Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • J&K Bank share price on all-time high

    Srinagar: J&K Bank share Tuesday jumped to its highest ever price of Rs 1635 on NSE and Rs 1629 on BSE as the bank was among top gainers in Group A companies. The stock recorded an appreciation of 5.56 pc and 5.04 pc at NSE and BSE respectively.
    As per a statement from the J&K Bank, the share surged remarkably by around Rs 80 on both stock exchanges and stood at Rs 1623.45 on NSE and Rs 1614.45 on BSE when the markets closed. More than 1.62 lac shares were traded during.
    “During the bank’s Platinum Jubilee Year, the bank’s share has leaped by around Rs 400 displaying an unshakable market trust in growth and capacities of the bank,” the statement said.
    Notably, Credit Suisse Group, a leading global financial services company, recently cherry-picked J&K Bank among top five organisations in Asia as an interesting investment opportunity. The selection was made on the basis of business outlook, financial strength, valuation, market cap and trading liquidity. The share of the bank for 2014 has been targeted by the group at Rs 1700 from Rs 1226.95 with potential upside of 38.6 percent.

  • Treason charges against Musharaf, insulting: Inqilabi

    Srinagar: Chief patron Jammu Kashmir Mahaz-e-Azadi (MeA) Muhammad Azam InqilabiTuesday termed indicting former President Gen. Musharraf with treason charges by a Pakistani court as “insulting”.  
    In a statement issued to KNS, Inqilabi said, “The judges of this so-called court are actually Qazi-like butchers. These hatchet wielding butchers are chasing Gen. Musharraf for no fault of this committed Pak soldier except that he played a heroic role in the defensive wars of Pakistan. Especially the Kargil war which he initiated, in league with Mujahedeen against India just to keep lakhs of Indian soldiers engaged in a protracted localized war to eventually ensure the safety of the innocent Kashmiris.
     “People here were on the receiving end due to the sustained anti-Kashmir campaign of the Indian army; when Kashmiri youth were slaughtered and elderly people and self-respecting women were facing an outrage of the ferocious force personnel,” he said.
    “So, we Kashmiris recognize Gen. Pervez Musharraf as the hero of Kargil war. Thus he is an ideal well wisher and friend of Kashmiris in the backdrop of this historic Kargil war,” he added. MeA patron said charging Musharraf with treason is an “affront and insult to Pak-army in itself. Musharraf after 9/11 dealt with the Afghan situation with fortitude, prudence and political acumen. He successfully averted the direct war with the western powers which got involuntarily engaged and embedded in the marsh and mesh of Afghanistan,” he opined.
    He said Indian deployed 10-lakh troops on border with Pakistan “but Musharraf as an adept strategist kept India engaged in a standoff for eight months in a way that no war took place and both countries had to disengage their troops.”
    Inqilabi said as US led NATO forces are preparing withdrawal from Afghanistan but drone strikes haven’t stopped. He said in Pakistan’s 67 year-old history army generals have ruled for 30 years.
    “In 1965 Indo-Pak war, Pakistan army under the command of Ayub Khan showed parity with the Indian military might. In 1979, a dangerous situation evolved due to Red army’s invasion of Afghanistan. General Zia as an adept strategist supervised Afghan guerilla war for 10 years which resulted in disintegration of Soviet Union,” he said. He said if Pakistan has to open cases against all these “courageous generals” then they should open trial posthumously against Ayub Khan and Gen. Zia-ul-Haq as well.
    “Pakistan constitution isn’t any holy book that any blasphemy has been done. We Kashmiris don’t accept either Indian constitution or Pakistani constitution,” he added.
    MeA patron said India has “occupied Kashmir as an imperialist power.” “For the last 67 years six-lakh Kashmiris were killed. A guerrilla campaign under the command of UJC Supremo Syed Salah-ud-din is going on,” he said.
    “It is true Mahaz-e-Azadi, Liberation Front, Jammat-e-Islami, People’s League, Awami Majlisi Amal and People’s Conference like pro-freedom organizations created space for peaceful resistance to push for Kashmir resolution.”
    “But now time has come when resistance leadership of Srinagar and Muzaffarabad need to tell India and Pakistan to withdraw their troops on either side of ceasefire line, he said. He said after demilitarization “united-Kashmir democratic parliament will decide through self-determination the political future of Kashmir.” (KNS)

