“Don’t Cry Over Lost Jaggery, Preserve What Is Left”

By Somapala Gunadheera –March 8, 2015 

Somapala Gunadheera

President Rajapaksa’s defeat has invigorated the hue and cry against the Southern Mega Projects (SMP). Their misplacement, magnitude, wastefulness and irrelevance are being highlighted in addition to the corruptions alleged to be associated with them. Not a word is heard in their praise.

Before it is too late, I consider it my duty to leave this record behind me on my memory of these Projects, from my official association with them from their inception. Southern development was a hot topic of discussion in the eighties with Japanese assistance and Marga participation. I remember participating in these discussions around the late seventies when I was with Marga, having lost my job as Secretary after the 1977 election. There was widespread dissatisfaction then about the comparative under-development in the South. The consensus was that more and more special projects should be introduced to the South, if that area was to be developed speedily.

A failed attempt

The SMPs were a logical offshoot of that thinking. When CBK came to power as President in the mid-nineties, she created the Southern Development Authority to accelerate the development of the South and appointed an enthusiastic architect as its Chairman. The SDA functioned from its office in Colombo with a coterie of hand-picked assistants. They concentrated on establishing mega projects in the South to the exclusion of small village development initiatives, with the result that there was no visible progress on the ground. Angered by this state of affairs, Ministers in the South protested against the SDA and its Chairman offered to resign from his post.Read More

Sri Lanka Tamils ask Indian FM to stop poaching in waters

By AFP-, 7 March 2015

Sri Lanka’s main Tamil party Saturday asked neighbouring India to stop poaching in local waters, saying it was affecting fishermen struggling to rebuild their lives after decades of ethnic war.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said they urged the visiting Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj to ensure that Indian trawlers did not breach the maritime boundary and destroy livelihoods of people in battle-scarred northern Sri Lanka.

"Consequent to Indian trawlers coming here in unlimited numbers, the fishing rights of local fishermen have been greatly disturbed," TNA leader R. Sampanthan told reporters after talks with Swaraj.

Indian fishermen walk on vessels after they were freed by a local Sri Lankan court at Katchchativu in Jaffna District on March 17, 2014 ©Ishara S.Kodikara (AFP/File)

"Some action should be taken to resolve this issue, preferably on an amicable basis without further delay."

India has maintained the issue should be resolved through “dialogue,” but previous talks between fishermen of the two countries had ended in failure.

Sampanthan said they did not want force used to stop poaching, but defended the fishermen’ right to self defence in case they were attacked.

Poaching is a contentious issue. Until the end of the separatist war in 2009, local fishermen were not allowed to venture out, leaving the rich fishing grounds open to those from India.

However, with the end of the conflict, the locals have been allowed to go out to sea, but they are confronted by Indian trawlers which enter the area in large numbers, Sampanthan said.

Swaraj is in Sri Lanka on a two-day visit ending Saturday to prepare the ground for next week’s visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is due to travel to the northern peninsula of Jaffna where much of the fighting took place during the height of the war.

Sri Lanka’s minority Tamils share close cultural ties with those in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, but relations have been strained in recent years over the fishing issue.

However, talks between the Indian minister and her local counterpart, Mangala Samaraweera, skirted the thorny fishing issue and concentrated on other matters, officials said.

Sri Lanka’s new government which came to power in January has said it will work closely with neighbouring India, the regional super power, to ensure the island’s reconciliation after the decade-long war which claimed the lives of at least 100,000 people between 1972 and 2009.

'Don't return to Sri Lanka' - Premachandran warns Tamil Diaspora

by Mirudhula Thambiah-2015-03-08

Nearly 10 Tamils were arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Department (TID) following their return to Sri Lanka from European countries – Australia, Italy, Middle East and Canada, at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, in the past two months.

Most of these Tamils are those who had left the country during the war, yet due to the change in government, have decided to visit the country on the invitation and request by the new government.

Even though these Tamils confidently travelled back to their home country, once they arrived at the airport, the situation and the treatment they received seemed surprising. They are either checked or interrogated for hours and arrested, if not, after several hours of questioning they are allowed to enter the country, but kept under observation.

