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Says there is effective decline in local youth joining militancy

Srinagar, Jan 10: Stating that they are in total control of situation along Loc and as well as on hinterland, Army on Wednesday said that there is an effective decline in local youth joining the militate ranks in the Valley.
As per Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, talking to reporters on the sidelines of the winter sports function at Gulmarg, Northern Command Chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh told reporters that in 2018, many local youth joined the militancy as per their assessment but from past four to five months, there is effective decline in the local youth joining the militant ranks.
“It is because of the sustained efforts of government and security forces that we have been able to prevail upon parents and teachers so that they aware their children over not to join militant ranks,” he said.
He added that Army is in total control of the situation as far as Line of Control and hinterland is concerned, saying that the number of infiltration bid has been foiled.
“Pakistan continues to violate ceasefire with a view to facilitate infiltrators to give them a cover to cross across Loc. Our strategy is clear, whenever there is ceasefire they are given a befitting reply and it is to the credit to troopers on Loc that we have been able to keep enemy under tremendous pressure,” he said.
The northern command chief said that while Pakistan might initiate small action to support infiltrators, however they are given deterrent punishment so that they should avoid such misadventures. “We have a range of options to tackle the situation and we will use that depending on the situation,” he said.
About anti-militancy operations, Northern Command Chief said that “Operations have continued whether counter infiltration bid on in the hinterland, there is lot of flow in the information due to which we have achieved huge security success in past one year. More than 250 killed in one year, 50 militants were arrested and about five surrendered, which is a huge success.”
About radicalization, Lt Ranbir Singh said “Our adversary is using social media to a large extend with a view to radicalize our youth to take them on wrong path, give them fake promises and to give false feeling that they will be able to get Azadi in the manner our adversary feels but youth has a lot of knowledge and potential. We are all working together to ensure the defeat of such kind of situation.”
“Social media is platform which has been an issue of concern for some time. We are putting various measures in place at different levels to tackle the situation. We are a step ahead. Our aim will always be to remain ahead as far as social media is concerned,” he said while replying to a query.
Asked about 2018, he said that several things happened in Kashmir that include non-initiation of combat, Amarnath yatra, elections and other things that went peacefully. “As far as forces are concerned, we are always ready for any kind of situation. AS the elections are going to take place in 2019, there will be activities from adversary, but armed forces are fully prepared to tackle any kind of situation that could arise any time,” he said. (KNS)

He claimed Jammu region has suffered badly in the last 70 years due to misadventures of National Conference and Congress, saying the former attempted to “murder Jammu” and the latter “betrayed” sentiments of its people.

Bharatiya Janata Party Wednesday said all previous chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir were responsible for the present crisis in Kashmir, hoping people of the state would now choose a chief minister from the saffron party.
“Previous chief ministers have not handled the state’s affairs with seriousness,” said Ravinder Raina, state president of BJP and former lawmaker.

He claimed Jammu region has suffered badly in the last 70 years due to misadventures of National Conference and Congress, saying the former attempted to “murder Jammu” and the latter “betrayed” sentiments of its people.
Commenting on the unsuccessful alliance of his party with the People Democratic Party, Raina alleged “They (PDP) don’t want to work for the society.”
“They are sympathisers of militants, this is the reason we withdrew support,” Raina said, referring to BJP’s June pull out from the coalition government in which the saffron party held the post of deputy chief minister for three years.
Reacting to recent statements by former chief ministers, Omar Abdhulla and Mehbooba Mufti, Raina said, “They are frustrated and nervous.”
“NC leader spilling venom and PDP chief visiting families of militants, these tricks won’t work now as people of Jammu and Kashmir have decided to support BJP in the coming polls,” Raina said.
“In last election we were shot of 19 seats as we ask for 44 but got only 25. This time we are sure that people of state choose us and next chief minister would be from BJP.”
The BJP leader also appealed the President of India to extend the recently passed legislation regarding 10 percent reservation to poor among the upper castes.

The Story Was First Published in Greater Kashmir Largest Circulated Daily Of Jammu Kashmir

The lowest number of injuries has been reported in the month of February when only two people were hit in their eyes.

Zehru Nissa

Use of pellet shotguns continues to take a heavy toll on the people of Kashmir, with 363 persons sustaining injuries in their eyes due to use of the deadly metallic ammunition in 2018.
According to the data compiled by the general specialty SMHS hospital in Srinagar, there hasn’t been a month last year when pellets were not used by forces on protesters.

