Category: Union Territory

Taking a dig at Education Minister, Khan said Naeem Akhter is acting like a “programmed-robot” who knows only to issue provocative statements for reopening of schools.

Khan concerned over Yasin Malik’s health

Srinagar: Stating that arrests and schooling of youth cannot go together, the Kashmir Economic Alliance Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Khan on Wednesday accused the government of unleashing “terror across the Valley through daytime siege and nocturnal raids.”

Srinagar: The state government has heightened the security of a senior Cabinet minister in the wake of threats by the Lashkar-e-Toiba. The security of Education Minister Naeem Akhter, who was recently threatened by the Lashkar, has been augumented, sources said.

The Lashkar had recently threatened the minister, who has ‘Z’ category security cover, of “dire consequence if he continues to force people to resume work”.The government has built a fresh bunker outside the residential quarters of legislators and Cabinet ministers at Tulsi Bagh in Srinagar to ensure their security.

Meanwhile, security was beefed up across Srinagar and south Kashmir after intelligence inputs of possible fidayeen attacks. Intelligence agencies have alerted the armed forces that two suicide squads from south Kashmir and central Kashmir’s Budgam district may sneak into the city to strike security establishments.

To foil the militant attacks, the security forces set up check posts at several places in the city. “I had to wait for several minutes to get my vehicle checked by policemen at Hyderpora as all vehicles plying on the road were stopped for checking,” said a senior government official. Check posts were also established at Abdullah Bridge, where security forces stopped pedestrians and motorcyclists and vehicles for security check. (Tribune News Service)

The locals suspended a proposed candlelight march to ensure the marriage ceremony is not disturbed, he said. Amid ongoing unrest in the Valley, residents of Ichgam village here facilitated Hindu marriage at a local temple on October 2. Demonstrating religious harmony, the locals rushed to Sharika Bhagwati Temple in the village as the news of marriage reached their ears.

On October 2, some non-locals working on a brick kiln in the district visited the village to perform the marriage of Ritu and Rajiv (a couple from Bareli, UP), a local said.

The locals suspended a proposed candlelight march to ensure the marriage ceremony is not disturbed, he said.

The locals (Muslims) arranged all the necessary items meant for a marriage ceremony and remained there to felicitate the couple.

Sandesh Bhat, a Pandit, who was present at the marriage said, “Such marriages were reminding of the early 1990s when our Muslim brothers remained by our side in our grief and happiness. It still continues.”

Locals on the occasion hosted a tea party for the guests at the marriage amid shutdown, said a non-local who was part of the ceremony. (GK)

Panic gripped Yaripora area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday evening as army opened fire after noticing some suspicious movement around a police station.
Initial reports suggested that it was a militant attack on police station Yaripora, but police denied it.

“It was not a militant attack. At around 8:00 pm, some army men guarding the police station at one end only noticed some suspicious movement and hence opened fire. There was however, no retaliation,” said a senior police official posted in the area.
He said that the area has been cordoned off.
Army and police jointly guard the police station Yaripora.

