Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Snowfall unmasked government’s hallow claims: Mirwaiz

    Snowfall has punctured all the tall claims of government
    Srinagar: Coming down heavily on the state authorities over ‘collapsing’ due to recent snowfall in valley, Chairman Huriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Wednesday stated that the snowfall has punctured all the tall claims of government and has unmasked its functioning  on all fronts.
    While talking to KNS, Mirwaiz stated that the reports of electricity collapse and water supply shortage are coming from every corner of valley and that the state administration is virtually in the ‘sleeping mode’. “What their claims in the past used to be about the development of the state have all turned out to be farce and absurd. The reality is that the government has been unmasked by this moderate snowfall.”
    Huriyat (M) Chairman added further that the shortage of electricity and water supply has affected the life of people at large in valley and that people are aghast over situation when the government machinery is enjoying luxurious living in Jammu and has left the valleyites in the midst of the worst crises.
    Mirwaiz accused that the irony is that the metrological department had intimated the state administration about the possibility of snowfall but it seems that the state government is hell-bent upon inflicting torture to the people by creating electricity and water supply dearth. “The 2 and a half inch snowfall has punctured the government claims about development. See the condition of roads that virtually have turned into cesspools- what has changed here is Kashmir is only bad from the worst.” (KNS)

  • Snowfall shook valley at large

    Electricity, Water supplies, internet, mobile services affected, Roads turn into cesspools, people aghast against tall claims
    Srinagar: The flash floods and avalanches due to the massive snowfall in Valley has resulted in the killing of 13 people while as more than 35 have been injured. According to the reports received by KNS, one army personal and 3 labourers   died due to avalanche in Kargil area while as in peer panchal range more than three people died and scores were injured when some houses collapsed due to the massive snowfall in the area. The injured were taken to the government hospital wherein some are reported to be critical.

    The state weather department claimed that it already had intimated the state authorities about the bad weather and had issued a hand out some days earlier about the matter. The massive rainfall and snowfall affected life in Kashmir at large with the electricity and water supplies snapped in several areas.  The air traffic on Wednesday also got affected with the flights taking the Delhi route instead of Srinagar from Jammu. The passengers informed KNS over phone that there was a lot of congestion in the air traffic on Wednesday- making the people to wait for hours at Jammu and Srinagar airport. One of the Jammu flight had to  land at New Delhi airport  instead of Srinagar due to the snowfall aftermath at Srinagar Airport.
    The internet and cellular services also got affected on Tuesday- leaving the millions of users across valley aghast.  The roads virtually turned into cesspools- compelling the shopkeepers to close their shops in Lal chowk and adjoining areas. the drainage system in most of the areas across Srinagar collapsed with the water blocking the  main roads. People of various areas protested against authorities including SMC for failing to dewater the roads and over snow clearance.  “See the condition roads- we are not even able to walk properly. The MLA who is also the resident of the same area didn’t even move out from his house to access the situation- leave alone the dewatering and snow clearance,” said a local resident of Lal Bazar, adding that when the locals approached the concerned MLA over electricity crises and the blockade of roads- the MLA stated that it is the punishment for not voting during the elections.
    The reports of protests against the authorities are coming from various areas of the city with the people expressing anger over the ‘collapse’ of the administration due to the snowfall. The people stated that their water and electricity supplies have been snapped with out any reason and that  the claims of SMC for the beautification and maintenance  of the Srinagar city turned out to be farce. “We see the SMC men when some one in the area is constructing a residential house- rest the SMC men do nothing for the city,” said a local resident of Chatabal.
    The reports of the water lodging are alos coming from the main city centre: lal chowk- with the shopkeepers in Magarmal Bagh and Hari Singh High Street accusing the government of deliberately turning blind- eye towards the problems of the area and ignoring it on all fronts. “We are the highest tax payers to the government- we run shops in Lal chowk and see what government is giving us in return.”

