Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • JKLF condemns attacks on women folk, female employees

    Terms situation as alarming, worrisome

    Srinagar: In a press statement issued from Maqbool Manzil Sgr, spokesman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has strongly condemned the attacks on women folk especially female employees by some officers and higher officials. According to a statement issued to KNS, a JKLF spokesman said that this phenomenon is increasing day by day and the situation is very alarming and worrisome. Referring to the alleged molestation of a female nurse by director heath and some other officers, spokesman said that if this kind of brazenness is not stopped immediately the situation of anarchy will increase in the society and the chastity and honor of every mother, sister and daughter will be at stake. Spokesman said that people are watching these condemnable acts with keenness and are looking whether the culprits who belong to high society get punishment or not. If rulers and their police are not able to bring these culprits to justice, people will have every right to think that police as in other cases has and is siding with the influential not the poor and un-influential victims. Spokesman said that this may also confirm that our society as a whole has lost every moral and human instinct and un-influential have only to suffer without any remedy.

  • NC calls for stern action, investigation against Officers of Health Department 

    Srinagar: National Conference has taken strong note of the allegations leveled against some senior officers of the Health Department against whom a complaint of harassment and sexual assault was made by a Staff Nurse posted in Primary Health Center at Pahalgam and asked the government to ensure a free and fair investigation into the matter.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, while welcoming the timely and swift registration of a case against the accused, NC Spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu has said that there was absolutely no doubt that the State Government would ensure a time-bound probe and initiate strict disciplinary action against those found guilty. The NC Spokesman also welcomed the strong notice taken by the Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission about this incident.

    Mattu said the State Government had demonstrated its commitment to the safety of women employees in both public and private sectors by ensuring adherence to the Vishaka Guidelines that lay down guidelines to be followed by establishments in dealing with complaints about sexual harassment at the workplace. “While the State Government has ensured compliance to a significant extent, we are sure that more systems will be put in place to deal with such complaints effectively and fairly”, Mattu added.

    Mattu said that the National Conference constitution includes as its integral part, the non-negotiable right of women to dignity, respect and honor and the party continues to hold these values supreme without any exceptions or compromises.

    Reiterating that there could be no tolerance for incidents of this nature, the NC Spokesman said that no civilized society could tolerate the harassment of women and that the State Government should ensure speedy trial and a transparent probe into this incident. “We demand that the trial be transparent and time-bound and free of any pressures or influences so that justice could not only be done but also seen to be done so that the faith of the people in the integrity of the justice system is upheld”, Mattu said.

  • PDP voices concern over increase in crime against women

    Happenings unfortunate, indicators of societal rot: Naeem Akhtar

    Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has voiced serious concern over the increase in crime against women in the workplace and around in the society and called for serious societal and the government intervention to counter the disturbing situation.

    In a statement issued to KNS, the party Chief Spokesperson, Naeem Akhtar, said the reports in media about the women being getting harassed has become a common thing now in a society which has always held its women folk in high esteem. “The reports are highly disturbing and these not only call for serious intervention at the societal level but stringent action by the government,” he added.

    Naeem said the happenings are very serious and indicators of deep societal rot and the government apathy in stopping the crime has further added to the vulnerability of women folk. Referring to the last year’s high profile molestation case involving Shabir Khan, former health minister, he said by showing a clear bias in the case the government has encouraged others to follow the trend. “Had government acted seriously in Shabir Khan Case a clear message would had gone to the people which would have surely helped to minimize such offences at workplaces,” said Naeem and added the government effort in the case was to shield the accused instead of ensuring justice.

    He said whether in workplaces, educational institutions, public transport system or other places our women are feeling deeply insecure and vulnerable and there are no preventive measures in place to ensure their security. Citing examples of the newly married girl who was found killed in South Kashmir last month and chopping off the ear of an unfortunate girl by stalkers in the same area few days back, Naeem said such incidents have given rise to crisis like situation in the society. “Molestation of the student by her school teacher in Yaripora area of Kulgam district is the latest addition into the crisis.”

    He said the government must take serious note of the complaint about an alleged assault on a lady employee in Health Department and the matter must be probed in transparent and fair-manner. He said our women have suffered immensely for the last more than 20 years and now and the unfortunate incidents taking place almost every day have become a source of constant worry and shame.