The new government stated at several instances that the Tamil Diaspora community living abroad can return to live a normal life in their home country, yet when these people return to Sri Lanka the situation seems to be completely unexpected and different. The government has changed, however, there are no changes at the administrative levels.

Speaking to Ceylon Today Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Spokesman, Parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said, the new government is inviting the Diaspora to come back to Sri Lanka claiming the situation in the country has changed and it is very democratic, but only the government has changed, and there is no change in the administrative system as the same people prevail at the administering posts.

"I would like to advice the Diaspora not to return to the country, as there is no gain in returning. To my knowledge, a family came to Sri Lanka about 10 days back. A father, mother and a child came from Canada. This family was arrested at the airport and detained for more than four hours. The authorities obtained a statement from the family and finally released them, saying that they do not have any problem and they can freely enter the country,"he said.

Constantly followed
Premachandran added, following the release the family had travelled to Jaffna. They were followed by four Criminal Investigation Department (CID) persons. The family seemed to be frustrated of their return as they were intimidated. "The family had to participate at a function in Jaffna. They were followed by the same CID persons and requested to record another statement. As a result the family got extremely terrified and contacted me and finally when I contacted the CID officers in Colombo, I was told there are no charges or issue with the particular family. But, I questioned if they do not have any problem, why should the officials follow them?" he stressed.

Following the interaction with the CID, the family was advised by Premachandran to contact the Canadian High Commission (CHC). Accordingly, the family had to leave the country on the advice of the CHC, as they were facing intimidation.
"Without any accurate reports, Tamils entering Sri Lanka are harassed due to suspicion. The authorities still suspect and wanted to arrest the so called LTTE members who are living abroad. As a result innocent Tamils are being harassed and arrested when returning to their motherland," he said.

Therefore, Premachandran strongly warned the Diaspora community to refrain from returning to their motherland since there is no actual change in the country. "There is no security for the Diaspora community if they return to Sri Lanka. In the above incident the family was asked to come to an isolated unknown place, not even to a police station. Therefore, security is not ensured for these Tamils who return to their home country," he charged.

Meanwhile, commenting on the arrest of 41-year-old former Sea Tiger member, Pahiradhi, he said, "I don't know whether she was actually a Sea Tiger member. But, according to my knowledge, she is a French citizen and her eight-year-old daughter was also born in France. They had arrived in the country for a function. On their way back to France they were arrested at the airport. Now the authorities should understand, how can her child also be a Sea Tiger?"
No democracy
Premachandran said Pahiradhi should be allowed to speak to the French Embassy. But, the situation was different and she was not treated in a democratic manner, as she was not allowed to have a lawyer.
"We have not spoken to the government with regard to the inconvenience faced by the Tamil Diaspora community when they return to Sri Lanka. But, we would seriously warn the Diaspora not to return," he reiterated.

Meanwhile, former Minister and General Secretary of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), Douglas Devananda, commenting on the situation said there is a difference in the way the former and current governments view such incidents. It is the role of the present government to tackle issues in a manner not to affect any community.
"A situation should be created among communities to trust the current government. Yet, this method should be adopted in all sections of the administration of the new government. At the same time, trust should be practised and followed not only by the government but by the Tamil representatives too," he said.

Devananda said the situation is better than when the former government was in power as now Tamils are asked to give statements at the airport but previously the people were first arrested without any questioning.
"Yet, the officials who record statements should not treat people in a disgraceful manner. If the officials are suspecting a person who arrives from abroad, they should not be ill-treated," he added.
He said that questioning is not harmful. If people lose trust in the government and the administration it will result in negative repercussions.

"I will take up this matter in Parliament and discuss with the President and the Prime Minister on how to avoid future disappointments," he stressed.
When contacted, Acting Police Spokesman, ASP Ruwan Gunasekera, said not only Tamils whoever is suspicious will be questioned by the authorities at the airport.
"Pahiradhi has been detained for 90 days by the Colombo Magistrate and her daughter is allowed to stay with her due to security reasons," he said.

London: Only 9 Tamils Protested Against ‘War Criminal’ Sirisena

March 8, 2015 

A negligible amount of around nine Tamils protesters which included a few children participated in the active protest against the arrival of President Maithripala Sirisena at the Heathrow Airport last night.

