Geelani darts letter to tourists 'to tell Kashmir's real story'

While launching an “awareness campaign” by distributing pamphlets, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani Friday darted a letter to tourist visiting the Kashmir valley from the Indian mainland and other parts of world.

“The main motive behind distributing pamphlets is to aware all tourists about real story of Kashmir,” Geelani told a press gathering at his residence in Hyderpora, here.



“We welcome tourists with open arms but appeal them to feel our pain, become the ambassadors of our peaceful and just struggle in India. We appeal them to tell our plight to others in India, tell the Indian masses that Kashmiris want freedom, fulfillment of promises made by the Indian leadership,” he said.

The Hurriyat (G) chairman also appealed locals to “behave well with tourists.” “Particularly local shopkeepers, traders shouldn’t take undue advantage by selling goods to tourists at exorbitant rates.”

“Sell them (tourists) original Kashmiri products, and do not dupe them,” Geelani said.

“We must especially ensure that tourists do not feel a trust deficit while purchasing things because trust, as Socrates has said, is like soul— it cannot be retrieved once it dies,” he said.
“Besides the beautiful view of Valley there is a suffering of every Kashmiri which tourists need to know so that they could convey our messages to their native lands,” Geelani wrote in the letter that has been imprinted on the pamphlet.



The booklet titled “Tourists and Pilgrims Welcome to Kashmir” systematically mentions the history of Kashmir from 1947 onwards, “This country had a distinct position in the comity of nations. On 27th of October 1947, sorties after sorties of Indian army landed on this land and occupied it. The people of this land of great tradition of religious tolerance and humanism are suffering for past sixty three years,” it reads.

The pamphlet that has been written in three languages- English, Hindi and Urdu also talks about the various United Nations resolutions passed on Kashmir.

“The UNSC has passed as many as eighteen resolutions guaranteeing right to self determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. These resolutions explicitly state providing of an opportunity to the people of the state to decide their future and holding of a plebiscite under the aegis of the United Nations,” the pamphlet reads.


Geelani also released a pamphlet— “Tourists and Pilgrims Welcome to Kashmir”— which he said would be distributed among the tourists visiting the Valley. The pamphlet written in English, Urdu and Hindi, appeals tourists “ ( to) become my(Geelani’s) ambassador in people of India and raise your voice against suppression of about ten million people. And I am equally confident that you will garner support of all justice loving people for my just cause.”

Geelani termed the government’s allegations that pro-freedom leaders were against peace as baseless. “ The fact is that we are for peace while the government, the police, army and other forces are trouble makers, they don’t want peace in Kashmir. “

Referring to the unrest of last three summers, Geelani said Kashmiris have been protesting peacefully against “injustices being done to them but New Delhi and its allies in Kashmir have killed hundreds of youth, arrested thousands.”

“If india would have been sincere, the Kashmir issue would not have been lingering on for 63 years , there would have been no rigged elections and our youth wouldn’t have been forced to pick up the gun. But the truth is that India has broken promises, it did not even spare its friends, a leader was put in jail for 11 years and released after he surrendered.”

“ I wany to ask the self-proclaimed champions of peace who allotted land to Shrine Board in 2008, and killed hundreds of youth when people took to streets peacefully against it, who allowed the perpetators of Shopian double rape and murder case to go scot free,” he said.

“Even last year when people protested against the killings of teenagers like Wamiq Farooq, Zahid Farooq, Machil Killings, 118 people were killed by government forces. Today, jails in Jammu and crammed with Kashmiri youth and political activists and they are treated as criminals.”

Geelani said New Delhi was mistaken “ if it thinks that people will accept status quo because of btute force .”

Budgam residents asked to stay indoors during artillery practice

State authorities on Thursday issued advisories in over a dozen villages of central Kashmir’s Budgam district asking locals to remain indoors during the six-day firing session of Army that will begin on June 7.

According to an official spokesman, the locals in sixteen villages of Lachmanpora, Khaipora, Lassipora, Drung, Habber, Kadlabal, Khanpora, Shunglipora, Zoogukharian, Sutharan, Saigalipora, Chill, Gutlipora, Khandpora, Pabhanpora, Batapora and Brass have been asked to avoid moving out of their houses in view of the six-day artillery practice in picturesque Tosa maidan field that will start on June 7. The advisory, the spokesman said has been issued to prevent any loss of human life.
"As per the information of Commanding Officer, field firing range Tosa maidan, received through the district administration, the Army will carry out artillery practice in Tosa maidan field firing ranges from June 7 to June 12," the spokesman said.

The practice hours will begin at 8 AM and will end at 9 PM each day. There will be a respite between 4:30 PM and 7 PM when there will be no firing,” he added.

Prof Talat appointed Vice Chancellor KU

Srinagar: In a surprising move, Professor Talat Ahmad of the Delhi University has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir here. He will replace Professor Riyaz Punjabi, whose term ended on January 7, this year.

Sources told Kashmir Dispatch that the Governor, Narindra Nath Vohra appointed Professor Talat, who is a Professor at the department of Geology at the Delhi University for the last eight years as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Kashmir University for the next three years. The official communication in this regard was sent to the Prof Talat on Monday.

Prof Talat, whose name was recommended by the search committee headed by former Member of Planning Commission, Prof Abid Hussain, is likely to join the varsity on June 1.

“I received the offer letter from the Chancellor’s office yesterday. I have accepted the offer and agreed to take over the post of the Vice Chancellor,” Prof Talat told Kashmir Dispatch over phone from New Delhi.


