Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • SMC’s physically challenged Khan to play at Amritsar cricket league

    Srinagar: A physically challenged employee of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) will be among the few such players from the state to represent Jammu and Kashmir in the upcoming Deaf India Premiere League.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, the national level league is being played at Amritsar from February 24 to March 1. Imran Khan, a deaf and dumb, who works as a computer operator in the SMC’s City Drainage Civil Division, has been granted permission by SMC commissioner Dr G N Qasba to participate in the league.
    “I am participating as a player. I have been playing cricket since 2010 and follow the game passionately,” says Khan, who is also the general secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association of Deaf. In his late twenties, Khan, a resident of Karfali Mohalla, Fateh Kadal, is also affiliated with All India Cricket Association, New Delhi.
    On this rare feat and active participation in sports activities, SMC commissioner Dr Qasba not only granted him leave and permission but wished him success in his upcoming games. “This is a proud moment for the SMC to have its employees, despite all odds, not giving up and participating in games,” said Dr Qasba.
    He said such people should be a role model for all those facing challenges physically. “His dedication and commitment towards life and sports shows that a person should not allow any physical challenge to become a handicap in one’s life,” said Qasba. (KNS)

  • Guru’s execution to remain a question mark over functioning of Indian courts: Mirwaiz

    Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Saturday said that the secret execution of Afzal Guru would remain a question mark over the functioning of Indian courts for times to come as it was carried out against the general court procedures and prescribed legal canons.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, on the first martyrdom anniversary of Afzal Guru, Mirwaiz along with a high level Hurriyat delegation including Bilal Gani lone, Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi, Musadiq Adil, GN Zaki, Javed Ahmad Mir, Engineer Hilal Ahmad War, Hakim Abdul Rashid, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi, Syed Bashir Andrabi, Farooq Ahmad Saudagar and others leaders visited the native house of martyr Guru at Abgah Sopore to express their condolences and solidarity with the bereaved family. The leaders sympathized with the family and prayed for the deceased soul and entire martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir who laid their lives for the cause.
    Speaking over the occasion, Mirwaiz said martyrdom of Afzal Guru was a tragic incident for the family and entire Kashmir. On one hand he said the secret execution of Guru has unveiled the true face of Indian democracy and justice hidden beneath the mask, while on the other, it has strengthened the resolve and commitment of Kashmiri nation to carry on with the struggle. Mirwaiz said Gurus martyrdom would inspire the future generations to take the struggle forward till it reaches its conclusion.
    Mirwaiz also visited house of the noted social personality of Sopore and paternal uncle of Bilal Gani Lone, Master Ghulam Ahmad Ganaie and condoled with the family members. Expressing his sympathy and solidarity with the members and Bilal Gani Lone, Mirwaiz threw light on the social life later Master Ghulam Ahmad and prayed for the deceased soul.
    Meanwhile, senior hurriyat leader Zaffar Akbar Bhat visited the houses of two freedom fighters in Shopian who were martyred by Indian troops during a recent gunfight. Paying rich tributes to Rashid Ahmad Sheikh of Haripora, Zainpora and Abid Ahmad Rather of Shopian, Bhat on behalf of APHC, he said the mission of all martyrs would be taken to its logical end.
    APHC also organized a special prayer session to commemorate the 39th martyrdom death anniversary of martyr Gulam Mohammad Bulla at Sopore cemetery. Hurriyat leaders including Javaid Ahmad Mir, Hakeem Ab Rashid  Gh. Nabi Zaki,Khan Mohammad Sopori PL Leader Shakeel-u-Rehman, Imtiyaz Ahmad Reshi, Jaffer Kashmiri, Gulam Mohammad Mir and others participated in the prayer session.
    The leaders said Kashmiri nation can’t forget the sacrifices. They said instead of surrendering before the oppressors, Gulam Mohammad Bulla, S Hameed Wani, or Sheikh Abdul Aziz preferred martyrdom. They said that the brave sons of Kashmir sacrificed their lives for Kashmir freedom and not for the vote bank or administrative units.
    Condemning the arrest of youth in Bandipora, the spokesman said that they were arrested after they staged a peaceful protests against the beating of a shopkeeper. He demanded immediate release of the detained youth.    (KNS)

  • Central University of Kashmir Notified Recruitment for 28 teaching vacancies

    Central University of Kashmir invited application for recruitment to the post of Assistant Professor, Professor and Associate Professor. The candidates eligible for the post can apply through prescribed format before 10 March 2014.

