J&K protests: Cops say Azad tied their hands

[Desi Cartman]

SRINAGAR: Situation in Jammu & Kashmir has turned grave with separatist forces hijacking the dispute between state's two regions over the controversial forestland transfer to Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. Governor N N Vohra failed to deal effectively with the row that has divided the state communally and regionally. The top police brass was initially instructed to be mild on the agitators in both Jammu and the Valley. The governor is not alone in mishandling the issue; former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad, too, lost grip over the situation when Kashmiris demanded the revocation of land transfer. The agitators were given a free run as they pelted stones at every passing vehicle including ambulances. A senior police officer said Azad had instructed cops not to impose curfew when it was needed. The separatists hijacked the agitation and constituted a group to spearhead it for nine days across Kashmir. Playing politics with an eye on assembly elections in the state, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's PDP pulled the plug on Azad-led government which further aggravated the situation. Adding fuel to fire, Azad withdrew the land allotment order. The move not only encouraged the separatists in Kashmir but also led to a flare up in Jammu. The BJP got a stick to beat Congress with. The economic blockade emboldened secessionists in Kashmir as essential supplies to the Valley were cut off. They also got an opportunity to exploit north Kashmir's fruit growers who complained about disruption in transportation of their produce to other parts of the country. Members of the association slammed mainstream as well as separatist leaders for taking "political mileage" out of their woes. Association members attacked PDP leader and former minister Dilawar Mir who had gone to meet them at Sopore in Baramulla for chalking out the strategy on Sunday. "We don't want to play politics," said Abdul Rahman Mir, a fruit grower. He said their issue was economic and no political party should poke its nose for petty political gains. Our Muzaffarabad Chalo program is intact. We are ready with our fruit laden trucks to march to Muzaffarabad and we have massive public support," said president of Baramulla Fruit Growers Association, Ghulam Rasool Bhat.

Congress has failed in Kashmir big time.

[prince40]

well congress has screwd up in kashmir since 60 years mate, this isnt the first time

[Desi Cartman]

well congress has screwd up in kashmir since 60 years mate' date=' this isnt the first time[/quote'] but this new issue is breaking all the previous records. Police not allowed to impose curfew when protesters are shouting "India hai hai"

[Guest dada_rocks]

Highway has been clear for vehicle since two days before this muzaffarabad chalo drama erupted..This is all BS.> I say put a bullet in head of each and every leader of hurriyat .. these all ba$tards are yester-year terrorist now are doing the ground work for terrorists

[Desi Cartman]

Govt's policy paralysis may boost separatists' morale This is a good article (even though from TOI). Its sums up the situation and handling of J&K by congress in a good way.

NEW DELHI: The Manmohan Singh government's policy paralysis over the Jammu and Kashmir disturbances is likely to induce the dangerous impression in the troubled state that there was "no one at the helm" at the Centre, encouraging separatist elements to further ratchet up their demands and protests. The absence of any messaging over the Centre's intent to restore its authority and take measures to maintain law and order is being read in the Valley as a sign of weakness. While negotiations remain a distant prospect, measures to signal the resolve to take on mob law and enforce restrictions on assemblies have not been taken. Officials acquainted with the situation point out that protestors are gaining the impression that the political authority can be pushed around and if sufficient trouble on the streets can be whipped up, the government was bound to bend. It could be a matter of time before embers in Jammu flare up again. While Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to address the situation in his address from Red Fort on Friday, as the week draws to a close there has been virtually no follow-up to the all-party delegation's visit to the state and subsequent deliberations conducted by home minister Shivraj Patil. Those who participated in the discussions said Patil failed to offer any sort of a gameplan. Apart from a reporting session on Wednesday, when the PM was briefed by Patil, there has been no move to build consensus on a approach to tackle the situation. Earlier, the Congress leadership had sought to get BJP brass to exert its "influence" in Jammu. BJP leaders made the point that some redressal would have to be offered to the Jammu agitators, and while these exchanges were proceeding, Valley separatists struck. It was, said officials, too juicy a bone for separatists and their Pakistani handlers to ignore. Ramping up sentiments over a blockade of the Valley suited their purpose even as the government failed completely to communicate that the roads were open and there was, in fact, very little fruit and other produce that needed to be moved out of the Valley. Now, the near normalcy of J&K politics has been shattered by Hurriyat and PDP propaganda. Even as the home ministry blundered on, the government's objectives looked limited to waiting for the Amarnath yatra drawing to a close and the problem being deferred till the next year. Then, apart from drawing the obvious conclusion that J&K polls be put off, government has been comatose. Sometimes the PM is expected to announce a committee or call yet another all-party meeting. It is felt that though PDP clearly played an irresponsible role in stoking separatist fires, Congress should have been more watchful. As assembly elections approached, it was clear that the two distrustful partners would look to pull a fast one on each other. As it happened, PDP disowned its support for the transfer of land for Amarnath pilgrims and left Congress quite gasping. The developments have presented Pakistan an opportunity to both drive the agenda in Kashmir, make a din over the "repression" of Kashmiri Muslims at the hands of Indian forces and also turn some of the focus away from its own role in fuelling terrorism in J&K and Afghanistan.

This is why I hate congress, they have done NOTHING at all

[Desi Cartman]

Mr PM's said below about the J&K problem

The recent incidents in the state of Jammu and Kashmir are a cause for concern. In this hour of crisis, divisive politics will lead us nowhere. I appeal to all political parties to keep the long-term interests of Jammu and Kashmir in view and come together to find a permanent solution to the problems of the state. The sacred shrine of Shri Amar Nath inspires all Indians to march together. This shrine is a shining example of our secular tradition, where Hindu pilgrims have been looked after for years by their Muslim brothers. Issues related to this sacred place, especially the issue of providing the best possible facilities to pilgrims, can only be resolved in an atmosphere of peace and goodwill. Dividing people in the name of religion can complicate these issues further which can also pose a threat to the unity and integrity of the country. I appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to cooperate with us in establishing peace in the state. It is my conviction that all issues can be resolved only through dialogue and peaceful means.

[Guest dada_rocks]

same old PC bull crap by manmohan singh... if he didn;t want divisive politics then the recommendation of a commission which went through the case for years should not have been abolished just becaue few morons from the valley started shouting.. Manmohan basically showed his weak knee by succumbing to this tantrum thereby telling everyone else if you want to be heard please respond in kind

[Desi Cartman]

our PM is actually helping swing voters decide ! I am not a big fan of BJP either but handling of Kashmir affair has crossed all boundaries. BTW can someone tell me why was the other thread closed "Flag burnt in Kashmir" or something like that ... I wanted to post but kisnay band kura and why ? Anyway, here is my response to flag burning... Will pak ever accept these pro-pak Kashmiris as migrants without any land ? just like KP settled in Rest of India or is it about land. :finger:

[Guest dada_rocks]

I say stop grant and opne the border for trade let us see how long they survive