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  • Army JCO shoots self dead with his service rifle

    Srinagar: A Junior Commissioned officer (JCO) committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle at Budgam village in central Kashmir late Friday evening.
    Official sources told GNS that JCO, Subidar Surinder Singh of 2 Rashtriya Rifles posted at Soibugh army camp, shot himself with his service rifle. “After hearing gunshot his colleague rushed to him where he was found lying in pool of blood,” they said.

    The JCO, a resident of Punjab was immediately shifted to nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, sources added. (GNS)

  • NC appointed K Rajendra as DGP for political gains in election year: Er Rashid

    Jammu: A lawmaker in Kashmir Friday accused the ruling National Conference of appointing a senior officer as head of J&K police for political gains ahead of parliamentary and assembly elections.
    President of Awami Ittihad Party and MLA Langate, Engineer Rashid claimed on the floor of the house in Jammu that National Conference has cleared way for K Rajendra appointment as the new Director General of Police for political gains.
    He claimed that in a short period, Mr Rajendra was promoted to the top post and his way was cleared beforehand so that he could take charge of prized post.
    “National Conference has its own interest in it as this party want to rig the polls and for this purpose, they have cleared all the hurdles for K Rajendra,” he said.
    However, his remarks were criticized by the National Conference while the Peoples Democratic Party said that they had no objection with any officer but the fact was that the government was misusing the administration.
    Describing Rashid as a non-serious politician, Tanvir Sadiq, political advisor to chief minister Omar Abdullah said if Rashid was alleging that elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held on the instructions of police and other agencies, then his own victory from Langete constituency was under doubt.
    “K Rajendra is the senior most police officer who has proved his worth from time to time. He is a force to reckon with and without any doubt he deserves the top position,” Tanvir said.
    National Conference legislator Dr Shiekh Mustafa Kamal said that these are administrative decisions and government takes every decision after taking different components into consideration. He told CNS that besides seniority, suitability and merit also mattered.
    “Rashid must understand that National Conference is the people’s voice which doesn’t require the assistance from police or any other agency,” he said.
    Peoples’ Democratic Party spokesperson Naeem Akhtar told CNS that the accusations of Rashid reflect the credibility crisis facing the coalition between National Conference and Congress because they had set a bad record in 1987 by resorting to rigging.“It is not about the officers but about the intentions and methods adopted by the government. The same officers have delivered very transparent and free and fair elections under different dispensations like in the parliament elections held in 2004 and municipal elections in 2005,” he said adding that the same set of officers conducted elections and not fingers were raised but the apprehensions about the present government and its tactics are understandable because of the way they have destroyed institutions, misused the administration and tampered with procedures.

  • Hurriyat (M) condemns Mirwaiz’s house confinement

    Srinagar: The Hurriyat Conference (M) spokesman has strongly condemned the house arrest of its Chairman Dr. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and putting restrictions on his peaceful, religious and political activities.
    In a statement issued to KNS, the spokesman of the conglomerate has also denounced the arrest of senior Hurriyat leaders including, Javaid Ahmad Mir, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, Syed Salim Geelani, saying the dictatorial politics of state authorities would never restrict the Hurriyat leaders from pursuing the peaceful political activities. It said such draconian measures against resistance leaders on part of government would never prove effective to cover-up the state sponsored terrorism and suppression.
    Meanwhile, senior Hurriyat (M) leaders, Agha Syed Hassan Moosvi-Al-Safvi took out a protest march in Badgam soon after the Friday prayers. While addressing the people, Safvi once again reiterated the demand of impartial probe into the Lolab incident. He said the reality regarding identity of the seven youth killed by troops should be made public.
    Demanding justice for the relatives of Pathribal victims and punishment for the accused involved in the crime, senior Hurriyat leader said the draconian laws like Enemy Agent Ordinance Act, and AFSPA are giving free license to troops to kill Kashmiris.  Safvi also denounced the house arrest of hurriyat Chairman and putting restrictions on his social, political and religious activities.

