NOK Desk

News

Engineer Rashid Addresses Supporters in Baramulla, Calls for End to Tihar Imprisonment and Kashmir Resolution

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As he arrived in Srinagar on Thursday morning, Engineer Rashid, the parliamentarian and leader of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), showed his gratitude for returning to his homeland by bowing to the ground.

The MP for north Kashmir then proceeded to Baramulla, where thousands of his supporters, primarily young people, eagerly awaited his arrival and address. True to form, Rashid delivered his speech amid enthusiastic cheers and loud slogans from the crowd, which often drowned out his words. He had to repeatedly urge his supporters to remain calm to ensure his message could be heard.

Rashid began by expressing his appreciation to the people of north Kashmir for their overwhelming support in the recent Lok Sabha elections, held earlier this year while he was imprisoned.

He called for an end to the imprisonment of Kashmiris in Tihar Jail and urged the central government to resolve the Kashmir issue once and for all. “Stop sending us to Tihar, resolve Kashmir’s issue,” he declared, as his supporters echoed his call.

He asserted that the vote he received in the Lok Sabha elections was not a personal endorsement but a rejection of the ‘Naya Kashmir’ model promoted by the Narendra Modi-led central government, particularly the decisions of August 5, 2019, when Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was revoked and the state was restructured into two separate Union Territories.

According to Rashid, Modi’s ‘Naya Kashmir’ represents UAPA, injustice, and oppression. “The vote for me was a vote against Modi’s ‘Naya Kashmir’, against his decisions of August 5, 2019,” he said.

Rashid also criticised PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and her late father, accusing them of betrayal greater than that of Sheikh Abdullah. He claimed that their actions paved the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to gain influence in J&K. He suggested that if Mehbooba had any integrity, she would apologise for allying with the BJP after they had ended the government.

He further stated that if Mehbooba and Omar Abdullah could present a clear plan to restore Kashmir’s former status, he would instruct all his candidates to withdraw their forms.

On the topic of Omar Abdullah, vice president of the JKNC, Rashid remarked that Abdullah’s act of removing his skull cap to seek votes was unnecessary if he had addressed the concerns of Kashmiris following the August 5, 2019 decisions.

Rashid concluded his speech by requesting his supporters not to welcome him or his party members with garlands, urging them instead to show humility.

News

Cocoon Auction at Pulwama, Director Sericulture and Additional Director kashmir visits Market

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Mr.Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, IAS, Director Sericulture J&K, conducted a comprehensive visit of the Cocoon Auction Market at Pulwama to assess the ongoing auction proceedings for the cocoon crop produced by the Silkworm Rearers of District Pulwama.

The event witnessed the participation of cocoon growers and buyers from both local and outside of the U.T of J&K.During the visit, Mr. Bhat reviewed the progress of the auction process and interacted with cocoon growers and buyers.

He emphasized the importance of ensuring transparency and efficiency in the auction process to provide the best possible returns to the Silkworm Rearers.He also expressed satisfaction with the quality of cocoons produced this season and appreciated the efforts of the Rearers and departmental staff in maintaining disease-free rearing conditions.

In his address, the Director stressed the need for all stakeholders to leverage the benefits of various schemes and facilities provided by the department.These include technical support, distribution of disinfectants for disease-free silkworm rearing, provision of rearing tool kits, and financial assistance for the construction of rearing sheds in a phased manner.

He highlighted the importance of these facilities in improving the productivity and quality of cocoons and ensuring sustainable income for the farmers.

Mr. Bhat also underscored the department’s commitment to ensuring that all ongoing projects, particularly the construction of rearing sheds, are completed before the onset of the winter season. He urged the officers to expedite the process and ensure that the beneficiaries receive the necessary support on time.

It is imperative that all rearing sheds are completed well before winter to provide proper shelter for silkworm rearing and safeguard the livelihoods of our farmers,” he said.The visit also provided an opportunity for interaction between cocoon growers and buyers, facilitating better market linkages and encouraging competitive bidding.

The presence of buyers from outside the region further boosted the prospects of favourable returns for the rearers.The Cocoon Auction Market at Pulwama serves as a crucial platform for the trade of high-quality cocoons, produced by hardworking silkworm rearers of the district.

The department, under the leadership of Mr. Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, IAS continues to work towards the betterment of the sericulture sector in J&K, ensuring that farmers receive the best possible support and infrastructure for their growth and development.

The Director assured the stakeholders that the department will continue to prioritize the interests of silkworm farmers by providing them with necessary training, tools, and financial assistance to improve their production capacity and marketability.

The Director Sericulture J&K was accompanied by the Additional Director, Sericulture Development Department, Kashmir, Projector Executive Officer, Kashmir, District Sericulture Officer, Pulwama/ Shopian and  other Officers of the Department.