  • Meerut Cricket Controversy

    University asks students, parents to give undertaking
    Srinagar: The expelled students from Meerut University along with their parents have been called to the varsity asking them to submit an undertaking assuring ‘no action that violates varsity norms is repeated in future’.
    Some Kashmiri students were recently expelled from Swami Viveknanda University Meerut after they reportedly cheered for Pakistan team during the Asia cup cricket series.
    Strong resentment was shown by Kashmir’s political leadership after the 70 expelled Kashmiri students accused ‘step motherly’ treatment by the varsity officials.
    The reports received by KNS, informed that the University officials Tuesday have asked the expelled students that they must report to the university campus in person along with their parents and must give the undertaking that no such incident that violates the varsity norms be repeated.
    The reports added that the University administration has directed the 70 expelled students that if they want to resume their classes in the university, they must get their parents along so that the undertaking is sought from them that varsity codes will not be violated.
    Meanwhile, the in-charge of All India Centre for Urban and Rural development, a Non- Government Organization (NGO)- that earlier had facilitated the admissions of the Kashmiri students in Meerut told KNS that the office held a detailed meet with the varsity authorities, asking them to end the crises in an amicable manner.
    The in-charge of the NGO Ms Rabia added that she had requested the university administration that for the undertaking- the parents of the students may not be called to the varsity campus as the economic conditions of several parents is much weaker that they cannot afford to travel from Kashmir to Meerut. He claimed that the varsity officials had assured her that the undertaking from the parents will be taken in the valley only and that a copy of the same shall be mailed to the NGO’s office for the purpose.
    “Till date, no such document has been mailed to me. I am hopeful that till April 10, the document will be mailed so that the same could be duly signed by the parents of the expelled students and students (expelled) would resume their studies,” Rabia said.
     She however maintained that if the undertaking is being sought from the parents of the expelled students- the university officials must also give the assurance in writing that the students who would return to Meerut shall be provided the security and no maltreatment is meted out to them in future.  (KNS) 

  • Indian judicial system prejudiced, anti-Kashmiri: Shah

    Srinagar: Expressing wonder over Supreme Court’s adopting of double standard with regards to verdict on Devandar Singh Bhullar, Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah said the cases of Shaheed Muhammad Afzal Guru and Devandar Singh Bhullar were similar but Indian Supreme Court’s latest verdict exposed even its judicial system.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, “Though we consider both Guru and Bhullar innocent, but the double approach Indian judicial system adopted has exposed them fully as they hanged a Kashmiri Muslim, Shaheed Muhammad Afzal Guru to satisfy the collective conscience of its nation and commuted the death sentence of Bhullar, though both the cases were similar,” Shah said, adding that Shaheed Afzal was not even allowed to meet his loved ones.
    Expressing resentment over the anti-Kashmiri approach adopted by India, Shah appealed people to completely boycott the upcoming elections. ‘We are running a political movement against Indian forcible occupation, so we have to completely boycott the elections at any cost to achieve the freedom from Indian occupation,” he said. (KNS)

