News Analysis India

Tag: Article 370

  • BJP plotting to pass resolution in favour of Article 370 revocation in J&K Assembly after polls: Omar 

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: Former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Thursday said BJP would make an attempt to pass a resolution in favour of Article 370 revocation in the J&K Assembly after the elections to tell the world that people of J&K are satisfied with the August 5, 2019 decisions.  

    “BJP would make an attempt to pass a resolution in favour of Article 370 revocation in J&K Assembly after the elections to tell the world and the country that people of J&K are satisfied with the August 5, 2019 decisions. They want to wipe out the early resolution passed by J&K Assembly in 2000 seeking greater autonomy for J&K,” Omar said while addressing party workers in north Kashmir’s Bandipora.

    “They want to pass the resolution so that they can tell the world that J&K don’t want any change in it,” he said.

    On August 5, 2019, the Centre scrapped J&K’s special status and bifurcated the J&K state into two Union Territories — J&K (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

    ALSO READ | Seven properties bought by outsiders in Jammu and Kashmir, all in Jammu region: Centre

    “After they (BJP) pass the resolution in favour of Article 370 revocation in J&K Assembly, they would then approach the Supreme Court and tell the apex court that people challenging Article 370 revocation are telling lies and J&K people are very happy with the decision,” Omar said.

    The SC would tell them (BJP) how they knew it and the BJP would show the resolution passed by the J&K Assembly in favour of Art 370 revocation, Abdullah said. “Then the SC will be left with no option but to dismiss petitions challenging Article 370 revocation and won’t do anything against the August 5, 209 decision”.

    According to Abdullah, pleas challenging Article 370 revocation and bifurcation of J&K state were not being heard “because we have got a strong case.

    The BJP knows well that they cannot get many seats in Kashmir and without getting seats from the Valley, the resolution cannot be passed in J&K Assembly. “In order to create a division of votes in Kashmir, it has propped up many parties. However, to thwart this plot, the Gupkar Alliance was formed,” he said.

    The former CM said DDC the elections were held to break the Gupkar Alliance. “The alliance got more seats and proved that people of Kashmir and Jammu are not in favour of August 5, 2019 decisions.”

    Peoples Conference had pulled out from the seven-party alliance after the DDC polls while the head of another party — J&K Peoples Movement — has joined the Apni Party of Altaf Bukhari.

  • 96 civilians, 366 terrorists killed in Kashmir post Article 370 repeal: Government

    'These families are of govt. employees, many of whom, move to Jammu in winter as part of movement of officials and the winter vacation in educational institutions,' the minister stated.

  • Kashmir witnessing peace, investment and tourists post 370 abrogation: Amit Shah

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said Kashmir was witnessing peace, good business investment and influx of tourists post the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

    He also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured an optimum utilisation of resources to successfully fight oxygen shortage during the second wave of coronavirus in the country.

    Delivering his keynote address during the HT Leadership Summit here, Shah said the country has given a strong reply to the cross-border terrorism perpetrated by Pakistan, “hitting it in its house” by way of surgical strikes conducted by defence forces.

    No one believed that Article 370 and 35A can be repealed but Prime Minister Narendra Modi did it in 2019, he said.

    “I can say that there is peace now in Kashmir, investment is coming and tourists are flocking.”

    “Kashmir slowly is getting back to normal to stand in unity with the country,” he said.

    He said the Modi government made it clear through its armed surgical strikes into Pakistan that breaching Indian borders was not that easy.

    This feat till now was only known to be done by Israel and the US but India too now is in that list.

    “We want peace with everyone. The security of our borders is our top priority and we have given a definite and loud message in this context.”

    “Due to this, India now has a different acceptance in the world,” he said.

    Talking about the recent challenges posed by the COVID-19, the home minister said PM Modi’s effective policies brought out the economy, hit by the pandemic, in quick time.

    “Indian economy is growing fastest in the world now,” Shah said.

