Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • People suffered a lot due to snowfall: Soz

    Srinagar: Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Prof Saif-u-Din Soz has said that the people in Kashmir have suffered because of heavy snowfall coupled with the poor administration.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Prof Soz said: “Kashmir valley and higher reaches of Jammu Province have experienced heavy snow fall and that too in March, which is known in history as the month when the spring arrives and the almonds and other trees bloom all over. He said: “Since I was in Srinagar I know full well how people suffered for electric power, drinking water and other basic facilities of life. Many government servants extended a helping hand while others failed to do so.”
    The PCC chief has added: “It is on such trying occasions that the muscle of the Administration is tested best. I express my anguish at the sad death of a dozen persons in avalanches. I urge the state Administration to rise to the occasion and provide the needed facilities to the people. The damage of all kind of properties must be assessed properly and compensation offered, at the earliest.” (KNS)

  • Kashmir destined to achieve ‘freedom from India’: Naqash

    Srinagar: Chairman Islamic Political Party Jammu and Kashmir Mohammad Yousuf Naqash  has said that Kashmir dispute came in to existence due to the ‘illegal and forced occupation of Kashmir by India’ against the wishes and aspirations of people of Kashmir and for them its solution means ‘freedom from India’.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, the ongoing perpetual struggle for achieving this mission is justified and India will never succeed in crushing or curbing it by military might and oppressive tactics. Time has proved that India totally failed in eliminating the anti India and pro freedom sentiment of people of Kashmir inspite of taking recourse to extreme oppressive and suppressive tactics.
    Naqash further said that India needs to read the writing on the wall that people of Kashmir consider India as their enemy, colonial and alien Country and are never ready to accept the illegal and forced occupation of India and are determined to struggle till freedom from India. While as love for Pakistan runs in their blood because they think and consider Pakistan their own saviour and well-wisher country that has been suffering for the freedom of Kashmiri people and unconditionally extending moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir and their freedom struggle.
    Naqash prayed for the early recovery of prominent pro freedom leader Syed Ali Geelani. He also condoled the sad demise of the uncle of Zafar Akbar Bhat and Mr. Tufail Ahmad Bhat and expressed solidarity with them and the bereaved families. (KNS)

  • Governor releases “Pakistan Under Army Rule”

    Jammu: N.N. Vohra, Governor, released “Pakistan Under Army Rule”, written by Mr. M.M. Khajooria, at a function held at Police Auditorium, Gulshan Ground, Jammu. This volume is about the journey of Pakistan under Army’s rule and its contributions in the country’s evolution.
    The Governor observed that this book has come out at a momentous time, when there is a new government in Pakistan, important constitutional developments due to shortly take place in Afghanistan and India shortly electing a new Government. He said that for peace and stability in the sub continent, its neighborhood it is necessary for all countries in South Asia to have deeper and better understandings of mutual concerns.
    The Governor congratulated Mr. Khajooria for his painstaking research in bringing out a substantial volume and hoped that this book would contribute to better understandings and better relations between neighbours. The Welcome Address was presented by Mrs. Seema Shekhar Khajooria and a Vote of Thanks was presented by Mr. Chander Shekhar Gupta. (KNS)

  • Snowfall aftermath: Valley still paralyzed

    People aghast over condition of roads Authorities claim to have restored vital links
    Srinagar: More than 650 houses including residential commercial ones were damaged due to the massive snowfall that shook valley on March 11.
    According to the reports received by KNS, the electricity supply continues to remain affected in various areas across Kashmir valley on Thursday with the authorities claiming t has restored around 60 percent of the supply. People belonging to various areas of Srinagar city Thursday complained that the SMC officials once again failed to clear the now on roads and dewater the streets that virtually have turned into cesspools.  The residents of Chanpora, Safa Kadal, Hari Singh high street, Lal Bazar, Zakura and various others told KNS over phone that they are unable to move out of their houses due to the heavy presence of water on Streets. People also seem aghast over the absence of concerned ward officers- stating that the authorities have left the Srinagarites in the midst of worst crises.
    In most of the areas, the shops and business establishments remained closed on Thursday due to the huge presence of water and snow on roads.
    Due to the closure of Jammu- Srinagar highway during the past three days- people stated that the dearth of necessities has emerged and the rates of the available essential commodities have been hiked without any reason. “The market checking squad is nowhere. The snow is not being cleared. We still have no water supplies restored, what the government is doing to the people?” said Mir Mukhtar Ahmad- resident of old city.
    Commenting over the restoration of electricity in valley, authorities Thursday claimed to have restored its major portion and the rest if being done on priority basses. It was stated further that complete electricity restoration will be done by March 14.
    It was further claimed that 75 dewatering pumps, 45 mobile pumps and 15 fire and emergency tenders were put in service to clear water from various inundated areas of the city.  Besides, snow was cleared from the compounds of various hospitals on priority to ensure hassle-free movement of people for Medicare facilities.

