Kashmir: BJP holds ‘Tiranga Yatra' at Bhadarwah

TAHIR NADEEM KHAN YUSAFZAI
Bhaderwah, Publish Date: Aug 21 2016 12:22AM | Updated Date: Aug 21 2016 12:22AM

BJP holds ‘Tiranga Yatra' at Bhadarwah

GK Photo

Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on Saturday conducted ‘Tiranga Yatra’ here in the town which was led by its district president Doda, Adv Manjeet Razdan.

Razdan accompanied by dozens of BJP workers and office bearers gathered at Lakshmi Narayan Chowk while holding tricolour, started rally to show solidarity with the Union and State Governments against the ‘anti-national’ elements.

BJP workers started their procession flaunting tricolour flags and chanting pro-India and pro-Modi slogans while terming Kashmir as integral part of India. The rally passed through Chobia Link Road, Seri Bazaar, Khakhal Mohallah, Vasuk Dera and later culminated at Lakshmi Narayan Temple.

The BJP workers, while raising the slogan "Jis Kashmir Ko Khoon Se Seencha, Woh Kashmir Hamara Hai" were demanding stern action against the ‘anti-national elements and Pakistan-sympathisers.’

"On the directions of our National President, Amit Shah, we organized 'Tiranga Yatra' here today to show complete solidarity with India," said Razdan.

KASHMIR: Meet the ambulance driver who was shot at by CRPF

Meet the ambulance driver who was shot at by CRPF

The Indian Central Reserve Police Force came into existence as Crown Representative’s Police on 27th July 1939. It became the Central Reserve Police Force on enactment of the CRPF Act on 28th December 1949. 

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

                          Meet the ambulance driver who was shot at by CRPF  GK Photo

Hundreds of pellets in his arm and shoulder, Sofi still drove patients to SMHS hospital

MUDDASIR ALI
Srinagar, Publish Date: Aug 20 2016 12:26AM | Updated Date: Aug 20 2016 12:26AM


An ambulance driver, who was bringing patients from Ganderbal to a Srinagar hospital late on Thursday evening, had a miraculous escape when Central Reserve Police Force men fired pellets at him in Safakadal area here, causing serious injuries to him.

Ghulam Muhammad Sofi, despite being severely injured in the right arm and shoulder and bleeding profusely, drove the ambulance with one hand for nearly one kilometer to the SMHS Hospital where he was admitted for treatment and later shifted to Bone & Joint Hospital in the night for a surgery.
A senior doctor at the B&J hospital, who treated 32-year old Sofi, said more than 200 pellets had pierced his right arm and shoulder.

“The severity of the injury shows that the pellets have been fired from a very close range and he (Sofi) had lost lot of blood,” said the doctor, adding: “Sofi has been lucky that the pellets have not caused damage to his bones.”

“The pellets had ruptured his tissues. We have operated upon him but he will need at least two more surgeries given the severity of the injury.”

Sofi, who is a driver with Primary Health Center at Wussan in Ganderbal, said he had to drop a sick patient at Children’s hospital at Sonwar here and another patient at B&J Hospital.

Recalling the incident, Sofi, who is in severe pain, said the joint party of CRPF and police which was patrolling near CRPF camp in Safa Kadal didn’t stop them and the ambulance proceeded towards Lal Chowk.

But the moment, he said, the ambulance reached near Safa Kadal Bridge, a CRPF man, “without signaling anything fired directly at me with his gun”.

Manzoor Ahmad who was accompanying 14-year-old cousin Aqib Hussain to B&J hospital for his treatment, in the ambulance, said: “We thought this is our end. I looked at the driver and he was bleeding profusely from right side of his body. But he (driver) without losing concentration, drove the ambulance to the SMHS hospital.”

Before the CRPF personnel fired at the ambulance driver Sofi, he had during the day already shuttled thrice between Wusan and Srinagar to ferry the patients.

“Oh my brother, I am dying with pain, please do something,” Sofi was repeatedly telling his elder brother Nazir Ahmad at the hospital.

A number of ambulance drivers from Srinagar and Ganderbal who visited Sofi at the hospital, were aghast over use of force against ambulance drivers during the past 42 days of uprising in Kashmir.
As per the official report prepared by Directorate of Health (Kashmir), at least 25 drivers working with the Department have been allegedly thrashed by forces during the past 42 days.

The Directorate has suffered damage to 150 ambulances in attacks, during this period.
Meanwhile the CRPF has placed under suspension the accused Sub-Inspector Bhim Singh Yadav of F-78th battalion who had fired upon the ambulance driver.

“A Departmental inquiry has been initiated against the officer,” CRPF spokesman Rajeshvar Yada told Greater Kashmir.

Kashmir: Ambulance driver shot at in Safa Kadal

Kashmir: Ambulance driver shot at in Safa Kadal
He said the driver is being operated upon at the SMHS hospital.

Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Publish Date: Aug 18 2016 9:08PM | Updated Date: Aug 18 2016 9:08PM

An ambulance driver was shot at in Safa Kadal locality of Srinagar on Thursday night.

