வடக்கிலிருந்து இருந்து சிங்கள இராணுவம் வெளியேறாது-இராணுவத் தளபதி.

No decision to remove army camps in North: Army Commander
2016-08-25 14:20:22  2  3563

While denying the statement made by a parliamentarian, Army Commander Lieutenant General Crishantha de Silva said that there was no decision to remove any Army camp in the North.

“No decision has been taken to remove Army camps in the North and there is no truth behind this claim,” he said.

While addressing the press briefing at the Colombo Defence Seminar 2016 at the Army Headquarters Colombo today he said the Sri Lanka Army would take any measure to ensure National Security. It will take place at Bandaranaike International Conference Hall (BMICH) during September 1 and 2.

“Everyone should know what an Army camp is. A camp is a permanent facility for the lodging of army personnel. We are going to keep only the required area for the camp, and will release the rest of the land. Army camps will be placed at the right places,” the Army Commander said.

“When considering the security situation in the former conflict areas, those areas are peaceful as any other parts of the country. Sri Lanka Army will ensure that national security concerns are addressed,” he also said.

The Defence Seminar, a provenance of the Sri Lanka Army was devised as an annual international forum in 2011 with the aim of setting up platform of rich intellectual interaction on intricacies of national, regional and international interest.

Aspiring to muster wider identification, the seminar is renamed as Colombo Defence Seminar with effect from the year 2016 on a proposal of the commander of the Army. (Chaturanga Pradeep)

Kashmir: Govt employee was on duty when killed by police

Kashmir Unrest: This Govt employee was on duty when killed by police

Hafizullah said, “One of the policemen from a Rakshak vehicle directly aimed at my father and fired teargas shell at him, leaving him critically injured.”

SHABIR IBN YUSUF

Kupwara, Publish Date: Aug 26 2016 10:53PM | Updated Date: Aug 26 2016 10:53PM

GK Photo

While State Government has been warning its employees to attend their duties, 52-year old Haji Ghulam Muhammad Mir of Kalaroos in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district lost his life on duty when hit by a teargas shell fired by police last month.

Mir, a Road Supervisor in Roads and Buildings Department, had left his home for duty on July 16 when he was confronted by police who were travelling in two Rakshak vehicles from main market of Kalaroos, said his son Hafizullah Mir, who is a constable in Central Reserve Police Force, presently posted in Bandipora district of north Kashmir.

Hafizullah said, “One of the policemen from a Rakshak vehicle directly aimed at my father and fired teargas shell at him, leaving him critically injured.”

Mir was rushed to Srinagar’s SMHS hospital for treatment where he battled for life for four days before he succumbed.

“I was posted in Sumbal in Bandipora when my father was hit. For four days I attended to my father at the hospital, praying for his recovery. My father had been left badly injured after he was hit directly with the teargas canister in the head,” said Hafeez.

Following Mir’s killing, the family has been repeatedly knocking the doors of the police authorities in the district seeking registration of a case into the killing. “But nobody listens to us. My father was killed while he was out on duty. What was his crime?” asked another son of Mir.

Mir is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters. “Why was he killed and why is police refusing to register case into his killing,” asked Hafizullah. “There is no hand of CRPF or Army in the killing of my father. Instead it is the police which is responsible for my father’s death,” he said.
He said the family was waiting to hear from the police about the action they intend to take into the case. “We will knock the doors of the court if police doesn’t take any action. We will go to any extent to seek justice,” said Mir’s son.

Kashmir protest calendar

Resistance issues new protest calendar; calls for Eidgah march on Friday

Strike extended until September 1

Greater Kashmir
Publish Date: Aug 24 2016 5:05PM | Updated Date: Aug 24 2016 11:17PM

Here is the calendar:

26th  August, Friday

(relaxation from 10 pm to 6 am)

Azadi March to Eidgah Srinagar

Join for Azadi March to Eidgah Srinagar;

Move from every Mohallah, Village, locality, Tehsil and District towards Eidgah Srinagar;

Offer Friday prayers at Eidgah Srinagar;

Play Islamic and Azadi Taranas in Masjids from Magrib to Isha.

27th   August, Saturday

(relaxation from 6 pm to 6 am)

Letter to Indian armed forces (Army, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF)

Joint Resistance Leadership will march towards 14 core of Indian Army at Badami Bagh, Srinagar and ask the GOC to vacate Jammu and Kashmir;

Come to Masjids during night for one hour (10 pm to 11 pm), Offer prayers for freedom of Jammu & Kashmir.

28th  August, Sunday

(relaxation from 6 pm to 6 am)

Assessment Drive

Resistance/Masjid committees in all villages and localities visit each and every household and prepare a list of the needy;

Also visit the families of martyrs and injured , prepare a detailed list of the family and their needs;

Make arrangements for their support

29th  August, Monday

(relaxation 10 pm to 6 am)

Lockdown all government offices except essential service

Except for essential services, lock down all government offices and don’t allow movement of any employee towards these offices for joining. Divisional Commissioner, all Deputy Commissioners and Heads of all Departments are warned not to threaten the employees in any manner. Otherwise list of all such officers will be made public for comprehensive social boycott;

Play Islamic and Azadi Taranas in Masjids from Magrib to Isha.

