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C M Y K KashmiR Beware of Pig Fat in Your Food 5 29 Muharram | 1436 Hijri | Vol: 17 | Issue: 241 | Pages : 08 | Price: `3 w w w. k a s h m i r o b s e r v e r. n e t sunDaY 23 nOvemBeR 2014 / Srinagar Today: MoSTly Cloudy MaxiMuM: 15oC / MiniMuM: -2oC / HuMidiTy : 65% / SunSeTS Today... 05:24 PM / SunriSeS ToMorrow... 07.09 aM Wisdom Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river. ...........Nikita Khrushchev Will Fulfil Vajpayee’s Dream: Modi ■ ‘Have deep affection from the core of my heart and soul for Kashmir’ ■ ‘Two families have looted J&K in successive turns’ Observer News Service Poll Vehicle Mishap Kills 1 SRINAGAR: A man was killed on Saturday and 10 others were injured when a vehicle turned turtle during an election campaign in Nowgam area. The vehicle, which was part of motorcade of PDP candidate from Chadoora Javed Mustafa Mir, turned turtle at Suthsoo in Nowgam area this afternoon, a police official said. He said Ghulam Qadir, a resident of Pohru, died on the spot, while 10 others were injured in the mishap in central Kashmir's Budgam district. All the injured have been hospitalised and are in stable condition, he said. Malik Shifted to Anantnag Jail SRINAGAR: Incarcerated JKLF Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, who was lodged at SKIMS hospital, was today shifted back to Anantnag jail. “Ailing JKLF leader was early morning shifted back to Islamabad jail, a JKLF spokesman said. Meanwhile police crackdown on JKLF continued with arrest of zonal president Noor Mohammad Kalwal at Basant Bagh. Police also raided the residences of JKLF vice chairmen Mushtaq Ajmal and Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi. Despite oppressive measures by authorities JKLF delegations continued election boycott campaign with passion,” he added. Hizb Activist Held in Sopore SRINAGAR: A joint team of army and police Saturday arrested a militant from Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Official sources said that the joint team of army’s 22 RR and SOG following a specific information raided at General bus stand in Sopore. During the raid the forces apprehended a militant of HizbulMujahideen outfit along with a pistol, they said. Sources identified the militant as Aijaz Ahmad Mir of Kreeri, Pattan. (GNS) KISHTWAR: Asserting that he has deep affection for Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday vowed to fulfil the “dream” of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee based on “democracy, humanity and Kashmiriyat” that has made a “special place” in the hearts of people of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing his first election rally in the state, he said “democracy, Insaniyat and Kashmiriyat, these words of Atal ji have made special place in the hearts of Kashmiris and have ignited a hope in every Kashmiri youth about better future” “I want to urge people to install with full majority a BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir and trust my words that the dream, which Atal ji had seen for J&K, Modi will use all his might and will fulfil that dream.” He warned against attempts to link religion to politics, saying “a Kashmiri is a Kashmiri” and the government at the Centre was committed to development of the state. “Our mantra is only develop- ment, development and development,” he said, adding “I will return your trust in me with interest by ensuring full fledged development in J&K.” He said his wish is to complete the work started by Vajpayee. “It is my wish and I will come repeatedly here for that,” the Prime Minister said amid slogans of ‘Modi, Modi’ from the audience. “I have deep affection for Kashmir. Affection from the core of my heart and soul,” he told the rally at Chowgan ground in Kishtwar town, adding other political parties were surprised that there has not been even a single month when Modi has not come to Kashmir. “He has come in July, August, September, October and now in November,” Modi said referring to himself. “People wonder why Page 6 PeoPle wonder why Modi is so attached to Kashmir. I am attached to Kashmir. It is my wish to complete the work started by Atal ji SRINAGAR: Rejecting the allegations by Prime Minister Modi that two political families have “looted” Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asked him to tell what his government has found to prove this in its six months in office. “You have been in the government for the last six months at the Centre. Please tell us where (we have robbed the state),” Omar said in response to Modi’s statement at the election rally in Kishtwar Omar also said the allegations by Modi is not a new thing that is being hurled at state political parties. “This (such allegations) is not a new thing.... Perhaps he is getting afraid. If we had really looted the state, would people have supported us like this.... It is a proof of the fact that we have won the hearts of the people,” he added. The Chief Minister challegend the BJP president to prove his allegations. PDP on its part said that after the six decade rule of the Congress and National Conference, people of the state heaved the sigh of relief during PDP’s brief tenure of three years. “It is unfortunate that the Prime Minister of country sends out a message that is not based on facts,” said PDP chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar. Police Detains 5 FB Users ‘Promoting Poll Boycott’ BJP not to Filed Candidate from Sopore SRINAGAR: While speculations were rife that BJP was eyeing volatile Sopore assembly segment in north Kashmir as it witnesses less percentage of voting, the party has decided not to field any candidate from the constituency. Quoting unnamed sources KNS reported that the rightwing party decided not to field any candidate as they want to support the parties with whom there is a possibility of post-poll alliance. Ramesh Arora state vice-president BJP and in charge Kashmir said that they have decided not to field any candidate in certain constituencies “as we may enter into post poll alliance with some parties.” Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Farooq Ahmad Lone confirmed that no BJP candidate has filed nomination papers from Sopore. “Nomination of seven independents were rejected out of 23 and there are 16 candidates in fray from Sopore now,” he said. Media had earlier widely reported BJP plan to grab Sopore seat with the help of migrant Pandit voters as people in the constituency generally heed the boycott call of Syed Ali Geelani. Two Families did Not Loot: omar PHOtO: AbId bHAt PDP Cavalcade Stoned at Budshah Chowk SRINAGAR: At least three persons were injured when dozens of youth attacked the cavalcade of a senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader at Budshah Chowk here on Saturday afternoon. Eyewitnesses said that PDP’s candidate for Amira Kadal As- sembly Segment, Altaf Ahmad Bukhari, was returning home after filing his nomination papers at Deputy Page 6 SRINAGAR: Police have detained five social networking users for spreading rumors, exaggerating incidents and promoting poll boycott on social networking sites particularly Facebook and Whatsapp. According to spokesman, Police has identified a number of persons found involved in these activities and cases are being registered against them for putting up these fake posts. Police will continue to take stringent action against the face book and oth- PoliCe will Continue to take stringent action against the face book and others social media users who are found promoting fake news, exaggerating incidents and polling boycott on their pages/accounts. why is US watching Kashmir elections Keenly WASHINGTON: American officials are keenly watching the political drama unfolding in Jammu and Kashmir, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party is running to claim the coveted prize of winning India's only Muslim-majority state. They are aware that if the BJP successfully completes its most ambitious and audacious project or comes close to the prize, the signal that it is the new national party would be unmistakable. US diplomats have learnt a quick lesson after the national elections where their analysis was a little behind the curve. But Kashmir also arouses worry in Washington -- it is seen as a "flash point" between India and Pakistan, an ever-simmering flame that can spark a confrontation. Pakistani visitors never fail to whip up exactly those sentiments among Americans with exaggerated accounts of alleged Indian army excesses and the desire among Kashmiris for "azadi." It so happens that Gen. Raheel Sharif, Pakistan's army chief, is currently on a six-day visit to the US, meeting officials at the Pentagon and the State Department. He has blamed India for the current spate of LOC firings, saying that his attention is being forcibly diverted from fighting terrorists on his eastern border. But blaming India for Pakistan's self-inflicted wounds doesn't sell as well in Washington as it used to. The constant misinformation campaign on Kashmir - best exemplified by the un- masking of ISI-fronted Kashmiri American Council and ISI-funded Ghulam Nabi Fai in 2011 - has taken a heavy toll on the credibility of Pakistani claims. US officials can see that the BJP is looming large on Kashmir this time with an effective strategy of making inroads over the past two years. But they oBServerS outPoSt are worried about BJP's stated desire to "debate," if not abolish Article 370, which gives the state a special status. Even though BJP leaders are trying hard to keep the 370 issue away from headlines this campaign season, the pot has been stirred. The first phase of voting for the 87-member State Assem- bly begins Nov. 25 and political dynamics are fluid to pin down. Only two things are sure: that the BJP won't join the Congress in a coalition and that the two main regional rivals, the National Conference and the PDP won't join each other. All other combinations are possible, especially with smaller parties, many of which were created recently, playing an important. They will be crucial in BJP's attempt to get the magic number of 44 since no matter how hard it tries; its appeal among Muslims in the valley is low. US analysts say that parties like the Kashmir Development Front, which has several former bureaucrats and academics, may be appealing to voters. KDF was created by Farooq Renzu Shah, ers social media users who are found promoting fake news, exaggerating incidents and polling boycott on their pages/accounts. Some of the persons found involved have been identified as Sajad Mir and Tabeeb sheikh of Khanyar Srinagar. Shaukat Salafi of Naidkhai Bandipora. Zahid hamid, Muneeb Farooq Wani of Hardpora Anantnag. Spokesman adds that the police action against such elements will continue as most of these mischief mongers are being continuously identified. who left the Congress Party saying he was disillusioned. Renzu, a bureaucrat who helped rebuild damaged shrines and big bridges when he was in government, is popular among the people. US officials say they see no major problems in the execution of the elections and the theme of development in Kashmir is just what the doctor ordered. They don't see the streets erupting if the BJP forms the government. The meeting between Modi and former separatist leader, Sajjad Lone, was seen as an especially interesting development. Vijay Sazawal, a Kashmir expert who is consulted widely by Washington opinion makers, said the mood in the Page 6 Grenade at rally make Facts Public: PdP Kulgam: People’s Democratic Party candidate for Noorabad Constituency Abdul Majid Paddar Saturday urged upon police and army to make the facts about the the incident public. Two persons reportedly attacked the rally led by him in Gandwani Noorabad with a grenade on Friday. Paddar said that police has so far arrested only one person while his associate whom he identified as Shabir Ahmed Wani a resident of Choulan Kulgam is still at large. “My supporters have already helped police to nab one assailant who hails from Augam Kulgam and his name is Naushad Ahmed Ganaie. We had actually handed over the accused to Army but he is right now in police custody. I urged upon the police to made the facts public and arrest another accused who is evading arrest,” Paddar told CNS. He alleged that the duo who hurled a grenade towards his supporters are working for some ‘agency’ and police must clear the doubts of his supporters who are feeling scared. “It was the second attack on my rally and we have right to know who is Page 6 Do You Get Your Copy of Kashmir Observer Regularly? If Not Contact Circulation Incharge: Pervez Ahmad 9419565003 Or 210 6304 C M Y K 23 11 2014 Kashmir Observer sunday BAzAR oBSERvER mugHAl dArbAr IMAMIA PublIc school Mughal Darbar Is Kashmir’s Favourite FoodStop And Tourists Delight. Being In The Heart Of Kashmir People From All Walks Of Life Cherish To Enjoy Their Lunch In This Beautiful Place. There Are People Who Cover Miles Form Distant Areas To Enjoy The Delicates Of Mughal Darbar. What Is Worthy Needs No Praise, It May Be Out Of Course To Be Boast But Invite The Lovers Of Cuisine Who Have Never Visited Mughal Darbar To Visit Here And Give Us The Honor Of Being Their Host And Serve What We Are Best At. Shalimar, Srinagar-Kashmir Addmission oPen FOR ClASS 1St tO 8tH CELL :9906660477 Steve Jobs's reaction when Jon Stewart made fun of APPlE F ormer Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs wasn't too pleased when Jon Stewart poked fun at Apple back in 2010. After the tech blog Gizmodo found a prototype of the iPhone 4 sitting in a bar four years ago, Stewart teased Apple in a skit called "Appholes." The segment specifically focused on how Apple reacted to the incident. "So we did a whole bit about what the f--k is happening in the world," Stewart said in his recent appearance on the Howard Stern Show in which he recalled the conversation. "Bill Gates is curing malaria and Apple is kicking people's doors in; the whole thing is upside down." The blog 9to5Mac found a recording of Stewart telling Stern all about it on YouTube. government of Jammu and kashmir DIrecTorATe of rurAl DeveloPMenT KAshMIr FItNeSS CeNtRe elocity Ortho care Subject: Appointment of candidates to the post of village level worker District Cadre Pulwama/ Shopian/ Budgam/ Baramulla. order no. 1120 drdK of 2014 / dated : 22.11.2014 The appointment order No. 1056 DRDK of 2014 dated 08/11/2014, No. 1057 DRDK of 2014 dated 08/11/2014, No. 1058 DRDK of 2014 dated 08/11/2014 and No. 1044 DRDK of 2014 dated 03/11/2014 in favour of the selected candidates to the post of Village Level Workers of District Cadre Pulwama/ Shopian/ Budgam and Baramulla respectively are kept in abeyance till Model Code of Conduct is over. 