Agreement reached with SAYSS; agitation suspended

After 6-hour long deliberations between the 4-member committee set up by the Governor, Mr. N. N. Vohra under the Advisor to Governor, Dr. Sudhir S. Bloeria and the 4-member committee set by Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti in two rounds concluding at 4.30 a.m. today, the agreement has been reached and the Samiti announced suspension of its agitation.

At a crowded press conference at Government Guest House in the wee hours here this morning, Dr. Bloeria and Convenor of the Samiti, Mr. Lila Karan Sharma announced the details of the agreement.

Dr. Bloeria said that the government has requested the Samiti to call off their proposed rally for today.

Following is the text of the joint statement issued at the press conference:

1. 'The Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which has been going on for many centuries, is a shining symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in Jammu & Kashmir and reflective of the State's composite heritage. The Yatris have been welcomed with open arms by the people of both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions and all required facilities have been made available for them. Sadly, certain decisions of the State Government relating to the Yatra created misunderstandings which led to controversy and agitation and loss of many precious lives. Apart from the damage to property, there has been a colossal loss to the State's economy in different sectors like transport, trade, industry, horticulture and tourism.

2. 'The Yatra to Shri Amarnathji Shrine has traditionally benefitted a large number of local residents, many of whom have crucial dependence on this annual pilgrimage for their livelihood.

3. 'There has been no occasion in the past on which the State Government has failed to provide the required support for the conduct of the Amarnathji Yatra. On the contrary, the extent and nature of governmental support to the Yatra has been progressively enhancing, from year to year.

4. 'In view of the need to seek a peaceful resolution of the fundamental issues, to settle all existing doubts and clarify the continuing responsibility of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir had constituted, on 6 August, 2008, a four-member Committee comprising:



Dr. S. S. Bloeria, Advisor to Governor

Justice (Retd) Shri G. D. Sharma

Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu

Shri B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board

5. 'The Committee held three rounds of discussions with the four-member Committee nominated by the Shri Amarnathji Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) which comprised:-



Shri Tilak Raj Sharma

Brig (Retd) Suchet Singh

Prof. Narinder Singh

Shri Pawan Kohli



6. 'The Governor has also held discussions with the leaders of political, social, religious, academic and other organizations in the Kashmir Valley. The predominant view, emerging out of the consultations, is that the Amarnathji Yatra, which is a centuries old tradition of J&K's rich composite heritage, will continue to be welcomed and supported by the people of Kashmir, in every possible way. It was also felt that while the Shrine Board could continue to use the land, as in the past, for Yatra purposes, nothing should be done to alienate or transfer the land. While an assuring convergence of views has emerged, the Governor is committed to continuing the consultative process to ensure against any remaining misunderstanding whatsoever on an issue which has earlier led to serious misperceptions and grade human and economic loss.

'Based on detailed discussions and deliberations held in the recent weeks, the following framework of action for resolving the issue relating to the use of land for the period of Yatra by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, at Baltal and Domail, has been agreed to:-

A. 'The State Government shall set aside for the use by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, exclusively, the land in Baltal and Domail (Compartment No. 63/S, Sindh Forest Division) comprising an area of 800 kanals, traditionally under use for the annual Yatra purposes.
B. 'The proprietary status/ownership/title of the land shall not undergo any change.



D. 'The Board shall use the aforesaid land for the duration of the Yatra (including the period of making the required arrangements and winding up of the same) for the purpose of user by various service providers according to its needs and priorities.

'The aforesaid land shall be used according to the Board's requirements, from time to time, including for the following:-

i. 'Raising of temporary pre-fabricated accommodation and toilet facilities by the Board;



ii. 'Establishment of tented accommodation by private camping agencies (locals, permanent residents of the State);



iii. 'Setting up of the shops by shopkeepers (locals, permanent residents of the State);



iv. 'Facilities for Ponywallahs and Pithuwallahs;



v. 'Provision of healthcare and medical facilities;



vi. 'Setting up of free Langars by private persons and groups which are licensed by the Board;



vii. 'Facilities for helicopter operations/ parking of vehicles;



viii. 'Arrangements of security by local police/para-military forces and other security agencies as per the arrangements in place here-to-fore; and



ix. 'Undertaking measures relating to soil conservation, land protection and preservation of ecology.



2. 'It has further been agreed that the Board shall continue to remain responsible for the overall arrangements of the Yatra on both the routes during the Yatra period, including all arrangements as mandated under the provisions of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Act, 2000 A.D.

3. 'Apart from the above, the Committee set up by the Samiti had, during the course of discussions, presented a fourteen-point "Charter of Demands" for consideration by the State Government. The main demands relate to withdrawal of criminal cases against various persons during the period of agitation, provision of compensation to the families of the deceased and to the injured and working out of appropriate packages of financial assistance to compensate losses of the transport sector, trade and industry, horticulture sector, hoteliers and tourist operators. The State Government has agreed to examine all these demands in an appropriate manner on time-bound basis.

4. 'In particular, as regards the registration of criminal cases against various persons during the period of agitation, it is agreed that all cases of non-serious nature which shall mean bailable and compoundable will be withdrawn. The remaining cases will be reviewed, on the merits of each case, by a Committee headed by Shri Anil Goswami, Principal Secretary (Home) within 60 days. Till the completion of this process, no action will be taken in such cases. Also, specific allegations of atrocities on agitators, based on prima-facie evidence, could also be looked into by this Committee.

5. 'Ex-gratia relief will be extended in favour of the next of the kin of the deceased and in favour of permanently disabled and the injured in all cases covered under the existing rules of the State Government.

6. 'Further, a Working Group, under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary will address all compensation issues relating to both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions and the Central Government will be approached for extending enabling financial support to the State Government for this purpose within a period of two months. To make the exercise meaningful, one representative from each of the affected sectors will be associated with the deliberations of the Working Group.

7. 'The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board will be reconstituted keeping in view the provisions of the Act and the past precedents.

8. 'It is agreed that the Law Department in the State Government will examine the issue of disposal of LPA in terms of the understanding made hereinabove within one month.'

