Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • JKP prepared to ensure free, fair elections: Rajendra

    Jammu: In order to review as well as discuss the security arrangements and other connected issues related to smooth conduct of ensuing Lok Sabha elections in the State, Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary, Home Department today chaired a high level meeting here today.
    The meeting was attended by Mr. K. Rajendra Kumar, Special Director General Police, (Coordination), Mr S. P. Vaid, ADGP (Hqrs), Mr. R.S. Sodhi, Secretary, Technical, Home Department, Mr. Deepak Kumar, IGP (Hqrs), Mr. Yoginder Kaul, Commissioner Civil Military Liaison Mr. Rajesh Kumar,  IGP Jammu, Mr. S.S. Tomar, IG BSF, Mr. Kuldeep Dhar, IG CRPF and other officers of Home Department. Mr. Shailendra Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and Mr. A .G. Mir, IGP Kashmir, participated in the meeting through video-conferencing.
    At the outset, Mr. Suresh Kumar, sought reports from different security agencies and State Police with regard to the preparedness and the arrangements put in place for smooth conduct of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. He stressed for greater synergy and coordination among the different agencies and police for maintenance of law and order and conduct of free and fair elections in the State. He exhorted for creating a congenial atmosphere enabling the people to exercise their franchise without any fear and coercion.
    It was also decided that IGP Kashmir and IGP Jammu will work out the requirement of forces and deployment plans at micro level in their respective divisions. They will exchange the required number of companies of security forces as worked out by the Police Headquarters. The Principal Secretary Home directed for early execution of pending warrants and confiscation of unlicensed arms and deposition of licensed weapons.
    Special Director General of Police, Mr. K. Rajendra Kumar, briefed the meeting about the deployment plan chalked out for smooth conduct of the upcoming elections. He informed that Jammu and Kashmir Police shall utilize all its sources in all the six constituencies of the State for smooth conduct of the elections. He also stated that State Police and other Para-military forces deployed in the State are mobilizing their entire manpower and machinery to ensure free and fair elections in the State.
    While giving the details about the election preparedness, Mr. Rajendra Kumar, stated that State Police has sensitized all its wings ahead of elections and increased coordination among different agencies is being forged to strengthen intelligence gathering and its sharing, so as to thwart the sinister designs of anti-national elements. He said that joint meetings of different agencies are being convened regularly to share the inputs and deal with the situation accordingly.
    Rajendra also informed that the communication network available with all the agencies including State Police and Central Forces will be used during the elections. He said that joint control rooms are being established to ensure coordination among different agencies involved in the process of elections. ADGP, Headquarters informed that BP vehicles are available for deployment with the candidates contesting the elections. (KNS)

  • Govt letting off spurious drug perpetrators: DAK

    Independent inquiry will role many heads
    Srinagar: President Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Dr Nisar ul Hassan has said that it is shocking that government is shielding spurious drug perpetrators.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Dr Hassan has said: “We are anguished to know that crime branch in its supplementary charge sheet has let off Lotika Khajuria the then deputy drug controller. Earlier she was indicted as there was substantial evidence to prove her complicity in the purchase and supply of spurious drugs for government hospitals .She along with other members of purchase committee (PC) had deliberately overlooked the fake and fraudulent tendering documents and had facilitated the commission of crime.”
    The DAK president has alleged that the government has already given a clean chit to the then Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma whose involvement in spurious drug scam is proved by a letter from Anees Choudry wherein he mentions that Minister directed chairperson of PC to go ahead with rate contract without checking the potency of the drug and credentials of the firm.
    “The members of verification board of Directorate of Health services Kashmir under the administrative control of Director Dr Salem u Rehman, who have deliberately overlooked the credentials of supplier / manufacturer, have also been left out by investigating authority,” he added.
    Dr Hassan has said that the DAK exposed the spurious drug scam last year and since then hundreds of drugs have been declared spurious/substandard killing children and adults. “Drug department is hand in glove with spurious drug mafia and are in league with shoddy pharmaceutical companies. The department has shown utter disregard to their duties by not taking samples for analysis.”
    He said that if this scandal had come to fore in any other state, government would have been sued for inaction, but here victims are disempowered Kashmiris and comfort level for government is secure.
    “Kashmir is a den of spurious drugs and this deadly business has political patronage. DAK demands independent inquiry in spurious drug scam so that many heads will roll as the culprits are being shielded by investigating authority. Fake drug scam is an unforgivable commission of crime as precious human lives are lost and perpetrators should face public trial.” (KNS)

