THE DAILY  

VOICE OF SRINAGAR

SRINAGAR, THURSDAY, 09 RAJAB 1433 AH ; 31 MAY 2012

Email:-editorvosgr@gmail.com

Cabinet meets at Karnah

Orders establishment JKSRDC

SRINAGAR, MAY 30: The State Cabinet which met at Karnah under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today ordered following transfers and postings.

Mr. Bipul Pathak Commissioner/Secretary to Government Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department and Mr. Ashraf Bukhari Secretary to Government Science and Technology/ Information Technology Department will swap their places of postings.

Mr. Sudershan Sharma, Settlement Commissioner J&K has been transferred and posted as Registrar, Cooperative Societies J&K.

The Cabinet also approved the appointment of Prof. Nalini Kohli, Principal Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu as Director Colleges, J&K on officiating basis.

Upon the superannuation of Director General of Police, (DGP) Mr. Kuldeep Khoda on 31-05-2012, the Cabinet decided that Mr. K. Rajendara Kumar Additional Director General of Police Armed/Law and Order may hold the charge of Director General of Police (DGP) until such time as the successor to Mr. Kuldeep Khoda joins.

The Cabinet also approved the establishment of Jammu and Kashmir State Road Development Corporation (JKSRDC). The Corporation will act as a nodal agency of the State Government for executing major roads and allied surface infrastructure projects. The Corporation will be notified as “State Highway Authority”. Minister for Public Works (R&B) and Minister of State for Public Works (R&B) will be the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corporation respectively. Administrative Secretary Public Works (R&B), Finance, Planning, Forest, Housing and Urban Development and Managing Director JKSRDC will be the Directors of the Corporation. Secretary Public Works (R&B) will initially function as MD, JKSRDC. Project Organization presently engaged with the construction of Mughal Road will initially discharge functions of JKSRDC.

The Cabinet also directed Power Development Department to frame a scheme for interest waiver as one time amnesty in respect of domestic consumers. 

Omar in Tangdar, chairs Cabinet meeting, reviews development, interacts with panchayat members, meets deputations

Takes government at door steps of people

Reaching out to people in all areas my endeavour: CM

Approves additional Rs. 2 cr for development of Karnah

            TANGDAR (KARNAH) MAY 30 – Under the innovative initiative to take the government to the door steps of the people, address their difficulties and focus on area specific development needs, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Wednesday chaired the State Cabinet meeting at Tangdar (Karnah) the remotest area in Northern Kashmir situated near the Actual Line of Control.

            Omar Abdullah who arrived here yesterday reviewed the status of development of Karnah Tehsil at a high level officers meeting this morning. He met various deputations of the people, interacted with sarpanches and panches and also received scores of individuals who brought to his notice their personal problems.

            The Chief Minister received the sector wise appraisal of development schemes under implementation in Tangdar and Teetwal blocks constituting Karnah Tehsil, at the officers meeting. He granted additional Rs. one crore funds for the completion of school buildings damaged in 2005 earthquake. The Chief Minister also sanctioned another Rs. one crore for Sub-District Hospital Tangdar and fixed September 2012 end target date for its completion.

            The Chief Minister directed for constitution of a Committee to be headed by the Chief Secretary to finalize modus operandi for fast track filling up of vacancies in health and education sectors in Karnah Tehsil. He also directed the District Development Commissioner, Kupwara to immediately identify land for construction of staff quarters for the government employees serving in this remote area.

            Obtaining the work done status of R&B sector, the Chief Minister was apprised that 53 road schemes at a cost of over Rs. 36 crores are presently under execution in Karnah Tehsil. It was stated that 126 kilometers of roads have been constructed, upgraded and macadamized in the Tehsil last year and a comprehensive programme for road developments is being implemented to connect the remote and cut off areas.

            Omar Abdullah was told that six water supply schemes involving an expenditure of Rs. 4.71 crore are presently in various stages of execution. An amount of Rs. 3 crore has been spent on these schemes envisaging coverage of substantial population under the portable drinking water supply programme. It was stated that two water supply schemes have been completed recently.

