The Varmul PostVolume: 01 | Issue: 05 | 5th - 12th December 2014 | Pages: 08 | English Weekly | Rs. 3/-

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Carrying forward the enthusiasm from Phase-1, voters voted in large numbers in the second phase of assembly elections covering 18 constituencies in five districts of the state resulting to 72% of polling.One village decided to stay away from the polling booth and did not cast a single vote.

FULL REPORT ON PAGE 4 & 5.

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Aerial firing in Palhallanafter youth attack PDP rallyPolice resorted to aerial firing and teargas shelling after

youth attacked Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Palhal-lan area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

According to eyewitnesses youth stormed the participants of PDP rally at Palhallan near Misra Gali when they were com-ing from Pattan. “The youths attacked them with stones, fire pots and roughed up many. They smashed glasses of vehicles which were part of the rally,” they said.

The witnesses said that in the meanwhile, police arrived on the spot and resorted to aerial firing and teargas shelling to disperse the protesters.

“After police action, clashes started between youth and forces at Aram Mohalla,” they said. The clashes were going on for almost an hour.

Kashmir CRPF man dies in Naxal attack

Among the 14 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) who were killed in a Naxal ambush in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Monday, one jawan hails from North Kashmir’s Pattan area of Baramulla district.

Muhammad Shafi Bhat son of Mehrajuddin Bhat resident of Buran Pattan, according to his family, had joined CRPF ranks six years ago and since then he performed his duties at different parts of India. “We were informed by police officials that Mu-hammad Shafi has also been one of the victims of Naxal violence,” said the father of Bhat.

Pertinently, Maoists on Monday unleashed a major attack killing 14 CRPF personnel, including two officers, and injuring 12 others. The attack took place when CRPF personnel were returning to their camp.

Geelani calls for shutdown on December 8, 9

Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani Tuesday called for complete shutdown on December 8 and 9 against the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jammu and Kashmir and the elections in Budgam, Pulwama and Baramulla. In his appeal to business community, transporters, and employees he urged to cooperate and make shut down call a success on December 8.

CRPF man killed, 7 injured in Pulwama grenade attack

A paramilitary CRPF man was killed and two police men and equal number of CRPF personnel and three civilians injured in a grenade explosion in Pahoo village of this South Kashmir district. Police sources said CRPF men, who were on duty near the bridge in Pahoo village, came under attack when suspected militants hurled a hand grenade towards them.

The Pulwama district is slated to go to polls on December 9 in third phase of assembly elections. Security has been beefed

up in the area ahead of the polls.

Garments printed with Arabic letters cause stir in Mumbai

Tension loomed over Malad after hundreds of residents from the local Muslim community swarmed outside a garment unit to protest against its products that had “hurt their sentiments”. The offending products women’s nightwear inscribed with the Arabic alphabet were declared derogatory and insensitive to Muslims, and were seized by the police, in order to the control the situation.

Boycott posters appear in Sopore

Militant outfits like Jamiat-ul-Mujhadeen and Al-Shohda Brigade have allegedly put up posters at different places in Sopore town and have asked people to refrain from poll process. Number of posters has appeared in Batapora and main Chowk of the town which read that an attempt on part of a person to cast vote is a move to disgrace ongoing freedom struggle in Kashmir. The sensitive and restive constituencies including Baramulla, Sangrama, Sopore and Pattan will go to polls in the third phase on December 9. (CNS)

Six Militants, Army Officer Killed

The encounter between the suspected militants and forces personnel which started on Wednesday ended with the killing of one more militant and an army officer, sources said.

Six militants and a junior commissioned officer of army are among the killed. Sources said that four forces personnel includ-ing an army major are among the injured who are being treated at Srinagar’s army hospital.

Five militants were killed on Tuesday when according to defence sources a group of militants tried to infiltrate in the Nowgam sector of Kupwara district.

Defence sources said, “The operation has ended as all the six infiltrators have been gunned down.”

The encounter had started in Kupwara in northern Kashmir on Tuesday, hours after voters turned out in large numbers to cast their vote in the second phase of assembly elections.

“One soldier and five militants were killed and four wound-ed yesterday,” sources said adding another militant body was found on Wednesday.”

Srinagar and Leh Witness Coldest Night of the Season

Srinagar and Leh witnessed the coldest night of the season so far as the cold wave tightened its grip further in Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region with the minimum temperatures remain- ing several degrees below the f reez - ing point.

Sri- nagar re-corded a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, the lowest so far this season, a spokes- man of the M e T Department said.

The f a m o u s tourist resort of Pahal- gam re-corded a low of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius, while the world famous ski-resort of Gulmarg, in north, registered a low of 2.4 degrees Celsius.

The mercury in Qazigund - the gateway town to Kashmir Valley - settled at a low of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, while the nearby Kokernag town registered a minimum of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius.

The night temperature in Kupwara, in north Kashmir, reg-istered a low of minus 2.0 degrees Celsius. Leh also witnessed

the season’s coldest night as the minimum temperature in the frontier town settled at a low of minus 12.6 degrees Celsius, while the mercury in the nearby

Kargil town recorded a low of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius. Kashmir division continues to remain under the influence of a cold wave as the weather continues to remain dry.

