The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — J&K political leaders, including Sajjad Gani Lone and Altaf Bukhari, have raised concerns over the arrest and harassment of workers ahead of the polls.

Sajjad Gani Lone, President of J&K Peoples Conference, appealed to the Election Commission and administration to ensure fairness and impartiality, urging them not to target parties selectively.

Echoing his sentiments, Altaf Bukhari, President of the Apni Party, condemned the arrests of their workers and agents, labelling it as a blatant attempt to manipulate the elections.

Both leaders called for the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to stop the arrest spree and ensure free and fair elections, emphasizing the need for a level playing field for all political entities.

They accused rival parties like the National Conference and PDP of having deep connections with the administration and orchestrating the arrests to curtail fair competition.

The ongoing arrests have sparked concerns, with the Apni Party warning of a potential boycott if their workers are not released promptly.

Pertinently, Mehbooba Mufti, the President of the Peoples Democratic Party, also accused the UT administration of arresting and harassing their workers ahead of polls in the Srinagar parliamentary constituency.

PULWAMA — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Srinagar Parliamentary seat, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Saturday said that the BJP-led government at the Centre should not repeat the 1987 rigged election, saying it will have disastrous consequences.

The elections were allegedly rigged by Congress alongside the National Conference in Kashmir, spurring armed militancy in the Valley a year later.

Talking to the news agency KNO, he said that his party did not demand any support from the Central government but was seeking free and fair elections.

He said that the government shouldn't support those who are misleading them, alleging Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari has been misleading Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He alleged that his workers are being detained at the behest of Bukhari and named him the “chief of political Ikhwan”.

He said that people must vote for those who they really think can raise their voices in the parliament as people in J&K have been living under constant fear since August 2019.

Para said that there has been silence since August 2019 in J&K and nobody dares to speak here. “We want to break the silence and we can save our identity, land and resources that are under threat,” he added.

He claimed that his party, especially President Mehbooba Mufti, is the only leader who has been very vocal against the policies of the Government of India since 2019 while other leaders have maintained silence.

According to Para, people in large numbers must vote to keep those away from power who have been misleading the Government of India.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party on Monday announced its support in to Sajjad Gani Lone-led Peoples Conference (PC) in the Baramulla Lok Sabha segment.

The announcement, as per a local news agency, was made by Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari during a press conference in Srinagar.

The extension of support by the Apni Party has come after Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Gani Lone sought support from the former 'to put an end to anti-NC vote fragmentation,' which, as per Lone, has historically helped the National Conference.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference has announced party Chairperson Sajjad Gani Lone as its candidate for the North Kashmir seat.

SRINAGAR — A wave of disquiet and demands for justice swept through Jammu and Kashmir following the mysterious deaths of three civilians in the aftermath of an ambush on army vehicles in the Poonch district. The incident, which claimed the lives of five soldiers and left two injured, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the circumstances leading to the civilian fatalities.

The deceased—Safeer Hussain (43), Mohammad Showket (27), and Shabir Ahmad (32)—all residents of Topa Peer village in Bufliaz, were among the eight individuals reportedly detained by the army for questioning after the attack at Dhatyar Morh, situated between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz. The cause of their deaths remains shrouded in mystery, intensifying calls for a comprehensive investigation into the sequence of events.

Government authorities swiftly responded to the unfolding situation. Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Choudhary Mohammad Yasin and Senior Superintendent of Police Vinay Kumar arrived at Bufliaz upon receiving reports of the civilian deaths. Also, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar is en route to Surankote, as the incident garners significant attention and outcry.

Various political entities, including the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Apni Party, took centre stage in denouncing the civilian killings. NC, led by General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, staged a peaceful protest, demanding a time-bound judicial inquiry into the incident. The police, however, restricted the movement of protesters at the party headquarters, heightening tensions during the demonstration.

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti also raised concerns, urging Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's intervention for a thorough investigation. She highlighted the alleged brutality suffered by the civilians before their bodies were found, emphasizing the need for swift justice and immediate compensation for the affected families.

Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari echoed similar sentiments, expressing shock over the civilian deaths and urging Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure a comprehensive probe. Bukhari emphasized the necessity of holding any responsible parties accountable and addressing human rights violations promptly.

Amid mounting pressure and public outrage, the Jammu and Kashmir Government announced legal proceedings into the deaths, alongside compensation for the families of the deceased. The Indian Army, acknowledging the ongoing investigations, pledged full cooperation and support to facilitate the inquiry process.

As Kashmir grapples with the aftermath of the Poonch tragedy, the call for justice reverberates across the region, amplifying demands for transparency and accountability for the grieving families affected by the unfortunate sequence of events. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work towards unravelling the circumstances surrounding these unsettling civilian deaths.

SRINAGAR — Apni Party President Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday said that every officer involved in demolition drives will have to answer once elections are held in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We will make them (officers) accountable. They have to answer. Their bossism won’t work then,” Bukari said in response to a question about the ongoing eviction and demolition drive.

He said he supports all and every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir irrespective of their religion, case or colour. “We don’t believe in regionalism and discriminating people on the basis of religion. For me, everyone is equal. It is the administration that divides the people on regional and religious basis as it reaps fruits,” he said, adding that for him, a man losing his hut or a man losing his showroom are equal and he feels their pain.

In response to a question, Bukhari said that it is natural to get sentimental once you lose your home or shop. “Administration should think about it. Officers have their homes also and they should feel the pain when people react to their demotion drive,” he said.

Altaf Bukhari said that all are minnows in Kashmir and there is no big fish. “Administration tries to present minnows as big fish. I ask the administration to stop this drama,” he said, adding that once there will be elections, officers will be questioned from day one.