Sd/- Sd/-

(Lila Karan Sharma) (Dr. S. S. Bloeria)

Convener Advisor to Governor of J&K

Hindus being attacked in Jammu and Kashmir

Even as the entire Indian media wept over the alleged economic blockade against Kashmir Valley, no newspaper worth it's salt has had the gumption of reporting widespread criminal attacks on minority Hindus of Jammu in Kishtwar as well Poonch town, both towns have majority Muslim population.

The attacks are well planned and led by leaders of PDP and National Conference, both of which claim to be secular when the cause is Muslim and pertains to Kashmiris. But both parties maintained criminal silence, when the issue of Hindus cropped up and hundreds of shops of Hindu community, business establishments and vehicles have been looted and burnt by muslim mobs.
None of the secular media had the gumption to mention that muslims were attacking hindus and the administration failed miserably to protect them. Even as media is busy projecting the Kashmir cause and freedom for valley it should also look into the crimes being perpetrated upon the minority Hindus in India's only muslim majority state.

A Tribute to Jammu

Sangarsh Samiti accuses NC, PDP of being communal

Hindus attacked in Poonch, Kishtwar; Administration fails to protect hindu minority in India's only Muslim majority state.

Lambasting National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership for maintaining criminal silence over atrocities on Hindus in Poonch and Kishtwar districts, Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti today said that riots in these two districts exposed their communal faces. Direct involvement of senior NC and PDP leaders in Kishtwar and Poonch riots has confirmed that these two outfits represent only Muslim community and their claims of representing all communities and sections are farce.

Involvement of Farooq Ahmed Mir, zonal president of PDP has been already established in Kishtwar riot while as in Poonch PDP it is again PDP leaders who instigated the mob to attack business establishments, shops and houses and temples of Hindus. PDP leader Imtiyaz Bandey, who is zonal president of the party, was leading the mob which was responsible for attacking Hindus.

Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti demanded immediate arrest of these two PDP leaders to revive shattered confidence of minority Hindus and deployment of adequate forces in these two districts to control the rioters who are still indulged in selective attacks. Samiti also demanded ex-gratia relief for the affected families and action against Deputy Commissioner Poonch and SSP Poonch Basant Rath, who his ineffectiveness personified.

Since beginning of this mass movement of Jammu people, Kashmir centric political parties like PDP and NC are hell bent upon to create communal divide in the Muslim majority areas of Jammu region. Following their failure to accomplish their nefarious designs, PDP and NC leaders have directed their cadre in Muslim dominated areas to instigate mob to attack minorities in their respective areas. Kishtwar and Poonch riots have exposed that these political parties have hidden communal agenda to terrorize minorities of Jammu and Kashmir and spoil the secular fabric of Jammu region.

It is regrettable that instead of removing misconceptions created by certain vested interests, PDP and NC leaders are furthering giving irresponsible statement to divide people on communal lines. Statement of NC president Omar Abdullah in a discussion on a TV Channel in which he termed an accident case as victim of communal violence exposes the game plan of these parties. The truck driver who was referred at AIIMS by GMC Jammu on a government ambulance was an accident case which took place at Lakhanpur but Omar Abdullah has been stating that the victim received injures as he was beaten and connected the incident with the so-called economic blockade.

Taking serious note of the utterances for former Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma who has defended controversial decision of the government to cancel allotment to land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board at Baltal, Sangarsh Samiti termed Mangat Ram Sharma's statement as insult to the people of this region. It maintains that Congress leadership has played with the religious sentiments of the people of this region and responsible for present turmoil of Jammu. The people of Jammu would never spare these leaders for their backstabbing.

Sangharsh Samiti appealed people of Jammu for social boycott of Mangat Ram Sharma, Gulchain Singh Charak and Mula Ram for rubbing salt on the wounds of Jammu people.

Mangat Ram's statement clearly indicates that appointment of N N Vohra as Governor followed by hasty decision of cancelling allotment of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board was a deep rooted conspiracy hatched by UPA and Azad led government in Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile a meeting of Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti was held today to take stock of the preparation of the forthcoming rally to be held at Parade Ground Jammu on August 27, 2008 at 4 pm. All units of Sangharsh Samiti of Jammu and Samba districts have been asked to mobilize maximum number of people to make this rally a historical event in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.

Is Jammu and Kashmir equal to Kashmir alone?

http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp;jsessionid=D785C3BF9BEF7074CC314F477825D4A9?articleID=139829

Indian politicians, scholars, intellectuals and journalists have confused J&K with Kashmir alone, forgetting that this false interpretation has marginalised other communities and made Kashmiris think that they can get away with anything in Kashmir.

HATS OFF to Arundhati Roy, Jug Suraiya and Prem Chand Sahajwala for coming forth to speak about the plight of the Kashmiris and ask the Indian government to think about ending its imperialism in Kashmir Valley.
Jug Suraiya in his article ‘India Minus K-word’ in the Times of India dated Aug 20, 2008 writes ‘what if he (the separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani) and his followers were to adopt the strategies of non-cooperation and satyagraha, which were used (by Gandhi) to gain independence’?
The same was quoted by Sahajwala to further prove his point that Indian presence in Kashmir has only brought suffering to the people. Times of India, in it’s August 21 editorial, has again questioned the Indian presence in Kashmir and wants the country to give freedom to the poor Kashmiris, who have been fighting for freedom for last sixty years.
The general view-point is that India should give freedom to Kashmiris and if they want to go to Pakistan, let them join that country. But who are Kashmiris, what do they want, where do they live, is Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) equal to Kashmir alone? Do people have an answer to these questions?

To read more visit http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp;jsessionid=D785C3BF9BEF7074CC314F477825D4A9?articleID=139829

Tiimes of India makes amends but still remains the same

TIMES OF INDIA WANTS 1953 FOR KASHMIR, JAMMU WANTS PRE-1947


After days of Jammu bashing and pro-pakistan and separatist reporting, the Times of India at last realised that it's credibility was at stake. Now to ensure that there is little bit of fair reporting, TOI has sent a reporter to Jammu, who has filed a story on what is actually happening in Jammu.
Hats off to Mohua Chatterjee for telling the world that agitation in Jammu is not communal that it is not against any community or religion, but it was against the imperialist ideology of Kashmiris. Time and again the national media and Indian intellectuals see the problems in Jammu and Kashmir not of the entire state but only of Kashmiris, for Kashmiris and by the Kashmiris.
Jammu and Kashmir does not comprise of Kashmir alone and many in India does not know the distance between Jammu and Srinagar, the heart of Kashmir valley is 300 kilometres.

