Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • IUST students refuse to take exams

    Cite unrest a reason for inability to take exams

    Srinagar: Amid 10th and 12th class examination controversy; students of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) on Saturday said that they are not ready for the exams scheduled from Nov 17.
    Talking to KNS, the students in their second semester of Islamic studies said that their examination of Islamic studies were scheduled to held from July 11but due to the present unrest the exams could not be held.
    They said the authorities first came up with exam date sheet and declared exams will be held from Nov 07, “We met university officials there and told them that it is impossible for us to get ready for exams.”
    They said that university authorities have informally declared examination date sheet which is not even available on official website of university.
    Class representative, Ishfaq Nisar said, “We are not ready for the examinations as there is no transport facility available.”
    “Our books are lying in hostel rooms which are closed for last four months it is hard for us to prepare for examinations,” he added.
    They said that students hail from different districts and it is impossible for them to reach exam centers on time.
    “We are ready for exams but only in peaceful environment, we are mentally disturbed. Some of our class mates are injured and some are languishing in different jails, how it is possible for us to appear in exam centers,” said another student Abid Ahmad Mir.
    They said that it will be hard for girls’ students to reach on time during examination days. (KNS)

  • Deputing female teachers to guard schools is shocking: NC

    ‘PDP Govt ridiculing teacher community’

    Srinagar: Stating that government directions to female teachers for guarding schools is shocking, the main opposition party National Conference Saturday said that the Peoples Democratic Party led government is ridiculing the teachers community.
    “It is shameful on part of the government that they have asked the teachers especially the female teachers to guard the schools. If the schools are set on blaze, it is a law and order issue. I fail to understand what forces the government to issue such orders,” National conference senior leader Ali Mohmmad Sagar told KNS over phone on Saturday.
    NC leader conveyed his surprise on a news item published in one of the daily, that the teachers including female teachers are guarding the schools to thwart any untoward incident. “Teachers who are appointed for a Nobel cause for giving education to the students have been placed as “Chowkidars” to give security to the schools. By this action the government has fully exposed on its tall claims of providing security to the institutions,” Sagar alleged.
    He said that the decision is nothing but frustration on part of the government. “State government is in a distressed state of mind as earlier government was adamant to open the schools in the valley amid unrest. More so the central home minister once said that the schools shall be opened in two days time, there after the government issued dictat that the exams shall be conducted on schedule,” Sagar said and added that simultaneously that time the government requested election commission of India to defer Anantnag parliamentary elections due to prevailing unrest. He said that the chairman of BOSE on record has said that they were not sure about the conduct of examination.
    Sagar said that the kind of statements of the government on education sector have put the youth in a state of confusion.
    He further maintained that the government was not able to give any decisive decisions and now it has decided two options for conduct of exams, one in November and one in March.
    He further stated that this decision has put the students in the state of dilemma and has rendered them in a state of mess.
    Sagar said that Government has put the students in a fix. “Since the students have not attended their schools for over four months, they won’t be in a position to appear in the exams. The schools remained open for a shorter period of time resulting in huge academic loss this time. Keeping in view the overall scenario, government should have taken a lenient view on conducting exams of class 10 and 12 students.
    He said that NC also realizes that one year of students should not go waste. “But that doesn’t mean government will thrust exams on them. Government should have deliberated the issue with them and taken students on board before taking decision for conducting exams,”.
    He said that the PDP-BJP government has so far “failed to deliver” on its “agenda of governance”. “This coalition government has failed to address political and developmental aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. There was a general sense of insecurity in the state and the government never took any step to address the concerns of the citizens,” he said.
    He said lack of direction and political will have compounded the perception of political uncertainty in the state whereas the government should have tried to provide a hope of inclusive development, reconciliation and peace.
    The former minister said that development has been pushed to back burner while public grievances are mounting unheard with each passing day. (KNS)

  • Akhtar appeals teachers to lead campaign at societal level to protect schools

    “No order from Govt to teachers to remain present during nights at schools”