    Meanwhile, senior APHC leaders, Syed Bashir Andrabi and Sajad Noorabadi addressed gathering at Gondbal Pampore, Kund Kulgam condemned the Human Rights Violation in Kashmir. They also condemned the wanton use of force by the state authorities to muzzle the freedom voices of people. (KNS)

  • Kejriwal is not upto the knees of Dr Farooq: Kamal

    ‘Nominating candidate from Kashmir is AAP’s cheap publicity stunt’
    Srinagar: Not impressed by the Aam Admi Party (AAP) political expedition in Kashmir, Dr Mustafa Kamal, additional general secretary of National Conference on Friday termed Arwind Kejriwal an ‘anarchist who is hungry of cheap publicity for his electoral gains in the country’.
    Talking to KNS, Dr Kamal said that by way of nominating Raja Muzaffar Bhat from Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary constituency, the AAP wants to gain publicity at the national level. “This is a cheap publicity stunt from AAP. Kejriwal could not handle Delhi, who can he handle the country.”
    Dr Kamal said that Kejriwal has proven utter failure as the chief minister of Delhi. “He could not run the capital but he is dreaming of leading the country. Kejriwal is an anarchist.”
    On making nominations against Dr Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar-Budgam Parliamentary constituency, the NC additional general secretary said that may be AAP will fetch few votes as according to Kamal everybody is not a supporter of National Conference.
    “Otherwise, Kejriwal has a zero stand in Jammu and Kashmir.  By fielding a candidate against Dr Farooq Abdullah, he wants to make a news in the country and gain few votes. Kejriwal should understand that he is not even upto the knees of Dr Farooq Saheb,” Kamal stressed.
    He said that he does not know the AAP candidate nominated from Srinagar. “Yes, I have heard that he is a former PDP man. But these people always want to remain in greener pastures and actually they don’t have any standing.” (KNS)

  • Lolab: Army trooper among 5 arrested on charges of stone pelting

    Srinagar: An army trooper was among five stone pelters arrested by police at Lolab in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Friday.
    Official sources told GNS that after prayers, a group of youth was protesting near Radnag village against killing of seven alleged militants in Lalpora on Tuesday evening in Dardpora. The protesters also hurled stones at forces deployed in the area.
    A joint team of police and CRPF chased the stone pelters and caught hold of five persons.
    A police official wishing anonymity told GNS that among the five arrested, one is a Territorial Army soldier who was on a leave.
    He identified the protesters as Mohammadd Ishaq Lone son of Ghulam Ahmed Lone of Hayatpora, Lolab, an army jawan who was on leave, Muneer Ahmad Khan son of Mohd Younis Khan of Lalpora, Firdous Ahmad Sheikh son of Bashiur Ahmad Sheikh of Dardpora, Bilal Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Jabbar Bhat of Dardpora and Mohd Abass Rather son of Manzoor Ah Rather of Dardpora.
    The official said that investigation in this regard has been taken up.
    Eleven persons were injured in clashes that erupted after protestors stormed police station in Lal Pora Lolab demanding bodies of alleged militants killed by forces in an encounter on Tureday.
    Meanwhile, the locals alleged that soon after the protests, CRPF personnel deployed in the area went berserk and smashed windowpanes of residential houses.
    The houses whose windowpanes damaged in the incident belong to Ghulam Ahmed Ganie son of Ghulam Mohammad, Mohammad Maqbool Shah son of Abdul Ahad Shah, Abdul Aziz Mir son of Abdul Ahad Mir and Ghulam Rasool Mir son of Abdul Gaffar Mir, all hailing from Radnag,” Ghulam Ahmad Ganie, a contractor told GNS, adding that two four persons including Saleema Begium and Haleema sustained injuries after forces attacked their houses with stones”, Ganie added. (GNS)