Interestingly the organizers of the protest who spoke earlier to Colombo Telegraph did not participate in the active protest. An organizer speaking to Colombo Telegraph earlier on said “the threat of British Tamils from all over the country due to gather before the airport to actively protest did not take place. Nevertheless it was cited by them that many of the Tamil Diaspora are of the view that although there is a change in the government of Sri Lanka, the oppressive conditions in Eelam yet continue unabated”. He however concluded by saying that “only the diaspora group named the Global Tamil Forum would not participate” he concluded.

After the unsuccessful protest the main organizer commented “fearful of confronting deeply emotional war crimes victims, it appears that President Sirisena ran through the back door of terminal 3 at Heathrow airport”. Although the leading British Tamil diaspora activists and organisers were at the Heathrow airport, none of them were participated.

Colombo Telegraph managed to obtain the parking tickets of some of the leading Tamil diaspora activists who were there at that time to support the protest. But many of them stayed at a distance and observed the proceedings.

Colombo Telegraph have blackened the faces of those in the picture as it was not clearly evident if there was any other hidden agendas with planting these nine active protesters at the scene whilst many other protesters watched from a distance.

WB team in Lanka to probe frauds of former regime 

Sunday, 08 March 2015

A special delegation of World Bank officials have arrived in Sri lanka to investigate the various financial frauds and irregularities that have taken place in the country during the Rajapaksa regime.

Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha De Silva says a delegation of officials belonging to the  Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR) of the World Bank arrived in Sri Lanka last Wednesday following an invitation by the Sri Lankan government.

He said they are scheduled to engage in discussions with senior members of the government regarding holding an accurate investigation on the various financial irregularities that have taken place during the previous regime.

Meanwhile a commission of inquiry has been appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to probe issues such as massive frauds and misusing state resources, privileges and authority.

The Presidential Media Unit has announced that the President has made these appointments under the Inquiries Commission Act.

Accordingly, Supreme Court Judges Wewage Priyasad, Anil Gunaratne, High Court Judge Gihan Kulathunga, former Auditor General Chandrasiri Mayadunne, Retired Additional Solicitor General A. Gnanadasa have been appointed as its members.

Open the road behind the Temple Trees -Residents behind Temple Trees humbly appeal to the PM

(Lanka-e-News- 08.March.2015, 11.00 PM)

Hon Prime Minister                                                                                                                  28/2/2015
Temple Trees
Colombo 3

Dear Sir

APPEAL TO OPEN THE ROAD BEHIND TEMPLE TREES

We the residents living behind TEMPLE  TREES,  R A Demel Mawatha, Colombo 3, appeal to you to open the road that has been closed since 2003. We the users and residents of this road waited patiently till tha war was over and requsted the authorities to open the road.

The residents met the Presidential candidate Mr. Maithriipala Sirisena who agreed to open all the roads that were closed.  We find that roads arround Fort and Presidents house has been opened.   Not the road behind temple trees. 

We the residents behind temple  trees have suffered due to the closure of the road that we are unable to go to our place of worship, go to our residences and offices that is located behind the temple  trees, which is violation of Human Rights.

Sri Dharma keerthiyarama Road temple main gate access is closed. Which is in front of the rear entrance of the temple trees. The mosque and the St. Michaels church, the convent and the two schools  cannot park its vehicles on due to the closure of the road. Hence the right to visit your own place of worship, Schools Residence and office is obstructed.

The through traffic that flows through Duplication Road is obstructed. Hence the vehicels have to take a longer route with longer traffic jams as a resault the daily fuel wastage is more than Rs 10 million per day due to the closure of the road 

The old people who have put all their life savings and built houses, officess and business premises thinking of getting a  return of their assets are unable to realize their dreams  by selling or renting these premises  when the interest rates are so low.

When the residents met the president Maitreepala he told us that he has instructed the Prime Minister  and the Interior Minister to open the road behind temple trees. 

The residents of the following roads obstructed Nelson Lane, Muhandiram Road, Carmel Road, St. Michaels Road, Hudson Road, Alwis Place, Rotunda Gardens, Perahera  Mawatha.

