SRINAGAR,SATURDAY,26 RABI AL
SAANI 1434 AH ; 09 MARCH 2013 Email:-editorvosgr@gmail.com
No curfew on Saturday
Magistrate to accompany CRPF during law and order
duties: Div Com
Srinagar, March 8 (VOS): Divisional Commissioner
Kashmir, Asghar Samoon today said no restrictions or curfew will be imposed in
any part of the valley on Saturday.
“We had to impose curfew and restrictions on
Friday as a preventive measure, however, I have directed all Deputy
Commissioners via video conference that no curfew or restrictions should be
imposed on Saturday”, Samoon told news agency VOS on Friday evening.
However, he said the decision to impose necessary
restrictions in any of the districts will be taken by the respective District
Magistrates depending upon the situation.
The Divisional Commissioner said the
administration has deputed local magistrates and police officers to accompany
paramilitary forces including CRPF during law and order duties. “We received
complaints of excesses and damaging of houses and vehicles from certain areas.
To keep check on such incidents, we have deputed magistrates for instructing
forces during law and order duties”, he added.
He said the state government has already directed
police and security forces to exercise maximum restraint while dealing with
protestors and stone pelters. “The forces have been exercising maximum restraint
which in evident from the fact that hundreds of policemen have got injured
during law and order duties. The DGP has also convened a meeting today to
direct forces to exercise restraint while dealing such situations”, he added.
The Div Com said that he had asked all the Deputy
Commissioners to hold meetings will civil society members and parents of youth
and children for their cooperation in maintenance of law and orders. “They will
ask parents and other people to dissuade their children from taking part in
violent protests and stone pelting”, he added. (VOS)
Women hold key to holistic growth of society:
Omar
Jammu, March 08: Chief
Minister, Omar Abdullah Friday highlighted the significant importance of women
in the development and growth of human society and added that unless women are
equal beneficiary of progress it can be termed as lopsided.
Speaking to a large gathering of women on
International Women’s Day organised under the aegis of National Conference by
MLA Bimla Luthra at Sher-i-Kashmir Bhavan here, Omar Abdullah said that in fact
everyday of the year should be dedicated to women and their welfare should be
focused attention always.
“It is being observed that we care for
women’s welfare when some grave injustice is committed against them. We think
of making laws for stringent punishment to the wrong doers and violators of
women dignity when some incident of that nature comes to light. But the focus
gradually diminishes with the passage of time”, he said and vehemently
emphasized the need for making the dignity, respect and protection of women
above all inculcating a mindset of ensuring justice and protection to them
under all circumstances.
The Chief Minister said that certain people also
play politics on the sufferings of women and try to utilize these for their
vested interests. He cited the example of a girl who received serious injuries
in an acid throwing accident in the Valley and the leaders of the single
largest opposition party in the Legislative Assembly (PDP) came out in press
announcing treatment and its cost for the girl at New Delhi. “A doctor of the
party (PDP) was on forefront in announcing the treatment and its cost”, he said
adding that at the end of the day the bill of Rs. 8 lakh for the treatment of
the girl at New Delhi hospital was paid by the government silently. “I am
making this reference only to drive home how some quarters utilize these
incidents for pity politics”, he maintained.
Asking women to be champions of their own cause
and strive with courage to get respectable and deserving place in the society,
the Chief Minister told them to became their own voice to get due shares in all
spheres of life. “You have to become your own voice and work for the
comprehensive development of women folk in the country”, he emphasized.
The Chief Minister gave details of the
initiatives his government has taken to safeguard the interests of women and
give them justice. He said before the Centre Government initiated action on
Justice Verma Commission Report, “I asked the concerned department in the State
to study the recommendations of the Commission and work out roadmap for
incorporating these in J&K Laws to make women safer and protected besides
ensuring severe punishment against those responsible for cruelty and crime
against women.
Omar Abdullah said that 33 per cent reservation
of women in Panchayats has clearly indicated government’s vision and
determination to empower women at grass roots and expand their role in the
holistic development of the society. He asked the women panchayat members to
exercise their powers by themselves conferred by the government and not to
allow its proxy use by others even if they may be their family members. “People
have given votes to you. They have authorized you to take decisions and get
involved in the development process”, he said urging the women panchayat
members to exercise powers by themselves.
Omar Abdullah said that in the next year’s Budget
his government has provided over Rs. 21 crores to clear all the old age and
widow pension cases in the State besides making funds available for providing
Rs. 30,000 each to the BPL orphan girls for bearing expenses on marriages. He
also referred to other concessions and schemes under implementation in the
social welfare sector in the State to ensure development of woman and girl
child.
Underlining education as an important tool to
enhance the capacity of women making them capable of rendering invaluable
services to the society in all fields of life, the Chief Minister stressed upon
women to ensure education of girl child all across the State. He said there are
schemes in force which provide for benefits to girl child for continuation of
education. He asked them to take full advantage of these schemes and other
concessions.
15 Killed, 24 injured as truck falls into gorge
CM, Guv express grief over loss of life
Relief of Rs one lakh each to deceased, Rs 10000
to injured
Jammu, March 8: At least 15 people were killed and 24 injured
when a truck fell into a deep gorge in Budhal area Rajouri district early
Friday, police sources said
According to a police official, the driver lost
control over the steering and the truck fell into a 300-feet gorge, killing 15
people travelling in it. Among those killed were four infants in the age
group of one-two years, he added.
Of the 24 injured, the condition of seven is stated to be critical and they have been shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu. The truck driver is among those seriously injured.
Of the 24 injured, the condition of seven is stated to be critical and they have been shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu. The truck driver is among those seriously injured.
Meawhile, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has
expressed deep grief over the loss of precious human lives in the tragic road
accident.
In his condolence message to the bereaved
families, the Chief Minister has conveyed his solidarity and sympathy to them
and prayed for peace to the departed souls. He also prayed for early recovery
of injured.
The Chief Minister also deputed team of Ministers
comprising Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan and Shabir Ahmad Khan to the spot to
oversee the rescue and treatment measures. They announced Rs. one lakh each to
the deceased and Rs. 10,000 each to the injured from Chief Minister’s Fund.
They also directed the concerned authorities for
ensuring all possible treatment to the injured. They conveyed their condolence
and sympathy to the bereaved families.
