Making a fervent appeal to Indo-Pak leadership for taking effective and urgent measures in this regard, Dr Abdullah said that escalation of tension has forced relocation of people from the forward areas that is causing enormous problems to them.
He expressed anguish over the damages caused to property and injuries to several persons in the border areas of Poonch District and sought immediate rehabilitation of the sufferers. He prayed for early recovery of the injured and expressed solidarity with the suffering people.
Dr Abdullah also emphasized the need for providing adequate compensation to the farmers whose standing crops have been damaged due to shelling. In addition, 27 shops have been gutted and damage caused to several auto-vehicles in the two border villages of the Poonch District.
On the instructions of the National Conference President, former MLA and Provincial Youth National Conference President Ajaz Jan visited the affected villages. He sought loan on easy installments for the shopkeepers whose establishments have been damaged due to shelling.
Jan camped for two days in shelling hit Sauijyan and Shahpur villages and urged the party cadre to extend all assistance to those in need.
Blog
-
Farooq Abdullah seeks end to border hostilities
Srinagar: Expressing concern over shelling on Line of Control and International Border along Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Saturday called for restoration of peace, as the main brunt is being faced by the border dwellers. -
India trying to suppress Kashmiris with their military might: Geelani
Geelani condemns killing of Junaid Akhoon
Srinagar: Chairman, Hurriyat (G) Syed Ali Geelani has strongly condemning the killing of a minor Junaid Ahmad, son of Ghulam Ahmad of Saidpora Eidgah Srinagar and said that India tries to suppress us with their military might to strengthen their undemocratic, illegal and forceful occupation. Their horrifying acts of repression and merciless killing of teenagers on daily basis have mutilated their so-called democratic face thereby killing 93 people and besieging the entire population which has turned valley into a big slaughter house, Geelani added.
He reiterated his stand that our innocent and unarmed people will leave no stone unturned, to get rid of this armed occupation.
Syed Ali Geelani appealed world human rights organization to take these innocent killings seriously and use their good offices to stop this unending bloodshed. -
Slain minor boy’s family protest against his killing
Says Junaid wasn’t out to fetch milk from camp
Srinagar: Family members of slain 12 year old boy of Saidapora Saturday said that their beloved one was killed inside his house.
They said that forces barged into their residential house and fired pellets on Junaid Ahmad.
One of the family members told KNS that the slain youth was at home when forces entered their houses and showered pellets on him. “He was not out to fetch toffee from Camp or to fetch milk from Police Station,” she said.
The protesting family members said that the ‘power hungry people’ have left Kashmirs to lurch at large.
The family demanded action against the force personnel involved in the killing of their beloved.
Earlier, as soon as the slain Junaid was laid to rest at martyrs graveyard in Eidgah, the family members, relatives and neighbours mostly women took to streets and raised anti-India and pro-freedom slogans. (KNS) -
Govt announces annual Durbar Move
Move offices to close on Oct 27 in Srinagar, reopen on Nov 7 at Jammu
Srinagar: According to a Government Order issued by General Administration Department (GAD) here, the Government offices observing five days week shall close at Srinagar on October 27, 2016 (Thursday) and the offices observing six days week shall close at Srinagar on 29 October 2016 (Saturday) after the office hours and reopen at Jammu on November 7 (Monday), 2016. All the departments shall ensure that records are packed in boxes after working hours on last working day.
It has been ordered that the offices moving in camp shall carry only 33 per cent of the strength of staff in that particular office or with 10 officials whichever is minimum.
All Departments have been asked to send their advance parties on October 24, 2016 consisting of one Gazetted Officer and four to five Non- Gazetted Employees who will receive the records at Jammu. The departments shall ensure that boxes are properly locked and their keys reach the advance parties at Jammu well in time. The S. S.P. Security, Civil Secretariat will furnish a list of defaulting departments in this regard to the General Administration Department.
J&K SRTC has been asked to make available sufficient number of buses in good condition for transportation of Jammu based employees on October 28 and 29, 2016 and Kashmir based employees on November 5 and 6, 2016. The booking of buses shall be for the destination of the employees wherever feasible. Tickets shall be issued by SRTC in advance i.e. from October 24, 2016 both from Civil Secretariat as well as from the main booking counters of SRTC.
