Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Pakistan HC to India welcomes Kashmiri separatists

    Nawaz Shareef wants better relations with India: Basit
    New Delhi: While welcoming the Kashmiri separatist leadership invited by Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to participate in the celebrations of Pakistan day, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit on Wednesday said that prime minister Mian Nawaz Shareef is keen to have good relations with India.  
    According to KNS correspondent in Delhi, Basit and his wife received the Kashmiri separatist leadership including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Moulana Abbas Ansari, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, Aga Syed Hassan, Mehraj-u-Din Kalwal, Ayaz Akbar, Zamrooda Habib, Fareeda Behanji, Yasmeen Raja and Mohammad Abdullah Wani and Ghulam Nabi Waseem.
    In his brief welcome address, Basit said that that Pakistan seeks friendly and cooperative relations with all its neighbours, including India. He underlined the significance of the composite dialogue process for settling all outstanding issues between the two countries in a peaceful manner.
    The Hurriyat Conference (M) executive council led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq is scheduled to meet Basiton Thursday morning at 9: 30 am. Besides Mirwaiz group, sources said the other factions of the Hurriyat Conference and JKLF are also likely to meet Basit on Thursday. During these separate meetings the separatists will discuss the present political situation in Kashmir and are likely to press for intensive efforts from Pakistan to resolve Kashmir issue.
    While talking to media on the sidelines of the function in Pakistan high commission, Mirwaiz has told media persons that he wants people of India to elect a government which can resolve the Kashmir issue. The Hurriyat (M) chairman has also reiterated that people of India should understand that Kashmir is neither a law and order nor any administrative issue which can be managed through certain administrative initiatives.
    “I told them (media persons) that Kashmir is a political issue which needs to be resolved politically. I said that Kashmir problem is like  festering sore in the sub continent and there should be tri partite talks between India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri leadership for a permanent solution to this problem,” Mirwaiz told KNS.
    Pertinently, Basit presented his credentials to President of India, Pranab Mukherjee at a ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan (President House) in New Delhi on Wednesday.  The ceremony was attended by the officers of the Ministry of External Affairs, Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Pakistan High Commission, quoting sources, the KNS correspondent said. (KNS)

  • 1171752 registered as electors in Sgr Parliamentary Constituency

    Srinagar: The District Election-Cum-Returning- Officer, (Deputy Commissioner) 2-Srinagar-Parliamentary Constituency, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah has said that as on date as many as 11,71,752 electors have been registered in the constituency, which include 6,15,259 male and 5,56,493 females voters.
    He was addressing a Press Conference at Banquet Hall, Srinagar today. He said that 1546 polling stations have been established for conducting Parliament Election 2014 in the Constituency, out of which 1021 polling stations have been identified as hypersensitive, while as 470 sensitive polling stations in the Constituency.
    The DEO further informed that all necessary arrangements have been put in place for fair and smooth conduct of parliamentary elections adding that Election Control Room has been established in Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Srinagar with telephone numbers, 0194-2476145, 0194-2452182 and 0194-2472580 (Fax).
    Besides, Media Centre has been established at Banquet Hall, Srinagar equipped with all necessary facilities he added and maintained “A Complaint Redressed Cell has also been established in the office of Deputy Commissioner’s with Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Srinagar as Nodal Officer with a toll free help line No 1800 180 7051 has been set up for registration of any complaint”. (KNS)

  • Lab technician hangs self, youth jumps into Jehlum

    Srinagar: A government employee allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself inside Gousia hospital here in Khanyar area of down town Srinagar Wednesday evening.
    Official sources told GNS that Farooq Ahmad Bhat son of Ali Mohammad Bhat of Khalishpora area of Old city who is working as a lab technician at Gousia hospital, Khanyar this evening hanged himself in his room inside the hospital.
    The colleagues of the technician after spotting him hanging in the room, they immediately rushed him to the SMHS hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, sources said.
    A police official confirmed the incident said that we have registered a case under 174 CrPc and further investigations have been taken up.
    In another incident, a 25-year-old youth committed suicide by jumping into river jehlum near Maisuma, a police official told GNS.
    “A police team was instantly rushed to the spot and quickly retrieved the body of the youth”, a police official told GNS, adding that the identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained.
    He said that a case has been registered in this regard and further investigations area going on. (GNS)
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  • Health department performs first hip replacement surgery

