From Jan. 1989 to July 31, 2010 Total Killings * 93,307
Custodial killings 6,971
Civilians Arrested 117,824
Structures Arsoned/Destroyed 105,865
Women Widowed 22,731
Children Orphaned 107,357
Women gang-raped / Molested 9,926

Police martyr two more innocent youth in IHK

Srinagar, August 5 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel martyred an innocent Kashmiri youth while injured another during indiscriminate firing in Srinagar. Later, the injured youth succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

The killing of two more youth by the police and CRPF personnel took the death toll to 57 since June 11. » Read more on www.kmsnews.org

Srinagar: Hundreds of thousands Kashmiris attending funeral procession of a Kashmiri youth Iqbal Ahmed Khan martyred by Indian troops.


World should press India to stop Kashmiris’ genocide: Gilani

Srinagar, August 05 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani, has appealed the world community to impress upon India to stop genocide of Kashmiris and resolve the lingering dispute in accordance with the aspirations of people. » Read more

Thousands of people converge on Khrew in IHK

Srinagar, August 04 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, thousands of people converged on Khrew in Pulwama, today, to attend the gathering held in memory of the seven youth killed by Indian troops in the area on Sunday last.

Massive marches were conducted towards the town from Pulwama, Tral, Islamabad, Ratnipora, Samboora, Pampore, Khanmoh, Zewan and adjacent areas. » Read more

India, authorities declare war on Kashmiris: Mirwaiz

Srinagar, August 04 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, while condemning the killing of more civilians in the occupied territory by Indian police and CRPF, said that the India government and the occupation authorities had declared a war on the people of Kashmir. » Read more

Curfew continues in Kashmir valley

Srinagar, August 4 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, curfew and shoot-at-sight orders remained continued in the Kashmir Valley, today, with Indian army and paramilitary troopers were marching on deserted roads. » Read more

Highway handed over to army, more forces deployed in IHK

Srinagar, August 04 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, the government of India has handed over the Srinagar-Jammu Highway to Indian army and paramilitary troopers while additional forces have been deployed in Srinagar, Sopore and Baramulla cities. » Read more

Protest strike in Banihal Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Ramban

Jammu, August 04 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, protest strike was held in Banihal, Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar and Ramban towns to protest against the continued killings of civilians by paramilitary forces and policemen across the Kashmir Valley. » Read more

Shutdown call extended till Saturday in occupied Kashmir

Srinagar, August 04 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, the forum patronised by veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani has released fresh protest schedule and called for complete shutdown and protests till Saturday. » Read more

JKPFL urges world to help stop Kashmiris’ carnage

Srinagar, August 04 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Freedom League (JKPFL), while condemning the killings of Kashmiris by Indian troops, has appealed the world community and especially the Muslim world to help stop Kashmiris’ carnage in the territory. » Read more

Kashmiri students, academics protest in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, August 04 (KMS): In India, scores of Kashmiri students and academics studying and teaching in various universities in Hyderabad staged protests against the continued killings in occupied Kashmir. » Read more

WKFM expresses concern over fresh IHK killings by troopers

Washington, August 04 (KMS): The World Kashmir Freedom Movement (WKFM) has once again expressed deepest anguish over the continued loss of lives in occupied Kashmir by Indian troops. » Read more

Kashmiris’ massacre by troops denounced

Brussels, August 04 (KMS): The Chairman of Kashmir Centre Brussels, Barrister Abdul Majeed Tramboo has strongly denounced the massacre of freedom-loving people and paid rich tributes who were martyred by Indian troopers and cops in length and breadth of occupied Kashmir. » Read more

India can’t crush liberation movement through force: Moosvi

Srinagar, August 04 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, senior leader of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi has said that India cannot crush the ongoing liberation movement through use of brute force. » Read more

Civilians’ killing by troops in IHK condemned

Srinagar, August 04 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir National Front has strongly condemned the ongoing killings of civilians by police and CRPF personnel. » Read more on www.kmsnews.org

Farooq Rehmani condemns shoot-at-sight orders in IHK

Islamabad, August 04 (KMS): The Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Freedom League (JKPFL), Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, while hailing the high spirit and morale of the people of occupied Kashmir in the current street-protest-movement against the unforgettable enormities of the Indian forces and the puppet Abdullah rule, has condemned fresh shoot-at-sight orders of the totalitarian regime and deployment of additional paramilitary contingents from India to crush the ‘Quit Kashmir movement’ in Jammu and Kashmir. » Read more

Thousands march on streets in IHK
Troops martyr six more protesters

Srinagar, August 03 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, thousands of people defying strict curfew restrictions marched on the streets in Srinagar and other towns, today, while the indiscriminate firing of Indian troops resulted in the killing of six more demonstrators.

Of those martyred four were shot dead in different localities of Srinagar, one each at Frisal in Kulgam and in Baramulla. » Read more

Authorities using force to suppress movement: Gilani

Srinagar, August 03 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani has condemned the killing of innocent protesters by Indian troops.

