Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Devastated fire in Kishtwar

    Masjid, shrine, school, 80 houses, 75 cattle sheds, 5 shops gutted

    Srinagar: In a tragic fire incident in Sukhni village of Marwah Tehsil of Kishtwar District, at least 80 residential houses including a Masjid, shrine of Sufi saint and a school were gutted in a mysterious fire that broke out in the village on late Saturday evening.
    According to KNS correspondent, at least 115 families got affected after mysterious blaze devastated 80 residential houses in the village while 75 cattle sheds were also gutted in the mysterious blaze.
    Locals from the village told KNS that the fire broke out at around 06:30 pm on Saturday which devastated 80 residential houses including a Masjid, Sufi saint’s shrine, school, five shops and 75 cattle sheds.
    Officials said that the property worth crores got damaged in the blaze.
    Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kishtwar, Ghulam Nabi Balwan told KNS that 80 houses, Masjid, Sufi Saint’s shrine, school, 5 shops and around 80 cattle sheds got damaged in the blaze.
    He said that district administration has provided 80 tents, blankets, food and other essential items to the victim families.
    “I cannot talk about the numbers or figures of losses caused due to this unfortunate incident right now. Presently, authorities are busy in providing all necessary help the victim families,” he said.
    He added that on priority basis, the food items and cooking utensils have been distributed among the victim families.
    DC Kishtwar said that till the reconstructions of residential houses of victim families, government would bear the expenses of their rented accommodations. (KNS)

  • Give present Govt time, space to deliver: Dr Drabu to people

    Pulwama: Minister of Finance, Culture and Labor & Employment, Dr Haseeb Drabu today appealed for calm while urging people to join hands for restoring peace in Kashmir and give the present Government the space to deliver.
    The Minister was speaking at a function at Town Hall here after distributing cheques among the beneficiaries of social welfare schemes run by the State Government and the Centre.
    At the function, 71 beneficiaries were given cash assistance worth Rs 21.53 lakh under Indira Awaas Yojana while Rs 73.40 lakh were distributed among 664 beneficiaries under Educational Assistance Scheme of J&K Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (JKBOCWWB).
    Minister for Public Work and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri, Minister of State for Forest, Environment & Ecology and Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Zahoor Ahmad Mir, MLA Tral, Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama Muneer Ul Islam, Secretary JKBOCWWB Syed Murid Hussain and Assistant Commissioner Development Dr. Zahoor Ahmad were also present on the occasion.
    Briefing the Minister, Syed Muried Hussain gave a brief presentation about different schemes run by the board for the welfare of workers like Educational Assistance, Marriage Assistance, Disability Assistance and Healthcare Assistance.
    Giving details, the Secretary said that under Disability Assistance, the board gives up to Rs 75,000 to the beneficiary, Rs. 25000 per child for a maximum of three children under Marriage Assistance Scheme and up to Rs 2 lakh under Healthcare Assistance Scheme.
    He informed the Minister that the Board is making all efforts to bring transparency in its functioning while endeavouring to bring all labourers under its ambit. The Secretary informed the meeting that around 12000 workers are presently registered with the board in Pulwama district.
    Expressing the need to sensitize more labourers, especially those working in unorganized sectors, about various Financial Assistance schemes run by the Government for their welfare, the Minister directed the Secretary to organize awareness camps in the district.
    Dr Drabu assured all sorts of assistance from the Government, stressing that the dearth of funds will not be a hurdle in the smooth functioning of the Board. The Minister said the present coalition government is dedicated to provide good governance to the people.
    The Finance Minister also appealed people to work shoulder to shoulder with the Government to maintain peace so that the Coalition Government takes the State to new heights of development.

  • CM expresses grief over Kishtwar fire incident

    Directs divisional, district administration to provide immediate help

    Srinagar: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has expressed shock and grief over the tragic fire incident in village Sukhnai of district Kishtwar in which a large number of houses were gutted.
    The Chief Minister has expressed sympathy towards the affected and instructed the divisional and district administration to provide immediate help and support to all those affected due the devastating blaze.

  • Probe ordered after rats nibble newborn at Kishtwar hospital

    Jammu: In a shocking incident, a newborn was nibbled by rats in the maternity ward of a government hospital in Kishtwar with parents claiming that the baby died due to rodent bites.
    Ghulam Hassan, a resident of the remote Chhatru village of the district, had taken his wife to the hospital where she delivered a baby boy on Thursday, a police officer said today.

    He said that the baby was shifted to the maternity ward and when Hassan visited the ward yesterday, he found the baby dead with rat bites visible on his body.
    “There was blood all over the body of the baby and the rats were still nibbling him when Hassan saw this,” he said.
    Gurjeet Singh, Director of Health Services in Jammu, said that a probe has been launched into the matter.