            The Chief Minister was informed that as many as 221 schools are functioning in the Tehsil which includes 116 primary, 90 middle, 9 high and 4 higher secondary schools. It was stated that 6 primary schools have been upgraded to middle level last year.

            The Chief Minister was apprised that the Sub-District Hospital involving about Rs. 7 crores is under construction in Tangdar and Rs. 5.72 crores have been spent on it. The Chief Minister approved additional Rs. one crore for installation of central heating system in the hospital. It was stated that two Sub-Health Centre at Pendi and Jadi are under construction at a cost of over Rs. 18 lakhs.

            Omar Abdullah asked the officers to ensure time bound completion of schemes and stressed on them to ensure up to the mark public service delivery to the people. He said that reaching out to people in all areas has been underlined the benchmark of the functioning of the government. He told the officers to be at the beck and call of people on development front and show quick response to their needs.

            The Chief Minister also interacted with sarpanches and panches of Tehsil Karnah and apprised them of services transferred by government to these basic democratic units to empower them for undertaking various development works and formulating plans for the people in the areas they represent. He said a powerful and delivering Panchayat Raj system is his government’s commitment and measures have already been initiated in this direction.

            The MLA of the area Kafil-ul-Rehman was accompanying the Chief Minister who was given rousing welcome by a large number of locals on his arrival at Tangdar. The people raised slogans in his and in favour of his government.

            The Chief Minister also visited the house of A. R. Badana to condole the death of a member of Mr. Badana’s family. He stayed with the bereaved family, consoled its members and prayed for peace to the departed soul.

            Tehsil Karnah is remote area of Northern district of the Valley, Kupwara. It comprising of two blocks of Teetwal and Tangdar, inhabited by about 60000 population in 42 villages. There are 31 panchayats and the Tehsil has 62 kilometers of Line of Actual Control (LoC). 

Omar visits Teetwal, inspects works, meets people

‘Government carrying forward inclusive development with a commitment’

            TEETWAL (KARNAH) MAY 30 – Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah after reviewing the development scenario of Karnah Tehsil and chairing State Cabinet meeting at Tangdar drove straight to Teetwal village situated on Actual Line of Control. He met the people, inspected works and took stock of the 16 kilometers road stretch connecting Tangdar with Teetwal. He also got appraisal of the telecommunication and telephone facilities in the area.

            Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather was accompanying the Chief Minister.

            The Chief Minister during the interaction with the people enquired of the basic amenities being provided to them by the State Government in various sectors. He especially received the feedback of health, road communication, water supply and education sectors.

            Omar Abdullah said that he would take up the upgradation and improvement of road between Tangdar and Teetwal at the highest level with the Central Government. The road is presently under the supervision and execution of Border Roads Organization (BRO). He said that issues regarding improvement in the telecommunication and telephone facilities will also be taken up with the Central Government.

            Omar Abdullah directed for creation of facility centre at Teelwal crossing point. He also directed for resolving land issue relating to the establishment of Degree College Tangdar. He directed the District Development Commissioner to identify land for sports field in Karnah area.

            The Chief Minister met various deputations in Teetwal and Tangdar. These included a deputation from Gujjars led by A. R. Badana, a deputation from Keran led by Nasir Khan, a deputation of Auqaf Committee, a deputation of Sarpanches and Panches led by Sheikh Ghulam Hassan, a deputation of local Congress Committee, a deputation of transporters, a deputation of traders, a deputation of ousted employees, a deputation of Bar Association, Tangdar led by Javid Ahmad, a deputation of casual labours, etc.

            The Chief Minister gave patient hearing and said that the issues brought to his notice by these deputation would be given due consideration.

            Talking to people near LoC in Teetwal, Omar Abdullah listed the measures taken by the government during last over three years to ensure holistic development of all areas of the State. He said inclusive development with focused attention on remote areas has been underlined as an important concern in the development policy of the government. He said transfer of power and authority from secretariat to village level and involve people in decision making is his endeavour. He said that establishment of Panchayat Raj, enactment of Public Service Guarantee Act, Right to Information Act and other measures taken in this direction are showing visible results on ground.

