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  • IPL will be beneficial to my growth: Parvez Rasool

    After becoming the first Jammu and Kashmir player to be selected in an IPL team in 2013, Parvez Rasool is now ready for his second stint in the T20 league and reckons that the presence of star players in his team will help him grow as a cricketer. 
    The off-spinning all-rounder, who has been bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 95 lakh, firmly believes that the T20 event is a big stage to make your presence felt in the national and international market. 

    “I feel one should grab every opportunity that comes your way and IPL is sure a perfect platform to showcase one’s talent. With so much of television viewership, the world is watching and the selector’s also have an eye on the event. It’s a great chance for any upcoming cricketer to prove his worth in this T20 extravaganza,” Rasool said. 
    The 25-year-old will be rubbing shoulders with national and international stars in the Sunrisers squad that is led by Shikhar Dhawan. The Jammu and Kashmir skipper feels great to be a part of the same dressing room that will have players like Dale Steyn, Darren Sammy and Ishant Sharma. 
    “The presence of international and national stars in the Sunrisers squad will certainly be beneficial to my growth as a cricketer. I will try my best to spend time with them, on and off the field. And at the end of it performance is key. So I hope that if and when I get a chance to play, I come up trumps,” said the wily off-spinner. 
    Rasool though got just two IPL games in the last season with Pune Warriors and his outing with the Virat Kohli-led Team India to Zimbabwe was also restricted to the dug-out but he takes all this in his stride. 
    “You have to take the rough with the smooth. I personally have taken a lot of positives from all this. I am lucky to have got an IPL break and a chance to travel with the Indian team. How many players get such opportunities?,” said a hopeful Rasool. 
    On the point of Jammu and Kashmir players getting a raw deal, Rasool argues that performance can wipe away any negativity and believes that it’s far more sunny for J&K players now. 
    “Our performance has been good in the last couple pf years. Our boys are getting picked in Zonal cricket and also being considered for IPL. I personally graduated from Under-19 to the national team and in IPL for Pune Warriors, so I believe the Kashmiri lads are making their presence felt,” said the upbeat all-rounder. 
    Rasool did get a few tips from off-spinning great Harbhajan Singh during the Irani Trophy game in February. Rasool was in the Rest of India reserves with Harbhajan as skipper and the J&K player enjoyed the lessons from ‘the Turbanator’. 
    “It’s my fortune to get advice from a player of the stature of Harbhajan Singh. I am constantly in touch with him. His advice is invaluable and has certainly helped my game. I certainly practice what I am taught to master the art,” he said. 
    Rasool though was critical of the fans’ behaviour towards Yuvraj Singh after the T20 final. Rasool harbours lot of respect for Yuvi, who was instrumental in winning two World Cups for India, and feels cricket lovers should not turn fanatics towards their heroes. 
    “Anybody can be at the receiving end of the madness of cricket in this country but fans should realise that a player gives his blood and sweat to the country and is human if he errs. I have great respect for Yuvi paaji and feel that he deserves respect and nothing else,” concluded Rasool.

     

  • Soldier’s misfire triggers panic in Hanwdara

    Cache recovered from Zoonreshi encounter site
    Srinagar: Panic gripped Chotipora village in Handwara town after service rifle of an army soldier went off accidentally in the area.
    Eyewitnesses told GNS that the army men of 30 RR were conducting routine patrolling along Mawer – Handwara road near Chotipora village in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday morning when a soldier’s service rifle went off. The other soldiers mistook the accidental fire as a militant attack and fired aerial shots.
    The gunshots created panic in the area with the locals running towards the safer places.
    “We were worried after we heard several gunshots in the village. In the meantime we saw army men taking positions in the area”, Mohammad Ismayeel, a local told GNS, adding that within few minutes everything was going normal.
    When contacted army’s Srinagar based spokesperson said that it was a case of misfire.
    Meanwhile, Police on Thursday claimed to have recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter site at Zoona Reshi, Kupwara.
    “The arms and ammunitions include 2 AK 47, 07 AK Magazine, 1 UBGL,  116 AK rounds, 01 UBGL Grenade 03 Hand Grenade 02 Radio set, 02 Pouches, 01 Compas, 02 Map sheets, 01 Matrix, 01 Wire cutter and 01 G.P.S”, a police spokesman in a statement issued to GNS said.
    Pertinently, Two LeT militants, two SOG men and an army officer were killed and at least six security personnel’s were injured in an encounter at Zoonreshi on April 08. (GNS)

