If Unitary State compromised, country’s disintegration inevitable: Vasu

If Unitary State compromised, country’s disintegration inevitable: Vasu
2016-10-18      
In what appeared to be a major policy shift, Democratic Left Front stalwart joint opposition MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara, who once stood for self-determination, said the leftist allies
had decided to advocate a Unitary State with the Provincial Council as the unit of devolution. He said it was a stance taken after he moved from the Nawa Sama Samaja Party (NSSP).
Excerpts of the interview are as follows:

Q  How do you assess the unfolding political situation?

Basically, the government is in a bad wicket in respect of fiscal situation, foreign reserves and debt servicing. Therefore, the opposition has been strengthened. Particularly, the joint
opposition (JO) has an advantage in the political arena at the moment. The JVP has a role to play. It is presently critical of the government. When it comes to a decisive moment, yet
the JVP stands more opposed to the joint opposition than to the government according to their own reasoning. As a result, the government has a political cushioning from the JVP.

Q  You referred to debt serving as an area in which the government is struggling. The government leaders repeatedly say the debt burden is what it inherited from the previous
government which you represented. What are your thoughts?

Whatever the reason might be, they are faced with heavy borrowings. Debt has increased by many folds over the last two years for whatever reason. I do not want to go into detail. The
crux of the matter is that the government has to face a serious debt servicing problem. How do they face it? They have to find concessionary funds from the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) or the World Bank. The IMF has agreed to provide monetary assistance. It is conditional. The government has to reduce the fiscal deficit. It means the government has to
cut spending or increase revenue. Tax reforms are called for. It means tax net has to be widened. A large number of people who are not paying taxes should be brought within the net.
Instead of doing it, what is happening is taxing the already-burdened. Individuals as well as organistions that already pay taxes are targeted. They are within the target area of the
government to increase revenue.

 In the meantime, the tax threshold has been expanded. The government faces the task of increasing its revenue. Then, it has to pass a major burden on to the people in order to
collect revenue. That is the condition of the IMF. Here, the IMF targets a large number of black money holders. They have to be brought within the ambit. In contrast, people are
burdened by increasing indirect taxes and fees, special commodity levies and so forth. All these mean a cumulative burden on people in a serious way. I cannot even imagine to what
height cost of living will rise in this context later.

Q  In your view, what is the reason for the present crisis?

Simply, the global economy has a gloomy outlook. It does not show any sign of recovery in the US economy as expected. European economic growth is sluggish. The Japanese
economy is even worse. Therefore, the global economic downturn has affected the entire world. Primary commodities have become reduced to a level which is incredible. Commodity-
exporting countries are now reeling. Brazil is facing a serious crisis in this respect, for example. It has affected our tea, rubber and other agricultural produce. The area in which the
government has some hope is the attraction of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs). As we know, it is not flowing in abundance. Therefore, our reserves are in bad shape. On the other
hand, our economic activities have failed. If there is any growth in our economy, it is due to consumer demand.

 Interest rates are increasing. With that, there will be difficulty for people. Credit availability will be expensive. They have to increase the interest rates in order to bring consumption down. Then, there will be no other factor to stimulate growth. Anyway, consumer-driven economic growth can be a strain on the reserves. The government has a difficult choice. On the one hand, it has to control consumption, and on the other, there is no alternative way in which economic growth takes place. In this very difficult situation, the government has only one option. That is to extract more from people. That is the only way; unless they get some special favours from any of the countries. I do not think any country is in a state to give that kind of financial assistance. Or else, it has to happen in the form of military aid. May be, there is thought given to joint patrolling of sea lanes of the Indian ocean together with the United States. This combination will ultimately give Americans the base to come in to berth in Trincomalee as part of operations to protect the sea lanes with the Sri Lanka Navy. That strategy is to give high leverage. Then, money will come in the form of military aid. I do not know if that will go well with India. Indians are not happy with Americans directly handling Sri Lanka in the way they engage the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Northern Provincial Council. It will make way for a greater autonomy to the North. India will not be happy with it.

Q  Then, how does the JO stand up to the situation?

The joint opposition will take advantage of the situation. What we should do is to dislodge the government at the earliest possible. How it could happen is by the contradictions going
to a point of collapse. It could soon happen with the increased loss of legitimacy for the government. That will be when the local government elections will bring out results. If it is a serious defeat to the government, it will happen.

"The government has a difficult choice. On the one hand, it has to control consumption, and on the other, there is no alternative way for economic growth "


Q  How challenging is it for you to unseat the government in that manner?

