Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Strike call against Lolab Gun battle:No restrictions on Friday: Authorities

    Srinagar: A day ahead of the strike call given by the separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani on Friday February 28, authorities Thursday took several separatist leaders and activists under preventive custody. However, the official sources stated that there will be no curfew in Srinagar and that no such decision in this regard has been taken by the authorities. A spokesman of the district administration while confirming the reports maintained that there will be no restrictions imposed on Friday.
    The reports received by KNS stated that the Huriyat (G) chief spokesman Ayaz Akbar was arrested by the police on Thursday and was kept under detention in Parimpora police station. The family of Akbar told KNS over phone that he was taken by the police party from the mosque outside his residence during the evening hours.
    The reports also informed that senior Huriyat M leader and Salvation movement chairman Zaffar Akbar Bhat was taken into preventive police custody and was detained at Chanapora police station.  The party spokesman told KNS that Zafar after holding protest demonstration at Press enclave Srinagar was detained by the police at Chanopora.
    The DIG central Kashmir Syed Afad-ul-Mujtaba told KNS that the police will act in accordance with the situation that will emerge due to strike on Friday. “We will act in accordance with the situation. Whatever the situation demands- same will be followed.”  (KNS)

  • Ahad Shahib Sopori’s (RA) grandson joins PDP

    “Pro people policies of PDP influenced me to join party”: Gulrez Mushtaq
    Srinagar: Gulrez Mushtaq, the grandson of highly respected darvesh and spiritual personality late Ahad Shahib Sopori (RA) popularly know as Ahad BabThursday joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party president Mehbooba Mufti welcomed Mr Gulrez into the party fold along with his hundreds of supporters at her official Gupkar residence. Gulrez an MBA graduate from the renowned Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom; Gulrez has worked in London and Dubai.
    Speaking on the occasion, Gulrez said that the pro-people people agenda of PDP and its performance in government and in opposition had influenced him to join the party. He said the PDP during its brief stint in the government totally transformed the volatile situation that existed before 2002 and created an atmosphere of peace and tranquility by giving a new and positive direction to the peace and governance issues of the state. “Today once again the state is caught in the worst situation of kind where misgovernance, corruption, nepotism and above all anti youth policies have become the hallmark of the ruling dispensation, therefore I consider it my moral duty to come forward and help in getting rid off the present inefficient, insensitive system, “ he said.
    He said Sopore, once an economically vibrant area has been the first and the worst victim of the turbulent times with the result the area has been pushed to backwardness in all the fields. Gulrez said the area has been systematically wronged, exploited and the youth have been worst sufferers. “Therefore, while as I would use my energies to mobilize the youth all across the state, but Sopore is going to be my main focus,” he said. He impressed upon the party president that special attention has to be given to the area, so as to create a new system of justice.
    Referring to the services of his late grandfather, Ahad Shahib (RA), who helped people till the last of his breath, Gulzar said that he would like to follow the footsteps of his grandfather and contribute positively to build a new, prosperous J&K.
    On the occasion, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, youth wing in charge; Yasir Reshi, senior leader, Arif Amin and others were present.

  • Govt not sincere in resolving our issues: JCC

    JCC threatens of launching State wide agitation again
    Jammu: Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) spearheading the employees agitation against government Thursday smelled foul and alleged that government is not sincere in resolving the issues of employees as it has intentions replete of malice and deceit.
    During an emergency meeting presided by JCC Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani at Jammu, the employees leadership regretted that state government is on the track of politicising the sincerity and good intentions of state employees and is once again going to backtrack from its own agreement.
    The members expressed their surprise as to why the recently promises made by  Chief Minister and assurances given by sub-cabinet members did not yield any positive results in respect of executing the genuine demands of employees and withdrawal of various draconian laws.
    According to CNS, Abdul qayoom Wani said that, “we are being accused of being reluctant but we called off our strike on 14th and 15th February after the assurances given by sub-cabinet committee members. Till date, no positive response has been shown by CSC and it seems  that Government is non-serious in resolving our issues,” Wani said adding that delaying tactics and anti-employee policies is not going to yield any results.