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MOB +91 9797967975 branches: email: [email protected] Pahalgam (Mamal), tOurS Gulmarg Phone: 0194- 2312323, 2313725 AIR CONdItIONING mir iShfaq C.E.O +91-941-90-09012 Eco Hvac Solutions Air Conditioning And Heating hAjj, uMrAh trAvElS rEcruItMEnt ReStAuRANtS Food Town Departmental Store & Fast Food Block 13 Corporate Office Nishat Srinagar Kashmir- 191121( J&K ) Branch Office Shop No: 30 G-Floor Ali Jan Shopping Complex M.a. Road Srinagar- 190001 email: [email protected] web: www.ecohvacsolutions.com Sajad Yousuf Banday Manager Operaton Cell, +91- 9419006084 email: [email protected] Offcom equipments off com corporate partner we care 90- munir manzil, ragal Chowk, Srinagar tel: 0194 2472130, 2474603, 2479985 fax: 0149- 2780657 [email protected] www.canon.co.in The next day, Stewart recieved a phone call from Apple. Stewart was a bit surprised to hear that Steve Jobs had actually called him. "I was like 'what?' It was one of those things where you thought he (Jobs) could actually just communicate to you through the computer," he told Stern jokingly. Stern asked Stewart how long the phone call lasted, which Stern likened to "bull riding" at a rodeo. Jobs, surprisingly, didn't react as harshly as you might expect. "It was actually the worst because he was really nice," Stewart said. Stewart and Jobs had talked in the past and were actually friends, so Jobs was just surprised that he didn't call him before running the segment. Exercise Therapy ■ Tread Mill ■ Magnetic Exerbikes With Hand Pulse ■ Shoulder Wheel ■ Shoulder Pulley Exercise ■ Wax Bath Unit ■ Manual Therapy main Chowk, alamgari Bazar, Srinagar, 190011 Phone No: 9796149988, 9906564001 Timing: 10.00 am To 9.00 Pm CONSuLtANCy knowledge campus government of Jammu and kashmir, Office Of the executive engineer irrigatiOn cOnst. DivisiOn PamPOre. shorT Term n.i.T no.(07) of 2014-15 daTed : 18-11-2014. for and on behalf of governor of Jammu and kashmir state sealed fresh tenders affixed with rs/6 revenue stamps are invited from the govt. registered /approved p.w.d contractors for execution of work mentioned in annexure "a" of this short term n.i.T. The tenders should reach to the office of executive engineer irrigation const. division pampore on or before 03 -12 -2014 upto 2.00 p.m Position of funds....... Demanded PositionofAAA........ Submittted Major of Head.......... Flood Restoration Sept. 2014. Terms and CondiTions. 1. The tender shall be received only on prescribed tender documents to be issued by this office upto 02-12-2014 upto (2.00 p.m) against cash payment as shown in annexure (a) of the n1T on production of registration card dully renewed for the current financial year having requisite capacity sales tax clearance certifícate and 2%/ earnest money in the shape of cdr pledged to the executive engineer irrigation const. division pampore. anneXure (a) of shorT Term ni.T. no. (2) of 2014-15 circulaTed vide This office no:-picd/1761-80 dT:- 18-11-2014 irrigaTion consTrucTion division pampore. s. no Ñame of work adv.cosT earnesT money class of conTracT Time of m.h of compleTion accounT cosT of Tender documenTs 1. construction of compound walling of subdivisional office at marval. 3.52 7040 dee 20 days flood restoration rs. 200.00 2. construction of pucca channel for drought out let at stage 4 marval m.li.s. 13.03 26060 dee 30 days -do- rs. 1400.00 3. construction/reconstruction of r/wall on khanda khul from rd 2100mt to 2300mt of (m.li.s). 9.85 19700 dee 30 days -do- rs.1000.00 4. resectioning of distribution of main supply channel di d2 lasjan from rd 0 to 3000ft by way of deeping and widening. 3.05 6100 dee -do- -do- rs. 400.00 MARChING tOWARdS the GOLdeN eRA 5. 1.30 2600 -do- -do- -do- rs. 200.00 Top Floor, Bolck-13 Mall Opp. Islamia College Of Science & Commerce Hawal, Srinagar, J&K,india India Phones: 0194-2420386 Mobile: +91-8803314014 Email: [email protected] desiting and resectioning of khadermoh branches from rd 2000mt to 3500mt. 6. resectioning of hamchipora canal from delivery tank to gowherpora culvert 0 to 3364mts. 8.03 16060 -do- -do- -do- rs. 900.00 7. resectioning of puhroo canal from rd 3938ft to rd 5573ft. 2.20 4400 -do- -do- -do- rs. 300.00 8. resectioning of puhroo canal from rd 5572ft to rd 7280ft. 2.30 4600 -do- -do- -do- rs. 300.00 9. resectioning of lasjan supply channel from rd 0 to 3150ft. 4.50 9000 -do- -do- -do- rs. 500.00 ' 10. restoration of breaches by way of earth work at two spots of Tulbren nallah right side d/s at Tangan. 0.10 200 -do- -do- -do- rs. 200.00 11. clearance of silt/unhygienic material from kralpora canal from rd 7470mt to rd 11035mt. 4.57 9140 -do- -do- -do- rs. 500.00 COUnSElling thE COUntry tHE GOAlS tO ACHIEvE IN GuIDANCE exploring yourself (aptitude, interest, strengthing & Weakness) determining values setting goals explore the World of education improving efficiency building relationship accepting responsibility for the future COMPutECH business center fOr all typES Of COmpUtErS paraphErnalia DIPK: 8334 Sd/- Executive Engineer Irrigation Const. Division, Pampore. pOlO ViEW Sgr COntaCt: 2480966 Near islamia college,Hawal,Srinagar-190001 Ph:0194-2410284,09205041260 Email:[email protected] GRAND HOTEL AND RESTAURANT rESidEnCy rOad Srinagar FOR deLeCIOuS FOOd ANd COMFORtABLe ACCOMOdAtION A CIVIL LINeS deLuXe hOteL IN the heARt OF SRINAGAR CIty OFFeRING FINeSt FACILIty FOR BOth BuSINeSS ANd LeISuRe tRAVeLLeRS. ReASONABLe ROOM tARIFF OuR SPeCIALIty KAShMIRI WAZWAN tRAMee @300/= PeR PeRSON Contact no’s: 0194-2459000,2476583 Website: www.grandhotelkashmir.com dynamic enterprises KO Online New Look Even More Eye Candy The complete overhaul of the newspaper is designed to showcase Kashmir Observer's prowess in visual storytelling and bring "stronger voices" to its stories. We have made it easier for our army of readers to find the stories that interest them — and share it all with their friends. Visit Kashmirobserver.net Distributors And Govt , Order Suppliers Of Electro Mechanical And Electronic Item ReGd WIth SMALL SCALe INduStRIeS email: [email protected] Alamdar Road Budgam, Kashmir- 191111 Cell No: +91- 9419967015, +91- 9622432766 Printer, Publisher & Editor: SAJJAD HAIDER | Published from: Residency Road, SGR | Editorial: 9419004782,0194- 2456304 Corporate office: Wani Manzil Top Floor Lambert Lane, SGR-1 Circulation: 9419565003, Switch Board: (2106304 | Email- (Editorial) : [email protected] |Email- (Advertising) : [email protected] Printed at: Kashmir Images Printing & Publishing House 15-A Industrial Estate Shalteng, SGR. RNI No: 69503/98; Postal Regn: K-151 sunday 23 11 2014 Kashmir Observer NEWS ‘Moment Of Truth’ Nears In Iran Nuclear Talks VIENNA: Leading diplomats racing to strike a nuclear accord with Iran have little more than two days to overcome serious disagreements that threaten the outcome of their negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif today in Vienna, where talks between world powers and the Islamic Republic entered a fifth day. They have until Nov. 24 to agree on a comprehensive deal that would curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and roll back sanctions. Failure to reach an accord may embolden American and Iranian skeptics of the negotiation process. “We still have some serious gaps which we’re working to close,” Kerry said today before meeting his German colleague, Foreign Minister FrankWalter Steinmeier. “A lot of serious work is going on by a lot of people.” Underscoring the high stakes, Kerry and Zarif yesterday reversed plans to temporarily leave the negotiations in Vienna in order to consult with other officials. They instead re- mained inside Vienna’s Palais Coburg negotiating and making phone calls to gather input from world leaders. Kerry spoke with Arab foreign ministers today in a telephone-conference, according to a U.S. official, who added that the secretary of state also contacted his Canadian and Turkish counterparts. The conflict over Iran’s nuclear program has cast the shadow of war over the Persian Gulf nation with the world’s No. 4 oil reserves. Israel and the U.S. have threatened military action to prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Iran, which says its nuclear program is solely for energy and industrial uses, has seen its economy squeezed and oil output slashed under sanctions. ‘Hour of TruTH’ “After a long 10 years of talking to Iran we’ve come here in Vienna to the hour of truth,” Steinmeier told reporters today before meeting Kerry. Even as the sides are “closer than ever” to reaching a deal, “wide gaps” preventing agreement on key issues mean negotiators could still fall short of an accord, he said. The speed at which sanctions hurting Iran’s economy are rolled back under a possible deal remained one of the main sticking points, four diplomats told Bloomberg News when talks began this week. Iran’s capacity to produce fissile material is the other main point of disagreement, they said. An accord already exists in draft version, containing a four- or fivepage introduction followed by 30 to 40 pages of details, according to a senior Iranian diplomat cited by the Islamic Student news Agency. Lavrov Trip “All the elements of an agreement are already on the table, and the task of diplomats now is to correctly put together a package,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday in Moscow, predicting that “common sense” will prevail and a compromise will be reached. Lavrov will “probably” travel to participate in talks before the deadline expires, Russia’s Tass news agency reported today. Barring a deal, diplomats may extend their temporary agreement for a second time in order to prolong negotiations. That strategy carries the risk that opponents of the talks in both Iran and the U.S. may derail the process. Iran’s Khorasan newspaper reported today, citing an unnamed official familiar with the negotiations, that Zarif has taken a softer tone at this round of talks -- a departure from the shouting that it said had characterized past rounds. oiL SLide Iran has signaled it’s willing to continue allowing intrusive international inspections of its nuclear facilities even if there’s no deal this weekend, according to Western officials. The U.S. is “committed to pause” its efforts to reduce Iranian oil sales under the interim accord that’s currently due to expire on Nov. 24, the White House said in a statement yesterday. The recent slide in oil prices has dealt another blow to Iran. It’s also squeezing Russia, another country targeted by Western sanctions, which has signed deals to buy oil from Iran and sell nuclear reactors. Saud al-Faisal, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil producer and one of the staunchest regional opponents of Iran, has met with both Kerry and Lavrov in the past two days. After talks in Moscow yesterday, Lavrov said they agreed that oil prices, which have dropped almost 20 percent in two months, shouldn’t be influenced by politics. We still have some serious gaps which we’re working to close,” Kerry said today before meeting his German colleague, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. “A lot of serious work is going on by a lot of people.” GARISSA: Gunmen seized a bus in northeastern Kenya near the Somali border early Saturday and executed 28 non-Muslim passengers, police said, blaming the attack on Shebab Islamic extremists. “I can confirm... that 28 innocent travellers were brutally executed by the Shebab,” said regional police chief Noah Mwavinda, referring to the Somali militant group. He said the gunmen forced the bus to stop and drove it to the side of the road, where they proceeded to kill passengers identified as non-Muslim. The attack came after a week that saw one person shot dead and more than 350 people arrested as Kenyan se- curity forces carried out raids on mosques in the port city of Mombasa searching for weapons and Shebab supporters. Kenya has suffered a series of attacks since invading Somalia in 2011 to attack the Shebab, later joining an African Union force battling the Islamists. The Shebab carried out the September 2013 attack on Nairobi's Westgate shopping mall, killing at least 67 people as a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of southern Somalia. During the Westgate attack, the gunmen weeded out nonMuslims for execution by demanding they recite the Shahada, the Muslim profession of faith. Baghdad: Daesh militants have killed 25 members of a Sunni tribe during their assault on a provincial capital west of Baghdad, local officials said on Saturday, in apparent revenge for tribal opposition to the radical Islamists. They said the bodies of the men from the Albu Fahd tribe were discovered after the army launched a counter-offensive on Saturday against the Daesh in a village on the eastern edge of Ramadi, capital of Anbar province. The killings echoed the execution of hundreds of members of the Albu Nimr tribe last month by Daesh fighters trying to break local resistance to their advances in Anbar, a Sunni province they have largely controlled for nearly a year. “While they were combing the territories they are liberating, security forces found 25 corpses in the Shujariya area,” Hathal Al Fahdawi, a member of the Anbar Provincial Council, told Reuters. Albu Fahd tribal leader Shaikh Rafie Al Fahdawi said at least 25 bodies had been found and said he expected the total to be significantly higher. He said the bodies were found scattered around with no signs of weapons next to them, suggesting they were not killed during fighting. Daesh, which has seized control of large parts of Syria and Iraq, continues to gain territory in Anbar despite three months of US-led air strikes launched against the group. On Friday it launched coordinated attacks in central and outlying areas of Ramadi in an attempt to take full control over a city which is already mostly in its hands. Christian Man allegedly Tortured To death By police in Lahore LAHORE: A thirty-five-yearold Christian man , Allah Rakha Shahzad, died on Saturday morning, allegedly after being tortured by police officials at Green Town police station. Shahzad- also known as Mithu- was arrested by the police on Friday night after which an FIR was filed against him. Shahzad was in custody for selling alcohol and drugs. Shahzad’s family attributed his death to police torture, alleging that he died during interrogation. Police officials however, claimed that he died due to a heart attack. Family members of the deceased protested in front of the Green Town police station and threw stones at the police station. DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf took notice of the incident after the protest INTERPOL Releases Pakistan sponsoring New ‘Most Wanted’ List terrorism, Dawood at Pak-Afghan border: Rajnath LONDON: The international police agency, Interpol, has started its first Most Wanted list for suspects who commit various sorts of environmental crimes. The Most Wanted list of environmental criminals, dubbed Operation INFRA Terra, has so far targeted nine fugitives for crimes including illegal discharge of toxic waste, illegal logging, ivory smuggling, and trafficking live animals, Interpol said on its website. The suspects contributed to “transnational organized crime groups [that] have turned environmental exploitation into a professional business with lucrative revenues,” Interpol said. The men hail from different parts of the world — there are three Europeans, three Africans, two Asians, and a Latin American — and operate across national borders. One fugitive, Ahmed Kamran, has