  • Corporation earns Rs 35.83 Cr from Gandola ride

    Mir for making Corporation more vibrant, commercial
    Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation (JKSCCC) has earned a Revenue of Rs 35.83 crore till January 2014   from Gandola ride against Rs 31.97 crore earnings during the corresponding period of last financial year.
    While the Corporation had set a target of Rs 33.44 crore this fiscal year, it   is now expecting to touch the figure of Rs.36.50 crore revenue generation at its cable car installations.
    The information was given in 31st meeting of Board of Directors of Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation Limited held under the Chairmanship of Minister for Tourism, Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Mir here today.
    Minister of State for Tourism and Home, Mr. Sajad Ahmed Kichloo was also present in the meeting. Principal Secretary Planning and Development department, Mr. B. R Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance, Mr. B.B. Vyas, Secretary Tourism Mr. Zaffar Ahmed Bhat, MD, JKSCCC, Mr. Tufail Matoo were among other senior officers who attended the meeting.
    The meeting reviewed physical and financial targets of the Corporation set for current financial year. It was revealed that 5.57 lakh tourists enjoyed Gandola ride till January this year and the figure is expected to go up to 7 lakh by the  end of the financial year. The meeting was informed that Makhdoom Sahib Ropeway was completed and commissioned last December, and has  attracted good response from the visitors earning a revenue of Rs. 2 lakh in two months.
    About Rs 40 crore Jammu Rope Way project from Peerkho to Mahamaya to Shahbad, it was informed that foundation of the project has been laid and construction work would be completed within the stipulated time frame. The meeting was informed that after conducting a detailed survey for  Veerinag ropeway project,  the DPRs of Rs 18.50 crore has been formulated and it is proposed that project would be taken up on BOOT Basis. The construction of ropeway at Shivkhori Reasi also came for discussion and concerned authorities were asked to complete all the requisite formalities for taking up the project well in time.
    The meeting also discussed measures for upgrading and modernization of Gandola Project, Gulmarg. It was informed that the corporation has introduced e-governance and the tourists, skiers are now being provided boarding passes online. The WIFI networking and time and attendance Management System for the employees have also been completed.
    It was also given out that the Corporation has insured its assets including new Chairlift at Kangdori. Speaking on the occasion, Tourism Minister underscored the need for making the corporation more vibrant and commercial by taking new initiatives for attracting tourists. He emphasized the need for time bound completion of various Cable Car related works including Jammu ropeway. He also stressed for exploring potential areas for developing more cable car projects in the State. (KNS)

  • Situation under control in Kupwara: Kichloo

    Jammu: Minister of State for Home, Mr. Sajad Ahmed Kichloo, today said that District Magistrate, Kupwara has today imposed curfew in the jurisdiction of Police Station, Lalpora, Kupwara in view of the anticipated protests after Friday prayers in Lolab Valley, where an encounter took place a few days ago in which 7 terrorists were killed.
    He further added that District Magistrate, Kupwara has also imposed restrictions today in other parts of Kupwara district to ensure maintenance of law and order, safeguard life and property and to avoid any untoward incident.

    As of now overall situation in the district is well under control. The essential services and ambulances are moving smoothly in Kupwara district. The situation in other parts of the Valley is normal. The Minister was replying to the issue raised by MLA Lolab, Mr. Abdul Haq Khan in the Legislative Assembly. (KNS)

  • Modi takes a dig at Sonia Gandhi, calls her ’10 numbri’

    Gulbarga: Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi took his attacks on Gandhi family to another level altogether on Friday when he called Congress President Sonia Gandhi ’10 numbri Gandhi’ (which in Hindi is used for a crook) during his rally in Karnataka’s Gulbarga.
    Blaming that the Congress believed in ‘divide & rule’ politics, Modi targeted the Congress party over bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. He accused it of ignoring Seemandhra while carving out Telangana. “See what happened in Andhra Pradesh. We wanted Telangana and we want development of Seemandhra. Congress killed the mother during child’s birth,” he said.
    Modi said that he would be going to Seemandhra to heal the people’s wounds. “I’ll go to Seemandhra as soon as I can, to heal their wounds and share their woes,” he said.
    He claimed that the ‘BJP wave’ had taken over the country. Perhaps it will be a tsunami for them. Congress would not be saved,” he added.
    Addressing the local populace, Modi said that even when India got independence in 1947, it was only Sardar Vallabhai Patel who took on the Nizam and freed Gulbarga. He indicated that had it not been Patel, Gulbarga would have been a part of Pakistan post independence.

