Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Jamat-e-Islami will vote for PDP: NC

    Srinagar: National Conference Wednesday claimed that Jamat-e-Islami will support opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the forth coming polls and all its cadres are on tenterhooks to make PDP’s win sure.
    “JeI is another face of PDP and during the polls, it is Jamat that has directed its cadres in valley to vote for PDP.  They have done it earlier and they will repeat the same at present also,” said Additional General Secretary Shiekh Mustafa Kamal.
    He added that JeI has always been at war with the National Conference and history bears witness to the fact that it has always created hurdles for NC when it comes for the representation of peoples’ aspiration at large.
    “They (JeI) will not leave any stone unturned when it comes to work against NC and its interests,” said Kamal, adding that earlier it was Hizb, the armed wing of JeI that killed several NC leaders at various places in Valley and when they tasted defeat on political and armed front- they began aiding PDP that was established for the eradication of NC from the political spheres of Jammu and Kashmir.
    Substantiating his claims, NC’s senior leader stated that the flag of Muslim Muthida Mahaz (MMM) during 1987- of which JeI was the main component and PDP’s flag is one. “What more you need to know about the equations of PDP and JeI.”
    Commenting over the recent statement of JeI Chief Mohammad Abdullah Wani about Modi, Kamal stated that it is JeI’s indirect support to Modi. “Both are the extremist elements- once PDP wins in Valley- it would be the win of BJP in New Delhi.” (KNS)


  • AAP steps into Omar’s bastion, launches door to door campaign

    Srinagar: Failing to garner huge gathering, Aam Admi Party (AAP)Wednesday started its door-to-door poll campaign in Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah’s bastion, Ganderbal ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections.
    AAP’s candidate for Srinagar constituency, Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, for the first time stepped in Omar’s bastion and started its poll campaign from the town where two senior National Conference leaders have revolted against the party recently.
    Witnesses said there were around 150 people present during Bhat’s address.
    “Later he (Bhat) started door to door campaign in the area from Behama and Dhudarhama,” witnesses told GNS.
    Lashing out at ruling NC, Bhat said the party has failed to fulfill the promises of masses, and “they are again fooling people.” “In 2008, NC in its election manifesto made 10-15 promises. The first promise they made was that we will restore had promised to restore Autonomy to the state. They promised Autonomy in 1996 as well as in 2002 but never fulfilled it. In 2008, they promised the withdrawal of AFSPA but failed to repeal it. They promised Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate the killings and human rights violations since 1990 including disappearances and fake encounters but emerged as a total failure in all its pledges,” Bhat, a former RTI and PDP activist, said, adding that NC patron Farooq Abdullah is again befooling people in the name of Autonomy.”
    Castigating Omar Abdullah for sticking to his chair despite killing of youths in 2010, the AAP candidate said: “He (Omar) is hand in glove with Congress and its leaders just for chair. Today, he is accompanying Ghulam Nabi Azad while he files nomination papers. He also failed to get Kashmir’s power share from National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC). He himself accepted on the floor of Assembly that he failed,” Bhat added. 
    The former RTI-activist-turned politician said that AAP is not a political party but “a movement”. “We want more and more people especially youth to get connected with AAP so that the struggle against corruption and dynastic rule should be carried forward.” (GNS) 

