Kashmir.Watch

Blog

  • What students feel about examinations?

    Srinagar: As far as preparation for the class 10 and 12 examinations is concerned, a sizable number of students who have taken private tuitions are, more or less, ready. But are they ready mentally?

    Junaid Niyaz, a student of class 10 at Tyndale Biscoe School. He lives in Ompora, Budgam
    When the strike prolonged and tuition classes impossible, I realised it was the time for self study. My father, a doctor, helped in Biology. I struggled with other subjects.  But when the dates for exams were announced I felt disturbed because I am yet to cover the entire syllabus. So I joined a tuition centre. Father accompanies me to the centre. We are stopped at many places by police. They check curfew pass, I-card and depending on their mood they let you go or stop you. Pressure of examinations and the daily inconvenience I have go through to reach the tuition centre is too much.

    Junaid-ul-Islam, class 10, a resident of Gulab Bagh
    I joined a tuition centre after the dates for exams were announced.  The tuition centre is in Khanyar (a 14-km ride). I have been caught thrice in a clash between protesters and government forces at Nigeen, Hazratbal and Rainawari. It is stressful.

    Shabir Ahmad, a resident of Khwaja Bazar
    I am lucky because the coaching centre is close my home. But it is difficult to concentrate on studies. I have never been able to concentrate. Clashes are a routine here. The priority of my family is to lock the gate of our house whenever clashes erupt. We are used to breathing in teargas. Yesterday my mother accompanied me to the tuition centre and as we were walking a CRPF man aimed his pellet gun at us. We both ran away. I dread about going to the centre but you are left with no option but to take a risk.

    Safi Madni, a student of Burn Hall School
    I have started taking private lessons after the exam dates were announced.  Yesterday a CRPF trooper at Nowpora chowk stopped me and checked my hands thoroughly (for any signs of dirt that means you could be a stone thrower). He told me ‘you are a stone thrower. Why do you want to study?” I wanted to give him a piece of my mind but I stopped because he could have beaten me up.

    Nahyan, a student of Mallinson Girl’s School
    Reaching the tuition centre is a nightmarish experience. The troopers stop us and ask questions like ‘which tuition centre, which teacher? After a trooper questions you another trooper deliberately repeats same questions. Some ogle at you. Sometimes I think I should stop going to the centre but then the very thought of examinations changes my mind

    Ridha, a student of Tiny Hearts School
    The most important thing for an examination is comprehension. We have been so disturbed that by killings and maiming of children that it is not possible to concentrate. And the same government talks of securing our future. By announcing the exam dates they only want to keep students away from protests. (Kashmir Reader)

  • Centre to J&K: Suggest ways to fully tap rivers flowing into Pak

    State to submit report on hydel scope of Indus, Jhelum and Chenab

    Srinagar: Amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan, the Central government has sought a detailed report from Jammu and Kashmir to suggest ways and means for maximum exploitation of water of three large western rivers falling under the World Bank-brokered 1960 Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between the two countries.The Centre has asked the J&K Government to explain within one week the scope of enhanced power generation and irrigation from these rivers which flow into Pakistan through the state.“We received a communication from the Union government on Monday evening to suggest widened scope for exploitation of rivers on which Pakistan has exclusive rights under the IWT,” a senior state government official told The Tribune.The IWT, which was signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan president Ayub Khan in September 1960, is a water-sharing mechanism to regulate the flow of the Indus and its five tributaries – Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej – between India and Pakistan.Under the treaty, India received exclusive rights of use of waters from the Indus and its eastward-flowing tributaries Ravi, Beas and Sutlej before they enter Pakistan, whereas Pakistan has rights to three large western rivers that first flow through J&K — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.Following the Uri attack that left 18 soldiers dead, New Delhi is weighing both military and non-military options to give a befitting response to Islamabad. To review the IWT, the Prime Minister on Monday chaired a meeting with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, the Water Resources Secretary and senior PMO officials in New Delhi. Following the meeting, the J&K Government was asked to submit the detailed report within a week, the official said. Under the IWT, an officials said J&K can’t store water on the main rivers but it can generate unlimited hydropower from run-of-the-river power plants, the officials said. (Tribune News Service)

  • Yasin Malik taken to hospital for check-up

    In a statement, JKLF spokesperson said Malik was taken to Florence Hospital Chanapora.

     Srinagar: Incarcerated chairman of JKLF, Muhammad Yasin Malik, was Tuesday taken to a hospital here for medical checkup.
    In a statement, JKLF spokesperson said Malik was taken to Florence Hospital Chanapora.