The driver, who was on way to the SMHS hospital from Kangan, managed to drive the ambulance despite the bone fracture, said a doctor.

He said the driver is being operated upon at the SMHS hospital.

More details are awaited.

நாள் 42 காஸ்மீரில் இந்தியப் பயங்கரம்

Pellet terror continues

DAY 42: Pellet terror continues, over 120 injured in fresh clashes

4 youth sustain critical injuries | Police enforce stringent curfew to foil march to Aripanthan | Geelani, Mirwaiz detained | Huge freedom rallies held in several areas | No prayers allowed in Jamia Masjid Srinagar for 6th Friday | Shutdown in Bhaderwah too

ABID BASHIR/ KHALID GUL
Srinagar/Anantnag, Publish Date: Aug 20 2016 12:07AM | Updated Date: Aug 20 2016 1:44AM
DAY 42: Pellet terror continues, over 120 injured in fresh clashes
Photo: Aman Farooq/GK

Four youth sustained serious pellet and bullet injuries and are battling for life in Srinagar hospitals, while at least 120 youth were injured in clashes that broke out after Friday congregational prayers across Kashmir, witnesses and reports said.

Majority of injuries were caused by pellets, they said. The authorities had placed stringent curbs in Srinagar and all other district headquarters to foil the march to Aripanthan Budgam that was called by Kashmir’s joint resistance leadership. Reports said two youth from South Kashmir’s Anantnag and Pulwama districts were referred to a Srinagar hospital after they sustained serious pellet injuries while a youth from Handwara district of North Kashmir is also battling for life at SMHS hospital.


SOUTH KASHMIR

At least 50 people were injured across South Kashmir of which over 25 sustained injuries at Kakapora in Pulwama district during clashes after Friday prayers. Reports said violent clashes erupted in Kaimoh and adjoining Khudwani, Redwani and Rampora villages. Youth pelted stones on forces who in turn lobbed teargas shells and also fired pellets to quell the protests, witnesses said. At least six people sustained injuries in the forces’ action. Reports said one youth sustained injuries in his eyes at Rampora while in Pricho, Newa and Tahab, 10 youth were seriously injured and two of them were referred to a Srinagar hospital. Six people sustained injuries in Tral area as well.
Clashes also erupted near Ziyarat road in Kulgam town, but there were no reports of any injury. An effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also reportedly set ablaze by protesters there.

A youth sustained critical pellet injuries in forces’ action in Kakpora area of Pulwama. “Youth clashed with police and paramilitary forces who resorted to intense tear-gas shelling and fired pellets to disperse them,” witnesses said.

They said one of the youths, later identified as Isaq Ahmad Itoo of Patlabagh Pampore, sustained pellet injuries in his head and after being given first-aid in a local Primary Health Center was referred to a Srinagar hospital. Several other youth sustained injuries in the clashes.

Clashes also erupted in Dangerpora and Exchange Road areas in Pulwama town. In Shopian district, protests and clashes erupted in Bonbazar, Golchakri and some other villages including Vihil, Trinz, Aliyalpora, Meemandar, Gagran and Nagbal. Protests and clashes also erupted in Tral town and its adjoining villages after Friday prayers. Several people have reportedly sustained injuries there, but in the wake of complete communication blockade in the area, the exact number of injuries could not be ascertained. “Even BSNL mobile and landline service has been snapped in the area,” reports said.

Two Imams were reportedly thrashed by army in Sanigam village in Yaripora area of Kulgam district. Massive pro-freedom demonstrations were taken out in Yaripora, Frisal and Kujar areas in Kulgam after Friday prayers.

In Bijbehara town, a pro-freedom rally was taken out after Friday prayers near Jamia Masjid in Baba Mohalla locality.

Reports of similar rallies being taken out were received from Dachnipora villages of Bijbehara, Wubzan, Mahand, Kanelwan, Srigufwara and Nanil. Protest demonstrations also rocked
Achabal, Mattan and Seer areas in Anantnag district and Gusoo, Tahab, Ruhumu in Pulwama district, and also Mohamadpora, Bugam, Bachroo in Kulgam district.

Strict curfew remained in place in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian towns while restrictions remained in force in Bijbehara, Mattan, Awantipora, Pampore, Tral and Kakpora towns. Forces had laid spools of concertina wire at various entry and exit points to enforce strict curfew in the towns as well peripheral areas. In late evening clashes, three youth were injured of which one was hit by a bullet on left side of his face while pellets hit him in elbow and other parts of the body, witnesses said. He was identified as Bilal Ahmed of Batpora and has been referred to Srinagar where doctors termed his condition as critical. Medicos at the district hospital said Bilal had multiple pellet injuries in his forearm. Late evening reports said a youth Adil Ahmed of Samboora, Pulwama was hit by a bullet during evening clashes. He was shifted to SMHS hospital Srinagar.

NORTH KASHMIR

At least 20 persons including six women were injured in clashes that erupted between forces and protestors in Bandipora district soon after Friday prayers. As soon as the prayers culminated, a large procession was taken out from Gulshan Chowk to Nowpora Chowk in which women from Plan, Nibripora and Nowpora also participated. Witnesses said as the protest rally reached near Nowpora Chowk, police fired dozens of tear-smoke shells upon the rally that was peacefully going on. The police action triggered massive clashes in which around 20 persons, including six women, sustained injuries. The clashes were going on when this report was filed.

