Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Forces intensify vigil on 121st day of shutdown in Kashmir

    Srinagar: Government forces were today deployed in strength in parts of Srinagar in the wake of fresh violence following death of a teenager, even as normal life remained affected elsewhere in the Valley for the 121st consecutive day due to separatist sponsored strike.
     
    “Adequate deployment of security forces has been made in parts of Srinagar, but there is no curfew in the city (here) or anywhere in Kashmir,” a police official said.
     
    He said forces have been deployed in strength in some areas of the city to maintain law and order in the wake of yesterday’s violence following death of a 16-year-old boy Qaiser Sofi due to alleged poisoning.
     
    Sofi was reported missing last month and found in an unconscious state in Shalimar area of the city and hospitalised.
     
    However, local residents of the area alleged that the teen was force-fed some poisonous substance.
     
    Police have said an investigation is underway into the case registered under section 309 Ranbir Penal Code (attempt to suicide) at Nishat Police Station.
     
    Although there was very less movement of people and vehicular traffic in the areas in the old city, the civil lines areas of the summer capital, including the areas around the commercial hub of Lal Chowk, witnessed a fair amount of traffic as private cars and auto-rickshaws were seen plying, the official said.
     
    However, most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut elsewhere in the Valley but are expected to open in the evening as the separatists have announced a 15-hour relaxation in the strike from 4 PM onwards.
     
    The ongoing unrest in Kashmir, triggered by killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir on July 8, has completed four months.
     
    The separatists, who are spearheading the ongoing agitation in the Valley, have been issuing weekly protest programmes.
     
    As many as 95 people have been killed and several thousand others injured in the ongoing unrest in the Valley.
     
    Around 5000 security forces personnel have also been injured in the clashes. PTI

  • Kashmiri Militant Killed In Shopain Encounter

    Shopian: A militant was killed while a soldier sustained injuries during a gunfight in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Saturday. 

        The encounter broke out after forces launched a search operation in Dobjan village of the district following inputs about the presence of militants there. During the gunfight one militant was neutralized whom police as Waseem Ahmad Khanday while three others managed to break the cordon.

       An official said that Khanday had joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen over a month ago after snatching a rifle from the residence of Communist party leader Abdul Rehman Tukroo in the district.

       He said as the security forces moved to the target house, hiding militants resorted to firing in an attempt to break the cordon, triggering an encounter.  

       One militant was killed and a soldier injured, the official said, adding that the three militants managed to escape.

  • Recent RSS rallies in Pirpanjal and Chenab valley a reminder of growing threat of fascism in these areas: Yasin Malik

    Srinagar: Massacre of more than three hundred thousand Muslims at Jammu on 6th November 1947 is the blackest day of human history. Recent RSS rallies in Pirpanjal and Chenab valley a reminder of growing threat of fascism in these areas. PDP led regime facilitating RSS mindset in Jammu, Pirpanjal and Chenab. This was stated by the chairman of Jammu Kashmir liberation front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik while recalling the sacrifices rendered by Muslims of Jammu in 1947. This was stated by the chairman JKLF Muhammad Yasin on the anniversary of Jammu massacre today. JKLF chairman  said that 6th of November 1947, represents a blackest day of human history when Lakh’s of Jammu Muslims, driven out of their homes were butchered by communal fascist forces patronized by rulers of that time . The Jammu massacre I 1947 reminds us the brutal and criminal face of Hindu fascism and the criminal silence of international community on these kinds of massacres exposes the duplicity and double standards of international community, asserted Yasin Malik. JKLF chairman said that the people who were massacred at Jammu in 1947 stood for the freedom of Jammu Kashmir and by killing more than three hundred thousand Muslims that day, fascist forces abetted by the then rulers also changed the demography of Jammu region completely. He said that when all this was happening in Jammu, Kashmiri Muslims stood for communal harmony as taught by their great religion Islam, and despite provocations safeguarded their non Muslim brethren living in Kashmir. Terming recent armed Rallies of RSS in Chenab and Pirpanjal as bullying Muslims living in these areas, He said that after assuming power in Jammu Kashmir PDP/BJP coalition have actually given a free hand to the same mindset that was responsible for Jammu like massacres in 1947. Today Jammu, Doda, Baderwah, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch ,Ladakh and even Kashmir is being polluted by this mindset and so-called rulers for their lust of power are ready to obey every order of Nagpur to  fulfill its ugly agenda on Jammu Kashmir. Yasin Malik said that people of Jammu Kashmir cannot forget the sacrifices rendered by Jammu Muslims and today when we recall their sacrifices, we pray to Allah almighty to fulfill their dreams and bestow us with liberty and freedom. While paying rich tribute to recently martyred youth Qaiser Ahmad Sofi of Shalimar, JKLF chairman strongly condemned the police attack on his funeral at Safakadal. They kill our kith and kin and use pellets and shells to keep us away from mourning on them even, said Yasin Malik. While praying for the heavenly abode of Qaiser Ahmad Sufi, JKLF chief expressed heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.    

