Kashmir.Watch

Author: hamid

  • International Women’s Day women groups stage protest

    Srinagar: On the eve of International Women’s Day, separatist women groups including ‘Kashmir Tehreek Khawteen’ and ‘Muslim Khawateen Markaz’ organized protest rallies in Srinagar on Saturday. Police foiled one of the march and arrested Yasmeen Raja along with her associates.
    According to CNS, KTK activists led by Zamrooda Habib assembled at Press Enclave Srinagar and demanded whereabouts of those disappeared persons whose mothers and sisters are living a miserable life.
    Zamrooda Habib told reporters that, “A day will come when each day will be a women’s day free from the oppression of India and its crime in Kashmir. We will fight ,resist, protest and will stand against all odds until victory, untill freedom of Kashmir.” She said that the day will come when a mother will not burry her son, a wife will not wail over the funeral of her husband, a sister will not lose her brother. No women will be half widow, we will live with justice, honour, peace and dignity,” she said.
    Another protest was led by Yasmeen Raja under the banner of MKM which was foiled by police. Scores of women protesters demanding stern action against the former Health Minister Shabir Khan allegedly involved in molestation case and the rapists of Kunanposh Pora victims marched from Clock Tower Srinagar and as they reached outside Press Enclave, police stopped them and arrested Yasmeen Raja along with her associates. (CNS)

  • Separatist leaders pay visit to Geelani

    Srinagar: Leaders of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and Hurriyat Conference (JK) Saturday paid a visit to Syed Ali Shah Geelani at his Hyderpora residence. 
    Geelani is suffering from illness for the past four days and is undergoing treatment at home.
    Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Moulana Mohammad Abdullah Tari and Mushtaq-ul-Islam were among those who inquired about Geelani’s health.

  • IGP meets people in Pulwama

    Seeks cooperation to maintain peace and order
    Srinagar: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone Abdul Gani Mir Saturday held deliberations with traders, Civil Society, Auqaaf Committee members and other respected persons of the society in South Kashmir’s Pulwam town.
    Sources told CNS that the meeting was called at SP office Pulwama to discuss the prevailing situation in the town after the killing of two policemen in a few days before near Court Complex.
    Sources privy to the meeting said that Inspector General of Police sought cooperation from people to maintain peace and order in the town.
    Responding to the issues raised during the meeting, IGP assured that the same would be addressed on priority. He according to sources cautioned the parents whose wards frequently indulge in stone-pelting incidents in the town. One of the traders who was present during the meeting told CNS that IGP Mir appealed to the parents to impart moral education to their children so that they could become peace loving citizens.
    Mir regretted that some stone-pelters soon after their release indulge in stone-pelting incidents again which has become a major concern for the police. He asked parents to keep a strict vigil on their children. IGP further lamented that most of the youth are becoming addicted to drugs. He said police will continue its de-addiction efforts and appealed the people to benefit from the facilities. He said the youth should be alert to the waywardness creeping into the society. Sources told CNS that Inspector General of Police Abdul Gani Mir sought full support and cooperation from people to maintain peace and order in the town. (CNS)

  • 2010 unrest worst period of my life: Omar

    ‘My dad is not my best friend’
    Srinagar: Recalling the summer unrest of 2010 in which more than 120 people were killed during the protest demonstrations, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday termed that period the ‘worst one’ in his life.
    “I won’t say that period was the worst one in my entire political career but it was worst one in my life- it consumed me and changed me in more ways than one,” said Omar while speaking at the India Today conclave 2014 at New Delhi.
    According to the reports received by KNS, Omar stated that during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir the biggest lesson he has learnt was that no single problem is smaller in nature and that the same could any time accumulate into one massive problem like the summer of 2010. “At beginning I was dismissive of the smaller problems but I soon learnt that those smaller problems can accumulate into one massive problem.”
    Recalling the 2010 summer unrest in the state, Omar while terming that time as ‘terrible’, stated that there was no easy way to get out of the situation. I don’t really remember that how I used to calm myself down during that period; said Omar adding that he wanted to put the state back on its rails and get things back to normal.
    Commenting over his relation with his father Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar maintained that his father and he himself are not the best friends and that both are two different individuals. “My father is not my best friend- we are two different individuals. My dad would quite happily stand up and do few steps if you ring a bell. I won’t do it, that is not who I am. I don’t sing and I don’t do shairi (Poetry).”
    Commenting over the suspension of the students from one of the University of Meerut in the recent past after the students cheered for Pakistan during the Indo-Pak match, Omar observed that on one hand you take scholarship from Prime Minister of India for the higher studies and on the other hand they cheer for Pakistan. “It was wrong. What they did was misguided.” However Omar maintained that the slapping of sedition charges against students was unnecessary and that the freedom of free speech is what makes India great.
    Omar while expressing his apprehensions stated that the Meerut episode will be used by BJP as the election tool as they already have written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the dropping of sedition charges against the students.
    Over the issue of alliance with NDA or BJP after the forthcoming parliamentary polls, Omar clarified that National Conference (NC) will never forge any alliance with BJP or NDA. “Our relation in the past was with Atal Bihari Vajpayee who took vital steps for Jammu and Kashmir and India’s relations with Pakistan.” Declaring that no government in India can even touch Article 370 with the consent of the state government, Omar reiterated that BJP is using the demand of abrogation of Article 370 as ‘election slogan’.
    Stating that the great step that he strives to take for the youth of Kashmir is to remove the ‘uncertainty’ from their minds about their future, Omar said that the development of the tourism industry in the state would help in generating new job avenues for the youth. Omar also dismissed the reports about the possible security consequences after the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan- stating that he doesn’t buy that argument that its impact will be on Jammu and Kashmir.
    Answering the question about the revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) Omar maintained that the fear of consequences has to be built up in Army operating in Jammu and Kashmir. “We have to make difference between legal cover and impunity. For sure there will be legal cover but there has to be the fear of consequences. ” When asked how he spends his free time, Omar said, “In winter I go up to Gulmarag for ski. I love that freedom. The good thing in it is that my security person doesn’t know the skiing- they are learning the same.” Omar added that he loves to watch lot of American TV shows including Goodwife, Suits and Homeland. (KNS)