    The reports informed further that the rail links in Kashmir were restored at large and that after the improvement in weather conditions, the services were resumed. The massive snow clearance operation was launched at various areas including banihal, Anantnag and Baramullal rain tracks. (KNS)

  • Have cleared roads: SMC

    Srinagar: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) rushed its men and machinery to clear key roads in the city in the wake of heavy snowfall and has cleared snow from important destinations and installations like hospitals, ration depots, banks, offices religious places and other important institutions.
    According to a  statement issued to KNS, the snow clearance, which was started on a war footing, was supervised by SMC commissioner Dr GN Qasba, who conducted personal tours of various areas to instruct the ground staff and pass orders with regard to snow clearance dewatering. More than 2700 sanitary workers, 75 dewatering pumps, 20 loaders, four JCBs, two robots and several hoppers were into service  to ensure public faces no inconvenience. Sixty four caterpillar machines was also forced into action. At least seventy percent lanes and by lanes have been cleared off snow. Thirty eight mobile dewatering pumps have been put in place  by  drainage division of SMC in the areas which have been inundated under water and since yesterday evening the water level in submerged areas has gone down appreciably  said Commissioner SMC. With the restoration of power supply to the Daresh Kadal dewatering station it is expected that water level in and around Magarmal Bagh and similarly in other areas would rise down considerably further said Dr Qasba. Adequate quantity of diesel has been placed to drainage division for working smoothly in case of power failure he further added
    The SMC has set up a control room. People can call on these two numbers 0194-2474499, 2450620 to register their complaints. At least over hundred complaints were responded for snow clearance, water logging and removal of building material and trees from general public which were addressed swiftly.

  • Gindbaash: Kashmir Cultural festival 2014 Postponed

    Gindbaash: Kashmir Cultural festival 2014 Postponed 

    Srinagar: Gindbaash a Family program which will show case the cultural tribute of our kashmiriyat with some Modern kashmiri touch as well Has Been Postponed Due to unfavorable weather event has been now rescheduled to 29th of march 2014.

  • Suspicious death of a man in Srinagar

    Srinagar: Some locals informed Police Station Rajbagh that a person who was later identified as 24 years old Mohammad Azad resident of Muzaffarpur, Bihar was brought dead to SHMS, Hospital, Srinagar in suspicious circumstances.
    According to a police statement issued to KNS, Raj Bagh Police has initiated inquest proceedings under section 174 CrPC in the regard. The deceased was working in SPS Museum, Lal Mandi as electrician Police. After completing all legal formalities the body of the deceased was handed over to his legal heirs for last rites. (KNS)

  • We will never go to Meerut: Suspended students

    ‘Our career and security is at stake’
    Srinagar: Stating that they are willing to study in Kashmir valley alone, the group of 67 students who were suspended due to cheering for Pakistan during a cricket match Thursday stated that they are scared that the communal forces might attack them once they return to varsity in Meerut.
    The reports received by KNS informed that the suspended students Thursday categorically stated that they are not returning to Meerut as they feel ‘threatened’ and ‘insecure’.
    The students maintained further they feel ‘dejected’ by the chief minster Omar Abdullah and that in the midst of the worst crises there security and future is at stake. “The recent attack  on Kashmiri students at Delhi has vindicated that how much insecure are the youth of Kashmir outside valley- we ourselves and our families are much worried over the issue at present and reality is that we don’t want to return to Meerut,” said one of the suspended student on the condition of anonymity. He added that the politics for the vested interests is being played with our career.
    “Irony is this that the VC of our university stated that our suspension has not been revoked and the same will be done once the probe into the incident is complete. Contrary to this- for gaining the political scores Junaid Matoo- someone deputed by the government over the issue says he has resolved everything and now students can go to Meerut ay ease.”
    The students observed further that they continuously are receiving the reports that the communal forces in the university are planning something fishy against us and that we are concerned now over our career. The students maintained that if other institutions could accommodate them here then they are willing to study in their own homeland. (KNS)

