Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Aasiya, Neelofar represent new turning point in HR history in J&K: Mehbooba

    Pays glowing tributes to victims

    Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti, has paid glowing tributes to Aasiya and Neelofar of Shopian on their fourth death anniversary.

    Expressing solidarity with the families of victims she said justice was denied to the two unfortunate women. Mehbooba said Aasiya and Neelofar represent a new turning point in the history of human rights in Jammu & Kashmir, as their brutal murder and assault created an unprecedented outrage within the state and outside.

    She said the denial of justice to these young ladies and their devastated families created a new awareness about the inability of the present government to value human life.

    The PDP president said the brave efforts made by the people of Shopian to seek justice were muzzled through brute force and the ruling government set a new example in vindictiveness and vengeance by lodging cases against the family of the victims, their lawyers and medical professionals.

  • Omar, Dr Farooq offer prayers at Hazratbal

    Srinagar: On the Friday following Meraj-ul-Aalam Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and President National Conference, Dr Farooq Abdullah offered prayers at Dargah Hazratbal.

    It was the first visit of the duo to Dargah, after their party suffered badly in the Lok Sabha elections.

    According to statement issued by the government, Omar Abdullah and Dr Farooq Abdullah extended Meraj greetings to the people and prayed for their well-being.

    “They also prayed for peace and prosperity of the State,” the statement said.

  • Kashmir festival from June 21-29

    Tourism starting seasonal festivals: Mir

    Srinagar: The Government would provide various facilities related to adventure tourism including water sports, paragliding etc. to the tourists visiting Kashmir during the summer festival commencing from 21 June to 29 June in Valley.

    This information was given by the Minister for Tourism G.A. Mir, while addressing a press conference here today.

    Mir while giving a detailed resume of the facilities which are being provided to the tourists said that in order to promote tourism sector, guest houses, hotels, restaurant and related infrastructure with advance facilities needs to be upgraded, adding that government is formulating a comprehensive programme for up-gradation of tourism related infrastructure at potential spots to provide much needed accommodation facilities to meet out the requirement of tourist sector in the State.

    The Minister informed that the department is holding several adventure sports related activities like water sports, paragliding that had not been exploited to its full potential yet.

    Mir said that the Tourism department is organising four festivals in a year to celebrate spring, summer, autumn and winter   seasons which would result in more tourist influx in the state. Mir said that the rural tourism which has been introduced in the State and tourist related infrastructure is being created at identified rural tourist destinations out of which tourist related infrastructure in 29 villages of the State has been created.

    He appealed the hoteliers of the Valley for providing quality boarding and lodging facilities to the tourists which would earn a good name for them and would boost economy and would provided much needed employment opportunity to un-employed youth of the State.

  • Government’s Stubborn Attitude Unfortunate: DAK

    ‘Hospital work will remain suspended on Friday between 10 to 11 AM’

    Srinagar: Spokesperson Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK) on Thursday termed the ‘stubborn attitude of government as unfortunate’.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, the spokesman has said: “The Indifferent approach of government towards public anger on DAK President’s suspension is painful. Whole nation is up in arms against the suspension of Dr Nisar ul Hassan, but the government is turning a deaf ear to it.”

    The statement added: “Medical fraternity, civil societies, sociopolitical organizations are chest beating to revoke suspension of Dr Nisar but the government is not paying any heed to it. Poor patients in SMHS Hospital are suffering because of suspension of Dr Nisar. Every heart bleeds but it seems as if government has no conscience and is not bothered with public sufferings.”

    The DAK has decided to suspend routine work in all the hospitals of the valley tomorrow on May 30, from 10 am to 11 am to protest the unjustified suspension of Dr Nisar. “We are forced to take this drastic step due to the callous and insensitive attitude of government. The impact of this step on patient care will lie on the government as they forced us to take this step. DAK further said that doctors and paramedics will stage protests during the striking hour against the suspension order.”

  • Shah visits Tangmarg to express condolences

    Srinagar: A delegation of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK) led by its senior most leader Shabir Ahmad Shah today visited Chandi Lora, Tangmarg to express solidarity with the bereaved family of prominent personality of resistance movement Shaheed Prof Waheed on the sad demise of his mother.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, while paying tributes to the mother of Prof Waheed, Shah said it is a matter of pride that she gave birth to such pro-freedom personality.  He said the life is a test and we should try to lead this limited life by doing good deeds and try to be selfless.

