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  • Rajendra takes over as DGP

    Says professional policing, better deliverance among priorities

    Srinagar: K. Rajendra Kumar, today took over as Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu and Kashmir. He succeeds Mr. Ashok Prasad, who has been repatriated to Intelligence Bureau (IB) Government of India.

    Mr. Rajendra, a 1984 batch IPS officer, was posted as Special DGP (Coordination) at Police Headquarters (PHQ) and has also served as Incharge DGP in 2012 for some time. He has also served in the State in different capacities including ADGP Armed/Law & Order, ADGP CID, DG Prisons, IGP Kashmir and Jammu Zone, IGP CID, DIG Srinagar, Doda and Poonch Rajouri, SSP District Srinagar, Doda and SDPO Reasi.

    After assuming the charge, Mr. Rajendra presided over a meeting of senior officers at PHQ. He deliberated upon his priorities as DGP saying that his focus would be to strengthen the professional policing and provide better service to the public. He said that our aim would be to curb the menace of crime for which public cooperation is of vital importance. Better police public relations would help to achieve desired results, he added.

    Mr Rajendra said that he is proud to lead a police force which by the dint of its dedication and commitment has earned outstanding reputation at the National level. The force played a sterling role by being in the forefront in fighting terrorism and brought it down to the lowest ebb.

    The DGP stressed for collective efforts to enhance coordination among all wings of the Organization and other security agencies. Preventive measures and peoples cooperation would help to deliver in a better way. People of the State have lot of expectations from JKP and it is our prime duty to take cognizance of their complaints and ensure quick disposal, he added.

    DGP said that latest techniques in the field of investigation are necessary to strengthen our policing and for this purpose police training institutions across the State would be upgraded to teach the latest methods of investigation. Modernization of JKP is underway and special thrust would be given to upgrade all components of the Organization.

    Jammu and Kashmir Police has become a large family and the scope of service has been enlarging. Our jawans and officers are visible in public service at every nook and corner of the State. The force has met with various challenges with courage and fortitude and would be ready to tackle the situations at any time in a befitting manner, DGP added.

    Maintenance of law and order is our prime duty to ensure congenial atmosphere for all developmental activities in the State. Police public cooperation at grass root level is imperative to achieve our goal and effective measures would be adopted to strengthen our relations with the common people. He reiterated that while performing their duties in hostile conditions, it should be ensured at all costs that innocent people are not made to suffer any inconvenience and special care should be taken for human rights   respect, ensuring zero tolerance towards violation of human rights. He stressed upon the officers to start preparedness for ensuing Shri Amar Nath Ji Yatra so that the yatra ends peacefully.

    Mr. Rajendra said that during the years of turmoil people of the State suffered a lot in all fields of life. A number of our jawans and officers offered sacrifices of their lives while protecting the people and their properties. Sacrifices of our men would always be remembered and we feel it our highest responsibility to take care of the families of martyrs, said the DGP. He said that more welfare schemes would be introduced to benefit the serving personnel and the families of martyrs.

    The DGP said that Civic Action Programme, which has been started with the aim of providing a bridge between the people and police, besides promoting different sports and cultural activities in the State, would be expanded to all areas of the State at a large scale. This would help to strengthen police public cooperation at all levels and utilize energies of the youth in a positive way.

    Earlier, before starting the meeting, a two minute silence was observed in honour of martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir Police, who attained martyrdom while protecting the people during the turmoil.

    Among others, the meeting was attended by ADsGP, Dr. SP Vaid, Navin Agarwal, VK Singh, SM Sahai and Dilbag Singh, IsGP, Dr. B Srinivas, AK Choudhary, H. K. Lohia, SJM Geelani, AG Mir, MS Salaria, Yoginder Koul, Alok Puri, MA Khan,  AS Bali and SL Sharma, MA Ganai and JP Singh, DIsGP, Vijay Kumar, AK Atri, Johney William, SA Mujataba, MM Sadiq, SA Beig, Ali Mohammad, GH Bhat, S Kifayat  Hyder, AIsGP, Uttam Chand, AA Kakroo, Tahir Sajad, Rajeshwar Singh and M Rashid and other police officers.