    JKLF chairman while expressing concern over the worsening health condition of JKLF zonal vice president Muhammad Yasin Butt said that denying medical facility to incarcerated people is criminal. It is worth to mention JKLF incarcerated leader Muhammad Yasin Bhat who is languishing in central jail Srinagar is ill from last many days. He had survived a heart attack recently and is living on life saving drugs since then.  He was attended by the doctors at central jail who recommended him to be shifted to hospital but authorities till now are showing no concern and are have not shifted him to any hospital for a proper treatment. JKLF chairman also condemned the prolonged incarceration of JKLF activist in Sopore Molvi Reyaz who despite being granted bail is not released by the police. 

  • Three injured after miscreants hurl rocks at bus carrying SKIMS staff

    Srinagar: Miscreants on Saturday evening hurled stones at a bus carrying staff of SK Institute of Medical Sciences Soura in Qamarwari area of Srinagar.

    A staff member who was onboard told that three staffers were injured after miscreants hurled stones at the bus on Cement Kadal today evening.

    “Three staff members including women sustained injuries in their face. They had to be treated at SKIMS Bemina,” he said, adding that the driver of the bus had a narrow escape.

    He said the windowpanes of the bus were damaged due to the stones.

  • Govt all set to function in winter capital Jammu from Monday

    Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government is all set to start functioning in winter capital Jammu from Monday with the authorities have made all necessary arrangements, including security, to ensure smooth functioning of all government offices for the next six months after shifting from summer capital Srinagar.
    The Raj Bhavan, Civil Secretariat and other offices closed in Srinagar are scheduled to re-open in Jammu as per the ‘Darbar Move’.
    Director General of Police told KNS that adequate security arrangements have been made for re-opening of Civil Secretariat and other Darbar Move offices in the winter capital. “Security has been stepped up with additional deployment of forces in and around the Secretariat. Nobody will be allowed to disrupt the opening of the Secretariat,” the DGP said.
    He said that that law and order situation is fully under control and police and other security agencies have taken all measures to ensure that peaceful atmosphere prevails.
    The winter capital has been given a face lift ahead of the re-opening of the offices. Every year, the city gets a face-lift on the eve of re-opening of Durbar move offices. Besides, the government offices and quarters have been renovated and the street lights restored.
    Meanwhile sources said that Police in and around civil secretariat have been asked to remain vigilant on the re-opening of Civil Secretariat and traffic plan has been revised to ensure smooth flow of official and private vehicles.
    Sources said that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti will be accorded Guard of Honour in the premises of Civil Secretariat before formally kicking off the functioning of the Government for next six months. (KNS)

  • Treating teachers like chowkidars unacceptable: NC

    ‘Dignity of our teachers cannot be compromised’

    Srinagar: National Conference on Saturday expressed concern over the Government’s deliberate attempts to humiliate and harass government teachers and said the decision to treat teachers like chowkidaars reflected the Government’s tyrannical and regressive mindset. National Conference Leader and MLA Pahalgam Altaf Kaloo said the dignity of our teachers cannot be compromised with and the party would fight such nefarious designs and stood in solidarity with the teaching community.“Since time immemorial our teachers have been the respected architects of our society and have groomed our future generations. Their services have been rewarded by gratitude and respect since ages and this seems to be something that is alien to PDP’s mindset. They are rewarding the exemplary services of our teachers in trying circumstances by humiliating them and denigrating them by asking them to physically guard government schools. That is a responsibility of the Government and the J&K Police – why are teachers being forced to do the job of the Police?”, Altaf Kaloo said in the statement.