30th  August, Tuesday

(relaxation from 6 pm to 6 am)

Women’s  Protest

Assemble and occupy local chowks and centers from Zuhr to Asr in the vicinity of your mohallas, villages and localities;

Protest peacefully

31st  August, Wednesday

(relaxation from 6 pm to 6 am)

Occupy Highway and Inter-district Roads

Assemble and occupy highway from Banihal to Salambad Uri and all other inter-district roads from 11 am to 4 pm;

Offer Nimaz-e-Zuhr on roads.

1st September, Thursday

(relaxation 10 pm to 6am)

Stop Propaganda War Machinery of Indian State

Block all the roads towards and around the institutions of propaganda war machinery viz., Doordarshan, Radio Kashmir and Information Department, ensure no employee is allowed to enter the premises by occupying the roads around;

Play Islamic and Azadi Taranas in Masjids from Magrib to Isha.

Directions for all the days

1.      Protests be held across Jammu and Kashmir.

2.      Shutdown across J&K on all days except the relaxation mentioned in the program.

3.      Lockdown all the routes entering your mohallas, villages and localities by every means during night to protect people in general and youth in particular from the raids and arrests by Indian forces and J&K police.

Preface to the protest calendar sent by Hurriyat (M) chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

"As a war has been waged against us by a mighty force, our only means of resistance against the oppression is peaceful protest. The space for that is also highly constricted. Yet individually and collectively we have to find ways and means of registering our protest . The protest calender is our collective voice. Each one of us especially our  intelligentsia, artists,  poets ,writers, painters  have to come forward and use their skills and creativity  to express our pain and sentiment. Every Kashmiris contribution to the  movement counts."
Source:Greater Kashmir

Kashmir Day 49: Forces kill another youth in Pulwama

GK Report
Forces kill another youth in Pulwama, 200 injured in fresh clashes

Teenager Shakeel had bullet injury in chest: Doctors | Govt foils Eidgah Chalo with stringent curfew | Pellets continue to hit protestors’ eyes | Geelani, Mirwaiz detained | Minor hit by pellets in Handwara | Despite heavy rains, huge pro-freedom processions held in South Kashmir villages |

KHALID GUL/ ABID BASHIR GK

Anantnag/Srinagar, Publish Date: Aug 27 2016 12:18AM | Updated Date: Aug 27 2016 1:14AM

Photo: Kamran Yousuf/GK

A teenager was killed at Haal village in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district when forces fired bullets and tear-gas shells at protestors on Friday, triggering massive anti-India and pro-freedom demonstrations. At least 200 protestors were injured in the forces’ action on anti-India protests held after congregational Friday prayers across Kashmir, reports and witnesses said.

The slain youth was identified as Shakeel Ahmad Ganai, 19, son of Ghulam Muhammad—a BA student—of Chandipora village of Rajpora, Pulwama.

“Ganai was hit by a bullet near his shoulder that had pierced through his heart. He died minutes after he was brought here at around 6 pm,” said a doctor at District Hospital Pulwama.

Witnesses said Ganaie was injured in clashes in Haal. With his killing, the death toll in the 49 days of widespread protests has mounted to 69 while over 7200 people have been injured—500 of them with serious pellet injuries in their eyes—during this period.

Locals said after Friday prayers, people were holding protests in Haal, Nikas and Aragam areas, when forces resorted to direct firing on protestors at Haal, resulting in serious injury to Ganai.
“Three more youth were hit with bullets and 17 others with teargas shells and pellets. They are being treated at different health facilities in the district,” witnesses said.

As soon as the word about Ganai’s killing spread in Rajpora and Pulwama, people instantly hit the roads and held massive protests.

Men, women and children shouted anti-India and pro-freedom slogans, they said.

At least 12 people were injured in clashes that erupted in Noorpora village of Tral. Police, cops of Special Operations Group and Army cordoned off the village, reportedly after inputs about presence of some militants there. However, locals came out and clashed with forces and broke the cordon, witnesses said. They said 12 people sustained pellet injuries in the forces’ action and are being treated at local Primary Health Center and Sub-District Hospital Tral.

At least 50 protestors were injured in South Kashmir during the day and of these, 30 were injured in Pulwama district alone, sources said.

Intense clashes also erupted in Tahab, Newa and Banura villages where reports of injuries to few protesters also came in.

Four persons were injured after protesters defied restrictions and clashed with forces in Shopian town, after Friday prayers. Witnesses said four persons were injured in clashes at Baba Mohalla and Golchakri areas. One of the youths, who had suffered an injury in eye, was shifted to Srinagar for specialized treatment. Five persons were injured during clashes in Sangam area of Bijbehara in Anantnag district. One of the injured has been referred to Srinagar.

