Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Death of Fake Currency Racket accused

    SHRC takes cognizance, issues notices to DG, DC, CO 166 TA
    Srinagar: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Friday took suo moto cognizance of death in custody of fake currency racket accused Muneer Manhas  asking the DGP, DC Srinagar, CO 166 territorial Army to submit their reports in the matter.
    Rafiq Fida, the acting chairman of the Commission has also issued notice to SHO police station Ram Munshi Bagh, Srinagar for his report by or before the next date of hearing which has been fixed for May 6.
    The notices have been issued after the Commission took cognizance of news reports about death of a soldier of 166 Territorial Army (TA) Muneer Ahmad Manhas, (30) son of Nazir Ahmad Manhas resident of Saraibala, Bandi, Kamalkote, Uri of District Baramulla in Police Station Ram Munshi Bagh, Srinagar on April 3.
     “Manhas had dinner on Wednesday as routine and went to bed in the lockup and entered the bathroom inside the lockup during night and hanged himself to death by using a pair of socks to hang himself by tying them with one another,” the Commission’s order reads further. The Commission has said: “They (family) further alleged that Muneer and his brother-in-law Tariq Ahmad received a phone call on Wednesday morning from a local Police Inspector identified as Javed Ahmad stationed in Kupwara who took them to Ram Munshi Bagh Police Station and on Thursday Police informed them that Muneer has been found dead in the Police Station.”
     The family of Manhas has strongly negated the version of Police that the deceased was involved in fake currency racket and said that he was working in Territorial Army and if there were any charges against him the Police could have easily approached the concerned Battalion for his arrest, the commission has said. Fida has observed that the news items prima facie make out a case of human rights violations. “Therefore, taking Suo Moto cognizance in the matter, Office is directed to register this note and the news reports…. which shall form part of this order, as a complaint and in the first instance issue notices to Director General of Police, J&K, Dy. Commissioner Srinagar/Baramulla, Commanding Officer 166 Territorial Army C/O 56 APO and SHO P/S R. M. Bagh, Srinagar for their respective detailed factual reports in the matter. A copy of today’s order and press clippings be also sent to them,” the Commission has ordered. Manhas’s family has also been directed to appear on the next date of hearing and file correct statement of facts regarding the incident. (KNS)

  • Dr. Farooq asks people to guard their identity, culture, language

    Srinagar: National Conference Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah met various public delegations who called on him in Srinagar and took stock of public grievances, while assuring people that for National Conference the needs of the people come first.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that National Conference had a history of rendering sacrifices for the people of this State and is the sole guardian of J&K’s identity, culture, diversity and unity. Asking people to take pride in their culture and mother-tongue, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that the identity of a nation was its most valuable asset.
    Interacting with the public, Dr. Farooq said that Jammu & Kashmir had survived numerous conspiracies and ploys to dilute its unique constitutional status and that National Conference will never allow the apologetic proxies of communal parties to divide the people of this State for their short-term, electoral and political gains. Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that it was Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah who prepared and presented a blue-print for the welfare and progress of Jammu and Kashmir. It was Sheikh Sahib who demonstrated that political power was not an end in itself but the means to an end. Political power is a medium to protect, nourish and nurture the identity of a people and this ideal has been upheld by National Conference since its very creation.
    Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that it has always been the goal of National Conference to fight poverty, destitution and hopelessness and the party has achieved historic feats in mitigating the problems of our people. Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that the people of this glorious State had been dwarfed into slavery and servitude by brutal dictators and monarchies and it was National Conference that started the movement to give our peasants their rights and our people the pride of belonging to this glorious motherland.
    Speaking to the public delegations, Dr. Farooq Abdullah highlighted the importance of guarding our culture and languages in these changing times since these are the most vital assets of a nation that aspires greatness and glory. Party Leader Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, senior leader Main Altaf Ahmed, senior leader Ali Mohammad Sagar and A. R. Badana were also present there. (KNS)