The data reveals that the month of April has been ‘deadliest’ in terms of pellet injuries, with 70 people being hit in their eyes during the month.
In May, October and November, 54, 44 and 30 people, respectively, suffered loss of vision due to pellets, the data reveals.
The lowest number of injuries has been reported in the month of February when only two people were hit in their eyes.
In November, 19-month-old Hiba Jan from southern Shopian district lost an eye to the deadly pellets, thus becoming the youngest victim of the lethal ammunition being frequently used by forces to quell street protests since the 2016 public uprising in Kashmir.
An official at SMHS hospital said five people lost vision in both eyes in 2018 due to pellets. This, he said, included a 14-year-old boy.
On Eid-ul-Fitr, 11 people sustained pellet injuries in their eyes, while one youth was critically injured in head with the ammunition, suffering “extensive brain damage” on that day.
In 2019 too, pellets have resulted in injuries to seven youth in their eyes, a source at the hospital said.
On January 3 this year, when the government of India announced that plastic bullets would replace pellet shotguns, two people were injured in eyes with pellets fired by forces in Tral area of southern Pulwama district. Both the injured, according to a doctor, suffered “substantial loss of vision”.
While the government of India’s claim that pellet shotguns are not lethal has been disputed by many international human rights organisations in the past, their use continues unabated amidst uproar.
News reports recently quoted authorities at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) saying that the new ammunition (plastic bullet) is “500 times less lethal than pellets.”
The organisation’s director was quoted as saying that “a solution is needed for the notorious pellet guns”.
At SMHS hospital, the nodal point for treatment of people with eye injuries due to pellets, doctors express deep anguish at the disabilities caused by pellets and demanded that the controversial weapon be banned immediately.
“2019 should be a year when pellets should be banned so that we don’t have hundreds losing eyesight to the lethal weapon,” a senior doctor at the hospital said.
Explaining how pellets cause irreparable damage to eyes, he said: “Pellets often damage retina, which is a neural tissue, like brain”.
He said damage to any neural tissue is very difficult to be undone.
“Even if the retina is repaired, there is a residual scar that has a bearing on vision,” he said.
The doctor said that since 2016, over 1500 people have lost eyesight due to pellets.
“This (number) is outrageous, but nothing is being done about this mass blinding,” he said.
The official said the SMHS hospital figures on pellet injuries don’t include the injured who seek treatment in district and other hospitals.

The Story Was Published in Greater Kashmir Largest Circulated Daily Of Jammu Kashmir

Srinagar: Former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday questioned New Delhi’s reluctance to initiate dialogue with separatists in J&K when Army Chief General Bipin Rawat could advocate holding talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said if the Army Chief could suggest talks with the Taliban “then why different standards when it comes to our own people?” “Accept peace offer from Pakistan, initiate dialogue with Hurriyat and other stakeholders to put an end to the vicious cycle of violence in J&K,” she said.

Earlier in the day, the Army Chief had said there should be negotiations with the Taliban in Afghanistan where the Islamist group is battling the US and government forces for nearly two decades.

The National Conference vice-president also voiced his concern and questioned the unwillingness of the Centre at launching political initiatives in the state. “We bat for talks with Taliban, autonomy for Tibet and Tamil areas of Sri Lanka, yet we are unwilling to look at engagement or political initiatives in J&K,” Omar said.

Omar said: “Why is our policy all about ‘do as we say, don’t do as we do’? Engagement for Taliban, Operation All-Out for Kashmir.” (TNS)

Srinagar, Jan 9: The night temperature dropped in most parts of Kashmir Valley as world famous ski-resort Gulmarg saw mercury plummeting to minus 10.0 Degree Celsius.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3 degrees Celsius, down from previous night’s minus 2.0 degree Celsius.

The night temperature in Qazigund was minus 2.6 degrees Celsius while in Pahalgam, the famous hill resort in south Kashmir, it dropped from minus 4.9 Degrees Celsius on the previous night to settle at minus 5.0 degree Celsius last night, he said.

Kokernag in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 1.4 degree Celsius against minus 3.2 degrees Celsius on last night.

The MeT official said that the mercury at the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir settled at minus 10.0 degrees Celsius last night as against minus 9.0 degrees Celsius on the previous night.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of minus 3.0 degree Celsius last night, up from the previous night’s 4.6 degrees Celsius, the official said.

The night temperature in Leh and Kargil dipped to minus 9.9 degrees Celsius and minus 15.3 degrees, respectively.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ the 40-day harshest period of winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum and the temperature drops considerably.

‘Chillai-Kalan’ ends on January 31, but the cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir.

The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold). (GNS)

I hate BJP same as every Kashmiri hates them

Srinagar, Jan 09: Deputy Mayor Srinagar Shiekh Mohammad Imran on Wednesday said he is not part of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and hates them same as every Kashmiri.

