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  • Rana assails BJP for riding communal polarization to wrest power

    Jammu: Cautioning people against attempts being made by reactionary forces to polarize society on communal lines in a bid to win the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Provincial President National Conference Jammu Devender Singh Rana on Monday expressed anguish over religion being used as a tool to wrest the power.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Rana while addressing a series of public meetings at Jagdambey, Mohalla Slathia, Mohalla Bnathia, Kuppar Pargalta in Nagrota Assembly Constituency said: “The BJP has already started playing communal card and whipping up passions to woo the voters.”
    The Provincial President said the BJP had made its intentions known well while anointing Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidates knowing full well his role in Gujarat riots. “This was a sort of provocation to secular and peace loving people across the country”, he said adding that they will not succeed in their machinations. He said the people of the country in general and Jammu and Kashmir in particular have negated communal politics, as it is alien to their pluralistic ethos.
    Rana accused BJP of playing shrewd politics by having a secret understanding with PDP to cut the secular votes. This is a strategy drawn over the months, which is being put into practice subtly and clandestinely. “However, the people are politically sagacious enough to draw distinction between right and the wrong”, he added.
    He hit out at BJP and PDP for pursuing anti-people agenda and vitiating the atmosphere by resorting to falsehood and deceit. “While PDP is missing no opportunity to exploit the woes of the people, BJP is displayed rabid communal politics to provoke a major segment of secular population”, he maintained.
    The Provincial President said that National Conference, as custodian of the larger interest of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh will stand like a rock and foil the nefarious designs of communal and disruptive elements. He urged the workers to play their crucial role, as they have been doing to keep the light of secularism aloft at all costs.
    Rana also referred to the development of Nagrota constituency and said that Omar Abdullah led government has dispelled the feeling of neglect by providing equal opportunities of progress and development. “This process is to be given further momentum”, he said while urging the people to strengthen the hands of the Chief Minister. He referred to various path breaking initiatives taken for speeding up development, enforcing accountability, ensuring transparency and making the wheels of administration move as per the aspirations of the people. He also referred to the creation of new administrative units, saying these will go a long way in meeting the administrative and developmental needs of the people.
    Present during the workers meetings included Rameshwar Dutt, Som Nath Khajuria, Ch Rehmat Ali, Girdhari Lal, Din Mohammad, Kaushal, Mohinder, Kuldeep and others.  (KNS)

  • Unidentified militant killed in Tral, says CRPF

    Srinagar: An unidentified militant was killed Monday in an encounter with CRPF troopers in Tral town of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
    Official sources told GNS that unknown militants opened heavy gunfire over a patrolling party of CRPF 182 battalion near the bus stand Tral in Awantipora area of the district. In the retaliatory fire, an unknown militant was killed.
    Two more militants while taking the advantage of darkness managed to escape from the site, he said.
    “One militant has been killed in the ongoing gunfight. Searches have been launched in the area,” a CRPF spokesman Kishore Prassad said.
    However, official sources told GNS that police didn’t recover any arms or ammunitions when it reached the spot. (GNS)

  • Father-son duo held in octogenarian’s killing

    Srinagar: Two days after an octogenarian man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in south Kashmir’s Awantipora, police Monday arrested a father-son duo to ascertain their role in the killing.
    Larkipora Padgampor resident, Ghulam Rasool Makroo and his son Showkat Ahmad Makroo, in Pulwama disrict were picked up by Special Operation Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police from their house, official sources said.
    “Their role in the killing is being investigated,” a police official told GNS, adding they have filed a case under FIR 6/2014 under section 302 RPC.
    Ghulam Mohammad Dar, 85, was shot dead from point blank range near his home on Saturday late evening.  Dar’s son is an elected village headman affiliated to the Peoples Democratic Party. (GNS)

