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Welcomes release of party zonal president

Srinagar: On the directions of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, a delegation of Freedom Party led by Moulana Abdullah Taari toured Bhaderwah, Doda and Kishtwar areas of Chenab Valley on 7, 8 and 9 June. The tour was purely an organizational one during which the delegation met the representatives of all the three areas and deliberated on the present political situation of the state. The delegation also deliberated on the recently concluded parliamentary elections and discussed the future course of action with regards to upcoming assembly elections.

According to a statement issued to KNS, Freedom Party reiterated its stand of staying away from electoral politics and expressed satisfaction over the release of party’s zonal president Moulana Abdul Qayoom. They also demanded the release of other political prisoners who were fabricated under false cases.

The 3 member delegation, Jenab Shameem Ahmad Tak of Bhaderwah and provincial president Jammu, Jenab Muhammad Shafi Rangrez made it to the residence of Moulana Abdul Qayoom to express their pleasure over his release and also extended heartfelt congratulations on behalf of Shabir Ahmad Shah.

An important meeting was also held under the chairmanship of provincial president Jammu, Jenab Muhammad Shafi Rangrez  in which the party reiterated its pledge of continuing their freedom struggle till the issue of Kashmir is taken to its logical conclusion. They also prayed for the health of Shabir Ahmad Shah.

On the occasion, the party general secretary, Muhammad Abdullah Taari while applauding the leadership of Shabir Ahmad Shah said that Shah has been struggling for the birth right of self-determination of the people Kashmir and will continue to do so. He also deliberated on the vision of Shabir Ahmad Shah that until there will be friendly relations between India and Pakistan, the resolution of Kashmir issue and peace in south Asia would be a dream.

The party’s provincial president Muhammad Shafi Rangrez while concluding the meeting stressed on the need to spread the party’s programmes to every freedom loving individual so as to defeat the communal policies of pro-India parties.

Shameem Ahmad Tak also stressed on the need to avoid political differences and said there is a need to keep patience and understand each other’s ideology in order to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Srinagar: Starting their sports calendar in the summer capital, Jammu and Kashmir Police is organising two major sports tournaments in the month of June. The first event Inter Battalion Tournament would commence from June 12, and conclude on June 16, 2014and the second tournament viz Inter Zone Tournament will start from June 18, which will conclude on June 21, 2014.

According to a statement issued to KNS, this was announced by the Director General of Police (DGP),  K. Rajendra Kumar in a statement   issued to press here today. He said that all Battalions of IR and Armed Police, besides SDRF would participate in the Inter Battalion Tournament. Accordingly sports person representing different Zones and Wings of the Organization would participate in the Inter Zone Battalion being conducted at Bakshi Stadium and other venue in Srinagar city.

Sports persons, (men, women) would be participating in different games including Basket Ball, Volleyball, Football, Handball, Tug-of-war, Boxing, Judo, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Kabaddi, Hockey and shooting. Besides, Athletes of different Zones and Battalions would excel in 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres, 1500 metres, 5000 metres, 10,000 metres, 4X100 metres relay, Shotput, hammer throw, Javelin throw and discus throw, DGP added. The DGP has asked the ADGP (Armed),  S. M. Sahai, who is also the Organizing Secretary of the tournaments to supervise the arrangements personally, being made by the Managing Committee, to conduct the events in a befitting manner. He has also stressed for better coordination among different committees under the leadership of  Sahai. 

Hurriyat (G) to organize seminar on 128 killings on June 11

Srinagar: While strongly condemning the terrorist attack on Krachi Airport and the killings of Shia pilgrims in Balochistan, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani said that due to the conspiracy of foreign powers and the sick minded people within the country, Pakistan is passing through the most difficult times of the history and this time it is the duty and responsibility of every patriotic  Pakistani to leave the differences apart and unanimously work for the safety of their country.

According to a statement issued to KNS, he appealed to the Chief of Afghanistan Taliban Mullah Mohammad Umar who are fighting against the occupational forces in Afghanistan that he should use his influence in stopping the terrorist activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) against the Pakistan and make them understand that they are axing the same branch of the tree on which they are sitting.

