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  • Another cancer patient dies in Lehjura

    Srinagar: One more woman hailing from Lehjura area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district died of breast cancer, adding to the panic among the villagers.
    Reports reaching GNS said that the woman (name withheld) wife of Mushtaq Ahmed Dar of Lehjura, died last evening at the SKIMS, here where she was being treated upon by doctor. Her body was brought to the village last evening causing anguish and despair among the already tense villagers.
    Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Pulwama, Mohammad Hussain told GNS that the woman could have been saved had the deadly disease been in the first stage. The deceased, he said, had also been treated upon by the doctors at the Apollo hospital.
    “The cancer was in second stage. Last evening, she died at the hospital,” Hussain said.
    He said teams of doctors were sent to the area, who conducted house to house screening of the womenfolk. The area, he said, has three cancer patients, one among them with ovarian.
    “During the house to house screening from Monday to Wednesday, many woman patients were checked by our doctors. The people should not panic. The women folk should visit the hospital even if they have just doubt,” he added.
    Pertinently, a woman had died of breast cancer last month and four more were detected with the deadly disease triggering panic in the area. Acting swiftly, the health department had sent two medical teams to the area, who conducted house to house screening of womenfolk. (GNS)

  • DC Sgr brief media regarding forthcoming Parliament polls

    Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah, who is also the District Election Officer Srinagar Thursday said Elections for the sixteenth house of people (Lok Sabha) have been announced by the Election Commission of India and the schedule of elections for Parliamentary Constituency No. 2 Srinagar has also been issued.
    According to the reports received by KNS, Mr. Farooq said according to the schedule, the notification for filing the nominations of elections will be issued on April 2nd, last date of filing of nominations is April 9th, Scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 10th, the last date of withdrawal of candidature isApril 12th and the day of polling in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency is April 30th. He said Model Code of Conduct has come into operation with immediate effect with the announcement of the parliamentary elections on the 5th of March, 2014.
    He said that Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency consists of three districts – Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Budgam, comprising of fifteen assembly segments eight in district Srinagar, five in district Budgam and two in district Ganderbal.
    He further said that Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency has a total of 1,546 polling stations, 804 in district Srinagar, 540 in district Budgam and 202 in district Ganderbal.
    He said elaborate arrangements of staffing the various polling stations in district Srinagar have been made including deployment of personnel to man the polling stations besides Zonal and Sector Magistrates.
    He said enrolment of eligible voters is still going on and the total number of EPIC cards issued in district Srinagar alone is 5, 23,352 which are approximately 93 percent of the registered eligible voters.
    He also briefed that elaborate plan with respect to manpower management, transport management, security management, implementation of Model Code of Conduct, expenditure monitoring, and Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) has been charted out and put in place for systematic and hassle free, smooth conduct of the Parliamentary Elections.
    Directing the officers related to the election process, District Election Officer said that it is the responsibility of every functionary to strictly adhere to the directions issued by the Election Commission of India, adding that the officers will implement the instructions in letter and spirit.
    Pertinently first level training to all the employees of District Srinagar department-wise has been provided to Booth Level Officers, polling personnel, sector/zonal officers, expenditure monitoring cell, EVM preparation staff, besides security personnel and other staff who will ensure smooth, fair and impartial conduct of the parliamentary elections.
    District Election Officer said that all BLOs of Srinagar shall be available at their respective polling stations from 9th of March 2014 during office hours so that the intending eligible persons can register themselves for obtaining EPIC cards. “A 24×7 Election Cell has been set up to coordinate the election related activities in the district. A dedicated 24×7 helpline on telephone number 2476145 has also been set up to address various queries and complaints, he added”. (KNS)

  • Unnecessary harassing of Kashmir’s students a fascist tactic: Rasik Bhat .