Syed Ali Gilani, while addressing a news conference at Soura Medical Institute, said that he had been released on parole but he refused because his release was meanings as hundreds of Hurriyet leaders and activists were in prisons. » Read more

Mirwaiz denounces killing of innocent protesters

Srinagar, August 03 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has strongly condemned the killings of civilians by police and CRPF personnel. » Read more

Delhi deploys 2,000 more troops to occupied Kashmir

Srinagar, August 03 (KMS): New Delhi rushed 2,000 more personnel of paramilitary forces to occupied Kashmir to contain the increasing mass protests against the killings of civilians by Indian troops and police. » Read more

Dance of death continues in occupied Kashmir
17 martyred, hundreds injured in firing by troops in 2 days

Srinagar, August 03 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, the killing spree by Indian troops continues as at least 17 protesters have been killed and over three hundred injured in two days due to the indiscriminate firing of the troops in the Kashmir Valley. » Read more

Despite curfew, volunteers are out for social service in IHK

Srinagar, August 03 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, in an exemplary show of unity in times of severe crisis in the Kashmir Valley, several volunteers have established blood donation camps at several places and makeshift kitchens (Langars) for patients and their attendants in Srinagar hospitals. » Read more on

www.kmsnews.org

Killings-Protests-Killings
*BEMINA YOUTH DIES IN FIRING, IQBAL SUCCUMBS* CURFEW DEFIED; CLASHES CONTINUE
GOWHAR BHAT

Srinagar, Aug 4: Paramilitary CRPF troopers shot dead a youth in uptown here, while a youth injured in Police and CRPF firing at Chanapora last Friday succumbed to his injuries at SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) here on Wednesday. With the killing of two more youth today the death toll in the 55-day Kashmir unrest mounted to 47. Policemen and paramilitary CRPF troopers with shoot-at-sight orders continued to impose strict curfew in the 10 districts of the Valley for the sixth consecutive day today. However, people defied curfew at many places and staged protests. In the clashes at least 18 persons were wounded.

YOUTH SHOT DEAD IN BEMINA
“A patrolling party of CRPF opened fire on a group of youth near Nund Reshi colony Bemina this evening. A bullet hit one of the youth Muhammad Yaqoob Bhat son of Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf Bhat. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him brought dead,” witnesses told Greater Kashmir.
As the word about Bhat’s death spread in the area hundreds of people took to the streets and staged massive pro-freedom demonstrations. Protests were on when this report was filed.

CHANAPORA YOUTH DIES
Muhammad Iqbal Khan, 22, son of Abdul Majid Khan of Lone Mohalla, Chanapora who had sustained bullet injuries in police and CRPF action last Friday breathed his last at SKIMS Soura this evening. “He has expired. We had tried to operate upon him but his injuries were fatal,” an on duty doctor told Greater Kashmir.
The victim had sustained grievous injuries on his neck and face and was on a ventilator since Friday.
Pall of gloom descended over Chanapora when Iqbal’s body reached there. Hundreds of people, including men, women and children, took to the streets and staged pro-freedom demonstrations.
Police and CRPF men fired scores of rounds of air after they failed to disperse the youth who resorted to stone pelting at Natipora and Chanpora areas. Forces and protesters were locked in pitched battles when the last reports came in. As the word about Iqbal’s death spread in the city people defied curfew and staged demonstrations.

MAN SHOT AT IN GANPATYAR
“Paramilitary CRPF troopers shot at and injured a man, Ghulam Ahmed, at Ganpatyar Habba Kadal on Wednesday evening,” witnesses said. They said the injured was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Unconfirmed reports said another youth also sustained bullet injuries in the CRPF firing.

STRICT CURFEW
Curfew remained imposed in the Srinagar for the sixth day running today even as authorities issued shoot-at-sight orders to contain the protests, which have been spiraling since the past one-week. Police and CRPF vehicles fitted with public address system made rounds of several uptown and downtown localities asking people to stay indoors failing which they shall be fired upon.
However, protesters, mainly young boys, at Barthana, Qamarwari—where a youth Meraj-ud-din Lone, 23, was killed by forces yesterday—defied curfew and staged pro-freedom demonstrations on the main road. They also set ablaze a government vehicle to vent their anger against the killings.
The downtown localities including Khanyar, Nowpora, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Bohri Kadal, Fateh Kadal and other neighbourhoods where people defied curfew yesterday remained calm as no one ventured out of his home in view of the shoot-at-sight orders.
Police and CRPF men didn’t allow people to pray inside Masjids as youth have been using the loud speakers to raise the pro-freedom slogans during the past few days.
At Nawa Kadal, witnesses said, CRPF men fired several shots in air to scare away people who were standing on roadsides and impose curfew.
Locals at Kak Sarai said police and CRPF, as an act of vengeance against protesters, have been snapping the power and cable TV wires.
Several residents called Greater Kashmir office saying that forces have even short-circuited a power transformer in the locality.
Residents of Saidapora near Iddgah made similar complaints saying police and CRPF damaged streetlights, water connections and even snapped power connections. Area had witnessed protests on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, 19 companies (nearly 2000 personnel) of paramilitary CRPF have reached Kashmir, while government sources said another 3,200 personnel, currently based in the state outside Kashmnir Valley, would be redeployed in sensitive areas.

QAMARWARI PROTESTS IMAM’S THRASHING
Residents of Qamarwari and adjoining Parimpora staged massive protest against the beating of an Imam of a local Masjid .
The locals said Mouvli Javed Ahmed of Handwara, presently an Imam a Masjid Nuh, Parimpora was picked up from rented accommodation.
They said the Imam was whisked away to nearby police station and beaten ruthlessly.
He was released in a moribund condition.

CRPF MEN THRASH HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE
Paramilitary CRPF troops Wednesday thrashed an employee of Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital near Rainawari, sparking off protests from the staff, a local news agency said.
Quoting witnesses the news agency said that CRPF men intercepted an ambulance near Rainwari that was carrying the staff to the JLNM hospital. The troops ordered the staff members to get down and thrashed a staffer identified as Manzoor Ahmad, son of Muhammad Sadiq Pagwari. The troops detained the hospital employees for several hours. Following which JLNM employees staged a protest.
It was only after the intervention of the Station House Officer (SHO) Rainawari that the detained employee was allowed to go. “We have registered a case against the CRPF in this regard. Further investigations are on,” the news agency quoted SHO as having said.

