CONGRESS HAS DESTROYED THINKING ON KASHMIR: ADVANI

New Delhi, Jan 30 (Only Kashmir) : Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Sunday accused the Congresss of "distorted thinking" on Jammu and Kashmir and said it was a shame that two top political leaders of the country had to observe the Republic Day in the custody of a state government.
In a post on his blog, Advani said the movement for Jammu and Kashmir's complete integration with India by Shyama Prasad Mukerjee saved the country from possible "disastrous consequences" of the policies of then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
"The gross mishanding by the government of the BJP's Tiranga yatra reveals that the Congress party has still not abandoned the distorted thinking about Jammu and Kashmir state which made the government committ those early follies," Advani wrote.
"By undertaking this exercise now, the BJP has done a signal service to the cause of the country's unity and integrity, for which the party's founder sacrificed his life," he added.
Advani said that Pakistan's leadership mishandled the eastern wing of Pakistan resulting in an independent Bangladesh. "Pandit Nehru's handling of J and K state - his reference to UN the issue of Pakistan's aggression on the state, and his conceding a separate constitution and a separate flag to the state - could have had similar disastrous consequences," he said in his blog.
"The week just gone by saw the nation observing its Republic Day festivities. But it is a shame that in this largest republican country of the world, two topmost political leaders of the country, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, leaders of the opposition respectively in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, should have had to observe Republic Day in the custody of the Jammu and Kashmir state government. Their offence? They were keen to see the national tricolour hoisted in Srinagar in an area dominated by separatists," Advani said.
He said the two leaders were scheduled to address a public rally in Jammu on the eve of Republic Day in support of the BJP youth wing's resolve to hoist the tricolour in Lal Chowk, "an area in Srinagar where the separatists challengingly flaunt the Pakistani flag - they did it recently on Eid Day!"
It was disgusting to see the state government virtually make the carrying of tricolour a crime, Advani noted.

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K-ISSUE WOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED IF NEHRU HAD NOT DIED: FAROOQ ABDULLAH

Srinagar: Jan 28 (Only Kashmir): The Kashmir issue would have been resolved between India and Pakistan had the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru not died in May, 1964, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Union minister Farooq Abdullah said today.
"...When we were hopeful that the Kashmir issues will be resolved...Jawahar Lal Nehruhad decided that we will meet in June. But he died on May 27. Otherwise, with a powerful leader here and a powerful leader there - Field Marshall Ayub Khan - the issue will be resolved," he said.
The National Conference leader said he hoped that the issue will be settled in his lifetime.
Abdullah was speaking at the launch of a picture book 'Nehru's Kashmir' by late photo journalist Sati Sahni here.
Speaking on the occasion, Congress leasder Karan Singh lamented that the historice Lal Chowk was in news today "for all the wrong reasons". He was apparently referring to the stand off between the Jammu and Kashmir government and the BJP over hoisting of national flag there.
He dubbed as "actue tragedy" that the area once crowded with people has now become a centre of "tension and confrontation".

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SECURITY REVAMPED IN KASHMIR IN VIEW OF BJP YATRA

Srinagar Jan 23 (Only Kashmir): With BJP showing no signs of going back on its plan to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk here, security in the Kashmir Valley has been revamped and all attempts are being made to ensure that the Opposition party does not succeed in its endeavour.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah chaired a high level meeting of the civil administration and security agencies here on Saturday evening.
"The chief minister reviewed the general law and order situation prevailing in the Valley," an official spokesman said after the meeting, hours after which police took BJP state unit's vice president Sofi Mohammad Yousuf into preventive custody.
A senior police officer said the BJP leader was taken into custody as a preventive measure under CrPC sections 107 and 151.
Yousuf's detention was the second direct action taken by the state government against the BJP as six party activists were arrested on Saturday afternoon for violating the prohibitory orders in force in the city.
"They were pasting posters which could have led to breach of public peace. They were also found violating section 144 of CrPC, which prohibits assembly of four or more persons," the officer said.
He said 300 posters were seized from the arrested persons who were all residents of the Valley.
Similar posters, featuring images of Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and BJP stalwarts like former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani, had appeared in Bemina and Tattoo ground areas of the city yesterday but have been removed since.
The state government has decided to deploy around 100 additional companies of police and paramilitary forces to scuttle any attempts by the BJP to march towards Srinagar, official sources said.
A large contingent of police has been deployed at Lakhanpur and Nagri Narola, the entry points from Punjab to Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, the sources said.
They said sizeable forces will also be deployed at Udhampur and at Jawahar Tunnel, the gateway to Kashmir Valley, to prevent BJP activists from Jammu to march towards the Valley.
While the tunnel is closed for a few hours every year on Independence Day and Republic Day as a security measure, the authorities are mulling the option of closing it on January 25 to prevent the activists from entering the Valley, they said.
Besides gearing up for the challenge posed by BJP, the security forces have intensified checks and search operations around Bakshi Stadium, the main venue of Republic Day celebrations in Kashmir.
Vehicles entering and leaving the city are subjected to random searches and security forces have been carrying out patrols around the stadium to ensure militants do not attempt to strike the city, they said.
The snow accumulated by the roadside, which has not melted due to the intense cold wave in the Valley, is being removed to rule out the possibility of ultras planting any explosives, the sources said.

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FIFTY THOUSAND YOUTH READY TO HOST TRICOLOUR FLAG AT LAL CHOWK

Jammu, Jan 22 (Only Kashmir): BJP today claimed more than 50,000 youths will arrive in the city to proceed with 'Rashtriya Ekta Yatra', which will culminate on Republic Day after hoisting of the tricolour at Srinagar's Lal Chowk.
"More than 50,000 youth of the country are reaching to Jammu on January 25 and would proceed to Kashmir to hoist the tricolour in the Valley and no force on earth can stop us from doing so," state BJP President Shamsher Singh Manhas told reporters here today.
"Any misadventure envisaged by the state government would be thwarted and state BJP would see that tricolour unfurls at Lal Chowk," he said.
He also accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is opposing the BJP's plan", of having "strong separatist leaning".
His views were supported by national executive member Nirmal Singh and MLA Ashok Khajuria, who said the party is firm to hoist the tricolour at Lal Chowk.