Reports of protests and clashes also came in from Kaimoh and adjoining villages of Khudwani and Redwani areas in Kulgam district. Despite heavy rains, huge protest demonstrations were held in Bugam, Mohanpora, Yaripora, Frisal and Kujar areas after Friday prayers.

In Anantnag, pro-freedom demonstrations were held in Kabamarg, Bijbehara town, Dochnipora villages, Seer, Achabal, Dooru, Verinag, Kokernag and Qazigund. Pro-freedom congregations continued in various peripheral areas despite restrictions and rains. Huge rallies were held in Marhama-Sangam and Dehruna–Kokernag which were addressed by local pro-freedom leaders and religious clerics of various sects.

A strict curfew remained in place in Anantnag, Pulwama, Pampore, Kulgam and Shopian towns for 49th consecutive day. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in strength and spools of concertina wire were laid to foil attempts of protests and stop gatherings of people.

After Pulwama, political activists from South Kashmir’s Kulgam district publicly announced their resignation from mainstream politics on Friday. Meanwhile, witnesses said, six workers affiliated with Communist Party of India (Marxist) and National Conference announced their resignations that were read out publicly by Imams at Bogam village of the district.

CM’S EFFFIGIES BURNT

Reports said angry protestors set ablaze effigy of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti at Rohomo village in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district to register their protest against her “5% and 95% remarks.”
“Time will prove how many per-cent people are with the freedom struggle,” a group of angry youth at Rohomo said.

In Srinagar, youth set ablaze Mehbooba’s effigy at Koolipora, Khanyar in old Srinagar.  Mehbooba had yesterday stated five per-cent people were “hijacking” the situation while resorting to stone pelting and rest of 95 per cent were for peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue.

EIDGAH MARCH FOILED

Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani and Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained when they tried to defy curfew and proceed towards martyrs’ graveyard at Eidgah Srinagar. Geelani was lodged in police station Humhama and Mirwaiz at police station Nigeen.

According to a Hurriyat (M) spokesman, Mirwaiz was later taken to an undisclosed location ahead of joint resistance leadership’s call for a march towards Army headquarters at Badami Bagh Srinagar on Saturday.

JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik continues to languish in Central Jail Srinagar.  Meanwhile, senior Hurriyat leader Moulana Masroor Abbas Ansari tried to lead a march from Khanqah-e-Soqta to Eidgah, but was detained by police. President of Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian and senior Hurriyat leader Agha Syed Hassan Almosvi Alsafvi was also detained by police at Budgam while he was leading a march towards Eidgah Srinagar. The call for Eidgah march was given by the joint resistance leadership. Pertinently, all roads leading to Eidgah were sealed by forces. However, a massive protest rally was taken out from Nawakadal area of old Srinagar after Magrhib (evening) prayers which managed to reach the Eidgah. Witnesses said forces, however, intercepted the rally near Tibetan Colony and resorted to heavy teargas shelling. Dozens of tear-gas shells were fired at the protestors, who later dispersed. At least six people sustained injuries in the forces’ action, reports and witnesses said. The authorities had also sealed all the major roads in Kashmir district headquarters to prevent people from marching towards Eidgah. Forces had placed rolls of concertina wire at various points in city centre Lal Chowk, Jehangir Chowk, Dalgate and Karan Nagar areas to foil the Eidgah march.

NO PRAYERS AT JAMIA MASJID AGAIN

The J&K government disallowed congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of old Srinagar for the seventh consecutive Friday since July 8, evoking sharp criticism from Auqaf Jamia Masjid.

NORTH KASHMIR

To prevent protesting youths from marching towards martyrs’ graveyard in Srinagar, the district administration in Baramulla enforced strict curfew on Friday. The highway connecting Srinagar with Baramulla was dotted with army personnel who didn’t allow anyone to move on the thoroughfare. However, after Friday prayers, clashes between police and protesters were reported from different areas of the district. In Hygam area of Baramulla, clashes broke out soon after Friday prayers in which more than a dozen people suffered pellet and tear-gas shell injuries. According to reports, soon after Friday prayers ended, people from Hygam and its adjoining villages assembled in Main Hygam Chowk where-from a huge protest rally was taken out. As the protestors tried to approach the main highway, police and paramilitary forces deployed in strength there prevented their attempts, triggering clashes. Police lobbed scores of teargas shells and fired pellets to quell the protest, resulting in injuries to more than a dozen people. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Meanwhile, residents of Tramgund, Hygam alleged that policemen went berserk in their area and damaged windowpanes of several residential houses.

“Soon after clashes were over, a contingent of police appeared in the area and started ransacking houses. The windowpanes of several houses were damaged and several people were also thrashed by cops,” said Abdur Rashid of Tramgund.