    Important Dates

    •    Opening Date for Registration: 15 February 2014
    •    Closing Date for Registration: 10 March 2014

    Details of Posts

    Professor

    •    Convergent Journalism: 01 Post
    •    Information Technology: 01 Post
    •    Mathematics: 01 Post
    •    Politics & Governance: 01 Post
    •    Urdu: 01 Post

    Associate Professor

    •    Convergent Journalism: 02 Posts
    •    Economics: 02 Posts
    •    Education: 02 Posts
    •    English: 02 Posts
    •    Information Technology: 02 Posts
    •    Law: 01 Post
    •    Mathematics: 02 Post
    •    Politics & Governance: 02 Posts
    •    Tourism Studies: 02 Posts
    •    Urdu: 02 Posts

    Assistant Professor (Politics & Governance): 04 Posts

    Total Number of Post: 28 Posts

    Pay Scale

    •    Professor: PB Rs 37400 – 67000/- with AGP Rs 10,000/-
    •    Associate Professor: PB Rs 37400 – 67000/- with  AGP Rs 9,000/-
    •    Assistant Professor: PB Rs 15600 – 39100/- with  AGP Rs 6,000/-

    Educational Qualification

    •    Professor: Ph.D. Degree in the concerned disciplines after Master’s Degree with a minimum of 55% marks from a recognized university and qualified         National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the UGC and ten years of experience of Teaching Or research
    •    Associate Professor: Ph.D. Degree in the concerned disciplines after Master’s Degree with a minimum of 55% marks from a recognized university and  qualified National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the UGC and eight years of experience of Teaching Or research
    •    Assistant Professor: Master’s Degree with a minimum of 55% marks from a recognized university and qualified National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the UGC

    How to Apply

    Download the application format from the below link or from the official website of the University, http://www.cukashmir.ac.in/.

    Duly completed application format in all respect along with the demand draft of Application fee of 300/- ( 150/- for SC/ST candidates) drawn in the favour of Central University of Kashmir, payable at Srinagar (J&K) must be send to the Reception Counter of the University or sent by post to Registrar, Central University of Kashmir, Sonwar (Near GB Pant Hospital) Srinagar 190 004, Jammu and Kashmir.

    Refer the given link for application format and complete details.

  • ‘Never compromise on Kashmir in Parliament’ Soz rejects Exit Poll predictions

    Srinagar: State Congress President and Rajya Sabha member Professor Saif-u-Din Soz Saturday said that he is representing the people of Jammu and Kashmir to his best ability in the Indian Parliament. “Tell me which issue I did not raise in Parliament. I never ignored any issue pertaining to Jammu and Kahsmir, be it Pathribal fake encounter, AFSPA, train service, Machil fake encounter, unemployment, Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme or occupation of Government forces in hotels and other buildings,” Soz told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS adding that he never compromises when it comes to Kashmir.

    Soz said that despite having a busy schedule, he never missed or misses an opportunity to raise any issue pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir. He said a day after Army closed Pathribla fake encounter case; he vehemently raised the issue with Defense Minister and asked Jammu and Kashmir Government to approach Supreme Court of India. “My stand on Pathribal fake encounter is clear. I want Jammu and Kashmir government to become a party and approach to Supreme Court,” Soz said adding that Kashmir is my constituency it is always on his mind.

    He said that in Rajya Sabha, he on record raised the questions about the illegal arrests and detentions of Kashmiri youth in outside states and urged Prime Minister of India to ensure their release and pay compensation to their families. “There are some issues which do not find a space in a section of press but that does not mean I have failed to represent Kashmir,” he said.

    Responding to a query, Soz said that he does not believe in exist polls which claimed that Congress will get only one Parliament seat in Jammu and Kashmir. “I hope that Congress party would emerge winner in Jammu and Kashmir in both Parliament and Assembly elections. So many intellectuals, former bureaucrats and politicians are joining Congress party which makes it clear that this party is very vibrant in Jammu and Kashmir,” he told CNS.

    Saif-u-Din Soz further said that it was his vocal support for the incorporation of 73rd amendment that Jammu and Kashmir Government finally incorporated it in letter and spirit. “The incorporation of 73rd amendment in Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act will make the Panchayati Raj Institutions strong and viable. Our motive is to give due share to Panchayats so that they could participate in governance,” he said.

    When asked Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme has proved to be damp squib and under this scheme future of Kashmiri students was put at stake, Soz said that he has taken up the matter with the Prime Minister of India and HRD Ministry and he is hopeful that all the students will be accommodated.

