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  • Govt committed to provide required fund to implement OROP: Antony

    Srinagar: The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has assured the Services that the Government was fully committed to implement the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) Policy and that required funds will be made available to ensure its implementation. Chairing a meeting of the top brass of the Services and senior officials of MoD, here, last evening, Shri Antony said the Finance Minister had clarified that the figure of Rs 500 crores made available to implement the scheme was only ‘indicative’.

    The meeting was convened by Shri Antony to discuss the modalities for implementation of OROP. It was attended among others by the Minister of State for Defence Shri Jitendra Singh, the Defence Secretary Shri RK Mathur, Secretary Ex- Servicemen’s Welfare Smt Sangita Gairola, Secretary Defence Finance Shri Arunava Dutt, the three Service Vice Chiefs and AG from the Services Headquarters.

    It was noted that “OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners and the past pensioners, and also future enhancements in the rate of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners”.
    Antony directed that the Controller General of Defence Accounts should initiate immediate necessary steps in consultation with the three Services, MoD Finance and Department of ESW to give effect to the decision. He also emphasized that family pensioners and disability pensioners would be included. Ex-Servicemen may also be appropriately consulted by the Services, Shri Antony said.

    It may be recalled that improvements in the pension for Defence Services have been effected by the Government on three occasions in recent times – in 2006, 2010 and 2013. As a result of these changes, the gap in pension amount between pre-2006 and post-2006 retirees has been bridged substantially. However, keeping in view the long- standing demand, the Government has accepted the principle of OROP for Defence Services. (KNS)

  • Schools to reopen tomorrow after winter break

    Srinagar: According to Director School Education Kashmir, all the High and Higher Secondary Schools in Kashmir will reopen tomorrow on March 1 after winter vacations. However, students upto middle standard will have to attend their schools from 5 March after the winter break. 

  • Mufti welcomes resumption of cross-LoC trade

    Baig cautions people against NC’s gimmicks
    Jammu: Welcoming resumption of cross-LoC trade on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route, Patron Peoples Democratic Party Mufti Muhammad Sayeed Thursday once again batted for opening of all the traditional routes through Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh and Kargil regions so as to facilitate strengthening of ties between the two neighbouring countries.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, addressing a public meeting here organised by Party leader Rashid Malik at Sunjwan, on the outskirts of winter capital of state, the former Chief Minister said that healthy, cordial and peaceful relations between Indian and Pakistan were always in the interest of the two nations and every effort should have been made to carry forward the efforts undertaken by the previous government in state.
    Reiterating that the cross-LoC trade and travel are the only achievements for the people of Jammu and Kashmir since independence in their effort to end the siege around the state, Sayeed said that time has come to take these relations to next level. “The trade and travel across the Line of Control shall not only be strengthen but a more effective mechanism should be established to curb any attempt to cause a setback to the process of reconciliation started in 2003”, he said.
    He said that the process, which was historic in its very character, has been threatened on many occasions. It is the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which have always been at the receiving end of the hostilities between India and Pakistan and the recent ceasefire violations stands testimony to the fact, he said adding, “Unfortunately the ruling dispensation in the state, over the last five years, has been a mute spectator every time attempts to cause a dent to the process of reconciliation were made”.
    The PDP patron said it is unfortunate that the trade and travel between the two sides has not developed to the level, as it should have been this time, but expressed hope that the “two countries will read the writing on the wall and do away with the past baggage of hatred and animosity.”
    PDP, he said, will continue to struggle for opening up of all traditional routes through Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh and Kargil regions and lifting curbs on travel and trade to create an Economic Free Zone (EFC) across the state that has tremendous natural resources and could become one of the most affluent regions of the country.
    Spokesperson S Rangil Singh, Senior Leader Ved Mahajan, Yashpal Sharma, Hussain Ali Waffa, Ch Hamid, MLA Ch Zulfikar, Abdul Gaffar Sofi, Deepender Kour, Surjeet Kour, Amreek Singh Reen, Haji Taj Khan, Surender Choudhary, Sukhdev Sharma, Balbir Singh, Haji Shaq Mohd, Khadim Choudhary, Showkat Malik, Zaffar Choudhary and others were also present on the occasion.
    Speaking on the occasion, senior leader and party candidate for Baramullah Lok Sabha constituency Muzaffar Hussain Baig said Peoples Democratic Party is a mission to bridge gap created by some people in the state by some vested interest. “The attempts to create linguistic and regional divide started in 1931. Every efforts has been made to create a wedge between Dogras and Kashmiries, Gujjars and Paharies, Gujjars and Kashmiries, Rajputs and Brahmans”, he said adding, “It is the characteristic of state that despite all odds the state remained united and all such attempts were thwarted”.
    Baig said that the upcoming general elections were a unique opportunity for the people as this time they will have to chose between the political parties on the basis of their performance and capacity of govern. “During a short period of three years, we have achieved what other parties could not in decades. We established a transparent and accountable system and took the administration to next level of governance”, he said while regretting that during the last more than five years the state has once again been plunged into administrative and economic morass. 
    He asked the people to remain vigilant against the gimmicks of National Conference, which has taken the state on ride by its hollow slogans and false promises. “With elections round the corner they (NC leaders) will come to you again with same promises and vows. They will again project themselves as champions of Jammu and Kashmir and core loyalists to people”, he asked the people adding, “This time you have the opportunity to judge and decide on the basis of performance and report card. Keep their performance, misdeeds and scams in mind and exercise your franchise as per your conscious”. (KNS)

