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  • Mehbooba Mufti compliments Kishtwar people for maintaining harmony, amity

    Rs 50 crore being spent in tourism sector in the District this year six

    KISHTWAR: Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti has complimented people of Kishtwar for maintaining age old communal harmony and brotherhood despite provocations.

    Interacting with several deputations and a number of people who came to meet her during her visit to the town yesterday, the Chief Minister said development of Kishtwar has always remained close to her heart adding the Government would give the necessary push to the developmental activities so that people in the area reap the benefits at the earliest.

    Mehbooba Mufti said tourism in the area would be given big boost by linking the region to the adventure track and trekking circuit. She said this year Rs 6 crore would be spent on upgrading tourist facilities in the district and in the coming four years Rs 50 crore would be expended in tourism sector in the region.

    The Chief Minister said the shrines of Hazrat Shah Asrar ud Din (RA) and Hazrat Shah Farid ud Din (RA) would be brought under pilgrim tourism and the facilities for Machail Yatra would be upgraded.

    The Chief Minister said with the setting up of new Panchayats many of the local issues of the people would get immediate redressal.

    Mehbooba Mufti listened patiently to the issues brought to her notice by the deputations and assured them of appropriate action.

    A deputation of District Bar Association demanded posting of mobile traffic magistrate besides regulating traffic in the main town.

    A deputation of Congress demanded setting up of a fire station at Chatroo besides construction of Chatroo-Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel.

    Another deputation of BJP demanded enhancement in the ration quota and upgradation of Batote-Kishtwar road.

    A deputation from PDP demanded opening of a Women’s College in the town and asked the power companies working in the district to spend the money under CSR for the infrastructure development of the area.

  • Despite all these tyrannical acts, our genuine freedom struggle will continue till the achievement of the desired goal: Yasin Malik

    Ahead Of Jamia Chalo Call JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik arrested 

    Srinagar: Chairman Jammu Kashmir liberation front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik has been arrested yet again by police today. Police and forces cordoned the residence of JKLF chairman and arrested him. Before being arrested, JKLF chairman while speaking to media personal said that despite all these hardships, arrests, raids and other oppressive measures freedom movement will continue with passion and valor. He said that so-called biggest democracy of the world and its stooges in Jammu Kashmir has virtually choked every little space on peaceful political struggle and unleashed a reign of terror on people of Kashmir. He said that besides brutally killing about 100 innocents, Indian forces have injured more than 20000 people, snatched the eyesight of hundreds, vandalized property worth millions and arrested more than ten thousand including students and children. All these oppressive measures are being taken to crush ongoing freedom struggle of Kashmiris by military might. He said that hardships and sacrifices are a part of struggle so are oppressive measures by tyrants and oppressors but history bears a witness to the fact that tyranny and oppression never succeed in crushing a peoples struggle and the nations that are oppressed taste the last triumph .He said that despite all these tyrannical acts, our genuine freedom struggle will continue till the achievement of the desired goal. It is worth to mention that JKLF chairman was released on 29th October 2016 after almost 114 days of incarceration.

    Meanwhile Jammu Kashmir liberation front (JKLF) has strongly condemned the spree of nocturnal raids on the residence of JKLF district vice president Assadulah Sheikh of Kulgam who is languishing in Jammu jail from last 2 months under black law PSA. Police is raiding his house and are now hell bent after his son Arshid Ahmad Sheikh who in absence of his father is looking after the family. JKLF has strongly condemned this police high-handless and termed it as worst face of oppression by so- called rulers.

  • DEMONETIZATION PANIC: Investors lose Rs 6 trillion within seconds

    Mumbai: Stock markets tumbled today with an estimated Rs 6 lakh crore getting wiped off from the invested wealth within seconds of opening trade as Sensex plunged 1,689 points on the US election trends showing lead for Donald Trump and the withdrawal of high-denomination notes worth billions.

    Rupee also lost value, but gold appeared to be a gainer as an investment option with sovereign gold bonds and gold- linked Exchange Traded Funds gaining ground as key non-cash instruments.