The pro-freedom and pro-Islamic leader of Kashmir expressed his profound grief and sorrow over the death of Soldiers and civilians and said that whoever is involved in this airport attack, they are the worst enemies of the country who are using the name of Islam and they can’t produce any moral, legal or religious justification for this.

Geelani said that if the personals of TTP are involved into these activities and they are doing this willingly to implement the Islamic system in Pakistan then I want to tell them that Islam have neither spread through force in the past nor can this ‘kind system of justice’ be implemented with the help of bombs and ammunition in future also. In Islam all the rights to fight the enemies and the anti-social forces have been kept reserved with the Islamic state and if this Islamic principle were changed then the lawlessness, disharmony and the anarchy will spread everywhere in the world and which will never and no way suits the principles and policies of Islam.

Geelani expressed his sorrow that with regarding to the implementation of Islamic system of governance, TTP is bypassing all the famous and great scholars of Islam and they are adopting the ways which are of their own choice and they have no argument or justification to prove this. The decisions out of emotions can destroy the human lives but these types of activities can’t be fruitful for the cause and it can adversely affect the Image of Islam. Geelani said that according to the preliminary investigation report about the Karachi airport attack and the ammunition ceased thereof, the foreign hand into the attack can’t be ruled out and if it is proved then the Pakistan government without any fear, should point out the country or the person involved in the attack. Any kind of weakness shown at this stage can prove destructive for the future.

Geelani termed the killing of Shia pilgrims in Balochistan as the worst kind of terrorist and anti-humanity activities and said that the sect violence is the result of a big international conspiracy against the Islam and unfortunately some Muslim countries are also involved into these activities. He said that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had left a one and united Ummah but the narrow minded, selfish and self claimed scholars scattered this Ummah into pieces. The pro-freedom leader of Kashmir expressed solidarity with the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan army chief Raheel Sharif and the people of Pakistan and assured them that the oppressed people of Kashmir are with their Pakistani brethren in these trying times and we are praying for the peace, safety and stability of this country.

Meanwhile, in the memory of 128 innocent youth and students who where killed during the 2010 mass uprising and to highlight the need for independent investigation into these killings, Hurriyat Conference (G) is going to organize a daylong seminar on 11 June Wednesday at its Hyderpora Headquarter, which is going to be presided by Geelani. With the family members of the martyred youth of 2010, the seminar will also be attended by the prominent human rights activists, intellectual, writers, politicians and lawyers. The Seminar titled “2010 kay Aad Khilay Phool.. Jo Masal Diyah Gaye” (Half blossomed flowers of 2010, who were crushed), will start at 10:30 a.m. and will last till 4:00 p.m. the speakers in the seminar will express their view point over the title of the seminar and  a Book written on the 2010 killings will be awarded a Commendatory certificate in this seminar. Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar humbly appealed the media persons to attend this important seminar in which the Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani will deliver a lecture on the present political situations of Jammu & Kashmir.

Srinagar: Stating that National Conference has witnessed many vicissitudes and faced different challenges during its long political span and struggle, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who is also Working President, National Conference Tuesday said that NC has always emerged victorious defeating all troubles and difficulties.

“History is the witness of the conspiracies hatched against National Conference through false propaganda and machinations time and again. You have witnessed flocking of all anti-National Conference forces in the past to dislodge its strong political base and popularity in the State but you have also witnessed the determination and bravery of the workers of this party to steer the ship out of all troubles defeating the disgruntled and vested interests”, he told the office bearers of National Conference in separate meetings at Khag, Berwah and Magam today during his drive to strengthen party rank and file and infuse new energy in the party cadre to counter the propaganda against National Conference and apprise the people that National Conference is the only party in Jammu and Kashmir whose benchmark is public service, political stability, solidarity, brotherhood and equitable development of all the regions and sub-regions inclusively.