  • ‘Govt not shielding former Health Minister’: NC

    Enhancement of retirement age will coincide with increase in over-age Limit

    Srinagar: Terming the allegations of Mirwaiz baseless that Government is shielding Congress politician Shabir Khan, National Conference Saturday said that had there been an intention of the government to shield him, no case would have registered against him.

    “Government initiated action against Khan allegedly involved in molestation case. What else Government can do. Court has come up with directions in this regard and government has nothing to do with it now,” National Conference leader and Minister for CA&PD, Choudhri Muhammad Ramzan told CNS soon after the culmination of his public rally in North Kahsmir’s Handwara town.

    He said that Shabir Khan was forced to resign on account of charges leveled against him and still some people especially opposition party and separatist leaders feel that government is shielding former Health Minister Shabir Ahmed Khan.

    Responding to query, Ramzan said that Kashmiri people have nothing to do with Kejriwa;’s Aam Aadmi Party and there will no Kejriwal wave in Jammu and Kashmir. “Kejriwal is a flop show and he resigned to save his skin. Not speaking of Kashmir, AAP has no base even in New Delhi,” he said.

    He confirmed that government is mulling to enhance the retirement age of State employees by two years. “We have formed a committee to look into the issue. If it materializes, there will be no repercussions of this decision on unemployed youth as government will also extend to limit of ‘over-age’ factor,” he said. (CNS)

  • Protestors attacked Army Shutdown in Shopian for second day

    Srinagar: Army was forced to resort to aerial firing in South Kashmir’s Naira Tahab area of Pulwama town on Saturday when people pelted stones on them after a column of 55 RR tried to cordon off a particular part of Naira hamlet.

    Sources told CNS that after receiving inputs about the presence of militants in Naira area of Pulwama district, Army personnel from 55 RR cordoned off Masjid Mohalla of the said hamlet. Eyewitnesses said that as the Army personnel were busy in cordoning the area, scores of people including youth staged a massive protest against them and resorted heavy stone pelting on them.

    “In order to disperse the protestors, Army personnel fired several shots in air which created panic in the area. The aerial firing continued for several minutes while people ran for cover. Even after aerial firing, the protestors regrouped themselves and continued to pelt stones on Army,” an eyewitness told CNS.

    Reports said soon after the incident, Army sought reinforcement and more troopers reached in the area. The Army despite facing resistance from people cordoned off the area. Eyewitnesses said that Army did not find anything and the cordon was lifted after thorough search operation.

    A Defense spokesperson told CNS that he would try to find out what actually has happened.

    Meanwhile, complete shutdown was observed in Shopian for the second day against the killing of two Hizb militants. All the shops and business establishments remained closed while transport was off the roads. Reports said that hundreds of people visited to the houses of slain militants to express solidarity with their families. (CNS)

  • APDP stages silent protest Pathribal fake encounter murder of justice

    Srinagar: Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons Saturday staged a peaceful protest against Army decision to close Pathribal fake encounter case. Scores of APDP activists led by Parvena Ahangar assembled in Press Enclave Srinagar. Protestors were carrying banners and placards seeking justice for Pathribal fake encounter victim families. The protestors termed the Army decision as murder of justice and as a mark of protest had wrapped their mouths with pieces of clothes.

    Talking to reporters, APDP chairperson, Parvena Ahangar said that Army decision has not come as a surprise to the people of Kashmir as generations of Kashmiris have been witness to extra judicial killings, torture, rape, enforced disappearances, molestation, humiliations and other heinous violations at the hands of the Indian soldiers and their collaborators in Kashmir.

    She said that not a single Indian soldier has so far been convicted for the crimes they committed in Kashmir reflects that the tall claims of justice and reparation made by the Indian state and its collaborators are nothing but a tactics to hood-wink the international community and an attempt to cover-up India’s crime against humanity in Kashmir.

    “As parents and relatives of the victims of enforced disappearances we are not unfamiliar with the Indian state’s architecture of oppression. Last twenty years of our struggle for justice and liberty is witness to the fact that in Kashmir elaborate oppressive apparatus of Indian State ensures control over every aspect of our lives. The fair and impartial trials, which have historically been the cornerstone of civilized regimes across the globe, are impossible in case of Kashmir.”

    APDP said that Pathribal Fake Encounter Case was very unique as it attracted media attention and was indeed an exception among thousands of incidents of human rights abuses which never get reported.