  • Suresh Raina to train Kashmiri cricket aspirants

    Srinagar: A known Indian cricketer Suresh Raina Saturday while acknowledging the talent of Kashmiri cricketers promised that he will personally train and guide them in the near future.

    According to the KNS correspondent, Suresh Raina was invited by Kashmir’s renowned business man Adil Nissar to his hometown South Kashmir. Reports maintained that Raina arrived in South Kashmir’s Anchi door area of South Kashmir. Reports informed that Wazvan was served to Raina with people in large numbers meeting him and welcoming him.

    There were also large number of Kashmir’s cricketers who met Raina and discussed the problems faced by them while playing the game loved by millions across the world.  Raina, according to the reports was much impressed with the zeal of Kashmiris for playing cricket. The Indian cricket star while promising personal training stated that he will guide them and inform them about the technicalities involved while playing cricket.

    Raina is an Indian cricketer from Rainawari, Srinagar. He is an attacking left-handed middle-order batsman and an occasional off-spin bowler. He plays for Uttar Pradesh in all forms of domestic cricket and is the vice-captain of Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. He has also captained the Indian cricket team and is the second youngest player to captain India. He is only Indian to score a century in all three formats of the game. He is also the highest run-getter and has taken the most catches in the IPL.

    Raina made his ODI debut in 2005 against Sri Lanka at the age of 18. However, his Test debut came only five years later, in 2010, against the same opposition. He scored a hundred on his Test debut (120). He holds the record for having played the most ODIs before making Test debut. He was a part of India’s World Cup winning team of 2011.

  • Kar wants Congress to join hands with PDP

    Admits PDP wave in the state, says party will sweep LA polls

    Srinagar:  Admitting that the state is witnessing the PDP wave at present and the party is going to make the next government here, senior Congress leader Gulam Rasool Kar Saturday said that Congress must approach Mufti to save face in JK;s political scenario.

    Kar while talking to KNS stated that the way PDP swept all the three seats of valley during the recently held LS polls vindicates that people now have identified themselves with the policies of the party. “It is for sure that PDP is going to make the next government in the state and the state Congress must forge an alliance with the party so that its image could be saved in state’s political world,” said a 93 year old Congress veteran who also was the member of the state constituent assembly.

    Explaining the reasons for Congress’s debacle in the state, Kar remarked that ahead of polls in the state, there used to be the traditional in the state Congress that election on the party level was carried so that promising candidates could be fielded in the polls. “Now that chapter has been closed down and the results are before all of us and even my contributions for the party were undermined as I was not consulted ahead of the LS polls.”

    Kar predicted that the state Congress will witness the likewise debacle during the forthcoming polls if the remedial measures are not taken at an earliest. “The state Congress must forge an alliance with the PDP so that its face could somehow be saved during the ongoing critical times.” 

  • Separatists to be taken on board during Kashmir talks: Dulat

    ‘Remain hopeful for Kashmir resolution during Modi’s tenure’

    Srinagar: Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief and Vajpayee’s advisor on Kashmir A S Dulat Saturday remarked that Kashmir’s separatist camp must remain optimistic about the settlement of Kashmir issue during the Modi led government and that they will be taken on board once the talks on this vexed issue are initiated.

    Commenting over Mirwaiz’s recent statement wherein he had cautioned that Kashmir is being polarized on religious lines, Dulat told KNS that the Huriyat (M) chief might have expressed his apprehensions and that no such effort shall be taken by the Government of India (GOI) that could trigger any disruption in the himaliyan region.

    Dulat maintained that talks over the Kashmir resolution have not be started yet and that the same are expected in the near future. “It is just the beginning of the new government at New Delhi. It would be too early to say when the talks shall be started but yes we can say that the same are expected to be witnessed soon,” said the former RAW chief, adding that Kashmir’s pro-freedom camp will possibly taken on board once the process of talks are started.

    “Why not. The separatists should be taken on board. They should be taken on board. The confidence building measures and the related aspects will be keenly looked into,” Dulat said. When asked about the reports over the possible return of Pandits and the various dimensions related to the issue, he stated that GOI is actively working for the safe return of the pundits who left valley during the early hours of the armed rebellion in Kashmir. “There must be consensus over the safe return of the pundits to valley. It would be really a great opportunity for the peace to get prevailed in Kashmir.”

