Introduction to KashmirForum.org Blog

I launched the website and the Blog after having spoken to government officials, political analysts and security experts specializing in South Asian affairs from three continents. The feedback was uniformly consistent. The bottom line is that when Kashmiris are suffering and the world has its own set of priorities, we need to find ways to help each other. We must be realistic, go beyond polemics and demagoguery, and propose innovative ideas that will bring peace, justice and prosperity in all of Jammu and Kashmir.

The author had two reasons to create this blog. First, it was to address the question that was being asked repeatedly, especially, by journalists and other observers in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, inquiring whether the Kashmiri society was concerned about social, cultural and environmental challenges in the valley given that only political upheaval and violence were reported or highlighted by media.

Second, the author has covered the entire spectrum of societal issues and challenges facing Kashmiri people over an 8-year period with the exception of politics given that politics gets all the exposure at the expense of REAL CHALLENGES that will likely result in irreversible degradation in the quality of life and the standard of living for future generations of Kashmiris to come.

The author stopped adding additional material to the Blog once it was felt that most, if not all, concerns, challenges and issues facing the Kashmiri society are cataloged in the Blog. There are over 1900 entries in the Blog and most commentaries include short biographical sketches of authors to bring readers close to the essence of Kashmir. Unfortunately, the 8-year assessment also indicates that neither Kashmiri civil society, nor intellectuals or political leadership have any inclination or enthusiasm in pursuing issues that do not coincide with their vested political agendas. What it means for the future of Kashmiri children and their children is unfathomable. But the evidence is all laid out.

This Blog is a reality check on Kashmir. It is a historical record of how Kashmir lost its way.

Vijay Sazawal, Ph.D.
www.kashmirforum.org

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Kashmiri Politician Exposes Duplicity of Separatists

Tarigami asks separatists to condemn all type of HR violations
GK NEWS NETWORK

(Mr. Mohammed Yusuf Rather, 58, was born in Tarigam village in Kulgam area of Anantnag district. He usually goes by the name Yusuf Tarigami. He is a two-time member of the J&K Legislative Assembly, and was elected from Kulgam in 1996. Mr. Tarigami is the secretary of the J&K branch of the Communist Party-Marxist, and a member of its national Central Committee.)

Srinagar, Nov 21: Strongly condemning the innocent killings during the last week in Kulgam district, CPI (M) State Secretary and MLA Kulgam M Y Tarigami has demanded to nab the culprits involved in such type of heinous crimes and added that whosoever is involved in these two incidents be it from any rank or position is to be punished as per the law of land.

Tarigami visited the residence of both the bereaved families and expressed his sympathy with them. The two youths killed, one Reyaz Ahmad Sofi by security forces and another Manzoor Ahmad Wani by unidentified gunmen in different incidents in recent days in Kulgam district.Tarigami asked the government to investigate both these killings thoroughly and take necessary measures to arrest the culprits involved. He said that human right violations from any quarter would not be tolerated and said that government should take it seriously. He said that Kashmiris are known as tolerant society in the world, “but such type of gruesome killings could not be tolerated at any cost”.

Tarigami asked the separatists groups to condemn all type of human right violations, which is the primary requisite for bringing peace in this trouble torn state.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007 Copyright © 1998-2007- GreaterKashmir.com

No comments: