Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Bar extends support to Mirwaiz’s strike call

    Asks people to boycott the forthcoming polls
    Srinagar: High Court Bar Association while extending its support to the call given by Huriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for April 12 against the grant of extension in lease of Tosmaidan land , stated that  it impresses upon the international community to put pressure on GOI by asking it to respect the commitments made by it to the people of Kashmir both inside and outside its Parliament and at the International fora .
    “Instead of allowing its forces to occupy more and more land in the state forcibly or otherwise for strengthening their illegal occupation, India must take immediate and concrete steps with regard to the implementation of U.N. Resolutions on Kashmir,” read the statement issued to KNS.
     The Bar Association stated that there will be no peace in the Sub-Continent unless Kashmir ‘dispute’ is resolved in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir and a chance is provided to them to decide about their future.
    “The Bar Association also wants to remind the people that holding of elections in the State in presence of more than a million armed forces is violative of U.N. Resolutions of 1951 and 1957 and as it is in no way a substitute for the right of self-determination, but as it is being projected otherwise before the International Community, therefore, they should boycott both Parliamentary and Assembly Elections being held in the State under Indian patronage.” (KNS)

  • Coming polls a battle between 2 ideologies: Rahul

    Reached Doda, Campaigned for Azad
    Srinagar: The Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Friday took a dig on BJP accusing it of fanning communal fires in India.
    In his 24 minutes address to a joint public rally organized by Congress and National Conference at Doda stadium today, Rahul said that the forthcoming elections will be a fight between two ideologies.
    According to KNS Doda correspondent, Rahul said that he cherishes a special relation with the people of Jammu and Kashmir as he has family roots with this place. “I cannot feel your pain and miseries as at present I am not living here but I can assure you that I will be always at the forefront with the helping hand to support you.”
    Stating that he was cautioned not to visit University of Kashmir in the past, Rahul said that he undermined all the suggestions and despite visited the varsity and listened to students’ grievances.  I personally persuaded the industrialists to visit university campus for the job placement drive and through Udaan and Himayat, thousands were benefited at large.
    Rahul stated that the expansion of railways in the state was done on priority and the six way lane on Jammu-Srinagar highway cannot be undermined. “Mughal road and Zojila tunnel are the achievements that must be looked into.”
    The INC vice-president stated that rupees 750 crore are being spent so that the woman of the state could be empowered by launching self employment schemes. “In UP, more than 10 lakh women were empowered with such schemes and the same shall be followed here with zeal and zest. I took Omar along to UP so that he could get the idea of the scheme at UP and implements the same in JK.”
    “We did three big works in the state- One is incorporation of Panchayat raj act, generation of employment and third is empowerment of women,” Rahul said. Expressing confidence that Congress- NC alliance will register a marvelous win in Jammu and Kashmir, Rahul said that everyone will be taken along towards the path of development in the state.
    Rahul while alleging that BJP stole the manifesto of Congress said that it took the party six months to prepare the manifesto but BJP stole it. “We went to people, listened to their grievances and then prepared the manifesto but it took BJP a movement to steal everything.”
    Rahul was addressing an election rally organised jointly by National Conference and state Congress to campaign for its candidate, Ghulam Nabi Azad. The Congress vice president reached Doda, and addressed a huge gathering in the local ground. He was flanked by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and state congress president Saif-ul-din Soz, senior Congress leaders Abdul Majid Wani, Mohammad Sharief Niyaz and NC leader Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo. (KNS)

  • Mirwaiz for troops withdrawal from J&K

    Srinagar: The Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has demanded withdrawal of troops from all the areas of Jammu & Kashmir including Tosa Maidan.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, he appealed the people to make strike call on April 12 against the any extension of lease to Tosa Maidan a success. He asked the people to express resistance against the increasing militarization in Kashmir and show complete solidarity towards the movement and its cherished goal.

    Addressing a mammoth gathering   at Jamia Masjid Srinagar before Friday prayers Mirwaiz said that the issue of Tosa Maidan was not separate from Kashmir issue and said further that while we will resist the use of land in Tosa Maidan by Army but at the same time our demand for total withdrawal of troops from Jammu and Kashmir remains intact.
    The Hurriyat Chairman rejected the so called elections in Jammu and Kashmir and described these as useless exercise and Tug of war of power politics.  He declared that Kashmiris have never shown any interest in these elections because these dramas have been enacted right from 1947 and this futile exercise did not bring about any change here.
    The Hurriyat chairman announced a programme against social evils and said that awareness is to be created among the masses in this regard. Announcing an awareness programme against the social evils Mirwaiz said that we cannot overcome the difficulties and obstacles faced at political and social level without the complete cooperation and participation on the people.
    Mirwaiz announced that a meeting of Ulemas, Imams of Mosques and prominent personalities is being convened on 13th April Sunday at Androon Kathi Darwaza. Appealing the people to make the campaign successful Mirwaiz sought complete cooperation from the people to eradicate the social evils present in our society and thus make the establishment of a religion loving and free from vice society possible. He said that he himself has reserved one day in a week for social reform campaign.
    He lamented that our youth were getting involved in drugs and other social evils, obscenity of the internet and other un-Islamic activities. He said that apart from Srinagar he is going to visit different areas of the Valley to create awareness against these evils found in our society.  He said that our society was based on Islamic values but unfortunately is now drifting away from the high moral values of the religion.
    Meanwhile, Senior Hurriyat leader Aga Sayed Hassan Al Moosvi Alsafvi addressed a Friday congregation at Budgam. He appealed the people to make the Hartal call a success. The Hurriyat leaders Javiad Ahmad Mir, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, Sayed Saleem Geelani, Hakeem Abdul Rashid, Sayed Bashir Andrabi and Gh. Nabi war also addressed the gathering at various places of the valley. (KNS)

