Friday 11 December 2015

Kashmiri leaders participated in Candle light vigil at Chandigarh

Kashmiri leaders participated in Candle light vigil at Chandigarh

Justice M Katju and Hurriyat Conference spokesman Ayaz Akbar participated in the candle light vigil held in memory of those who became victim of state repression in the last few years. The march was organized by Sikhs for Human Rights and Sikh Youth of Punjab at Chandigarh to mark the 67th World Human Rights Day.

Saturday 14 November 2015

VICTIMS SIT IN AGAINST SAILAN MASSACRE

TODAY'S SIT IN AGAINST CBI AT SURANKOTE (JAMMU & KASHMIR) AS THE CBI IS TRYING TO COVER UP AND FABRICATE THE EVIDENCES OF SAILAN MASSACRE CASE, IN WHICH 19 PERSONS WERE KILLED BY INDIAN ARMY.

ON BEHALF OF SAILAN VICTIM FAMILIES

Saturday 7 November 2015

Wednesday 21 October 2015

Chairman APHC Syed Ali Shah Geelani arrested today

Chairman APHC Syed Ali Shah Geelani was arrested today by police today while he came out of his residence to visit Batengoo Islamabad, Kashmir to attend a condolence meeting of Shaheed Zahid Rasool, organised by APHC.

Chairman APHC Syed Ali Shah Geelani arrested by police today

Chairman APHC Syed Ali Shah Geelani was arrested by police today while he came out of his residence to visit Batengoo Islamabad, Kashmir to attend a condolence meeting of Shaheed Zahid Rasool, organised by APHC.

Sunday 18 October 2015

One of the two truckers attacked with petrol bombs in Udhampur by Hindu Terrorists succumbs today at a Hospital in New Delhi

#Kashmir on high tense: One of the two truckers attacked with petrol bombs in Udhampur by Hindu Terrorists succumbs today at a Hospital in New Delhi" #HumanRights #UN70 #BeefBan

کشمیر میں کشیدگی: اودھمپورمیں ہندو دہشتگردوں کی طرف سے پیٹرول بم حملہ میں دو ٹرک ڈرائیوروں میں سے ایک زخموں کی تاب نہ لا کر چل بسا


Wednesday 14 October 2015

Two Kashmiri truckers from Islamabad, Kashmir injured in petrol bomb attack at Udhampur, Jammu by Hindu terrorists

Two Kashmiri truckers from Islamabad, Kashmir injured in petrol bomb attack at Udhampur, Jammu by Hindu terrorists are undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Safdarjung Hospital , New Delhi. Injured Showkat Ahmad Dar of Uranhall, Islamabad and Zahid Ahmad Bhat of Botengoo, Islamabad. Kashmir observed complete strike on Monday Oct 12 against the attack on truckers.


Monday 5 October 2015

Most of the Jails in Jammu and Kashmir Overcrowded

Most of the Jails in Jammu and Kashmir Overcrowded

Most of the Jails in Jammu and Kashmir Overcrowded

Representational Image


SRINAGAR: Most of the jails in Jammu and Kashmir are overcrowded, so the state government was taking steps, including construction of new central jail in Srinagar, to address the issue.

The total number of jails in the state at present is 14, out of which nine have the inmate position on the higher side, Minister In-charge Home said in a written reply to a question raised by National Conference (NC) MLC Bashir Ahmad Veeri.

Compared to the total capacity of 3011 in these 14 prisons, 2406 prisoners are in jails. However, some of the prisons have the inmate position much above their original capacity, the reply said.

Though the central jails at Jammu and Srinagar have the capacity of 920 and 360 respectively, the number of prisoners lodged, as on September 30 this year, is on the lower side at 311 and 329 respectively.

However, most of the district jails are overcrowded with District Jail in south Kashmir's Anantnag having more than double the occupancy at 158 compared to the capacity of 60.

Similarly, district jail Jammu has the capacity of 450, while its occupancy is 522, and Baramulla jail 158 against 120, the official data suggests.

The government said it is taking steps to address the issue of overcrowding in the jails.

The Prisons Department has identified 200 kanals of land belonging to Agriculture Department at Zawoora Zewan in Srinagar for the construction of new Central Jail Srinagar, the government said.

It, however, said the records of the Prison Headquarters relating to the subject were washed away in the floods last year.

In view of this, the department has again requested the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to furnish the relevant records for processing the case further, the minister incharge Home said.

He also said the major construction work of the new district jail in Pulwama has been completed except minor renovation works of some structure which could not be taken up due to occupation of the premises by an army unit earlier.

He said DGP has been advised to effect necessary deployment of a company of either CRPF or SSB for the security of the jail so that it is operationalized and the issue of overcrowding of inmates in other jails is addressed.
Story First Published: October 05, 2015




Sunday 4 October 2015

After Geelani, who?

After Geelani, who?

Many consider Ashraf Sehrai to be the likely successor.

| 5-minute read | 04-10-2015
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The thorn in India's side in Kashmir has been Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the de facto leader of young Kashmir. Geelani has not been keeping well for two years, and talks of his succession are in the air. To fit his shoes would be a tough job. The riddle for his party is: After Geelani, who?