    Srinagar: Appealing the teacher community to lead the campaign at the societal level to protect the schools, Minister for Education Nayeem Akhtar Saturday blamed the elements who want to create a society of illiterates behind the burning of educational institutions.
    “My appeal to teachers is that they must rise upto the occasion, as they did in 2015, and create an environment in which people see through this game (burning of schools) and this is treated as social crime and social sin,” Akhtar told KNS.
    “Teachers are the custodians of our conscience and the guides in revival effort of education sector that had been in shambles as a result of wrong policies. It is because of their hard work that our reform effort has been acknowledged at the national level,” he said.
    Asked whether any order has been issued by the government to the teachers to remain present during nights at schools, Akhtar said, “There has been no such formal order from the government. But it is not a question of order but question of creating awareness. Separatists say they are not behind the burning the schools, government obviously has to protect them, there is no question students or common people can burn the schools. Then who is doing it? Somebody who is there to create a society of illiterates. This looks like a plan and it can be defeated only by the students, teachers and people jointly.”
    The Education minister said that saving the schools shouldn’t be prescribed by an order through him or by any other officer that they should go and save a school. “It should be everybody’s responsibility. Every sane person must involve himself/herself to save the schools. I would expect the teachers to lead this campaign at the societal level. They are opinion leaders and are in large numbers available everywhere. They can mould the public opinion,” he added.
    Describing the teachers of the state as the best in the country, he said, “My experience with the teachers since I took over has been pleasant as they are the best in the country.”
    “Since this government took over in March 2015, we tried to create an atmosphere where people would feel this school is ours, the community ownership of the schools. The parents, students and people had started to feel that the school belongs to them. The discourse had changed from previous demands of backdoor appointments, contracts and transfers to rationalisation of teachers. I would receive calls about providing a Science teacher, a lab or computers. New awakening had been generated about the quality of the education,” Akhtar sad.
    “We provided free tuition in government schools to 1.60 lakh students during winter vacations. It was done by the teachers. These teachers are opinion leaders, nation builders and they proved it. It is the same teacher who will come forward this time to create awareness and caution the society about the dangers of the intrigue and conspiracy to destroy the schools,” he added.
    Asked whether government will do away with winter vacations this time, he said, “Last year it was a voluntary decision last year and I expect teachers will volunteer for it this year also. They (teachers) will run the free coaching in schools this time also.”
    On the Board of School Educations (BOSE) announcement to hold exams for 10th and 12th classes in November as well as March, the Minister said, “It is giving another option. There were demands of holding exams in both November and March. Majority of the students gave us feedback it should be November. However, some students were not willing to appear now. It was expressed in newspapers also and some organization too gave the feedback to hold the exams in March. We gave an option that those who are willing to appear now will be given relaxation in syllabus and those who aren’t willing to appear now can appear in March.”
    “It is upto students now when they want to appear,” he said. (KNS)

  • Shalimar youth’s mysterious death triggers violent protests, 30 injured

    Qaiser admitted with history of ‘poison’, ‘assault’, samples sent to FSL for chemical analysis

    Srinagar: following the mystery over the dceath of Qaiser a youth of Shalimar the doctors who treated him at skims soura say that he was brought ot the hospital with the history of poison and assault, and his kidneys and brain were found damaged.
    Reports said Qaisar went missing of Oct 27 and on Oct 28 brother of missing received a call saying that Qaisar is lying near CIE complex Shalimar with foam oozing from his mouth was rushed to SKIMS Soura where he was admitted from Oct 28.
    Qaisar Ahmad Sofi son of Abdul Hamid Sofi resident of Doodh Mohalla, area of Shalimar went missing from his home later was admitted in SKIMS were he breathed his last late Friday evening.
    His body was taken to ancestral home at around 7 am in the morning. Sources and witnesses said that civilians carrying dead body of Qaisar were chanting pro freedom slogans amid sobs.
    Witnesses said that funeral prayers were also tear gassed.
    They said that forces deployed in the area restored to heavy teargas shelling leaving more than 30 civilians injured including two women. The injured were rushed to hospital for treatment.
    Family sources said that he was poisoned, beaten and there were scars on his hand of nail.
    However, a top official in SKIMS said, “We admitted him here with a history of poison and assault.”
    “No we cannot say that he was poisoned but we performed his stomach wash and sample was set to FSL for chemical analysis to ascertain the cause of his death. The report will itself reveal the cause of death,” he said while replying to a query.
    However, according to reports police has completely contested the allegation made by Sofi’s family. (KNS)