17 WOUNDED IN CENTRAL KASHMIR
At least 17 persons including seven policemen were injured in clashes between protesters and forces central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
In Nagam area of Chadura fierce clashes broke out between forces and protesters last night. At least seven persons, one among them were critically injured in the clashes.
Reports said hundreds of people in Nagam area took to streets and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations last night. Besides shouting slogans, the protesters pelted rocks and stones on the forces. CRPF and police opened fire after they failed to disperse the demonstrators with tear smoke shells. Seven people were injured in the forces action.
The injured have been identified as Sarwar Ahmad, son of Ghulam Mohammad Rather, Gowhar Nabi, son of Ghulam Nabi Najar, Sami-ullah, son of Ashiq Hussain Ganai, Bilal, son of Ghulam Hassan, Javed, son of Khazir Mohammad Ganai, Zeba, daughter of Mohammad Ramzan Ganai and Rafiq, son of Abdul Khaliq Shah.
Rafiq was hit by a teargas shells fired by the forces. He was rushed to SMHS hospital, Srinagar for specialized treatment.

PROTESTS IN GANDERBAL
Protests amid curfew rocked several parts of this district on Wednesday.
At Kurhama, as a police vehicle was making rounds and announcing curfew, people in large numbers came out at staged protests.
They hurled stones of the police vehicle triggering clashes resulting in injuries to several persons including policemen.
Protests also rocked Saloora, Chak Duderhama, and Fatehpora areas of the district.
Protesters staged pro-freedom protests and raised slogans.
Ding-dong battles between protesters and forces were reported from Safapora.

SOUTH KASHMIR
Thousands of people defied curfew in south Kashmir’s Pulwama town and marched towards Khrew on Wednesday to express solidarity with the families who lost their dear ones in police and CRPF action earlier this week and the youth who were killed in a blast inside the SOG camp. The call for marching towards Khrew was given by the district unit of the Hurriyat Conference (G).
Early in the morning thousands of people from peripheries of Pampore including Samboora, Kakapora, Zewan, Tahab reached Pampore township where they were joined by thousands of other protesters and started marching towards Khrew amid pro-freedom slogans. Though strict curfew was in place in the entire area of Pampore and police and CRPF men were deployed in strength but seeing the sea of people swarming into the streets the forces provided safe passage to the protesters. People also used community speakers and loud speakers in Masjids warning police and CRPF men to let the demonstration proceed towards Khrew following which the entire deployment was withdrawn and the protesters went forward peacefully.
In Khrew a massive gathering was held in Eidgah, where the Hurriyat ( G) activists of Pulwama district addressed the protesters. A recorded address of Hizb Chief and United Jihad Council (UJC) Chairman, Syed Salahudin and Hurriyat, Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani was also played during the assembly and later a Fateh-Khwani was also held.

FORMER NC MLA BEATEN
Meanwhile, former NC, MLA from Pahalgam constituency , Kabeer Pathan who was on way to Srinagar was beaten to pulp by the people in Pampore. Pathan represented Pahalgam constituency during last NC regime of 1996.
“Pathan was proceeding towards Srinagar when the people of the town spotted his vehicle and intercepted it. They dragged him out and beat him up,” eyewitnesses said adding that later his personal guards fired in air and managed to take him along.

DEMOS ROCK PULWAMA
Meanwhile, violent protests rocked many areas of Pulwama town. Youth defied curfew and ransacked the tehsil office. They also tried to set it ablaze, however, the police and CRPF men foiled their attempt by resorting to aerial firing and lobbing tear gas canisters and dispersed the youth.
Reports of protest demonstrations were also reported from the adjoining villages of Awantipora, Tral and Kakpora.
In Shermal area of Shopian the protesters set ablaze a CRPF vehicle and also set ablaze the forest department. In Gagran village of the district people alleged that during the intervening night the CRPF and SOG men barged into their houses, ransacked the house hold goods and beat up the inmates including women and children. Some of them were later hospitalized in a critical condition.

KULGAM
Curfew was strictly enforced in Kulgam town, Frisal, Qaimoh and Khudwani area of the district. The area had witnessed violent protests from the last few days as three persons were killed and scores of others injured in the police and CRPF firing. However, in Ashmuji area massive pro-freedom demonstrations were organized and later the protesters attacked and ransacked the house of a local DSP. “Meanwhile, the condition of six youth who were critically injured in police firing on Tuesday in Frisal area continues to be critical,” doctors said.
One person was killed and fifteen had sustained bullet injuries in the firing incident.

ISLAMABAD
In Islamabad, strict curfew was enforced in the town and during the intervening night announcements were made from the police vehicle asking the people to stay indoors as shoot at sight orders have been issued. However, later in the evening when the restrictions were eased youth came out on the streets and fought pitched battles with police and Paramilitary forces at Khanabal, Batengoo, Naibasti , Gulshanabad and Laizbal areas of the K.P road.
The police fired several rounds in air and lobbed tear canisters to disperse the protesters who offered stiff resistance. Later, violent clashes also broke out in certain areas of old town including Dangerpora and Mattan Chowk also.
The residents of Malakhnag alleged that the CRPF men last night snapped the electricity supply in the area by damaging the transformer reeling it under complete darkness. Eyewitnesses told Greater Kashmir that a Samajwadi party activist was ruthlessly beaten by the protesters at Laizbal late in the evening.
Reports of protests were also received from some area of Mattan like Nambal and Aakhoora, adjoining villages of Bijbehra, Achabal , Dooru, Shangus and Kokernag.
In the outskirts of the town in Dialgam people from the adjoining villages poured in and joined sit-in demonstrations which continued throughout the day. People had also erected tents and formed community langars.
In Dooru, Vodafone employee Shafiq Malik was beaten by the cops from police station Dooru without any provocation. “They also snatched his wrist watch and Rs 1600,”locals alleged.
Another resident, Muhammad Iqbal Ahangar was also thrashed mercilessly by cops.
Incidents triggered late night protests in the area.