  • Report about attack on FM’s cavalcade totally baseless: NC

    Jammu: The spokesman has strongly rebutted the news report circulated by local news agency that the cavalcade of the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs,   Abdul Rahim Rather was attacked by the people at Chana Mohalla, Watakaloo of Charar-i-Sharief in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, the spokesman also rebutted alleged reports that the Minister’s Security Personnel had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob. In fact, the spokesman said, that the Minister conducted a three days whirl wind tour of various areas including some inaccessible and hilly  villages of District Budgam very smoothly to take stocks of restoration works under taken by the District administration post snowfall. He said during the tour of the Minister, they locals in thousands thronged to greet him and also apprised him about their problems created due to unexpected heavy snowfall. They demanded early redressal of their grievances
    The spokesman said circulation of the news report without ascertaining its authenticity  was against ethics of journalism which can be a mischief engineered by some disgruntled political elements who are unnerved with the ever  growing popularity of the Minister among the masses. Even as per the report of the news agency, the concerned Station House Officer, Charar-i-sharief, when immediately contacted by it in this regard, had totally denied the report of any attack on the Minister’s Cavalcade. (KNS)

  • CRPF on ‘vandalizing spree’ in Bandipora towns

    Srinagar: Residents of Hajan and Naidkhai in Bandipora district Tuesday alleged that paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has created ‘mayhem’ in their areas.
    Hajin residents told GNS over phone that the CRPF men went berserk in the area and spared none. “The CRPF men broke glasses of the houses, broke window panes and ransacked vehicles,” said a local, adding: “They have created a reign in the localities.”
    Hajan witnessed violent protests after a youth was killed in police action on Friday evening at Naidkhai.
    “I was serving tea to my eight and ten year old sons at my home. Suddenly, CRPF men entered our house and broke window-panes and glasses of our house. In order to save my family, we hid in the bathroom,” Shameema, a resident of Syed Mohalla, told GNS.
    Another lady, who wished not to be named, alleged: “CRPF men even beat women after entering houses. They dragged three women and tried to arrest them but later left them away.”
    Sources in the town told GNS that the forces went berserk in Parray Mohalla, Mir Mohalla, Danger Mohalla, Syed Mohalla and Kochak Mohalla.
    “CRPF, without looking right or left, are on vandalizing spree. Since past two days, they have brutalized the population,” another local told GNS.
    Naidkhai town residents leveled similar allegation. “They have been beating people, breaking glasses and window-panes of houses since past three days,” a resident told GNS.
    But CRPF have rejected the allegations. “These are baseless allegations. We have ordered our men not to indulge in these kinds of activities,” Public Relations Officer of CRPF, Kishore Prasad, told GNS.
    “If locals can prove allegations against any of our men, we will take action against him,” he added. (GNS)

  • HCJK protests ‘ill treatment’ of inmates

    Srinagar: The spokesperson of Hurriyat Conference-JK (HCJK) has strongly condemned the administration for its ill treatment of freedom lovers in the jails of state and outside state.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, the jail inmates are not provided medical care effectively neither they are brought to courts for attending their cases so to prolong their detention. Particularly Abdul Waheed Zakir of Banhial, Zakir Ahmed of Kathua, Atta Muhammad  are  particularly harassed as they are serving life sentences. Kathua and Mubarak Ahmed of Kulgam .talking to some recently released boys from Kot Bilwal jail Jammu who narrated their woeful stories of the administration of the said jail.
    They have made the meeting of inmates to their relatives very difficult they have made a habit of insulting the visiting  relatives and also made the checking of inmates  who come out to meet their relatives very harsh. Taking strong notice of these inhuman activities, Hurriyat Conference-JK warns the state administration to desist from these activities or they may have to face consequences for which the responsibility lies with them.  The spokesman also condemned the continued house arrest of its leaders Shabir Ahmed shah & Nayeem Ahmed Khan. (KNS)

  • Omar expresses grief over demise of Ganai

    Participates in Nimaz-e-Jenaza, expresses solidarity with bereaved family
    Srinagar: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who is also Working President of National Conference has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad and untimely demise of the senior National Conference leader Mohammad Akbar Ganai who passed away yesterday in his South Kashmir residence.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, the Working President National Conference alongwith Provincial President Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister of State for Information Technology, Feroz Ahmad Khan and other senior National Conference leaders visited the residence of late Mohammad Akbar Ganai and participated in the Nimaz-e-Jenaza. Omar Abdullah stayed with the bereaved family, consoled it, expressed his solidarity and sympathy and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
    Omar Abdullah on the occasion highlighted the contributions of late Mohammad Akbar Ganai for strengthening the National Conference and seeking upliftment of the people particularly belonging to poorer sections of the society. The Working President National Conference said that in the demise of Mohammad Akbar Ganai while people have lost their great friend, the National Conference has been deprived of a stalwart and senior leader. (KNS)

