PDP youth event at Mehbooba Mufti's residence disallowed by authorities citing COVID,security threat
Srinagar, Dec 12: Authorities on Sunday barred the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding a youth convention at its chief Mehbooba Mufti's residence on the high-profile Gupkar road here citing COVID-19 restrictions and larger security implications , including a threat of car bombs, drawing a strong reaction from her.
Police sealed all roads leading to the PDP president's 'Fairview' residence and journalists were also barred from moving towards the venue in the morning.
Noting that it was a high-security zone and a gathering of at least 1000 people was expected, the police said that it was not advisable to allow such a large flow of people and unchecked vehicles as there are credible inputs of vehicle bound IEDs" being used to target civilians and sensitive installations.
The local administration had advised the PDP to apply for holding this convention in a more open area in view of the COVID-19 and security reasons, a police spokesman said.
The PDP chief, however, said the police's argument was ridiculous and termed it as an excuse to "sabotage" the event.
The former chief minister of the erstwhile state of J-K charged that the government was looking for new ways to deny rights to the youth of Kashmir and to pull them away from democracy and push them on the path to violence .
In a video message posted on her party's Twitter handle after the event was barred, the PDP chief said her party will continue the struggle, peacefully and democratically, for J-K's prosperity, unity, dignity and to resolve the Kashmir issue .
We all have to come together, especially the youth. We have to show them that we are not afraid of them. If we were afraid, then we would also make compromises like other parties," she said.
She claimed that all other leaders and parties were holding rallies but only PDP was denied permission.
In an order, the Executive Magistrate, First Class, South Srinagar said in view of the report received from the Senior Superintendent of Police and the COVID-19 restrictions in place, it is hereby ordered that the scheduled youth conference that is to be held by PDP at Gupkar is not allowed."
The magistrate directed the station house officer concerned to "ensure" that no such event takes place "without the permission of the competent authority."
In a statement, the police spokesman said a gathering of at least 1000 people was expected at the venue and given the prevalent COVID situation and larger security implications resulting from allowing such a large number of people and accompanying cars and vehicles into a high-security zone, it was not advisable to allow such a large flow of people and unchecked vehicles.
The spokesman said there are credible inputs of vehicle-bound IEDs being used to target civilians and high-security installations.
The Gupkar Road houses high-security buildings of various organisations and security-sensitive establishments and intelligence agencies. Allowing a large number of vehicles to be parked in this high-security zone would have jeopardised the security in the area, he said.
He said no such gatherings and amassing of vehicles were allowed on the road earlier as well.
Moreover, no official residence has been known to have hosted large political rallies on Gupkar Road in the recent past.
"Legal orders for necessary restrictions on the convention were passed by the Executive Magistrate, South Srinagar keeping in mind the COVID protocol and security sensitiveness of Gupkar zone, the police spokesman said.
However, addressing a press conference at her residence later, Mufti said the administration was confused and did not know what excuses to make for stopping the party's convention.
First they gave the excuse of COVID. But, since conventions of other parties were on at various places, they thought this excuse will not work. Also, if this (Gupkar area) is not secure -- where Badamibagh Cantonment, VVIP residences, Governor House are located then which place is secure? That is ridiculous, she said.
The PDP president claimed the party had earlier sought permission for the convention at some other place, but there was no response from the administration.
Then we thought that since the other parties were organising it, we will also have it here in an open space... Since this is our residence, there was no need for permission, she said.
She alleged her party workers were roughed up and some of them detained while on their way to the venue.
However, she said, her party "will not surrender".
How can the LG's administration be brazen? You make COVID excuses but allow other parties. I cannot understand this. How can they justify this? she said.
They reason they have turned you away from my door is because they are petrified of your voice and what it can achieve. You were prevented from reaching me today but this makes us more determined to remain steadfast on our mission of peace with dignity.
— J&K PDP (@jkpdp) December 12, 2021
1/n pic.twitter.com/PWyokTggtN
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