    Lauding Modi’s leadership, Shah said it was the first time that India’s security policy “came out of the shadows” of its foreign policy.

    He said in last 10 years before Modi government came to power (2014), there was a “policy paralysis” in the country, the Prime Minister’s office was “compromised” and India’s respect in the world had come down.

    “We got political stability in 2014 as there was an era of coalition governments for long in the country,” the home minister.

  • 1,678 Kashmiri migrants returned to J-K post Article 370 abrogation, Parliament told

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: As many as 1,678 Kashmiri migrants have returned to their native state after the abrogation of Article 370 for taking up jobs under the Prime Minister’s Development Package-2015, the government told Parliament on Tuesday.

    Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai also said that as per information provided by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, the land of 150 applicants has been restored.

    “As per the information provided by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, after the abrogation of Article 370, a total of 1,678 migrants have returned to Kashmir for taking up the jobs under the Prime Minister’s Development Package-2015,” he said in a written reply to a question.

    Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated by the central government on August 5, 2019.

    The state was also divided into two Union Territories. The minister said the government has taken various measures to restore ancestral properties to migrant Hindus.

    Under the Jammu and Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection & Restraint on Distress Sales) Act, 1997, District Magistrates (DMs) of concerned Districts in Jammu and Kashmir are the legal custodians of the immovable properties of migrants, who take suo motto action on eviction proceedings in cases of encroachment.

    He said the migrants can also request DMs in such cases. The DMs are further empowered to take all steps for the preservation and protection of such properties.

    The government of Jammu and Kashmir has launched a portal on September 7, 2021, to address the grievances of Kashmiri migrants in this regard, he said.

  • All government claims to justify abrogation of Art 370 proved wrong: Omar

    He said they are projecting that everyone in Jammu and Kashmir is happy and there is 'mauja hi mauja' (all is well) everywhere but 'we have not seen this as the hearts of the people are weeping'.

  • If you want to ‘keep’ Kashmir, restore Article 370 and address Kashmir issue: Mehbooba tells Centre

    By PTI

    BANIHAL/JAMMU: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday asked the Centre to restore Article 370 and resolve the Kashmir issue if it wants to “keep Kashmir”, saying people want return of “our identity and honour” and that too with interest.

    Addressing a public rally at Neel village of Banihal, she also said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have decided “our fate with Mahatma Gandhi’s India which gave us Article 370, our own constitution and flag” and cannot live with (Nathuram) Godse’s India.

    Mehbooba asked the people to stand united and “strengthen her voice for the success of her struggle in support of the restoration of special status guaranteed by the Constitution and safeguard the identity and honour of the people” of Jammu and Kashmir.

    “We have decided our fate with Mahatma Gandhi’s India which gave us Article 370, our own constitution and flag. If they take everything from us, we will also take back our decision. They have to think if they want to keep J&K with them, they have to restore Article 370 and resolve the Kashmir issue,” she said.

    The “people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot live with Godse’s (assassin of Mahatma Gandhi) India”, Mehbooba added.

    “We want Mahatma Gandhi’s India, return of our identity and honour which was given to us by the Indian Constitution and I am sure they have to return it with interest as well,” she asserted.

    Noting that history is testimony to the fact that no powerful nation has ruled people on the might of guns, she said, “You cannot keep Kashmir by holding a stick or a gun (on the heads of the people)… the super power America failed to rule Afghanistan on the strength of its power and had to leave the country.”

    Without naming the BJP, the former chief minister said, “Some of our own people get annoyed when I demand dialogue with Pakistan for peace in J&K and resolution of the issue. They dub me a traitor and anti-national.”

    “Today they are talking with Taliban and also China which has illegally occupied our land in Ladakh and has also set up a village in Arunachal Pradesh,” she said.

    However, Mehbooba said if the people stand united, it is not a big deal that “we will not succeed in our goal (of restoration of Article 370 and resolution of Kashmir issue)”.