Even though Times of India has made amends but again the edit page call for going back to the pre-1953 position and giving full autonomy to Kashmir. But why does not the Times call for giving the state of Jammu and Kashmir pre-1947 position and let Jammu and Kashmir be free.
Times have changed, so instead of having the Dogra rule let us be given autonomy in both Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

People of Jammu are fed up with the Union policies and appeasement of Kashmir and also discrimination against Jammu. Despite holding the Indian flag high, making sacrifices for India and remaining a bulwark against the Islamic and separatist forces, Jammu has got nothing in return except rebuke and disdain.

It is high time that India realise that interests of Jammu can not be sacrificed for kashmir and if this continues, it is likely that people of Jammu will also revolt against the Indian union.

Jammu needs to rethink strategy to get rid of Kashmir

The agitation in Jammu has reached a critical juncture and attained a mass, which could term it as Peoples Movement. Launch of civil disobedience is a step in right direction and it will give a peaceful outlet to the anger of the masses.
But, the Sangharsh samiti and the people of Jammu must realize that this is the time of reckoning as such Jammu should not repeat the mistakes committed by Kashmir. Kashmir valley has been burning for the last 20 years, bandhs, hartals, guns, violence and killings have brought nothing to the people there.

As such Jammu has to understand the psyche of India and people have to realize the fact that strategic interests are far more important to the government of India than the human rights of Jammu or the religious values or dignity of Hindus
Government of India can not lose Kashmir and this is the reason that despite 50 days of violent protests in Jammu, the Home Minister, the Prime Minister and the Indian media appear to take the side of Kashmiris. This surprises the people of Jammu, they ask how could India reward secessionists at the cost of nationalists.
Although BJP has put it as a battle of nationalists Vs Separatists in J&K, but believe me as soon as it gets power, it will conveniently forget Jammu, forget abolition of 370 and forget the Uniform Civil Code. Though BJP has done well to support the cause of Jammu , but it has led to the agitation being branded communal but pseudo-secularists have their own compulsions.

The Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti will have to understand that anger of Jammuites is a result of 60 years of slavery and Amarnath land is a means and not an end in itself. Samiti will have to incorporate the larger interests of the people of Jammu that include political equality, equality in development, infrastructure and everything dealt by the state.

It is high time Jammu demands a separate autonumous regional body on the lines of Ladakh Council within the framework of Jammu and Kashmir and India..And importantly the muslims, paharis, gujjars and budhists should be promised and assured equality in everything.

Let Kashmiris be free from India and Jammu and Jammuites get rid of the Kashmir stone, which has been tied to their necks for the ast sixty years. Agitating without strategising is of no use and our short and long terms goals should be achieved by the agitation.

Times of India wants indpendence for Kashmir

As if Avijit Ghosh, Times of India correspondent in Kashmir was not enough, senior columnist Jug Suraiya has also joined the separatist bandwagon and has called India to think of giving freedom to Kashmir as this was a peaceful movement against the Indian nation and there was no violence. I wish he had written in the same vein for grant of mere 40 acres of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board, but he is a secular Indian and those who talk for Hindus are branded communal in this country.
Jug Suraiya points out that even after 60-years the government of India has not been able to coerce the Kashmiris into submission and this was the time to think in rational terms. While it is good that Indians at last are thinking about freeing Kashmir from slavery but they should also think of absolving the people of Jammu from the yoke of Kashmiri imperialism.

Suraiya should also tell where will the Kashmiri pandits live, when freedom is granted to Kashmir, which undoubtedly would be the abode of Islam. Would Hindus of Kashmir and Jammu and Budhists of Ladakh granted the status of Zimmis there. Will they need to pay Jizya.

The only problem with India is that the government, media and all politicians see Jammu and Kashmir through the prism Kashmir Valley alone. What Jug Suraiya does not know is that there a huge population of Paharis in Kashmir valley, who are dead against freedom to Kashmir or accession to Pakistan as majority of them are serving in Indian army.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/India_minus_K-word/articleshow/3382132.cms

Civil Disobedience launched in Jammu

Following the path of Mahatama Gandhi, the Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti has decided to launch Civil Disobedience movement in Jammu. People have been asked to disobey the government authority and refrain from paying taxes.
In another interesting twist, the SAYSS has decided to take out a funeral ceremony of the Union government to break it's slumber and take into accound the suffering of the people of this region. The Samiti alleged that union government was banking on the fact that this movement will tire out with time and alleged that Governor Vohra was dancing to the tune of separatists and fundamentalists.
A Srikrishna Sudarshan Chakra yatra has also been announced by the Samiti to send the message across that movement in Jammu would not succumb to any pressures and threats.

Times of India does it again

The esteemed Times of India is continuing with it's anti-India propaganda and today a front page story screams Tri-colour at 8am, Separatist flags at 4pm, with huge photos of Lal Chowk showing Indian and Pak flags.

As if he is a god, correspondent Avijit Ghosh claims that the symbolism of this spectacle tells the alienation Kashmir valley is complete.
What kind of reporting is this, why was the Pakistan flag allowed to be hoisted in Lal Chowk. Are Indian forces impotent to stop this kind of behavior. Instead of asking searching questions, the reporter is telling India, look how brave the kashmiris are, they are burning Indian flag and hoisiting Pak flag.

Is this a very tough task, any one even a kid can burn a Pakistani or an Indian flag. With Governor NN Vohra, asking the security men to go slow and be kind to the agitators, it is but natural that kashmiris will be allowed to indulge in such hooliganism.
And if they think that doing this will win them freedom, let them have it. But atleast the TOI should restrain its correspondent and tell him not to suffer from Stockholm syndrome.

Dear Ghosh Sahib you are a reporter and not a Public relations officer of the Hurriyat or Kashmiris. Behave like a mature journalist as it appears that this is your first assignment in this kind of surcharged situation.