When the government loses legitimacy with a serious defeat at the hands of the joint opposition, from that point onwards, the government will find confrontations with people in respect of their demands. For example, air traffic controllers took a confrontational line. Then, the minister responsible talked to them. Subsequently, non-academics took a similar stance, and the government conceded. Likewise, after defeat and loss of legitimacy, it will happen. When the government goes for the Private Public Partnership model for reforming the State sector, workers will revolt. Workers will not be able to accept the model which gives more leverage to the private sector.

Q  How certain are you of winning the election because central rule of the country is in the other side?

We can win the elections. How convincingly we can win is not clear yet. We are winning anyway. The cooperative society elections are coming in.

Q  How representative are such cooperative societies in terms of general public opinion?

It throws some light on the mood of people. It is some form of gauge. Social media indicate anti-government tendencies.

Q  How do you progress in the direction of forming a political entity for the JO?

We will form an alliance for registration and take a symbol to contest the election.

Q  How far have you made progress?

It is all set now. All needs are met in order to register the alliance. As for Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members, I am asking them to fight to regain control of the party rather than
forming a new one.

Q  As long as the President is the SLFP leader, will it be difficult for them to get hold of the party?

Legally, we cannot get it. But, when the combination of the UNP and SLFP section with the President is convincingly defeated, the mass response will hold sway. It will determine who
owns the SLFP politically.

Q  What is the position of the TNA’s demand for power-sharing arrangements?

The joint opposition thinks the arrangement with the TNA will undermine the unitary character of the State, paving the way for separatist tendencies to arise.

Q  It means you stand for the unitary character of the Constitution?

Yes, I do.

"The Sinhalese have to concede the rights of Tamil people for governance through the local bodies and provincial councils by devolving power. Actually, it is by progressively devolving
power with mutual confidence"

Q  Is that a stand taken later by you as a leftist politician?

Yes, it is a stand taken later. I moved out from the Nawa Sama Samaja Party (NSSP). We were for the right to self-determination when in NSSP. We did not care about the Unitary State. A Federal State was acceptable to us. After we left the NSSP, we discussed the national question and ultimately how we could unite the country. The Sinhalese have to concede the rights of Tamil people for governance through the local bodies and provincial councils by devolving power. Actually, it is by progressively devolving power with mutual confidence and understanding within a unitary framework. That is the maximum you can expect from the Sinhalese. On the other hand, no unity will come without the consent of Tamil people. Therefore, this mutuality has to be found between Tamil people’s rights and the sense of insecurity of Sinhalese. Sense of insecurity has to be met and laid to rest at the end. Tamil people have to be won around by the Sinhalese and vice versa. This is the meeting ground we see in the provincial councils within a unitary framework. If the Unitary State is
abandoned, disintegration of the country will be inevitable.

Q  Some powers have already been devolved to the Provincial Councils. Do you advocate more?

The Provincial Councils within a unitary framework are the basis. What is to be given and taken is a process. We will arrive at unity in the process.

Q  How do you see eye-to-eye on this?

The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) is with us. The Communist Party is divided. Some want to support the government to carry out Constitutional reforms. We say the government
must be defeated on all accounts. The Constitutional reforms are sought as part of arrangements with the TNA. It will undermine the unitary character.

Source:

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/If-Unitary-State-compromised-country-s-disintegration-inevitable-Vasu-117596.html

TTIP, CETA முறியடிப்போம்!

 

 

 

 

 

May to visit India in push to develop trade links after Brexit

File Photo May Modi

Theresa May to visit India in push to develop trade links after Brexit
By Press Association
Published: 02:44, 16 October 2016  | Updated: 02:44, 16 October 2016 

Prime Minister Theresa May will visit India next month in her first international trade mission to begin the process of capitalising on new economic opportunities presented by Brexit.
In a sign of India's importance to the Government as it seeks new global trading relationships while leaving the European Union, the visit is Mrs May's first bilateral trip outside Europe as PM.
She will meet prime minister Narendra Modi for talks and introduce British small and medium sized firms from every region of the country, alongside more established players, to the "key" Indian market.

A number of commercial deals are expected to be signed during the trip to help create UK jobs and demonstrate "market confidence in the strength of the British economy" after the Brexit vote, Downing Street said.

In a move to build links in the region Mrs May and Mr Modi will inaugurate the India-UK Tech summit, South Asia's largest technology conference, in New Delhi before a visit to another city.