been charged with smuggling over 100 live animals, including giraffes and impalas, on a military plane from Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania to be delivered to Qatar. Another, Sergey Darminov, is suspected of operating an illegal crab-fishing scheme in Russia that netted USD 450 million. Adriano Giacobone is also wanted over criminal allegations including illegal transport and discharge of toxic waste, poisoning water beds, kidnapping, illegal detention, carrying firearms and aggravated theft. Operation INFRA (International Fugitive Round up & Arrest) Terra started as an effort to seek public assistance in tracking down suspects committing environmental crimes, said the international policing organization. “Until recently, environmental offences were not even considered a crime by many countries, but as the years have passed, they have realized that environmental crime is a serious internal threat to our societies,” said Andreas Andreou, a criminal intelligence officer with Interpol’s environmental security unit. A 2014 Interpol report said transnational organized environmental crime is estimated to be worth USD 70 -213 billion annually. NEW DELHI: Blaming Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism in India, home minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the neighbouring country is providing shelter to Dawood Ibrahim and the underworld don is currently staying along the Pak-Afghan border. He said that though India wants to maintain cordial relations with Pakistan, Islamabad seems not too keen on establishing friendly relations with New Delhi. Addressing the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit here, he said terrorism in India is not home grown but is externally aided... It is from Pakistan. "Terrorism in India is fully Pakistan sponsored. Pakistan says non state actors are involved. But is ISI non-state actor. ISI is aiding terrorism," he said. Singh said Pakistan is not taking initiative to punish those involved in 2008 Mumbai terror attacks as the case in that country was moving at a very slow pace. "Pakistan is not helping in the judicial process. In fact it is trying to scuttle it," he said. According to the home minister, Dawood has been living in Pakistan and despite many requests, the neighboring country has not handed over him to India. "When the Pakistan premier came to India, our Prime Minister told him to hand over Dawood. We are pursuing it. We are trying to build diplomatic pressure... As he is the most wanted criminal... Right now he is along (Pakistan-) Afghanistan border," he said. Asked whether India would carry out a "hot pursuit" to nab Dawood, Singh said, "Give us time. Please wait. Strategy cannot be divulged. There is no time frame. But we are trying so that Pakistan hands over Dawood as early as possible. Diplomatic pressure is building up." On whether India will make efforts to have dialogue with Pakistan, the home minister said New Delhi wants friendly relations with not only Pakistan but with all the neighbouring countries as well as others nations across the world. "There should be efforts from Pakistan side too to maintain cordial relations. We always want friendly relations. But from their side, there should be at least talk of friendship. There should be feeling to make friendship (by Pak)... But I believe, sometime sooner some breakthrough will come," he said. asked Whether india Would carry out a "hot pursuit" to nab Dawood, Singh said, "Give us time. Please wait. Strategy cannot be divulged. There is no time frame. But we are trying so that Pakistan hands over Dawood as early as possible. Diplomatic pressure is building up." terrorism in india is fully Pakistan sponsored. Pakistan says non state actors are involved. But is ISI non-state actor. ISI is aiding terrorism," he said. by Shahzad’s family members, who also tried to forcibly enter the police station by breaking the front door. An FIR was then registered against investigation officer (IO) ASI Rauf and three constables whose names have not been revealed. Angry protesters also burned tyres and broke glass with sticks, managing to block the road outside the police station. Speaking to The Express Tribune, SP Sadar Ijaz Shafi Dogar confirmed that an FIR had been registered against IO Rauf and the three unknown constables. The dead body was moved to Munshi Hospital where medical boards will perform a postmortem. Govt clears proposal to acquire 814 artillery guns for rs 15,570 crore NEW DELHI: In a fresh bid to break the Bofors jinx, defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday cleared proposal to acquire 814 artillery guns for Rs 15,750 crore while deferring the decision on joint bid by Tata Sons and Airbus to replace IAF's Avro transport fleet and also procurement of 106 Swiss Pilatus basic trainer aircraft. The artillery guns would be procured as per the "Buy and Make" procedure introduced last year under which 100 such guns would be bought off the shelf while 714 would be made in India. The Indian Army has not acquired artillery guns in the almost three decades after the Bofors scam surfaced in 1986. Sources said at least six tenders have been issued so far but were cancelled due to a number of reasons including blacklisting and single vendor scenario. The plans to acquire such guns were first mooted under Army's Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP) formulated in 1999. The decisions were taken after Parrikar chaired his maiden meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) here this morning. Defence ministry sources said the DAC has cleared the long pending proposal to acquire 814 mounted guns of 155mm/52 calibre. Sources said a fresh Request for Proposal (RFP) would be issued for the procurement which will be open to public as well as private companies. The Indian private companies that are likely to make a bid for this project include L&T, TATA and Bharat Forge. "The Indian company, when selected, will be the lead partner now. They can either show their ability to make the product completely here or tie-up with a foreign firm and build the guns here," a source said. Talking about the multicrore joint bid by Tata Sons and European firm Airbus to manufacture 56 transport aircraft to replace the Avro fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF), sources said the DAC has sought additional information. A similar decision was also taken on the proposal to acquire an additional 106 Swiss Pilatus basic trainer aircraft for the IAF at an estimated cost of about Rs 8,200 crore. The DAC also approved the revised payment schedule of Rs 7,160 crore for the IAF's Integrated Air Command and Control System which aims to integrate all ground and air censors. The IAF currently has five sector headquarters (nodes) of communication and the plan is to have five four more besides 10 sub-nodes and up-gradation of the entire system. Parrikar, who comes with an IIT background and has himself being an entrepreneur, stressed that the procurement policy should be fast and transparent. According to the ministry sources, Parrikar said that the DAC could be held for more than a month and with lesser agenda. As of now, the ministry is aiming to hold DAC at least once a month. During the discussion today, the issue of "Make In India" initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi also came up. Sources said there would be more discussion on the matter and the effort is to make the entire process more attractive to foreign investors. The DAC, set up in 2001 as part of the post-Kargil reforms in defence sector, approves the long-term integrated perspective plan for the forces, accords acceptance of necessity (AON) to begin acquisition proposals, and has to grant its approval to all major deals through all their important phases. C M Y K Daesh Executes 25 al-Shabab Gunmen Massacre Iraqi Tribesmen 28 Bus passengers sunday 23 11 2014 Kashmir Observer OPINION Military Justice In A Political Season The announcement of the Macchil conviction on the eve of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections is a political decision, not one in support of justice or transformation suchiTra Vijayan T HE Indian Army last week sentenced five of its personnel, including two officers, to life imprisonment for staging the killing of three Kashmiri civilians in the Macchil fake encounter case in 2010 and branding them as foreign militants for rewards and remunerations. Soon after, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the decision calling it a “watershed moment.” The Indian Army’s court martial verdict presents us with an indictment of state brutality, while simultaneously inviting us to consider the vacillations of those who peddle the promise of a more benign, transformed rule in Kashmir. The verdict is not a watershed moment, but indicative of the manner in which political considerations and interests of the Army override larger principles of justice and accountability. Rogue elements in the Macchil fake encounter were not driven to these acts for professional advancement. The encounter is not an aberration, but a deliberate enactment of the unfettered power and lawlessness of the state. It is reflective of the cash-for-kill policy that has institutionalised the incentivisation of encounter killings. It is imperative that the Macchil fake encounter is placed within the larger context of violence perpetrated against civilians in Kashmir and the long history of human rights violations sanctioned by the state. Thousands of unmarked and mass graves in Jammu and Kashmir are believed to contain victims of unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, numerous fake encounters, torture, massacres and other abuses. The report “Facts under Ground” issued by the Srinagar-based Association of the Parents of Disappeared Persons alleges that more than 8,000 persons have gone missing in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989. There are innumerable cases of Army atrocities, cover-ups and systematic failure to prosecute. This spectacle of death, destruction and disappearance witnessed over and over again in Kashmir is a culture of impunity that has flourished in the aftermath of years of conflict, occupation and militarisation. This reign of impunity constitutes a form of violence and a “structural element of everyday reality.” Patterns of impunity In Kashmir, state violence is openly exercised as the policy for governance; it is integral to the way in which sovereignty is practised. Questions of rule of law and state accountability remain abdicated. The political context to the exercise of state violence is the unchallenged impunity and authority enjoyed by the state forces. It is not just the question of The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, but also larger structures of oppression that dictate everyday life in Kashmir. In Kunan Poshpora, a village in Kupwara district, soldiers of the 4th Rajputana Rifles of the Army’s 68th Brigade allegedly raped more than 50 women in 1991. The Indian Army has consistently denied the charges as “baseless” and called the women’s struggle for justice “mala fide.” In the 1998 Sailan massacre, Beware of Pig fat in Your food How many times a day do you eat a cow or a pig? Every time you eat gelatin. You do not even see it so you have no idea how it is made. Maneka Gandhi G elatin is made from decaying animal hides, boiled crushed bones, connective tissues of cattle and pigs. Animal bones, skins, and tissue are obtained from slaughter houses. Gelatin processing plants are usually located near slaughterhouses and often the owners of gelatin factories have their own slaughterhouses where animals are killed just for their skin and bones. When the animal parts arrive at the food processing plant, they are supposed to be inspected for quality and the rotten parts discarded. There are no inspection systems in India so you can rule this out. The bones, tissues are loaded into chopping machines that cut the parts into small pieces. A gelatin factory has cow skins piled to the ceiling. The skins are left to putrefy or "cure" for about a month in vats of lime. The stench from the factory can be smelt for miles. After the hides are ripe they are put into vats of acid that disintegrates the cow hairs, skin, and cartilage. Acids and alkalines such as caustic lime or sodium carbonate are used. The gelatin obtained from acid treated raw material has been called type-A gelatin, and the gelatin obtained from alkali treated raw material is referred to as type-B gelatin. (In order to confuse buyers into thinking they Heads & Tails are eating vegetarian alternative, many food products put Type B gelatin on their ingredients list.) This is washed in water and then cooked till it becomes a white goo or gel. The gelatin is then filtered, evaporated, dried, ground to separate the water from the gelatin solution and shipped off to different companies. By now the cow’s skin and bones have been transformed into a translucent, colourless, brittle, flavourless solid substance called gelatin. Commercially manufactured gelatin is packaged in ¼-ounce envelopes of desiccated granules, paper-thin sheets, known as leaves and meltable blocks .Sweeteners, flavourings, and colourings are added in the preparation of food gelatin. The worldwide production amount of gelatin is about 3,00,000 tons per year, about 660 million pounds. It is used in food, pharmaceuticals, photography and cosmetics. These four industries collectively consume over 95 percent of gelatin globally. The balance 5 percent is used in abrasive paper, textiles, matches & printer rollers. Common examples of foods that contain gelatin are gelatin desserts, jellies, trifles, aspic, marshmallows, yogurt, jelly babies, transparent sweets, jams, cream cheese, chewing gum, blancmange, charlottes, mousses, cake icing and frosting, Bavarian creams, sour cream, Turkish Delight, nougat, margarine, cake mixes, bakery glazes, meringues, ice cream, coffee, and powdered milk. It is used in jellied soups, aspic, sauces and gravies, canned ham and chicken, corned beef, sausage. It is also used in fat reduced foods to simulate the feel of fat and to create volume without adding calories. It is used for the clarification of juices, such as apple juice and vinegar. Isinglass, from the swim bladders of fish, is still used as a refining agent for wine and beer. Yellow coloured soft drinks contain gelatin as it makes beta-carotene water-soluble. To name a few products that are available in the Indian market - mentos, altoids, Trident gum, Mints, Skittles, Starbursts , M&M’s, Cupcakes, Snicker bars, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, Ranch Salad dressing, Hershey’s Cheetos, Twix bars, Kellogg’s Marshmallow Froot Loops cereal, Kellogg’s Smorz cereal, Kellogg’s Frosted Pop-Tarts, Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats cereal, Kellogg’s Fruit-Flavored Snacks , Milky Way, Yoplait Yoghurt. Gelatin forms the shells of pharmaceutical capsules. Gelatin is also used as an ingredient in implantable medical devices, such as in some bone void fillers. It's also in lozenges, and ointments. Gelatin