Kashmir and politics of statements






-->

what about this area



-->
Listen To Article
Save Article
Print Article
Send Article To Friend
Write To Editor
Comment On Article
When presidents, prime ministers, chairmen and secretary generals all over globe make pointed statements over Kashmir they never mean what they say. Kashmir only provides them a tool using which they score points over their adversaries, cautions Mir Tariq Rasool In the midst of statements by international leaders, the enthusiasm of people here in Kashmir gets intensified. Whenever any ‘conscientious leader’ here in India, Pakistan or in any other part of world makes any statement regarding the resolution of long awaiting Kashmir issue, people here in strife torn Kashmir start expecting big things without going deep into the reality of things.
Our ‘sympathizers’ in India or Pakistan or elsewhere in the world have proved themselves as prevaricated rhetoricians rather than problem solvers, for which Kashmiris are waiting from decades. After 9/11, huge statements came from the leaders all over the globe, especially from America, Pakistan and India, who time to time make such interested and attractive statements that the people here in Kashmir feel that the issue was now heading to its ultimate settlement. Kashmiris should know that every utterance regarding the Kashmir from outside the world has nothing to do with the settlement of Kashmir issue, these statement are being crafted out to get political, ideological or tactical mileage. One should know that the Jammu and Kashmir has an immense importance in Indian as well as Pakistani politics as the countries like America, Russia and China are politically making use of Kashmir issue to fulfil their strategic goals at international level.On both sides (Indo-Pak), there are strong vested interests that are busy in not normalizing the relations. Both the countries have a political compulsion, which halts the settlement of Kashmir issue. While addressing the Kashmir issue in relation with indo-Pak an Indian author and social activist Arundhati Roy, known for her radical political stances, on 14 August 2003 in Pakistan said that …..Both Indian and Pakistani governments used the Kashmir issue to deflect attention from domestic concerns. "When we talk about the indo-Pakistan Kashmir problem, we are assuming they are problems, we are assuming they are problems and that people are searching for solution', she said."I don't think this is the case. I think that for the governments of both Pakistan and India, Kashmir is the solution –it is the rabbit they pull of the hat every time they face domestic problems”. People, including pro-freedom leaders, here in Jammu and Kashmir should act realistically and should approach realistically the statements made by leaders in Indian Sub-continent or elsewhere in the world regarding the Kashmir issue. Kashmir is the rabbit and it will remain so until people in Indo-Pak, especially Jammu and Kashmir grow mature enough to see that it is the rabbit. Leaders from both India and Pakistan have always taken recourse to rhetoric from early times. On January 13, 2002 in a televised address to the Pakistani nation ex-president of Pakistan General Pervaiz Mushraf said "As the president of Pakistan, I want to convey a message to Prime Minister Vajpayee: If we want to normalize relations between Pakistan and India and bring harmony to the region, the Kashmir dispute will have to be resolved peacefully through a dialogue on the basis of the aspirations of the Kashmiri people”. Different from earlier statement, On 21 May 2005, Pervaiz Mushrraf, while addressing South Asian Parliamentary Forum in Islamabad said that the resolution of the long-standing Kashmir dispute could not be awaited indefinitely, to identify a region, allow maximum self-governance to the people, de-militarize and take some actions to make borders irrelevant. In his statement he further says that he is confident that a solution could be reached at on Kashmir that satisfied India, Pakistan and people of Kashmir. He said, "A solution has to be found from within the stand of India's insistence of no re-drawing of borders, Pakistan' stand of LOC cannot be a permanent border and boundaries becoming irrelevant”. The Prime Minister India, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, known for his personal mission to improve relations with Pakistan, always stressed bilateral negotiations to solve the Kashmir issue. On May 29 2003, Vajpayee while addressing the Kashmir issue said that the resolution of the Kashmir problem would require "serious compromises", and he is prepared to negotiate with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. On the same day in an interview with widely circulated German daily Der Spiegel, he said that he will "retire" if his third and last peace initiative with Pakistan fails. In October 2003 Russian president Vladimir Putin says that he will take up Kashmir issue with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. After the end of 10th OIC meet Mr. Putin said: "We have discussed the situation in Kashmir and now I have better information to relate on behalf of President Musharraf to our Indian colleague." OIC, an international organization of Islamic Countries, while addressing Kashmir issue supported Kashmiris' right to self-determination and urged India to allow its delegation to inspect situation in occupied Kashmir during the 10th Summit in 2003. In the last fifty years, the United States has applied different labels to the Kashmir issue from 'self- determination' to 'aspiration of the Kashmiri people' to being 'a nuclear flash-point' endangering international security'. The constantly changing stand of the United States is reflective of the fact that the United States stand on the Kashmir issue is flexible and dependent on two factors at a given point in time: (1) Tenor of India-United States relations and; (2) The strategic utility of Pakistan for any intended United States strategic moves in South West Asia. Kashmir or the Kashmir issue, therefore is of no concern to the United States, but only an expedient strategic tool for the region. I remember the day May 18, 2008 when US President George Bush during an hour-long meeting with Pak Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. said that "Kashmir issue is ripe for solution" and he saw major and significant developments in Pakistan-India relations. The President in his statement said that he was happy to note that the two sides had made a lot of progress in their talks on Kashmir and for comprehensive peace in the region. As a co-chairman of PPP, in a major shift in Pakistan's long-standing position, Asif Ali Zardari, whose party was set to take reins of the country on those days, expressed that he is ready to set aside the Kashmir issue in order to focus on other aspects for improving relations with India. He emphasized that the relations between India and Pakistan should not be held 'hostage' to the Kashmir issue and that the two countries 'can wait' for future generations to resolve the dispute in a mature manner in an atmosphere of 'trust'. Zardiari's statement was a shock to Kashmir as he was set to take reins of the Pakistan and Kashmiris always see Pakistani rulers as their well-wishers, whether they are actually the same is debatable. Now when Asif Ali Zardairi becomes President of Pakistan, he makes a statement totally different from his earlier statement, immediately after the statement of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed a militant ideologue who is the founder of the Lashker-e-Toiba and heads the Jamiat-ud-Dawah in which he said that Pakistan will be in “great trouble” if newly elected President Asif Ali Zardari does not make changes in the policies of his predecessor Pervez Musharraf, which have "derailed the Kashmir issue". Kashmir issue has been confined to rhetoric by "conscientious leadership" both in India and Pakistan. Thousands of statements have been issued regarding the settlement of Kashmir Issue without nay outcome. Recently Zardari maintained this tradition of rhetoric by saying that "Insha Allah, we will have some good news" on Kashmir before the general elections in India. In this age old fashion of prevaricated rhetoric Kashmiri should not expect big things from their " sympathizers" instead should continue the ongoing movement without being influenced by the statements crafted out to get political or tactical benefits. Feedback at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ' ); //-->">
' );
//-->\n
tariqmir45@gmail.com
' );
//-->

