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  • Army launches ‘School Chalo operation’ in South Kashmir

    Awantipora: After “Operation Calm” down in South Kashmir, army is now focussing on another operation – “School Chalo”, under which it identifies areas and provides students with free coaching and make them participate in extra-curricular activities.

    “We know we have to deal situation on the internal front and we are doing that with desired results. But simultaneously during my interaction with locals, I felt they were worried about the studies of their children, but at the same time anxious about their security. That is where I asked my boys to work out a plan for providing education to students,” says Major General Ashok Narula, General-Officer-in-Command of Victor Force.

    The army had launched Operation Calm Down in August- September to clear different parts of the Valley of militants and protesters using minimum force.

    With educational institutions remaining closed for about five months now and over 30 schools being burnt down over the past weeks, Gen Narulas directions under the School Chalo programme is increasingly becoming popular in the Valley.

    Various formations under his command have started identifying teachers in localities and urging them to hold classes in schools or community houses to impart education to children, who have been deprived of it ever since trouble broke out on July 9 this year, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter.

    “Besides being an army officer, I am a father of two children. So here I approached the issue as a father and not as an Army officer and ensured that these children should hold books in their hands, rather than a stone,” Narula said.

    Using a local slogan “Chyem ne zaroorat Daulat-o-Rubab, Faqat Gochum School te Kitab” (I dont need money and fame, I need books and school), the army offcers and men now perform a different kind of task — to convince the parents to send their wards to make-shift dwellings to study.

    Army officers cited the performance of 292 students who were studying in the Army Goodwill School at Pahalgam who were being taught by well qualified teachers.

    “Unhindered by the turmoil which had engulfed the state, these students have not only finished and revised their syllabus but have also participated whole-heartedly in various functions like Eid, Independence Day etc. These (activities) were also the reasons given to parents in other localities to convince them to send in their children,” said Narula. PTI

  • Another soldier killed in Poonch; SPO injured

    Poonch: An army soldier was killed in Saujiyan sector of Poonch as India and Pakistan exchanged heavy shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

    Reports said that the soldier was identified as Rajinder Tupara of 22 MLi

    Another soldier was killed in Krishna Gati sector of Poonch earlier today.

    A woman working as SPO was also injured in the shelling, said a police official.

    He identified the woman as Zareefa Bi.

  • Top resistance leaders meet at Geelani’s residence

    Meeting of all stakeholders convened on Tuesday for future strategy

    Srinagar: In a surprising development the three top leaders of the resistance groups met for the first time after the current unrest at the residence of Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani. The meeting lasted for 3 hours during which all issues including the conduct of examinations and future strategy for the resistance struggle was discussed at length. The government for the first time lifts all the curbs on all the three separatist leaders to allow them to meet at Geelani’s Hyderpora residence.
    Sources privy to developments told KNS that the meeting between Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani, Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Molvi Umer Farooq and JKLF chairman Yasin Malik after a marathon discussion on the conduct of examination.
    The leaders after discussing at length all other issues concerning resistance struggle including calls for shutdown and protests called in the weekly protest calendars issued from time to time for the last four months.
    The resistance leaders decided to call a joint meeting with the stakeholders including traders, transporters, member of the civil society, educationists and others to take decisions on issues concerning future strategy of the resistance struggle vis-à-vis protest calendars, reopening of schools, conduct of examination and resumption of trade and transport activates in Kashmir. (KNS)

  • Would appreciate if educated faces in PDP defend exam enforcement: Kashmir Inc

    Srinagar: Reacting sharply to the statement made by Peoples Democratic Party leader and MLC Khurshid Alam that Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA),Chairman,Muhammad Yasin Khan was “poking nose into education to be in headlines”, the KEA said education of children has to be concern of every individual in a civilized society that too when their career is being ruined by the government itself.

    The KEA Media Head, Farhan Kitab in a statement said the KEA has evolved out of the efforts of the civil society and thus finds its responsibility to keep an eye on everything pertaining to the society and its interests than to talk of business in isolation.

    The KEA said: “It is encouraging that PDP has given charge of defending the misadventures of the education minister to a former Assistant Storekeeper, whose success is allegedly a mysterious story of rags to riches. But Kashmir Inc would appreciate the efforts of the ruling government more if this statement had come from a genuinely educated face in the PDP.”