Ahead of the trip, Mrs May said: "As we leave the European Union we have the chance to forge a new global role for the UK - to look beyond our continent and towards the economic and diplomatic opportunities in the wider world.

"I am determined to capitalise on those opportunities, and as we embark on the trade mission to India we will send the message that the UK will be the most passionate, most consistent, and most convincing advocate for free trade."

Mrs May will be joined by UK firms such as GeoLang, a Cardiff cyber security business, Torftech, a creative energy business based in the south east, and Telensa, which operates in Cambridge and focuses on smart city solutions.

"In the past the focus of trade delegations has been big businesses, but I want to take a new approach that recognises the full range of British business," the PM said.

"So this time we will be focussing on small and medium sized businesses - and, importantly, the delegation will include representation from every region of the UK."

There are approximately 1.5 million people of Indian origin in the UK and the country is Britain's second largest international job creator - with 7,105 new roles created last year through 140 projects.Indian companies currently employ more than 100,000 people in the UK, and investments in recent years include £97 million from JLR to create 3,820 jobs, and £84 million from Tata Motors, producing 1,825 jobs.

Mrs May said: "I want to create an economy that truly works for everyone - and this new approach to international trade missions will help achieve just that.

"The relationships between our two countries are strong, and the Indian diaspora plays a vital role in our national life.

"In my talks with prime minister Modi I want to build on our relationship for the benefit of both our countries, generating jobs and wealth and maintaining cooperation on defence and security."

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox will join the visit and attend the Joint Economic and Trade Committee, where British and Indian business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs will discuss how to take the ties between the two countries "to the next level".

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-3840167/Theresa-May-visit-India-push-develop-trade-links-Brexit.html#ixzz4NQ4u4VkZ
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Sri Lanka In US – Tel Aviv – New Delhi Axis

Sri Lanka In US – Tel Aviv – New Delhi Axis
October 18, 2016 | Colombo Telegraph,
By Latheef Farook



Latheef Farook

Sri Lanka’s abstention from voting on UNESCO resolution on Israeli atrocities on Masjid Al Aqsa: Insults island’s Muslims and Muslims worldwide


On Thursday 13 October 2016 Sri Lanka, once a strong defender of brutalised Palestinian rights, abstained from voting on UNESCO resolution which deprecated Israeli violations in and around the al-Haram al-Sharif, Masjid Al Aqsa, compound in the occupied Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds.
This shocking U Turn in the island’s once proud and respected neutral foreign policy, insults the island’s Muslims and around 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide who always stood by the island especially during times of adversity though successive governments and the mainstream media failed to recognise or appreciate.

Israeli-violations-in-and-around-the-al-haram-al-sharif-masjid-al-aqsa-compound-in-the-occupied-old-city-of-jerusalem-al-qudsSri Lanka’s abstention in favour of Israeli atrocities demonstrated the bankruptcy of the crisis ridden Yahapalanaya government’s short sighted foreign policy of blindly aligning with US and thereby being indifferent to all US led European Israeli war crimes on Muslims worldwide.

What was further shocking is that in its drive to please US and Israel, the government has dismissed the Muslim community’s unstinted support which played a decisive role in bringing UNP government to power after losing more than two dozen elections.

In its resolution UNESCO, (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has strongly condemned “the escalating Israeli aggression, its illegal measures and called on “Israel, the occupying power, to respect the historic status quo and to immediately stop these measures.”
The resolution also criticized the “continuous storming of Haram al-Sharif by the Israeli right-wing extremists and uniformed forces. “The resolution ignored Jewish ties to the Temple Mount and the Western Wall, used only Muslim names for the Jerusalem Old City holy sites and was harshly critical of Israel for what it termed “provocative abuses that violate the sanctity and integrity” of the area.
The resolution starts by affirming the “importance of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls for the three monotheistic religions,” but then goes on to accuse Israel — which it consistently calls “the occupying power” — of a long list of wrongdoings. The text “firmly deplores the continuous storming” of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram AL Sharif — Muslim names for the Temple Mount compound and the mosque located there — “by Israeli right-wing extremists and uniformed forces.”
It also decries Israeli works in the Western Wall Plaza, which it terms the al-Burak plaza after the Muslim name for the site.

Masjid Al Aqsa

Masjid Al Aqsa remains the third holiest place in Islam after Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina. Thus is it is dear to the hearts of every Muslim in the world. Ever since Israel occupied Jerusalem in June 1967 war of aggression Israel has unleashed unprecedented violence against Palestinian worshippers to Al Aqsa.