  • PDP emerged as BJP’s creation: Farooq

    Mehboob Beg files nomination papers as NC-Congress Coalition Candidate
    Srinagar: Senior National Conference (NC) leader and member Parliament Dr. Mehboob Beg Wednesday filed his nomination papers from Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency as the NC-Congress Coalition Candidate. He was accompanied by NC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah, State Congress Chief Professor Saif-ud-din Soz besides Senior Congress Leader Taj Mohiuddin, NC Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani and others.
    Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Farooq Abdullah urged the workers of both parties to work in unison with dedication and cooperation to ensure the victory of the coalition candidates with bigger margins than last time. “These parliamentary elections would see a direct contest between secularism and communal, divisive figures who want to gain power by polarizing the people of this country,” Farooq said, adding that BJP seems to be openly helped by the PDP.
    He said that Narendra Modi was an authoritarian politician who had shown grave contempt for his BJP mentors like L. K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Jaswant Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “He (Modi) is a man who can disrespect, insult and humiliate his mentors and seniors can never be sympathetic towards the people he dreams to govern,” Abdullah said.
    Terming PDP as a creation of BJP, Farooq said the party teamed up with BJP during the Amarnath Land Row in 2008 to divide the people of Jammu and Kashmir along religious lines. “It was PDP whose ministers were responsible for transferring the land in Pahalgam to the Shrine Board. To hide their guilt, they blamed the then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for their own mischief and sabotaged his government in mid-term. In the following years Mehbooba Mufti’s open and shameful admiration of Narendra Modi proved that 2008 was a combined BJP-PDP covert operation,” he said.
    Terming NC-Congress coalition as an ideological association to safeguard the secular fabric of this country, NC president asked the workers to work with each other to keep communal forces and their proxies like PDP at bay. “The present NC-Congress Coalition Government in the State had ushered the State into an era of unprecedented growth, transparency and accountability and had empowered the common-man by bringing governance to his doorstep,” he said.
    Dr. Mehboob Beg asked the workers to inform the people about his performance as a Member of Parliament and compare the same to that of Mehbooba Mufti when she was an MP. He said that NC leaders had utilized their MP funds transparently and effectively to the ultimate benefit of their constituents.  
    Others who were present on the occasion included leaders of Youth National Conference and National Conference Students Union (NCSU). (GNS)

  • Eve teasers arrested in Batamaloo

    Srinagar: Srinagar police apprehended two eve teasers in Batamaloo area today.
    A police party of Batamaloo today apprehended two eve teasers in Batamaloo area. A case FIR number 28/2014 under section 294 RPC was registered against the duo. Both the accused have been arrested. During investigation it was found that one of the accused is a notorious stone pelter having four cases against him. People of the area hailed the police action.

  • Missing girl found dead in south Kashmir

    Srinagar: Police recovered the body of a missing girl near a stream at Kulgam, in south Kashmir and started investigation to ascertain the cause of her death, police said on Wednesday.
    Police was informed by some locals that a body of a girl is lying near a stream in D H Pora Kulgam. Police party rushed to the spot and recovered the body of the girl. The body was later identified as Rohi Jan daughter of Bashir Ahmad Palla resident of Sail Kanan, D H Pora. The girl was reported to be missing since March 31, 2014.
    Police have started the investigation proceedings under section 174 CrPC to ascertain the cause of the death. The body was sent for post mortem and after the completion of all medico-legal formalities, the body was handed over to her next of kin for last rites.

  • Police distributed sports kits in Downtown Srinagar

    Srinagar: Under civic action programme, Srinagar Police distributed sports kits to various schools of Shahri Khas.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Srinagar police distributed sports kit including crickets kit sets consists of cricket Bats, cricket Ball, Kit bag large size, Badminton racket, shatter cock, Chess board, Football, Volley ball and Carom board to various schools in old city. The beneficiary schools include  Govt. Middle School Nowhatta Srinagar; Govt. High School Malkhah Srinagar; Govt. Middle School Dana Mazar Srinagar; Govt. Middle School Sangam.
    The sports items were distributed with an objective that the students in such schools shall have greater participation in sports activities, which is indispensable for the overall personality development of the students. The school administrations of these schools thanked police for such initiative. (KNS)

