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Eminent businessman of Srinagar Sheikh Imran, an independent corporator backed by Congress, was in November elected Deputy Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

He has also been an active figure on resolution and peace process front . In an exclusive interview with News Kashmir , he talks to Farzana Mumtaz Editor in chief News Kashmir Magazine

We have limited the contours of Srinagar City to few areas and overall it looks a Grand mess. Your take as Deputy Mayor?

The observation that Srinagar City is not just a place of few areas is quite valid as it is not just about karanagar or Rajbagh only but from khanyar to Pandch, Hiaderpora to Gulabagh and scores of other areas make the historical Srinagar city . The reason Srinagar City has been mess is that exploitative and wrong minded politics has been played by vested interests to ensure that just ten percent vote and ninety percent remain aloof from the progress and development .

Those who dream to be real change makers are put to series of hurdles and problems .To stop my journey JK Bank loan issue is being cropped.

What is the bank loan issue about and your pendency of about 128 crore?

The bank has itself settled my case at 78 core out of which 51 crore are already paid and I am ready to pay further 27 crore.

Basically some earthly demigods tried best to stop my dream of becoming Deputy mayor but failed as I have firm faith in Allah. The irritants are being caused because I have been against a particular party which I am still.

How can we bring positive change in Srinagar?

The Srinagar City has faced unprecedented mess and misgovernance and it is like last stage of Cancer. Although I never lose hope when a place like Old Delhi can be given good ambience why not Srinagar, we are one of the historical cities of world. Srinagar Municipal Corporation will be having 35 services in hand and we will make Srinagar a great city in terms of development and infrastructure. We seek effective support of people as without them we cannot bring positive change. The employees of SMC too will also feel proud to be part of the corporation and it is our goal.

How does it feel as Posts like Mayor, Deputy Mayor have been revived after long?

Well the valley currently has just four elected people Muzafar Baigh, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Mayor, Deputy Mayor and I guess two more Rajya Sabha members .

I feel we need these municipal elections regularly and not having these posts has been deceit with common people and their dreams as Municipal governance is the grassroots governance and we need it to change the face on ground zero which is possible only via this form of grassroot governance .

NC, PDP had boycotted these elections and some voices among these parties questioned the credibility of these elections, do you believe once if any of these parties form government they will cause impediment in your way?

Well be it NC or PDP, Congress or BJP I guess on large scale everyone is interested in better urban governance in the state and for that municipal corporations are backbone.

We are getting overall warm gestures from every party and few isolated voices don’t matter and my opinion is that we won’t have any problems whoever forms the government in the state.

Some believe there are too many departments handling Srinagar like the famous adage goes too many cooks spoiling the broth?

I disagree with you on this as there is still burning need of increasing officials, officers and Departments that cater to needs of Srinagar.

But then what about lack of coordination?

Yes lack of coordination has been a serious issue. PHE has been going One Direction, R and B other, SDA other, that is why we have seen one department repairing roads other digging it.

We have the act for same purpose wherein all is done under one roof in Municipality department to ensure better urban governance, similarly to achieve better anWe will make Srinagar a great city : Sheikh Imran
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Eminent businessman of Srinagar Sheikh Imran, an independent corporator backed by Congress, was in November elected Deputy Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

He has also been an active figure on resolution and peace process front . In an exclusive interview with News Kashmir , he talks to Farzana Mumtaz and Rameez Makhdoomi .

We have limited the contours of Srinagar City to few areas and overall it looks a Grand mess. Your take as Deputy Mayor?

The observation that Srinagar City is not just a place of few areas is quite valid as it is not just about karanagar or Rajbagh only but from khanyar to Pandch, Hiaderpora to Gulabagh and scores of other areas make the historical Srinagar city . The reason Srinagar City has been mess is that exploitative and wrong minded politics has been played by vested interests to ensure that just ten percent vote and ninety percent remain aloof from the progress and development .

Those who dream to be real change makers are put to series of hurdles and problems .To stop my journey JK Bank loan issue is being cropped.

What is the bank loan issue about and your pendency of about 128 crore?

The bank has itself settled my case at 78 core out of which 51 crore are already paid and I am ready to pay further 27 crore.

Basically some earthly demigods tried best to stop my dream of becoming Deputy mayor but failed as I have firm faith in Allah. The irritants are being caused because I have been against a particular party which I am still.

How can we bring positive change in Srinagar?