Close down illegal brick kilns within 7 days: DM, Budgam

SRINAGAR MAY 30: The District development Commissioner, Budgam (District Magistrate) Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Shah has asked all the illegal and unlicensed brick kilns to close down their units within 7 days, failing which the District Level Task Force shall initiate immediate demolishing proceeding against such kilns with the cost of demolition to be borne by the defaulters.

In a public notices, the District Magistrate(DM), Budgam has said that the District Administration has come to know that certain brick kilns are being illegally run without proper permission/license and despite repeated warning, the owners have not shut down their units so far. Such brick kilns besides violating the provisions of J&K brick kiln regulation 2010 are posing a serious environment hazard to the District.

The District Magistrate has said that owners of illegal/unlicensed brick kilns are given a final opportunity to close down their units immediately.

Power supply to remain cut off in North Kashmir

            SRINAGAR, MAY 30: According to Chief Engineer, Electric Maintenance & R.E. Wing, Kashmir power supply to the North Kashmir shall be affected for few days to execute some urgent civil works in the Canal of Lower Jhelum Power House. The restoration works are likely to be completed within 4 days.

            The consumers of North Kashmir have been asked to bear with department.

Bandipora Board meeting on June 04

            BANDIPORA, MAY 30: According to Chief Planning Officer, Bandipora, the District Development Board meeting is being held under the Chairmanship of Minister for Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution and Transport and the Chairman of the Board on June 04, 2012 at Forest Training College, Chitternar Bandipora at 10 a.m. sharp.

            All the Sectoral and District Officers have been asked to be present on the scheduled date and time at the venue alongwith relevant papers viz physical and financial achievements 2011-12 and the Plan proposals for the year 2012-13.

Governor grieved over loss of life in Digdole road accident

         SRINAGAR, MAY 30 - Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor, has expressed grief over the loss of precious human lives in a road accident which took place at Digdole on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway today.

          In a message, the Governor conveyed his sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls of those who lost their lives in this tragic road accident.

Omar expresses grief over Digdole road accident

Condemns Khanyar firing incident

SRINAGAR, MAY 30: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has expressed deep grief over the loss of precious human lives in a road accident that took place on national highway near Digdole (Ramban).

The Chief Minister in a condolence message conveyed sympathy to the bereaved families.

Omar Abdullah also condemned the firing incident that took place today at Khanyar in which various security persons were injured.

Sham pays surprise visit to Baramulla

 Directs attachment of CMO, suspension of BMO, Pattan for poor performance

BARAMULLA, MAY 30: Taking cognizance of reports of unsatisfactory health services and poor facilities in the peripheral areas, Minister for Health, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma, today paid a surprise visit to various health institutions of Baramulla district. He directed on-the-spot attachment of Chief Medical Officer, Baramulla with the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir and suspension of Block Medical Officer, Pattan with immediate effect.

During his visit to health institutions in the district today, the Minister viewed seriously the unsatisfactory health services and work culture which necessitated the action. He also imposed a fine of Rs. 2000/- on Dr. Shakeel Ahmed, presently posted at SDH, Pattan under NRHM for not wearing the apron while on duty.

Meanwhile, the Medical Superintendent, District Hospital, Baramulla has been asked to look after the work of CMO in addition to his own duties till further orders.

Interacting with the people at Pattan, the Minister said that Government has been spending huge funds for improving the health services across the State, but due to poor work culture and negligence of some employees, the people are not getting their dues. He issued stern warning to the doctors and para-medics to mend ways and deliver on ground as per the medical ethics; otherwise they will face the action warranted under rules.

He said Government has improved working conditions of the health institutions during the past over three years and it is expected that the employees would perform their duties with missionary zeal and dedication. The non-performing officials will be debarred from the promotional and other incentives, he added.

7 CRPF Personal injured in Rainawari shootout

Millitants come from rural areas to carry out attacks: IGP

Srinagar, May 30 (KNS): At lest 7 Central Reserve Police personnel were injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a CRPF contingent near Victor crossing Rainawari in Srinagar.