VHAI observed World Aids Day

Voluntary Health Association of India and JK Voluntary Health Association under ‘Axshaya Project for TB Care and Control’ observed the World Aids Day at Kashmir B. Ed. College Sopore Baram-ulla. Deputy CMO Baramulla Dr Muham-mad Ramzan was the chief guest and BMO Sopore Dr Syed Masood was the guest of honor. In the program, the stu-dents spoke on the topics of HIV/AIDS. A play was also performed by the s t u d e n t s . T h e speakers highlighted the purpose of ob- serving World AIDS Day. They said, “It is a time when we pause to celebrate com- munity, our diversity, and our shared progress in the global fight against HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It is a time when we stand in solidar-ity with people who are living with and affected by HIV, and a time when we commemorate those who we have lost in the fight.”

Not a single vote polled in Bugam, Kulgam

At a time, when long queues of voters were seen in many parts of the Kulgam district on Tuesday, village Bugam sets an e x a m p l e where people completely shunned away from polls and casted not a single vote.

Bugam which had a total of 2912 registered vot-ers, preferred to go with the separat ist poll boycott despite their fellow residents in other parts of the district participated in poll process in huge numbers.

“ W e have always opted for boycott. We will not vote this time as well,” said a group of local youth here adding that “We are not going to vote for these oppressors. We will stick to the poll-boycott call of Geelani sahab.”

The residents here allege that security forces harass them by arresting youth. “Seven youth were detained by the security forces in the early morning in our village. Army has been called but we will not vote at any cost,” said Basharat Ahmad.

At four polling stations in Bugam, till late 3:30 pm, not a single vote was polled and the area wore a tense look.

The Varmul Post 5-12th December 2014 P/2NEWS

Daanish Bin Nabi

Sopore known for 3Rs – Rab, Rrood and Roupiye – has always been a spike in the eyes of Indian states, as it is always in news for its anti-government activities. This capricious town once known as Cho-ta-London where every new fashion trend emerged has gradually evolved with po-litical consciousness gaining every inch here. Today, it is the hub of “pro-freedom” activities and an anti-government bas-tion. The explosive town in total shambles with factually zero percent development and no proper roads or drainage system remains the trading centre of entire north Kashmir without which trade is not pos-sible in that part of Kashmir. The town has also one of the largest fruit trade centre known for its famous apple production. Lo-cals in Sopore allege that had they not been wealthy enough the government would have starved the local population to death. Bashir Ahmad Bhat an agriculture officer by profession says “Its Allah’s will that we still are alive and it’s our orchards which keep us alive. Government always looks for excuses for the people of Sopore to take revenge from us because of our pro-free-dom stand.” Sopore is the strong citadel of Syed Ali Geelani, the seasoned Hurriyat leader who also represented Sopore three times in legislative assembly. In fact he remains the elected leader to garner the highest number of votes in the history of this volatile town.

Elections and Sopore Sopore has always remained the hot-bed

of Kashmir politics with strong presence of Jamaat-e-Islami. Sopore was once the hub of every mainstream party including Jamaat-e-Islami with its star campaigner Syed Ali Geelani campaigning for the party. However, all this changed with the death of Sheikh Abdullah and burning of his posters by the young youth which in-cluded Mohammad Yasin Malik. It is whispered that every anti-government protest which has erupted so far has its genesis from this “pro-freedom” bastion. The people of Sopore have seen both the golden era of 70s and 80s as well as the turbulent times of 90s. However, this time the people of this turbulent town face di-lemma of whether to cast their vote or again to lead in boycotting the elections with majority of people in the town saying that how it matters for the people here who will win this seat. A local shopkeeper Tariq Bhat says, “All the mainstream parties are same for us and it makes very little differ-ence to us who becomes MLA of this area as nothing will change the ground realities. Let it be a BJP candidate this time.” Voting or boycotting again means little for the people of Sopore. People of this town still have to face discrimination from the gov-ernment. But if they boycott again this time there are abundant chances that a BJP Hindu candidate can come to power. “If a BJP candidate wins it will be a disgrace

for us Soporians,” says Sideeq Ahmad Shah, a student graduating from Sopore Degree College. On asking him whether he is going to vote, the young lad in chaste Kashmir said, “Meyn Bedbaban te trauv ne vote emen Hindustan pasand party yen te be kya travi (even my grandfather has not voted for these pro India party, how can I vote). Statistics so far show that if Soporians boycott the soon to be held as-sembly elections BJP would win this resist-ing town which will boost BJP’s strength manifold in Jammu and Kashmir. Sopore’s power house, the Trader Federation Sopore president Mohammad Ashraf Ganai says ours is a non-political amalgam and cannot comment on the emergence of BJP in So-pore. However, he says “my own views are that there should be a boycott of the elections as people of Sopore have always been doing.” Meanwhile, there are reports that while BJP was eyeing to win the

volatile Sopore assembly segment with the help of migrant votes, the party has failed to field any candidate from the con-stituency. Ramesh Arora, state vice-pres-ident of BJP and in-charge, Kashmir, which they have decided not to field any candidate in certain constituencies. The party’s me-dia relation team had built hype around the Sopore assembly seat which, it said, was likely to grab with the help of migrant Kashmiri Pandit votes. Reports also says that BJP has decided not to field any can-didate as they want to support the parties with whom there is a possibility of post-poll alliance. Deputy Commissioner Baram-ulla, Farooq Ahmad Lone, confirmed that no BJP candidate has filed nomination papers from Sopore. “Nomination of seven independents were rejected out of 23 and there are 16 candidates in fray from Sopore now,” he said. It seems intriguing as to why BJP has decided to not to contest from Sopore. But it has not completely left it out. Since it had extended a rope of friend-ship to Peoples Conference leader Sajjad Lone, it is likely to support his candidate. Moreover, interesting part is that the Lan-gate MLA Abdur Rashid Sheikh aka Engr Rashid has also not fielded any candidate from Sopore. For last six years Rashid had been boasting about Sopore being his sec-ond possible destination for win. But why did he withdraw at the last moment is also interesting. This probably makes it clear that BJP is operating in Sopore through its proxies. In the last Parliamentary elec-tions, out of the 1052 votes polled in Sopore senior PDP leader and MP Muzaffar Hus-sain Beig received 535 votes, NC candidate got 262, BJP candidate got 12, and BSP

