Category: Union Territory

Jammu, Jan 24: Governor, Satya Pal Malik today give his assent to the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2014, providing reservation to the persons belonging to Pahari community, clan or tribe having distinct cultural, ethnic and linguistic identity, in the Government jobs. The amendment provides for addition of a separate category of the persons belonging to Pahari community, clan or tribe having distinct, cultural, ethnic and linguistic identity among the Socially and Educationally Backward classes (other than Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes). The methodology and authority for identification of Pahari Community shall be notified by the Government.
Because of the remoteness and inaccessibility of the areas of their residence, the Pahari community has historically faced considerable economic distress leading to overall socio-economic backwardness. On one hand, they are not able to compete with other sections of the society who are better placed in terms of socio-economic position as also in terms of access to services like Education and Health Care due to above mentioned disadvantages. On the other hand, the Pahari People are not able to derive any benefit even at the lower rung in respect of getting employment.
The welfare legislation is aimed at providing job opportunities to the Pahari people residing in backward areas of the state. This was a long pending demand of the people belonging to this group and will go a long way in improving their status, educational and job opportunities.

Srinagar: Stressing that he was “pained” by the death of “even a militant”, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Thursday urged the valley’s militants to shun violence and return to the mainstream.
The Governor also lauded the security forces including the state police for their success in curbing militant activities.

Malik highlighted that his administration was in the process of formulating a fresh package for the rehabilitation of militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The Police is performing its duty in the best possible way. But even if a militant loses his life, I feel pained… They all should come back (to the mainstream),” Malik told reporters here on the sidelines of an event.

“When I took over as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, I tried to give them (security forces) the best possible facilities. I have seen they conduct their operations in tough situations and heavy snow. It’s a difficult task,” Malik said.

While we are sleeping in our homes at night, they are conducting operations, sometimes till three in the morning, Malik said.

The Governor also addressed the 9th Sat Paul Sahni memorial lecture on ‘ethics and the media: yesterday, today and tomorrow’ organised by the J&K regional branch of Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA).

Malik was the chief guest while Amitabh Mattoo, former vice-chancellor, University of Jammu delivered the memorial lecture.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that democracy was deep rooted in the Indian society which thrives on democratic principles giving the real power to the common man.

Mattoo in his lecture said that freedom of expression, values and institutions were at the core of the Indian democracy.

Historically, great leaders expressed their narratives through their own newspapers maintaining highest standards of objectivity, accuracy, accountability and humane approach, he said.

“Today in the post-truth world, the media is driven by technology where the news flows seamlessly across borders. The democratisation and decentralisation of news forms of media presents a diabolic situation which presents a great challenge for the future,” he added.

Srinagar, January 24, 2019: India has no right to celebrate its Republic Day in Jammu Kashmir as they have occupied our land with its military might and its presence has tormented all ethics of human and international norms, said All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Geelani.

Hurriyat chairman said that India claims to be a large democracy in world but virtually stand exposed in Jammu and Kashmir and is trampling all basic and fundamental rights since last seven decades.

The very existence of this kind of ruthless state-craft has resulted in gross violations of human rights in the every nook and corner of Jammu and Kashmir. People are left at the mercy of occupational military regime, which kills common people in the broad day light and in the custody, showers of bullets and pellets on the peaceful protest marches, leaving thousands of people, irrespective of gender and age, maimed, disabled, blind and half dead, has become a routine matter.

We have no animosity with India or its people and they have every right to celebrate their Republic Day within its states, but despite their being rhetoric about democracy they have no moral and legal right to celebrate it in world recognized disputed land of Jammu and Kashmir.

Hurriyat chairman while referring to UN charter, said that they guarantee the basic and fundamental rights and this institution has obviously called to seek the people’s verdict through plebiscite & has asked to ascertain their wish with regards to political destiny of state and even India in its pledge has confirmed to honour and seek the people’s verdict through plebiscite. Despite being signatory to these resolutions, India backtracked from its commitment and not providing this opportunity to people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

Pro-freedom leader stressed, school going children, their parents and teachers to stay away from all these celebrations and asked to realize their obligations towards nation.