  • Days of external life-lines, power conspiracies are over: Mehbooba

    ‘PDP treats people’s mandate as sacred trust’

    Srinagar: Expressing gratitude to the people of Kulgam district for contributing to the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the recent Lok Sabha Polls, the party president, Mehbooba Mufti, Monday said with the impressive mandate in the elections the people of the state have reposed their faith in the PDP and its agenda.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing a well-attended public meeting at Kulgam she said the PDP treats people’s mandate as a sacred trust and would treat this as an opportunity to change the lives of the people who have suffered for decades.

    Mehbooba expressed her gratitude to the voters and general public of Kulgam district, compromising Kulgam, Devsar, Noorabad and Homshalibug segments, for having voted for her and her party to a big win.

    Senior party leaders Sofi Abdul Gaffar MLA; Mohammad Sartaj Madni MLA; district president Nazir Ahmad Laway; Abdul Majeed Padder, Gulzar Ahmad Dar; Zone presidents Zafrullah Wani, Farooq Ahmad, district youth president Sheraz Ahmad and others were also present and spoke on this occasion.

    She said it was a writing on the wall now that the people of the entire state would vote for the PDP to bring in a government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed with a clear majority, so that the initiatives of change that had been started in 2002 are carried forward.

    Mehbooba said the state would have an entirely a new experience of good governance and conflict resolution, if the PDP, which already has three MPs in the parliament, gets a chance to form a stable government at the state level.

    Referring to the disgusting manner in which the National Conference-led coalition had responded to the defeat in the parliamentary elections, Mehbooba said it seems that the ruling parties have lost their way completely. She said the government is now trying to undone the wrongs, it had committed during last five and a half years, in the name of ‘retrospection’, but it does not care to mention the immense cost it has inflicted on the people as a result of its arrogance, mis-governance, inefficiency, compromises and corruption.

    “Would the Omar Abdullah government reverse the silly SMS ban or the so-called recruitment policy, if they had not been defeated in the Lok Sabha elections,” Mehbooba wondered and said the power of vote had finally come to stay in the hands of the people and there was nobody else who could determine the fate of politicians in future. “The days of external life-lines and power conspiracies are over,” she added.

    The PDP president said the PDP has always considered itself as accountable to the people and it would continue with its people friendly policies. She said while there were immense problems on account of corruption, mis-governance, lack of development and infrastructure building but unemployment problem was the biggest challenge for the next government.

    Mehbooba said Omar Abdullah government is leaving behind a mess that is difficult to sort out, but the anti-youth policies pursued by it present us with a huge challenge on employment front and the ways to engage youth along creative channels.

    Mehbooba said the human resource development had been almost abandoned by the government and the people were forced to sell their lands and assets to fund the education of their children outside the state while the institutions within the state were compromised and the system of examination and entrance to technical institutions subverted for money.

    The PDP chief said the political problems facing the state have to be taken head-on and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed would need a decisive mandate to be able to address them and take them up with the national leadership.  She said our voice will be heard with respect and reason not only in New Delhi but all across the country. “Our voice for peace could find a resonance even in Islamabad and the neighboring country if PDP is handed down a clear mandate,” she said.

    Mehbooba said the 2002 Vajpayee initiative withstood severe provocations and serious incidents only because it had originated from Kashmir and former prime minister had responded positively to yearning for peace. That spirit, she said, will have to be revived for a lasting and dignified peace.

  • 1600 MW capacity power projects launched in 5 years: Omar

    ‘State set to achieve self-reliance in energy production’

    ‘Public satisfaction should be first concern of PDD’

    24×7 power supply to be achieved under R-APDRP: Vikar

    Srinagar: Inaugurating Rs. 890 crore Restructured Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) for Kashmir, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Mondayasked the Power Development Department to make public satisfaction first concern in its functioning.

