Srinagar: Kashmir Editors Guild (KEG) regretted, yet again, that while it was expecting the lifting of the ban on government business to two major newspapers – The Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Reader, the government has added Kashmir Uzma to the list. The ban, as usual, is unexplained and implemented without conveying to the newspaper.

The ban, as we have conveyed earlier, is continuation of the onslaught that the Kashmir media has been subjected to, since 1989 in particular. The onslaught has led to the untold miseries to the institution of media and the shaking of the faith in the institution of democracy.

KEG that met on Tuesday discussed the fresh ban order has reiterated its stand that the ban is not only strangulating the media but is also impacting the idea of democracy. Interestingly, the ban came in the midst of the electoral process that is governed by the Moral Code of Conduct. The Information Department has not conveyed the ban formally.

Srinagar, Apr 02 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sharply reacted to Omar’s statement in which he promised to restore post of PM and President for Kashmir, stating that the demand was long buried by Omar’s grandfather himself in the accord of 1975.

PDP senior leader and MLC Mohammad Khurshid Alam said that national conference is perhaps unaware of its past and how the party deceived the innocent people of the state in a most ruthless and sadistic manner.

Alam said one must ask NC why in spite of being the Prime Minister did the NC founder accept the post of the Chief Minster in 1975 and why on 5 July 1975, plebiscite front for which people rendered immense sacrifice was formally dissolved by him.

Alam said that deceit and deception was always NC’s trademark and that during the elections of 1977, in order to hoodwink the people of the state particularly those of Kashmir Valley NC sought to raise false issues to obtain support for his party. “The party talked of Kashmir and told audiences that they are a separate nation. What it didn’t tell the people of Jammu and Kashmir is the fact that it itself has rendered article 370 in effective by accepting it as a temporary and transitional provisions of Indian constitution in 1947 and by striking a deal with the union of India in 1975,” said Alam.

He added that when NC came to power in 1996 with a brute majority and its autonomy resolution was thrown into the dustbin by central Government, why Farooq Abdullah didn’t leave his chair? “In fact, he kept lobbying for the post of Vice President of India and his that demand was rejected, he pleaded for a junior ministerial berth for his son. To do that, he bartered all the resources of the state and sold precious power projects to centre,” said Alam and added that in a bid to appease his masters in New Delhi, Farooq Abdullah launched catch and kill, patronised Ikhwan and bundled innocent people in jails. In 1984, while being the Chief Minister of the state, Farooq Abdullah signed the death warrant of Maqbool Bhat, paving way for the armed uprising in Kashmir.

The PDP leader added that after the 2008 polls when NC came to power, Omar Abdullah’s regime witnessed the gruesome episode of Shopian in 2009. He added that the government led by Omar then unleashed terror to the extent that a 12 class student namely Burhan Wani left home and became face of militancy. “Then came the cricket scam, Haji Yousuf’s murder ,killing of 120 teenagers and denial of justice to them,” Alam said and added that it is now a widely acknowledged fact that Omar presided over one of the corrupt, ruthless and inefficient governments in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.

Alam said that Omar while continuing the legacy of his party promised AFSPA revocation in his tenure and in return signed death warrant of Afzal Guru on Feb 9, 2013. “Is is possible that the people of Kashmir will ever forget all such wounds and will forgive Omar and his NC for chaos in which he and his family has been plunging Kashmir into since 1938?,” asked Alam. (KNS)

Srinagar, Apr 02 : The former chief minister and National Conference (NC) Vice president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the party doesn’t need any alliance but will form the government on their own.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the function in Pattan area of Baramulla district, Omar said that if need arises, NC will always extend its support to anyone to safeguard Article 35A and 370.

He said that to protect the constitution, the party recently extended its support to form the government with Altaf Bukhari as chief minister. “We will always support anyone at any place in safeguarding the constitution,” Omar said.

About possibility of coalition government in the State, Omar said they don’t need any coalition government but “we will form the government on our own.”

He also reiterated the promise of ‘Sadr-e-Riyasat’ and Prime Minister, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi should go through the history of Jammu and Kashmir.

‘When I was the Minister during NDA government, we were working for getting back the State’s executive posts of Sadr-e-Riyasat and Prime Minister at that time also but how it is different this time,” he asked, adding that “We have had our own Prime minister and Sadr-e-Riyasat. Whatever, I talked about is part of the constitution,” Omar told reporters.

He also said that PM Modi should go through the history of Jammu and Kashmir which will give him an insight about Jammu and Kashmir. “He (Modi) should read the history of India and see under which circumstances Jammu and Kashmir became part of India,” Omar said.

Omar was reacting to a query about the PM Modi’s statement wherein he had sought clarification from him about his statement regarding Sadr-e-Riyasat. (KNS) 

Srinagar, Apr 02 : The Jammu and Kashmir Government has withdrawn the official accommodation of JKPCC President G A Mir.

Mir is filling his nomination papers for Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency tomorrow.

The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committe has strongly condemned the move of the Government, saying that withdrawing official accommodation of JKPCC President is very unfortunate. (KNS) 

Srinagar, 02 Apr  : Continuing with his visit to the Valley, the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, accompanied by the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, visited the hinterland formations, where he reviewed the prevailing security situation and strategy for counter terrorist operations on 02 April 2019 in North Kashmir.

The Army Commander also chaired an all agencies Security Review Meeting at BB Cant Srinagar. During the meeting the prevailing security challenges were discussed and a joint security strategy was evolved for the coming summer months including maintaining a secure environment during the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

The empowering atmosphere for the public to observe normalcy was highlighted. Efforts to continually achieve such benign conditions was also acknowledged. The Army Commander was also briefed about the situation on the Line of the Control including the befitting response being given to unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan, resulting in heavy casualties on them. 

            Later, the Army Commander visited the formations and units deployed in South Kashmir. The local commanders briefed him on existing security situation and the close coordination between all government agencies towards maintaining vigil and peace in the Valley.

During interaction with ‘Jawans’, the Army Commander was appreciative of the round the clock efforts towards giving a sense of normalcy through dedicated, synergised and tireless endeavours.