The CRPF party was traveling from Central Jail camp towards Khanyar, when unidentified militants fired indiscriminately on a vehicle of 82 batallion CRPF near the petrol pump at Rainawari around 7 am in the morning. The CRPF contingent was going for routine deployment when unidentified gunmen riding motorcycle opened fire as a result of which seven CRPF men were confirmed to have received injuries.

The injured were rushed to Shere Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura, where the conditions of the injured is said to be stable.

Speaking to KNS, spokesman of CRPF Sudhir Kumar said that 7 policemen were injured in the accident adding that the condition of all the seven men was stable. “The injured have been shifted to SKIMS hospital and all of them are stable”, Kumar said. The injured jawans include head constable Omkar Singh, driver Anil Saksena, Constables Mona Ram, Vinod Yadav, Devender Singh, Dushant Yadav and Hosha Ram, all belonging to 82 batallion of CRPF.

Top police and security officials Wednesday visited the spot of firing and took stock of the situation emanating out of the firing incident. The visiting officers include IG Kashmir S M Sahai, DIG central Kashmir Iffadul Mujtaba, SSP Srinagar Ashiq Bukhari and SP north city Tahir Saleem.

While speaking to media persons, Inspector General of Police S M Sahai has said that militancy has receded in the valley to a large extent but it still exists. He also reiterated his statement that the militants who target the city come from rural areas to carry out such attacks. “Militancy has receded to a great extent but has not vanished”, Sahai said. ”Millitants who carry out these attacks are not from the city itself but come here to carry out attacks from the rural areas”, he added.

Meanwhile, in separate phone calls to KNS, two militant outfits have claimed responsibility for the attack conducted on CRPF at Rainawari. Claiming responsibility for the attacks Sheikh Jamshed spokesman of militant outfit Islamic Front said that militants from the outfit carried out the attack injuring 7 CRPF personnel.

Claiming to be a spokesperson of Ismamic Movement of Kashmir, Omar Mukhtar told KNS on phone that its militants carried out the attack at Rainawari. He also claimed that the outfit will keep carrying out such attacks in future.

Digdol accident claims 13 lives

SRINAGAR, MAY 30(KNS): At least 13 people are reported to have died when a Tata Sumo plunged into Ramsoo Nallah near Digdol in Ramban district on Wednesday afternoon.

A TATA Sumo bearing registration number JK014B/0689 which was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar, plunged into 800 feet deep Ramsoo Nalaha near Army camp, Digdol, Ramban, resulting on the spot death of 13 persons allegedly due to the rash and negligent driving by the driver.

Soon-after receiving the information about the accident, Anil Magotra, SP Ramban preceded for the spot along with Dy.SP Parbeet Singh Parihar and SHO Ramban Ravinder Singh Parihar, along with heavy contingent of Police personnel and started the rescue operation.

The rescue team succeeded in evacuating dead bodies of all the 13 persons which include 4 men, 6 women and 3 Children. All the passengers traveling in the vehicle were bound for Srinagar.

According to police sources, it has been reliably learnt that most of the accident victims are from Sunder Nagar, Hoshiarpur  in the neighboring state of  Punjab. The deceased persons have been identified as Mohan Lal S/o Khana Ram Age 45 yrs, Kaloo Devi W/o Mohan Lal Age 40 yrs, Ashu D/o Mohan Lal Age 17 yrs, Neetu D/o Mohan Lal Age 22 yrs Vijay S/o Mohan Lal Age 26 yrs, Mangu Ram S/o Khana Ram Age 40, Redoo Devi W/o Kheru Ram Age 45, Payal D/o Kheru Ram Age 17, Sapna D/o Kheru Ram Age 11 yrs, Navi S/o Bablu Age 3, Nandli D/o Vijay Kumar Age 01 year, Rekha W/o Vijay Kumar Age 24 years, Driver of the vehicle, identified as Mustafa Malik S/o Majeed Malik age 30 years R/o Srinagar.

All dead bodies of accident victims have been shifted to District Hospital Ramban and Police Ramban is waiting for the legal heir so that bodies of the victims can be handed over to legal heir after post-mortem. In this regard a case FIR No. 77/2012 u/s 279/304-A RPC has been registered at Police Station Ramban.

