Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: The Director General of Police (DGP), . K. Rajendra Kumar today sanctioned scholarships in favour of 111 school going children of police personnel, who  have secured distinction in annual examinations of class 8th and 9th. The scholarships have been sanctioned for the academic session 2013-2014.

According to a statement issued to KNS, announcing the scholarships, the DGP stressed upon the wards to receive modern education with excellence in different fields and examinations. He said that the Jammu and Kashmir Police Organization is providing assistance to the wards to boost their morale so that they could continue their studies and excel in future examinations also.

Giving details, Rajendra said that the beneficiaries include 111 meritorious wards of serving police personnel, who have secured 75 per cent marks or above in class 8th and 9th. He said that the students are studying in different schools across the state and the Organization has been providing scholarships to the wards of serving police personnel and martyrs to encourage them and refine their talent in future studies. He said such scholarships are given to the students from class 8th up to P.G. level and professional courses. Free coaching is also provided to such wards enabling them to compete at different levels to build their career.

The DGP said that in the modern age responsibilities of parents have doubled and they have to pay proper attention towards their wards from the very initial stage. He said that the parents have to make their wards able to face the challenges in the modern times and make their future bright. He said that quality education has assumed more importance in the present day and every child has to perform better and shape his future. 

Srinagar: Senior member Hurriyat Conference JK and Chairman Islamic Political Party JK Mohammad Yousuf Naqash during various meetings at Kakpora and Rajpora in Pulwama cautioned people about the nefarious intentions of pro India parties including National Conference, PDP and Congress saying that their words, actions and promises are just poll gimmicks aimed at power politics.

According to a statement issued to KNS, they are mere opportunists luring and misleading people for gaining access to power and material benefits at the cost of the lives , future and dignity of the people here. Their track record of present and past is witness to their misdeeds and ill intentions as they have sold their conscience to India , working as its agents and subservient to the dictates of Delhi. They have been tasked to glorify the ugly,barbaric and oppressive face of India besides particularly strengthen its illegal and forced occupation. They are responsible for furthering the expansionist and colonial designs and interests  of India besides allowing the loot and exploitation of natural resources here at the hands of India. We need to collectively remain committed  to our moral obligation and duty of safeguarding and promoting our ongoing freedom movement which is being cherished by the sacred blood of our valiant martyrs and supreme sacrifices of the people particularly youth. Our glorification and best tributes  towards our valiant martyrs and supreme sacrifices is in social boycott of the political renegades of all the pro India parties and complete boycott of ensuing so called and fraud assembly election drama to be staged by India.Naqash further said that these conscience selling opportunists in all the pro India parties here  rose to power and prominence by misusing the freedom movement and after achieving their personal ends  betrayed and stabbed it. People of Jammu Kashmir are witness to such betrayals since 1947 in pursuit of achieving the lust of identity, Power, prominence and material benefits. There are still such betrayers and opportunists who seemingly pose as well wishers of the ongoing freedom movement but are behind the curtain conspiring against it. We need to remain vigilant about them and expose them before time in the interest of safeguarding the movement. Naqash was accompanied by many party leaders and activists including Showkat Ahmad Bhat, Rouf Kashmiri, Bilal Ahmad Rather, Mohammad Altaf Wani and Sajad Ahmad Lone. Meanwhile Naqash expressed deep shock on the sad demise of the former Chief Justice of Jammu Kashmir High Court and great well wisher of freedom Movement , Bahau ud Din Farooqi. He deeply condoled his death and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.

‘People know whose properties span from Srinagar to South Africa’

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today said the jerky diatribe launched by National Conference against Member Parliament, Tariq Hameed Karra for pinpointing discrimination with Kashmir has fully exposed the complicity of NC in facilitating disempowerment of Kashmiris.

“To the utter surprise and dismay of every right thinking person, the NC spokesman instead of coming clean on his party’s collaboration in perpetuating discrimination in jobs, institutions and funds with Kashmir, has in his knee-jerk reaction vainly tried to hoodwink the people by resorting to fictional and malicious personal tirade against  Karra,” PDP Youth President  Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra said in a statement.