    “I have already ordered an inquiry and the chief medical officer of the district will be conducting the inquiry.
    However, preliminary inquiry suggest that the baby had already died due to some illness and was nibbled by rats after his death,” Singh told PTI.
    Singh, however, said that if anybody in the health department is found guilty, strict action would be taken against him.

  • Shutdown in Kashmir as unrest completes 100 days

    Srinagar: The ongoing unrest in Kashmir, triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with forces, today completed 100 days even as the Valley remained curfew-free in view of the improvement in the situation.

    The unrest, which began a day after Wani was killed in an encounter in south Kashmir on July 8, has left 94 people dead and several thousand injured.
    The Valley has witnessed continuous shutdown for the past 100 days with periodic relaxation as announced by the separatists who are spearheading the current agitation.
    The strike has crippled normal life in the Valley as shops, business establishments and petrol pumps have remained closed except for the relaxation period.
    The shutdown has affected the education of the children as schools, colleges and other educational institutions have been shut in the Valley.
    Authorities also imposed curfew and restrictions on most of these 100 days, throwing normal life out of gear in the Valley.
    However, there was no curfew anywhere in Kashmir today, a police official said, adding restrictions on the assembly of people under Section 144 CrPc were in force throughout the Valley as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
    He said there was improvement in the situation with each passing day as more people were defying the Hurriyat-sponsored strike and coming out to carry their day-to-day activities.
    There is increased movement of public transport, except buses, on the days when there are no restrictions.
    Some shops also opened in some areas in the civil lines and outskirts of the city, the official said.
    He said forces have been deployed in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.
    The authorities had on Friday night restored outgoing call facility on prepaid mobile phone connections after three months in view of the improving situation.
    However, mobile Internet services continued to remain suspended across Kashmir

  • Rumours about Yasin Malik’s health baseless: JKLF

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) on Sunday termed as false the rumours doing rounds about ill- health of its chairman Yasin Malik.

    A spokesperson of the outfit said that the rumours about Malik, who is lodged in central jail, are “unfounded and mischievous.”

    The rumours that life of Malik is in danger are totally baseless. People need not to worry about the health condition of Malik at all’. However spokesman appealed people to pray for speedy recovery of Malik from the current ailment and not to pay any heed to any rumours.

  • No plans to postpone 10th, 12th exams: Naeem Akhtar

    “There is no plan to postpone 10th and 12th exams any further. I have been receiving countless calls from worried parents and children since yesterday after a baseless report was circulated by a news gathering agency and unfortunately picked up by many newspapers,” Akhtar wrote on his Facebook page.

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Naeem Akhtar on Sunday refuted the media reports about postponing of 10th and 12th class examinations.
    “There is no plan to postpone 10th and 12th exams any further. I have been receiving countless calls from worried parents and children since yesterday after a baseless report was circulated by a news gathering agency and unfortunately picked up by many newspapers,” Akhtar wrote on his Facebook page.

    He said that all the students and parents who called him insisted that exams must go on in accordance with the published date sheet.
    “That is the decision of the government as well. Let the students remain focused on studies and prepare vigorously for exams on the due date. Best wishes to them,” said Akhtar.
    Earlier, reports had suggested that the government was planning to postpone the exams until March next year.

  • Ranji Trophy: Parvez 5-for scripts J&K win over Goa

    Srinagar: The first five-wicket haul by star cricketer, Parvez Rasool scripted the first Ranji trophy tournament win of the season for J&K as they beat Goa by 116 runs at Lalbhai Contractor stadium, Surat on Saturday.

    Amir Aziz took the last wicket of Goa inning completing the dominating victory over Goa after stand between Samar Dubashi and Felix Alemano had frustrated J&K bowlers.

    Dubashi remained unbeaten on fighting 79 run knock as Amir Aziz clean bowled Felix who made 22. Last wicket stand for Goa was off 63 runs as they were nine down after 230 runs. In second inning Goa got allout for 293 runs suffering 116 run defeat. The win got J&K six crucial points taking them to number two spot in points table with seven points. Himachal Pradesh is at top of the table in Group-C with similar points but have better run rate.
    The hero of the inning for J&K was star cricketer Parvez Rasool who took his first five wicket haul of the season with his off spinners and was also involved in one run out.

    Goa started day on 22 without fall of any wicket. The opening duo of S Asnodkar and D Misal took Goa total to 87 runs when Samiullah gave much needed opening wicket to J&K. He took the wicket of Misal who scored 42 runs. The next batsman Kamal was first wicket of the day for Parvez getting out for six runs. Amir Aziz joined the act taking wicket of A Desai who scored only one run. Asnodkar who was batting strong at the other end got run out on 47 runs leaving Goa tattering on 116 for four. Parvez was the player who did the run out. After Asnodkar, Parvez Rasool scalped wicket of S Bandekar who scored only five runs leaving Goa for 136 runs at lunch break.