Some of the men in Geelani's inner circle have been in the limelight. Some are little known to the outside world. Among them is his trusted aide, Mohammad Ashraf Ali, whose nom de plume is Ashraf Sehrai. His significance can be judged from the fact that many consider him the likely successor of Geelani.

Sehrai, the son of Shamas-ud-din Khan, was born in 1944 in Tickipora Lolab, Kupwara. His forefathers had migrated to this part of Kashmir much before Partition. Sehrai's family is linked to the Khans of Pakistan.

Sehrai studied in Tickipora till primary level, before moving on to Sogam High school for further studies. He passed his matriculation examination in 1959.

Sehrai recalls that he was a bright, intelligent but shy student who took great interest in debates and discussions on religious and political discourses. He was given wazifa (scholarship) in class ten given his intellect and command over Persian, Arabic and Urdu languages.

He did BA (Hons) in Urdu from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Sehrai also has the prestigious Urdu degrees of Aadebe Mahir and Aadebe Kamil.

Like many other Kashmiris, Sehrai fondly recalls that he was taught by Kashmiri pandit teachers. One of his childhood teachers was Gopi Nath Kaul, who taught him English. Sehrai holds him in high regard and still remembers how he taught him like his own child.

His two brothers, who were politically and religiously active, were one of the early Rukuns (basic member) of the Jamaat. To be a Rukun of the Jamaat is not easy, as one has to go through various levels of Islamic ritual.By now, the Jamaat had made a base in Tickipora. The man who took the Jamaat to far-flung areas was the old-school Geelani.

Young Geelani was made the Jamaat's Baramulla district president. He used to visit Tickipora frequently, and it was during these visits that he met Sehrai. Sehrai was impressed by Geelani's hold on the Quran and Hadees (sayings of Prophet Muhammad). Sehrai was also impressed by Geelani's command on Maulana Abul Ala Maududi's literature. He was also enthused by Geelani's sinewy speeches.

Sehrai now fondly recalls that Geelani used to lovingly call him Ashlala.

Sehrai finished class ten when he was 17. By this time, Geelani was 30-years-old, and Halqiy-e-Sopore (Sopore's base of the Jamaat). He was in dire need of young blood for the party. Sehrai's elder brother motivated him to join Geelani.

By this time, Sehrai had developed a keen interest in the writings of Maududi. For understanding Maududi better, Geelani was the best teacher Sehrai could have asked for.

He joined Geelani in 1959 – and has stayed with him since. He says now, "I am a shadow of Geelani right from 1959. I have never gone to my home with the intention of not coming back. He is my Rehbar (leader) and I am his follower."

Sehrai continues to be a lover of literature and poetry, but is not engaged in writing anymore because of his political engagements. Most of his writings and poems were published by Jamaat's Azaan andTulu magazines.

In 1965, when he was 22-years-old, Sehrai was jailed for the first time for "anti-government activities". He was imprisoned in Srinagar Central Jail for about six months.

In jail, he started reading Kounsar Niyazi's work Zaree Gul. He narrates an interesting story about how his name changed from Ashraf Ali to Ashraf Sehrai. He says laughing, "Geelani Sahab, Shah Wali Mohammad of Seelu, Sopore and I were lodged in Srinagar Central Jail. After reading Niyazi's work, I wrote 'Sehrai' (floater). At this (sic) young age, I was thinking that what I am doing in a jail. I was also missing my parents and my home. That is why the word 'Sehrai' came to my mind. Shah Wali saw the name and exclaimed 'Sehrai' and showed it to Geelani Sahab. From then onwards I became Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai."

Sehrai calls Geelani his Rehbar and also his brother. "I have never tried to compete with him. I cannot even think of competing with him," he says.

Their strongest bond is the Kashmir movement. It has kept them together for 56 years. Their ideological bond continues to thrive and attracts the youth of Kashmir to both of them. Sehrai says ideology is the base of any movement.

In his views, the recent failure of talks between the two nuclear states - India and Pakistan - happened because the Kashmiris (the primary party to the dispute) were not included in the dialogue process. He also is a firm believer of intervention by a third party, like the United Nations or a neutral country - in the Kashmir dispute.

Sehrai was one of the key Hurriyat leaders during the 2010 unrest in Kashmir. Many in Kashmir now think that the agitation in 2010 gave them nothing. But Sehrai views the failure of 2010 differently. He says, "There were some strategic mistakes on the part of the leadership like (sic) we gave long strike calls which disillusioned certain sections of Kashmir. I must say that 2010 was a collective failure for Kashmir."

The other two main contenders in the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat to succeed Geelani are the hardcore Mohammad Qasim Faktoo (Asiya Andrabi's husband) and the showstopper Masarat Alam Bhat. Both of them are in jail, and may not be released soon. Many activists and cadre in the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat believe that Sehrai is a capable man, holds command and has a say among the masses. Since the other leaders are languishing in jail, he may be the likely successor of Geelani.But Sehrai says that if he ever has to succeed Geelani, it will be Gunah-e-Be' lazath (Sin without a benefit) for him.

As a shy man, Sehrai has always avoided the limelight. This is why he is largely unknown in the glaring eye of the media and the public.

http://www.dailyo.in/politics/kashmir-syed-ali-shah-geelani-pakistan-hurriyat-ashraf-sehrai-asiya-andrabi-masarat-alam-bhat/story/1/6603.html