Blog

Srinagar: Social media users in Kashmir expressed their anger against the transfer of IGP Traffic Basant Kumar Rath and blamed Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Junaid Mattu for government’s decision to remove the highly popular IPS officer.
Rath, who is credited with streamlining the traffic system in Jammu and Kashmir in less than one year of being appointed as IGP Traffic, was shunted out Tuesday.

The government’s decision came just four days after a Twitter spat between the IPS officer of 2000 batch and SMC mayor Junaid Mattu, leading to an outcry that he used his clout with the governor’s administration to have him removed.
A Twitter user ran an online poll asking people to vote in favour of the person they support in this spat.
“They say, elected leader is more powerful than IAS/IPS. Let Kashmiris vote. Given a chance, who would they vote for?” Amit Tyagi, a frequent traveller to Kashmir, wrote in his post along with the poll.
Many users voted in favour of Rath.
Another user, naqeeyousuf1408, praised the IPS officer saying, “Maintaining law and order in J&K with respect to traffic problems a person single handedly overcame that , Now transferred #BasantRath #respect #we need officers like you.”
Majidmalik40 tweeted that there was no space for Rath in “this #corrupted country”.
One Mohsin Ahmed said, “Dear officer, Basant Rath @KangriCarrier, we salute you for being an honest and dedicated officer. Love you always and you’ll always stay in our heart and our blessings are always with you.We are going to miss you sir.”
Twitter user Shakeel Hamid said, “Cabbage unfolded his layers. #BasantRath #JunaidMattu.”
The tiff between the the SMC mayor and Rath began with the IPS officer hitting out at him for saying that wetlands in the city were not of much use if the city did not have proper infrastructure for expansion.
“What will you do in wetlands? Watch birds? There is a dearth of space and we need infrastructure for the city’s growth. We are a poor state and have to create employment avenues,” Mattu said in his maiden press conference soon after being elected mayor.
Without naming the mayor, Rath had responded on Twitter, “Wetlands are precious and a vital part of our ecosystem. Only a cabbage will think otherwise.”
In another apparently related tweet, the IPS officer said, “Land grabbers don’t make good policy makers. With or without a Twitter account.”
A day later, the SMC mayor had tweeted about the traffic situation in the city.
“Have received numerous complaints about traffic mismanagement issues in the city. I have spoken to the SP Traffic (Urban) and sought a review of current traffic diversions and plans. The SMC has been directed to help with decongestion of alternate routes for some relief,” he said.
Rath was quick to respond, saying traffic management was not the mayor’s domain.
“Not your domain. Traffic diversion at Jehangir Chowk is a compulsion. The vendors have created a mess on Amira Kadal – HSHS – Maharaja Bazar – LD Hospital stretch. SMC needs to clear the mess,” he replied to Mattu.
Known for his penchant for the unusual, the IPS officer would not wear his uniform while on duty and would spend most of the time on roads to monitor the traffic management done by his staff.
He invoked provisions of various laws and traffic rules to clear the pavements in Jammu and Srinagar cities, drawing protests from affected people but the general public was appreciative of his measures
His transfer was a shock that most of his fans were expecting sooner than later as they believed that he was the odd man out in the system which they alleged was corrupt and in inertia.
Rath was replaced by 1997 batch IPS officer Alok Kumar and attached with the office of Commandant General of Home Guards.

Srinagar: Following a forecast for snow in plains of Kashmir valley, the rains are lashing Srinagar and major parts of Kashmir valley from early morning. A MeT official said snow is likely to occur in the plains and upper reaches of Kashmir valley in the afternoon today and is expected to continue till Thursday.