  • West Indies beat Pakistan by 84 runs

    Mirpur: West Indies have won the toss and are batting first in this do-or-die battle against Pakistan in the final group league encounter of the ICC World Twenty20 in Mirpur Tuesday.
    Pakistan lost two early wickets as Ahmed Shehzad was ousted in the first ball courtesy Santokie. In the next over, Badree packed off Kamran Akmal who was caught out by Bravo. Pakistan made 3 runs in two overs, losing two wickets.
    Badree took another big wicket as he sent back Umar Akmal with just one run. Pakistan made 11 for 3 in 5 overs.
    Pakistan have a tough task ahead as they lose another wicket in the 6th over. Shoaib Malik was out at 2 while Badree pocketed three wickets. Pakistan were at 35 for 4 in 10 overs.
    Earlier, a late blitz from all-rounder DwayneBravo and skipper Darren Sammy helped defending champions West Indies put up a fighting 166 for six against Pakistan in a do-or-die Group 2 league match of the World T20 here on Tuesday.
    Bravo smashed 46 off only 26 balls as he took the attack back to the Pakistan camp with his imperious hitting. He struck two fours and four huge sixes. He was well-supported by skipper Darren Sammy whose entertaining cameo of 42 was equally important as it helped West Indies reach a decent total after they were tottering at 81 for five.
    Sammy struck five fours and two sixes in only 20 balls as the last three overs produced an unbelievable 59 runs.
    The turning point in the West Indies innings was the 18th and 19th over bowled by the seasoned duo of Umar Gul (0/29) and Saeed Ajmal (0/41) that produced 45 runs in all.
    Till 17 overs, Pakistan bowlers looked in complete control before the carnage from Bravo and Sammy happened at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.
    Chris Gayle (5) did not fire today as the first delivery he faced from Paksitan skipper Mohammed Hafeez brought about his downfall. Hafeez bowled one wide off-stump which Gayle tried to play with minimal footwork and Kamran Akmal effected a good stumping.
    Gayle’s partner Dwayne Smith struck two boundaries off Hafeez but was uncomfortable against left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir’s awkwardly angled deliveries. He edged one to Akmal behind stumps as the ball moved away after pitching on the off-middle line.
    Lendl Simons (31) struck a few meaty blows but was not able to get the momentum going as he and out-of-form Marlon Samuels could add only 39 in 6.2 overs. Simons struck two sixes before he was unfortunately run-out.
    Samuels was once again bogged down but he gave Afridi the charge to hit him down the ground for a straight six. But the veteran leg-spinner had his revenge of his very next delivery.
    Afridi bowled a faster one and Samuels, who had very little room to play the cut shot, chopped one back on to the stumps.
    Reeling at 67 for four in the 11 the over, it soon became 81 for five as Denesh Ramdin (5) tried to slog Babar and was caught at deep mid-wicket by Umar Akmal.
    It was then left to Bravo to give the charge and he started by lifting Gul for a big six and followed it up with a pull-shot over deep mid-wicket.
    Brief scores: West Indies: 166 for six in 20 overs (Dwayne Bravo 46, Lendl Simmons 31; Mohammad Hafeez 1/15) vs Pakistan.
    Both teams are on four points each and this is a virtual quarter-final clash to decide on the second semi-finalist from Group 2 after India emerged group champions with an all-win record.
    The match is being billed as a battle between the mystery spinners with West Indies banking heavily on Sunil Narine while Pakistan’s hopes will be pinned on Saeed Ajmal.
    “The team that plays spinners well will win the match. We know that it is a match where we can’t make a mistake,” Pakistan captain Mohammed Hafeez said on the eve of their clash against Darren Sammy’s West Indies.
    While West Indies’ inspirational win against Australia has given the team much-needed boost, Pakistan also had two convincing victories against Australia and hosts Bangladesh. Both teams are on even keel as far as their strengths are concerned and it will be interesting to see how the rival batsmen tackle the spinners. To complement Narine, West Indies also have leg-spinner Samuel Badree, who is second in the ICC’s list of T20 bowlers after teammate Sunil Narine.
    While Narine has bowled with a superb economy rate of 4.66 runs per over in the three matches, Badree has compensated for his 6.66 economy rate with seven scalps to his credit.    

