Category: Union Territory

‘We are ready to deal with all challenges, our adversaries hatching conspiracies to disrupt peace in Kashmir’

Gulmarg: The northern army commander lieutenant general Ranbhir Singh today said that in 2018 they conducted a series of successful operation based on the tremendous flow of human intelligence and that “our adversaries will try to push infiltrators into this side and radicalise local youth through social media in 2019.”

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of snow festival at Gulmarg here, Singh who is the GoC-in-C of northern command based in Udhampur said that in 2018 army launched surgical operations resulting in the killing of 250 militants, while 50 militants surrendered and five were apprehended.

According to KNO correspondent, the army commander said: “Despite successful anti militancy operations and non initiation of combat operations(NICO) in the fasting month of Ramadan, the state witnessed successful and peaceful elections—local bodies and panchayat polls.” He said due to very robust counter infiltration grid at the loc, most of the infiltrators see either killed on the LoC on close to the fence.

Asked what would be the challenges for year 2019, he said that the adversaries will try to push in more militants and also radicalise the youth. “Radicalisation was there in 2018. And our adversaries will try to radicalise the youth in 2019 again.” He said social media continues to be a challenge and “steps are being taken to address the issues and challenges put forth by the social media.”(KNO)

Basant Rath also said that the Indian media fails to understand the core issue of Kashmir.

New Delhi: IPS officer Basant Kumar Rath on Thursday said that the stonepelters in Jammu and Kashmir are his people and he cannot disown them. While addressing a gathering at India Today Mind Rocks, Basant Rath also said that the Indian media fails to understand the core issue of Kashmir.

“Kashmiri people are my people… can’t demonise them. People by nature are people. They have emotions and feelings, you [have to] treat them well,” he said.

Giving an example of his family, the IPS officer said that he never liked his father in the terms of the authority he had in his family structure but that “does not mean I am not his son.”

“Just because somebody doesn’t agree with you [the government], you can’t demonise them.”

“Kashmir has a history — We have to respect the sentinments and the people there. There is a gap between the politicians speeches and bureacrats’ work on ground.”

Speaking on religion, Basant Rath took a dig at politicians and said, “It [religion] is not important for the people but for the politicians.”

In November 2018, Basant Rath was transferred after he allegedly had an online spat with Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu. Rath likened Mattu to a cabbage after the latter suggested that jobs were more important than wetlands.

“Wetlands are precious and a vital part of our ecosystem. Only a cabbage will think otherwise,” Basant Rath had tweeted.

“Alok Kumar, IPS (JK-1997), IGP Security, J&K is transferred and posted as IGP, Traffic, J&K vice Basant Kumar Rath. Basant Kumar Rath, IPS (JK-2000), IGP Traffic J&K is transferred and attached in the office of commandant General Home Guards/Civil Defence/SDRF till further orders,” the J&K government order read. (India today)

Says ‘real people will decide my choice of politics’

Srinagar, Jan 10: The record maker IAS topper, Shah Faesal who resigned from country’s elite service on Thursday appealed youth to meet him and put forth their ideas before him for future course of action, saying his choice of politics will be decided by real people’.
Shah Faesal resigned from the country’s elite service on Wednesday to join politics, the step which was welcomed by the mainstream political leaders and pro-freedom leaders.
In a detailed Facebook post, the top IAS officer invited the youth to show up and suggest their ideas for future course of action.
“It has been a storm of abuse and adulation. Hundreds and thousands of people reacted to my resignation in hundreds and thousands of ways. I totally expected this,” he wrote on Facebook.
“As of now I have quit the service. What I am going to do hereafter also depends on what people of Kashmiri want me to do. More so the youth. I have an idea how I can do it. I am sure you have ideas too and you want me to factor those ideas in before I take a final decision,” Faesal said.
“If you are ready to come out of Fb/Twitter and show up in Srinagar tomorrow, we could think this through together. My choice of politics will be decided by real people not fb (Facebook) likes and comments. I will share the venue details after I know who all are coming. Let’s see out of those hundreds and thousands how many are ready to walk the talk. Don’t tell me later that I should have asked the youth first. Thanks,” he said. (KNS)

Rajouri, Jan 10: An army officer and a Border Security Force (BSF) man were injured in an attack carried out by Pakistan army in forward area of Rajouri district on Thursday.