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K-ISSUE IS POLITICAL ISSUE WHICH CAN BE RESOLVED THROUGH DIALOUGE PROCESS: MIRWAIZ

Srinagar, Jan 22 (Only Kashmir): The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that the Kashmir dispute is not about transfer of power, law and order, elections, packages or economic concessions but It is a political dispute which can be resolved through dialogue process.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a media interview in Srinagar said that India should create conducive environment before initiating dialogue process to resolve the longstanding dispute. “The dispute should be settled through tripartite talks between Pakistan, India and the real Kashmiri leadership,” he maintained.
Mirwaiz urged India to withdraw its troops, release pro-liberation leaders and activists, stop gross human rights violations and repeal all draconian laws including Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Disturbed Area Act in the occupied territory. “The international community is thrusting on the resolution of Kashmir. Today Washington, London, Beijing, Tokyo and Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) are stressing for resolving the lingering dispute,” he said.
The APHC Chairman hailed China’s role regarding Kashmir dispute. He welcomed the forthcoming Foreign Secretaries level meeting between Pakistan and India and said that the APHC had always supported the talks aimed at resolving the long-pending dispute.

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REMOVE AFSPA, PSA: UN ENVOY TO INDIA

New Delhi, Jan 22 (Only Kashmir): The UN envoy has said that the draconian laws like, Armed Forces Special Powers Act and the Public Safety Act should be repealed in Kashmir while continuation of other controversial laws should be reviewed. Margaret Sekaggya, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders after concluding a 10-day visit to occupied Kashmir and Indian states of Gujarat, West Bengal, Assam and Orissa said human rights are being violated both by state and non-state actors in India.
About Jammu and Kashmir, she said, the issue in Kashmir is about people. It is important to address the real issues of people there. She said that there should be efforts to heal their wounds and hoped that her recommendations in the detailed report would be implemented by the authorities.
"Throughout my mission, I heard numerous testimonies about male and female human rights defenders and their families, who have been killed, tortured, ill-treated, falsely charged, disappeared, arbitrarily arrested and detained or their offices raided and files stolen, because of their legitimate work in upholding human rights," she said.
Especially expressing concern about the situation in occupied Kashmir and Northeastern states, she said the AFSPA and PSA must be repealed.
"The Armed Forces Special Powers Act and the Public Safety Act should be repealed and application of other laws, which adversely affect the work and safety of human rights defenders should be reviewed," Sekaggya said, noting that she would file a detailed report to the UN in March.
Asked specifically about human rights violations in West Bengal, the official said
"I am particularly concerned over the plight of human rights defenders working for the rights of marginalised people that is Dalits, adivasis, religious minorities and sexual minorities who face particular risks and ostracism because of their activities".
Sekaggya said she wanted permission for at least 14 days to visit but the government of India had allowed her only 10 days.

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ALL EYES ON (GANTA GHAR) CLOCK TOWER

Srinagar Jan 22 (Only Kashmir): Historical Clock Tower, rendered ‘clockless tower’ in view of face-lifting work has become the cynosure of all eyes.
Every eye catches the glimpse of big clock ‘missing’ at top of the tower. The historical tower popularly known as ‘Ghanta Ghar’ located in the busy city center Lal chowk, the commercial hub of summer capital has assumed more significance after the BJP and JKLF have dared each other to hoist flag on its top on the Republic Day.
Security has been beefed up around the tower and frisking especially of pedestrians, bikers and three wheelers’ intensified as the Republic-Day draws nearer. The state government has already made it clear that no programme, which will disturb the law and order situation in valley, will be allowed.
For few weeks now, the tower is being repaired and renovated. In run-up to the Republic Day ahead, masons and carpenters have intensified face-lifting work on the tower. In the evening hours, security is further beefed up especially around the historical’ clockless tower’ at present.
Masons and carpenters are working under tight security cover have to complete the repair work before Republic Day to enhance its face-lifting. Bullet proof vehicle has been put on alert just under the nose tower.
Every year the tower is renovated on the occasion of Republic and Independence Day and tri-color hoisted on top of the tower. But this year, in view of the BJP and JKLF plans to hoist flags has created sensation in government circles.
In view of repairs and tight security arrangements, the traffic movement in Lal Chowk has got affected. Close vigil is being maintained on people and transport mobility in Lal Chowk. Pedestrians prefer to change their way in view of tight security arrangements in the city center, which has rendered insecurity to people.

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HILAL WELCOMES THE INTIATION OF DIALOUGE BETWEEN INDO-PAK

Srinagar Jan 19 (Only Kashmir): People’s Political Party (PPP), Chairman, Hilal Ahmad War, said, “We welcome the initiation of dialogue between India and Pakistan .He further said PPP is not averse to talks but the talks should be meaningful and result oriented. To make talks on the different Issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir a success, there should be no pre-condition from both sides. Dialogue between India and Pakistan to create mutual trust and understanding is indispensably paramount and this is an important step towards the stability and peace of this South Asian Region which will ultimately pave the way for resolution of Kashmir dispute. “India must not forget that Kashmir is the gateway to Peace, said, War”.
In response to India’s offer to Pakistan, People’s Political Party (PPP) has urged Pakistan to hold meaningful and result oriented dialogue with India ensuring that Kashmir is on top of the agenda. Commenting on India’s talk’s offers to Pakistan, PPP Chief, Hilal Ahmad War said Pakistan should stick to its stance that talks with India should not be confined to economic issues only. India, he said is trying with its best to pressurize Pakistan for not insisting on inclusion of Kashmir in the agenda of proposed dialogue. It is an attempt on the part of India and its international supporters to help India get out of present embarrassing situation in Kashmir.Mr. War said that Kashmiris had made a lot of sacrifices for the resolution of Kashmir but India always used talks as ploy to ward off the pressure.
He said whenever there is international pressure on Kashmir issue to avoid any eventuality of nuclear confrontation in South Asia, India makes talks offer to Kashmiris just to neutralize the situation. “It is in fact the international pressure that has got mounted on India and they just want to diffuse it by staging a drama in the name of talks to give an impression to the world community that it is engaged in a dialogue with Pakistan or with one section of favourite Kashmiri leadership on Kashmir”, he said. Under given circumstances, Pakistan should ensure that Kashmir is on the top of the Agenda”.
Mr. War urged the Government of Pakistan to formulate a Kashmir Policy in accordance with the letter and spirit of Shaheed Z.A. Bhutto's Kashmir Policy. He disfavoured and disapproved the proposed idea of showing any flexibility by government of Pakistan with regard to settlement of Kashmir Dispute as such a flexibility is bound to cause a irreparable damage to Kashmir Cause and shall affect Kashmir Liberation Movement which has so far taken heaviest toll of life, honour and property in entire J & K State.