Talat who is a professor at the Department of Geology, University of Delhi, will replace Professor Riyaz Punjabi, the present Vice Chancellor, who had completed his tenure on January 6 and was, since then, awaiting the appointment of his successor, an official communique issued here today said.

“Governor, N N Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, has in consultation with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (who is Pro-Chancellor of the University) appointed Talat Ahmad from a panel of three persons recommended in early April 2011 by a Search Committee chaired by Dr. Abid Hussain, former Indian Ambassador to USA, and comprising Professor G K Chadha, CEO, South Asian University and former Vice Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Prof S Seyed E. Hasnain, an eminent Scientist and, till recently, the Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad,” the communiqué said.



Prof Talt completed his MSc in geology from Aligarh Muslim University in 1977 followed by an M Phil in Ore Petrology from JNU in 1980.

He then went onto complete his PhD in Igneous Petrology from JNU in 1985.

In 1988-89, Prof. Talat did a Post Doctoral Fellowship with University of Liecester, while in 1997-98, he did he did another Post Doctoral Fellowship with University of Cambridge.

In 1999-2000, he did another Post Doctoral Fellowship with Nagota University (Japan).

He joined Geological Survey of India as Geologist in February 1980 and later worked as a Scientist-B with Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun from 16-7-1984 to 3-9-1989.

He held different academic and research positions and fellowships with a number of universities and later worked as a Scientist-C with Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun.

He has been functioning as Professor at Department of Geology, University of Delhi, continuously since 31-10-2003.

Prof Talat received the prestigious National Mineral Award, 1994 from the Government of India.

He is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore and a Life Member of Mineralogical Society of India.

Indian Navy pressed in to fish out Biscoe boy

Srinagar: A day after a student from Tyndale Biscoe School drowned in river Jehlum, the state government on Saturday pressed drivers from the India Navy to fish out his body.

After 22 hours State Disaster Management and Indian Navy today used divers to find out the body of 10th class student Shakir Ashraf Bhat of Tyndle Boscoe School who drowned after he allegedly jumped into the river for a bet with his friend.

One of the officer from India Navy on the basis of anonymity said, "At around 11 am this noon we received a message from state Disaster Management about this incident. We instantly reached on spot and started a joint rescue operation."

Meanwhile, the families in house boats have expressed serious concern about the delayed use of divers. “The state disaster management should inform the navy force immediately but they called them after one day. It is bizarre on their part,” said, Ali Mohammad a houseboat owner.

Ejaz Ahmad, who last saw Shakir urging for help in the midst of the river is traumatized. “I saw Shakir’s waving his hand in the middle of the river crying for help. I jumped into the river but I feared to move ahead. There was mud and it was difficult to swim safely,” he said.

When contacted, OSD, State Disaster Management, Amir Ali said, We have also brought divers and are trying to locate him as soon as possible."

He further added that it may take couple of days to recover the body.

JKLF chief among 6 held in Ganderbal

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Chief, Mohammad Yasin Malik and six of his associates were detained by police in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district this morning.

Reports said that a delegation of JKLF activists led by the party Chief, Mohammad Yasin Malik were on their way to Kangan to address a public gathering, when a police team intercepted them near main chowk, Ganderbal around 10:30 this morning.

The JKLF activists, reports said offered resistance and tried to proceed towards the venue. However, police swung into action and detained Malik along with six of his activists before whisking them to the nearby district police lines, Kher Bawani.

Some of the detained JKLF activists have been identified as Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Mohammad Zaman Mir, Mohammad Javed, Mohammad Shafi, Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, and Mohammad Haneef Dar.

“We were arrested by police when we were on way to Kangan to address a public gathering. Ten of my party activists were also arrested by the police,” Malik told this correspondent over phone

'Power need not corrupt'

Oveesa Iqbal is the first Muslim woman from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify the coveted Union Public Service Commission exam 2010. In an interview with Kashmir Dispatch correspondent Junaid Rather, she says power 'need ot corrupt'.



Ovessa Iqbal, 25, in a file picture.

You are the first Muslim woman from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify the coveted UPSC exams. Tell us about it?

I got to know about the news of being first Muslim woman from Jammu and Kashmir from newspapers only. I am glad that God has blessed me with this honour. I don’t have words to express my feelings.

Your inspiration?

I draw inspiration from many sources at different point of time.

Tells us about your days while you were preparing for the exams?

Those were days of mixed emotions, failure, success, failure, finally success! But then I feel those were the best days as I was enjoying what I was doing irrespective of results.

You pursued engineering, how did UPSC happen?

After my graduation I had few options like going for a job or do MBA or pursue Masters or go for civil services. Finally I decided to go for civil services as this was the best career option to start at a young age. It offers challenges like diverse service opportunities, social esteem and involvement with the masses.

Does coming from an underdeveloped region make a difference?

I don’t feel so. My parents never made me feel that I belong to a remote area. Being born and brought up in a remote area doen't make much of a difference as everyone has to face same conditions.

What do you aspire for the people who saw you grow?

At this point I don know which part of the country I will be serving. Where ever I would be, I will try to reach out to the people and ensure my loyalty towards them and towards the organization.

Many Kashmiris believe that they are discriminated elsewhere in India. What do you think?

To some extent in some way or other this is true. This I realized after living in Kashmir. But things are changing now as the education level is changing and people are becoming more aware.

More Kashmiris are moving into civil services, do you think this could be helpful in resolving Kashmir Issue?

Yes I feel so because by this the general perception about the things which are going on will change in a positive way and the potential of the brilliant youth of Kashmir can be channelized.

Power corrupts, what’s your take?