candidate got 2. The overall voter percent-age was 1.02 percent with most of these votes being polled in remote corners of Sopore; the town witnessed zero percent voting. Presently there are over 1200 vot-ers registered by the party from the com-munity in Sopore, a figure that is likely to double in the coming days. To ensure that happens, reports say BJP activists from the community are reviving memories of an emotional tale from 1990 while seeking votes for the party. Whenever there is elec-tion time or any other mega event of the government the entire town gets locked down. Same is the case with the election boom now as the people here are frisked and live under constant fear psychosis. But the resilience of people is as green as ever. Sopore is also a town which has opposed everything that the BJP stands for. And come elections, apart from security person-nel, no one dares to venture out on the

streets, let alone vote. When whole valley is under the fever of elections this is only town were neither a single poster is visible of any mainstream party nor any worker is visible asking votes from the people, apart from peripheries of the town. Na-tional Conference legislator and party candidate for restive Sopore constituency Haji Muhammad Ashraf Ganaie even con-fessed that he is not able to move freely in Sopore. He said that people, especially youth are not interested in elections. “Right from 2008, the year when I was elected legislative member, I could not roam free-ly in the town where anti-India sentiments are very deep,” he maintained. He further said, “Geelani Sahab is an influential leader and people do support him by heart. There is no denying in this fact that people love and respect Geelani sahab and they follow his diktats in letter and spirit. Ma-jor portions of Sopore boycott elections on his call,” he said. If Sopore Assembly seat with the support of migrant voters gets into the kitty of those who are in “tacit alliance ” with BJP Indian media will give it negative twist, he said.

The Police State Names like Gaza Pati (Gaza Strip),

Kandhar are some synonyms used to de-scribe Kashmir, however, for Sopore noms de guerre is Kandhar. This ill-fated town is the only town of Kashmir which shuts at 6 pm. The locality of Batapora is liter-ally kept under the tight vigil of SOG and Army. On November 15, I was near State bank of India, a known landmark of the

town at around 6 pm and the whole town was reeling under darkness. From Srinagar two young ladies were accompanying us. On entering the town in darkness the Sumo driver asked them where they have to go. But in a typical Kashmiri manner both the ladies remained tight lipped. Upon reach-ing Degree College Sopore both of them started to get down from the Sumo but at this time the driver stopped them and again enquired from them where they are head-ing. On seeing concern from the driver one of ladies replied that they have to go to Batapora. The driver suggested not to be in that area as SOG men harass the women folk. The driver then first dropped us and then accompanied the ladies to their respective place. Such is the condition the people of Sopore have to face on daily basis. Sopore also known as Apple Town always remains abuzz with the news of posters of various militant outfits, posters to kill the people who have collaborated with the agencies in one way or the other. In the latest to this series one of outfits has publicly threatened to kill people who, according to the poster, are associated with various security agencies. “We had warned these people several times and will kill them the moment they are spotted,” the poster threatens. However, police is not sure about the credibility of these posters given to the past experience. According to police such posters have surfaced in past and during the course of investigations, they were proved fake and the handiwork of some youth— not related to the mili-tancy. “We have so far three times witnessed the surfacing of posters in Sopore. At first it was after the culmination of parliamen-tary elections. One and half month ago some posters were again witnessed in pe-ripheries like Bomai village. But both the times they proved fakes with no connections to any militant outfit. However, recently one Sarpanch with few more youths were asserted along with their computer, where such posters were prepared and pasted on the walls in Sopore,” said Ghulam Hassan Bhat, DIG Baramulla. All new young faces which are in fray to contest this as-sembly election want all this fear psycho-sis to get changed for the betterment of the people. General Secretary Shahzada Asim of newly formed party Teherek-e-Haq says that we are only in elections to change the present scenario of the town and to try build the trust deficit between police and the people of the Sopore. Sajad Mohid-dudin Sheikh who is an independent can-didate for assembly elections said that, “He wants to free Sopore from the clutch-es of Police,” (reads his first ever press release rereleased to media.)

ConclusionWith the fading and limited days of old

stalwart of Sopore, Syed Ali Geelani, and the increasing use of drugs by youth of Sopore time is not far when this town can explode and take India by surprise again in the same manner it did in early 90s. And with ever increasing radicalization of youth in Sopore this time it will be very difficult for India to control this new wave of gun culture.

(Author is Online Editor at Rising Kash-mir and can be mailed at daanishnabi@gmail.com)

A THORN CALLED SOPOREThe Varmul Post 5-12th December 2014 P/3SPECIAL REPORT

Varmul Post Report

Srinagar

Carrying forward the enthusiasm from Phase-1, voters voted in large numbers in the second phase of assembly elections covering 18 constituencies in five districts of the state.

Barring minor incidents of clashes, ston-ing, the polling, which sealed fate of 175 can-didates, including four sitting Ministers and 11 other sitting MLAs, was entirely peaceful.

