News Watch 1 | Page 14

Kishtwar, Doda defy separatists' bandh call

Nationalist Vs anti- nationalists

(1st death anniversary of Afzal Guru)

Asif Iqbal Naik

Kishtwar Feb 9:- The people of Kishtwar and Doda District of Jammu province having the majority of Muslim community today defied the state wide bandh call given by the various valley based separatist organizations on the eve of the first death anniversary of the parliament convict Afzal Guru. All the business establishment belonging to both the communities remained open today despite being the Sunday and no report of any protest in favour of Guru was reported from any part of the twin Districts. District administrations of Doda and Kishtwar had made elaborated security arrangements to thwart any untoward incident particularly in Kishtwar District that has witnessed worst ever communal clashes on August 9 last year. As per a senior police officer, the security in Kishtwar District will remain on alert for few more days till the normalcy returned in the valley. "We are fully prepare to deal with the violators of law--- no one will be allowed to destabilize or vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of Kishtwar District that has witnessed normalcy after unfortunate communal clashes" said the officer.

Source:

http://earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=122314

Screening of movie on JKLF founder cancelled

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 7

Local film maker’s body ‘Footsteps’ has cancelled the screening of ‘Maqbool’, a documentary film made on the life of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, who was hanged on February 11, 1984, in Tihar Jail.

The Footsteps films in its handout said following objections made by the state authorities, the screening of the film, which was scheduled for February 8, had been cancelled.

“It is regrettably informed that the special screening of the film, ‘Maqbool’, which was scheduled to be screened on February 8 at Hotel Lala Rukh, Lal Chowk, has been cancelled due to objections by the state authorities,” the statement read.

“We were informed on Friday morning by the Lal Rukh Hotel management that they have been informed by the police to cancel the booking of the film screening,” it added.

Maqbool, is a documentary film based on the life of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front founder Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, produced by Footsteps films, which is a group of young film-makers. The city has already been put on high security alert in the wake of the forthcoming death anniversaries of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat.

Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140208/j&k.htm#8

JKLF march foiled, Malik, others arrested

YUSRA HUSSAIN

SRINAGAR, Feb 9: Amid curfew, JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was arrested along with others at Maisuma here when he was leading a protest march towards Lal Chowk.

The protest march was in support of the demand by JKLF for the return of mortal remains of Mohammad Afzal Guru and Mohammad Maqbool Butt.

The party had announced some days back to take out the march. Subsequently police had arrested a number of JKLF leaders and activists. Raids were being conducted at their offices and residences.

However, Malik had gone underground to evade the arrest. Police continued conducting raids to arrest him but did not succeed. Yesterday, he had announced in a statement that the march would be taken out at any cost.This morning at around 11.30 AM, the JKLF chairman along with his supporters appeared at the curfew bound Maisuma. With banners and placards in their hands, they raised pro freedom and pro Guru and pro butt slogans.

Malik led the march. As the march started moving towards Lal Chowk, the police and paramilitary personnel swung into action. They stopped the march. The JKLF leaders and activists tried to resist but the cops arrested them. Besides Malik, Noor Mohammad Kalwal, Mushtaq Ajmal and Ashraf bin Salam were also taken into custody.

Reinforcement of police and paramilitary forces was rushed to the affected area. People defied curfew restrictions and held protest demonstrations. Some protestors pelted stones on police. The demonstrators were chased by cops.

Malik addressed media for some time before the march. He said the call for Lal Chowk march was given in support of the demand for the return of mortal remains of Butt and Guru.

He alleged that government of India committed the murder of judiciary 30 years back by hanging Butt. “The country claiming to be the tallest democracy of the world acted like Chengis Khan and Hitler. Butt sahib was denied a last meeting with his family members. He was buried inside the Tihar jail premises,” JKLF chairman said.

He stated that another judicial murder was committed last year when Guru was hanged. “Guru sahib too was denied a last meeting with his family and he too was buried in the same jail premises,” JKLF chairman stated.

He said that Kashmiris are demanding the mortal remains of Butt for last 30 years. “Now since last year, they are also demanding the moral remains of Guru also,” Malik said.

JKLF chairman alleged that government of India by hanging Butt and Guru and then not handing over their bodies to their respective families have resorted to illegal and unethical ways.” By doing so, they have broken all records of suppression and oppression,” he said.

Malik added that government, with such measures, cannot break the will of Kashmiri people.

Source:

http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=28737

14