  • Rahul Gandhi to arrive in Jammu on Friday

    Scheduled to address a joint public rally at Doda stadium
    Srinagar: All India Congress working President Rahul Gandhi is arriving on a day-long visit to Jammu on Friday to address a joint public rally organized by Pradesh Congress Committee and the National Conference at Doda, sources said.
    A senior Congress leader told KNS that Rahul will be received by Ghulam Nabi Azad, union health minister and Congress candidate from Udhampur Parliamentary constituency, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Pradesh Congress Committee president Prof Saif-u-Din Soz  at Jammu airport.
    Rahul’s address is part of the Congress campaigning   programme for Azad who is facing a tough competition from Dr Jitendera Singh of BJP and Arshid Malik of PDP. The Constituency is scheduled to go for polls on April 17.
    Almost all the main leaders and Congress activists in Jammu regions have geared up to mobilize people for the joint public rally in Doda. Rahul will straightway come to Udhampur wherefrom he will go to Doda.  He is scheduled to address a huge gathering at Doda stadium at 11 am. Congress insiders told KNS that he will mainly focus on development during Congress rule in last 10 years, and will reply to some of the major slogans of BJP mentioned in its recently publicized manifesto.  (KNS)

  • Autonomy, Self Rule are weakening real issue of Kashmir: Er Rashid

    Srinagar: A Public rally was today conducted by Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) in Anantnag in connection with Parliamentary elections which was addressed by Party President and MLA Langate Er Rashid, Tanveer Hussain Khan candidate Anantnag Lok Sabha Seat, Advocate Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, Dr. Bari Naik , Bashir Ahmad Tokal , Khursheed Malik and other party leaders.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, on the occasion, Er Rashid stated: “The manifesto of BJP and its position on Article 370 especially calling for its abrogation is an eye opener for entire Kashmiri Leadership and called on them to think above personal benefits or abdicate from the responsibility of leadership. The time is ripe for people of Kashmir to decide whether we have to surrender before “Delhi” on Kashmir issue or make it answerable to actual realities of Kashmir.”
    Er Rashid made it clear that BJP’s slogan to abrogate Article 370 is condemnable but urged for serious pondering as to how BJP dared to raise such slogan. “ The disunity among the people, pleasing and vested attitude of leadership has embolden Delhi to think of  taking away  even minor rights guaranteed to people of Kashmir by way of Constitution and on other hand the Indian government is paying no heed to genuine demands and aspirations of people of Kashmir,” stated Er Rashid.
     While launching an all-out attack against the National Conference Candidate Mehboob Beigh and PDP candidate Mehbooba Mufti, Er Rashid observed that they hail from those families who since 1947 have stabbed the genuine aspirations and sentiments of people. “People’s democratic Party (PDP) was given birth to strengthen the secret motives of Delhi as proven by time. Actually both NC and PDP by giving slogans of Autonomy and self Rule are weakening the real issue of Jammu & Kashmir and that too is done on the whims of Delhi. NC, PDP has gifted the state with corruption, nepotism and devastation and for ushering the real positive change people have no better option than Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP),” reaffirmed Er Rashid.
    Er Rashid appealed to people of Kashmir not to vote the traditional vested interest parties that have affronted the nation of Kashmir from Markets of Lal Chowk to Streets of Delhi and he alarmed that if people commit same mistake than they are themselves responsible for plight not the political merchants.(KNS)

  • People should not enslave themselves by participating in elections: HCJK

    Srinagar: In connection with taking forward the election boycott campaign, an emergency meeting was called by Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK) at its Sanat Nagar headquarters. The meeting was presided over by Shabir Ahmad Shah and was also attended by freedom party activists across the state. The meeting deliberated on the various aspects of upcoming parliamentary elections.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, while lashing out at government, Shah said: “If government has courage to compete with pro-freedom leadership at political level, let them allow the leaders of Hurriyat Conference (G), Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front and Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir to meet the people and not restrict their activities of launching election boycott campaign.” 
    Terming the elections under the Indian Constitution as contrary to the ongoing freedom movement, Shah said the nation that has launched a resistance movement against occupational forces should not commit such blunder of participating in the elections organized by the latter. “Those parties who are participating in the elections are in fact giving the democratic color to the Indian illegal occupation. As we don’t acknowledge the Indian forcible rule on Jammu Kashmir and are struggling for the right to self determination, so we are calling for complete boycott of elections.”
    Shah said the pro-freedom leaders are endeavoring to free the nation from the clutches of Indian subjugation while as those participating in so-called elections are doing the opposite. “The majority of people consider the pro-freedom leadership as their representatives.”   
    In the meeting, it was decided that Hurriyat will continue its door to door election boycott program through lectures and pamphlets. Shah urged activists to reach out to people at any cost to meet the demands of movement. (KNS)

