News Analysis India

Tag: Jammu and Kashmir

  • Mayawati hopes PM Modi’s Kashmir meet will help in taking concrete decisions

    By PTI
    LUCKNOW: BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday termed as a “proper initiative” the meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Kashmir, and hoped that it would prove helpful in taking some concrete decisions.

    Fourteen leaders from Jammu and Kashmir have been invited to the meeting to be chaired by the prime minister on Thursday to discuss the future course of action for the union territory.

    In a tweet in Hindi, the BSP president said, “The meeting of 14 leaders of Jammu and Kashmir at the level of PM Narendra Modi on June 24 is a proper initiative. Hope this meeting, which comes after a gap of about two years, will prove fruitful in taking some concrete decisions and will also be helpful on (issues like) restoration of statehood of Jammu and Kashmir etc.”

    “At the same time, the early completion of delimitation of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly seats and general elections are such issues on which the eyes of the country are focussed.

    The Centre should intensify efforts to restore the situation in Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest as per its promise and claim,” she said in another tweet.

    The meeting is the first such exercise since the Centre announced the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 of the Constitution and its bifurcation into union territories on August 5, 2019.

  • PM’s J&K all-party meet will facilitate commencement of political process in UT: Apni Party

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party has hailed the political outreach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hoped that the June 24 all-party meet will facilitate commencement of a political process in the union territory that will lead to genuine empowerment of its people.

    The party headed by Altaf Bukhari also demanded that concrete confidence building measures be taken by the Centre to address woes of the people of J-K.

    The party held a meeting on Monday in which the leaders “hailed the political outreach of the prime minister and hoped that the June 24 meeting will facilitate commencement of a political process in Jammu and Kashmir that will eventually pave the way for genuine empowerment of its people”.

    Party general secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir on Tuesday said Bukhari has been authorised by the party to “represent the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the meeting.

    ALSO READ | J&K’s Gupkar alliance to attend Centre’s all-party meeting, pitch for Article 370 restoration

  • Good that Centre realised things won’t work in UT without mainstream J&K parties: NC ahead of meet with PM Modi

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with the political parties of Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference (NC) on Monday said it is good that the Centre has realised that “things will not work” in the Union Territory without mainstream regional players.

    Hectic political consultations are on in Jammu and Kashmir within mainstream regional parties including the NC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over an all-party meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Modi on June 24.

    “We have been saying that nothing has changed on the ground for the last two years. It is good that they have this realisation that things will not work here without the local mainstream. All their huge promises have turned hollow on the ground and nothing has been achieved,” NC provincial president, Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani told reporters here.

    Wani said the change from “demonising” the mainstream parties in Jammu and Kashmir to inviting them for talks was “good”.

    “It is a good change. As much and how much you can demonise the mainstream of J-K, you cannot do without it because the mainstream in J-K has always proven.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi to meet 14 J&K leaders in Delhi on June 24; first since abrogation of Article 370

    “For that matter, the NC, being the premier political party of the erstwhile state, has that grassroots reach, without its involvement in such kind of dialogues and such kinds of conference, you cannot go ahead,” he said.

    The NC leader claimed that contrary to the credit “they have taken these two years, they have achieved nothing”.

    The Centre had on August 5, 2019 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.

    “It is always the people’s representatives who can deliver in this trouble-ridden state,” Wani asserted.

    Asked if the party felt there was any international pressure on the Centre over Kashmir, the NC leader said, “Whatever be the reason, what is happening is good”.

    “Don’t you think something is there? For whatever reason it has happened, it is good.

    Whether there was any pressure, or there is no pressure or the PM had this realisation and thought that the UT has to see the peaceful times ahead, it is a better realisation and we are hopeful that there is peace and not only internally, but externally as well,” he said.

  • Good that Centre realised things won’t work in UT without mainstream J&K parties: NC ahed of meet with PM Modi

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with the political parties of Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference (NC) on Monday said it is good that the Centre has realised that “things will not work” in the Union Territory without mainstream regional players.

    Hectic political consultations are on in Jammu and Kashmir within mainstream regional parties including the NC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over an all-party meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Modi on June 24.

    “We have been saying that nothing has changed on the ground for the last two years. It is good that they have this realisation that things will not work here without the local mainstream. All their huge promises have turned hollow on the ground and nothing has been achieved,” NC provincial president, Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani told reporters here.

    Wani said the change from “demonising” the mainstream parties in Jammu and Kashmir to inviting them for talks was “good”.

    “It is a good change. As much and how much you can demonise the mainstream of J-K, you cannot do without it because the mainstream in J-K has always proven.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi to meet 14 J&K leaders in Delhi on June 24; first since abrogation of Article 370

    “For that matter, the NC, being the premier political party of the erstwhile state, has that grassroots reach, without its involvement in such kind of dialogues and such kinds of conference, you cannot go ahead,” he said.