  • Hurriyat (G) cautions people on its support to any political party

    ‘Beigh using poetry  for emotional blackmail’
    Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (G) has cautioned against the ‘wrong impression’ of few known and unknown persons and parties who are taking part in the election drama that, they have got a secret support of Hurriyat Conference and Geelani for the upcoming election.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Hurriyat (G) said that whoever in any way will participate in the election drama will be committing an act of treason with the sacred blood of martyrs and the National cause.
    Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar said that PDP also had used this type of impression in 2002 to vow the votes but in reality this party is the creation of New Delhi and secret agencies under a secret plan and the election symbol of Inkpot and pen was allotted to them by the policy makers in New Delhi, but the worst side of this story was that, the persons who were left after the detention of major pro-freedom leaders, to reject the allegation of PDP that they have got the support of pro-freedom camp, did not take their responsibilities seriously and preferred to remain silent.
    Hurriyat spokesman said that PDP is still using the green flag and inkpot and pen to befool the common masses and their important leader Muzaffar Hussain Baigh is also passionately using poetry to emotionally blackmail the people. Besides PDP many independent candidates are also using the emotions and sentiments of freedom to vow the voters and they are also praising Syed Ali Geelani in their lectures and speeches to server their purpose.
    Some candidates during their election campaigns are reportedly visiting the martyred person’s family who has been killed merely for supporting the freedom movement of Kashmir and express their sympathy with them. The spokesman said that Geelani Sahab and Hurriyat Conference has a clear-cut stand that dual character is very harmful and dangerous for the movement and we treat this type of character against the religious belief and faith.
    Hurriyat (G) considers all the pro-Indian parties who are taking part in election drama as enemy no.1 of the Kashmiris and their cause and any open or secret support to them is a clear act of treason. Hurriyat (G) said that besides the political reason of election boycott that India is wrongly projecting this election as a referendum in its favour in the international forums, there is also a religious reason that the most candidates who are asking for votes are characterless people who are involved in many bad practices like sex scandals and when these persons become lawmakers, they pass the immoral and liquor bills in the assembly.
    According to the Holy Quran and Islamic belief, vote is a sacred trust-deposit which should be handed over to the desired and the person who is worth of it, the person should be a character well behaved and he should have the desire to implement the best system based on justice.
    So in this way it is a great sin to vote for these candidates who have desire to pass the bills of alcohol and immoral practices. Spokesman said that it was also the responsibility of the Islamic scholars and preachers to aware the common people about the use of their votes in the light of Quran, but unfortunately the famous and known Islamic scholars are still silent over this kind of serious matter and Allah knows better for what they are waiting. (KNS)

  • NC flag hoisted on Mujahid Manzil

    Srinagar: Once the head office of ruling National Conference, Mujahid Manzil, that was set ablaze during the eruption of militancy in valley in 90’s, the building Sunday reverberated with the slogans in NC’s favor with its official flag being hoisted on its top by the NC workers.
    According to the reports received by KNS, a rally was organized by NC’s senior leader and legislative assembly speaker Mubarak Gul in which several NC workers participated. While hoisting NC’s official flag on Mujahid Manzil- Gul addressed the gathering stating that the place has always remained a symbol of Kashmir’s identity and bears witness to the struggle of the people here for the preservation of the same. Gul remarked that the place is not only Important for NC but for the people at large.
    The rally was taken through various areas of the old City including Ali Kadal and Zaina Kadal.  
    Meanwhile the statement issued to KNS maintained that Gul while addressing rally at various places of the old city asked people to vote for NC’s candidate Dr Farooq Abdullah during the forthcoming parliamentary polls. He stated further that the people of the old city always had a close relationship with NC’s founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. “You have to ensure this time that the son of Sher-e-Kashmir must emerge victorious I the parliament polls.” (KNS)