    “India took 200 years from getting its freedom from the British and BJP took 70 years to remove Article 370 unconstitutionally.

    We may take 70 months but we will compel the Indian government to return not only Article 370 but resolve the Kashmir issue as well for which our youth rendered numerous sacrifices and filled the graveyards with their bodies,” she said.

    Seeking support of the people, Mehbooba said she does not bow before anyone but “what is going to happen if I do not bow before anyone, unless I am supported by all of you”.

    “You have to support my voice and I also need your blessings. If we do not raise our voice today, time will come when the people will say this was a place which was once a habitat of Kashmiri Muslims, Gujjars, Bakerwals and Pahari people as others will be settled here,” she said.

    “Today is not an election and I am not seeking votes from you. When the time for elections comes, vote for whom you wish to vote for. I want your support for PDP so that no 18-month-old is forced to come on the road again to seek the body of his father,” she said referring to the protest by the family members of the civilians killed in a controversial gunfight in Hyderpora locality of Srinagar on November 15.

    Mehbooba, however, defended joining hands with the BJP to form a government in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was done to “safeguard our honour and stop them (BJP) from touching Article 370”.

    “As long as our government remained in power, they did not touch Article 370. The day it collapsed, they revoked it (Article 370). We controlled them like a father who pushes himself before a bear to save his family. We sacrificed ourselves to safeguard our identity,” she claimed.

    She accused the BJP of ” polarising the country and dividing the people of Jammu and Kashmir on basis of caste, creed and religion”.

    “After PDP and National Conference, they are out to split Congress into two groups – one which remains in its own pocket and the other outside it,” she claimed, in an apparent reference to recent development in the national party when scores of its senior leaders and activists, believed to be close to former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, resigned from party positions in a revolt against J&K Congress chief G A Mir.

  • India-Pakistan dialogue holds key to peace in Jammu and Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Nothing can be achieved through threats, instead India and Pakistan have to hold talks for peace in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said on Monday.

    His remarks come a day after Union Minister Jitendra Singh said retrieving Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is next on the agenda.

    Singh at a programme in New Delhi had said the leadership which has the capacity and the will to abrogate Article 370, also has the capacity to retrieve PoJK from the illegal occupation of Pakistan.

    “I have been repeatedly saying that India and Pakistan have to talk (for peace in Jammu and Kashmir). Threats are being held that we will take this thing or that which cannot solve the issue,” Abdullah told reporters at the Digiana Ashram where he had gone to inquire about the health of Sikh leader Mahant Manjeet Singh.

    “When they can talk to China which entered our territory and set up villages, why cannot they talk to them (Pakistan) who are across the border,” he said.

    Insisting on dialogue between India and Pakistan, Abdullah said that “neither we have to give something nor can take anything. We have to work to set this line (Line of Control) right so that there is easy travel and trade on both sides”.

    Those people who are on the other side of the line are our own, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said.

    The National Conference (NC) leader, while welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to repeal three contentious farm laws, said, “I am hopeful that they (Centre) will hear the voice of hearts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and restore statehood along with the eroded autonomy if they really want to address ‘Dil ki Doori and Dilli Ki Doori’.”

    In August 2019, the Centre had abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated it into union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

    On India-Pakistan, Abdullah said when people on both sides come and go, the hatred will be replaced by love which will pave the way for peace in the region.

    To a question about the recent incidents of targeted killings by militants in Kashmir, he said, “This (militancy) is not a new thing for Jammu and Kashmir but once the hearts are won, the issue will be addressed.”

    On demands for restoration of statehood at a time when the Centre’s has accepted to repeal the farm laws, he said, “I am hopeful that they (BJP government) will hear the voice of the hearts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

    “The prime minister had himself said he wanted to remove ‘Dil ki Doori and Dilli Ki Doori’ (while chairing an meeting of all parties of J&K in June). If he really wants to address the gap, it is imperative for them (government) to restore statehood and also return the autonomy which was eroded,” Abdullah said.

