Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Lok Sabha elections 2014: Threat, preparation level at par with last elections: DGP

    Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad Friday said the level of threat and preparations to meet the security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir for the smooth conduct of upcoming Lok Sabha polls is at par with what was at the time of last elections held in 2009.
    Talking to KNS, Mr Prasad said that the peaceful conduct of Lok Sabha and the legislative assembly elections this year is a major challenge for the state police. “We will have to remain vigilant to foil the attempts of anti-national elements who will try to disturb the smooth conduct of elections in the state,” he said adding he has issued directions to the department to discharge duties with utmost dedication and commitment to ensure law and order during elections.
    Mr Prasad observed that though the level of militancy has reduced to a large extent but the threat remains alive. “But the elections being held in phased manner will help our security preparations. Obviously the militants will try to target their soft targets to make some news but we are ready to face any eventuality,” the DGP remarked.
    He said that the preparations put in place for the ensuring smooth conduct of Lok Sabha elections will help to make our plans better for the coming assembly polls. “We will surely need a large fleet of vehicles for Lok Sabha elections but the same depends on the number of candidates contesting these polls.”
    The DGP said that almost all polling booths in Valley are sensitive but the police will have to adequate measures where the polling booths are declared super sensitive.  (KNS)

  • HCJK election boycott campaign reaches Sopore

    GoI resorting to ‘divide and rule’ policy in JK
    Srinagar: As part of its election boycott campaign Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK) leaders Friday addressed a huge gathering at Bomai, Sopore in north Kashmir.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, the leaders led by Shabir Ahmad Shah said that by involving the people of Kashmir in so-called elections India can never suppress our freedom movement.
    “The freedom movement is aimed at creating self-reliance among people by liberating the nation from the clutches of slavery while as the so-called power politics is the game-plan of the elements who exploit the nation for their petty self interests,” Shabir Ahmad Shah while addressing the gathering said. Other Hurriyat leaders who spoke on the occasion included Mushtaq ul Islam, Shabir Ahmad Dar, Muhammad Yusuf Naqash, Wajahat Quereshi and Muhammad Yasin Ataai.
    Shah said that living nations do not sacrifice their “freedom” for petty interests. He said we have laid innumerous sacrifices so as to live with honour and dignity at par with other free nations. “So, we call for complete boycott of upcoming parliamentary and assembly polls to honour the precious blood laid by our martyrs like Shaheed Muhammad Maqbool Bhat and Shaheed Muhammad Afzal Guru,” he said.
    Warning people against the ill designs of pro-India politicians, Shah said they are applying “divide and rule” policy here by turning people against each other on geographical, linguistic, religious and racial lines but our freedom struggle is aimed at liberating all the sections of Jammu and Kashmir State from the forcible occupation of India.”
    Commenting on the state terrorism leashed upon the length and breadth of the valley, Shah said despite the ill treatment of political prisoners in jails, miseries of the parents of disappeared people and frequent arrests of Hurriyat activists, the people of Kashmir are filled with the spirit of freedom.
    Shabir Ahmad Shah also expressed satisfaction and gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for its unrelenting political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris.
    “It is due to the endeavours of Pakistan that oppression and atrocities inflicted by India on Kashmiri people were highlighted at international level. Our freedom movement is in dire need of that country’s every support and we hope that Pakistan will continue fulfilling its responsibilities towards Kashmir issue,” Shah said. Shah also urged Hurriyat leaders to play active role in creating awareness among people with regards to anti-movement propagandas of pro-India elements.  (KNS)

  • Last date for submission of application form extended till Mar 22

    Srinagar: The Haj Committee of India has extended the last date for submission of Haj Application Forms for Haj 2014 to March 22. Earlier, the last date was March 15.
    Passport officer Srinagar Firdous Iqbal told KNS that the Haj Committee of India has accepted the request made by the state government and his office and extended the date for submission of application forms by a week.
    “I had written to the state Haj committee as well as copied to my own joint secretary besides forwarding the request to the Haj Committee of India  that due to unprecedented snowfall the department was facing multiple problems which necessitated an extension in last date for the submission of application forms from the intending Haj applicants in the state,” said Firdous Iqbal, Passport officer Srinagar.
    Minister for Haj and Auqaf Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed confirmed this to KNS, saying the intending Haj applicants may now submit their applications up to March 22. He said that while extending the last date all other conditions would remain the same and there would be no change in this regard.
    The passport officer Srinagar said that for the convenience of intending Haj pilgrims one more week has been given for submission of Haj Application Forms and those applicants whose Passport is not received may make efforts to obtain their passports. (KNS)