    Dulat said that the recent statement of chairman Huriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq that the state is being ‘polarized’ could be an apprehension and that no such measure shall ever be taken by New Delhi. “There are the media reports going all over wherein analysis of the future is presented to the masses. Mirwaiz might have expressed his worry and that is it. ”

    Dulat served as the Head of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) from 1999 to 2000. On superannuation, he was re-employed as advisor on Kashmir in the Prime Minister’s Office from January 2001 to May 2004. He joined the Indian Police Service (Rajasthan Cadre) in 1965 and after a short stint of couple of years in the state; he was seconded to the Ministry of Home Affairs (Intelligence Bureau) in March 1969. Dulat served in the security service for 30 years and First Secretary in the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu (1976-80). He is a member of the National Security Advisory Board.

  • ‘Mufti ready to become next Sadiq’: Dr. Farooq

    Srinagar: National Conference Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah has said that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was prepared to play a collaborator’s role in the abrogation of Article 370 along the lines of G. M. Sadiq who helped in abolishing the positions of the Prime Minister and Sadar-e-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir and became the State’s first Chief Minister in 1965.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, Dr. Farooq, while interacting with public delegations from Ganderbal and other areas across the Valley who called on the Party President at NC Headquarters at Nawa-e-Subah in Srinagar said that a surreptitious political battle had been launched against Article 370 and the State of J&K by RSS and BJP. “What is most worrying is not the fact that the State has powerful enemies. What is tragic is the fact that there are internal collaborators and foes within our State who are ready to do the bidding of those who have pledged to abrogate Article 370 in their election manifesto”, Dr. Farooq said.

    Speaking to various delegations of party workers at the NC Headquarters today, Dr. Farooq said that there were serious apprehensions in the hearts and minds of the people here about RSS’s long standing dream to do away with Article 370 – a cause in the defense of which Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah spent more than two decades in various Indian prisons. “Sheikh Sahib gave us Article 370 for a reason and today we know the importance of Article 370. Those blaming National Conference for the erosion of Article 370 are either ignorant of history or are politically motivated. It was during the period of 1953 to 1975 that Article 370 was eroded while Sheikh Sahib was dismissed from the post of Prime Minister on 9th August 1953 for standing up for the aspirations of the people of J&K”, Dr. Farooq said.

    Dr. Farooq said that Sheikh Sahib signed the Delhi Agreement in 1952 with the Central government on Center-State relationships, providing for Autonomy of the State within India and of regions within the State. “However Sheikh Sahib was arrested in 1953 for standing up for the sentiments and aspirations of the people and pliant regimes were installed in J&K to facilitate the erosion of the State’s autonomous character. Damage done by G . M. Sadiq to Article 370 was the most grievous assault on the identity and autonomy of J&K and today the same Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who was a lieutenant of Sadiq when Sadiq eroded Article 370, is ready to fulfill what was left of their mission then”, Dr. Farooq said.

    Stating that the 1975 Indira-Sheikh Accord was signed on the premise of restoring Article 370 to its original form, Dr. Farooq said that there was a promise from New Delhi that the erosion in Article 370 between 1953 to 1975 would be reversed and Internal Autonomy would be restored. “However this never happened because of political intrigues, anti-J&K lobbies in Delhi and breach of trust. National Conference has never budged from its stand of demanding the restoration of Autonomy and Article 370. We fulfilled our election promise when we passed the Autonomy Resolution in the State Assembly in 2000 but tragically the NDA government of that time didn’t acknowledge the legal and constitutional importance of a resolution passed by a democratically elected Legislative Assembly”, Dr. Farooq said.

    Dr. Farooq said that NC’s slogan of restoring Article 370 and Internal Autonomy was not to fool the people but was based on the dedication of National Conference to stand by the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Also present on the occasion were NC Additional General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, NC Spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu and NC Vice-Provincial President Mushtaq Ahmed Guru besides senior party functionaries and leaders.

  • Renaming POK as POJK a non-issue for Geelani’s Huriyat

    Rejects both names, debate on this issue

    Srinagar: As the speculations galore that Narendra Modi-led NDA government at New Delhi is renaming “Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) as Pakistan-Occupied Jammu-Kashmir”, the Huriyat Conference (G) led by Syed Ali Geelani termed the development a ‘non-issue’- maintaining that the amalgam rejects both the names.