  • Modi is not threat to Congress but to his own party: Azad

    Banihal: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is Congress candidate for Udhampur-Doda-Kathua Lok Sabha seat, today said that BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is not a threat to the Congress but he is a real threat to the BJP as he has gradually and systemically dislodged all established leaders of the party.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing series of public meetings in Banihal and Ramban  areas of Ramban district, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad said that “Narinder Modi has not challenged Congress but he has challenged the BJP”. Without mentioning names of veteran BJP leader Lal Krishan Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Jaswant Singh who were humiliated by Narinder Modi, Mr Azad said that treatment meted out the veteran leaders was an indication that Mr Modi is real threat to his party himself and he is going to bulldoze the BJP to establish his own hegemony in the organisation.
    Unlike BJP which is fighting elections on rhetoric of Modi , Congress is contesting elections on historical back ground in freedom struggle, its’ tireless and continues efforts to develop infrastructure in the country, which includes roads, airports, railway lines, hospitals, Schools, Colleges, Universities and number of people oriented policies and programmes like NRHM and MNREGA schemes which have benefited the people of the country.
    “BJP is solely dependent upon artificially managed leader who is trying to get votes of the people on myth and dream but the Congress is seeking mandate of the people on the basis of substantiated work it has done for nation building”, Mr Azad said and said that BJP candidate Narendra Modi has not done any substantiated work in his own state of Gujarat. He termed Narendra Modi as super imposed leader who himself is much against wishes of his own party leaders.
    Highlighting achievements of UPA Government, he said that under Congress led UPA regime, India has achieved “near universal education” at the primary school level due to Right to Education and the dropout rates have also decreased. The outlay for education has been constantly increased. Central universities increased from 17 to 44 during 2004-13.
    “There has been a three-fold increase in food subsidy during UPA tenure. The Food Security Act will entitles 35 kg of food-grains per month and other families for 5 kg per person at subsidized rates has been passed during UPA regime”, he said.
    Lambasting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for misleading the people by spreading false propaganda against Congress, Mr Azad said, “In comparison to the hard work and tireless efforts made by Congress for the people of nation, the track record of BJP in general and Narendera Modi in particular is mostly based on rhetoric rather than substantiating work done by them”. Mr Azad further sought to know from Narendera Modi about his contribution so far in nation building.
    While cautioning the people not to fall in the nefarious designs of divisive forces, Mr Azad said, “Congress and its leadership is a fact and truth, whereas so-called artificially managed leadership of BJP is simply myth and dream. People should vote to Congress on the basis of its work done in both pre and post independence era”.   
    Attacking on the incompetency of BJP leadership, Mr Azad, “He (Modi) has political career of thirteen years only, whereas the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir have given more time in rendering the services to the people of the state” and criticized his approach for dishonoring the wish of his own mentor (LK Advani) who placed him on the chair of Gujarat chief minister. Mr Azad said, “Earlier the BJP-Congress used to contest elections on the basis of ideology and now an artificially managed face has been projected on a hoax to come in power”.  
    Earlier, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, Prof. Saifuddin Soz described Narendera Modi as Hitler perceiving the false propagandas to rule.
    Among others who accompanied Mr Azad included Congress Minister for Technical Education, Vikar Rasool, Congress MLA, Ashok Kumar, Former Minister and sitting MLA, Abdul Gani Malik, Congress MLC, Sham Lal Bhagat, former NC MLA from Ramban, Dr Chaman Lal besides other senior leaders. (KNS)

  • ZEO MISBEHAVES AND ABUSES SCRIBE IN NORTH KASHMIR

    Srinagar: Kashmir scenario reporter Mir Arif today had to face unruly behavior of Zonal educational officer Rohama Rafiabad when he went to his office to seek information about issuing fake order in favour of one teacher namely Nazir Ahmad. The incident happened when kashmir scenario reporter Mir Arif was questioning ZEO Rohama Mr.Gh Mohammad Batkaloo to seek information regarding that how one teacher was deputed as ZRP when his original place of posting is Government high school sarpara Rafiabad and order was issued by Gh Mohammed Batkaloo but at the time of issuing of order Mr Batkaloo was working as Principal Government higher secondary school Rohama and even he was not in charge ZEO on that date because the teacher namely Nazir Ahmad joined government high school sarpara on 28-2-2014 and served there up to 8-3-2014 and the order through which he was transferred from his original place of posting is dated 8-2-2014 which is signed and issued by Gh Mohammad Batkaloo who was working as Principal on that date because he joined as in charge ZEO Rohama on 11-3-2014. “”I was questioning Mr Gh Mohammed Batkaloo regarding the issue suddenly he tried to snatch my camera and tried to thrash me and abused me and also told me that who are journalists to question us and seek information from us regarding any of our scandals and abused the whole media fraternity of kashmir”” Later Kashmir scenario Reporter lodged a complaint in Additional deputy commissioner Baramulla’ office who immediately directed Chief education officer to enquire from ZEO Rohama and take immediate action and Chief education officer Baramulla Mr syed Abdul Rouf assured the journalists that he will look into the matter and take immediate action.

  • Many districts in Valley face scarcity of ration

    Srinagar: Inhabitants of several places in districts Budgam, Kupwara and Baramulla have complained about non availability of essential commodities like rice, flour, kerosene oil and LPG.
    A number of people from these districts who contacted KNS on phone complained about scarcity ration and other edible items in government run depots. The places which are the worst hit include Makhama, Main Town in Budgam, Nambla, Gharkote, Barnade in Uri  tehsil of Baramulla district and Kachiwara of Handwara in Kupwara district.
    According to the complainants the authorities are yet to provide ration for the month of March and where the ration has been distributed, people have got 10 kilograms less the allotted weight of 35 kilograms.
    Official sources in CAPD maintain that due to the curtailment made by Food Corporation of India (FCI) some places of valley are facing scarcity. Despite repeated attempts, the minister concerned was not available to comment. (KNS)