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
' );
//-->

Kashmir Uprising BANDIPORA
Listen To Article
Save Article
Print Article
Send Article To Friend
Write To Editor
Comment On Article
Bandipora
Woman among 7 killed, 186 injured in troopers action16 children rendered orphans, three persons lose limbs
Mir TariqBandipora, Sept 22: After the eruption of the mass uprising in the Valley, at least seven persons including a woman were killed while 186 others injured in police and troopers action in this newly created North Kashmir district. At least 16 children were rendered orphans while three persons lost their limbs in the trooper’s action.On August 11, army and paramilitary CRPF personnel fired on unarmed protesters at Paribal, Sopore. The protestors, who belonged to Ashtagoo, Khenusa and Aloosa villages were marching towards Bandipora when they were fired on by the troopers.
Three protestors Ali Muhammad Khanday, Muhammad Shafi Ganai and Mumtaz Ahmed Bhat of Aloosa were killed on spot while Merahjudin Khan of Aloosa died after para-military CRPF personnel fired on the ambulance carrying him to hospital at Parimpora.Eyewitnesses said that one among them, Mumtaz Ahmad was a lineman of Power Development Department (PDD). “He was killed by troopers in Bandipora while he was rectifying a fault in an electricity pole. The troopers killed him on the suspicion of being a protestor. He was not a protestor but was repairing fault on electricity pole. The protestors were marching through the area and the troopers fired indiscriminately on the PDD lineman killing him on spot,” they saidOn August 25, two persons including a woman were killed during a day-long protests in Hajin, Sonawari when police and CRPF men fired indiscriminately on unarmed protestors, who defied the curfew restrictions. The unarmed protestors tried to march towards Lal Chowk, Srinagar.One of the protestors Javeed Ahmed PAhloo of Saderkoot was shot on forehead when he was trying to pacify the protestors. Two persons Bashir Ahmed Bhar and Naseema Begum of Hajin received critical bullet firing in the CRPF action and succumbed to injuries a day later at SHMS, Srinagar.Sixteen children were rendered orphans as they lost one of their parents during the firing in Bandipora.More than 186 persons including 11 women, nine policemen and three minors were injured in various clashes between cops and protesters in Bandipora district during the agitation and curfew days. Among the injured women, Saleema Begum, 50 and Rifat Ara, 39 are still battling for life in SMHS Srinagar."Police and CRPF troopers showered bullets on a group of women, who were looking for injured persons on roads in Hajin," said an eyewitness.Officials in District Hospital Bandipora told Rising Kashmir that 67 injured were treated in the hospital.A doctor pleading anonymity said that the doctors in the hospital treated injured persons, who were hit by bullets on abdomen or legs. "Few injured had received bullets on shoulders and backside. Legs of three of the injured were amputated,” he said.Locals alleged that during the curfew days 29 shops were looted and three mosques desecrated by the CRPF troopers in Hajin and Aloosa areas. “23 shops were looted in Khwaja market Hajin by the troopers when people were facing bullets. The cops also barged into Jamia Masjid and broke loud speakers and stabilizers and threw matting out of the mosque,” said a shopkeeper, Ghulam Nabi.He further alleged that four shops were looted in Aloosa while the troopers smashed window panes of 30 houses in ward 2 Gousia Mohalla, Bandipora.An elderly person Ghulam Hassan Bhat said, “I have not seen such brutality in my life. The troopers used brutal force to quell peaceful demonstrations. They fired indiscriminately on unarmed men, women and children during protest demonstrations.”