    Srinagar: Where most of the events of unnecessary harassing of Kashmiri students have been occurring outside Kashmir, Kashmir’s itself witnessing such cases don’t find their future secure in hands of India. 
    These are Fascist tactics used by Indians said by  Chairman “Youth For Peace And Development ” Rasik Bhat which ultimately puts a question mark on the words like “Democratic and Secular” nation, where a person cannot express Himself / Herself even having this “Right to Expression” as His / Her fundamental right. If celebrating of Kashmiri students, the victory of Pakistan, with whom India is not having friendly relations, has infuriated the Indians so much that they took to knives and other weapons, the Indian state should not organize such matches at the first place, where the opposite state is “not so wanted “and “not so friendly state”.

    Therefore, Secretary   “Youth for peace and Development” , Quart Ul Ain  vehemently oppose and condemn, taking it as a shameful act by educational institutions, the harassment of Kashmiri students in Meerut. We appeal our respected chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah and rest of the Senior Members to strictly look into the matter and further making sure that Kashmiri students find themselves safe outside Kashmir.

    We request respected Chief Minister on behalf of “Youth for peace and development” and all kashmiri students to take the matter seriously and not keep it confined to press notes, thereby preventing us from taking to roads, protesting against the shameful act.

  • University, UP government should apologise to students: Naeem Akhtar

    PDP demands revocation of FIRs, restoration of admission of expelled Kashmiri students
    Srinagar: Demanding immediate revocation of FIR  against Kashmiri students, who were expelled from Meerut’s Swami Vivekanand Subharti University for cheering Pakistan cricket team Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday said the Uttar Pradesh government and the university authorities should apologise to them and restore their admissions without any delay.
    Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, the PDP Chief Spokesperson, Naeem Akhtar said it was unfortunate that these young boys have been condemned without listening to their side of story. He said even if the version that that some students rooted for Pakistan is taken at its face value it does not merit criminal proceedings against the individuals. “After criminalising dissent, it seem s we headed for criminalising the expression of sportsman spirit as well, which is a scary development,” Akhtar said.
    Akhtar said it is the right of an individual to cheer for the sports team or player he/she likes the most and the arbitrary action of the university authorities and of the UP government against the Kashmiri students is totally unwarranted, unacceptable.  By doing so, Akhtar said, the attitude of intolerance has been taken to a new low, which in no case can conform to the spirit of a democratic nation. “When cheering, clapping of VVIPs like PM, Dr Manmohan Singh or UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, for the Pakistan team doesn’t come under sedition, why only poor Kashmiri students should face the brunt?” he said adding this is the worst example of double-standards and fascist thinking.
    Castigating the UP chief minister, Mr Akhlesh Yadv, whose party claims to be the champions of minorities in the country and local unit BJP in Meerut, for going too harsh against these boys, Akhtar said it seems both parties have joined hands to destroy their careers. Stressing  that their cases should be revoked and admissions restored, he said if not done it will otherwise compromise their future, which is in no way justifiable.
    The chief spokesperson said from the sketchy reports appearing in media it seems that there is no case against the students as the university authorities slapped sedition case against unnamed students. The authorities had reportedly asked the students to name the so called “real culprits” which could not be done by them as there was none and therefore took collective punitive action against them. “This is against all tenets of law” said Akhtar.
    Akhtar criticized the chief minister, Omar Abdullah for his remarks in which he had conceded that these boys had ‘done wrong’ for cheering Pakistan. “Omar Abdullah has justified the action of varsity authorities against the students. It is atrocious on his part to blame the students for the entire episode ,” he said and added it is Omar Abdullah himself, who has, actually, been on the forefront to demonise the entire young population of Kashmir, as stone pelters drug addicts, anti-nationals, criminals, for which they are paying heavy price both in and outside the state. “Omar Abdullah has created a new stereotype Kashmiri image that is seen with suspicion everywhere” said Akhtar. He said the Chief Minister is guilty of starting the trend of registering FIR at the drop of a hat against Kashmir youth on charges of sedition and waging war against the country and sending teenagers into prison under PSA. He is left with no moral courage, Akhtar said.
    He said if such a level of intolerance is practised at an institution, which is named after Swami Vivekananda, who an icon of tolerance and understanding that means we have landed in very bad times.  He said such an unfortunate incident has happened in spite of repeated assurances by the state government that the interests of Kashmiris will be safe-guarded, where ever they are in the country. But, unfortunately, the helpline which the government had claimed to have started in this regard is nowhere in the existence, exposing the claims of the government as it failed even to respond to the frantic calls of the students.
    Akhtar was flanked by Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, youth wing in charge; Sajad Yousuf  Rather, PDP leader and Irfan Naqshbandi.