We are the residents Behind Temple Trees Humbly Appeal to the Prime minister to open the road and break the barriers and the wall obstructing free movement of the people which is basic right of the people.

Kind Regards 

Residents Around Temple Trees Ra Demel Mawatha, Colombo 3.

---------------------------
by     (2015-03-08 21:13:49)

Apology To Gotabaya By The Sunday Leader

By Lal Wickrematunge -March 8, 2015 

Lal Wickrematunge

The Sunday Leader, last week apologised to Gotabaya Rajapaksa for a series of articles written in the newspapers in 2006 on the purchase of MIG 27 aircraft for the Sri Lankan Air Force. The unqualified apology was carried in the Leader newspaper of 8.3.2015. At the outset Romesh de Silva PC with GG Arulpragasam appeared for the newspaper and Lasantha. Initially Gotabaya informed court that he would give evidence via video link from the Defence Ministry which was objected to by the respondents. The plaintiffs request was granted and on appeal it was turned down and reverted back to the original court. Both Romesh de Silva PC and Attorney at Law GG Arulpragasam appeared for the newspaper and Lasantha pro deo.

The case dragged on and in January 2009 Lasantha was brutally murdered. I would at this stage remind readers of the interview Gotabaya gave the BBC. When Bruce Morris of the BBC asked about the killing of Lasantha the then Defence Secretary went berserk. “ Who is Lasantha? He is just a tabloid journalist who criticised every leader”, he ranted. When Stephen Sakur of Hard Talk – BBC interviewed Gotabaya he went further.When asked why he demanded a colossal amount knowing that no one can pay that much by way of damages and if his intention was to shut down the newspaper, “ so be it” said Gotabaya.

At this stage both Romesh de Silva PC and Attorney GG Arulpragasam opted out of the case as they did not practise in the Mount Lavinia courts. A fresh set of lawyers were retained. On the first date of hearing Gotabaya came to Mt Lavinia court accompanied by the Tri Forces Commanders and the then IGP in addition to several government big wigs. I represented the newspaper by myself. The streets leading to the court house, roof tops and the court premises were swarming with armed personnel. No lawyer practsing in Mt Lavinia Court was allowed to bring their vehicles into the premises as was the practice. Security personnel dressed in suits carrying firearms sat around me. My lawyers withdrew from representing us whilst on their feet. Either they were intimidated or did not want to go against Gotabaya who by this time was riding a wave of popularity having won the war. I requested time to find lawyers. Efforts were made to approach Gotabaya to settle the case since Lasantha was killed but these were rebuffed.

I was fortunate to obtain the services of M A Sumanthiran with Viran Corea to represent us. On the first day they appeared we mustered another twenty plus lawyers to come to court which included the likes of Upul Jayasuriya, Srinath Perera and Ronald Perera. The appearence by these lawyers must have annoyed Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He reacted by carrying the pictures of the lawyers as the lead story in the official defence Ministry web site stating that traitors in black coats were appearing for the Sunday Leader. The local as well as the international Bar Associations objected strongly.

Eventually Gotabaya gave evidence before Judge Gunawardene. At one point in his evidence the Judge made an observation. He wished to visit the airport to have a look at the MIG aircraft. The next court date came by and we were surprised to find the case was now transferred to another court. Attorney Sumanthiran objected to this only to be informed that it was a routine transfer. His objection was recorded but over ruled.We lost the resultant appeal and Gotabaya concluded his evidence in chief. Attorney Sumanthiran began his cross examination meticulously. A great deal of back ground information was collected and was in the offing for future cross examination.

The next Presidential election came by and Mahinda won a second term retaining his brother as Secretary Defence. Further cross examination was not possible as the case kept getting postponed. Attorney M A Sumanthiran was nominated to parliament by this time by the TNA and he asked me if I wished to continue with him as our lawyer to which I replied in the affirmative.

Eventually I was forced to sell out majority shares of the newspaper which in itself is another story. Asanga Seneviratne who bought major shares was confident of settling the cases and went through with the purchase after conducting a due diligence.

What took place thereafter was another fiasco which is best taken up later. The case was heard a few times and postponements took place. At one point Gotabaya had agreed to settle the case with an unqualified apology provided Asanga paid him Rs 25 million which was to go to some Army facility. Seneviratne had not taken up the suggestion and subsequently the figure had been reduced to Rs 10 million. This too was turned down on the basis that he did not have that kind of money to pay on behalf of the Leader.

