Day: December 29, 2021

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India trying to use bogey of false flag operations to malign Khalistan movement 

Islamabad, December 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):Perplexed by the resolve of Sikh diaspora and their massive participation in the ongoing Khalistan Referendum, India is trying to use the bogey of false flag operations to malign Sikh’s indigenous movement for a separate homeland. According to a report released by Kashmir Media Service, Indian political leadership will build up case on the plea of false flag operation against ‘Sikh for Justice’ and other pro Khalistan set-ups abroad.

Reputational hurt to Modi due to protracted farmers’ movement is non-digestible, hence Modi will take revenge using multi-pronged strategy to politically engineer elections, discredit Sikhs in information domain, use judicial lever for forging cases against prominent Sikhs and farmers’ movement leaders, it added.

“India is using its discredited media to establish link of Khalistan movement with Pakistan. Indian history is full of such false flag operations. On the pretext of Khalistan separatism, India might use security forces to break the will of those having dissenting views with New Delhi,” said the report.

BJP will also utilize Godi Media for political advantages, the report said and added that the BJP is orchestrating law and order situation in Indian Punjab to delay state elections. Increased turmoil in Punjab, it said, will give BJP time to forge alliances, thereby undermining farmers and Sikhs.

The KMS report said that India was trying to blame Pakistan for Ludhiana blast as well as Khalistan movement just to earn local support for political motives. “Blaming Pakistan is considered as the only solution which every government in India likes to adopt in response to all the problems,” it said.

Without putting their own house in order, the BJP government simply blames Pakistan for every bad happening and starts drum beating, it said and added that when asked to provide evidences, India always failed to do so.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

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Rising attacks on Christians a broader shift in India under Modi 

Islamabad, December 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):Political experts and institutions keeping a close watch on day-to-day developments in India have said that rising attacks on Christians are part of a broader shift in India under Modi, raising alarm bells for the minorities.

As per experts, anti-Christian vigilantes are sweeping through villages, storming churches, burning Christian literature, attacking schools and assaulting worshipers. Matias Perttula, advocacy director at International Christian Concern said, Christians are being suppressed, discriminated and persecuted at rising levels like never before in India.

A fact finding report by United Christian Forum claimed that Karnataka is witnessing one of the highest incidents of attack against Christians due to government’s “attitude”. Karnataka ranks third among states with the most number of attacks on the community and their places of worship in India. Recently, a 150-year-old church was allegedly vandalized by RSS goons. The miscreants vandalized the statue of St Antony, at St Joseph’s church, in Susaipalaya area. The incident came hours before the Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed the contentious “anti-conversion bill”.

Anti-conversion laws are part of BJP’s playbook to use religion as a force to polarize the masses and win votes from the Hindu majority. BJP tabled the controversial Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021, in the state assembly.

A group of Christians staged a protest against the bill in Bengaluru. They fear an increase in violence against them and attacks on their institutions if the proposed law comes into force. Archbishop Peter Machado said that “the anti-conversion bill is anti-Christian” as it “does target Christians specifically.”

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

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Slapped with PSA DPM chief organizer Shakeel Butt shifted to Srinagar jail 

Srinagar, December 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian authorities have slapped black law Public Safety Act against illegally detained Chief Organizer of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Political Movement Shakeel Ahmad Butt and shifted him to Central Jail, Srinagar.

Party Chairman Khawaja Firdous in a statement issued in Srinagar, today, strongly condemned the authorities for using heinous tactics against the Hurriyat leaders and activists. He said that Modi-led fascist Indian regime had failed to weaken Shakeel Butt’s spirit for freedom. He said that Shakeel Butt was repeatedly detained by the authorities in the past and put in jails of occupied Kashmir and India under the black law Public Safety Act.

Khawaja Firdous also denounced the illegal arrest of party General Secretary Pir Hilal Ahmed under PSA. He is currently lodged in Kotbhalwal jail, Jammu. The PDM Chairman deplored that the Indian Army and police were conducting illegal raids on the houses of other leaders and workers of the party and were harassing inmates.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

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Families of Hyderpora fake encounter victims term police report a ‘fairy tale’ 

Srinagar, December 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the family members of martyred building owner Altaf Ahmed Butt and Dr Mudasir Gul Wednesday rejected the so-called police enquiry report terming it as a fairy tale. They added that Altaf and Dr Gul along with two other youth were tortured and killed by Indian troops without any reason.

Abdul Majeed Butt, the brother of Altaf Butt, while reacting to the police report, told media that the probe was totally false. “I reject it. My brother had severe torture marks on his body. How come he was made a human shield as claimed by police when 2000 government forces’ personnel were present on the spot,” he said and added that they don’t buy the police version as it seems a “well drafted tale.”