    “Public satisfaction and Customer Care should be the benchmark of your functioning”, he told the functionaries of Power Development Department stressing on strengthening Call Centres and Grievance Redressal Units recently established at the two Data Centres inaugurated by the Chief Minister under R-APDRP at Srinagar and Jammu in the last week.

    The Chief Minister said that remarkable measures have been taken during the last five and the half years of his government to address power development both on generation and distribution fronts. He said as against 750 MW projects including Baglihar-I of 450 MW capacity completed in the State since 1947 to 2008, his government initiated generation of 1600 MWs capacity hydro electric projects in last five and the half years while projects of 2220 MW capacity are ready to be awarded for construction.

    Omar Abdullah said that power sector has unfortunately remained political target in the State as such the tremendous work done and improvement registered in the generation and distribution during the last five and the half years has got over shadowed by the propaganda. He said his government has enhanced power supply by 46 percent during its tenure so far which is not a joke. He said similarly the quality and the voltage of electricity have been remarkably upgraded while 18500 new transmission lines erected to improve the distribution. He said 2600 MVA transformation capacity has been added by creating new Grid Stations and augmenting existing ones.

    The Chief Minister said that there are some 1.50 lakh unregistered consumers getting electricity which is not reflected in the power supply system as such there is high percentage of transformer damages. He said he has asked the department to register all these unregistered consumers and incentivize the performance of grass root paraphernalia including linemen of PDD so that they are encouraged and given incentives for their performance in improving and reforming the distribution system.

    Omar Abdullah said that technical as well as human intervention is required to improve and reform the power distribution system and ensure satisfaction of the people. He said before launch of R-APDRP, some elements started propaganda against this initiative carrying false bogy that this programme will add difficulties to consumers. He said that people should understand that R-APDRP is in the best interest of consumers to receive better and uninterrupted electricity and get their grievances redressed as early as possible. “It will not only improve the power distribution network but provide online facility to people to acquire their bills, make payments and have their grievances registered and redressed in shortest possible time”, he said adding that the system will also improve transparency in the revenue collection.

    Omar Abdullah said that he has asked the PDD to work out special programme of power tariff for poorer sections of the society with the Finance Department so that they are further benefited on this count. He said presently the State Government is providing 63 percent subsidy on the supply of electricity to consumers while this subsidy to industry is of the order of 40 to 50 percent. He said Jammu and Kashmir is the first State after Sikkim which provides cheapest electricity to its consumers. He said R-APDRP will not only transform the power distribution conditions and infrastructure in the 30 towns of the State including Jammu and Srinagar Cities but its trickledown effect will also benefit other areas which do not fall under this programme.

    The Chief Minister asked the PDD to make all efforts to improve its service to public and carry forward the trend of improvement and upgradation process in electricity generation and distribution and other disciplines. He also asked the department to gear up right now for meeting winter eventualities in the Valley on account of damage to the transformers, transmission lines and other installations. “We know there will be snow fall in the winter as such we should be prepared to face its challenge successfully. In this regard you have to be fully prepared undertaking all necessary measures in the summer months”, he added.

    Speaking on the occasion Minister of State for Power, Vakar Rasool highlighted the benefits of R-APDRP and said that Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has fixed the target of achieving generation of 9000 MWs of power in the State by 2020 and PDD has already initiated a multipronged strategy in this regard.

    The Minister said that R-APDRP-Part B will help to provide 24×7 electricity to the consumers in the State and reduce the transformers damage to two percent. He said the transformer damage which was 41 percent before five years earlier has been reduced to 27 percent now. He said 30 towns including 19 in Kashmir Division are been covered under the programme. He said under the Part-A of the programme five Grid Stations have been constructed and sixth is under execution.