is closely related to bone glue and is used as a binder in match heads and sandpaper. It is used to hold silver halide crystals in an emulsion in virtually all photographic films and photographic papers. Cosmetics contain gelatin under the name hydrolyzed collagen. Gelatin is also used in nail polish remover and makeup applications. The gelatin is often tinted in different colours to match a model's natural skin tone. Gelatin is found in some glossy printing papers, artistic papers, playing cards. It maintains the wrinkles in crêpe paper. Blocks of ballistic gelatin simulate muscle tissue as a standardized medium for testing firearms ammunition. It is commonly used as a biological substrate to culture cells. Alternatives to gelatin include non-animal gel sources such as agar-agar seaweed, carrageenan, pectin, konjak, and guar gum but they will never be used unless you demand them. Maneka Gandhi writes weekly column Heads & Tails for the Kashmir Observer. To join her animal rights movement contact [email protected] 19 civilians, including 11 children and five women (one of whom was pregnant), were shot to death at point blank range in their homes in Sailan in Poonch district. Their bodies were thereafter dismembered to be disposed of. In official accounts, these heinous crimes were reported as collateral damage during an “encounter” despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. In the 2000 Pathribal fake encounter, Indian military forces killed five men claiming that the victims were “foreign militants” responsible for the massacre of Sikhs in Chittisinghpora. During the course of investigation, DNA samples of the Pathribal victims had been tampered with. The Central Bureau of Investigation told the Supreme Court of India that the Pathribal killings by the Army “were cold-blooded murders and the accused officials deserve to be meted out exemplary punishment.” Despite these findings, the Indian Army closed the case in January this year stating that “the evidence did not establish a prima facie case against any of the accused” and chose not to conduct a court martial. The existence of judicial institutions holds out the promise of accountability, and a facade of redress, but patterns of cover-up and denials are pervasive throughout the legal system. The institutional denial of justice extends the control of the military while maintaining the facade of law. Impunity has been the norm in Kashmir and convictions such as in the Macchil case are exceptions in service of political end. The military justice system in India remains opaque, procedurally longwinded, antiquated and unable to serve the end goal of justice. It is incompatible with the fundamental rights that collectively constitute the right to due process in India. Rather than aid the system of checks and balances that impose accountability, court martials have become a distinctive tool; kangaroo courts that aid in the fiction of state accountability, while legitimising violence and counterinsurgency operations. Every now and again, security forces green light court martials in carefully chosen cases in the guise of accountability. Of particular note are two cases of rape, one against Captain Ravinder Singh Tewatia in 2000 and the other against Major Rehman Hussain in 2004. Captain Tewatia was convicted by the court martial and sentenced to imprisonment for seven years. Major Hussain was dismissed from service. Both the accused challenged their decisions in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court and in both the instances, the court overturned the court martial’s verdict. While the Captain Tewatia case is still awaiting further legal challenge, Major Hussain is reported to have returned to service. While the court martial decision in Macchil has been announced, the conviction remains to be confirmed by the Northern Army Commander. This might take up to two to three months. Whether the perpetrators will be held accountable remains to be seen. The court martial verdict by itself is not an administration of justice. A few inconsequential punishments will not lead to justice when there is an entire chain of command and a vicious structure in place that makes these encounters, disappearances and everyday violence a norm. An unjust law and a flawed court of justice in itself is a species of violence. Systemic unaccountability for its breach is more so. Moral and political failure Kashmir is India’s greatest moral and political failure. It is here that even the most civilised amongst us begin to make excuses for repression, brutality and violence. It is here that we subsume all that we otherwise celebrate under the demands of freedom, progress, liberalism, liberty and secular ideals. Since 1947, the Indian state has responded to the political aspirations and the social and the legal demands in Kashmir through militarisation, repression, and indiscriminate violence, including, at various times, the denial of democratic rights, the manipulation of elections, and the murder and imprisonment of its political leaders. The Macchil verdict and the decision to announce the conviction on the eve of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir is a political decision, and not one in support of justice or transformation. Even as change is being trumpeted, Kashmir has witnessed yet another killing of a civilian by Indian Army personnel, 18-year-old Tariq Ahmad in Kulgam area. Possibilities of change will occur when perpetrators are held uniformly accountable for their act in a civil court under the public gaze and when victims, survivors and their families finally have the opportunity to confront those responsible for what happened to them. Courtesy The Hindu (Suchitra Vijayan is a Barrister-atLaw and a political analyst.) narendera Modi & the Great Power GaMe PhiliP sTePhens T he world looks a different place through the other end of the telescope. For westerners, the crisis in Ukraine is about the threat to the European order posed by Russian revanchism. Visiting New Delhi the other day, I was presented with a different perspective. There was only one winner from President Vladimir Putin’s confrontation with the west: China’s Xi Jinping. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has surprised during his first months in office. The pace of economic modernisation has fallen short of high expectations. Indian business leaders mutter that while the prime minister has set off in the right direction, his caution has belied an unchallenged grip on power. the knowhow that New Delhi needs to modernise its infrastructure. Washington has the defence equipment required by a neglected military. Israel is relaxed about selling on sensitive military technologies. The second thread is security. Modi is establishing a more explicit strategic hedge against China’s rising economic and military might. You can see why. Beijing has extend- balance rising Chinese power. Modi has been confident enough to publicly chide Beijing for stirring tensions in the East and South China Seas and to offer Indian support for the Vietnamese navy. Which takes us back to Ukraine. During the Cold War, India’s hedge against China came in the form of the Indo-Soviet friendship treaty. Moscow still supplies vital de- ed its regional influence beyond a longstanding understanding with Pakistan. Also called the “string of pearls” strategy, it aims to build China’s presence in the Indian Ocean. Only the other day, a Chinese submarine docked in Sri Lanka. Simultaneously, Beijing has upgraded its forces and modernised its military infrastructure along the disputed and largely undemarcated Himalayan border with India. India has learnt to live with the everpresent danger of another war with a nuclear-armed Pakistan. The humiliation of its defeat at the hands of the Chinese in the 1962 border war cut deeper into the national psyche. Xi’s unapologetically revisionist foreign policy rekindles the painful memories. Chinese troops chose the occasion of Xi’s September visit to New Delhi to stage a cross-border incursion into Indian territory. Beijing is anything but subtle. India is not looking for a confrontation. It has a lot of catching up to do, economically and militarily. It wants to expand the economic relationship with Beijing. If Japan has money to invest, China, potentially, has more. That said, each of Modi’s diplomatic forays — and particularly the closeness of the relationship with Abe — speak of the effort to fence equipment, but the relationship has fallen into disrepair. Few expect anything new from Putin’s visit to New Delhi next month. Instead, the Ukraine crisis has driven the Russian president into the arms of China. With only enemies in the West, Putin has felt compelled to show he has a friend in the East. Xi has been quick to exploit this supplicant status. By Indian estimations, Moscow’s gas supply deal with Beijing was struck at a bargain basement price. Many expected a “big bang”. They are getting instead a series of useful but unspectacular advances. Foreign investors have been reminded of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) mercantilist roots. Modi is navigating — by most accounts — a bit too cautiously, between the need for foreign capital and knowhow and the defensive nationalism of his own party. A contrary surprise has come in the realm of foreign policy. Widely expected to be a domestic prime minister, Modi has been energetic and assertive on the international stage. These are early days, but the signs are that India is thinking like a power intent on shaping the space around it. Modi has shed what an ally calls the “third-worldish” outlook that flowed from India’s long allegiance to the nonaligned movement. He has also sidestepped the BJP’s instinctive anti-Americanism. Prime ministerial visits to Tokyo and Washington have heralded an extravagantly close relationship with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a noticeable warming of ties with the US. Attention to India’s neighbourhood, including long-forgotten places such as Bhutan and Nepal, has improved India’s frayed regional standing. The new government has opened up military cooperation with Vietnam and struck a long-term deal to buy uranium from Australia. An apparently convivial meeting in New York with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may foreshadow the first visit to the Jewish state by an Indian prime minister. Those looking for binding threads in this flurry of diplomatic activity will find two. They are interwoven. The first centres on the imperative of attracting foreign investment and advanced technology. Indian power depends, above all, on a faster economic growth rate. Japan has both the money and Word in New Delhi also has it that Putin has been under pressure to sell China some of Russia’s most advanced military technology. Geopolitics is full of unintended consequences. In this case, Putin’s military adventurism in Ukraine has encouraged New Delhi in its quest for friends elsewhere. It is hard to imagine India forging anything like a formal alliance with Washington. There is too much historical baggage for that, but all strategic logic now points to a deepening security partnership with the US. And, in this, Russia has become very much the unwitting accomplice. — Financial Times sunday 23 11 2014 Kashmir Observer From Being idiots to Being ZomBies PANORAMA How TV Robs Our Emotional Quotient When phones get smarter and people get dumber, it is the manufactured truth that triumphs TAHMINA LASKAR A s the public opinion got bigger with the presence of social media and television it got dumber too. In fact it is no more an opinion; rather it is repeating a notion over and over again until it becomes gospel truth. Since the 24X7 news channels and soap operas made their foray into Indian television we have virtually been reduced to a vegetative, unthinking lot. For one so much information overload has made us lazy. We do not bother to verify facts anymore and share misinformation in all gullibility. Very few have caught this pulse of ours and they manipulate our choices; make us speak in 140 characters, Parveen Shakir Jaisa Mein nay Dekha REVIEwER: IMTIAz PIRAcHA P ARVEEN Shakir was born on a rainy day in November 1952, in Karachi. By the age of 25, she had made her mark as a poet of substance through mushairas, radio and television appearances. Her first collection, Khushboo, was published in 1977. Her fourth and last book, Inkaar, was published in 1990. In between, Sadburg and Khudkalami appeared. Another collection, Kafe-Aina, was published posthumously in 1996. Shakir also contributed newspaper columns. Her poetry powerfully and defiantly voiced the deeply suppressed emotions of women living in a society dominated by men and their rules. Written in the style of popular Urdu fiction mostly associated with women writers, Parveen Shakir: Jaisa Mein Nay Dekhha by Rafaqat Javed is a friend’s tribute to the poet. In spite of the fictional style, the facts about Shakir’s life and the selection of poems are wellresearched and painstakingly presented in an uncluttered manner. An outstanding student throughout, Shakir taught English literature for nine years at Abdullah College in Karachi before joining the civil services. During her government service, she earned scholarships and pursued studies in the West. The breakup of Shakir’s marriage left her reeling. Her son Murad, nicknamed Geetu, became the centre of her existence. Moreover, being a single working mother and competing professionally and culturally in an intimidating male environment further inflamed her sensitivity toward gender issues facing women. Although an old admirer of Shakir’s poetry, Rafaqat Javed got to know her in 1988 in New Delhi. Rafaqat’s husband was posted in the Pakistan embassy and Shakir was attending the International Urdu Conference there. The two friends met several noted personalities in India during the visit. Their meetings during the trip with Khushwant Singh, Qurratulain Hyder, F.M. Hussain, Kamna Parshad and Kathak dancer Pushpa Dogra are recounted with interesting details. One instance is the rumour that Dogra was an Indian spy. During the trip, Shakir also expressed keen interest in meeting a well-known palmist who, according to Javed, was popular among the showbiz celebrities. He forewarned Shakir that she would not be able to complete her fifth book, which she was working on at the time, and that she would die young. He was proved right on both counts. Javed has carefully picked and included Shakir’s poems corresponding with various stages and events in her life — her early life, marriage, the birth of her only child Murad; her separation from her husband, the allegations, and later the agony of loneliness. It gives a lot of perspective to the poetry and is meticulously done, enriching the book. Shakir received numerous prestigious awards for her work, including the Adamjee Award in 1978 and Pride of Performance in 1991. The translations of her poetry into English, Japanese and Sanskrit began during her lifetime. ‘Najanay kiyun?’ is a brief chapter in the book in which Javed narrates the events of Shakir’s last 24 hours. Shakir could not make it to Javed’s house for a Sunday lunch. However, she surprised Javed by showing up close to midnight along with her son, and asked Javed to go out for ice-cream. The weather was cold. Javed regrets her inability to fulfill that wish. Meanwhile, Shakir also returned some jewellery she had borrowed from Javed, saying “Zindagi ka kya bharosa, kya khabar, Rafaqat?” The friendship between Javed and Shakir grew stronger with the passage of time. Shakir, usually along with her son Murad, was a frequent guest at Javed’s home. First in New Delhi and later in Risalpur, Peshawar, Kamra and finally Islamabad, where the families eventually settled. Shakir died in a car accident in December 1994, in Islamabad. It was another rainy day. She was 42. PARVEEN SHAKIR: Jaisa Mein nay Dekha (BiogrAPHY) By rafaqat Javed Parveen shakir trust isBn 978-969-8794-04-0 228pp. keep us in a tizzy, always harried. We represent no more our own reason but manufactured reasoning is drilled into us. The recent episodes of political immaturity or blind faith that we are witnessing reflect these tendencies. Very few possessing reason and objectivity occupy these virtual spaces. Slavoj Zizek, a Slovenian philosopher and psychoanalyst, notes in one of his articles that “When I come home in the evening too exhausted to engage in meaningful activity, I just tune in to a TV sitcom; even if I do not laugh, but simply stare at the screen, tired after a hard day’s work, I nonetheless feel relieved after the show. It is as if the TV were literally laughing in my place, instead of me.” That is the reality of today’s public opinion. Zizek goes on to say that “the real threat of new media is that they deprive us of our authentic passive experience, and thus prepare us for mindless frenetic activity—for endless work” which in fact is the exact echo of the current kind of thinking (or the lack of it). Mindless tweeting, replying, getting all worked up and mad over silly Facebook posts and doing little research before blurting out endless blabber is what marks our discourses today. The fear is real that we are gradually becoming television news and social networking zombies impatient to react to things. Our responses are often impulsive and devoid of objectivity. When phones get smarter and people get dumber, it is the manufactured truth that triumphs. One of the major reasons of such gluttony for reacting in public is that we leave ourselves with little time after work and in those moments we just want to be a part of the world buzzing with activity. This just takes us away from other more important activities like reasoned, critical thinking and analysis. There is still time left to wake up and take a break from this endless cacophony. Our discourses and life itself can be more meaningful if we pick and choose from what we are being fed and more often question the veracity of facts. It’s time to get a life. Tahmina Laskar is a New Delhibased blogger and Program Officer, Police Reforms Program with Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. She blogs at www.tamz84.com. A PoliticAl Story of JAmA mASJid HILAL AHMEd T he first of a two-part series on India’s best known moque located in the Capital The Masjid-e-Jane-Jahanuma or Jama Masjid was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as the central mosque for the capital city of Shahjahanabad. Shah Jahan invited Hazrat Abdul Ghafur Shah to lead the regular prayers at Jama Masjid. Abdul Ghafur Shah was an established Islamic scholar from Bukhara, a central Asian city renowned for Islamic ing Committee of Jama Masjid were delegated to this newly centralized Wakf institution. This administrative system was changed again in 1962 when the Delhi Wakf Board (DWB) was established under the Wakf Act of 1954. Since then the management of the Jama Masjid became the responsibility of the DWB. All the financial matters including the payments of salaries to the Shahi Imam, the Naib Imam and other employees of the mosque were administered by the DWB. ….Jama Masjid has never been declared a protected monument. Following the guidelines given in the Conservation Manual of 1923, the Jama Masjid was put Wakf Board, Abdullah Bukhari chose an alternative political move. He issued a statement supporting the family planning programme of the government. This statement was widely circulated as a religious decree (fatwa) and presented as the religious sanctioning for family planning among Muslims. He also used the Public Address System (PAS) of the Jama Masjid to encourage the Muslims for family planning. ….This pro-Congress gesture turned out to be a political disaster for Abdullah Bukhari. This ‘fatwa’ further heightened the anti-government feelings, which were already increasing in the Jama muslims gather for sunset prayers at the grand mosque in Jama masjid Photograph: mustafa Quraishi/AP scholarship at that time. Imam Ghafur Shah was designated as the Imam-ulSultan (the Imam of the Emperor) or the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid. The Shahi Imam had two main functions. First, as the Imam of the mosque he had to perform certain religious activities such as leading regular daily prayers, weekly congregational prayers on Friday and the annual Eid prayers. Second, the Imam had to function as the royal priest. He was bestowed with the responsibility and authority of crowning the Mughal emperor. The Imam of Jama Masjid, thus, over the period of time became some kind of religious-political authority…. Despite having a religious-traditional authority, the Shahi Imam had not been involved in the management related issues of the mosque in Mughal India. The Emperor dedicated four villages as wakf for Jama Masjid. However, by the end of the 19th century these villages disappeared and the mosque lost its principal source of income. Yet, the royal grants were continued for the maintenance of Jama Masjid. In the last phase of the Mughal Empire, when it became virtually impossible for the Mughal Kings to provide financial support to the mosque, the local community took up this responsibility. In the late 19th century a Working Committee for looking after the management of the mosque was set up. Besides the monthly collection from the local shops and stalls, the donations given by the rich Muslims were the main source of income of the mosque at that time. The Imam of Jama Masjid used to be an ordinary member of the Working Committee. After the formation of the Sunni Majlis-e-Auqaf on the basis of the Auqaf Act of 1943, all the powers of the Work- in the special category. Without any formal agreement with concerned religious endowment, the ASI used to take care of the architectural and historic character of the buildings. However, the question of ASI’s involvement in the management of the mosque has always been a politically sensitive issue. ….The eleventh Imam of the Jama Masjid, Syed Hamid Bukhari was the Shahi Imam of the mosque in 1970s. He was known for his personal integrity and was respected as a responsible ‘elder’ by the local Muslim community. On the other hand, his eldest son and the then Naib Imam (Deputy Imam) of the mosque, Syed Abdullah Bukhari, was not an educated man. No one knows about his formal education. He was not a Hafiz (memorizer), nor an Alim or Mufti (formal degrees in the Madrasa system). Yet, as the Naib Imam, he used to lead the regular prayers at Jama Masjid in the absence of his father. Unlike Syed Hamid, Abdullah Bukhari was a politically ambitious person. He was fully aware of the religious and historical significance of Jama Masjid, particularly the economic importance of the mosque for the local Muslim population, and very much interested in exploiting this ‘emotional attachment’ for his own political advancement. …He was aware of his limitations and advantages. He must have realised, as it seems, the historic connection between the institution of Shahi Imam and the Jama Masjid. Yet, he was a bit confused, as his first political endeavour clearly shows, about the choice of an applicable political strategy. As a result, he decided not to use his indisputable stature as the true heir of the royal Muslim past in a manner antagonistic to the government and adopted a relatively mild approach. Instead of waging a war against the Masjid area because of the forced urbanisation and family planning programme. Many Muslim families decided not to offer namaz inside this historic mosque to register their protest. The fatwa was also criticised by the local political groups as well as the established Muslim organisations. This political debacle was a turning point for Abdullah Bukhari. He realised that his political support to Mrs Gandhi could not help him in mobilizing local Muslims. The pro-Congress politics, furthermore, did not give him a stature that he might have been aiming for. On the other hand, the Congress was also not interested in him any longer. The fatwa was unofficially withdrawn and the Congress establishment started ignoring him. These changing circumstances forced Abdullah Bukhari not only to revolutionise his style of politics but also to rethink creatively about more innovative use of Jama Masjid. In this context, the Socialist Party and the Jan Sangh– ideologically two opposite political groups- discovered Abdullah Bukhari, as a potential ally. The public image of Bukhari was further ruined by allegations made by the DWB. …the Board had asked Abdullah Bukhari to give accounts for the money received by him through the sale of tickets to foreign tourists.. However, Bukhari did not reply to these letters and ignored the reminders sent to him. — DNA (The article contains excerpts from Hilal Ahmed’s book, Muslim Political Discourse in Postcolonial India: Monuments, Memory, Contestation, Routledge, 2014) The author is an assistant professor at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) 6 Sunday 23 11 2014 Kashmir Observer Govt to relook at tax treaties to unearth black money: Arun Jaitley New Delhi: Faced with the daunting task of getting back black money stashed abroad, government on Saturday said it was having a relook at some of the bilateral tax treaties signed with foreign countries that may be hindering the repatriation of the money. “Of course, we are,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in an interaction with PTI journalists at the PTI headquarters in New Delhi. He was asked whether the government would have a relook at the bilateral treaties through which the government was not easily getting information about black money hoarders abroad. Mr. Jaitley said he had sent a delegation recently to Switzerland and they have come back with some positive movement. “We have to furnish evidence independent of the HSBC list. I can’t go to them (foreign countries) and they say the HSBC list is stolen, I won’t cooperate. So I won’t go to you on the basis of stolen list. But if I present to you some independent evidence about names which happen to come on the stolen list, then will you provide me the evidence?” he said referring to the discussions with Swiss government. Asked if this was not provided in the current bilateral treaties, the Minister said, “This is what we have discussed. Increasingly the cooperation is increasing. Now if you see the U.S. laws, they want more and more countries to accept that law which provides for automatic exchange of information.” To a question whether India would be signing such a treaty, the Minister said, “Our application is precisely that. The Supreme Court, the earlier judgement, needs a clarification. So the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is looking into it.” On another question relating to dif- ficulties in getting black money from abroad, a promise of which was made by BJP during elections, Mr. Jaitley said there is a settled procedure and government has to go by that settled process. “The world today is uniting to unearth these unauthorised transactions. Conventionally they were against crime money and not tax evaded money. “Today even tax evaded money, which flies from one part of the world to another, there is exchange of information. And then if you are able to prove that it’s contrary to law they give you the supporting evidence. You have to go through that procedure. There is no other short cut,” he said. The Minister parried a question about the possibility of an amnesty scheme to unearth black money, both within and outside the country. “Every institution in this matter has to realise its responsibilities,” he said without elaborating. To a question on the Congress criti- cism of the relaunching of the Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) in which even narco terrorism money can be laundered, Mr. Jaitley dismissed such fears saying there are adequate safeguards built in it. He said the Congress gave its reaction without reading the notification on the KVP scheme and there cannot be a debate on “ill-informed or semiinformed facts”. “In the notification we have said that the moment you buy those patras you have to give name and address. So the KYC norms are there and if you are buying more than Rs. 50,000 then you have to give your PAN card. “So the argument is narcotic dealers and narco terrorism and all those people will buy. But then they have to give their PAN cards and we will arrest all of them. You can’t have a debate on ill-informed or semi-informed facts,” he said. India one of our fastest India’s shareholder protection ranking growing markets: Twitter ahead of developed countries: SEBI chief New Delhi, November 22: Buoyed by the rising penetration of Internet in the country, a top official from Twitter on Saturday said India is one of the fastest growing markets for the micro-blogging site. The U.S.