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3 YOUTH ARRESTED BUT THIS TIME FOR SNOW PELTING

Srinagar, Jan 15 (Only Kashmir): Complete shutdown was observed across the Valley on Saturday on the call of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Police rounded up three youth for snow-pelting in downtown area of the city.
Normal life was paralyzed across the Srinagar city as shops, business establishments and government offices remained closed and traffic was off the roads. Large contingent of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed in strength in volatile areas of old city and civil lines as precautionary measure to thwart pro-freedom protests.
Meanwhile police detained three youth, who according to the locals were throwing snow balls on each other for fun, in Gojwara area of downtown. “They were throwing snow on each other and not on the cops" said locals to Only Kashmir.

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RECENT KASHMIR MOVEMENT WAS BASED ON WRONG STRATEGY: SALAHUDDIN

Srinagar Jan 14 (Only Kashmir): Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed salahuddin based in pakistan occupied kashmir has said that the summer agitation diluted the kashmir movement as that was based on wrong strategy and emotionalism.
"The solution to the Kashmir dispute could be found after bringing all the three parties, India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir on a dialogue table," Hizb chief Salahuddin told a local news agency on telephone.
The Hizb chief further said: "I gave good advices to my friends but they did not listen to me. And now, they regret. No nation can remain dependent on constant strikes. So we have to sit and carve out a result oriented program."
Reacting to recent statement of Hurriyat leader Prof Abdul Gani Bhat that top separatist leaders were killed by "our men", the UJC chairman said people named by Bhat should be brought before the people.
The HM chief also said, the solution to the Kashmir dispute could be found after bringing all the three parties, India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir on a dialogue table.
Syed Salahuddin asked the separatist leadership to join hands and put forth a common agenda before the people of Kashmir. He said,the separatist leadership should unite on the basis of 1993 constitution of Hurriyat Conference

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MIRWAIZ WELCOMES KASHMIR TROOP CUT ANNOUNCEMENT WHILE GEELANI REJECTS

Srinagar, Jan 14 (Only Kashmir) : The moderate Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday welcomed the central government's announcement of a 25 percent cut in security forces in a year's time in Jammu and Kashmir, while hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani rejected the move as "patchwork" and demanded complete withdrawal of troops from the state.

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HIGH COURT BAR ASSOCIATION TEAM TO VISIT JAILS OF KASHMIR

Srinagar, January 14 (Only Kashmir): The Vice President of High Court Bar Association of occupied Kashmir, Ejaz Baidar has said that a 15-member delegation of the Bar will visit different jails and interrogation centres of India and the occupied territory from next week to review plight of the Kashmiri detainees.
Ejaz Baidar while talking to newsmen in Srinagar said that the Bar Association through a petition had sought permission from the court, which was granted.
He said that the High Court had directed all the concerned authorities of the jails and interrogation centres of India and occupied Kashmir to facilitate the Bar team in meeting the prisoners.
The 15-member delegation would comprise Advocate Ejaz Baidar, Advocate Manzoor Ahmad, Advocate Muhammad Abdullah Pundit, Advocate Tanveer Butt, Advocate Muhammad Ashraf Butt, Advocate Bashir Siddiqi, Advocate Nazir Ahmad Ronga, Advocate Bashir Ahmad Dar, Advocate Shaukat Ahmad Hakak, Advocate Shabbir Ahmad Butt, Advocate Arshad Andrabi, Advocate Rafiq Ahmad Jo, Advocate Javed Ahmad, Advocate Hilal Ahmad and Advocate Naveed Ahmad.

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KASHMIR ISSUE GETTING DANGEROUS AND COMPLEX; SYED ALI GEELANI

Srinagar Jan 12 (Only Kashmir): Asserting that Kashmir issue was becoming more “dangerous and complex” with each passing day, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani Wednesday flayed India for adopting its “traditional policy of force and intimidation to muzzle the voice of Kashmiris.”
“Even after 64 years India seems to have no option other than force and wants to solve an issue which is getting more dangerous and complex with each passing day through the barrel of gun. But New Delhi has failed to see that Kashmiris’ resolve for freedom cannot be broken , and for the past six decades India has only succeeded in enforcing a temporary silence of the graveyard here through arrests, torture, killings and other acts of terror,”
Geelani said the state government’s “subservient and puppet role” had been proven when, according to him, New Delhi had “trashed” the National Conference Working Committee’s resolution regarding release of political prisoners in July.
“The fact is that the Indian home ministry is running the affairs of the state and the sole purpose of the so called state government is to provide cover to India’s atrocities in Kashmir and hoodwink the world into believing that Kashmir has a democratically elected government,” he said.
Reiterating the call for one hour protest after Friday prayers on January 14 and complete strike on January 15, Geelani said “calling protests and strikes is not our hobby but the only way of registering protest against oppression.”

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INTERLOCUTORS INTEREST IN THEIR SALARY NOT KASHMIR: GEELANI

Srinagar Jan 11 (Only Kashmir): Hurriyat Conferene(G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani Monday said the three interlocutors appointed by New Delhi on Kashmir were more interested in their "one lakh plus salaries" than addressing the grievances of Kashmiris, and his assertion that talks with the trio "were futile" had been proved right.
"We have been maintaining from day one that the interlocutors have no authority, they can only plead with New Delhi without being paid much attention to. Their appointment was to hoodwink the international community, these fellows are more interested in their one lakh plus salaries than addressing the issues of Kashmiris, because they have no authority to do so," Geelani said at a press conference today.