  • People have not exonerated Modi: Omar

    ‘Rahul represents Modern India, Modi nurtures a particular thinking’
    ‘PDP is in election fray only to help BJP’
    Darhal: Making comparison between Rahul Gandhi and Narinder Modi, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who is also Working President of National Conference, Tuesday said that while Rahul Gandhi represents the aspirations of modern India and is sincere in his efforts to ensure inclusive and holistic development of all sections of the society equitably, Narinder Modi is beholder of a known ideology and has not been exonerated by the people of the Country of the charges of communal riots in Gujarat in which large number of people were killed.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Omar said: “Rahul Gandhi is the pulse of young India and takes along with him people of all the age groups in his mission to lead India towards a modern, prosperous and scientific era and Narinder Modi and his party BJP has the agenda of dividing the society on various counts to grab the power.”
    Omar referred to the denial of Narinder Modi for cladding a cap presented to him by Muslims and said that this has completely exposed Modi’s attitude and his particular thinking. “How can a person possessing this type of ideology lead a Nation which is abode of multi-religions, languages, cultures and ethnic groups”, Omar Abdullah questioned.
    Addressing largely attended public gatherings at Darhal, Budhal and Kotranka in Rajouri District of Jammu Division organized in support of the joint candidates of NC-Congress alliance, Omar said that stepping in the Parliament election by PDP despite knowing its imminent defeat is just to divide votes particularly in Poonch-Rajouri Districts to benefit BJP and Narinder Mondi.
    Omar said that normally there are three types of candidates in election fray. “First type of candidates are those who contest just for name sake, second type contest only to put hurdle in the smooth sailing of winning candidates and the third are sure shots to win the elections”, he said adding that PDP represents the second type of contestants who only want to divide the voters in the name of region and religion and benefit its mentor (BJP).
    The Chief Minister said that people have experienced the miss-governance, nepotism let loose by PDP during its three years tenure in power in the State. He said befooling people on various issues is handiwork of PDP and BJP. He said the conduct of these parties in the Assembly and outside has amply exposed their duality and deceptive politics aimed at grabbing power.
    Omar said that PDP knows that it will not win the election. He said in order to divide the society it has fielded an inhabitant of Rajouri- Poonch belt purposely in the Parliamentary election to supplement and help BJP. However, the NC Working President said that people are wiser enough to read between the lines and foil the attempts of divisive forces voting in large number for NC-Congress candidates representing communal amity, brotherhood and equitable development of all sections of the society.
    Omar cautioned the people against the elements who want to divide the society for political gains and said that voting NC-Congress candidates is to supplement the young, dynamic and sincere leader Rahul Gandhi.
    Omar mentioned the support UPA Government provided to the State for carrying forward peace and development and bringing about a healthy change in the progress and economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir. He said launch of Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan, MGNREGA, NRHM, PMGSY and score of other schemes in the State sponsored by UPA Government led by Congress have given considerable fillip to the holistic and inclusive development of the State.
    The NC Working President also mentioned the thousands of development schemes implemented, completed and commissioned during the last five years and said that the progress graph in the State during NC-Congress coalition government has touched new heights, breaking all previous records. He also mentioned the support received from UPA Government in this regard.
    The Chief Minister referred to the Legislations enacted in the State to empower people, make service delivery of important services a time bound necessity for administration and bring transparency in the functioning of government and establishing and strengthening the institutions to curb corruption and give good-governance.
    The National Conference Working President asked the people to reject those who ask votes on religion, sectoral, regional, cast and creed grounds. He urged them to defeat the attempts of those who want to polarize the atmosphere to divide people. He said PDP and BJP are shedding crocodile tears in different areas and while addressing different sections of the society. “Their only aim is to anyhow divide people for political gains”, he said maintaining that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are fully aware of this kind of politics and will make the preachers of this thinking eat the dust in the Parliament elections.
    The election rallies were addressed by Minister for Planning and Development, Ajay Sadhotra, Provincial President National Conference, Jammu, Devender Singh Rana, Senior NC leaders, Rattan Lal Gupta, Ch Liaqat,  Mirza Abdul Rashid and Congress leader Mohammad Iqbal Malik besides NC Block Presidents, Panchs and Sarpanchs. (KNS)

  • Wullar village has no drinking water since decades

    Srinagar: A remote village located on the fringes of Asia’s largest fresh water lake, Wullar, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district has no drinking water supply since decades. The inhabitants accuse the successive regimes of neglecting them to the core.
    The residents of Watlub Ghat told Srinagar-based Global News Service (GNS) they are without drinking water facility and the governments have never bothered. .
    “We drink the water of Wullar Lake but owing to its increased pollution we are scared to further consume its water,” an elderly, Ghulam Qadir said.
    He accused the successive governments of neglecting the area. “Till date, no government provided us drinking water facility. We have been using water from Wular. But now, due to pollution we are concerned.”
    He said that tons of garbage is dumped into the lake leading to its massive shrunk in recent years.
    According to villagers, said one of the main reasons for the pollution of the Wular is casting yard of Hindustan Construction Company (HCC).
    “The HCC dumping not only pollutes water but it also affects our employment,” another resident said, adding: “The growth of famous Wular fishes, drumstick and water nuts have declined due to cement dust in water.”
    Professor GA Bhat, who teaches Environmental Science at University of Kashmir and Central University of Kashmir, told GNS that definitely the cement dust affects fresh water body. “The residents are right that due to cement dust, they get affected,” he said.
    Bhat added that the cement dust in water affects fish and drumstick. “If any research would be conducted they will for sure find that it is harmful for the fresh water body.”
    The Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla District told GNS that he will ask the concerned officials to look into the non-availability of water in the area. (GNS)