  • Any attempt to extend Tosa Maidain lease unacceptable: Mirwaiz

    ‘Army in possession of 3000 acres of meadow, 6500 kanals of forest land in Tosa Maidan’
    Srinagar: Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Dr.  Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq has said that Jammu and Kashmir has become an area with the highest concentration of Armed forces in the world and India instead of decreasing its army establishment it is increasing on one excuse or the other in order to prolong its forced occupation of this land.
    Addressing a huge gathering at Srinagar’s Historic Jamia Masjid before Friday prayers, Mirwaiz said that any attempt to extend the lease of Tosa Maidan land to Army will be unacceptable. Mirwaiz said that India is trying to legitimize its huge army presence here and the people claiming to be the elected representatives are actively acting as helpers of Indian establishment in accomplishing their plans. He said in Tosa Maidan area  army besides occupying  three thousand acres (3000)  of meadow  has in its possession  six thousand five hundered (6500) kanals of forest land  the lease period for which  is expiring  this April.
    Mirwaiz said that according to general estimates seventy one thousand five hundred (71500) acres of land are under Army possession and in addition to that agricultural land including land used for horticulture in different areas and even the land at world famous tourist spots like Gulmarg, Tangmarg, Pahalgam, Soamarg etc. has been occupied by the Army and turned into army camps and mini cantonments. In Gulmarg alone one hundred eighty (180) acres of land has been illegally occupied by the army. Mirwaiz said that by bringing the land in these areas under the  army use the importance of these tourist destinations is intentionally being reduced besides destroying the forest cover and affecting the fragile eco system of these areas. Turing these areas into firing ranges has made the lives of the people living there miserable and vulnerable. In Tosa Maidan area alone sixty seven (67) innocent people have so far got killed  and many injured,due to the firing  related exercises by the army and unexploded shells lying around in the area
    Mirwaiz said that on the one hand the state government is talking about boosting tourism in Kashmir and on the other it is planning to hand over  large chunks of land at prominent tourist spots to Army thus destroying the historical and tourist  importance of these places.
    Mirwaiz said the way armys presence and writ  is increasing in the valley that  day is not far when the people of Jammu and Kashmir may require a permission from the army to visit  their  own tourist spots.
    While fully supporting the demand of local population for not extending the lease of Tosa Maidan land to army Mirwaiz said such  a step would be unacceptable and  greatly resisted by  the people. 
    Mirwaiz appealed  to the United Nations and International community to intervene and stop the vandalization of our  land and other resources by the army and use its influence for demilitarization of the area.He reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is a political issue involving the sentiments and aspirations of the people and no amount of military might can suppress it.  On this occasion a collective prayer led by Mirwaiz for the improvement in the prevailing unfavouralbe weather conditions in Kashmir was also offered in the Jamia. (KNS)

  • Mehbooba files second set of nomination papers

    Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Friday filed a second set of nomination papers for Anantnag Parliamentary constituency as ‘a matter of abundant caution’ due to some problem in her bank account.  
    The Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) Anantnag Ghulam Rasool Wani told KNS: “Yes we have received the second set of her nomination papers with all the details of her fresh bank account. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on April 7.”
    Syed Altaf Bukhari, PDP senior leader when contacted by KNS said, Mehbooba filed her second set of nomination papers as a measure of abundant precaution.
    As per the election commission rules, a candidate can file four sets of nomination papers either in a bunch or separately, said the ARO Anantnag Lok Sabha seat.   
    Sources said that the PDP president had submitted an active bank account number with the first set of her nomination papers but today she submitted a fresh bank account number opened in a nationalized bank here.
    The last date of submitting nomination papers for Anantnag Lok Sabha seat is April 5 while as these papers will be scrutinized on April 7. In the third of the five phases of polling in the state, Anantnag Lok Sabha seat is going to polls on April 24. (KNS)

  • Kakapora missing duo joined militant ranks: Police

    Srinagar: Families of two youth of Kakapora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama town Friday appealed police to locate their son’s who are missing from March 27.
    According to CNS two youth including a scholar have gone missing from Kakapora area while all attempts on part of police to locate them have failed so far. The tow missing youth have been identified as Afzal Talib son of Shamsudin resident of proper Kakapora and Mudasir Ahmed Shiekh son of Abdul Jabar resident of Kisrigam Kakapora. Afzal is a postgraduate student and a scholar. The duo went missing on the same day from the area.
    “We have lodged missing reports about them in police station Kakapora and we hope that police would locate them,” the family members told CNS.
    Meanwhile, a top police official told CNS on condition of anonymity that both the students have joined militant ranks and police is trying to nab them. “We have inputs that both Mudasir and Afzal have joined Lashkar-i-Toiba. They are not missing but are a part of Lashkar group that is operating in South Kashmir,” he said. (CNS)

  • Newborn baby put to death

    Srinagar: In a shocking incident of barbarism, unknown persons took the life of a newborn baby after immersing it into a bucket of water inside the public bathroom of a local hospital in Srinagar.
    SP city Norht Tahir Saleem told CNS that police found a new born baby immersed upside down into a bucket of water at a public bathroom in Jawharlal Nehru Memorial Hospital Rainawari.
    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the baby has been put to death. We have registered a case vide FIR number 15/2014 under section 317 RPC in this regard and investigation is going on,” he said adding that few persons have been called to police station for questioning.
    He said that CCTV camera’s may prove helpful for them and they have sought all the records from the hospital.
    The body of the newborn was handed over to Hospital authorities for burial and last rites. (CNS)

