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  • Yasin Malik visits Geelani

    Srinagar: Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Mohammad Yasin Malik Saturday visited Syed Ali Geelani‘s residence to inquire about his health.  
    According to KNS inputs, Malik accompanied by senior front leaders Noor Mohamad Kalwal and Mohammad Hussain Altaf visited Geelani’s hyderpora residence and inquired about the health status of the octogenarian leader, whjo recently complained about severe chest infection.  Malik expressed hope for the early recovery of the senior separatist.
    Geelani who was kept under house arrest after returning from New Delhi recently, had complained about the Chest infection and breathing problems. The Huriyat amalgam led by him had appealed people to hold special prayers for Geelani’s health. (KNS)

  • 100 encroachments removed from Brari Namabal: SMC

    ‘50 truckloads of garbage lifted’
    Srinagar: In a major drive to clean up Brari Nambal lagoon, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation today removed 100 encroachments/shanties and evacuated 500 rag-pickers illegally occupying a huge patch of the lagoon land. These illegal encroachments and the occupants were posing a grave threat to the lagoon.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, a spokesman of the SMC has said that the drive, which started since last evening, involved around 250 SMC workers, including sweepers and other officials, to not only destroy the illegal constructions but also clear up the debris to restore the land to its old glory. At least fifty truckloads of garbage was lifted from in and around lagoon area.
    The daylong drive was overseen by SMC commissioner Dr G N Qasba and LAWWDA vice chairman Irfan Yasin. Both the SMC and the LAWWA are charting joint plans to evict the illegal occupants and maintain sanitation in and around the Brari Nambal lagoon. Several dozers and JCB were put into action to remove the encroachments. Later, water sprinklers were pressed into service. “We had forewarned people that no encroachment on the lagoon will be tolerated. The exercise is an ongoing operation. No one would be allowed to set up any kind of structure in and around Brari Nambal,” said Dr Qasba.
    The commissioner reiterated the pledge that the SMC will put all efforts to ensure a clean and sanitised lagoon. He once again appealed to people, who have appreciated the efforts of the SMC to clean up the lagoon, to ensure to one comes up with any structure at the lagoon. The SMC operation was also monitored by Chief Encroachment Officer Nissar Ahmad Shah and Chief Sanitation Officer Manzoor Ahmad Tarray including all the sanitation and enforcement officers. (KNS)

  • Malaysia Airlines Plane Crash Kills 239

    Kuala Lumpur:  A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 227 passengers, including five Indians, and 12 crew members crashed into the South China Sea on Saturday, Vietnamese state media said, quoting a senior naval official.
    The Boeing 777-200ER flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing had been missing for hours when Vietnam’s Tuoi Tre news quoted Admiral Ngo Van Phat as saying he had asked boats from an island off south Vietnam to rush to the crash site.

    If the report is confirmed, it would mark the U.S.-built airliner’s deadliest crash since entering service 19 years ago.

    Malaysia Airlines had yet to confirm that the aircraft had crashed. It said earlier in the day that no distress signal had been given and cited early speculation that the plane may have landed in Nanming in southern China.

    Flight MH370, operating a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, last had contact with air traffic controllers 120 nautical miles off the east coast of the Malaysian town of Kota Bharu, Malaysia Airlines chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said in a statement read to a news conference in Kuala Lumpur.

    Malaysia and Vietnam were conducting a joint search and rescue, he said but gave no details. China has also sent two maritime rescue ships to the South China Sea to help in any rescue, state television said on one of its microblogs.

    “We are extremely worried,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters in Beijing before the Vietnamese report that the plane had crashed. “The news is very disturbing. We hope everyone on the plane is safe.”

    The flight left Kuala Lumpur at 12.21 a.m. (1621 GMT Friday) but no trace had been found of the plane hours after it was due to land in the Chinese capital at 6.30 a.m. (2230 GMT Friday) the same day.

    “We deeply regret that we have lost all contacts with flight MH370,” Jauhari said.

    Malaysia Airlines said people from 14 nationalities were among the 227 passengers, including at least 152 Chinese, 38 Malaysians, 12 Indonesians, six Australians and three Americans. It also said a Chinese infant and an American infant were on board.

    If it is confirmed that the plane has crashed, the loss would mark the second fatal accident involving a Boeing 777 in less than a year and by far the worst since the jet entered service in 1995.

