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  • Militancy on the verge of extinction: IG CRPF

    SRINAGAR: Inspector General Central Reserve Police Force, P K Singh Friday said that militancy in Kashmir Valley is on the verge of extinction while the effective strategy devised by Intelligence Agencies to counter militancy has been proving helpful and effective so far.

    IG CRPF, on the sidelines of a function said, “It is a positive sign and the result of the chalked out strategy that in the encounter militants are getting killed and they fail to inflict any damage on security forces.”

    “Militancy in Kashmir Valley has come down sharply and the situation is altogether different at present than it was way back in 1990. In every encounter that took place in North and South Kashmir, security forces managed to neutralize top rank militant commanders,” he said.

    He further said that there were reports that there will be surge in militancy but due to effective strategy chalked out by security forces, militancy has its lowest ebb in Kashmir Valley now and peace has started returning.

    Responding to a query, Singh said that there is coordination between CRPF and State Police and both are doing a good job in maintaining law and order in the Valley. (CNS)

  • Kashmir issue a Living Reality And One Cannot Dream Of a Lasting And Durable Peace And Prosperity in Sub continent Without Solving it: Yasin Malik

    Our Peers, Saints, Spiritual Leaders Showed Us The Way Of Life And Struggle For Honor And Divinity and Dignity.

    Srinagar: Our peers, saints, spiritual leaders showed us the way of life. They taught us to struggle for honor and dignity of humans. Islam and Muslims can still lead the world by following the footsteps of these great people.Kashmir issue a living reality and without solving this issue one cannot dream of lasting and durable peace and prosperity in sub continent. This was stated by the chairman JKLF Mohammad Yasin Malik while addressing people at Aaliyah Gousia Sarai Bala Srinagar today.  
    Yasin Malik while addressing the gathering said that our peers, saints, spiritual leaders showed us the way of wisdom, tolerance, struggle and steadfastness. “We have forgotten the teachings of these spiritual leaders and because of this ignorance we are today suffering in our daily lives”.
    Yasin Malik visited the Buqa Aaliyah Gousia Sarai Bala Srinagar to pay homage and expresses his gratitude towards the great Peer who actually taught Muslims the way of living with dignity and pride. In his speech Yasin Malik said that Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RAH) led us on the religious and spiritual fronts. It was this great thinker and spiritual leader who besides providing us the much needed religious and spiritual teachings also taught us the way of living with dignity and honor and adhering to the truth.
    Yasin sahib said that Alas! We Kashmiris have ignored the teachings of our Great spiritual leaders and are today facing a Miserable life. He said that we have lost the moral freedom granted by this spiritual peer and our youth are today running away from us and even from the faith.
    Yasin also appealed for religious tolerance and Maslaki brotherhood among Muslims and said that promoting mutual brotherhood is the only solution that can eradicate our miseries. 
    Yasin Malik said that our spiritual leaders taught us brotherhood and love and never indulged in any kind of sectarian disputes and we who believe in these leaders should also show restraint and tolerance. Yasin Malik said that we should restore and save our brotherhood and defeat all those forces who want to divide us in the name ofsects and casts.
    Yasin Malik said that in this era of globalization we will have to take keen interest in safeguarding ouryoung generation who are on the verge of disaster today. For achieving this goal we will have to first eradicate the menace of sectarian divide from our rows.
    Terming Jammu Kashmir issue as a living reality, Yasin Malik said that one cannot dream of a lasting anddurable peace and prosperity in sub continent.
    Yasin Malik said that thepeople of Jammu Kashmir are fighting a war of their future and welfare. Our struggle for freedom is actually based on truth and justice and we have beenshown and taught this way of continues struggle for truth and justice by spiritual leaders like Peeran I Pir Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (Rehmatullah I Alaih)
    Yasin Malik said that if India,Pakistan and the world want to promote peace, stability, property, tolerance and brotherhood in this region, they will have to accept the owner status of Kashmiris and include them in negotiations as the prime party to the dispute and solve this issue in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu Kashmir.

  • Asiya Andrabi detained during anti-Valentine’s Day move in Lal Chowk

    SRINAGAR: Police detained Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief, Asiya Andrabi, on Friday during anti-Valentine’s Day move in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar. Women separatist leader, Asiya was taken into preventive custody along with some other women activists to stop her from advising youngsters not to indulge in “valentine” activities. Ours is a Muslim society and Islam does not permit vulgarities like Valentine’s Day celebrations or exchange of greetings between unmarried boys and girls on any occasion, Asiya told reporters.