The Srinagar City has faced unprecedented mess and misgovernance and it is like last stage of Cancer. Although I never lose hope when a place like Old Delhi can be given good ambience why not Srinagar, we are one of the historical cities of world. Srinagar Municipal Corporation will be having 35 services in hand and we will make Srinagar a great city in terms of development and infrastructure. We seek effective support of people as without them we cannot bring positive change. The employees of SMC too will also feel proud to be part of the corporation and it is our goal.

How does it feel as Posts like Mayor, Deputy Mayor have been revived after long?

Well the valley currently has just four elected people Muzafar Baigh, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Mayor, Deputy Mayor and I guess two more Rajya Sabha members .

I feel we need these municipal elections regularly and not having these posts has been deceit with common people and their dreams as Municipal governance is the grassroots governance and we need it to change the face on ground zero which is possible only via this form of grassroot governance .

NC, PDP had boycotted these elections and some voices among these parties questioned the credibility of these elections, do you believe once if any of these parties form government they will cause impediment in your way?

Well be it NC or PDP, Congress or BJP I guess on large scale everyone is interested in better urban governance in the state and for that municipal corporations are backbone.

We are getting overall warm gestures from every party and few isolated voices don’t matter and my opinion is that we won’t have any problems whoever forms the government in the state.

Some believe there are too many departments handling Srinagar like the famous adage goes too many cooks spoiling the broth?

I disagree with you on this as there is still burning need of increasing officials, officers and Departments that cater to needs of Srinagar.

But then what about lack of coordination?

Yes lack of coordination has been a serious issue. PHE has been going One Direction, R and B other, SDA other, that is why we have seen one department repairing roads other digging it.

We have the act for same purpose wherein all is done under one roof in Municipality department to ensure better urban governance, similarly to achieve better and progressive Srinagar SMC is going to have 35 services under its belt and all departments coordinating with it effectively and thus lack of coordination will finish.

What is being done to improve garbage dumping system ?

There is already waste to energy programme and there is company that has participated in it .We are not new to garbage neither is garbage new to us .As a Deputy Mayor I would ensure world class dumping site come up which does not cause any smell problems to vicinity .When Singapore can use solid waste for farming and dump it in sea or lake why can’t we .

Dog menace is a serious issue, but then animal rights activists have raised question mark, how will you strike balance?

I would like to say Dog Menace has been serious issue for our city and my predecessors either have been ignorant or their intentions are questionable, we will implement the same standard pattern of sterilization as is being done in parts like Delhi. Standard sterilization centres would be established across Kashmir.

Electricity crisis in Srinagar city and other parts of Kashmir, your take on it?

The electricity problem is a very big problem. We are having problems at transmission end I have talked on this issue with engineers and commissioners. By February I assure their would not be major electricity issue in Srinagar.

What about safeguarding wetlands ?

Wetlands are of paramount importance to us and unfortunately we have lost many of them in past few decades but now we will take every step to protect them and I believe we should be grateful to Mahraja who gave us flood channels and institutions of excellence but after that since some decades our progress has come to halt.

You are very active in peace process and facilitated meet of Joint resistance leaders with former Norway PM according to some reports, why don’t you use same repo with government of India which matters most ?

I am very grateful to Shri Shri Ravi Shankar for aiding our efforts of peace . For six years Hurriyat leaders shut doors ,and ex Norway PM came and met trade, lawyers and Hurriyat . if we want to stop bloodshed then peace process in form of dialogue and talks is must . USA has failed somewhere .

Your suggestions are valid we need to prepare government of India for talks and taking other countries also on board is must .Bloodshed is destroying kashmir . The way things are going it looks Kashmir is born to get killed and each one of us need to make efforts to save our generations .

SRINAGAR, DEC 17: National Conference MLA Mohammed Akbar Lone said that he is deeply disturbing by the killing of seven civilians in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.

While speaking to News agency Press Trust of Kashmir Akbar Lone said, “By issuing order for Inquiry over civilian killing, nothing is going to happen. When NC was in govt that time when a civilian was killed we also ordered for Inquiry but nothing happen by such order and no further action was taken. These order are nothing”.

He added “Central government have decided to kill Kashmiri and governor Satya Pal Malik can’t do anything as GoI want to kill Kashmiri people”.

Commenting over the statement of Army chief in which army chief said that “Stone pelters are terrorist”, Lone said stone pelters are stone pelters nobody can compare them with Militants.

“Because of anger, youth pelt stones on forces and it’s condemnable that Army chief compare with militants”, Lone added.