    After lunch Umer Nazir joined the act taking 6th Goa wicket that of Kauthankar. Parvez then trapped Jakati and Yadav LBW. It was his 3rd and 4th wicket of the inning. Amulya Panderkar became fifth victim of Parvez Rasool, caught by Samiullah. Amir Aziz completed the victory by taking last wicket of Felix who scored 22. Goa got all-out for 293 runs suffering 116 run defeat.

    Earlier J&K in its first inning had posted 227 runs thanks to brilliant knock of 82 run played by Parvez Rasool. The knock was special in a manner in which Parvez scored the runs at crucial time. Team was under pressure, he came into the middle and started attacking opposition, hammering two sixes and 13 boundaries. Ian Dev was rock solid at other end scoring 67 runs. Puneet Bisht scored 40. In reply Goa were bundled out for 77 runs in its first inning suffering first inning deficit of 150 runs. Ram Dayal had taken four while as Umer Nazir took three. Parvez Rasool chipped in with two crucial wickets and Samiullah one.

    In second inning J&K posted 261 runs thanks to defying inning played by Puneet who scored 87 while as Ian Dev again did what he has been doing over the years. He scored crucial 64 while as Shubam scored 48. Goa needed 411 runs to win which they were not able achieve.
    For his all-round performance of seven wickets and 82 run knock Parvez was adjudged man of the match.

  • RSS playing dangerous sectarian game in Jammu: Soz

    Urges mainstream parties to respond RSS’s ‘nefarious parochial’

    Srinagar: Former Union Minister and Senior Congress Leader, Prof. Saifuddin Soz on Saturday said that RSS is playing a dangerous sectarian game in Jammu.
    In a statement issued to KNS, Soz said, “My more than three decades in Delhi, in and out of Parliament, watching political scene closely and also participating in it, have yielded sufficient experience to me to understand the format of political nuances.”
    He said that “Now, I can imagine in my hindsight that both Atal Behari Bajpai and L.K. Advani, the BJP Stalwarts, wanted to contribute to building India into a vibrant ‘Nation State’. It was a close association and comraderie between the two. Then, both wanted to work with the opposition in a democratic way, inspite of political differences.”
    He said that while he heard them in Parliament and outside it, he could imagine that both leaders manoeuvred to stay two steps away from the RSS, subtely, although in public, they would always express that they drew inspiration from it (the RSS)!
    “In PM Modi’s dispensation, Modi (not necessarily the BJP as a unified situation) and the RSS want to maintain the ‘Similarity in Steps’. This stance has already produced strain and stress on thepolitical surface, which is not a good message for ‘India’s Nationhood’!”
    He said that “The RSS cannot, under any circumstances, change its mentality!”
    He said that the Chenab Valley in Jammu has organized a Bandh today (15th October, 2016) that has been described for the press as a reaction to RSS’s communal activities in the Jammu region. “This does notaugur well for political health of the State,” he said.
    “I would like to earnestly urge the Mainstream Parties in J&K – the NC, the Pradesh Congress, PDP, CPM, CPI, DNP, and PDF to respond to the RSS’s nefarious parochial and sectarian activities in Jammu and keep, in particular, India’s vast segment of Civil Society fully informed,” he added.

  • Dr. Farooq pays tribute to Late Mohammad Shafi Bhat

    Srinagar: National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Saturday visited the residence of Former Member of Parliament Late Mohammad Shafi Bhat on his Chaharum and paid glowing tributes to the veteran leader. Expressing grief and sorrow over Late Bhat’s demise, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said Mohammad Shafi Bhat devoted his life to the welfare of the common masses and served the State with utmost dedication and sincerity.
    Dr. Farooq Abdullah said Mohammad Shafi Bhat’s contributions to Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and the people of the State could not be forgotten and that his demise has created a political vacuum that would be hard to fill. The National Conference President prayed for peace to the departed soul and expressed his solidarity with the bereaved family.
    Various party functionaries, legislators and former legislators visited the residence of Late Mohammad Shafi Bhat to express their solidarity with the family and participated in the Rasam-e-Chaharum of the deceased leader.
    Dr. Farooq Abdullah has also expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of noted businessman Khwaja Ghulam Rasool Simon of Srinagar and Veteran Political Activist Khwaja Abdul Rehman Khanday or Anchidora, Anantnag. Extending his condolences to the bereaved families, Dr. Farooq Abdullah prayed for peace to the departed souls and expressed his solidarity with their families. (KNS)