News

Finaly Er Rasheed Reached Kashmir After 5 Years

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Member of Parliament for North Kashmir Engineer Rashid, who was released from Tihar jail on Wednesday after being granted bail in a terror funding case, Thursday landed in Srinagar and right away bowed on the road to thank Almighty.

He asserted that his fight was much bigger than the one being fought by Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.

Soon after landing in Srinagar after a gap of five years, Rashid,  bowed down on the main road, kissed the road and also broke down.

“This is my land,” he said, talking to reporters. Asked about allegations levelled against him by Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, Er Rashid said: “I am fighting the battle which Omar and Mehbooba can’t fight. My fight is much bigger than these two.”

He said he wants self respect, peace with dignity and not the peace of the graveyard. “I will fight for my people who punctured Prime Minister Narendera Modi’s claims of Naya Kashmir through their votes,” he said. Er Rashid headed for Baramulla district where he will address a gathering. He has been released on an interim bail by the Delhi court till October 2—(KNO)

News

In South Kashmir’s Shopian High Density Apple Trees Damaged by Unidentified Persons

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On the intervening night of Tuesday-Wednesday at least 200 small apple trees were felled by unidentified persons in Awend village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, reports said.

Quoting officials, news agency GNS reported that the trees, belonging to Mohd Shafi Bhat, son of Gh Mohi-u-Din Bhat, a resident of Awend, were a crucial source of livelihood for the owner.The Shopian Police have registered an FIR under relevant sections of the law and launched an initial investigation.

A team from the police department, led by SSP Shopian have gone to the crime scene for a preliminary inspection.Commenting on the incident, DC Shopian stated: “This is a grave offense that affects the livelihood of a hardworking farmer. We are committed to ensuring swift justice. The police are actively pursuing leads, and those responsible will be apprehended soon.”Authorities have assured the community that the victim will receive all necessary support.

Politics

I will fight PM Modi’s narrative of Naya Kashmir: MP Er Rashid

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er rashid

After being released from Tihar Jail on interim bail, Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, says, “I will not let down my people. I take a pledge that I will fight PM Modi’s narrative of ‘Naya Kashmir’, which has failed totally in J&K. People have rejected whatever he did on 5th August 2019.”

He also said, “I am committed to working for the welfare of my people. We are not going to get scared. My fight is bigger than what Omar Abdullah says. His fight is for the chair, my fight is for the people. I am a victim of BJP, I will fight against PM Modi’s ideology till my last breath…I am coming to Kashmir to unite my people not to divide them.”

News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise to the people of Kashmir: Sajad Lone

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sajad lone

Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC) chairman Sajjad Gani Lone on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise to the people of Kashmir and adopt an “Indian-ness” policy to bring them into the mainstream.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Lone stated that the BJP’s current approach in Kashmir is counterproductive. “The problem is that the BJP has a BJP policy in Kashmir. Through that BJP policy, they get votes across the country but they don’t have an India policy in Kashmir, for Indian-ness to get Kashmiris into the mainstream,” he said.

When asked what the BJP could do to address this issue, Lone emphasised the importance of an apology from the Prime Minister.

“The Prime Minister should apologise to the people of Kashmir and say that inadvertently, maybe, we might have done things that might have humiliated you. We might have done things that might have hurt you. We did it unintentionally. He should assure them that they are an integral part of India, it would make a significant difference. Give us another chance. And I’m telling you, if you (PM) use these words, everything will be fine. What you need are words,” he said.

Regarding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Lone clarified that it can only be achieved through parliamentary action.

“See, statehood can only be restored by the Parliament. We can’t. And I think there should be a policy for all the people who are elected that beyond a certain time, if they don’t give us state back, then we should stop. We should leave the assembly. There is no point in being a part of an assembly, which is humiliation. I think one year or two years or six months or three months after that, we should all en masse resign and leave,” Sajjad Lone said.

He further pushed his demand to restore statehood and warned that if the Centre fails to meet their demands, they will not be a part of this assembly.

“This will be our political response; that’s fine if you don’t want to give us; we don’t want to be a part of this assembly. Because this will make people think that we are not delivering. That I think we should not do. We should not betray our people beyond a certain time. If we don’t get statehood, there should be a clear unanimity that we should then leave. This is what I believe,” he added.

The JKPC chief also highlighted the importance of statehood for economic development in Kashmir.

“We can only work towards an economic Kashmir if we have statehood, because without it, there is very little you can do. You can’t pass money bills; you can’t pass anything,” he said.

In August 2019, the government of India abrogated Article 370, effectively ending J-K’s special status and reorganising into two Union Territories (UTs) — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC) chairman Sajad Gani Lone said on Tuesday that all the politicians of Jammu and Kashmir were brushed aside after the abrogation of Article 370.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, he said, “We do not matter. Well, post-2019, no Jammu and Kashmir politician has actually mattered. They have been put on the sidelines. It is a total bureaucracy. There is an administration bereft of any politicians. Remotely, no person elected by the people is anywhere there.”