  • Army officer thrashed for filming power protests in Kupwara

    Srinagar: An Army officer was roughed up by angry protesters on Tuesday in the frontier Kupwara district after he tried to arrest a youth, who objected to the filming of the anti-Power Development Department (PDD) demonstration by the army.
    Reports reaching GNS said that hundreds of residents of Peer Mohalla, Anderhama, Drugmulla, Dawood colony, Muqam-e Shahwali, Gund and adjoining areas this morning assembled at Fakirpora and staged anti-PDD demonstrations. Chanting slogans, the protesters alleged that the department has failed to restore electricity supply in the areas after the heavy snowfall last week. Some protesters alleged that the transformer damaged around a month ago in Dawood Colony has not been repaired till date. The protesters blocked Kupwara-Srinagar highway demanding immediate restoration of the power supply.
    As the protests were going on, an army convoy passed through the area. An army major identified as D K Singh filmed the protests and asked the protesters to pave way for the convoy.
    “However, a youth confronted the officer and objected to the filming of the protest. He also refused to allow the army convoy to pass. Infuriated, the army officer grabbed the youth by collar and tried to whisk him away. However, the protesters hurled fire pots on the officer and thrashed him to the pulp,” Gulzar Ahmad, an eyewitness said.
    He said a police team led by SHO, Kupwara, Rigzin rescued the officer from the angry protesters. The police officer also asked the army to divert their convoy from a different route.
    “The claims of district administration brought the locals on roads. The administration had claimed that power supply across the district has been restored. The villagers, who were reeling under darkness, were offended by the irresponsible statement of officials and they staged protests today,” he said.
    Later, Station House Officer Rigzin pacified the protesters by assuring to take up the issue with the civil administration. However, the locals, eyewitnesses said, served three day ultimatum to the administration through the police to get the electricity problem addressed.
    “The locals have threatened to block highway for traffic in case the government fails to restore power supply in every village in the next three days. The locals have pledged not to allow army convoys, or VIP cavalcades during the protests in case the government fails to restore electricity,” eyewitnesses said. (GNS)

  • Vote for PDP will be vote for change: Baig

    “Farooq, Omar tarnishing image of Kashmiris”
    Srinagar: The senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former deputy Chief Minister, Muzzafar Hussain Baig has said the coming Lok Sabah elections would provide an opportunity to the people of Kashmir to send such representatives to the parliament, who would provide voice to the problems and concerns in the highest democratic forum of the country.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, addressing a one day convention of party workers from Handwara assembly constituency, Baig said a vote for PDP would be a vote for change as it is the only party that has ever been able to make a difference in the life of people. He said NC, which as a result of its conspiracies against the people of Kashmir, sell-outs  and U-turns is reduced to a rump, is now a mere group of power seekers and they have shown their worst face in the parliament as they never raised their voice in support of the people, who voted for them.
    Baig, who is PDP’s parliamentary candidate for Baramulla constituency, said the NC leader, Farooq Abdullah presented a one point formula to the Kashmir problem by recommending the bombing of Pakistan least realising it could never be done without the annihilation of Jammu & Kashmir and major parts of our own country.
    Of late, Farooq and his chief minister son have launched a tirade against the people of Kashmir who have offered sacrifices over generations at the call of NC. “While Omar tarnished the image of entire Kashmiris by calling them stone-pelters, drug addicts, enemy agents and terrorist  Farooq Abdullah, as the so-called ambassador of Kashmir, recently called all of us Maha Chors,” Baig said and added it is a different matter that people of the state know very well who the biggest thief is.
    He said PDP is fighting elections for the Lok Sabah with all seriousness, which can be gauged from the fact that NC was forced to concede half of the state to its alliance partner even though it is never tired of claiming to be the sole representatives of the entire J&K.
    He said at the end of its rule NC is now projecting alliance with the Congress as its only achievement, but PDP believes it is the people of the state who will decide about their future and will judge every party on the basis of their performance and credibility of the leadership. “NC after surrendering states authority, its resources and dignity has now surrendered even its own political space just to survive somehow or the other on the scenario of the state,” Baig said.
    Baig said PDP considers people’s court as supreme and aims to involve them in the governance system so that a new chapter is written in the history of the state, which is based on truth and honesty. He said the disillusionment among the people particularly of youth with the system, is all because of the ruling government’s callousness and insensitivity towards the people’s issues. He said PDP with the help of people during its brief stint in the government brought about a new change in the political discourse and paved a way forward for the political resolution of J&K issue.
    He said PDP has set new standards in the state politics whether it was in the govt or in opposition.  He said the party brought the state out of repression and darkness in 2002. It scraped POTA, disbanded taskforce, disciplined Ikhwanis, freed all political prisoners and facilitated a new chapter in the Indo-Pak relations that culminated in a ceasefire at a time when the two armies were in full battle gear. He said under the present regime the state has virtually returned to pre-2002 situation with the instruments of repression revived, youth victimized and new weapons like pellet guns and chilli grenades introduced.
    The senior PDP leaders, Nizamu Din Bhat, MLA; Naeem Akhtar, Chief spokesperson; Abdul Haq Khan, MLA, Ghulam Mohiudin Sofi, ex-minister and local leaders , Ghulam Nabi Panditpori, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, Irfan Panditpuri, Advocate Mohammad Amin Wani, Mohammad Shafi Dar, and others were also present on the occasion. (KNS)

