Says primary goal of party is to protect territorial integrity, identity, special status and pluralistic visage of state

Srinagar, June 7 : Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah Friday asserted that protecting the unity, integrity of state was the primary goal of the party besides materialising the idea of a welfare state as enshrined in Naya Kashmir document.

Party president while addressing scores of delegations, individuals who had thronged the residence of party vice president Omar Abdullah said, “The primary goal of the party is to protect the territorial integrity, identity, special status and the pluralistic visage of the state. The party has always rendered immense sacrifices for the protection of the interests of our state. However, the situation we are facing today is far more perilous. Forces as have traditional been dead set against the special constitutional position of the state are contriving there level best to obliterate Art 370, Art 35-A; however our party will not allow any such gambit to materialize. The party will continue to tread the path that was taken to by it in 1931. Our agenda is pretty clear and unambiguous; it is to work towards the socio, political and economic emancipation of the people of the state. Our vision of development is not impaired by the bug of fanaticism, bigotry and regionalism. We have traditionally worked for the every section of the society. We will continue to work with the same passion.” 

While instilling confidence into the party workers, party president said that Art 370, Art 35-A were the articles of faith for the party. “The articles are as necessary and pivotal for jammu and ladakh regions as they are for Kashmir. These articles besides sanctifying the constitutional bond between the state and the center protect the rich culture of all the regions of the state. Above and beyond that the articles protect the exclusive right of the people living in all the regions of the state in jobs, scholarships. If the articles are done away with the youth of the state notwithstanding which region of the state they belong to will be snatched of their exclusive right over the jobs, scholarships in the state. Moreover the local youth of the state will find it very difficult to get admissions in the colleges and universities of the state.  However, if we continue to forge unity amongst ourselves no one would dare to touch it. The need of the hour calls for joining our efforts for the protection of the special status of the state. The way people have reposed their faith in the party during the parliament elections shows that the people of the state deem it able to shoulder the mission of protecting the interests of the state. I am sure with the active support of people the party will put up a strong front against those forces are hell bent to destroy the identity of the state.”

Party president maintained that the state of J&K belongs to its people, “The people of the state are the lawful owners of this land. For past five years we didn’t see the central government do any thing towards bringing rapprochement and reconciliation in the state. The people friendly programmes and measures  initiated by the Omar Abdullah led government were out rightly put into a chasm by the former BJP-PDP government and the BJP led central government. However I am hopeful that the new dispensation at the centre will heal the wounds of the people of the state in particular the people of valley. Meantime I am hopeful that the central government will start meaningful dialogue with the neighbouring country. Such a measure will bring respite to the people living along the LOC and international border. The resumption of talks between India and Pakistan will help the people of our state to live a better life free of insecurity and tension. I am hopeful that the new dispensation at the centre will use its massive mandate to usher in an era of peace in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. We in our party will continue to impress upon the central government to engage with the neighbouring country. Internally too, centre should initiate talks with all the stake holders.”

Referring to the restoration of autonomy he said, “We firmly believe that restoration of the autonomy will satiate the development and other need of the all the regions of the state. In this direction our party had already got the recommendations of the state autonomy committee passed by the legislative assembly with 2/3rd majority. We believe restoring autonomy to the state will clean the cobwebs of mistrust between the centre and the state besides providing for the local needs of the people across the state.”

Underscoring the need of delegating more administrative powers to all the sub-regions of the state he said that once in power the party will give autonomies to the far-flung areas of the state. “De-centralization and strengthening of local civic bodies forms the core of our agenda, once in power we will ensure speedy and effective de-centralization of the administrative powers in the state.”

On the occasion, the party vice president’s house wore a festive look.  People from across the state, workers and other delegations that had thronged the residence of vice president festooned the party president and vice president with garlands and extended Eid greetings.