    “It is a non- issue for us. We don’t accept the terminology wherein the word occupied is used, whether it is ‘Kashmir’ or ‘Jammu Kashmir’ expected to be used for other side of the divided line, said Huriyat Conference (G) chief spokesman Ayaz Akbar.

    Akbar told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that if the amalgam raises concern about the renaming issue then it would be tantamount that it was endorsing the earlier name. “For us and for the people of this nation, it is Azad Kashmir and not the Pakistan occupied Kashmir.”

    Substantiating his claims, the Huriyat (G) spokesman stated that the other side of Kashmir is being termed as ‘Azad’ because Pakistan has always supported Kashmir cause and has represented Kashmir case at various international forums. “Pakistan itself terms Kashmir as a dispute and stresses for its resolution in accordance to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir.”

    Akbar remarked that the word Jammu being inducted into the terminology is aimed to erode Kashmir’s history and credible background. “The history of this region is described with the word Kashmir and that Jammu is a district included later in state’s name.”

    Pertinently, Huriyat (M) chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while delivering sermon on Friday at Kashmir’s grand mosque stated that Modi government’s proposed move to rename Pakistan Administered Kashmir as “Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK)” in its nomenclature is “fraught with dangerous consequences.”

    The reports were carried earlier by various dailies that centre’s decision to rename the PoK comes in great anticipation for signaling a strategic shift in its own approach to Jammu & Kashmir. This will further have an A-list priority along with the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits on the government’s List of tasks.

  • Congress-NC not to forge pre poll alliance for upcoming assembly elections: Azad

    ‘Development not religion or regionalism basis for deciding justice’

    Banihal: Rajya Sabha MP and Former Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday said that Congress and National Conference have almost made their mind not to forge any pre poll alliance for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

    Talking to KNS on the sidelines of a function in Banihal where he addressed a public gathering, Azad said that he is not one among those politicians who will curse the coalition partner after the coalitions comes to an end. “Our coalition with PDP worked nicely and similarly the present coalition with National Conference is doing well,” Azad told KNS.

    He said that the Congress will weigh it option to forge a post poll alliance only after results of upcoming assembly elections will come out. “The political situation in the state is such that nothing can be said before the results are out. We will weigh our options only after the assembly election results are out,” the former union health minister said.

    The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir also hailed the government decision of enhancing retirement age of the government employees saying that it was already on the coalition government’s agenda and he hopes that now efforts are put in to create a mega employment package for the unemployed youth of the state.

    Earlier while addressing the gathering, Mr. Azad enumerated various developmental activities carried out in the State by the UPA government during the last decade, He said that during the UPA tenure, the centre extended financial support for infrastructure development in the state, adding that the construction of big projects of infrastructure development, road connectivity and a challenging rail link from Jammu to Srinagar was the endeavour of the UPA Government. He said the central government during UPA tenure, sanctioned Rs. 22,000 crore  for construction of  Jammu- Baramulla rail link to connect Valley with rest parts of  Country.

    Azad said  that Rs. 10850 Crores were also sanctioned for construction of prestigious  Four Lanning National Highway  project on which the work is in progress, adding that Ladakh region  would also be linked with the Kashmir Valley through construction of Zojilla Tunnel at Z- Morh for which an amount of Rs. 12,000 Crores have also been earmarked.

    Elaborating the steps taken for improving health sector in the State, Mr. Azad said, recently, he announced five medical colleges and seven cancer institute’s for the state which would  go a long way in providing the best healthcare service to the needy of the state. He said that various employment generation schemes like MGNREGA were also launched for providing guaranteed employment for the people living in rural areas.

    “During UPA’s regime, the development was the basic policy which resulted in such a development which could not be achieved till now since independence, he said and maintained that a huge network of hospitals has been created  in every nook and corner of the state during his tenure”.

    Referring to increasing retirement age of Government employees and eligibility age of unemployed youth by the coalition government under the stewardship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mr. Azad termed the step a historic one. He said that the government has fulfilled the long pending demand of the employees of the state, saying that it would be beneficial for both the employees and unemployed youth. “The government shall fill more than one lakh vacancies in various government departments within two years which shall not only solve the unemployment problem but also improve their socio-economic profile.

    Regarding the food security Bill, he said that the Bill was passed during UPA regime which shall provide food security for all the citizens of the country at very nominal prices, adding that this was historic step which was ever taken by any Government in since independence.