While TOI gives front page coverage to Pak flags, it doesnt care to get a story on how the National Flag is being hoisted by the people of Jammu. How thousand of people across the region hoisted the national flag in Jammu despite boycotting the state function.

The Hindustan Times has been a little better compared to it's competitor and has atleast published two three stories from Jammu. Also Barkha Dutt on the edit page has written some sensible things and is good to read, when she suggests that people should come forward to find a solution and delves on the failure of UPA government.

Indian express acts as a two way sword, it has allowed the usual anti-india propganda by Muzamil Jaleel, where he says covertly that the Jammu agitation is communal and speaking through governor NN Vohra's mouth-tells that Jammu is bigoted. However, express has published a small Jammu based piece from Neeraj Santoshi and a good picture by Yogesh Manhas, which speaks about the nationalism and patriotism of the people of Jammu.

CNN-IBN does not allow comments if they are little bit unpalatable and wants everything sugar coated and sweet.

PM again sermonises on J&K instead of taking action

On the 61st Independence Day of India, i was watching the TV and listening to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sermonising on the negatives of divisive politics. How India could be divided if such kind of politics is not stopped and how Indian strategic interests will be hurt if the agitation in Jammu and Kashmir continues.

He told the nation as to how the great Muslim community of Kashmir had taken care of Amarnath Yatra for last so many years-may be 150 years. How kind and benevolent have been the Kashmiri muslim and his brand of Kashmiriat and Sufiana Islam, which has always upheld human values.

However, someone needs to tell Dr Manmohan Singh some hard facts. Kashmir was under the rule of Hindu Dogra Rajas, who ruled the state since 1846 and were able and strong administrators. How could muslims stop a Yatra and oppose it under Dogra rulers, who were strong and able and ruled the state with vigour.

Secondly, Kashmir is a tourism based region, where the Hindu yatra was a sources of income for the many families of valley, which is predominantly muslim. No Kashmiri did any favour to Hindu Yatris for free or without charging him money.
The Yatra is a business for kashmiris as well as traders of Jammu also benefitted, so it is no point saying that Kashmiris did not oppose the yatra. During the last 20 years of insurgency, it is amarnath yatra, which has sustained the tourism sector in valley.
Hindu pilgrims from across the country have pumped in millions of rupees for the tourism sector to sustain in valley.
As far as secular fabric of the country is concerned, the PM should ask the Kashmiri pandits forced out of valley as to what they feel. How muslim fundamentalists of Kashmir valley killed their leaders and froze them in fear, so that they leave the valley.
The Prime Minister, his party and his governor in J&K have tried to brand the agitation as communal, with the active help of fake secularists and the national media.
Appealing for peace and sermonizing will not solve any problem. Give Kashmiris their freedom and Jammu its due share, we want nothing else.

Times of India or Times of Pakistan

Every morning, I wake up and wait for the Times of India to give me my daily fix of new, views, happening and what not is happening in the country. But, since the agitation in Jammu and Kashmir has started my stomach churrns every morning after i go through this paper.

Times of India seems has turned into Times of Pakistan or Times of Kashmir and like the other separatist papers of Kashmir valley biased reports that smack of pro-kashmiri and anti-national agenda are filling the paper. TOI it seems supports the anti-national and anti-India agenda of the Pakistan supporters in Kashmir valley, while the paper talks of atrocities in Kashmir, it has effectively censored most of the news from Jammu.

While pictures of kashmiri protesters flying Pak flags can be found prominently, no one is talking about the anti-national agenda of the leaders in Kashmir. On Thursday, August 14, Sumit Ganguly, a US based professor has asked the BJP to stop its dogs agitating in Jammu to ensure the temperature comes down in Kashmir Valley.

The tragedy is that despite being nationalists, the people of Jammu are neither required by Kashmir and nor the Indian nation, whose media has tried to brand the agitation of the people as secular. But in Kashmir where lakhs of hindus were thrown out, temples destroyed, amarnath shrine board divested of land, where Indian flag is burnt-The government of India is begging and playing footsie to every demand of the fundamentalist Kashmiris.

But why is the Indian media, so supplicant to the Kashmiri cause, if the Indian government thinks Kashmiris have a genuine cause then they should allow a plebiscite in Kashmir and give due rights to them and let them go. But, why are the people of Jammu being made slaves to the Kashmir cause.

The Times of India on August 15 has filed a story 'No quiet on Kashmir Front' by Mohd Saleem Pandit, and he writes in a clear anti-India style sending the message that India will lose Kashmir, if their demands just and unjust are not met.
His each and every story smells of an impending revolution in Kashmir unless India meets their every demand. But TOI has to answer where are stories from its Jammu based stringer Anil Kotwal. Is he not filing stories, why no story from Jammu is being published on the popular agitation and whether some newsworthy happenings are taking place there.

Avijit Ghosh of ToI looks more to be a reporter of Greater Kashmir and it seems he is suffering from Kidnappers syndrome, where the kidnapped person sympathizes with the Kidnappers. Trying to be more Kashmiri than Kashmiris, he has written that a Blockade in Kashmir has led to stoppage of marriages and how rural kashmiris are helping people with vegetables as if none is available in Kashmir due to economic blockade by jammu people. Has he taken pains to visit lower munda, Jawahar tunnel and Lakhanpur on the national highway, where hundreds of trucks under army supervision are travelling daily. It is shameful that a national paper is supporting a wrong agenda and the publication appears completely biased.

Mishandling of Amarnath issue snowballs into crisis

Inapt handling of the Amarnath controversy has led to widespread ramifications. With UPA government not able to decide what to do their is a political stalemate in the country. The nation is confused and wants to know what the Government plans to do to resolve the Amarnath issue except offering sermons and platitudes.
The minority and Kashmiri appeasement policy, practiced by successive governments in Delhi has not yielded any dividend to the country or Congress. Kashmiris still have not and do not want to join the national mainstream and whenever they are asked to be accountable and responsible, they pretend to revolt and shout pro-pakistan slogans.
India scared of this sloganeering and to ensure that its strategic interests are not hurt has been bending backward to accommodate the Kashmir valley.
And all this at the cost of the hapless Ladakhis and people of Jammu, who have been mere pawns in this high stakes game. Every one wants to have the best out of the Kashmir deal, be it valley based politicians, their stooges in Jammu and the great Indian machiavilis.