  • Geelani reaches Delhi for treatment

    To visit Apollo hospital tomorrow
    Srinagar: Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani today reached New Delhi where the renowned chest specialist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai conducted his detailed checkup in Medanta Hospital Gurgaon.
    According to Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar, Geelani has been advised to visit Apollo hospital where Dr Sameer Kaul is scheduled to conduct a thorough examination of the ailing separatist leader. Dr Kaul will be is to see the cause for weight loss, low hemoglobin level and acute chest infection affecting the health of Geelani.
    Meanwhile, Akbar has once again appealed all the pro-freedom people to pray for the speedy recovery and safe return of Geelani. According to Hurriyat (G) spokesman, Geelani left for New Delhi today at 1:30  p.m. from Srinagar Airport in a scheduled flight of Jet Airways and he reached at Indira Gandhi International Airport New Delhi at about 3:00 p.m. In the evening Geelani will be taken to a private Hospital situated in Gurgaon where a prior appointment with a renowned chest specialist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai has already been taken. It will be decided after his general checkup by the doctors that whether Geelani Sahab will be admitted in the hospital or not.
    Hurriyat said that though Geelani is a patient with multiple ailments with severe chest infection, so doctors have advised many important medical investigations which will be conducted there.
    According to the spokesman, when Geelani was about to leave for Airport, hundreds of people assembled at Hyderpora to see off their leader with wet eyes and Geelani thanked them by waving his hand. People there raised slogans in favour of Freedom and Islam. A prayer meeting was immediately held at Hyderpora head office after the Geelani left for airport which was presided by Hurriyat General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Sumji and in which many executive members of Hurriyat participated.
    “At the end of the meeting, Sumji said that the Geelani is a unique and daring leader who doesn’t have any substitute and the affectionate attachment that people have shown with respect to the health of Geelani, is very encouraging and which proves that the nation is alive and had not forgotten the sacred cause. The executive body also praised the stand adopted by Geelani with respect to the state government’s offer of providing him a chopper and said that he (Geelani) is a unique character who has always given the preference to the cause over his personality and he will never compromise over these issues.” (KNS)

  • Autonomy, revocation of AFSPA, demilitarization in NC’s manifesto: Kamaal

    Srinagar: Greater autonomy, revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), reducing footprints of army and the development are a few catchphrases with which the National Conferences will go to people to seek votes for the Lok Sabha elections scheduled to start from April 7.
    Talking to KNS, Dr Mustafa Kamal, additional general secretary National Conference said: “The NC will seek votes on our unfinished political task that is getting greater autonomy as per the resolution passed by the state assembly, revocation of AFSPA, reducing footprints of army, clearing government buildings and other civilian areas from army and above all pursuing with New Delhi to start meaningful talks with Pakistan to sort out the festering problem of Jammu and Kashmir.” Kamaal said that NC will put its weight behind New Delhi to involve Pakistan in a resolution of Kashmir issue.
    The NC’s additional general secretary observed that its manifesto for the Lok Sabha election will also include developmental agenda like further pace development particularly concentrating on the power sector. “For return of some of the power projects are under at the stage of negotiations and similarly the construction on some projects is on. Our endeavour will be to address the power woes of people of Jammu and Kashmir in next five or six years,” he added.
    Meanwhile, when asked about the ill preparedness of the administration to tackle the post snowfall situation in Kashmir, Kamaal agreed that there was slackness on part of the administration but nevertheless, such situation arose because of an unprecedented snowfall this spring.
    “You see such situation emerge in highly mechanized western countries. The city was inundated here because over loaded drainage and you would have not seen such a situation if this snowfall would have occurred in the month of January or the beginning of February. People also were not prepared for such a heavy snowfall and everybody was caught unaware,” he said. Kamaal remarked the advisories issued by the metrological department had predicted early weather warnings about high altitude areas and there were no specific warnings about the plains.  (KNS)