     

  • Kashmir’s tulips attract Bollywood

    Srinagar: With the opening up of Tulip Garden in Srinagar Bollywood filmmakers have started turning up in Kashmir, their favorite shooting destination.
    The shooting for the Bollywood Hindi movie ‘Raj Dand’ and another Bojpuri movie ‘Villian-A Love Story’ is in progress and the crew associated with these two movies is camping in Kashmir. Villian-A Love Story’ is the first Bojpori film which is being shot in Kashmir.
    “There is one complete song based on Kashmir and in it we depicted the beauty of Kashmir and its enchanting and mesmerizing landscape,” Director of the movie ‘Raj Dand’ said adding that the lexis of the song is ‘Tera Ishq Kashmir Aana’ and it has been picturised on the Bollywood new entrant Rudramani Singh and actress Parvati Mirban and Nisha Parmar. The movie also casts Praesh Rawal and Ashutosh Rana.
    The song was shot at Tulip Garden, Gulmarag, Shalimar, Nishat and Harwan. Scores of people thronged Tulip Garden to watch the shooting. “Unfortunately all tulips have not bloomed in the garden yet we found it attractive for the shooting. Instead of showing violence, we showed the inner beauty of the Kashmir which according to me is jewel in the ring,” Director Azad said.
    Both the Hindi and Bojpuri movies have been shot in the Valley with the assistance of Jabbar Tour and Travels.
    Media incharge Jabar Tour and Travels Khurshid Ahmed said that in coming days the crew will shoot at Botanical Garden, Shalimar, Dal Lake and Cheshma Shahi. “We are highly obliged to Department of Tourism and Department of Floriculture for supporting and assisting us to organize the shootings of these movies,” he said.
    Actor Rudramani said that the beauty of Kashmir has mesmerized him and he is repenting why he has not been here before. “I had heard about Kashmir and watched it on screen only but now I realized what Kashmir is all about. It is an amazing place and I appeal all to visit here and enjoy the Creators creation,” he said. (CNS)

  • Governor releases “Lal Chowk” and “Rameshwari Nehru”

    Jammu: N.N. Vohra, Governor, released a novel, titled “Lal Chowk” written by Kashmiri Lal Zakir and a biography, titled “Rameshwari Nehru”, written by Prof. Kamlesh Mohan, Department of Modern History, Punjab University, in a book release function held at Raj Bhavan, today.
    “Lal Chowk”, a novel in Urdu, reflects the nostalgic reminiscences of the author about his childhood and youth spent in the Lal Chowk, at Srinagar.
    “Rameshwari Nehru”, a biography in English, is the first in the series on‘Women of Substance’ which are being published by the National Book Trust to salute the women who worked for the emancipation and empowerment of their gender, an official spokesman told Valley Media Service in a statement.
    In his brief observations on the occasion the Governor congratulated Zakir Sahib for continuing to write even though he is over 95 years in age. Noting that “Lal Chowk” was the 138th literary work of Zakir Sahib, which was a record of its own kind, the Governor regretted that the author, a subject of J&K and the seniormost living author in Urdu in the entire sub-continent, had still to be recognized by the State for his most outstanding contributions in the advancement of Urdu language and literature. Naseem Ahmed, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, also paid rich tributes to Zakir Sahib’s excellent contribution to literature.
    The Governor also appreciated the work being done by Prof. Kamlesh Mohan and wished her continuing success in her literary endeavours.
    Among others, the event was attended by Dr. Sudhir Bloeria, Vice Chancellor, Central University, Balwant Thakur, Director, Natrang, and Ved Bhasin, Chairman of The Kashmir Times.

