Author: hamid

Srinagar: Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Member of Parliament-elect, Tariq Hameed Karra has expressed shock over the death of Simran, a minor, due to the explosion of a littered shell at Tosemaedan in Budgam district, today.

In a statement issued to KNS, Karra said this is a case of sheer criminal negligence on part of the authorities which has resulted in the loss of a precious life. He said in the past also dozens of people, mostly children, have also lost their lives and many have been rendered handicapped in the area in similar incidents. Karra said children are usually caught unaware as they take littered shells as playing items. He said had the government acted sensitively the damage caused by these littered shells, explosives could have been stopped to a great extent.

Expressing sympathies with the bereaved family Karra said steps should be taken to clear the area of these explosives so that such unfortunate incidents will not happen in future. He also demanded the government should provide a proper compensation to the victim’s family.

Admits verdict being expressly against Congress

Srinagar: Senior Congress Leader and Former Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad in a message has conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary Constituency for casting their votes in his favour. In a message issued to KNS from New Delhi, Azad said that the verdict of people in a democratic exercise is supreme and that it has to be accorded all respect and deference.

Admitting that the verdict is expressly against Congress party, be it Jammu & Kashmir or country as a whole,  Azad said that instead of being cynical and despondent, we need to introspect and analyse the reasons for losing the confidence of people and accordingly, chart out strategies for revival and rejuvenation of the Party.

Azad while expressing gratitude to the thousands of Party workers and leaders, especially from the hilly areas, who worked tirelessly for days and nights to reach out to the people, exhorted them to resume their activities forthwith with renewed vigour and enthusiasm to regain the lost trust of the people. He called upon the workers to gear up their activities and educate the people about the policies, programmes of Congress Party and achievements of UPA I & UPA II with full force and conviction.

“I am especially thankful to the thousands of well-wishers, supporters and sympathizers who have conveyed their concern and unhappiness over the outcome of the recent parliamentary polls”, said  Azad.

Azad said that although it appears that divisive and sectarian forces have succeeded in creating a wedge for the time being in the society for small-time electoral gains, however, this aberration has to give way to pluralistic ethos and composite culture which our state and country is famous for all over globe. “The progressive and pluralistic forces have to regain the democratic space for maintenance of peace and harmony in the State and putting back on the agenda the high values of development, pluralism and  inclusiveness”, said  Azad.

Describing the recent outcome of elections as a setback for Congress Party,  Azad said that our party is robust and resilient to brave such odds. “We have bounced back with greater resilience and strength after every upheaval that our Party witnessed and I am sure we will reinvent ourselves this time as well”, said . Azad.

. Azad said that people acknowledged the historic role that Congress Party has played in the freedom struggle of the country and they are also aware about the progress and development that has been witnessed in the country under its rule. “Congress Party has a roadmap for the country’s progress & development and economic & political empowerment of the people. It is because of this that people have been reposing their faith in our Party for decades”, said  Azad.

Srinagar: A Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) employee has been rewarded with a prize money by the state vigilance organisation for his commendable work in Srinagar’s Peer Bagh area.

According to a statement issued to KNS, the SMC sanitary supervisor of the Peer Bagh area, Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, was rewarded with a reward of Rs 100.

An order issued by the Superintendent of the Police, Vigilance Organization Kashmir, dated May 8, 2014 reads: “Sanction is hereby accorded to the grant of Commendation Certificate Class III with a cash reward of Rs. 100/- in favor of Shri Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, Sanitary Supervisor, SMC, Peerbagh Srinagar in recognition of good work done by him.”

SMC commissioner Dr G N Qasba has complimented the staff, particularly Ashraf, for their dedication towards the community. On the occasion, Dr Qasba asked all employees to create similar examples by putting in the best services and by attending to the people’s grievances swiftly.

“The appreciation of an SMC employee is acknowledgement of the work and efforts put in by the corporation. Such commendable work by the SMC employees will go a long way in establishing a good rapport with the public. I appreciate the work of  Mr Ashraf and hope he will continue his work with the same zeal and zest,” said Dr Qasba.

Srinagar: Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant outfit has strongly condemned the  killing of Abid Akbar Wani an undergraduate student of Krankishiwan Sopore.

According to a statement issued to KNS, while expressing solidarity with the victim family, Saleem Hashmi, spokesman of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen has said that the militant outfit does not condone innocent killings. “It is our conviction that such anti human actions are unforgivable before Almighty Allah and the killers of this student cannot evade   punishment,” he added.

Hashmi has also condemned the death of Muhstaq Ahmad Gilkar allegedly at the hands of forces in Central jail. “We appeal the international human rights groups to intervene and take cognizance of gross human rights abuses taking place in Kashmir. Such inhuman acts can in no way suppress and oppress freedom   movement in Kashmir,” Hashmi added.

‘Time up for Army to vacate’

Srinagar: “Killing of a minor and critically injuring two minors of  the same family near Drung area of Tossamaidan by littered explosive  is a the worst example of brutality and barbarism,” Tosamaidan Bachao Front said in a statement issued to KNS.

The statement added: “Army has been given a license to kill and is on a mission of killing spree especially youth in order to sustain their illegal occupation of Tossamaidan. They are continuing bloodbath in Tossamaidan to suppress the sentiment and they have crossed all the possible patience we could stand with.”

He added: “Tossamaidan Bachave Front has no other option but to initiate an uprising against illegal occupation of Tossamaidan if the lease cancellation order is not issued. Government had an excuse of code of conduct because of which they did not issue the order of lease cancellation but today we warn them to issue it in black and white before 25 May to avoid agitation which will snowball into a major controversy.”

The statement said: “We appeal the government to appoint special team to dispose of military waste and unexploded shells in Tossamaidan and the areas falling in the immediate vicinity of Tossamaidan. Finally we appeal the people of Kashmir to condemn the killing of a minor in strongest terms and support our movement till we achieve our goal.” (

IGP Kashmir visits Khanyar, reviews progress

Srinagar: Expediting its search operation to trace Fahim Asghar, a three-year-old missing boy in Nowpora areas of Khanyar Srinagar, the Inspector General of Police A G Mir on Monday visited Khanyar to review the progress in investigations. The IGP Kashmir who also met the parents of missing boy assured them that police is trying its best to trace the boy as quickly as possible.

Sources in police said that the IGP Kashmir was accompanied by DIG Central Kashmir Syed Afadul Mujtaba and SSP Srinagar Amit Kumar. Meanwhile, according to sources the police has constituted a special team to trace the boy besides utilizing the services of SDRF teams.

“besides SDRF teams, the divers have been pressed into service. The old cases of similar nature are being discussed and the effective strategies being applied by the police in tracing out the missing boy,” a senior officer in police told KNS pleading anonymity.

Fahim Asgar son of Mohammad Asgar lone resident of Nowpora, Khanyar, is reported to be missing from his home since May 6. “A foot ware of the missing boy was found on the banks of a nearby canal. Srinagar police has called in the services of River police in the canal and Babedemb to trace the boy. River police is utilizing motor boats in the search operation. All police stations of J&K have been flashed details of the missing boy and searches have been launched at all entry and exit points in the valley and Jammu,” said a police statement issued to KNS.

The statement added that many search teams have been constituted who are checking the hotels and the tenants in and around Srinagar to trace the missing boy. “If anybody having any information regarding the missing boy may please inform the nearest police station or contact 0194245509, 9596770660, 9596770516or Police Control Room Srinagar on Dial 100,” said the police statement.