In Palhallan, a joint Friday congregation was held at Eidgah. Thousands of people from dozens of villages participated in the joint Friday prayers. After the prayers ended, thousands of people took out a protest march that passed through different areas of Palhallan. A group of protesters tried to march towards the main highway, but police and CRPF men deployed in the area lobbed scores of teargas shells to disperse them. As the clashes intensified, police fired pellets, resulting in injuries to 15 persons. Two of the injured were shifted to Srinagar hospitals. Meanwhile, sporadic clashes between police and protesters were also reported from Pattan area.

According to reports, after Friday prayers, people from several villages in the vicinity of Pattan tried to march towards the Srinagar-Baramulla highway. However, police didn’t allow them, resulting in clashes. In Rafiabad area of Baramulla district, protests were reported from Rohama, Dangiwacha, Behrampora and Kralgund areas.

Police lobbed scores of teargas shells and fired pellets to quell the protesting youth. Meanwhile, a youth in Kralgund area had received rubber bullet and was shifted to Baramulla hospital, reports said.

In Sopore, reports said, 15 youth were injured in the forces’ action after a massive protest rally was taken out from Jamia Masjid New Colony after congregational Friday prayers.  Most of the injuries were caused by pellet firing. Clashes were reported from Noorbagh, Zainageer, Warpora and New Colony. In Warpora area, six people sustained pellet injuries while protesting the nocturnal raids, reports and witnesses said.

Three of the six injured—Azad Ahmed War, Muhammad Saleem War and Daraaz Ahmed War—were shifted to SMHS hospital in Srinagar.

The residential house of Muhammad Yousuf was allegedly damaged by forces at Warpora.  Peaceful protest rallies were held at Brathkalan, Hathlongo, Dangerpora where people marched towards local martyrs’ graveyard to pay tributes to martyrs. People were holding placards displaying slogan ‘Plebiscite the only solution.’

Protests were also staged in Tarzoo against alleged atrocities by forces there. At least 30 people sustained pellet and tear-gas shell injuries in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district in clashes that broke out after congregational Friday prayers.

Reports said protests erupted in Langate and Super-Naghmama where 12 protestors sustained pellet and tear-gas shell injuries. Protests and clashes also broke out at Aloosa, Kralpora, and Shumnag.
A pro-freedom rally was held in Trehgam also, witnesses said. Reports of protests also poured in from Siver, Kawari, Kurhama and Lalpora areas.

Reports said nine people suffered pellet injuries in Aloosa, Kralpora and of the injured, two were referred to SDH Kupwara.  A minor identified as Hazif Manzoor, 6, son of Manzoor Ahmed Baig of Baigpora, Langate sustained pellet injuries on his forehead when he was playing in his compound.
Massive protests erupted in Hajin area in Bandipora district against civilian killings in Kashmir, after Friday prayers.

A peaceful protest march was taken out from Jamia Masjid Hajin towards the Main Chowk. People from adjoining areas also joined the rally, shouting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans

SRINAGAR

Evening clashes were reported from various areas of old Srinagar that include Nawa Kadal, Eidgah, Narwara, Rajouri Kadal, Khanyar while similar protests were witnessed in Batamaloo, Nowgam, Hyderpora, Peerbagh and Lasjan. A pro-freedom march was held at Hyderpora after Friday prayers while similar protests were staged in interior areas of Batamaloo.

A pro-freedom protest was staged at Chinkral Mohalla, Habba Kadal while another one was reported from Chotta Bazar area of old Srinagar. Peaceful protests were also reported from Nishat, Harwan, and New Theed, Harwan. Pertinently, old Srinagar areas were placed under stringent curbs. Maisuma and Batamaloo areas also witnessed strict curfew, reports and witnesses said.

CENTRAL KASHMIR

Reports said intense clashes broke out after Friday congregational prayers in areas that include Mrigund, Nasrullahpora, Adina, Beerwah, Doyun, Ropura, Chadoora while peaceful protests were witnessed in Shonglipora, Khag, Charar-e-Sharief, Aripanthan, Raithan, and Arwah villages—all in Budgam district.  At least six people sustained pellet and tear-gas shell injuries at Beerwah and of these one was referred to Srinagar. The rest of the injured were referred to PHC Gondipora.
Reports said eight people sustained injuries in forces’ action at Adina who were treated at PHC Makhama. Two of the injured had serious pellet injuries in their eyes and were referred to Srinagar.
10 people were injured at Narbal and Sozeth areas during clashes. In Kawoosa-Check, intense clashes were reported late in the evening in which 12 people sustained injuries.  Locals of Kawoosa-Check alleged atrocities by forces.

Meanwhile, a youth sustained injuries at Ompora and another was injured in clashes at Mirgund. 36 people were injured in clashes after Friday congregational prayers of which five were referred to Srinagar.

Reports from Ganderbal district said after Friday prayers, locals assembled outside central Jamia Masjid Kangan and staged pro-freedom demos. Chanting pro-freedom and pro-Islamic slogans, the protestors marched from various areas of Kangan market and dispersed peacefully. Peaceful protests were also held at other places including Preng, Manigam and Safapora.

