Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: Doctors at maternity hospital Lal Ded pooled money to help a non-local to take dead body of his spouse to Bijnoor district of Uttar Pradesh in central India.

Tamana, wife of Niazamuddin a resident of Bijnoor UP died after giving birth to baby boy at Lal Ded Hospital on Wednesday.

Tamana, according to doctors, was critical when admitted in the hospital. Despite the efforts put by the doctors she could not be saved.

As the husband of Tamana was unable to take the dead body of his spouse to his native place, all the doctors at the hospital extended helping hand to him and collected Rs 30,000 for him.

“We did it on humanitarian grounds. As an outsider, the husband of the deceased had little resources to manage a vehicle that could have ferried the body to Bijnoor. We arranged a vehicle for him and handed over money to him as well,” Deputy Medical Superintendent LD Hospital Dr Farah told news agency CNS.

“People of Kashmir are humane and affectionate. Nowhere in other state people and medicos are so helpful as in Kashmir,” Nizamuddin who works as a labour in Uri town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district said.

Srinagar: National Conference on Wednesday expressed shock and disappointment over a ruthless incident of assault on civilians in Soura and said the police action was reprehensible and indicated the enormous disconnect between the Government and the simmering ground situation in the Valley.

Political Secretary to NC Working President, Tanvir Sadiq said such acts would continue to worsen the situation and prove counterproductive and that he stood in solidarity with those who had sustained grievous injuries in the police crackdown.

“This is extremely unfortunately and utterly condemnable. Our hearts go out to those civilians who were at the receiving end of the brutal onslaught. This is another failure by the political leadership of this Government. The wave on indiscriminate arrests is yet again fuelling the anger on the ground and such incidents reflect that the Government’s tyrannical approach and belies their rhetoric,” Tanvir Sadiq said in a party statement issued this evening.

Tanvir Sadiq said the Government should immediately stop the current policy of nocturnal raids, arrests, slapping PSAs and undertaking mass repression and said an operational approach cannot help in resolving a political issue.

“The current unrest in the State has been further fuelled by the Government’s policies. You cannot barge into houses in the middle of the night or carry on indiscriminate arrests and expect the situation to improve. Rather than engaging with the youth, the Government is targeting the youth. This is unacceptable,” Sadiq added in the statement.

“The crackdown in Aanchar is a very alarming indicator of where we are today. Are we back to the days of identification parades, crackdowns and nocturnal round-ups? The Police action in Aanchar started around Fajr prayers in the morning and this policy makes us wonder if the State has declared war on the people? The report of a youth sustaining serious injury due to a teargas shell trauma is also sad and discomforting. Many youth have suffered serious injuries and are undergoing treatment – the extent of these injuries is shocking,” Sadiq added.

Nayeem’s handedness, bid to show supremacy unacceptable

Srinagar: Blaming squarely for current mess of education of school children Democratic Party (Nationalist) Gh Hassan Mir here on Wednesday said Education Minister Nayeem Akhter is taking unilateral decisions on conduct of examinations and reopening of school without thinking about the possibility of implementation of such decisions on ground.
Saying that Education Minister is taking unilateral unwise decision just to show his supremacy in the functioning of the Government, Mir said “Government has to understand that students have not completed their syllabus and have passed through turbulent times. As such students should be taken on board before taking any decision on the timing of examinations and reopening of schools”.
Advising the Education Minister to stop taking decisions first and thinking about the possibility of their implementation later Mir urged the government to take decisions on the timing of the conduct of examinations and the reopening of schools in consultation with all the stake holders particularly the students and the teachers. (KNS)