    Shah said those who surrender themselves to the will of Allah and acknowledge only his supremacy over all, never surrender themselves to any man made system. They can’t bear slavery at any cost, he said. On the occasion, Shah while terming the deceased as the first institution of Shaheed Prof Waleed, prayed for her heavenly abode and for the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.

    The delegation apart from Shabir Ahmad Shah included Molvi Bashir Ahmad, Muhammad Yasin Ataai, Ghulam Rasool Nawaz, Sheikh Zameer and other activists. 

  • PDP nominates Sharma as Gen Sec; Parra as Youth President

    Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Ms Mehbooba Mufti has made some appointments in the party. Stating this today the party Chief Spokesman, Naeem Akhtar, said that Yashpal Sharman has been appointed as General Secretary of the party, who will look after the organisation in Jammu province. A veteran politician Sharma is currently Member of State Legislative Council. He brings to this crucial organisational position a diverse experience and organizational skills.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, Akhtar said Waheed ur Rehman Parra has been appointed as the president of the youth wing of the party.

    Para, who hails from Naira village in the south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, has studied International Peace and Conflict Studies from Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, and was also awarded peace scholarship by the SIT Graduate Institute, Vermont USA.

    A writer, Para contributes for multiple think tanks around the world, besides writes columns for the local dailies. He has been involved with various youth related activities in J&K, and has spoken at multiple national and international forums. He has attended SAARC emerging leaders program at Nepal, few years back. He also did a course in investigative journalism from the renowned Bostan University, USA.

  • With corruption level increasing, only junior level officials in Vigilance net

    83 percent cases pending, challan produced against 17%

    Srinagar: With the corruption eating into vitals of Jammu and Kashmir, reports reveal that only the clerks and junior level officials have been caught by the vigilance organisation with a negligible number of cases registered against the employees of the gazetted cadre.

    According to the details available with KNS, from January 2011 to present, 181 cases of corruption have been registered in state’s vigilance organization among which challan has been produced of only 17 percent and 83 percent of the registered cases are under investigation.

    Details maintained that 21 percent of the registered cases are of the officials belonging to revenue department including patwaris and others. 50 percent of the cases were registered against the junior level officials and only 10 percent of the cases are of the employees belonging to state’s gazzeted cadre.

    Reports informed that in 2011 in Jammu 86 cases were registered among which challans have been produced against 11 cases while as 75 cases are under investigation. In 2012, 28 cases were registered and challans were produced against 10 employees. In 2013, 17 cases registered and all cases are under investigation. Also in 2014 when 13 cases of corruption have been registered, no challan was produced.

    In Kashmir region, during 2011, 28 cases were registered and 12 challans were produced while as 16 cases are still under investigation. In 2012, 34 cases were registered and 8 challans were produced while as 26 cases are still under investigation.

    In 2013, 19 cases were registered among which one challan was produced and 18 cases are under investigation. During the current year, 14 cases have been registered with the vigilance organization among which no challan has been produced so far and all cases are under investigation. 

  • Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was party to Art 370: Rana

    Welcomes Indo-Pak bonhomie

    Srinagar: Wondering over the stance taken by Bharatiya Janata Party over abrogation of Article 370, Provincial President National Conference  Devender Singh Rana on Thursday revealed that this constitutional proviso had full endorsement of even Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the founder of Jana Sangh, the earlier avatar of BJP.

    “How can they wish away this historical fact while generating passions over the issue”, he said while referring to the debates of the Constituent Assembly wherein  Mukherjee, in his capacity as a member, never opposed the Article 370 and became a signatory to the Constitution.

    Rana was addressing a press conference at Sher-e- Kashmir Bhavan here this afternoon. He was flanked by senior provincial leadership.  Rana reiterated that Article 370 is a bridge between Jammu and Kashmir and rest of the country while  assailing the policy statement of the Union Government with regard to initiation of ‘process of scrapping this vital constitutional proviso’.

    “National Conference opposes any such move which jeopardizes the legitimate guarantee enshrined in the Constitution of India for the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh”, the Provincial President said while addressing a press conference at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this evening.

    Rana sought to clear the mist over myth and reality revolving around this constitutional proviso, saying Article 370 cannot be abrogated. He said his party would appreciate a debate, which in fact has already been volunteered by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, with any political party across the country. “We are not shying away from deliberating over this issue”, he said and referred to his participation in a seminar on it in Jammu recently which was attended among others by senior BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi. He said Article 370 is part of Indian Constitution which has come into force after detailed and threadbare discussions by stalwarts like Sardar Patel, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Gopalaswamy Aiyenger and Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Mirza Afzal Beig and Moti Ram Baigda.