Somewhere down the line Asanga Seneviratne had discontinued the services of Attorney M A Sumanthiran by not continuing to give instructions. He changed the lawyers for reasons best known to him. Mahinda lost the ensuing Presidential elections to Maithripala Sirisena and with that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was no longer the all powerful Defence Secretary. With hundreds of complaints of bribery and other misdemeaners against politicians and officials of the previous government being filed I felt that Gotabaya Rajapaksa would be reticent to pursue with the case.

I was the most surprised when I heard through journalistic colleagues that the case in question had been settled in court by Gotabaya Rajapaksa with the record being signed by a Director appointed by Asanga Seneviratne on the basis of an unqualified apology. Did I read somewhere that someone had filed a complaint recently against the purchase of MIGs?

Mattala international air port to be grounded

Sunday, 08 March 2015 

The government has decided to cancel all passenger flights to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA).

Vice President of the Airport and Aviation Service (Sri Lanka) Limited Sanjeewa Wijeratne said that landing passenger planes at MRIA will be completely cancelled from April 1.

He further said that even though approximately Rs. 250 million has been spent on maintaining the airport, only two passengers have arrived at the airport last month.

Wijeratne pointed out that under these circumstances it is a burden on the country to spend such a huge amount of money on the airport.

He further said that around 450 staff work at the airport and some of them will be transferred to the Bandaranaike International Airport and Ratmalana airport.

Thereafter, he said, the Mattala International airport will be used only as an international aviation aircraft maintenance and cargo operations center. Wijeratne said that the decision to cancel passenger operations at the Mattala airport has already been notified to the relevant authorities.

“Repaying of the annual installments for the loan taken for the construction of the airport will take effect from September,” he said.

The airport is already closed at night and air-condition units and lights not used during the day are switched off.

A Short Note on the Historical Legacy of International Women’s Day

Despite the original intention to mark the inspirational struggle of women against gender based oppression at the workplace, today that key radical message and the political character appear forgotten in a commercially driven society. Gender based oppression at the workplace continues. Hence, this occasion provides an excellent opportunity to look at the origins of the movement, and assess the historical progress so far made and possible future directions of the international women’s’ movement for salvaging its real significance.

by Dr Lionel Bopage

Introduction

( March 8, 2015, Sydney, Sri Lanka Guardian) In the West, International Women’s Day was first observed as a popular event after 1977 when the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace. Its theme for 2015 is ‘Make It Happen’ with a dedicated hashtag for social media. “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!” is the Day’s UN theme for this year. Women’s Day is a day of international solidarity. In the recent past, women’s equality to men and women’s participation in government and politics were highly debated issues. There had been many struggles against ruling elites in many countries, who did not want to accept the rights of working women.

A Short Note on the Historical Legacy of International Women’s Day by Thavam Ratna

​The United States of Israel

"A Palestinian Mother touches her son's face… seconds before she dies. Killed by Israeli attacks:

Matt Carr's Infernal Machine

Posted on March 4, 2015

There is no polite way to say this, but Benjamin Netanyahu is one of the most repellent and dangerous politicians in the world today.   He is a man who trades on fear and war, a cynical and amoral manipulator without a trace of honesty in his entire body,  who lies as easily as he breathes.   In 2012 he warned the United Nations that Iran was a year away from manufacturing a bomb, even though his own security services had told himsomething entirely different,
The United States of Israel by Thavam Ratna

Suspect 'admits involvement in Nemtsov killing'

SUNDAY 08 MARCH 2015

A man detained on suspicion of murdering the prominent Putin critic Boris Nemtsov has told investigators he was involved, a Russian judge says.

Two men, named as Anzor Gubashev and Zaur Dadayev, were charged with involvement in Nemtsov's murder.

They appeared at a preliminary court hearing on Sunday along with three other men also detained in connection with the killing.

The Russian state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti said they were detained in Ingushetia, a republic bordering Chechnya.