N. N. Vohra, Governor, has also expressed grief
over the loss of precious human lives in a major road accident in Rajouri
district today.
In his message, the Governor has conveyed his
sympathy to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of all
those injured in this tragic accident.
Expressing his serious concern over recurring
accidents, the Governor reiterated the need of the most urgent steps being
taken for avoiding road accidents which result in a very large number of
fatalities every year, besides thousands being injured.
Mufti, Mehooba express grief over tragic road
accident at Rajouri
JAMMU, MARCH 08: Patron of
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and president of PDP
Mehbooba Mufti have expressed their grief and sorrow over loss of precious
lives in a tragic road accident in Budhal area of Rajouri district.
In a joint statement issued here today, PDP
leaders expressed deep shock over the tragedy in which several precious lives
were lost and many others were injured seriously. They conveyed heartfelt
sympathies with the families those who died and prayed for early recovery of
the injured.
PDP leaders asked the authorities to provide
adequate medical facilities to the injured. They also demanded that adequate
ex-gratia relief should be given to the families of those who lost their lives
in the accident as early as possible.
Meanwhile MLA Darhal Choudhary Zulfkar has also
expressed deep shock over the tragic road accident. He regretted that killing
of innocent of people on roads has become routine affair but the government has
failed to keep check. He conveyed his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved
families and demanded proper medical treatment to the injured.
Majlis calls for social media campaign on
Saturday
Denounces curfew, restrictions on Friday
Srinagar, March 8 (VOS): Mutahida Majlise
Mashawrat (MMM), a joint council of various separatist bodies, today reiterated
its call for launching a campaign on social media for demanding return of
mortal remains of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat.
In a statement issued today, the Majlis asked all
Kashmiris and other justice loving people to upload photographs of Guru and
Bhat as their profile pictures on social media sites.
According to the programme, people will use
“Martyr’s are beckoning you not to forget their sacrifice” and other
pro-resistance slogans as their status on various social media websites.
“By way of such a protest, it will be conveyed to
the whole world that that Shaheed Afzal Guru was murdered in Delhi’s Tihar Jail
in a brutal and unjust manner while his family was not even allowed to see him
for one last time. It will convey that even after being murdered, that the
bodies of Guru and Bhat have been kept under detention and that their bodies
were not handed over to the heirs”, the spokesman of MMM said in a statement
issued here.
The Majlis while denouncing the restrictions and
curfew on movement said the people were not even allowed to offer
congregational Friday prayers.
“Authorities are trying to suppress the voices of
people across valley by imposing strict curfew and committing atrocities on
people. Such tactics were employed in 2008, 2009 and 2010 but failed to muzzle
the sentiments of people”, the spokesman said adding the tactics will continue
to fail. (VOS)
Hurriyat (M) denounces curfew, restrictions and
house arrest of Mirwaiz
“Restrictions on Friday prayers direct
interference in religious matters”
Srinagar, March 08: The
Hurriyat (M) strongly denounced curfew, restrictions, arrest of youth, and
placing the Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest in the aftermath
of the hanging of martyr Afzal Guru on Feb 9.
Apart from Miriwaiz, majority of the hurriyat leadership is either placed under house arrest or have been locked up in police stations.
“The APHC considers these draconian measures to forcibly silence the genuine voices by the government as an act of political retribution against the entire population of Jammu and Kashmir”, said the spokesman in a statement.
The spokesman said the people have been imprisoned in their own homes by the Indian police and troops, youths are being rounded up, and houses are being ransacked.
“The government has let loose the reign of terror to silence the voices in Kashmir,” spokesman said. “They have silenced the voices of the masses on gunpoint”.
“Once again resorting to their dictatorial tactics, the government clamped curfew in the length and breadth of Kashmir to stop people from offering congregational Friday prayers.
APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi, Moulana Abbas Ansari, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza were placed under house arrest while as people were stopped from offering congregational Friday prayers at historic Jamia Masjid and Imam Bara Badgam”, he added.
He said the conglomerate considers that stopping people from offering prayers is direct interference in the religious affairs of Muslims. “The social, political, and religious rights of Kashmiris were trampled under the jackboots by the government. Such violations of basic fundamental human rights of Kashmiris should serve as an eye opener for the International community as to what Kashmiris are going through”.
“It is the worst phase state perpetuated terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir,” spokesman added.
He said the Hurriyat strongly protests the oppressive and aggressive policies undertaken by the government to silence the political aspirations and demands of the Kashmiris.
“The APHC believes that the government was imposing curfew in periods over the past one month to create number of issues for people and break their will to pursue political aspirations and emotions. However, the party clears that such repressive measures would in no way deter people from demanding their birth right- right to self determination, adding, not it will weaken the hurriyat leadership”.
“The hurriyat strongly condemns the wanton use of force against the unarmed Kashmiris and ransacking of house in Srinagar. The hurriyat appeals the international rights organization to take strong notice of such violations”, he added.
Apart from Miriwaiz, majority of the hurriyat leadership is either placed under house arrest or have been locked up in police stations.
“The APHC considers these draconian measures to forcibly silence the genuine voices by the government as an act of political retribution against the entire population of Jammu and Kashmir”, said the spokesman in a statement.
The spokesman said the people have been imprisoned in their own homes by the Indian police and troops, youths are being rounded up, and houses are being ransacked.
“The government has let loose the reign of terror to silence the voices in Kashmir,” spokesman said. “They have silenced the voices of the masses on gunpoint”.
“Once again resorting to their dictatorial tactics, the government clamped curfew in the length and breadth of Kashmir to stop people from offering congregational Friday prayers.
APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi, Moulana Abbas Ansari, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza were placed under house arrest while as people were stopped from offering congregational Friday prayers at historic Jamia Masjid and Imam Bara Badgam”, he added.
He said the conglomerate considers that stopping people from offering prayers is direct interference in the religious affairs of Muslims. “The social, political, and religious rights of Kashmiris were trampled under the jackboots by the government. Such violations of basic fundamental human rights of Kashmiris should serve as an eye opener for the International community as to what Kashmiris are going through”.
“It is the worst phase state perpetuated terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir,” spokesman added.
He said the Hurriyat strongly protests the oppressive and aggressive policies undertaken by the government to silence the political aspirations and demands of the Kashmiris.
