That tell tale intercept

IN Media Practice | 10/07/2010
On July 8, 2010 many Delhi based news channels went to town with an intercept of a conversation between a Hurriyat (Geelani) leader and an activist of the same faction. Was the translation of the conversation in Kashmiri accurate? Here are two versio

 

 

 

'Martyr 10-15 during valley protests'

8 Jul 2010, 1936 hrs IST

 

This is the real translation of the tapped phone call alleged by NDTV and other television channels in this video

 

TIMES NOW acquires transcripts of a conversation between hardline separatists and mobs, exposing how they are trying to instigate violence in the Kashmir valley.

 

The role of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat has been exposed. TIMES NOW has acquired transcripts of a conversation between Hurriyat Geelani faction leader and his paid activist.

 

The conversation very clearly exposes how the hardline separatists are trying their best to instigate violence during the protests. The Hurriyat Geelani faction leader is heard instigating his activist to ensure that at least 10-15 people are martyred.

 

Following is the transcript of the conversation between the Hurriyat leader and the paid protester:

 

Hurriyat (G) leader Ghulam Mohd Dar: I heard there is a protest march in Budgam.

 

Local Hurriyat activist, Shabir Ahmed: Where?

 

Hurriyat (G) leader Ghulam Mohd Dar: Budgam

 

Local Hurriyat activist, Shabir Ahmed: I believe one small one had. Where will they go right now?

 

Hurriyat (G) leader Ghulam Mohd Dar: No, I have heard that it's a massive one - nearly 30,000

 

Local Hurriyat activist, Shabir Ahmed: 30,000?

 

Hurriyat (G) leader Ghulam Mohd Dar: I swear, 30,000 of them. Protest near the Magam Forest check post. You enjoy your salaries without doing anything for it.

 

Local Hurriyat activist, Shabir Ahmed: You have to understand the reason for it

 

Hurriyat (G) leader Ghulam Mohd Dar: Tell me

 

Local Hurriyat activist, Shabir Ahmed: The crowds get too big to handle at times. Lots of people join in and it's difficult to manage them

 

Hurriyat (G) leader Ghulam Mohd Dar: We want 10-15 more martyred. Did you hear that?

 

(loud noise apparently of rally)

 

Hurriyat (G) leader Ghulam Mohd Dar: Did you hear that? That's the rally in Budgam

 

Local Hurriyat activist, Shabir Ahmed: Ok 

 

 

 

Person A: People are saying procession has been taken out from Budgam.

Person B: So what, where would they go (implying where can they go in curfew).

Person A: I heard 20,000 people are in the procession.

Person B: What 30,000.

Person A: By Allah I am not lying.

Person B: I am stuck in Magam for the .....

 

[At this point, a part of the audio is missing, which will be clearly evident to any Kashmiri speaking person]

 

Person B: Enjoy your salary while sitting at home (a figure of speech in spoken Kashmiri, used for "government employees" in Kashmir, because they are taking salaries while sitting at home during curfews, implying protest do not affect them at large)

 

[Now any one with the knowledge of Kashmir Language can tell that the further conversation is not related to above comment about "salary"]

 

Person A: It is not easy to bring the procession under control, once it's out of control.

Person B: When 10-15 more people would be martyred, it will come under control automatically.

Person A: I am watching on the television right now. Listen, listen... (increases volume of television)

Person A: You make call to Badgam and find out if this news is true.