If power corrupts then does powerlessness make you pure? So for me power need not corrupt.

Your message for those who are planning to prepare for UPSC exams.

First you need to be firm with your decision then just believe in yourself no matter what others say and be yourself. Don’t follow coaching centers blindly.

Kashmir enslaved by India, Pak, China: IDP

Srinagar: Pro-India Internationalist Democratic Party (IDP) on Tuesday said that the formerly princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was enslaved by India, Pakistan and China soon after the partition of the sub-continent in 1947.

“The truth is that India was a slave when Kashmir was free. When India gained freedom, Kashmir was enslaved by the three countries. 70000 acres of land of our state is held by Pakistan, 49000 acres by China and 1, 38,000 acres by India. Our state has been divided. We have been devastated,” senior IDP leader, Kulbushan Singh said while addressing a gathering on the second day of the peace conference being held at SK international convention complex (SKICC) here this afternoon.

“Desires can’t bring peace. It is time for the people of Kashmir to think before both the countries ruin us,” he added.

Lashing out at India, the IDP leader said that the government of India was not serious in resolving the Kashmir issue. He said that the involvement of people of Jammu and Kashmir was imperative for any dialogue process to succeed.

“New Delhi doesn’t want peace to prevail in Kashmir. They don’t want to resolve Kashmir issue,” he said.

He said that Kashmir has been a flashpoint between the two arch rivals and elections in both the countries were being fought with Kashmir as the main agenda.

“Both the countries want to keep the conflict going for their personal interests,” he said.

The IDP, he said aspires for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue for which peace conferences are being held in different states of the country

Talk straight to Kashmiris, says Agnivesh

Srinagar: Renowned social activist and religious leader Swami Agnivesh Monday expressed serious concern on the Kashmir issue during a peace conference held here at SKICC.
Talking to the reporters on the side-lines of the conference, he said, "India should talk straight to the people of Kashmir and if they can’t then there is no need to come Kashmir except for tourism."

“Delhi is trying to make Kashmir their state and those who represent Kashmir in Delhi are only for namesake” said Swami.

He added that Government of India should come forward to talk face to face to the people of Valley.

“There should be an immediate revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir,” said Swami.

Commenting on the killing of Naxal leader Aazad, he said, "When moist leader Azad was killed I alone filed a case in the Supreme Court against his killing but during summer unrest 2010 in Kashmir there were 118 innocent killings. Why there was no such judicial enquiry."

“There is an immediate need to call for probe in all innocent killings and to release all prisoners who are detained in different jails of India,” he added.

Pro-freedom camp's telecon with European Parliament foiled

Srinagar: Police on Wednesday foiled the teleconference of the pro-freedom leaders with the European Parliament on the 5th Global Discourse on Kashmir (GDK 2011) being held in Brussels.

Eyewitnesses said that a police team carried out a surprise raid at Ismail guest house in Barbarshah locality of the uptown and disrupted the teleconference of the pro-freedom leaders with the European parliament. The cops, eyewitnesses said cut off the electricity supply to foil the teleconference.

Prominent pro-freedom leaders, including Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Hurriyat Conference (M) leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah, JKLF (R) leaders, Javed Ahmad Mir, Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate and senior lawyer G N Shaheen were present at the venue when the police thwarted the conference.

Most of the pro-freedom leaders were unable to address the European Parliament. However, Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Shabir Shah addressed the conference.

“We could not make it to Brussels because the Government of India has not issued us passports. The police did not even allow us to address the European parliament through teleconference,” senior JKLF (R) leader, Javed Mir said.

Another party leader, Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate said that police snapped off electricity supply by switching off generator to foil the teleconference. He condemned the police action.

The 5th Global Discourse on Kashmir (GDK 2011) started in European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday with the welcome address by James Elles, Chairman All Party Group for Kashmir in the European Parliament.

On this 5th discourse on Kashmir Influential actors, diplomats and experts from across the globe along with a number of members of the European Parliament drawn, in particular, from the Afghanistan, Indian and South Asia.

James Elles, Ambassador Abdulla Alim, special representative of OIC on Kashmir, Tijis Berman, Chairman Afghanistan delegation, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) and Sherry Rehman, member of the parliamentary committee on national security participated in the inaugural session titled “Situation in Kashmir – International Appreciation.”

Jaen Lambert, Chairman South Asian delegation, Josef Janning, Director of Studies, European Policy Center, Dr Dennis MacShane MP (UK) and Prof Nazir Ahmad Shawl, Chairman Justice Foundation Kashmir Center London also spoke during a session titled “Situation in Kashmir – European Appreciation” later in the day.

Ivo Vagjl, MEP Committee on Foreign Affairs, Moulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Chairman Pakistan Parliamentary Kashmir Committee, Dr Udit Raj, National President, Indian Justice Party and Nasim Zehra, Director Current Affairs Duniya TV also participated in the session“Situation in Kashmir- Regional Appreciation.”



The main purpose of the Global Discourse on Kashmir, since its first meeting in 2004, according to APGK chairman James Elles, has been to encourage the informal dialogue process between the governments of India, Pakistan and representatives of the people of Kashmir.

APDP concerned over missing Pandit youth, holds sit-in

Srinagar: Coming down heavily on the police for failing to trace the missing Pandit youth, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) on Thursday said that the incident was an indicator about the continued phenomenon of disappearances in Jammu and Kashmir.

21-year-old Susheel Raina, son of Badrinath Raina went missing from Chandergam, Aishmuqam in south Kashmir’s Islamabad district on April, 4. Susheel had left his home to collect a certificate from the boys Degree College when he went missing.

