Hurriyat Chairman Farooq terms Pakistan visit successful; 2012 remain the most peaceful year since eruption of militancy; Civilians injured in Pulwama firing; Rail track in the longest transportation tunnel in India ready to operate
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    • DECEMBER 24-30

    According to reports, the Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on December 27 termed the Pakistan visit as a successful one. He said that the biggest achievement of the amalgam’s Islamabad trip was that Pakistan has agreed that there will be no bilateral agreement on Kashmir with India. He also said that they have not received any formal or informal invitation from New Delhi for talks. Mirwaiz, who concluded his 10-day Pakistan tour along with seven other Hurriyat (M) leaders, said given the overwhelming support in Pakistan and Pakistan Administered Kashmir, the visit was fruitful and successful. 1

    Reports noted that steep decline in militancy-related incidents in the Valley continued through 2012, bringing the killings to all time low. Interestingly, five districts of the Valley did not record a single gunfight during this year. As per the official information, 2012 has been the most peaceful year since outbreak of armed conflict in the state in 1989. Current year witnessed 45 per cent decline in militancy-related incidents as compared to the last year. 2

    According to reports, at least fifteen civilians were injured, four of them critically, after forces allegedly resorted to indiscriminate firing on the protesters at two different places in the south Kashmir district of Pulwama on December 28. The firing initially took place in Bubgam (Chandgam) village, where an encounter between militants and forces had occurred, and later at the Main Town. The incident triggered massive protests in the district following which the authorities clamped curfew in Pulwama town and some of its adjoining villages. Meanwhile, the Government ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. The encounter started early December 28 morning after a joint team of Police, CRPF and Army laid siege around Chandgam village and engaged in a gun-fight with two militants holed up there. The encounter, police said, ended after several hours, resulting in killing of both the local militants of the LeT outfit. 3

    In other developments, according to reports, train passengers in the Kashmir valley can soon travel up to Banihal with railways with the completion of the key Qazigund-Banihal section which also comprises the longest transportation tunnel in the country built after a seven-year effort. Opening of this section promises a new beginning for Jammu and Kashmir as it will not only ease the transportation problem of people during winters when inclement weather forces closure of Jawahar Tunnel but will also considerably reduce the travel time between the two places. The distance between Banihal and Qazigund, which is also one of the most treacherous stretches in the entire Kashmir rail network project, will reduce from 35 km by road to 17.729 km on train. 4

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