    “Yasin Sahib who has been put in solitary confinement in extremely shabby conditions at Humhama has grown very weak. Last week at Khyber hospital his medical tests came out dangerously alarming. Today his personal doctor Sajad Reshi Sahib examined him and advised many checkups regarding his heart, kidney and other ailments. Yasin Sahib’s kidney stone has enlarged risking his kidney function severely,” the spokesperson said.
    “Medical tests regarding his heart ailment are also unsatisfactory and doctors at the hospital termed his overall health condition at high risk. He has been advised many medicines and also to follow up his medical tests after one week. After medical examinations, he was again shifted to JIC Humhama,” he said.

  • Cancer no impediment to this 30-yr-old volunteer at SMHS

    SRINAGAR: A young man suffering from cancer is among the volunteers providing help to patients and their attendants at SMHS hospital.
    Afaq Rashid Khan, aged 30, lives in Srinagar’s Batamaloo area. In the premises of SMHS hospital where tents have been erected by several voluntary organisations, Afaq on Monday is exchanging greetings with a group of five men. Seeing his elegant manner and eloquent speech, it is hard to believe that he is afflicted with cancer.
    After the greetings are over, he comes forward to say Assalam alaikum and introduces himself. There is no stress on his calm and determined face. He says his mission is “service of humanity”.
    Employed as a switchboard attendant on ad hoc basis in the Upper Sindh Hydro Project at Kangan in Ganderbal district, Afaq was diagnosed with colon cancer a year ago.
    “Before I was diagnosed with cancer I had been suffering from severe pain in the lower stomach. The doctors were treating me but were unable to diagnose the problem,” Afaq said.
    When he lost weight drastically in a few days, he went to Dr Nisar Ahmed Wani. “He asked me about my family, marriage and profession. He also consoled me, saying life and death lie in God’s hands. But he did not say what the matter with me was,” Afaq said.
    “Doctor Chacha”, as Afaq calls Dr Nisar Wani, called him to hospital and did some tests on the day an earthquake struck Kashmir, October 25, 2015. “On that day he broke the news. When the whole of Kashmir was jolted, I was jolted by another shock,” said Afaq.
    The next day, an operation was performed on Afaq at the hospital.
    It is not that Afaq has been doing voluntary work after he was diagnosed with cancer. His social service dates back to the year 2002, when Afaq’s father suffered Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar level). “His kidneys were at risk. That day I recognised that the real pain lies in hospitals. I took a pledge to do something for people (Khidmat-e-Khalq).”
    Luckily, Afaq’s father was saved. Afaq began working on the pledge he had taken.
    “In between I became married and had three daughters, Alhamdullilah,” said Afaq. “See, life and death lie in the hands of Allah. He can offer shifa (cure) to any disease. Our job is to help people come out of misery if we can do that.”
    The family of Afaq has been actively backing him. “My parents and wife always push me to be engaged in this social work. They perhaps think that my mind will be diverted with this, but even if I had no disease I would have done this,” said Afaq.
    “Why to worry when the whole world can be one’s family? It is no big deal just dying for oneself; to die in the cause of humanity is the real service,” said Afaq. (Kashmir Reader)

  • ‘In 80 days of unrest, Kashmir economy incurs losses worth `9,000 cr’

    Chairman, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Muhammad Yaseen Khan said that the business community has suffered estimated Rs 9600 to Rs 10000 crore losses during the ongoing unrest.

    With business and tourism getting badly hit due to official restrictions and shutdown calls by resistance leadership, Kashmir economy has incurred losses worth more than Rs 9000 crore, economic experts and business leaders believe.
    Trade which comprises majority of Kashmir’s business activities along with tourism have come to a halt for the past 80 days after protests erupted in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in south Kashmir’s Anantnag (Islamabad) district on July 8.As per Kashmir-based economists and business leaders “losses on an average shutdown day are recorded in the range of Rs 120 crore to Rs130 crore a day”. They say on aggregate Kashmir economy has faced losses worth Rs 9600 crore since July 9.

    Kashmiri economist, Prof Nisar Ali while estimating the losses said JK nominal gross domestic product (GSDP) is 1 lakh crore.
    “As per preliminary estimates tourism sector is the worst hit which has suffered Rs 4000 crore losses,” Prof Ali said. “When the unrest began, it was peak season, all hotels and houseboats were occupied, but that has all gone. And now it would have spillover effect also. Even if normalcy returns tomorrow these losses cannot be retrieved.”He said the present situation would affect even future tourism season in winter and beyond.