    The Sensex opened sharply lower at 26251.38 points this morning and moved further down within seconds to touch a low of 25902.45 points — down 1,689 points from its previous close — with all 30 stocks from the benchmark index trading deep in the red.

    Buying at lower levels, however, helped the Sensex to recover some lost ground in late morning trade. It was down nearly 975 points at 1100 hours.

    The overall investors’ wealth, measured in terms of valuation of all listed stocks, was down by nearly Rs 6 lakh crore in early morning trade from nearly Rs 111.44 lakh crore at the end of yesterday’s trade.

    Stocks from real estate and other cash-focussed sectors were hit the worst, while the major losers in the Sensex pack were Adani Ports, ICICI Bank, Hero MotoCorp, ITC, TCS, HDFC, Bajaj Auto, M&M, Maruti and Tata Steel.

    Gail, Cipla, ONGC, Wipro, SBI, Asian Paints, L&T, Sun Pharma, RIL, Axis Bank, Dr Reddy’s and Infosys were also down sharply.

    The rupee turmoil continued as it slumped further by 28 paise to 66.90 against the US dollar in morning deals on the government’s sudden action to ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes in order to curb black money.

    The domestic currency opened lower at 66.70 as against yesterday’s closing level of 66.62 per dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market. Soon, it spiralled downward further and languished between 66.90 and 66.70 during morning deals. It was quoting 66.90 at 1045 hrs.

  • Baning Pellets Won’t Recover My Eye Sight

    Rendered blind, she now asks parents, is it day or night? 

    Insha Mushtaq (14), is spending all her time in a room at her Shopian residence. She has not seen any light, colours, moon and sun from July 11, 2016, the day when forces targeted her 

    with pellets and rendered blind. She sometimes lies on a bed and sometimes want to spent time by touching books. As she hears voices around her, she tries to recognize the person.

    Her family members help her to know who has arrived. She often asks the parents, is it day or night? Her father Mushtaq envelopes her hand. He leans down to whisper in her ear, soothing her.

    She has been blinded. She was treated first in Srinagar, then shifted to Delhi and later to Mumbai. She has undergone several surgeries and lost all hopes to regain eye sight. Nothing could be done to save her eyes. The pellets destroyed her vision. She is just 14 years old.

    Insha also lost three teeth due to the pellets but the damage to eyesight overshadowed tooth injuries in media reports. The class 9 student is  feeling scared after hearing the word “pellet guns.” She has lost her eyesight to it. To talk about putting end to the use of pellets would not make any difference to the victim as it would not recover her eyesight.

    “Discussions are taking place whether to ban or not to ban the use of pellets. The fact is either move will not help me to regain my eyesight,” she says. Unaware about her future and surroundings, Insha says that “I aspired to become a doctor or Engineer. I see my present and future bleak now. I have lost all my hopes and can’t even dream about my future. What only my dream is now to see my parents again who are trying hard to regain my eyesight.” Besides, I want to study and recite Quran again, she says.

    Insha who is diehard fan of Motu Patlu (Cartoon programme) says, “My father was receiving calls from Dr Tariq who is London, regarding my treatment in America. I completed all the formalities including passport and other things regarding my appointment for treatment in America However, Dr Tariq who was calling from internet numbers is not calling anymore.”  Insha while briefing about the incident that took place on July 11 evening said, “I was studying in my kitchen. However, clashes were ongoing in the area at that time. As soon as I stood up to look outside from the window, some force personnel fired pellets on me, thereafter I don’t know anything what happened with me.” Demanding strict action against the culprits involved in blinding her and maiming and killing other civilians in Kashmir, Insha says, “Whosoever will be involved in maiming, blinding and killing civilians should be deal with strictly,” she demanded.

    While asking about her studies, Insha says, “Science and Mathematics were my favourite subjects. I was good in these subjects as well. I was attaining almost full percentage in these subjects.” She suddenly having a bit smile on her face and says what only she dislike among her subjects was Urdu. Insha says, “If exams will be conducted, I have to go through audio lectures to prepare myself to appear in exams. At the time of exams, I will dictate answers to any person (helper) who will be writing my papers.” “Other than studies, I love to play Kho-Kho, Stapu, Badminton and watching programmes like Motu Patlu, Tarak Mehta ka Ulta Chashma. Besides it, I love to eat chocolates as well,” said says.