Hurriyat chairman strongly condemned the arrest of pro-freedom leaders, activists and youth including Molvi bashir Irfani, Bilal Sidiqui, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat, Ab. Rashid Lone, Hakeem Javed, Bilal Ahmad Shah,Abdul Rouf a head of 26 January, said that Indian republic day comes with the miseries for the Kashmiri people.

Resolve Kashmir issue, so that no one even thinks of joining militancy

Governor’s statement contradicts police’s claim: Er. Rasheed

Kupwara 24 January: Reiterating that Kashmiris are against all sorts of violence, AIP President Er. Rasheed has said that contradiction between claims being made by police and governor over killing of militants is quite imminent. In a statement issued today Er. Rasheed said “While Governor Satpal Malik claims that he feels pained by killing of militants and militancy cannot be eliminated by killing militants but security agencies are not only celebrating the killings but have claimed that Baramulla district has become militancy free. Kashmiris need peace than anyone else and are against death and destruction but as Governor has rightly said that militancy comes from the brain, as such the claims made by police regarding making Baramulla militancy free carry no meaning. Those claiming Baramulla to be militancy free now are misleading New Delhi for their pity interests without realizing that counting dead bodies triggers more violence and motivates people to join armed struggle. Police needs to be reminded that it had declared south Kashmir too militancy free few years back but what has been happening in south Kashmir since last few years is not hidden to anyone. While Army has been on and often claiming that whosoever goes near encounter sites or participates in funerals of militants is a militant, going by that definition every Kashmiri should be a militant in the books of security agencies”. Er. Rasheed added that while Governor Mr. Malik in first part of his statement confesses the truth but again contradicts his statement in the same breath by praising security forces for killing militants. Er. Rasheed said “Let there be no doubt that no one including militants would want to lose their lives, but the circumstances and New Delhi’s constant betrayal has made Kashmir a battle field, where some are enjoying deaths and others are mourning funerals. Governor must collect the courage and tell Prime Minister the same thing what he has been observing on the ground and should make it clear to New Delhi that there is no military solution to seventy year long political problem, whose nature has been accepted by the entire world community including India and Pakistan at the United Nations”. Er. Rasheed added while Governor is technically right that police and security agencies are performing their professional duties by killing militants but both security agencies and the political establishment in New Delhi should realize that the issue is not killing militants but resolving J&K dispute forever so that no one even thinks of joining any militant or underground organization.

Srinagar: Chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik has paid rich tributes to its great martyrs Shaheed Muhammad Hussain Hakak , Shaheed Manzoor Ahmad , Shaheed Abdul Jabbar Amjad, Shaheed Muhammad Altaf Mir and others who embraced martyrdom during present freedom struggle. Terming these great martyrs as real heroes of Kashmiri nation, Yasin Sahib said that the struggle and sacrifices of these martyrs can never be forgotten and that Kashmiri nation is indebted to these great martyrs. While paying tributes to martyr Muhammad Hussain Hakak, JKLF Chairman said that he was one of the best resistance lover and his struggle and sacrifices for the freedom of this nation will always be remembered.
Terming the massacres at Handwara and Kupwara by Indian army and forces on 25th and 27th January 1990 as a glaring proof of hollowness of Indian democracy, JKLF chairman said that killing thousands of innocents can only be termed as act of savagery and these massacres are a reminder of the fact that India has acted as a brutal country for Kashmiris and suppressed the peaceful voices of Kashmiris by its military might.

Meanwhile chairman JKLF has strongly condemned the brutal assault on photojournalists’ Wasim Indrabi, Nisar-ul-Haq, Junaid Gulzar, Mir Burhan and others at Shupian Pulwama by Indian forces. Terming the pellet firing on these journalists as an attempt to suppress the voice of media, JKLF chairman said that such attempts and assaults are most condemnable and heinous. While expressing his solidarity with another photojournalist Bilal Bahadur who got injured while performing his professional duty at Baramullah, JKLF chairman prayed for his speedy recovery.