Official sources told GNS that today at about 13:45 hours, a joint team of Indian Army 15 JAKLI and 59 BSF launched a search operation in forward area of Village Tarkundi.

During the search operation, bullets were fired from forest area on operation party as a result of which Major Joginder Ihirwar and Head Constable Ali Mumtaz of BSF were seriously injured.

Both the injured were taken to a nearby health facility where from critically wounded army major was airlifted to military’s command hospital in Udhampur.

Station House Officer (SHO), Manjakote Barkat Qureshi said that the duo were injured apparently due to firing by Pakistan army. (GNS)

Rafia Mukhtar’s poems narrate how a society misplaces the worth of a girl’s character; and how she emerges as a writer

Anantnag, Jan 10: Instead of playing with toys during her childhood, Rafia Mukhtar would spend most of her times in household chores as she liked it. Due to some family issues, she spent six important years of her life away from her parents. Some months back, she wrote the book – a poetry collection ‘Her Castle of Dreams’.

Rafia’s poems narrate: “a tumultuous journey of a girl until she becomes a woman; how a society misplaces the worth of a girl’s character and judges her on the basis of dogmatic and awry views. Through her book, she intends to help young girls understand how they can shape their lives and realize their dreams”.

Born in a middle-class family in Vessu Qazigund, in Anantnag district, Rafia was admitted in a government girls’ school – a few steps away from her ancestral house.

By the time Rafia was studying in Grade V, Rafia’s father Mukhtar Ahmad Ganaie was not able to work due to health issues and her family decided to move to Anantnag town to start a business.

“I used to be surprised when my classmates would talk about their aims and dreams. I had no idea what these two words meant,” recalls Rafia.

Rafia said that with the passage of time, she developed interest in writing and started her literary journey.

She further said that besides these hardships, she evolved more and more with each passing day.

Every day, her father would give her Rs 20 which she would save.

Rafia said that she was inspired by her struggle with depression and wrote ‘Her Castle of Dreams’.

She had done her Bachelors in Arts from Government Women’s College, Anantnag. Every time she struggled a lot to keep going with pace.

Rafia realized that she had become perceptive and observant. After spending time in college and with her family, she would rush to her room and pen down her thoughts and observations. Her quotes were more related to the state of women in her surroundings, nature, and of course about her struggle.

Rafia further revealed that when she finished her bachelor’s degree, the first question that crossed her mind was ‘what next’. “I was confused about what to do. I had no aim, no dreams.”

She then secured admission in Rehmat Aalam College and completed her B.Ed. Along with her regular studies; she kept jotting down her thoughts.

She would keenly observe the treatment of women in society and how women suffer and struggle to keep their identity alive.

“Writing gave me some solace and eased my depression. I no more used to take medicines,” she said.

She said after finishing her college, she decided to earn for her family and herself and she got herself a teaching job. In the meantime, she joined the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and started studying economics.

She chose Himalayan Bells Preparatory School because she was aware of the state of the education system in a village, and quality teaching would help the students in the villages to build their perspective.

Rafia said her family had started receiving a marriage proposal for her and they asked her to give it serious thought.

“It was tiring for me to think about marriage. First, they kept me away from themselves during the most important stage of my life, and now this. I didn’t accept it,” said Rafia. “I started having nightmares about marriage which would disturb my sleep. With these thoughts, I have spent many sleepless nights for months but I utilized them in writing fervently.”

Finally, in May, one of Rafia’s friends asked her to meet Professor Syeda Afshana at Kashmir University, and show her poems and quotes to her.

Syeda asked Rafia to give it a theme as she had written about nature and women. She started working on her poems after school, almost through the night. She wrote everything in her diary, and in October, she was ready to show it to Syeda.

Syeda was impressed with her work and asked her to format it for printing. However, she was confused about how to go about it. She remembered she was connected on Facebook with another female writer Insha Khawaja, the author of ‘Finding the Lost You’.

Rafia texted Insha who suggested that she write a preface and dedication of her book, type it and design it.

After Rafia wrote the preface, she typed and designed her complete book. She decided to title the book ‘Her Castle of Dreams’ and got it published on December 11, 2018.

Her book reflects the pain she witnessed, recalling how at the young age she learnt cooking.