According to Ma’am News Agency “Palestinians come under routine fierce attacks as they attempt with their bare hands, sticks and stones to prevent repeated violent assaults by Israeli occupation forces into Jerusalem’s  mosque compound. The violence comes as Israeli-backed Jewish extremist groups bent on destroying Al Aqsa mosque, and construct a Jewish “Third Temple” in its place.
Israeli forces injuring worshippers by firing stun grenades, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated steel bullets remain a daily occurrence. The Jerusalem Municipality and government ministries directly fund and support these extremists showing the official support to this hooliganism.

One tactic Israel has used more frequently to facilitate the incursions is to issue banning orders against Palestinian volunteers whose goal is to maintain a constant presence at the compound.
 The next step many fear could be a physical partition of the compound between Jews and Muslims, following the model Israel imposed on the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron after the 1994 massacre by an American-born Jewish settler who killed 29 Palestinian men and boys who were performing Ramadan prayers.

The UNESCO resolution is to uphold justice and condemn the lawlessness and atrocities of the Israeli occupation forces.

Under such circumstance abstaining from voting for this resolution means the Sri Lankan government has dismissed justice and discarded the just cause of Palestinians and Muslims worldwide in its drive to support Israeli lawlessness and barbarity. The irony is that Israel is an entity established in violation of all moral, legal and ethical principles cherished by humanity throughout the ages has committed more than 60 massacres of Palestinians.

Sri Lanka’s abstention is not something unexpected in view of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s pro-western mind-set. In fact he was one of the few prime ministers in the world who refused to condemn America’s illegal invasion and destruction of oil rich Iraq in 2003 and the massacre of more than a million and half innocent Iraqi.

It was said by many that when UNP Muslim parliamentarians tried to condemn the American invasion of Iraq Mr Wickremasinghe had asked them to do so after leaving the government.
 In the 1960s and 1970s Sri Lankan voice was highly respected in all third world forums for its support to oppressed people worldwide in their struggle for freedom. Under the circumstance the need of the hour is to reestablish the image of Sri. This cannot be achieved by rolling red carpet to war criminals.

For more than six decades Israelis tried many time to sneak into the island but were expelled time and again by successive Sri Lankan government.

It was defeated President Mahinda Rajapaksa, so called champion of Palestinians rights, opened the door for Zionist presence here. Zionists grabbed the opportunity. They got President Mahinda Rajapaksa, then Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and a parliamentary delegation led by then Leader of the House Nimal Sripala De Silva to visit Israel. Since then several ministers and top officials visited Israel. Certainly a great achievement for Israel.

This policy continues with greater intensity today. Since assuming office the UNP led government has opened the island to Zionist Jews whose global agenda is to destroy and eliminate Islam and Muslims worldwide. Under such circumstance they are not here to help Sri Lanka in any way but to implement their designs which would turn the country into a killing field.

They are so successful that they got even President Maithripala Sirisena to visit the holocaust museum in Germany- exploited by Zionist Jews as a weapon to win sympathy to establish their racist state of Israel in Palestine with US-European support. Perhaps President Sirisena was not aware of the seriousness and the implications of this visit.

The present international political scenario is for US, Britain and Europe to destroy the Middle East, under the guise of fighting war on terrorism, to create Greater Israel. The RSS government in India whose declared agenda is to eliminate Islam and Muslims from India has joined US-European-Israeli – Axis.

Indications are that Sri Lanka is also being absorbed into this Axis.

However despite Sri Lanka throwing its weight behind this AXIS the island was not flooded with foreign investment. Instead continues to depend on remittance mainly from Sri Lankan expatriates from the Gulf state without which the economy may even collapse.

காவிரி- கழக ரயில் மறியப் போராட்டம்

 

 

 

காவிரியில் தமிழகத்தின் உரிமையை நிலை நாட்ட கழகம் தொடர்ந்து போராடிவருகின்றது. மன்மோகன் ஆட்சிக் காலத்தில்  `முல்லைப் பெரியாற்றில் தமிழகத்தின் உரிமையைப் பாதுகாப்போம்`! என்கிற நூலை வெளியிட்டது. இந்நூலானது காவிரி நதி நீர்ப் பிரச்சனையை இயங்கியல் பொருள்முதல்வாத மார்க்சிய நோக்கு நிலையில் ஆய்வு செய்த நூலாகும்.