Gulabgarh-Mahore assembly segment in Reasi district of Jammu region topped 18 con-stituencies, which went to polls across the state with 80.73 percent turnout while Home-shalibugh in Kulgam district of Kashmir region recorded lowest 36.50 percent polling.

58.56 percent migrant voters cast their votes in the second phase. The polling percent-age registered an increase of 3-4 percent as compared to 2008 assembly elections which had recorded 68.79 percent turnout in these assembly segments.

The first phase of the five-phase polls for 15 seats on November 25 had witnessed a record 71.28 per cent polling. Although the cold weather conditions and heavy fog posed a hindrance in some areas in the early hours, voters started flocking the polling stations as the day progressed and the sun came out. Enthusiastic voters, including elderly stood in serpentine queues at several polling stations waiting for their turn.

While giving details at a press conference, the Chief Electoral Officer J&K Umang Na-rula said that Karnah reported 75 percent voting, Kupwara 62 percent, Lolab 55 percent, Handwara 71 percent, Langate 71 percent,

Udhampur 79.74 percent, Chenani 75.48 per-cent, Ramnagar 75.19 percent, Surankote 65 percent, Mendhar 72 percent, Poonch Haveli 73.39 percent, Noorabad 77.60 percent, Kul-gam 55.44 percent, Home Shalibugh 36.50 percent, Devsar 60.03percent, Gulabgarh-Mahore 80.73 percent, Reasi 80 percent and Gool-Arnas 80.28 percent. Overall 71 percent electorate exercised their franchise in the second phase of polling across 18 constituen-cies of 5 districts in the state today he said adding that the polling percentage might in-crease after consolidation as details from certain remote areas were yet to be received.

Responding to queries, the CEO informed that 8 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were replaced across the state after they de-veloped technical fault. Out of these, four EVMs were replaced in Kulgam, three in Reasi and one in Poonch yet it did not affect

polling. He stated that no reports of rigging in the elections was received from anywhere in the state so far. “However, observers were deployed everywhere to monitor the process, they will send us report if any such incident would have been recorded,” Narula said.

When asked about the impact of terror attack, threats by militants and boycott calls by separatists on the election process par-ticularly in Kashmir region, the CEO said that in Kulgam, four polling stations recorded zero percent polling as the people had boycotted elections for localized reasons. But there was no impact of terror threats or otherwise, he said.

The Chief Electoral Officer said the con-stituencies that went to polls today were spread over five districts for which as many as 2186 polling stations were set up, which included 143 critical ones.

Narula added that web casting was done in 178 Polling Stations and 296 digital and 216 video cameras were deployed. He said that 199 micro observers and 10296 poll per-sonnel were deployed during today’s polling. The CEO said 175 candidates were in the fray for these 18 constituencies which comprised 1542737 numbers of electors including 818025 male, 724703 female and 9 third gender voters.

Tuesday’s poll percentage, the Deputy EC said, was higher than the figure of 61.04 per-cent polling during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and 68.79 percent recorded during the 2008 assembly elections.

The corresponding figures for voting on Tuesday in the five districts stood at Reasi (80 percent), Udhampur (76 percent), Poonch (75 percent), Kupwara (68 percent) and Kulgam (above 60 percent).

He said the weather was “very supportive” during the polls today and there was no snow-fall.

In order to ensure free and fair election, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K per-sonally monitored the entire election process through webcasting set up in his office.

The CEO remained in touch with the con-cerned polling staff and other agencies as-sociated with the elections throughout the day and obtained bit-by-bit reports about the progress of polling and other related issues. All the critical and hypersensitive polling stations were connected with the webcasting technology to maintain extra vigil on the situation. Besides, Micro Observers were also posted in such polling stations as preventive measures to ensure smooth polling. The web-casting system helped substantially to ensure fair and free elections and restoring the con-fidence of voters in the sensitive areas.

Action replay: 72% polling in 2nd phase

Enthusiasm among young

first time voters SRINAGAR

The polling stations witnessed large queues of voters with a lot of enthusiasm among the youngsters who voted for the first time. Most of these first time voters believe that their vote would lead the way towards a constructive change and decisive develop-

ment.22-year old Ray-

ees Ahmad believes that every single vote would prove vital in choosing a leader who can bring a change across the valley and bring an end to the corrupt and criminal politicians.

“Today I voted for the first time and the only reason be-hind it is that I want to see a change in my constituency. Casting my vote has provided me with a kind of contentment and happiness as it can be a step towards choosing a leader who can transform us from devastation to development and prosperity,” Rayees said.

He added, “I voted because I think we are in need of a leader who would represent youth and addresses our grievances. Someone who can bring an end to the cor-ruption and corrupt officials. Unfortunately we are engulfed with the leaders who do not pay any heed towards our miseries therefore to bring a change it is necessary to

come forward and vote.”Nazia, a BA final year students said, “I voted because

I want to see someone who represents us and works for the development in our village. It is our duty to vote and chose a person who is genuine and worthy.”

19-year old Saima says that the biggest issue youth were facing was unemployment. She said that she voted to see an end to the unemployment and see a develop-mental change.

“I would always hear that we should keep away from voting because all these politicians and leaders are cor-rupt and not worthy. But off late I realized the importance of casting a vote. A single vote can always make a big difference if you vote for a person who you believe will address our grievances.

She added, “Youth should come forward and cast their votes in favour of per-son who deserves to be a leader. I voted to see devel-opment in our village and for security of women folk. We are educated enough to chose a person who deserves to be our leader and we do understand what qualities he should possess.”

