http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100223/j&k.htm#4
Business house funding protests in valley: Omar
Tribune News Service
Jammu, February 22
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today took digs at the Hurriyat, the BJP and the PDP on their arguments over the incidents of stone-throwing and the new surrender policy.
He claimed a major business house in the valley was providing funds for stone-throwing incidents. The government agencies had also intercepted calls from across the border and SMSs by some Hurriyat Conference leaders, encouraging the youth to pelt security forces with stones, he said.
He called upon all to also see security personnel’s point of view, who were suffering eye and facial injuries in stone-throwing incidents.
Accusing the BJP of hypocrisy, he asked why the party opposed the surrender policy in Jammu and Kashmir, but not in Punjab. He expressed these views in an exclusive interview to Jupinderjit Singh. Following are the excerpts:
Q: The PDP today accused the government saying youths were killed in the valley due to its “bullet for stone” policy.
Omar: We have no such policy. Instead of dramatising such a situation, Mehbooba Mufti should try to look at the issue from the security forces’ point of view too. It is unfortunate that someone was injured, but do they realise that hundreds of security personnel have suffered eye and facial injuries due to stones thrown and even catapulted at the speed of 80 kmph? That is nothing less than a bullet.
Still, the security forces use maximum restraint and reply with tear gas shells, which may cause injuries to some persons.
Look, I don’t absolve myself of the responsibility. I feel partly responsible as the Chief Minister but we have to understand that the security forces don’t go out there and shoot people or injure them. The protesters and those encouraging them will have to understand that when you engage security forces you have to be ready for the consequences.
Q: It has been reported that Pakistan was funding stone-throwing incidents. The CPRF, Special DG, also said this recently.
Omar: There is a nexus of leaders, businessmen and youths behind such incidents. A high-level investigation is on into the role of a major business house in the valley that was allegedly providing money for such incidents. We have arrested some youths and kerosene dealers. It won’t be appropriate for me to divulge further details right now.
I would also like to stress that not all youths take to stone-throwing for money. Some are driven by ideology also. We have intercepted calls from across the border as well as SMSs from Hurriyat leaders, encouraging the youth to indulge in stone-throwing. I can’t give more details at this point.
Q: What happened to the quiet diplomacy?
Omar: Unfortunately, it has gone quiet. The process was on but after meeting the Pakistan high commission in Delhi, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq’s statement changed. However, now, as the dialogue process with Pakistan has resumed, I hope there will be some development.
Q: There is quite a storm over the new surrender policy for militants. The BJP is opposing it. Your comments?
Omar: See, it is very important to understand that we already have a surrender policy. It is for those who were engaged in terror activities in the state, but have shunned the path of violence and want to return to the mainstream. But we are now talking of a rehabilitation policy for those youths who went for training across the border and want to return. If they have to surrender, they should come to the Border and lay down arms.
But many are reaching the state on fake passports via Nepal etc. We are trying to work out a transparent system to know who and how many are coming and offer to rehabilitate them.
Even for a moment if we see it as a surrender policy, I note that the BJP opposes it when we talk about it in Jammu and Kashmir, but when the Punjab CM demands it, the BJP, being its ally there, remains silent. This is hypocrisy. The BJP needs to come clean on the issue. If they are opposing it, they should start it from Chandigarh.
Q: Those opposing it also argue that the government wants to rehabilitate militants, but has failed to rehabilitate the Kashmiri Pandits.
Omar: We have never absolved ourselves from the responsibility towards the Kashmir Pandits. The process for their return to the valley is already under way. The valley is incomplete without them. We have opened 3,000 job options for them and nearly 15,000 applications have been received. The opening and reconstruction of temples in the valley is already an indication of changed times. Transit accommodations have been arranged for them.
Regarding the success of the policy, I feel that at least we should first create a policy. Why do we all talk that the policy would be a failure? Why don’t we say that let us give it a chance? India and Pakistan relations may improve and it will be unfortunate if we don’t have a policy.
Q: What are the important Bills you are pressing for in the Budget session.
Omar: Among the most significant are: The Electricity Bill and the Domestic Violence Bill. The state has the worst record of losing 72 per cent of power in transmission and distribution. The annual losses hover around Rs 2,500 cr. Time has come for all of us to pay for electricity. Power theft has to be checked and there has to be complete metering.
The Bill on domestic violence would go a long way in empowering the women.
Q: There are reports that the Home Ministry is upset over clearance to so many prepaid phone connections after the ban was lifted. Is this dangerous?
Omar: Yes, this is an issue. The telecom companies have to realise their responsibility and scrutinise the cases carefully. Otherwise, not only will they suffer losses, but I am afraid the ban may be re-imposed.
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PDP leaders tear gassed,cane-charged
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service
Jammu, February 22
Senior PDP leaders, including party president Mehbooba Mufti, had to face tear gas shells and a mild cane-charge here today when they were protesting against the coalition government for alleged increase in human right violations in the state and the prise rise.
It was the first day of the Assembly session and the PDP first raised the issues during Governor NN Vohra’s joint address to both houses and then protested after the conclusion of the day’s proceedings. The party leaders gathered on the Samadhian road and started moving towards the Civil Secretariat with vegetables in their hands to mark their protest against the prise rise. Despite prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC, the PDP leaders marched towards the high security Civil Secretariat, forcing the police to take action against them.
The police lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to a cane-charge to disperse the protesters. A few protesters received minor injuries. However no one was reported to be severely injured in the police action.
Mehbooba, while addressing a public gathering in Raghunath market later, said, “The government is showing zero tolerance towards those raising human right issues and this can’t be tolerated. We will continue our protest to raise the concerns of the people of the state.”
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