    In Jammu and Kashmir, Indian State acts as the judge, the jury and the executioner. Time and again, the Indian state has demonstrated that its interests in Kashmir guarded by its soldiers are superior to the rights of the individual Kashmiris. The Indian judiciary has been hand in glove with the state in sustaining the predominance of the India’s interests over the rights of the people of Kashmir. Such closures expose the Indian oppression and Indian State’s facade of justice in Kashmir. It also exposes the so called mainstream regional parties of Kashmir who have all along been their partners in the crime.(CNS)

  • Denying Old Parents Of Javed Ahmad Khan Meeting With Their Son Inhuman Act: Yasin Malik

    Srinagar: Chairman JKLF Mohammad Yasin Malik has strongly condemned the inhuman act of the jail authorities who stopped denied the parents of lifer Javed Ahmad Khan from meeting their son in Tihar jail .Yasin Malik while terming this as inhuman, unjust and undemocratic act of Indian rulers and their authorities, said that elderly parents of Javed Ahmad khan who is serving a life sentence in Tihar jail had travelled thousands of kilometers and invested a lot of money to reach Delhi for meting their jailed son but   tyrants and oppressors denied  them a meeting with him. Yasin Sahib while terming this as unilateral state terrorism condemned it in strong words.

  • Police allows ‘Tainted’ Khan to leave Srinagar

    SRINAGAR: Police on Saturday, allowed ex-Health Minister of State, facing molestation charges to leave Srinagar.

    Shabir Khan recorded his statement in Police Station Shahid Gunj, on Wednesday and was bailed against a personal bail bond of Rs 25,000 as per the court directions.

    “Khan requested to leave Srinagar and leave for Jammu, citing some genuine reasons so he was allowed by the Investigating Officer,” SDPO Shahid Gunj, Imran Farooq, told Kashmir Life.

    Sources said that Khan in his plea has wished to attend the ongoing budget session in the winter capital. They added that Khan will attend the Assembly on Monday.

    Pertinently, Khan is facing the charges of molesting a lady doctor in his office chamber in Srinagar. A case FIR no 9/2014 u/s 354 and 509 is registered against him in the Police station Shahid Gunj, Srinagar.

    MLA, Rajouri had to resign from his ministerial birth on the direction of Party High Command.

  • Crèches’ ‘competing’ crash on childhood

    SRINAGAR: With the dawn of modern age children are laden with heavy burden called ‘competition’ in Kashmir. Inception of educational odyssey has inculcated the notion of staying one step ahead in them. Even for admission in elementary classes, their innocent faces are countenanced with the colossal competition. To prepare and mould these children into a strong rival, Parents admit them in the crèches.
    Since the last decade, crèches are mushrooming at a fast pace in the valley. These institutes claim to provide quality preliminary education and over all personality development which would help them to cope up with the cut-throat competition lurking in the corners of their future.
    Although it is a novel concept of educating the tender ones but it has its own ‘dark shades’. Under the brightness of education, experts say, children are gloomed with the deprivation of the childhood.
    “Mother’s lap is the first school for a child,” says Mushtaq Shah, a crèche teacher from Srinagar’s Qamarwari, “but due to paucity of the time by working mothers presently, they send their kids to crèche for care and education.”
    We try our best to provide them the same love and care which a mother would provide, continues Shah, “but there is no debate that mothers love is irreplaceable.”
    Parents pass on the hat of responsibility to these crèches so that their hands are vacant for doing jobs.
    “If we consider the current inflation in the market, we have no other option but to work so as to make ends meet,” says Ateeqa, mother of crèche going child. “Therefore sole option for us is to send our children to these crèches during our working hours. But it is not the sole purpose, as a responsible parent we believe that our children gets proper guidance there and are well prepared for facing the school admission interviews.”
    But experts claim that sending a very young child to these crèches is squarely affecting their mental and physical health.
    Prof Aadil Bashir of Kashmir University’s Social Welfare Department says introduction of crèches is a novel concept but it is a wrong way to educate children at a very tender age. “It is better if child gets his early moral and religious education from their parents rather than crèches, because it’ll also strengthen the bonding between them,” he says.
    Childhood is now replaced by the crèche-hood, Prof Bashir continues, children’s brains are not yet ready to read and learn, crèche system is like forced education.
    “The moral and religious teaching which a child can learnt from their parent’s at home will not leant in these crèche schools,” he says.
    Prof Bashir says, the individual attention which a child needs at this age will not be provided by the teachers which have to take care of lot of students studying collectively there, mostly not being aware of the child psychology.