    He made it clear that if state Government fails once again to fulfil its promises as per the agreement with JCC, state employees will come up with a fresh and state wide struggle program to give a tough and befitting reply to the state Government. (CNS)

  • Woman dies after abortion Protest against doctor and husband

    Tral: At a time when the State Government is declaring cash rewards to prevent female foeticide, a shocking incident has occurred in South Kashmir’s Tral town where a lady doctor allegedly conducted an abortion of a female who soon after the operation developed some complications and breathed her last at SMHS Hospital.
    Reports said that people staged a massive protest in Tral towns after the death of a woman and demanding immediate arrest of the husband of the deceased woman and the lady doctor.
    Locals told CNS, that a lady doctor (name withheld) conducted abortion of a 21 year old married female on the instructions of her husband Farooq Ahmed Kumar at her private nameless clinic located opposite Sub District Hospital Tral.
    Soon after the operation, the condition of patient worsened and the said lady doctor admitted her in SDH Tral where after checkup she was referred to SMHS hospital Srinagar. Followeing the instructions of the doctors, the husband of the patient shifted her to Srinagar where the woman breathed her last on Wednesday.
    Demanding stern punishment for the lady doctor and the husband of the deceased woman, protestors staged protest in Tral and blocked traffic for hours. Protestors alleged that the said lady doctor in the past as well has performed such operations in lieu of heft amounts. Reports said that the deceased woman, Mehmooda Banoo hails Satoora Tral. Block Medical Officer Tral, Dr Shakeel Ahmed told CNS that they have conducted the post mortem of the deceased womand and are waiting for the FSL report. “We will take action only after getting the report,” he said.
    When contacted, Director Health Service Kashmir, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman told CNS that the lady doctor will certainly face the music if her guilt is proved. (CNS)

  • Pathribal Massacre a Symbol of Indian Oppressive Attitude Against People Of Jammu Kashmir: Yasin Malik

    JKLF  Will Organize a Protest Rally Against Pathribal Killers Tomorrow On Friday 

    SRINAGAR:Pathribal massacre  in which Indian army killed 7 innocent Kashmiris in cold blood is a symbol of Indian oppressive attitude against the people of Jammu Kashmir .People of Kashmir will not keep silent on the issue of Pathribal and our protest to bring the killers to justice will continue. JKLF as per the scheduled program will organize a protest rally against the clean chit to killers on Friday 28th February 2014.this was stated by the chairman JKLF Mohammad Yasin Malik in a statement issued today.

    Yasin Malik said that JKLF as a responsible people’s resistance movement will leave no stone unturned and our protest will continue against this Indian army oppressive attitude. He said that as a first step JKLF has decided to organize protest rallies against the Indian army decision and tomorrow on Friday 28th February 2014 JKLF will take out a protest rally in Lal Chowk against this undemocratic, inhuman and oppressive attitude of Indian state.
    JKLF has paid rich tributes to Shaheed Ashiq Hussain Khan of Maisuma Srinagar who laid down his life on 27thFebruary 1989 at Lal Chowk . A delegation of JKLF led by Noor Mohammad Kalwal, and comprising of Mohammed Sideeq Shah and Bashir Kashmiri visited the residence of martyr and paid glowing tributes to him. Leaders also expressed solidarity with his family.

    Meanwhile JKLF has expressed its heartfelt grief and sorrow over the sad demise of ex president of fruit Mandi Sopore Haji Mohammad Shabaan Lone of Wadoora. A JKLF delegation comprising of Farooq Ahmad Dar, Abdul Rashid Magloo, Ghulam Qadir Khan and Molvi Reyaz visited the residence of the deceased and expressed condolences with his bereaved family.

  • Soldier kills 5 colleagues before shooting self at Safapora camp

    Srinagar: In a first incident of fratricidal killings this year, a soldier committed suicide after killing five of his colleagues and injuring another at an army camp in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, officials told GNS Thursday.
    Sepoy Ranveer of 4 Kumaon posted with 13 Rashtriya Rifles at the Safapora camp in Mansbal went berserk in the wee hoursThursday after a heated argument with his colleagues, who came from different army units. “The heated exchange of words took an ugly turn when the Sepoy opened indiscriminate fire upon his colleagues killing five RR soldiers at the spot and injuring another. The soldier later shot himself dead,” officials said.
    The slain soldiers have been identified as Amit Kumar of 12 Kumaon, Lance Naik Tabruq Ansari of 278 Field Regiment, Sepoy Surinder Singh of 2 Kumaon, Rifleman M R Ajinath of 36 Medical Regiment and Rifle Man Rajput Joni of 278 Field Regiment.
    Army spokesman Lt Col Nitin Nahar Joshi confirmed to GNS that the incident took place at Safapora Mansbal camp around 3:00 amThursday.