“The APHC believes that the government was imposing curfew in periods over the past one month to create number of issues for people and break their will to pursue political aspirations and emotions. However, the party clears that such repressive measures would in no way deter people from demanding their birth right- right to self determination, adding, not it will weaken the hurriyat leadership”.
“The hurriyat strongly condemns the wanton use of force against the unarmed Kashmiris and ransacking of house in Srinagar. The hurriyat appeals the international rights organization to take strong notice of such violations”, he added.
Jamaat denounces ‘arrest spree’
Srinagar, March 8 (VOS): While
strongly condemning the arrest of youth in several parts of Kashmir by police,
Jamaat-e-Islami today called the arrests undemocratic.
In a statement issued here, the Jamaat Spokesman
denounces the arrest spree allegedly started by the government “in which
hundreds of innocent people mostly youth have been apprehended who are being
subjected to physical torture in various police stations and interrogation
centre”.
“ Jama’at also criticizes the house arrest of Syed
Ali Shah Geelani on his arrival from Delhi. All these actions are
anti-democratic and symbol of autocracy. Moreover the attrocities committed by
different security agencies upon the hapless people throughout the valley are
most condemnable”, the statement said.
“Jama’at-e-Islami vehemently demands to put a stop to on-going state terrorism and vandalism forthwith and accept the genuine demands of the people in letter and spirit”, the spokesman added.
“Jama’at-e-Islami vehemently demands to put a stop to on-going state terrorism and vandalism forthwith and accept the genuine demands of the people in letter and spirit”, the spokesman added.
Pandits question motive of central Govt in
raising “threat letter” issue
Srinagar, March 8 (VOS): Kashmiri pandits living
in the valley today castigated the central government for raising the issue of
threat to Kashmir Pandits living in valley during the present situation.
“Rather than assuaging the situation at ground
zero, Government at Centre is showing very callous approach towards the
situation in Kashmir. In addition to that dead cases are being exhumed from the
dusty file racks to put fuel in the turmoil to make it grimmer for the people
of Kashmir and specially minorities”, Sanjay Tickoo, President of the Kashmiri
Pandit Sangarsh Samiti said in a statement issued here.
“KPSS strongly react to the reply in which insensitive approach was shown by the Minister of State for Home R P N Singh while replying a question in Rajya Sabha with respect to the threats, if any, to Kashmiri Pandits living in the Valley. As the case is more than six months old and we are surprised, why this question was raised and replied so immaturely at this time, when entire Kashmir is on boil due to political failures at different levels”, he added
“It is a fact that, last year, a threatening letter/poster was received in the name of Secretary, Pandit Colony Sheikhpora, Budgam to leave Kashmir within a week through post, but it is also a fact that it has no evidence of its origin from any of the militant outfits. FIR was lodged in the concerned Police Station and the matter is under investigation. We can’t overrule that this can be a mischief also done by some vested interest persons to make a hoax call for the reasons best known to them”, the statement read.
He questioned the motive behind raising of the issue during the present chaotic situation in the valley even as the episode had happened last year in the month of August. “It is fact also, when this incident happened, Kashmiri Pandits living in the Sheikhpora Vicinity went to both the fractions of Hurriyat and Police. The matter was dealt with seriousness at the ground level and through investigation was also done. As per the news reports published at that time Police dismissed the letter as mischief by some people and called it a prank. Police also claimed that cognizance have been taken on the issue. The more responsible is the press this time to give un-necessary weightage to “dead news” to make it alive and make the situation more chaotic at the ground level. We are in “war zone” and any unscrupulous element use these kinds of situations for their vested interests”, he added.
“Presently Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir are facing lot of problems as on 9th of March, 2013, we have celebrate our primary religious function i.e. “Shiv Ratri”, but due to current situation in Valley, we are unable to get our basic things for even “Puja”. Government is not taking any steps to provide us things as they used to do so in the past also. In this curfew / hartal situation we can’t go out, and get the required things for this annual religious celebration. This is our main religious function and due to current situation we are deprived of to celebrate it will the religious zeal. No one is coming forward, not even lip sympathy this time”, Tickoo concluded.
“KPSS strongly react to the reply in which insensitive approach was shown by the Minister of State for Home R P N Singh while replying a question in Rajya Sabha with respect to the threats, if any, to Kashmiri Pandits living in the Valley. As the case is more than six months old and we are surprised, why this question was raised and replied so immaturely at this time, when entire Kashmir is on boil due to political failures at different levels”, he added
“It is a fact that, last year, a threatening letter/poster was received in the name of Secretary, Pandit Colony Sheikhpora, Budgam to leave Kashmir within a week through post, but it is also a fact that it has no evidence of its origin from any of the militant outfits. FIR was lodged in the concerned Police Station and the matter is under investigation. We can’t overrule that this can be a mischief also done by some vested interest persons to make a hoax call for the reasons best known to them”, the statement read.
He questioned the motive behind raising of the issue during the present chaotic situation in the valley even as the episode had happened last year in the month of August. “It is fact also, when this incident happened, Kashmiri Pandits living in the Sheikhpora Vicinity went to both the fractions of Hurriyat and Police. The matter was dealt with seriousness at the ground level and through investigation was also done. As per the news reports published at that time Police dismissed the letter as mischief by some people and called it a prank. Police also claimed that cognizance have been taken on the issue. The more responsible is the press this time to give un-necessary weightage to “dead news” to make it alive and make the situation more chaotic at the ground level. We are in “war zone” and any unscrupulous element use these kinds of situations for their vested interests”, he added.
“Presently Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir are facing lot of problems as on 9th of March, 2013, we have celebrate our primary religious function i.e. “Shiv Ratri”, but due to current situation in Valley, we are unable to get our basic things for even “Puja”. Government is not taking any steps to provide us things as they used to do so in the past also. In this curfew / hartal situation we can’t go out, and get the required things for this annual religious celebration. This is our main religious function and due to current situation we are deprived of to celebrate it will the religious zeal. No one is coming forward, not even lip sympathy this time”, Tickoo concluded.
Yasin Malik to arrive in Delhi on Saturday
JKLF denounces arrests, raids and excesses
Srinagar, March 8: Jammu and Kashmir
Liberation Front Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik is arriving in Delhi on
Saturday, a JKLF statement said.