Srinagar: Chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik has strongly condemned the ongoing oppression in Kashmir valley and has said that on one side every village and town is facing the wrath of Indian forces and police and on the other hand forces, police and other departments have started a new phase of terrorizing resistance leaders and their families.
In a statement issued to Kashmir Today, terming the summons and intimidations from enforcement department to JKLF vice chairman Mushtaq Ahmad Ajmal and his spouse as condemnable act, JKLF chairman said that enforcement department has issued summons against Mushtaq Ajmal and his spouse and have told them to be ready for a heavy penalty and even confiscation of their property.
He said that JKLF leader Mushtaq Ajmal and his wife are facing a false case from last many years and the case is still before a court but despite this the enforcement department is trying to intimidate and terrorize him and his family.
Yasin Malik said that summoning a political leader with his wife and asking him to submit details of his property, property of his family members and other documents and that too when the case is pending before a court is nothing but act of terrorizing a political activist which is highly condemnable.
He said that such kinds of acts cannot deter us from perusing the path of truth, freedom and justice.
While strongly condemning the oppression unleashed in whole Kashmir especially yesterday in Ruhmoo Pulwama and today at Anchar Soura, Yasin Malik said that yesterday forces, SOG and police terrorized a whole village at Ruhmoo and injured dozens of people including many daughters of this nation by pellet terrorism and today these trigger happy sadist forces unleashed oppression at Anchar Soura and Haigam Sopore injuring dozens among whom two are said to be seriously critical at Soura and property worth millions has been vandalized .
Yasin Malik said that state sponsored terrorism of India and its stooges is continuing unabated but India and its Kashmiri stooges must remember that according to the law of retribution they will have to answer for their crimes against humanity one day.
Meanwhile JKLF chairman has expressed his heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of maternal uncle of JKLF chief spokesman Rafiq Ahmad Dar. Praying for the heavenly abode of deceased Abdul Rashid Dar of Bemina, JKLF chairman also prayed for the patience of the bereaved family.
JKLF chairman also expressed condolences to the bereaved family of Haji Ghulam Ahmad Wani of Zainpora who was cousin of JKLF senior member Muhammad Ayoub Naikoo. JKLF chairman also condemned the prolonged incarceration of Muhammad Ramzan Naikoo of Zainapora. 

Srinagar: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said the Government is responsive to the people’s problems and is working judiciously and in a transparent manner to fulfill their aspirations and expectations.
The Chief Minister said this while interacting with several deputations who called on her here today to seek speedy redress of their grievances and demands.
The deputations who called on the Chief Minister include a deputation from Kunan-Poshpora led by Mohammad Amin Sheikh, deputation of doctors headed by Dr Kaiser Ahmad, Principal, GMC, deputation of super-specialists doctors led by Dr Younis, deputation of shopkeepers of Rambagh, deputation of Young Kashmir Footpath Association, Polo View, Srinagar headed by Mir Mushtaq Ahmad, deputation of ReT aspirants led by Mr. Ishfaq Ahmad, deputation of Anganwari Workers, deputation of Anjuman-e-Imamia, Khumaini Chowk Bemina and deputation of dislocated shopkeepers of Jehangir Chowk Led by Haji Mohammad Shafi Zargar.
The delegation from Kunan-Poshpora area of district Kupwara apprised her of the requirements and demands of the area. The Chief Minister assured the delegation of all possible help. She said that the government wants to create an institution of importance in the area to serve the larger public interest.
Interacting with a delegation of Anganwari workers, the Chief Minister issued on the spot instruction to speedy redress of their genuine grievances.
A delegation from Kakpora area of Pulwama raised the issue of non-payment of flood relief with the chief minister, who in turn instructed the Finance Minister, Dr Haseeb Drabu to personally look into the matter and redress the problems at the earliest.
A delegation of ReT aspirants represented that their cases of appointment, have been pending for long due to procedural delays at various levels. The Chief Minister assured the delegation that the cases would be disposed off at the earliest possible on Merit.
The delegation of shopkeepers from Rambagh area thanked the Chief Minister for resolving their long pending issues.
A delegation of super-specialist doctors discussed issues related to specialist doctors and the health sector in J&K. The Chief Minister assured them that the health sector was a priority for her government and all steps would be taken to improve this critical service.
Representatives of Anjuman-e-Imamia, Khumaini Chowk, Bemina highlighted their issues. For many issues on spot directions were issued for resolution. The delegation was also assured that concerned officials will be directed to look in other grievances on priority.
The Chief Minister said the government is alive to the public demands and necessary measures are already afoot to upgrade basic amenities and ensure prompt public service delivery. Mehbooba said wherever necessary additional focus would be laid to address the people’s demands on priority. 