POLICE VERSION
Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement here said: “Situation in the Kashmir valley remained by and large peaceful, however, one vehicle of IR 9th was damaged in Pampore by some miscreants and one condemned vehicle Gypsy bearing number JKE/6720 was set on fire by some miscreants in Qamarwari area.”
“In Shopian, protesters attacked the Forest Protection Force complex comprising of about ten buildings and tried to set on fire the complex and the vehicles parked in the compound. Police party immediately reached the spot was able to save eight buildings and three vehicles, however, protesters set ablaze two buildings and one Gypsy which gutted completely.”

CIVILIAN SHOT AT IN SOPUR, BUILDINGS TORCHED
Paramilitary CRPF troopers shot at and injured a civilian, Ishfaq Ahmed Gundroo, 20, in north Kashmir’s Sopur town this morning, witnesses told Greater Kashmir.
Late in the night, protesters pelted stones on the police station Sopur, police said, adding that protesters also torched buildings of PHE, Flood Control and Irrigation department on the outskirts of the town.
Meanwhile, a youth was wounded in the Varmul town late night when police fired rubber bullets on the protesters.
Earlier in the day, people staged massive demonstrations in old town and Khanpora areas of Varmul.

AMBULANCE ATTACKED IN KUPWARA
An ambulance was attacked and six employees beaten to pulp by CRPF and SOG men in frontier district of Kupwara on Wednesday.
“An ambulance (No. JK09 369) ferrying employees of the Health department was attacked by the CRPF and SOG men on Lolab Kupawra road,’ employees said. “ We were beaten to pulp without any reason.”
Meanwhile, people also took to streets in the Unisoo, Langate, Trehgam and other areas of Kupwara district.

BANDIPORE
Hundreds of people took to the streets in north Kashmir’s Bandipore district on Wednesday and staged massive pro-freedom demonstrations.
Policemen and paramilitary CRPF troopers who were deployed in strength in the area swung into action and resorted to baton charge and fired numerous tear smoke canisters to disperse the protesters. They retaliated with stones triggering clashes that continued all throughout the day.
In Hajam mohalla, Nowpora and Hospital road, hundreds of police and CRPF men were deployed to keep a check on public gatherings and protests. They blocked roads by barricades and razor wires to stop the civilian and vehicular movement.
Protests and clashes were on when this report was filed.

(With Parvaiz Reshi, Altaf Baba, Ghulam Muhammad, Sheikh Nazir and Khalid Gul)

Shopian Rapes And Murders: Shakeel Seeks Fresh Enquiry

By Syed Basharat

29 June, 2010
Kashmir Times

SRINAGAR, June 28: Disappointed and disillusioned with the results of investigations carried by different agencies so far, Shakeel Ahmad Ahangar husband of Neelofar and brother of Asiya Jan today filed a protesting petition before a city court here seeking fresh enquiry into Shopian rape and murder incident.

In his petition filed through his counsel Syed Reyaz Hussain, before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Srinagar, Ahangar has submitted that glaring contradictions appear in the investigations of the case by police’s Special investigation Team (SIT), state appointed Jan Commission and the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI).
Ahangar has said that he had extended full cooperation to all the three investigations agencies in order to conduct the enquiry to ascertain the facts of the incident which claimed the life and honour of his wife and the younger sister.

Referring to various ‘loopholes’, Ahangar has submitted that it was the SIT headed by top rank police officers, which concluded its investigations into Shopian incident saying that the two women were raped and murdered and then only, the police registered a case under section 302 (murder), 376 (rape) R.P.C. “…the CBI investigations on other side are ‘not conclusive and final’ and as such the intervention of court is required,” the petition reads.

The petitioner has also challenged the diatom test conducted by the CBI on the basis of which the investigating agency had concluded that the two women Neelofar and Asiya died to drowning.

“CBI has analysed the heart tissues of Neelofar Jan from Forensic Science Laboratory Madhuban whereas no heart tissues of Neelofar Jan have been collected during autopsy,” the petitioner has prayed, while referring to various documentary evidences submitted by the CBI in its charge sheet.

Challenging the CBI version in which it has excluded the allegation of rape citing absence of semen, spermatozoa Ahangar has referred Supreme Court ruling that in absence of semen and spermatozoa the intercourse or rape can be held to be performed.

Beside’s the petitioner has submitted that the CBI did not include the doctors from Government Medical College Srinagar in autopsy of the two ladies as was directed by the High Court which brings a ‘dent’ into the investigations conducted by the CBI. The petitioner has referred various reports published by the Kashmir Times, regarding the Shopian incident.

However, as the petition was filed, CBI’s senior prosecutor S. K Bhat prayed before the court that fresh petition filed by Ahangar was not maintainable. “Ahangar has no locus standi to file fresh petition as he was not the complainant who approached the CBI. The case has been handed over to CBI by the state government so if the government is not satisfied with the investigations that is something different,” Bhat prayed.

Besides, he added that since the CBI has filed the charge sheet before the designated court, it was the sole prerogative of the High Court to pin point whether the investigations have been complete or not.

Bhat said that the case is sub judice before the High Court which is seized of the matter and the private advocate cannot supersede the designated public prosecutor of the state or CBI.

But Advocate Reyaz Hussain, counsel for Ahangar submitted before the court that Bhat should not object to the petition verbally and if he has some objections, he should put the same in writing and submit before the court.

Meanwhile, the CBI today filed supplementary charge sheet in the Shopian double death case. The supplementary charge sheet, according to S. K Bhat, senior prosecutor CBI, has further concretised the evidence against the accused doctors and lawyers in the matter.