Meanwhile, angry protestors burnt the effigy of Sajad Gani Lone, Minister for Social Welfare, in Gulshan Chowk area of the town.

Meanwhile, government forces resorted to teargas shelling to break up a protest rally in Pazalpora area of the district, triggering clashes. Witnesses said the inhabitants of Pazalpora, Mantrigam and Darmahama areas carried out a protest rally and marched towards Sonerwani where an office of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is located. The protestors, according to witnesses, tried to attack the BRO office but were intercepted by Army's 14 RR unit camped at Sonerwani. This led to clashes. Army fired dozens of tear smoke, sound shells and pepper gas to disperse the protestors.

Reports said two youth were injured during the clashes which were going on when last reports came in.

Reports of clashes were also received from Hajin area of the district where youth had assembled near Jamia Masjid after offering Friday congregational prayers and clashed with forces.

Peaceful protests were also held in Aragam, Ashtengoo, Aloosa, Ajar, Ayathmulla, Ajas and other adjoining areas.

In Sopore, Friday congregational prayers were held in two masjids only—Jamia Masjid Sopore and New Colony Masjid. When the protestors marched towards main chowk from Sopore Jamia Masjid, forces resorted to pellet firing at Chanakhan, injuring dozens of youth.

Meanwhile, pro-freedom protests were held at Botingoo. Reports said massive protest rallies were held in Bomai, Muslim Peer, Krankshivan, Main chowk, Tujjar Sharief, Zainageer and other areas of Sopore.

Meanwhile, in Handwara area of Kupwara, clashes broke out after Friday prayers in which one youth sustained grave pellet injuries. He was referred to Srinagar in a critical condition.

In Baramulla district, curfew was defied at many parts. In Palhallan, soon after Friday prayers, intense clashes broke out between police and protesting youths, leading to injury to six persons. Four injured youths are reported to have received pellet injuries and were shifted to Srinagar hospitals.

According to reports, in Palhallan, a massive pro-freedom march was also taken out this afternoon. The protesting youths after passing through various parts of the area tried to march towards the Srinagar-Baramulla highway. The police and CRPF personnel prevented their bid which led to clashes. Police lobbed scores of teargas shells to disperse the youths and as the clashes intensified, police fired pellets, which caused injury to six youth. Four of the injured youths were later shifted to a Srinagar hospital. In Pattan area of Baramulla district, clashes broke out this afternoon after a group of youths after Friday prayers tried to march towards the highway. Police fired scores of teargas shells to disperse the protesters.

Pro-freedom protest was also held in Hygam area in which hundreds of youths including women participated.In old town Baramulla, joint Friday prayers were offered at Qadeem Eidgah. Soon after Friday prayers, a massive pro-freedom protest was taken out. The protesting youths included
scores of women who marched through various areas and later dispersed peacefully at Azad Gunj Chowk.Similar protests were also reported from Sangri Colony and Noor Baghdad areas of uptown Baramulla. Reports from Kupwara said major rallies were organized at Trehgam, Lalpora, and Kupwara town against the killing of innocent civilians. Clashes broke out in Lalpora, Batergam, Sapernaghama, Ganapora, Langate, where more than 25 youth sustained pellet injuries. Four youth were injured at Lalpora also.

SRINAGAR:

Pro-freedom protests were held at Dargah, Hazratbal after congregational Friday prayers, witnesses said. They said protests were staged at the end of the prayers in which pro-freedom slogans were raised. There was no untoward incident. A pro-freedom rally was organised on Friday in Chanapora area of Srinagar. It was led by JKLF vice-chairman Bashir Ahmed Bhat. The rally passed off peacefully. A major protest rally was held at Chottabazar in old Srinagar that culminated peacefully. Hundreds of people assembled at a park in Doodh Ganga Colony, Old Chanapora soon after the culmination of Friday prayers. A sit-in was held after Friday prayers in Nawa Kadal area of old city against the civilian killings in Kashmir by government forces.

Earlier, a protest rally was taken out from Masjid Sharief Khankah-i-Sokhta to Lukhriyar Nawa Kadal. The rally culminated at the Ansari Chowk where a sit-in was staged, which was led by Hurriyat (M) leader Masroor Ansari.

The protestors chanted pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.

Paramilitary forces beat up several newspaper hawkers. A hawker said a group of paramilitary troopers beat him up yesterday (Thursday) in Old City's Safa Kadal area while he was delivering newspapers.

Late evening clashes were reported from Rajouri Kadal, Nowhata, Khanyar, 90-feet Soura, Hawal and other areas. Clashes were also witnessed in Bemina, Chattabal, Safa Kadal, Chotabazar, Habba Kadal and other areas. Reports said clashes also broke out in Nowgam area of uptown after youth staged a torch procession.

Congregational prayers were not allowed at historic Jamia Masjid in old Srinagar for the sixth consecutive Friday. Auqaf Jamia Masjid has strongly condemned the continuous curbs, terming it as direct interference in religious affairs of people.