    Modi took on the Congress government in Karnataka saying that they have not yet started working. He said that the state government was still in celebration mood. Karnataka government is in the state for a long time now but still they have not started the work. Their celebrations are still on. The Rail Ministry is shut and the CM’s work is shut,” he said.

  • Valley shuts over Lolab killings

    Srinagar: Kashmir Valley observed a complete shutdown on Friday in response to the strike call given by Hurriyat Conference (G) against what they describe ‘fake killings’ in Lolab Valley.
    Shops and business establishments in Srinagar remained closed due to the strike. Skelton private transport however plied on the roads in some parts of Srinagar.
    The police had made elaborate security arrangements to thwart any protests. The police and paramilitary personnel, wearing riot gear, were deployed at major intersections and sensitive areas of Srinagar. Stone Pelting incident was reported from Maisuma Srinagar after police foiled JKLF march.
    A police official told CNS that the situation remained normal throughout Kashmir valley on Friday, however, stray incidents of stone pelting were reported from Rajouri Kadal in Srinagar, Naid Khai and Hajan in Bandipora. There are no reports of injury to anyone, so far.
    Reports from various district headquarters including Shopian, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kupwara and other areas said that shops and business establishments remained closed while traffic was off the roads.
    Prohibatory orders remained in vogue in Lolab Valley while in most part of the frontier district of Kupwara, situation remained peaceful. At Buhipora, Kupwara a procession was taken out after Friday prayers. The peaceful protestors demanded that the identity of the slain ‘militants’ be revealed at an earliest.
    Protests were also reported from South Kashmir’s Pulwama town. Eyewitnesses told CNS that scores of youth staged a protest at New Colony Pulwama after which police swung into action and allegedly arrested four youth. The arrests of youth, sparked protest at Prichoo area where scores of youth took to streets and staged a protest.
    A number of pro-freedom leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Khan, Muhammad Yousuf Shah were either detained by police or placed under house arrest.
    Geelani had called for a complete shutdown to protest against, what he termed as, ‘fake killings. (CNS)

  • Tip (Chai) culture sparks protest in Lal Ded hospital

    Srinagar: The ‘tip (Chai) culture’ prevalent in Valleys biggest Lal Ded Maternity Hospital sparked massive protest on Friday while protestors not only blamed nursing staff and maids for looting attendants whenever a female patient attains motherhood but they also alleged that private security guards deployed on gates also demand bribe from them for making an entry into the hospital.
    Hospital sources told CNS that scores of attendants assembled outside Lal Ded hospital and amid slogans staged a massive protest against hospital administration for failing to curb the menace of corruption in the hospital. The protestors said that the hospital has become the hub of corruption and on the name of ‘tip’ maids and nursing staff are looting the poor attendants and patients who arrive in the hospital from far flung areas.
    This hospital is in complete mess and has become a junkyard and hub of malpractices. The maids and nurses attending patients hold your collar if you refuse to pay them bribe. They dare to yell at you in front of senior doctors in case you fail to grease their palms,” one of the protestors Muhammad Yousuf told CNS.
    The protestors said that Hospital administration is well aware of this fact but they don’t take any action or initiative to stop this menace. “For every newborn baby, you have to pay Rs 500 as tip. CCTV cameras show everything and the higher ups in the hospital watch everything but act as mute spectators,” another protestor said adding that private security present on gate too demand bribe from the attendants and it is happening under the nose of hospital administration.

    When contacted, Medical Superintendent Lal Ded Hospital, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Rather told CNS the attendants must approach him immediately if anyone demands bribe from them so that he can stern action against the guilty. (CNS)