Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Clashes in parts of Valley, prayers offered in historic Jamia Masjid

    Srinagar: Clashes between youth and government forces erupted in parts of Kashmir Valley after Friday prayers against the recent civilian and militant killings while a complete shutdown was observed in Shopian Town on straight 5th day today even as the authorities allowed prayers in historic Jamia Masjid of Old City here.

    According to GNS correspondent, stone-pelting clashes erupted outside mini Secretariat Shopian, Sofa Naman and Memander areas.

    Scores of youths pelted stones on police and paramilitary CRPF in these areas. The forces retaliated by firing tear gas and pellets.

    Ten youths suffered minor injuries in clashes while as one youth namely Mushtaq Ahmad Malik son of Ghulam Mohudin Malik of Pinjoora received pellet wounds and was shifted to Shopian hospital where from he was later referred to Srinagar hospital for specialized treatment.

    Reports of clashes between youth protesters and government forces were also received from Tengpora Byepass, Saraf Kadal, Soura and Brein Nishat. Eyewitnesses said dozens of youth assembled in these areas and pelted stones on police and CRPF after Friday prayers. The forces responded with teargas shells and pepper grenades. No one was reported injured in these clashes, they said.

    Meanwhile, there were no restrictions in any part of Old City today and the Jamia Masjid was also open for public. As per GNS, hundreds of people offered Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid and chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umer Farooq addressed the people before the prayers.

    On Sunday, four youths and two militants were killed in army firing at Pahnoo village of Shopian. While army had said the youth were accompanying the militants and were killed in an encounter along with them and police had said it was investigating the matter. The chief minister Mehbooba Mufti had said the youth were “caught in the crossfire”. (GNS)

  • Kathua rape-and-murder: Probe reveals game plan to dislodge Bakerwal community, ‘juvenile’ turns be adult

    Srinagar: Investigation by Crime branch into rape-and-murder of 8-year-old Asifa Banu in Kathua has revealed that the person claimed to be juvenile is actually an adult and that it was not an ordinary crime but was in consonance with a large conspiracy to dislodge Bakerwal (nomad) community from Rasana Village in the district.

    Highly reliable sources told Srinagar-based news agency Global News Service (GNS) that medical board constituted to ascertain the age of the person who was claimed to be a teenager by police, has turned to be an adult. “On the basis of physical, dental and radiological examination, the approximate age of the individual is above nineteen years (19+),” reads the report by the medical board constituted in consonance with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court’s direction to the Special Investigation Team of the crime branch, probing the gruesome rape-and-murder.

    The sources said that high court had directed the SIT to ascertain the age of the individual claimed to be juvenile by the police which probed the case earlier. Subsequently, a medical board was constituted by the principal GMC Jammu who examined the individual on February 28. The opinion of the medical board was communicated to the SIT by the principal GMC on March 5, the sources said.

    Subsequently, the SIT questioned Deepak Khujuria alias Deepu, sources said, revealed that the clothes of the victim were washed by police head constable by name Tilak before sending them to FSL to destroy the evidence in the case.

    The SIT, the sources said have submitted these details before the high court in a status report and has stated that it seems that the Head Constable had done so with an intention to screen the offenders from legal punishment. The Head Constable has been arrested on March 7. “The role of other officials who remained associated with the initial investigation, in the destruction of material evidence, is being looked into,” the SIT has submitted in the report as per the highly reliable sources.

    They said the SIT, based on witnesses conversant with the facts and circumstances of the case, has concluded that the entire game plan of the gruesome rape and murder was premeditated and the mastermind has been identified and would be arrested soon. “The mastermind behind the entire game was bent upon to dislodge the Bakerwal community and in order to execute the nefarious design, he hatched conspiracy with (others),” they said.

    Asifa Bano had been missing since January 10 when she failed to return home from watering horses in her native Rassana forests, and her body was found on January 17.

    The next day, after protests rocked the area, the Kathua police had said that a SIT under SDPO border, had been set up to investigate the case and a medical report of the murdered girl was expected within a couple of days.