    The NC leader claimed that contrary to the credit “they have taken these two years, they have achieved nothing”.

    The Centre had on August 5, 2019 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.

    “It is always the people’s representatives who can deliver in this trouble-ridden state,” Wani asserted.

    Asked if the party felt there was any international pressure on the Centre over Kashmir, the NC leader said, “Whatever be the reason, what is happening is good”.

    “Don’t you think something is there? For whatever reason it has happened, it is good.

    Whether there was any pressure, or there is no pressure or the PM had this realisation and thought that the UT has to see the peaceful times ahead, it is a better realisation and we are hopeful that there is peace and not only internally, but externally as well,” he said.

  • Chidambaram demands restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Seeking restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday said Parliament should repeal the “offending” laws in the upcoming Monsoon session and restore the status quo ante there.

    He asserted that it is the only way to draw the starting line for a political resolution of the Kashmir issue “What was made under the Constitution cannot be unmade by an Act of Parliament, misinterpreting and misusing the provisions of the Constitution,” he said.

    His remarks come ahead of the June 24 meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi where 14 political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, including four former chief ministers, have been invited for talks.

    “J&K was a ‘state’ that signed an Instrument of Accession and acceded to India. It must enjoy that status forever. J&K is not a piece of ‘real estate’. J&K is ‘people’. Their rights and wishes must be respected,” he said in a series of tweets.

    “In the Monsoon session, Parliament should repeal the offending laws and restore the status quo ante in J&K. That is the only way to draw the starting line for a political resolution of the Kashmir issue,” the former union minister said.

    Chidambaram noted that one should remember that the “dismembering” of J&K has been challenged in the Supreme Court and the cases are pending for nearly 2 years.

    “Congress Party’s position, reiterated yesterday, that full Statehood must be restored to J&K should clear any doubt or ambiguity,” he also said.

    The Congress had on Sunday said it is committed to restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir and the prime minister and the BJP should accept this demand in the interest of Constitution and democracy.

    Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said depriving Jammu and Kashmir full statehood and not allowing its people to elect their own representatives is a direct attack on democracy and the constitutional principles.

    The Central government abrogated the state’s special status and bifurcated it into UTs on August 5, 2019.

    The erstwhile state has been under the Centre’s rule since June 2018.

  • Government realised its mistakes in J&K: NC leader Hasnain Masoodi

    Express News Service
    Senior National Conference leader and MP Hasnain Masoodi in an interview told Fayaz Wani that the Centre’s invite to mainstream political leaders of J&K for an all-party meeting (APM), to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on June 24, is a significant development. He said the move indicates the Centre has realised that the August 5, 2019, decisions have not achieved anything on the ground. He asserted that his party leaders would raise the demand of restoring Article 370 at the meeting.

    Why is the invitation for the meeting on J&K significant?It is very significant because till yesterday they were abusing and labelling us as “Gupkar Gang”, and now, they have approached us for a dialogue. It is a good realisation. It indicates that the government of India has gone for some kind of appraisal and it must have realised that the decisions of scrapping Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into two UTs have not achieved anything on the ground.

    Will the NC only talk about the restoration of statehood or delimitation as well in the APM?That is not possible. We are trustees of the aspirations of the J&K people. The NC is not just a political party but a political movement. The NC is a grand-old party, and we have rendered a lot of sacrifices. We respect the interests and aspirations of people and will go accordingly.

    Will your party raise the Article 370 restoration demand?We are committed to Article 370 restoration. Whatever we say it would be focused on August 5, 2019, decisions. We want permanent, durable and lasting peace in J&K, and to achieve that, we cannot go for ad-hoc experiments. There can be lasting peace in J&K when the aspirations of people are addressed. Our agenda is very clear – we should be given back what was snatched away from us without consulting us.

    Will PAGD leaders collectively or individually raise their issues at APM?I am the coordinator of the PAGD. First, the parties, which have received the invites, will discuss it with their members and leaders for their views. After the party-level talks, the PAGD leaders would meet and discuss the united strategy. The PAGD leaders would meet ahead of the June 24 meeting with the PM to discuss the joint strategy.

    It is being said internal and external factors are the reason behind the Centre’s invitation? How do you see this?I think it is everything put together. The world has now become a global village and it reacts to whatever happens. The Kashmir issue was discussed at G-5 and they have also issued statements. Now, the LoC and IB in J&K have fallen silent after India and Pakistan in February agreed to adhere to the November 2003 ceasefire. There is total calm and peace along the borders. Have the two countries agreed to adhere to the border ceasefire on their own? Besides, there have been some other developments on the India-Pakistan front. A lot of things are happening on the backchannel.