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SAJJAD LONE APPRECIATES PROF BHAT FOR SPEAKING TRUTH

New Delhi Jan 10 (Only Kashmir): Separatist leader Sajjad Lone threw his weight behind ex-Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat for his stand that "our own men" killed Mirwaiz Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone", observing that time has come for people to decide whether they are with the "murderers or murdered."

Sajjad, son of Lone, appreciated Bhat for speaking the truth on the killings of the two separatist leaders and for showing the way and said it was never late to speak the "truth."
Bhat, who once chaired the separatist amalgam All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, recently created a flutter by saying that two separatist leaders and his own brother were killed by "our own people" and not the security forces.
Bhat had said time had come to speak the truth about the killers of Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq, who was killed 21 years ago, Abdul Gani Lone, who was shot dead in 2002, and his own brother Mohammad Sultan Bhat, who was murdered in 1995.
In a first person account published in a local daily at Srinagar, Lone recalled the events of the day when his father was killed on May 21, 2002. "...and lifted the shroud and there he was--my Dad--lifeless, stone cold, eyes closed, hair curled back, in a state of eternal slumber. My Dad’s journey of life had ended."
"I got up filled with anger and began to shout hysterically and out came from my mouth the infamous statement blaming the ISI for my father’s killing. I was unmindful of the TV crews and their cameras. And in the evening it was all across the TV screens," wrote Lone in his first person account published in Greater Kashmir.
He recalled that in the wee hours of May 22, 2002 when he was planning the funeral his mother called him inside a room. "I found her behaviour strange. Her composure saddened me. I felt she was not distraught enough....she held my hands and looked deep into my eyes and (asked me to) retract the statement I made last night."
Lone recalls that he had refused buckling under pressure and made it clear to his mother that he was not going to retract. "...she sobbed and sobbed (and said) I have lost Lone sahib. I will not lose you. I will not allow a second dead body with bullets in this house," he wrote while reasoning out about his retraction of statement.
"I had lost a father not to disease or old age but to bullets of the brute. In retrospect I don’t think I should have accused an institution of the killing. But Prof. Bhat has shown the way, when he stated that it was our own people who killed Lone Sahib.
"For all those cynics and sermonizers who are questioning his timing, his intentions, I--a son who lost his father to bullets - would want to put my appreciation on record. Truth however bitter has to prevail. It is never late to speak the truth," he wrote.
"Lone Sahib, Mirwaiz Sahib have left this world. We cannot get them back. But if we do not learn any lessons from their killings we will be doing a great disservice to the very nation whose aspirations we claim to espouse. There is nothing like a good murderer and a bad murderer...
"The culture of unaccountability, impunity cultivated and nourished by a select group of intellectuals, thinkers has only emboldened the killers to indulge in more heinous acts, aimed at disempowering the Kashmiri voice and coercing it into submission. It is time that the select band, decide whose side they are on -- the murderer or the murdered," he said.

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IPL A BOON FOR KASHMIR CRICKET BAT INDUSTRY

Srinagar Jan 09 (Only Kashmir): The success of Indian Premier League (IPL), where the franchise owners splashed millions of dollars to acquire their favourite players this weekend, is having a positive effect on the cricket bat manufacturing industry in Kashmir as well.
As the IPL bandwagon spread to two more cities Pune and Kochi -- in the fourth edition, the manufacturers are hopeful that the league's expansion will translate into more orders for cricket bats this winter.
The cricket bat sector in Kashmir Valley has more than 200 units, both registered and unregistered, with a collective turnover of over Rs 10 crore per year.
"The IPL has been a huge bonanza for our sector as the number of bats sold since the inception of the league has gone up. We are expecting more orders from cities like Pune and Kochi this year as these cities will be featuring also," Abdul Majeed Dar, the president of the cricket bat manufacturers' association.
Dar said over the past three years, the bat manufacturers have expanded their dealings directly to cities like Kolkata, Hyderabad and Jaipur.
"Cricket is undoubtedly the number one followed sport in every city and town of India but our business dealings were mostly restricted to big cities like Delhi, Mumbai and to some extent Bangalore. Now we have enquiries from other areas like Baroda and Indore as well," he said.
Feroze Ahmad, who has a bat manufacturing unit in this highway town, 40 kms from Srinagar, said although the first three months of the year were generally low on sales as the students across the country were busy with annual examinations, the IPL has changed that.
"Since the IPL is held in the months of March, April and May, the dealers from across the country place advance orders so that they can cash on the popularity of cricket following the conclusion of the event, which coincides with school holidays," Ahmad said
While the things look rosy for the bat manufacturing units, which provide direct and indirect employment to nearly 15,000 people in the Valley, they have many worries to take care of. Smuggling of clefts, the raw material for bats, and dwindling plantation of willow trees are just two of these.
"Thousands of clefts are illegally smuggled to some cities in neighbouring Punjab even after the state government imposed a ban on the practice. This has caused a major dent in our earnings as the processing units have better seasoning facilities at their disposal in Punjab which results in a better product," Dar said.
He said the state government has installed a seasoning unit in Sangam area, where most of the units are located, but it has not been made functional yet.
The mushrooming of plyboard peeling units in the Valley has also led to decline in growing of willow trees, considered best after English willow.
"The Poplars grow faster and bring better returns to the farmers from the peeling units. The farmers are now focusing on growing the Poplars only," Dar said.
With demand for bats rising every year and the supply of raw material dropping sharply, the cricket bats are going to be expensive in coming years, he said.

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MORE DEATHS DUE TO ROAD MISHAPS THAN MILITANCY IN J-K IN 2010

Jammu Jan 08 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir has recorded more deaths in traffic accidents than due to militancy in 2010.
"More people have been killed and injured in road mishaps in the state than in militancy. The death toll in road mishaps is almost double than the number of people killed in militancy last year," a senior police officer said.
As many as 889 people were killed and 7,178 were injured in 5,053 accidents in Jammu and Kashmir upto November end 2010, he said.
However, there were only 488 incidents of militancy in which 475 persons, including 232 ultras, were killed in 2010 in the state, he said.
There were a large number of traffic violations for which 3,29,651 vehicles were fined for violation in 2010 in J&K, he said.