    On January 20, the government transferred the Station House Officer of the Hiranagar police station, ordering a magisterial probe, and three days later, on January 23, handed the case over to the Crime Branch. (GNS)

  • CB submits status report of Kuthua rape and murder case to HC’

    Next date of hearing on 14 March

    Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch which is investigating Kuthua rape and murder case, Friday submitted the status report before the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
    On January 17, body of minor Muslim girl was found in the forests near Rasana, Hiranagar.The, girl had been missing for a week. According to police, she had been abducted and raped, while media reports later revealed that she had been even drugged to keep her from trying for help.
    Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Inspector General of Police Crime Branch Syed Afadu- Mujtaba said that the status report was submitted before the Jammu and Kashmir high court. “Yes the report has been submitted before the high court. The next date of hearing is on 14 March,” the IG said however refused to share the details of report.
    It is to mention here that Syed Afadul- Mujtaba Thursday had told KNS that Crime Branch will submit the status report into the Kuthua rape and murder case to High Court on Friday.
    The rape and murder of Muslim girl has divided the ruling parties of the state. The BJP has been demanding transferring of case to the CBI and criticizing the role of the Crime Branch.
    However on Thursday the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, has turned down the demand of alliance partner BJP to handover the investigation of rape and murder of 8-year-old Gujjar girl Asifa to the CBI.
    “Crime Branch is investigating the case of Asifa. There might be some lapses in Crime Branch probe due to which people of Hiranagar have been demanding CBI probe. We raised the issue with the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today and demanded that investigation should be handed over to CBI. But she declined to hand over the case,” Health Minister, Bali Bhagat, had told media after meeting the chief minister in Jammu.
    The PDP has accused the BJP of “communalizing” the Kuthua incident.
    It is to mention here that on January 23, the Mehbooba Mufti government had ordered a probe into the incident, and subsequently handed over the case to the Crime Branch of police.
    Reports on Thursday said that the crime branch has arrested a police sub-inspector and a head constable for their involvement in destruction of crucial evidence.
    Hawaldar Tilak Raj, posted at the Hiranagar police station, was arrested after it was prima facie established that he had washed Asifa’s clothes that were soaked in blood and mud before sending them for forensic test. Sub-inspector Anand Dutta, who was the investigative officer, has been detained for questioning, reported one of the National news channel.
    “We arrested a hawaldar and a sub-inspector is being questioned in connection with destruction of evidence,” the report quoted director general of police, SP Vaid as having said.
    Two special police officers, Deepak Khajuria and Surinder Verma, have already been arrested, while two more persons, including a juvenile, have also been arrested for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Asifa, mentioned the report.
    “They claim that call details and mobile tower data place the accused on the location of crime, adding that there is evidence that drugs used to sedate Asifa was bought by Deepak Khajuria from a chemist shop in Kathua days before Asifa was kidnapped,” the report said.
    In a letter to the director general of police, the crime branch has detailed lapses by the Kathua police. Besides destruction of evidence, they accuse the local police of not preserving the crime scene. No searches were carried out in the village even after Asifa’s family filed a missing complaint, the crime branch said in its letter. (KNS)

  • Schools, colleges to remain closed for two more days, exams postponed too

    Srinagar: Government on Wednesday said that all schools and colleges shall remain closed for two more days in Kashmir Valley.

    Minister for Education Altaf Bukhari when contacted by news agency GNS said that all schools and colleges shall remain closed for Thursday and Friday.

    The minister said that the schools and colleges in Valley shall resume from Saturday except those in south Kashmir districts where will reopen on Monday.

    He said that all exams scheduled for these two days will also be postponed and fresh dates will be notified later.

    While schools up to 8th class were scheduled to re-open on March 5 after winter vacations while high and higher classes resumed last week. (GNS)

  • India Passing Through Talibanization: Er Rasheed

    Says India’s claims of being secular and tolerant bulldozed to earth.

    Srinagar: Appealing Indian politicians and Policy makers to wake up and learn lessons from what the intolerant and radical elements are doing in India…AIP Supremo and MLA Langate Er. Rasheed has said that domolishing statues of those who were its own legends has exposed the level of radicalization within indian society. In a statement issued today Er. Rasheed said, ” Just for ideological difference, the way different groups are destroying statues of Lenin, Ambedkar, Periyar and others is deplorable and condemnable. It seems evident that there is a huge gap over distrust between various school of thoughts when it comes to religious, social or political ideology. Those accusing Muslims especially Kashmiris of promoting radicalization and giving them sermons of tolerance stand exposed after dirty scenes are being seen at Tripura, Calcutta, Karnataka and Meerut. While Muslims and Dalit’s have been crying everyday about the injustices and discriminations with them but nobody would bother to pay them any heed and would dump the organized display of religious intolerance by calling it propaganda against Indian state. However now when Indians are destroying statues of those with who’s philosophy and ideology some one doesn’t agree, it is enough to redd down the lines that where India is heading to”. Er Rasheed added that New Delhi and it’s proxies would often abuse Muslims and Kashmiris by creating Caliphate euphoria and give a notion as if Muslims are the only intolerant community on earth and muzzling their voice is a service to humanity, but now when followers of different religious and Political thoughts are not tolerating even the statues of their opponents, no one is safe in India he said, ” One needs not to forget that when Taliban were accused of demolishing few statues in Bamyaan, whole world got united against them and destroyed their kingdom, which were otherwise doing justice with every section of society without being biased. One has a right to know if Indians named, shamed and defamed then Taliban regime and even correlated many incidents in Kashmir with the Talibani act of demolishing statues, what should be given the name to all that happening from Meerut to Calcutta. With every passing day the Hindu radical elements are gaining power not only on streets but in Govt as well and India seems to be becoming most radical and intolerant country. ” Er Rasheed added that the act of destroying statues of Lenin by rightest forces and then the other similar incidents in different parts of country have bulldozed the claims of India being a tolerant, secular, inclusive, moderate and vibrant democratic society. He added if Indians would condemn the Talibani acts in Afghanistan then entire India should own the fact that Talibanization of India is being implemented on a war footing basis in India.