    While thanking people for voting in his favor in the recently Lok Sabha elections, he said that elections should be based upon the policies and party manifestos. He said the people have to keep away from such forces which divide the society on the basis of caste, creed, sex, religion, region and locality. He requested people to vote on development not on the basis of emotions.  He said that development should be the main focus for voting any candidate in future not on the basis of regionalism or religion. Minister of State for Technical Education and Senior Congress leader, Vikar Rasool Wani, Legislators Sham Lal Baghat and Mohammad Amin Bhat were also present on this occasion.

  • Afsar Khan narrates his woeful tale of ‘torture’

    Srinagar: Muhammad Afsar Khan son of Muhammad Muzaffar resident of Binner Sherwaniabad Baramullah and his wife Zahida narrated a woeful tale about army captain’s alleged repression who is posted at F-Company Venkara Binner Baramullah. While displaying his bruised body, Muhammad Afsar Khan, the father of seven daughters told CNS that from past one year 46 Rashtriya Rifles F-Company Captain Balihan aka Major Saleemaka Gabar Singh is after him and compelling him to act as his informer. “I am a driver by profession and in 1995 I was working for militant outfit Al-Baraq as upper ground worker. I never crossed the border. Like other Kashmiri youth I shunned the path of militancy and started living a peaceful life. Everything was fine till last year,” he said adding that the said army captain for the reasons better known to him called him to his camp and asked him to work for him. He told me that he will give him reward in case, “I help him in nabbing the militants.” He said that both of them will reap benefits. “You will get rewards and I will get promotion. Shake hands with me without any delay,” the Captain said.

    “My refusal infuriated him and from that day he started harassing me and my family on the one or the other pretext. Why should I act as an Army informer for a petty sum? I don’t want to get killed because I have seven daughters,” Afsar said.

    He said in January this year Captain Balihan picked him up and interrogated him. “When my wife informed the Panch Syed Shah and another respectable citizen Ghulam Muhammad Bhat about my illegal detention, he set me free on the condition that we will not take up the matter with the higher authorities,” he said.

    Her wife Zahida said that time Captain Balihan assured her that he will never touch her husband again. “I was shocked on May 29 last month when my father informed me that Captain Balihan dragged my husband from the vehicle near Stadium Gate Baramulla and took him along inside the army camp,” Zahid said.

    “I was on way to Baramulla to fetch rice when Captain Balihan stopped the vehicle and detained me. He took me inside a dark room. He along with his body guards interrogated me without any reason. The body guards of another Captain Pradhan joined the chorus. I can easily identify them. They forced me take off my all clothes and used all their energy to torture me. It was a nightmare and they continuously interrogated me for four hours,” Afsar said adding that blood oozed out from his ears, nose and mouth. “Have a look over my body and see what they did to me,” he added.

    Her wife Zahida said that she spent whole day outside Stadium gate and raised hue and cry the day when her husband was dragged from the vehicle. “I almost become a commodity that fateful day. I continuously knocked at the army gate to get my husband released. Locals who wanted to come close to me to enquire about the matter, were beaten up by army personnel deployed at the gate,” Zahida said.

    Afsar said that when his condition deteriorated during interrogation, Captain Balihan  handed him over to the local police. “Initially after seeing my condition police refused to take me along but finally they shifted me to Kantabagh hospital and treated me well. “I am thankful to Jammu and Kashmir police for taking care of me,” he said adding that his Samsung Galaxy mobile is still lying with the said Captain. He said that the Captain also snatched Rs 10000 from him during the interrogation.

    Muhammad Afsar Khan alleged that during interrogation, Captain Balihan hanged anAK-47 rifle around his neck and a pistol in his hand and while clicking several photographs, told him that, “this is sufficient proof to dub me as a hardcore militant whenever he needs,” he said and appealed army authorities to take cognizance of the matter and save him from the wrath of the said Captain.

    Srinagar based Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel N. N. Joshi said that it is all baseless and there is no truth in it. He said it is only an attempt to malign the image of the army. “Afsar Khan was an active OGW whose activities came to light. Based on the inputs, he was apprehended and handed over to police on the same day,” Joshi said.

    Deputy Inspector General of Police North Kashmir Range Ghulam Hassan Bhat said that Army had called the said person for questioning. “They released him on the same day after he was found innocent. If he is all praise for the police then he should have approached the top police brass,” he said adding that he would certainly look into the matter.