  • Strike call against Lolab Gun battle:No restrictions on Friday: Authorities

    Srinagar: A day ahead of the strike call given by the separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani on Friday February 28, authorities Thursday took several separatist leaders and activists under preventive custody. However, the official sources stated that there will be no curfew in Srinagar and that no such decision in this regard has been taken by the authorities. A spokesman of the district administration while confirming the reports maintained that there will be no restrictions imposed on Friday.
    The reports received by KNS stated that the Huriyat (G) chief spokesman Ayaz Akbar was arrested by the police on Thursday and was kept under detention in Parimpora police station. The family of Akbar told KNS over phone that he was taken by the police party from the mosque outside his residence during the evening hours.
    The reports also informed that senior Huriyat M leader and Salvation movement chairman Zaffar Akbar Bhat was taken into preventive police custody and was detained at Chanapora police station.  The party spokesman told KNS that Zafar after holding protest demonstration at Press enclave Srinagar was detained by the police at Chanopora.
    The DIG central Kashmir Syed Afad-ul-Mujtaba told KNS that the police will act in accordance with the situation that will emerge due to strike on Friday. “We will act in accordance with the situation. Whatever the situation demands- same will be followed.”  (KNS)

  • Ahad Shahib Sopori’s (RA) grandson joins PDP

    “Pro people policies of PDP influenced me to join party”: Gulrez Mushtaq
    Srinagar: Gulrez Mushtaq, the grandson of highly respected darvesh and spiritual personality late Ahad Shahib Sopori (RA) popularly know as Ahad BabThursday joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party president Mehbooba Mufti welcomed Mr Gulrez into the party fold along with his hundreds of supporters at her official Gupkar residence. Gulrez an MBA graduate from the renowned Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom; Gulrez has worked in London and Dubai.
    Speaking on the occasion, Gulrez said that the pro-people people agenda of PDP and its performance in government and in opposition had influenced him to join the party. He said the PDP during its brief stint in the government totally transformed the volatile situation that existed before 2002 and created an atmosphere of peace and tranquility by giving a new and positive direction to the peace and governance issues of the state. “Today once again the state is caught in the worst situation of kind where misgovernance, corruption, nepotism and above all anti youth policies have become the hallmark of the ruling dispensation, therefore I consider it my moral duty to come forward and help in getting rid off the present inefficient, insensitive system, “ he said.
    He said Sopore, once an economically vibrant area has been the first and the worst victim of the turbulent times with the result the area has been pushed to backwardness in all the fields. Gulrez said the area has been systematically wronged, exploited and the youth have been worst sufferers. “Therefore, while as I would use my energies to mobilize the youth all across the state, but Sopore is going to be my main focus,” he said. He impressed upon the party president that special attention has to be given to the area, so as to create a new system of justice.
    Referring to the services of his late grandfather, Ahad Shahib (RA), who helped people till the last of his breath, Gulzar said that he would like to follow the footsteps of his grandfather and contribute positively to build a new, prosperous J&K.
    On the occasion, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, youth wing in charge; Yasir Reshi, senior leader, Arif Amin and others were present.