  • Issue passport to Imam Jamia Masjid within 3 weeks: HC

    Srinagar: The High court today directed the authorities to issue passport in favour of Syed Mohammad Saeed Naqashbandi, the prayer leader of Jamia Masjid Srinagar within three weeks.
    Naqashbandi had applied for his passport in 2009 but the same was not issued due to some unknown reasons.
    He later filed a petition before the High Court seeking directions to the passport issuing authorities to clear his pending application.
    As the matter came up for hearing today, Justice Bansi Lal Bhat issued the directions for issuance of his passport within three weeks. The Court also observed that Naqashbandi is a prominent citizen of the city and his credentials are clean in the police records so he canot be denied the vital travel documents. The petitioner was represented by Advocate Babur Jan Qadri. Advocate Riyaz Ahmad Khan represented the state government while as advocate Shahnawaz Ratanpuri appeared in the matter on behalf of Union of India. (KNS)

  • AAP demands cancellation of Dr Farooq’s candidature

    Authorities dismiss complaint, found affidavit correct
    Srinagar: The Aam Admi Party (AAP) today filed a complaint against National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah stating that he had submitted “misleading” information about his age to the Election Commission.
    The complaint filed by chief election agent of AAP Kashmir accused that Dr Farooq declared his age as 66-years in his affidavit during the 2008 assembly elections. However, the affidavit submitted by him on April 7, 2014 for parliamentary polls declares his age 77 year- old.
    The complainant has demanded that the candidature of Dr Farooq may be cancelled on the grounds of providing ‘misleading’ information to the Election Commission of India. However, official sources have told KNS that the complaint has been disposed off by the returning officer Srinagar as the affidavit submitted by Dr Farooq was found correct.
    Sources stated further that the returning officer after investigating into the matter found that the age of National Conference patron Dr Farooq is 77 years- as mentioned in the electoral rolls. Pertinently, Dr Farooq, father of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, is the candidate of the ruling National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance from Srinagar Lok Sabha seat. (KNS)

  • 68% polling in Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary Constituency: CEO

    JAMMU: Around 68% electorate cast their vote in today’s polling for Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary Constituency which concluded this evening. This is 18.29% more than the polling percentage of last Parliamentary election.
    Disclosing this at a press conference here today the Chief Electoral Officer, Umang Narula said 70% votes were cast in Jammu district, 75% in Samba district and figures of polling are being received from Rajouri and Poonch districts which would add up the final poll percentage tally subsequently. He said the polling was held in a peaceful atmosphere and so far no untoward incident was reported from any part of the constituency.
    According to GNS, Chief Electoral Officer said 10, 000 personnel were detailed for election duty and 800 vehicles were used to ferry them and poll material. He said the Election Commission had deployed five Observers including three General Observers, one Expenditure Observer and one Police and Security Observer. Besides, he said the Commission had deployed 201 Micro Observers and webcasting of 60 booths was also done.
    Narula said the Commission had set up 2274 polling booths at 1582 locations out of which 68 were declared as critical. He said 2274 electronic machines were used for the purpose. He said video recordings were also done to ensure free and fair polls.
    The CEO said 19 candidates were in the fray for the constituency which comprised 1848553 numbers of electors including 871212 female and 977328 male voters. (GNS)

  • Hurriyat (G) holds meet, reiterates poll boycott call

    Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (G) executive body today held an important meeting, which was presided by Hurriyat Conference General Secretary Haji Ghulam Nabi Sumji.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, the meeting was attended by the heads and representatives of all the constituents of the amalgam. In the meeting the election drama, latest developments, and future strategies were thoroughly discussed.
    While repeating its stand of election boycott, the executive council in a press statement said that the promise of Jammu and Kashmir police chief Ashok Prasad some days back has been proven wrong and baseless in which he said that with regarding to the upcoming election drama, no one would be arrested from the pro-freedom camp but to its contrary they (police) and Army have formally started the series of raids, arrests and harassment in the southern and northern areas of Kashmir and till now about dozens of pro-freedom activists have been imprisoned in police stations and hundreds of residential houses have been raided so far.
    Hurriyat (G) activists from Sheeri Baramulla Ghulam Mohammad Bangi and Basher Ahmad Soliah were arrested by the police when they were distributing election boycott posters among the people while as the Regular Army in Narwah Baramulla raided the hose of Abdul Rasheed Rather and harassed his family members and children and seized the posters from his house.
    A team of Special Task Force of police also raided the house of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat District secretary Baramulla Abdul Subhan Wani to arrest him but he was not present at his home and in his absence the police team harassed his family and misbehaved with them.
    The Hurriyat said that the same situation has been created in South Kashmir areas where about 40 houses of Hurriyat activists have been raided to arrest them. Hurriyat General Secretary in his presidential address said that the government have practically banned the peaceful election boycott campaign of pro-freedom people and are not letting them to reach people.
    “This type of policy has proven this election drama as a military operation and a one sided game which has lost its importance and credibility.” Sumji expressed his deep concern over the harassment of pro-freedom people by the Indian Army and said that the Army has been called to make the election drama a success and they want to terrify and terrorize the common people like they were doing in the past, so that people will be forced to vote.
     Hurriyat (G) General Secretary said that the foremost priority of this time of the pro-freedom people is to peacefully run the election boycott campaign and they should jointly focus on this important issue. He further said that those people who are raising other issues are intentionally or unintentionally diverting the main and important issue of this time and they are also raising the doubts about the election boycott campaign among the people.
    Sumji Said that Hurriyat Conference is not against the democracy or the democratic process, but in presence of more than 7.5 lakh foreign forces, the election drama doesn’t hold any importance and credibility and it becomes a military operation rather than a democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir.
    While terming all the pro-Indian politicians as the low rung soldiers of New Delhi, the Hurriyat General Secretary said that Umar Abdullah, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Saif-ud-Din Soz are the big sinners of the nation and they all are equally enemies of Kashmiris. They only want power and chair and for this they can mortgage everything with the New Delhi, so how can anybody expect anything good from them.(KNS)