  • Youth killed in Police firing at Naidkhai

    Srinagar: One person has been killed while two others injured at Naidkhai in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district late Friday evening.
    Reports reaching GNS said that scores of youth took to streets after Friday prayers and started pelting stones upon the personals of 8th Battalion of Indian Reserve Police (IRP).
    In retaliation, the forces resorted to teargas shelling to disperse the protesters, reports added.
    Later in the evening, the situation took an ugly turn when police force opened fire at Naidkhai Bazar resulting injuries to three persons.
    The injured were rushed to Pattan hospital where a youth identified as Farhat Ahmad Dar (18) son of Ghulam Rasool Dar of ShahGund Sumbal succumbed to his injuries.
    As the news about the killing of a local youth spread in the Naidkhai area, hundreds of people including men, women and children took to streets and staged massive anti-India protests. (GNS)

  • Many JKLF leaders arrested in a nocturnal raid on JKLF office

    We all will have to keep away from these Indian elections JKLF Speakers in South Kashmir
    Srinagar: 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. This was stated by various leaders and activists of JKLF while speaking to many congregations throughout the south Kashmir today. Prior to these programs, police arrested many JKLF leaders in a nocturnal raid at JKLF office Bohiri Kadal (Shuhada Manzil Maqbool Centre). Among those arrested are JKLF zonal assistant general secretary Sheikh Abdul Gaffer, District president Baramullah Abdul Rashid Magloo, district president Kupwara Mohammad Rafiq War, District president Bandipora Syed Nisar Jeelani and office bearer Ghulam Qadir Khan.
    JKLF Public awareness program to ask people to keep away from Indian elections started from south Kashmir today and Many JKLF leaders and activists addressed people at many places throughout the south Kashmir. The places visited by JKLF leaders include Jamia KMD Islambad, central Jamia Pulwama, Jamia Khnbal , Jamai Rajpora, Jamia Muran Pulwama ,Jamia Gudroo Pulwama, Central Jamia Kulgam, Jamia Kaimoh Kulgam, Jamia Athoora Shupian, Jamia Newah Pulwama, Jamai Pir Pora Pulwama, Jamia Dooru Shahabad Islamabad, Jamai Watoo Shupian, Jamia Khudwani Kulgam, Jamia Matan Adda Islambad etc. In their addresses JKLF leaders said that elections held under Indian constitution and under the auspicious of India, though are contested under the  slogans of prosperity, roads, water, electricity and eradication of other day to day problems etc ,but have always been used to malign, undermine and weaken the freedom struggle of Kashmiris. Indian and its puppets in Jammu Kashmir have always tried to befool the international community and attached these elections with the determination of future of people of Jammu Kashmir. Speakers said that these elections, assemblies, and parliaments have given Kashmiris nothing but despair, distress and disaster. These elections gave us black Laws like PSA, AFSPA, TADA, POTA etc. These produced the oppression of Jagmohan, task force, catch and kill, operation tiger, custodial killings and disappearances, unmarked graves and unnamed graveyards. These gave us the hangings of Saheed Baba I Qoum Mohammad Maqbool Butt and Shaheed Afzal Guru. Speakers said that these elections, assembly and parliament has always work to snatch every symbol of freedom of Kashmiris  and the members elected to these assemblies and parliaments are only deputed to safeguard the interests of India and conceal the crimes of its forces and agencies.
    Speakers said that pro- India politicians and parties here have always asked for our votes in the name of electricity, water, jobs and roads etc but have always used this for snatching our freedom, strengthening the clutches of tyranny and oppression on the people of Jammu Kashmir and for legislating and Enactment of black laws here. Therefore taking part in these elections in any name cannot be termed but as worst enmity with Kashmir and Kashmiris.
    Speakers said that although The people who contest these elections ask us to vote in the name of electricity, water, employments and other day to day needs of the life but in fact after the elections are over these very people and their masters in Delhi project the elections and votes as a vote for india and use this to malign and undermine the freedom movement for which our hundreds and thousands have sacrificed their lives till date. Speakers appealed the people of Jammu Kashmir to show resilience and wisdom and not to get deceived by the slogans of electricity, water, employments, Tehsils and Nayabats etc. we will have to defeat the ill-designs of enemies to divide this nation into sects, casts, creeds, families ,localities etc  and as a living nation will have to safeguard the sacrifices rendered by us and our beloved martyrs and for that we all will have to keep away from these Indian elections and voting’s, added speakers. Meanwhile today in addition to these public meetings pamphlets about the facts of these elections, its bad repercussions etc were distributed throughout various places in south Kashmir.