Reports of clashes between youth and forces came in from Garaj, Kujar and Wahidpora. Stone-pelting was also witnessed in Gangarhama and near Power House Kangan.

Reports said four youth were detained by police including two from Kangan, one from Dudarhama and one from Gangarhama.

Masjids of interior Saloora reverberated with Islamic and pro-freedom songs.
Locals at Tawheed chowk and Beehama told Greater Kashmir that they were not allowed to offer Friday prayers in Jamia Masjids due to strict restrictions.

(With additional reporting from Altaf Baba, Ghulam Muhammad, M A Dar, Sheikh Nazir)

Burkini ban suspended by France's court

Burkini தடையை எதிர்த்த லண்டன் ஆர்ப்பாட்டத்தில் ஒரு `குழந்தைப் போராளி`

Burkini ban suspended: French court declares law forbidding swimwear worn by Muslim women ‘clearly illegal’
 Conseil d’Etat ruling suspends ban in Villeneuve-Loubet and sets legal precedent for France

France’s highest administrative court has ruled that “burkini bans” being enforced on the country’s beaches are illegal and a violation of fundamental liberties.

The State Council (Conseil d’Etat) was specifically examining laws brought in by the commune of Villeneuve-Loubet but its verdict sets a legal precedent for France.

In their ruling, three senior judges said the ban “has dealt a serious and clearly illegal blow to fundamental liberties such as the freedom of movement, freedom of conscience and personal liberty.”

They found that no evidence produced in favour of the prohibition proved a risk to public order was being caused by “the outfits worn by some people to go swimming”.

French court to review burkini ban

The ruling was closely watched in France and around the world, after photos of armed police surrounding a Muslim woman as she removed her top on a beach in Nice sparked outrage this week.

A tribunal in the coastal city previously ruled a burkini ban in the commune of Villeneuve-Loubet was “necessary, appropriate and proportionate” to prevent public disorder.

Conservative Mayor of Villeneuve-Loubet, Lionnel Luca claimed after the that “rampant Islamisation is progressing in our country” and with the ruling to suspend his town's ban on burkinis at public beaches “they've gained a small additional step.”

“Far from calming, this decision can only heighten passions and tensions, with the risk of trouble we wanted to avoid,” he said.

Mr Luca, also an MP, said that now only a law can now stop troubles since mayors cannot do so. He suggested he would take action when Parliament returns from its summer leave – but did not say what kind of law he would seek.

In a statement, the LDH welcomed the verdict but said it will not resolve the “ridiculous debate that has made France the laughing stock of the world”.

“What is at stake here is the division of the men and women who live in France by their origin and religion,” activists said. “We reject this vision of France.”

The CCIF greeted the State Council’s verdict with “great relief”, condemning mayors imposing the bans for damaging national cohesion.

“This victory has a strong symbolic resonance that will put an end to the onslaught of stigmatising and Draconian political statements,” the group added.

Patrice Spinosi, a lawyer representing the claimants, told reporters that the decision should set a precedent and that other local authorities should conform to it.

The ruling has suspended the anti-burkini law in Villeneuve-Loubet but the mayor of Sisco, in northern Corsica, said he would not lift his own ban.

Ange-Pierre Vivoni brought in the rule after a fight on a beach originally thought to have been sparked by the swimwear, which covers the body and hair.

“Here the tension is very, very, very strong and I won't withdraw it,” he told BFMTV.

But Mr Vivoni has conceded he does not know whether a woman involved in the dispute between a group of sunbathers of North African origin and local residents was actually wearing a burkini.

At least 30 cities, resorts and communes have implemented bans on modest swimwear this summer and many more are believed to be considering the same move.

None of the vaguely-worded by-laws have specifically mentioned “burkinis” – a slang term describing a range of modest swimsuits covering the hair and body – but several officials have made it clear that Muslim clothing is being specifically targeted.

In Cannes, which was the first city to announce the prohibition, the mayor specifically alluded to the recent attacks by Isis supporters in Nice and Normandy.

The bans have since spread, sparking fierce debate about France’s secular values, women’s rights and religious freedom.

Front National (FN) leader Marine Le Pen said the overturning of the ban on burkinis in Villeneuve-Loubet is “not surprising” but the battle is not over.

The right-wing leader said that MPs must vote “as quickly as possible” on an extension of the 2004 law that banned Muslim headscarves and other ostentatious religious symbols in classrooms to include all public spaces.

Ms Le Pen, who is running for president in the 2017 race, wrote in a statement that: “The burkini would obviously be part of it.”

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is seeking the conservative nomination for the 2017 race, also said he would bring in a nationwide burkini ban if elected to his former post.

Allies of Mr Sarkozy said that they would propose a draft law that would allow mayors to ban burkinis. “We need a law,” Nice deputy mayor Christian Estrosi said on Twitter.

Since conservatives do not have a majority in parliament and such a bill would have no chance of being adopted, Mr Estrosi suggested that Socialist Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who himself backed the bans, come up with a draft law.