However, time has come for all to realise that the policy of muslim and Kashmiri appeasement will not be allowed at the cost of Jammu. Indian strategic interests can not come at the cost of sacrificing the social, economic and political rights of the people of Jammu and Ladakh, be it Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Gujjars, Paharis and Budhists.

Jammu is one and the agitation in Jammu is a peoples movement and not a communal and violent agitation as has been witnessed in Kashmir valley and in Kishtwar, where separatist protesters threw handgrenades and fired on minority Hindus.

Clueless Vohra begs Kashmir separatists to keep peace

Even as both Jammu and Kashmir regions are burning, the state government and the union do not have any solutions to the issues confronting the state, which have turned it into an violent inferno.

Jammu burnt for 40 days and is still burning due to the Amarnath agitation and now Kashmir is burning and Governor NN Vohra has no clue except for appeasing for peace and bending his back to placate the separatists. Vohra perhaps has never lost his kith and kin in violence and neither have most of the politicians in Kashmir valley, who are leading masses to commit harakiri.

15 people were killed in Jammu during Amarnath protests while, the police firing has claimed 13 lives in Kashmir valley. It is pertinent to mention that people of Jammu are demanding that and be transferred to the Amarnath Shrine Board, where as PDP, NC and Hurriyat, the Kashmir based parties are opposing the same.

In a repeat of what he has been doing since he assumed office, Governor, N N Vohra, today in a televised appeal, attributed the prevailing unrest to unfounded suspicions and misconceptions.

Referring to the movement of supplies and transportation of fruit to and from the Valley, the Governor said that, notwithstanding the sporadic attempts to create obstacles in smooth vehicular movement for a day or two, the Srinagar-Lakhanpur National Highway has been fully sanitized and round-the-clock traffic movement ensured. Since the past 12 days, over 9000 trucks carrying fruit, merchandise, medicines petroleum products/LPG cylinders and other essential commodities have been transported from both the sides, which includes 800 truckloads of Kashmiri fruit transported to the plains.

Vohra saw no justification in the Muzzafarabad Chalo Call and said that the fruit mandis all over the country were eagerly awaiting for the Kashmiri fruit. He appreciated the need for uninterrupted transportation of apple during the current fruit season and said that he was himself monitoring the movement of fruit and essential supplies on the National Highway. He also referred to the measures taken to carry supplies in convoys with police escorts, fitted with wireless sets having direct communication with Police Control Rooms, and mobile patrolling under the supervision of the concerned District Superintendents of Police. He said that the Chief Secretary has been asked to monitor the movement of to ensure supplies round-the-clock smooth and uninterrupted flow.

Lets call the Kashmiri bluff-once for all

Well the Kashmiris today marched to Muzaffrabad but were not allowed to reach PoK, the security forces pushed them back. But if people of Kashmir are serious about going to Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir then it is high that Indian government values their choice and let them go.

Lets call the Kashmiri bluff once for all and let them decide if they want to stay in India or pursue the Pakistani dream, which is obviously in tatters for majority of people living their, barring the feudals, the army wallahs and few bureaucrats.

If they want to go, then there should be not stopping them. And if they want to sell apples in Muzzafrabad only and not send them to India, even then it is perfectly fine.

Whether Indians eat Kashmiri apples or not, they will survive but will the Kashmiris survive in the badlands of Pakistan, where even today the migrants from India are treated as third grade citizens.

Pakistan Zindabad is an empty slogan, which the Kashmiris shout to put pressure on Indian leadership, which time and again has proved spineless and tactless.

The agitation in Jammu has shown the true face of Kashmiri leadership, which has vehemently opposed all the demands put forth by the Jammu people. They have tried to brand the agitation communal and sadly media people have also played in their hands.

We are tired of Pakistan Zindabad and its time people in valley decide once for India, Pakista or independence. People of Jammu are tired and sick of Kashmiri appeasement and discrimination against and its time the people get rid of this historical baggage.

Former J&K Governor criticises PDP, national media

Former J&K Governor SK Sinha has accused the Peoples Democratic Party of playing an anti-national role and disturbing the communal harmony and peace in the state. He also accused the media of misrepresenting fact and figures and misinforming the people on the issue.
Sinha said that PDP patron Mufti Mohd Sayeed was always opposed to his endeavours towards streamlining the Amarnath yatra and he continuously put roadblocks in the work.

The Governor was speaking at a seminar on "Shri Amarnath Land Transfer -- Implications of Revocation" organised in Chandigarh by the Forum on Integrated National Security.

Accusing the national press of misleading public opinion, the governor opined that it was sad that national media was not reporting the facts but misleading the people.
He further said that separatists were trying to whip up communal frenzy by projecting the land transfer as something which could change demography of the valley.

PRM criticises centre Govt for Kashmiri appeasement

Peoples Revolutionary Movement, (PRM), while boycotting the 18 -party meet headed by Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil here in Jammu said that Govt.of India is committing one blunder after another by inviting people responsible for igniting this passionate mass movement.



Speaking on the occasion, PRM president Rajinder Jamwal said that Govt. of India hasappointed the accused as judges and want to resolve the crisis inJammu. He asked Home Minister to correct the perception regardingJammu saying, "enough is enough and Jammu people would take no morepoison of anti-nationals and pro-Pak elements in the name ofnationalism.

Jamwal said that people of Jammu have faced more than 100 massacres inwhich innocent civilians numbering 5 to 35 have been killed in a day by Pakistan sponsored terrorists, yet we have not protested, we have a voter population of more than 32 lakh as compared to 28 lakh ofKashmir valley and area almost 30, 000 sq kilometers, as compared to just 15,000 sq kilometers of Kashmir valley, we have just 37 Assembly and two parliamentary seats while Kashmir has 46 Assembly and 3Parliamentary seats, but we have not complained, Jammu has an unemployment per centage of 69 as compared to 27 of Kashmir, Kashmirhas more than 3 lakh employees while Jammu just about one lakh, still we have not complained, J&K secretariat has a presence of more than 90 per cent employees from Kashmir still we kept mum, the revenue contribution of Jammu is more than 70 per cent and its share indevelopment is less than 30 per cent, Kashmir is visited by about 3 lakh tourists while more than 90 lakh tourists visit Jammu region, still 80 per cent of Tourism budget is spent in Kashmir yet the peopleof Jammu have not complained, Jammu has the Chenab Basin yet the Chenab Valley Power Project Corporation office is being set up at Srinagar, the centre offered to establish a 1000 MW Thermal Powerproject at Jammu but state government refused, the Kashmiri leaders projected the building of Mughal road in Poonch as a victory of Muslim Communal forces, yet we did not complain all in the name of protecting"NATIONAL INTEREST".