  • JK purchased power for Rs 30,000 cr in one decade

    Electricity liabilities reach to Rs 4,000 cr

    S

    rinagar: As the JK purchased electricity for Rs 30,000 crore in the last one decade, the Power Development Department’s liabilities have reached to Rs 4,000 crore.
    For the last one decade, over Rs 30,000 crore has been spent on power purchase by the state government. Official figures reveal that state government spent Rs 1,355 crore on power purchase in 2006-2007, Rs 1750 crore in 2007-08, and Rs 2034 in 2008-09.
    During 2015-16, Rs around 4800 crore was spent on power purchase by the state. While the power development department has projected that it would purchase power from Rs 5,058.42 in the current fiscal.
    The Power Development Department has proposed to purchase power Rs 7325.13 crore in 2020-2021 to provided 24-hour power supply to the consumers. At the same time, the liability of the PDD is increasing with each passing day.
    A senior PDD official wishing anonymity told KNS that state’s power liabilities have reached to Rs 4000 crore. “The liabilities are increasing with each passing day,” he said.
    He said the upgrading and creation of new infrastructure would not help the state to improvise power until there is 100 percent installation of metres.
    The PDD has projected installation of 11, 47,723 metres between 2015 and 2019 in domestic and non-domestic categories and has set up target of 100 percent metering to 2019.
    The centre in December last year announced an allocation of additional power of 792 MW for Jammu and Kashmir in view of higher demand in winters in the state. However, people say that there has been no improvement in power supply in the valley.
    “The frequent power cuts have made our lives miserable,” Ali Mohammad Bhat, a resident of Safakadal, said. He said they face around 10 hour power cuts in a day.
    “The announcement of additional power to the state did not make any difference. We used to face 10 hour power cuts before the announcement and face the same,” Bhat said.
    The PDD has announced a power curtailment schedule. The metered areas are subjected to 21 hours of weekly cut and non-metered 42 hours. However, consumers said that power curtailment schedule was not being followed.
    An official of the PDD, said that department has told government that 24 hour power supply could be possible only if the power purchase is doubled.
    “In Kashmir, there is availability of 1200 megawatts while the demand is far higher. The double in power purchase will end power crisis and provided 24 hour supply,” the official said. There are also around 110 villages, comprising of three lakh households, which are un-electrified so far. The official said that it depends on the government whether it would double its power budget.
    J&K is one among the states having vast hydro power potential from where electricity is also being supplied to several parts of India. While the state on its own is suffering for want of power.
    To reduce the revenue generation gap, the PDD has also decided to expedite the installation of metering process and has set up the 2019 deadline for its completion. (KNS)

  • Will adopt Cancer patients to bear their treatment expenses : Ashiq Banday

    BIPL-Formul plumbers’ meet: Employment generation, CSR our motive: Ashiq Banday

    Banday Impex Pvt Ltd (BIPL), the makers of Rehmat Spices, who are appointed as authorised all India dealer for Formul-Turkish PP-R Pipes & fittings, held plumbers’ meet at Hotel Centaur and also launched the products of its new business venture.
    Speaking on the occasion, Ashiq Banday, CEO of Banday Group of Companies, said BIPL is committed to provide quality products to the people besides helping the society through various activities under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    He said they have already made a big name in the spices with their brand Rehmat Spices owing to the quality of the products.
    “Our mission is not only the company or business growth but social responsibility. Though business growth is motive of every company, but we at BIPL want to contribute to the society as well. We also want to pay back to the society which has been our strength by accepting our products,” he said.
    Enumerating about the CSR initiatives, Ashiq Banday said they will cover the plumbers under accidental insurance.
    “We want security of those who work with us and are our corner stone.”
    He also announced that the company would adopt cancer and Hepatitis ‘C’patients and bear their treatment expenses.
    “My aim is to help patients whether rich or poor. ”
    “We have responsibility towards lower section of the society also. It is our moral responsibility to stand for those who can’t afford expensive treatments.” he added.
    BIPL has already been contributing to the society by generating employment and providing job to the educated deserving youth.
    “Our motive is to create employment for skilled/ educated youth also. Directly or indirectly hundreds of hundreds of people are associated with our company.”
    BIPL also plans to enter into education sector with the establishment of school which will provide international standard quality education to the students.