    Talking to various delegations of Government teachers that met the legislator in Anantnag on Saturday, Altaf Kaloo said National Conference stood in complete solidarity with the teachers and was also concerned about the trend of schools being targeted. “We want our schools to be protected at all costs – there is no doubt about that. But the Government should ensure this is done through the proper mediums and departments. The job of our teachers is to impart education in a safe and protected environment – not to act as a civil militia to perform duties that the Government has failed to perform”, the NC MLA said.
    Altaf Kaloo said the situation in the Valley in general and South Kashmir in particular continued to be grave and the lives of our teachers as well as our students needed to be safeguarded before taking any decisions that could put them in harm’s way.

  • Mirwaiz Umar Farooq denounces Shalimar ‘killing’

    Srinagar: Hurriyat (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq, strongly denounced the government for the brutal killing of 16-year-old student, Qaiser Ahmad Sofi of Shalimar after torturing him in custody and forcing him to consume a poisonous substance. Mirwaiz said killing a teenager in such a cruel manner shows the level of hatred towards people for demanding their basic political rights and challenging the establishment.
    In a statement issued to KNS, Mirwaiz said and if this wasn’t enough ruthless force was unleashed on the funeral procession of the martyred youth by the government forces resulting in critical injuries to dozens of persons, including women and children, many of who have been hospitalized.
    Mirwaiz said it is the moral responsibility of the international community to take cognizance of such repression and put an immediate stop to it.
    Paying glowing tributes to the Jammu Martyrs of 1947, Mirwaiz said 6 November 1947 is the dark day in the history of our struggle. It is a reminder of the savagery of fanatical forces who killed lakhs of unarmed Muslims in Jammu and molested the women.
    Mirwaiz said the sacrifices of these lakhs of Muslims is the legacy of our struggle as is the sacrifice of tens of thousands of martyrs since then who have been offering their lives for the cause of resolution of Kashmir dispute, which will continue till the achievement of our right to self determination.
    Hurriyat (M) spokesman strongly condemned the government for torturing dozens of detainees held in the Baramulla Sub Jail and threatening them to kill them terming it as the worst example of state barbarism.
    The spokesman said on November 1, one of the detainees at the Baramulla Sub Jail, Lateef Ahmad Kaloo of Armpora Sopore, who is a cardiac patient had developed severe pain in the chest after which the detainees in the sub jail had demanded the jail authorities to provide him medical attention or shifting him to the hospital but the authorities had turned down their repeated pleas following which the detainees had staged peaceful protests and staged a hunger strike against it. the district police administration and jail authorities used brute force on the detainees, threatening them with their lives and beat them up to pulp resulting in critical injuries to Mehrajuddin Namda of Hajin, Nisar Ahmad Shah of Shalpora, Sopore, Abdul Wadood Sami of Sopore, Bashir Ahmad Changal of Sangrampora, Sopore, 80-year-old Ghulam Mustafa Wani of Noorbagh Baramulla, Muhammad Yusuf Khanday of Hajin, Asif Dar or Batapora, Sopore, Wali Muhammad Lone of Seer Sopore, Muhammad Ikhlaas Sheikh and Sajad Ahmad Chopan of Bomai Sopore while 24 others also received wounds.
    The APHC spokesman also condemned the government forces for damaging religious books of the detainees and Islamic books in the library of the sub jail and damaging of other items of detainees especially their beddings which was set on fire and said instead of providing medical aid to the injured detainees, police had registered FIR against them under sections 307, 147 and 149.
    The Hurriyat (M) statement said police deliberately went berserk on the detainees in presence of SP Jail and DSP Sub Jail in a designed manner and it appeared that this was a part of political vendetta against them.
    The statement said Kashmiris who were dealt with brute force outside are now also being dealt mercilessly inside jails and urged the international rights bodies to take note of these atrocities.