But the out and out communal and against the set principles ofco-existence, communal harmony and secularism, fundamental rights of a community, the state government has declined to provide 800 kanals ofland for Shri Amarnath Shrine Board for 'temporary' period erecting'temporary' facilities for visiting pilgrims.

The more unfortunate is the expressions of the so called main stream politicians from National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party against allotment of land, who are worse than separatists and anti-national elements and hasadded fuel to fire in the Jammu region.

The people of Jammu have been demanding recall of Governor for thereason that new Governor as the Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board(SASB), in a blatant violation of SASB Act asked the Government totake over the land diverted to SASB at Baltal.

Governor is also known for his pro-Kashmir and anti-Jammu bias and has openly questioned during a seminar in Jammu, "Where Jammu exists,"besides he has been a strong votary of Wajahat Habibullah's formula of dividing Jammu and Kashmir on communal lines.

Governor has exposed his anti-Jammu stance further by perpetuating untold atrocities, by calling army rewarding officers who have inflicted injuries and killed people of Jammu who are holding peacefulprotest demonstration, calling army out and turning whole of Jammu in an area which resembles Swat Valley of Pakistan, with aerial surveillance, giving shoot at sight orders and coercing officers to implement the shoot orders strictly.

Jamwal said that this is a democratic country and all our fundamentalrights have been trampled upon by Governor NN Vohra, who is acting like a dictator. Govt. of India has also left no stone unturned to please the separatists and anti-national elements, including FarooqAbdullah, Saiffudin Soz and Mehbooba Mufti who have been left free to spit venom against Indian nation and disturb the communal harmony by spreading canards.

He said that Peoples Revolutionary Movement, demands
1. Recall of Governor NN Vohra from Jammu and Kashmir
.2. Restore 800 kanals of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board at Baltal.

After Govt bends, Amarnath Samiti in Jammu agrees to talks

At last the Union government has come to understand the fact that people of Jammu and leaders of Jammu will have nothing to do with Kashmiri leaders, who have been responsible for converting the state into a Kashmir fiefdom.

In a positive development, the union government has agreed to remove Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah and Saifudin Soz- the three Kashmiri leaders from the All party central delegation.
In response, the Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti has also come forward and agreed to discuss the modalities to resolve the Amarnath crisis. Pertinent to say that the Samiti had refused to meet the delegation, if the Kashmiri leaders remained a part of it.

Although it's a good move, but leaders of Jammu should remain wary as this could be a strategic move by the Centre and Kashmiri leaders to lull the Jammuites into false confidence, only ditch them as usual.

Jammu under seige, Union delegation boycotted

The City of Temples, Jammu is under seige. To appease the Kashmiri leaders and ensure they are not forced to go back, the entire city has been barricaded and Indian army has surrounded the city as it was an occupation force.
With all roads blocked and people forced indoor, the Union Government wants to find an amicable solution. Is this the manner in which problems are solved.

Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti has already rejected talks with union delegation as it wants to talk to Dellhi and not Kashmir.
The hopes of the people of Jammu, be it Hindu or muslim or sikh or Gujjar have been dashed many times by New Delhi, forget Kashmiris, who treat the region as if it is their personal fiefdom.

Congress government at centre should understand that scarificng the interests of the people of Jammu at the altar of Indian strategic interests will no longer pay them any results. Entire India is engulfed in violence and people are being killed daily.

So wake up Delhi.

Amarnath Samiti to meet All Party team, bandh extended to August 14

http://dailyexcelsior.com/


The group spearheading the agitation over the Amarnath land transfer row today decided to meet the All Party team arriving here tomorrow for talks to help defuse the crisis even as it announced that the bandh in the Jammu region will be further extended till August 14.
The Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti (SASS),leading the over a month-long stir, however said it would not hold any parleys with the four-member team constituted by Governor N N Vohra till it came forward with a positve roadmap for resolution of the land issue.
The Samiti's announcements on the eve of the visit of the 18-party delegation headed by Home Minister Shivraj Patil were made by Samiti convenor Leela Karan Sharma at a news conference here after its meeting.
The decision to extend the bandh was taken at a meeting of over 250 members of the Samiti presided over by Brigadier (retd) Suchet Singh at Geeta Bhavan.
Sharma said he had recieved two telephone calls from the all party delegation for a meeting with the Samiti members. He however did not give the identity of who called him up. The meeting is scheduled to last for about two hours but the venue has not been decided so far, he added.

More army troops likely to be deployed

http://dailyexcelsior.com/

JAMMU : The Army is likely to deploy more troops in the curfew-bound Jammu region to control the prevailing tension over the Amarnath land row, and to counter terrorists’ design to disrupt Independence Day celebrations.
Talking on the sidelines of a press conference here, General Officer Commanding (GoC) IX ‘rising star’ corps Lt General Vinay Sharma today said, "more troops will be called in, if the situation doesn’t improve."
The demand for more troops to meet the prolonged unrest in Jammu also arises with August 15 round the corner, and the primary engagement of the existing strength of Army in encounter-insurgency operations and the guarding of the border, he hinted.
"There are intelligence inputs that terrorists can take advantage of this violative situation (referring to the massive protests out on the roads) in Jammu, " Lt General Sharma said.