  • ‘Sedition charges against Kashmiri students unacceptable’: Omar Abdullah

    Srinagar: Terming Kashmiri students who cheered for Pakistan Cricket team in Swami Vivekananda Subharti University in Meerut as ‘misguided’ Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday said that by charging with sedition, the career of these students will get ruined.
    According to CNS, Omar Abdullah in his tweets said that he will talk to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and intervene on behalf of these misguided students to have this charge of sedition removed.
    “Sedition charge against Kashmiri students is an unacceptably harsh punishment that will ruin their futures & will further alienate them,” Omar tweeted adding that, “I believe what the students did was wrong & misguided but they certainly didn’t deserve to have charges of sedition slapped against them.
    He further went on and tweeted that, “finally while what the boys may have done in Meerut is misguided it certainly isn’t illegal, regardless of who them were cheering. The sad fact is that some of these students are recipients of the PM scholarship for Kashmiris. Perhaps They need to introspect.”
    In his last tweet, Omar said that,”have just spoken to CM UP who has assured me he will personally look in to the matter of the Kashmiri students in Meerut.” (CNS)

  • ‘Kashmir can’t survive as independent nation’: Taj

    Srinagar: State Health Minister and senior Congress leader Taj Mohi-u-Din Thursday said that Kashmir can’t survive as an independent nation as it lacks self-sufficiency and resources.
    Interacting with youth at a hotel in Srinagar, Taj Mohi-u-Din said that Kashmir is completely dependent on India and it not self-sufficient which could help it to survive as an independent nation. “Those separatist groups or people who seek independence from India must bear in mind that Kashmir is not self-sufficient and it survives on the funds provided by India. I have raised this issue repeatedly even with some of the Hurriyat leaders on different occasions and they had no answer to it,” he said.
    According to CNS, Taj Mohi-u-Din said that for any independent nation it is necessary to be self-sufficient. “We need Rs 33,000 crores per year for our survival which comes from the Government of India while the total income that our State generates is only Rs 6,000 crores. For more than five lakh employees, we need Rs 18,000 crores to meet their salaries and all this money comes from New Delahi. We must understand that we are not self-sufficient and in case of ‘Azadi’ we have to lock all our hospitals, educational institutions and government offices,” he said.
    Taj Mohi-u-Din appealed the youth to be positive, realistic and future oriented. “Youth of Valley has opened their eyes in the shade of gun. Militancy has ruined our beautiful Valley and time has come we move towards peace and prosperity,” he said.
    The interaction was organized Congress leader Kadfeen Choudhary to create awareness about drug menace prevailing in Kashmir Valley. (CNS)

  • ‘Militants may disrupt peace during election process’: IG CRPF

    Srinagar: Inspector General Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) P.K.Singh  Thursday said that there are possibilities that militants may strike during the hey days of coming Parliament and Assembly elections. He said that Para-military troopers are ready to face any kind of challenge and they will ensure peaceful, free and fair elections in Kashmir Valley.
    Singh told CNS that it is the job of militants to create panic and carry out stray attacks. “Recent militant attacks especially in Pulwama town indicates that militants are desperate to make their presence felt all across Kashmir and there are apprehensions that these militants will try to disrupt peace during the election process,” he said adding that Government Forces are cautious and capable to thwart their attacks.
    He said that CRPF has been performing different types of duties including Law and order, guarding VIPs and vital installations, and tackling militancy. “We have been instrumental in tackling militancy and it is because of the spirit, gallant and unmatched sacrifices of our jawans, that we continue to enjoy an atmosphere of peace, security and prosperity in the state”, he added. P.K.Singh said that during elections everyone from the organization has to work at the cost of personal comfort as these are the testing times for the Government Forces.
    “We have to remain vigilant to foil the attempts of anti-national elements,” he said adding that the jawans and officers should discharge their duties with utmost dedication and commitment to ensure law and order during elections. (CNS)

  • Ready to study in Pakistan if India allows, say ousted students

    Srinagar: Kashmir students, who were ‘thrown out of an Indian varsity for cheering Pakistan during a cricket match with arch rivals India on Sunday and were subsequently booked for sedition, Wednesday said they were ‘ready to study in Pakistan if Indian government allowed them’.