    The people at several places including old city raised slogans against the government over the electricity and water supply crises. The people accused that the government has failed to provide basic necessity to the common masses like water and electricity.  “The world outside Kashmir changed a lot during the past six years- can we ask this question to Omar Abdullah that what he changed in Kashmir- has the condition of roads and electricity changed?,” said Khalid Syed- a resident of old city.
    As the sun shone on Wednesday afternoon , the officials valley received  some  6 to 8 ft of snow since past two days with the Srinagar- Jammu highway closed for vehicular movement. The office of the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir   stated that the administration is working on all fronts to restore the necessary supplies including water and electricity. it stated further that snow clearance and dewatering of roads is on full swing with every effort being made to provide respite to the people after the massive snowfall. Over the issue of restoration of power in valley, the repeated
    attempts to contact PDD chief Engineer could not fructify.
    According to IGP Traffic Muneer Ahmad Khan, the traffic department is trying to best to clear the stranded vehicles on national highway and no fresh traffic will be allowed to ply from Jammu to Srinagar or vice versa on Thursday. “Day after tomorrow if weather was fine, we will allow the traffic to ply normally,” he added.  (KNS)

  • Hurriyat G to expose the ‘rumour-mongers’

    Srinagar: Hurriyat (G) Wednesday said it will expose those elements who are spreading rumours and posting the news about Syed Ali Geelani’s death on facebook and Wikipedia.
    “We will take legal course of action against a particular Hindi news channel which reported false news against our leader,” spokesman Hurriyat (G), Ayaz Akbar, said.
    Some ‘irresponsible’ facebook pages operated by unknown persons even posted the news that Hurriyat G Chairman has died at his Hyderpora residence.
    “Geelani Sahab is showing improvement and is recovering. Don’t trust rumours and do not create panic. He is stable and there is no need to panic,” his son Dr Nayeem said.
    He urged people to pray for Geelani Sahib’s health,” his son said adding that Geelani Sahib would be flown to New Delhi as soon as possible for a few medical tests and check-up.
    Ayaz Akbar urged people to keep praying saying they should not panic. Meanwhile, a number of people mostly youth including some separatist leaders visited the ailing leader on Wednesday morning.
    He said that Geelani Sahab will leave for Delhi on Thursday at 12 noon subject to fair weather. “He will be treated by Dr Sameer Koul and Dr Sarabhai there with whom we are in touch. Geelani sahib is suffering multiple ailments.
    “On Wednesday, Doctor Navid and Dr Khuroo checked him at Hyderpora,” he said adding that number of youth are offering their kidney for the ailing leader but his kidney is stable.

  • Omar rejects media reports; says death toll higher

    Srinagar: As the avalanche hit South Kashmir remains unclear about the death toll it faced due to snow fury, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday corrected certain media reports by tweeting “reports of the death toll that the media is reporting are not correct & are much higher than the actual toll.”
    In the next tweet, Omar assured that his administration is “on task”.  “The avalanche in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district has resulted in 3 deaths & approx 8 injuries. The DC is supervising rescue efforts,” he wrote.
    The injured are being treated in the district hospital, he wrote, “and the nature of injuries are (sic) not reported to be life threatening at this moment.”

  • Fresh Western Disturbance May Hit Kashmir From March 15

    Srinagar: Even after the present wave of snow and rain gets over, fresh Western Disturbance (WD) will again hit the Jammu and Kashmir region from March 15.
    A Met department spokesman said that moderate to heavy rain or snow would occur at most places over Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
    Very heavy rain or snow may occur at one or two places in the state during next 24 hours, he warned.
    There would be decrease in precipitation during the subsequent two days, the spokesman said.
    He said a fresh WD is approaching the region which could affect the state from March 15.
    Both maximum and minimum temperatures remained below normal in the Kashmir valley.

  • Geelani refuses to use Government Chopper

    Srinagar: State Government Wednesday appealed ailing Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani to use the State airplane so that he could be airlifted to New Delhi for treatment, the offer, however, was out rightly rejected by Syed Ali Geelani.
    Highly placed sources told CNS, that on the directions of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Farooq Ahmed Shah along with DC Budgam Khurshid Ahmed and other senior police officials visited the Hyderpora residence of ailing Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani.
    Sources said that the DC Srinagar and Budgam while inquiring about the health of Geelani offered him State Chopper for New Delhi. Sources said that both the officials had a detailed conversation with the ailing leader.
    Sources said that Geelani rejected their offer and thanked them for their good gesture. When contacted, Hurriyat G spokesperson Ayaz Akbar said that DC Srinagar and DC Budgam arrived at Geelani’s Hyderpora residence and requested him to use the service of government chopper.
    “Geelani sahib rejected their offer and said that the move cannot be justified at a time when he along with millions of Kashmiri people is up in arms against India and its mainstream politicians who leave no stone unturned to make the Indian rule strong here,” he said.