Sangharsh Samiti objects to presence of Farooq, Mehbooba, Soz

The Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti today refused to talk to the all-party delegation objecting to three members of the team, including National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, alleging they were "root cause of the problem."
"The delegation has in it Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah and Saifuddin Soz (Congress) who are root cause of the problem here. We refuse to talk to a delegation which consists of these people," Sangarsh Samiti member Brig (retd) Suchet Singh told PTI.
Earlier in the day, Samiti Convenor Leela Karan Sharma had announced its willingness to talk to the all-party delegation led by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil which is slated visit Jammu on Saturday.
"We had earlier given our consent for the talk as we were not aware of the composition of the delegation. The whole problem today in Jammu and Kashmir is due to the wrong propaganda of some of the members who are coming in the delegation", Singh said. (PTI)

Cong must not act as 'Dhritrashtra' over land row

http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=139037

The ongoing imbroglio in Jammu over the Amarnath land issue has not only ruptured the Azad-led government in J&K but has also damaged the socio-cultural demography of the state. The Congress must not shrug off its responsibility for the crisis.



Sanjay Khajuria
THE AMARNATH land transfer fiasco has already taken a toll of the Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Congress government and is on its way to now adversely damaging the entire social structure, economy and polity of Jammu and Kashmir. It is high time the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-led Congress government at the Centre reads the writing on the wall and must not act as ’Dhritrashtra’ (the blind king in the epic Mahabharata), but, needs to awaken to the call of Jammu instead of trying to write another Mahabharata.
The fear psychosis over the land row has already resulted in a sharp decline of tourists to the Valley. The aspirations of Jammuites has set apprehensions that it would leave the Congress, a house completely divided.
It is the appeasing policies of the Centre towards the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC), along with some people in media, who are trying to gag the real voice and this has becomes the immediate problem. They offer megaphones to the separatists, be it Mirwaiz Umar Farooq or Sajjad Lone, but, nationalists like Dr Chirangoo and others were not given a chance to defend. They are literally harassed by the so-called political analysts, which was evident on a leading electronic news channel on Wednesday (August 6) night.
Though people of Jammu had never expected much from the All Party Meet in New Delhi in the absence of leadership from Jammu, the culmination of the meet has proved that it was a mere eyewash.
Since the land row heated the state politics, various separatist and fundamentalist factions from Kashmir have indulged in branding the Jammu stir as communal despite the fact that the Jammu Muslims are participating in it.
Some news reports mentioned Yasin Malik, the chief of the J&K Liberation Front, who has gone on a fast unto death saying that sectarian forces in Jammu are hell-bent upon annihilating Muslims. Another hoax, which is being spread in the country is that the movement is being led by activists from Rajasthan and Gujarat to fan communalism and spread antagonism against Muslims.
Another Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani, called for a massive strike and even warned authorities not to please (Hindu) fanatics by transferring the land to the Hindu shrine while Mehbooba Mufti and Mirwaiz-led All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has okayed the separate state, which can be carved out of two-and-a-half Hindu-majority districts viz Jammu, Kathua and half of Udhampur.
For this duo, I must simply say, ’saying is always easy’. Do they ever bother about the Muslims living in the said areas and the Hindus living in the rest of the areas? If this becomes a reality, would they be able to carry the burden of bloodbath that still haunts the refugees of 1947? Would they forget their hoarse-throat appeals to the Centre about ’road opening’ to enhance people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan? Here, in their own state they, instead of looking for an amicable solution, advocate erecting walls of hatred.
Here, one must appreciate Yasin Malik, who outrightly denied the further division of Kashmir as some reports appeared in newspapers.
Mehbooba may be raking the issue for some political gains, Mirwaiz, in a view to counter the hardliner factions of Hurriyat (G), but Yasin Malik, who is known to be a patient and cool leader in Kashmir, is the right choice to take up the issue that it is not the war of ’fanaticism’, but is a matter of religious faith.
Why do a handful of Kashmiri Muslims want to destroy peace and harmony in the state over a matter of just two-months’ shelter to the pilgrims? Would outsiders be able to take it away or purchase the land? The answer is no, due to the Article 370. Then, why make this hue and cry?
Not only are the state leaders and separatists running their shops over the land row but the UPA-led Union government too has not remained untouched by this obsession. It has given a clean chit to 10,000 forest trees to be chopped down to build the Mughal road in Kashmir. But, when 40 hectares of uninhabitable land is handed over to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board to provide better facilities to the Amarnath ’yatra’ pilgrims, all hell breaks loose.
If one goes back to the history, the Mughal road project was stopped during the regime of Indira Gandhi, as the project is strategically and environmentally very sensitive and it impinges on the future security of India. A project, which was stopped by Indira Gandhi, has been cleared by the policy makers of the same Congress, now under an appeasement policy and even this time over the land row they would do the same.
Let us take a hard look at the arguments presented by the locals who opposed the transfer of land. Have they bothered that allotment of land to the Mughal road project would have adversely affected the environment around the area?
One wonders where these tree-hugging environmentalists were when the same government allowed the felling of 10,000 forest trees to build the 89-km long Mughal road. Fourty hectares of land to be used to provide temporary shelters for pilgrims has hardly any forest as compared to the area covered by the Mughal road.
Secondly, the opponents of land transfer consider it the government’s ploy to settle Hindus from outside the state to change the demographics of the Valley.
Other Articles by Sanjay Khajuria
PM's all-party meet: An end to monopoly of Kashmir?
NC-PDP-Cong urge Jammuites to maintain peace
Jammu boils as media faces govt atrocities
Abdullah, Mufti stranded, violence rocks Jammu
Adamancy of Kashmiri leadership over land row
more >> But, this would not be a danger sign as how many Hindus can be accommodated in a small piece of land.
In fact, it is an issue created by the PDP to polarise the vote bank, but, it had never thought it would become a tempest within the cup. Isn’t it a shame that the Congress leaders thumped the desk during the speech of NC leader Omar Abdullah on the trust vote day, who categorically refused to give an inch of land for enhancing the facilities to the pilgrims and saying there is no need for land and new facilities when the pilgrimage has been going on for many years. Perhaps, Omar has forgotten that the hostile environment took toll of 256 lives during the ’yatra’.

No cake in Kashmir, no bread in Jammu

While Kashmiris may have felt a pinch due to the ongoing struggle, it's the people of Jammu, who have been plagued by the artificial scarcity and shortages of food and medicines. But no effort has been made by the authorities to provide relief..

