Kashmir.Watch

Author: hamid

  • PDP has openly started aligning with NDA: MATTU

    Initiatives of peace, reconciliation, reconstruction facilitated by NC: Mattu
    Srinagar: National Conference spokesman, Junaid Mattu has said the PDP has openly started aligning itself with the Modi led NDA and it is important to place on record that the main initiatives of peace, reconciliation and reconstruction in the state have always been taken or facilitated singularly by the National Conference with support sought from successive Governments in New Delhi.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Mattu has said that it was the National Conference that courageously initiated the process of reconstruction and rehabilitation as early as in 1996. “While National Conference worked hard and succeeded in effecting a historic ceasefire and starting a dialogue with Hizbul Mujahidin in the most crucial and tumultuous phase of political turmoil in the Valley, most of the militant Commanders who came forward to talk were targeted and killed during the government of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.”
    He said: “How can the same Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and the same PDP that oversaw the annihilation of a moderate and reconciliatory element in the militant leadership now sing songs of peace and prosperity? Where was Mufti Sahab’s “healing touch” when he overtly or covertly approved the annihilation of those Militant Commanders?”
    The NC spokesman said: “Mufti has left a lot of vital questions about his devious and murderous role during political turmoil in Kashmir unanswered perhaps misguided into thinking that Kashmiris have forgotten the dreaded and brutal Mufti of the early ‘90s who broke all records of massacres, systemic repression and gross human rights violations. Mufti before speaking about the people and history of Srinagar should come clean on his alleged ‘deliberate negligence’ that resulted in the assassination of Shaheed Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq during the tenure of Mufti as the Home Minister of India.”  
    He said: “PDP is free to align with even the RSS or the VHP since they have a democratic right to forge alliances without worrying about the sentiments of the people they tragically and falsely claim to represent.” However, he added that PDP should know that the people of Kashmir are conscious to the well established fact that PDP was invented and established by the BJP to weaken, fragment and bifurcate the voice and representation of the people of J&K.”
    “As Mufti Sahib is understandably trying to repay the favour of 1999 in 2014, while gauging the reverential statements of praise for Modi that have come from Mehbooba Mufti and Muzaffar Baig, it’s evident beyond doubt that PDP has now decided to act as the State Wing of a Modi-led BJP in 2014,” he added.  (KNS)

  • NET, SET, PhD dropped- PGs appointed

    We did everything on merits: Nodal Officer Higher Education
    Srinagar: Throwing rules to winds, state’s higher education department has appointed Post graduates as contractual lecturers- dismissing the deserving SET/NET and PhD qualifiers.
    The reports received by KNS stated that the notification issued by state’s higher education department invited applications for the engagement of lecturers, teaching assistants on academic arrangement bases in Kashmir division colleges for the year 2014-15.
    The rejected candidates told KNS that they will approach the court of law as the UGC guidelines 2009, the candidates having NET, SET and PhD shall be eligible for the posts of lecturers. The candidates stated the higher education department has sidelined the guidelines set by the UGC and that the appointment of contractual lecturers was not done on merits.
    However, the nodal officer for the appointment of contractual lecturers Prof Bashir Ahmad Chat told KNS over phone that the appointment has been done on merits and that the same doesn’t come under the rules set by the UGC.   (KNS)

  • Mushaal Mullick Chairing Session on Kashmir

    Mushaal Hussein Mullick Chairing the Session “Socio-Economic Impact of Kashmir –Nagorno-Karabakh Conflicts: Regional and International Perspectives” of International Conference on “Kashmir and Nagorno-Karabakh: Finding a Solution “
    The Conference was organized by Institute of Peace and Diplomacy(IPD) in collaboration with Centre for Strategic Studies (SAM), Azerbaijan under the President of Azerbaijan Republic.Notable scholars from Azerbaijan, politicians and members of civil society dwelled on this important issue. The audiences included Parliamentarians, Senators, Journalists, Academicians, Researchers, Lawyers and various groups of civil society.

  • Waqf waits for vice chairman, board of directors

    Audit report on assets yet top made public  
    Srinagar: As the tenure of Waqf board’s Vice Chairman M.Y. Qadri and other Board’s directors ended on February 9, the government is yet to reconstitute the board, affecting the Board’s functioning.
    Besides failing to reconstitute the Board the government has failed to make joint audit committee report on Waqf assets public.
    It has also reliably been learnt that the government is in a fix over the issue whether Qadri’s be granted extension as the vice chairman of the Board or for a fresh appointment for the post. Sources told KNS that the government is yet to take a call on appointment of board directors as well.
    After taking reins of power in the state, the NC-Congress coalition while appointing vice chairman for Waqf board, also constituted the panel of board of directors so that Waqf’s normal functioning does not hamper.
    Pertinently, the Chief Minister is the chairman of the Waqf while as Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shiekh Gulam Rasool, Dr Mehraj-ud-din, Mohi-ud-din Matoo, Molvi Showkat Hussain Keng, Molvi Riyaz Hamdani and Nusrat Andrabi were nominated as board of directors. The reports informed KNS that board’s normal functioning has been affected to the extent that several construction projects undertaken in the past are in limbo. 
    M Y Qadri when contacted told KNS: “Yes it is true my term as the vice chairman is over so is of the board of directors. I have already appraised the honourable chief minster about the same. But the functioning of the Waqf is no way affected.” (KNS)