 

இந்நூல் பின்வரும் கேள்விகளை எழுப்பி;

``முல்லைப் பெரியாற்று நீரைப் பகிர்ந்து கொள்வது தொடர்பாக கடந்த முப்பது ஆண்டுகளுக்கு மேலாக, தமிழகத்திற்கும் கேரளத்திற்கும் இடையில் சிக்கல் நீடித்து வருகிறது. இவ்வாறு சிக்கல் நிலவுவதற்கான காரணம் என்ன? ஆங்கிலேயே ஏகாதிபத்தியவாதிகளால் இந்த அணை எவ்வாறு கட்டப்பட்டது? முல்லை பெரியாறு அணைக்கான ஒப்பந்தம் தமிழர்களின் நலன்களுக்காக போடப்பட்டதா அல்லது காலனிய ஏகாதிபத்தியவாதிகளின் சுரண்டல் நலன்களுக்காக போடப்பட்டதா? இந்த ஆறு இரண்டு தேசிய இனங்களுக்கு சொந்தமானதா அல்லது ஒரே இனத்திற்கு சொந்தமானதா? ஆற்றில் தமிழகத்தின் உரிமையை எவ்வாறு பாதுகாப்பது? நீர்ப் பற்றாக்குறை மாநிலமான தமிழகத்திற்கு நீர் மிகையாக உள்ள கேரளாவிலிருந்து நீரை பெறுவதற்கான சிக்கலுக்கு எவ்வாறு தீர்வுகாண்பது? மேற்கண்ட அனைத்துப் பிரச்சினைகளுக்கும் விடைகாண முல்லைப் பெரியாறு அணை கட்டப்பட்ட வரலாற்றையும், ஆங்கிலேய ஏகாதிபத்தியவாதிகளால் போடப்பட்ட ஒப்பந்தத்தின் தன்மை பற்றியும், தற்போது ஏற்பட்டிருக்கும் சிக்கல்களுக்கு தீர்வு காண்பது குறித்தும் பரிசீலனை செய்வோம்!`` இந்த முழுவிரிவான பரிசீலணையை கீழ்க்கண்ட நூலில் வாசகர்கள் கற்றறியலாம்.

 

`முல்லைப் பெரியாற்றில் தமிழகத்தின் உரிமையைப் பாதுகாப்போம்` நூலில் இருந்து 

 

உச்ச நீதிமன்ற தீர்ப்பையேற்று மேலாண்மை ஆணையம் அமைப்பதையும்,மேலதிக நீர் வழங்குவதையும் கர்நாடக அரசு மறுத்த சூழலில் மீண்டும் பிரச்சனை தோன்றியது.

 

இச் சூழலை ஒட்டி கழகம் பின் வரும் முழகக்கங்களை முன் வைத்து அரசியல் பிரச்சாரம் செய்தது.

 

 

 

என முழங்கி சுவரொட்டி இயக்கம் நடத்தியது. இதன் தொடர்ச்சியாக 25-10-2016 செவ்வாய் மாலை 4.00 மணியளவில் சென்னை மத்திய (சென்ரல்) இரயில் நிலையத்தில் இரயில் மறிப்புப் போராட்டத்துக்கு  அறைகூவல் விடுத்துள்ளது

 

 

 

 

 கழக காவேரி, சென்னை ரயில் மறியல் போராட்டம் வெல்க!

 

Kashmir uprising completes 100 days

16-10-2016
Kashmir uprising completes 100 days
===========
Kashmir uprising enters 100th day today

Srinagar, October 16 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, the ongoing intifada marked by cold-blooded killings, crippling injuries, curfew and restrictions completed 100 days, today, while anti-India protest rallies and shutdown continue across the territory.

The uprising that was triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by Indian forces on July 8 has left 110 people dead and several thousand injured, so far. More than 800 people sustained pellet injuries in their eyes with majority of them on the verge of losing eyesight partially or fully.

The Valley is also witnessing continued shutdown for the past 100 days. The authorities imposed curfew and restrictions for most of the period during these days. Mobile Internet services continued to remain suspended across the Kashmir Valley.

Meanwhile, protests and clashes broke out in various parts of the Valley including Srinagar, Shopian, Baramulla, Pulwama and Islamabad districts. The men in uniform barged into houses, damaged properties worth millions, vandalized household goods and subjected the inmates to brute torture in many areas.

All social and religious organisations like Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat-i-Ahle Hadees, Tehreek-e-Sawtul Awliya, Karwaan-i-Islami, Ummat-i-Islami, Anjuman-i-Tableeghul Islam and others launched a door-to-door campaign to raise funds for the support of curfew-hit transporters in the territory. Call for the drive was given by the joint Hurriyet leadership.