2 LeT cdrs killed in Sumbal gunfight: Police
Listen To Article
Save Article
Print Article
Send Article To Friend
Write To Editor
Comment On Article
Soldier hangs self to death in ,
Mir Tariq SrinagarSep 23: Police on Tuesday claimed killing two top Lashkar-e-Toiba commanders in a gunfight at Sumbal in north Kashmir.A police spokesman said that on specific information, a joint party of Sumbal Police, 45 bn CRPF and 13 RR personnel laid a naka on the old bridge Sumbal. “They challenged two persons, who fired towards the party. The troopers returned, killing the two militants identified as Tahir Pathan alias Abu Tahir and Abdullah alias Abu Maaz,” he said.
The spokesman claimed that both militants belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba and were believed to be Pakistani nationals. Two AK 47 rifles and arms ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.“Tahir alias Abu Tahir was functioning as Lashkar’s Divisional Commander while Abdullah alias Abu Maaz was acting as District Commander, Pattan. Tahir was involved in various militancy activities in the valley including the killing of Commanding Officer of 29 RR Col Gurbir Singh at Chak Behrampora in 2006. He had managed to escape from the spot. It is also believed that he was also involved in Narbal IED blast in which 10 army personnel were killed on July 19 ,2008,” he further claimed .The residents of the area observed shutdown to protest against what they termed the “fake encounter”.“Police started firing at 3 am without facing any retaliation. It raises doubts in our minds," said Mushtaq Ahmed (name changed).Another resident said, “We believe today's encounter was fake encounter. Police brought two bodies from somewhere and pumped bullets on them near old Bridge Sumbal and declare them as Pakistani militants”.The residents demanded a high level probe into the encounter.Meanwhile, DSP Sumbal Dr Harmeet Singh said that the deceased were top militants and were involved in many militancy related incidentsMeanwhile, an army soldier committed suicide by reportedly hanging himself at Nowshera area of Rajouri district.Lance Hawaldar Raj Kumar Yadav, 32, of 64 Field Artillery Regiment was found hanging in his barrack at Nowshera in Rajouri district. “His colleagues shifted him to hospital where doctors declared him brought dead,” sources said.Defence PRO Lt Col SD Goswami confirmed that the deceased soldier was found hanging inside his barrack.He said that Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident to ascertain the facts.
JCO ‘injured’ in PaK firing, army deniesJammu, Sept 23: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of army was critically injured when Pakistani troops allegedly fired on India's forward Victory post in Krishna Ghati area of Poonch district late last night.Army sources reported that a JCO sustained bullet injury when Pakistani troops fired at their post in Krishna-Gathi sector of Poonch last night.“The bullets were fired at our posts from Khatoon and Begum Posts in Pakistan on this side of LoC,” they said and identified the injured JCO as Naib Subedar B B Rana of 2/8 GR. “The bullet hit him on head and was hospitalized,” they said.When contacted Brig Ravi Krishan Murli, BGS information based in Udhampur denied the report of any injury. However, he confirmed the firing incident along LoC in Krishna Gathi sector of Poonch. “There were few rounds of fire from across the border but no injury was caused to our jawans,” he said.Meanwhile, a wire news agency, PTI quoting a senior army officer of 16 Corps said, “There was no firing from Pakistani side or exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops in Krishna Ghati area of Poonch district last evening. No armyman was injured,"He ruled out any firing on Victor post from the Pakistani side.He, however, said that one jawan was injured in the eye when he slipped and got trapped in the border fencing during patrolling in Mandi area of the district. “The soldier has reported back to the unit after first aid,” he added.