“Susheel’s disappearance is an indicator about the continued phenomenon of people disappearing in Jammu and Kashmir. He is not the first one to disappear but if the government does not allow independent and impartial investigations into the phenomenon of enforced disappearances, unfortunately Susheel will not be the last one as well,” an APDP spokesman said, during a sit-in demonstration at SK Park here this afternoon.

Mother of Susheel Raina holding his picture at their residence in Ashmuqam: File Picture

Lashing out at police, the spokesman said that when it comes to high profile political murders, like the one of Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith (JAH) President, Maulana Showkat Ahmed Shah recently, police swiftly came out with a charge sheet against some people without even providing a shred of evidence.

“But when there are cases of common Kashmiris like Susheel no one seems to be interested in investigating these cases. Intelligence agencies are clueless and news analysts are silent,” he said.

The spokesman said that the police claims of investigating the disappearance cases in last two decades have neither begun nor ended. In rare cases, the spokesman said where police investigations have indicted the perpetrators, no one has been prosecuted.

“Like so many young men, justice too appears to have been forced to disappear from Jammu and Kashmir. People who seek justice are branded as hardliners and the ones denying justice claim to be the torch bearers of democracy. Democracy is strengthened by truth and justice but here in Kashmir transparency, accountability and truth are the most hated concepts for democrats,” he said.

Reiterating its demand for independent investigations into all the cases of enforced disappearances, the APDP urged the government to shun ‘callousness’ and help the family of the Pandit youth establish his whereabouts.

5 policemen including ASI arrested for extortion

Jammu and Kashmir police on Wednesday arrested five of its men including an assistant sub-inspector on charges on extortion from Srinagar city. Four constables and an Assistant Sub Inspector serving with district special branch Srinagar in Nowhatta area had illegally taken away the vehicle documents from a Sumo driver from Nowhatta and were demanding 10000 rupees for returning them, a police offcial said.

"The driver told us that they stopped him at Nowhatta, took the documents and demanded 10000 rupees, he had paid them 5000 there and promised to pay remaining 5000 today," the official said.

The five policemen had asked Khursheed Ahmad, the Sumo driver from Ganderbal to collect the documents from Telbal bus stand located in the out-skirts of Srinagar city.

"On Wednesday the driver gave them another 5000 and collected the documents from them," the offcial said.

According to a police spokesperson, it was only after one of the friends of the drivers, who approached the police, the extortionists were arrested.

An FIR was lodged in the Police Station Nigeen under registration number 25 of 2010 under section 382 of RPC.

During investigation of the case, the facial and other physical description of the persons provided some lead, the official said.

The arrested policemen have been identified as ASI Maqsood, Ct Feroz, Ct.Ajmal, Ct Javid and Ct Nasir, he said.

SKUAST-K students flay press reports against VC

Students of SKUAST-K have termed the recent reports in a section of Kashmir press against Dr Tej Pal Singh, vice chancellor SKUAST-K  ‘as a part of smear campaign and malicious,’ which is being done to undermine his contribution to the university.

A group of students of SKUAST told Kashmir Dispatch that the Vice Chancellor is been unnecessarily dragged into controversies by university ‘insiders’ through active support of some newspapers.

The students said the VC saved precious time of students who due to summer unrest couldn’t finish their degrees on time. They claimed the admission of students in spring semester is contradictory as has been reported in the press.

“ The students of SKUAST-K who could not finish their degrees on time due to summer turmoil, were given fair chance by Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K by giving us admission in spring semester to save their precious year,” the student said.

They said the spring admissions in SKUAST-Jammu are a normal practice and for the first time these were introduced in SKUAST-K.

“The image of the honest and helping VC is being dented through a false media campaign by those who do not want him to continue and see the university benefit from his experience,” the students said.

“The VC has no personnel benefits for getting the needy students admission,” they argued.

The students of SKUAST-K said since his appointment, the university has seen some improvement in its functioning.

Victims of 'unidentified' killers in Kashmir

Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah, president of the Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith, has become another victim whose name would perhaps appear in the list of people killed by ‘unidentified’ persons. Kashmir, in last two decades of conflict has witnessed deaths of thousands of people who fell to the these ‘unidentified killers'. Although, blames are often exchanged between pro and anti-government groups for such killings. However killers always remain a mystery for people of Kashmir. From commoners to famous, these ‘unidentified' persons have spared none in Kashmir. We revisit some of the prominent separatist leaders and ideologues killed by ‘unidentified' persons in last two decades of conflict.
Soon after the armed conflict started in Kashmir valley, assassinations of prominent people began, the first victim of these ‘unidentified' killers was Chairman of the Awami Action Committee, Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq. On May 1990 unidentified gunmen barged into his Nageen residence and shot him dead.

No group claimed responsibility. It is widely believed Farooq was killed by militants associated with pro-Pakistan group.

Hriday Nath Wanchoo, a Kashmir Pandit and a noted human rights activist was assassinated by unidentified gunmen on December 5, 1992. Wanchoo, who was a retired civil servant and trade unionist, had documented and filed writ petitions for hundreds of custodial deaths in courts.

No group claimed responsibility. The government accused militant group Jamiat-ul Mujahidin. Human rights activists, who investigated the case, have alleged that the militants of that group were released from jail on condition that they kill Wanchoo.

Amnesty International in its report stated that Wanchoo may have been extra-judicially executed because he was one of the most vocal human rights activists in Kashmir.

Dr Abdul Ahad Guru renowned Kashmiri cardiologist and a founder of a Medical College was assassinated in Srinagar on March 31, 1993. Dr Guru was one of the prominent faces of pro-freedom camp during early 90’s. He was the member of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).