    When asked about her daily life before sustaining injuries, Insha said, “I was well in cooking and was helping my mother on Sundays or on holidays. Mostly I loved to cook Chickens.” “I had not any friends. But since I sustained injuries, I made several friends but all of those are elder than me. Rabia, professionally a professor is my best friend. She is from Srinagar and is presently working outside the state. She usually calls me and talks to me over phone for long times.” She said that she first visited her in the hospital and later became her friend. Insha said that besides Rabia, several students studying outside the state also inquired about her health in the hospital in Delhi and Mumbai while some among them are still calling her and are inquiring about her health.

    Kns/Kashmir Magazine/Kashmir Today

  • Thousands take to streets of US cities to protest against Trump victory

    Chicago/New York: Throngs of demonstrators marched in cities across the United States on Wednesday to protest against Republican Donald Trump’s surprise victory in the US presidential election, blasting his controversial campaign rhetoric about immigrants, Muslims and other groups.In New York, thousands of protesters filled streets in midtown Manhattan as they made their way to Trump Tower, Trump’s gilded home on Fifth Avenue, while hundreds of others gathered at a Manhattan park and shouted ‘Not my president’. In downtown Chicago, an estimated 1,800 people gathered outside the Trump International Hotel and Tower, chanting phrases like ‘No Trump! No KKK! No racist USA.’ Chicago police closed roads in the area, impeding the demonstrators’ path. There were no immediate reports of arrests or violence.”I’m just really terrified about what is happening in this country,” said 22-year-old Adriana Rizzo in Chicago, who was holding a sign that read: “Enjoy your rights while you can.” Protesters railed against Trump’s campaign pledge to build a wall along the border with Mexico to keep immigrants from entering the country illegally.Hundreds also gathered in Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle and Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday evening, and organisers planned rallies in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland, California.In Austin, the Texas capital, about 400 people marched through the streets, police said.A representative of the Trump campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the protests. In his victory speech, Trump said he would be president for all Americans, saying: “It is time for us to come together as one united people.”Earlier this month, his campaign rejected the support of a Ku Klux Klan newspaper and said that “Mr Trump and his campaign denounces hate in any form.”

    ‘DREAMERS’ FEAR DEPORTATION

    Earlier on Wednesday, some 1,500 students and teachers rallied in the courtyard of Berkeley High School, in Berkeley, a San Francisco Bay Area city known for its liberal politics, before marching towards the campus of the University of California, Berkeley.Hundreds of high school and college students also walked out in protest in Seattle, Phoenix, Los Angeles and three other Bay Area cities, Oakland, Richmond and El Cerrito.A predominantly Latino group of about 300 high school students walked out of classes on Wednesday morning in Los Angeles and marched to the steps of City Hall, where they held a brief but boisterous rally.Chanting in Spanish: “The people united will never be defeated,” the group held signs with slogans such as “Not Supporting Racism, Not My President” and “Immigrants Make America Great.”Many of those students were members of the “Dreamers” generation, children whose parents entered the United States with them illegally, school officials said, and who fear deportation under a Trump administration.”A child should not live in fear that they will be deported,” said Stephanie Hipolito, one of the student organisers of the walkout. She said her parents were US  citizens.

    There were no immediate reports of arrests or violence.Wednesday’s demonstrations followed a night of protests in the San Francisco area and elsewhere in the country in response to Trump’s victory against heavily favoured Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.Demonstrators smashed storefront windows and set garbage and tires ablaze late on Tuesday in downtown Oakland. A few miles away, students at the University of California, Berkeley protested on campus. Reuters

  • ‘Unrest 2016 deeper and Wider’

    ‘Unconditional dialogue acceptable’
    Mirwaiz Umar Farooq the The chairman Awaami Action Committee and head of the Hurriyat Conference (M) is the top resistance leader in Jammu and Kashmir. Mirwaiz has the distinction of being the 14th Mirwaiz in 1990. Before joining Kashmir politics Mirwaiz Farooq was an alumnus of Burn Hall School Srinagar. Before joining politics he had interests in computers and wanted to become a software engineer. He holds a Ph.D degree in Islamic studies. He spoke on a wide range of issues concerning the current unrest and dialogue over Kashmir. Here are the excerpts of the interview.
    Q: If central government extends offer of dialogue, what would be the broad outline of your agenda for talks with the central government?  