  • Give local militants chance to return to normal life; Burning of schools a colossal loss for society: Mehbooba Mufti

    Reach out to people, heal their wounds: CM tells officials

    Srinagar: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today asked the civil and police administration to prepare a roadmap for healing the wounds of people who have been victimized in the agonizing situation prevailing in Kashmir over the past four months.
    “Kashmir has witnessed a very painful and frustrating situation over the past few months. Now as the situation is returning to normalcy, we have to prepare a roadmap to pull our people out of this agonizing and complicated situation and heal their wounds,” Mehbooba said.
    The Chief Minister was chairing a meeting of top civil and police administration at the SKICC here which was also attended by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, and Director General of Police, K Rajendra, Deputy Commissioners and district SSPs of Kashmir region.
    Recounting the events of the past four months, the Chief Minister asked the civil and police administration to reach out to the families of those who died or suffered injuries in the ongoing situation and also devise a strategy so that their miseries could be lessened. “We have to support the affected families whatever can we can,” she said.
    “Those who died or suffered injuries are our own people. Reach out to their families. I should get the exact figures so that we can take a decision about their future. It will be good to involve elders and local Auqaf Committees in the process,” she said.
    Expressing concern over local youths joining militant groups, the Chief Minister said the civil and police administration should take steps to wean away such youths from the path of violence with compassion. “Such misadvised youth must be given an opportunity to return to normal life and provided an honorable livelihood. Get in touch with their families and talk it out with them. We should seriously think about how and what kind of future they should have in a welfare society like ours where every citizen has equal rights,” Mehbooba said.
    Mehbooba said the State Government will review the cases filed over the past four months against those youths who have been participating in street protests. “We will review those cases where students and first-timers are found to be involved. We will talk to their parents and get their assurances that their wards will not participate in protests in future. We can’t go on arresting people. There should be a different and empathetic plan of action to contain the situation,” she said.
    Invoking the rich cultural traditions of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said these values of amity and brotherhood can help in combating the extremist onslaught. “We can’t fight everything with guns and jail. We will have to look for alternative means to ensure peace and stability in the State,” she said.
    Expressing deep concern over the menace of drug addiction in the Valley, the Chief Minister said the district administration of south and north Kashmir should make it a priority to set up Drug De-addiction Centres in these areas where the afflicted youths should be provided remedial measures.
    During the meeting, the chief minister was informed that the situation is slowly returning to normalcy with almost 90 percent drop in street protests during this month as compared with July.
    Complimenting the J&K Police and other forces for handling the situation with as much as possible restraint and putting the Valley on the path of normalcy, Mehbooba said the worst phase of the prevailing crisis is over. “In these last four months, I have got no complaint against any Deputy Commissioner or Police officer. We have undergone three months of immense disturbance. While the worst phase is over, the aftereffects are going to be dealt with more empathy, “she said.
    Expressing deep concern over the burning of schools in Kashmir Valley, the Chief Minister said such incidents have inflicted colossal loss on the society at a time when the process of development has been halted due to the ongoing situation.
    “As if the casualty suffered by the process of development in Kashmir due to the ongoing situation was not enough, we now have people burning down schools. Such incidents will not only destroy the social fabric of our society but it will also impact the future of our children who are toiling hard to shine in every field, despite the odds,” Mufti said.
    Earlier, Director General of J&K Police, K Rajendra said the restoration of normalcy will remain the top priority for the forces in coming days. “While a semblance of normalcy has been restored, there is no scope for complacency. Police will continue its drive against miscreants,” he said.
    The DGP said the continuing infiltration along the border is a cause of worry which can “change the whole game”. “While the intensity and spread of situation has come down, the situation is extremely fragile. At present, 250-300 militants are active. Given the present situation, we need to have a roadmap for next two to three months,” he said.
    The DGP said at least 70 buildings were set ablaze by miscreants during the ongoing situation with 53 of them damaged totally.
    The Deputy Commissioner and SSPs of Kashmir division made detailed presentations about the ongoing developmental works, some of which have been hit during the ongoing situation. They also provided figures on the number of cases filed over the last four months and the arrest made in those cases.

