‘He is Shaheed Maqbool Butt, the only Kashmiri so far hanged by the Indians for asking Azadi’ I replied. The boy was ashamed, I quickly turned to him and said sorry, this is not your fault. This is our fault; we have not been able to bring Maqbool Bhat to you. Before this experience some days back I was talking to a young scribe of Kashmir. He writes for leading English daily and mostly writes on politics. I see him knowledgeable, sincere and accommodative. We were discussing some current aspects of Kashmir issue and politics at a Srinager café. During discussions the movement of Indian liberation, creation of Pakistan, movements of Algeria, Palestine, Ikhwan Ul Muslimeen of Egypt came under discussion and my young friend seemingly knew every thick and thin about these movements. Suddenly I posed a question to him. Have you read any thing about Maqbool Bhat. His answer was shockingly, No….I only know that he was hanged in 1984 and a hartal on 11th February is what reminds us of him, he added. I was ashamed on myself. I took it as my fault. Yes…We have not been able to present Maqbool Bhat to these young fellows. This is the story of today’s Kashmir. Our youth have lost connection with our nearest history.
Only 26 years have passed since Maqbool Bhat was hanged in Tihar jail and of these years we have had an active freedom struggle for 22 years now. Isn’t it ironical that every year since 1988 ,we have observed 11th February as Maqbool Bhat day, but no writer in this part of Kashmir has bothered to look and research into the life and struggle of this man and present his findings to this nation. I must admit that some great articles have been written during these years but it is not possible for article to sum up Maqbools life and struggle. My respected brother Zahir ud Din wrote a book on unsung heroes of Kashmir. It was a sincere and great effort on his part. Maqbool Bhat was not included in this book; he was not an unsung hero now. Millions of Kashmiris admire him as a hero and lakhs sacrificed lives for his dream. But as a matter of fact Maqbool Bhat still remains unsung. We the people claiming to follow him know nothing about him. His intellect fiery speeches blunt and bold arguments, journalistic abilities, his politics, struggle and martyrdom. We are absolutely unaware of him. As a political activist and literally with no knowledge of researching or writing, I recently took up this challenge and tried to accumulate a book on Maqbool Bhat. During my study I was surprised to know that Maqbool Bhat in his short political life showed the statesmanship and maturity, that no Kashmiri political leader has ever shown till now.
With apparently all the ingredients needed for a successful life, after completion of education Maqbool Bhat could have settled for a normal life of comfort and luxury. He loved good living, but more than anything else, he loved dignity. He was a post graduate in Urdu and English literature, had studied law and was editing a daily news paper “Anjaam” in Peshawar in late sixties. For him, dignity could not have a personal meaning as long as his homeland remained denied of a collective dignity He would often tell his friends. 'Freedom cannot be limited and compartmentalized; I however, cannot be made to compromise on my basic belief of a complete freedom for my homeland'. It does not need much of rational analysis to look through the entire personality of the man who said these words. He was a freedom lover, a fighter, but he all the same continues to be the dignified Kashmiri for whom nothing could be pure unless dignified with the spirit of freedom and independence. Continued struggle for freedom was his objective. In a letter to his friend Ikram ullah jaswaal From Central Jail New Delhi, dated 2nd May, 1980 Maqbool wrote ‘Struggle is the best criteria to judge not only who is for and against the truth, but also to expose the hypocrites. Of course eagerness and wish-full (thinking) have a place in life and reasons for it but life can not revolve around this tendency (all the time). Those who love to and are committed to achieving (their goal) know that patience is a necessary quality for success. An English writer wrote somewhere “nothing succeeds like a success, but it is equally true that nothing fails like a failure”.
If the goal is to grab power and leadership the above saying may have a value of Machiavellian prescription, which involves superficial demands and compromises, but the goal of making history requires completely different approach. For history is made by the kind of people who direct their theories and practices towards a fresh approach. They challenge and rebel against the established official people and values. History is rife with examples where heroes have fought tyranny to the last breath.
One cannot, but wonder as to why do life stories of heroes read so similar. There cannot also be any misgiving about the tragic fact that their lives have also followed the same pattern World wide. If dignity could not be attained during a lifetime, the heroes of nations have refused to exist in an undignified atmosphere. They have immortalized themselves by achieving dignity in death. Maqbool Bhat lived a dignified life, by fighting for dignity while alive and dying for it. Maqbool Sahib fought for changing both history and geography of his land. He refused to accept the barriers erected in the name of partition or a communal divide. The glory of Maqbool Bhat lies in the fact that he was a loner. He had to convince an entire people that the cruelties of history and the mistakes of past leaders cannot enslave them for ever. He remained a patriot and never compromised on this. He had a singular distinction of harboring a dream without any external motivation or favor. He himself said in an Indian court ‘I have no problem in accepting the charges brought against me except one correction. I am not an enemy agent. I am the enemy of the Indian state aggression in Kashmir. Have a good look at me and recognize me full well, I am the enemy of your illegal rule in Kashmir’.
Maqbool Bhat was a pure Muslim, seeking guidance from Qur’an, Sunnah and the life of revolutionaries. Addressing a Pakistani court in 1972 Maqbool said ‘I have disliked self-praise but now when my role is being distorted, deliberately, I am forced to claim that at every stage of my life I have not only supported the people's struggle against exploitation and oppression but always actively participated in it. I have consciously chosen this role for myself because I see it as Sunnah of prophets (SAW) and a way of revolutionaries.’
As always happens, legends get recognition after they pass away. It partly happened in Maqbool Bhat case also, but as one of my friends rightly said “Kashmir will be free only when all of us come together and accept what Maqbool Bhat strived for. Yes Maqbool’s sacrifice has lighted the torch that has been guiding thousands of freedom fighters in Kashmir. It is a miracle of his sacrifice that in a land where hardly anybody would go to jail facing the charge of having harbored the freedom dream, lakhs of human beings laid down their lives for the attainment of Maqbool Bhat's dream. He did through death what millions cannot even think of doing during an entire life but still the fact remains “we are yet to explore his legacy, we are yet to know him, and we are yet to recognize the legend.
Many do not know where you are asleep.
There is no news, there is no grave
But for the millions inspired by you
You live in their hearts and minds.”