The CBI in its supplementary charge sheet has said that since 1999 up to 2010 there have been 23 deaths due to drowning in Rambiarah Nallah which according to CBI substantiates its findings that there is heavy volume of water flowing through the Nallah, which according to it has caused the drowning of two Shopian women.

Further, according to Bhat, the supplementary charge sheet has completely exonerated CRPF and the police from their involvement in the incident. “No evidence was found against CRPF and the police officers. SIT’s relevant statements have also been submitted along with the supplementary charge sheet,” Bhat told Kashmir Times, adding that with the supplementary charge sheet the CBI has formally concluded its investigations into the incident.

The 13 accused include Dr Nighat Shaheen, Dr Ghulam Qadir Sofi, Dr Mohammad maqbool Mir, Dr Ghulam Mohammad Paul, Dr Bilal Ahmad Dalal, Dr Nazi Hassan Advocate Abdul Majid Mir, Advocate Mushtaq Ahmad Gatoo, Advocate Mohammad Yousf Bhat, Advocate Mohammad Altaf Mohand, Advocate Sheikh Mubarak, Ali Mohammad Sheikh and Zahoor Ahmad Ahangar (brother of Asiya Jan).

All of them have been accused of inducing and threatening the witnesses ‘to give this incident the colour of rape and murder and implicate the police/security forces in a false case of rape and murder of the two deceased ladies in order to defame, discredit and cause injury to the personnel of the police/security forces.’

Who foments Kashmir unrest?
Omar-Delhi Speak In Different Voices
ARIF SHAFI WANI
Smaller Default Larger

Srinagar, Aug 3: There seems to be a major difference of opinion between the Government of India and the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the elements behind the ongoing unrest in Valley. As New Delhi blames “vested interests” supported by Pakistan for fomenting violence, the CM maintains that protests were leaderless and not being directed by any single individual or a group.
While the separatists and the political observers allege that the difference of opinion has been orchestrated to divert attention from the real issue, the Government maintains that New Delhi and Omar Abdullah share a common view on the unrest in Kashmir.
“I don’t believe that any one particular group or individual is directing what is happening in the valley. While there are a number of elements fishing in the valley, one gets the sense what is happening in Kashmir is largely leaderless,” Omar stated at a press conference in New Delhi on Monday.
Incidentally, the Government of India has been maintaining that “anti-national elements” linked to Lashkare-e-Toiba (LeT) and Pakistan were involved in the trouble in the Valley. Besides some New Delhi based news channels quoting intelligence sources have been stating that militants had penetrated the protesters.
The troopers operating in Kashmir have started to take cue from the New Delhi’s stand on prevailing situation in Kashmir. The paramilitary CRPF on Monday claimed that “taking advantage of huge crowd, some miscreants fired upon the troopers at Bomai Sopur.”
“It may be the strategy of the rioters to instigate the CRPF personnel to open fire resulting into huge casualties. Presence of militants in the crowd also cannot be ruled out and it confirms the tacit relation between the militants and the stone pelters,” the CRPF had claimed in a statement.
However, prominent human rights activist Gautam Navlakha, believes it was a military tactic to quell the protesters in Kashmir. “Everyone including India knows that protests in the Valley are spontaneous. By linking Pakistan and militants with the protests, New Delhi has given a license to its troops to massacre the innocent Kashmiris. It will be an easy pretext for the troopers to say that they fired upon the protesters to retaliate the firing by militants,” he said.
Navlakha said whenever situation deteriorates in the Valley, New Delhi blames Pakistan. “It has become clear now that New Delhi controls Kashmir administratively, militarily and politically. It is just a façade that Omar Abdullah is now saying that the unrest in Kashmir is leaderless and the dispute needs political approach. He (Omar) has done nothing since he assumed power to atleast pave way for resolving the problem.
Prem Shankar Jha, a prominent Kashmir expert, believes there was no difference of opinion between New Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir Government.
“New Delhi and the State Government don’t have the guts to accept the ground realities in Kashmir. If there is difference of opinion, it is within the Congress top brass in New Delhi. The Government of India needs to change its attitude and rigid policies if it wants to prevent more innocent killings in Kashmir,” Jha who is also the former information advisor to the Prime Minister of India.
Chairman of Hurriyat (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said New Delhi and State Government have lost the plot on Kashmir. “This is why they are giving contradictory statements. The difference of opinion has been orchestrated to divert attention from the real issue. The Government of India has always been in denial mode regarding the aspirations of Kashmiris. It is easy for it to sell the theory to its people that Pakistan was fomenting trouble in Kashmir,” Mirwaiz said.
Mirwaiz maintained that the ongoing protests in Kashmir were indigenous and manifestation of the Kashmiri aspirations. “Braving bullets and defying restrictions people of Kashmir are on the streets to demand freedom. It seems India is not ready to accept the bitter truth. New Delhi has exhausted all options including firing on unarmed protesters but can’t control the protests. If the people at the helm of affairs in New Delhi continue to neglect the aspirations of Kashmiris, it will have serious consequences,” he said.
The Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister and senior National Conference leader, Ali Muhammad Sagar defended CM. “Omar Sahib is right in saying that ongoing unrest is leaderless. The youth who are on streets now don’t even listen to UJC chairperson Salahuddin who was instrumental in starting the armed rebellion in Kashmir. His effigies were burnt. They did not even adhere to Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s appeals not to pelt stones. They attack troopers and set government buildings on fire. They are on rampage,” he said.
Sagar however refused to comment on New Delhi’s stand on prevailing situation. “You better ask New Delhi about it,” he said.
Senior Cabinet Minister, Taj Mohi-ud-Din however squarely blamed Pakistan for the ongoing unrest. “There is no doubt that there are internal and external agencies supported by Pakistan which create trouble in the Valley. The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and the Central Government share a common view on the prevailing situation in Kashmir,” he said.
Asked about the CM’s statement regarding leaderless agitation, Taj said he had made the assertions in a particular context.
The main opposition party Peoples Democratic Party however preferred to maintain silence over the issue. “Let the State Government and New Delhi resolve the issue about who is responsible for prevailing unrest in the Valley,” PDP’s spokesperson, Naeem Akhtar said.