GEELANI/MIRWAIZ DETAINED

Police detained Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani and Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq when they tried to defy curbs and restrictions to lead a march towards Aripanthan, Beerwah. Geelani was lodged in police station Humhama while Mirwaiz in police station Nigeen. Pertinently, JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik continues to be in Central Jail Srinagar.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat leader Aga Syed Hassan Al Mousvi was also detained after he tried to march towards Aripanthan, Beerwah.

CENTRAL KASHMIR

At least 50,000 people assembled at Eidgah Aripanthan in Beerwah area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district to offer congregational Fateh Khwani of four people killed in firing there
recently. Reports said the participants raised pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans. When the youth were returning back to their respective areas, clashes broke out near Beerwah in which six people sustained pellet injuries. One of the injured was referred to Srinagar. Clashes broke out at Badran while at Ardina, at least 25 youth sustained pellet injuries during clashes of which six were referred to Srinagar hospital.

In Ganderbal district, protest rallies were held after Friday congregational prayers at Gund, Kangan, Manigam, Watlar, Safapora, Saloora, Beehama and Nagbal. Clashes erupted at Duderhama and Thune.

In Kangan, a peaceful protest rally was held.

Meanwhile, in district hospital Ganderbal, medicos and paramedical staff staged a protest against firearm injury caused to an Ambulance driver in CRPF firing in Srinagar.

POLICE VERSION:

According to a statement issued by Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, 21 incidents of stone pelting were reported after Friday prayers from Sopore, Shopian, Kulgam, Baramulla, Handwara, Bandipora and Pulwama. The statement said restrictions under section 144/CrPC remained in force in Kashmir on Friday. “Curfew was imposed in Srinagar, Baramulla, Kaloosa in Bandipora and in the towns of Anantnag, Shopian and Pampore,” it said.

The statement further said last evening, unknown militants hurled a grenade towards the residential house of ex-MLA Shopian, Sheikh Muhammad Rafi at village Kachdoora, Shopian which exploded without causing any damage. “A case stands registered in Police Station Shopian and investigation taken up,” it said.

SHUTDOWN IN BADERWAH

A complete shutdown was observed by members of Muslim community in Bhadarwah on Friday.
The shutdown call was given by Anjuman-e-Islamia Bhaderwah against the central and state government "for its criminal silence over sufferings of Kashmiri people for the past 41 days."

"People of Kashmir are going through worst form of brutalities, but surprisingly a criminal silence is being maintained by both Central and State government, which is further aggravating the problem and unrest is fast spreading to Chenab Valley and other parts of Jammu province,” said Anjuman-e-Islamia President Pervaiz Ahmed Sheikh.

(With additional reporting from Altaf Baba, Ejaz-ul Haq Bhat, Ghulam Muhammad, Sheikh Nazir, Showkat Dar,  Tahir Nadeem Khan)

காஸ்மீர் Day 41:Army Beats Lecturer To Death

Day 41:Army Beats Lecturer To Death

BY OBSERVER NEWS SERVICE|AUGUST 18, 2016, 11:13 PM

Srinagar: A contractual lecturer was allegedly beaten to death by army on Wednesday night after the soldiers barged into the houses at Khrew Pampore and beat the inmates left, right and centre. The killing has taken the death toll to 71 since the death of Hizb militant, Burhan Wani who was killed in police action on July 8 in the South Kashmir village of Bamdoor in Kokernag, Anantnag.  

According to the reports, the slain lecturer has been identified as Shabir Ahmad Mongu, son of Wali Muhammad Mongu, resident of Sharshali Khrew. Along with many other youth, the deceased was allegedly picked up by forces on Wednesday night during the nocturnal raid in the Shaar Saali Pampore area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. 

A senior doctor at Pampore sub-district hospital said Mangoo was brought dead to the hospital.

The residents said the forces damaged their houses and arrested several youth among which Mangoo was killed while few others are injured. About 35 injured from the area were removed to local health centre Khrew and 15 referred to Srinagar hospitals.

“Besides other people, Shabir Ahmad was dragged out of home and beaten ruthlessly before being whisked away by the forces.

“Around 1.00am, we were asked to collect his (Shabir’s) body,” the protesting locals said adding that around 60 other people have been injured.

The locals also said that the slain lecturer’s brother has also been critically injured by the army who is battling with death at the SMHS hospital, Srinagar.

“It was a hell like situation. They (Army) barged into our houses, assaulted people, harassed females and dragged youth out from houses, bundled them into vehicles and physically tortured them in the camp,” the locals said wishing not to be named.

 “It was a cold blooded murder and we will never forget this,” said a group of youth. The killing sparked widespread protest while men and women staged a massive anti-Army protest in the area.

Amid anti-government, anti-India slogans the people carried out a procession denouncing the innocent killings.

Meanwhile, curfew and restrictions remained in force in Srinagar, Anantnag town and Pampore. Reports said that heavy deployment of forces was seen in Srinagar city with all roads 

leading to the local office of United Nations Military Observers Group (UNMOG) at Sonawar sealed. The authorities strictly imposed night curfew in the city in view of the separatists' call for March to the UN office over a 72-hour period beginning Wednesday.