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PLEASE FORGIVE US: DR FAROOQ TO PANDITS

New Delhi, Jan 8: (Only Kashmir): Terming the displacement of Pandits from the Valley as "one of the darkest chapters" in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah today asked the displaced people for "forgiveness."
"One of the major tragedies that we had to go through was the ethnic cleansing that took place in the state of Jammu and Kashmir," he told reporters here at a sidelines of a function.
"I think it was one of the darkest chapters in the history of the state that will always remain and for which even for years if we ask God for forgiveness I wonder if it will ever come," he said.
The minister was alluding to the displacement of Pandits from the Valley at the peak of militancy in the early 1990s.
"People had to leave their land and other holdings suddenly overnight, not knowing what the future holds for them. The hurt due to this tragedy still exists in young Pandits," he said.
Abdullah also rued the loss of cultural identity that these people have to face due to their displacement.
"People in Kashmir don't know what Pandits look like..What the now empty temples meant for them.. They have become aliens..I wonder if I'll be able to see it (the repatriation) in this birth," he said.
"Everyone wants to die, be buried and cremated in his own land. I lived in England for 12 years but I never became English though I married an English woman. For me those narrow lanes in Kashmir meant far more that the beautiful roads in England," he said.

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HAZRATBAL SHRINE GETS ILLUMINATION PROJECT AT RS 4 CRORE

Jammu, Jan 7 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir government today sanctioned Rs four crore for the illumination of the Hazratbal shrine located in Srinagar.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, also the Chairman of state Wakf Board, sanctioned the amount for the project to be executed by Bajaj Electricals.
He also fixed June 15 as deadline for commissioning the project and completion of all ongoing structural works.
"I give you six months time to complete all the structural works including repairs to the tomb and water proofing of roofs", he told the Wakf Board.
Omar also directed for exploring possibility of harnessing solar energy to run the project.

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CONGRESS, PDP SLAM BJP'S FLAG HOISTING PLAN

Jammu, Jan 6 (Only Kashmir): A day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cautioned the BJP against hoisting the national flag at the historic Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Republic Day, the Congress and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its plan.
State Congress president Saif-ud-Din Soz said: 'BJP has embarked on a policy of dividing the people. The move to hoist the flag on Republic Day is a political gimmick to gain the political mileage and reflective of vote bank politics.'
Soz was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a party function here.
Earlier Thursday, PDP patron and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that whenever the BJP was out of power, it resorted to such 'gimmicks'.
He said that when the BJP was in power, it did not 'talk of abrogation of Article 370 (granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir within Indian union), and now it is raking up the issue while it is out of power.'
Almost all parties in Kashmir, including the separatists, have decided to oppose the BJP's Republic Day plans.
The BJP, on the other hand, has maintained the flag hoisting was part of its nationwide campaign for unity and solidarity.
'Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part and we are within our rights to hoist the flag on the national festival in any part of the country,' Nirmal Singh, member of the national executive of the party, told reporters Wednesday.
He was reacting to Omar Abdullah's statements terming the flag hoisting a 'provocative act', saying that he feared the move could trigger a fresh wave of violent protests in the Valley.
All About: National,Jammu And Kashmir, Congress, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), State Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

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DGP LAUNCHES TRAFFIC POLICE WEBSITE & FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

‘Srinagar, Jammu to have electronic traffic signal system soon’

Jammu, Jan 06 (Only Kashmir): The Director General of Police, Mr. Kuldeep Khoda launched the website and facebook account of the J&K Traffic Police at a function held at Police Headquarters here today.
The website, www.jktrafficpolice.nic.in and the facebook account, igtraffic_jk@ymail.com of the State Traffic Police have been exclusively dedicated to the traffic related issues.
Giving details of the newly launched website and the facebook account, the DGP said that it will help largely in getting the feedback and suggestions from the road users and public at large about the traffic management. Appealing the people, particularly the youth to come forward with their suggestions in this regard, he added that these would help in bringing continuous improvement in the traffic management.
Mr. Khoda asked the concerned police officers to make the people aware about the website and the facebook account through the print and electronic media so that they make best use of this facility by sending their feedback and valuable suggestions. He asked them to regularly update the website. He also impressed upon them to launch a massive State wide awareness campaign about traffic rules and regulations by organizing seminars, debates and discussions utilizing all mass communication means for achieving the desired results.
Referring to utilization of latest technology to facilitate traffic management, Mr. Khoda said that the Chief Minister is taking keen interest in further streamlining of the Traffic Department, adding that within next few months the two capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu will have electronic traffic signal system. Later, this signal system will be installed in major towns and highways of the State, he added.
Regarding the installation of CCTV cameras, the DGP said that work on installation of 50 such cameras each in Srinagar and Jammu cities is going apace. He said that later this facility will be extended to the major towns of the State in a phased manner.
Earlier, the Inspector General of Police, Traffic, J&K, Mr. Hemant Kumar Lohia gave a detailed power point presentation on the website and the facebook account and threw light on the benefit of this facility in bringing about improvement in the traffic management. He also dwelt on the short and long-term measures being planned for bringing about the progressive improvement in the overall traffic management scenario in the State.

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OBSEVE 26 JANUARY, "A BLACK DAY": HILAL WAR

Srinagar, Jan 06 (Only Kashmir): The Chairman of People’s Political Party ( PPP), Hilal Ahmad War , has appealed the general masses of Kashmir to observe January 26, Indian Republic Day as ‘Black Day’ and convey a message to the International Community that people of Kashmir are struggling for the attainment of right to self-determination as enshrined in UN Charter.
Mr. War in a statement said ,every Kashmiri will observe January 26, a ‘black day’ as a mark of protest against the continued denial of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination which is contrary to its claim of being a democratic republic and against ongoing human rights violation in the Valley. War said we have appealed the people of Kashmir to observe a 26 January a Black Day in order to remind the Indian leadership and the world community that the presence of Indian Occupational Forces in Jammu and Kashmir is illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional is clear violation of United Nations Charter as well as U.N. Plebiscite Resolutions passed by U.N.O.
Therefore, by no law all over the world or morals can justify their presence in Jammu and Kashmir Nation be justified.
PPP Chief said, “we believe that Pak-India peace needs a boost and participation of Kashmiri leadership within and without Hurriyat Conference in any result-oriented dialogue process is a must. He said, “There are political parties in the entire J&K State with conflicting ideologies and
stands regarding Kashmir Issue. Therefore, no person, party or conglomerate of diverse ideologies can be recognized as political attorney of the common man of Jammu and Kashmir as a whole”.
He, however, said that before initiating talks, India should create conducive atmosphere by taking steps like demilitarization, repeal of black laws, put an end to human rights violations in the occupied territory and release all illegally detained youth, pro-freedom leaders and activists.
India must not forget the issue of Jammu and Kashmir has assumed the shape of an International Conflict ,therefore, the intervention of superpower nations like United States of American and China is unavoidable and in accordance with golden principles of United Nations Charter in order to maintain International Peace and Security . These powerful Nations including
European Union knew that the gateway of World Peace is the resolution of Kashmir Tangle. The PPP Chairman said that the international community had accepted that the Kashmir dispute was the main hurdle in cordial relations between New Delhi and Islamabad and its amicable settlement could bring peace in the region in particular and world in General.