Centre May Announce Fresh Assembly Election Date In JK Next Month

SRINAGAR: In politics, they say, perception is everything. Within political circles in the Kashmir valley, the perception is fast gaining ground that the BJP has decided on its alliance partner for assembly elections in the state which may be announced by next month. And the man they have decided to partner with — who could eventually become the next CM of Kashmir — is Sajjad Gani Lone, son of former separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone, who was assassinated in 2002. The affinity between the saffron party and Lone — a former separatist leader who is now a mainstream politician — had been building up for some time, political observers say.
In the aftermath of the fall of the Mehbooba Mufti government (in June this year), BJP general secretary and the party’s Kashmir in-charge Ram Madhav had made it a point to meet Lone during his visit to Kashmir to explore the way ahead in the post-Mehbooba scenario.
Since then, during his frequent visits to the valley, Madhav has met Lone several times, most recently accepting an invitation to dine with him to celebrate the clinching of the Srinagar mayor post by the People’s Conference (PC).
Interestingly, even though BJP has decided to tie up with Lone, the chances that the party can form the government in the current scenario, with him at the helm, seem bleak. People’s Conference currently has just two MLAs and even with the support of BJP’s 25 legislators and PDP rebels (if they are convinced to join the alliance), is far from the magic number of 44 to stake a majority in the 87-member House. With the six-month limit for President’s Rule in the state ending next month and no party seemingly in a position to form the government, the buzz in political circles is that the central government may have polls conducted in Kashmir by March and a formal announcement of the BJP-PC alliance may take place before that. If this happens, Lone will be projected as the CM face of the alliance.
This would be the culmination of a long-held dream for Lone who was thrust into politics after the sudden death of his father 16 years ago. He has come a long way since then — from advocating separatist politics and talking about ‘Achievable Nationhood’ for Kashmir to being seen as the BJP’s man in the valley. In fact, Lone had started developing strong ties with the BJP even in 2014 when his party became a part of the BJP-PDP alliance. According to sources, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had tried to sideline Lone following the alliance with BJP but the right wing party put its foot down and gave a ministerial berth to Lone from its own quota.
Insiders say that by propping up Lone and projecting him as a fresh new face, BJP is also seeking to counter the old guard — National Conference’s Abdullah family and the PDP’s Sayeeds, with whom it has had a fallout.
Taking the cue, Lone, too, has been of late talking about how dynastic politics (referring to NC and PDP) has led to centralisation of power leading to lack of governance in Kashmir. “We are looking for a space to contribute,” he told TOI.
“The slack in governance is massive. It would need a blend of experience and youth to get together and make our state a role model. For far too long we are amongst the low performing states. Our state has to come out of sluggishness. A group of like minded people is getting together and we are in the process of creating a team which will replace the politics of dynasties with politics of deliverance.”
To a query on whether he felt “capable of being CM of this sensitive state if a new alliance emerges,” Lone had recently told TOI’s sister publication ET: “We don’t have a lot of capable ex-chief ministers around, so there is not a lot of competition. Governance really is not rocket science. But one needs compassion and an unwavering belief that things can change.”
If he does get to be CM — he has a tough fight ahead in assembly elections where he is likely to be facing National Conference’s strong candidate Choudhary Ramzan in his pocket. (TOI)

Jammu: BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Tuesday said militants behind the killings of a senior party leader and his brother in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district would be neutralised soon.
BJP state secretary Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet Parihar were shot dead on November 1 by suspected militants in a dark, narrow lane leading to their house. The brothers were fired upon from close range.
“Right now, our main challenge is to track down the militants (behind the killings) and neutralise them. That will be done very soon,” Madhav told reporters in Kishtwar, 230 kilometres from here.
“That (neutralising terrorists) is the important thing here. Of course, we will not allow these kinds of activities to create instability and violence in Kishtwar or Doda, the peaceful areas of Jammu region. That is our priority and we are focusing on that,” he added.
Madhav, accompanied by Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh and state BJP president Ravinder Raina, visited Kishtwar to pay homage to Parihar and his brother.
On November 5, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik had said those involved in the killings had been identified and will be brought to book soon.
“It has been proved that it was an incident of militancy,” he had said, adding that it “was an act of frustration on the part of militants and Pakistan”.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the killings.
The SIT has been directed it to expedite the investigation and submit its report as early as possible. It has detained some persons in connection with the killings.

Srinagar: General officer Commanding (GoC) 15 Corps, Lt Gen A K Bhatt on Monday said there was no “concrete evidence” that the missing youth Ehtisham Bilal Sofi has joined militant outfit ISIS.
“Facts about his joining militant outfit are being ascertained,” he said on the sidelines of an event organised at the sector headquarters at Hyder Beig, Pattan.