Mobile Internet and mobile telephony services across the valley remained suspended. However, broadband services were restored on Wednesday night after five days.

A sit-in was held in Srinagar's Nawa Kadal area to protest the continued killings of civilians in Kashmir.  Scores of men, women and children gathered at Ansari Chowk Khanqah-e-Sokhta and staged the sit-in, which was led by Hurriyat (M) leader Masroor Ansari. The protesters chanted pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.

Reports from North Kashmir’s Bandipora said that hundreds of people took to streets to pay homage to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on his Chelum. Reports said the villagers of Ayathmula, Ajar, Khayar, Papchan, Aragam, and other adjoining villages assembled at one place where tents were erected to have offer prayers for Wani. Reports also said that the local mosques blared out pro-freedom and pro- Burhan numbers.

Reports from South Kashmir’s Shopian district said that hundreds of protesters irked by nocturnal raid attacked the residence of People’s Democratic Party MLA from Shopian, 

Advocate Muhammad Yousuf Bhat on Wednesday night and set his guard room ablaze in his absence.

Sources said that police raided many residences in Mimender, area of Shopian during night to arrest youth however, police party faced stiff resistance from the people who hold nocturnal protests and foiled police attempt to arrest youth.

Local sources said that soon after police party left the spot, angry protesters attacked nearby residence of Bhat.

They pelted stones on Bhat’s house and attacked even PSO’s guarding it, they said.

Seeing the intensity of the attack, the PSO’s guarding PDP leader’s residence fled the spot, they said adding “angry people set the guard room on fire.”

PDP legislator Bhat confirmed the attack on his house and said that nobody was present there at that time.

Reports from North Kashmir’s Kupwara district said that a 27 year old youth was injured at Batergam area when government forces opened fire to disperse a pro-freedom procession. 

Hundreds of people organized a march from Batergam to main Chowk Kupwara however government forces opened fire to disperse the protesters resulting in injury to one youth. 

Hospital sources said that the said youth was hit by bullet in his leg and he was referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment.   

Pertinently, normal life has been paralysed in the Valley due to street protests since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with the government forces on July 8.

`ஒலிம்பிக் 2016 துப்பாக்கிச் சூட்டில் இந்தியாவுக்கு தங்கப் பதக்கம்`

Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviews Kashmir situation
Senior security officials briefed the top Ministers the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley and steps taken to restore peace, sources said.

By: PTI | New Delhi | Published:August 18, 2016 9:35 pm

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir as the unrest in Kashmir Valley continues unabated for more than one month.
During the hour-long meeting, the Home Minister took stock of the situation in Kashmir valley. Rajnath Singh was accompanied by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Senior security officials briefed the top Ministers the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley and steps taken to restore peace, sources said.

The Ministers also reviewed various aspects in the implementation of Rs 80,000 crore package announced by the Central government for Jammu and Kashmir in November last year.
Kashmir Valley has been witnessing unrest after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani more than a month ago.

As many as 64 people including two police personnel have been killed and several thousand injured in the clashes that began on July 9.

The unrest in the state has now split over into its 41st day, with the militants stepping-up their efforts against government forces.

The separatist leaders on the other hand have threatened for a 72 hour sit-in protests on Wednesday, if their proposed march to the UN office is not allowed by the government.

Meanwhile, the ruling government members, including the coalition partners BJP MLAs have move to Jammu, awaiting for the beginning of the winter session.

The curfew continues to paralise the valley with schools, shops and business establishments closed for over a month and telephone and internet connectivity still suspended due to government orders.

The security situation has caused a head to the central and the state government alike, with over 8,000 civilians and government forces injured during the clashes.

6 reasons Russia and Turkey will struggle to become strategic partners

6 reasons Russia and Turkey will struggle to become strategic partners

August 10, 2016 MAXÍM YUSIN, KOMMERSANT

The Russian-Turkish rapprochement obtained during the Aug. 9 summit in St. Petersburg must not engender unrealistic expectations and excessive illusions. There are still many problems and serious contradictions in relations between Moscow and Ankara for there to be, as some commentators are already saying, a "strategic alliance" between Russia and Turkey.

1. Syria

The primary problem is the diametrically opposed position of the sides on the Syrian conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin is supporting Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is trying to have him overthrown. In this sense nothing has changed.

Putin-Erdogan meeting in St. Petersburg: Economy before politics
Putin-Erdogan meeting in St. Petersburg: Economy before politics
Ankara also has not stopped backing Syrian opposition units, those who are now advancing on Aleppo and who are being bombed by Russia's air force. We should not forget that it was the contradiction on Syria that had led to an unprecedented crisis in bilateral relations after the downing of the Russian bomber in November 2015. These contradictions persist.

2. The Kurds

The second problem is also related to the Syrian civil war – the Kurds. For Ankara the Kurdish units in Syria who are fighting with the Islamist radicals are opponents, separatists and accomplices of the "terrorists" from the Kurdistan Workers' Party, against which Erdogan is waging a war. For Moscow the Syrian Kurds are potential allies. Moscow has also traditionally had special relations with the Turkish Kurds, whom it does not consider enemies.