According to a statement issued to KNS, he said despite facing people’s wrath, NC seems to have not learnt any lessons and continues to indulge in politics of falsehood, deceit and malevolence to betray people. “But people in general and the youth in particular have well understood the demonic anti-Kashmiri designs of this party and they can’t be fooled by such filthy tricks anymore,” he said and added that instead of beating about the bush through juvenile pranks, the NC-Congress coalition government headed by  Omar Abdullah should come clean on the fundamental concerns of Kashmiris highlighted by  Karra.

Waheed said the life and political career of  Karra is like an open book and he has made public all his assets in the affidavit filed before the Election Commission of India (ECI), unlike NC leaders who have amassed huge wealth through benami deals. “If NC spokesman is keen to know, we can provide him the list of the properties of his leaders from Soura to MA Road, MA Road to Gupkar, Gupkar to Gulmarg, Gulmarg to Bathindi, Bathindi to Sanavar, Sanavar to Delhi, Delhi to Mumbai, Mumbai to London, London to South Africa, South Africa to Spain, USA and so on and so forth,” he said and added that PDP can also provide him the details of hundreds of kanals of Nazool, state, custodian and Kahcharai land in and around Srinagar grabbed by a couple of NC’s prominent legislators from the city during the past five and half years of ‘looting spree’ regime.

Waheed said if at all anything, the NC-Congress coalition government headed by Omar Abdullah would go down in the history as the darkest era of governance in Jammu and Kashmir, with corruption, crime and chaos as its hallmarks. “Given the anarchy, torment and injustice perpetuated by this government during the past 6 years, the people are eagerly waiting for the day to get rid of this non-performing regime,” he said. 

Srinagar: Expressing his surprise and sorrow over the new revelations about the death of a youth who was killed in Mumbai a year ago, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani demanded immediate arrest of his killers.

According to a statement issued to KNS, he said that at that time we expressed our reservation that Pervaiz Ahmed’s death is a murder not an accident but the state administration showed their carelessness and irresponsibility regarding to this murder and in this regard no help was provided to the bereaved family. In a statement issued to press, the pro-freedom leader said that the whole of India is proving to be a ‘city of death’ for the Kashmiris and Kashmiris are unsafe in every corner of this country.

They are everywhere looked with doubtful eyes and they are abused and insulted there. Geelani sahib said that in the year 2013 many dead bodies of youth were sent to Kashmir who were either studding or doing business there and Pervaiz Ahmed was among those unlucky people who were killed for the crime of being a Kashmiri. He said that still there are dozens of Kashmiries in different jails of India under false and fabricated cases and they don’t get justice from the courts also. The Hurriyat chairman strongly criticized the attitude of the state administration and said that the rulers of the state are only concerned to their chairs and till now they have never taken any serious notice of the arrests and deaths of the Kashmiri youth who are residing in India. Though Omer Abdullah many a times assured that now Kashmiris will not be harassed anywhere in India but this announcement was just an announcement as usual and it proved a hoax and the harassment of Kashmiris continued in India. While demanding fair investigation and stern punishment to the culprits into the murder case of Lal Bazar youth Parvaiz Ahmed, Geelani sahib said that this case has become the litmus test for the state administration and let us see what measures they do in this regard.

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (M) has appealed to the people to observe complete strike on July 13, 2014 to commemorate the Martyrdom anniversary of the first Martyrs of Kashmir struggle , Martyrs of  13 July 1931.

According to a statement issued to KNS, in this connection Hurriyat (M) has announced a two day programme.On July 12, 2014 a seminar titled  “13 July 1931- Statring Chapter of Kashmir freedom struggle” would be convened at Hurriyat headquarters Rajbag The seminar would start sharp at 11:amJuly 12, 2014 during which Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other hurriyat leaders would participate and pay homage to the Martyrs.

On July 13, 2014, Keeping with the tradition a peaceful rally would be taken out from Jama Masjid srinagar after Zuhr prayers which would culminate at Mazar Shohada Naqashbandh Sahab. Thereafter collective fateh khwani and a public rally would be convened to pay tributes to the martyrs of  13th July 1931 and all Martyrs of the Kashimir freedom struggle till date. On this day Hurriyat leaders will also assemble at Martyrs graveyard at Sopore Handwara and Islamabad and pay tributes to the Martyrs of july 13 1931 buried there.

Meanwhile Hurriyat (M) While paying rich tributes to the martyrs of July 13, 1931,  reiterated that the Hurriyat (M) is firm on its priniciple stand and would continue with its ongoing peaceful struggle on both political and diplomatic fronts.  Hurriyat said the July13, 1931 mark the long yearning of struggle for freedom started by the people of Jammu and Kashmir for which they have offered their lives and property. They said that such sacrifices are the precious asset of Kashmiris and the struggle for freedom would continue till it reaches its logical conclusion. 

Srinagar: The proposal mooted by the Centre to have separate enclaves in Kashmir for the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits has not found favour with the mainstream political and separatist groups in the valley, and has also been rejected by most organizations representing Kashmiri Pandits.

There are reports that three identified ‘settlements’ will be carved out of existing populated areas of Kashmir for the Kashmiri Pandits. A total of17, 000 Kanals of land was proposed be given for this purpose. The prime objection of all concerned people is that the idea of creating ‘Bantustans’ within Kashmir violates Kashmiryat, which has defined both Muslims and Hindus living in the valley for centuries. Those opposing the idea say that this will create social and communal tensions in the valley, and is fraught with dangerous consequences.

As a result, even though all political groups and most people in the valley are supporting the return and rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, stiff opposition to the proposal of separate enclaves has derailed the rehabilitation process. What has made matters worse is that no clarity has emerged as to the nuances of the proposed resettlement plan. Most Kashmiri Pandit leaders other than the Panun Kashmir are opposing the idea of rehabilitating the exiled community in separate enclaves.

National Spokesperson of opposition PDP Dr Sameer Koul told KNS that there are vested interests in the state establishment as well as at Centre, who do not want the reunion of the two communities for their partisan interests. Dr Koul said the ulterior motive to create permanent barricades between the two communities should be opposed tooth and nail. “Is there any opposition to the return of the exiled community to their home and hearth from anyone?” Koul questioned. He appreciated that the majority community has been asserting since long that they will ensure the safety and security of their brethren and want to revive the Kashmiri culture of peaceful co-existence between the two communities.

Koul said that on one hand, the government at the Centre and in the state have been saying that the situation has improved tangibly. On the other hand, there seems to be a conscious effort to vitiate the atmosphere of coexistence and the composite culture of the valley. The dominant feeling is that these separate enclaves for Kashmiri Pandits are aimed at creating a wall between the elements of Kashmiri society that have always co-existed peacefully. “Even the fateful days of 1990 did not see a ‘communal riot’. There were targeted ‘murders’ of the Pandits at a time when there were more targeted murders of Kashmiri Muslims,” said Dr Koul. Bhushan Lal Bhat, a Kashmiri Pandit and an NC leader, said the proposal to create separate enclaves was actually an effort to divert attention from the main political problems of J&K, and give it a religious and communal colour. “We have been living together for centuries, and will continue to live as loving neighbours. These separate enclaves will create barriers among Hindus and Muslims. We cannot accept any such proposal,” he said.

Leaders of most Kashmiri pandit organizations agree with this viewpoint. “Separate enclaves for Kashmiri Pandits are neither workable nor practical. They will only add to the problem,” Sanjay Saraf, National Youth President of Lok Janashakti Party told KNS. Saraf said only the affluent young Kashmiri Pandits who have settled outside the state favour the idea of separate enclaves. The majority of middle-class and poor pandits living in migrant camps want to return to their villages and live with their brethren of the majority community. Saraf said that rehabilitating the exiled community in separate enclaves goes against the spirit and ethos of Kashmiryat.

“These separate settlements are the idea of those who want to visit Kashmir as tourists during summers, stay here for some days with their families and go back,” Saraf said. He asserted that the Kashmiri Pandits who want to return to their homeland, and live and work here, do not subscribe this idea. Saraf highlighted that such a proposal only suits the right wing BJP and its subsidiaries in J&K, not the suffering Kashmiri pundits. “All political groups in the Valley support the idea of the return and rehabilitation of the Pandits. Therefore, the proposal of settling the Pandits in separate colonies is illogical” Saraf said.

Peoples can avail this service at any time: Passport Officer Srinagar

Srinagar: In order to eliminate monopoly and to curb unregulated kiosks offering passport application filling services in Kashmir, the Ministry of Communication, Information and Technology government of India has tied up with Village Level Entrepreneurs  to offer these services to people on nominal charges.

Talking to KNS, Firdous Iqbal Regional Passport Officer Srinagar said that the people can now avail these services at any time at Khidmat Centres across the state.  “Aspirants will be charged Rs 100 for filling up of a single online passport application form as compared to exorbitant rates charged by private kiosks,” Firdous Iqbal said.