    An Asiana Airlines Boeing 777-200ER crash-landed in San Francisco in July 2013, killing three passengers and injuring more than 180.

    Boeing said it was aware of reports that the Malaysia Airlines plane was missing and was monitoring the situation but had no further comment. The flight was operating as a China Southern Airlines

    An official at the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said the plane had failed to check in as scheduled at 1721 GMT while it was flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh city.

  • Hizb paid glorious tributes to martyr commanders

    Srinagar: Hizbul Mujahideen has paid glorious tributes to martyr commanders including Gazi Naseeb-ud-Din on their martyrdom anniversary. In a statement issued CNS, Hizb spokesman Saleem Hashmi said, “A meeting of Hizb Command Council was held in Muzaffarabad under the chairmanship of   Deputy Chief, Saifullah Khalid where rich tributes were paid to Gazi Naseeb-ud-Din, Engineer Firdous Kirmani, Commander Manzoor Khan and Abdul Majeed Wani alias Gazi Illyas on their 17th anniversary.
    Saifullah Khalid while addressing the meeting, said that these commanders had offered the supreme sacrifice of their precious lives for the cause of freedom of their homeland and till this time our Mujahideen are nurturing it with their blood and  no stone would be left unturned to take the mission of martyrs to its logical conclusion. At the end of the meeting prayers were offered for the quick recovery of Qaed-e-tehreek Syed Ali Geelani. (CNS)

  • Vacate Tosamaidan or face agitation

    Massive protest staged in Srinagar
    Srinagar: Various social organizations Saturday staged a massive protest demonstrations in Press Enclave Srinagar, threatening of mass agitation if Jammu and Kashmir government extends lease over Tosmaidan meadow to the Indian Army.
    Hundreds of protestors carrying banners and placards amid slogans threatened to come on streets if the government failed to come clean on the issue.
    The protestors including RTI activists, Sarpanchas and Panchas and people from different walks of life said that the local population has been adversely affected by explosions with effect on their socio-economic activities like education, health and environment. They demanded that the area be opened as a health resort.
    “The field is not only used for artillery exercises and training by Army, the Indian Air Force also utilizes the range for practicing air-to-ground bombing,” Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, President RTI Movement told CNS.
    He said that that around 70 deaths have occurred in the area due to littered ordnance till date. “Since 1965 till date, around 70 persons have lost their lives and 41 received injuries due to littered shells in Tosa Maidan. We strongly oppose extension of lease and demand the dance of death should be stopped.” He said that under Supreme Court directions the area falling within 10 kilometers of wild life sanctuary has been declared sensitive while the Tosa Maidan is just 3 kilometers away from local sanctuary.
    “If the lease is extended one again, it will give birth to Amarnath-like agitation. We request people from all walks of life to support our cause, which is purely humanitarian,” said protestors adding that all the panchayat members of this area will resign if lease agreement is extended in favour of Army.
    They said that if the lease agreement is extended to the army for firing purposes the people from 52 villages of this area will have a sit in at the place of shelling. “We demand complete shifting of this firing range from the government and we will continue our fight till Tosamaidan is vacated,” they said. (CNS)

  • Lanka beats Pakistan to win Asia Cup 2014 title

    Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 5 wickets to win the final of the Asia Cup one-day cricket tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. 
    In-form Sri Lankan opener Lahiru Thirimanne hit an 101 and Mahela Jayawardene scored 75 to guide their team to a comfortable win over defending champions Pakistan. Sri Lanka reached the target of 261 in 46.2 overs.


    Earlier in the day, Fawad Alam’s maiden ODI century enabled Pakistan reach a respectable 260 for five against Sri Lanka after Lasith Malinga made early inroads in the Asia Cup final being played here today.

    Opting to bat, Pakistan were tottering for 18 for three as Malinga (5/56) ripped apart the top order but Alam shared two century-plus partnerships with skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal respectively to prop up their total.