    The Provincial President wondered over the perception being generated over Article 370 with vested interests projecting those speaking in favour of this provision as anti-national. “This peculiar mindset is to be shunned”, he said, adding that the bogey over Article 370 being raised by BJP is not new. “They have been raking up this issue in different manifestations for the past six decades and the difference is only that during elections the intensity becomes more pronounced”, he said while cautioning against polarizing the situation on this sensitive issue.

    Rana urged the people not to get carried away by the mischievous propaganda unleashed by the proponents of abrogation of Article 370 on the plea that it was coming in the way of development of Jammu and Kashmir. “This is erroneous perception spread with malicious intent”, he maintained.  He also sought to off-set the misconception on interlinking Article 370 with State Subject Laws saying the latter had been conceived and implemented by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1927 to safeguard the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

    The Provincial President said that rhetoric on Article 370 is in contravention to the spirit generated by Prime Minister Narinder Modi while stressing inclusiveness of his government. “The statement of the Minister of State in PMO has vitiated this spirit”, he said, adding that the remarks cannot be ignored as off-the-cuff.

    When asked by a reporter that the Minister concerned has backtracked from the statement which snowballed into a huge controversy, the Provincial President said it has been partial and limited only to the extent of the mention of Prime Minster”. He said the Union Government should come out with its stand over the issue

    Rana made a passionate appeal to political class not to whip up passions in order to polarize the society. He emphasized the need for addressing to the genuine issues concerning the common people rather than indulging in rhetoric. He said media can play a predominant role in this regard so that political discourse is concentrated on the issues of inclusive development.

    “Let’s pursue progressive and not the regressive agenda”,  Rana added. The Provincial President was flanked by senior party leaders, Peer Mushtaq Ahmed Shah Bukhari,  Rattan Lal Gupta, Th Kashmira Singh,  Brij Mohan Sharma, Babu Rampal, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Smt. Bimla Luthra,  Jugal Mahajan. S. Gurdeep Singh Sassan, Smt. Vijay Lakshmi Dutta, Dharamveer Singh Jamwal, Chander Mohan Sharma, Taranjeet Singh Tony, Surinder Singh Bunty, Mohammad Ayub Malik, Abdul Gani.

  • Shopian deaths: Protest rock Kashmir University

    Srinagar: On the eve of fifth death anniversary of two Shopian women, dozens of Kashmir University students on Thursday staged a protest sit-in in Hazratbal campus of the varsity, witnesses said here.

    The two women Asiya and Nelofar were found dead in Ranbir Ara canal in Shopian on 30th May 2009. The locals and their families alleged that the duo was ‘raped and murdered’ by government forces. However, an enquiry by India’s premier investigation agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, concluded that the duo died ‘due to drowning’.

    Meanwhile, as scheduled, dozens of students appeared outside Allama Iqbal Library and chanted pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. The students were carrying placards some of which read: ‘Wake Up…The Time Is Now’ and ‘Freedom Lies in Being Bold’.

    “Some of the students also recited poems and delivered speeches,” an eyewitness told GNS, adding the anti-India and pro-Geelani slogans were also raised on the occasion.

    “We should not forget these sacrifices. Our goal is freedom,” a student, while addressing other students, said. Many students recounted past cases of rapes of Kashmir women allegedly by government which created a charged atmosphere, witnesses said.

    “In the end, Pakistan National Anthem was sung by students,” a scribe told GNS. The protest was organized by the banned Kashmir University Students’ Union (KUSU).

    A student spoke about the case history that included coverup of the case by puppet regime, concocted CBI report, 48-day shutdown by people of Shopian and the valley wide protests that followed the heinous incident. Student speakers from various departments spoke about varying perspectives and experiences of indian military occupation. They debated and out-rightly rejected occupational machinizations of controlling the populace of Kashmir in the ambit of probes, inquiries and judicial commissions,” a KUSU spokesman said in a statement issued to GNS.

     

  • One more solider shoots self in Rajouri

    Srinagar: An Army soldier reportedly committed suicide on Thursday in Rajouri by shooting himself with his service rifle. According to the reports received by KNS, an army Jawan of 198 Field Regiment, namely Satish Chander, committed suicide by shooting himself dead with his service  rifle. Trend of suicide among the soldiers posted in Jammu and Kashmir is increasing as a soldier of Rashitriya Rifles (RR) committed suicide in south Kashmir’s Pulwama area on May 23.The similar incident was reported from Poonch recently wherein a solider of JK Light Infantry after killing his two other colleagues by his service rifle, shot himself.