“Yasin Malik who was on a private visit to
Pakistan from 27th January 2013 will be alone as his wife and little
daughter have been denied a visa by Indian authorities”, the statement said
adding “Yasin Sahib’s wife and daughter had about 20 days back applied online
for Indian visa according to the procedure but no reply was given to their plea
and even the web page in this connection was blocked on them. Because of this
Yasin sahib will be arriving at Delhi alone and will reach Delhi by air
tomorrow”, the statement reads.
Meanwhile acting chairman JKLF advocate Bashir
Ahmad Butt whose residence has been raided several times by police in a
statement has condemned the recent spree of arrests, raids, curfew,
restrictions and alleged assaults on people across the valley, “damaging the
properties of common people and other atrocities by police and other forces”.
Butt while condemning the arrest of JKLF
leader Zahoor Ahmad Butt in Kupwara and activist Ishfaq Ahmad Rather of
Saderkotbala and raids on the houses of JKLF district president Ganderbal
Bashir Ahmad rather(Boya) and deputy district president Srinagar Bashir Ahmad
Kashmiri, said that these arrests ,raids and imprisonments of leaders including
JKLF leaders Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi and Mir Siraj Ud Din and house arrests cannot
deter the people of Jammu Kashmir from marching towards the goal of
freedom. Butt sahib said that today people of Kashmir were not even allowed to
perform Friday congregations and this is clearly an act of interference in
religion.
Zafar concerned over arrests of youth, leaders
Srinagar, M arch 08: Senior
Hurriyat leader and Chairman Salvation Movement Zafar Akbar Bhat while terming
state as a horrible place to live in said that after execution of Mohamad Afzal
Guroo in Tihar, Kashmir has virtually turned into an army camp.
Strongly criticizing and expressing his anguish,
Zafar Akbar termed the killing of Tahir Rasool, Mudasir Kamran, and Ubair
Mushtaq as a huge loss and said the alleged excesses inflicted on other scores
of youth a most unfortunate and uncalled for.
Zafar Akbar expressed his serious concern over
the fresh spurt in the arrests of political leaders and youth across the valley
and threatened of serious consequences if the administration failed to stop the
arrest drive.
Zafar Akbar criticised the continues house
arrests of Hurriyat leaders including Mirwaiz Omer Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani
and called the detention and arrests of political leaders including Shabir
Ahmad Shah, Mohamad Ashraf Seharai, Naiem Ahmad Khan, as cowardice of stooges and
a blot on so called democracy.
While leashing at administration Zafar
Akbar said, in no place on earth the opposite voice is suppressed but the
administration on behest of rulers in Delhi and ruthless army men are
hell-bent to suppress the genuine voice of people by dint of force and
even go berserk and ransack the domestic belongings and ransack and
thrash the people without any reason. While hailing the spirits of people Zafar
Akbar criticised the administration for imposing the restrictions and curbs and
added that all these restrictions bring enormous miseries and multiply problems
for innocent and ailing persons. Zafar Akbar strongly supported the Muthida
Majlis Mushawarat and said that people should with all its spirits comply with
the progrrame given by MMM.Terming the creation of MMM a ray of hope for the
nation; Zafar Akbar said that it is first step towards the independence. Taking
dig at the ruling and opposite parties in JK assembly, Zafar Akbar called their
actions a mere mockery and said if they are sincere then they should tender
their resignation and join the freedom movement or pass resolution regarding
the complete freedom, abrogation of draconian laws and raise their voice
against the Indian forces and the excesses they commit against the innocent
Kashmiri people.
Reiterating his demand for return of mortal
remains of Mohamad Maqbool Bhat and Mohamad Afzal Guroo for last
religious rituals he urged for immediate and unconditional release of all
political leaders and workers.
Woman attempts Suicide in Ganderbal
Srinagar, March 08: A lady (name with held)
resident of Ganderbal, in an attempt to end her life sprinkled Kerosene oil on
her body and set herself ablaze. She was shifted to Sub district hospital
Ganderbal where from she was referred to SKIMS Soura, Srinagar for further
treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard.
Srinagar, March 08: “The
construction work on prestigious New Zainakadal in Srinagar, considered to be
of great importance from business point of view, would be started in April this
year at an estimated cost of Rs 11.29 crore, while as the repair and
upgradation of super structure of the Old Zainakadal has been completed and
thrown open for pedestrians and light motor vehicles in December last”. This
was stated by the Minister for Roads and Buildings Abdul Majid Wani, in
presence of Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, while chairing a
high level meeting of the officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Project
Construction Corporation (JKPCC) convened to review the progress and present
status of the work taken up on New Zainakadal, Old Zainakadal, Ziyarat Peer
Dastageer Sahib at Khanyar and Ziyarat Peer Naqashband Sahib at Roshanghar
Mohalla in Srinagar city.
Legislator Dr. Mustafa Kamal, besides
Commissioner Secretary R&B Tanveer Jahan, Chief Engineer R&B Kashmir,
Managing Director JKPCC and other functionaries attended the meeting.
The meeting was informed that considering
the heritage importance of Zainakadal, the government has
decided to preserve the historical architecture of the Bridge for which an
amount of Rs 2.50 crore have been earmarked last year. It was also given out in
the meeting that the government has engaged a renowned Consultant Mr. T. K.
Basu and under his supervision the work has been completed at a cost of Rs 1.10
crore. The sub-structure work shall be completed by ending October this year.
The Minister was informed that JKPCC has started
the levelling work of a piece of land paving way for construction of a shopping
complex by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to rehabilitate the
affected shopkeepers.
Reviewing the pace of progress on the
Ziyarat Peer Dastageer Sahib, the Minister was informed that the structural
work with Pagoda roofing and Khatamband work on first floor has been completed,
while wood panelling of walls and interior work of first floor is in
progress. The Minister was informed that out of total allocation of Rs 6.89
crore, an amount of Rs 5.80 crore have been incurred on the shrine project.
The Ministers asked the concerned construction
agencies to ensure that the heritage buildings and shrines being reconstructed
and repaired retain the aesthetic looks akin to the old Kashmir
architecture. They also directed the engineers to ensure regular monitoring and
use of quality material in the construction.
600 police, CRPF personnel injured in last few
days during clashes: IGP
Srinagar, Mar 8 (VOS): While curfew
remained clamped in most parts of Kashmir atleast 60 persons including 26
policemen and CRPF personnel were injured in clashes that erupted at several
places across the valley on Friday.