3. Nagorno-Karabakh

The third problem is related to the ongoing Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, now in its third decade. With all its measured statements and equidistance, Moscow is perceived in the world as Armenia's potential ally, since they are both members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. As for Turkey, it does not even try to show objectivity and impartiality. Ankara is unequivocally on Baku's side.

4. Competition in the CIS

The fourth problem concerns the post-Soviet space. Ankara has good relations with the Turkic republics of the former USSR (besides Azerbaijan, there is Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan) and for Moscow is thus a geopolitical competitor. A special and painful issue is Turkey's penetration into the "brotherly" Turkish-language republics of the Russian Federation.

5. Anti-Kremlin elements in Turkey

The fifth problem regards the fact that organizations that are openly hostile to Moscow (Crimean Tatars and those from the North Caucasus) are active on Turkish territory without any restrictions. They are supported by many influential diasporas. Therefore, even if he wanted to remove this irritant in relations with Russia, Erdogan would encounter serious opposition inside his country.

6. Lack of trust

The sixth problem is the crisis in trust. Moscow no longer publicly speaks about the incident with the downed Russian plane. But it has not been forgotten. Just like the hostile statements made by Turkish officials, including Erdogan, immediately after the incident have also not been forgotten. It would have been strange if after the destruction of the Su-24 Moscow had not come to certain conclusions about the Turkish government's reliability and predictability.

Finally, there is a seventh problem: the current rapprochement, in a significant way, is forced. The West perceives Moscow, and as of recently Ankara, cautiously; it is distancing itself from them. In such a situation the attempt to find an alternative partner and break out of international isolation seems completely natural. At the same time there is no certainty that Turkey, if its relations with the US and EU normalize, will continue cooperation with Russia and realize such projects as the Turkish Stream.

That is why we should not speak about a strategic partnership between Moscow and Ankara yet. It would be better to speak of its imitation. However, in comparison to the state of an imminent armed conflict that we saw half a year ago, the current reconciliation is great progress. It gives hope that the sides are trying to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

The article was first published in Russian by Kommersant.


The opinion of the writer may not necessarily reflect the position of RBTH or its staff.

Kashmir: DAY 39 - Toll 65: Forces shoot dead 5 more civilians

DAY 39 | Toll 65: Forces shoot dead 5 more civilians

Bullets rain in Budgam, Anantnag areas | Slain include 2 teenagers, 2 more ‘critical’ | Over 70 injured in day-long clashes; Army ‘beats people to pulp’ in Ganderbal | Huge pro-freedom rallies held in several areas

ABID BASHIR
Srinagar, Publish Date: Aug 17 2016 12:02AM | Updated Date: Aug 17 2016 1:34AM
DAY 39 | Toll 65: Forces shoot dead 5 more civilians

Photo: Habib Naqash/GK

Bloodbath continued in Kashmir as forces shot dead five more civilians including two teenagers on Tuesday—four in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district and one in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district—while at least 70 people were injured in day-long clashes in several areas. The condition of two injured youth is stated to be critical. With five more deaths, the toll has climbed to 65 in a span of 39 days while the number of injured has touched 6000. Of total injured, 500 have sustained grave pellet injuries in their eyes and are on the verge of losing their eye-sight, according to medicos.
Locals said on August 15, dozens of people took to streets in Aripanthan village of Beerwah tehsil of Budgam district to protest the alleged atrocities of forces. Locals told Greater Kashmir that forces broke windowpanes of many houses in the area without any provocation.

“Actually, some youth had pushed back SDM Budgam who had come to participate in official August 15 function yesterday. Perhaps, to take the revenge, forces created fear-psychosis among people by resorting to damaging of residential houses in the evening,” a group of locals alleged.
Things turned ugly on Tuesday morning (August 16) when locals of Aripanthan village went to nearby check-post to buy newspapers and in the meantime, some forces’ vehicles passed by. “Some forces personnel disembarked from their vehicles to clear the road where youth had placed big rocks to prevent the forces’ movement in the area,” witnesses said.

They said forces resorted to indiscriminate firing on people in which four persons sustained serious bullet injuries.

Witnesses said a civilian Muhammad Ashraf Wani, 35, s/o Ghulam Muhammad of Hazarpora, was looking for his child when a bullet hit him. “He died on the spot,” they said. “As the forces resorted to firing, all people laid themselves on ground.”

The witnesses said the forces fired at those who were walking at distance from the site where their vehicles were located. “12 more youth and a woman sustained bullet injuries of which two died on the spot while another one was shifted to SKIMS Bemina along with others,” they said.

The two other civilians who also died on the spot were identified as 25-year-old Javaid Ahmed Sheikh s/o Ghulam Rasool and Javaid Ahmed Najar, 19, S/o Ghulam Rasool.  The third one was brought dead to SKIMS Bemina, hospital sources said, and identified the slain as 25-year-old Manzoor Ahmed Lone s/o Muhammad Akbar. Locals said all the three slain civilians hailed from Aripanthan village of Beerwah Tehsil.