-based social networking platform said it will be investing more in India, which industry body IAMAI has predicted will surpass the U.S. by December this year in terms of Internet users. “India is a big market for us. It is one of our fastest growing markets and we will be investing more here,” Twitter VP, Global Media, Katie Jacobs Stanton said at the HT Leadership Summit here. She added that 78 per cent of the traffic on Twitter now comes from outside the U.S., signifying the growing importance of emerging markets. According to its latest quarterly report, for the three months ended September 30, 2014, Twitter had 284 million average monthly active users (MAUs) spanning nearly every country. Users outside the U.S. con- stituted 78 per cent of its average MAUs, but the international revenue, as determined on the basis of the billing location of its advertisers, was only 34 per cent of its consolidated revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2014. Stanton further said: “India is a growing market, which can be ascertained by the fact that the Lok Sabha elections generated about 60 million tweets.” Speaking at a discussion on whether social media is killing big media, she said Twitter is a tech-company in the media business. “We are not here to put media out of business. In fact, journalists were the first users of the median to break and consume news,” Stanton added. London Evening Standard Editor Sarah Sands said the paper had turnaround at a time when print has been declared doomed, but added that like other organisations, the paper is on a multi-platform format. Both Stanton and Sands agreed that social media has been a game changer for the way the media operates, with the latest proof being Prime Minister Narendra Modi breaking the news of President Barrack Obama’s India visit as the chief guest for the Republic Day on Twitter. NEW DELHI, November 22: India’s ranking on the shareholder protection parameter of the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ratings has shot up from 49 in 2012 to 7 in 2014, ahead of even advanced economies such as the U.S., Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chief U.K. Sinha said in New Delhi on Saturday. “Our steps for ensuring diversity on corporate boards by mandating appointment of at least one woman director and other regulations for related-party transactions have pushed up India’s shareholder protection ranking even ahead of developed countries,” Mr. Sinha said. He was interacting with reporters at the inauguration of a Bombay Stock Exchange’s Investors Service Centre in New Delhi on Saturday. Mr. Sinha also said that State governments are working with SEBI and the Reserve Bank to curb the menace of ponzi schemes such as Saradha. Twenty States and Union Territories have already enacted a Depositor Protection “And literally almost half your taxes are indirect taxes today. He pays excise, he pays customs duty, he pays service tax. Now as far as income tax is concerned, to bring those who evade tax is widening the tax net, I am all for it,” the Minister said in an interaction with PTI journalists at PTI headquarters. He was replying to a question on whether his budget would look at widening the tax base to maximise revenue. Mr. Jaitley, who will be presenting his first full fledged budget in February, said that in his last budget he had increased the tax exemp- tion limit from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 2.5 lakh and would even raise it further if he had more MONEY. “After all what are we talking about Rs. 2.5 lakh today means, taking all the deductions which we have given, somebody up to Rs. 3.5-4 lakh does not have to pay tax. So we have reached the situation broadly. “One earning Rs. 35,00040,000 per month, if the person puts some MONEY for savings, (he) won’t have to pay tax. But people falling in this bracket say that they don’t save anything with salary of Rs. 35,000-40,000 (with) the present cost of living, the transport cost, the fees of children and so on,” Mr. Jaitley said. Therefore, the Minister said, he was against reducing the exemptions to widen the tax net. “Then that’s not my approach,” he added. “So I am quite willing, if I had my way and I had more MONEY in my pocket, I would like to expand. But today the revenue position is challenging. Last time I gave several concessions, which were actually beyond my means. “But it’s all fine to bring those who evade tax under the tax net. But to bring this vulnerable section into the tax net, that can’t be the in the bucket then the water will not stay. I wonder where the money that comes from the Centre goes”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that in Jammu and Kashmir there is a deal between the two families here. “For the first five years, I will rule, for the next you may govern the state. Will only two families rule Kashmir? Can you not run Kashmir?” he said. “Our film industry used to shoot Kashmir in every film. Now, they have gone to other countries. I want to bring them back and give employment to youth here. I want to tell the people here. You have been regretting for the last 50 years. Decide once and you will not regret again,” he said. He said that Gujarat has less rainfall and scarcity of drinking water. We built a pipeline and Narmada's water is now supplied to 9,000 houses. “The size of the pipe is big enough to fit the family of Omar Abdullah while sitting in a car. J&K has Chenab next to it. Can't they supply water here? No one has the time to study the proposal kept here,” he said. Reliance, SJVN get Nepal approval for investments policy today. In fact if you put additional MONEY in their pockets and allow them to spend, then I collect correspondingly more indirect taxes so I will rather encourage more economic activity.” On black MONEY within the country, he said, “It is huge quantity and more easily traceable. Because you go to real estate, you go to land, you go to mining, you go to jewellery, you go to luxury goods, you will find the domestic (black money). You go to educational institutions, you will find it there. Therefore to trace out the buyers and the recipients is also easy.” From Front Page Taking a dig at successive governments in the Will Fulfil state over corruption, he said, “If there is a hole PDP Cavalcade Modi is so attached to Kashmir. I am attached to Kashmir. It is my wish to complete the work started by Atal ji. I would like to narrate my experience here. Recalling the NDA rule under Vajapyee, he said, “Every Kashmiri thought that now their dreams be fulfilled. But during last ten years, what has happened with Kashmir and its situation.” “Despite the Chenab River being nearby who is responsible for people not getting water,” the Prime Minister asked and said that we are aware that 20,000MW of power can be produced in the state and it has the capability to eliminate darkness of all India. He said he had come to Jammu and Kashmir to reassure people that there would never be any shortage of funds for the state. “The state will be never any shortage of the funds but it needs a corruption-free government, which could work for the welfare of the people. He said that, “we need to get rid of corruption in the state. When I declared Rs 1,000 crore for relief work after floods here, the government here was surprised. There has never been shortage of funds,” he said. ponzi schemes. Coordination committees headed by the State Chief Secretaries have been set up in all States, he said. Officers from SEBI, RBI and other regulatory authorities and investigating agencies are members on them. The new provisions of amended SEBI Act make it mandatory for money pooling schemes collecting in excess of Rs. 100 crore to register with SEBI unless already registered with another regulatory agency, Mr. Sinha clarified. He also said that SEBI was working towards reducing the time lag between the closing of an initial public offer and the commencement of trading of its scrip at the stock exchanges to under six days from the 12 days at present. Our steps fOr ensuring diversity on corporate boards by mandating appointment of at least one woman director and other regulations for related-party transactions have pushed up India’s shareholder protection ranking even ahead of developed countries,” Arun Jaitley against burdening salaried, middle class NEW DELHI, November 22 :Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said that he does not favour burdening the salaried and middle-class with more taxes but would go after the evaders in widening the net. In fact, he would encourage more MONEY being put in the pockets of tax payers that will lead to spending and collection of more indirect taxes. “This widening of the tax base. What does it mean?... I pay the same indirect tax as my attendant. Our volume of consumption may be different. So everybody is paying indirect taxes. Act. Six more have passed the legislation that is waiting for Presidential assent. A three-pronged strategy has been adopted to deal with the menace of these collective investment schemes and unauthorised deposits, said Mr. Sinha. The State Depositor Protection Acts empower District Magistrates to take action against any entity collecting unauthorised deposits by way of searching its premises, attaching property-both personal and acquired through the collected sums-and even order arrest of the accused, said Mr. Sinha. It also enables the DM to disgorge or distribute the impounded assets among the affected people, he elaborated. Besides the State Depositor Protection Acts, as directed by the Financial Sector Development Council (FSDC) — that is headed by the Union Finance Minister — State-level co-ordination for exchange of information have also been set up and the new provisions of the amended SEBI Act are being used to crack down on Commissioner’s Office when his cavalcade was attacked by youth with stones near Maisuma Bund this afternoon. Though Bukhari escaped unhurt, three of his supporters were injured in the attack. “The attack created panic among PDP workers, who tried to save themselves from the wrath of Maisuma youth,” eyewitnesses said. The police and paramilitary personal, who were deployed in the area in advance, swung into action and chased away stone-throwing youth. The youths again appeared at Budshah Chowk and continued renewed attack on PDP sympathizers. Many vehicles were also damaged in the stone pelting. A camera-person, who was covering the clashes, said that many PDP workers were roughed up by the youth. He said forces burst pepper and teargas shells after failing to disperse the stone pelting youth with batons. “The forces managed to push the stone-throwing youth into the lanes and by-lanes of Maisuma, Red Cross road and Gawkadal. Soon, the interior parts of Maisuma were turned into a battleground, where slogans in favor of poll boycott was KATHMANDU, November 22: Two prominent Indian business houses have received Nepal government’s approval to INVEST NRs 144 billion for setting up cement and hydropower projects in the country. The Nepal Investment Board (NIB), headed by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, has cleared the decks for Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group for an investment of NRs 40 billion ($400 million) in southern Nepal. The NIB has approved the Indian company’s proposal for setting up the multibillion dollar project in Ne- pal on Friday, according to a statement by the board on Saturday. The Reliance Group will soon conduct the study for constructing the plant in central or eastern Terai region of the southern plain. Similarly, the board has also approved the Project Development Agreement for the construction of 900-MW Arun Third Project being developed by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVN), India. As per the draft agreement, Nepal will receive 21.9 per cent or 197 MW of electricity free of cost from the project, besides revenue and other facilities. The Indian company will INVEST NRs 104 billion on the project. Besides, Nepal will get a total economic benefit of $3.5 billion which includes royalty fees, tax and free power from the implementation of the period over the concessional period of 24 years. The formal agreement for developing the project is likely to be signed next week during the 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. the nepal investment BOard (NIB), headed by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, has cleared the decks for Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group for an investment of NRs 40 billion ($400 million) in southern Nepal. resonating” he said. A police source said that a youth identified as Usman was hurt during clashes after he was hit by a teargas shell. The youth, he said, was stable. Meanwhile, the shopkeepers downed their shutters in the area while the transport was also diverted to other routes. Reinforcements were rushed to the area to contain the spiraling protests. (GNS) Why is US valley and elsewhere has noticeably changed, mostly in favor of the BJP. He cited two factors - the apology by the Indian army for the shooting of a teenager and a young man on Nov. 3 and the sentencing by a military court of five soldiers, including two officers, to life imprisonment for the staged killing of three Kashmiri civilians in the Machil sector in 2010. The rare developments have been welcomed by Kashmiris whose wounds are deep and feelings raw. "It has helped greatly and the apology came after direct orders of the PMO not to fudge the issue. The people are happy that the army has been punished. People tell me that none of Modi's posters has been torn or defaced in the valley," says Sazawal, who regularly talks to people on the ground. He marveled at the strategic insights of BJP managers - Amit Shah and Ram Madhav - in making the right moves and saying the right things. He cited BJP's state unit vice-president, Ramesh Arora's declaration that Sufi Islam would prosper under BJP. This is clever messaging to those Muslims who are tired of terrorism and want the peaceful version of their religion to return home. The US government, struggling to contain the extreme strains of Islam as exemplified by ISIS, can hardly quarrel with promotion of Sufi Islam. Pakistan, the other player in the "dispute" doesn't raise confidence levels when it comes to dealing with or "managing" Wahabism, which it and Saudis have injected into India. The views expressed in the above article are that Ms. Seema Sirohi, a senior journalist based in Washington D.C. ANI Make Facts grooming such assailants,” he said and asked police to launch an operation to nab the other culprit as well. (CNS) 22 11 2014 Kashmir Observer NEWS Haven’t Issued Any New Statement On Poll Boycott: Geelani Srinagar: Huriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani Saturday took strong exception to the statement attributed to him that separatist leadership should not enforce an election boycott in Kashmir during these elections and rather leave it to the discretion of the people to make their own decision about poll boycott. Geelani said he never issued any such statement. The Huriyat veteran while talking to KNS said that his amalgam has already appealed for the complete boycott of elections and has asked people not to forget the sacrifices rendered by the people for their Jamat Says, Have Fielded No Proxies, Calls For Boycott Srinagar: The socio-religious political organization, Jamat-e-Islami (JeI) has distanced itself from the poll activities with its chief asking people to boycott the coming state elections in Jammu and Kashmir. JeI chief Mohammad Abdullah Wani while talking to KNS took strong exceptions to the recent statement that was attributed to him, saying Jamat will take part in the assembly elections. “I have never said it. I said if for proving the representative character before the international community for the Kashmir resolution, Jamat will take part in that election that would be held under the supervision of the United Nations,” Wani said, adding that Jamat will never be instrumental in assembly or parliament elections. Terming polls the futile exercise, the JeI chief said polls would never be substitute to the right of self determination and that JeI in Kashmir has already rejected the poll process which is being held under the purview of Indian constitution. Asking people to boycott the coming assembly elections being held for 87 member state assembly, Wani said that JeI has already intimated to its entire state cadre to remain away from the poll exercise. “We have sent a clear