J&K SRTC will also make available trucks for shifting the records from Srinagar to Jammu. The trucks shall be requisitioned by the departments from J&K SRTC and the departments shall draw advance for meeting carriage and package charges. The trucks shall be allowed to enter the Secretariat premises on October 28, 2016. Loading of trucks shall commence on the day following the last working day. Loading of records in the offices located outside the Secretariat premises, observing six days week, shall take place after working hours on the last working day. The loaded trucks shall leave for Jammu on October 30, 2016 in a convoy.
It has been ordered that the S.S.P Security, Srinagar will supervise packing/ loading of records of the officials located outside the Secretariat from Security point of view and issue clearance certificates to the drivers who in turn will show to S.S.P. Security Civil Secretariat to allow them to be included in the convoy. The S.S.P Security, Civil Secretariat will ensure entry of trucks/records in the Civil Secretariat, Jammu/Srinagar after proper scrutiny.
J&K SRTC will also ensure that one Crane, two empty Buses and two empty Trucks shall accompany the convoy on the respective days so that the employees do not face any inconvenience due to any break-down of buses/trucks on the way. Mobile workshop shall also accompany the convoy.
It has been ordered that Police shall escort the ‘employees’ and the ‘records convoy’ all along the route up to their respective destinations. They will also make sure that the move convoy is given precedence in crossing the Jawahar Tunnel. Director General of Police, J&K will issue necessary guidelines to the field agencies accordingly.
The Health Department has been asked to keep available Medical Aid facilities en-route at various places including Qazigund, Banihal, Ramsu, Ramban, Patnitop, Kud, Udhampur and Jajarkotli, on the days when the employees travel from Srinagar to Jammu. Secretary Health and Medical Education will issue necessary instruction in this behalf to the Directorates of Kashmir and Jammu Divisions accordingly.
It has been ordered that no moving employee shall occupy any Government/E.P/Municipal residential accommodation except under proper allotment order. Moreover, the move employees can retain the Government accommodation allotted to them at Srinagar for bona-fide use of their families under intimation to the Estates department on applicable terms and conditions.
The moving employees having Ration Cards at Srinagar shall surrender the same to the Director, Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs, Srinagar and obtain a surrender certificate. The Director, Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs, Jammu shall issue Ration Cards to move employees at Jammu on the opening of the Offices. The employees who desire to move without families may retain the Ration Cards at Srinagar for the Winter Season.
Special Move T.A shall be paid at the uniform rate of Rs. 15,000/-per employee. This shall be drawn and disbursed in advance. Special move T.A shall not, however, be payable to such of the employees who do not move within the prescribed time. Advance pay is also authorized in terms of Rule 14.26 of the J&K Financial Code (Vol-1) in favour of such of the Non-Gazetted moving employees who may apply for the same which shall be recoverable in installments as per rules.
The Salary for the month of October, 2016 in respect of all the employees working in moving offices shall be drawn on October 24, 2016.
No leave shall be admissible in combination/continuation of move days except in very exceptional circumstances. The concerned Administrative Secretaries shall sanction leave whatever due to the employees on very exceptional circumstances. It has been also ordered that all the Administrative Departments shall detach the staff if any, attached by them from subordinate offices of Kashmir Division.
The office timing on the reopening of the offices at Jammu shall be 9.30 am to 5 p.m in respect of Civil Secretariat and Heads of Department located within the Civil Secretariat premises or observing five day week and 10 a.m to 4 p.m in respect of all moving Heads of Departments located outside the Civil Secretariat and observing six days week.
-
School Edu Director’s FB post draws sharp reaction
Srinagar: A Facebook post by Director of School Education in Kashmir today invited sharp comments from netizens on social media after he sarcastically posted that he was out of job as the schools in the Valley continued to remain shut due to the current three-month-old agitation.
“I am Director of shut schools. I need a job,” Shah Faesal posted on Facebook, referring to the schools continuing to remain closed in Kashmir due to the separatist-sponsored strike to protest the killing of civilians in the violence that broke out in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.
While some users criticised Faesal, others had suggestions for an alternative job and few even wanted him to join separatist camp.
Some were however sympathetic towards him. (PTI)
-
DHSK collects 1600 blood units in past three months
Organizes 29 blood donation camps
Srinagar: In a bid to equip all blood banks across peripheral hospitals of valley, Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir (DHSK) organized a number of blood donation camps during the past three months.