    The Minister said the power supply capacity of the PDD has been increased from 700 MWs to 1200 MWs during the last over five years. He said 220 Transmission Line is being carried to Valley via Mughal Road while another Line has been sanctioned for Ladakh. He said each District is being provided with Rs. one crore to upgrade its distribution network. He said T&D losses have come down from 70 percent to 56 percent in last above five years.

    In a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation the Principal Secretary Power Development Department, A. K. Mehta said that among the key objectives of R-APDRP, 24×7 power supply on affordable tariff with improvement in quality and grievance redressal are the prime ones. He said reduction of outrages, safety of life and property and adequate generation and distribution capacity are other objectives of the programme.

    He said there has been remarkable decrease in the electricity deficit of the State since last over five years and it has come down from 69.03 percent in 2007-2008 to 47.54 percent in 2013-14. He said streamlining of power procurement and widening the consumer base besides reducing AT&C losses will help to provide power supply to consumers at lesser tariff.

    He said Part-B of R-APDRP include renovation, modernization and strengthening of 11KV sub-stations, Re-conducting of lines, Load bifurcation, Feeder separation, Cabling, Installation of capacitors, Replacement of electromagnetic metres and other works.

    He said Anantnag, Budgam, Bandipora, Baramulla, Bijbehara, Dooru-Verinag, Ganderbal, Handwara, Kargil, Kulgam, Kupwara, Leh, Pattan, Pulwama, Shopian, Sopore, Srinagar, Sumbal and Tral towns are being covered under R-APDRP.

    Chief Engineer (M&RE) Kashmir, Bashir Ahmad Khan also made PowerPoint presentation giving details of the current power supply position in the Valley and the measures afoot for its further improvement and upgradation.

    Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Agriculture, G. H. Mir, Parliament Member, Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri, MLA Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, various Administrative Secretaries, officers and staff of PDD were present besides the members of civil society.

    The Chief Minister on the occasion also visited various stalls established by PDD and private companies in the field depicting new electric gadgets and transformers designed by them. The stalls also provided information and education about the power development sector in the State through broachers, pamphlets and bills. 

  • Saudi Arabia tests Cadbury chocolates for pork traces

    RIYADH: Saudi Arabian authorities on Saturday said they are testing chocolate bars made by British confectioner Cadbury for traces of pork DNA after two of its products in Malaysia were found to violate Islamic standards. 

    The Saudi Food and Drug Authority said in a statement published on its website that it had taken samples of Cadbury chocolates from the local market to test for contamination. 

    Pork is strictly prohibited in Islam. Saudi Arabia, the religion’s birthplace, adheres to one of the world’s most stringent forms of the faith. 

    The statement said that Cadbury products on sale in Saudi Arabia, an ultra conservative Muslim country, were not manufactured in Malaysia, but added that “strong measures” would be taken if the chocolates being tested revealed any traces of pork. 

    The scandal over the ingredient discovered in Malaysian Cadbury’s chocolates has prompted outrage among some Muslim groups in the country, who have called for a boycott on all products made by the company, and its parent, Mondelez International Inc. 

    On Friday, Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation, also said that it was testing Cadbury products to check that they complied with Islamic standards. 

    Malaysian authorities have warned that it remains unclear if the contamination of two varieties of Dairy Milk chocolate bar with pork was Cadbury’s fault or was a result of “external factors”. 

    Cadbury Malaysia, in a statement, said that it had withdrawn the two products as a precaution and that it had no reason to believe there was pork-related content in its other foods. 

    “We stand by our halal certification and we have the highest levels of product labelling standards,” it said.

  • Abrogation of Article 370 Not Possible : Rasik Bhat

    Srinagar: BJP president Rajnath Singh has called for a debate on why Article 370 of the Constitution should not be abrogated. One wishes he had sought this enlightenment before including the provocative item of abrogation of Article 370 in the BJP election manifesto.