While referring to the Sharda university incident in which Ehtisham and two other Kashmiri students were allegedly thrashed, Bhat said the Kashmiri students studying in different states of the country “should be taken care of and it should be ensure that such incidents don’t take place”. He appealed to the Kashmiri youths to join mainstream politics and play their role in the nation building.
He said there is no such operation like ‘operation all out’ and reiterated that local militants can surrender even during the encounter and all doors are open for them.

SRINAGAR: A 36 year old house wife turned Mrs. India International-2018, Nursrat Parveen from Yaripora Khanpora village of Kulgam District in South Kashmir has produced a Kashmiri song partly based on her life experience.

A teaser of a song titled “ADHOORI KAHANI” (DIL WANAI DILDAR WANAI) has been released on Nusrat Parveen’s YouTube channel recently on November 3 under the banner of NP Production.

The song features Nusrat Parveen and Asif Sheikh, both from Kashmir. According to Nursrat Parveen, the song has been shot in Kashmir showcasing the picturesque scenes. However the story line of the song depicts the plight of a woman in failed relationship.

Interestingly, the entire team for the composition and production of the song is from Kashmir. The song is sung and composed by Owais Bhatt. The Lyrics are penned by Owais Bhatt and Asif Sheikh. The Music of the song is given by Faizan Showkat.

Nusrat told that the full song will be released soon. Adding that the besides depicting a story of a suffering lonely woman, the idea behind the recording a song in Kashmiri and shooting in Kashmir is to express my love for my homeland.

Pertinently Nusrat was recently in the headlines when she bagged international pageant title 2018 in Malasiya. She became first Muslim woman from India and first from Kashmir to bag the crown at first place.

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir is unlikely to have a popular government anytime soon as New Delhi may recommend a spell of President’s rule at the expiry of Governor’s rule on December 19 , official sources said.
Under the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, there is no provision for extension of Governor’s rule. The state is under central rule since June 19 after the BJP withdrew support from the then Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government.
The six-month term of Governor’s rule comes to an end on December 19.
Therefore, for the extension of the central rule in Jammu and Kashmir, a spell of President’s rule would be necessary as there may not be an elected government, a source privy to the development said.
An elected government is unlikely to be formed in Jammu and Kashmir anytime soon under the current assembly, the source said.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik had told PTI last month that he was in favour of holding early elections in the state as he did not think a popular government can be formed out of the present House.
No party enjoys a majority in the 87-member Assembly, in which the PDP has 28 MLAs, the BJP 25 and the National Conference 15.
President’s rule can be imposed after the Union Cabinet, headed by the prime minister, makes a recommendation to the President to this effect following a report of the governor.
If President’s rule is imposed, it will be effectively a “fresh spell” of central rule even though it would be like an extension of the current spell of Governor’s rule, the source said.
Under such circumstances, there is no need for the central government to get parliamentary nod for extension of central rule beyond December 19.
Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir is imposed under Section 92 of the state’s Constitution, President’s rule is imposed under 356 of the Constitution.
Therefore, practically, the central government would not be required to get the approval from both Houses of Parliament for extension of central rule in Jammu and Kashmir if its rule is extended beyond
December 19 , another source said.
PTI