Block Medical Officer Beerwah said three youth were brought dead to Beerwah hospital. Locals said the situation in Arpanthan and Beerwah was tense as people in hundreds hit the streets to take part in funeral prayers of the four slain youth. They said people from dozens of villages that include Khag, Beerwah, Adina, Magam and others marched towards Aripanthan to join the prayers.

Reports meanwhile said the condition of two youth injured at Aripanthan—Touqeer Ahmed and Farooq Ahmed—is critical and they both are battling for life at SKIMS Soura.

‘ARMY BEATS PEOPLE TO PULP’

Reports said at least 35 people were allegedly beaten to pulp by Army in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The Army, however, refuted the allegations, claiming that they resorted to aerial firing only when their vehicles were stoned at Kurhama and Baroosa areas.  Officials at Primary Health Centre Lar and District Hospital Ganderbal confirmed that injured were brought there for treatment. “Most of the injured had bone fractures and swelling due to beating,” they said.
Reports said late evening protests were witnessed in Baroosa and other areas of Ganderbal district.  Some injured were also shifted to PHC Wakoora.

At Manigam, hundreds of women took out a pro-freedom rally that culminated peacefully. Reports said a candle march was also held in Kangan area.

SOUTH KASHMIR

As Kashmir was mourning the death of four civilians in Budgam, the Army shot dead a 15-year-old-boy at Larkipora in Dooru area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Witnesses said locals were protesting against the alleged atrocities by Army in the area. “The Army had entered into the residential houses and broke windowpanes of dozens of houses. The atrocities triggered protests followed by clashes,” they said.

“The Army resorted to indiscriminate firing in which a boy Amir Yousuf Ganai, 15, s/o Muhammad Yousuf of Naidpora, Larkipora sustained a bullet injury. He was brought dead to district hospital Anantnag.”

Four others also sustained bullet injuries in the Army firing while seven others were beaten and then hospitalized.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, the Army admitted that the boy got killed in firing by its soldiers. “We regret the killing of a local boy. The Army men came under heavy stone pelting at Larkipora, forcing us to resort to firing. The killing is unfortunate,” an army official said.

Reports said clashes and protests erupted against the killing of the boy at Larkipora where protestors set ablaze the house of a local Sajad Ahmed, who works with Army.   Locals said Sajad was part of soldiers who allegedly resorted to ransacking of residential houses in the area.

Reports said Army also allegedly broke windowpanes of many houses in Dialgam village.
Massive protests erupted at Anantnag district late in the evening. Locals said earlier in the day, strict curbs were in place across the town.

Protests were going on in Pampore area of Pulwama district, when this report was filed.

In Tral, reports said, people took out series of pro-freedom rallies in various places. Clashes were reported from Muran Chowk Pulwama while a protest march was held from Ganaipora to Batpora in Shopian where forces intercepted the rally near an Army camp and resorted to tear-gas shelling. Late night reports said protests were also held in Bijbehara, Koimoh, Khudwani, Redwani and other villages of Anantnag and Kulgam districts.

SRINAGAR

Stringent curbs were in place across Srinagar with spools of concertina wire placed on all the main roads. Police had blocked all main roads in city centre near Jehangir Chowk, Ghanta Ghar, Residency Road, Dalgate, Rajbagh and other areas.

Similar restrictions were in place across old Srinagar. “They (forces) didn’t even allow ambulances to move,” a doctor who was waiting for a vehicle to reach SMHS hospital said.

Witnesses said heavy deployment was in place in uptown and old city areas to prevent pro-freedom rallies from taking place.

Reports said late evening clashes were reported from Lasjan, Soiteng, Batamaloo, Bemina, Chattabal, Rajouri Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Kaka Sarai, and other areas of the city. Reports of torch processions being held poured in from Nowgam area. Similar reports came in from Hyderpora and Rambagh areas.

NORTH KASHMIR

An all-women protest rally was taken out in Ajas area of Bandipora district. The rally marched through all big and small roads, lanes and by-lanes.

Amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protesters demanded an immediate end to civilian killings in Kashmir. The rally concluded peacefully.

Meanwhile, people staged a peaceful protest at Gulshan Chowk and Nowpora Chowk of the district. A complete shutdown was observed amid the strict curfew for the 39th consecutive day in Sumbal and Hajin areas of the district. Reports said night protests were witnessed in Onangam, Kaloosa, Batpora, Nowpora, and other areas of Bandipore district while clashes were reported from Kaloosa and Nathpora areas.

Reports said in Baramulla district, strict curbs were in place while clashes were reported from Azadgunj and Palhallan areas in the evening.

In Sopore, people, including traders’ community staged a peaceful sit-in against the civilian killings.
Reports of evening clashes poured in from Batpora, Arampora, Tujjar Sharief, main chowk, Krankshivan and other areas of Sopore.

Reports said clashes were witnessed in Lalpora, (Lolab), Sogam, Takipora, and other areas. A peaceful protest was held in Kupwara and Handwara towns against the civilian killings. Reports said an all-women rally was held in Kupwara town that ended peacefully.