  • Freedom from Indian occupation our common target: HCJK

    Srinagar: A high level meeting of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK) was today held under the president ship of senior leader of the amalgam Shabir Ahmad Shah in which other leaders of the forum including National Front Chairman, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Muslim League Chairman, Mushtaq-ul-Islam, JKLF (R) Chairman, Farooq Ahmad Dar, Islamic Political Party Chairman, Muhammad Yusuf Naqash, Muslim Conference Chairman, Shabir Ahmad Dar and Mahaz-e-Azadi President, Muhammad Iqbal Mir participated.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, throughout the meeting, the current political scenario of world with regards to Kashmir issue was deliberated upon. It was held that Hurriyat Conference JK came into being to uphold the Hurriyat Constitution by following the same in letter and spirit and to facilitate every possible step to take the sacred mission of “freedom from Indian occupation” to its logical conclusion.
    “Hurriyat Conference JK is actively proceeding towards achieving a very target – freedom and considers the implementation of UN resolutions as mentioned in Hurriyat Constitution created in 1993 or tripartite dialogue between India and Pakistan as the strategy of achieving the goal,” the leaders vowed during the meeting.
    The leaders also vehemently opposed the bilateral talks with India and held that any new formula or covert meetings vis-à-vis Kashmir issue is an open indiscipline and an act tantamount to treachery. “To realize our goal, we have kept faith in freedom struggle for right to self determination,” they vowed.
    The meeting also deliberated upon the developments taking place in various countries across globe, from China to US to European countries vis-à-vis Kashmir issue, particularly the recent statements issued by Beijing, Washington and London with regards to K-issue.
    During the meeting, the leaders welcomed Pakistan’s decision of not giving most favoured nation (MFN) status to India and highlighted the role and contribution of Pakistan with regards to Kashmir dispute. “Since Kashmiri leadership is not in a position to run the movement at such level, it is other responsibility upon Islamabad to accelerate its diplomatic initiatives to highlight the longstanding dispute at large,” the leaders said.
    During the meeting, the need for unity among Kashmiri people in their struggle and to remain steadfast in their mission for freedom was also felt so as to generate as much possible support from international bodies. The leaders also expressed their grief over the miserable condition of prisoners languishing in and outside state jails. (KNS)

  • Mufti has no experience of running elected government: Kamaal

    Srinagar: Reacting to a statement of PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, National Conference Additional General Secretary Dr. Shiekh Mustafa Kamaal has said that Mufti has no experience of formation and running of elected governments, thus talks on flimsy issues just to hoodwink people.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, Dr. Kamaal said that 2nd  world war epistolary will not work in these enlightened times and people at the same time, cannot forget Mufti’s ‘anti Kashmiryat and anti democracy roles’ which has been his hall mark.
    He said that Mufti Sayeed had no expectations even to become Chief Minister in 2002 and as such spent his entire term of three years in impregnable state. “He invented new order terming J&K as second in the list of corrupt States of the country. It was during Mufti’s rule that the State Subject law was modified to the disadvantage of the State. As Chief Minister of the State Mufti Sayeed sought economical aid as base for Kashmir issue resolution,” Kamaal has said.
    The NC additional general secretary said that PDP even as B team in the then coalition during 2008 processed surreptitiously, transfer case of Pahalgam land to Shrine Board which took deleterious turn and 120 innocent citizens got killed during the agitation. “Mufti Sayeed had no experience of ruling the State, thus shielding himself of the atrocities committed on the State and its people.”
    Kamaal advised Mufti Sayeed to go round the State and see himself the progress and development all around made during the past five and a half years of Omar Abdullah’s tenure. He said that his was a big hand in making of a government on horse trading in 1984, which in turn cultivated belligerence thinking in the youth, who were very much absorbed in the democratic norms till then and had worked zealously in the election process in 1983 also. “Since Mufti has no courage to defend himself of such charges, he only beat about the bush while projecting his self.” (KNS)
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  • Lashkar commander among 2 killed in Handwara encounter

    Srinagar: A top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander was among two militants killed in a fierce gunfight with army and police in north Kashmir’s Handwara area of remote Kupwara district.
    Reports reaching GNS said that army’s 6 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operation Group (SOG) of police on a tip-off about the presence of two foreign militants laid a siege around Sheikh Mohalla locality of Malikpora village in Vilgam area of Handwara this morning. As the joint team started search operation, the militants hiding in the house of Habibullah Sheikh, son of Abdullah Sheikh opened heavy fire and tried to break the cordon. However, the forces engaged the militants in a gunfight that lasted for about two hours.
    During the exchange of fire, an army Major Sandeep Kotwal sustained bullet injuries in his abdomen. He was immediately rushed to Military Hospital Drugmalla for treatment where his condition is said to be stable.
    Reports said that the militants offered stiff resistance to the forces and in retaliation, army blasted the house by firing heavy mortars and razed the residential house, in which militants had taken refuge, to the ground.
    A police official in a statement issued to GNS identified the two slain militants as Abu Huriara and Abu Talha of LeT.
    “Huriara was group Commander of LeT and both of them had infiltrated last year,” the spokesman said, adding: they were involved many cases of militancy-related incidents.
    A defense official told GNS that huge cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered from the encounter site that included two AK-47 rifles with 25 rounds, three  magazines, one mobile phone, two Chinese grenades, one compass, one pouch, two diaries, and currency worth Rs 2180. Besides this, three bottles of poison and two knives were also recovered from them.
    “Abu Hurraira was overseeing Laskhar activities in Lolab Valley. Last year he shifted to state’s summer capital Srinagar where he gave slip to forces twice in Ahmad Nagar area,” the official said
    “During one of the gunfights in Srinagar, he had injured at least eight policemen,” he added.
    He said that Hurraira shifted to South Kashmir’s Tral after the fire fights in Srinagar and fifteen days ago had moved to Handwara. “He was hiding in the forest area and due to bad weather had moved into the village where he was killed,” the official said.
    Meanwhile, the bodies of the two slain militants have been taken by police for post-mortem, an official said. (GNS)

