Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Parents seek extension in winter vacations

    No decision on this so far: DSEK
    Srinagar: As the temperature in valley witnessed sudden fall Since Friday, parents across valley have appealed the authorities to extend the winter vacations in schools, keeping in view the prevailing cold conditions and the age of school going kids.
    According to the reports received by KNS, the parents across valley on Saturday stated that there are no adequate facilities of heating in the schools and that the children will to face a tough time of the schools would open on the scheduled dates (March 3).
    Pertinently, the temperature is valley witnessed a sudden decrease and there is no respite from the biting cold for the people at large. The parents stated that it would be tough for the kids, particularly of the lower classes to join schools at this time as the conditions of weather have not improved as much it was expected till now.
     “It will be difficult for our kids to leave during the early hours of morning as the temperature during that time is very low and  kids usually are prone to those disease that are caused by the cold conditions,” said Mukhtar Ahmad, a resident of old city here.
    The other parents while echoing the same statement stated that the authorities must look into the matter on priority bases so that their wards could re-join their schools at appropriate time.
    “We have seen in the past that there is no there is no adequate facilities of heating in schools particularly for the kids till middle class, also it must be looked into that kids are likely to face hardships while going and leaving from the schools,” said Nazir Ahmad, a Barzulla resident.
    Bilal Ahmad stated that the government has to adopt a strategy wherein a proper mechanism could be adopted so the school going children once the schools are open. “Let there be a proper planning and he authorities must take into consideration the age of the school going kids before making any plans for opening the schools on scheduled dates.”
    Director Education Kashmir, Mir Tariq Ali when contacted told KNS that no decision in regard to the extension of the winter break has been taken so far. “We know parents are demanding the same but we have not taken any final call over the issue. Once the same is made, everyone will come to know about that” the Director said. (KNS)

  • New Congress Party launched in Kashmir

    SRINAGAR: ‘New Congress Party’ was launched Saturday in Srinagar with its chairman saying that the party will support the former Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and counter every move of present State Congress Chief Saif-u-Din Soz
    Addressing a news conference in Srinagar, chairman of New Congress Party, BM Reshi said Soz  was responsible for ruining the Congress party  in Jammu and Kashmir and claimed that he was having the backing of top Congress leaders in New Delhi. He said his party will field candidates in every constituency and support Mr Azad.
    Reshi said Congress leaders supporting Saif-u-Din Soz were responsible for the division of Congress party in Jammu and Kashmir and these leaders have destroyed the party of which Ghulam Nabi Azad is a part and who had worked hard to make this party popular and people friendly in the State.
    Castigating the present coalition government for failing to address the problems of common people, New Congress Party chairman said the leaders in India with whom he is in touch have promised his party that they will provide monetary help to set up different schools, colleges and other institutions where unemployed youth will get job to meet their both ends.
    He appealed people to make their candidates successful in coming elections.

  • HCJK leaders arrested while staging sit-in at Pratap Park

    Srinagar: Police Saturday arrested Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir leaders when they were staging a sit-in demonstration at Srinagar’s Pratap Park to express solidarity with the Kunan Poshpora rape victims and to seek justice for them.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, senior Hurriyat Conference leaders Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Shabir Ahmad Dar, Muhammad Yusuf Naqash, Muhammad Yusuf Ataai and Aijaz Ahmad Mir were arrested amid pro-freedom slogans and were lodged in Kothi Bagh Police Station. Hundreds of activists present there raised strong protests over the Police action on Hurriyat leaders.
    Prior to arrest, Shabir Ahmad Shah while speaking to media persons here, expressed serious disappointment over the criminal silence adopted by world bodies over the Kunan Poshpora mass rape incident and criticized the world bodies for not raising their voice against India in this regard. He also called for attention to the fact that culprits (Indian forces) of such inhuman acts are still roaming free.
    “Shah during the sit-in lashed out at India and its stooges in Jammu Kashmir for not holding the cuplrits of such crime accountable. He said till Indian forces remain here, our lives, honour and properties are at stake,” the statement added.
    The victims of Kunan Poshpora who were scheduled to come here along with Chairman, International Forum for Justice and Human Rights, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, to take part in sit-in demonstration were prevented by a large contingent of Police at Goshi Pora, Kupwara and were dictated to return back.
    Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir questions the world conscience to how long will they maintain the criminal silence over the oppression Kashmiris are facing at the hand of India, how long will the victims of Kupwara, Handwara, Shopian wait for getting justice. But Hurriyat Conference will stand by them all time to provide them justice at any cost. (KNS)