He added “India has decided to kill Kashmiries either through pellet gun or through bullet. GoI order governor to kill Kashmiri people”.

Srinagar: The Army has asked people not to pay heed to the Joint Resistance Leadership’s “misleading” call for a march to Badami Bagh cantonment to protest civilian killings by forces.

The JRL comprising Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik and Syed Ali Geelani called for the Badami Bagh march after forces killed seven civilians and three militants in Pulwama on Saturday.

The Army said it was along with other forces and civil administration fighting “terrorism and proxy war sponsored by Pakistan” in Kashmir.

“The objective of the Security Forces (SFs) is to bring peace and normalcy in the Valley with the support of Awaam,” an army spokesman said in a statement.

Militants killed in gunfights across Kashmir and along the line of control were involved in killing of ” innocent Kashmiris including civilians, SPOs, police personnel and other SF personnel on leave,” the spokesman said.

Forces make “every attempt to avoid any loss of civilian lives in cross-fire and minimise collateral damage to property,” the spokesman said.

“Loss of any civilian life is always painful for the Security Forces. However, the vested interests are continuously at work to instigate and mobilise gullible youths to encounter sites. The call given by JRL for march to Badami Bagh Cantonment is another such attempt,” the spokesman said.

The Army condemns “this call by Pak proxies and advises people not to fall prey to such designs of anti-national forces.”

“Indian Army is always with the people of Kashmir and would foil all such evil attempts of Terrorist-Separatist-Pakistan nexus to pit the civilian population against the Security Forces,” the spokesman said.

Srinagar: Two days after the government released the first salary of Srinagar’s Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Corporators, they called it “too little” while demanding enhancement in it.
“Salaries of Corporators should be revised. Since 2005, there has been no enhancement in it. The salary of legislators has been enhanced several times,” Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu told reporters on the sidelines of the second Council session of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) at SKICC on Saturday.
He said it was a genuine demand of Corporators to get their monthly salaries revised saying that he has appealed the government to review it again.
“In Dehli, Mumbai and other metropolitan cities of India, Corporators get good packages. The same benchmark should be provided here too,” Mattu said.
A senior official at the SMC said two days ago, the state government released salaries of newly-elected corporators. “Mayor has received Rs 10,000, Deputy Mayor Rs 7,500 and Corporators Rs 6000 each,” he said.
Seeking enhancement in their salaries Deputy Mayor Srinagar, Shiekh Imran said Corporators risked their lives during the recent Urban Local Bodies (ULB) polls.
“When mainstream parties boycotted the ULB elections, these Corporators risked their lives despite threats from some parties as well,” Imran said.
He said most of the Corporators have contested elections independently in the city and they should be given salaries as per current market rates.
Imran said he too had recently conveyed it to the concerned quarters to hold their salaries before the General Council meeting.
In the Council Session, a resolution for enhancing monthly stipend of Corporators was also submitted with an absolute majority before the Mayor.
Mohammad Lateef Mir, who has been elected as Coporator from ward-5 of SMC told that 6000 rupees are a meagre amount. Even class 4th employee gets more than that monthly,” he said.

He said that they feel discouraged hence they will return the salary to the government.
“Security, salary, and accommodation are three main issues we are facing. We cannot afford anything from this salary. It must be increased akin to other parts of India,” Mir demanded.

SRINAGAR: Authorities in Srinagar have ordered imposition of restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC within the territorial jurisdictions of Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, Safakadal, MR Gunj and Ram Munshibagh police stations of the district tomorrow (on December 17).

There will also be partial restrictions within the territorial jurisdictions of Maisuma and Kralkhud police stations of the district.

The restrictions have been imposed as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident.

SRINAGAR: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is preparing a fresh proposal (detailed project report) for tackling dog menace in the city, Mayor Junaid Azim Matoo said Saturday.
At the second session of SMC General Council held on Saturday, SMC corporators discussed various issues regarding projects of solid waste management including waste segregation, revival of dog sterilisation, drainage problem and shortage of manpower in the department.
“We are preparing a new DPR for dog menace problem, we hope we will receive good response from the authorities,” Matoo said.
Deputy Mayor Shiekh Imran highlighted role of corporators in raising core issues of their wards with regard to sanitation, waste segregation and street lighting.
“We will work to our best abilities so that we take these issues to a logical end,” Imran said.
While on the other side the Commissioner of the SMC also highlighted the various challenges that have to be taken for improvisation of solid waste management.
The session was followed by question answer session in which corporators were given opportunity to raise questions.
Besides the corporators, senior officers of corporation including Financial Advisor, Joint Commissioner Administration, Joint Commissioner Planning, Secretary SMC and Executive Engineer Mechanism Division were present on the occasion.

