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SRINAGAR: ‘Ocean of Tears’, a documentary on the Kunan- Poshpora rape victims in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, was screened at VIBGYOR International short and documentary film festival in Kerala on Friday afternoon.

 BJP activists protested and ransacked the venue resulting in the disturbances for some time but the screening was completed by the efforts of the organisers and the audience.

Considered to be the largest alternative film festival in South Asia, the VIBGYOR film festival is being held from February 11 to 16 at Thrissur City of Kerala.

“As the screening of the film started at 5:30m Pm, a handful of BJP activists started sloganeering outside the venue and later barked in and ransacked furniture and the screen,” Bilal A Jan, the film maker told Kashmir Life over phone from Kerala.

However, Bilal said that the film was fully screened later by the efforts of the organizers and the audience.

P Baburaj from Regional theatre Thrissur, Kerala while talking to Kashmir Life alleged that Kerala, police allowed the BJP activists led by their state President Adv. Gopalakrishnan, to come inside the venue. “The BJP activists managed their entry into the venue only after police allowed them,” said Baburaj.

He however, said that the film was later resumed and screened fully and it was applauded by the audience.

Srinagar: Authorities on Friday sealed a petrol pump for selling adulterated fuel in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Acting on public complaints, a joint team of police and CAPD department led by Assistant Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) Pulwama, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, sealed Malik Filing Station near Gangoo in Pulwama after finding out that the petrol being sold there was adulterated.
“The petrol had water added to and accordingly the filling station was sealed under relevant sections of law,” a police official told GNS.
When contacted Wani confirmed to GNS that petrol pump was sealed.
“As per initial investigations the petrol was found contaminated. However, the samples have been taken under the supervision of a magistrate and sent for analysis for further confirmation”, he said, adding that drive against adulteration will continue in the district.(GNS)

Crime Branch conducts probe, Kanpur University says no certificates issued

Srinagar: The crime branch of police is probing a scam involving two government teachers, who submitted fake certificates of an outside university to get promoted as lecturers in the education department.
The scam surfaced in 2011, when the state vigilance organization (SVO) received a complaint against two teachers, who were promoted as lecturers and posted in Budgam and Kupwara districts. Mohammad Yasin Mir of Lone Hari Kupwara and Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of Taratpora, working as lecturers at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School Panzen Budgam and Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Vilgam Kupwara had produced fake certificates claiming that they have completed their degree in Master of Arts in 1989 from Kanpur University. However, the SVO in its communication to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu termed the certificates submitted by the duo as fake
“It is reported that large number of teachers working in education department has managed to get fake post graduation certificates during militancy and on basis of which they have been promoted as lecturer. The following teachers have got promoted by producing fake certificates,” AIG, State Vigilance Organization, Jammu and Kashmir, writes in a communication (vide letter no SVO/EDU-G-24/11-1315-16) to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu on February, 2, 2011
“I’m directed to request you to kindly look into the matter and take necessary action,” the letter adds.
A month letter, the Crime Branch forwards the SVO complaint to the commissioner, higher education (vide no CHQ/Clt/K-139-11/2557-58, dated March, 17, 2011).
“In this connection, I am directed to request that the matter may kindly be got enquired into for appropriate and share the outcome of the same with this Hqrs,” the letter by IGP, Crime Branch, reads.
On July 12, under secretary to the government, school education department writes to the registrar CSJM University, Kanpur seeking the authentication of the marks certificate (bearing number 005110) submitted by Ghulam Mohammad Bhat with the department to get promotion.
In the reply, the Assistant Deputy Registrar, CSJM University says “The University has not issued the mark sheet or degree to Ghulam Mohammad Bhat”
“As per University records, the result of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat is detained for the migration certificate issued by Meerat University as well as the marks sheet of M A Previous and permission of this University for appearing of MA Final Exam of this University,” the letter adds.
However, the marks sheet submitted by the accused, a copy of which is in possession of GNS claims that he has passed M A final with third division securing 414 out of 1000 marks. Earlier, the accused had claimed that his post-graduation certificate had gutted in fire. He had purportedly obtained duplicate marks sheet from Kanpur University, which was later found fake by the officials there.
Meanwhile, Director School Education, Kashmir, Mir Tariq Ali told GNS that strict action will be taken against the officials, if they’re found involved in forging certificates for promotions.
“We won’t spare anyone found resorting to unfair means to get promotions. Law will take its own course,” he added. (GNS)