Manasbal missing tourist influx, locals blame official apathy

Srinagar, May 30 (KNS); At a time when all previous records of tourist inflow into the valley are set to be broken, the famous tourist resort of Mansbal is craving for tourists. Incidentally the tourist resort hardly finds any mention in the promotional programme of the Tourism department in the valley.

“Despite being very close to Srinagar city, we don’t find any tourists except a few traveling here."a tourist guide told KNS, adding that the beautiful lake resort was being ignored by the state establishment.

Local businessmen told KNS that at a time when tourists are being reportedly accommodated in civil facilities at Srinagar owing to huge rush, most of the huts and other accommodations in Mansbal remain unoccupied. "We blame tourism department for not promoting Mansbal as an attractive tourist destination. You can't expect tourists to come here of their own. Tourism department had the responsibility to give a wide publicity to this lake resort", a local restaurant owner told KNS. He alleged that the state tourism department had constructed a hut with eight rooms after spending crores of rupees, but only for ministers and bureaucrats. "You won't find any person having been posted there. Some local municipal daily wagers take care of it." he added.

Meanwhile some local visitors who had come for a picnic told KNS that the lone JKTDC Cafeteria at the resort was virtually shut when they had gone there to take lunch on Wednesday. “The cafeteria is so filthy that anybody can catch infection within minutes of stay there. I dont understand how are they can deal with the tourists", a teacher of a private school told KNS after refusing to take meals there.

Locals alleged that even the development authority has not been able to develop the resort the way they (locals) were expecting.

Meanwhile, the managing director JKTDC, Satish Nehru rubbished the allegations and said that he had himself visited Mansbal a couple of days back and found everything in order. "Some people don’t want to pay, hence make false complaints. They should have approached the general manager or even me if there was any inconvenience caused to them”, asserted Nehru.

AAC pays tributes to Asiya, Neelofer, discusses Haftae Shohda

Srinagar, May 30 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee Wednesday convened at meeting at Mirwaiz Manzil here to discuss the Haftae Shohda programme and the ensuing government action and house arrests of Hurriyat leaders. The meeting paid tributes to Asiya and Neelofer of Shopian on their third anniversary.

“A an important meeting of Jammu Kashmir Awami Majlis-e-Amal was convened today by Party president and chairman All Party Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Dr Umar Farooq. The meeting seriously discussed the Hafta Shouda Programme, government action to halt May 21 rally, house detentions of party chairman, and raids on Mirwaiz Manzil in an attempt to desecrate the historic building”, a press handout from the party read.

According to the handout, during the meeting, the participants including Mirwaiz Dr Umar Farooq paid glowing tributes to the two daughters of the nations- Asia and Neelofer- on their third martyrdom anniversary. Expressing solidarity with the family members of the duo, the gathering also discussed that how the government and its agencies shielded the criminals and hushed up the shameful act. They said the authorities failed to bring criminals to justice despite mass public protests. “It highly condemnable that authorities have so far failed to book the criminals involved in the double murder and rape case,” meeting declared.

The participants also expressed concern over the fact that some forces and Indian agencies had increased efforts to harm the freedom struggle.  As a result, the gathering stressed upon the people and leadership to show unity. It said it was the responsibility of the pro-freedom parties and people to get united make every possible effort to make ill plans against the freedom movement unsuccessful.
The meeting discussed that how, according to it, in the past the agencies and some forces were responsible for weakening the freedom struggle. It said they were the same forces and agencies who conspired to martyr the Shaheed-e-Millat, Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq (RA), Shaheed-e-Hurriyat, Khwaja Abdul Gani Lone, Shaheed-e-Masjid, Moulvi Mushtaq Ahamad and Sheikh Abdul Aziz.

The gathering warned that it was necessary that people and pro-freedom leadership should get united to make such nefarious plans of the forces unsuccessful. The meeting declared that freedom movement was passing through a certain delicate period and thus the unification of leadership was imperative to defeat any move which would harm the liberation struggle in anyway. The issues like making the party strong, stable and strengthen its grass root penetration also were discussed in the meeting. It was resolved that such steps would make the APHC programme successful and ultimately would help in paying significant role in the freedomstruggle of Jammu and Kashmir.