Another macabre day
4 Killed In Fresh Firing; Khrew Youth Succumbs; People Defy Curfew; Shoot-At-Sight Ordered

Srinagar/Islamabad Aug 3: Paramilitary CRPF troopers and policemen killed three youth here, while a youth fell to the bullets in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, and a youth injured in clashes at Khrew, 2-days ago, succumbed to injuries at SK Institute of Medical Sciences, officials and reports said on Tuesday. With the killing of five more youth today the death toll in the 54-day unrest has mounted to 45.
Meanwhile, the state government today ordered shoot-at-sight in Srinagar to prevent people from defying curfew.

3 YOUTH KILLED IN SRINAGAR
In the fresh spate of killings in the city, three youth were killed in separate firing incidents by Police and CRPF, while nearly 70 others were wounded as people defied curfew and staged peaceful protests across the summer capital on Tuesday. The first casualty of the day was a youth, identified as Meraj-ud-Din Lone son of Muhammad Ayub Lone of Barthana, Qamarwari.
Witnesses said police and CRPF fired directly upon a peaceful procession injuring four protesters. The injured were rushed to SMHS hospital where one of them, Meraj-ud-din Lone, 23, succumbed.
Massive protests broke out in Qamarwari locality against the killing, which spilled over to other areas of the city including Shalteng, HMT, Iddgah, and other adjoining areas. At Narwara near Iddgah, forces again resorted to indiscriminate firing on protesters killing Anis Ahmad Ganai, 17, son of Khurshid Ahmad Ganai of Dangarpora, Narwara. The deceased was hit by a bullet in his abdomen and died at SMHS hospital.
As the word about another killing spread protests across the city intensified. Police and CRPF men repeatedly resorted to baton charge and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. They offered stiff resistance and retaliated with stones triggering clashes that continued throughout the day. Police ruthlessly beat people whom it could catch. They also beat-up and opened fire to chase away the media-persons present at the spot.
Hundreds of people, carrying Anis’s body marched towards Jamia Masjid in old city where they offered his funeral prayers. He was later laid to rest at Martyrs’ graveyard at Iddgah. At several points police and CRPF men resorted to aerial firing and lobbed teargas shells on the mourners. However, they didn’t relent and marched ahead.

FIRING IN PARIMPORA
As the protests were on, police and CRPF men opened fire to disperse the demonstrators at Parimpora on city outskirts. In the police action at least five persons sustained injuries. The injured were rushed to a hospital where Suhail Ahmad Dar, 15, of Zainakote HMT succumbed.

Bullet had hit the deceased in his abdomen.
Pro-freedom protests and fierce clashes also broke out in Khanyar, Nowpora, Rainawari, Hazratbal, Chattabal, Fateh Kadal, Safa Kadal, Bemina, Tengpora, Karan Nagar, Hyderpora, Rawalpora and several other localities as people defied curfew and poured onto streets.

NIGHT PROTESTS
Youth recited hymns and raised pro-freedom slogans over Masjid loud speakers in most of the old city areas, which continued throughout the night.
Police and CRPF men fired dozens of rounds of fire in air and lobbed teargas shells to disperse protesters who responded by stones.
Residents of Ibrahim Colony in Parraypora raised massive pro-freedom slogans in the evening. They condemned the atrocities committed by paramilitary troopers and police. Protesters were chased away by forces.

CRPF MEN RANSACK HOUSES
At Bemina, Khanyar, and Tengpora, CRPF men while chasing away protesters ransacked residential houses and vehicles parked on roadsides.
They smashed windowpanes of houses and damaged glasses of vehicles. Locals of Nundresh colony-B at Bemina said that policemen snapped their power supply lines to the area throwing entire area into darkness. Scores of persons were injured in the daylong clashes and firing.
Showkat Ali proprietor of Taj Sangmarmar of Rainawari told Greater Kashmir that this afternoon CRPF men damaged granite blocks in his shop worth Rs 3 to 4 lakhs. “They damaged the blocks and threw the granite blocks out on the road,” he added.
Residents of Rainwari also accused police and CRPF men of ransacking Kral Masjid in the area.

YOUTH KILLED IN KULGAM
A youth was killed and 15 others injured six of them critically when police opened fire on the protesters at Frisal in south Kashmir’s Kulgam area.
Witnesses said that hundreds of people from Yaripora, Arwani , Khudwani, Redwani, Qaimoh and other adjoining villages held a massive pro-freedom demonstration this morning. Police and paramilitary men who were deployed in strength in the area opened fire to disperse the protesters killing a protester, Jehangir Ahmad son of Muhammad Yousuf Bhat, of Chenigam Yaripora on the spot and injuring 15 others. Out of which six critically injured persons were referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment.
Doctors attending upon injured described the condition of Bilal Ahmad Wagay of Budroo, Yaripora as “not stable.”
As the word about deaths spread, hundreds of people came out of their homes and set ablaze the police post, Frisal. Protesters also set ablaze the residential house and three shops of Special Police Officer (SPO), Shabir Ahmad Yeetoo at Sherpora. They alleged that Yeetoo was the accompanying the police party that opened fire on the protesters.
In Kulgam town thousands of people assembled outside newly constructed Kulgam District Police Lines, in the outskirts to protest against the killings.
Policemen resorted to aerial firing and intense tear gas shelling to quell the demonstrators who offered stiff resistance and retaliated with stones.