Though no separatist group had called for
shutdown on Friday, people across the valley observed strike in protest against
the killing and alleged excesses by security forces. Shops, banks and other
business establishments across the valley were closed and traffic was largely
off the roads.
Reports reaching here said that at least 12
protesters were injured in in Sopore, 10 in Baramulla, six in Kralpora,
Kupwara, six in Palhalan, six in Kunzer Tangmarg, five in Hajin, Bandipora,
four in Akhal Kangan, three in Sambora, Pampore, four in Shopian and 10 in
Baghat, Hyderpora, Ompora and Bagh-e-Mehtab areas of the city. 10 people were
reported to have received minor injuries in various other parts of the valley.
Police said some ‘miscreants’ pelted stones on an
Ambulance of Langate hospital at Palhallan, Pattan, resulting in damage to the
vehicle and injuries to driver of the vehicle.
“While chasing the miscreants five persons
including three policemen received minor injuries. Police have registered
a case in this regard,” it added.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir S M
Sahai told VOS that nearly 600 police and paramilitary CRPF personnel
have been injured in Kashmir in the last some days during protests.
“We are exercising maximum restraint to avoid any
collateral damage. More than 300 policemen and more than 200 CRPF personnel
have been injured in clashes with stone pelters in the last few days,” he said.
The IGP said that on Friday situation in south
Kashmir and Srinagar remained peaceful by and large. “In some areas of north
Kashmir stone pelting incidents were reported on Friday. We will monitor the
situation tomorrow before deciding whether to lift the restrictions on north
Kashmir or not,” he added.
Sources told VOS Director General
Police Ashok Prasad had called a high level meeting at Police Control Room
where security forces were asked to exercise maximum restraint while dealing
with the situation.
Authorities had imposed strict curfew in all the
parts of the valley on Friday to thwart any protests.
Official police spokesman said that curfew
remained imposed in major towns of the valley. “Situation remained by and large
normal. There were some incidents of stone pelting at some places. Twenty-Six
police and CRPF men were injured while tackling the situations at different
places”, he added.
“Miscreants pelted stones at Soura in Srinagar,
footbridge Dewan Bagh in Baramulla, Shopian, Anantnag, Awantipora, Qaimouh
Kulgam, Sopore and Handwara. In south Kashmir today, nine police and CRPF men
were injured while tackling the law and order situation. In Kulgam five CRPF
men, in Shopian four Policemen, in Anantnag one cop and in Awantipora one
policemen was injured. In Sopore one CRPF man and six policemen, one among
seriously, were injured. In Handwara five policemen including two Sub
inspectors and an ASI were injured. In Srinagar three police personnel were
injured”, the spokesman said in a statement here.
Meanwhile, scores of youth were arrested during
nocturnal raids across the valley, sources said. They said police have
intensified its drive to arrest the youth in wake of the recent stone pelting
incidents.
Police have arrested Hurriyat (M) leader Mohammad
Yosuf Naqash from his Safakadal residence on Friday. “They said Hurriyat
(G) Gen Secretary Ghulam Nabi Sumjji, the leader M Shaban of Sopore and Nazir
Ahmad Ahangar of Shahgund were also arrested today”. Sources said Police are
raiding the residences of Majlis-e-Mushawrat leaders to nab them. (VOS)
Lauds Tahir’s family for refusing to accept
“Blood Money”
Srinagar, March 8 (VOS): Terming Chief Minister
Omar Abdullah’s recent outburst in the state assembly over the killing of a
Baramulla youth as “political drama”, Hurriyat (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani
said the pro-India politicians were shedding crocodile tears to win sympathy of
Kashmiris.
“If Omar Abdullah has no powers to save people’s
lives, he should resign. If they have no authority and are powerless, why
should the MLAs sit in the assembly. They should resign without any delay”,
Geelani said while telephonically addressing a procession at Baramulla.
Geelani congratulated the family of Tahir Ahmad
Sofi, who was allegedly killed in firing by army in old town Baramulla on
Tuesday, for refusing to accept the ex-gratia relief of rupees 5 lakh from the
government.
“I salute the family for refusing to sell the
blood of their son. It should serve as an example for all Kashmiris. I appeal
people not to sell the blood of martyrs by taking part in elections and casting
votes”, Geelani said.
Rejecting the probe ordered by the government
into the firing incident at Baramulla in which the youth was killed, Geelani
said “The government has given license to the forces to kill innocent people.
We have seen hundreds of such FIRs, Commissions and Probes ordered. They are
just an eye wash and a tactic to buy time”.
Terming the ongoing protests as a people’s
movement for demanding the return of mortal remains Muhammad Afzal Guru and
Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, he said the struggle will continue till their demands
are met. (VOS)
Rs. 28.85 cr road
upgradation projects for Beerwah constituency formulated: Wani
Minister for
R&B, Mr. Abdul Majid Wani today informed the House that in order to upgrade
road connectivity in Beerwah constituency, the Government has formulated
project reports worth of Rs. 28.85 crore for upgradation of four roads projects
which include upgradation of Magam-Beerwah, Iskendarpora-Malpora-Khag, Charangam
Mulshulla and Batpora-Razwan roads, adding that construction of these projects
would be taken up in the phased manner subject to availability of funds.
Replying to a
question by Dr. Shafi Ahmed Wani in the House, the Minister said that at
present 363 road projects are under execution in Budgam district under
different schemes including 104 roads under NABARD, 81 roads under
projectization, 70 roads under district sector, 86 under PMGSY and 1 road under
CRF. He said additionally construction of 21 bridges is also apace in the
district under different schemes.
Mr. Wani said that
out of these road projects 71 roads are under execution in Beerwah constituency
which includes 21 PMGSY schemes.
Replying to another
question by Mr. Mohammad Yasin Shah, the Minister said that some minor repairs
of Thead Rajpora-Mulnar via Badami Bagh was taken up in June 2011 and
completed. He said 1 km of this 3.5 kms road is blacktopped, 0.5 km WBM
G-2 and 2 kms of fair weather status.
Mr. Irfan Ahmed
Shah and Javed Mustafa Mir raised supplementaries to the main question and
demanded upgradation of road connectivity facilities in their constituencies.