  • Police apprehends Mobile Phone lifters

    100 smoking offenders penalized
    Srinagar: Police Friday arrested two Mobile phone lifters in SMHS Hospital Srinagar and recovered many stolen phones from them, besides, penalized about 100 offenders smoking in the hospital premises.
    Police sources told CNS that Karan Nagar police received numerous complaints regarding theft of mobile phones of many patients and their attendants in the premises of SMHS Hospital. Police after registering case FIR numbers 7/2014 and 8/2014 under section 379/RPC started the investigation.
    A police team led by SHO Karan Nagar, Muhammad Issaq arrested two suspects Showkat Ahmad Jogi son of Majid Jogi resident of Bemina and Saaqib Rafiq Bhat son of Mohammad Rafiq resident of Pampore. During their questioning, the duo confessed their involvement in stealing of many mobile phones in the hospital. On their instances Karan Nagar police recovered many mobile phones from them. Both the accused are in police custody.
    Meanwhile, Karan Nagar police also launched a drive against smoking in Hospital premises and recovered fine of Rs. 4630 from the offenders. About 100 offenders have been penalized for smoking in the hospital.
    General public especially patients and their attendants have hailed the efforts of the police. (CNS)

  • Salman Nizami appointed Joint Secretary of Congress

    JAMMU: On the behest of Rahul Gandhi AICC Vice President, Salman Nizami has been appointed as the Joint Secretary of the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee. 
    PCC president Prof. Saif Ud din Soz has issued a letter to this effect. Salman thanked the PCC president Prof Saif ud din Soz, AICC Gen. Secretary Ambika Soni, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and Union Minister for Heath G.N.Azad for appointing him as PCC Joint Secretary. He said that moreover he is thankful to Rahul Gandhi, Vice President of party who is in view of bringing the youth’s in the front line. Salman have been writing extensively on social as well as political problems within the state in all the major publications of the country. He is also actively involved in social work and has been engaged in meeting people across the state. Salman said that, he always felt the passion of doing something worthwhile for the people and the state as we have been alienated to a large extent by the mainstream. He said that, “I have been following Rahul Gandhi and am highly motivated by his ideology and dynamic process of working, and I will now perform to the best of my abilities and meet the expectations of the party high command’.

  • Sumo skids into gorge, 3 die, 7 injured in Doda

    DODA: At least three people died while seven others sustained injuries when a Tata Sumo in which they were traveling met with an accident and skidded  into a deep gorge at around 8.30 PM Friday near Galgander in Doda District.
    As per the details available with Kashmir Life the ill fated vehicle bearing registration No JK06- 35 99 on its way from Prem Nagar to Pranoo skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge on the bank of Neeru Nallah on Doda-Bhaderwah road.
    As soon as the news of the accident reached Doda, large number of people, senior police officers, officials of District administration, army along with rescue teams rushed to the spot and brought the dead and injured out of the ill fated vehicle and shifted the injured to District Hospital Doda where the condition of few is said to be critical.
    Officials said that three people died on spot who have been identified as Kuljeet Singh (27 Yrs) son of Girdari Lal resident of Indralla Thatri, Arjun Singh (27 yrs) son of Daljeet Singh and Rajesh Kumar (22 yrs) son of Kanaya Lal resident of Guttasa Bhaderwah.
    The injured admitted at District Hospital Doda were identified as Sandeep Kumar son of Dev Raj, Pardeep Kumar son Dev Raj both resident of Sharoot Prem Nagar, Suram Singh son of Daljeet Singh resident of Kandot, Minkal Kumar son of unknown resident of Sharoot Prem Nagar, Winkal son of Payar Singh resident of Sindra Prem Nagar, Om prakash son of Nand Lal resident of Sharoot Prem Nagar, Taranjeet Singh son of Sunil Singh resident of Kastigard Doda and Kousal Kumar son of Daljeet Singh resident of Sharot Prem Nagar.