With the onset of current situation Director Health Services, Kashmir as per the statement issued to Kashmir Today had directed all District Health administrators to organize blood donation camps in their districts so as to ensure the availability of adequate number of blood pints in the hospitals round the clock for the needy patients.
These camps witnessed active participation from people and health staff who volunteered to donate blood for the noble cause.
A total of 29 blood donation camps were organized and 1600 blood pints were collected during these three months. The camps were organized in collaboration with NGO’s and other social organizations across the valley in various District/Sub-District Hospitals and also in outreach camps. Apart from consumption of the blood units in peripheral hospitals the directorate facilitated some city hospitals by sending blood units which were of rare group.
Director Health said that blood donation is amongst the highest contributions rendered towards humanity and expresses our solidarity as a community inspired by our beliefs to venture beyond our core concerns and engage & serve the society at large. He has expressed gratitude to the blood donors, social organizations and the Hospital Staff in making blood donation drive a success and has appealed the donors to make blood donation a habit. -
Kashmiris emotionally attached with JK Bank, says New Chairman
Will utilise all my abilities to ensure Bank’s further growth, expansion
Srinagar: Newly appointed JK Bank Chairman Parvez Ahmad said on Saturday that the bank since the past decades has emerged as a greatest financial institution of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and that for the people of the region, it is the utmost asset.
In an exclusive chat with the Kashmir News Service (KNS), Parvez Ahmad said for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, JK Bank means more than just a bank and it has always strived for the overall growth of the society. “According to me, the bank has played a vital role in ensuring betterment in peoples’ lives all across the state. People are emotionally attached with the bank and the bank too would continue with its efforts to nurture peoples’ dreams and help them to realise the same,” Parvez said.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Parvez Ahmad as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jammu & Kashmir Bank for a period of three years with effect from October 6, 2016. State government received the RBI affirmation in this regard on Friday evening. Interestingly, Ahmad will be the first in-service and second in-house Chairman and CEO of the bank.
Terming the feeling of being appointed as the Bank chairman ‘wonderful’, Parvez said that he has grown along with the growth of the bank and he would utilise the years of experience to the fullest in order to strengthen the bank further.
When asked about the role that JK Bank would play under his command to tame the JK finances, Parvez guarded in his words said a detailed press meet shall be held at teh corporate headquarters wherein such issues can be discussed at threadbare. \
It was learnt that a press meet is scheduled to be held at Bank’s corporate centre- Srinagar onOctober 10th at 11.30 in the morning. New JK bank chairman is expected to address the press on the occasion. (KNS) -
Injured youth arrested from hospital while he was receiving treatment
He was most wanted stone pelter: Police
Srinagar: Police Saturday arrested a civilian from sub-district hospital Hajin in north Kashmir’s district Bandipora as he had arrived to receive treatment for his bullet injury, received during forces action against protestors.
Ishfaq Ahmad alias Gonga was hit by the bullet when Army fired on protestors in SK Balla Saderkote.
“Ahmad was hit by a bullet in his leg on July 28. He was being treated in the hospital earlier and then was discharged. However, he was advised by the medicos to visit hospital periodically for further medical checkups,” said family members.
They added that Ahmad had gone to Hajin hospital today for necessary treatment.
“Heavy contingent of police arrived and cordoned off the hospital. They sealed every exit and entry point of the hospital and arrested Ahmad when he was receiving medical treatment inside the hospital,” said eye witnesses.
Confirming his arrest, a police officer said that Ahmad was ‘most wanted stone pelter.’
Meanwhile, family members said that Ahmad is not feeling well and he needs support to walk. “There are certain medicines that are necessary for his recovery. He also needs clean environment to keep away any sort of body infection which could deteriorate his health,” said family members.
“It is height of atrocities. First government forces fire indiscriminately on peaceful protestors and then deny them medical treatment. Instead of feeling sorry for its action, the government is arresting and detaining injured from hospital,” they rued.
They added that it was better for government if it could stop use of bullets and pellets against peaceful protestors, “Then making the unarmed civilians victim of bullets and arrest injured from hospitals.” (KNS) -
PDP Demands time bound probe into killing of Junaid Akhoon
‘Expresses anguish over innocent killing’Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded immediate, time bound probe into the killing of Junaid Ahmad Akhoon from Saidapora area and desires action against those found guilty.