    Pakistan government Thursday offered admissions to Kashmir student who were ‘thrown out’ and booked for sedition after an Indian varsity filed a complaint against them over cheering for Pakistan when they beat India in a narrowly cricket encounter during Asia Cup match.

    “Our hearts and educational institutions are open for all Kashmir students who were suspended and charged with sedition for celebrating Pakistan’s victory,” said spokesperson of Foreign Office Pakistan.
    Reacting to Islamabad’s offer, the suspended students said: if authorities allow us, we are ready to go to Pakistan for studies.  One among the 67 ousted students, Musadiq, said: “We will feel secure in Pakistan rather than India after the recent incident. It is the matter of our future and if our future will be secure in Pakistan we are ready to go.”
    The student said that the Indian university authorities in Uttar Pradesh behaved very rudely with them.
    He told GNS: “Now that university has filed sedition case against us and crossed all the limits, it is impossible for us to go back to the university.” He added: “If the varsity returns us our certificates, we will leave the institute.”
    A suspended B tech student, who wished not to be named, said that if authorities think we are not safe in outside institutes, let them allow us to go to Pakistan. “It is clear that we are not secure in Indian institutes, and if authorities are unable to provide us security, then we are ready to go to Pakistan for studying.”
    He added: “We are students but we were treated like criminals and murderers by varsity authorities.”
    The student said that the varsity management’s role is disgusting. “They instead of listening to us threw us out of the university. It was the matter between students but varsity gave it another colour.”
    The students questioned the varsity asking: “On what basis university suspended us?” They added: “Now, after suspending us they want apology. They should have done this at the time when they forced us to leave.”
    The students appealed Jammu and Kashmir government to intervene in the matter in order to secure their future.
    The trouble started on Sunday when Pakistan defeated India in one of the league matches. Kashmir students at the varsity in Meerut had cheered for Pakistan which angered the Indian students and they ‘harassed and allegedly thrashed’ few Kashmir students.
    Next day, the varsity authorities, according to Kashmir students, forced them to leave the varsity with the help of police. The students have been suspended for unknown time.
    The university claims some Kashmir students celebrated Pakistan’s victory and raised slogans in the community hall of the hostel, which led to a clash with other students and escalated into stone-throwing.
    The university suspended all 67 Kashmir students of one hostel block and asked them to leave, but no action was taken against the other group. Around 200 Kashmir students are taking engineering and law courses in the university. Ousted Kashmir students, however, maintain that they were cornered by the Indian students and were ‘thrown’ out during the early dawn hours on Monday.
    University officials claim the students had committed an ‘anti-national act’ and also vandalised hostel property. (GNS)

  • Kashmir’s will not accept any Toying with the future of our youngsters: Yasin Malik

    JKLF To Hold a protest rally and sit in against this Indian Oppression 
    tomorrow on Friday 7th march after Friday prayers at Lal Chowk

     Srinagar: Kashmir’s will not accept any Toying with the future of our youngsters. Oppressive measures against Kashmiri students in Meerut, beating them and now lodging a FIR of treason against them is a reflection of India’s animosity against people of Jammu Kashmir. To show solidarity with these oppressed students, and protest against the Indian operation against them, JKLF will organize a protest rally and sit in at Lal Chowk tomorrow. This was stated by the chairman JKLF Mohammad Yasin Malik while speaking to Media person on the issue of expelled Kashmiri students.