JAMMU,
MARCH 08: Continuing the discussion on budget, Mr. Qamar Ali Akhoon hailed the
budget presented by Finance Minister as it fulfills the aspirations the common
people by way of giving a boost to all social sectors.
Appreciating
ban on Gutka and increase of tax on tobacco items, Mr. Akhoon said that this
people-friendly initiative would save our future generation from addiction. He
hailed the Government for
providing Rs.
30, 000/- for marriage of orphan BPL girls and demanded this initiative be
extended to SC and ST girls as well. He said that allocation of funds for
cancer treatment would help these patients to a large extent and demanded that
AIDS patients should also be covered under this scheme. He stressed for taking
adequate steps for tapping the water resource potential of J&K.
Mr. Abdul
Rehman Veeri demanded more thrust on Health, Education and Horticulture
sectors. He said 50, 000 metric tonnes of fruit gets wasted due to
non-processing and demanded setting up of cold chains and stores for preserving
the fruit. He regretted that the Market intervention Scheme in Horticulture has
not been reflected in the Budget speech.
Mr. Veeri
also demanded animal health care facility; given the fact a number of people
are associated with dairy development in the State. He demanded expeditious
recruitment on the vacant positions in the Government.
Mr. Ashok
Khajuria demanded subsidy on LPG. He demanded early start of Mubarak Mandi
Gandola Project. He welcomed the ‘Anmol Beti’ scheme introduced by the Finance
Minister and demanded free education to the girl child.
Mr.
Khajuria demanded a check on inflation and price rise. He demanded relief
measures for the weaker sections of the society.
Mr.
Nizam-u-Din Bhat said that budget is not connected with common people adding
that it does not mention anything about harnessing the natural resources which
is vital for removing state’s dependence on central funding. He said no efforts
have been made for tapping of water resources for power generation. He demanded
withdrawal of the slab of eligibility of matriculation for assistance of
marriage for orphan BPL girls.
Mr. T.
Namgyal demanded allocation of funds for Ladakh division on the basis of area
and size. He also demanded helicopter service for Nobra and Zanaksar areas and
special incentives for the employees working in Ladakh division.
Mr. Aijaz
Ahmed Jan supported the budget. He demanded additional funds for power sector
in Poonch and Rajouri districts. He also welcomed setting up of toll plaza and
suggested introduction of card system in this regard which will help in
transparency in collection of revenue. He also demanded enhancement in budget
allocation for development and infrastructure of road network in Poonch
district.
Mr. Aijaz
projected establishment of way side facilities on Mughal Road to facilitate
tourists.
Mr. Ashok
Kumar supporting the budget said that opening of 500 livestock centres under
Animal Husbandry department is a big achievement. However, he demanded establishment
of these units in remote areas also. He demanded opening and up gradation of
more schools under RMSA. He demanded establishment of new health sub-centres in
hilly and remote areas and providing critical care ambulances to health centres
to accident prone areas like Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi and other areas of
the state.
Mr. Lal
Chand demanded recovery of power dues from Government Departments which he said
would stabilise the financial position of the State. He demanded expediting
work on Bani-Basohli-Bhaderwah road circuit. He demanded inclusion of hilly
areas under Agriculture schemes. He demanded setting up of industrial units to
tackle unemployment problem.
Mr.
Rachpal Singh described the budget as farmer friendly. He said Mughal Road has
bridged the gap between the people of Kashmir and Jammu regions. He praised the
Finance Minister for the ‘Anmol Beti’ scheme
for marrying orphan girls and instituting a Cancer relief fund. He welcomed VAT
reduction in Budget on prayer material and hike in cess on cigarette and gutka.
He appreciated the decision for enhancement of daily wages to labourers,
honorarium to panchs and sarpanchs. He demanded upgradation of road
connectivity in Kalakot constituency.
Mr.
Balwant Singh Mankotia appreciated the sanctioning of honorarium to Sarpances
and Panches even as he demanded hike in the same also that of the Chowkidars
and Numberdars. He demanded ban on sale, consumption and stocking of wine,
cigarettes and gutka in the State.
Mr. Rafi
Ahmad Mir appreciated the relief given to tourist industry in the Budget. He
demanded monitoring and strengthening of infrastructure at tourist
destinations. He also demanded conservation of water bodies to keep the tourist
flow intact. He demanded more thrust to Horticulture and Handicraft sectors.
Mrs. Indu
Powar praised the release of pending pension for old age and widows and
launching Anmol Beti scheme. She demanded increase in the
financial assistance for the women belonging to BPL category. She also demanded
equal distribution of employment among the youth of all the regions of the
State. She appreciated the steps taken by the Government for the benefit of
Kissans of the State by reducing the cost of the agriculture products.
Mr. Nasir
Aslam Wani complimented the Chief Minister for regulating the power sector and
expediting power generation in the State. He sought additional funding for
meeting the energy requirements of winters in Kashmir and summers in Jammu. He
suggested widening of roads in Srinagar and Jammu cities and de congestion of
old cities. He expressed concern over the conversion agricultural land into
non-agricultural use. He also suggested construction of tunnels on Tangdhar,
Machil, Lolab Bandipora and Mughal road for making them all weather
connectivity.
Mr.
Gharu Ram demanded irrigation projects for R. S. Pura and introduction of Crop
Insurance scheme. He also suggested equal distribution of funds and setting up
of agro-based industry in R. S. Pura.Mr.
Krishen Chander Bhagat described the budget as farmer friendly and good for
all. He appreciated the Finance Minister for timely sanctioning of Dearness
Allowance to Government employees and pensioners. He also appreciated the
Government for sanctioning 500 livestock centres.Er Abdul
Rashid demanded political package for J&K to heal up the wounds of people.
He suggested enhancement of ex-gratia relief for those killed during violence
in the state. He also demanded ban on cigarettes in the state and up gradation
of power distribution system particularly in hilly areas. He also demanded
launching vigorous awareness campaign for Udaan and Himayat schemes so that
maximum youth are benefitted.He
demanded early completion of widening of Srinagar-Baramulla road and
construction of Flyover at HMT crossing.Advocate
Abdul Haq Khan demanded equal distribution of funds in both the provinces
and special package for infrastructure development for Kupwara district.