  • Police Arrest Forest Official On Rape Charges in South Kashmir

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested a forest official for allegedly raping a girl in south Kashmir district of Pulwama, official sources said.

    They said a complaint was lodged in police station Awantipora that a forest official Mohammad Ismail Dar had allegedly raped a girl last year.

    The complaint said the accused used to visit the house of victim after posing as a faith healer. The incident came to the fore after the girl gave birth to a baby recently.

  • All pro-India politicians unworthy of vote, Gilani tells people

    Srinagar: The veteran Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani asking people to stay away from all pro-India politicians, has said the interim bail granted to former puppet Health Minister Shabbir Ahmad Khan in the molestation case has substantiated apprehensions that the regime is going to hush the matter and shield the culprit.

    “In fact, there is every possibility that Shabbir Khan might be given charge of some ministry in the future,” he expressed concern in a statement issued in Srinagar.

    “We already knew that this was going to happen; that the regime would try and shield the accused minister and hush the matter just as it hushed up the 2007 sex scandal involving ministers, bureaucrats and other senior officials,” he added.

    “Likewise in the Shopian double rape and murder case, Omar Abdullah himself played a heinous role in the cover-up and gave clean chit to the guilty on the very first day of the incident,” he said.

    The veteran leader urged the people to stay away from pro-India politicians, “all of whom are morally bankrupt and involved in crimes and scandals.”

  • Afghan, Pakistani and Turkish leaders meet for new round of trilateral summit

    ANKARA: Turkey on Thursday hosts leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan at a trilateral summit in the Turkish capital of Ankara, seeking further cooperation on security in Afghanistan.
    Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Turkish President Abdullah Gul will also discuss security cooperation and economic development partnership in the region.
    The summit, whose theme is “Sustainable Peace in the Heart of Asia,” is taking place against the backdrop of political transition in Afghanistan, including presidential and provincial council elections in April and the withdrawal of NATO forces by end of year.
    On the sidelines of the two-day summit, the Turkish president will be meeting with the Pakistani prime minister and his Afghan counterpart, while foreign ministers, military officials and businessmen from the three countries will meet in separate sessions.
    The first trilateral summit was held in 2007 to present a platform for cooperation on security, economy, education, inter- parliamentary cooperation aiming to promote dialogue and trust particularly between Afghanistan and Pakistan through Turkey as a facilitator.

  • Excelsior photojournalist ‘beaten’ by forces in Shopian

    Srinagar:  A photojournalist working with a Jammu based English daily on Thursday was allegedly assaulted by forces in Pinjoora area of south Kashmir’s district.

    Reports reaching GNS said that Excelsior photojournalist Sajad Ahmad Dar, who was returning to Anantnag district after covering a gun-battle between militants and the forces in Pinjoora area of Shopian, was allegedly beaten up and his cameras damaged by the CRPF troopers and police, when the area was witnessing massive demonstrations against the militants killings. Due to the alleged beating, Dar also suffered injuries in his hand.

    “I was returning from the encounter site when the forces grabbed me and beat me mercilessly. They also damaged my cameras,” Dar told GNS.
    Pertinently, two Hizb-ul Mujahideen militants were killed in a fierce encounter with army’s 44 RR and SOG of police in Pinjoora triggering off strong anti-India protests. At least nine people were injured in the violent clashes that continued till late evening. (GNS)

  • Srinagar Acid attack case Man convicted for attempt to murder

    Srinagar: The court of principal and session judge Srinagar Thursday convicted Riyaz Ahmad Nath- of carrying out an attempt to murder while throwing acid on a girl on January 3, last year
    The court will however decide the quantum of punishment on Friday. According to the KNS court correspondent,  principal and session judge Srinagar Mohammad Shafi Khan after hearing the prayers of both the sides, held accused Riyaz Ahmad Nath convicted of carrying out acid attack on the victim. “The acid attack has disfigured the face of the victim and the same is a punishable offence under section 307 of RPC.”
     The details informed further that the court also retreated the Supreme court judgment that the sale of the deadly acids must be made under the proper guidelines in the market till the formation of the formal orders.
    The court also issued directions to the district administration so that the sale of the acids be brought under the issued guidelines.
    In the acid attack case the state was represented by advocate AA Teli and the accused was defended  by Advocate Mushtaq Ahmad Dar. Pertinently, a woman suffered serious burns in an acid attack on Januray 3,2013 in uptown city.
    The incident took place when the 30-year-old victim (name withheld), a teacher at a private tuition centre in Barzulla locality, was on her way to the centre, where she has been teaching for over a year. A youth intercepted her and sprinkled acid over her face. The woman suffered serious burn injuries on face and arm in the attack. She was instantly removed to SMHS Hospital.
    Police had arrested the accused identified as Reyaz Ahmad Nath, son of Ghulam Rasool Nath of Lone Mohalla, Chanapora. Police registered an FIR (2/2013) at Police Station Saddar and has booked Nath under various sections of RPC including 307 (attempt to murder), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), and 354 (Assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty). (KNS)