    Taking a dig at Aalam’s statement that holding two exams the government has made a “historic decision”, the KEA reiterated its query if the session will be treated as November or March? “If history is made by ambiguity and confusion to meet egos then let Education Minister Naeem Akhter enforce final exams every month for more of ‘historic’ decisions,” the KEA said asking the government to call an open debate over the issue.

    “If the government is so sincere, let it call an open debate where civil society from our side will prove that this enforcement of examinations is nothing but war of egos at the cost of career of around one lakh students,” the Kashmir Economic Alliance said adding apart from local press even the New Delhi based media has already exposed this plot.

    The KEA said though Khurshid Aalam is the “Rudala” of the incumbent regime, he doesn’t know, which shoes to step in to shed crocodile tears and how. “We the people of Kashmir will appreciate if the government orders an inquiry into his assets and how he minted it all.”

  • Thousands attend last rites of slain Hizb militant in Shopian

    SRINAGAR: Thousands of people on Sunday took part in the funeral prayers of slain Hizb militant in Shopian district of south Kashmir.

    Reports and witnesses said that thousands of people reached the Zarkan Kellar village to offer last rites of Waseem Ahmad Khanday who was killed in an encounter with government forces in Dhobijan village.

    Khanday, they said, was laid to rest amid pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans.

  • Forces intensify vigil on 121st day of shutdown in Kashmir

    Srinagar: Government forces were today deployed in strength in parts of Srinagar in the wake of fresh violence following death of a teenager, even as normal life remained affected elsewhere in the Valley for the 121st consecutive day due to separatist sponsored strike.
     
    “Adequate deployment of security forces has been made in parts of Srinagar, but there is no curfew in the city (here) or anywhere in Kashmir,” a police official said.
     
    He said forces have been deployed in strength in some areas of the city to maintain law and order in the wake of yesterday’s violence following death of a 16-year-old boy Qaiser Sofi due to alleged poisoning.
     
    Sofi was reported missing last month and found in an unconscious state in Shalimar area of the city and hospitalised.
     
    However, local residents of the area alleged that the teen was force-fed some poisonous substance.
     
    Police have said an investigation is underway into the case registered under section 309 Ranbir Penal Code (attempt to suicide) at Nishat Police Station.
     
    Although there was very less movement of people and vehicular traffic in the areas in the old city, the civil lines areas of the summer capital, including the areas around the commercial hub of Lal Chowk, witnessed a fair amount of traffic as private cars and auto-rickshaws were seen plying, the official said.
     
    However, most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut elsewhere in the Valley but are expected to open in the evening as the separatists have announced a 15-hour relaxation in the strike from 4 PM onwards.
     
    The ongoing unrest in Kashmir, triggered by killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir on July 8, has completed four months.
     
    The separatists, who are spearheading the ongoing agitation in the Valley, have been issuing weekly protest programmes.
     
    As many as 95 people have been killed and several thousand others injured in the ongoing unrest in the Valley.
     
    Around 5000 security forces personnel have also been injured in the clashes. PTI

  • Kashmiri Militant Killed In Shopain Encounter

    Shopian: A militant was killed while a soldier sustained injuries during a gunfight in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Saturday. 

        The encounter broke out after forces launched a search operation in Dobjan village of the district following inputs about the presence of militants there. During the gunfight one militant was neutralized whom police as Waseem Ahmad Khanday while three others managed to break the cordon.

       An official said that Khanday had joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen over a month ago after snatching a rifle from the residence of Communist party leader Abdul Rehman Tukroo in the district.

       He said as the security forces moved to the target house, hiding militants resorted to firing in an attempt to break the cordon, triggering an encounter.  

       One militant was killed and a soldier injured, the official said, adding that the three militants managed to escape.

  • Recent RSS rallies in Pirpanjal and Chenab valley a reminder of growing threat of fascism in these areas: Yasin Malik