  • Gradual revocation of AFSPA will begin in present tenure of my government: Omar

    ‘One lakh employments for youth on fast track’

    Jammu: Stating that the graph of militancy related violence in the State has come down by over 70 percent during the last five years, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Saturday told Legislative Assembly while replying the discussion on his grants that he stands firm on his belief about gradual revocation of AFSPA and will continue to work for it.
    “I had said that the gradual revocation of AFSPA will begin from my government’s this tenure and the same will happen”, he asserted and rejected the contention of BJP legislator that revocation of AFSPA would be deceit to the personnel of forces who have sacrificed their lives. He said that this instead would be tribute to them as they achieved the martyrdom for creating peaceful atmosphere and normality in the State and revocation of AFSPA would be indication of peace.
    Omar Abdullah said that it is not necessary every important objective would be achieved without any struggle. “I talked about gradual revocation of AFSPA, worked continuously for it and there was a time when he and the then Home Minister of India P. Chidambaram where on same page and we had convinced the Prime Minister but the Defence Minister did not agree to the proposal as he was inclined to support the argument of armed forces in this regard”, he said and maintained the beginning of revocation of AFSPA will start during the present tenure of his government.
    Omar Abdullah said that the improvement in the security situation in the State has been a big achievement of his government. He said the contribution of security forces and J&K Police has been of highest degree in this direction. He said all schools have been vacated from the occupation of forces. He said 37 hospitals, 33 hotels, 30 industrial units have also been cleared during the last five years besides removing of 54 bunkers in Srinagar.
    The Chief Minister announced that government will examine the guidelines under which relatives of deceased militants and surrendered militants are given no objection for passports maintaining that 10 years and 12 years moratorium kept in the guidelines to provide passports to the relatives of the deceased and surrendered militants respectively will be reduced to a greater extent so that they could get the passports as early as possible.
    Omar Abdullah also rejected the criticising of Rehabilitation Policy and asked its critics that when there could be a surrender policy for active militants, implemented during the period of NDA, why can’t there be a policy for those who have crossed LoC and want to return back without any gun and live a peaceful life”. He said so far 308 persons have returned to the State under this policy alongwith their families and are living peacefully.
    On Pathribal issue the Chief Minister said that it will not be allowed to be ‘travesty of justice’. He said five innocents have been killed and who killed them has to be found out and justice given to the bereaved. “I have taken up this issue with the Prime Minister and he has assured me that he would discuss it with the Defence Minister”, he said adding that while we are not satisfied with the armed forces action about Pathribal, we appreciate the Army for instituting Court Marshal in the Machil incident.
     On relocation of Tosha Madain firing range, the Chief Minister said that the matter stands discussed in the Civil Military Liaison Conference and Committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been constituted to identify the alternate site for firing range so that Tosha Madian is opened for tourists and tourism related activities. 
    Regarding 2010 stone pelting incidents, the Chief Minster said that almost all cases have been withdrawn against those who were not involved in serious crimes. He said FIRs for each case of firing has been registered, charge sheets framed and presented in the judiciary for final verdict. He said that nobody wants juveniles to be arrested and put in juvenile homes. He added that parents have an important role in this regard to control their wards and keep them away from unlawful activities like stone pelting etc.
    Omar Abdullah said that sometimes restrictions are necessary to be imposed to safeguard the life and property of the people as such his government has does it in view of maintaining calm because certain people are always in search of putting fuel to the fire and disturb situation. He said that it has been seen how people tried to transfer Kishtwar incident to the Kashmir and other parts of Jammu. He said we are thankful to people that they have foiled these attempts. He said had his government imposed restriction in 2010 after the incident of Tufail Mottoo the loss of precious lives could have been saved.
    On use of non-lethal weapons, the Chief Minister said that his government never wants to use pellets or teargas shells. He said such incidents are deeply painful for him. “You can’t believe under which pain I go through when I am told about such incidents”, he said adding that while he will not hesitate to dismiss and punish the police personnel found responsible for use of excessive force he wants to appeal the parents of the youth to keep them away from indulging in unlawful activities like stone pelting as stone pelting is not answer to any problem.