    One of the Bureaucrats said on condition of anonymity that they went to Geelani Sahab’s residence on the directions of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to inquire about his health. “He (Geelani) is stable and people should not believe in rumours,” he said.

  • Snowfall aftermath: 11 died, Hundreds of structures damaged

    Valley cut off from the rest of the world
    Srinagar: At least 10 people including two army personnel have died in Jammu and Kashmir due to unprecedented snowfall while property worth crores of rupees has been damaged. Almost whole of Kashmir Valley is reeling under darkness for the second consecutive day while snow accumulated streets and roads and water logging is giving nightmare to the people of Valley.
    The power supply to the capital city as well as to the entire Kashmir valley has been completely shut down from Tuesday afternoon and all the related services — including drinking water supply, essential supplies, sewerage and drainage and other civic services — have collapsed.
    According to CNS, an avalanche hit Balsareen near Dudhkuchan some 20 kilometres from Damal Hanjipora area of South Kashmir on Wednesday.
    Reports said that several houses were damaged due to avalanche while 15 people were trapped. Sources said that the bodies of three persons were recovered that were buried under snow. They according to sources have been identified as Talib Hussain, Abdul Rashid and Altaf Hussain.
    Nine persons were injured who were shifted to local hospital for treatment. The injured have been identified as Siraj-u-Din Gorsi, Khadija Banoo, Manzoor Gorsi, Fatima Banoo, Latif Gorsi, Shoki Jan, Gulzara Akhtar, Bashir Ahmed and Aisha Akhtar.
    On Tuesday, authorities had extended the high danger avalanche warning to more areas in the higher reaches and asked the people not to venture on steep slopes for the next 24 hours.
    Reports said that due to avalanche at Balsareen Kulgam least 82 cattle buried alive under snow.
    A police spokesman said 14 Gujjar families comprising 65 persons were shifted from Waltengo Nard area of Qazigund in Kulgam district to safer places due to threat of avalanches.
    “On the basis of information from SASE, State Disaster Management Authority has issued a fresh high danger avalanche warning for hilly areas of Uri, Tangdhar, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora and Kargil,” an official spokesman said. He said people living in these snowbound areas have been requested to take precautions and not to venture on steep slopes in the next 24 hours.
    Reports said that at least two Army personnel lost their lives after an avalanche hit their camp in Kargil sector of Ladakh region. Police identified the deceased Army jawans as , Naik Vijay Prasad and Dharmindra Singh of 82 field regiment. Police further said that three Nepali labourers were killed when an avalanche hit a stone quarry at Kaksar in Kargil.
    Police said that a 48-year-old woman died after her tin shed collapsed due to heavy snowfall at Mimigam village in Qazigund area. A woman was critically injured in Shaheed Ganj area of Srinagar city when the roof of a shed collapsed.
    Official sources said that in South Kashmir’s Kansu hamlet of Shopian town, an elderly woman died after her house collapsed under the weight of snow.Two other family members were rescued. Superintendent of Police Shopian, Showkat Hussain while confirming the death said that roof collapse resulted in her death.
    The heavy snowfall disrupted life in whole Valley. All services including mobile internet services, rail services, and air traffic was affected. Whole Kashmir Valley reeled under darkness for the consecutive second day while the authorities said that the restoration work was in process. They said that both the power transmission lines connecting Jammu and northern grid to Srinagar shut down due to heavy snowfall. The snowfall damaged transmission and distribution networks since Monday.
    Reports said that in South Kashmir’s Shopian town scores of residential houses were damaged due to recent snowfall. Reports of damage and destruction have been reported from Imam Sahab, Kellar, Wagam, Meemandar Shopian while in North Kashmir’s Sopore town different sheds of Colour Coated Seed industry were completely damaged.
    At least six residential houses were completely damaged in different parts of Kulgam district. These houses belonged to Nazir Shiekh and Ghulam Ahmed Khan residents of Guddar, Ghulam Mohi-u-Din (Banghal), Nazir Malik (Aadpora), Abdul Majid Magray (CR Pora), Mushtaq Ahmed and Wali Muhammad Wagey residents of Akhal Kulgam.
    In South Kashmir’s Samboora area of Pampore town three houses, a garage and car was damaged due to snowfall. The Snatro vehicle (JK01T-3441) belonging to one Javid Ahmed Lone was damaged under the weight of snow. The residential houses of Abdul Rashid Bhat, Manzoor Ahmed Bhat and Muhammad Rajab Mantoo were also damaged in Nehama Pampore.
    Government Middle School Hanjivera, Pattan was damaged when it came under a heavy chinar. Locals praised Army soldiers for clearing all the roads from Pattan to Narbal area.
    The shrine of Said-u-Din (RA) was heavily damaged when it came under a Chinar. Reports said that in Mujhgund area various residential houses were damaged.
    Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Shah Faisal said that Power Development Department suffered heavy losses as most of the electric wires and poles have been uprooted. “Three residential houses were completely damaged in Gurez sector while in Khotran area one Government Middle School was damaged. As per information available with me, 13 houses have been damaged in the district,” he said adding that power and drinking water supply has been restored in the district.
    People from South Kashmir’s Pulwama town alleged that administration was caught napping from last two days. “There is no electricity and trees that have been uprooted at many places have not been lifted yet,” one of the residents Mukhtiyar Ahmed Bhat of Pulwama said adding that a family had to pay Rs 5000 to a JCB driver to clear the road near Ghusso to reach the district hospital as
    his wife Tasleema Bano was suffering from labour pain.
    Deputy Commissioner Baramullah, Farooq Ahmed Lone said that more than 100 structures have been damaged at different places including Uri, Boniyar, Tangmarg and upper reaches of Rafiabad. He said that in Sopore town the sheds of JK Industries were collapsed.
    Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Saughat Biswas said that at least 250 structures have been damaged in the district. “All the roads have been cleared while power supply has been restored in different parts of the town,” he said.
    Deputy Commissioner Budgam Khurshid Ahmed said that a lady died in the district after the roof of a shed collapsed. He said that at least 600 structures have been damaged due to heavy snowfall. DC Budgam further said that orchards and fruit tree have also suffered extensive damage.