    Srinagar: Massacre of more than three hundred thousand Muslims at Jammu on 6th November 1947 is the blackest day of human history. Recent RSS rallies in Pirpanjal and Chenab valley a reminder of growing threat of fascism in these areas. PDP led regime facilitating RSS mindset in Jammu, Pirpanjal and Chenab. This was stated by the chairman of Jammu Kashmir liberation front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik while recalling the sacrifices rendered by Muslims of Jammu in 1947. This was stated by the chairman JKLF Muhammad Yasin on the anniversary of Jammu massacre today. JKLF chairman  said that 6th of November 1947, represents a blackest day of human history when Lakh’s of Jammu Muslims, driven out of their homes were butchered by communal fascist forces patronized by rulers of that time . The Jammu massacre I 1947 reminds us the brutal and criminal face of Hindu fascism and the criminal silence of international community on these kinds of massacres exposes the duplicity and double standards of international community, asserted Yasin Malik. JKLF chairman said that the people who were massacred at Jammu in 1947 stood for the freedom of Jammu Kashmir and by killing more than three hundred thousand Muslims that day, fascist forces abetted by the then rulers also changed the demography of Jammu region completely. He said that when all this was happening in Jammu, Kashmiri Muslims stood for communal harmony as taught by their great religion Islam, and despite provocations safeguarded their non Muslim brethren living in Kashmir. Terming recent armed Rallies of RSS in Chenab and Pirpanjal as bullying Muslims living in these areas, He said that after assuming power in Jammu Kashmir PDP/BJP coalition have actually given a free hand to the same mindset that was responsible for Jammu like massacres in 1947. Today Jammu, Doda, Baderwah, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch ,Ladakh and even Kashmir is being polluted by this mindset and so-called rulers for their lust of power are ready to obey every order of Nagpur to  fulfill its ugly agenda on Jammu Kashmir. Yasin Malik said that people of Jammu Kashmir cannot forget the sacrifices rendered by Jammu Muslims and today when we recall their sacrifices, we pray to Allah almighty to fulfill their dreams and bestow us with liberty and freedom. While paying rich tribute to recently martyred youth Qaiser Ahmad Sofi of Shalimar, JKLF chairman strongly condemned the police attack on his funeral at Safakadal. They kill our kith and kin and use pellets and shells to keep us away from mourning on them even, said Yasin Malik. While praying for the heavenly abode of Qaiser Ahmad Sufi, JKLF chief expressed heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.    

    JKLF chairman while expressing concern over the worsening health condition of JKLF zonal vice president Muhammad Yasin Butt said that denying medical facility to incarcerated people is criminal. It is worth to mention JKLF incarcerated leader Muhammad Yasin Bhat who is languishing in central jail Srinagar is ill from last many days. He had survived a heart attack recently and is living on life saving drugs since then.  He was attended by the doctors at central jail who recommended him to be shifted to hospital but authorities till now are showing no concern and are have not shifted him to any hospital for a proper treatment. JKLF chairman also condemned the prolonged incarceration of JKLF activist in Sopore Molvi Reyaz who despite being granted bail is not released by the police. 

  • Three injured after miscreants hurl rocks at bus carrying SKIMS staff

    Srinagar: Miscreants on Saturday evening hurled stones at a bus carrying staff of SK Institute of Medical Sciences Soura in Qamarwari area of Srinagar.

    A staff member who was onboard told that three staffers were injured after miscreants hurled stones at the bus on Cement Kadal today evening.

    “Three staff members including women sustained injuries in their face. They had to be treated at SKIMS Bemina,” he said, adding that the driver of the bus had a narrow escape.

    He said the windowpanes of the bus were damaged due to the stones.

  • Govt all set to function in winter capital Jammu from Monday

    Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government is all set to start functioning in winter capital Jammu from Monday with the authorities have made all necessary arrangements, including security, to ensure smooth functioning of all government offices for the next six months after shifting from summer capital Srinagar.
    The Raj Bhavan, Civil Secretariat and other offices closed in Srinagar are scheduled to re-open in Jammu as per the ‘Darbar Move’.
    Director General of Police told KNS that adequate security arrangements have been made for re-opening of Civil Secretariat and other Darbar Move offices in the winter capital. “Security has been stepped up with additional deployment of forces in and around the Secretariat. Nobody will be allowed to disrupt the opening of the Secretariat,” the DGP said.
    He said that that law and order situation is fully under control and police and other security agencies have taken all measures to ensure that peaceful atmosphere prevails.
    The winter capital has been given a face lift ahead of the re-opening of the offices. Every year, the city gets a face-lift on the eve of re-opening of Durbar move offices. Besides, the government offices and quarters have been renovated and the street lights restored.
    Meanwhile sources said that Police in and around civil secretariat have been asked to remain vigilant on the re-opening of Civil Secretariat and traffic plan has been revised to ensure smooth flow of official and private vehicles.
    Sources said that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti will be accorded Guard of Honour in the premises of Civil Secretariat before formally kicking off the functioning of the Government for next six months. (KNS)