Guarantors liable to pay if debtors default: SC

Srinagar, May 30The guarantor of a loan is liable to pay it if the debtor fails to clear it, the Supreme Court has ruled, while maintaining that financial institutions too cannot act like property dealers in recovering the debts.
A bench of justices B S Chauhan and Dipak Misra also said the guarantor cannot insist that the creditor must first exhaust all remedies against the principal debtor before recovering the debts from the surety holders.
"There can be no dispute to the settled legal proposition that in view of the provisions of Section 128 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, the liability of the guarantor / surety is co-extensive with that of the debtor.
"Therefore, the creditor has a right to obtain a decree against the surety and the principal debtor.
"The surety has no right to restrain execution of the decree against him until the creditor has exhausted his remedy against the principal debtor for the reason that it is the business of the surety/ guarantor to see whether the principal debtor has paid or not," said Justice Chauhan, writing the judgment for the bench.
The apex court gave the ruling on an appeal by one Ganga Kishun, who had stood as a guarantor to a bank loan, raised by one Ganga Prasad, who had died without clearing it. Ganga Kishun had come to the apex court against the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to recover the loan arrears from him after the death of principal debtor Ganga Prasad.

Zafar under house arrest

Srinagar, May 30 (KNS): Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement, Zafar Akbar Bhat has been under house arrest by the authorities to prevent him from visiting Shopian, Tuesday.

Zafar Akbar Bhatt in a statement issued in Srinagar has demanded an impartial international investigation into the killing of Asiya and Neelofar, who according to him, were abducted, molested and subsequently murdered by men in uniform in Shopian three years ago on May 29.

Bhat, paying rich tributes to Aasiya and Neelofar, deplored that the authorities were shielding the culprits. He said that the unparalleled sacrifices of Kashmiri people, which had centre-staged the Kashmir dispute at the global level, would not be allowed to go waste.

Meanwhile, JKSM spokesman in a statement strongly condemned the arrest of party activist Mohiuddin Dar under Public Safety Act who was arrested last week and shifted to Udhampur Jail.

 

Goldsmith stabbed in Chadoora 

Budgam, May 30(KNS): In a startling indication towards growing crime in central Kashmir’s Budgam district a goldsmith was Tuesday stabbed in an attempted of robbery in Chadoora.

According to police sources, four alleged robbers barged into a goldsmith shop owned by Manzorr Ahmad Bhat of Sanzipara Chadoora at Chattergam and tried to rob the shopkeeper. The goldsmith resisted and in the resulting brawl, he was stabbed by the robbers.

One of the robbers Abdul Rashid Ganie son of Mohammad Sultan resident of Wagoora Chadoora was arrested by the police with the help of the locals. However, other three of the robbers managed to flee from the spot who have been identified as Bilal Ahmad Wani son of Ghulam Ahmed resident of Checkpora, Kanihama, Nowgam, Mehraj Ahmad Ganie son of Abdul Gani resident of Parigam Pulwama and Mohammad Amin Wani resident of Kanipora Nowgam. Police is on a look out for them.

Meanwhile, the injured goldsmith has been shifted to SKIMS Soura for treatment. A case has been registered in this regard.    

PDP to start membership drive on June 6

Srinagar, May 30 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party is starting a door to door membership drive from June 6 across the state of Jammu and Kashmir besides organizing the public meetings to spread its the political ideology.

In a statement the party spokesman said that the mass awareness campaign about party’ self rule agenda which was started in September 2009 will continue to educate the masses about various aspects of the proposal PDP. “In view the wishes and aspirations of all regions and sub-regions”, he said, “The self-rule formula promulgated by the party is the only realistic and practical solution to address the external and internal dimensions of the Kashmir disput”.

The Spokesman said that while the proposal has attracted national and international attention and intellectuals, cutting across the ideological differences, have realized that Self Rule proposal is the only solution of Kashmir issue, Peoples Democratic Party has decided to take forward the proposal to the masses through mass awareness camping and debates to be organized by the party.