Why Gurez could not march for freedom?
Listen To Article
Save Article
Print Article
Send Article To Friend
Write To Editor
Comment On Article
30,000 civilians live amidst 60,000 troops
Mir TariqGurez (Bandipora), Sep 21: When entire Kashmir and parts of Jammu were witnessing mass uprising, the population of 30,000 in Gurez – a heavily fortified Northern region that borders LoC and remains cut off for at least six months – did not witness any procession. Reason: the locals say the presence of around 60 thousand troops deterred the inhabitants to display their solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren.
"We cannot bring out freedom processions here in Gurez as we are surrounded by Army from all sides," said Aijaz Ahmed a resident of Gurez. "Few people tried to march towards Eidgah on August 22 when they were informed about the situation in rest of Valley. They left for Bandipora wherefrom they joined the freedom march."Three brigades of army camp in Gurez which includes around 60,000 troops.Since mass uprising against transfer of State land to the controversial Amarnath shrine board, there have been no protests in Gurez.Ghulam Hassan Lone, an elderly person said: "It is hard to take out freedom procession in Gurez as we are dominated by army."Locals said that they have a grudge against pro-freedom leadership. They said except late Abdul Gani Lone, no one among Hurriyat leaders ever visited Gurez during the last two decades of armed rebellion.Inhabited by tribal Dards who were sometimes called war-like people by historians like Herodotus (4th century BC), Strabo (64 BC to AD 23) and Pliny (AD 23 to AD 79), most residents of Gurez are still unaware about the ongoing movement and protests throughout Kashmir valley in which over 50 people were killed and hundreds sustained injuries since August 11.This is due to the absence of proper communication."We always remain unaware about daily incidents of the State due to lack of communication. So we are unable to flow to our Kashmiri brothers who are facing brutalities in the Valley," said a resident of Dawer Gurez, Muhammad Saidullah Lone. "The only source of information is Radio Kashmir Srinagar but we never rely on it as it always carries biased news."Besides lack of communication, the business relations with huge surrounding army is also the cause that people in Gurez did not follow the voice of Valley."Besides having business relations, mostly the population here in Gurez is fed up of the surrounding army men," said Muhammad Subhan. "People get essential commodities like rice, flour, kerosene oil, petrol from the army. Even electricity is also supplied by army."Many residents of Gurez have qualified as KAS and IAS officers as they have Scheduled Tribe status.Gurez is a beautiful valley situated at an altitude of about 8,000 ft above sea level. The valley is rich with natural beauty, diverse fauna and wildlife. Kishan Ganga River flows through the valley. The road to Gurez Valley leads from north Kashmir’s Bandipore district.

House gutted in Bandipora
Listen To Article
Save Article
Print Article
Send Article To Friend
Write To Editor
Comment On Article
Mir TariqBandipora, Sep 21: A three-storey building was gutted in a fire accident here in Bandipora on Sunday evening.A three-storied house of one Ghulam Ahmed Malik of Khayar village of Bandipora was gutted after fire broke out from the lower story of the house. No loss of life was reported in the incident. However, the loss of property, in the blaze thought to be caused due to leakage of gas from a cylinder, was stated to be around Rs 12 lakh, officials told Rising Kashmir.
"The immediate arrival and action by Fire Service personnel prevented spreading of fire to adjoining houses," locals said.District Officer, Fire and Emergency, Muhammed Afzal has requested people of the area to dump the gas cylinders under the earth in order to avoid fire accidents."People should take enough care in handling the LPG gas cylinders as it is highly inflammable and the fire caught due to the gas is difficult to control," Afzal said.