Mudasir, a first year student also wants to see a change not only in his con-stituency but in the entire state.

“I voted for the first time and the reason behind it is to choose someone, who

can bring a change. We have suffered a lot. We have been living through miseries, violence and suffered brutality for a long now. We are fed up with this. I voted so that a person comes who can bring an end to our sufferings. We want a leader who works for the development and other issues in our village including employment, better roads, and other infrastructure. Moreover, the corrupt and fraudulent leaders need to be taught a lesson,” Mu-dasir revealed.

By voting, Kashmiris failed to understand their obligations:

GeelaniChairman Hurriyat (G) Syed Ali Geelani said the elections are being

managed by the intelligence agencies and the people of Kashmir have failed to understand their obligations. Geelani was speaking after a relief distribu-tion function here in which Hurriyat (G) distributed relief cheques worth Rs 5 lakh and kits containing essential commodities among 50 flood affected families.

He said we are being deceived by these politicians and it is highly con-demnable that our nation fails to understand the deceitful politics of these parties. Geelani said, “It was obligatory for us to safeguard cherished sacri-fices. But it is sad that we failed to understand our obligations.” Referring to recent elections, he said they are being managed by intelligence agencies and the state is using all its resources to “bribe” voters. “How they can plead our case while they believe in status quo and consider state as an integral part of India,” asked Geelani. Lamenting at mainstream politicians, Geelani said they never utter a single word about self-determination and nor they ask about the atrocities committed by forces personnel, said Geelani. “It is ri-diculous on their part to talk about resolution of Kashmir. It is a blatant lie,” said Geelani. Geelani expressed gratitude to people of Kulgam, Qaimoh, Khudwani and Bugam in district Kulgam for their commitment and their boycott for elections and also admired the mass rape victims of Kunan Poshapora for staging protest against elections.

Handwara: Voters wait for their turn to cast votes

Voters queue at a polling station in Handwara

The Varmul Post 5-12th December 2014 P/4NEWS

KULGAM

Brisk polling in most parts, low turnout of voters and boycott at other areas and clashes at five places today marked the polling in the four assembly constituencies- Noorabad, Hom-shalibugh, Kulgam and Devasar- in south Kash-mir.

The election boycott call of separatists could not create any impact in the Noorabad and Devsar assembly constituencies, where long queues of voters could be seen at the polling booths. However, the call had some impact at a number of places at Homshalibugh, having strong base of Jamat-e-Islami. In Kulgam con-stituency, which too has good number of Jamat supporters, brisk polling was witnessed in most areas and low polling in some others.

Police had to fire smoke shells and resort to

lathi-charge to disperse protestors at Khudwani, Qoimoh, Rampora, Bugam and Redwani in Homshalibugh constituency. The protestors pelted stones on the polling booths. Out of the 980 votes not a single vote was cast at Nowpo-ra-Khanpora throughout the day. Same was the case at Chinigam, which recently witnessed encounters. Out of 733 votes, no vote was polled at Chinigam. Only 16 votes out of 500 were cast at Rampora. Arwani recorded a low turn-out out. Only 71 voters out of 4300 turned up at the polling stations there. Arwani, Frisal, Redwani, Redwani Ghat and Rampora are con-sidered as strongholds of Jamat-e-Islami.

However, brisk polling was witnessed at Batingoo, Showal, Shamsipora, Hussainpora, Sangpora, Sangam and Hassapora areas of Homshalibugh.

Unlike low turnout in last Lok Sabha polls, Kulgam town today witnessed good poll per-

centage with people in large number waiting in queues for voting. “This time we have to vote and vote for change,” said Abdul Hamid, a voter. The people of Chambgund and Adigutnoo, who were displaced in large numbers by floods too had come to vote.”No voting would not serve any purpose. With vote we want to bring a change in our lives for betterment with better rehabilitation, “said Nadeem Khan.

Kulgam constituency too has sizeable number of Jammat sup-

porters. While some of them boycotted, others are said to have cast votes. The pockets having supporters of CPI (M), PDP and National Conference (NC) did witness long queues of voters. CPI (M) state sec-retary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami is seeking re-elec-tion from the constituency. While in last assembly polls he managed his victory with great difficult but this time his chances are seemingly grim. PDP’s Nazir Ahmad Laway is likely to bag the seat this time. Imran Nabi Dar, a journalist and son of slain NC leader Ghulam Nabi Dar, though not in a position to win has cut the votes of both- NC and PDP to some extent.

Like all previous elections, Noorabad as-sembly constituency witnessed heavy polling. Long queues of voters could be seen at the polling booths since morning despite intense cold. “I have always voted. We were in past criticized for voting but now you see, in most parts of Kashmir people do vote. We have local problems and need their solution,”said Moham-mad Imtiyaz, a voter. He added that he is voting for the change. The heavy polling this time seemingly was not going in favour of NC sitting MLA and minister Sakina Itoo. PDP’s candidate Abdul Majid Paddar has bright chances of win-ning this time again. In 2002, PDP’s late Abdul Aziz Zargar had defeated Sakina. Interest-

ingly, this time Zargar’s son, Manzoor Ahmad Zargar, is contesting on Congress ticket but he does not have a chance to win.

Devsar constituency too witnessed people in large number thronging the polling stations. Even the flood affected people of Keelamgund voted in large number. Displaced from their homes, they made a beeline to polling stations to cast their votes. “We have lost everything in floods. Government did nothing for us. A par-ty promised us proper rehabilitation and we are voting for it,” said Fayaz Ahmad without dis-closing the name of the party.