“How early my little hands can cook,” she says in one of the poems.

And adds: “I was born to giggle and fun”, “Don’t force me to wear the meaningless crown”.

She refers to how a girl is treated, and how she is only taught and prepared to settle in her in-laws’ house. In her poem ‘I’m not a burden’, she says, “I’m not a burden but a gift of nature”, and “Nurture me well I’m not a stranger”.

Her book ends with a poem “Fairy Ma’am” which was a gift to Rafia from grade II students on Teachers Day. The poem says, “Early morning birds call us sweetly, Rafia ma’am teaches us nicely.” (GNS)

Srinagar: Amid fresh snowfall in the Valley, the weatherman on Thursday predicted snow and rains till January 13. Deputy Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told KNO that there is possibility of snowfall as well as rains across the Valley from Thursday evening.

He said that the Kashmir including plains as well as higher reaches would receive moderate snowfall on January 12 saying that on Jan 10 evening to Jan 11, there is possibility of light snowfall across the Valley.

Dr Mukhtar said that the weather across the Valley would start improving from Jan 13 (Sunday). It would be the second snowfall in the month of January following the two month-long dry spell across the Valley from November.

The fresh snowfall on Jan 03 brought life to standstill in the Valley as all the major roads remained closed for the traffic while as the air traffic was also suspended for more than 24 hours here.

As the MeT has predicted fresh snowfall, the divisional administration has claimed to have taken adequate measure to tackle the situation that will rise in the aftermath of snowfall.

Several meetings at divisional as well as district levels were held from last three days in which the officials were directed to gear up for the fresh snow spell across the Valley and ensure basic amenities to the people. (KNO)

Says there is effective decline in local youth joining militancy

Srinagar, Jan 10: Stating that they are in total control of situation along Loc and as well as on hinterland, Army on Wednesday said that there is an effective decline in local youth joining the militate ranks in the Valley.
As per Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, talking to reporters on the sidelines of the winter sports function at Gulmarg, Northern Command Chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh told reporters that in 2018, many local youth joined the militancy as per their assessment but from past four to five months, there is effective decline in the local youth joining the militant ranks.
“It is because of the sustained efforts of government and security forces that we have been able to prevail upon parents and teachers so that they aware their children over not to join militant ranks,” he said.
He added that Army is in total control of the situation as far as Line of Control and hinterland is concerned, saying that the number of infiltration bid has been foiled.
“Pakistan continues to violate ceasefire with a view to facilitate infiltrators to give them a cover to cross across Loc. Our strategy is clear, whenever there is ceasefire they are given a befitting reply and it is to the credit to troopers on Loc that we have been able to keep enemy under tremendous pressure,” he said.
The northern command chief said that while Pakistan might initiate small action to support infiltrators, however they are given deterrent punishment so that they should avoid such misadventures. “We have a range of options to tackle the situation and we will use that depending on the situation,” he said.
About anti-militancy operations, Northern Command Chief said that “Operations have continued whether counter infiltration bid on in the hinterland, there is lot of flow in the information due to which we have achieved huge security success in past one year. More than 250 killed in one year, 50 militants were arrested and about five surrendered, which is a huge success.”
About radicalization, Lt Ranbir Singh said “Our adversary is using social media to a large extend with a view to radicalize our youth to take them on wrong path, give them fake promises and to give false feeling that they will be able to get Azadi in the manner our adversary feels but youth has a lot of knowledge and potential. We are all working together to ensure the defeat of such kind of situation.”
“Social media is platform which has been an issue of concern for some time. We are putting various measures in place at different levels to tackle the situation. We are a step ahead. Our aim will always be to remain ahead as far as social media is concerned,” he said while replying to a query.
Asked about 2018, he said that several things happened in Kashmir that include non-initiation of combat, Amarnath yatra, elections and other things that went peacefully. “As far as forces are concerned, we are always ready for any kind of situation. AS the elections are going to take place in 2019, there will be activities from adversary, but armed forces are fully prepared to tackle any kind of situation that could arise any time,” he said. (KNS)

He claimed Jammu region has suffered badly in the last 70 years due to misadventures of National Conference and Congress, saying the former attempted to “murder Jammu” and the latter “betrayed” sentiments of its people.