    Regarding the manufacturing industry, Prof Ali said: “In registered and unregistered manufacturing units losses are estimated at around Rs 1000 crore. This sector contributes 5 percent to our GDP which means turnover of Rs 5000 crore per annum, however during these two months majority of these units have been idle, which means incurring losses.”
    “Government has also suffered heavy losses. Wage earners, employees whom government paid salaries during last two months had no contribution towards the service delivery system which again is a big loss to the economy of the stae,” he said, adding government paid around Rs 2000 crore salary without any contribution of majority of the government employees.
    “Constructions of roads and development projects also came to a halt. More than 70 percent of all the government works for which funds have been allocated for this fiscal are also badly hit. Further Plan development funds would lapse and macadamization of city roads cannot happen as winter will approach soon,” he said. “Roughly around 3500 marriages functions were simply held without any celebrations and wazwan parties meaning economic loss.”
    Chairman, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Muhammad Yaseen Khan said that the business community has suffered estimated Rs 9600 to Rs 10000 crore losses during the ongoing unrest.
    “ As per our rough estimates, Kashmir’s economy suffers Rs 120 to Rs 130 crore loss a day, if we calculate it on a lower side its accumulates to Rs 9600 crore,” he said adding that Kashmir economy was already in doldrums following the devastating floods in 2014.
    Taking it further, the head of apex business body, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani said that Kashmir is facing worst ever business slump in its recent history.
    “Our losses have gone beyond Rs 9000 crore and whole economic activities are in suspension mode following civilian killings,” he said adding that the every segment of economy has been hit badly, but tourism and transport are worst suffers as they could not even operate during deal period announced by the resistance leadership. (GK)

  • Two Muzaffarabad guides ‘facilitated’ Uri attack: India

    India on Tuesday while summonning Pakistan’s High Commissioner and claimed that two guides from Muzaffarabad facilitated the attackers, who attacked an army base in Kashmir’s Uri on Septemebr 18.
    Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar summoned Abdul Basit and provided him the details of the two guides who he said helped the attackers to reach the Uri army camp on September 18 and handed over “proof of cross-border origins” of the attack that killed 18 soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir.
    “Foreign Secretary … presents proof of cross border origins of Uri attack,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
    Swarup said Basit was told that the two guides were caught by villagers in Uri and were in Indian custody.
    The official identified them as Yasin Khurshid, 19, s/o Mohammed Khurshid and a resident of Khiliana Kalan in Muzzaffarabad and Faizal Hussain Awan, 20, s/o Gul Akbar and from Potha Jahangir, also in Muzzaffarabad.
    Muzaffarabad is the capital of Pakistani Kashmir.
    Four militants stormed the Uri army camp and killed 18 Indian soldiers on September 18.
    Pakistan has denied any links with the attackers. (IANS)

  • Kashmiri student detained for posting ‘anti-national’ comments

    A Kashmiri student of a private college here was detained today for allegedly posting “anti-national” comments on social media site Facebook after the Uri terror attack, police said.
    Mudasir Rashid, a Srinagar resident, has been suspended by his college, Techno India NJR Institute of Technology.

    He has been detained for allegedly posting and sharing anti-national comments and material on Facebook, sub-inspector Hiran Magri police station Gordhan Ram said.
    ABVP activists along with local students staged a protest at the college and demanded action against the accused.
    They also damaged college property and hoisted the national flag atop a building, Ram added.

    “Rashid has been suspended initially for seven days,” said college director RS Vyas.
    “He (Mudasir Rashid) allegedly started posting and sharing anti-national comments after the Uri terror attacks. This came to light after some students approached the college administration with print-outs of his posts. He was handed over to police,” he said.
    There are 15 Kashmiri students in the college and Rashid was one of them, Vyas added
    In March, four Kashmiri students were arrested for allegedly cooking beef in their hostel rooms at a Chittorgarh based private university.
    The university saw clashes between locals and Kashmiri students after India lost to West Indies in a T-20 match in April. (PTI)

  • Kashmir never was, can never be integral part of India: Lodhi

    Pakistan has described Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s address to the UN as a “litany of falsehoods” and “a travesty of facts and history”.
    Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi, said Jammu and Kashmir “never was and can never be an integral part of India”, reiterating her country’s claim over the state after Sushma Swaraj suggested to Pakistan to abandon the dream of capturing the territory.

    Lodhi, in Pakistan’s Right of Reply, cast doubts on the September 18 attack in Uri that has spiked tensions between the two neighbours.
    She said the attack “has all the hallmarks of an operation designed to divert attention from India’s atrocities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir”.
    Lodhi was referring to the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir that has left 88 people dead in clashes between unarmed people and government forces, triggered by the July 8 killing of a militant commander.