Senior PDP leader and deputy speaker leg-islative assembly Sartaj Madni has a tough fight not with National Conference candidate but with Congress’ candidate Mohammad Amin Bhat.

Heavy polling in JKLF founder’s native village

Trehgam

Long queues of voters just outside the polling booth of the residence of JKLF patron Mohammad Maqbool Butt at Trehgam Kup-

wara has saddened the family members of Butt, particularly her mother Shah Begam.

Shah Begam said that she feels deeply disheartened by people casting votes in large numbers. “The voters have dis-respected the sacrifices of martyrs, who laid down their lives for Azadi,” she said.

She also said that none of her family members have ever cast vote since the ongo-ing movement started in the state. “We have once decided not to vote. The entire local-ity was boycotting elections held earlier as a mark of respect to the martyrs. Today, I am watching a different look people in large numbers voting in polling booths,” she added.

Shah Begam also said that people should maintain consistency in the resistance move-ment. “Ups and downs are the part and parcel of the movement. Just for Sadak, Paani and Bijli, I cannot compromise with the sacrifices of the martyrs. The leaders are coming in the village and promising to provide better civic facilities to people, in return people are casting their vote and are forgetting the sacrifices of the martyrs,” she

said.Besides, the

family of Maq-bool Butt, fam-ily members of more than dozen of youths whose near ones have also been killed in the ongoing conflict has boycotted the elections.

“We families boycotted the elections. We know the pain of losing our beloved one. The pain of los-ing our sons will not be replaced

by casting a vote or any other compensation,” she said.

She also said that their sons have not sacrificed their lives for a change in the gov-ernment and for the Sadak, Paani and Bijli. “Our sons have given sacrifices for Azadi and we will continue to fight for the rights, for which they laid down their lives,” she said.

“We have lost everything. Casting a vote for us has no meaning. I will not force any one, not to vote. The only regret we have that people should not forget the martyrs,” she said. Voters in Trehgam, the native place of Muhammad Maqbool Butt voted in large numbers.

Protests at KunanposhPora

Kupwara

Protest demonstrations were held out-side Kunanposh Pora polling station, de-manding punishment to Kunanposh Pora mass rape accused.

The protest demonstration also halted the polling for at least half an hour in Ku-nanposh Pora polling booth. However, the polling was resumed after the protesters ended their protest.

The protesters, mostly women and youths holding banners and placards in their hands, had assembled just outside the Kunanposh Pora polling booth in the wee hours and held protest demonstra-tions.

They were demanding that the accused security force officials should be punished. They were also asking the people not to

vote as the successive government repre-sentatives have failed to punish the accused.

Top civil and police administration reached to the polling station and tried to pacify the protesters to end their protest and allow the polling to resume normally. Initially the protesters showed some re-sistance, however, after the intervention of the senior citizens of the area, the pro-test was ended and polling was resumes.

On the night of February 1991, forces started a search operation in Kunan-Poshpora villages in Kupwara district. The forces allegedly raped around 60 women in the night.

The elders in the area said that if they will again boycott the elections, the pow-er will again come to those people who had shielded the culprits of Kunan Posh-pora.

They said that they are voting for a change in the government and in previous elections they boycotted and those repre-sentatives were elected who did nothing for the area.

Brisk polling, low turnout, boycott, clashes mark polls in South Kashmir

Protests against elections were reported from Qaimoh

Women voters queue up in Kulgam

The Varmul Post 5-12th December 2014 P/5NEWS

Victims of mass rape in KunanPoshpora protest outside a polling

SRINAGAR

Senior Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leader and finance minister Arun Jaitley today said that Kashmir is an integral part of India and the existing boundaries between India and Pak-istan cannot be redrawn.

Participating in a debate organized by BJP in connection with fram-ing of vision document for the state at SKICC here, in which various civil society members participated, the BJP senior leader said that Pakistani leadership must understand the fact that boundaries between nations can-not be rewritten and the violence is no solution to any problem.

He also said that BJP led govern-ment at the Centre is ready to talk with all section of society and they have not closed the doors for talks. “We are ready to talk to all section of people. We have not closed the doors of talks. However, the violence and talks cannot go together,” he said.

Jaitley also said that those who think that resorting to violence can

result in secession of any part of a country of over 1.25 billion people are badly mistaken. “Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and no power on earth can change this fun-damental reality,” he said.

He said that while the Bharatiya

Janata Party (BJP) is discussing and debating what should be the contours of legal and constitution relationship between the state and the centre, the outcome of such a debate would not come in the way of centre’s support and assistance to Jammu and Kashmir.

The BJP senior leader said that former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s announced in the state that country’s neighbour cannot be changed, but relations between nations can be improved. He said that there is no

problem on earth which cannot be resolved through talks.

On Chattergam incident the finance minister said that Prime

Minister Narendra Modi asked him to immediately find out the reality of the incident. “I found out the truth and let me

tell you, I became the first Defence Minister of India to express regrets and apologise for the mistake on my Twitter handle, and the pro-ceedings were started, those found responsible for the incident were identified and punished.

Praising the people for turning up in large numbers to vote in the assembly polls, he said, “70 percent of votes in the first two phases are indicative of the fact that people have given a message to the entire world that through vote they can resolve their problems,” he said.

He said that the entire state, especially the Kashmir valley, has tremendous pow-er potential to prosper as God has gifted this place to be called the paradise on Earth.