No group claimed responsibility but it is widely believed a Hizbul Mujahideenn militant Zulqarnain carried out the murder. It is said that Zulqarnain, who was in police custody agreed to kill Guru in exchange for his release. After Guru was assassinated, to ensure that the killing remained secret, Zulqarnain was killed shortly during an encounter.

Prof Ahad Wani, a JKLF ideologue was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on December 31, 1993 from Kashmir University’s Department of Law and hours later his bullet-riddled body was spotted at a deserted spot outside the university premises.

No group claimed responsibility for the killing.

Qazi Nissar a prominent religious leader and Mirwaiz of south Kashmir was assassinated on June 18, 1994. Nisar had participated in the election of 1987 and was one of the founding members of Muslim United Front (MUF).

No group claimed responsibility. Hizbul Mujahideen was accused of carrying out his assassination.

Professor Mohammad Ramzan, president of Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadith was injured in an attack by the unknown persons on January 29, 1999, when he was coming out of a mosque in Chattabal area here after offering Friday prayers. He died on 15 February 1999.

No group claimed responsibility for the killing.

Abdul Gani Lone, former minister and MLA from Handwara, who later joined with the Hurriyat Conference, was assassinated May 21, 2002. Lone was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at a rally in Srinagar. The shootout happened during a ceremony to mark the death anniversary of former Mirwaiz of Kashmir Maulvi Mohammad Farooq

No group claimed responsibility. Lone’s son blamed Pakistan’s ISI for the killing but later retracted.

Moulana Showkat Shah, president, Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith was assassinated on April 8, 2011. Shah was heading for Friday congregation when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) placed on a bicycle near a mosque in uptown Maisuma exploded and killed him.

No group claimed responsibility for the killing....

Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith president assassinated

Moulana Showkat Shah, president of Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadit was Friday killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion outside Gawkadal mosque here in the heart of city. Shah was nearing mosque which also houses the organizations headquarters when the IED went off. At least one more person was hurt in the blast and has been hospitalized.

“At about 12.25 PM, an IED blast took place near Ahl-e-Hadees Masjid in Maisuma area. In this blast two persons Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah son of Mohammad Yousuf Shah of Lal Bazar Srinagar and Mukhtar Ahmad Mir son of Mohammad Abdullah Mir of Maisuma were injured,” a police spokesman here said.

“Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah later on succumbed to his injuries.” Police, the spokesman said, has started investigation into the incident.



People carry the dead body of Shah.

Meanwhile, thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah here at Lal Chowk.

Among those who were president among the mourners included JKLF chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik, Chairman Hurriyat (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, National Front’s Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Aiyaz Akhbar, spokesman of the Hurriyat Conference (G). Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the chairman of his faction of Hurriyat Conference, was placed under house arrest.

Earlier the death of Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah plunged valley into grief and led to spontaneous strike in many areas of the Srinagar.

Deeply shocked shopkeepers at Maisuma, Gaw Kadal, Regal Chowk, Koker Bazaar, Sarai Bala and other areas closed their shops soon after learning about the news of Shah’s death.

Another civilian Mukhtar Ahmad Mir was also injured in the explosion. He was rushed to hospital for treatment.

Maulana Shah was closely associated with chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik and had earlier survived many assassination bids.

Thousands of mourners joined the 'Nimaz-e-Jinaza' (funeral prayers) of Maulana Showkat Ahmad Shah, who was killed in a powerful blast outside a mosque in summer capital Srinagar just before the Friday prayers.

Thousands of mourners offered the 'Nimaz-e-Jinaza' in city centre Lal Chowk. They were led by senior pro-freedom leaders, including Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, chairman of the moderate Hurriyat group, Muhammad Yasin Malik, chairman of the pro-azadi Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, former chairman of the moderate Hurriyat, Bilal Gani Lone, chief of Peoples' Conference and executive member of Mirwaiz Hurriyat, and Nayeem Khan, chief of separatist Democratic Front.

 The body of the slain religious leader was then taken to his home in Lal Bazar locality of the city where other family members joined the funeral procession to the martyrs' graveyard where Shah was laid to rest amid shouting of pro-freedom slogans by the mourners.

Hundreds of police and CRPF men in anti-riot gear were deployed in the area to thwart protests. Roads leading to Lal chowk were sealed and traffic was diverted to alternate routes by the authorities.

Govt employees demand arrears, receive batons

Srinagar: At least four employees were hurt and scores detained on Wednesday when police used force to quell thousands of employees protesting against the alleged government failure in meeting their genuine demands.

Eyewitnesses told Kashmir Dispatch that thousands of government employees under the banner of Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) assembled at Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution office, Shaheed Gunj this afternoon and tried to take out a rally demanding the fulfillment of long-pending demands.

Chanting anti-government and pro-employee slogans, when the protesters reached near Amira Kadal Bridge, a heavy posse of people intercepted the marchers. However, the employees offered stiff resistance and tried to break the police cordon.

Later, police swung into action and used water cannons and batons to disperse the protesters. Scores of employees who were marching towards the city centre were also detained by police and whisked to Shaheed Gunj, Maisuma, Koti Bagh and Raj Bagh police stations.

The employees have been demanding increase of 10 percent DA at par with Central government employees, release of pay commission arrears, and raising of retirement age to 60. Other demands include regularization of about 50000 ad hoc and other temporary employees, and redressal of pay anomalies in different cadres.