Situation remained by and large peaceful: Police

Srinagar: On the 88th consecutive day in Kashmir, the Valley continues to witness clashes and protests on Tuesday while two auto-rickshaws were set ablaze by unidentified persons in Kashmir capital Srinagar.
Meanwhile, all the educational institutions, petrol pumps, business establishments and other establishments remained closed during the day.
However, the uptown areas of Srinagar and commercial hub Lal Chowk continued to witness considerable movement of traffic during the day.
Meanwhile, two auto-rickshaws were set ablaze by unidentified persons in two different areas of Srinagar.
Reports said that the auto-rickshaws were set on fire in Saida Kadal and Baba Demb localities of Srinagar in this afternoon.
Meanwhile, reports of clashes were received from different areas of Valley.
According to KNS correspondent, clashes erupted between youth and forces in Batamaloo area of Srinagar during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the agitating youth.
Reports said that youth resorted to stone pelting after forces stopped a student ‘anti-exam’ protest in the area.
Reports of clashes were also reported from several old city areas during which forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the youth.
Meanwhile, reports said that clashes erupted in Saloora area of Ganderbal in central Kashmir after forces tried to foil a women pro-freedom rally.
Reports and witnesses said that forces used teargas shells to break up the rally, which was being addressed by the leaders of Dukhtaran-e-Millat.
However, the youth took to streets and pelted stones on the forces who tried to foil the pro-freedom rally of women’s.
Witnesses said that forces used scores of tear gas canisters to disperse the youth in the area.
Meanwhile, according to KNS correspondent, women’s held a pro-freedom rally in Tral area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The protesters amid chanting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans marched towards Tral Bala.
However as soon as they reached near the bus stand, the protesters were lathi charged by the forces and used teargas canisters as well.
The women protesters as per KNS correspondent also alleged that the forces misbehaved with them.
Meanwhile, locals in Ajas Bandipora told KNS that at least two youth were arrested in Ajas area by the police a few days back following which inhabitants staged protest and blocked the raod in the area.
The protesters were demanding immediate release of the youth and said that until the youth will not be released they won’t unblock the raod.
Meanwhile, report said that clashes erupted between protestors and forces in Watpora, Ashtangoo, Qazipora and Putushay villages of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Witnesses and reports said that many people received injuries after men in uniform fired pellets and burst teargas shells to disperse the protesters.
Reports said that the injured persons were shifted to nearby health centres for treatment.
Meanwhile, clashes were also reported from Papchan area of Bandipora district.
Reports said that residents of Qazipora, Putushay and Warpora villagers said that forces went berserk in their areas in the wee hours of this morning.
“Forces barged into the houses and broke the windowpanes of many houses and also fired teargas shells,” reports quoting locals alleged.
Reports said that around 5 AM, forces had announced imposition of curfew in nearby Kaloosa village, however, later strict restrictions were imposed but people were allowed to move on the roads.
Local sources said that some police vehicles came under stone pelting attack last evening “in reaction to which people were told to stay home”.
Meanwhile, hundreds of women took out a pro-freedom rally in North Kashmir’s Sopore town in this afternoon.
Reports said that following the Zuhr prayers (afternoon prayers) ended, hundreds of women took out a pro-freedom march from Jamia Masjid during which they raised anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.
Meanwhile, reports said that at least five persons were arrested during pro-freedom protests in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district today.
Reports said that pro-freedom protests erupted in main Trehgam after Zuhr prayers following which forces resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse the youth.
“Forces lobbed shells as protests were going on which evoked stone pelting,” reports quoting local sources said.
They said at least five of the people were arrested. However, they could not be identified immediately.
Soon after the protests, sources said that announcements were made on Masjid loud speakers asking people to come out on roads against the ‘arbitrary arrests’.
The locals claimed that the detained persons were “not involved in stone pelting at all”. “They were nabbed by forces and ruthlessly beaten before whisking them away to their camps,” they said.
Meanwhile, at least three persons were injured in clashes last evening in the same area, locals added. In nearby Gugloosa, the sources added, “Locals are aghast at the ransacking done by forces on last Sunday.”
Meanwhile, the mobile internet services in the three districts of Chenab valley of Jammu region was restored by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir today.
The mobile internet service had been snapped across the three districts Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban on 5 August this year after widespread protests in the region over civilian killings in Kashmir in wake of Hizb Commander Burhan Wani’s killing by forces on 8 July.
Reports quoting official sources said that the service was restored after the Divisional Administration held a meeting of top officials which included the IG Police of Jammu region as well wherein it was decided to restore the mobile internet services in three districts of Chenab valley after the improvement in the situation.
Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, situation across the valley remained by and large peaceful today. “However, two incidents of arson were reported from Srinagar and a stray incident of stone pelting was reported from Bandipora,” the statement said.
According to the statement, normal movement of people and vehicular traffic was observed in Srinagar. “Shops in some parts of the city were open besides a large number of vendors were also on the streets. Scores of vehicles were seen plying in the main towns and on the inter district roads of the valley,” it said.
The statement said that the miscreants in their attempt to disturb the situation set on fire two auto rickshaws, one at Bhagwanpora in the jurisdiction of police station Kralkhud and another at Rainawari near Polytechnic College Saidakadal in Srinagar. “Police has taken cognizance and launched search to nab those involved in these crimes,” it said.
The statement said that in its drive to curb the activities of the miscreants, police during the past 24 hours arrested 57 such individuals involved in various offences of creating disturbances in different part of the valley. (KNS)

‘Highlighting heinous crimes against Kashmiris at national, international fora, was need of hour’