     

  • ‘Hurriyat should strengthen Bait-ul-Maals to sustain this unrest’

    We don’t come out by choice, but compulsion to feed families: Vendors
    Srinagar: The ongoing unrest in Kashmir which erupted on July 9, a day after popular militant commander Burhan Wani was killed in a swift encounter in south Kashmir, is gradually losing its momentum with signs of fatigue quite visible on the roads in this summer capital.

    While the Darbar (the power house) has shifted to winter capital Jammu, the zooming in and out of the ministerial cavalcades has also faded from the deserted streets of the city, but ironically, the movement of public transport has increasing rapidly.

    People in various areas have started defying the protest programs of the joint separatist leadership spearheading the uprising. However sporadic clashes are still being reported from various areas but not of the intensity it were few months ago.

    As the current unrest is just few days away from completing five months, the signs of fatigue are visible especially among the labour class who have started coming out to do their businesses.

    The vendors set up their stalls along the Polo View stretch, Jahangir Chowk, Dalgate, Batamaloo and other places of the Srinagar, throughout the day, bothering least about the shutdown call of the Hurriyat.

    “What will we eat? We have no other means to feed our family,” said Lateef Ahmed, a vendor, who sells shoes on handcart at Dalgate.

    Most of the vendors, this reporter, talked to said that freedom has always been their priority over other things, but they are running out of money and there is no one coming to help them out. “We have no other option, but to do our business,” said Ghulam Muhammad, who sells fish.

    Asked there is a shutdown call which still continues, Muhammad in his late 60’s said, “Who will come to help my family. I don’t have a Rupyih machine (Money minting machine) at home,” he said.

    The vendors said that the Hurriyat leadership should look for other options to sustain this cycle of shutdowns.

    “We will be at the front when it comes to sacrifice something for the freedom movement. But we have to live and feed our family also. Had Hurriyat strengthened Bait-ul-Maals at gross levels, situation would have been different. I need minimum Rs 200 a day to feed my family,’ said Manzoor Ahmed, a vendor. (PTK)

  • Qaisar Sofi’s martyrdom yet another black deed of police: Freedom Party

    Srinagar: Expressing deep grief over the martyrdom of a teenager Qaisar Ahmad Sofi due to torture by police, the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) on Saturdaysaid this is yet another black deed by police authorities.

    In a statement issued to Kashmir Today, DFP general secretary Moulana Abdullah Tari said the state administration and police are responsible for the death of Shaheed Qaisar Sofi. He termed it extremely unfortunate that some police officers for petty material gains are proving themselves as more loyal than king and as such are making their livelihood by committing such heinous crimes.

    He said police must bear in mind that the power of uniform is short-lived and “at the end of the day you have to live and die among your own people whom you are killing, maiming and massacring”.

    Moulana Tari strongly condemned the teargas shelling on the martyr’s funeral saying, “PDP has surpassed all the records of hooliganism and has created a history of inflicting limitless tyranny and brutality on people. The party must bear in mind that it cannot escape the fury of people. Time will provide justice to all.”

    Meanwhile, Freedom Party activists Muhammad Yousuf Mir, Raees Ahmad, Qaisar Ahmad, Owais Muhammad, Rafiq Ahmad, Bilal Ahmad, and Faizaan participated in the funeral prayers of Shaheed Qaisar Ahmad Sofi.