(With additional reporting Khalid Gul, from Altaf Baba, M A Dar,  Ejaz-ul-Haq Bhat, Ghulam Muhammad)

அவுஸ்ரேலியாவின் சனத்தொகைக் கணக்கெடுப்பில் நீக்கப்பட்டது தமிழீழம்

அவுஸ்ரேலியாவின் சனத்தொகைக் கணக்கெடுப்பில் நீக்கப்பட்டது தமிழீழம்

அவுஸ்ரேலியாவில் நடத்தப்படும் தேசிய சனத்தொகைக் கணக்கெடுப்பில்,பிறந்த நாடு என்ற கேள்விக்கு அளிக்கப்பட்டிருந்த தமிழீழம் என்ற தெரிவு விடை, இலங்கை தூதரகத்தின் அழுத்தத்தின் பேரில் நீக்கப்பட்டதாக தகவல்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

அவுஸ்ரேலிய புள்ளிவிபரப் பிரிவினால் தேசிய சனத்தொகைக் கணக்கெடுப்பு இணையத்தளம் மூலம் நடத்தப்பட்டு வருகிறது.

இதில்,' பிறந்த நாடு' என்ற கேள்விக்கான பதில்களில் பல்வேறு அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட மற்றும் அங்கீகரிக்கப்படாத நாடுகள் வரிசைப்படுத்தப்பட்டிருந்தன. அதில் தமிழீழமும் உள்ளடக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது.

இதனால் அவுஸ்ரேலியாவில் உள்ள ஈழத் தமிழர்கள் தமிழீழம் என்று தமது பிறந்த இடத்தை குறிப்பிடத் தொடங்கினர்.

இதையடுத்து, கடந்த 6ஆம் ,7ஆம் நாள்களில், கன்பராவில் உள்ள இலங்கைத் தூதரகத்துக்கு பெருமளவு தொலைபேசி அழைப்புகளும், மின்னஞ்சல்களும் வரத் தொடங்கின.

வாரஇறுதி விடுமுறைக்குப் பின்னர், முதலாவது வேலை நாளான கடந்த 9ஆம் நாள், கன்பராவில் உள்ள இலங்கைத்  தூதரகம் துரித நடவடிக்கையில் இறங்கியது.

அவுஸ்ரேலிய வெளிவிவகார மற்றும் வர்த்தக திணைக்களத்திடமும், அவுஸ்ரேலிய புள்ளிவிபரவியல் பிரிவிடமும் எதிர்ப்புத் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டது.

இதனையடுத்து, அவுஸ்ரேலியாவுக்கான இலங்கைத்  தூதுவர் ஸ்கந்தகுமார் அவுஸ்ரேலிய புள்ளிவிபரவியல் பிரிவுடன் நேரடியாகப் பேசினார்.

விடுதலைப் புலிகள் அமைப்பு அவுஸ்ரேலியாவில் தீவிரவாத அமைப்பாக பட்டியலிடப்பட்டுள்ள நிலையில், அதிகாரபூர்வ இணையத்தளத்தில் தமிழீழம் என்ற தெரிவு எவ்வாறு இடம்பெற்றது என்று அவுஸ்ரேலிய புள்ளிவிபரவியல் பிரிவிடம் அவர்கேள்வி எழுப்பியுள்ளார்.

தமிழீழம் என்ற பதம், அவுஸ்ரேலிய அரசின் அதிகாரபூர்வ இணையத்தளத்தில் இடம்பெற்றிருப்பதை ஏற்றுக் கொள்ள முடியாது என்றும் அவர் குறிப்பிட்டார்.

இந்த நிலையில் அவுஸ்ரேலிய வெளிவிவகார அமைச்சு தமிழீழத்தை நீக்குவதாக கடந்த 9ஆம் நாள் இலங்கை தூதுவருக்கு உறுதி அளித்தது, இதற்கமைய அன்று பிற்பகல் 2.30 மணியளவில், தமிழீழம் நீக்கப்பட்டது.

மாவீரர் துயிலும் இல்லங்களை மீளக்கட்டியமைக்க மக்கள் கோரிக்கை.

 Call for rebuilding of Tiger war memorials
August 14, 2016, 9:51 pm 

Memorials of Tamils who were killed during their struggle against the Sri Lanka government must be rebuilt, said members of the Tamil public at a zonal hearing of the government’s public Consultation Task Force on reconciliation in Vadamarachchi, Jaffna, according to the Tamil Guardian.

சிங்களம் சரித்த மில்லரின் சிலை

"All memorials built to honour the Tamils who fought and sacrificed their lives in their struggle for freedom had been demolished", the members of the group said. "The building of Sri Lankan army camps over the demolished tombs of Tamil freedom fighters added further pain to the Tamil people," they said.

"How can one talk about reconciliation whilst standing over the corpses of people who were just fighting for their freedom?" asked one of them.

Another one added, "Tamils should have the liberty to pay homage to their loved ones who sacrificed their lives for their cause."

Further calls were made for ensuring freedom to build a new monument in memory of the people who lost their lives during the final stages of the war.