Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Violence was never part of Kashmiriyat: President Kovind

    Srinagar, Jul 27: The President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday said that violence was never part of Kashmiriyat but has become a daily reality now.

    According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Kovind in his address at Sher-I-Kashmir-International Convention Centre (SKICC) during the 19th convocation of University of Kashmir (KU) said, “Violence which was never part of Kashmiriyat but has become a daily reality now.”

    He said, “It was most unfortunate that the outstanding tradition of peaceful coexistence was broken but now, there is a new beginning to regain this land’s lost glory.”

    In the meantime, Kovind congratulated the young students of the KU who are being conferred with the respected degrees in this convocation.

    “I have been told that nearly three lakh students are receiving degrees today and I am impressed by the number with more 2.5 lakh bachelors and more than one thousand doctorates, the university has made remarkable progress,” he said—(KNO)

  • No follow-up results post PM Modi’s meet, says Farooq Abdullah

    Srinagar: A month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s outreach to mainstream leaders of J&K, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said on Sunday that there had been “no follow-up results” on the ground.

    Grant Statehood

    All major parties have demanded statehood and the Centre should prove its bona fide by agreeing to that. – Farooq Abdullah, NC President

    Abdullah said this in reference to the PM’s remarks at the June 24 meeting in New Delhi that he wanted to win the hearts of the people of J&K and remove “Dilli ki doori” (the distance from Delhi) and “dil ki doori” (distance between hearts). “That was a welcome statement but there is no effort on the ground to win the hearts of the people. People continue to be locked up and dissent is not tolerated. We want to see the change on the ground, a visible effort to win back the people who went through the trauma of their state being dismembered, its special status removed in one sudden blow,” the three-time former chief minister said.

    “We are yet to see any follow-up results even after a month… Trust is something that has been missing from both sides (Delhi and Srinagar). Successive PMs—Jawaharlal Nehru, Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee—made promises but the trust deficit has persisted,” he added.

    The 83-year-old veteran politician said that he and his party had attended the Delhi meeting because it was an invitation from the PM, although he had no expectations from it. Yet, he said he had hoped for steps to win the hearts and minds of people but nothing had happened.

    Abdullah insisted that restoration of “full, undiluted” statehood to J&K should precede the elections to its Assembly. “All major parties have demanded that and the Centre should prove its bona fide by agreeing to that,” he said.

    Asked if his party would take part in the elections if the statehood was not granted before that, the National Conference president said, “We will decide at that time when the bugle is blown. We will then sit down and decide what we should do.”

    In reply to a question about the fate of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), a conglomerate of six mainstream political parties including the NC and its arch rival PDP, Abdullah said the alliance stands and “we are together…we all are there. We haven’t left.”

    He said the alliance was cobbled up together in a hurry when the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was abrogated on August 5, 2019. — PTI

  • Kargil like success difficult, only Indian army can do it: CDS Gen Bipin Rawat

    Drass, Jul 26: Stating that the Indian Amry is more capable, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on the 22nd anniversary of operation Vinay said that such kind of success is very difficult but only the Indian army can do it. He was addressing at the war memorial in Drass, Kargil of Ladakh.

    Notably, July 26 is celebrated in the memory of, “the Indian armed forces defeating Pakistan back in 1999 in Operation Vijay”.

    According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in presence of Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur, Member Parliament Jamyang Namgyal Ladakh UT, and CEC’s of twin districts besides other top officials from different quarters installed the victory flame at the Kargil war memorial and paid tributes to the soldiers who lost their lives during the Operation Vijay in 1999.

    In every brief interaction with the reporters on the sidelines of the event, the CDS said that this day we remember all those who lost their lives while defending the country.

    Rawat while replying to a query said that this is a very historic day since it is very difficult to achieve the success of this kind and only the Indian army can do it

    About the infrastructure work in Ladakh, the CDS said that the work is going on and it will continue in a much better way.

    MP Namgyal while talking to the reporters said that it’s a day of pride for the entire nation and everyone should remember them besides the younger generation must have enough knowledge about the importance of this day.

    He paid tributes to all those soldiers who have laid their lives saying the whole nation remembers them.

    Reports said that in the majorly celebrated program missed by the president of India Ramnath Kovind due to the bad weather besides, CDS, LG, MP top Army officials, and other officials were present including the Chief Executive Councillors (CEC’s) of Leh and Kargil districts who laid a wreath on the occasion at Kargil war memorial.

    As per official details available with KNO, the 22nd year of the Kargil was celebrated in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir including Ladakh Union Territory paying tribute to the soldiers of Operation Vijay.

    Meanwhile, the Indian Army in a tweet informed that General Bipin Rawat CDS received the Swarnim Vijay Mashal at the Kargil war memorial in the presence of Army Commander, Northern Command, Formation Commander, Gallantry Awardees, Veer Naris, and Next of kin of the Brave Hearts.