    On upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “National Conference is ready for it even if it is declared today but claimed that BJP is not going to rule Jammu and Kashmir ever.”

    About BJP’s target of 50 plus seats to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “They can do it only if they tamper with voting machines or use police and army to cast bogus votes.”

    “One thing I want to make clear today is that BJP will never rule J&K. They will not even retain the number of seats which it won in the last assembly elections. They have to give answers to the people for their oppressive measures, growing unemployment and shortage of oxygen in hospitals during peak of COVID-19,” the Srinagar MP said.

    Today unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir is the highest in the country and inflation is touching the sky because of rising prices of petrol and diesel, he claimed and requested the government to bring fuel prices under control to provide relief to the people.

    Asked when he is expecting the report of the delimitation commission, which will be followed by elections according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Abdullah said the final meeting is yet to be called.

    “How come they complete the report without having the final meeting with the five MPs from J&K (three NC and two BJP)? They have not called us yet,” he said.

    On the killing of four persons in the controversial encounter in the Hyderpora area of Srinagar on November 15, Abdullah said that “we want a judicial inquiry into the incident to unveil the truth”.

    “The administration has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident but the officer can come under pressure from the government. We do not have people who can stand up within the system and speak the truth,” he said.

    Earlier, interacting with Sikh leaders, Abdullah stressed on the need for unity and maintaining brotherhood and said “if we have to save J&K and this country, we need to stand united against the hatred and polarisation”.

  • Will continue to take firm, decisive steps against terrorism: India’s swipe at Pakistan during UNSC meet

    By PTI

    UNITED NATIONS: India will continue to take firm and decisive action against cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, New Delhi’s representation said here on Tuesday, asserting that the onus is on Islamabad to create a conducive atmosphere for any meaningful dialogue which can be held only in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence.

    “India desires normal neighbourly relations with all countries including Pakistan, and is committed to addressing outstanding issues, if any, bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore declaration,” Counsellor in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Kajal Bhat said in the UN Security Council.

    “However, any meaningful dialogue can be held only in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence. The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere. Till then India will continue to take firm and decisive steps to respond to cross-border terrorism.”

    India hit back at Pakistan in the UN Security Council after Islamabad raised the Kashmir issue at the 15-nation Council.

    “I’m constrained to take the floor once again to respond to some frivolous remarks made by the representative of Pakistan earlier today. This is not the first time the representative of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country and seeking in vain to divert the world’s attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy a free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities are turned upside down,” Bhat said.

    Bhat made the response after Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram raked up the Jammu and Kashmir issue in the UN Security Council during the open debate on ‘Maintenance of International Peace and Security Through Preventive Diplomacy’.

    Bhat, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, said in her remarks that UN member states are aware that Pakistan has an “established history and policy” of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists.

    “This is a country which has been globally recognised as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of state policy. It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council.”

    Categorically stating India’s position, she said the entire union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.

    “This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan.”

    India called upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation.

  • Ladakh leaders announce agitation for statehood, land and job protection

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR:  Twenty-seven months after the abrogation of articles 370 and 35A by the Centre, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — representing political, religious, trading and student groupings and civil society members in the two districts of Kargil and Leh in Ladakh Union Territory — have announced a mass agitation to press for statehood, land and job protection to locals, two Lok Sabha seats and a Rajya Sabha seat and filling up of all vacant posts in the region.

    KDA co-chairman Qamar Ali Akhoon told this newspaper that in August the Centre had told the LAB and KDA leaders to form a joint committee so that it can talk to them to resolve the issues.

    “Even after the formation of a joint committee by LAB and KDA, the Centre hasn’t invited the leaders for talks and shown any seriousness in resolving our concerns,” he said.

    Akhoon said complete shutdown will be observed in Ladakh region on December 6 to press the Centre to fulfil their demands.