  • Militant killed in Shopian gunfight: Army

    Srinagar: A militant was killed in an encounter at Pahnoo area of Shopian district in south Kashmir on Sunday evening.

    Army’s Srinagar based defence ministry spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia told news agency GNS that militants attacked Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) of army’s 44 RR at Pahnoo village at around 20:00 hours.

    The fire was retaliated triggering off a gunfight, the spokesman said.

    He said that in the exchange of gunfire a militant was killed and his body along with an AK-rifle was recovered.

    The spokesman said that the identity of the militant is being ascertained.

    The operation in the area is still going on, Kalia said. (GNS)

  • Mud, snow slide in Kupwara: Beacon official injured, miraculous escape for 12 labourers

    Srinagar: A beacon official was injured after mud and snow slide triggered while the agencies concerned were clearing the snow at Ferkiyaan top along the Kupwara-Keran road on Sunday.

    A senior army officer based in Kupwara told GNS that a group of beacon labourers of 109 RCC regiment presently attached with Army’s 268 brigade in Keran was pressed into service by authorities to clear snow along the Kupwara-Keran road.

    ‘A bulldozer and at least twelve labourers were on job. Suddenly, a mud and snow slide occurred and the driver (of bulldozer) Amandeep Singh (belt no. 15588066 L) came under it,” the officer said.

    He added that the soldiers of the nearby brigade immediately started the rescue operation and evacuated the driver, who was in an unconscious state. “He was immediately shifted to nearby military hospital for treatment where his condition is said to be stable,” he said.

    In the incident, all the 12 labourers had a miraculous escape.

    The officer, meanwhile, ruled out the avalanche and said: “it was actually a mud and snow slide which came at a time when the bulldozer was clearing the heap of snow along the road, and its upper side the slides occurred”. (GNS)

  • Kathua Rape And Murder Case: Is PDP-BJP Coalition On The Brink?

    AS Peoples Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party completed three years in power in restive Jammu and Kashmir State, for the first time the PDP is talking about breaking away with an alliance. The reason behind current acrimony between the two parties is not any political issue.The cause following the PDP’s anger is the participation of the two BJP Ministers in a rally organized by Hindu Ekta Manch, which says the case of rapeand murder of a minor girl should be handed over the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and calls for release of accused arrested on the charges of the rape and murder.Senior PDP leader and minister for education Altaf Bukhari said his party would end the alliance with the BJP if it fails to deliver justice in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu’s Kathua district January this year. Bukhari said that they will take thiscase to logical end and won’t spare the culprits no matter who stands with whom. Bukhari said the case was under investigations by the Crime Branch and the investigation of the Crime Branch is doing the job professionally.On Wednesday two BJP Ministers, Minister for Forest Chowdhary Lal Singhand Minister for Commerce and Industries Chander Prakash Ganga, attended a rally organized by the Hindu Ekta Manch. Three people, including Special Police officers Deepak Khajuria and Surinder Kumar, have been arrestedso far. The Hindu Ekta Manch has been demanding the release of Khajuria. Ganga in the rally had said they also want the real accused to be punished but they will not allow people to be picked up randomly. While as in his address, Lal Singh raised question over the state government’s decision to handover the case to the Crime Branch. Singh said the government committed a blunder when officials from Kashmir were specially called for the investigation and said, “Were the officials from Jammu incompetent to dothe investigation?”Another senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said the police was known for its investigative skills and nobody can question their professional capabilities. He said the same politicians who today question professional capabilities of thepolice and want it to off the investigation, make a beeline to offer tributes when any personnel of the same force sacrifices his life while fighting elements inimical to peace. He said there can’t be double-standards in valuing responsibilities of police in one breath and demeaning the institution in another breath.A senior PDP leader while pleading anonymity said that if the BJP will do politics over the minor girl’s rape and murder, then what is left in the coalition.

    Courtesy : Outlook