Reciting the famous couplet “Girtay hain shah-sawar hi maidan-e-jung main —— Woh tifal kya girain jo guthnu key bal chalain”, Omar Abdullah said that the loss of coalition partners candidates in the recently concluded Parliament Elections has served food for thought to the National Conference workers, office bearers and leaders at the top to ponder upon the reason and make necessary corrective measures to rebound back with force and tell the detectors and enemies of National Conference that NC symbolizing Kashmiriyat and peoples aspirations and lives in the hearts of the people, will re-emerge victorious once again. He quoted a famous couplet of Alama Iqbal “Surat-e-shamsheer hai dastey qaza main woh qoum —– Karti hai jo har zaman apney amal ka hisaab”, and asked the NC rank and file to ascertain the all aspects of its delink with people and rebuild the close rapport with the workers and general public at all levels and in every area of the State.

“Ascertain their anger and address it to their best expectations so that their enthusiasm and love for National Conference which lives in their blood re-surfaces with full spirit”, Omar Abdullah told party office bearers urging them to travel all across and interact with the basic workers and general masses giving them message of not getting mislead by the propagandist elements whose only aim is to defame National Conference and seek power. “Make people recognize their friends and foes and not to get astrayed by those who dance to the tune of their masters outside the State and who owe their existence to the forces against Kashmiriyat”, he said maintaining that since these elements could not succeed in their sinister design because they found National Conference only stumbling block and hurdle so they hatched deep conspiracy to weaken NC and indirectly implement their ultimate objective of damaging National Conference and dividing the society for their vested interests through their local agents.

Omar Abdullah said that National Conference has never compromised on its principles and held its high credentials of unity, brotherhood and amity above every political consideration. He said the agenda of National Conference to seek permanent peace in the State is a public document and whether in power or outside, “we have batted and vigorously advocated peaceful resolution of political issues of the State in a political atmosphere through the process of dialogue and our pursuit in this regard will continue”. He said he as the Chief Minister as also the leader of the opposition has always highlighted the need of addressing political issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir politically across the table making it clear that K-issue has political genesis and it cannot be addressed through economic measures. “Many do not digest it, as such are engaged in false propaganda against NC”, he said.

Omar Abdullah said that his government empowered people to the maximum by enacting legislations like Right to Information Act, Public Service Guarantee Act, Re-constitution of Accountability Commission, constitution of Vigilance Commission, introduction of third party monitoring and election and empowerment of Panchayats. He said the list of development initiatives taken by his government and thousands of works launched, implemented and commissioned during the last five and a half years across the State itself speak of the government’s performance towards public good. “Unfortunately, this has not been made fully public otherwise people would have known that this government has surpassed all previous governments in peace restoration and development process besides creating transparency and bringing the government under full public scan”, he said and asked the office bearers of National Conference to make the workers and general public aware of the gigantic task undertaken by the government during the last five and a half years.

“Blunt the false propaganda of your detectors and agents of vested interests by presenting them the huge list of development works achieved in the State by this government as also the initiatives taken for public empowerment and transparency”, he said adding that his government may not have fulfilled all the aspirations of the people but it has in no means lagged behind in delivering the best on the development and peace front. “There is urgent need that people are fully made aware of the stupendous and historic measures implemented by the government for the welfare and political stability of the State”, he asserted and said that awareness is must to defeat the propagandist elements and foil their aim of creating misconception and confusion in the minds of people vis-à-vis National Conference.

The workers meetings were also addressed by the Provincial President, National Conference, Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani who also highlighted the need for strengthening and upgrading the rapport between office bearers and the grass root workers. He said that National Conference will re-emerge as the aspiration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir by defeating the conspirators and making public aware of the conspiracy being hatched against them by vested interests. 

Srinagar: The Asia’s largest fruit market is in a pretty bad shape owing to state government’s apathy. Sub standard pesticides and various other fertilizers have caused fruit growers a loss of Rs 500 crore, laments Fayaz Ahmed Malik, president wholesale fruit market Sopore told KNS.

“Though Sopore is considered to be Asia’s largest fruit market, but it is devoid of any modern facilities to make it one of the best markets in Asia,” he rued. The fruit market of Sopore was established in the year 1988. Every year fruit worth Rs 4 Crores is sold in   different parts of the country. However, the irony is that the fruit produced here gets rotten sooner due to unavailability of cold storage in the area.