“You won’t believe it. Even for normal functions like Republic Day functions and Independence Day functions, they don’t invite politicians anymore. So there is literally political apartheid for the last, what, five years. For all political parties. It’s not specifically for one political party,” he said.

He stated that the BJP-ruled Centre’s decision to relegate the status of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories was the worst type of humiliation and he felt very bad about it.

“I actually, you know, believe that they should not have removed Article 370. I believe they should not have removed Article 35A. And the worst type of humiliation was relegating one of the most powerful states in India, an economically and politically empowered state in India, to a UT. And I feel very bad about it. As an inhabitant of this erstwhile state of J&K, I feel very bad,” Lone said.

He further said that when Article 370 was abrogated, they were the first party to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court while being in jail.

“I was in jail like all others when Article 370 was abrogated. From the jail, we were the first party to go and file a case in the court; you know, challenge it in the Supreme Court,” Lone added.

In August 2019, the government of India abrogated Article 370, effectively ending Jammu and Kashmir J&K’s special status and reorganising into two Union Territories (UTs) — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls will be held in three phases on September 18, 25 and October 1.

There are a total number of 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 7 seats are reserved for SCs and 9 seats are reserved for STs.

According to the Election Commission of India, Jammu and Kashmir has 88.06 lakh eligible electors. These are the first assembly elections to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. (ANI)

News

Temporary Relief for Er Rashid, Delhi Court Grants Interim Bail For Him Till Oct 2

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Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid

A Delhi court on Tuesday granted interim bail till October 2 to Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid in a terror funding case.Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, defeated former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Baramulla.

Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh granted the relief to Rashid, who had moved the court seeking interim bail to campaign in the upcoming Jammu & Kashmir assembly elections.On July 5, the court had granted Rashid custody parole to take the oath as a member of the Lok Sabha

Rashid has been in jail since 2019 after he was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2017 terror funding case.He is lodged in Tihar jail.The court has reserved for tomorrow its order on his regular bail application.

Rashid’s name cropped up in the case during the investigation of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was arrested by the NIA for allegedly funding terrorist groups and separatists in the Kashmir valley.

The NIA had filed a charge sheet against several people, including Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, in the case.Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court in 2022 after he pleaded guilty to the charges.

Politics

Ajaz Guru Brother of Afzal Guru to contest elections from Sopore

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Azfal Guru’s brother, Ajaz Ahmad Guru has said that he will be contesting elections as an independent candidate from north Kashmir’s Sopore seat.Afzal Guru was hanged in 2013 after being convicted in the 2001 Parliament attack.

Ajaz Guru (58) had voluntarily retired from the Animal Husbandry department in 2014, is presently working as a contractor. Hindustan Times reported that Guru will probably submit his form on Tuesday or Wednesday. The last day for filing the nomination is Thursday.

Although he said that he has a different ideology as compared to hanged brother, he said, he will fight for those youths, who he said have been arrested in fabricated cases by the J&K police, including his son Shoaib. He said, “Shoaib was arrested nine-months ago by police in a fabricated case.”

Citing the jailed parliamentarian’s victory in recently held Lok Sabha Elections, Ajaz said that if Er Rashid’s son can campaign for their jailed father, “why can’t I campaign to prove that my son didn’t do anything wrong. He studies in Pune.”

He said, he will highlight the cases of other innocents who are in jail on false charges.

Afzal Guru was hanged and buried in Tihar on February 9, 2013, after being convicted for the 2001 attack on Parliament. He was hanged for his role, triggering mass protests in the Valley. His body was not handed over to his family in north Kashmir’s Sopore town and was instead buried inside the jail premises. Activists and people in Kashmir have been critical of the hanging.Afzal is survived by his wife who live separately in Baramulla town.

Ajaz Guru, however, said he won’t seek votes in the name of his brother. “My ideology is different. I believe that the people of Kashmir were betrayed by every political leader, some in the name of autonomy, self rule, and some in the name of ‘Azadi’. Everybody betrayed the people of Kashmir,” he said.

Sopore was considered a stronghold of separatist leader and Jamaat ideologue Syed Ali Geelani, and voters stayed away from polling in the past few decades.

That changed in the recent Lok Sabha elections, with more than 44% registering their choice in the Sopore assembly segment.

News

Gangabal yatra from Naranag base camp in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district begins

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The authorities on Tuesday flagged off annual Gangabal yatra from Naranag base camp in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

An official told that deputy commissioner Ganderbal, who was accompanied by SSP Ganderbal and other officers flagged off the yatra today morning.

He said that yatra will reach Gangbal, at an altitude of 14500 feet, by evening, while special puja was held at the base camp

Meanwhile, Kashmiri Pandits residing in different parts of the country thronged Naranag to participate in the annual yatra

The yatra is being organised by by Harmukh Ganga Gangbal Trust with arrangements made by district administration and the concerned departments—(KNO)