Critics have compared the enforcement of the ban to repression in Saudi Arabia and Iran, arguing that governing women’s clothing is a violation of human rights in any context.

Some rights groups have said the new laws amount to the “collective punishment” of Muslims following the terror attacks and amid friction over immigration and the refugee crisis.

Meanwhile, terror analysts have warned that the dispute will fuel jihadist propaganda as groups like Isis attempt to portray France and other Western countries as at war with Muslims.

According to a survey by Ifpop, 64 per cent of French people are in favour of the burkini bans, while 30 per cent described themselves as “indifferent” and only 6 per cent of respondents were opposed.

French politicians remain divided. Manuel Valls, the Prime Minister, said the garments represented the “enslavement of women” and were not compatible with French values but the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo condemned “hysteria” on the issue and called for more social cohesion.

The UN has supported the court's decision witrh spokesman Stephane Dujarric stating: "We welcome the decision by the court. I think our opinion was expressed fairly clearly the other day on the need for people's personal dignity and person to be respected."

Welcoming the State Council’s ruling, Amnesty International said a line had been “drawn in the sand”.

John Dalhuisen, the group’s Europe director, said: “French authorities must now drop the pretence that these measures do anything to protect the rights of women.

“These bans do nothing to increase public safety but do a lot to promote public humiliation.”

துகிலுரியும் பிரான்ஸ்

Third town in France bans the 'burkini'

Mayor says the full-body swimsuit provokes locals after brawl erupts on beach in Corsica.

In Cannes, the ban is in effect until August 31, with a $42 fine for violators [Facebook]

A Corsican seaside resort on Monday became the third French town to ban full-body swimsuits worn by some Muslim women after weekend scuffles on the beach.

The cities of Cannes and Villeneuve-Loubet have also banned the swimsuit - which leaves only the face, hands and feet exposed - arguing that it violates French laws on secularism.

Socialist mayor Ange-Pierre Vivoni of Sisco, on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, told BFM Television that wearing it was not acceptable in the town.

"People here feel provoked by things like that," he said.

He said he was not targeting Muslims but he wanted to get rid of what he called "Islamist fundamentalists" on the island.

"These people have no business here," he said.

On France Info radio, Vivoni denied media reports saying that a scuffle on Sisco beach on Saturday night had been sparked by a tourist taking pictures of Muslim women bathing in the swimsuits.

"The brawl was not due to a burkini. Young Corsicans were defending tourists who were peacefully taking pictures of the landscape," he said.

He said the ban on the "burkini" - the word is a combination of burqa and bikini - aimed to protect both people of North African descent as well as others in the community.

"The population of Sisco lives in permanent fear. There are many provocateurs here ... We are living on a powder keg," he said.

Leading officials argue that the swimwear, resembling a full-body wetsuit with a hood, oppresses women and violates France’s secular principles.

French PM defends burkini ban but some in cabinet wary

==================================

Reuters

London beach party supports burkini 

By Richard Lough | PARIS

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls defended a ban on burkinis in more than a dozen coastal towns on Thursday, saying France was locked in a "battle of cultures" and that the full-body swimsuit symbolized the enslavement of women.

Photographs of armed police ordering a Muslim woman on a beach in the Mediterranean city of Nice to partially disrobe went viral on social media this week, upsetting many French Muslims and causing global consternation.

In a sign of rifts opening in the socialist government before a presidential election in 2017, France's Moroccan-born education minister said the debate was fanning racist rhetoric and being used for political gain. The health minister said France's secular values did not mean a rejection of religion.

"We have to wage a determined fight against radical Islam, against these religious symbols which are filtering into public spaces," Valls said in an interview on BFM-TV.

Reiterating his stance on the issue, he said: "For me the burkini is a symbol of the enslavement of women."

France's Conseil d'Etat, its highest administrative court, on Thursday began hearing a request by a human rights group for the burkini ban in the Mediterranean town of Villeneuve-Loubet to be overturned.

The debate over the burkini ban encapsulates the difficulties secular France faces as it grapples with a response to homegrown jihadists and foreign militants, following Islamist attacks on Nice and a Normandy church in July, and major deadly attacks in Paris last year. Security and immigration are now central issues in the presidential election campaign.

Former head of state Nicolas Sarkozy, who joined the presidential race on Monday, told the Figaro magazine that France under President Francois Hollande had become too timid.

"The Burkini is a political act, a militant act, a provocation. Women who wear it are testing the Republic," Sarkozy told the magazine in comments to be published on Friday.

In a demonstration of how the Burkini controversy has reverberated abroad, British author J. K. Rowling tweeted: "So Sarkozy calls the Burkini a 'provocation'. Whether women cover or uncover their bodies, seems we're always 'asking for it.'"

France is not the only country where restrictions on face and head coverings are back in the spotlight, and debate on assimilation is raging in Western Europe after a wave of militant strikes and an immigration crisis that has forced a rethink of Europe's internal open border policy.