PROTESTS IN ISLAMABAD
Authorities imposed strict curfew in the entire Islamabad town though, there were reports of people defying curfew in some areas of the town including Ashajipora, Janglat Mandi and Sheerpora.
Protesters clashed with police and CRPF men who lobbed tear gas canisters and fired several rounds in air to disperse them. Later, heavy rain in the area forced the protesters to stay indoors.
When restrictions were eased massive pro-freedom demonstrations were witnessed in Khanabal, Batengoo, Naibasti, old town as well ass the civilian areas of KP road. Police and CRPF men were lobbing tear gas canisters and also firing rounds in the air to disperse the protesters who were offering stiff resistance by pelting bricks and stones.
Meanwhile, in Arwani area thousands of people from the nearby villages poured in and staged massive pro-freedom demonstrations. When the protesters reached near the army camp, a huge contingent of SOG men rushed there and resorted to intense tear gas shelling injuring several people. Police also fired hundreds of rounds in air to disperse the protesters. Later, the SOG men allgedly thrashed a 75- year old Muhammad Shaban Dar of Hassanpora . He was admitted in the hospital in a critical condition.
“Shaban had received multiple injuries and got six stitches,” said a doctor who treated him in the sub-district hospital, Bijbehara. Several vehicles and trucks were also damaged by the police.
Police and CRPF also used force on thousands of protesters from the adjoining villages of Bijbehara who tried to march towards the town where curfew was strictly enforced. Several people sustained injuries in the police action. Clashes, however erupted in the Bijbehara town late in the evening. Reports of violent clashes were also reported from Sangam villages where two people were shot dead and several injured by the forces on Monday.
Reports of protests were also received from Achabal, Kokernag, Dooru and Shangus areas of the district.
Late, in the evening when this report was being filed protesters attacked the house of an police Inspector, Nazir Ahmad Teli, at Gulshanabad at K.P road in Islamabad town. They ransacked the house and smashed the window panes of it. Later, a huge contingent of police and CRPF men rushed to the spot and lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to aerial firing to disperse the protesters.
Protesters also pelted stones on the house of National Conference activist Muhammad Hussain Hafiz at Cheeni chowk. Policemen resorted to teargas shelling leaving one woman injured.

PULWAMA
Massive protests were also witnessed in almost all parts of Pulwama district. Spontaneous demonstrations erupted in Pulwama, Kakapora, Zadoora, Rajpora Pampore, Awantipora, Wachi and Tral. An 18 year old girl, Muneera daughter of Ali Muhammad was critically injured in Bablihar village when police and CRPF opened fire on the women.
Muneera had received bullet injury in the chest and was being treated at district hospital, Pulwama. In Zaldoora and Kakpora where an Imam, Yaqoob Ahmad was killed on Monday violent protests were witnessed. The protesters set ablaze an ICDS building in Kakapora. Thousands of protesters from the adjoining villages also marched towards the house of the slain Imam to express their condolence with the family.
In Chatipora area a baker who was thrashed by the CRPF men inside his bakery shop was admitted in the hospital in a critical condition.
Massive protests also rocked Shopian town and other adjoining areas on Tuesday.

KHREW YOUTH SUCCUMBS
A 25-year-old youth, Reyaz Ahmed Bhat from Khrew in south Kashmir succumbed to his injuries at the SK Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura Tuesday afternoon. Bhat was critically injured during clashes with the police and the CRPF men on Sunday in Khrew.
“Reyaz had sustained a firearm injury in his head , and died at the hospital this afternoon,” doctor at SKIMS said.

PROTESTER SHOT AT IN VARMUL
A 45-year-old man, Muhammad Akbar Wani son of Muhammad Shaban Wani, of Rangwar Varmul was critically wounded, when police fired upon demonstrators in north Kashmir’s Varmul town on Wednesday.
Police resorted to indiscriminate firing on protesters from Rangwar and Ushkara villages, when they tried to march towards Varmul town to stage protests against the recent killings across the Valley, witnesses said.
They said a bullet hit the victim on his head and was referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment. Several people were also wounded due to teargas shelling and baton charge in the incident.
The protesters also torched the two-storeyed building of Irrigation and Flood Control department at Khawja Bagh Varmul. The police bunkers on Singhpora bridge were also razed to ground by people.

PROTESTS IN TANGMARG
Hundreds of people took to streets in Tangmarg this morning. Raising pro-freedom slogans protesters marched towards the native village of Agriculture minister Ghulam Hassan Mir. As the angry protesters hurled stones on Mir’s house his guards resorted to aerial firing forcing people to disperse.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people took to streets in Sopur and adjacent village and staged massive demonstrations against the ongoing killings.
The protesters torched the damaged building of Power Development Corporation at Kapra and also tried to set the police post Warpora on fire , but police foiled their attempt .The protesters torched the buildings formerly used by army on fire in peripheries of town. The buildings including Rajendra post used by Army’s 22 RR in Bomai Sopur were also torched by the protesters.
In areas of Sangrama,Rafiabad and Kreeri, people also staged massive demonstrations against the killings.
Defying curfew, thousands of people took to streets in Trehgam and adjoining villages of area. The BSF troopers resorted to aerial firing to disperse the protesters and in retaliation the protesters damaged the filtration plant supplying water to BSF and CRPF.
Massive protest demonstrations were staged in the Shumnag,Langate,Kralgund,Unisoo and other areas of Kupwara. Elsewhere in district strict curfew was imposed in Handwara, Kralpora and Kupwara.
Meanwhile, Showkat Ahmed Mir of Unisoo Wahipora was a critically injured when CRPF troopers fired teargas canisters on protesters near Handwara this evening.
Two persons were wounded when CRPF troopers opened fire on protesters in Shumnag Kupwara late night. Thousands of people staged nocturnal protests in Kupwara town.