  • JCC defers proposed two days strike

    SRINAGAR: Joint Consultative Committee spearheading employees agitation Thursday decided to defer the proposed two days agitation keeping in view 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.

    In a statement, JCC leader Abdul Qayoom Wani said that the decision to defer the proposed strike on February 14 and 15 was taken in a meeting in which the entire employee’s leaders participated.

    Wani made it clear that 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.  While addressing the session, Wani hoped that this time 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.

    Wani said that JCC does not believe in confrontation but instead believes in resolution of issues through negotiations.

  • J&K gets applause for better budget management, fiscal discipline: Rather

    Says State’s economic growth rate much better

    Jammu: Saying that tax revenue in the State has witness
    ed 33% increase during the span of last five years of the present coalition Government, the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather today said the tax revenue which was just Rs. 2600 crore in 2009 is expected to increase to Rs. 7500 crore during the next fiscal.
    Speaking at a jam packed about one hours long press conference, soon after delivering his Budget speech in the Legislative Assembly today, Mr. Rather said this steep increase in tax revenue, without levying new taxes has been possible due to the better tax management and plugging of loopholes in tax collection system, adding that he has been convening periodic review meetings of the department under his charge regularly to assess performance and ensure better budget management and fiscal discipline.
    Mr. Rather said the performance of the State, on account of tax collection and budget management, has been lauded by every relevant forums at the national level including Planning Commission of India (PC), Finance Commission, Union Finance Ministry and the State’s Principal Accountant General. “Even the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has in unambiguous terms patted the State for its internal resources mobilization initiatives”, Mr. Rather added.
    He said it has been the coalition government’s endeavour during last five years not to levy any tax burden on the people not, withstanding economic inflation at the national level. He said that due to effective implementation of Fiscal Responsibility & Budget Management Act (FRBM), the State has been able to be within the ambit of targets assigned by the Planning Commission adding that the State was well ahead to centre in minimizing its fiscal deficit as per the assigned targets in this regard. He said economic growth rate of the State is also better as compared to National figure, adding that the Empowered Committee of the State Finance Ministers has appreciated the State for bringing improvements in Budget management and fiscal discipline.
    Briefing about the tax concessions given to various sectors, Mr. Rather said that the agriculture sector has been made more or less tax free. He said both entry tax and toll tax on fertilizers, fungicides and weedicides, which are considered important agriculture inputs, have been exempted, adding that for the first time horticulture sector especially apple, pear, cherry are being brought under the ambit of Insurance cover concession granted to Industry, trade and tourism sectors shall continue for the next fiscal, he said an amount of Rs. 3.50 cr has been earmarked for Women Development Corporation to set-up 100 more Self Help Groups (SHG) comprising 44,000 women which is expected to go a long way in upgrading the living standard of women folk.
    He said a provision of Rs. 3 crore has been made in the Budget for marriage of orphan girls belonging to BPL families whereas the coverage of Beti Anmol has been extended from existing 97 blocks to all blocks. The amount to be paid for getting higher education by the poor girl candidates too has been increased from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10,000 under this scheme. He said the tourism incentive package which was expiring on 31st December, 2014 shall be extended upto March 2015 whereas stamp duty exemption on KCC has been increased from Rs. 1.50 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh. This concession shall also be available to the Artisan Credit Cards, he added.
    Mr Rather said the VAT remission for industry shall continue for another year whereas cashless system of VAT remission on purchase of raw material made from SICOP shall be adopted from the next year. Similarly, the Hotel tariff tax exemption shall continue up to March 2015. He said Rs. 1.40 crore has been earmarked for help to HIV/ AIDs cases and Rs. 2 crore for the Cancer Treatment Management Fund.
    Replying to queries about stipendiary mode of engagement and New Pension Scheme, the Finance Minister said that these initiatives are aimed to contain burgeoning non-plan expenditure besides creating more employment avenues for the educated un-employed youth. Reply to another query Mr. Rather said Government is actively considering establishing press housing colonies in the State. (KNS)