NATIONAL
'Indian-origin jihadis'
fighting in Syria against Assad regime
NEW
DELHI: Indian-origin jihadi fighters have been found fighting along with the
rebels in the raging civil war in Syria. "This is one of the reasons why
we think India should play a more pro-active role, because this expanding
conflict will not leave anyone untouched," said Bouthaini Shabaan,
political adviser to Syrian PresidentBashar-al-Assad, in a
conversation with TOI. She quoted UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi as
saying that there were almost 38 nationalities of fighters in war-torn Syria.
Shabaan is in India as a special envoy of Assad, to convey a message from him to PM Manmohan Singh. Syria wants India to take a lead role at the forthcoming BRICS summit, and "support" Russia and China in their stand on the conflict. Both P-5 countries have vetoed UN Security Council resolutions against Syrian regime. Shabaan met foreign ministerSalman Khurshid and national security adviser (NSA) Shivshankar Menon.
MEA spokesperson said, "India reiterated deep concern on the security situation in Syria and the continued escalation in violence. We also expressed our concern about the plight of the people of Syria arising out of intense fighting and conflict. India urged the need for peaceful resolution of the crisis with participation of all parties taking into account the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians for which the Geneva Communique which includes the 6-Point Plan of Kofi Annan provides a good basis."
Many of the Indian fighters found in Syria are coming in from the UK, she said. Shabaan said the western narrative on the Syrian conflict was incorrect, and the war within Syria was actually being fuelled by Turkey and Qatar, with some help from Saudi Arabia.
"Turkey wants to spread the Muslim Brotherhood all over the region," she alleged. The US, she argued, wanted to break up the region by fomenting conflicts along sectarian and ethnic lines, which could destabilize West Asia for long time to come.
"We don't want this to become a sectarian conflict," she added. She said she had told foreign minister Salman Khurshid that India should be wary of countries funding mosques here since Damascus was living with the consequences of such action.
Shabaan is in India as a special envoy of Assad, to convey a message from him to PM Manmohan Singh. Syria wants India to take a lead role at the forthcoming BRICS summit, and "support" Russia and China in their stand on the conflict. Both P-5 countries have vetoed UN Security Council resolutions against Syrian regime. Shabaan met foreign ministerSalman Khurshid and national security adviser (NSA) Shivshankar Menon.
MEA spokesperson said, "India reiterated deep concern on the security situation in Syria and the continued escalation in violence. We also expressed our concern about the plight of the people of Syria arising out of intense fighting and conflict. India urged the need for peaceful resolution of the crisis with participation of all parties taking into account the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians for which the Geneva Communique which includes the 6-Point Plan of Kofi Annan provides a good basis."
Many of the Indian fighters found in Syria are coming in from the UK, she said. Shabaan said the western narrative on the Syrian conflict was incorrect, and the war within Syria was actually being fuelled by Turkey and Qatar, with some help from Saudi Arabia.
"Turkey wants to spread the Muslim Brotherhood all over the region," she alleged. The US, she argued, wanted to break up the region by fomenting conflicts along sectarian and ethnic lines, which could destabilize West Asia for long time to come.
"We don't want this to become a sectarian conflict," she added. She said she had told foreign minister Salman Khurshid that India should be wary of countries funding mosques here since Damascus was living with the consequences of such action.
Ajmer
shrine's spiritual chief protests Pak PM's visit
The
spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah Sharif has said he will not
welcome Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Asharaf when he visits the
shrine on Saturday to protest against the beheading of an Indian soldier by
Pakistani troops. Deewan Sayyad Zainual Aubedin Ali Khan said he
won't be in the dargah on Saturday to avoid welcoming the
visiting Pakistani politician and his family. "It will be a dishonour to
the families of the Indian soldiers who were beheaded by the Pakistan
army," Khan was quoted by a newspaper as saying."Accordingly, I
am not applying to district authorities for issuance of pass for entry into the
dargah sharif during the VVIP visit," he said.Ashraf is scheduled to
undertake a private visit to the sufi shrine and will not visit New Delhi.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Friday said that he would receive
the visiting dignitary as a courtesy."This is a private visit. I will be
there briefly just to extend the courtesy of receiving him, that's all,"
he said. Khurshid had on Wednesday ruled out any diplomatic talks with Ashraf.India
alleged in January Pakistan crossed the Line of Control and mutilated the
bodies of the soldiers it killed, decamping with the head of one of them.
INTERNATIONAL
Kenya presidential race to
wire: Kenyatta hovers at 50 per cent
NAIROBI: Kenya's drawn-out
race for president was coming down to the wire on Friday, with the leading
candidate hovering right at the 50 per cent mark needed to avoid a runoff with
his top challenger. Security forces eager to maintain peace began appearing in
the street.
As the last ballots came in, the per centage held by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta flipped and flopped over the 50 per cent line. His opponent, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, needed a strong performance in the remaining ballots to force a second round runoff.
Kenya's capital, Nairobi, has been sleepy since Monday's vote for president, the country's first election since its 2007 vote sparked tribe-on-tribe violence that killed more than 1,000 people. But groups of security forces in riot gear took to the streets Friday in regions of the city that could turn tumultuous after results are announced.
At the national tallying center, agents for Odinga began getting rowdy, interrupting officials who were reading out election results. They accused the commission of making up some figures, echoing allegations by Odinga's camp on Thursday that some figures had been doctored. The election commission denied the allegations.
"They are adding figures to Uhuru and subtracting from Raila, and we will show the proof. I have completely lost faith in this thing," said Frederick Odhiambo, one of the Odinga agents.
Eight candidates ran for president, so if any of the bottom six captures a significant portion of theoutstanding ballots, that could also push Kenyatta below 50 per cent.
A Kenyatta win could have far-reaching consequences with Western relations. The son of Kenya's founding father, Kenyatta faces charges at the International Criminal Court for his role in directing some of the 2007 postelection violence.
The US has warned of "consequences" if Kenyatta is to win, as have several European countries. Britain, which ruled Kenya up until the early 1960s, has said they would only have essential contact with a President Kenyatta.
The US Embassy in Kenya is larger than any American mission in Africa, underscoring Kenya's strong role in US foreign policy. The US also has military forces stationed here near the border with Somalia. Kenya, the lynchpin of East Africa's economy, plays a vital security role in the fight against Somali militants.