    On the 22nd year of the victory, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh, and other leaders besides other wings of India remembered them and paid tribute on the occasion—(KNO)

  • 12% women of 18-49 age group face sexual, physical assault in J&K: GoI

    Srinagar, Jul 26: In a major concern, 12 percent of women in Jammu and Kashmir of 18-49 years are either facing sexual or physical violence, reveals a survey conducted by Government of India (GoI).

    The official figures maintained by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) states that the region has witnessed 12 percent of physical or sexual violence among the women of 18-49 years of age.

    “In JK, at least 10 percent of women age 18-49 have experienced physical violence and three percent have experienced sexual violence and among all, at least 10 percent of women experienced physical or sexual violence and two percent experienced both physical and sexual violence,” it reads.

    The report further suggests that for the married women who experienced physical violence since age 15, “the most common perpetrator was the current husband.”

    “Twelve percent of ever-married women of 18-49 years of age have experienced physical or sexual violence,” read the figures.

    Stating the status of violence during pregnancy, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has mentioned that at least one percent of women of 18-49 years of age who have been pregnant have experienced physical violence.

    In case of different types of violence faced by the women by their spouses, the GoI has said that at least nine percent of married women of 18-49 years of age have experienced any form of physical violence committed by their husband, four percent have experienced any form of sexual violence committed by their husband, and eight percent have experienced any form of emotional violence committed by their husband.

    “Five percent of married women report having been slapped by their husband while 3-4 percent report being pushed, shaken, or having something thrown at them or having their arm twisted or hair pulled, being kicked, dragged, or beaten up or being punched with a fist or something that could hurt her,” the figures reveal.

    It also reveals that one percent of women of the same age group have experienced of being threatened or attacked with a knife, gun, or any other weapon—(KNO)

  • Once a famed trade, no takers for animal hides in Kashmir

    Massive drop in demand, price in last 7 years: President KRSDA

    Srinagar, Jul 26: Once a famous trade is struggling to survive in Kashmir as the demands as well as the prices of animal hides has no longer helping in earning livelihood.

    The people associated with trade that the price of a sheep or goat skin has declined to a large extent in the last seven years.

    According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), almost 400 families have got badly affected due to the decline in raw skin trade in Kashmir.

    Due to the less demand in the market, the traders are unable to find takers.

    President of Kashmir Raw Skin Dealers Association (KRSDA), Mehraj-ud-din said that the price has reduced from Rs 400 to Rs 80 while as the demand too is declining with each passing day.

    “The families, who are directly or indirectly involved with this trade are struggling to meet their daily needs,” he further said.

    Meanwhile, President of Kashmir Raw Skin Dealers Association appealed government to help in promoting the business so that the people associated with the trade can earn their livelihood again—(KNO)

  • No threat of Taliban entering Kashmir: Defence official 

    SRINAGAR, JULY 24: There is no immediate threat of the Taliban moving to Kashmir, but there are fears that the overall Afghan situation could increase Pakistan-based Militant groups operating in Kashmir, a Defence official said, The Hindu reported.

    “What could happen is that Pakistan-based Militants may get excited by the way out of US forces in Afghanistan and the strengthening of the Taliban. They can do something with confidence,” said a senior defense official. “In the next 4-5 years, we don’t see any Taliban coming,” the official said.

    With US forces almost pulling out of Afghanistan, the Taliban have made great strides and gained new ground in the past few weeks, raising fears of their possible influx into Kashmir.

    As far as counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir are concerned, India is very strong along the Line of Control (LoC), the official said, adding, “be it army, sensors or drones, we have the LoC fully covered.” (PTK)

  • Civilian shot at in Tral

    Srinagar, Jul 23: Unknown gunmen on Friday evening shot at a civilian in Tral area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

    According to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a civilian identified as Javaid Ahmad Malik a resident of Lurgam village in Tral was fired upon by unidentified gunmen this evening.

    They said Mir was rushed to the SDH Tral for treatment.

    A police official also confirmed the incident and said that area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers—(KNO)

  • APHC condemns ‘targeted surveillance’ on Mirwaiz, its executive members

    Srinagar, Jul 23 : All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Friday condemned the targeted surveillance on its chairman Mirwaiz UmarFarooq and senior executive members Bilal Ghani Lone and Masroor Abbas Ansari.

    APHC in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) also condemned the hacking of phones of journalists activists businessmen and others in J&K as per the expose.

    APHC spokesman said that hacking into people’s phone for surveillance, is a wilful and direct violation of the universally acknowledged fundamental right to privacy a basic human right and those involved in it should be tried.