Pathankot: Army chief Bipin Rawat on Monday said while the government’s policy was that those triggering terrorism in Kashmir should be neutralised, the Army’s focus was to ensure that the Kashmiri youths do not join militancy.
The Army chief said infiltration was going on from across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The government has a clear cut policy that it will not allow terrorists to create violence. Anybody who creates violence will be neutralised,” he told reporters here.
Rawat, who was on a two-day visit to Pathankot, presided over a conclave of disabled soldiers here.
“Our focus is terrorists in the valley. The basic aim of the Army is to ensure that young boys do not join militancy,” he said.
Rawat said the Army’s aim was that it approached the youth’s family and told them that they could ask the youth to surrender as it was still giving them a chance.
“Then if the people still do not behave and continue with violence, then the alternative left (with us) is to neutralise them,” the Army chief said.
Asked whether India is following a tit-for-tat policy towards Pakistan, which was resulting in many casualties, Rawat said the policy keeps on changing.
“See we have to keep changing the policy…We have keep doing something different. It has to be reviewed so that we keep ahead of adversary,” he said, adding that it had to be more than a tit-for-tat policy.
He said what the Indian Army was doing along the LoC was not being put into public domain and they were doing more than Pakistan.
“We do not want blow our trumpet unnecessarily. Whenever they do something, it is given a befitting reply. Whenever they are doing something, it is a reaction. They don’t take initiative. They know we are strong and we can take strong action,” he said.
The Army chief said Pakistan kept sending terrorists to cause damage and ultimately it led to violence against the people.
“Kashmiris are our people. We have to look after them,” he said, adding Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions were part of the country and violence would not be allowed there.
On sniping, Rawat said it was a regular affair and there was nothing new in it.
“Pakistan have got snipers and India also has snipers. It is subject to exposure of any soldier. Our drills should be good and we have to ensure that we do not give them any opportunity to snipe at us,” he said.
On former chief minister Omar Abdullah and Kashmiri politicians advocating for dialogue instead of muscular policy, Rawat said the government had a clear policy that it would not allow terrorist to create violence. He said it had already initiated dialogue through an interlocutor with the people.
“The government has tasked an interlocutor to speak to the people in valley. Dineshwar Sharma is saying that he is open to everybody and those interested in talking to him can come up and speak to him,” he added.
“I don’t understand who is saying talks are not going on. Sharma is the government’s interlocutor. If the people are not listening to him, what can he do,” he asked.
He said they were holding indirect talks to see if they could approach stakeholders.
“What makes us think that necessary action by the government is not being taken to bring people into mainstream”, Rawat questioned. He said infiltration attempts were being made from across the border but the Army was out to foil them. – PTI

New Delhi, November 12: Jammu and Kashmir is unlikely to have a popular government anytime soon as the central government may recommend a spell of President’s rule at the expiry of Governor’s rule on December 19, official sources said.

Under the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, there is no provision for extension of Governor’s rule. The state is under central rule since June 19 after the BJP withdrew support from the then Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government.

The six-month term of Governor’s rule comes to an end on December 19.

Therefore, for the extension of the central rule in Jammu and Kashmir, a spell of President’s rule would be necessary as there may not be an elected government, a source privy to the development said.

A popular government is unlikely to be formed in Jammu and Kashmir anytime soon under the current assembly, the source said.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik had told PTI last month that he was in favour of holding early elections in the state as he did not think a popular government can be formed out of the present House.

No party enjoys a majority in the 87-member Assembly, in which the PDP has 28 MLAs, the BJP 25 and the National Conference 15.

President’s rule can be imposed after the Union Cabinet, headed by the prime minister, makes a recommendation to the President to this effect following a report of the governor.

If President’s rule is imposed, it will be effectively a “fresh spell” of central rule even though it would be like an extension of the current spell of Governor’s rule, the source said.

Under such circumstances, there is no need for the central government to get parliamentary nod for extension of central rule beyond December 19.

Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir is imposed under Section 92 of the state’s Constitution, President’s rule is imposed under 356 of the Constitution.

Therefore, practically, the central government would not be required to get the approval from both Houses of Parliament for extension of central rule in Jammu and Kashmir if its rule is extended beyond December 19, another source said. (PTI)

He complained of chest pain, Dir SKIMS says his health condition is better

Srinagar, Nov 12: Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani was on Monday shifted to SKIMS Soura for medical check-up.
Hurriyat (G) leaders informed KNS that Geelani is fine and that he had to undergo some medical tests and calibration of pacemaker.
“After complaining of chest pain, Geelani was shifted to SKIMS for medical checkup,” he said.
Director SKIMS, Dr Omar Javaid Shah confirmed to KNS that Geelani was admitted in the institute after he had complained of chest pain.
He said that Geelani’s pacemaker battery has to be changed, saying that he is stable and his health condition is better. (KNS)