Addressing a presser here Deputy Mayor said BJP workers should come out of their cozy rooms and work on the ground level. He said they are playing communal politics and targeting others in the valley.

He said, “people have given me mandate for development and duplicity of politics will not be tolerated anymore,” he said that Kashmiri’s have never sacrificed their aspirations.”

Imran said, “Kashmiri’s want development in keeping in mind sacrifices of our people. We have done strike for months together and we have survived.” He said he will not join hands with them for his vested interests.

“Come out of security zones and ask people what you want, he said adding that he will allow anyone to play double side politics with the people.

He said both SMC and other department played important role in the recent snowfall clearance operations. We should work together for the progress of the city, Imran said.

He said he received over 870 phones from people during two days of snow from people. They believe in action, not just hollow promises, he said.

While responding to Ramban rape, Deputy Mayor urged Governor to take action against the culprits involved in the gruesome act. On Tuesday, we protested in Banihal against the incident,” he said.

“We will always stand by these things in future and will not tolerate these acts by sponsored politics,” he said adding that he has no phobia of BJP.

“BJP has my phobia because I fought elections independently and fought it for cause, I will allow some will order from beyond walls as they are doing with their puppet politicians,” Imran said.

For development issue, you (BJP) cannot deny aspirations of Kashmiris and in Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai these things are done saliently rather than exploiting Kashmiris.

“We are exploited for Bijli, Pani, Sadak, Beek, and Reshwat by these so-called Politicians,” he said adding that they are playing politics with the aspirants of the people.

“Dialogue is the process to the way forward, and I stand by my verdict always,” he said. Stop closed-door politics, now things have changed in Kashmir,” Imran said.

“I have come to serve people not to buy people like others,” he said adding that BJP, Congress, are part of SMC but not for lobbies. I want to give crystal clear message to that he is not part of BJP,” Imran said.

On Shah Faisal Joining politics, Imran said youth are our future and it is a welcome step.

“Although there are differences between Mayor and Deputy Mayor but we will suffer our people, he said he will available always on at every front.

Srinagar city will be soon become Smart City and drainage system will be repaired and restored. “We are the public representatives along Kashmiris sentiments,” he said.

“I am accountable and answerable to my people. I am a public servant,” Imran said.

Srinagar, January 09: The record maker who topped 2009 IAS examinations, Shah Faesal who served at top posts in the divisional administration has finally left bureaucracy and finds solace in politics.

Shah Faesal according to the reports has resigned from bureaucracy today and is likely to join the regional mainstream political party, National Conference (NC).

Confirming his joining, former chief minister and NC Vice President Omar Abdullah according to KNO correspondent in a tweet welcomed him in the politics.

“The bureaucracy’s loss if politics gain. Welcome to the fold @shahfaesal,” Omar tweeted this afternoon.

Sources told KNO that Shah Faesal will likely join NC before Jan 14 and will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on NC’s ticket from north Kashmir constituency.(KNO)

‘I gave my job as Secy. to Govt rather than working with you in 2009’

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senior leader and Former Minister Naeem Akhtar hassaid that Omar Abdullah has been singularly unable to inspire even a single young man to recruit in the mainstream politics throughout his 25-year-longpolitical career and it is irony that ‘Sher-e-Kashmir’s party is now poaching even 80 year-old retired leaders of the PDP.

Responding to Omar’s statement in which he sardonically had asked him put an application to join NC, Akhtar in a statement said: I did not want to work with Mr. Omar Abdullah when I was the secretary to the government and he became the Chief Minister. I gave up my job as Secretary to the Government rather than working with him when he became the chief minister of the state in 2009 and the destruction he brought to Jammu and Kashmir in the six years only confirms my impression about his leadership qualities,” Akhtar said.

He added that Omar Abdullah while making the bizarre remarks in Jammu has not replied to his original observation that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s contribution to the state is creation of an alternative which is more robust than NC. “And the irony is thatSher-e-Kashmir’s party is now poaching even 80 year-old retired leaders of the PDP. This is because Omar Abdullah has been singularly unable to inspire even asingle young man to recruit in the mainstream politics throughout his 25-year-long political career,” Akhtar said.

New Delhi: As many as 838 militants and 183 civilians were killed in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014, the Lok Sabha was informed Tuesday.
Government of India’s Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said since 2014 till December 31 last year there were 1,213 incidents involving militants in Jammu and Kashmir.
“In these incidents, 183 civilians lost their lives and 838 militants were neutralised,” he said replying a written question.
Ahir said during this period, six incidents involving militants were reported from other parts of India in which 11 civilians lost their lives and seven militants were neutralised.
—PTI