    Omar Abdullah said that his government has sanctioned Hardship Allowance to the police personnel at the rate of 10 percent of the Basic Pay and an amount of Rs. 121.36 crores were incurred on this during the last year while Rs. 132.740-crore expenditure is being made to provide this Allowance this year. He said he will ask the Home and Finance Departments to examine the demand of increase in the ration money of police. He said the honorarium of Home Guards has been increased and the increase in the salaries of SPOs has been taken up with the Centre.
    Omar Abdullah said that power projects of the capacity of 1400 MWs have been started during the last five years by his government as against 750 MW capacity projects started during the period of about 60 years from 1947 to 2008 of which, Baglihar Hydro Electric Project sum for 450 MWs. He said his government has approved 850 MW Retli, 450 MW Baglhar-II, 37.5 MW Parnai, 48 MW Lower Kalnai, 390 MW Karthai-Stage-I, 93 MW New Ganderbal, 1000 MW Pakaldul, 660 MW Kiru and 600 MW Thermal Power Plant. He said within next five to seven years the State will be self-reliant in power generation and there will be no power cuts anywhere.
    The Chief Minister said that 18000 kilometres of transmission lines have been erected during the last five years while LT network constitutes 9204 kilometres. He said the AT&C losses have reduced from 72 percent to 64 percent last year which are being further reduced to 54 percent by the end of this year. He said T&D losses are being reduced to 52 percent by the end of this year. He said per capita consumption has gone up from 742 units in 2007-08 to 927 units in 2013-14 implying an increase of about 25 percent. He said the energy deficit has declined from 37.71 percent to 29.49 percent and peak deficit from 33.17 percent to 23.42 percent during the same period. He said energy supply has increased by 45 percent during the last five years from 8744
    MUs in 2007-08 to 12714 MUs in 2013-14. He said transformer damage rate has declined from 41.89 percent in 2010-11 to 21.45 percent in 2013-14.
    The Chief Minister said that government intends to roll out a scheme on pilot basis for revenue collection from power consumers by Panchayats. The Panchayat Halqa engaged in this task would get a share of the money realized for the development activities. He said that installation of new transformers has not been banned but put under the guidance that it should proportionate to load agreement of the feeding area. He said 30 towns are being brought under RAPDRP to upgrade energy supply and restrict the theft of electricity. He said all damaged transformers under RGGVY scheme will be replaced.
    On curbing corruption, the Chief Minister said that he has strengthened institutions and brought laws to restrict corruption and book culprits for punishment. He referred to the constitution of Vigilance Commission, Re-constitution of Accountability Commission, implementation of Right to Information Act and enactment and implementation of Public Services Guarantee Act besides putting in place the system of e-tendering and e-procurement in various government departments to bring in transparency. He said he is very strict against corruption cases and has not withheld for delayed any prosecution in this regard. “So much so, the complaints against my colleagues in the Council of Ministries have been referred to the investigating institutions”, he said and maintained that a complaint against Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather of having a flat in Dubai was sent to Vigilance Organization for verification and the Vigilance Organization found the complaint baseless after verification and investigation.
    On employment, Omar Abdullah said that the recruitment agencies have been directed to fast track the process of employment and hopefully by the end of this year one lakh appointments will be made.
    On employees’ demands, the Chief Minister said that employees are the arms of the government and his government has done so much for employees which no government has done so far. “We do not want any confrontation with employees but like to resolve their all genuine demands by engaging them”, he said adding that there are some vested interests in their ranks which do not want to get demands realized in a congenial atmosphere but instigate employees to come on roads.
    The Chief Minster said that the run-ways at Jammu and Kargil Airports are being extended adding that Government of India has given clearance in this regard.
    Earlier, the Chief Minister moved a Demand for Grant of a sum of Rs.9453.37 crore to defray the charges which will come in the course of payment during the year ending March 31, 2015 for the departments under his charge.
    Twenty seven members took part in discussion on demand of grants including Mr. M. Y. Tarigami, Mr. A. R. Veeri, Mr. S. S. Slathia, Mr. T. Namgyal, Mr. Ashok Khajuria, Mr. Ashwani Sharma, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain, Kafil-ur-Rehman, Mr. Ashok Kumar, Harshdev Singh, Mr. Krishen Chander Bhagat, Mr. Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani, Mr. Charanjit Singh, Er. Abdul Rashid, Mrs. Indu Pawar, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, Mr. G. M. Saroori, Syed Basharat Bukhari, Mr. Jugal Kishore, Dr. Mustafa Kamal, Mr. Durga Dass, Mr. Rafi Ahmad Mir, Mr. Yashpal Kundal, Mr. Balwant Singh Mankotia and Javed Mustafa Mir. 
    Later, the members, who moved the Cut Motions on the Grants, withdrew the same after the satisfactory reply from the Chief Minister. The House passed the Grants by a voice vote. (KNS)