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MIRWAIZ PAYS RICH TRIBUTES TO SOPORE MARTYRS

Srinagar, Jan 06 (Only Kashmir): The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has paid glowing tributes to the martyrs who fell to the bullet of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Sopore on January 6, 1993.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and in a statement issued in Srinagar, today, said that Kashmiri martyrs sacrificed their lives for a sacred cause and the sacrifices would not be allowed to go waste. They deplored that no action had been taken, so far, against the killers of the innocent people despite passing of sixteen years.
He maintained that the ongoing movement would be taken to its logical conclusion and appealed the international community to help resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with Kashmiris’ aspirations and relevant United Nations resolutions.
It is worth mentioning here that more than 55 people were martyred, hundreds of shops and houses gutted down and property worth crores of rupees was destroyed by the BSF troopers in Sopore on January 6, 1993, in vengeance of the killing of their colleague in a firing incident in the area.

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GOVT TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT TO 100000 YOUTH

Srinagar, Jan 6 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir government will provide employment opportunities to one lakh educated youth in the next three years, a state minister has said.
"As many as one lakh educated youths would be provided employment opportunities in the next three years," Minister for Medical Education R S Chib said while addressing a 'public darbar' at north Kashmir's Baramulla district yesterday.
Chib described Sher-i-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Policy for Youth (SKEWPY) as a revolutionary employment package introduced by the Omar Abdullah-led government.
The minister also reviewed the ongoing developmental works in the district, an official spokesman said.

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GOVERNOR'S HOUSE GETS SOLAR-POWERED CARS

Jammu, Jan 05 (Only Kashmir) The Raj Bhawan or the governor's residence in Jammu will now have solar-powered battery cars to ferry visitors and guests, something quite unique for Jammu and Kashmir.
The state Governor N.N. Vohra and union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah took the first ride Tuesday on a battery car within the Raj Bhawan, which is spread over 10 acres.
'Similar battery cars would be installed in Raj Bhawan in Srinagar. These would be used to ferry the visitors and guests,' a spokesman of the Raj Bhavan said in a release issued here.
The Raj Bhawans in Jammu and Srinagar - the two capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir - are visited by central ministers, chief ministers and other VIPs.
The Raj Bhawan has a 20-kilowatt solar power plant which provides energy for illuminating the security lights in its complex, and water heating system which heats 2,000 litres of water.
These systems have been installed at the Raj Bhawan on the pattern of Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.

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NATIONAL CONFERENCE IS THE ICON OF DARKNESS: MEBOOBA MUFTI

Srinagar Jan 04 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party PDP Tuesday held a protest demonstrations in Srinagar and Jammu against the electricity crisis, shortage of water, non availability of cooking gas, kerosene oil and other basic facilities in the state.
The demonstrations led by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti saw a large number of workers demonstrating while carrying placards lanterns and raising slogans against the present coalition government.
The demonstrators demanded return of the power generation projects from the NHPC that had been gifted by the National Conference from time to time to the central government in order to secure its rule in the State.
Mehbooba Mufti in her address to party workers said that the state government has failed to give good governance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “She said her party had deliberately adopted a low profile over the past three months hoping that the state government would have learnt some lessons from its debacle on all fronts that had resulted in extraordinary alienation and loss of precious 112 lives. She said the party had also been watching the situation under the 8 point formula announced by the central government as a guide to the state and had hoped some relief would be provided to common people, but so called agenda proved yet another cruel joke that was implemented only in contravene, adding that instead of releasing the youth and political detainees more are being arrested. The youth were now hounded both in and outside the state, in the process demonizing every Kashmiri as a stone pelter. This had further enlarged the gulf between the state and rest of country she added”.
Mehbooba said that in the past two years over 500 megawatts had been added to the state generation system but immediately after the NC led coalition assumed office they started load shedding and have now revived the pre 2002 scenario.
The PDP president said as with the political problems of the state the NC is directly responsible for bartering away the state resources to the NHPC which was making money at the cost of state resources while common are suffering in darkness. She said while Farooq Abdullah handed over seven most feasible power projects to centre in 2000, Omar Abdullah continued the process by entering another agreement with NHPC to give them majority stakes in three more projects.
Mehbooba said this has served the most deadly blow to state’s economic prospects, but PDP would intensify its campaign for renegotiating the terms of agreement with NHPC which at present gives a paltry 12 percent royalty to the state. She declared appealing people to support this demand proactively for the sake of coming generations.
Mehbooba said on the one hand state is facing power and water shortage on the other hand other essentials like and food commodities, LPG, kerosene oil and other things are black marketed in the state especially in Kashmir. The government she said was hand in glove with hoarders and profiteers who were looting the common man. Even the Public distribution system, she said had almost completely collapsed as its stocks were being pilfered and sold in black market.