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives want a partial ban on the niqab, or face veil, while in Austria right-wing politicians have called for a ban on the burqa, which covers the face and body. In Switzerland there are calls for a popular vote on a ban on the burqa.

On a visit to Paris on Thursday, London's Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan, condemned the ban, saying no one should tell women what to wear.

"I don't think it's right," Khan told the Evening Standard newspaper. "One of the joys of London is that we don't simply tolerate difference, we respect it, we embrace it."

ISLAMIC STATE AND THE BURKINI

The burkini has been banned by at least 15 French towns from Corsica to the northern coast but most restrictions have been enforced in the southeast, an area where the far-right is strong and which is a gateway and home for many immigrants.

It has also been a fertile zone for Islamist militant networks recruiting would-be jihadists to fight in Syria.

The stigma caused by the ban "would only encourage Islamic State's recruiters", said Abdallah Zekri of the National Observatory against Islamaphobia.

At least two ministers came out in open disagreement with the government's stance on the burkini bans on Thursday.

"To pretend that swimming veiled or bathing on a beach dressed is in itself threatening to public order and the values of the Republic is to forget that those (secular) values are meant to allow each person to safeguard their identity," Health Minister Marisol Touraine wrote on her website.

Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said she opposed burkinis but dismissed the argument of Prime Minister Valls that the ban was a useful tool in France's fight against militants.

"There is no link between the terror attacks of Daesh and the dress of a woman on the beach," Vallaud-Belkacem told Europe 1 radio, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

While Valls on Thursday rejected the idea the ban might fuel sympathies for militant groups, some government officials are worried.

One senior French government official warned that missteps would only exacerbate tensions heightened since a Tunisian drove his truck through a crowd in Nice last month, killing 86 people, and youths slit the throat of a Catholic priest in Normandy.

"We have several million Muslims in France who are mostly moderates or non-practicing. If they feel that it is the only subject in public debate they won't feel at home and will be tempted to withdraw to their communities," the official said.

The Conseil d'Etat is expected to rule on the Villeneuve-Lobet ban on Friday at 3 p.m. (1300 GMT).

(Additional reporting by Francois Rosnoblet in Cassis and John Irish and Michel Rose in Paris; editing by Timothy Heritage and Peter Graff)

Kashmir: Day 48: Clashes continue amid curbs; 30 injured

Day 48: Clashes continue amid curbs; 30 injured

Forces wreak havoc in Pulwama village after barging into residential houses | Freedom rallies held across South Kashmir despite rains | Tear-gas shell hits boy at Bandipora | Mirwaiz detained ahead of Eidgah march, released later

ABID BASHIR/ KHALID GUL 
Srinagar/ Anantnag, Publish Date: Aug 26 2016 12:18AM | Updated Date: Aug 26 2016 12:18AM
Day 48: Clashes continue amid curbs; 30 injured

Photo: Mir Wasim/GK

With no let-up in clashes and protests, at least 30 people including a woman sustained injuries across Kashmir on Thursday while forces “wreaked havoc” in Prichoo village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district by damaging residential houses and household goods. Reports of damage to residential houses by forces also poured in from North Kashmir’s Sopore area. Stringent curfew remained in place in old Srinagar areas and almost all major towns across Kashmir. Amid rain, several pro-freedom rallies were held in South Kashmir villages, reports and witnesses said.

SOUTH KASHMIR

Stringent curfew was clamped in Pulwama district following killing of 18-year-old youth by forces on Wednesday. Forces wreaked havoc in Prichoo village by vandalizing property and thrashing inmates, local residents told Greater Kashmir. Curfew also remained in place in all major towns of South Kashmir even as pro-freedom rallies were held in many peripheral pockets.

In Pulwama town and adjoining villages, police and paramilitary forces armed with sophisticated weapons were deployed in strength to thwart attempts of protests. The forces had laid spools of concertina wire, erected barricades and also placed armoured vehicles and mobile bunkers at several places.  Nobody was allowed to venture out of their houses. Whosoever tried to do so was beaten to pulp, locals said.

They said even ambulances were not allowed to move and curfew passes were not adhered to by forces on ground.

Meanwhile, CRPF and SOG men let loose a reign of terror in Prichoo village, forcing people to abandon their houses and take shelter in neighbouring villages. The highhandedness comes day after forces foiled a pro-freedom rally in the area by vandalizing the venue, evoking massive protests in entire Pulwama.

“The government forces barged into our houses, vandalized and looted the property and thrashed the inmates,” locals told Greater Kashmir over phone.

They said forces even damaged household items—refrigerators, washing-machines and even threw out eatables. “We have abandoned our houses and taken shelter at our relatives’ houses in nearby villages,” said the terrified villagers.

The residents of Tahab village alleged a patrolling party of CRPF resorted to aerial firing during midnight, triggering panic in the area.

Meanwhile, despite forces foiling the rallies by vandalizing venues, the freedom congregations continued in South Kashmir areas. The rallies have become a norm during the ongoing anti-India uprising triggered by the killing of Hizb commander Burhan Wani on July 8. At least 100 such rallies have been so far held in South Kashmir areas where religious scholars of various sects and local pro-freedom activists have been the key speakers.

