[Reader-list] News from Kashmir

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KASHMIR NEWS


House in Srinagar sealed under POTO

In what may be the first action under the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance and for the first time since the eruption of militancy in Kashmir, a house in downtown Srinagar has been sealed by the Jammu and Kashmir police for providing a "safe hideout" to militants, official sources said on Monday. 

Student or bus traveller, a Kashmiri bears brunt of post WTC

Kashmir Times

Post September 11 terror attacks on Amerca have led to a
‘hate campaign’ against Kashmiris in several parts of the country.

Kashmiri people are subject to severe harassment and humiliation in New Delhi,Punjab and other parts of north India. Students and businessmen are the worst victims of this campaign.

Reports reaching here reveal that police and other law enforcing agencies are targeting Kashmiris traveling to and fro from Kashmir and New Delhi. Hotel owners do not allow Kashmiris to stay in their hotels at New Delhi.

"Being a Kashmiri is a sin outside Kashmir. You cannot check in a hotel of your choice. You cannot move freely. Watchful eyes are monitoring your movement. In Delhi the situation is much worse. Kashmiri people are being suspected for being terrorist. Worst of all, no body listens to logic", said Adil Ahmad, who faced a lot of hardships in New Delhi during his recent tour.

Students are the worst victim of this onslaught. In several colleges across the country, police swoops are common during night and they pick up Kashmir students for questioning. Though they are let free, it is enough to create suspicion in the minds of others against Kashmiris.

People traveling by bus are subjected to worst humiliation at different places in Punjab and Haryana. Punjab police stop buses at different places,segregates Kashmiris and non-Kashmiris and then harasses Kashmiri people on different pretexts.

"Punjab police has unleashed a reign of terror. Any Kashmiri traveling by bus to Delhi is being questioned. He is being released after greasing the pal
become a routine norm. If anyone raises voice against such practice, he is being threatened of dire consequences and sometimes dubbed as terrorist", said a trader, who had to pay huge sum to cops in Punjab.


Hizbul Mujahideen distances itself from foreign militants in Kashmir
Hizb plans to float political party

Pakistan-backed militant group Hizbul Mujahideen has indicated that it would float a political party of its own even as it expressed its willingness for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.

"Hizbul Mujahideen is seriously considering to form a political organisation in the state," its spokesman Asad Yazdani told two local news agencies. He,
however, did not elaborate when the new party will be formed.

"We are in favour of peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue at a politicallevel. We no doubt carry Kalanashkov (rifles) on one hand but we carry olive
branch on the other," he said.


POTO AND KASHMIR

Excerpt from Kashmir Observer Editorial

The Kashmir card and the threat from across the border have consistently been used by the ruling parties to gag the opposition. The din of the Kashmir rhetoric invariably drowns sane and genuine voices. BJP leaders have already started harping on the favourite Kashmir tunes to win support for the controversial ordinance. The opposition parties need to realise that the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir has already been brought under similar laws and ordinances. The security forces in the state have blanket powers to combat militancy. They have the powers to cordon, search, kill and even to destroy private and public property on mere suspicion. The ordinance seems targeted at opposition and minorities in the country, and appears to be a part of the BJP's hidden agenda. The minority and Dalit leaders in the country need to understand the latent dimensions of the new ordinance. Like TADA, the ordinance can be used against genuine minority voices in the country. The Congress opposition can thwart the passage of the bill replacing the ordinance in
not enjoy a majority. It needs to be cautious not to be swayed by the "Kashmir and cross border" sentiment. The BJP leaders have to realize that passing of such bills is no solution to the problems faced by the country. Instead of passing bills like POTO and playing up to peoples' parochial sentiments, the government needs to address issues like that of Kashmir with an open mind. The best security is in the constant correction of abuses.