SRINAGAR — After the abrogation of the semi-autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir, the LG Secretariat for the first-time invited representatives of different political parties to have an interaction with the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday.

The meeting was purely about the arrangements and management of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. However, some participants raised issues related to people to which LG Manoj Sinha assured redressal.

Out of nine political leaders who participated in the meeting, eight were from Kashmir and one from Jammu. The participants included Dr Farooq Abdullah, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Muzzafar Shah, Altaf Bukhari, GA Mir, Ravinder Raina, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen and GM Shaheen. Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti didn’t attend the meeting.

Divulging information about what transpired in the meeting, one of the participants said that Congress leader GA Mir, Apni Party President Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari and JDU Jammu Kashmir President GM Shaheen were more vocal during the meeting while others acted as mute spectators or talked spasmodically.

GA Mir raised the issue of the Srinagar-Jammu Highway complaining that commuters face hardships due to the massive presence of forces who frequently stop them from plying on the highway during the Amarnath Yatra period. LG assured him the matter will be sorted out and people won’t face any hardships.

Mir also requested the LG to allow people to visit Pahalgam who, according to him, are not permitted there after 2 PM. LG promised redressal to the issues raised by GA Mir.

While drawing the attention of the LG towards the sufferings of the people, who get stranded whenever there are landslides between Ramban and Banihal area on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway, Mir said that some vested interest elements exploit and loot the stranded passengers in absence of any government accommodation and arrangements. LG Manoj Sinha promised that make-shift camps will be installed near landslide-prone areas where the government will provide relief to the stranded passengers.

Mir also advised the LG to shun the ‘stick’ approach, saying the more the government spreads love and affection, the more the gap between people and the government will be reduced. Mir said that it is important to adopt a soft approach toward people to lessen hostilities and opposition.

All the leaders in one voice said that the people of Kashmir have always welcomed the Amarnath Yatris.

Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari also raised the issues related to people, urging the LG to take all measures so that locals don’t suffer on account of the Yatra.

JDU leader GM Shaheen said that during the 2008 Amarnath land row, the people of the Maisuma area of Srinagar city created community kitchens to feed pilgrims. He said the people of Kashmir have supported this Yatra even then when there were no security forces on the roads.

Shaheen urged the LG to allow Yatris to visit Srinagar city so that traders of the city will get benefited as well. He said Yatris should be allowed to take the Dalgate route also.

Shaheen also raised the issues of public importance including electricity. He suggested that such meetings should take place frequently so that gap between politicians and the government can be bridged.

Farooq Abdullah didn’t speak too much. He said the people of Kashmir have always stood by the Yatris. He said it is our responsibility to be hospitable towards the Yatris and no doubt people of Kashmir are known for their hospitality.

He shared his experience with the Yatra when he was the chief minister of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state.

SRINAGAR — With Jammu and Kashmir polls in mind, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) these days is too busy attracting the attention of the people.

Arvind Kejriwal has dispatched a special ‘observer’ team that is camping in Valley and Jammu. AAP is confident of ‘victory’, if not in Kashmir, but in Jammu, it can challenge the BJP in its strong bastions.

AAP’s Co-Observer for Jammu Kashmir, Salahuddin Khan who hails from New Delhi told news agency Kashmir News Trust that they are keenly observing the ground situation both in Kashmir and Jammu. “We have been meeting a cross-section of society. Their valuable inputs have really been helping us. It's very important to know who is who in the political arena and who is commanding more respect,” he said.

“We won Punjab showcasing our Delhi Model. AAP is hopeful that it will make a mark in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that people with a good reputation are always welcome in party-fold.

A senior party member and district president Shopian, Advocate Ieshan said that AAP’s impressive performance and its upright and pro-people policies are connecting people with the party. “AAP will emerge a force to reckon with,” he said with confidence.

Recently AAP’s impressive roadshow in Chenab Valley saw spontaneous participation of people.

“We will contest all 90 Assembly seats across Jammu and Kashmir,” Salahuddin maintained, adding that the party has seriously arrived in J&K.

To a question that AAP is reluctant to welcome turncoats and politicians with not a good reputation, founder member of the AAP in Kashmir and General Secretary Younis Naik said that Arvind Kejriwal welcomes all but at the end of the day, he believes in people and seeks their guidance and help when it comes to the dispersal of tickets for the Assembly segments.

In response to a question about the presence of the Aam Aadmi Party in Jammu and Kashmir, President Apni Party, Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari says having more and more options is always in the interest of the people. “Presence of so many political parties implies that people have alternatives and that is very good,” Bukhari said.

Another Apni Party leader who wished not to be named said that AAP will really threaten the BJP in Jammu. “The presence of AAP has already frustrated the BJP leaders in Jammu,” he said.

Recently, BJP National General Secretary, Tarun Chugh while addressing party workers in Udhampur termed the AAP leaders as ‘opportunists.

In a veiled attack on Aam Aadmi Party, he called upon the BJP workers to launch a crusade against opportunist and 'anti-national forces' while questioning AAP’s statement on ‘The Kashmir Files’ the one day and the next day the same party announced a comprehensive penetration program in Jammu & Kashmir.

“BJP doesn’t want penetration of AAP in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Jammu,” political leader Er Nazir Itoo said.

Reports from Jammu suggest that there are many known faces in local politics including former ministers, MLAs, MLCs who have reportedly expressed their wish to join AAP.

“To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. AAP works for people and people will certainly want this party to grow in Jammu and Kashmir,” Salahuddin Khan said.