    Srinagar: Doctors at Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir (DHSK) achieved yet another feat by performing revision of total hip replacement. This is first of its kind that such an advanced set up surgery has successfully been performed at JLNM Hospital, the apex hospital of DHSK.
    According to an official statement issued to KNS, a 50 year old male patient was operated for revision of total hip replacement at JLNM Hospital as on April 2, 2014 by an operative team which included Dr. Irshad Tabasum, Dr. Najeeb Drabu (Orthopaedic Surgeons), Dr. H Tandon (Orthopaedic Surgeon, Apollo Hospital) Dr. Arifa, Dr. Muzaffar (Anaesthetists) Surjeet Singh and Habibullah (Theatre Staff).
    It is pertinent to mention here that JLNM hospital has already performed a knee replacement surgery prior to this also. Director Health Services, Kashmir Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman has appreciated the administrator JLNM Hospital Dr Mohammad Iqbal and the operative team for attaining this remarkable feat.
    He emphasised on the team to continue performing advanced surgeries with zeal and assured them for all logistical support so that quality health care is being availed by the needy patients at peripheral hospitals of DHSK. (KNS)

  • Wamiq Farooq killing case

    Court directs police to execute warrants
    Srinagar: The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir get the arrest warrants executed against two accused police personnel allegedly involved in Wamiq Farooq killing case.
    The Court has also taken strong exception to the report filed by SSP in the matter terming it ‘nothing but repetition of earlier report’. “The report, on perusal, reflects nothing but delay tactics adopted by police to execute warrants against accused.”
    The court has said that ‘no plausible and satisfactory explanation has been tendered for non execution of warrants against accused, rather it appears that police intends to provide escape route to the accused persons from court appearance’.
    “This court is not satisfied with the report filed and so in order to procure attendance of accused persons coercive means are imperatively required to be followed,” reads the court order.
    The court has directed:  “In this backdrop, non bail able warrants of arrest are issued against accused persons and same be sent to IGP Kashmir Zone for getting executed on accuse persons without any delay.”  The court is scheduled to hear the matter on April 16. (KNS)

  • FFP responsible for Hepatitis C in Hemophiliacs: DAK

    ‘DAK will file a PIL in High Court’
    Srinagar: President Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Dr Nisar ul Hassan today in a statement said that it is shocking and at the same time alarming that out of 90 haemophiliac patients screened 35 are positive for Hepatitis C virus infection and 4 of them have died.
    According to a DAK statement issued to KNS, these haemophiliac patients have contracted this deadly virus because of contaminated fresh frozen plasma (FFP), a blood product, which they receive on demand during bleeding.
    Blood Banks in valley screen blood and blood products by either card method or enzyme immunoassay which can give false negative results thus blood bank pool is a huge source of hepatitis-c virus transmission. The introduction of nucleic acid technology (NAT) for screening blood and blood products in rest parts of the world has prevented transfusion related hepatitis-c infection.
    Hepatitis-c virus infection causes cirrhosis of liver, hepato cellular carcinoma and death. These hepatitis c positive haemophiliacs have been denied treatment by government thus depriving them from their fundamental right to which government has an obligation.
    There are around 250 haemophiliac patients in the valley and most of them are permanently disabled because of non availability of factor VIII and factor IX in hospitals. These coagulation factors are to be given prophylactic ally rather than on demand to prevent haemophilia related complications. Haemophiliacs can live a normal quality life if coagulation factors are given to them on regular basis.
    “DAK will file a public interest litigation as it is a colossal human tragedy. Haemophiliacs are victims of government apathy. State has failed in their duty by not providing Medicare services to haemophiliac patients. DAK will claim criminal prosecution to the culprits involved in this heinous crime and compensation to the victims.” (KNS)

  • 300 CCTV cameras being installed at polling booths

    Move aimed to ensure rigging free polls
    Srinagar: In a significant move to ensure free and fair polling during the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Jammu and Kashmir- first time in the state, more than 300 CCTV cameras are being installed at the rigging sensitive polling booths.
    Sources told KNS that some opposition parties in the state including main opposition PDP had written to Election Commission- raising apprehensions of the possible interference by the state machinery during polls.  The parties had urged the commission to ensure that the polling booths be kept under the surveillance so that rigging could be avoided.
    Sources confirmed further that the Office of the chief election officer Jammu and Kashmir had issued advertisement, asking the companies to submit their tenders for the installation of CCTV cameras at various polling booths of the state.
    Tender of the Srinagar based private company has been approved and the said firm has been informed to start the project in this regard.
    The reports stated that 300 CCTV cameras are being installed at various polling booths in the state.
    The officials added that to ensure no rigging, no political interference, and misuse of authority by the poling staff- the installed of CCTV cameras have great significance.
    The reports informed further that the procedure will be followed during the assembly polls also that are scheduled to be held by the end of this year.   (KNS)