  • Encounter breaks out between security forces, militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Sopore area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, police said.

    A police official said the encounter broke out at Gund Brath area of Sopore in the north Kashmir district late Sunday night.

    The security forces have cordoned off the area and the exchange of firing is going on, he said, adding that further details were awaited.

  • PAGD to meet Tuesday to discuss invite for June 24 meeting with PM Modi

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) will meet here Tuesday to discuss the Centre’s invitation to mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir for an all-party meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 24, a leader of the grouping said.

    The PAGD is an alliance of six parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the NC and the PDP, formed in the aftermath of the Centre’s August 2019 decision to nullify Article 370 and split J&K into two union territories.

    “The alliance meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at 11 am,” a PAGD leader told PTI.

    He said the meeting would take place at the Gupkar residence of National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, who is also the chairman of the alliance.

    The leader said the alliance members would discuss the Centre’s invitation to mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir for the talks.

    PAGD spokesman and senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami confirmed the meeting of the alliance is scheduled to take place on Tuesday to discuss the invitation.

    “The process of discussions is on and we are meeting on Tuesday to finalise (the decision on the invitation). We will let our decision known afterwards,” he said.

    Invitations have been sent out to 14 political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir including four former CMs for a high-level meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on June 24 which is expected to set the roadmap for holding assembly elections in the UT.

    The PM’s meeting with the political parties from Jammu and Kashmir is part of the Centre’s initiatives to bolster political processes, including holding assembly elections, in the union territory.

    Asked if the member parties of the PAGD have left the decision on whether to participate in the PM’s meeting to the alliance, the PAGD leader quoted above said the constituents were part of the “larger alliance” and will discuss the issue together.

    “See, the invitations have been sent to individual leaders and not to the alliance and not even to parties to send their representatives. But, as we happen to be together as the constituents of the larger alliance, so, we will discuss the issue together as well,” he said.

    He added that a united approach will be “good for the health of our society and our politics”.

    “There would be a commonality in our approach this way. That is what is required,” he said.

    A leader from the NC said the parties have left the decision on the participation in the PM’s meet to the alliance.

    “See, it is not only about a meeting with the PM. There has to be a discussion on the stand to be taken, the way forward and other such things. While the intra-party consultative process will continue, the PAGD will meet and discuss the issue collectively,” he said.

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets Lieutenant Governors of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday held separate meetings with the lieutenant governors of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

    Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha is learnt to have apprised the defence minister about the security scenario in the union territory.

    “The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri @manojsinha_called on Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh in New Delhi today,” Singh’s office tweeted.

    Issues related to the overall development of Ladakh figured in Singh’s meeting with Lt Governor R K Mathur, people familiar with the deliberations said.

  • Only objective is to accelerate economic development of J-K: L-G Manoj Sinha

    By PTI
    JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said the only objective of his administration is to accelerate the economic development of the Union Territory and make it multi-dimensional.

    He also said that the pace of new industrial schemes had stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now the efforts would be intensified to take it on the ground in the coming days.

    “We are paying close attention to the business, industry, and tourism sectors affected by Corona and decisions would be taken for their convenience. Work will also be done on a war footing to promote the art and culture of Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha said in his ‘awaam ki awaaz’ programme, aired on all local and primary channels of All India radio (AIR) stations.

    He said in the coming days, “we have only one objective – to accelerate the economic development of J&K and make it multi-dimensional”.

    Sinha said working within the tenets of financial prudence, transparency, and accountability, the Jammu and Kashmir government is moving ahead the agenda of all-round development in the region.

    The lieutenant governor said the recent announcement of Rs 12,600 crore District Capex budget is historic and is more than double the last year’s budget of Rs 5,134 crore.

    The budget has been made by people’s representatives keeping in mind the needs of the common man, he said, adding “Jammu and Kashmir is full of self-confidence, I hear the echo of self-power among the people”.

    Coming down heavily on the recent issue of unwarranted rumours being spread by a few with vested interests, Sinha said certain elements cannot digest the speedy execution of development work and effective management of COVID-19.

    “We need to reject all such rumours and focus on playing a constructive role.

    For the past several decades, such people deliberately misled our young generation for personal gains and deprived them of development dividends.

    So I humbly request all of you not to pay heed to such rumours,” he said.

    Sinha acknowledged the tireless contribution of corona warriors and frontline workers, and termed it as an embodiment of determination and dedication.

    “With their hard work, they have laid the foundation stone for the future of Jammu and Kashmir.

    Today, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a new dawn and is moving ahead as an equal society.

    The credit goes to these warriors who dedicated themselves to the cause,” he said.

    Noting that it was only due to people’s collective efforts the Covid situation in the UT is inching towards normalcy, Sinha said everyone should continue to follow Covid protocol to keep the dreaded infection at bay.