Srinagar, Jan 24: Peoples Conference Thursday got a major boost when former cabinet minister and prominent political leader Abdul Gani Vakil joined the party here.
Vakil who has considerable influence in Rafiabad joined PC along with Khursheed Ahmad Khan constituency head in presence of party chairman Sajad Gani Lone and senior leaders Imran Raza Ansari and Bashir Ahmad Dar.
In the last Assembly election, Vakil had secured nearly 16000 votes from Rafiabad Assembly segment. Peoples Conference has also its sizeable influence in the segment.
The PC has emerged as a major political force in Jammu and Kashmir with joining of four ex-MLAs including prominent politicians and Shia leader Imran Raza who has considerable clout in 10 Assembly segments of North and Central Kashmir.

It was a dark day for the true fans of cricket who truly appreciate the diversity the sport aims to bring together, no thanks to the captain of the Pakistani cricket team, Sarfraz Ahmed, who racially taunted South African all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo during the second of five ODIs in Durban on Tuesday.
After an underwhelming batting display put up by the Pakistani team who were all out on 205, Proteas all-rounder, Phehlukwayo won the match with an exceptional 69-run innings to tie the ODI series at 1-1 and was also declared the Man of the Match for the outing.
However, during his innings, the Pakistani bowlers decided their level best to bowl him out but none of the six were able to send him away. A very furious and frustrated Ahmed eventually made a debacle of an attempt to sledge the batsman by saying: “Abey kaale, teri ammi aaj kahaan baitheen hain? Kya padhwa ke aaye hai aaj? (Hey black guy, where’s your mother sitting today? What [prayer] have you got her to say for you today?).”

Srinagar: People’s Conference Chairman Sajad Gani lone castigated Nc Vice President Omar Abdullah for cheating with People Of kashmir.

He said that Omar Abdullah is basically creation of RSS. While speaking on the occasion in Rafiabad Sajad lone said that it was only RSS in Nagpur which made Omar Abdullah from a Waiter to Union Minister.Sajad lone added that Omar Abdullah’s has a bad habit to befool people.

Srinagar, Jan 23: Two hunters have gone missing as a snow avalanche swept them along in Lolab forests of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Wednesday.

Reports reaching GNS said that three persons left home today morning for hunting in nearby Rang Warnow forest area. One of them returned by evening and informed the police and administration that there was a snow avalanche in the area. He said there was a possibility that both of them might be swept away by the avalanche as he could not found them.

Following the information, local police and army have launched a rescue operation to trace the duo, they said.

The missing persons have been identified as Bashir Ahmad Hajam son of Mohd Younis and Mamdin Hajam son Najamdin of Ring Warnow.

“As per the information received, there was a snow avalanche in the area. Police and army have jointly launched a rescue operation to trace the missing duo,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kupwara Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar told GNS.

On February 24 last year, three hunters—Bashir Ahmad, Ghulam Mohammad, and Mohammad Altaf—came under an avalanche at Guchibal Behak in the LoLab. Their Bodies were recovered by the army after six days. (GNS)

Srinagar: The state MeT department predicted an overall improvement in the weather in Kashmir.

However the MeT official maintained that there may be light rain and snow at isolated palces particularly around the mountainous region of the state.

From 16 January onwards, the MeT department had predicted a heavy spell of rain and snow in the state following which a weather warning was issued for the state.

Srinagar recorded maximum and minimum temperatures of 3.1 and -0.3 degree Celsius respectively while Jammu recorded maximum and minimum temperatures of 10.4 and 8.3 degree Celsius respectively, MeT department told Valley Media Service.

Following the continues downpour from 19 January onwards, air and road traffic was affected badly.

Yesterday an avalanche hit the Jawahar tunnel which left two people dead. The road connectivity of Srinagar-Jammu highway was also snapped.