message to our cadre that they should not participate in elections and neither should they vote. When JeI says it has nothing to do with the poll process, how could it take part into it?” Over the door to door poll boycott campaign, the JeI chief maintained that his organization is already much busy with its own mission of religious propagation and hence has no time in carrying out the boycott campaign. “People have to understand that when Jamat is distancing itself from the poll process, they should follow the suit. It is certain that we will not ask people to vote.” Over the allegations leveled by some mainstream parties that the JeI has fielded proxy candidates in the elections, Wani ridiculed the reports, saying false allegations are being leveled against the organization by the vested interests. He added that there are no proxy candidates of the JeI in the poll fray and the organization has no relation with any mainstream political party of the state. “We have no understanding with PDP, NC, Congress or any other party in the state. We are not helping them and nor would we do it. We have already made it clear that JeI has rejected the present system of elections in Jammu and Kashmir.” birth right. “We have issued a complete boycott call. This is the hand work of some elements to confuse the situation. I have never issued any such statement wherein I have retreated from my stand on polls.” Geelani said further that the system of elections are based on ‘lies’ and that people must Srinagar: Journalist turned politician and People’s Democratic Party candidate for Habba Kadal Assembly constituency, Zafar Me’raj, Saturday appealed the Habba Kadal voters to give him a chance to serve them in coming years. “I am contesting the Assembly polls with the sole objective to mitigate the sufferings of people living in old city particularly Habba Kadal Constituency. I am not a politician by profession but I promise that under the shade of PDP I will change the face of Habba Kadal in three months” Meraj told CNS adding that being the native of old Srinagar city, he is well aware of the problems that people have been facing there. “Let the voters of this constituency (Habba Kadal) give me a chance, I will try my best not to let them down. Habba kadal is a small constituency with specific needs. I promise there will be a visible change within 100 days of PDP coming to power,” he said and urged the youth to lead the movement for change. Meraj said as a journalist he worked day and night to highlight the problems of the common people and now as a politician he want to address those problems that he highlighted from time to time. “It was because of my staunch views and the stand taken by me on the issues Youth will need to drive NC-Congress government out of office: Baig laws does not help any particular community or region, but the framework as well protects the distinct identity of different regions and communities within Jammu and Kashmir. He said this special protection to the interests of the State has helped every ethnic identity within the State to flourish and preserve its identity. “In fact this could be a model for other states in the country which have diverse and multi-cultural populations,” he said. Referring to the development potential of Bandipora district, Mufti said it is endowed with extraordinary natural assets which have remained untapped. He said the initiative taken by his coalition government to establish Wullar-Manasbal Development Authority had opened up new opportunities of employment and growth but like all other good initiatives NC government shelved it. He said the PDP would launch major tourism development schemes in Bandipora, Sonawari and Gurez areas to create job opportunities and introduce the area to the world. He said Bandipora which till independence was an important transit point on the SilkRoute, suffered a setback in its commerce and trade. He said reopening of Bandipora-GurezAstoor Road is part of the PDP’s Self Rule framework. Mufti said the area offers a large potential to develop water resource which at present is only source of discomfort during floods. He said the PDP, Kangan on Saturday welcomed the apparent decision of Syed Ali Shah Geelani and the separatist leadership to not enforce an election boycott in Kashmir during these elections and rather leave it to the discretion of the people to make their own decision. “This is a very welcome step by Geelani Sahab Will change face of Habba Kadal in 100 days: Zafar Meraj This Election is About Safeguarding JK’s Identity: Mufti Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said the focus of the upcoming assembly elections will be to safeguard the distinct identity of Jammu and Kashmir rather than victory or defeat of a particular party. He said Congress and NC have been on a self-destruction mode in the last six years and they apparently seem to be out of the context already after the crushing defeat in the parliamentary elections. Addressing election rallies in Bandipora and Sonawari assembly constituencies to enlist support for the PDP candidates Nizam-ud-Din Bhat and Yasir Reshi, Mufti said while PDP has clearly emerged as a frontrunner for forming the next government in the State, but the challenges before it have mounted in view of the latest attempts to polarize J&K on communal lines and target the special constitutional position that the State enjoys. He said in order to face up to this challenge with strength and determination, PDP will need a clear majority which will also help it in addressing the fallout of the present coalition government’s inefficiency, corruption and mis-governance. Mufti said the special status enjoyed by J&K is no concession but a historical requirement that the founding fathers of the country acknowledged and which they protected with adequate constitutional safeguards. He said the authority of the State to make its own special not pay any heed to any such remarks that are being wrongly attributed to the pro-freedom leadership of Kashmir. Interestingly, the statement of Geelani was making rounds in the social networking sites. Also the chief minister Omar Abdullah while addressing election rallies in Sumbal and if it forms the next government, would try to tap water resources for tourism irrigation fisheries and other pursuits that provide jobs to the locals. Recalling the major initiatives taken by his government in 2002 Mufti said horticulture had received a boost by abolition of toll tax and implementation of Horticulture Mission and introduction of MIS. He said modern technological support would be offered to the fruit growers to overcome postharvest problems and ensure better returns for their produce. Speaking on the occasion senior party leader and Member of Parliament, Muzzafar Hussain Baig said though Kashmir issue needs a political solution but bad governance, corruption and unemployment has further complicated the issue thus creating enormous instability and insecurity among the people. He said that this year’s Lok Sabha election results are an indication that the people want a change and they are looking towards PDP as better alternative to address the governance deficit and also create reconciliatory atmosphere on the ground for peace process to move forward. Baig said unemployment among the youth in the state is the most pressing task before it and the PDP will take it as challenge and addressed it very seriously. “Job creation will remain thrust area for the next government likely formed by the party under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed,” he said. concerning political and economic injustices meted out to Srinagar, that party leadership reposed faith in me and asked me to contest the upcoming Assembly elections,” he said and added that he is not like others who could sacrifice people’s interests for power. Zafar Me’raj said that PDP was working to form the government and urged the people not to waste their votes on people who would sit in opposition and could do nothing for them. "The people must decide whether they want an MLA from ruling party or opposition. We have to keep communal forces out of Kashmir,” Meraj told CNS. Veteran journalist who hails from Zaina Kadal said that he is sure this time round the emancipated voters of Srinagar won’t allow any electoral maneuvering in Srinagar which has only led to systemic political and economic disempowerment of its inhabitants. “I request the voters in Habba Kadal Assembly constituency to give me a chance and I won’t disappoint them, have given my blood for the people and i will stand by them whenever needed.” he said and assured people of Haba Kadal that he will be always available for them. “For the people of Haba Kadal, my doors are always open. It’s my promise to them that I will try my level best to mitigate their sufferings and will work day in and out to address their problems,” he said. (CNS) Seeking Power sole aim of NC, PDP: Lone Srinagar: Sajad Gani Lone, Chairman, Jammu & Kashmir People’s Conference today castigated NC and PDP for promulgation of dynastic rule in the state. He expressed these views at various public meetings in Langate area of Kupwara. He was accompanied by Adv. Mohamad Abdullah Mir, contesting candidate from Langate. Terming the dynastic rule as anti democracy Lone in a statement said, “Rejection of the dynastic rule is in the ethos of the democracy. In Jammu and Kashmir these ethos of the democracy were over ruled and hijacked by the dynastic rule of the Abdullah’s and Mufti’s. The sole aim of both these dynasties is to seek power and to attain this objectives they have sacrificed the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. These families treat Jammu and Kashmir as their privately owned property and act as facilitators to add miseries to life of the People of Jammu and Kashmir.” “They acted with betrayal and obfuscate people to achieve political ends and always been source of patron- age for elites while forgetting the common people. Though NC and PDP derive its strength from the electorate of Kashmir but their policies and developmental activities were always against the interest of Kashmiris from time to time. Their major concern is the power and not the people,” he alleged. Lone said, “The elected representatives of NC, PDP and Congress from J&K are known for their short-sightedness. Their vision do not even extends up to the next election. They are disinclined to foment unrest among the powerful interests that fund their political activities and often their personal bank accounts. These People behave like autocrats and care little about miseries of the common people. Like their bosses, they too are primarily concerned for the presence of their masters in the power corridors and the promotion of their kiths and kins in to the political space. People deserve an honest, dedicated and visionary leadership which willingly put forth the courage to address the miseries of people.” 6 students oF ku qualiFy icar net Srinagar: Six students of Kashmir University have qualified the ICAR NET (2014) exams conducted by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) in which thousands of students across the country appeared. All of these students belong to Food and Science Technology department of university. While appreciating this success of students head Food Science and Technology department Prof. F A Masoodi Said that university is working hard to prepare students of the varsity for competing in national and international exams. The University authorities also congratulated the students for achieving success in the above said test. Arms, Petrol Bombs, Pregnancy Strip Found in Rampal's Ashram Chandigarh: A huge cache of arms and ammunition, petrol bombs, acid syringes, a chilli grenade and a pregnancy test strip were found inside the highly-fortified Satlok Ashram from where controversial guru Rampal was arrested. The shocking details came to the fore on Friday during a search conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Haryana Police. The pregnancy test strip was recovered by police from a room adjacent to the one of Rampal in the ashram. The police also found a woman lying unconscious and locked in a bathroom. She was admitted to general hospital. She has been identified as Bijlesh, a resident of Ashok Nagar village in Madhya Pradesh. A spokesman of the police department said the team had recovered three .32 bore revolvers, 19 air guns, two DBBL 12 bore, two .315 bore rifles, 28 cartridges of .32 bore, 50 cartridges of 12 bore and 25 cartridges of .315 bore. Most of the weapons were kept in bags and almirahs in two secret rooms. At the centre of the ashram, Rampal had an elevated structure on which he had his seat. The ammunition was stored under the structure so that no one could suspect the location. The search also revealed a private swimming pool, state-of-the- art elevators and 24 AC rooms. The rooms, which could be compared to a luxury hotel or a farm house, had attached bathrooms fitted with top-of-the line fixtures. While one of the rooms had a massage bed, the other had a treadmill. The team also found helmets and sticks and 20 pairs of black dresses and two tanks containing 800 litres of diesel and catapult. The sprawling complex was found to be under constant sur- veillance with CCTV cameras installed at several key-points to keep a tab on the movements of devotees, who largely came from low-income strata. A huge amount of eatables recovered during the search operation was being disposed off by the Food and Supplies Department in compliance with the orders of the High Court. The ashram ran a wellstocked kitchen that could cater to 1 lakh people for a month. and we all need to realize that election boycotts have given the people of J&K nothing but political dis-empowerment and a weakening of our regional character in politics. The elections of 2014 are crucial and an election boycott this time around would have far-reaching, irreversible and detrimen- tal consequences not only on Article 370 or our special status but also our political stature and voice as a people. I hope and pray that people come out and vote in large numbers in these elections and reinforce their defense of their political aspirations and the interests of J&K”, Omar said. (KNS) Police cracks burglary case Culprit arrested, rs 5.31 lakhs reCovered Srinagar: Srinagar police cracked a burglary case when they arrested a burglar and recovered the stolen money of 5.31 lac. A petrol pump dealer complained to the Karanagar Police station that a burglar has stolen Rs 5.31 lac from his petrol pump at Karanagar. Karanagar police registered a case FIR number 47/2014 under section 381 RPC and investigation was taken up. To investigate the matter SHO Karanagar constituted a special team. During investigation it came to surface that culprit had fled to Leh. On this information Police Karanagar kept constant watch on him. Police said that it received an information that the culprit has reached to his home at Hyhama in District Kupwara. The police party of police station Karanagar raided to his house and arrested the Culprit identified as Zubair Ahmad khan son