PDP calls for taking serious initiatives to revive peace process

Srinagar: Minister for Education and Senior Cabinet Minister Naeem Akhtar today called for taking serious initiatives to revive the peace process between India and Pakistan as any hostility between the two countries hurts the people of Jammu and Kashmir the most.
The Minister was speaking at a daylong party convention at Ganderbal. It was also attended by MLC Yasir Reshi, Waheed-u-Rahman Para, District president PDP Bashir Ahmad, vice district president Zahoor Ahmad Rather and other leaders.
Akhtar said that peace is inevitable in Jammu and Kashmir and the emergence of PDP has changed the entire discourse. “Earlier during such periods of hostility some voices would have called for intensifying the attacks and God forbid full fledged war, but now people and leaders demand peace and de-escalation of the conflict,” said Akhtar.
“Because everybody realizes now that conflict benefits none.”The Minister said that the state cannot progress in the absence of peace and everything will fall in peace once the situation is conducive. “It was always a dream of PDP founder Mufti Mohammed Syed that Jammu and Kashmir enters into an era of peace, stability and unprecedented development. Our Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti too has taken it upon herself to realize the dream that will bring equitable development to all the regions of the state,” said Akhtar.
“It was due to our policies that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a major step towards peace when he visited Lahore to reach out to Pakistani leadership. Now it is high time that such initiatives are revived for the benefit of entire South Asia,” he further added.
The Minister said that the hawks are everywhere but due to sustenance and peoples thirst for peace, the doves will prevail. “There are challenges everywhere, but it will take the leadership of a statesman to overcome them and move unhindered on a path of peace and prosperity,” said Akhtar.
The Minister said that the state coalition also works on the same mantra that people want peace not war. “Our alliance with BJP has been a step towards the same direction. It was the alliance dictated by election outcome, political reality and interests of the people,” said Akhtar. “there are challenges but peace is inevitable.”

‘Mirwaiz does not need to play political games’

Srinagar: Hurriyat (M) reacting to a statement by National Conference, strongly condemned Omar Abdullah for spreading lies and malicious propaganda against Mirwaiz Umar Farooq hiding behind his immature and opportunist spokesperson.
In a statement issued to Kashmir Today, Hurriyat (M) said that under the present conditions when state oppression is at its worse and people are waging a brave struggle for their political self determination, it becomes even more reprehensible and exposes the designs of Omar Abdullah and his coterie. Having been out of chair for two years they are desperate and like vultures seek to get mileage out of the ongoing people’s movement. His statements in last few months showing sympathy to the cause of people were out of a hope that he would get back on chair. But after the half truths which he flaunted in his speech in New York was shredded to Smithereens by the freedom loving people of Kashmir he is completely unnerved. Now these people are back to their old tricks of creating doubt and suspicion in the minds of people through personal attacks.
Hurriyat (M) said that let us be clear on this, being the legatee of the blood soaked people’s struggle for freedom, Mirwaiz since the age of 16 has consistently and with exemplary patience, courage and political conviction strived for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people.
The spokesman said in keeping with his deep desire to find a political solution to the vexed problem and provide relief to people Mirwaiz did not make empty noises for a dialogue but took the bold and proactive initiative of entering into one with India and Pakistan and travelled to New Delhi and Islamabad. In the course of this engagement Mirwaiz met many people from various agencies in both the countries who were directly or indirectly related to the process of dialogue and finding a solution as is the case in such matters. The facts about these meetings in both countries is well known. It has been publicized and widely reported in media. So to repeatedly parrot that” Mirwaiz broke bread with some intelligence people in a hotel” and offer to give “time and date of some such rendezvous” makes the NC spokesman sound like the hyper excited TRP hunting TV anchor. It exposes the baseness and spitefulness of the statement. It is ridiculous to insinuate that dining in hotels is lack of political convictions.
Hurriyat (M) said that the brazen lie that the Mirwaiz “behind closed doors advocated converting LOC into a permanent border” is highly deplorable and wretched. If the reference is to the 2004 talks then firstly they were not behind “closed doors” but open and under the full glare of media and secondly president Musharraf had suggested a four point interim arrangement for 10 to 15 years after which a referendum would be held in entire J&K, along the lines of Good Friday agreement in North Ireland. A key suggestion among the four points to which the Mirwaiz was open was that that LOC would be demilitarized and made irrelevant and not permanent as offered by Omar Abdullah in New York. Even PDP does not suggest this or for that matter the BJP which considers whole of J& K to be part of Indian Territory so to attribute such nonsense to Mirwaiz is outrageous and laughable. The overzealous mascot masquerading as a spokesman then goes on to suggest that Mirwaiz supported some such agreement because he was concerned about his political future is too ridiculous to deserve a rebuttal. Mirwaiz by the grace of Almighty Allah has a secure political future in the hearts and prayers of the subjugated but valiant and resilient people of Kashmir whom he is leading in their fight for their justice dignity and freedom. The Mirwaiz does not need to play political games and be an agent as petty chair or gains is not his political destination as it was not of his predecessors whose life and death is a synonym for sacrifice and selfless service in the way of people. Our political conviction and what we stand for is clear and time tested.
But such things are beyond the comprehension of these quislings and turncoats who have bargained over us again and again and aspire only for the chair and then shamelessly preside over killing, oppression, mis-governance and corruption.