    “It acknowledges the fact that in
    J&K basic human rights of an entire population remain suspended, and the writ of the state rules with a heavy hand so to expect redressal of this issue -especially from those that are indulging in it, is very unlikely,” it said.

    APHC said it’s chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has for the past two years been put under
    house detention by the Government, without giving any reason. All his basic human rights already stand violated, it added—(KNO)

  • July: 9 encounters in 23 days leave 22 militants dead in Kashmir Valley

    Srinagar, July 23: 24 militants have been killed in last 23 days in Jammu and Kashmir. 22 militants were killed in Valley while in Sunderbani Sector of Rajouri area of Jammu Division two militants and 2 soldiers were killed during a confrontation between Indian Army soldiers and infiltrators. A soldier was also killed in a gunfight here in Kashmir Valley this month.

    The data available with news agency Kashmir News Trust reveals that 22 militants and a soldier were killed in 9 encounters that raged in different parts of Kashmir Valley.

    Except Ganderbal and Budgam, all districts in Kashmir Valley witnessed one or more gunfights between militants and Joint Forces.

    South Kashmir’s Pulwama district witnessed 3 encounters in the current month of July while encounters also took place in Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Shopian and Baramulla district.

    The locations of 9 encounters include Hanjin, Pircho and New Colony (Pulwama), Kawarigam Ronipora (Anantnag), Chek Sadiq Khan village (Shopian), Zodar (Kulgam) Kralgund (Kupwara), Danmar Safakadal (Srinagar) and Warpora area of Sopore Baramulla.

    Ten militants were killed in three encounters in Pulwama, 3 in Anantnag, 2 each in Kulgam, Srinagar, Shopian and Baramulla while a militant was killed in Kralgund Handwara area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

    A soldier from 44 Rashtriya Rifles was killed in Hanjin encounter of Pulwama on the very first day of this current month of July.

    Two soldiers and two infiltrator were also killed in Sunderbani Sector of Rajouri on 8th of this month. (KNT)

  • Empty Grand Mosques, Eidgahs reflect adherence to Covid SOPs as people offer Eid prayers in decentralised way

    No congregational prayers held anywhere in Kashmir, sacrificing of animals also to go as per Covid protocols: Religious leaders; thankful to people in Cooperating with police, says IGP Kashmir

    Srinagar, July 21 : With Covid-19 still around, the emptiness in grand Mosques and Eidgahs of the Kashmir Valley reflected adherence to Covid SOPs by the people as no congregational Eid prayers were held across the valley.

    Reports reaching Kashmir News Service (KNS) said that the people in the Srinagar city largely celebrated Eid-ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice in their homes on Wednesday, paying heed to appeals made by the authorities in view of the COVID-19.

    They said that most of the major mosques here that normally attract large congregations remained closed, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic and guidelines issued by the administration.

    Among the major mosques in the city, where no Eid prayers were held include historical Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Dargah Hazratbal, Dastgeer Sahib, Khankah-e-Moula and several others.

    Reported said that the people showed responsibility about adhering to Covid Protocol and offered prayers in a decentralised way.

    They said that the COVID-19 protocol including physical distancing was strictly adhered to in local mosques of Kashmir Valley, where Eid prayers were offered by limited number of people.

    According to Kashmir News Service correspondent from Pulwama, Tanha Ayaz, Eid prayers were offered at around 7 AM in most of the mosques in the district during which scholars shed light on the importance of sacrifice.

    “No large gathering of Eid prayers was held at any place in the district,” Tanha said, adding that the Eid celebrations were modest amid Covid-19 pandemic.

    Similarly, as per KNS correspondent from Budgam District Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, Eid prayers were offered at around 8 pm in Central Jamia Masjid Beerwah town, where limited gathering was allowed.

    “Eid prayers were also offered in various villages of Beerwah Tehsil, Meanwhile all SOPs were followed including use of masks, sanitisers and social distancing norms in all masjids,” Aijaz said.

    Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar (IPS), While talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS) hailed role of people in Cooperating and said that the Eid Prayers in Local Mosques were held on Peaceful Note.

    People behaved like responsible citizens and adhered to Covid Appropriate Behaviour, IGP said adding that “I thank people of Kashmir on Cooperating with Jammu and Kashmir Police in maintaining Covid SOPs so to keep this virus at bay”.

    Several religious leaders while talking to Kashmir News Service applauded the role of people in adhering to Covid SOPs and said that the sacrificing of animals will also go as per the government guidelines.

    Eid-ul-Zuha, more commonly known as Bakr-Eid, is the festival of sacrifice observed on the tenth day of the Zil al-Hijjah, which is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.

    The festival is marked by sacrificing an animal, usually a sheep or a goat to prove devotion and love for Allah. Post the sacrifice, devotees distribute it to family, friends, neighbours and especially to the poor and the needy. (KNS)