Senior JCC leader and president Employees Joint Action Committee (Q), Khursheed Alam said that the demonstrations by the government employees to press their genuine demands were held across Jammu and Kashmir today. He claimed four hundred employees were arrested by police from the summer capital in a bid to foil their march.

“The employees are being taken for a ride. The government has done nothing to fulfill our genuine demands. The government should implement the Cabinet-Sub Committee report without further delay,” Alam said.

“There is inflation in entire India, why employees in Jammu and Kashmir are left out?” he asked.

Riyaz Ahmad, an employee of the state road transport corporation told this correspondent that the government was resorting to dilly delaying tactics to meet the demands of the employees.

“Our demands are justified. Five years have passed but the government has not released our arrears. Even the employees working in various departments for over a decade now haven’t been regularized,” he added.

A senior police officer wishing not to be named told Kashmir Dispatch that fifty employees were taken into preventive custody during the protests.

"Only fifty protesters were taken into preventive custody," he added.

Free Faizan campaign: 'By Tuesday he'll be free', says Omar

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said the 'minor' boy, Faizan Rafiq arrested under Public Safety Act (PSA) in February this year will be released by Tuesday. "I've issued the orders on Friday, papers are being processed so by Monday or Tuesday he'll (Faizan) be out," Abdullah wrote on micro-blogging website, Twitter.

Abdullah said as per the law he's not a minor but his case was considered on humanitarian basis.

"That's where the problem is because under law he isn't minor which is why it's being considered for a humanitarian POV (Point of view)," he wrote in another tweet.

International human rights group, Amnesty International (AI) launched 'Free Faizan' campaign last week demanding immediate release of Faizan.

Dozens of users barraged Abdullah on Twitter with tweets seeking the release of the boy after the Amnesty report.

"Dear @abdullah_omar, the need for a juvenile system in Kashmir is a crying one. Our young kids enter jails & come out brainwashed!," wrote a Tweet user.

"How can one sleep after lodging a minor in a jail in the company of criminals, wrote a form," tweeted Bilal Nazki, retired Chief Justice of Orissa High court.

"Name: Faizan.14 YR. Ocupation : Student and Sold Fruit to Sustain Family. Location: Kathua JAIL (300 KM Awy ).Charges: NONE," another user wrote, adding, "When police arrested #Faizan they claimed he was 27 yrs old. Acc. to school records seen by #Amnesty he is under 15."

AI also submitted a report on the boy to the chief minister and home minister P Chidambaram. "A certificate provided by his (Hakeem’s) school records his date of birth as May 18 1996, making him less than 15 when he was arrested," said the AI report.

The police, however, conducted a medical test on the boy in Government Medical College Jammu on March 28 and claimed he was 17-18 years old.

The police allege Hakeem, a resident of Islamabad was a part of a large crowd of protestors that pelted stone at security forces in four incidents in July 2009, June 2010, July 2010 and October 2010. Hakeem was arrested on February 7 outside his house and booked for rioting and other offences.

In February 12, a magistrate granted him bail on two charges. "Hakeem was, however, not released as the police decided to hold him in administrative detention – without charge or trial – under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act," said the rights body.

Abdullah earlier Tweet on Faizan

Abdullah had downplayed the reports of minors being booked under PSA. “Best way to settle any doubts is to order a medical examination to certify the age. I’ve seen too many fake certificates," Omar had tweeted last month.

"In this case I'm satisfied that the info given to me his correct. This boys school mates recorded statements age 18-20."

People Tweet

Faizan is either 14/17/27 Years depends whether you believe his Parents/Government Doctors/ JK Police.

Faizan Rafiq Hakim 15 year old kid from Kashmir booked under PSA. They say he is a threat 2 India.

There is no PSA in India, there r no juvenile jails in Kashmir, Faizan hs been arrested without charges.

#Faizan arrested on 7 Feb on 2 charges. Granted bail for both. But police decided to hold him in administrative detention.

It is a shaame that govt lied about the age of Faizan.Logic demands that some heads should roll.

I dont think KP's are considerate (barring a minuscule) We rallied for Priya Matto justice, hw many KP's voiced concern fr Faizan?

Child held, says Amnesty International

Faizan Rafiq Hakeem was arrested on 7 February outside his house in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. He is alleged to have been part of a large crowd of protestors that pelted police and security forces with stones during protests against the state in four incidents in July 2009, June 2010, July 2010 and October 2010.

Police originally claimed that Faizan Rafiq Hakeem’s age was 27, but his family showed Amnesty International a certificate provided by his school that records his date of birth as 18 May 1996 – making him less than 15 when he was arrested. Amnesty International has also verified the date of birth in the original records maintained in the school register. On 28 March.

Demanding that the state authorities immediately end the detention without charge or trial of Faizan Rafiq Hakeem;

Urging that if Faizan Rafiq Hakeem is to be held on charges of a recognizably criminal offence, he be afforded all fair trial guarantees set out in international law and specifically Article 40(2) of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which stipulates also that any detention shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time; such detention should be in a separate facility for children, as close as possible to his family in order to facilitate family contact.

Faizan's family claims

Rafiq Hakeem, Faizan's father is a fruit vendor from Reshi bazaar, Islamabad. Rafiq maintains his son is a minor. It was his maiden visit to Kotbalwal jail in Jammu last month to prove his son is a minor after he was arrested and booked under PSA in February 22.

“I was taken from Kotbalwal jail to Government Medical College(GMC) Jammu for medical checkup to reveal age on march 22 and march 23. After the medical checkup jail authorities and jail officials told me that your age matches school records.” said Rafiq.