  • Govt not sincere in resolving our issues: JCC

    JCC threatens of launching State wide agitation again
    Jammu: Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) spearheading the employees agitation against government Thursday smelled foul and alleged that government is not sincere in resolving the issues of employees as it has intentions replete of malice and deceit.
    During an emergency meeting presided by JCC Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani at Jammu, the employees leadership regretted that state government is on the track of politicising the sincerity and good intentions of state employees and is once again going to backtrack from its own agreement.
    The members expressed their surprise as to why the recently promises made by  Chief Minister and assurances given by sub-cabinet members did not yield any positive results in respect of executing the genuine demands of employees and withdrawal of various draconian laws.
    According to CNS, Abdul qayoom Wani said that, “we are being accused of being reluctant but we called off our strike on 14th and 15th February after the assurances given by sub-cabinet committee members. Till date, no positive response has been shown by CSC and it seems  that Government is non-serious in resolving our issues,” Wani said adding that delaying tactics and anti-employee policies is not going to yield any results.

    He made it clear that if state Government fails once again to fulfil its promises as per the agreement with JCC, state employees will come up with a fresh and state wide struggle program to give a tough and befitting reply to the state Government. (CNS)

  • Woman dies after abortion Protest against doctor and husband

    Tral: At a time when the State Government is declaring cash rewards to prevent female foeticide, a shocking incident has occurred in South Kashmir’s Tral town where a lady doctor allegedly conducted an abortion of a female who soon after the operation developed some complications and breathed her last at SMHS Hospital.
    Reports said that people staged a massive protest in Tral towns after the death of a woman and demanding immediate arrest of the husband of the deceased woman and the lady doctor.
    Locals told CNS, that a lady doctor (name withheld) conducted abortion of a 21 year old married female on the instructions of her husband Farooq Ahmed Kumar at her private nameless clinic located opposite Sub District Hospital Tral.
    Soon after the operation, the condition of patient worsened and the said lady doctor admitted her in SDH Tral where after checkup she was referred to SMHS hospital Srinagar. Followeing the instructions of the doctors, the husband of the patient shifted her to Srinagar where the woman breathed her last on Wednesday.
    Demanding stern punishment for the lady doctor and the husband of the deceased woman, protestors staged protest in Tral and blocked traffic for hours. Protestors alleged that the said lady doctor in the past as well has performed such operations in lieu of heft amounts. Reports said that the deceased woman, Mehmooda Banoo hails Satoora Tral. Block Medical Officer Tral, Dr Shakeel Ahmed told CNS that they have conducted the post mortem of the deceased womand and are waiting for the FSL report. “We will take action only after getting the report,” he said.
    When contacted, Director Health Service Kashmir, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman told CNS that the lady doctor will certainly face the music if her guilt is proved. (CNS)

  • Pathribal Massacre a Symbol of Indian Oppressive Attitude Against People Of Jammu Kashmir: Yasin Malik

    JKLF  Will Organize a Protest Rally Against Pathribal Killers Tomorrow On Friday 

    SRINAGAR:Pathribal massacre  in which Indian army killed 7 innocent Kashmiris in cold blood is a symbol of Indian oppressive attitude against the people of Jammu Kashmir .People of Kashmir will not keep silent on the issue of Pathribal and our protest to bring the killers to justice will continue. JKLF as per the scheduled program will organize a protest rally against the clean chit to killers on Friday 28th February 2014.this was stated by the chairman JKLF Mohammad Yasin Malik in a statement issued today.

    Yasin Malik said that JKLF as a responsible people’s resistance movement will leave no stone unturned and our protest will continue against this Indian army oppressive attitude. He said that as a first step JKLF has decided to organize protest rallies against the Indian army decision and tomorrow on Friday 28th February 2014 JKLF will take out a protest rally in Lal Chowk against this undemocratic, inhuman and oppressive attitude of Indian state.
    JKLF has paid rich tributes to Shaheed Ashiq Hussain Khan of Maisuma Srinagar who laid down his life on 27thFebruary 1989 at Lal Chowk . A delegation of JKLF led by Noor Mohammad Kalwal, and comprising of Mohammed Sideeq Shah and Bashir Kashmiri visited the residence of martyr and paid glowing tributes to him. Leaders also expressed solidarity with his family.