“Students know what to read, what not”

Srinagar: Chairman Board of School Education (BOSE) Zahoor Ahmad Chatt Wednesday said that authorities are not in hurry to announce syllabus relaxation for class 10 and class 12 for planed exams as “students know what to read and what not.”
“I don’t know why people are worried about the syllabus relaxation. We are working on it. It may take more two to three days to finalize and declare the relaxation to be given to the students of both classes,” he told KNS.
He said that students know how much syllabus they have covered and what to read for exams. “Students know what to read and what to read. They know how much syllabus they have covered. The announcement of relaxation is no issue for them,” he said while replying to a query.
He said that atmosphere is conducive for the exams. “There are no issues. The only demand is syllabus relaxation that we are going to announce shortly. Students are concentrating and must concentrate on studies and they should prepare themselves for exams,” he said.
Pertinently, students of class 10 and class 12 have claimed to covered only 30-40 percent syllabus.
While the JK government is adamant to hold class 10 and 12 exams in November with relaxation in syllabus for students, BOSE is indecisive over the move, leaving students in a dilemma.
The inordinate delay by BOSE to take a call on the issue has infuriated the students who accuse the BOSE and government for ruining their career.
“First they took a controversial decision to hold exams in November which was not accepted by students. Now there is a delay regarding the relaxation to be given to students in their syllabus. This is sheer injustice with us,” a group of students told KNS.
They said the government is adamant to hold exams in November amid the ongoing tension without considering its impact on students.
“If government had to hold exams in November, the announcement for relaxation in syllabus should have been made earlier. Students are now left in a lurch,” the aggrieved students said.
The students reiterated the government should defer the exams till March and provide some time for students to prepare for their exams. (KNS)

A school safety day has also been announced in the calendar, urging students and parents to march towards respective schools.

‘Talk to three mullas; Umar, Geelani, Malik, they will tell you how you meet Allah’

Srinagar: Senior Hurriyat leader and Muslim Conference (MC) Chairman Prof Abdul Gani Bhat today said he is no more a relevant person to talk to about the current situation. He said this when asked to share his views about the fate of the current unrest and his meeting with the recent Yashwant Sinha led five-member delegation to Kashmir.

Bhat said, “I advise you to talk to relevant people.  It is better to talk to Yasin Malik, Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar. I advise you to see the relevant people,” he said.

Bhat said, “They are three relevant—Moulvi Umar, Moulvi Geelani and Moulvi Yasin; see the three mullas (religious preachers) in a row. If you meet these three mullas in a row, they will lead you to the mosque and lead the prayers and will tell you how you meet Allah,” he said.

Asked if he (Bhat) is followed, where would he lead to? Bhat said, “I will lead you to a place which you don’t choose to visit at all,” he said.

Asked if he favoured reopening of schools, the senior Hurriyat leader and former APHC chairman said he doesn’t like to talk on such issues. “I am not interested to talk on such issues. Talk about soulful crying of Kashmir. Pick the stories which benefit people. Let’s not talk about old things, talk about new things,” he said.

Bhat said Kashmir is a big problem. “Both the countries, India and Pakistan can’t ignore Chinese corridor through Pakistan and the same time American involvement in Afghanistan,” he said.  (PTK)