    Yasin Malik said that expelling students from university, beating them and now registering a case of treason against them just because these people chose to cheer for some team during a cricket match is actually a shameful act of Indian rulers and cannot be termed but as mental and moral bankruptcy of these rulers. This shows the level of frustration and animosity of India against Kashmir’s. Yasin Malik said that in the whole world people rising above the politics, nationhood and other things like or dislikes games and teams playing those games. They cheer and share joy or sorrow as per their will and desire and there is no discrimination shown on this in the whole world.  But ironically Kashmiri students are being targeted just because Indian cricket team lost a match and these boys chose to cheer for the winning team. These boys are beaten and after a day are served an expulsion notice signed by vice chancellor of the university. What is more agonizing is that now a case of treason has been registered against these young boys.
    Yasin Malik said that this childish behavior of Indian authorities has actually exposed its tall claims of democracy and openness. In this nation wild animal rights are protected but the rights of humans are tarnished which is highly immoral and inhuman added Yasin.
    He said that people of Jammu Kashmir cannot remain silent spectators on this issue. We cannot watch our young ones, their careers and future ruined .therefore Kashmiris will protest against this oppressive behavior of Indian state and authorities and tomorrow on 7th march 2014, after Friday prayers JKLF will organize a protest rally and sit in at Lal Chowk.
    Yasin Malik appealed to human rights groups of the world; civil societies and Conscientious people around to come out openly in support of these students who are being discriminated only because they are Kashmiris and save them and their future from the Indian wrath.

  • Two “misguided” Kashmiri students in Meerut fearing for their lives

    As Omar Abdullah termed Kashmiri students as “misguided” in his latest tweet, the two trapped Kashmiri students in Meerut at the same time are fearing for their lives. One of the two students when contacted by Kashmir Life narrates his ordeal.

    Srinagar: We have not eaten anything from last three days. Not a single rupee is in our pockets. One of our seniors, a Kashmiri studying in the same college, took us back to campus from New Delhi where our University officials left us. After reaching Meerut, we couldn’t dare to go back to the campus for the fear of our lives. The anger against us [Kashmiri students] had peaked among non-Kashmiri students. Our senior arranged a room outside the campus but our bad luck; it is marred with mosquitoes and rodents!

    We can’t go outside as we were informed that non-Kashmiri students have burnt our effigies in the campus. We are trapped in a very worst situation. We were also told that some non-Kashmiri students have made their mind to kill us. Besides, FIR registered against us has already frightened us. The health condition of my friend has worsened when he heard that UP police have registered a sedition charge on us. My only window to the world is internet on my cell, which keeps me updating about the happenings around.
    It all started after Pakistan won a match against India on Sunday, March 02, 2014. Non-Kashmiri students in the hostel abused and pelted stones on us. They broke the window panes and lights in the hostel. They also took out knifes and iron rods to kill us. But with the help of Almighty Allah, they couldn’t touch us.
    On next day, a notice was served by college administration informing all Kashmiri students that a fine of Rs 5000 has been imposed on us. And, we were told that all Kashmiri students have been rusticated from hostel for three days. The college administration forced us to go out of hostel but not a single student budged from their place. Then after 3:00 pm on March 03, university administration called at least 100 cops in the hostel, who forced us to sit in buses. Such was the hurry on part of administration that we were not even allowed to take money, ATM cards and other things with us.
    We were assured monetary help and were told that after seven days we would be called back. But when we reached Delhi railway station, the police official told us: “Your teachers [university administration] are waiting inside the railway station. They will give you some money then you can go to your homes.”
    But when we went inside the railway station, we found none! A few of us were having some money in our pockets. And then we started getting dispersed from Delhi. Some among us went to their homes, others rented space, while rest remained on railway station as they haven’t a single penny in their pockets. And I was one of them.
    I contacted the Vice Chancellor, who bluntly told me: “You have to appeal for readmission then only you can come back to the university.” Is this democratic India?
    Now college administration is misleading media by lying that Kashmiri students had pitched Pakistani slogans and destroyed everything in the college. But it is totally wrong. We just ran from the ground toward our rooms for the fear of our lives. They also told media that Kashmiri students distributed sweets in the hostel. I don’t understand why they want to frame us? In Meerut, media is totally doing biased reporting, defaming Kashmiri students.
    We are not safe here. Why university administration is playing with our careers? What is our fault?
    Please, please, please help us.