  • 21st Foundation day of Huriyat (M) held at its headquarters

    Prayers Held for Geelani’s speedy recovery
    Srinagar: On the historic event of 21st foundation day of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a special joint session of its Executive Council, General Council and Working Committee was held at its Rajbagh Head Quarters. The session was presided over by Chairman Mirwaiz Dr. Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq. All the heads of the constituents of All Parties Hurriyat Conference participated in the session which included Professor Abdul Gani Butt, Moulana Abass Ansari, Mr. Bilal Gani Lone, Agha Syed Mujtaba Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi, Mr. Mohammad Musadiq Adil, Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, Political Advisor Advocate Abdul Majid Banday, Media Advisor Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam, Mr. Zaffar Akbar Bhat, Mr. Syed Saleem Geelani, Mr. Abdul Manan Bukhari, Er. Hilal Ahmad War, Mr. Hakeem Abdul Rasheed, Mr. Chowdary Shaheen Iqbal, Mr. Syed Bashir Andrabi, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi, Mr. Abdul Qayoom (National Front) Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Sankar, Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Nagoo, Mr. Abdul Rasheed Antu, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Zaki, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Najar and Mr. Jaffar Kashmiri.
    According to the statement issued to KNS,referring to 8th of March 1993 it was stated in the joint session that on the said date the representative assembly of various religious, social and political organizations of Kashmir in a special meeting at historic Mirwaiz Manzil Srinagar under the Chairmanship of Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq decided to have a common Political Platform under the name of All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference with an objective to make peaceful struggle to secure for the people of the state of Jammu and Kashmir the exercise of the right of self determination and also to make endeavors for an alternative negotiated settlement of the Kashmir dispute amongst all the three parties to the dispute viz. people of the state Jammu and Kashmir, India and Pakistan.
    In the joint session the heads of various constituents’ of the conglomerate expressed their views and suggestions to make Hurriyat more vibrant and to make its efforts for the resolution of Kashmir issue more effective and result oriented. It was said that right from the day of its foundation Hurriyat Conference has been engaged at Political diplomatic and local as well as international level to try to find a peaceful, just and permanent solution of long pending Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir and is making every possible effort in this direction.
    On this occasion the joint session unanimously adopted a resolution which stated that.
    1.   All Parties Hurriyat Conference is a symbol of the unity and political solidarity of freedom loving people of Jammu and Kashmir which in accordance with its constitutional stand is pursuing the cause of Kashmiri people at all levels including international level, with dedication and discipline and inspite of all the difficulties continue its efforts to find a just honorable and permanent solution of Kashmir issue.
    2.   All Parties Hurriyat Conference once again reiterates that this representative alliance will continue its efforts to achieve the purpose for which it has been formed.
    3.   All Parties Hurriyat Conference wants to make it profoundly clear that abiding by the principles as laid down in its constitution; it will continue its just struggle with full discipline and determination.
    4.   All Parties Hurriyat Conference has always been for the unity of thought and action; it has always kept and continues to keep its doors open for any sincere person or group belonging to the resistance movement. All Parties Hurriyat Conference also pays tribute to all those who laid down their lives for the cause during the ongoing movement which include Shaheed-e-Milat Moulana Mohammad Farooq, Shaheed-e-Hurriyat Khawja Abdul Gani Lone, Shaheed-e-Azeemat Sheikh Abdul Aziz, Shaheed S. Hameed, Shaheed Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, Shaheed Afzal Guru, Shaheed Mohammad Rafiq Shaheen and all other martyrs of the movement.
    5.   All Parties Hurriyat Conference also pledges that being the custodian of the blood of martyrs, it will continue its struggle to carry forward the mission of martyrs to its logical end. Inspite of all difficulties, All Parties Hurriyat Conference will continue its efforts at political local and international level to find a just and lasting solution of Kashmir issue.
    6.   All Parties Hurriyat Conference considers the steadfastness and commitment towards the movement unavoidable for the success in the purpose and while adhering to its constitution stand firmly it will continue the struggle with full determination and also expects from Kashmiri nation that keeping in view the priceless sacrifices offered for the movement the people will continue as always their commitment and support towards the cause.
    7.   All Parties Hurriyat Conference has always been for better relations between Pakistan and India and feels that a just solution of Kashmir issue is not only in the best interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir but also the entire population of the Sub-continent. Supporting a meaningful dialogue among all the three parties All Parties Hurriyat Conference, however considers that without the actual participation of Kashmiris and without respecting the wishes and the sacrifices offered by them no dialogue process is going to bear fruit.
    8.   While feeling concerned about the health of the senior resistance leader Syed Ali Geelani All Parties Hurriyat Conference prays Allah for his speedy recovery.
    In the meanwhile on the occasion of the World Women’s Day the head of Women wing of All Parties Hurriyat Conference and Chairperson MKM Mohtarma Yasmin Raja and other women activist, were arrested during a protest demonstration in Lal Chowk. Hurriyat has strongly condemned the arrest and manhandling of Mohtarma Yasmin Raja and her activists by the police
    Hurriyat has also expressed condolence on the demise of Kh. Abdul Satar War the father of Hurriyat Leader Ghulam Nabi War (NF).
    Expressing condolence on the demise of Syed Ghulam Nabi Shah the brother of Syed Sallah-ud-din UJC chief, A Hurriyat delegation led by senior Hurriyat leader Zafar Akbar Bhat visited the residence of the deceased and expressed sympathies on behalf of All Parties Hu

    rriyat Conference with the bereaved family. (KNS)