Protesters took to the streets after Zuhr prayers at Eidgah in Baramulla, today, and waved flags of Pakistan. They chanted pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.

The post-Ashura procession attended by thousands of people in Sankoo near Kargil turned into an anti-India protest demonstration. The participants raised slogans against the recent killings of Muslims in the Kashmir valley.

Around 100 houses were destroyed when they caught fire under mysterious circumstances in Kishtwar area of Jammu region.

A special police officer was stoned to death by two Hindu men in a remote village of Kathua district in Jammu region.

Kashmir uprising completes 100 days

ABID BASHIR
Srinagar, Publish Date: Oct 16 2016 11:17PM | Updated Date: Oct 16 2016 11:17PM GK

Fresh clashes erupted in some Kashmir areas on Sunday as the anti-India uprising completed 100 days which were marked by civilian killings, blinding of children and youth due to pellets, and massive repression on people by forces. At least 94 people have been killed and more than 15,000 injured in action by forces during this period, and at least 780 people were hit by pellets in eyes and a vast majority of them are on the verge of losing their vision, partially of fully. Even on the 100th day of the uprising on Sunday, reports of clashes and pro-freedom protests poured in from various areas, including Srinagar, even as police continued with the arrest youth and said 62 more were arrested on charges of “disrupting normal life” in the past 24 hours.

‘LONGEST SHUDOWN’

Kashmir has registered longest-ever continuous shutdown of 100 days on the call of joint resistance leadership including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik. Majority of historians and authors have agreed that the region has never seen a continuous shutdown for over three months. Noted poet and social activist, Zareef Ahmed Zareef, said this is for the first time in Kashmir’s history that people have themselves observed strike for 100 days.

SEPARATISTS CAGED

Police sources said over 150 separatist leaders/activists have been detained or arrested so far in the past more than three months. While Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani continues to remain under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence, Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Miwaiz Umar Farooq is languishing in sub-jail at Chesmashahi, while JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik has been lodged in Central Jail Srinagar. He was first lodged in police station Kothibagh on July 8, and then taken to Central Jail Srinagar where from he was shifted to police station Humhama. He was recently shifted back to Central Jail.

NO PRAYERS AT JAMIA MASJID FOR 14 WEEKS

The J&K government disallowed congregational Friday prayers at historic Jamia Masjid continuously for the past 14 weeks.

‘DEADLIEST DAY’

According to figures available with Greater Kashmir, at least 12 protestors died on July 9, the day after the killing of Burhan Wani in southern Kokernag village.

PELLETS KILL 14, BLIND HUNDREDS

The use of pellet guns proved lethal in Kashmir as at least 14 youth including two teenagers died of pellets in the past three months.

SITUATION ON SUNDAY

While markets across Kashmir, including Srinagar, opened after 5 pm on the relaxation call given by the joint resistance leadership, massive clashes broke out at Sonwar area in Srinagar after youth and women blocked the main road to stage a protest against the detention of a local Imam, Hafiz Riyaz Ahmed. The road witnessed massive traffic jam for nearly an hour after police resorted to heavy teargas shelling to disperse the protestors. Two people including a woman sustained injury in the police action. Locals said the Imam was called to police station Ram Munshibagh and later detained “without any reason.”

“The situation in the area had been relatively peaceful, but the unjustified actions by police, like the Imam’s detention, trigger protests in the area,” a group of protestors said. Earlier, locals said, two youth including a 12-year-old boy were detained by the police. Reports from north Kashmir’s Baramulla said clashes broke out this afternoon in old town Baramulla after police foiled a pro-freedom protest march in the area. According to reports, joint afternoon prayers were offered in Jamia Masjid. Soon after the conclusion of the prayers, a pro-freedom protest march was taken out but police from across the river Jhelum lobbed scores of teargas shells towards the protesters, triggering clashes which continued till evening. Meanwhile, the residents of Bunglowbagh, in old town alleged that police after entering the area resorted to ransacking of some residential houses. They said some persons suffered injuries during the police action. Reports from Sopore said people staged protests at Batpora and Sher Colony against the alleged vandalism by forces. Reports said pro-freedom protests were held in Ruhumoo. Locals of Kakapora, Pulwama alleged that forces ransacked houses there, triggering massive protests and clashes.