Similarly, Humaira Gul, the wife of Dr Mudasir Gul, also rejected police claims stating that “My point is that my husband was a doctor by profession and why would he put his family, little daughter wife, parents at a stake for nothing. His character is an open book and his friends and I, as his wife, know what kind of a person was my husband.” She added that police must show them the CCTV footage where Dr Gul is allegedly ferrying militants. The Hyderpora fake encounter took place on 15 November in which four civilians – Bilal, Amir Magray, building owner Altaf Butt and Dr Mudasir Gul were killed.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

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JKMM concerned over harassment of party leader’s relatives in Pulwama

Srinagar, December 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement has expressed concern over the harassment and arrest of the relatives of its leader, Abdul Majeed Mir, by Indian forces in Pulwama.

The JKMM spokesman in a statement in Srinagar denounced the unabated arrest spree unleashed by the Indian forces across IIOJK. He said that the forces’ personnel arrested three brothers and nephew of Abdul Majeed Mir, who is the Vice Chairman of JKMM and party representative in AJK.

The spokesman said that Abdul Majeed Mir’s relatives had been put behind the bars on baseless charges. He said that such acts depicted the worst Indian state terrorism in IIOJK. However, he said that these Indian brutal tactics cannot suppress the Kashmiris’ just struggle for securing their right to self-determination.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

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Call for strike on January 1 against Modi’s machinations in IIOJK 

Srinagar, December 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Hurriyat organizations have appealed to the Kashmiri people to observe complete strike on January 1st against the ongoing genocide and Indian government’s other imperialistic policies aimed at changing the demographic complexion of the occupied territory. Posters have, once again, appeared on walls, pillars and electricity poles in the territory urging people to fully support call for the strike.

The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party spokesman in a statement in Srinagar said that the Narendra Modi-led fascist Indian government was hell bent on demolishing each and every thing that symbolizes the Kashmiris’ identity, history and culture. He said, “From abrogation of article 370 to redefining of domicile law and from policies of land grab to delimitations and now opening of Kashmir’s land for Indian investors all are part of the racist regime’s settler colonialism campaign to politically degrade, dispossess and deprive Kashmiris of their rights and privileges”, the DFP spokesman said. He said, on one hand, India is using political and administrative machinations to subdue and silence the Kashmiris while on the other, Indian forces have let loose a reign of terror in the occupied territory. He appealed to the Kashmiri masses to observe complete strike on January 1st against Indian government’s repressive and imperialistic policies aimed at changing the demographic complexion of IIOJK.

The Jammu and Kashmir Political Resistance Movement General Secretary, Dr Musaib Ahmad, in a statement in Srinagar expressed serious concern over the dangerous anti-Kashmir policies of Modi regime and grim situation prevailing in IIOJK. He strongly condemned the use of repressive and oppressive tactics by India against the Kashmiris and reiterated the Kashmiris’ resolve to continue freedom struggle despite the Indian state terrorism. He urged the people of IIOJK to observe strike on Saturday 01 January 2022 against discriminatory proposals by Delimitation Commission and genocide of Kashmiris by Indian forces to turn the Muslims majority into a minority in the territory.

Tehreek-e-Jammu Kashmir Bachao through the posters has called for complete shutdown on January 01, 2022. The posters pasted on walls, pillars and electricity poles in Srinagar and other areas have demanded the granting of the UN-recognized right to self-determination to the Kashmiris.

Srinagar-based International Forum for Justice and Human Rights also dismissed the so-called police findings and said that the inquiry was an attempt to exonerate Indian troops from war crime charges. IFJHRJK Chairman Muhammad Ahsan Untoo reiterated his demand for an independent judicial probe into the massacre. He pointed out that the martyred civilians were used as human shields by the occupational forces and the police have now concocted the story to bail them out.

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League, Syed Aijaz Rehmani, in a statement issued in Islamabad also expressed serious concern over the fake encounters and arrests of youth by Indian troops in IIOJK. He said India is militarily suppressing the legitimate demand of the Kashmiris for their inalienable right to self-determination, guaranteed by the UN Security Council. The JKPL has also supported the call for a complete strike in IIOJK on Saturday.

Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Salvation Movement Altaf Ahmed Butt has denounced arbitrary killing of youth and delimitation of IIOJ and K. While talking to media in Islamabad today Altaf said that Modi led BJP government has started the demographic carving of Jammu and Kashmir. “Their ill agendas are meant to change the Muslim majority into a minority by allowing non-resident Hindu RSS goons to buy land and settle in the disputed territory.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

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World Struggles With Rising COVID-19 Infections

The United States recorded more than 512,000 daily new coronavirus cases Tuesday – the single highest one-day number of cases recorded since the beginning of the pandemic, according to data released by the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center

The one-day record coincides with a New York Times database showing the seven-day average of cases in the U.S. rose above 267,000 on Tuesday.