    “Even though the real cause of the incident was not immediately known, a high level inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the facts,” he said, adding “A colonel has been nominated to head the inquiry and submit its report,”

  • High range rockets recovered from Kupwara

    Srinagar: Army on Wednesday claimed that it recovered high range sophisticated rocket launchers and IEDs from Teetwal sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
    Officials told GNS that army’s 21 Grenadiers launched searches at Khakhar area near River Kishan Ganga in Teetwal sector after observing suspicious movement. During the searches, two rocket launchers, two IEDs and some clothing were recovered.
    “The two rocket launchers are more effective as well as sophisticated. They have a very high range and can be used from a distance. This is for the first time that such high end launchers have been recovered. Army experts will examine them in coming days,” sources said.
    Sources said that the IEDs weighing 1.5 kg were diffused by the military engineering wing on the hills. “The IEDs created deafening sound. It also caused panic among the people in the nearby villages,” they added.

    Meanwhile, police has registered a case and started further investigations in this regard. (GNS)

  • Hurriyat (G) anguished over ‘immoral activities at Malakhah’

    Srinagar: Expressing anguish and distress over the ‘immoral and impolite activities in the biggest and largest graveyard of Srinagar, Malakhah’, Hurriyat Conference (G) has said that besides the common people there are many great personalities and saints buried in this graveyard, but the illegal encroachment and the practice of drug addiction goes in this graveyard unabated.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Hurriyat (G) has said that though this graveyard falls under the control of Waqf Board but this institution has completely failed in protecting the honour of this place and they are acting as mute spectators. “Hurriyat Conference (G) extends its full support to those respectable citizens and civil society members, who stand against these immoral activities and who are struggling to get back the honour and dignity of this sacred place by removing the illegal encroachments.”
    The spokesman of the Hurriyat (G) said that it will continue its moral support in every possible way and will support in eliminating these hubs, which are being used as the platform to spread the menace of alcohol and drug addiction. Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar said that this portion of land was purchased by a famous saint Mir Mohammad Hamdani and donated it to the Muslim population and then it was used as burial ground by the Muslims.
    “Although this graveyard falls under the control of Waqf Board but on political basis this institution is not paying heed to its plights. He said that although the Waqf Board is the custodian of donations and property of Muslims, but the ruling party National Conference is treating this institution as its personnel property and they are using this institution and its cash reserves for their political benefits.”
    He said these people are using this institution as a source to benefit their chosen and favorite people and to fulfill their desire they have handed over its administration to their puppets. Hurriyat spokesman said that this holy place of our ancestors have become the victim of vote-bank politics of the ruling party.
    “These mafias who are encroaching this graveyard by illegal constructions and who use this sacred place for their illegal and immoral activities are some blessed people of few influential persons of ruling party, who are often used for bogus voting and hooliganism in old city areas. Hurriyat said that though the Waqf Borad was many times informed about these illegal encroachments and immoral activities in Malakhah, but they are still to take any action,” the Hurriyat (G) spokesman said.
    While cautioning against the conversion of this holly place into the hub of immoral and illegal activities, Hurriyat appeal to common people to stand against these practices and work for the return of honour and dignity of this sacred place. (KNS)

  • Kichloo makes statement about Kupwara incident in House

    Jammu: Minister of State for Home, Mr. Sajad Ahmed Kichloo today read the following statement in the House saying that on February 24 2014 an operation took place at Dardpora Forests in which 18 RR, 31 RR and SOG of District Kupwara participated. 
    Seven militants were killed in the said operation. The bodies of killed militants were brought to Police Station Lalpora. Case FIR NO. 07/2014 u/s 307 RPC, 7/27 I.A Act was registered in Police Station Lalpora relating to this encounter.
    On 25th February, 2014 morning, post-mortem of the killed militants was got conducted by a Medical team. In the meanwhile, a mob of people gathered outside the Police Station Lalpora which started raising antinational slogans and resorted to heavy stone pelting on Police Station and Government/ Private vehicles, resulting in damage to the Police station building and 11 Government vehicles including an ambulance of Health Department. Besides, 07 private vehicles were damaged. The mob also set ablaze the bunkers (Sentry Posts) of Police Station Lalpora.
    In order to protect the life and property and to prevent storming of the Police Station by the mob, Police resorted to tear smoke shells to disperse the mob. With the help of re-enforcement from Kupwara, the mob was dispersed and situation brought under control. Due to stone pelting, 21 Police Personnel received injuries. However, no civilian got injured as Police exercised maximum restraint, discipline and professionalism.
    The dead bodies of the 07 militants were confirmed to be of militants who were operating into the forests of Lolab. After completing the medico-legal formalities like post-mortem, photography, DNA sampling, the dead bodies were handed over to local Auquaf Committee of Lalpora which also confirmed that none of the killed militants was a local/civilian. These dead bodies were then buried in a local graveyard at Lalpora.