  • Naidkhai Incident 5 Persons Booked for ‘attempt to murder’

    Slain teenager, 4 Muslim League activists booked for ‘attempt to murder’
    Srinagar: A teenage boy who was shot dead last week in Kashmir’s Naidkhai town, along with four Hurriyat Conference activists, have been booked for attempt to murder, sources said on Saturday.
    Police had said that a group of youth had attacked a police vehicle on March 14 and they had fired in air in self defense. Farhat Ahmad Dar, 18, had received a bullet in his heart, during the protest and had died while on way to hospital.
    Police on Saturday booked Dar and four Hurriyat Conference activists for attempt to murder in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
    Official sources told GNS that on March 14, last week, the personals of Indian Reserve Police (IRP) of 8th Battalion fired upon a group of protesters who tried to set ablaze their vehicle in Main Chowk Naidkhai. The FIR mentions that Dar was a part of the mob that tried to set ablaze a police vehicle.
    In the firing incident, Dar was killed while three others had sustained injuries.
    After the incident, police then lodged an open FIR 61/2014 under section 307 (attempt to murder) RPC and District administration ordered probe and had appointed Additional District Magistrate as enquiry officer.
    “During the investigations, police booked Dar and four Muslim League activists in the FIR for creating Law and Order problem after it was revealed that a group of Hurriyat protesters was found involved in all the mess,” a police official involved in the probe told GNS.
    He identified the booked activists as Showkat Hakeem of Rakh Hajin, Assadullah Parray of Hajin, Mehraj-ud-Din Nanda of Hajan, Sajad Ahmad Nawoo of Naidkhai both activists of Muslim League – which is a constituent of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The official said that on the very first of the incident an open FIR had been lodged in the incident and subsequently the charges under section 307, 148, 149, 152, 336 and 427 RPC have been registered against the ML activists.  (GNS)
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  • Seven mothers died while waiting for their disappeared sons

    Srinagar: Ten parents including seven women have passed away during the last five years while waiting for their sons- disappeared during the last two decades of conflict in Kashmir.
    The reports received by KNS stated that while protesting for the whereabouts of their beloved ones, ten parents including seven women breathed their last in past five years. The process started with the death of Moguli, a lone mother died in the year 2009.
    The details informed KNS that Haseena Begum died on October 5, 2013 whose son Syed Anwar Shah disappeared on July 21, 2000 when he was arrested in Srinagar. Anwar was a wall painter by profession.  APDP led by Parveena Ahanger stated that Hasserna along with her Son’s half widow was fighting for the whereabouts of her lone son for 13 years continuously.
    Mahtaba Begum hailing from Kashmir’s far-off village Karhama died while looking for her son who was arrested during a crackdown by forces in the winter of 1990. Her son Mohammad Yaqub Khan was a laborer by profession.
    Misra begum of Bemina’s boatman colony died in the desolation of her only son Shabir Hussain Gasi who was allegedly arrested by 6RR on January 21, 2000.
    Hameeda Parveen died in the year 2012 after searching from pillar to post with the hope that her son would one day return to home. Details informed that her son namely Abid Hussian was a student.
    Zona Begum hailing from Raj Bagh whose son disappeared on May 1996 when he was detained after forces raided his house. Her son Imtiyaz Ahmad was a forester. Zona died in the year 2011while waiting for her son to return home.
    Haleema Begum hailing from City’s Batmaloo died February this year. She struggled for the last 23 years in search of her son namely Basharat Ahmad Shah was studying at Ali Garg Muslim University. Basharat was arrested on January 7, 1990 allegedly by CRPF from North Kashmir’s Sopore. (KNS)