In a statement, a party spokesman said that the party is anguished over the reports of use of unwarranted force which claimed life of an innocent boy. He said that no amount of action can ever compensate such loss, yet it is always needed to ensure accountability as an when any grave omissions or commissions are reported.
The PDP Spokesman said that a deputation of respectable headed by Dr Ali Mohammad Wani from Eidgah locality called on the party head quarters and revealed that the deceased was nopt involved in any protest. They also revealed that use of force was unprovoked and excessive which called for a probe and action as a follow up. Dr Ali Mohammad expressed deep shock and sorrow over the incident and described the death as a “personal loss”.
The deputation was assured that party will effectively intervene to seek an apt action upholding its regard for human rights and protection of people of the state.
Meanwhile MLC and District President Srinagar Mohammad Khurshid Aalam also expressed anguish over the innocent death and conveys his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
Aalam has endorsed the demand of the locals for a probe and action against the culprits and hoped that government will act as demanded. (KNS) -
Killing of 12 year old Junaid heartbreaking, horrific: NC
‘State has let loose a wave of mass repression in Kashmir’
Srinagar: National Conference on Saturday said the killing of 11 year old Junaid Ahmed Akhoon of Eidgah was heartbreaking and horrific and had exposed the ruthless response of the Government towards a political sentiment it continues to ridicule ant stifle through mass repression.
Expressing profound grief and sorrow and extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, Senior National Conference Leader and MLA Eidgah Mubarak Gul said National Conference stands in solidarity with Junaid’s family in their moment of inconsolable loss and sorrow. “Junaid was an innocent young child who was shot at without any provocation or reason and today even his funeral procession was assaulted with pellets, tear-gass shells and lathis. This is the height of barbarism”, Mubarak Gul said.
Lashing out at the State Government for unleashing a wave of terror and repression in Kashmir, Mubarak Gul said there was a clear and evident attempt to persecute the people into submission and adherence. “Rather than engaging with the people, talking to Hurriyat leaders and making efforts to re-start a diplomatic process with Pakistan, the Central Government and the State Government are singularly focussed on using mass repression, nocturnal raids, arrests and brutality as a tool of evasion against the people of Kashmir. This is highly counterproductive and will add to the palpable sense of alienation among the people”, Mubarak Gul said in the statement issued from Party Headquarters on Saturday.
“Locking up Sufi Shrines and Mosques and disallowing Friday prayers is a direct interference into the religious affairs of the people and violates our fundamental rights. Locking up Sufi Shrines has become a routine practice at the Police Station level now and this is an assault on our religious sentiments, our social fabric and our heritage. Mehbooba Mufti should not take the patience of people for granted”, Mubarak Gul further said.
The Senior National Conference Leader and Former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly said it was imperative for New Delhi and Islamabad to start a meaningful, sustained and credible dialogue to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir Issue. “War mongering will not yield favourable results for either India or Pakistan. There is absolutely no alternative to talks and both countries should realize their obligation towards the suffering, tormented people of Kashmir who have suffered for decades due to the prolonged conflict. New Delhi should acknowledge both internal and external dimensions of the political issue and talk to Hurriyat leadership and all other stakeholders internally while engaging with Pakistan externally”, the Senior NC leader added.
“The State Government has also initiated a crackdown on those civil society groups who have done commendable work in the current unrest by running free langars, kitchens and voluntary assistance groups at various hospitals. Rather than bowing their heads in shame and acknowledging the commendable work done by these individuals and groups, the Chief Minister has ordered that these langars should be removed and the organizers be harassed. This is sheer sadism and indicates the level of disdain the Chief Minister harbours for the people”, Mubarak Gul added.
Asking India and Pakistan to take concrete steps to create an atmosphere conducive for dialogue, Mubarak Gul said there should be immediate Confidence Building Measures aimed at de-escalating the situation between the two countries and providing a sense of reprieve and healing in Kashmir.
The NC leader also said the work done by local doctors during the current unrest was exemplary and said they deserved all praise and tributes. “Our doctors have worked under extremely testing circumstances and saved hundreds of lives. They have yet again proven their mettle and we salute their commitment and dedication”, Mubarak Gul said.