PROTESTS, FIRING IN BUDGAM
At least fourteen persons were wounded including four with bullet injuries when police resorted to firing and teargas shelling on protesters in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Tuesday.
Hundreds of people from Budgam and adjoining areas took to streets this morning and staged a massive pro-freedom demonstration.
As the protesters reached near Shiekhpora, police and paramilitary CRPF troopers resorted to indiscriminate firing on the protesters wounding four persons.
The injured Muhammad Ashraf Bhat, Muhammad Altaf Mir, Mushtaq Ahmed and Reyaz Ahmed were shifted to Bone and Joint hospital for treatment. Following the clashes large contingent of police and CRPF troopers were deployed to quell up the protests.
The protesters also pelted stones on the police station and CRPF camp in Chadoora area.

SHOOT AT SIGHT ORDERS
Police Tuesday morning announced shoot-at-sight orders in various parts of the city. It asked civilians to stay indoors.
At 11: 00 am police Flying Squad made announcement on loud speakers all along the Airport road directing people not to tread out.
“Srinagar Shehar Main Sakht Tareen Curfew Nafiz Kiya Gaya Hai. Log Apnay Gharoon Say Bahar Na Niklain Warna Dekhtay Hi Goli Maar Di Jaaye Gi (Strict curfew is being imposed in Srinagar city. People shouldn’t come out of their homes or else they will be shot at sight),” the Gypsy announced.
Similar announcements, according to reports, were also made in other parts of the Valley.
Soon after the announcement a cavalcade of Gypsies from police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) started doing the rounds of the Airport Road between Haiderpora and Humhama with armed men allegedly shouting abuses on the residents.
The locals accused the government of this “new kind of harassment where the SOG men are resorting to psychological torture of the people.”
“Till now this had been unheard of that abusive announcements would be made against the people,” said locals living close to the Police Headquarters at Peerbagh.

PROTESTS ROCK BANIHAL, KISHTWAR OBSERVES HUTDOWN
Protests broke out in Banihal area in Ramban district on Tuesday as the township observed complete shut down on the second consecutive day to protest against the continuous killings of innocents across Kashmir Valley.
People held protest demonstrations and observed shut down, even in far flung areas including Nowgam, Khari and Mandkabas.
Large number of people from the Banihal township and its adjoining areas Chingloo, Nowgam, Thatthar, Chireel, Dershipora, Lamber, Ishar, Kaskoot and Bankoot took to street this morning and staged massive protests.
Protestors also blocked the Jammu-Srinagar highway for more than three hours and also burnt tyres.
Meanwhile, normal life was thrown out of gear in Kishtwar town, which observed a complete shut down to protest against the killings across the Valley.
Though the bandh remained peaceful, the police and district administration was continuously holding meetings with the prominent citizens of the area to avoid any kind of resistance in the district.

GANDERBAL
Police on Tuesday resorted to aerial firing at many places in Ganderbal district to disperse the protesters. Protesters from Panzin, Konmula and Najwan villages tried to enter the curfew bound Kangan town but forces prevented them from doing so.

6 INJURED IN BANDIPORA
At least six persons were injured when Police and paramilitary CRPF troopers used force to disperse hundreds of protesters in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Tuesday, while Army staged a flag march in several areas.
Massive pro-freedom protests erupted in different areas of the district against the continuous killings across the Valley.
Hundreds of people, including men, women and children, took to the streets late in the evening and staged massive protests.
Demonstrations also broke out at Kaloosa, Nishat Mohalla, Nusoo, Papchan, Madar, Kunan, and Nadihal.

MUDASIR’S CHAHRUM OBSERVED
Thousands of people from Hajin, Shahgund, Madvan, Saderkoot reached the Eidgah grounds at Naidkhai to observe the Chahrum of Mudasir who as killed by CRPF troopers three days ago.

4 INJURED IN SAFAPORA
Thousands protestors from Ajas, Saderkoot, Takiya, Churoo and Safapora were intercepted by police and CRPF in main chowk Safapora. Police resorted to aerial firing and fired numerous tearsmoke canisters to disperse them. In the Police action four persons were wounded.
Army was deployed along the Srinagar-Sumbal-Ganderbal Road to provide cover to the army convoys passing through the area.

(With Tariq Mir, Ghulam Muhmmad, Altaf Baba, Muhammad Taskeen, Sheikh Nasir, Malik Abdus Salam and Sheikh Nazir)

Amritsar, Aug 3: The Dal Khalsa has hailed the spirit and steadfastness of Kashmiri youth who, according to it were sacrificing lives while facing the state repression in the valley since last two months. The party head Harcharnjit Singh, general secretary Dr Manjinder Singh and spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh in a e-mailed statement said they were moved by the sufferings of the Kashmiris who were striving for freedom. “By facing the bullets and batons of armed forces with brave hearts, the Kashmiris have shown to the world that they prefer death to slavery”. They urged the Sikh community in Kashmir to donate blood to injured Kashmiris as a mark of solidarity with them. They also lauded the role of Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani for displaying leadership qualities and skills in this hour of crisis. “As India has failed to protect the human rights in Kashmir, it was time for the United Nations to get involved,” the leaders demanded. They asked the UN secretary general to designate a high level delegation to conduct independent investigations into the killings of scores of youths, mostly teenagers who were killed by police and CRPF since June 11. Accusing the government of India for using excessive force in Kashmir, they said forces were firing indiscriminately on Kashmiri protestors and beating them to silence their voices. “New Delhi has flooded the valley with troops that were torturing protestors to death during detention”. Criticizing the detention of Hurriyat leaders including Shabir Shah, JKLF chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, High Court Bar Association chief, Mian Qayoom booked under Public Safety Act, they asked for their early release along with other protestors.