    MUF: – The engagement has to be sustained, unconditional and resolution oriented and should include Pakistan as Pakistan is a party to the dispute.

    Q: You did not talk to official delegation but talked to unofficial delegation. Why so? What are the reasons?  

    MUF: – Before the all parties delegation came the PM of India Mr Narinder Modi decided to speak on the issue and made two important points, one J&K is an integral part of India and second talks can only be held within the ambit of the constitution. This closed the option of talking to the delegation as conditions had Already been set, so there wasn’t any room for them or us to maneuver. The delegation led by Mr sinha said they had come in individual capacity and as a good will gesture to share the pain of Kashmiri people and requested to meet us as they were very keen on understanding our perspective of the situation.

    Q: JKLF Chairman Yaseen Malik refused to talk to unofficial delegation. Doesn’t it show difference of opinion over the political engagement with the ranks of resistance leadership?  

    MUF:- Not at all. He was simply voicing his concern, and we all share it, that delegations from India have come and gone many a times but they are not followed by any forward movement. Resistance leadership is completely united in word and deed.

    Q: Pakistan declared Burhan wani a militant commander new hero of Kashmir struggle. Hasn’t this neutralised the role of political leadership in Kashmir?  

    MUF: – Kashmir is a political dispute and its resolution has to be through political means, which is either through a referendum or through dialogue. Burhan represented this political aspiration of the fourth generation of Kashmir’s who are continuously struggling and sacrificing since 1931 through various means, to towards the goal of justice and freedom of choice.

    Q: If India continues to keep communication channels blocked with Pakistan would the resistance leadership even then agree to talk to central government without involvement of Pakistan?  

    MUF: – Involvement of Pakistan is imperative simply for the reason that no engagement will bear fruit until all the concerned parties to the dispute are involved in the process of finding a solution. Bilateral engagements in the past either between India and Pakistan such as Tashkent, Simla Lahore or Agra or between Delhi and Srinagar such as Indra Abdullah accord have not met with any success. For that matter even trilateral engagement between us Vajpayee and Musharraf Sb failed as it was not sustained once Vajpayee lost the elections .So it is important to have a sustained and Unconditional dialogue among the three parties.

    Q: What are your views about the previous unrests witnessed in 2008 and 2010 and the current unrest?  

    MUF: – The magnitude of the current unrest is far too wide then the previous ones. It is not issue based but singly focused on getting Azadi. The amount of support among the masses and unity of purpose this time is very wide and deep.

    Q: Hurriyat Conference headed by you was considered a moderate political group but now you are part of the broader hardline group under the leadership of Syed Ali Shah?    

    MUF:- Resolution of Kashmir dispute as per the wishes and aspirations of the people of J&K either through implementation of UN resolutions or through meaningful dialogue between India Pakistan and people of Kashmir was and is the position on of the Hurriyat conference led by me regarding the Kashmir dispute. This is what Mr Geelani also advocates. There is nothing hardline or moderate about it. Even if when we entered into an unconditional dialogue with both India and Pakistan this was our stated position even then and it is within the ambit of this position that we talked. As per the agreements that we were working on a referendum was to be held in Jammu and Kashmir 15 years after the implementation of the suggestions offered.

    Q: Why so? Won’t it change public perception about your moderate ideology in rest of India?  

    MUF:- Me and my parties approach to the Kashmir dispute has  and will always be based on principles of justice and a deep desire for peaceful coexistence among all the People of the subcontinent. I always want to see Kashmir as a bridge of friendship between the two great neighboring nations who share a common civilization and whose future is also closely linked, a future full of promise and prosperity for all segments of society, if only peace is given a real chance. I see this happen once justice is given to the people of Kashmir who want to exercise their right to choose their political future, a right that all other people of the subcontinent got in 1947 when the British left.