  • Schools, colleges closed till March 16

    Srinagar: Keeping the situation created by the fresh snowfall in valley in view, the state administration Wednesday directed all schools and colleges across Kashmir to remain closed till March 16.
    Shalendra Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir while confirming the reports, said: ”The institutions shall re-open on Mar 17.”
    The heavy snowfall which started on Monday threw the normal routine out of gear in Kashmir.

  • Syed Ali Geeani stable, no need to panic: Son

    Urged people to pray for Geelani Sahib’s health.
    Srinagar:The Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani is “stable and there is no need to panic,” his son Dr Nayeem Geelani told Kashmir Today.
    Dr Nayeem said Geelani Sahib would be flown to New Delhi as soon as possible for a few medical tests and check-up.  “He is stable and there is no need to panic,” Dr Nayeem asserted. 

  • Militant killed in Tral: IG CRPF

    Srinagar: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Tuesday claimed that 185 Battalion CRPF gunned down a Pakistani militant in Tral on Monday evening.
    According to CNS, while giving details about the operation, CRPF Inspector General Operations, Nilin Prabhat said that at around 20:10 hours of Monday evening a CRPF patrol was moving near Tral when it came under heavy fire. “Our men retaliated and shot dead a militant who was later on identified as Arshid Bhai of Pakistan,” he said.
    He further said that his associates managed to flee from the spot. “The slain militant was not alone but it was a group of militants who attacked CRPF patrol. His associates snatched his gun soon after he died and fled from the spot. However, they left behind 260 rounds of AK-47 rifle, 4 AK-47 magazines, 2 grenades, 2 mobile sets and a wireless set,” IG Operations said.
    Meanwhile, Deputy Commandant 185 Battalion CRPF, Dinesh Kumar said, “the militant was killed by our men after he fired upon on our patrolling party,” he said.
    However, a top police official said, “Preliminary investigation has revealed that intra-group rivalry was the cause of the death of the militant.”
    Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in South Kashmir’s Tral town against the ‘mysterious’ killing of a Jaish militant. All shops and business establishments remained closed while transport was off the roads.