    The envoy termed the deaths in the Kashmir Valley as “worst form of state terrorism, a war crime, that India has continued to perpetrate…in Jammu and Kashmir for the past many decades”.
    Lodhi strongly countered the allegations “designed principally to deflect global attention from the brutalities…against innocent and unarmed Kashmiri children, women and men”.
    “Jammu and Kashmir never was and can never be an integral part of India. It is a disputed territory, the final status of which has yet to be determined in accordance with several resolutions of the UN Security Council.”
    She also rebutted Sushma Swaraj’s remarks that India had laid no pre-conditions for peace talks with Pakistan.
    “India suspended talks more than a year ago, and has refused to resume them despite repeated offers from Pakistan and advice from the international community.”
    In response to Swaraj’s reference to Pakistani national Bahadur Ali who was arrested in Kashmir, Lodhi said the recently captured “Indian spy, an intelligence officer,” Kulbhushan Yadav, has “confessed” to India’s support to terrorist and subversive activities particularly in Balochistan and Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
    “Indeed, it was Kulbhushan, who was financing, arming and supporting individuals and entities listed under the UN sanctions regime,” Lodhi said.
    She said India’s “policy of interference” in Pakistan, especially its attempt to destabilise Balochistan, are now on record.
    “The message that Kashmir is an integral part of India should be loud and clear,” India today told Pakistan, calling it a “dysfunctional state” that commits atrocities on its own people and preaches about tolerance, democracy and human rights.
    Responding to Pakistan’s Right of Reply (RoR), India also asked Pakistan if it can clarify how terror safe havens continue to flourish on its soil despite getting billions of dollars in anti-terrorism aid.
    First Secretary in the Indian Mission to the UN, Eenam Gambhir, in India’s Right of Reply to Lodhi’s remarks, said that it appears that the Pakistani envoy “did not hear clearly what our Minister of External Affairs stated during her address earlier today”.
    Quoting Swaraj that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, and will always continue to do so, Gambhir said “we hope that the message is loud and clear”.
    In a second RoR, a Pakistani representative reiterated that Kashmir remains an internationally-recognised disputed territory.
    Gambhir responded by saying that Pakistan has yet again “chosen to stay silent” on the tough questions. (PTI)

  • ‘Pak using international aid to finance terrorism’

    Upping the ante against Pakistan, India has said it is a “terrorist state” which for years with complete impunity has been using billions of dollars from international aid to train, finance and support terror groups as militant proxies.
    Describing Pakistan as the “true epicentre” of global terror, India also said Islamabad’s trust in the methods of terror are so “deep” that it does not hesitate in using them on its own people in Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal areas.

    In its Right of Reply in response to a statement by Pakistan at the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council, India said, “the latest terrorist attack in Uri, where 18 Indian soldiers lost their life and over 20 injured, only underlines that the infrastructure of terrorism in Pakistan remains active.”
    “The recovery of GPS, grenades with Pakistani markings, communication matrix sheets and equipments and other stores made in Pakistan, and patterns of infiltration and attacks, is clear evidence of involvement of terror organisations based in Pakistan or territory under its control,” it said yesterday.
    India also asserted that it awaits “credible action” by Pakistan to bring all those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack and the Pathankot attack to justice.

    Regretting Pakistan’s continued “misuse of the Council to make tendentious references about internal matters pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir,” India said Islamabad’s “misinformation campaign backed by fabricated facts and figures, on this issue only reflects the desperation that has seeped into their narrative.”
    “Pakistan’s continued support for terror groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir is the main challenge to protecting the human rights of our citizens in the state.” (PTI)

  • Pakistan fighting a serious campaign against violent extremism: US

    Following External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly session wherein she asked the world to act against countries harbouring terrorists, the US has said that Pakistan needs to target all terror groups, including those that target neighbouring countries.
    “Our focus with Pakistan is to enhance their capability, as I just said, to deal with a terrorist threat on their soil,” US State Department Deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said in his daily press briefing here on Monday.
    “They’re fighting a serious and sustained campaign against violent extremism,” he said.
    “We do believe that they’re making progress, that they’re taking steps to counter terrorist violence, but at the same time we’ve been very clear that they need to target all militant groups, including those that target Pakistan’s neighbours, and close all safe havens.”
    These comments come after the September 18 cross-border attack on an Indian Army camp at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed the lives of 18 soldiers.
    Toner called for normalisation of India-Pakistan relations saying that there was “no zero-sum game” in the region.
    “I think our longstanding position is that we believe India and Pakistan really stand to benefit from the normalisation of relations between them and practical cooperation between them, and we encourage both India and Pakistan to pursue and engage in direct dialogue that is aimed at reducing tensions,” he said.
    In response to a question of Russia carrying out its first ever joint military exercise with Pakistan close on the heels of the India-US “Yudh Abhyas” drill in Uttarakhand in India, Toner said: “Well, if the insinuation is that there’s some kind of tit-for-tat or Great Game being played out here, that’s not at all the case. Look, we’ve long said with regard to Pakistan, with regard to India, with regard to the region, there’s no zero-sum game here.”
    Stating that the US was pursuing “very close relations with India”, he said that Washington has “a deep and broad bilateral and multilateral relationship” with New Delhi.
    “They (India) are the world’s largest democracy and we share, I think, a very similar vision of the world,” Toner said.
    “And we obviously have very close trade and economic ties with India, and also that extends to security cooperation.” (IANS)