Police claims

Faizan Rafiq Hakeem is not underage. In fact the subject was on police remand and judicial remand for about 20 days respectively when two separate bail applications were preferred by the parents of the subject before the Hon’ble Sessions Judge Anantnag and Hon’ble CJM Anantnag. In both the Hon’ble Courts, the relations of the subject had not taken the ground in said applications that the subject is underage.

To the satisfaction of the parents of the subject, he was put to medical test on 23-03-2011. A board consisting of three medical officers including a Radiologist was constituted at GMC Jammu to conduct the medical test of the subject. The report of the Board constituted is as under:

“As per Radiological examination, report No.26943/R-943 dated 23-03-2011 of X-ray of the above said person reveals Radiological bone age between 17 to 18 years”

Opinion: “In view of combined, physical, dental and Radiological examination of the above said person, Mr. Faizan Rafiq Hakeen S/O Mohammad Rafiq Hakeem, His age is more than Seventeen years and Less than eighteen years”.

Since the age of the subject is more than 17 years which do not fall anyway under the category of “underage”.

It is worth to mention that the J&K Juvenile Justice Act gives the definition of Juvenile as a boy who has not attained the age of sixteen years. In the instant matter in ossification test, the age of the subject was opined to be more than 17 years and in no way the subject or relations of the subject can claim Faizan to be underage.

Kashmir's oldest hospital ‘ailing’, admin unmoved

Srinagar: The Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial hospital in Srinagar’s old town, one of the oldest hospitals of the Valley has just two doctors to attend to hundreds of visiting patients during the night hours.

If insiders are to be believed, only two doctors- one in emergency and another in Gynecology section cater to the healthcare demands of over a hundred patients visiting the hospital during night. Many of the patients, they said are referred to other hospitals in this summer capital due to the shortage of the medicos.

The ‘official apathy', as alleged by locals has cost many lives in the past.

Abdul Rasheed, a local narrated how his young son died due to the delayed treatment at the hospital.

“My son who had complications is chest was brought to the hospital for treatment. Due to the unavailability of doctors, we had to rush him to SK Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS). However, he died on the way to the hospital,” Rashid said.

“He could have survived had there been more doctors to attend him. The government’s lackadaisical approach killed my son,” he added.

Pertinently, the JLNM hospital Rainawari was established by Britishers during their rule in 1889. In 1990’s it was named after the first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

In the month of December last year, hospital sources said that at least 12476 patients visited the hospital in which at least 4000 patients visited during night hours. On an average, they said as many as 605 patients visit the hospital daily including 100 cases in causality.

“During the summer unrest last year, the patients had to suffer a lot. About 500 patients used to visit hospital in night time because of the curfew and restrictions in place during the day,” they added.

Adding to the list of problems, sources said the dermatologist post has not filled from the last four months by the administration.

"The hospital has 11 sections including dermatology. The dermatologist post is still vacant from 11 October, 2010 after Dr Ghulam Mohammad, who earlier held the post went on a leave," sources added.

The shortage of doctors, belying the much hyped official claims has also caused strong resentment among the locals.

"The hospital is ailing. The authorities have to wake-up. They can’t let the Valley’s oldest hospital go in shambles,” Abdul Sataar of Saida Kadal told this correspondent.

When contacted, Director Health, Mohammad Amin told Kashmir Dispatch that two senior doctors attend the patients during the night.

“Keeping in view the flow of patients, we have kept two senior doctors for night shift,” he said.

Amin also denied that the post of dermatologist was lying vacant for over four months.

“A lecturer was kept on standby, but within next week a permanent doctor would be appointed for the vacant post,” he added.

KD Exclusive: Jaleel's 'Killer' Avtar Singh a 'free man': US Police

Srinagar: Selma City Police, who arrested former Indian Army Major Avtar Singh last month on charges of domestic violence in California, on Wednesday said that Singh is a 'free man' and is not under any kind of police surveillance.

"He is not in our custody, he was released on bail and since then he is a free man," Lt. Christie Ediger, a Selma Police official told Kashmir Dispatch over phone from US.

The official, however declined to comment on the Interpol's Red corner notice against Singh and whether Interpol has approached Selma Police with a fresh request to keep a vigil on him.

"I cannot comment on that aspect," she said.

A New Delhi based news paper on Monday reported that Singh, a prime accused in the kidnapping and murder of human rights activist, Jaleel Andrabi was in preventive custody of Selma Police.

The newspaper quoted Inspector General (IGP) Crime, Raja Ajaz Ali who is also Interpol's laison offcier in Jammu and Kashmir saying that 'Singh was in the preventive custody of the US police in California'.

Singh has been evading arrest since he fled India. In 2005, he was traced to Canada but soon went into hiding after his cover up was blown off. Later, he had migrated to US and is presently running a trucking business in Selma, Fresno County in California.

Earlier, Andrabi's family had also expressed apprehensions on the attempts made by the government to extradite Singh. A family member told Kashmir Dispatch that the delay on part of the government might allow Singh to run away from his present location, as he did before when he was traced to Canada in 2005.

Sources in Home Ministry told Kashmir Dispatch on Tuesday that the government has already given a go ahead for Singh extradition from US.

On February 21, a California based news channel, Action News reported on Avtar Singh’s presence in Selma locality of California. Singh who was in hiding since he left India was arrested on charges of domestic violence after his wife filed a police complaint.

Despite an Interpol red corner notice, the US State Department told the local police that it wasn't necessary to hold Singh, who let Singh free on bail hours after his arrest. However, the local police say they will still keep a close vigil on his movements after fingerprints revealed his identity and an Interpol hold for Andrabi's murder.

