Srinagar, Oct 23: Alleging that the BJP-led central government desecrated the Constitution of India by abrogating special status of J&K, former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said Article 370 restoration is a long drawn battle.
She said she has no interest in contesting elections without J&K flag and J&K constitution being restored.
“The centre desecrated the Constitution of India by abrogating the special status of J&K. BJP misused Parliament … the Parliament had no right to do it,” Mehbooba said during her first press conference here on Friday after being released 10 days ago from 14-month-long detention.
Mehbooba said her struggle will not stop at restoration of special status of J&K, but will go beyond that. “It will for the resolution of Kashmir problem,” she said.
“We don’t want violence. They have disrupted everything in the valley and are making decisions for Kashmiris which are against the will of people. They don’t want the people of Jammu Kashmir, they just want the territory. We acceded to democratic secular India and are uncomfortable with today’s India,” she said.
Answering a question whether she would hold the Indian flag, Ms Mehbooba said, “My flag is here (referring to the flag of erstwhile state of J&K placed on a table). As long as our flag is not returned, we will not hold any other flag. When we will get this flag back we will hold the other flag.”
The question asked was in reference to her comment made before August 5, 2019, that ‘if the special status of J&K will be abrogated there would be no one left in the erstwhile state to hold the flag of India’.
Expressing regret over forging an alliance with BJP, Mehbooba said the PDP had put its faith in a Prime Minister whose government misused the bruit majority in Parliament.
Urging people to support the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, the PDP president said she is seeking support to face the challenge and bring back which was stolen from J&K
“Our is a political fight. It is a long drawn battle. We will use all peaceful means during our fight for restoration of what was snatched from us on August 5, 2019,” she said.
On forthcoming DDC polls, Mehbooba said, “I personally have no interest in contesting elections. The party workers will sit and decide whether PDP wants to contest election. Similarly Peoples Alliance will decide separately, but as far as Mehbooba Mufti is concerned, I’m not interested in contesting elections as the constitution under which I used to fight polls has been desecrated”.
“Our fight is not confined for the restoration of Article 370, but for the resolution of Kashmir issue as well. Kashmir issue is an issue and nobody can turn their eye blind towards it,” she added.
Art 370 restoration a long drawn fight: Mehbooba
Peoples Alliance to meet today
Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Oct 23: The ‘Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration’, an amalgam of mainstream leaders striving for restoration of the Article 370 and statehood, is all set to hold its next meeting on Saturday here.
The members of “Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration” will be meeting tomorrow afternoon at former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti’s Gupkar residence.
Sources said all the members of the group have been invited for the meeting, which is scheduled to start at 2:30 am at Mehbooba’s Gupkar residence.
They said the conglomerate is likely to announce its chairman, vice -chairman, general secretary and others.
Farooq Abdullah is likely to be announced as head of the group while PDP President Mehbooba Mufti and People’s Conference chairman Sajad Gani would be given important positions.
CPI (M) senior leader and former MLA Kulgam, M Y Tarigami said that he has no knowledge about the structure taking place in the group. However, he said the meeting is being held and will discuss the future course of action.
Earlier on October 15, the major mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir forged an alliance to fight for the restoration of erstwhile State’s special position (Article 370) and Statehood. (KNO)
Political leaders meet LG Sinha, submit memoranda
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Oct 23: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha met leaders of various political parties at Raj Bhavan here Friday.
Former minister and Congress leader RS Chib submitted a memorandum of demands which included establishment of Sainik Colony at Srinagar, expediting four-laning works on Jammu-Suchetgarh Highway, instating a mechanism of monitoring works of Rural Development Department and improvement in Covid care facilities being provided in the UT.
He also submitted that the Tawi Golf Course Jammu be overhauled and developed into a major tourist destination of Jammu region.
Former minister and General Secretary Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Yogesh Sawhney also presented the Lt Governor a host of demands
including improvement in traffic management and parking facility in old Jammu city.
President Dogra Sadar Sabha and former minister Gulchain Singh Charak discussed with Sinha a host of issues pertaining to Jammu region and the Dogras. In a memorandum he highlighted the urgent need for restoration of Mubarak Mandi Complex and underlined its significance in Dogra heritage. He also highlighted the issue of blockade of old city roads due to winter Darbar, demanded widening of Indira-Chowk to Raj Bhavan Road, showcasing Jammu’s heritage through annual Jammu Festival, permanent functioning of Civil Secretariat at both the capital cities.
General Secretary BJP, Arvind Gupta submitted a detailed proposal of development of Katra-Reasi tourist circuit.
BJP Spokesperson Tahir Chowdhary raised the issue related to shortage of faculty at GMC Jammu and demanded that the same be filled on priority. He also apprised the Lt Governor that the department of Urology and Gastroenterology are lying defunct despite availability of medical equipment, and demanded that senior doctors be dissuaded from private practice.
The Lt Governor gave a patient hearing to all the leaders and assured them that the government is taking all necessary steps for the betterment of public.
He reiterated that the government is committed to improving the lives of all the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha also assured them that all the issues presented would be looked into and addressed on merit.
Amendments in services rules:Will decide future course of action after deliberations: EJAC
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Oct 23: A day after government announced amendments in civil service rules, Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) Friday started holding deliberations with employees to decide the future course of action.
The Employees Joint Action Committee, an umbrella body of employees unions, held meetings with employees associations to discuss the issue.