Shabir Shah under house arrest

Srinagar, May 30(KNS): In order to prevent the senior Hurriyat Conference leader and Chairman Democratic Freedom Party Shabir Ahmad Shah continues to be under house arrest. In a press statement issued by the spokesperson of Democratic Freedom Party, the party condemned the continuous house arrest of the leader and called it a grave violation of democracy and human rights. The leader, according to a party handout, had intended to visit Shopian along with Salvation Movement Chairman Zafar Akbar Bhat to express grief to the family of Asiya and Neelofer on their third death anniversary.

PDP condemns attack on CRPF today

Srinagar, May 30 (KNS):               Strongly condemning the attack on CRPF today people’s Democratic Party said violence has never solved any problem neither would it do so in future. In a statement issued here today the party president Ms Mehbooba Mufti said the attack in the heart of the city in broad day light must be condemned by everybody as it has a potential of creating instability in the state. She said though it raises concerns of security but it could also vitiate the atmosphere so much as to have a bearing on the current tourist season. She expressed the hope that any such future attempts would be prevented. Mehbooba expressed solidarity with the CRPF officials who were injured in the attack and prayed for their early recovery.

Geelani's strike call evokes mixed response.

Srinagar, May 30 (KNS):               Normal life went out of gear on Wednesday following the strike call given by Hurriyat conference (G) Chairman SyedAli Shah Geelani in commemoration of double rape and murder case at shopian in 2009. Public transport remained mostly off the road and the attendence in offices and schools was thin. Business establishments in various parts of the city and other towns remained shut, however private and tourist vehicles were seen plying on the roads. Meanwhile shops and other business establishments were open as usually in tourist areas og Gulmarg, Tangmarg, Pahalgam and outskirts of Srinagar city.

Azeri government anti-Islam behavior not lasting: Velayati

A senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says anti-Islamic measures taken by the government of Azerbaijan cannot continue for long.

“They may take certain steps right now, but based on the experiences of those who have ruled Muslim countries, Islam has deep roots in the hearts of the people,” Ali Akbar Velayati said Wednesday.

Referring to the Azeri government’s disrespect for Islam and religion, he added that the people of Iran and Azerbaijan share the same religion, history and culture and will never be separated from one another.

“Even under the communist rule in the former Soviet Union, the hearts of the people of both countries remained close,” Velayati said adding, “Any anti-religious measure in Azerbaijan is against the viewpoint of the majority of the Muslim people of Azerbaijan and has been imposed on them,” he said.

Velayati stated that Iran never interferes in any country’s internal affairs, but it is quite natural for Iranians to react when they hear the voice of the oppressed nation of Azerbaijan.

“We hope the government of Azerbaijan will try to remove the obstacles [that currently exist] between the two countries and to pay attention to its people’s demand for the development of relations between the [two] governments,” he said.

Relations between Tehran and Baku have been strained after Azerbaijan signed a USD1.5 billion deal with Israel to purchase drones and anti-aircraft and missile systems in late February.

Last month, Tehran summoned Azeri Ambassador Javanshir Akhundov to protest Baku’s arms agreement with the Israeli regime.

Earlier this month, Iran recalled its ambassador to Azerbaijan after 100 members of pro-Israeli groups, including the Southern Azerbaijan Independence Party, the International Diaspora Center, and the World Congress of Azerbaijanis gathered in front of the Iranian Embassy in Baku, shouting slogans against the Islamic Republic and insulting the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. 

Anti-Iran policies damaging the West: Marandi

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich has criticized the US sanctions against Iran as violating international law, noting that Russia opposes such measures.

Lukashevich spokesman said the US unilateral sanctions on Iran over its nuclear activities are against international law, accusing Washington of abusing its position in the global financial structure by imposing further sanctions on Iran.

He also lashed out at the White House for forcing other countries to engage themselves in its decisions. Lukashevich said sanctions should not affect Russian companies working with Iranian firms. The Russian official further noted that pressure and sanctions are futile and will only push Iran’s nuclear issue into a deadlock.

Tehran says its nuclear program is all peaceful and has no military objectives.