Srinagar: Stating that the molestation of a female medico by a former minister of state must be condemned by one and all in Kashmir, chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq adopted a resolution during Friday congregational prayer assembly at Jamia Mosque here seeking a stern action against the accused.
Mirwaiz after delivering Friday sermon at Kashmir’s grand mosque came down heavily on state government, accusing that the establishment is acting as a ‘shield’ to the culprits involved in the heinous crimes. Mirwaiz stated that the recent incident wherein a female doctor was molested by a minster is an eye opener that the women in Kashmir are not safe. He stated that the incident must be condemned while cutting across the party lines. “The honor of our daughters, mothers and sisters is at stake and those who claim to be peoples’ representatives’ outrage Kashmir’s modesty.”
Blaming  the ruling class of promoting moral waywardness in the government institutions, and hence trying to destroy the social and moral fabric of Kashmiri society. Mirwaiz said that it is surprising that the said minister  instead of being punished and thereby setting an example for others has been set free.
Addressing a huge Friday gathering at the Historic Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz also demanded impartial probe into the infamous sex scandal of 2006 and strict punishment for all those accused in the case. Mirwaiz said Kashmiris have beared relentless suffering and oppression in the last more than two decades but any  assault against the chastity and honour of their women will not be tolerated. He demanded  immediate stern punishment for the accused minister.
APHC Chairman said current ruling class stands morally and ethically exposed ,He said  it is highly unfortunate that those people who should have been behind bars are currently sitting in assemblies and are busy in hectic political exploitation of Kashmiris. Expressing strong reservations over the role of agencies and courts to protect such accused, Mirwaiz said all probe commissions setup by the government in such incidents have lost their credibility. Hence, he said that right from the infamous sex scandal of to the Shabir khan episode; an impartial probe should be initiated to expose and  punish the guilty
Mirwaiz said that Democratic governments and institutions around the world  represent their people  aspirations and provide security and safety to the lives and property of its people but in  Kashmir the so called claimants of democracy  do not even desist from scheming to tear apart the chastity of women.
Raising a question mark over the court order in which bail was issued to accused Shabir Khan, Mirwaiz said that he has reservations with the court order. “Not only are the governments but courts are also protecting the devilish crimes now.” Mirwaiz while passing the resolution that demanded justice to the molestation victim and punishment to Khan, stated that on all fronts the people of Kashmir will fight for the honor of its women folk. “The religious clerks across valley have been called and a unanimous strategy will be devised so that the accused could be brought in peoples’ court.”
Rejecting the inquiry commissions, formulated earlier, for the investigation of sex racket of 2006, Mirwaiz demanded that a thorough probe must be initiated with an independent inquiry commission. ” we reject the earlier inquiry commissions for 2006 sex racket; we demand an independent inquiry into the matter so that the accused could be unmasked before people.”
Appealing the judiciary in Kashmir to take Suo Motto cognizance of such cases, Mirwaiz also asked conscious people of the society including Ulemas, teachers, Khateebs, imams and others to come forward and fulfill their responsibilities in preserving the moral and social values of our society and work to  root out the moral waywardness in Kashmir.
On this occasion, Mirwaiz presented a resolution demanding stern action against the said minister. The resolution also  called for immediate impartial probe regarding the Pathribal incident, Machil fake encounter case and  Chittisingh pora incident. The resolution called for immediate return of mortal remains of Shaheed Afzal guru and Shaheed Maqbool Bhat. The resolution also demanded  punishment against the killers of Kashmiri youth during the 2008, 2009 and 2010 unrest. Amid pro freedom slogans, people approved the resolution.
The same resolution was presented  by many APHC  leaders across  many mosques in the valley.Senior hurriyat leader Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi passed a resolution in Imam bara Badgam and Hassnabad, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza in Islamabad, Zaffar Akbar bhat in Shopian, Ghulam Nabi Zaki at Sopore, Javed Ahmad Mir at Ganderbal Saleem Geelani at Badam wari, Hakim abdul Rashid at botta Kadal, Srinagar, Syed Bashir Andrabi at Pulwama, Imtiyaz Reshi at Amira Kadal, Moulvi Moahamad rafiq at Shopian, Moulvi Abdul Rashid at Chadoora, Moluvi Mushtaq at Rawalpora, Adnan kashmiri at pulwama, Sajad Noor Abadi at Qazigund, and at many other places.  (KNS)