“This power needs to be harnessed for all sorts of tourism, including leisure, adventure and religious tourism,” Jaitley said.

Various civil society members and BJP leaders also participated in the discussion who gave their suggestion for the vision document framing by BJP for the state.

J&K integral part of India: Jaitley

Soibugh, Budgam

Chief minister Omar Abdullah today reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir had conditionally acceded to India.

He said that the accession was based on basic, constitution-ally validated conditions that were violated by successive ero-sions to Article 370 through pliant regimes in J&K after Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was illegally deposed as a popular, democratically elected prime minister of J&K and consequent-ly incarcerated for a collective period of 23 years.

Addressing an election rally in Soibug, Budgam Assembly

Segment Omar Abdullah said that National Conference will never give up its demand of reversing the erosions in Article 370 and will keep striving for the restoration of internal au-tonomy in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Those entities that are desirous of a debate on Article 370 should read history and know that the State of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India based on basic, constitutionally validated conditions that were put in place by Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to guard the political distinctive-ness of the State and to act as a protection of the political aspi-rations of our people,” Omar said.

He added that the day they realise this fact, they will also know how proud “we are of our State’s flag, its constitution and its political stature and how we will defend our political rights till our last breath.” National Conference has never changed its political stand on the Kashmir Issue and will never alter our vision for political expediency.

“Let me make it very clear to the BJP, the Congress and the PDP – Article 370 is non-negotiable and the only debate one needs to have on Article 370 is about its restoration to its original, pristine form. I have said this on the floor of the As-sembly, I have said this as the elected Chief Minister of this State and I say so today as a proud citizen of this State who will never allow any political force to rob us of our rights,” Omar Abdullah said while addressing an election rally in Budgam.

The National Conference Working President said that those falling over each other to talk about protecting Article 370 are the same political leaders who played an integral role in erod-ing Article 370 from 1953 to 1975 while they were in the Con-gress party and while Sheikh Mohamamd Abdullah was in jail for defending the political aspirations of our people. “I want to ask Mufti Sahab if he is so concerned about Article 370 today, why was he a major player in successive machinations that were launched to erode Article 370? Was Mufti Sahab not a part of the cabinets in J&K which signed orders making erosions in Article 370? Where was Mufti Sahab’s conscience when he was the face of the efforts by Congress to erode Article 370 in J&K at a time when the founder of National Conference, the democratically elected Prime Minister of J&K was illegally put in jail? I challenge Mufti Sayeed to answer these questions without hiding behind ambiguity and then and only then will PDP ever have a right to talk about Article 370”, Omar Abdul-lah said.

Criticising Mufti, Omar said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir remember that it was none other than Ex-MP Muzaf-farnagar, Uttar Pradesh and Ex-Home Minister of India, Muf-ti Mohammad Sayeed who imposed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in J&K after unleashing the brutality of Governor Jagmohan on our people.

The election rallies were also addressed by Senior NC leader, sitting MLA and contesting candidate from Budgam, Aga Syed Ruhullah. Aga Ruhullah said that the people of Budgam would yet again reiterate their faith in National Con-ference and would play a frontal role in support Omar Abdul-lah’s dream of political dignity for Jammu and Kashmir.

Jaitley faces flood of demands

in SrinagarBJP senior leader and Union

finance minister Arun Jaitley turned the Sher-i-Kashmir In-ternational Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar into a griev-ance cell on Wednesday.

From traders bodies to artists to tourism players, all sought the Union minister’s intervention to get Kashmir back on tracks after the recent f lood fury.

“There is a need to start a

rehabilitation process on a war-footing, so that the sufferings of people are mitigated at the earliest,” said Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry presi-dent Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad. Ah-mad thanked the finance min-ister for acceding to an earlier request for extension of date for filing income tax returns till December 31, 2014.

Assuring full support to the f lood victims, Jaitley said, “Till the last house and shop is reha-bilitated we will not sit at ease.”

He said the centre has already asked the insurance companies and banks to extend a liberal approach to the victims. “A mor-atorium on repayment of bank

loans and minimum interest rates are already been started,” the Union minister added.

Kashmir hotel and restaurant association president, Showkat Chowdhary, travel agents asso-ciation of Kashmir member, Rouf Tramboo, and head of the house-boat owners’ association and television professionals’ united forum, Zamir Ashai were among other civil society members to seek the Union finance minister’s help in addressing the issues faced by them due to the f loods.

Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has regained his top position in the ‘Time Person of the Year’ poll after the Ferguson protesters surged ahead of him for a brief period.

PM Modi, according to latest results, has 12.8 per cent of the total votes polled and is followed by Ferguson protesters with 10.1 per cent. Joshua Wong, face of the Hong Kong pro-democracy move-ment, is placed third with 7.5 per cent, while Pakistan’s teen rights activist Malala Yousafzai is fourth with 5.2 per cent.

“Indian Prime Minister Naren-dra Modi has retaken the lead in TIME’s Person of the Year poll, surpassing the protesters for Fer-guson...with just four days left to vote,” the weekly news magazine said on Tuesday when PM Modi

had 10.8 per cent of the votes against 10.2 per cent of the Ferguson pro-testers who took to street after the fatal shooting of a black teen.

Modi strengthened his lead yesterday. Russian President Vladimir Putin with 4.1 per cent has been pushed to sixth place by Ebola doctors and nurses, which are now on the fifth spot with 4.5 per cent. US President Barack Obama is placed at a distant 11th position with just 2.3 per cent of the total votes.