Kenyatta's ICC trial is set to begin in July and could take years, meaning that if he wins he may have to rule Kenya from The Hague for the first half of his presidency. Another option is, as president, to decide not to go. But that decision would trigger an international arrest warrant and spark even more damaging effects for Kenya's standing with the West.
Kenyatta has promised to report to The Hague even if he wins the presidency.
Whether or not Kenyatta finishes with over half of the votes, most observers expected legal challenges to be launched after a myriad of failures in the systems Kenya's electoral commission set up.
The first problems were evident right as the voting began early Monday. An electronic voter ID system intended to prevent fraud failed across the country for lack of electricity in some cases and overheating computers in others. Vote officials instead used manual voter rolls.
After the polls closed, results were to be sent electronically to Nairobi, where officials would quickly tabulate a preliminary vote count in order to maximize transparency after rigging accusations following the 2007 vote. But that system failed too. Election officials have indicated that computer servers overloaded but have yet to fully explain the problem.
On Tuesday, as the early count system was still being used, election results showed more than 330,000 rejected ballots, an unusually high number. But after the count resumed with the arrival in Nairobi of manual tallies, the number of rejected ballots had dropped to almost nothing, and the election commission on Thursday gave the head-scratching explanation that the computer was mistakenly multiplying the number of rejected ballots by a factor of eight.
Odinga's camp on Thursday said some votes had been doctored and called for a halt to the tallying process. It said the tallying process "lacked integrity." A day earlier, Kenyatta's camp accused the British high commissioner of meddling in the election and asked aloud why there were an unusually high number of British troops in the country.
The election commission said it expected to have final results by the end of Friday, though observers said it was still possible the count would go into the weekend.
There were fears going into the election that the violence that rocked Kenya five years ago would return. A separatist group on the coast launched attacks on Monday that ended in the deaths of 19 people, but the vote and its aftermath has otherwise been largely peaceful.
However, it's the announcement of results that could stir protests, especially if the supporters of either Odinga or Kenyatta feel robbed. Diplomats say that the public reaction to an election loss by the losing candidate will set the tone for whether violence breaks out.
The political battle between the families of Kenyatta and Odinga goes back to the 1960s and to the two candidates' fathers. Jomo Kenyatta was Kenya's first president after the end of British colonial rule. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga served as the country's first vice president then. The two later had a falling out.
If a runoff is declared, it would be most likely held in late April, depending on how long legal challenges take.
As the last ballots came in, the per centage held by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta flipped and flopped over the 50 per cent line. His opponent, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, needed a strong performance in the remaining ballots to force a second round runoff.
Kenya's capital, Nairobi, has been sleepy since Monday's vote for president, the country's first election since its 2007 vote sparked tribe-on-tribe violence that killed more than 1,000 people. But groups of security forces in riot gear took to the streets Friday in regions of the city that could turn tumultuous after results are announced.
At the national tallying center, agents for Odinga began getting rowdy, interrupting officials who were reading out election results. They accused the commission of making up some figures, echoing allegations by Odinga's camp on Thursday that some figures had been doctored. The election commission denied the allegations.
"They are adding figures to Uhuru and subtracting from Raila, and we will show the proof. I have completely lost faith in this thing," said Frederick Odhiambo, one of the Odinga agents.
Eight candidates ran for president, so if any of the bottom six captures a significant portion of theoutstanding ballots, that could also push Kenyatta below 50 per cent.
A Kenyatta win could have far-reaching consequences with Western relations. The son of Kenya's founding father, Kenyatta faces charges at the International Criminal Court for his role in directing some of the 2007 postelection violence.
The US has warned of "consequences" if Kenyatta is to win, as have several European countries. Britain, which ruled Kenya up until the early 1960s, has said they would only have essential contact with a President Kenyatta.
The US Embassy in Kenya is larger than any American mission in Africa, underscoring Kenya's strong role in US foreign policy. The US also has military forces stationed here near the border with Somalia. Kenya, the lynchpin of East Africa's economy, plays a vital security role in the fight against Somali militants.
Kenyatta's ICC trial is set to begin in July and could take years, meaning that if he wins he may have to rule Kenya from The Hague for the first half of his presidency. Another option is, as president, to decide not to go. But that decision would trigger an international arrest warrant and spark even more damaging effects for Kenya's standing with the West.
Kenyatta has promised to report to The Hague even if he wins the presidency.
Whether or not Kenyatta finishes with over half of the votes, most observers expected legal challenges to be launched after a myriad of failures in the systems Kenya's electoral commission set up.
The first problems were evident right as the voting began early Monday. An electronic voter ID system intended to prevent fraud failed across the country for lack of electricity in some cases and overheating computers in others. Vote officials instead used manual voter rolls.
After the polls closed, results were to be sent electronically to Nairobi, where officials would quickly tabulate a preliminary vote count in order to maximize transparency after rigging accusations following the 2007 vote. But that system failed too. Election officials have indicated that computer servers overloaded but have yet to fully explain the problem.
On Tuesday, as the early count system was still being used, election results showed more than 330,000 rejected ballots, an unusually high number. But after the count resumed with the arrival in Nairobi of manual tallies, the number of rejected ballots had dropped to almost nothing, and the election commission on Thursday gave the head-scratching explanation that the computer was mistakenly multiplying the number of rejected ballots by a factor of eight.
Odinga's camp on Thursday said some votes had been doctored and called for a halt to the tallying process. It said the tallying process "lacked integrity." A day earlier, Kenyatta's camp accused the British high commissioner of meddling in the election and asked aloud why there were an unusually high number of British troops in the country.
The election commission said it expected to have final results by the end of Friday, though observers said it was still possible the count would go into the weekend.
There were fears going into the election that the violence that rocked Kenya five years ago would return. A separatist group on the coast launched attacks on Monday that ended in the deaths of 19 people, but the vote and its aftermath has otherwise been largely peaceful.
However, it's the announcement of results that could stir protests, especially if the supporters of either Odinga or Kenyatta feel robbed. Diplomats say that the public reaction to an election loss by the losing candidate will set the tone for whether violence breaks out.
The political battle between the families of Kenyatta and Odinga goes back to the 1960s and to the two candidates' fathers. Jomo Kenyatta was Kenya's first president after the end of British colonial rule. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga served as the country's first vice president then. The two later had a falling out.
If a runoff is declared, it would be most likely held in late April, depending on how long legal challenges take.
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