He said that the union ministry for communication under Common Service Centres-Special Purpose Vehicles (CSC-SPV) has started this facility for the common people who sofar were being taken at a ride by unregulated kiosks in the market. The new facility will end the monopoly of these private centres who were charging people as per their own parameters, a Passport applicant observed while talking to KNS. The facility has already been started by the government of India and people have been appealed by the passport officer to avail these services.

Srinagar: The former deputy chief minister and senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Beigh Mondaystated that the pre-poll alliance in no way can affect PDP’s position in the state and that situations by NC are being created for poll boycott in valley.

We have seen in the past what outcome was of the NC-Congress poll alliance during Lok Sabha polls, let them try this again for assembly, said Beigh who represents Baramulla constituency in the parliament.

According to the KNS correspondent, Beigh while addressing party workers at headquarters here stated that nothing is left with the ruling national conference now so that it could lure voters and that people have understood the difference between friends and foes. He stated further that the slogans NC used to raise earlier cannot be cashed now as the party has already bartered the slogans and aspirations of the people.

Beigh maintained that the hue and cry that NC raised over the creation of new administrative units in the state is a misplaced euphoria and that no approval from planning commission of India has been given and a mere propaganda is being created to befool the masses of the state.

He remarked further the smaller parties, ahead of polls, in the state are being brought together to counter PDP and also the hidden candidates could be made to contest the polls from several areas of valley to decrease the voter count of one particular party. “I can tell you with certainty that people have accepted the policies and agenda of PDP and no force could compete with PDP’s popularity in the state.”

People aghast over Govt.’s inability to tackle with the crises

Srinagar: In the midst of the scorching heat and ongoing month of Ramadan, the state authorities here miserably failed t tackle the traffic mess, giving tough time to the vehicular movement in Srinagar’s commercial hub.

According to the reports received by KNS, massive traffic jams were Monday witnessed in the commercial hub here with authorities miserably failing to regulate vehicular flow.

Also the people accused that the cops remained mute spectators as the vehicles in the broad day light violated the traffic norms and even broke signals at several places of Lal Chowk area. People also stated that while the vehicles in large numbers were breaking the traffic signals at Jahangir chowk, the police personnel didn’t even move out of their vehicle parked in the corner of the road wherein huge traffic jam was witnessed.

Traffic jam was also reported from, Khayam, Barzulla, Rambagh, Batamaloo and several other areas of the city wherein the people expressed serious concern over the inaction of the concerned department to cope up with the mess. The problem of traffic jams and overcrowding on roads in different part of Kashmir is making commuting difficult for people. The poor management of traffic apart from bare bone infrastructure in Valley is reckoned to be the main reason behind this mess.

Residents of different parts of valley as well as locals in Srinagar are equally affected by this mess on the roads which is increasing by the day. With each new day this problem is increasing causing lot of problems, says a local.

Residents of Srinagar say that all through the day streets remain choked with cars and mini buses leading to heavy vehicular jamming.

Srinagar: The state Congress chief Saif-ud-din Soz Monday stated that Congress is yet to take final call over entering into a pre-poll pact with its ally national conference.

“Congress is a big party. Deliberations are continuing at various levels so is the introspection. The party high command has not taken any decision on any issue including the pre-poll alliance for upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir so far,” Soz told KNS over phone. Reports earlier had maintained that the Congress party is reportedly much perturbed over the increasing strength of the BJP in Jammu region- that earlier used to be the bastion of the Congress. Congress is now looking for the alternatives to regain control over the its lost ground and it for this objective that voices are being raised that the party must enter into a pre-poll pact with the National Conference.

Interestingly, chief minister Omar Abdullah had kept the option of any pre-poll alliance with the Congress open- maintaining that the party president and his father Dr Farooq would take the final call over the issue once he returns to Jammu and Kashmir. Reports have also maintained that Omar in a deliberate move kept the decision of the pre-poll alliance in limbo as he was in full knowledge about the dangerous outcome for both Congress and NC if the duo decides to contest the polls separately.

On the other hand, opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has clearly denied to have given any nod to Congress of entering into any pre-poll alliance with it. The party has decided to contest the polls on its own- keeping in view the recent LS results wherein it swept all the three seats in valley.