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EU CALLS FOR KASHMIRI PEOPLE'S INVOLVEMENT IN RESOLVING THE KASHMIR ISSUE

London, Jan 04 (Only Kashmir): European Commission is very closely following developments in Held Kashmir and supports the reconciliation process between India and Pakistan.This was stated by Jean-Christian Remond, Asia Head of European Commission External Relations Directorate General, in response to a letter from Mushtaq A. Jeelani, Executive Director, Toronto-based Peace and Justice Forum (PJF).The PJF’s letter drew EU President Jos Manuel Barroso’s attention to the situation in Kashmir.
Issuing response on behalf of President Barroso, Remond wrote:
“I am sure you [Mr. Jeelani] know that the European Commission and the Delegation of the European Union in New Delhi follow developments in Kashmir very closely.”
He further underlined: “The annual visits to Jammu and Kashmir by Delhi-based EU Ambassadors and embassy staff indeed bear witness to the commitment. During the last such visit in November 2009, the delegation had the opportunity to meet with representatives of political parties, separatist movements, the security forces, civil society, and the universities, in order to assess for itself the situation pertaining in Kashmir.”
“It has been a longstanding position of the EU to support the reconciliation process between India and Pakistan and to call for the Kashmiri people themselves to be as involved as possible in this process,” underscored Remond.
He further stated that he has taken note of Jeelani’s comment regarding a possible mediation by a third party. “But, in our view, such a course of action would require conditions which are not presently met,” Remond added.
“The European Commission remain hopeful that dialogue between all parties concerned including the people of Kashmir, India and Pakistan may begin again, thus assuring the long-term socio-economic and political stability of the region,” he concluded.

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UN IS A "FAILED BODY" K-ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED THROUGH "INTERNATIONAL MONITORING: HURRIYAT (M)

Srinagar, Jan 4 (Only Kashmir): Terming UN as a "failed body", the moderate Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq today said they expected little from it on the Kashmir issue and pressed for talks involving India, Pakistan and Kashmiris under 'international monitoring' to resolve the imbroglio.
"We cannot expect much from a body which has failed to implement its own resolutions (on Kashmir). India and Pakistan have to talk to Kashmiris under international monitoring for resolving the Kashmir issue," the Mirwaiz said addressing a seminar organised by the amalgam on the 61st anniversary of UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir.
The Hurriyat has so far been pressing for implementation of the UN resolutions on Kashmir.
The Mirwaiz said such a dialogue process has to be time bound as "bilaterialism between the two countries has failed to make any progress".

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PROF BHAT'S STATEMENT PROVES OUR POINT: KULDEEP KHUDA

Jammu, Jan 3 (Only Kashmir) : Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Bhat's admission that militants and not Indian security forces were to blame for the killing of top separatist leaders vindicates the police stand, the Jammu and Kashmir police chief said Monday.
"Bhat has said what we have been saying all along," Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda told the media while commenting on the remarks of the former All Parties Hurriyat Conference chief.
Bhat told a seminar in Srinagar Sunday that the assassinations of Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq, father of moderate Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Peoples Conference chairman Abdul Ghani Lone were caused by militant rivalry and that the security forces had no hand in them.
The statement stunned the audience, among whom were several separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
Khoda said the police had always maintained that militants were killing leaders of rival factions.
"Now, when a separatist leader himself makes this disclosure, all I can say is that our stand has been vindicated," he added.

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MIRWAIZ FAROOQ AND GANI LONE WERE KILLED BY OUR OWN PEOPLE: FORMER APHC CHAIRMAN

Srinagar, Jan 3 (Only Kashmir) : Senior separatist leader and former chairman of the moderate Hurriyat group, Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, Monday blamed separatist gunmen for the murder of his brother in 1995.
Bhat, who is chairman of the separatist Muslim Conference, has always been in disagreement with the hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani, and this is well known both in public and separatist circles.
Bhat's brother, Muhammad Sultan Bhat, 55, was killed by unidentified gunmen in 1995. Speaking to IANS here Monday, Bhat blamed separatist gunmen for the murder.
"Everybody knows who killed my brother. He was also killed by our own people," Bhat said.
Bhat ruffled many a feather Sunday when he told a separatist seminar organized by the pro-azadi Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) that two senior separatist leaders had been killed by separatist gunmen.
"There is nothing new about what I said here yesterday," Bhat said.
"I have always said that serious mistakes have happened and the best way to rectify such mistakes is to introspect seriously.
"I have always said that Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone were killed by our own people."
Maulvi Farooq and Lone were killed in 1990 and 2002 respectively.
"In any conflict situation, the most important thing is to control and calibrate the movement so that it can be taken to a logical conclusion.
"I am sad to confess that we have not succeeded in controlling the separatist movement," Bhat admitted.
"Everyone among us has his own perspective of things and I as a humble person have always made myself clear without caring for the repercussions.
"The truth has to be said however bitter it might sound," he asserted.
Without naming Geelani, Bhat said, "No human being can ever claim to be always right and I believe all of us are ordinary mortals. If someone among us thinks he is infallible than I can only say it is our misfortune."

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EVERY SECTION OF SOCIETY SHOULD PLAY THE ROLE IN ACHIEVING THE GOAL OF "RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION": MIRWAIZ

Srinagar Dec 03 (Only Kashmir): The Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said there was need for introspection at individual and collective levels.
“Since 2008, there have been ups and downs in the Kashmir struggle. We need to know why this happens,” he said. “Why we are not able to take the sentiments forward to achieve the results”
He said the intellectuals should think and write about it. “If intellect and politics are forged together, surely the outcome would be fruitful”.
Mirwaiz said every section of the society should play its role in achieving the “ultimate goal of right to self determination.”
“Sacrifices for the cause are huge. We desperately need a direction to reach our goals,” he said, adding, “The leaders alone cannot take the struggle forward. We have to move collectively and every individual has a responsibility to contribute towards the cause”.
He said leaders have “not been able to capitalize on the successive three years of peaceful resistance in Kashmir.”
“I don’t know whether it is lack of understanding or something else. The intellectuals should reflect on this,” he said.
Mirwaiz said apart from Jamiat Ahl Hadith there is no organization that discusses other issues facing the Kashmir society.
“We have to counter the state discourse,” he said. “The state is now being divided into minority groups like Shias, Gujars, and Baltis. We have to stand up and oppose this.”
He said for better results on Kashmir resolution “we need to be collective and leaders cannot alone do everything.”
Mirwaiz said the leaders should be open to criticism. “Columnists writing in newspapers thrust on history. Those who write on current issues only point out mistakes in leaders,” he said. “Nobody says what the leaders should do. There is no proposal or suggestion coming from them which could guide the leaders to move forward”