  • Twin exam sessions: Govt politicizing education, says Kashmir Inc

    Srinagar: Stating that government decision on holding board exams for class 10 and 12 has “exposed the plot to politicize education”, the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) Chairman Haji Muhammad Yasin Khan on Saturday said Peoples Democratic Party led coalition is “ruining” the career of Kashmiri students through two exams.

    He said as if the ongoing killings and other atrocities were not enough, the government is now “killing the future of Kashmiri children in the garb of exams.”

    Khan, who also heads the Kashmir Traders and Manufactures Federation (KTMF) asked Education Minister Naeem Akhter to explain the logic behind holding exams in November and March sessions.

    “If exams are to be held in March again then why exams this time?” he asked.

    “This is being done only out of ego and those who appear in exams this time will enjoy benefits of having upheld Govt ego whereas its quite obvious that those who wait till March will bear the brunt.”

    He said the dilemma of two exams will leave poor students with no options but to appear in exams this time because government is offering “50% rebate on syllabus” as if examination is about online sale of merchandise, where offers keep flickering as per the needs of the sellers.

    “The mood swings of the government have simply exposed that PDP led coalition  is holding exams in November only to give a rosy picture of the worst-ever humanitarian crises in Kashmir through conduction of so called exams which will exploit the future prospects of our children,” Khan said.

    He said students of class 10 and 12th have to appear in exams which will decide their prospects of future education in various streams like medicine, engineering, law, commerce, human sciences and arts. 

    “A marginal change in percentage achieved can leave their career ruined. Moreover the point is that when the situation is just not viable for exams why to enforce it?” he said.

    He appealed people to rise to the occasion and say no to dual exams as it is the future of Kashmiri students, which is at stake.

    Khan asked the civil society in Kashmir and elsewhere New Delhi to play its role in getting the untimely exams postponed so that the future of Kashmiri students is saved.

    Meanwhile, Khan also condemned the use of force on mourners who were carrying body of teenager in Eidgah locality.

  • Militant killed in Shopian had joined Hizb after snatching weapon a month ago: Police

    Srinagar: Police on Saturday identified the militant killed in an encounter with government forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian district as Waseem Ahmad Khanday.

    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 that the encounter broke out after forces launched a search operation in Dobjan village – 60 kms from Srinagar – following inputs about presence of four militants there.

    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.

    The deceased was a resident of Zarkan Kellar village of Shopian.

    The official said that the weapon he had snatched was recovered from his possession.

  • Rare Viper Creates Panic In Jawahar Nagar

    Srinagar: In a daring rescue operation, a Levantine viper has been rescued by the Wildlife SOS rescue team in Jawahar Nagar are of summer capital on Friday.

    After careful examination, the snake was deemed fit and released back into its natural habitat.

    “An emergency call from the Wildlife Department alerted the Wildlife SOS Rescue team,” according to a statement issued by Wildlife SOS read. The presence of the viper had created panic in the area.

    The statement said that a snake was found in Jawahar Nagar, a residential area located in the heart of Srinagar Town.

    The sight of a snake crawling up into a rain pipe outside their house left the family in a state of shock. Fearing for their safety, they immediately contacted the Wildlife Department, which in turn reported the incident to Wildlife SOS, the statement added.

    A two-member rescue team, led by Aaliya Mir from Wildlife SOS rushed to the spot and after ensuring that the family were at a safe distance from their reptilian visitor the rescue operation was carried out.

    According to SOS wildlife, it took almost 30 minutes for the team to carefully extricate the snake out from the pipe.

    Identified as a Levantine Viper (Micro-viperalebetina), locally known as ‘gunas’, this particular snake is an uncommon venomous viper species found in parts of Kashmir, Pakistan, Middle East and North Africa.

