The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday called for international attention to reported killings in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, urging the United Nations human rights bodies to intervene and prevent further loss of life in the region.

Addressing reporters, Abdullah alleged that several people had been killed and that repression was continuing in the area. He appealed to the United Nations to take cognisance of the situation and intervene to stop what he described as ongoing rights violations.

The veteran politician also spoke extensively on Jammu and Kashmir's political future, reiterating his party's demand for restoration of statehood and greater powers for the elected government.

Referring to the proposed National Conference protest seeking restoration of statehood, Abdullah said his party would not invite any political party to participate and that those who wished to support the cause were free to join on their own.

On the issue of governance, Abdullah criticised the existing administrative arrangement in Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that excessive powers remain vested with the Lieutenant Governor while the elected government operates under significant constraints.

"The Lieutenant Governor is not an elected representative but a nominee of the Government of India," Abdullah said, adding that greater authority should rest with the elected government rather than unelected institutions.

He maintained that the present system has created difficulties for the elected administration and said governance would be more effective if powers were transferred to representatives chosen by the people.

The National Conference leader also blamed the Centre's policies for what he termed continuing political instability in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the circumstances under which the erstwhile state acceded to India should be revisited and the commitments made at that time reviewed.

SRINAGAR — A young man from Rajouri district was found unconscious inside an industrial unit in the Khonmoh area of Srinagar and was later declared dead at a nearby health facility, officials said on Thursday.

The deceased has been identified as Syed Ali, son of Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Rajouri.

According to police sources, the man was found in an unconscious condition inside Top Mind Industries in Khonmoh. He was shifted to Primary Health Centre (PHC) Khonmoh, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The body was subsequently taken for medico-legal formalities and examination.

Police personnel from Police Post Khonmoh reached the hospital and initiated proceedings to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death.

The exact cause of death was not immediately known, and further investigation is underway.

SRINAGAR — National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said his party will not invite any political party from Jammu and Kashmir to join its protest in Delhi for the restoration of statehood.

"Whoever wants to join the protest can do so. We are not going to anyone with a (begging) bowl," Abdullah told reporters here.

National Conference has announced that it would stage a protest in Delhi demanding restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the vice-president of the party, has urged the INDIA bloc constituents to join the protest.

Asked if the National Conference would strive for unity on the crucial issue, the party president said everyone was united as far as statehood is concerned.

On the chances of Jammu and Kashmir getting back special status, Abdullah said, "I am not god. Only Allah knows, and those who are in power in Delhi."

The former chief minister said his party is striving for the restoration of special status.

"We are already fighting for it. What more do you want? We are not silent. We will continue to fight. We have the right constitutionally to protest against what they have taken from us," he added.