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RECORD NUMBER OF PILGRIMS VISIT VAISHNODEVI IN J&K in 2010

Jammu Jan 02 (Only Kashmir): Over 87.5 lakh devotees have visited the Vaishnodevi shrine located at Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir in 2010, the highest in the past two decades.
"The pilgrimage to Mata Vaishnodevi has set a new milestone in 2010 with a record number of 87,49,326 lakh pilgrims visiting the cave shrine. The number has broken the previous record of 82,34,896 in 2009," Additional Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board Mandeep K Bandari told PTI.
"SMVSB is expecting one crore pilgrims in the next few years," he said.
In 2008, as many as 67,92,223 pilgrims visited the shrine, while it was 74.17 lakh in 2007 and 69.5 lakh in 2006.
Vaishnodevi is the second busiest shrine after Tirupati. The number of pilgrims rose from three lakh in 1970 to 52 lakh in 2000.
Traffic to the holy cave increased by nearly 10 lakh in just one year-- from 21.69 lakh in 1990 to 31.16 lakh in 1991.

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J&K GOVT TO SET UP UMTA FOR MANAGING TRAFFIC

Jammu, Jan 2 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to set up Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority for the better management and regulation of vehicular traffic in state's two capital cities and major towns.
"For regulation, coordination of several departments and smooth operation of vehicular traffic, J&K government has decided to setup Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) in the state," Minister for Transport Qmar Ali Akhoon.
He said the government has already setup a committee under Chief Secretary for this purpose.
UMTA would take care of coordinations of various transport departments, regulation and smooth operation of traffic in Jammu and Srinagar, besides other major towns in the state.
Akhoon appealed to the youth to obey traffic rules and educate their family members and neighbours to follow the instructions.
He said traffic rules will be strictly implemented for the safety of commuters as well as drivers.

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OVER 7000 PEOPLE KILLED IN J&K VIOLENCE IN LAST 10 YEARS

New Delhi. Jan 01 (Only Kashmir): A total of 7,031 civilians and security force personnel have lost their lives due to violence in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 10 years.
"4,812 civilians and 2,219 security force personnel have lost their lives since 2001 to August 2010 in Jammu and Kashmir," the Home Ministry said in reply to an RTI query.
Many areas of J-K have witnessed several incidents of violence in terms of stone pelting, violent protests, encounters with armed terrorists and terror attacks in the recent past resulting in death of and injuries to civilians and securitymen.
"Law and order is a state subject and measures are taken by the Jammu and Kashmir government to maintain peace and public order," the Home Ministry said.
Exercising his Right to Information, Ashwini Shrivastava had asked the Ministry to give details of casualties due to stone pelting and terror or infiltration attempts by the terrorists since 2001 to till date.
The Ministry declined to share reports citing Section 8 (a) of the RTI Act which bars disclosure (of information) which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence.

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TWO ARMY MEN KILLED IN ENCOUNTER IN RAMBAN

Jammu Jan 01 (Only Kashmir): Two Army jawans were killed by militants during an operation in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu Two Army jawans were killed by militants during an operation in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mohmmad Sharief and Mohmmad Khalil of 163 Territorial Army Battalion had gone for a specific operation in Khora-Baghpora area in Bhimdasa belt of Gool tehsil in Ramban district today, Public Relation Officer, Ministry of Defence (MOD), Lt Col Biplav Nathan said.
During the operation, the duo were killed by militants, he said adding both the bodies have been recovered from the area.

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WADOO NAMED FOR 2011 LOIN AWARD

Srinagar, Jan 01 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir chapter of All India Boys Scouts has named ace Kashmiri footballer Mehraj-ud-Din Wadoo, who will be representing India at the Asian Cup football tournament in Qatar, for the 2011 Lion Award.

The executive committee of J&K Scouts and Guides Association, an affiliate of All India Boys Scouts, said Wadoo brought "international prestige" to the sports fraternity of the state.
"The news of Wadoo's selection in the Indian squad for Asian Cup has made the Jammu and Kashmir state proud. All India Boys Scouts, J&K Chapter, has decided to honour Wadoo with 2011 Lion award for his contribution to football," the Association said in a statement.
Wadoo was selected in the 23-member Indian squad for Asia Cup 2011 which is scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar from January 7.
Wadoo, who hails from south Kashmir, plays as a midfielder.

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533 GUESTS FROM POK WHILE 222 KASHMIRIS VISITED OTHER SIDE IN 2010

Srinagar, Dec 31 (Only Kashmir) : Against 553 guests from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), only 222 Kashmiris could cross over to other side of the Line of Control (LoC) in 2010.
This was mainly because of the delay by the Pakistan government in clearing the names of residents of this side.
The Karvan-e-Aman bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, capital of PoK, was started to help the families divided in 1947 to meet each other.
However, both the Indian and Pakistan governments had agreed to allow the travel of residents of PoK and Kashmir on permits instead of International permit.
Both the governments had also agreed that no person would be allowed to travel without clearance from both the sides.
Official sources said if a person applies for a permit in Kashmir, his or her documents would be forwarded to Pakistan for clearance. Similarly PoK residents had to get clearance from this side before undertaking journey to Kashmir, they said.
The Pakistan and Indian governments agreed that only residents of PoK and Jammu and Kashmir could visit through this route.
However, it took months to receive clearance or rejection from the Pakistan government, they said adding in some cases there was no reply.
The fortnight service was started when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flagged off the first bus from here on April 7, 2005 in presence of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed despite threats by militant organisation, who were opposing it.
A day before the first bus travelled to PoK, militants carried out fidayeen attack on Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), where the passengers of first bus were put up.
However, it was made weekly from October 2008 when the Centre allowed trade between the two parts.

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MOST 10 POPULAR PERSONALITIES OF KASHMIR IN 2010

Only Kashmir Exclusive:
1. Tufail Matoo (24%)
2. Syed Ali Geelani (15%)
3. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq(14%)
4. Masrat Aalam(11%)
5. Dr Shah Faisal(10%)
6. Abdul Ahad Jan(9%)
7. Umar Abdullah(8%)
8. Zahid Farooq(5%)
9. S.M.Sahia(3%)
10. Yasin Malik (1%)

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GORY KASHMIR PICTURE-2010

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