  • Valley witnesses snowfall, incessant rains

    Had intimated administration about bad weather: Met office
    Srinagar: The incessant rainfall and snowfall on Monday punctured the claims of authorities of various government departments about the development of Srinagar as the main roads and inner streets including Lal Chowk were inundated with water-giving tough time to the pedestrians and vehicles at large.
    The roads around Jahangir Chowk and Hari Singh high street were all filled with water and even the situation made shopkeepers to close their shops.
    According to Meteorological Department, the weather conditions will remain same till evening of March 12 and that the same is likely to improve from March 13. The In-charge Director Met office Farooq Ahmad Khan told KNS over phone that the upper reaches of valley will receive moderate snowfall while as plains will witness rainfalls till March 12.
    When asked why the administration and general public were not informed about weather predictions before few days, Khan stated that their department already had issued handout to the administration and media- stating that the weather will witness a change from March 9. “The weather earlier was sunny and it is expected that everyone would not have taken that information seriously.” Meanwhile the reports reaching KNS informed that the snowfall has closed the Srinagar-Jammu Highway and that Beacon and state authorities have started the clearance of snow from Banihal and Patnitop.
    The reports informed further that besides moderate rain and snowfall across valley, massive snowfall was witnessed in Ladakh region on Monday. Office of the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Monday closed the schools for two days due to the prevailing weather conditions.

    Meanwhile, the rains not only affected the electricity supplies but the internet including broadband services were down. (KNS)

  • Suspension orders not revoked: SVSU

    ‘Decision after completion of probe’
    Srinagar: The authorities at the Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (SVSU) on Monday refuted the media reports that suggested the revocation of suspension orders against the 67 Kashmiri students accused of cheering Pakistan’s win over India in the recently held Asia cup match.
    “We have not contacted nor invited any student so far. We are waiting for the enquiry report from the committee. The media reports are totally false,” PK Garg, Registrar of Meerut’s Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (SVSU) told GNS.
    He said that the decision over the suspension of the students will be taken only after the probe ordered into the incident is completed.
    “Once the enquiry is over, then we will take decision about the suspended students” he said.
    He also refuted the reports that suggested that the Vice Chancellor of the Varsity has been invited to Jammu and Kashmir. “I don’t know about such invitation neither has VC told me anything related to it,” he said.
    On Monday last, , the authorities of SVSU had suspended nearly 67 Kashmiri students for cheering Pakistan cricket team’s victory over India in a recently held Asia cup match held in Mirpur Bangladesh.
    The students were ‘thrown out’ from the Varsity and they arrived here in valley after three days. The students were also charged with Sedition by Meerut Police under section 124A as well as 153 and 427.
    However, after hue and cry, the sedition charges were dropped while other two sections continue to stand. (GNS)