  • MET issues fresh weather advisory

    Heavy snowfall likely from 15 till 18th March
    Srinagar: A fresh Western Disturbance over J&K and adjoining areas is likely to affect the state from 15th March (Saturday) to 18th March 2014 (Tuesday), a weather official in a statement issued to GNS said.
    He said that under the influence of this weather system, moderate to rather heavy rain and snow would occur at many places on 15th & 16thMarch & at most places on 17th & 18th March in Jammu & Kashmir divisions.
    https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif“Snowfall is also likely to occur at a few places in Ladakh region particularly in Zojila, Drass & Kargil hilly areas”, he said.
    During the above period, heavy to very heavy rain/snowfall would occur at isolated places over the state. Thunder storm accompanied by hailstorm is also likely at isolated places in the state, the weather official added.
    12 people have died over three thousand houses damaged due to heavy snowfall and rains in the state since Monday.  (GNS)

    v

  • Siblings among three found dead in Humhama

    Srinagar: Two siblings were among three persons found dead under mysterious circumstances at Humhama in central’s Kashmir’s Budgam district,Friday morning.
    A police official told GNS that, three carpenters were working on an under-construction house of Dr. Tanveer Masood here at ‘Friends Enclave’. Early morning, the trio was found in an unconscious state and were immediately shifted to nearby hospital were doctors declared them dead.
    The initial investigation revealed Jamsheed Ahmad Dar son of Ambir Dar of Kulture, Chadoora, Budgam, Fayaz Ahmad and his brother Nissar Ahmad sons of Ghulam Ahmad Najar of Watkul died because of suffocation due to gas leakage, the official said.
    A case under 174 CrPC has been registered in this regard and further investigations taken up, the official added.
    A pall off gloom descended in entire Chadoora after the bodies of two brothers and another person reached their villages. (GNS)

  • Non-Local Laborer embraces Islam in Old city

    Srinagar: A non-local laborer on Friday embraces Islam here in a Jamia Masjid in Old City, Srinagar, sources told GNS.
    19-years-old Bajrang son of Mohan Chaudary of Jharkhand, Bihar recited Kalima- a sentence to agree to oneness of Allah and the prophet-hood of Muhammad (Pbuh) in Jamia Masjid at Shampora Nowhatta, Srinagar today, they said.
    He has taken the name Mohammad Amin. He certainly accepted Islam of his own free-will after making a thorough search into various religions of the world, sources said, adding “His critical investigations did reveal to him the truth of Islam”.
    Pertinently, On November 16 last year, a 43-year-old Dutch tourist De-wit Richard embraces Islam and later taken the name Mohammad Abdullah here in central Jail Srinagar. (GNS)

  • Two attempted suicide in North Kashmir

    Srinagar: Two ladies attempted to end their lives in North Kashmir last evening.
    In an attempt to end her life, a 25 year lady (name withheld) resident of Hyhama, Kupwara silted her throat at her home. She was immediately rushed to SMHS, Hospital for treatment. Kupwara Police has registered a case in this regard.
    Meanwhile, a 17 years old girl (name with held) resident of Doodipora, Handwara consumed some poisonous substance at her home. She was shifted to District hospital Handwara for treatment. Handwara Police has registered a case in this regard.

  • 80 percent almond trees in Kashmir damaged due to snow

    SRINAGAR: Rajya Sabha member and senior National Conference leader, Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri, Thursday said more than 8-0 percent of almond trees in Kashmir have been damaged due to recent snow.
    Mr Ratanpuri said the situation after snowfall was avoidable but the government failed to deliver. “Government did not meet the expectations of the people while the fact is that MeT had already made predictions about heavy snowfall,” he said.
    Accusing Peoples Democratic Party of playing politics, he said that he visited scores of areas in south Kashmir from where snow was cleared from all the roads.
    Appealing the government to pay ex-gratia relief to the farmers who have incurred heavy losses due to heavy snowfall, Ratanpuri said the government should seek permission from Election Commission and he certainly will allow the government to distribute relief despite Model Code of Conduct in vogue.
    “I visited different areas of Pulwama district including Nownagri, Palapora, Chakoora, Newa, Chandgam, Wagargund, Wahipora, Wanpora, Parigam and Zadoora etc and I observed that 80 per cent almond trees have been damaged,” he said adding that in Rajpora and Shopian and upper reaches of Pulwama, snow furry has devastated orchards and almond trees completely.
    “I appeal to the Rural Development Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar to permit DC Pulwama and Shopian to distribute relief amoung the sufferers under Indira Awas Yojna and Rajiv Awas Yojna. If Model Code of Conduct has restricted the movement of Ministers then I appeal Ali Muhammad Sagar to seek permission from Election Commission,” he said adding that those people should also be befriended whose residential house have been damaged due to snowfall.