  • 900 tablets seized in north Kashmir, 1 arrested

    Srinagar: Police Tuesday claimed to have recovered more than 900 banned drug tablets and arrested a drug peddler during its raid in north Kashmir’s Sopore area.
    Official sources told Srinagar-based news agency GNS that during a Naka at Achabal area of Sopore, police apprehended a drug peddler identified as Javed Ahamd Dar, son of Munawar Dar of Achabal and recovered 912 Spasmo Proxymon tablets from him.
    “The tablets are highly harmful and are used by drug addicts for psychotropic high. The Spasmo Proxyvon contains dextropropoxyphene which is a weak opioid (opium-like) agent,” the official said.
    “FIR no 44/2014 has been registered under section 8/22 NDPS act,” the official said.
    He said due to the frequent movement of non-state truck drivers in Mandi the percentage of drug menace has certainly increased.
    “We will continue the drive against drug peddlers as the menace has affected the society to very much extent. We appeal people to cooperate with police in this drive,” the official added. (GNS)

  • JKLF Organized Blood Donation Camp

    Doctor Abdul Ahad Guru was a legend whose sacrifices for the freedom struggle of Jammu Kashmir and humanity are unparallel and stand tall above all: Yasin Malik
    Srinagar: Shaheed I Hikmat Doctor Abdul Ahad Guru was a legend whose sacrifices for the freedom struggle of Jammu Kashmir and humanity are unparallel and stand tall above all. because of his, struggle, humanity, excellence in the field of medical profession, social work and philanthropy and sacrifice he stands above all and occupies a unique place in the history of Kashmir .From freedom struggle to social work his personality remains one of its kind. This was stated by the chairman JKLF Mohammad Yasin Malik while remembering doctor Abdul Ahad Guru on his martyrdom day today. Yasin Malik said that people like doctor guru represent the glory of nations and personalities like these are actually the symbol and identification of living nations. These personalities add to the pride of nations and are actually gift of God for the nations. He said that doctor guru from his birth on 24 November 1939 ‘showed the characteristics’ of a Godly person and today almost two decades after his martyrdom, Kashmir is yet to produce any one like him. Doctor Guru was first kashmiri Muslim who started open heart surgery in Kashmir and wrote a new chapter in the medical history of this poor nation .his efforts for making Soura medical institute a well established heath center are unforgettable. His relentless work for educating new doctors and elevating them to new heights was unparallel. He was a selfless noble soul who always thought about the poor and destitute.  He opened many heath care centers in the entire Kashmir where poor patients were treated free of cost. A Sarai for the poor patients, their attendants’ outside Burzalla hospital still reminds us about his philanthropy. The mosques and Darasgah opened by him remind us about his Islamic belief and wisdom. JVC Medical College and hospital and other institutes remind us about his vision and all these works are a Clear evidence of his towering personality, added Yasin Malik .He said that in every respect Shaheed Hikmat was like Hakim Ajmal Khan, Sir Syed Ahmad khan, Moulana Qasim Nanatwai, and Allama Iqbal for kashmiri’s. Yasin Malik said that the best part of doctor sahib’s life is that he without looking into the status and position he was joined the freedom struggle and started the journey on the path of thorns along with other JKLF members. He not only actively worked on the internal front of the movement but was very active on external diplomatic front also. In this way of determination nobody and no means could deter his resolve and he embraced martyrdom on 1st of April 1993.even after his martyrdom his own brother in law Mian Ashiq Hussain also got martyred at the hands of security forces, added Yasin Malik.
    Remembering doctor Abdul Ahad Guru and other martyrs, a blood donation camp was today organized by Hamid blood bank Abi Guzar. Hundreds of JKLF leaders, worker and well wishers participated in the camp. Many students, women, journalists and traders including a visitor from Calcutta donated his blood in the camp.  JKLF has been organizing such camps for last 24 years and JKLF leaders and workers have so far donated thousands of blood points for the cause of humanity.