Reports from Central Kashmir’s Budgam district said at Gowharpora Chowk, clashes broke out after youth threw stones at forces’ vehicles. Forces fired tear-smoke shells to disperse the protestors. Meanwhile, reports said forces conducted nocturnal raids at Huproo, Batpora in Chadoora village, last night, where they allegedly beat up a few inmates too.

POLICE VERSION

According to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, situation across Kashmir remained normal and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere. “During the day normal life was observed across the valley as normal flow of vehicular traffic including the public transport was seen on the city roads as also in the main towns and inter-district roads of the valley,” it said.  “Sunday market in Srinagar witnessed a huge rush of shoppers as people from different parts of the city and elsewhere thronged it to purchase different articles.”

The statement said in its sustained action to “curb the activities of miscreants”, police arrested 62 such individuals “involved in disrupting the public order in different parts of the valley during past 24 hours.”

(With inputs Altaf Baba, Khalid Gul, Gulam Muhammad, M A Dar)
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Shutdown continues in Kashmir as uprising completes 100 days 09:41 pm UTC 16 Oct, 2016

Over 90 killed, thousands injured, arrested; hundreds blinded
Kashmir Press Service   Kashmir Age

Srinagar: The ongoing unrest in Kashmir, triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with forces, today completed 100 days even as the Valley remained curfew-free in view of the improvement in the situation.

 The unrest, which began a day after Wani was killed in an encounter in south Kashmir on July 8, has left 98 people dead including two cops and several thousand injured.

 The Valley has witnessed continuous shutdown for the past 100 days with periodic relaxation as announced by the separatists who are spearheading the current agitation.

 Reports say, that in last 100 days more than 15,000 were injured. Of the 4500 who received pellet injuries, the statement said 1000 received eye injuries. It put detentions at eight thousand of whom 450 were booked under Public Safety Act.

 The strike has crippled normal life in the Valley as shops, business establishments and petrol pumps have remained closed except for the relaxation period.

The shutdown has affected the education of the children as schools, colleges and other educational institutions have been shut in the Valley.

 Authorities also imposed curfew and restrictions on most of these 100 days, throwing normal life out of gear in the Valley.

 However, there was no curfew anywhere in Kashmir today, a police official said, adding restrictions on the assembly of people under Section 144 CrPc were in force throughout the Valley as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

 He said there was improvement in the situation with each passing day as more people were defying the Hurriyat-sponsored strike and coming out to carry their day-to-day activities.

 There is increased movement of public transport, except buses, on the days when there are no restrictions.

 Some shops also opened in some areas in the civil lines and outskirts of the city, the official said.

 He said forces have been deployed in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.

 The authorities had on Friday night restored outgoing call facility on prepaid mobile phone connections after three months in view of the improving situation.

 However, mobile Internet services continued to remain suspended across Kashmir.

 The situation across the Kashmir valley remained normal and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere, police said.

“During the day normal life was observed across the valley as normal flow of vehicular traffic including the public transport was seen on the city roads as also in the main towns and inter-district roads of the valley,” it said.

 According to the statement, Sunday market in Srinagar witnessed a huge rush of shoppers as people from different parts of the city and elsewhere thronged it to purchase different articles.

 The statement said that in its “sustained action to curb the activities of miscreants, police arrested 62 such individual involved in disrupting the public order in different parts of the valley during past 24 hours.”

Meanwhile, police on Sunday detained an Imam of a mosque from Srinagar’s Sonawar area.
 Locals said that Riyaz Ahmed, who hails from north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, has been leading prayers at the masjid from past many years.

 They said that a police party asked Ahmad to present himself at Ram Munshi Bagh police station in the afternoon. “He was detained there without any reason,” they said.

“He led Zuhr prayers at the masjid after which he told us that police has called him to Ram Munshibagh police station. We thought he will be back soon but we came to know that he has been detained,” said a group of locals.

 They threatened to block the Srinagar-Jammu highway if the Imam was not released before Magrib (evening) prayers.

 A group of youth appeared on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway near Lawaypora area of Srinagar today and smashed dozens of vehicles “for defying strike call of separatists”.

The Youth with masked faces threw stones on vehicles and damaged many of them near Ziarat Syed Ahmad Shah Kirmani (RA), at Lawaypora.

 They also smashed window panes of the vehicles plying on the highway.

 Pertinently, private transport has started moving on roads after many days despite the strike calls of separatists.

 The crackdown also witnessed a ban on the newspapers, mobile internet has been snapped along with partial communication blockade and the approximate business losses have been estimated at more than Rs 10,000 crore.
 