  • SKIMS curtail attendants’ visiting hours

    People aghast; Director says move aimed for better healthcare
    Srinagar: The attendants of the patients admitted at SKIMS Wednesday expressed serious resentment over the decision of the hospital authorities of disallowing the entry of the attendants inside state’s only multi specialty research institute.
    According to the details received by KNS, the authorities at SKIMS have curtailed the number of attendants entering the institute on daily basis. The reason the officials stated was that the normal functioning of the hospital was getting badly affected and extra rush inside the crucial wards was disturbing the treatment of the patients.  
    Expressing resentment by the said decision, the attendants told KNS that the authorities have taken the step in the most ‘anarchical’ approach and the same is an attempt to make the attendants suffer at large.
    The attendants while protesting against the hospital order stated that they have come from valley’s far flung areas and only after reaching at the hospital gate- their entry is being rejected. “If the hospital authorities had to implement the order from today- they should have informed the masses via print and electronic media so that people coming from far off areas could have been informed.”
    Meanwhile, Director SKIMS told KNS that visiting hours for the attendants have been restricted from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm and no visiting passes shall be issued after that. By 6.pm, the hospital authorities must be able to vacate the attendants who see their patients during the visiting hours. “This all has been done in the interest of smooth functioning of the hospital and for the better patient care. The general public is appealed to cooperate with the SKIMS authorities so that we provide a better health care for their patients,” said Showkat Ahmad Zargar, Director SKIMS.(KNS)

  • Over loading in School buses

    Rules being thrown to wind in Kashmir
    Srinagar: The private schools across Srinagar are violating the rules in a broad day light with the students being packed to capacity in the school buses and state authorities acting as ‘mute spectators’, accused parents.
    On Wednesday, the delegation of parents hailing from various areas across Srinagar told KNS that their children are being physically tormented by the school authorities due to the over load in the school vehicles, ferrying children to and fro  from home to school.
    “It is the physical torture that is being inflicted upon our children on the daily bases- the over load in the school buses has become the order of the day,” said Mukhtar Ahmad, a Barzulla resident.  He added that the parents have reported the matter to the state authorities at several times but no concrete action on ground is being done.
    Another aggrieved parent stated that across Srinagar- the school buses are violating the traffic regulations as well as the education rules by over loading the buses with the school children.  He accused that the children are being physically tortured and that no steps are being taken by the government to end the crises if such serious nature.
    Also concerns are being raised by various civil society groups in valley over the over loading of school vans ferrying the children of lower classes. They however appealed the parents to restrain from sending their kids in these vans to schools. Pertinently, after the SRTC stopped to ferry school children, the private schools functional in valley purchased the vehicles in personal capacity. When KNS tried to contact Director Education Kashmir, his cell phone was continually switched off.
    Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police (SP) traffic for Srinagar Haseb-ur-Rahman told KNS that the traffic department is continually monitoring the situation and whosoever is found violating the traffic norms- stern action is being taken on ground. He added that last year traffic department fined various school buses and vans against the charges of overloading and that same is being pursued this year as well. “We appeal parents to resister complains so that the overloading in busses and vans ferrying school children could be ended at an earliest.” (KNS)

  • JKLF visits educational institutions, apprising students of ill effects of elections

    Malik expresses sorrow over Nadaf’s demise
    Srinagar: “JKLF Public awareness program asking people to keep away from Indian elections continued today and various JKLF leaders and activists visited many educational institutions of Islamabad district and upraised students of the bad effects and consequences of participating in Indian elections,” a spokesman of JKLF has said in a statement issued to KNS.
    He added that led by Mushtaq Ahmad Ajmal JKLF leaders Siraj Ud Din Mir, Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri, Mohammad Ishaq Ganai, Javed Ahmad Malik and Abdul Sattar visited many colleges, and higher secondary schools and met students in groups and individually. “Leader’s appraised the students from the evil and bad consequences of the Indian elections and besides talking to them distributed written material about the same among students.”
    The spokesman said that while speaking to the students at higher secondary Islamabad degree college for women Islamabad etc JKLF leaders said that the main aim and objective of elections organized by India and held under Indian constitution is to prolong the slavery of Kashmiris, to legislate new tyrannical and oppressive laws against people of Jammu Kashmir and to subject Kashmiris to torture and repression.
    “Therefore participation in these election on any name and pretext cannot be termed but as enmity with Kashmir and Kashmiris. Leaders said that every nation safeguards its own interests and it is the duty of every Kashmiri to recognize and safeguard the interest of Kashmir .leaders while deliberating upon the bad consequences of these elections said that participating in these is actually undermining the interests of our oppressed nation and every honorable Kashmiri should therefore refrain from such practice.”
    The spokesman said that leaders said that youth are reckoned as the back bone and jugular vein of nations and it is these young men and women which change the course of history and futures of the nations. “Therefore it is the duty of Kashmiri youth to refrain themselves from these elections and also apprise their elders from its bad effects.”
    Meanwhile JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik who is in Delhi has expressed his heartfelt grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Ahmadullah Nadaf of Gogji Bagh. Terming the death of Nadaf who was a famous trader and social worker of Kashmir as a personal loss, Malik paid tributes to deceased and his family for their religious and social works. (KNS)