    Meanwhile JKLF has expressed its heartfelt grief and sorrow over the sad demise of ex president of fruit Mandi Sopore Haji Mohammad Shabaan Lone of Wadoora. A JKLF delegation comprising of Farooq Ahmad Dar, Abdul Rashid Magloo, Ghulam Qadir Khan and Molvi Reyaz visited the residence of the deceased and expressed condolences with his bereaved family.

  • ‘Govt used my name and standing as a defence against the out cry over Kunan-Poshpora’

    Wajahat Habibullah, divisional commissioner of Kashmir investigated allegations of mass rape by the Army, speaks to Arun Mohan Sukumar about the incident.

    Wajahat Habibullah, who as divisional commissioner of Kashmir investigated allegations of mass rape by the Army, speaks to Arun Mohan Sukumar about the incident, subsequent inquiry and why the govt deleted portions of his report.

    The Indian Express story on the Kunan Poshpora rapes investigation suggests…
    There was a cover up.

    The story quotes the then deputy commissioner (Kupwara) S M Yasin as having received both threats and promises of promotion during his investigation. Were you similarly approached to turn in a favourable report?
    No. Though my report left a number of questions unanswered, inquiry by me was only a preliminary one. But nothing further was done and the case was closed. It is quite improbable that a crime of that magnitude took place as alleged. I would not go so far as to agree with Yasin when he says “it is the biggest blot on the face of democratic India”. Yasin was carried away by emotion, he is a Kashmiri himself. I did not tell him I had not given the government my report yet they have “published” it. It is true that I had submitted it but the government only published part of my report — a critical portion of it was excised.

    Why do you think the government did that?
    Well, obviously, the government wanted to use my name and standing as a defence against what it saw as an international outcry against the alleged incident.

    Why would a village, comprising ‘simple folk’ as you say in your report, complain about a mass rape rather than hush it up?
    Is it because militants put pressure on them?

    At the risk of attracting stigma that has stayed on for decades?
    They were terrorised. That said, I agree such a complaint would not have been made unless there had been some incidents.

    Surely, one or two (incidents of rape) could not have compelled the government to redact some portions from your report?
    They had to show the commissioner was a man who was looked up to by the public has rejected the allegation.

    What was the government’s attitude towards the investigative process?
    When I first said was going there, Governor G C Saxena tried to discourage me. He said “no need to go (to Kunan-Poshpora), let the Army report.” Saxena was under a lot of pressure from the IG of the Border Security Force, (A K) Patel and others.

    But you didn’t give them a clean chit
    The ‘ifs and buts’ in such circumstances never pay off. Kashmir and India were on trial in those days.

    When you raised the deletion of some portions of your report with Saxena, what did he say?
    He said nahin, let the whole controversy settle down, then we will clarify the matter.

    Did you get the impression, going in, that the investigation could be manipulated by the government?
    It always was. But that was not my concern. I was a much younger man then. Wouldn’t you have looked at the consequences? A lot of Kashmiris have criticised me for not disclosing (the fact that the government had deleted parts of my report) earlier. I couldn’t embarrass the government.

    Where do we go next on Kunan-Poshpora?
    If there is still an opportunity to re-probe this case effectively, it should be taken up.

  • Soldier kills 5 colleagues before shooting self at Safapora camp

    Srinagar: In a first incident of fratricidal killings this year, a soldier committed suicide after killing five of his colleagues and injuring another at an army camp in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, officials told GNS Thursday.
    Sepoy Ranveer of 4 Kumaon posted with 13 Rashtriya Rifles at the Safapora camp in Mansbal went berserk in the wee hoursThursday after a heated argument with his colleagues, who came from different army units. “The heated exchange of words took an ugly turn when the Sepoy opened indiscriminate fire upon his colleagues killing five RR soldiers at the spot and injuring another. The soldier later shot himself dead,” officials said.
    The slain soldiers have been identified as Amit Kumar of 12 Kumaon, Lance Naik Tabruq Ansari of 278 Field Regiment, Sepoy Surinder Singh of 2 Kumaon, Rifleman M R Ajinath of 36 Medical Regiment and Rifle Man Rajput Joni of 278 Field Regiment.
    Army spokesman Lt Col Nitin Nahar Joshi confirmed to GNS that the incident took place at Safapora Mansbal camp around 3:00 amThursday.

    “Even though the real cause of the incident was not immediately known, a high level inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the facts,” he said, adding “A colonel has been nominated to head the inquiry and submit its report,”