MEDIA IN Jammu and Kashmir and India is full of reports that Kashmir Valley is short of medicines, bare essentials and food items due to the ongoing agitation. But none of them have taken pains to report about the real situation in Jammu, where the state has let loose a reign of terror and agitation has been going on for last 37-days.

Truth must be published and the facts are that while Kashmiris may have felt a pinch due to the ongoing struggle, it’s the people of Jammu, who have been plagued by the artificial scarcity and shortages of food and medicines.

All the supplies of food and other articles of common use have been restricted by the administration. While the curfew has failed to dampen the agitating masses, it has brought misery to the common people of the region.

The heart of the state is bleeding for the poor Kashmiris, but the people of Jammu are being treated as step-children both by the local government and Union of India.
There is shortage of food grains, vegetables, rice and other commodities in all the markets of Jammu, particularly in the city. But no effort has been made by the authorities to provide bare necessities of life to the hapless people.

While Kashmir may have seen shortage of medicines, the situation in Jammu is worse. Police has ensured that no chemist and drug shop remains open and those, which were open earlier have been forcibly closed.

Shortage of cooking gas and kerosene has hit the people very hard and the situation has turned real bad, a local said. “We are being punished for raising our voice and supporting the national mainstream,” he added.

While Jammu is reeling under shortages, the state government is using all its resources and the might of Indian Army to ensure that Kashmir Valley is well fed and well stocked.
Other Articles by jammuwala

“If this is not discrimination, then what is?” asked Onkar, a resident of Jammu, adding there is shortage of medicines and people are suffering for want of the same.
It is pertinent to mention that all exit and entry points to the City of Temples have been blocked. There has been no fresh inflow of food items, milk and vegetables in the city as the administration in its zeal to crush the movement has failed to provide any succour to Jammuites.
“Instead of making a humanitarian gesture and winning the hearts of people, the state has let loose repression,” said Onkar.

What Jammu should do to end Kashmiri imperialism

It is high time that the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti and people of Jammu change their strategy and adopt tactics to ensure the longevity of the agitation, which is nothing but revolutionary.


JAMMU, THE city of temples and it’s people are under siege for opposing the government decision on Amarnath land transfer. The anger of the people is justified and they have resorted to massive protests leading to violence and loss of life of at least five or six persons during the agitation.

However, it is high time that the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti and people of Jammu change their strategy and adopt tactics to ensure the longevity of the agitation, which is nothing but revolutionary.

Amarnath land transfer issue has triggered a mini-revolt in Jammu province, which is akin to the civil disobedience movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930.

If this movement has to sustain and give practical results, then it is high time that the people of Jammu led by SAYSS borrow from Gandhian strategies of boycott and non-violence.

Taking a leaf from Gandhi’s notebook, the people of Jammu should resolve that they will hate and oppose the Kashmiri imperialism and but not the Kashmiris as human beings.

People of Jammu, cutting across party and religious lines should boycott Kashmiri leaders like Muftis, Abdullahs and the separatist leaders. But there should be no hate towards the ordinary Kashmiri people, who have suffered as much at the hands of these autocrats as the people of Jammu.

All official events, in which Kashmiri ministers and bureaucrats are present should be boycotted.
Opposition to Kashmiri bureaucrats, the steel frame of the Kashmir autocracy in the secretariat and outside it will also be a part of the Gandhian strategy. Jammu has been badly discriminated and suppressed by the Kashmiri bureaucracy and it is high time they be told to mind their business.

There shall be no sale of land in Jammu to Kashmiris and the land, which has been sold shall be taken back albeit peacefully. Products sold by Kashmiri elite such as carpets and handicrafts shall be boycotted across the board in Jammu.

Houses and shops will not be rented to Kashmiri elites, who enjoy the winters in Jammu and summers in Kashmir, while the ordinary residents of the state suffer throughout the year.
People of Jammu, especially Hindus, will bear no ill-will towards their Muslim brethren and ensure their safety, while protesting against the state government as well as the centre.

The people shall also oppose peacefully through Satyagrahas and picketing against the state governor NN Vohra. Black flags should be flown atop all houses to tell the government that its suppression will not be tolerated.

One needs to understand that violence and guns offers no solution, even after 20 years of terrorism, Kashmiris have gone no where.

What Jammu wants? An end to Kashmiri imperialism

People of Jammu are not against Kashmiris or Muslims or Kashmiriyat, but against the politics of imperialism practiced by Muftis, Abdullahs and the ilk. The land transfer just gave an opportunity to them to come out and express the pent up anger..

DOES JAMMU want only the land transferred to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) and if this happens, will the matter settle down? Apparantly, this does not seem to be the case.

The Amarnath land transfer is just a symptom of the malaise afflicting the bodypolitic of the state, with all the major stakeholders failing to satisfy the aspirations of Dogras, Kashmiris and Ladakhis, not to speak of the other ethnic and linguistic groups like Gujjars and Paharis.

Right now, what Jammu wants is end to the Kashmiri imperialism, which has been perfected and practiced by the Kashmiri leadership foisted upon the state by union of India.
People of Jammu want an end to the domination of Kashmiris in every sphere of their life. Be it politics, economy, society and culture, the writ of the Kashmir runs in the state and the centre.

The land transfer just gave an opportunity to the people of Jammu to come out and express the pent up anger. However, the people of Jammu are not communal and majority of the people value secularism to the utmost level.

People of Jammu are not against the Kashmiris or Muslims or Kashmiriyat, but they are dead against the politics of imperialism practiced by Muftis, Abdullahs and the ilk.
Barring few incidences that are regrettable, no violence has been perpetrated against our Muslim brothers in Jammu and Kashmir as well.

If Kashmiris can protest against the Indian yoke, the Jammu people have every right to do so. Similarly, the people of Jammu have every right to fight against the yoke put on them by few people and politicians across the Jawahar tunnel.

Jammu, mind you is not against Muslims and Kashmiris, it is against the ideology that upholds the supremacy of everything that is from Kashmir valley.

It is pertinent to mention that during the 14 years of emergency, it is Jammu and its people that have provided the buffer against separatist and anti-India ideology and consequent violence engulfing the state.

Not to be forgotten is the manner, in which Jammuites shared space with the Kashmiri Pandit brothers, who were forced to migrate from Kashmir Valley.