    “It was a dangerous operation as the Levantine viper is highly venomous, requiring us to take precautionary measures,” said Aaliya Mir, Wildlife SOS Manager and Education Officer.

    “As the residents were apprehensive of the possible presence of more snakes in the area, we decided to scan the entire neighbourhood to allay their fears. There is an abandoned factory nearby and it was possible that being a secluded area, it could have become a refuge for more snakes,” she added.

    According to Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder of Wildlife SOS, “this exquisite viper is known to survive in elevations between 900-2100 metres in India. They feed mainly on small mammals, lizards, birds and their eggs. Though slow moving, they are capable of fast strikes when provoked and will give out a warning hiss before striking. Being a venomous snake, we had to be extremely careful while conducting the rescue in order to avoid any unnecessary casualties.”

    The viper has since been released back into its natural habitat, as per Wildlife SOS.

    Wildlife SOS, a non-profit organization and one of the largest rescue & conservation charities in South Asia, operates in ten wildlife rehabilitation facilities across India, including the world’s largest Sloth Bear Rescue Centre and two Elephant Care Centres, with 23 rescued elephants under their care.

  • Youth not involved in serious cases, will be revised: DGP

    Asks militants to shun path of violence

    Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra Friday said that cases of local youth not involved in serious cases, will be revised.
    He suggested to youth who have joined militant ranks, to shun the path of violence.
    “Cases registered in different police stations against youth involved in stone pelting and other cases during the unrest, will be revised. However, strict action will be taken under law against those involved in serious criminality or vitiating the atmosphere of peace and instigating public for violence,” DGP told KNS correspondent Tasaduq Rashid, at the sidelines of meeting held in south Kashmir on Friday.
    He said that those youth who have joined militant ranks should shun the path of violence. “They should shun the path of violence and adopt the way of peace. They should take a lesson from the Lashkar-e-Toiba militant who surrendered yesterday in north Kashmir,” he added.
    He appealed public to cooperate with police to unveil the faces behind torching of schools, adding, “Miscreants are targeting educational institutions to continue their nefarious designs.”
    He said that prime responsibility of police is to protect life and property of the people.

    Police Spokesperson adds:
    Director General of Police (DGP), K. Rajendra Kumar on Friday said that dedication and accountability with highest consideration of public service would help in providing effective policing to the people of the state, emphasizing that public cooperation would lead to new successes for the force.
    Rajendra was addressing a meeting with police, para-military and civil officers held at District Police Lines Anantnag today.
    The meeting was convened to discuss security and law & order situation in South Kashmir districts.
    Issues relating to the maintenance of law & order were discussed threadbare with the officers and various decisions were taken to ensure security of the people and government properties.
    Rajendra stressed for coordination and dedication among the forces for better deliverance at different levels. He said that accountability and public cooperation is imperative to get desired results of policing at different fronts.
    DGP disclosed that the efficient initiative taken by the force with other sister agencies have ensured security of the people, besides maintenance of law & order despite various attempts by the miscreants, who disrupt the peaceful scenario of the state. He said that our efforts would continue to gain public confidence and foil the sinister designs of anti-national elements.
    The meeting also discussed security of educational institutions and security arrangements for smooth conduct of examinations announced by the government. It was decided that every step with other stakeholders would be taken to provide security for smooth conduct of examination in the valley.
    Rajendra said miscreants are targeting educational institutions to continue their designs. JKP with other forces will foil their nefarious designs and bring the culprits to justice. He said that effective measures have been taken to curb the weapon snatchers and punish the culprits. He asked the officers to gear up their men and machinery and provide every assistance to the concerned departments for smooth conduct of examinations and ensuring security of government properties.
    Special DGP, Coordination/Law & Order, Dr. S.P.Vaid also addressed the meeting and discussed law and order and security situation in the Range.
    Among others, the meeting was attended by IG, CRPF, DIG, SKR, Nitish Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Sayeed Abid Rasheed, all SSPs/SPs and SDPOs of South Kashmir districts. (KNS)