  • PDP broke all promises made in 2002 after it came to power: NC

    Srinagar: Speaking to a group of youth workers and activists from Anantnag at NC Head Office in Srinagar, NC Spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu said that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s “healing touch” policy was nothing beyond a marketing smokescreen to hide Mufti Sayeed’s questionable human-rights record in Kashmir.
    Accusing Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and PDP of misrepresenting history and misleading people, Junaid Mattu said that Mufti Sayeed’s gamesmanship created innumerable new wounds rather than healing one single wound in this State. After making tall promises, Mufti Sayeed left no stone unturned to hound and harass Kashmiris and had even advocated the creation of a “Voluntary Force”, taking after the “Peace Brigade” of 1950s which was used to harass and target people in the Valley. It was Mufti Sayeed who advocated the commissioning of the “J&K Voluntary Force” and empowered Village Defence Committees by issuing thousands of semi-automatic weapons to them in bulk.
    Stating that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s PDP government picked up from where he had left as the Home Minister of India, Junaid Mattu said that the PDP coalition government slapped 2276 cases of Public Safety Acts and allowed gross human rights violations despite their marketing hype to the contrary. Stating that only 205 cases of PSA were invoked in 2012 including cases of Timber Smugglers, Junaid Mattu said that comparatively Mufti Sayeed slapped 378, 516, 372 cases of PSA in 2003, 2004 and 2005 respectively. The Omar Abdullah led government, despite the turmoil of 2010 worked on a systemic and passionate level to extend amnesty in such cases.
    Speaking to the youth activists from Anantnag, Junaid Mattu said that besides dismantling the concrete bunkers created during PDP rule, the Omar Abdullah led coalition government got 1,555 schools, hospitals, hotels and private buildings vacated by security forces. 54 bunkers have been dismantled in Srinagar City alone since 2009 followed by hundreds of concrete bunkers being removed from various towns across the Valley. There has also been a considerable and visible reduction in the deployment of para-military forces in urban areas since 2009 besides a whopping 71% decline in overall militancy related incidents.
    Stating that the Omar Abdullah led government had simplified and liberalized the procedures for issuance of clearance for passports, Junaid Mattu said that more than 3 lakh passport verifications were cleared between 2010 and 2013 alone and Omar Abdullah has reiterated this government’s intention to further liberalize the procedure for security clearance for issuance of passports. It was Omar Abdullah who announced the Amnesty Scheme for individuals involved in incidents of stone-pelting – the success of which can be measured by the fact that more than 1800 individuals involved in 230 cases have been granted amnesty by the State Government.
    Junaid Mattu said that while PDP government opposed the Rehabilitation Proposal mooted by an MLA during their tenure, it was the Omar Abdullah led government that ensured the return and rehabilitation of hundreds of youth who have returned from across the LOC thus far.
    The NC Spokesman said that it was Omar Abdullah led government that brought in the much-needed amendment in the Public Safety Act of 1978 in April 2012 by making the law more humane and less vulnerable for misuse and abuse. While Mufti Mohammad Sayeed only spoke about healing the wounds of the people, Omar Abdullah left no stone unturned to usher J&K into an era of reconciliation, peace, reprieve and development. It is Omar Abdullah who went above and beyond the beaten track to give relief and peace to the people of J&K. (GNS)