  • Geelani terms Jammu massacre worst tragedy

    Srinagar: Terming the Jammu massacre 1947 as the worst tragedy, chairman Hurriyat (M) Syed Ali Geelani Saturday said that “slaughtering lakhs of Muslims combinely by Dogra army, Indian forces, Hindutwa fascist groups like RSS and Shivsena and other communal forces is a brazen and most barbaric incident human history can ever come across.”
    In a statement issued to Kashmir Today, he has said that all the areas of Jammu region witnessed the ugliest and most brutal human carnage and all streets and fields of Jammu region were flooded with blood and flesh of Muslims.
    Geelani said that “under a deep and well nit conspiracy it was announced that those willing to go to Pakistan are advised to assemble in Jammu police lines. It is here to mention that Hari Singh and its troops had unleashed a reign of terror and Muslim population was not only traumatized but terrified as well and the announcement to send them to Pakistan served a cool breeze and a great sight of relief for them. Hurriyat Chairman said that the people assembled in the said venue along with their families including women and kids. They were boarded in trucks to be taken to Samba. On reaching halfway near a narrow lane, they were deboarded, young and beautiful females were taken away and the rest of people including kids were pumped with bullets.”
    “These blood thirsty vultures did not stop there but the vandalism and bloodshed continued for months. Reports of loot, arson, gutting down houses unabated killings poured in from every city and town of Jammu province. Females were molested and gang-raped, some of them jumped in river Chinab to save their chastity and honor. Even the daughter of Chaoudry Ghulam Abas Sahab was not speared and was kidnapped. Towns of Kuthwa, Riasi, Udhampour and other adjoining areas were worst hit by these beasts in human skin.”
    “In these tiring and tragic movements for these helpless Muslims no helping hand came to their rescue, no balm was applied to their bleeding wounds and no human eye was moisted. Although the tallest political personality of Kashmir was holding the authority and chair of administrator and all this butchery was being carried out under his glaring eyes but he was more concerned and worried about his own chair. Geelani Sahab said since that day our bloodshed is continuing. As the people at the helm of affairs at that time where acting as deaf mute spectators focused only on their personnel and family gains. He said that after a pause of 70 long years the mindset, thinking and the conduct of the perpetrators is reluctant to change, rather their insensitivity and irresponsive attitude has grown multi-fold. He further said that they were traitors and traders then and after huge human loss they remain unmoved and numbed today as well,” he has added.
    “This is because today’s rulers are the remnants and off springs of the same class of stooges at that time, who bargain our blood for their own benefits. Pro-freedom leader said that recently these fascists and fanatics, with the patronage and facilitation by political faces like RSS, Bajrang Dal and Shivsena, exhibited their power and muscle along with the armory to challenge the humanity in general and Muslims of the area in particular. They try to threaten the local populace and remind them of the old scars of 194,” he said.
    Geelani has said that at that time these goons were only active in Jammu region but by the blessings of “self-rule and Battle of Ideas they have knocked our doors and are successfully and purposefully moving forward to implement their fascist and communal agenda. Pro-freedom leader said that time is the best heeler, it changes and alters almost everything, but nature of arrogance, greed, lust and slavery fails to change even with the passage of centuries.”
    He said that we as a nation are suffering the same way and subjected to bullets, pallets, arrests, PSAs, raids etc. but our oppressor along with its henchmen continue to hold to their chairs and are busy in delivering mesmerizing sermons to “educate” the people to obey and surrender to the might of oppressor as that is the only way our kids will outshine theirs in every field of a subjugated life.
    Paying rich tributes to the martyrs of Jammu, Geelani said that this must be a unique piece of land where such a huge crop of human heads has been harvested by the hatred minds and their mentors. He said that Jammu and Kashmir is a single unit and we all will collectively and unitedly fight the forced occupation which will be the best and glorious tribute to all our martyrs including those of November 1947.

  • Government confusing students: Tarigami

    Srinagar: Expressing deep anguish over the ‘killing’ of teenager Qaisar Ahmed, senior CPI(M) leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami demanded that a Judicial inquiry should be conducted to probe the killings of innocent civilians  and killers should be punished without any delay. He said it is irony that brute force is applied without any break in Valley and no one from lower to top seems to be accountable before any authority.

         Castigating government for its new exam policy for class 10 and 12 students, Tarigami said that the decision of the government has confused students. “From past three months all the schools, colleges and Universities in Kashmir are closed and the irony is that when education is being taken seriously across globe, our valley has been witnessing zero education. Unfortunately hundreds of students have suffered injuries from pellets and bullets while some of them have lost vision. Despite this there are people in society who are concerned about the deteriorating condition of education system in the Valley,” he said and condemned the actions of arsonists for burning schools.

        “The requirement of education will not get fulfilled by reducing the syllabus. What matters is content and eligibility. Government should not ruin the careers of students by politicizing the issue,” he said and added that people cutting across party line should help in opening schools in Valley.