  • Abduction and Killing of Nishat contractor

    “Eyewitness meets Govt gunman Papa Kishtwari in Srinagar Central Jail’: Counsel
    Srinagar: A local Court Friday asked the prosecution to file objections in a case related to killing of a civilian contractor allegedly by infamous government gunman Ghulam Mohammad Lone aka Papa Kishtwari after the Counsel appearing for the complainant Zahoor Ahmed Mir alleged that Papa Kishtwari threatened him in an open court and is pressurizing him to stop pursuing the case.
    According to CNS, in the presence of Papa Kisthwari before the 1st Additional District Judge Subhash Chadar Gupta, the counsel Advocate Babar Jan Qadri appearing on behalf of Zahoor Mir whose father Ali Muhammad Mir, a contractor by profession from Nishat Srinagar was alleged abducted and assassinated by Kishtwari submitted an application before the court in which he sought detailed investigation as to why a witness who had deposed before the Court on March 26 last month visited Srinagar Central Jail to meet Kishtwari and other co-accused.
    The Court entertained the application and asked the prosecution to file objections in this regard on the next hearing which has been listed on April 19 this month.
    Due to absence of Defence lawyer, the key witness namely Nazir Ahmed Shiekh could not be cross-examined on Friday. (CNS)

  • Threat calls to columnists unfortunate and unwanted: Yasin Malik

    We all should promote tolerance and promote healthy trend of positive debate in our society: Yasin Malik
    Srinagar: Terming threat calls to some writers and columnists as unfortunate and unwanted, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik Friday said that this attitude instead of any benefit has only damaged our Society in general.
    Yasin malik who has been placed under house arrest from last night ,said that if any one takes a look into the past history of Jammu Kashmir, he will surely find JKLF and its leadership at the receiving end. We can without any ambiguity say that so much has been written against us and most of the times the writers wrote because of their personal venom, ideological differences or because of some organizational differences. We admit that in past we as a Front and some people related to us reacted badly and used bad language and other acts against some of these writers but it always proved harmful and because of our bad attitude we instead of gaining something proved our competitor right and made him as an oppressed in the eyes of public. We learned from our behavior and resolved that we instead of behaving emotionally should also answer these critiques and let people decide who is right and who is wrong.
    Yasin Malik said that shunning negativism and adopting positive attitude is a healthy sign and should be appreciated at all levels. Instead of abusing or intimidating anyone reply should be given in a decent way so that masses could be apprised about the facts and thus promote a culture of positive and healthy debate is a much needed virtue for civilized societies. Quoting famous French thinker Voltaire who said “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it”, Yasin Malik said that if a columnist or scribe writers against some one that in his eyes is false, a bias and based on discrimination, he has a right to reply but that should be in the same manner and in a civilized way.
    Yasin Malik appealed the civil society, writers, columnists, journalists and thinkers that while writing, they should focus on objectivity, facts, neutrality  and should not be driven by their personal vendetta or liking disliking. At the same time political parties, leaders, activists and others should tolerate criticism and have to be rational and polite in their approach and if necessary should reply decently so that a healthy trend of positive debate is promoted in our society.

  • Journalist fraternity remembers IZhar Wani

    Srinagar: Journalist fraternity of Kashmir remembered its fearless member, Izhar Wani on his second death anniversary Friday.
    Izhar passed away on March 4, 2012 at the age of 43.
    The death of Izhar was a great loss not for his family only but for the Journalist fraternity of the state, particularly Kashmir because it lost one of its members known for his humility, courage and professional attitude.
    Known for his reporting in turbulent times Izhar was a guest faculty to several institutions teaching journalism across the state.
    A thorough gentleman, Izhar started his career as a journalist in 1990. He later worked with many local dailies before joining AFP.
    While performing his professional obligations, Izhar would never compromise on professional ethics. Some of his stories on Kashmir conflict have won him international acclamation and he was hailed for his detailed reportage.
    Izhar is and will remain a source of inspiration for many youth to join journalism.

  • Molestation of a minor Girl in Anantnag sparks protests

    Srinagar: 3 Police personnel got injured at Village Bulbul Nowgam in district Anantnag after the angry people blocked the road and pelted stones on Police. Locals said that a 55 Year old Gull Mohammad Sheiikh molested a 7 year old girl late last night.
    The people caught hold of the accused this morning and beat him to pulp. He has been admitted in District Hospital, Anantnag in a critical condition.
    The shop- keepers of Bulbul Nowgam downed their shutters against the incident. People are demanding stern action against the Culprit.