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (G), while hailing the unanimous support of Pakistan’s political and ruling elate, has said that Pakistan has always been supporting our cause of right to self-determination and today also they showed a united face while reaffirming their stand.
In a statement issued to KNS, Hurriyat (G) said that Pakistan being a very important party to the dispute of Kashmir, has a strong, moral and legal right to lend their helping hand to the Kashmiris in achieving their goal.
Hurriyat said that highlighting the genocide and heinous crimes against innocent Kashmiris at national and international fora, was need of the hour, as worst Indian track record of human rights would have gone unnoticed.
Meanwhile Hurriyat while agreeing to the CM’s statement that Jammu and Kashmir’s uncertainty has took a heavy toll on the people of J&K especially youth and dialogue is the only way to end this dilemma, Hurriyat said that we along-with our oppressed nation has been echoing same for the last 70 years, especially for the last 3 months in every street, village, town, city, through slogans, public demonstrations, writings, speeches, newspapers, magazines, graffiti and social networking. We have used all possible means to make very loud and clear, that people of Kashmir especially youth are sick of this political uncertainty and it has to end by peaceful means.
Hurriyat Conference (G) said that our concern is that when people like you say it, you are being garlanded and offered power and perks, but when people say the same they get bullets, pellets, grenades, teargas shells. They are crushed, arrested, slapped with PSA and shifted to far-flung jails, their houses smashed and their valuables burnet and even stolen. Their women folk raped and molested. Youth especially students are tortured in other states of your worthy country “safest for Muslims”.
Hurriyat asked CM why this duplicity? Hurriyat said that this is because you say it only for your personnel gains and petty interests. You build your castles of power on our dead ones as you have sold your mind and soul to the oppressor. Mentioning 2008, 2009 and 2010 not achieving anything and 2016 going the same way, Hurriyat said that where there is a hatchery of Mir Sadiqs and Mir Jaffars, where conscience of the people especially bureaucracy has a price tag, where a million military might is snatching our identity and peeps even our bedrooms, where common people are lured by henchmen for their basic needs as well. Where our innocents are sarcasted for “toffee and milk”, where electrically, water and food is being presented as the favor for legalizing and justifying for atrocities and forced occupation, can there an unarmed, oppressed and maimed nation’s fight and sacrifices for justice be taken seriously.
Hurriyat said that people had this misconception that somebody who couldn’t bear a single death and would personally visit that grieved family to condole and console them, when she herself will be at the helm affairs, can’t see our loved ones being slaughtered, blinded and in case she is helpless and unable to stop it, she will waste no time to part ways with such bloodthirsty leeches, but they, as always, have been befooled and mislead, every time these stooges need their vote and support.
Hurriyat said that we value the determination and courage of our nation in high esteem, as compared to your military might and luxuries of power and will never legitimize this forced occupation.

Says Adhaar based attendance helped Govt. to clear mess

Srinagar: The government on Tuesday said that the issue of regularisation of daily rated employees working in various departments has been taken up on priority and will be resolved in ‘very near future.’
Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu while talking to KNS said the government has already initiated the process of working on various modalities to regularise the daily rated employees who have been discharging their duties in various departments of the state government including PHE, R&B and others.
Drabu however said that there has been a “a lot of mess” created over the issue and no less than 30 categories of these casual and daily rated employees have been engaged. “That was the reason why we started the process of adhaar based attendance for the adhoc/ temporary workers in government departments. Via such process, we (government) will be able to declassify the cases and take appropriate measure,” said the finance minister.
He added that he cannot mention any specific time about regularising the daily rated employees; however Drabu said the process will begin soon.
Pertinently, the government vide order number 65-F of 2016, dated 03-03-2016, in pursuance to state administrative council decision, a committee of officers has been constituted to look into the extent/ magnitude of problems relating to the casual workers i.e financial, legal and administrative that may arise in regularisation of such employees and to work out an appropriate policy that would outline all possible options in this regard.
Later, vide cabinet decision no: 18/02/2016 dated: 27-04-2016, it was ordered to carry out Aadhar based biometric identification of these works through an institutional mechanism. Furthermore, a committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary has been constituted to achieve the objective vide government order no: 126-F of 2016, dated: 28-04-2016.
It is pertinent to mention here that the state government approved engagement of 43000 casual/ seasonal labourers in different departments vide government order no: 105-PD of 2010, dated: 25-10-2010 as per the department- wise breakup of numbers of CSL available at that time. (KNS)

‘Valley treading towards betterment in situation, people yearning for peace’

Srinagar: Minister for Law & Justice Abdul Haq Khan on Tuesday said that the Public Service Act (PSA) is a last option available with the government to “restore peace and tranquility” in the restive Kashmir valley that has been reeling under unrest since past 88 days.
In a statement to KNS, Haq Khan said that no government would desire to imprison its own people in jails but PSA could be seen as a ‘last option’ available with the government for restoration of law and order. He maintained further the PSA is slapped against only those people who were found hell-bent to vitiate atmosphere and remained on a forefront to cause trouble to Kashmir civilian population. He maintained that the state dispensation is striving hard to counsel those involved in the acts of violence. “Our officers have been counseling the stone throwers and telling them not to indulge in violence. And we are witnessing that now everyone wants to cooperate with the government in its endeavour to restore tranquility,” the minister said.
He maintained further that there are people across Kashmir who want end to this chaos and uncertainty. “There is a huge chunk of unemployed youth. There are vendors who depend on their daily wages. There are students whose careers are at stake. I mean everyone has been affected and everyone now is yearning for peace,” Haq Khan said. KNS