of Tikka Khan. The stolen money of Rs 5.31 lac has also been recovered. (CNS) Fiddling with article 370 can derail Jk’s relations with india: yasin Srinagar: Warning that any attempt to abrogate Article 370 will derail all relations of Jammu and Kashmir State with the Union of India, Peoples Democratic Front chief and MLA Khansahib Hakim Mohammad Yasin Saturday said the abrogation of the Article 370 are not only unwarranted but totally unacceptable to the people of the state. Addressing an election rally of more than 30 thousand people here, he said, “If any attempt is made to fiddle with the Article 370, it will have dangerous consequences vis-à-vis J&K’s relations with the Center. Our party will not only defend the Article 370 at all costs, but will restore the eroded provisions of this Article of faith to its original status in the Constitution.” Amid high pitched slogans by the people, the MLA Khansahib said, “We will fight for the restoration of Article 370 to pre 1953 position when we come to the power. Article 370 was incorporated in Constitution of India to maintain a distinct identity of J&K in political map of the world. But it has been reduced to a husk through political fraud and constitutional abuse and now it seems that some elements were tactfully raking up this issue to divert attention from the main Kashmir issue.” “It would be in the best interests of nation that provisions of Article 370 which have been eroded from time to time are restored,” he said and added even Parliament and J&K Assembly doesn’t have powers to abrogate the Article 370. Hakim Yasin said that his party will fight against all those forces who want to divide people of Jammu and Kashmir in the name of region, sub-region, religion and other trivial issues. “The communal overtures of some vested elements are fraught with dangerous consequences for the ideals enshrined in the republican constitution of the country. There is also a dire need to protect and preserve the rich socio-cultural and religious diversity of the state and any division on regional, religious, ethnic or cultural basis is acceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added. shaheen’s Family accuses nc oF harassment Srinagar: Family of former NC leader Abdul Rashid Shaheen Saturday accused National Conference of bulldozing their Srinagar house in a bid to pressurize him (Shaheen) for leaving Pattan constituency during the elections. Family of Shaheen said correspondent that after a massive rally was held at Pattan by Shaheen who is contesting as an independent candidate, NC used the government machinery to damage their Srinagar house. “Without any notice or intimation, some people with the JCB along with some goons have brought down the fencing of our Srinagar house and have also destroyed our window panes and decamped with various valuables,” accused Shaheen’s son. He alleged the National Conference is using the state machinery to carry out its hidden agenda and is pressuring Shaheen withdraw from the seat. (KNS) hurriyat (m) Pays tributes to slain tral militants Srinagar: Paying rich tributes to Shiraz Ahmad Ganai, Asif Ahmad and Shabir Ahmad Gojar who were slain at Tral on Thursday evening Hurriyat Conference (M) spokesman Saturday said that the three brave hearts of Kashmir sacrificed their today for freedom struggle. “Hurriyat would continue to take the mission of martyrs forward. Sacrifices of Kashmiris are priceless asset of the Kashmir movement and it will not be allowed go waste at any cost,” he said in a statement. The spokesman alleged that the state was continuing with the military suppression, rights of Kashmiris were being usurped on gunpoint, and their voices of freedom were being strangulated using force. “However, despite efforts to break the will of people the sentiment of freedom and resistance is being expressed forcefully and coercion, wanton arrests, bloodshed and oppression could not suppress it,” he said. Appealing to people of Ganderbal and Bandipora districts to observe complete shutdown on November 25, the day elections would be conducted in these areas, the spokesman asked people to dissociate themselves from the “election drama and reject the sham elections so that it would become clear on international community that nothing can substitute right to self determination.” C M Y K C M Y K saturday Kashmir Observer news C M Y K C M Y K 8 SUNDAY 23 11 2014 Sharif Reminds Obama of Kashmir in Tele Talk pressed his understanding for our position,” he added. The prime minister urged President Obama to take up the cause of Kashmir with the Indian leadership as its early resolution would bring enduring peace, stability and economic cooperation to Asia. He said "while we remain open to the resumption of bilateral dialogue, the onus is on India to create a conducive environment in this regard." Recent exchanges of fire across the de facto border between India and Pakistan in Kashmir, which both countries administer in part but claim in full, have killed at least 20 civilians and forced thousands to flee their homes. The nuclear-armed neighbours, who have fought two wars over Muslim-majority Kashmir, have traded blame for the upsurge in firing and shelling which started on October 6. India called off peace talks in August after Pakistan first consulted Kashmiri separatists, a move some saw as a sign of a tougher stance by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new right-wing government. "The two leaders agreed to stay engaged to further strengthen Pakistan-US relations in their common desire to promote peace and prosperity in South Asia," the ministry statement said. Scrutiny for 3rd phase held C M Y K C M Y K Nomination papers of 145 cleared, 21 rejected JAMMU: The scrutiny nomination papers of 166 candidates who filed their papers for 3rd phase of Assembly Elections-2014 was held today in the offices of Returning officers of their respective constituencies, in which 145 candidates were found eligible, whereas nomination papers of 21 candidates were rejected. In 6- Uri constituency, papers of 5 candidates, Ajaz Ali Khan (PDP), Mr. Taj Mohiud-Din (INC), Mohammad Shafi (JKNC), Mushtaq Ahmad Mir (BJP) and Waseem Raja (JKKMP) have been cleared. In 7- Rafiabad constituency, papers of 12 candidates, Desh Kumar Nehru(BJP), Abdul Gani Vakil(INC), Javaid Ahmad Dar(NC), Abdul Majeed Dar(JKNPP), Yawar Ahmad Mir(PDP), Khurshid Ahmad Khan (JKPC), Fayaz Ahmad Malik, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Ahanger, Ghulam Nabi Parry, Mohammad Maqbool Dar, Mohammad Maqbool Mir and Mudasir Rasool Bhat(Independents) have been cleared. In 8-Sopore constituency, papers of 16 candidates, Abdul Rashid Dar (INC), Mohammad Ashraf Ganie (NC), Muzafar Ahmad Lone (JKNPP), Nazir Ahmad Naikoo (PDP), Mohammad Ramzan Baba (PC), Irshad Rasool Kar, Ulfat Sabba Ahmad Khawaja, Bashir Ahmad Azad, Zahid Gani Mircha, Shahzad Aasim, Sajad Mohi-udddin Sheikh, Sayed Iqbal Nazki, Gh. Rasool Dar, Gh. Mohammad War, Mohammad Abdullah Dar and Mudasir Manzoor Wani (Independents) have been cleared. In 12-Sangrama constituency, papers C M Y K of 10 candidates, Kh. Mohammad Yaqoob Wani (JKNC), Syed Basharat Bukhari (PDP), Shoiab Nabi Lone (INC), Farooq Ahmad Bhat (JKNPP), Ghulam Mohidin Bhat (PC), Nisar Ahmad Shah (KMP), Irfan Hafiz Lone, Gh. Mohi-ud-din Sofi, Fazal Mahmood Baig and Hilal Ahmed Bhat (Independents) have been cleared. In 13-Baramulla constituency, papers of 13 candidates, Javid Hassan Baig (PDP), Salman Anees Soz (INC), Gh. Hassan Rahi (NC), Gulshan Sanhotra (JKNPP), Mohammad Afsar Khan (KMP), Mohammad Yousf Dar (PC), Asif Akbar Lone, Altaf Jameel Lone, Ashiq Hussain Ganaie, Gulam-udDin Gulshan, Mohammad Aslam Deedar, Mohammad Rafiq Lone and Mohammad Maqbool Mir (Independents) have been cleared. In 14- Gulmarg constituency, papers of 8 candidates, Sheikh Mustafa Kamal (NC), Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Malla (JKNPP), Mohammad Abbas Wani (PDP), Abdul Ahad Sheikh (KMP), Ghulam Hassan Mir (DPN), Tejender Singh, Shabir Ahmad Mir and Mohammad Akram Mir (Independents) have been cleared. In 15 –Pattan constituency, papers of 14 candidates, Aga Syed Mehmood-AlMosavi (NC), Riyaz Ahmad (INC), Aashiq Hussain Lone (BSP), Imran Raza Ansari (PDP), Basharat Hussain Najar (JKDPN), Wali Mohammad Wani (KMP), Bashir Ahmad Ganai, Shabir Ahmad Wani, Shahzad Ahmad Yatoo, Tariq Ahmad Parry, Ashiq Ahmad Dar, Abdul Ahad Yatoo, Ab. Rashid Shaheen and Farooq Ahmad Ganie (Independents) have been cleared. In 26-Chadoora constituency, papers of 7 candidates, Mr. Javid Mustafa Mir (PDP), Riyaz Ahmad Rather (JKNPP), Mr. Ali Mohammad Dar (NC), Gh. Mohammad Paul (NCP), Mohammad Maqbool Malla (INC), Dr Bilal Ahmad Mir and Gulam Mohammad Bhat (Independents) have been cleared. In 27-Budgam constituency, papers of 7 candidates, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (NC), Ghulam Hussain Geelani (INC), Gh. Mohi-ud-Din Bhat (Muntazir) (PDP), Mir Fayaz Rahat (BJP), Mohammad Kamal Malik (PC), Fayaz Ahmad Dar (PDF) and Rafiq Ahmad Dar (Independent) have been cleared. In 28-Beerwah constituency, papers of 6 candidates, Abdul Rashid Banday (BJP), Nazir Ahmad Khan (INC), Omar Abdullah (J&KNC), Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani (PDP), Dawood Khan Lodhi (PC) and Aijaz Ahmad Lone (Independent) have been cleared. In 29-Khansahib constituency, papers of 6 candidates, Abdul Gani Naseem (INC), Manzoor Ahmad Wani (NC), Saif-ud-Din Bhat (PDP), Hakim Mohammad Yaseen Shah (PDF), Bashir Ahmad Khan and Mohammad Anwar Lone (Independents) have been cleared. In 30-Chrar-i-Sharief constituency, papers of 9 candidates, Zahid Hussain (INC), Ghulam Mohammad Chopan (BJP), Abdul Rahim Rather (NC), Ghulam Nabi Lone (PDP), Fayaz Ahmad Rather (JKNPP), Advocate Mohammad Latief Lone (PC), Mushtaq Ahmad Baba (KMP), Showkat Ahmad Raina and Nazir Ahmad Rather (Indepen- C M Y K dents) have been cleared. In 31-Tral constituency, papers of 8 candidates, Mr. Avtar Singh (BJP), Mr. Gh. Mohammad Mir (INC), Mr. Krishan Singh (JKNPP), Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Bhat (JKNC), Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Shah (PDP), Sheikh Abdul Rashid, Mr. Ab. Rashid Dar and Mohammad Ashraf Ganie (Independents) have been cleared. In 32 – Pampore constituency, papers of 6 candidates, Zahoor Ahmad Mir (JKPDP), Ali Mohammad Wagay (BJP), Mohammad Anwar Bhat (INC), Mr. Yawar Ali Abbas Masoodi (JKNC) and Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Yatoo and Mohammad Iqbal Sofi (Independents) have been cleared. In 33-Pulwama constituency, papers of 10 candidates, Bashir Ahmad Magray(INC), Riyaz Ahmad Mir, (BJP), Gh. Nabi Wani (Ratanpuri) (NC), Mohammad Khalil Bandh(PDP), Ab. Qayoom Mir (PDFS), Farooq Ahmad Mir(PC), Bashir Ahmad Malik, Sana-ullah Dar, Ab. Gani Shah and Masood Hussain Wani (Independents) have been cleared. In 34-Rajpora constituency, papers of 8 candidates, Haseeb A Drabu (PDP), Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir (NC), Fayaz Ahmad Dar, (INC), Mohammad Abdullah Dar(RPI) (A), Peerzada Syed Bashir Ahmad, Syed Riyaz Ahmad Riyaz Khawar, Gh. Nabi Wani and Lateef Ahmad Dederd (Independents) have been cleared. The last day for withdrawal of nomination papers has been fixed on 24th November, 2014 and polling for this phase is scheduled to be held on December 9, 2014 (Tuesday). Bukhari files nomination papers from Amira Kadal Srinagar: Senior Peoples Democratic Party leader Syed Altaf Ahmed Bukhari filed his nomination papers for Amira Kadal Assembly constituency on Saturday. Bukhari is challenged by National Conference incumbent legislator Nasir Aslam Wani who is also the provincial president of the party. Bukhari was accompanied by PDP Chief Spokesperson Nayeem Akhtar to the office of Returning officer Srinagar. Though there are other candidates also in the fray from the same constituency, however, there will be a straight contest between Syed Altaf Bukhari and Nasir Aslam Wani. Pertinently Wani is seeking re-election from the coveted Amira Kadal constituency. According to observers Amira Kadal constituency is to witness an interesting contest as the ruling National Conference faces a strong anti-incumbency wave which could certainly have an impact on the results. One of the eight assembly seats of Srinagar district, Amira Kadal, out of ten elections held since 1957, has went seven times to NC and thrice to Congress. In 2002 assembly elections, Mohammad Shafi Bhat, a lawyer and politician from Amira Kadal, defeated NC’s Ghulam Nabi Mir, on a Congress ticket. Bhat, previously affiliated with NC, had switched over to Congress in 2002. Talking to CNS soon after filing his nomination papers, PDP candidate, Syed Altaf Bukhari said that he is confident of his victory. He said that he is hopeful that people would vote for him as he has already promised them that, “I will not let them down.” He said people have been let down by the present regime and they want change. (CNS) Man held for ‘blackmailing’ people on gunpoint Poonch: Police on Saturday arrested a man and recovered weapons from his possession in a village of Mendhar Tehsil of Poonch district. A police official said that acting on a complaint, a police party led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Mendhar along Station House Officer (SHO) Sadaqat Qureshi cordoned off the Sagra Belonai village and arrested Muhammad Fareed. Police said they recovered a gun and a pistol from his possession. “He was blackmailing and threatening people on the gunpoint,” police said. The police also said that the arrested man threatened a woman if she didn’t marry her. “A woman (name held) lodged a complaint with police and said Fareed is asking her to divorce his husband and marry him,” the police added. Meanwhile, police have registered a case under FIR number 178 under 354 AB, 509 RPC in police station Mendhar. (GNS) C M Y K C M Y K Sharif's earlier invitation to the president. According to a statement Nawaz referred to his visit to India, which was aimed at taking Pakistan-India relations forward. Subsequent unfortunate steps on India’s part, including cancellation of the foreign secretary-level talks and the unprovoked firing across the LoC/Working Boundary resulting in civilian casualties, indicated that India was averse to normalisation of relations with Pakistan, he added. “Thus, while we remain open to the resumption of bilateral dialogue, the onus is on India to create a conducive environment in this regard. President Obama ex- C M Y K Islamabad (AFP) - US President Barack Obama telephoned Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss the "evolving situation" in the region, the Pakistani foreign ministry said. "Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed satisfaction at the direction of Pakistan-US relations which were on an upward trajectory" and "President Obama noted Pakistan-US relations were strong and robust" during their conversation Friday evening the ministry said in a statement. Obama informed Sharif of his forthcoming trip to India and said he would visit Pakistan as soon as the situation normalises in the country, the ministry said, following
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