Dadaev, served in a battalion of Interior Ministry troops in Chechnya, the Ingush security council chief was quoted as saying. Gubashev, had worked in a private security company in Moscow, according to the reports.

The judge at Moscow's Basmanny court Natalia Mushnikova, said Dadayev had admitted involvement in the killing and ordered him to be held in custody until 28 April.

Three of the suspects were seen being taken by security from one room to another inside the court house, before being locked in a cage.

The court later ruled that the men, identified as Shagid Gubashev, Ramzan Bakhayev and Tamerlan Eskerkhanov, should also be kept in custody.

They were then locked in a cage and media were allowed to film them talking to officials, believed to be lawyers.

Nemtsov, 55, was shot dead on the night of 27 February near the Kremlin as he was walking home from a cafe with his girlfriend.

Some associates of the former deputy prime minister said the Kremlin stood to gain from his death, but Russian officials have denied involvement and President Vladimir Putin has vowed to catch and punish the killers.

Friends of Nemtsov have expressed fears that the authorities might try to pin the killing on 'scapegoats' without identifying who ordered the assassination.

Several other high-profile killings in Russia - including the 2006 shooting of jouralist Anna Politkovskaya - have been attributed to gunmen from Chechnya and neighbouring regions, while those who masterminded the crimes were never identified.

BJP flays decision to free Masarat Alam

Hurriyat hardline leader Masarat Alam at home in Srinagar on Sunday, after being released by the J&K police on Saturday. Photo: Nissar Ahmad

JAMMU, March 8, 2015

The Bharaitya Janta Party (BJP), a coalition partner in Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led government in Jammu, on Sunday criticised the controversial decision to release hardline separatist leader Masarat Alam and said its Ministers and legislators will meet to discuss the party stand over the “unilateral” step.

State BJP chief and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma said his party was not even consulted before the decision was taken.

“This step does not have consent of BJP. Nor was BJP consulted before taking such a decision,” he told reporters in Jammu amid widespread criticism of the decision to release the separatist leader who was responsible for fanning trouble in 2010 in which over 100 people died in Kashmir.

“We were not asked before releasing Masarat Alam. If they had asked us, we would not have given approval from our side on this and even today our consent is not with this decision,” he added.

Criticising the decision, Mr. Sharma said, “Such people should not have been released as they only spit anti-India venom... If you leave such people like this without any conditions, they will always resort to such (separatist) slogans.”

Underlining that this issue does not figure in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) on the basis of which the coalition government is running, he said the Ministers and legislators of BJP will discuss the matter and make its stand clear.

“All issues would be discussed in the meeting of BJP today. We will clear our stand to PDP. BJP is not dependent on any party. BJP is in power on its own strength,” he said, adding his party had joined hands with PDP for development of Jammu and Kashmir and for the betterment of people of the State.

To a question, Mr. Sharma said, “BJP has conveyed its stand (against the decision) and reacted to this. Our reaction will reach them (PDP).”

He added that “If BJP is not succe

Asked whether BJP will opt out of the government, he said, “The situation has not come. We will sit with our partner and take a decision (with regard to such issue) so that in future such steps are not taken”.

“The issues, which do not have our consent, will not be tolerated,” the J&K BJP chief said, adding his party will be “seeking information” from PDP on the issue.

“After our meeting today, we will express our stand to them,” Mr. Sharma added.

He said such issues will also be discussed in the Steering Committee of BJP and PDP, which coordinates affairs of the State government.

“All these issues would be put in the meeting for discussion, so that in future such situation are avoided and government runs smoothly for betterment of the people of J&K,” he added.

Mr. Sharma underlined the need for working together for good governance for ensuring development in J&K.

“We have to work together for the betterment of the people of J&K... The government formation has been there only for five to six days. We will sit together and hold talks with them (PDP),” he added.

“If there is any reaction from our side, we will come out with reaction to you and you facilitate it to the quarter of PDP,” he added.

On the issue of Mehbooba Mufti’s statement that she is not bothered about the coalition, Mr. Sharma said, “BJP have formed alliance on development agenda. The coalition has been formed on the agenda of betterment of people of J&K. We will continue to move forward on that. That is why we will hold meeting on this and will come back to you with our reaction.”

BJP will not take any such step which will not be liked by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.