    Q: Patience level of the people has come to its full circle and now people have started moving out in violation of protest calendars? What would be your next plan of action? Any possibility in relaxation of protest calendars?  

    MUF: – People have shown tremendous resilience and steadfastness in the face of such oppression and need to be congratulated for that. There are very few examples of such determination in the face of such a mighty adversary in modern times. People have already won a huge moral victory and made their intentions clear to India and the world. Once the leadership is set free and gets a chance to meet and deliberate we will be taking all factors into account with regard to how the the current situation is developing and the concerns of people. Further course of action will follow.

    Q: You might have been knowing all about Kashmir unrest through news papers and news channels. Why Kashmir is on boil?  

    MUF: – Government of India does not want to acknowledge the situation on ground in Kashmir. Three successive governments including the present one headed by Narendra Modi have not learnt any lesson from the experiences of unrest like situations of the years 2008 and 2010. Not to talk of any kind of protest or dissent even Friday congregation prayers are not allowed by this dispensation It is hurting and humiliating that for the last 16 weeks no prayer are allowed  at Jamia Masjid Srinagar. The rows over Sainik Colonies, Pandit Colonies, Controversial Industrial Policy Beef ban , settlements of west Pakistan refugees and such anti Kashmir policies being pursued by the BJP PDP Government generated lot of anger among the people in Kashmir and the anger finally Spilled onto the streets with the killing of Burhan Wani . While PDP fought elections against BJP but post election went ahead and allied with them against wishes of the people of Kashmir. People were shocked and strong resentment was natural to the level of zero tolerance against this alliance.

    Q: Are you pointing a finger at Mehbooba Mufti?  

    MUF: – Its not about pointing fingers it’s about holding yourself accountable and taking responsibility for your people whom u claim to represent. Mehbooba Mufti and her colleagues instead of standing up for the people collaborated with their masters and let loose a reign of terror on people. With around 100 persons killed; over 15,000 injured; 780 people hit with the pellets in the eyes with many losing eyesight permanently. 9000 people arrested out of which 700 have been booked under the Public Safety Act. 5,500 youth reported wanted. Scores have gone into hiding to avoid arrest. The entire population of the Valley barricaded inside their homes. Mobile phones and internet connectivity disconnected. The Press gagged, journalists harassed and attacked on a daily basis.  Essential supplies blocked. Hospitals attacked and ambulance drivers shot at with grave consequences for those needing emergency medical attention families in intense distress without information about their loved ones. Nocturnal raids being conducted all over the valley. Forces vandalizing residential places in many parts of the valley, destroying house hold goods, damaging vehicles, breaking window panes, beating up inmates and in some places burning harvested crops and destroying apple that a fellow Kashmiri can be a party to such inhumanity for staying in chair is extremely sad and unfortunate.

    Q: What could be the corrective measure?  

    MUF: – Whether it is PDP or National Conference it hardly matters to the people as to their misfortune both these parties represent the interests of New Delhi in Kashmir and not the other way round . These parties know that the road to their chair is through New Delhi.They could have greatly helped to persuade New Delhi to address the Kashmir dispute had they put their foot down on it .But their weakness for chair far outweighs their concern for people’s relentless struggle and sacrifices for the settlement of the dispute for the past 70 years and so they keep compromising. The governments in From 1947 till now are all regimes deprived of power and authority and it is for this reason that we as the leaders of resistance struggle directly address Governments in Delhi.

    Q: What about the appropriate steps needed for creating a conducive atmosphere for political dialogue?  

    MUF: – A political dialogue has to   Be unconditional ,transparent and meaningful. The way to creating a conducive atmosphere for it is to stop the brutal oppression unleashed upon people. Stop taking revenge against people, stop killing and pelting people blinding and maiming them. Stop the night raids, arbitrary and random arrests and detention of youth under PSA and other draconian laws. Stop raiding and ransacking homes and beating up inmates. Release all prisoners .Allow people to assemble to protest peacefully This time when I am talking to you youth in Baramulla are being arrested on charges of hoisting Chinese flags. The youth are being deprived of any the right to protest. Allow the resistance leaders to walk free and meet for discussing the future strategy, otherwise no headway on dialogue in Kashmir is possible. It is for the Government of India to create a conducive atmosphere for talks.