  • Yasin Malik along with other JKLF leaders continue to remian in police custody

    JKLF strongly condemns atrocities in Hajin and other parts of Sonawari
    Srinagar: Chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Mohammad Yasin Malik along with other JKLF leaders  advocate Bashir Ahmad Butt, Noor Mohammad Kalwal,Showkat  Ahmad Bakhshi, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri  are still in police custody. They were arrested by police on 17th March 2014 during a protest rally held against oppression unleashed by police and forces at Naidkhai on 14th march 2014.
    JKLF spokesperson, while condemning this continued detention of Yasin Malik and other JKLF leaders said that on one hand forces and police have been given a free hand to kill, injured and beat people. These forces have unleashed a reign of terror across the whole valley especially in Sonawari belt. Today forces, police along with army raided houses of people, dragged even women folk out of their houses and beat them ruthlessly and injured many of them in Hajan area.
    Spokesman said that dozens have been injured in the area by pellet gun fire and shells and many of them after sustaining serious injuries have been admitted in hospitals. Police is arresting youth of the area without discrimination and people of the area have been badly terrorized by these actions.
    JKLF spokesman while condemning this brutal use of force by police and forces in thje area said that this shows that the state of Jammu Kashmir is actually governed by police. He condemned the attitude of rulers who instead of stopping and punishing killers of innocents have given them a free license to kill and terrorize people.

  • Separatists likely to devise poll boycott strategy

    Deliberations on to evolve consensus over a common strategy
    Srinagar: With the political mainstream in Jammu and Kashmir already in poll mode, the separatists have started in house deliberations to evolve a consensus over a common strategy to make their poll boycott call ‘a success’.
    Reports maintained that a section of senior pro-freedom leaders are in continuous contact with Mirwaiz led Huriyat and a common plan to go for a mass contact programme highlighting the ‘demerits’ of participation in polls is likely to be chalked out very soon.
    Talking to KNS, Chairman Huriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq stated that in principle the pro-freedom camp here is united vis-à-vis polls and that elections are rejected in letter and spirit at large by Kashmir’s separatist leadership. “The consensus is already there –we reject elections and urge people to stay away from the same.”
    However, Mirwaiz observed that till now he has not been approached by any pro-freedom group over the issue and Huriyat in near future will devise the strategy to launch poll boycott campaign in valley.
    As the Huriyat Conference led by senior separatist Syed Ali Geelani has already urged people to go for a complete poll boycott, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Mohammad Yasin Malik in his recently held rallies has stated that vote means ‘betrayal’ with the sacrifices rendered by the people during the ongoing resistance movement.
    Huriyat Conference (JK) senior leader Shabir Ahmad Shah told KNS that there must be the coordination between the various separatist groups over the issue of poll boycott and that his amalgam from the very first day has been asking people to stay away from the polling booths.
    Sources informed KNS that the senior resistance leader and MeA patron Mohammad Azam Inqilabi has been holding series of deliberations with various fro-freedom factions over the issue of poll boycott and has also urged various factions to stand united over election boycott strategy. In his recent statement, Inqilabi has also supported the boycott call of Hizb Supremo Syed Sallah-ud-din and has urged people to reject the election fray at large. (KNS)