    He said both LAB and KDA demanded that the Centre should grant statehood with legislature to Ladakh so that Ladakhis could govern the Ladakhis and make rules. 

    “We also demand constitutional safeguards on the pattern of 6th Schedule to protect the land and job rights of local population. We also want safeguards to protect our culture and environment. Ladakh should be given two Lok Sabha seats instead of the present one and also given one Rajya Sabha seat,” he said.

    LAB president Thupstan Chhewang said they would launch a door-to-door campaign to mobilise people and struggle for the present and future generations of Ladakh.

    While Kargil had opposed abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A and bifurcation of J&K state into two Union Territories, people in Leh had celebrated the move.  

    With LAB now joining hands with KDA for fighting for constitutional safeguards, it is a complete turnaround for people of Leh and a shot in the arm for Kargil people.

  • 500 more troops in J&K, security upped amid targeted killings of civilians and forces

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  The Central government has ordered ramping up of security measures in Jammu and Kashmir to avert an October like situation which recorded a spate of targeted killings particularly of civilians and security personnel, top officials said on Tuesday.

    The measures include deployment of five new companies comprising around 500 troops of Central Reserve Police Force in the valley, establishment of more bunkers to monitor movement of terrorists, increased frisking and checking of vehicles.

    A senior CRPF official said that an odd 15,000 people and 8,000 vehicles are being checked daily.

    “It is difficult to  control civilian killings but we are taking additional measures to stop such  incidents. Visibility of forces, especially at nights has been increased. More surprise checkpoints and flash checkpoints have been set up in past month,” the official said.

    The measures follow a three day visit by union home minister Amit Shah to the valley in October which alone recorded 13 civilian killings. The announcement also comes a day after another civilian Mohd Ibrahim Khan was was shot dead by terrorists in Srinagar. At a press briefing on Tuesday, a CRPF spokesperson said that the force has taken additional measures to counter terrorism in the valley after a spate of targeted killings in the past few months.

    The spokesperson added that the new deployment is in addition to about 5,000 CAPF troops deployed in October just around Shah’s visit to the union territory. 

    The security forces and the National Investigation Agency have intensified the search for active militants in the valley, the spokesperson said.

    As of November 9, 112 terrorists have been killed this year while the number of terrorists apprehended so far this year is 135, he said.

    The spokesperson also spoke about the measures taken by CRPF in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas to counter Naxalism.

    As many as 486 Maoists have surrendered this year and 603 have been apprehended as of date, the spokesperson said, adding that security forces also neutralied 13 Maoists. 

    Meanwhile, state BJP president Ravinder Raina on Tuesday said the targeted killing of innocent civilians by terrorists in the valley is a conspiracy of Pakistan to disturb peace in the Union Territory.

    He said Pakistan is the biggest enemy of Kashmiri Muslims and Islam.

    Condemning the killing of a salesman, Mohammad Ibrahim Khan, at Bohri Kadal locality of downtown Srinagar on Monday evening, Raina said Pakistani cowards have committed another grave sin by shedding the blood of an innocent who was out to earn a livelihood for his family.

    “The killing of civilians shows the frustration of Pakistan which is a murderer of Kashmiri Muslims and enemy of Islam. Pakistani terrorists are frustrated by the successful counter-insurgency operations by our police, paramilitary forces and army and have hence resorted to the killings of unarmed civilians under the cover of darkness to disturb the peaceful atmosphere,” Raina said.

    He said the Pakistani terrorists have killed thousands of innocents over the past 30 years but “our forces are determined to finish them along with their supporters and sympathisers”.

    Raina said even the creator would not forgive them for their misdeeds.

    Meanwhile, dozens of activists of the Shiv Sena Dogra Front staged a protest at Rani Park here against the civilian killings in the valley.

    The protesters led by their president Ashok Gupta chanted slogans against Pakistan and terrorists and later dispersed peacefully, officials said.

    (With PTI Inputs)