“There are apprehensions among employees that amendments in service rules could be misused. We are taking views from various unions about their issue,” an employee’s union leader said.
EJAC President Fayaz Ahmad Shabnam said that they have started deliberations with employees unions across J&K on this issue.
“The issue pertains to all employees across J&K. We held a meeting on Friday and will continue next week. Once we complete holding deliberations on this issue across J&K, we will put our viewpoint before employees, people and government. Only then future course of action can be decided,” he said.
20 new parking spaces to come up in Srinagar soon
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 23: The district administration has decided to come up with 20 new parking spaces for the commuters in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
The new parking spaces spread across the City will result in a major relief to residents and visitors Srinagar.
The sites for these new parking spaces have been proposed to the office of the District Development Commissioner and their development will start soon after their approval.
Each of these proposed sites is government land and is located in or close to an area where significant traffic load is witnessed in Srinagar.
The district administration has earmarked 6 crore rupees – at 10 lac rupees per parking space – under the Special Area Development Programme or SADP for their development.
DC Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said car parking shortfall has been amongst the major causes of concern in Srinagar adding that the problem is expected to be resolved to a significant degree after development of these new 40 parking spaces.
He said each of these new parking spaces will have smart equipment installed at their sites to enable seamless management of parking.
Shahid said development of 20 more parking spaces is under consideration of the district administration and will be taken up after development of these 20.
He also said that work on all ongoing projects of parking in Srinagar is also being expedited. He said work on the 20000 sq. ft. surface parking at Residency Road is nearing completion. (KNO)
Burglars’ loot cash from Ganderbal Shrine
Precious Kashmir News
Ganderbal, Oct 23: Thieves have looted the cash from the chest of holy shrine here in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Official sources said cash from a chest located in the lawns of Ziyarat Shareef Baba Hyder Sahib at Tulmullah Ganderbal was looted by burglars.
The incident has created resentment among local population.
“We are really concerned over such incidents and demand stern punishment for the culprits,” said a local adding that all the cash kept in the donation box has been stolen.
The incident has occurred during the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.
A police official said they are ascertaining the facts. (KNT)
Chaya reappointed as PHD Chamber mentor, Baldev as Chairman
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 23: Leading industrialists and Hotelier Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya and Baldev Singh Raina have been re-appointed as Mentor and Chairman of Kashmir chapter of PHD Chamber respectively while Rahul Sahai was appointed as as Chairman of Jammu Chapter of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Chaya heads the Radisson Hotels and resorts and Shopping Malls in J&K. Baldev Singh Raina is a leading young entrepreneur of Jammu and Kashmir. An engineering graduate from Karnataka University with business management course form IIM Bangalore and has diversified business in automobiles, real-estate, Food-processing. Rahul Sahai son of Late Ram Sahai is the most successful young entrepreneur of Jammu and presently heads the Sahai Group of Companies in region employing big human resource in the Jammu region.
LG visits Vaishno Devi shrine, reviews facilities for pilgrims
Precious Kashmir News
Katra, Oct 23: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Friday visited the cave shrine and paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum on the occasion of Durga Ashtami.
He prayed for peace, progress and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.
During his visit, Sinha was accompanied by Principal Secretary Nitishwar Kumar and Chief Executive Officer, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Ramesh Kumar.
The Lieutenant Governor reviewed the facilities put in place by the Shrine Board for facilitation of the pilgrims and took stock of the ongoing development works in the Shrine area.
He directed the CEO Shrine Board for completion of all the ongoing infrastructure development projects within envisaged timelines to further augment the facilities in sync with the emerging requirements of the pilgrimage.
Sinha was briefed by the CEO Shrine Board about the status of ongoing works, besides the arrangements being put in place to augment the facilities for the pilgrims.
The CEO also gave details of the arrangements made for the pilgrims during these Navratras. These include decoration of the Bhawan, Atka and the area surrounding it with exquisite flowers, round the clock water and power supply all along the tracks leading to the Shrine and in the Bhawan area, sanitation and sanitisation, availability of special “fast related” food at the Board’s Bhojanalayas and other facilities.
Chadoora residents protest against erratic power supply
Precious Kashmir News
Budgam, Oct 23: To protest the erratic power supply, locals from Chadoora area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district blocked road and disrupted traffic movement for hours on Friday.
The residents of Chadoora said they are witnessing frequent power cuts for the past few days and their repeated appeals have not yielded any result.
The locals both males and females blocked Chadoora-Charar-e-Sharief road near Sub-District Hospital Chadoora and raised slogans against Power Development Department.
Due to protest, the traffic on the road came to a standstill and police had to intervene. The issue was referred to concerned department that assured the grievance of the locals will be addressed.
Following an assurance, the locals dispersed peacefully. (KNT)
Major fire breaks out in Rahim Motors
Srinagar, Oct 23: A major fire broke out in Rahim Motors in Industrial Estate in the outskirts of Srinagar city on Friday morning, official sources said.
They said fire broke out in the main workshop of Rahim Motors located in Industrial Estate, Rangreth, in the outskirts this morning. However, before the fire tenders could reach the spot, fire spread to entire workshop, where several vehicles were under repair.
“Fire tenders from different parts of the city were rushed to the spot to douse the leaping flames, clearly visible from a distance,” they said, adding further details are awaited.
The cause of the fire was being ascertained, they said.