57 civilians killed near gunfight sites in Kashmir this year

Srinagar: The killing of seven civilians in forces firing near encounter site at Sirnoo area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday has taken the civilian death toll near gunfight sites in Kashmir this year to 57.
In last eleven months of this year, 50 civilian casualties were reported near encounter sites, most of them in south Kashmir.
Seven civilians were killed in forces firing on protesters during clashes near gunfight site at Sirnoo on Saturday.
Such a huge civilian causalities in a day during clashes near gunbattle site has happened for the first time in Kashmir this year.
Earlier, on October 21 seven civilians were killed in a powerful blast when they were clearing debris post gunfight at Laroo village of Kulgam district.
There has been no end to civilians protests near gunfight sites especially in south Kashmir—the hot belt of militancy—spread across four districts, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag.
In November, of total eight civilian causalities in Kashmir, two were killed near gunfight sites, while remaining were killed in different circumstances including cross firing and unknown gunmen.
In October, 14 civilians were killed in different militancy-related incidents. However, none of them was killed in clashes post any gunfight between militant and forces.
Attempts by protesters to gather near gunfights and stone pelting on forces during anti-militancy operations to help militants escape from forces dragnet is seen as major reason for civilian killings at encounter sites.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order and Security, Munir Ahmad Khan told that that the gunfight at Sirnoo was not confined to a “satellite zone” as the gunfight took place in open orchards.
The “satellite zone”, Khan defined as the place like residential area where militants are holed up and anti-militancy operation is launched.
“The militants fired from different directions in an orchard. So satellite zone could not be created and miscreants took advantage of it and on provocation of over ground workers, the civilians came near the gunfight site which resulted into civilians killings,” Khan claimed.
Denying use of indiscriminate firing on protesters near the gunfight site, ADGP law and order said the civilians entered into the gunfight zone from all the four sides when the firing between militants and forces was on.
“We have been appealing people not to come near gunfight sites,” Khan said.
Major incidents
Dec 15: Seven civilians killed in forces action during clashes post gunfight at Sirnoo area of Pulwama.
Oct 21: Seven civilians killed in a blast when people were clearing debris post gunfight at Laroo village of Kulgam.
May 6: Six civilians killed in clashes post gunfight at Badigam village in Shopian district.
April 11: Four civilians were killed in forces action on protesters near gunbattle site in Khudwani area of Kulgam district.
April 1: Four civilians were also killed during clashes near gunfight sites at Draged and Kachdoora villages of Shopian.

Soon all the doctors on duty—physicians, surgeons, pediatricians, ophthalmologist—along with paramedics made a dash for the emergency ward. Although the victim was brought dead, the worst was still far from over.

Srinagar: After past few days of sullen weather, the morning sun on Saturday began shining bright against the brilliant blue sky in Pulwama town. The constant thud of blasts and a rat-a-tat of gunfire emanating from gun-battle site in nearby Sirnoo area were clearly heard in town. Around 9 am, as the first civilian with a fatal bullet wound was rushed to the district hospital Pulwama, the hospital administration alerted its staff by activating the “yellow code”.

Soon all the doctors on duty—physicians, surgeons, pediatricians, ophthalmologist—along with paramedics made a dash for the emergency ward. Although the victim was brought dead, the worst was still far from over.

Minutes later, local residents swarmed in the premises of the hospital bringing injured to the facility. Some were brought in private vehicles, while others were ferried on motorcycles.

As the number of the injured began swelling, medical superintendent Dr Rashid Para hurriedly called ambulances from the neighbouring medical facilities as well.

“As number increased and many of the injured had suffered firearm injuries, we needed to send them to Srinagar for advanced treatment,” said Dr Para.

The hospital authorities appealed the attendants and general public for the donation of blood and within an hour they managed to arrange as many as 35 points of blood of different groups.

First, it was Amir Hussain Pal, then AbidHussain Lone and OwaisYousuf. A few minutes later, it was Suhail Ahmad and Liaqat, while a little later, Murtaza Ahmad was brought—all were pronounced dead on arrival.

The people—mostly the friends—who ferried the dead and the injured to the hospital were crying loud while many raised pro-Islam and pro-freedom slogans.

“Doomsday. Yes, it is doomsday. We all will be killed one by one,” said a man while letting out a doleful cry.