The annual poll is scheduled to end on December 6 and the poll’s winner will be announced on December 8. The TIME’s edi-tors will choose the Person of the Year and would announce on De-cember 10.

Since 1927, TIME has named a person who, according to it, has

most influenced the news and lives in that year.

Modi Regains Top Position in ‘Time Person of the Year’ Poll

Conditionally acceded to India: Omar

The Varmul Post 5-12th December 2014 P/6NEWS

Baramulla: In the final en-counter of Gold Cup-2014 between The Prestige Royal Rebels and Singh Warriors that was played at Degree college Ground Baram-ulla, Singh Warriors won the toss and elected to field. The decision proved wrong when Royal Reb-els got the electrifying start by the captain Shahnaz Ahmad and Mohd Amir, they managed 86 in first 10 overs. Both the openers got out in the same over of Hap-py Singh.

Royal Rebels managed to score 161 in 20 overs for the loss of 5 wickets.

Chasing more than 160 in 20 overs was a tough deal for the Singh Warriors against the bowl-

ing attack of Royal Rebels. Singh Warriors lost their openers in first 5 overs of the match and managed to score just 129 for the loss of 9 wickets and lost the game by 32 runs.

Mohd Amir won the man of the match for his blistering knock of 59 runs and 1 wicket.

Royal Rebels lift Gold Cup-2014

Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav has been included in the 30 prob-ables for the ICC Crick-et World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand from February 14 to March 29, 2015. The team does not have a single left arm seamer. The unlucky one to miss the probables group is Madhya Pradesh wicket-keeper-batsman Naman Ojha. Karnataka seam-er R. Vinay Kumar has not been selected.

The national selectors on Thursday announced the 30-member probables list for the ICC Cricket World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zea-land in 2015.

The selectors more or less maintained the team which played against West Indies and Sri Lanka in the recent-ly concluded ODI series.

The prominent play-ers to miss out the list are: Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh and the man-of-the-series in the 2011 World Cup Yuvraj Singh.

Eleven players from the 2011 World Cup-winning squad will not be seen in action when the team goes Down Under to defend the tro-phy. While most of them

have been ignored for poor form, Sachin Ten-

dulkar has retired and pacer S Sreesanth has been banned for spot-fixing.

Of all the players ignored, Yuvraj’s journey has been the most dra-matic. The left-handed batsman was named Player of the Tournament for his fantastic run in the 2011 World Cup but his career took a hit after he had to undergo treat-ment for rare form of germ cell cancer between his lungs.

Apart from Dhoni, the list has two wicket-keepers in Wriddhiman Saha and young Sanju Samson, who has also impressed with his bat-ting in the domestic arena.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who is regarded a Test

specialist, Pra-gyan Ojha, Dinesh Karthik and Naman Ojha were among the other notable omissions.

Murali Vi-jay, Ambati Rayudu and Robin Uthap-pa, who have been in and out of the national squad in recent times have also found a place

in the probables list.List of probables

MS Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Robin Uthappa, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, Manoj Tiwary, Manish Pandey, Wriddhiman Saha, Sanju Samson, R Ashwin, Parvez Rasool, Karn Sharma, Amit Mishra, Ravindra Jade-ja, Axar Patel, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohd Shami, Umesh Yadav, V Aaron, Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Mohit Sharma, Ashoke Dinda, Kuldeep Yadav and Murali Vijay.

Sehwag, Zaheer, Gambhir, Harbhajan and Yuvraj out of

World Cup 2015

The Varmul Post 5-12th December 2014 P/7SPORTS

Australia bid an emotional farewell to cricketer Phillip Hughes at a funeral in his home-

town on Wednesday with a live coast-to-coast broadcast allowing a na-tion to unite in celebration of the life of a sportsman cut down in his prime.

Eight days after Hughes was struck by a ball on the back of the head and six after he died from the catastrophic injuries that resulted, his family, friends and a host of cricketing greats gath-ered at Macksville High School.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Suther-land spoke for many when he tried to make sense of the huge outpouring of grief that followed the tragic death of the lefthanded batsman a few days short of his 26th birthday.

“Ever since Bradman,

the image of the innocent country boy playing in the backyard while dreaming of wearing a

baggy green cap has be-come entrenched in our psyche. It’s our foundation myth as a cricketing na-tion.”

Some 1,000 mourners, mostly locals with a smat-tering of luminaries in-cluding Prime Minister Tony Abbott, dabbed away tears and perspiration in the baking heat of the school hall with thou-sands more watching on

screens in the sunshine outside.

Australia captain Mi-chael Clarke broke down

i n

tears for the second time in a few days as he paid public tribute to his for-mer team mate and friend.

“Phillip’s spirit, which is now part of our game forever, will act as a cus-todian of the sport we all love. We must listen to it,” he said, struggling to contain his emotions.

“We must cherish it. We must learn from it. We must dig in and get

through to tea. And we must play on.

“So rest in peace my little brother. I will see you out in the middle.”

Australian greats of the game such as Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath were in attendance, while Rich-ard Hadlee, Brian Lara and India captain Virat Kohli represented the wider cricket world.

When he suffered the injury, Hughes was bat-ting for a recall to the Australia side for the opening match in the test series against India, which has since been resched-uled.

Clarke and fellow cricketers Aaron Finch and Tom Cooper joined Hughes’s father and brother among the pall-bearers and delivered the coffin to the hearse, which then set off in a procession through the town.

Australia bids emotional farewell to Hughes

The Varmul Post 5-12th December 2014 P/8ADVT