    Q: The youth are languishing in Jails. How could they take examination? Are they supposed to take examination in jails or outside in examination halls and how?    

    MUF: – The announcement for the conduct of examination is another ploy to force “normalcy “and show concern for children. On one hand the Government is killing students and teachers, arresting them, registering cases against them and on the other hand they are asked to take examination. The height of it is the suggestion by a minister that exams could be even taken in jails! Next they will suggest taking them in graveyards where the they are sending our children. Instead of releasing the children and youth the Government is continuing random arrests and thousands of youth have been pushed into police lockups and sub jails. Examinations can’t be conducted in such a hostile atmosphere.

    Q: Do you think the Government should take some measures for the treatment of injured and rehabilitation of those blinded in the current unrest?  

    MUF: – It is their duty to so. Cases should be registered against those who have fired bullets and pellets on our youth, children and women. Such disproportionate use of force is barbaric .Unfortunately despite repeated appeals from all quarters against the use of pellet guns, even that has not been banned. When the government of India is not prepared to ban the use of pellets how can we expect any political initiative for dialogue over Kashmir.

    Q: If Dialogue is not initiated would the resistance leadership think over non cooperation movement?  

    MUF: – We are already in the midst of a massive agitation. More than hundred days of relentless protests and shutdown conveys the message of our determination and commitment to the Government of India. Our struggle will continue, we will continue to raise our voices and protest in different forms till Kashmir dispute is resolved. If Government of India decides to get serious let it initiate a process of Unconditional Dialogue. They will find that resistance leadership will surely respond positively to such an offer of dialogue that comes from the Government of India for resolution of Kashmir issue.

    Kns/Kashmir Magazine/Kashmir Today

  • Need to rise against the arsonists

    Shujaat Bukhari

    Past few weeks have seen horrendous activity going on in Kashmir valley reducing nearly 30 school buildings to ashes. There seems to be a pattern behind the torching of school buildings across the Valley and justifiably inviting strong reaction from the conscious citizens.

    Politicians, true to their style of functioning, have issued condemnation statements and blamed each other for the disastrous turn that the turbulent situation in Kashmir has taken.

    There is no denying the fact that more than 90 lives have been lost since July 8 (when Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed) at the hands of police and paramilitary forces. Over 12000 are injured and hundreds hit by pellets with scores of young boys and girls battling to regain their eyesight. There cannot be more a colossal loss than this spectrum tragedy and the families groaning in unending pain. Above all there is hardly any remorse on part of the state and even the demands of setting up a judicial commission to fix the responsibility have been ignored with contempt. There can be arguments and counter argument about how all the lives were lost but state cannot escape the responsibility and delivering justice to victims is the only way to move forward for a better phase of life.

    While no compensation can heal the wounds inflicted since July 8, Kashmir has been waking up to a new, rather dark reality. Over a fortnight now, the schools in various parts of Kashmir are being torched mysteriously. In any conflict, mystery is the word that we easily use to cover up a reality. So is the case with Kashmir since 1989 when the armed rebellion broke out. Two words “mysterious” and “unidentified” have become the permanent part of the lexicon to carry forward the information related to any violent incident which cannot be easily owned by either side. Even if we know who the perpetrator is, for the fear of reprisal we easily put it in the account of “unidentified”. There are scores of examples where people have known those who indulged in violence that could invite public reaction but the silence is the only way to describe it. In many cases the organs of the state have been involved in killing and kidnapping people but again the tag “unidentified” has come to the rescue. Same applies to the other side.

    Unfortunately the burning of schools comes under the “mysterious” circumstances. This has again opened up the space for those who have committed this heinous crime. This could be the last thing a society could long for. Constructing a building and making it a school to enlighten a young boy and the girl with knowledge is something that anybody could aspire for. It takes decades to make them centres of learning. But the way we have seen the school buildings go up in flames is a dangerous trend that has set in. And we are not in a position to arrest it. This abhorrent series of acts have put even the illiterates to shame not to talk about Kashmir that has evolved as a society that is conscious about how important these institutions are. The burning of schools is happening at a time when Kashmir is in a stand-off between the separatist leadership that spearheads the cause of “Azadi” and the state that flatly denies any political space even for a discussion. This has resulted in a protest calendar that shuts everything from business to educational institutions. For four months now students are home, forced by parents to study, but they are actually in trauma because of the happenings around them. At a time when there was talk of re-opening the schools (again politicised) the burning spree has eaten the debate. How can we stand mute to burning of schools ?