ஈழத்தில் ஒரு கவியரங்கு

 

Sirisena displeasure and disgust at the dragging of the former defence secretary

President hits out
2016-10-12 23:15:13
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 President Maithripala Sirisena expressed his extreme displeasure and disgust today at the dragging to court of the former defence secretary and three former commanders of the Navy, in a case filed by the Bribery Commission.

He said lawyers who appeared in the case had alleged that he was behind these actions. He said he did not know about them until later.

“I knew only that morning that there was such a case,” he said.

“There are objectives and a policy in establishing independent commissions. Those who are in these commissions should know their subject areas. Those who are not aware of national security, military administration and management are taking various wrong decisions without thinking,” he said.

President Sirisena said the top officials of the respective institutions had a right and a responsibility to inform him and the Defence Minister of these matters.

“Some people may say that it should not be so as these are independent commissions. Even though commissioners were appointed by the constitutional council, it is I, the President, who appoint the Chairman and the Director General of these commissions,” he said.

He expressed these views at a function, “Sathviru Urumaya” held at the Foundation Institute to hand over the deeds of houses and lands to military officers.

He said if there was an issue with regard to the Defence Ministry and Avant Garde, there were a procedure and methodology to investigate it.

He said some people, including former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, took political advantage when they were taken to court.

“I was not elected President to intervene in judicial matters or influence independent commissions or pressure the Attorney General to release rapists. I was elected to carry out political reforms and uphold democracy, judicial independence and law and order. I will not surrender to anyone when meeting my responsibilities. I will not act to weaken the security forces nor allow others to do so,” he said.

Commenting on the remanding of some army intelligence officers in the Ekneligoda case, he said he had advised the relevant officials to take action against them if they had done wrong, grant them bail and hear the case -- or release them if they were not guilty.

“I did not talk about these matters in public earlier, but I have to do so now and take action,” he said.
He said that he had raised the matter at a special meeting with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet and pointed out that he would have to take action if the CID, FCID and Bribery Commission were acting according to some political agenda.

“These institutions cannot function according to a political agenda. The law should be the same for everyone. People allege that I was behind these things. I do not want to remand or imprison  anyone. I want to tell you this today, if not I will be blamed,” he said.

He said his government had been able to mitigate the allegations of human rights violations and settle proposals for hybrid courts and international judges.

He said that, despite this, some were accusing him of betraying and weakening the security forces and destroying the country for his political advantage.

“Anyone can come and discuss these matters with me, “he said.

(Ajith Siriwardana)

`சிவசேனை` பின்னோக்கிச் சாய்த்தல்!

சச்சிதானந்தனின் அருள்பாலிப்பில் இலங்கை இந்துக்களுக்கு சிவ சேனை உதயம்!

அரோகரா! உடை தேங்காய்! உருளு பிரதட்டை!``எழுக தமிழ்`` !

மறவன்புலவு க.சச்சிதானந்தன்:
தமிழ் ஊடகங்கள் அளித்தருளிய அறிமுகம்

 

``மறவன்புலவு க.சச்சிதானந்தன் பல்துறை வித்தகர். பதிப்புத் துறையிலும் சைவத் திருமுறைகளிலும் ஆழ்ந்து தோய்ந்தவர். அதே நேரம், கடலியல் துறையில் பழுத்த அனுபவம் வாய்ந்த வல்லுநர். கொழும்பு கடற்றொழில் ஆராய்ச்சி நிலையத்தின்

 

ஆய்வு அலுவலராக 11 ஆண்டுகள் பணியாற்றியவர். யாழ்ப்பாணப் பல்கலைக் கழகத்தில் 2 ஆண்டுகள் பேராசிரியர் பணியாற்றியவர். 23 நாடுகளில் ஐ.நா. உணவு வேளாண் நிறுவன ஆலோசகராகச் சுமார் 7 ஆண்டுகள் பணியாற்றியவர். கருவாடுகளைக் காயவைத்தல் தொடர்பாகப் புதிய முறைகளை உருவாக்கியவர். சேதுக் கால்வாய்த் திட்டம் தொடர்பான புரிதலைப் பல நிலைகளில் உருவாக்க முனைந்தவர். கூர்மையான நோக்கும் அறிவியல்பூர்வமான அணுகுமுறையும் கொண்டவர்.``

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தங்கள் அறிமுகத்துக்கு நன்றி, ஆனால் சவுக்கடிக்கு தயாராகுங்கள்