Bharatiya Janata Party Wednesday said all previous chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir were responsible for the present crisis in Kashmir, hoping people of the state would now choose a chief minister from the saffron party.
“Previous chief ministers have not handled the state’s affairs with seriousness,” said Ravinder Raina, state president of BJP and former lawmaker.

He claimed Jammu region has suffered badly in the last 70 years due to misadventures of National Conference and Congress, saying the former attempted to “murder Jammu” and the latter “betrayed” sentiments of its people.
Commenting on the unsuccessful alliance of his party with the People Democratic Party, Raina alleged “They (PDP) don’t want to work for the society.”
“They are sympathisers of militants, this is the reason we withdrew support,” Raina said, referring to BJP’s June pull out from the coalition government in which the saffron party held the post of deputy chief minister for three years.
Reacting to recent statements by former chief ministers, Omar Abdhulla and Mehbooba Mufti, Raina said, “They are frustrated and nervous.”
“NC leader spilling venom and PDP chief visiting families of militants, these tricks won’t work now as people of Jammu and Kashmir have decided to support BJP in the coming polls,” Raina said.
“In last election we were shot of 19 seats as we ask for 44 but got only 25. This time we are sure that people of state choose us and next chief minister would be from BJP.”
The BJP leader also appealed the President of India to extend the recently passed legislation regarding 10 percent reservation to poor among the upper castes.

The Story Was First Published in Greater Kashmir Largest Circulated Daily Of Jammu Kashmir

The lowest number of injuries has been reported in the month of February when only two people were hit in their eyes.

Zehru Nissa

Use of pellet shotguns continues to take a heavy toll on the people of Kashmir, with 363 persons sustaining injuries in their eyes due to use of the deadly metallic ammunition in 2018.
According to the data compiled by the general specialty SMHS hospital in Srinagar, there hasn’t been a month last year when pellets were not used by forces on protesters.

The data reveals that the month of April has been ‘deadliest’ in terms of pellet injuries, with 70 people being hit in their eyes during the month.
In May, October and November, 54, 44 and 30 people, respectively, suffered loss of vision due to pellets, the data reveals.
The lowest number of injuries has been reported in the month of February when only two people were hit in their eyes.
In November, 19-month-old Hiba Jan from southern Shopian district lost an eye to the deadly pellets, thus becoming the youngest victim of the lethal ammunition being frequently used by forces to quell street protests since the 2016 public uprising in Kashmir.
An official at SMHS hospital said five people lost vision in both eyes in 2018 due to pellets. This, he said, included a 14-year-old boy.
On Eid-ul-Fitr, 11 people sustained pellet injuries in their eyes, while one youth was critically injured in head with the ammunition, suffering “extensive brain damage” on that day.
In 2019 too, pellets have resulted in injuries to seven youth in their eyes, a source at the hospital said.
On January 3 this year, when the government of India announced that plastic bullets would replace pellet shotguns, two people were injured in eyes with pellets fired by forces in Tral area of southern Pulwama district. Both the injured, according to a doctor, suffered “substantial loss of vision”.
While the government of India’s claim that pellet shotguns are not lethal has been disputed by many international human rights organisations in the past, their use continues unabated amidst uproar.
News reports recently quoted authorities at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) saying that the new ammunition (plastic bullet) is “500 times less lethal than pellets.”
The organisation’s director was quoted as saying that “a solution is needed for the notorious pellet guns”.
At SMHS hospital, the nodal point for treatment of people with eye injuries due to pellets, doctors express deep anguish at the disabilities caused by pellets and demanded that the controversial weapon be banned immediately.
“2019 should be a year when pellets should be banned so that we don’t have hundreds losing eyesight to the lethal weapon,” a senior doctor at the hospital said.
Explaining how pellets cause irreparable damage to eyes, he said: “Pellets often damage retina, which is a neural tissue, like brain”.
He said damage to any neural tissue is very difficult to be undone.
“Even if the retina is repaired, there is a residual scar that has a bearing on vision,” he said.
The doctor said that since 2016, over 1500 people have lost eyesight due to pellets.
“This (number) is outrageous, but nothing is being done about this mass blinding,” he said.
The official said the SMHS hospital figures on pellet injuries don’t include the injured who seek treatment in district and other hospitals.

The Story Was Published in Greater Kashmir Largest Circulated Daily Of Jammu Kashmir