Among others party vice president Omar Abdullah, general secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar, provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani, senior leader Muhammad Shafi Uri, Abdul Rahim Rathar, Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan; Zonal presidents, district presidents and other party functionaries were also present on the occasion.

Srinagar, June 07 : Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar today chaired a high level meeting to discuss the security and other related arrangements for the smooth conduct of Amarnathji Yatra which is scheduled to commence from 1st July 2019.

The meeting was attended by DGP Dilbag Singh, Additional Secretary Home (GOI), Gyanesh Kumar, GOC XI Corps Lt Gen J. S. Dhillon, CEO SASB Umang Narula, Principal Secretary Home Shaleen Kabra, ADGP CID Dr B. Srinivas, ADGP Security Munir Ahmad Khan, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan, IGP Traffic Alok Kumar, IGP Kashmir S P Pani, senior officers of Central Armed Police Forces and other security agencies.

Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sanjeev Verma and IGP Jammu M K Sinha attended the meeting through video conferencing.

Threadbare discussions were held on all important aspects related to the security arrangements for Shri Amarnathji Yatra -2019. Further, role and responsibilities of all the security agencies involved in making security related arrangements were also discussed in detail during the meeting.

All the participants also provided their valuable inputs and suggestions for strengthening the security grid and providing fool proof security cover to yatris during their forward & return journey.

With regard to other arrangements for the pilgrims to be made by the civil administration, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir gave a detailed presentation and assured that arrangements be put in place well in time so that the pilgrims would not face any inconvenience during their yatra period in the state.

Advisor K Vijay Kumar stressed the need for all concerned agencies to maintain effective coordination among themselves to ensure smooth conduct of the forthcoming Yatra. It is our collective responsibility to put in sincere efforts to ensure security of the pilgrims coming to the state to perform Shri Amarnathji Yatra, he added.

He asked all the senior officers to take regular review meetings with the field functionaries and other staff so that any deficiency if reported is rectified well in time. (GNS)

Srinagar, June 7 : Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Muslim League (ML), Masarat Aalam Bhat was swiftly shifted from Jammu jail to New Delhi’s Tihar Jail.

According to unconfirmed sources, Alam was shifted to Tihar Jail on Monday evening (3 June) in connection with National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) probe in “terror funding case”, a spokesman of the ML said in a statement issued here. 

Muslim League spokesperson said that Masrat Aalam was shifted from Amphala jail to Tihar jail. From Tihar jail he was presented before Patiala house court on Monday and sent to custody of NIA for 10 days, the spokesman said.

Masrat Alam is behind bars continuously for the last 9 years, during which judicial houses itself have quashed his detention 37 PSAs.

He was slapped with the 38th PSA in a row and now sending him to NIA custody in connection with fabricated charges is worst kind of state sponsored terrorism, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Muslim League Jammu Kashmir spokesperson has stressed upon Human rights council, Redcross, Amnesty International, Bar Association Kashmir and all other human rights organisations to take strong note of this illegal detention of Masrat Aalam and play their role for his early release. (GNS)

Srinagar, Jun 07 : Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Commissioner Khurshid Ahmad Sanai, who recently assumed the office of the corporation, today chaired an introductory meeting at his main office and stressed on “timely delivery of services to the residents of Srinagar”.

Sanai sought a department-wise report to assess the functioning of different departments of the SMC. He was apprised by senior officials of the SMC on mandates of the departments and the works under progress. 

“We are here to deliver services to the general public. My thrust will be on timely delivery of services to people,” said Sanai. 

The Commissioner said he will soon take a wing-wise orientation meeting with all heads, especially the sections of the sanitation, the enforcement, the build permission and the birth and death.

Those who attended the meeting included Additional Commissioner Nazeer Ahmad Baba, FA/CAO Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Joint Commissioner Administration Syed Abul Qasim, Secretary SMC, Executive Engineers, Chief Enforcement Officer, Chief Sanitation Officer, Chief Revenue Officer and Senior Law Officer. (KNS)