  • Talat appointed as VC KU for another term

    Jammu: N.N. Vohra, Governor of J&K, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, has in consultation with  Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister (who is Pro-Chancellor of the University) appointed Prof. Talat Ahmad as Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, for another term of three years with effect from the date on which his present term expires. The present three year term of Prof. Talat Ahmad as Vice Chancellor of the University Kashmir is expiring on 31st May, 2014.
    Prof. Talat Ahmad, a noted Geologist, Fellow of all the major Science Academies of the country and recipient of several prestigious awards, had assumed charge as Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir on 1st June, 2011.
    Prof. Talat did his Masters in Geology from the Aligarh Muslim University, M. Phil (in Ore Petrology-Geochemistry) and Doctorate (in the field of Igneous Petrology-Geochemistry) from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He began his career as a Jr. Geologist with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and, subsequently, worked at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun, as a Scientist for over nineteen years (1984-2003). Before joining as Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, he had been serving as Professor at the Department of Geology, University of Delhi, since October 2003. (GNS)

  • Geelani demands investigation of Kunan Poshpora incident by independent agency

    Srinagar: While repeating his demand for investigation of the Kunan Poshpora ‘mass rape and murder case’ by an independent agency, on the 23 anniversary of this incident, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani said that though some Kashmiri women have filed a PIL in the local court to reopen and reinvestigate the case, but we should not expect any justice or any punishment to the criminals in Indian courts and army will use its special and unlimited powers to provide a safe passage to these criminals of humanity.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, while saluting the courage, steadfastness and sacrifices of Kashmiri women, Geelani said that the Kashmiri women has set an example in the fight for the freedom and had proven that the forced occupation of India will not live longer. Geelani said that the rape has been internationally recognized as a “war crime” and a “Form of Torture” and from last 25 years in Jammu and Kashmir the rape has been routinely used as a “Weapon of War”. On the intervening night of 23/24 February 1991 in district Kupwara, personals of Indian army, 4-Rajput Rifles and 68-Moutain Brigade gang raped dozens of women of Kunan Poshpora and the men from the village were subject to mass torture and this process still continues.
    “Till now about 7.5 thousand women have been raped or molested. Geelani Sahab said that the black laws like AFSPA and Disturbed Area Act have provided a licensee to the Indian army to kill and rape that is why a single criminal of war crime has not been presented in the civil court nor has been anybody punished till date. If due to public pressure army sometimes promised to investigate any case but after some time they closed the case for the lack of sufficient evidence. He said that the former Home Minister of India L. K. Advani is on record having said that “We can’t punish the army personnel’s involved in serious war crimes because such acts will demoralize the forces in J&K and they can’t effectively perform their duty to protect the borders,” the statement issued to KNS reads.   
    According to the Geelani this is the main reason that in J&K, women are raped and molested without any fare. With the fare of not getting justice from the judiciary, most women doesn’t come forward to register the case and if any one dares to register the case, but it doesn’t get any result, because first of all police refuses to register the FIR and then with the help of black laws the case can’t be presented in civil courts.
    Geelani appealed the International community to play their role in protecting the dignity of Kashmiri women. While repeating the demand for the independent investigation of the mass rape cases of Jammu and Kashmir including Kunan Poshpora by the ‘United Nations War Crime Tribunal’, Geelani said that this institution need to play the same character in Jammu and Kashmir which they had played in Bosnia and other subjugated nations and until the army personals who are involved in serious war crimes, are not punished, this region will remain a unsafe place for women. While appreciating the civil society for organizing a special program on 23 February as, “Kashmiri Women’s Resistance Day”, Geelani said that our daughters have sacrificed their everything for the just cause and whole nation salutes them for their courage, resistance and steadfastness. (KNS)