    In connection with the events of 25th February, 2014, case FIR No. 8/2014 u/s 307, 148,147, 149, 336, 436 RPC Sec. 03 of PTT Act ( Prevention of Damage of Public Property Act) has been registered in Police Station Lalpora. District Administration Kupwara has taken all possible measures to avoid any law and order situation and to ensure that peace is not disturbed and general public is not put to any inconvenience. (KNS)

  • Well aware of responsibilities, ‘mindless fatwas’ against movement: Hurriyat (M)

    Demands impartial Probe in Lolab encounter
    Srinagar: While expressing reservation on the claim of the Army and authorities regarding the killing of seven youth as being militants at Lolab, the Hurriyat Conference (M) demanded a completely impartial and independent probe of the incident.
    In a joint meeting of Executive Council, General Council and working committee of Hurriyat Conference (M) It was stated that doubts about the identity of the slain youth by the locals could not be termed as baseless. Given the past experience it has been witnessed that so many encounters where in Police and Army claimed to have killed militants but later they proved to be innocent civilians.
    “People still remember encounters like Pathribal, Machil, Ganderbal, Brakpora and many other incidents where innocent civilians were first abducted and later killed in cold blood.  Hurriyat also strongly condemned the ruthless use of force against the mourners in the Funeral (Janazah) of the slain youth,” a Hurriyat (M) statement issued to KNS reads.
    The joint meeting of Executive Council, General Council and working committee of Hurriyat Conference (M) was held at Hurriyat headquarter here on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by Mirwaiz Dr. Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq and was attended by all the heads of Executive and General Council organizations including Moulana Abass Ansari Ithaad-ul-Muslimeen, Professor Abdul Gani Butt Muslim Conference, Bilal Gani Lone Peoples Conference, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi Anjuman Sharie Shian, Musadiq Aadil Peoples Political Front, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza Peoples League, Advocate  Ab. Majid Banday Political Advisor, Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam Media Advisor, Zaffar Akbar Bhat Salvation Movement, Syed Saleem Geelani National Peoples Party, Javed Ahmad Mir JKLF, Yasmeen Raja Muslim Khawteen Markaz, Hilal Ahmad War People Political party, Abdul Manan Bukhari Republican Movement, Hakeem Ab. Rashid Muslim League, Shaheen Iqbal Gujjar Pahari Republic Forum, Syed Bashir Andrabi Kashmir Political Front, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi Shaheed Milat Youth Awami Majlis Amal and other working committee members Ghulam Nabi Zaki, Abdul Rasheed Antoo, Ghulam Mohammad Nagoo, Ghulam Mohammad Sankar, Farooq Ahmad Mamosi, Imtiyaz Ahmad Reshi. The present political and movement related issues were discussed in the meeting.
    In the meeting it was stated that Hurriyat Conference does not believe in unnecessary criticism or in pointing fingers on any pro-movement organization or person, however, considers that deliberate mindless fatawa proclamations and devoid of facts statements were against the objectives and interests of the movement having potential of creating confusion in the minds of the people.
    Hurriyat conference considers the implementation of UN resolutions or result oriented dialogue among all the parties to the dispute i.e. people of Jammu and Kashmir, India and Pakistan as unavoidable. It was further stressed that to present the objectives and the stand of the movement, the dialogue was the only credible means universally established and in accordance with the norms of international politics and diplomacy.
    In the meeting it was also stated that instead of raising emotional screams on the issue, Hurriyat conference believes in seriousness in its approach and actions towards the movement and the conglomerate leadership has the complete confidence and competence of putting forth its stand forcefully before any power of the world. It was further said in the meeting that Hurriyat is well aware of its responsibilities towards the movement and being the representative of the sentiments and aspirations of the people will not leave any stone unturned in making all political efforts at local as well as international level for the resolution of Kashmir issue.
    The meeting stressed that on the path of a righteous struggle the people who are offering priceless sacrifices and who are bearing the brunt of continuous suppressions and repression day in and day out on this land are the real masters of freedom movement and they have the full comprehension and capacity to indentify between the well wishers and sellers of the movement. (KNS)