  • VC KU felicitated on introducing Urdu course in South Campus

    Srinagar: Stating that the Urdu language is one of the vital mediums of communication in Kashmir and the Sub-Continent, Jammu and Kashmir Urdu Council–an amalgam of various forums promoting Urdu language Saturday felicitated Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Prof Talat Ahmad for introducing Urdu academic Course at University’s South Campus.
    The felicitation function was organized at VC’s secretariat at Kashmir University wherein several personalities promoting Urdu language in and outside the state were present. Chief Editor Kashmir News Service (KNS) Mohammad Aslam was the chief guest on the occasion while as Professor Margoob Banihali was the guest of honor.
    Chief Editor KNS felicitated Prof Talat Ahmad VC KU for the introduction of Urdu academic courses at varsity’s south campus, while as Professor Margoob Banihali stated that the steps taken by the Kashmir University authorities for the promotion of Urdu language are commendable. He urged that more serious steps must be taken so that Urdu could be started in KU’s north and Kupwara campuses.
    On this occasion, Prof Talat Ahmad while appreciating the concerns of the Urdu council for the promotion of the language stated that the Urdu academic course introduced in the south campus shall be pursued with the most serious effort and that this year 1650 students have applied for the PG Urdu course and among the selected ones 50 will be admitted to the south Campus. The VC added that a permanent faculty will be recruited so that the course could be introduced with a zeal and zest. Professor Bashir Ahmad Nehvi, Dr Mansoor, Professor Nasir Mirza, Sultan-ul-Haq Shaheedi were also present on the occasion.(KNS)

  • Er Rashid to contest from North Kashmir

    AIP fields 3 candidates for Lok Sabha polls in Kashmir
    Srinagar: Engineer Sheikh Abdul Rashid Awami Itihad Party (AIP) President and MLA Langate has decided to contest upcoming Lok Sabah polls from Baramullah Parliamentary seat.
    Announcing the names of candidates in a Press Conference in Srinagar Engineer Rashid stated that his party AIP has decided to field candidates from all the three parliamentary constituencies of the Kashmir Valley.
    Besides Er Rashid himself, AIP has fielded journalist Rashid Rahil from Srinagar Parliamentary seat and Advocate Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman from Anantnag Parliamentary Seat.
    According to KNS correspondent, the AIP said that it took the decision after a series of long discussions and deliberations with people at different places via public interaction programs. “Our decision was also motivated by the fact that both National Conference and PDP have failed the people of Kashmir and acted as “B Team of Congress Party,” AIP president said.
    Engineer Rashid added: “Now I am throwing the ball in the court of Kashmiri masses to vote for their own party AIP as they have been on and off cursing the bigger political parties at every nook and corner of the valley for oblivious reasons. PDP and NC never supported my genuine endeavors ranging from raising the Afzal Guru issue to several other injustices against Kashmiri nation. For forcing India and Pakistan to have a just  resolution of Kashmir Issue people should come out and vote for AIP so that traditional selfish , vested interest political parties who have sucked blood of Kashmiris are thrown out.”
    He added, “Let Kashmiris seek answers to very important basic questions which NC and PDP have never answered. The Assembly record of last six years is enough evidence to judge that who betrayed Kashmiris and who represented single handedly their political aspirations against all odds. Let people introspect themselves and use this opportunity to change their destiny otherwise afterwards they will continue to curse the traditional parties whom they will vote and there will be no end to their sufferings till doomsday.” (KNS)

  • Shah felicitates Pakistan on ‘Pak Day’

    Srinagar: Senior Hurriyat Conference Jammu and Kashmir (HCJK) leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah has felicitated the nation of Pakistan, its rulers, people and opposition on the eve of Pakistan Day that falls on March 23. Shah extended the felicitation to Pakistan on behalf of Kashmiri nation.
    According to a message issued to KNS, Shah while highlighting the role played by Pakistan with regards to freedom movement of Kashmir said the Kashmiri nation is extremely grateful and indebted to the Islamic Republic for its unrelenting political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiri nation in its fight for freedom against Indian forcible occupation.
    Commenting on the significance of Pakistan in Muslim world, Shah said Pakistan is not only the hope of Kashmiris but also the fortress of whole Islamic world. “I believe that a strong Pakistan can play a crucial role in bringing peace in the South Asia.”
    Shah expressed hope that present government of Pakistan along with the leaders of various oppositions and people will work for the stability of the nation and take the country out of chaos and uncertainty.
    The senior Hurriyat leader also pinned his hope that neighbouring country will continue its every possible support to Kashmiri resistance movement till the people of Kashmir get their birth right of self-determination. (KNS)

  • SMC directs educational institutions to provide amenities or face closure

    Srinagar: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) public health wing has asked all the schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the city to make arrangements for providing safe drinking water, clean toilets and wash rooms to the students within two weeks. 
    According to Dr Shafqat Khan, health officer SMC, the Corporation has received number of complaints particularly from the parents that most of the schools, colleges and other educational institutions in Srinagar City do not have the required facility of washroom, toilet or safe drinking water.  
    “This is a major and serious Public health concern. All the Heads of these institutions have been directed to immediately make arrangements to provide safe drinking water including clean toilets, washrooms for students and children within two weeks,” he informed.
    Dr Khan said that an inspection team consisting of Ward Officer, Food Safety Officer, Sanitary Inspector, Municipal Health Inspector under his supervision shall visit all these establishments to check the status after two weeks.
    “Any institution found in default shall be dealt under the relevant provision of the Municipal Corporation Act 2000, which may mean heavy penalty, fine and closure of the said institution,” he added further.(KNS)