Major Avtar Singh of 35th Rashtriya Rifles, is accused of killing 11 persons including Andrabi. He fled India in 2005 and was living in Canada before fleeing to US.

According to the investigations carried out by a police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) on court orders, Singh along with government gunmen abducted Jaleel near Barazulla on airport road on March 8 in 1996, when the activist was driving home along with his wife.

The mutilated body of Andrabi was found in the Kursuraj Bagh, Srinagar on the banks of the Jhelum River on the morning of March 27, 1996. 42-year old Andrabi had been shot in the head and his eyes had been gouged out. An autopsy showed that he had been killed days after his arrest.

A case was registered under FIR No. 139/96 in police station Saddar, Srinagar and a case for the past 15 years is pending in the CJM Court.

JKLF hunger strike: Hundreds join Malik

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Govt's priority national interest not justice, says Jaleel Andrabi's family

Srinagar: Reacting to the media reports that the government is making attempts to extradite former Indian Army Major Avtar Singh, who is wanted in the murder of human rights activist Jaleel Andrabi, his family has expressed doubts on the sincerity of the government which according to the family ‘always gives priority to the national interest over justice’.

“I don’t see it as a ray of hope. They will not do anything as it will spoil India’s global image,” said Arshid Andrabi, Jaleel’s brother and lawyer who is fighting the case in High Court since 1996.

“The Director, CBI in New Delhi is in-charge of Interpol affairs in India and to safe guard the national interest they don’t take interest in this case, that’s why instead of being in jail the accused in enjoying in a foreign country,” he said.

On February 21, a California based news channel, Action News reported on Avtar Singh’s presence in Selma locality of California. Singh who was in hiding since he left India was arrested on charges of domestic violence after his wife filed a police complaint.

Despite an Interpol red corner notice, the US State Department told the local police that it wasn't necessary to hold Singh, who let Singh free on bail hours after his arrest. However, the local police say they will still keep a close vigil on his movements after fingerprints revealed his identity and an Interpol hold for Andrabi's murder.

Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in February 2010 had issued an Interpol red corner notice against Singh. The CJM had asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to get the warrants executed but the agency didn’t take any step to arrest or extradite him.

Jaleel’s brother and lawyer Arshid says, the Indian government got many opportunities to extradite Singh while he was in Canada and US but the Indian government didn’t show any interest.

“In 2005 the Canadian police requested the Indian government to provide details about him, since the police in Canada had located him. There was some hue and cry by Human rights groups and Amnesty International which forced Singh to shift his base to California,” said Arshid.

Adding, “In 2009 the California police wrote to the CJM court asking it to provide details about Singh but here in India, nothing was done to extradite him,” he said.

Arshid now plans to file a fresh petition before the court based on the news reports to issue orders to the government to extradite Singh.

“Yes, we will be moving court to get fresh orders in this regard,” he said.

However, a New Delhi based newspaper on Monday reported that Singh will be brought to India in next 15 days. The newspaper quoted Raja Ajaz Ali Inspector General, (IGP) Crime saying that the accused has been located in California.

“The US police informed the Interpol and in turn they communicated us. The accused is in the preventive custody of the US police in California and would shifted to Srinagar in fifteen days. We were asked by the Interpol and the US police to furnish fresh warrants against the accused and we have acquired the same from session’s court in Srinagar," the newspaper quoted Ali as saying.

A source close to the case told Kashmir Dispatch that the team is yet to take up the matter with the US Embassy in New Delhi.

Major Avtar Singh of 35th Rashtriya Rifles, is accused of killing 11 persons including Andrabi according to a US state Department report in 2002 which says court action in cases of extrajudicial killings is slow and uncertain.

According to the investigations carried out by a police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) on court orders, Singh along with government gunmen abducted Jaleel near Barazulla on airport road on March 8, when the activist was driving home along with his wife.

The Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court on March 9, and the court ordered the army to produce Andrabi. However, the army denied that Andrabi was in custody. Over the next two weeks, the court continued to grant the government extensions for replying to the petition.

The mutilated body of Andrabi was found in the Kursuraj Bagh, Srinagar on the banks of the Jhelum River on the morning of March 27, 1996. 42-year old Andrabi had been shot in the head and his eyes had been gouged out. An autopsy showed that he had been killed days after his arrest.

A case was registered under FIR No. 139/96 in police station Saddar, Srinagar and a case for the past 15 years is pending in the CJM Court.

In 1997, the investigation by Jammu and Kashmir police Special Investigations Team (SIT) confirmed that Avtar Singh is the prime accused in the Andrabi’s murder case. The CJM issued an order in the same year which stated, “Passport of Avtar Singh should be impounded and his photographs should be published in print media.”

A video grab of Avtar Singh (encircled) at his home in Selma, California, USA during a video interview with Action News correspondent Corin Hoggard.

According to the California based news channel, Singh owns several trucks and lives in Selma, Fresno County in California, USA. An exclusive video interview by the news channel correspondent Corin Hoggard showed Singh at his home. During the interview the reporter asked Singh: “Are you the same Avtar Singh who is wanted in Kashmir for the murder of prominent Lawyer Jaleel Andrabi?”

To which Singh replied, “It is alleged.”

Singh also claimed that the Islamic militants and Al-Qaeda wanted to kill him. He claimed his battalion was nowhere near the place where Andrabi was kidnapped. But because of the allegations, he's afraid he's a wanted man -- not by the Indian government, but by al Qaeda.

"If I'm exposed on this, the Islamic militants, they're already looking for me," he told the news channel.