  • India ticks off Pak for inviting Kashmiri students for study

    New Delhi: Reacting strongly to Pakistan inviting 60 Kashmiri students in Uttar Pradesh who were slapped with sedition, India Friday said that country should not muddle into affairs of other countries. 
    They should look into their own problems before trying to resolve issues in other countries,” the Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said here. He was asked about Pakistan inviting 60 Kashmiri students, slapped sedition charges by Uttar Pradesh for cheering the Pakistani cricket team in an Asia Cup tie against India, to its educational institutions. 
    UP Police had slapped sedition charges against 60 Kashmiri students of Swami Vivekananda Subharti University in Meerut who were suspended for three days from the hostel after they had allegedly supported Pakistan cricket team against India in the Asia Cup match in Dhaka on Sunday last. 
    Reacting to the development, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam “we saw Indian media reports that there were all night celebrations and there were also reports that 67 Kashmiri students were expelled”.     
    Stating that she does not have any way of corroborating that information, Aslam said at her weekly press briefing in Islamabad that “if these Kashmiri students want to come and pursue their studies in Pakistan, our hearts and academic institutions are open to them”. PTI

  • Hurriyat Conference JK condemns ousting of Kashmiri students

    ‘It portrays mental sickness of world’s largest democracy’ Shabir Shah
    Srinagar: Strongly condemning the ousting of Kashmiri students from university and slaying attack on them, Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK) has termed the act as communal and “mental sickness” of so-called Indian democracy, said the spokesman.
    “It is very unfortunate that our students are made victims ofcommunalism in every nook and corner of India. Not only students, even Kashmiri business persons are also targetted which is extremely condemnable and a blot on the face of so-called world’s largest democracy,” senior Hurriyat leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah said on Friday.
    According to the statement issued to KNS, Shah was addressing a gathering at Hajin Chowk in North Kashmir’s Bandipora area. Other Hurriyat leaders accompanying Shah included Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Mushtaq ul Islam, Shabir Ahmad Dar, Muhammad Yusuf Naqash, and Muhammad Yasin Ataai.
    The leaders while while addressing the people called for complete boycott of upcoming assembly and parliamentary elections.
    Senior Hurriyat Conference leader Shabir Ahmad Shah while warning people against taking part in elections said that taking part in elections tantamount to bartering the sacred blood of our martyrs.
    “It is the responsibility of young generation of Kashmir to warn people about the negative impact of voting pro-India and anti-movement parties. People should bear in mind that by voting these parties, they are giving the democratic colour to India’s forcible occupation here,”Shah said.
    Shah while applauding the contibution of Hajin towards freedom movement said the people of this area have played a great role in fight for freedom which can never be overshadowed. He said the pro-India parties like National Conference, Congress and PDP have massacred our children and are now begging for votes only to empower the Indian illegal occupation here.
    He said Hurriyat Conference is determined to take the freedom movement to its logical conclusion. “Our freedom spirit will not perish by any suppressive tactics. Putting us behind bars will not deter us from pursuing our political activities. We will rise and rise till we achieve freedom from Indian forcible and illegal occupation,” he said.
    On the occasion, Nayeem Ahmad Khan said that Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir came into being to safeguard the invaluable sacrifices rendered by lakhs of martyrs for the right of self-determination of Jammu and Kashmir. “The world scenario with regards to Kashmir issue is exhibiting a drastic change and we are keeping a close watch over the elements (from New Delhi to Srinagar) that are hell bent upon spreading rumours and muzzling the voices of Kashmiris,” Khan said.
    Shabir Ahmad Dar in his speech said the freedom movement demands the uniqueness in resistance leadership so as to formulate a well-planned future course of action after deliberating on both positive and negative prospects of freedom movement.
    Mushtaq-ul-Islam while addressing the public gathering said: “While taking part in movement against India’s forcible occupation is the living example of Kashmiri nation, taking part in Indian elections will also portray the slave-mentality of the people of Kashmir. To get overwhelmed by the spirit of freedom and okay to subjugation are two opposite notions. Kashmiri youth are filled with the spirit of freedom and will not, at any cost, take part in so-called elections meant to mislead the world community but will completely boycott both assembly and parliamentary polls.” (KNS)

  • Suspension of Kashmiri Students issue mostly resolved: Matoo

    Students will soon resume their classes
    Srinagar: The authorities at Meerut including Police and university officials have expressed their desire for the early return of the suspended Kashmiri students, said Junaid Matoo, a youth leader of National Conference who was deputed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to Meerut on March 6.
    Matoo told KNS over phone from Meerut that he had series of meetings with the senior government officials at Meerut and that the matter has been amicably sorted out. “Now only the modalities are being discussed that when the students shall resume their classes in the university.”
    Matoo stated that he held a detailed meeting with the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University in presence of the resident commissioner Mr. Agarwal and that the response of VC over the issue of safe return of suspended students to varsity was ‘positive.’ “I also held meetings with the senior civil and police authorities overt the issue including Divisional Commissioner, DIG and SSP- the administration has also assured that it is hopeful that the students will resume their studies at the earliest.”  
    He added that during his meeting with the VC of the university, it was assured that all necessary arrangements shall be made for the security of the suspended students. ”In a very near future it can be stated that when will the students resume their duties.” (KNS)