He further said that there is no availability of potable water and roads are in a dilapidated condition which causes a lot of inconvenience to the traders. “The present Government is doing away with a scheme introduced by PDP Government whereby C-Grade fruit would be sold on the spot, which was beneficial for the farmers.” He said the matter was brought to the notice of the chief minister Omar Abdullah and other ministers also, but no action has been  initiated in this regard so far.

Srinagar: The High Court has quashed Public Safety Act (PSA) against three foreigners—two Pakistani and a Saudi national who were facing trial for their alleged involvement in subversive activities.

According to KNS correspondent, the Pakistani national was facing trial for his alleged involvement in the Police Public School encounter that took place in March 2013. The authorities had slapped PSA on him and the same was quashed by the court on June 4 after his lawyer argued that such act cannot be slapped against him because of his nationality.

Zubai Talha Zarar, the Pakistani national was booked in the FIR 51/2013 under section 302, 307, 123, 120 B, 447, 468, 323 RPC, 7/25 Arms Act, 345 exclusive substances Act, 16, 18, 19, 20, 40 unlawful activities and 14 foreigners Act. The court in its observation declared that “there is nothing on record to suggest that detenue at any time mad en application for his enlargement on bail or any of his alleged accomplices was let of on bail.”

The court further stated that detenue can approach the trial court in case he apprehends that he may be moved from present place of lodgment as he is expected to be in custody under remand order form trial court.

According to KNS correspondent, advocate Mir Shafqat represented all the three foreigners in the court. in another case involving a Saudi national named Noor-ul-Haque , arrested in 2008 by Kupwara Police Station under section 14 foreigners act, was similarly placed under further detention in terms of section  8(1) (b) Jammu and Kashmir Public safety act. The court in its 4^th June judgment quashed the order and directed that arrangement may be made for his deportation within eight weeks. Another Pakistani national Asgar Ali got similar respite from the court when PSA against him was also quashed.

SHRC issues notices to Home, DGP, DGP CRPF, Div Com, Commissioner SMC  

Srinagar: Taking cognizance of a petition by the Hurriyat Conference (M) seekingremoval of Razor wires from main roads and link roads and to clear the way for pedestrians and vehicles in the city, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has issued notices to state home department, civil, police and CRPF administration to file objections to the petition.

According to KNS correspondent, while taking the cognizance regarding the petition filed by Hurriyat Conference (M) Legal Cell Head Abdul Mannan Bukhari through his council Adv. Shahid Rashid, regarding Razor /Barbed /Concertina wire used by police and CRPF the SHRC issued to notices to Commissioner Secretary Home Jammu and Kashmir, Director General Police, DGP CRPF, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Commissioner SMC, IGP Kashmir, IGP CRPF to file their objections by or before the next date of hearing that has been fixed on July 21.

In his petition, Bukhari has said that number of human beings including the children of tender age become the victim and pray of this dangerously laid barbed/razor wires. “Recently one Nazir Ahmad Khan resident of Maloora locality in the outskirts of Srinagar was on his way to work when he accidently got a big cut on the head from the Razor wire placed by C.R.P.F on the pavement of Budshah Bridge, blocking the walkway along the busy Budshah Bridge in the heart of the city.”

He said that the most touching incident happened when a ten year old girl of Wazir Bagh Srinagar namely Muskaan was caught in concertina/razor wire, as a result of which she received 10 stitches on her head. “If at all this has been laid for the so-called security reasons but it is supposed not to be there at the cost of human lives, as such the lying of the dangerous Razor wire by C.R.P.F has caused and continuous to cause great threat to human lives hence the human rights have been violated which are required to be protected by the indulgence of this Hon’ble Commission,” the petitioner has said.

Bukhari has said that the spools of concertina/ razor wires may be source of relief of the government forces but the common man continues to bear the brunt of the harmful wires spread on roads, footpaths, and busy marketplaces in every nook and corner of the Kashmir valley. In Srinagar the hazardous razor / concertina wire is spotted around the Army camps, C.R.P.F pickets, police stations and vital installations like offices, banks and post offices. Besides blocking roads and pathways at a number of places.

“It has been found that at many places these concertina/Razor wires are causing obstruction and hindering free passage to pedestrian movement. There are number of cases where people’s clothes got tangled in these barbed wires, particularly near pickets setup on the roads. Even many animals were also mauled and died later after they got trapped in these concertina laser wires.”