  • Youth injured in 2008 protests succumbs

    Srinagar: A person who was injured in clashes during Amaranth land row six years ago succumbed to injuries at his home in north Kashmir’s Barramulla district Saturday morning, after braving multiple complications and ailments for six years.
    30-year-old Shams-u-Din Fafoo, son of Mohammad Anwar of Shalteng Sheeri, succumbed to his injuries at his residence on Saturday at around 5:00 am, official sources told GNS.
    The victim was a daily wager in Flood Control department and was posted at Malsum Sheeri in Baramulla.
    “My son was on his way back to home after routine duty on June 30 2008 when protests were going on near Kichhama,” Muhammad Anwar, his father, a worker at Public Health Engineering Department, told GNS.
    “When he reached there he was hit by a bullet fired by police as they were chasing a group of protesters,” he added.
    Din was hit by a bullet in his abdomen and was immediately rushed to Sub-District hospital Baramulla.
    Anwar said that doctors at SDH Baramulla referred him to SKIMS Soura for further treatment.
    At SKIMS, the he was admitted for three months and underwent a surgery.
    Subsequently he was discharged from the Hospital.
    “My son was continuously ailing since last six years and during the period he had to undergo two more surgeries,” Anwar added.
    “Unfortunately, he couldn’t survive and breathed his last today,” he said, adding “he was our only support.”
    “My son was our only support. He has three children including a daughter,” he said, adding “His mother had already left us in February 2008, and now I am left alone.”
    “I am a mentally impaired person now and unable to go to the duty. I am suffering from multiple ailments since my wife died. I don’t know how I will manage all this so as to support the three children and their widow mother which my son has left behind,” he said while bursting into tears.
    “Irony is that no authority from police or district administration ever bothered to visit us,” he added.
    A police official, while talking to GNS, said: “The incident happened on 30 June 2008 when a mob attacked Police Station Sheeri and a guard room. In retialition, the police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) chased the mob. In police action, several youth sustained injuries.”
    More than sixty persons, mostly youth were killed after forces fired to suppress the unprecedented mass protests against controversial transfer of land in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam area to SASB in 2008. (GNS)