CM was very positive; so deferred strike

Srinagar: The state government has virtually agreed to go for enhancement in retirement age (from 58 to 60 years)–a long pending demand, of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of the government employee unions that recently deferred protests in Jammu as a ‘goodwill gesture’.
Two cabinet ministers who are in cabinet subcommittee holding deliberations with government employees told KNS that the government has passed directions to the Chief Secretary and the authorities at the helm of affairs in general Administration Department (GAD) to work out a proposal in this regard.
“The Chief Secretary has been asked to talk to talk to the employees leadership and issue the necessary directions to chalk out a proposal on the enhancement of retirement age taking all the prerequisites into consideration,” the two ministers told KNS pleading anonymity.
Pertinently, over 10-days ago, Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani who also heads JCC had called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu. The meeting between the two witnessed hectic deliberations on employee demands. “The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and  the honorable Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was very positive about meeting our demands which includes enhancement in retirement age,” Wani told KNS Friday on phone from Jammu.
He said the JCC’s decision to defer the proposed two days agitation was in view of the ‘positive approach’ of Chief Minister and employee friendly attitude of Cabinet Ministers regarding the implementation of agreement reached between the JCC Leaders and the state government on the instructions of  Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Earlier JCC had given a two days strike call beginning from February 14.

“We want that JCC should not be labeled as a confrontationist leadership that is why we deferred our strike programme.  We want to give chance to the state government to fulfill our demands amicably. Now the ball lies in the court of State Government and they shall be responsible for resolving or not resolving the issues and conditions thereof,” Wani told KNS while hoping the State Government shall understand the sensitivity of issues and in the wider perspective shall take the positive steps and discard the policy of delaying tactics.

He said that he met almost all the cabinet subcommittee members including Taj Mohi-u-Din, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Sham Lal Sharma, Mir Saifullah and Abdul Rahim Rather and the approach of all these members towards addressing the demands of employees was ‘positive’.
However, Mushtaq Bukhari, Secretary GAD when contacted told KNS: “I don’t know anything about this issue. Neither have I have received any instructions from the Chief Minister’s or Chief Secretary’s office in this regard.”  (KNS)

Anantnag: Anantnag Working Journalist Association today condemned the brutal attack on Photo Journalist Sajad Ahmad Dar, yesterday by some policemen in Pinjora Shopian when he was covering the gunfight between security forces and militants in the area.

Association said that a group of policemen caught the Photo Journalist and thrashed him brutally during which he sustained serious injuries in lift arm. Violent policemen also damaged cameras of photo Journalist Sajad Ahmad who is sole bread and butter earner for his family.

Association while condemning this brutal action of police has demanded a through probe into the incident and has appealed international organization protecting media men all over the world especially human rights organizations to take serious note of the incident as the atrocities on journalists in Kashmir are rising day by day.

Shopian: A complete shutdown was observed in South Kashmir’s Shopian district against the killing of two Hizb militants in Gagloora area of Pinjora Shopian in an encounter with Government Forces on Thursday.
 
As reported earlier, soon after the encounter hundreds of people assembled in Imam Sahib and Vehil Shopian after the killing of two local militants. Protestors clashed with Government Forces while during the clashes at least 18 people were injured. Three of the injured were referred to SKIMS.
 
Police had blocked road near Bonar to stop people from moving towards Shopian, however, reports said that hundreds of people participated in the last rites of militants. Amid pro-freedom slogans the slain militants were laid to rest in their respective ancestral graveyards.
 
Eyewitnesses told CNS that soon after Friday prayers, protests broke out in Shopian while scores of youth attacked Court Complex Shopian where police and CRPF personnel are deployed in large numbers. Police resorted to teargas shelling to disperse the protestors. Reports said that the clashes between protestors and police continued for hours.
 
All the shops and business establishments remained closed in the town while transport was off the roads. Large contingent of police and Para-military troopers were deployed in the town to thwart possible protests.
 
A police official told CNS that some youth tried to disrupt the peace in the town by pelting stones on the police, however, police exercised maximum restraint and dispersed them. He said the situation in the town was peaceful.
 
Pertinently, two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, Arshad Hussain Sheikh of Imam Sahib Shopian and Abid Ahmad of Vehil Shopian. were killed during an encounter in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Thursday. (CNS)