The petitioner has said that even the authorities of Srinagar Municipal Corporation directed the C.R.P.F to remove the hazardous Concertina/razor wire from the roads to clear way for free movement of pedestrians in the summer capital and in this context a letter has been sent to the C.R.P.F wherein the IGP C.R.P.F J&K has been told that the said wires have been causing injuries to the women, children and elderly.

Trying our best to nab all accused: IGP Crime  

Srinagar: After being censured by the High Court for its slow action, the Crime Branch has arrested three out of 17 absconders wanted in Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) paper leak scam.  

Sources told KNS, that out of the three arrested, one had surrendered after his property was confiscated. All the three accused are now under judicial custody in central Jail Srinagar. Sources told KNS that two out of three accused now in central jail are senior officers in the forest department while as the third is assistant executive engineer. “These three arrested officers had purchased papers for their wards and were wanted in the matter,” a senior officer in the crime branch told KNS.

Sources in the court identified the three accused who are now in central jail as DFO Mohammad Amin, DFO Altaf Shah and AEE Mushtaq Ahmad Dar. On May 23, the high court had reprimanded the Crime Branch for its slow pace in arresting the absconders.

Sofar the Crime Branch has produced charge sheet against 45 accused including the former BOPEE chairman Mushtaq Ahmad Baqaal, alias Pir in the matter. Some parents and their wards have also been booked for securing admission through fraudulent means. Last month, the high court which is monitoring the investigations directed: “…all the codal provisions should be pressed into service to arrest these 17 absconders by tightening the noose so that the society at large may feel that justice is been done to those who are law abiding.”

Javed Geelani, IGP Crime told KNS: “We are trying our best to nab as many absconders in the matter as we can.  We have formed teams for this job and they are putting in their efforts to arrest the rest of the absconders in the matter.”

Mr Geelani said that the crime branch has attached properties where the court has ordered to do so and in case of student absconders there is no property in their name which could have been attached. The IGP Crime said that the crime branch is investigating the matter but no time frame can be set to conclude its probe. “We are trying our best to collect the evidence available to establish this fraud and it can take some time,” he added.

Pertinently, during the last hearing the court had directed the crime branch to attach property of absconding accused, freeze their bank accounts and their salary. Directions for disciplinary action against the accused were also issued to different departments like Forest, Health, Educational and Power Development Department (PDD).

Kishtwar: In a shocking incident, a 13 year old Gujjar girl (name with held), a student of 6th class was allegedly gang raped by two in Drabshala area of Kishtwar. The incident sparked a wide spread anger and protest in the area.

As per the reports, the victim was out of her home for disposing off waste material at nearby Eidgah area where the accused after finding her alone overpowered her and committed rape on her at an isolated place.

The incident came to the public at around 6.45 PM last night when the girl was noticed by the few locals in an upset condition at an isolated place in the village.

After inquiring from the victim, she narrated the whole incident to her caretaker who brought the matter to the notice of police.

As soon as the incident came to fore, a large number of people assembled at Drabshallah and held a strong protest against this heinous crime demanding arrest of the involved.

The protesters held a strong protest against the inhuman and cowardice act and blocked the Kishtwar-Jammu Highway. The protesters also went on rampage before the elders intervened and pacified the situation.

Local sources quoting the victim said she was intercepted by the two identified as Sudesh Kumar son of Karan Singh resident of village Shandri Drabshala and Nitin Chand son of Saroop Chand resident of village Gujjar Khotan Drabshala and committed rape on her.

Sensing trouble Superintendent of Police Kishtwar Sanjay Kotwal, Dy. SP HQ Nazir Ahmed Ganie and officials of District administration immediately rushed to the spot and assured the agitating people that stern action will be taken against the culprits.

Police also informed the agitating people that one among the two accused has been arrested and a manhunt has been launched to nab the other. The arrested accused was identified as Nitin Chand.

Police sources said that a case of rape has been registered against the two accused and investigation has been started.

Meanwhile MLA Inderwal, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori has demanded probe into the case. “I’m shocked by the incident,” Saroori said in a statement.