  • Parliamentary polls Congress finalizes names of candidates

    Azad turns down the offer for Contesting Udhampur
    Srinagar: State Congress Saturday finalized the names of its candidates for the Jammu and Ladakh province for the forthcoming parliamentary polls while as former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad turned down the offer of contesting from Udhampur lok sabha constituency.
    According to the KNS sources, union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has turned down the party offer of contesting from Udhampur lok sabha constituency- hence paving way for the Congress leader Lal Singh to emerge as the expected candidate for the seat despite the strong resentment among the Congress leaders and workers against Singh. The Congress activists were reportedly antagonist towards the emergence of Singh as the candidate for Parliamentary polls in Udampur. It has been learnt that even NC was not in favor of the Congress decision of nominating Lal Singh as candidate for the seat.
    Sources informed further that name of Madan Lal Sharma has been finalized by the party leadership for Jammu constituency while as Ringzin Sapalbar will fight for the Ladakh parliamentary seat.
    Senior Congress leader while pleading anonymity told KNS over phone that anger is being seen among the Congress workers of Kashmir for not being given the seat share in valley. It has been informed further that the workers are unhappy that the state Congress despite its high popularity graph in Kashmir province has not been provided opportunity to contest for at least one parliamentary seat out of three and that it would have been beneficial for both Congress and NC. (KNS)

  • Facilitator says case closed, Kashmiri students to join University after Holi

    Police says law will take its own course
    Srinagar: The 67 students suspended by Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (SVSU) for cheering Pakistan victory over India in the Asia Cup match held Sunday last, will be joining the institute after Holi, an official of All All India Centre for Urban and Rural Development (AICURD) Saturday said.
    Rabia Baji, chairperson AICURD, which facilitates the admission of Kashmiri students in professional colleges across other Indian states under the Prime Minister’s special scholarship scheme, told GNS over phone from Meerut that she has sorted out the issue with the University administration. She said case against the students have been dropped after University officials withdrew their complaint against the Kashmiri students
    “I met the Vice Chancellor of the University and urged them to take all the steps for the welfare of the students. The University has withdrawn the complaint. There are no cases against Kashmir students now,” she said, adding” Some people tried to draw political mileage from this issues. No political party should play with the career of the students,”
    However, contradicting the claims of AICURD chairperson, police said that the case has not been closed and the investigations were still in progress.
    “We’ll act as per the law. The investigations into the case will go on. There is no question to close the case. The law will take its own course,” Senior Superintendent of police (SSP) Meerut, Onkar Singh told Global News Service. (GNS)

  • International Women’s Day women groups stage protest

    Srinagar: On the eve of International Women’s Day, separatist women groups including ‘Kashmir Tehreek Khawteen’ and ‘Muslim Khawateen Markaz’ organized protest rallies in Srinagar on Saturday. Police foiled one of the march and arrested Yasmeen Raja along with her associates.
    According to CNS, KTK activists led by Zamrooda Habib assembled at Press Enclave Srinagar and demanded whereabouts of those disappeared persons whose mothers and sisters are living a miserable life.
    Zamrooda Habib told reporters that, “A day will come when each day will be a women’s day free from the oppression of India and its crime in Kashmir. We will fight ,resist, protest and will stand against all odds until victory, untill freedom of Kashmir.” She said that the day will come when a mother will not burry her son, a wife will not wail over the funeral of her husband, a sister will not lose her brother. No women will be half widow, we will live with justice, honour, peace and dignity,” she said.
    Another protest was led by Yasmeen Raja under the banner of MKM which was foiled by police. Scores of women protesters demanding stern action against the former Health Minister Shabir Khan allegedly involved in molestation case and the rapists of Kunanposh Pora victims marched from Clock Tower Srinagar and as they reached outside Press Enclave, police stopped them and arrested Yasmeen Raja along with her associates. (CNS)