  • Enforced Disappearances

    Ten parents died without having a glimpse of their loved ones
    Srinagar: Amid rains and chill, Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) staged a protest at Pratap Park Srinagar on Monday. The association said that all but 10 parents from past couple of years breathed their last without having a glimpse of their loved ones who were subjected to enforced disappearance in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
    The Association said that Hussina Begam who passed away recently with the hope that she could have a glimpse of his son, Anwar Shah, was picked up and subject to enforced disappearance by the Indian Security forces on July 21, 2000 in Srinagar.
    “At the time of his disappearance he was working as a painter. Hussina Begum, along with the half widow and daughter of his disappeared son, struggled for thirteen years to know the whereabouts of his son before she passed away.”
    “Mehtaba Begum of Karihama, Kupwara met the similar fate. She passed away during her struggle to know the whereabouts of her son, Mohammad Yaqub Khan, who was labor by profession and was picked up by the 76 and 56 Battalion of Border Security Forces in a crackdown at his native village on 14th October 1990 and was subsequently subjected to enforced disappearance,” the Association said.
    According to CNS, APDP said that Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, father of Shabir Hussain Bhat, a resident of Chattabal, Srinagar, passed away on 7th January this year. “Shabir was picked up by 21 Battalion Border Security Forces from Bemina, Srinagar. Another parent, Abdul Ahad Sofi of Daribal, Naid Kadal, Srinagar have passed away in the year 2012. His son, Bashir Ahmad Sofi, was picked up by the 61 Battalion of Border Security Forces on 17th June 2003 from his home, in front of his family.”
    “Misra Begum of Boatman colony, Bemina also passed away during her struggle to know the whereabouts of her son, Shabir Hussain Gassi, who was picked up by 6 Rashtriya Rifles of the Indian Army from his home on 21st January 2000. Similarly, Hameeda Parveen, mother of Abid Hussain Dar, died in the year 2012. Abid was a student at the time of his arrest and subsequent disappearance by the army personal of 15 JAKLI.
    Zoona Begum, mother of Imtiyaz Ahmad Wani of Rajbagh passed away in the 2011. Her son got disappeared on 15th of May 1996 after he was picked up by BSF and STF from his home. Imtiyaz was a government employee, working as Forester in J&K Forest Department.”
    Muhammad Jamal Bhat of Kupwara passed away in the year 2012. His son Ghulam Hassan Bhat was disappeared on 25th January 1992. Wali Mohammad of Hanjiwara, Baramulla also died in his struggle to know the whereabouts of his disappeared son.”
    APDP said that Haleema Begum of Batamaloo, has recently joined the list of the parents who died waiting for the justice. She passed away on 26 February 2013 without realizing the wish to see her beloved son. The struggle she had started, to know the whereabouts of her son, along with her husband has met a tragic end. Her husband, Muhammmad Amin Shah, have already met the similar fate in their struggle. Her son, Basharat Ahamad Shah, who was a student of Aligarh Muslim University, was picked up by CRPF in Sopore on 12th October 1990 and subjected to enforced disappearance.”
    “The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) commiserates the death of all the parents who have passes away in their struggle to know the whereabouts of their loved ones and pledges to take their struggle to its logical end.
    The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons strongly demands that the impunity being provided to the Indian Security Forces, under the draconian law AFSPA, be immediately revoked, besides making them accountable for all the gross human rights violations they commit. The impunity, on one hand, gives free hand to the Indian Security Forces to kill, Disappear, Torture and rape the innocent people, and, on the other hand, the lack of accountability is used to suppress the people and to deny justice to them, besides giving arduous lives and agonizing death to the parents of the of victims of enforced disappearances.” (CNS)

  • CID report about incumbent Director SKIMS ‘Was affiliated with JKLF’

    ‘FIR stands registered against him’
    Srinagar: Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Jammu and Kashmir in its report has claimed that incumbent Director Sher-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, Dr Showkat Ali Zargar had affiliations with militant organization Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front in 1990-91.
    The report has further said that during 2010 unrest, the said doctor led a procession of Doctors and Para-medicos in SKIMS  Soura to express solidarity with the separatists and for this action an open FIR vide number 70/2010 under section 124-A RPC has been registered in Police Station Soura but no arrest was made in this regard.
    Ironically, the incumbent Director came under fire from his opponents for trying to be an ardent supporter of National Conference. In a reply to the serious charges being levelled against him, from time to time, Showkat Zargar, in a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary Muhammad Iqbal Khanday had alleged that some newspapers and others have been engaged in writing baseless, doctored and false allegations”. Instead of giving proper reply, Zargar in his letter had claimed that, “SKIMS has been established by the beloved leader and visionary late Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and he had great attachments with this SKIMS for healing of ailments of the people of Kashmir.”
    A well known doctor on condition of anonymity told CNS that there are different laws for affluent people. “A downtrodden never on earth gets passport if he is found involved in any activity that does not suit to the Government but, the example lies with us that instead of adverse CID report Dr Showkat Zargar  he enjoyed trips to abroad and his passport was not cancelled,” he said adding that some people change sides with the passage of time to reap maximum benefits.
    The copy of CID report lying with CNS reveals that Dr Showkat Zargar had sought permission from the government to participate in Cross LOC conclave at Istanbul, however, the CID Jammu and Kashmir in its letter addressed to Principal Secretary Home J & K government Jammu vide letter No CID/NGO/ 296O dated 17th, November, 2011, titled “Participation in cross LOC Conclave at Istanbul (Nov 22-26) in respect of Director SKIMS Soura” writes “The background of Showkat Ali Zargar, Director SKIMS Soura is that he has remained affiliated with JKLF militant outfit in 1990-91.”
    The Director was discharged from services in 1993 and after his return from Saudi Arabia in 1998, he was re-engaged.  “He later went to Saudi Arabia in 1992 and was discharged from service in 1993. After his return from Saudi Arabia in 1998, he was re-engaged in SKIMS Soura in Gastroenterology faculty. During this period he continued his sympathies with JKLF,” reads the report.
    The CID report in response to Home department Letter number Home/Permission (Misc/ 2011-44- dated 15, November 2011) furnished by the then Inspector General of Police (IGP) further says that, ‘during 2010 unrest, he led a procession of doctors and paramedics in SKIMS Soura to express solidarity with the separatists. For this action, an open FIR 70/2010 u/s 124-A RPC has been registered in Police Station Soura. However no arrest was made,” reads the CID report.