Press TV has conducted an interview with Mohammad Marandi, professor of University of Tehran, to further shed light on the issue.

What follows is an approximate transcript of the interview.

Press TV: Do the concurrent unilateral sanctions show that maybe the US is not committed to the so called "solution" that it is so vocally trying to find with regards to Iran's nuclear power issue? How can they keep implementing sanctions and still go to the negotiating table with expectations of "reciprocity"?

Marandi: That is an important point. The view more or less is that the United States is pushing forward in a way in which any agreement becomes more difficult.

Many believe that the real problem is that the US president is weak and that he has allowed Congress and the Senate to take the initiative and of course they are extraordinarily pro-Israeli.

But, at the end of the day, it will have very little effect on Iran. The sanctions are very comprehensive, both the American sanctions and the European sanctions. They have hurt Iran to a degree but the Iranians have quickly replaced Western companies with Asian, Russian, Latin American and African countries and of course internal Iranian companies.

But I think what is most important is that what the Americans are doing is that they are behaving in a very imperial manner and trying to force third parties and the same is true with the Europeans. They are trying to force the Indians, the Russians, the Chinese and others to obey by their demands and I think in the long run that hurts their own stature and their own position.

Press TV: What about the latest stance from Russia? They have told the US that more sanctions on Iran will not be without repercussions.

With the Moscow talks scheduled for a few weeks from now, will that statement play a more decisive role when the United States along with the other nations return to the table for talks?

Marandi: I think it is inevitable that this sort of behavior by the Americans and the Europeans will be detrimental to their own economies and to their own political stature because obviously countries like Russia do not accept the United States or the Europeans dictating terms to them, telling them how to behave and how not to behave.

The Iranians, on the other hand, have already found alternatives for trade; they are finding new ways for making bilateral agreements with different countries, using local currencies and in a sense, what it has done is that it has ironically helped the rivals of the United States and the Europeans because they have lost their trade and these countries have gained the Iranian market.

And, on the other hand, it is weakening American and European hegemony over international markets and finance. One other thing is that it is making countries like the Europeans that have placed an embargo on Iranian oil more dependent upon unstable regimes like Saudi Arabia which has a dying king and other such countries.

So, in a sense, they are putting themselves in a very dangerous situation but also important is the fact that countries like Russia are becoming increasingly angry at this imperial attitude of Western countries. 

Ten more Iranian prisoners executed in Saudi city of Dammam: Report

Saudi officials in the eastern city of Dammam have reportedly executed 10 more Iranian citizens following the earlier execution of eight Iranian sailors at the same prison in mid-April.

Quoting an Iranian prisoner, who is currently jailed in Dammam, the Persian-language Tabnak news website said on Tuesday that a total of 25 Iranians are kept at Dammam prison and some of them have been executed in two stages.

“They hanged eight [of us] in the first stage and 10 more were hanged in the second stage a few days ago. I and six more Iranians are still in this prison and very concerned about our situation,” the unnamed prisoner added.

The Iranian citizen said during the last court hearing, which was attended by a few members of the Iranian Embassy in the kingdom, the Saudi judge has acquitted them from all charges, but they are still kept in prison.

Slamming the Iranian Foreign Ministry for its inaction in this case, the prisoner said although they have been in jail for six years and Iranian Foreign Ministry officials know about the case, it seems that the Foreign Ministry has no plans to stop being an observer and do something.

On April 18, Press TV reported that Saudi officials had executed eight Iranian sailors in the city of Dammam without any legal proceedings.

According to the Saudi Al-Tagheer news channel, the executions were carried out on April 15 on the order of the Saudi Interior Ministry, which has been implicated in the unrest in Syria and the violence in Iraq as well.

On April 18, Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi dismissed reports about the execution of eight Iranian sailors in Dammam, saying the order has been temporarily suspended.

He said that in a telephone conversation with his Saudi counterpart, Saud al-Faisal, they discussed the issue and stressed the importance of exercising prudence.

The 25 Iranian sailors were arrested on a fishing boat in international waters 70 miles off the coast of Saudi Arabia six years ago and held on charges of drug possession. 

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