  • BJP leader forced to pay money on gun-point

    Pulwama: Next time you travel by Kakapora-Pulwama road, beware because you don’t know when unidentified gun touting persons would appear in front of you and force you to pay money. This is what happened to Bhartiya Janata Party District President Pulwama on Friday night.
    “I was on way to my home located in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday night. It was 8:30 when two persons in plain clothes stopped my car (JK02T-5020) near Gangoo hamlet and dragged me out of it. One was holding the gun while the other was carrying a rod in his hand,” BJP district president Pulwama Gulzar Ahmed Nengroo said.
     He said that after searching his pockets and purse, they found only Rs 500 and snatched it from him. “They directed me drove towards nearby ATM and said that they need money to purchase clothes. “I was willing to pay them but fled from the spot after telling them to wait in the car, till he fetches cash from the ATM. I thought they would kill me as they seized some BJP letter pads from me which I was carrying,” Nengroo said.
    He said that after fleeing from the spot he informed the police station Pulwama on phone. “The police recovered my abandoned vehicle on Saturday morning near Ratnipora,” he said adding that the incident was not first of its kind that occurred near Gangoo Pulwama but last year also some gunmen attacked the relative of a political leader at the same place.
    Station House Officer Pulwama Reyaz Ahmed confirmed the incident and said that investigation is going on to nab the culprits. “We handed over the vehicle that we recovered near Ratnipora to the BJP District president,” he said. (CNS)

  • Train services suspended after passengers protest

    Srinagar: Train services here remained suspended for several hours after locals staged protest demonstrations over the dearth of space in the train.
    According to the reports received by KNS, locals of South Kashmir blocked the train route and started raising slogans against the authorities over the dearth of space available in the train for travelers.
    The protest demonstration gave tough time to the people at large as the train services remained suspended for hours. Locals while registering their protest demonstrations stated that they have at several times submitted before the authorities that the space inside the train must be extended so that the passengers could not face hardships while travelling to their respective locations. 
    Protesters accused that the train services were stated in valley with much hype but at the end of the day, the tall claims of the authorities turned out to be a mere ‘hoax’.  People also started that since the train was started from south Kashmir’s Banihal area, the capacity has not been increased, though several routes have been added.
    Protesters stated that the passengers have to face much hardships due to the huge rush of trains and that the space in the train must be extended at an earliest.
     Later, the police and district administration reached the spot and tried to pacify the mob. It was assured to the protesters that the matter will be taken to the railway authorities. (KNS)

  • Lady consumes poison in Ganderbal

    Srinagar: A lady died while another was shifted to hospital for consuming poison.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, a lady resident Rawathpora Tangmarg who was undergoing treatment at SMHS hospital, Srinagar for consuming some poisonous substance at her home on 07th this month expired today at the hospital. The body was handed over to her next of kins for last rites. Police has already registered a case in this regard.
    A lady (name with held) resident of Bunjar Basti, Gutli Bagh consumed some poisonous substance at her home in the jurisdiction of Police Station Ganderbal. She was shifted to Sub District Hospital Ganderbal for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard. (KNS)

  • Soldier’s misfire triggers panic in Hanwdara

    Cache recovered from Zoonreshi encounter site
    Srinagar: Panic gripped Chotipora village in Handwara town after service rifle of an army soldier went off accidentally in the area.
    Eyewitnesses told GNS that the army men of 30 RR were conducting routine patrolling along Mawer – Handwara road near Chotipora village in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday morning when a soldier’s service rifle went off. The other soldiers mistook the accidental fire as a militant attack and fired aerial shots.
    The gunshots created panic in the area with the locals running towards the safer places.
    “We were worried after we heard several gunshots in the village. In the meantime we saw army men taking positions in the area”, Mohammad Ismayeel, a local told GNS, adding that within few minutes everything was going normal.
    When contacted army’s Srinagar based spokesperson said that it was a case of misfire.
    Meanwhile, Police on Thursday claimed to have recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter site at Zoona Reshi, Kupwara.
    “The arms and ammunitions include 2 AK 47, 07 AK Magazine, 1 UBGL,  116 AK rounds, 01 UBGL Grenade 03 Hand Grenade 02 Radio set, 02 Pouches, 01 Compas, 02 Map sheets, 01 Matrix, 01 Wire cutter and 01 G.P.S”, a police spokesman in a statement issued to GNS said.
    Pertinently, Two LeT militants, two SOG men and an army officer were killed and at least six security personnel’s were injured in an encounter at Zoonreshi on April 08. (GNS)

  • Rahul Gandhi to arrive in Jammu on Friday

    Scheduled to address a joint public rally at Doda stadium
    Srinagar: All India Congress working President Rahul Gandhi is arriving on a day-long visit to Jammu on Friday to address a joint public rally organized by Pradesh Congress Committee and the National Conference at Doda, sources said.
    A senior Congress leader told KNS that Rahul will be received by Ghulam Nabi Azad, union health minister and Congress candidate from Udhampur Parliamentary constituency, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Pradesh Congress Committee president Prof Saif-u-Din Soz  at Jammu airport.
    Rahul’s address is part of the Congress campaigning   programme for Azad who is facing a tough competition from Dr Jitendera Singh of BJP and Arshid Malik of PDP. The Constituency is scheduled to go for polls on April 17.
    Almost all the main leaders and Congress activists in Jammu regions have geared up to mobilize people for the joint public rally in Doda. Rahul will straightway come to Udhampur wherefrom he will go to Doda.  He is scheduled to address a huge gathering at Doda stadium at 11 am. Congress insiders told KNS that he will mainly focus on development during Congress rule in last 10 years, and will reply to some of the major slogans of BJP mentioned in its recently publicized manifesto.  (KNS)