  • On RBI’s direction J&K Bank branches to remain open on Sat, Sun

    Srinagar: Following Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directions, J&K Bank Business Units (Branches) and offices will remain open for public transactions this Saturday (November 12) and Sunday (November 13).
    This step has been taken to meet the anticipated heavy demand from the general public for their banking transactions after the government announced demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.
    Notably, J&K Bank has already geared up all its resources to extend convenient and hassle free services to the general public particularly regarding deposit/exchange of Rs500 and Rs1000 currency notes, which stand invalid from November 8. 

  • ‘Ruling regime left no stone unturned to suppress sentiments of masses’

    Hurriyat (M) praises people for showing consistency in ongoing movement

    Srinagar: Hurriyat (M) on Wednesday lauded the people of Kashmir for showing consistency and steadfastness in taking the ongoing mass uprising into the fifth month and for following the call of the unified resistance leadership.
    In a statement issued to Kashmir Today, Hurriyat (M) said people’s trust in their leadership and leaderships complete support from people would go a long way to carry forward the resistance movement towards the right to self determination and freedom.
    The spokesman said for suppressing the sentiments of the masses, the ruling regime has left no stone unturned, like its predecessors since 1947. “Pellets and bullets have rained to control the mass revolt in which over 100 innocent civilians have been killed, over 15000 people, blinded, maimed and handicapped, over 15000 people mostly youth and children arrested ,thousands of houses damaged people harassed and beaten and what not, to crush the people’s movement,” he said.
    The statement said the government forces continued their crackdown and raids in Daberna Islamabad, Naid Khai, Tulmullah, Singhpora, Bandipora, Kreeri, Pulwama, Shopian and other areas across Kashmir and said on Monday over three dozen innocent civilians were arrested in Bandipora, another 44 youth had been booked under the infamous Public Safety Act, residents were being beaten, residential properties damaged and household items ransacked.
    Meanwhile, on the advice of the Hurriyat (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq, a delegation of Hurryiat leaders comprising Hurriyat members Moulvi Muhammad Ashraf, Haji Bashir Ahmad Khan, and Jammu Kashmir Awami Action Committee (AAC) Halqa Safa Kadal General Secretary, Khawaja Ghulam Hassan Shah offered the Fateh Khawani of Qaiser Hameed, who was martyred a few days back, and paid glowing tributes to him.
    Remembering engineer Gowhar Ahmed of HMT, who was brutally murdered by the forces last year this day, the spokesman said “the sacrifices of youth like Qaiser and Gowhar are the real asset of the ongoing resistance movement and Inshallah will bear fruit.”

  • UJALA scheme: LED bulbs sell like hot cakes in Kashmir

    Srinagar: People at large are taking the benefits of centrally sponsored UJALA scheme as hundreds of people visit concerned centres to receive LED bulbs.
    Witnesses said that the hundreds of people visited the PDD’s office at Tawanai Ghar, SDA colony, Bemina where the authorities have set up a distribution outlet for providing LED bulbs on subsidized rates.
    They added said that from past few days, people hundreds visited the office and purchased LED bulbs on subsidized rates. “The people are still visiting the office. Thousands of bulbs were so far sold by the authorities here from last couple of days,” they said.
    They added that the domestic consumers of electricity are being provided five LED bulbs each at subsidized rate of Rs 20 per bulb. “Any additional bulb is being provided at Rs 75 each,” they informed.
    Under this scheme which was launched by Chief Minsuiter Mehbooba Mufti on August 28, this year, consumer can buy five LED bulbs at the rate of Rs 20 each by showing monthly electricity bills or ID cards.
    Consumers have to bring along a copy of Electricity bill along with a valid proof of residence, which would match with the address provided on the electricity bill. (KNS)