The recent surge is driven by a record number of children infected and hospitalized with COVID-19.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, lowered its previous estimate of new coronavirus cases driven by the rapidly spreading omicron variant. The federal health agency said Tuesday that omicron accounted for roughly 59 percent of all variants, far lower than the 73 percent figure it announced last week.

The surge of new infections in the United States has forced the cancelation of another postseason college football game. The Holiday Bowl was canceled Tuesday just hours before the game’s scheduled kickoff in San Diego, California, when UCLA (the University of California, Los Angeles) announced it would be unable to play against North Carolina State because too many players had been diagnosed with the infection.

Five postseason games have been canceled, while at least one bowl game is going ahead with a different team. Central Michigan will meet Washington State in Friday’s Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, after the Miami Hurricanes were forced to drop out. Central Michigan was supposed to play in the Arizona Bowl, but that game was canceled after Boise State withdrew.

Officials with the coming major college football championship playoffs have warned the four teams – Alabama, Cincinnati, Michigan and Georgia – that if they cannot play in Friday’s semifinal matchups, they may have to forfeit.

The U.S. is among several nations reporting record new numbers of infections. France on Tuesday reported a new one-day record of 179,807 new cases, making it one of the highest single-day tallies worldwide since the start of the pandemic.

Denmark, which has the world’s highest infection rate, with 1,612 cases per 100,000 people, posted a single-day record of 16,164 new infections on Monday.

Other European nations reporting new record-setting numbers of one-day infections Tuesday include Britain (138,831), Greece (21,657), Italy (78,313), Portugal (17,172) and Spain (99,671).

Australia is also undergoing a dramatic increase in new cases driven by omicron, posting nearly 18,300 infections Wednesday, well above Tuesday’s previous high of about 11,300.

New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, reported just over 11,200 infections Wednesday – nearly double the 6,602 new cases posted the previous day.

Worldwide, the number of recorded cases increased by 11% last week, according to the World Health Organization. The United Nations agency said Wednesday the risk posed by omicron remains “very high.”

Source: Voice of America

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Scientists Discover Coastal Marine Life Thriving on Plastic Ocean Trash

The growing issue of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans is affecting coastal marine life, transporting many species to areas of the open ocean, surprising researchers.

A group of U.S. and Canadian marine and environmental scientists were amazed to find that some species are thriving on plastic trash floating in the Pacific Ocean.

The team discovered oceanic barnacles and crabs living alongside coastal barnacles and anemones.

“We expected to find oceanic marine species that have adapted on plastics, but we were absolutely surprised to discover coastal marine species as well,” said Linsey Haram, a research associate with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland.

It is not known how some coastal marine life managed to get out into the ocean, added Haram, the lead author of a recent report on the findings in the journal Nature Communications.

“They may already be out there settling on the plastics, but most likely they are being rafted or transported from the coast on floating debris,” she told VOA.

The study focused on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located between Hawaii and California. The massive garbage patch, which is over 1.5 million square kilometers, is mostly made up of plastic waste, big and small.

The debris includes massive quantities of tiny plastic fragments, along with water bottles, toothbrushes and abandoned fishing gear that are drawn into the patch by ocean currents called gyres.

The report notes the plastic can remain in the gyres for years.

“They come into the center [of the gyres] where the water is relatively stationary,” explained Amy Uhrin, chief scientist of the Marine Debris Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Washington. The majority of the garbage comes from the Pacific Rim and the West Coast of North America, she said.

The size of the patch can change depending on the wind and ocean currents, Uhrin told VOA in an interview.

The Ocean Voyages Institute in Sausalito, California, which works to clean up trash in the ocean, provided plastic samples for the research.

“We’ve had a large sailing cargo ship with a crane hoist tons of trash from the patch onto the deck of the vessel, especially the very harmful elements like plastic fishing nets that still catch and kill whales, dolphins and turtles,” Ocean Voyages founder and President Mary Crowley said.

The results from the samples provided the researchers with some food for thought.

“What has been most eye-opening is that the coastal marine species were not only thriving but reproducing,” Haram said.

However, there are many questions still unanswered.

“How do you survive being on piece of plastic in the middle of the ocean?” asks Greg Ruiz, a marine ecologist with the Smithsonian’s Environmental Research Center and a contributor to the report.

“The coastal species may be creating their own ecosystem on the plastic debris that allows for microorganisms and algae to grow and essentially function as a food chain,” Ruiz said. “Fish and bird waste in the water may also be contributing nutrients.”

“We also want to figure out how the coastal and oceanic species are interacting since they are competing for limited space on the objects,” Haram said. “They could be using each other as a source of food.”

There is concern coastal hitchhikers could become invasive species.

“We want to know if other coastal marine life are on plastics in all of the five main ocean gyres worldwide,” Haram said.

Ruiz added, “we’re concerned that coastal organisms from different regions could form colonies and spread disease to other marine life, including fish.”

Source: Voice of America