  • Ready to face Year 2014 as a security challenge: GoC 15 Corps

    Srinagar: Stating that 2014 will be a big challenge for security in Kashmir, Army Saturday claimed that the militancy related incidents have increased in valley this year with the killing of 11 ultras while as 13 have been arrested.
    According to the KNS correspondent, addressing a press conference Lt. General Gurmeet Singh, GoC 15 Corps  stated that during the starting 50 days of the year 2014, the militancy related incidents have increased and that most of the militants belonged to the militant outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He stated further that out of 11 militants killed this year by the security forces, belonged to Hizb, LeT and Jaish-e-Mohamad. He said further that during this period more than 13 militants have been arrested that proves that the violence has increased this year in valley.
    He added further that the Army is providing full space to the local militants to surrender and that army only fires in retaliation. Gen. Singh stated that the locals who have joined the militant ranks are being misled and that army provides them the opportunity to surrender at the earliest.
    Gen Singh added that during the operations with the militants, the army prioritizes that there must be no collateral damage and that no human rights violation should take place.
    When asked that why a local militant from Char-e-Sharif was not given a chance to surrender, Gen, Singh stated that the militant namely Saif Ahmad fired severely on forces and during the retaliatory firing, he was killed. The 15th Corps commander stated further that the killed militant was active during the past and that earlier he was with the Jaish outfit and then had joined Hizb. However General Singh lauded the statement of slain militant’s brother during his funeral procession wherein he had advised the youth to stay away from stone pelting.
    He appreciated that coordination between army and the Jammu and Kashmir police. Gen Singh also lauded peoples cooperation with the army saying that people now repose trust and confidence and are supporting the army.  (KNS)

  • Minister Can’t lie in Parliament, dialogue is going on between India and Hurriyat: Ex Raw Chief

    New Delhi: Former Chief Research Analysis Wing (RAW) A.S.Dulat Saturday said that he fails to understand why Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is denying the fact that dialogue is going on between Government of India and Hurriyat leaders. Dulat told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS that when minister of state for home affairs R P N Singh himself is declaring in the Parliament that dialogue is going on then there is no reason to contradict his statement.
     
    Pertinently, Mirwaiz led Hurriyat had termed the minister in Indian Parliament far from truth and had said that no dialogue is going on between Hurriyat and New Delhi.
     
    “God knows better why Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has described the statement of the Minister as misleading and claimed that it was made with a malicious intention to malign the image of Hurriyat leadership as well as to hoodwink the public opinion. May be Mirwaiz wants a meaningful dialogue and the dialogue which draws everybody’s attention,” he said.
     
    He said that there are various forms of dialogue and the fact is that dialogue is going on. “A minister can’t lie in the Parliament. I presume that Mirwaiz feels that dialogue which is going on is not good enough and he wants it to be more conclusive,” he said.

    Responding to a query, Dulat said that no political party will get political mileage by raising Afzal Guroo issue. He said that both National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party were on the same page as far as the execution of Guroo was concerned. Both the parties termed the execution unfortunate and criticized New Delhi.
     
    “The issue of Guroo’s execution can’t be made a pole plank as it will not suit the interests of political parties in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. Dulat said that the execution of Guroo was unfortunate but political parties of Jammu and Kashmir should move ahead and criticize not each other over the issue.
       
    Responding to a query about fresh row over 2012 troops movement near Delahi, for RAW chief said that India is never going to be Pakistan way. “Army should restraint from jumping into politics and should not issue political statements. India can’t be compared with Pakistan as far as the role of Army is concerned. Our Army has no role in politics and there are no chances at all that India will go Pakistan way where Army rules the roost,” he said. (CNS)

  • Mehbooba condemns Sopore killing

    Jammu: Terming the murder of Waseem Ahmad Malla of Sopore as gruesome, barbaric, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Saturday lashed out at the forces that are baying for the blood of innocent people.
    In a statement, the party president, Mehbooba Mufti blamed the present National Conference-led government for losing the grip of the law and order situation in J&K that has been responsible for such tragedies. She said these unfortunate incidents have become a routine now and the government has miserably failed to save the lives of innocent people. “Reoccurrence of killings at the hands of ‘unknown gunmen’ put a serious question mark on the credibility and seriousness of the government to protect the human lives,” she said.
    Mehbooba said by splattering blood of innocents on ground nothing will change and it will only complicate the problems. Expressing solidarity with the deceased family, she said Waseem’s loss is irreparable, in every sense, for the society in general and for his family in particular. She also demanded a thorough, independent probe into the innocent so that the perpetrators can be brought to book as soon as possible.