In Shopian district, pro-freedom rallies were held in Gadapora, Rebban Khujipora and Kadigam-Imam Sahib while in Pulwama, these were organized in Achan and Pachar areas.

Similar rallies were held in Nowpora-Kellam in Kulgam district.

A rally was also organized in Kehribal village of Mattan in Anantnag district which was addressed by Democratic Freedom Party leader, Er Farooq Khan, Tehreek-I-Hurriyat Tehsil president Shangus, Muhmamad Shafi Wagay and religious clerics of various sects. Religious leaders of Sikh community also addressed the rally which saw participation of many Sikhs as well.

Reports of clashes were received from Qazigund area of Anantnag district. A truck driver sustained injuries during these clashes. Meanwhile, curfew continued in Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Pampore towns for 47th running day.

Clashes erupted in old town areas of Anantnag and Khanabal late in the evening. Police carried out several overnight raids in the town, rounding up several youth. Similar reports were received from other areas of South Kashmir.

On the call of joint resistance leadership, pro-freedom and anti-India slogans were written on walls and streets of South Kashmir.

Late evening reports said intense clashes were going on in Bijbehara while protests were held in various villages of Pulwama.

Reports said Army patrolled the streets of Shopian and some areas of Pulwama.

NORTH KASHMIR

A youth was injured after he was hit by a tear-gas shell fired by forces in Bandipora area. Witnesses said clashes broke out in Qazipora area of Bandipora when youth were holding a protest rally and forces fired tear-gas shells to disperse them. The injured youth has been identified as Asif Ahmed Sheikh of Qazipora. He has been shifted to Sub District Hospital Bandipora.

Earlier, clashes erupted in Kaloosa area when youth tried to hold a protest rally against the civilian killings in Kashmir. However, a huge posse of police and paramilitary forces intercepted them and fired several tear smoke shells. The clashes were going on in the area when last reports came in.
In Hanjiveera, Pattan in Baramulla district, locals alleged that police resorted to intense tear-gas shelling, injuring dozens of persons especially those who were spending time on shop-fronts. “The area was peaceful. Some youth were present on shop-fronts. Police arrived and fired tear-smoke shells on them, injuring dozens. This is a move to instigate people for protests,” the locals said.
Reports from Sopore said at least 12 people include a woman sustained pellet and tear gas shell injuries at Zainageer, Warpora, Hathlangoo and Dangerpora villages when forces resorted to unprovoked firing on peaceful protestors.

Reports said forces also damaged windowpanes of a local masjid at Najar Mohalla, Dangerpora.
Locals of Sopore also castigated BSNL authorities for snapping mobile and broadband services in the area for the past four days.

Reports from Kupwara district suggested the town witnessed strict curfew while protests broke out in Kuligam, Lolab. Locals alleged army broke windowpanes of many residential houses in Kuligam triggering protests. Clashes were also witnessed in Kurhama village. BSNL broadband services stand snapped in the area for three days.

SRINAGAR

Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was detained this evening ahead of the Eidgah chalo call given by the joint resistance leadership for Friday.  Reports said a massive protest rally was held from Jamia Masjid in the evening against the desecration of the grand mosque 27 years ago.

Mirwaiz was supposed to address the gathering over phone after Maghrib prayers. However, he was detained well before people assembled at the Jamia Masjid and lodged in police station Nigeen. He was released later only to be put under house-detention again.

Meanwhile, reports said intense clashes were going on between forces and youth at Lawaypora, Narbal, HMT and Qamarwari.

Reports of clashes also poured in from areas that include Nowgam, Lasjan, Peerbagh, Hyderpora, Barzulla, and Rambagh.

CENTRAL KASHMIR

Reports said a candlelight march was held in Charar-e-Sharief, while raids by forces were witnessed in various areas that include Nagam, Mazhama and Chara-e-Sharief.  Reports of clashes came in from Kangan market while a youth was detained at Nunner Ganderbal, triggering protests.

Reports said authorities enforced strict night curfew across the district.

POLICE VERSION

According to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters, Kashmir, six incidents of stone pelting were reported from Srinagar, Sopore, Kupwara and Bandipora on Thursday. “These incidents were reported from Lawaypora in Srinagar, Hatlangoo; Warpora in Sopore, Khurhama in Kupwara, Watpora; Kaloosa in Bandipora,” the statement said.

It said apart from these incidents, “overall situation remained under control across and valley till filing of this report.”

 The statement read that following “improvement” in the situation, “increased movement of vehicular traffic and people was observed in most parts of Kashmir including Srinagar city.”

“However, curfew remained in force under the areas of few Police stations of Srinagar, town Anantnag, Pulwama and Pampore,” it said.

(With inputs: Ghulam Muhammad, Ejaz-ul Haq Bhat, Sheikh Nazir, M A Dar)