    On August 15, 1947, when India became independent, J&K was not a part of its territory. It was only by the Instrument of Accession, dated 27.10.47, signed by the Maharaja of J&K that the state acceded to the Dominion of India. By clause 3 the Maharaja accepted that the matters specified in the schedule are the matters with respect to which the dominion legislature may make laws for the state of J & K.

    The instrument further provided that the terms of instrument shall not be varied by an amendment to the Act or the Indian Independence Act, unless such amendment was accepted by the Maharaja. The instrument also clearly laid down that nothing in the instrument shall be deemed to commit the state in any way to the acceptance of any future Constitution of India. This instrument accepted only a limited number of matters — Defence, External Affairs, Communications — with respect to which the Indian legislature could make laws for J&K. This special relationship of J&K found its reflection in Article 370 of the Indian Constitution which laid down that notwithstanding anything in the Constitution, the powers of Parliament to make laws for the state shall be limited to those matters in the Union List and the Concurrent List, which, in consultation with the government of the state, are declared by the President to correspond to matters specified in the Instrument of Accession, and such other matters in the said lists with the concurrence of the state the President may by order specify.

    Thus by virtue of Article 370 Parliament can legislate for J&K on matters other than those mentioned in the instrument but only after obtaining the concurrence of the state of J&K (emphasis supplied). Thus J&K has special status, unlike the other states in India where Parliament can legislate on its own on subjects mentioned in the Union and concurrent lists. It is no doubt true that Article 370(3) provides that the President may by notification declare that this article shall cease to be operative, but the proviso clearly lays down a limitation that the recommendation of the Constituent Assembly of the state shall be necessary before the President issues such a notification. It is not disputed that the Constituent Assembly of J&K has never given any such recommendation. In that view Article 370 cannot be withdrawn by Parliament purporting to exercise the power of amendment given by Article 368. That the power to amend the Constitution is not totally unfettered admits of no disputes vide the famous case of Keshvanand Bharthi, (1973) in which the Supreme Court held that a “Constitution like ours contains certain features which are so essential that they cannot be changed or destroyed”.

    There is also nothing very special in laying this limitation in Article 370. Even Article 368 limits the power of Parliament to make any amendment to the Constitution which would result in a change in any of the lists in the Seventh Schedule; such amendment shall also require to be ratified by the legislatures of not less than half of the states. Under our Constitution the Governors are only formal heads of state and have no powers at all in the administration of the state which is vested in the Cabinet. But yet by the Constitution Amendment Act 1956, Article 371 provides for a special responsibility of the Governor for the establishment of separate development boards for Saurashtra and Kutch (in Gujarat) and Vidharba in Maharashtra for an equitable allocation of funds for the development of the area. No objection by the BJP has been raised which curtails the power of Gujarat Chief Minister Modi, while there is not such limitation on the chief ministers in other states. Article 371G, introduced by the 55th Constitution Amendment Act 1986, provides that no Act of Parliament in respect of the ownership and transfer of land shall apply to the state of Mizoram unless the legislative assembly of Mizoram by a resolution so decides. This provision is identical to Article 370 of the Constitution regarding J & K. The BJP was a party to the above amendment. Why does the BJP apply double standards in the case of the Muslim majority state of J & K?. Even in the USA such is the width of state autonomy that an advocate getting his law degree from Washington University cannot as a matter of right practice in the state of New York. No one has suggested that this is endangering the unity of the USA. Recently in the election fever even the Congress seems to have got entrapped when it gave an election promise to separate Ladakh from the territory of J&K and even give it a separate legislative assembly. This is the most provocative suggestion, which can only inflame the sentiments of people of J&K against India, apart from the fact that it is not legally possible because the J&K legislature will never give its consent, as provided by Article 370. It needs to be appreciated that the retention of Article 370 is a matter of self-respect and honour and an assertion of their distinct identity for the people of J&K. Can’t the BJP leaders, even when most of the parties in J&K are desirous of finding a lasting solution, be statesmen enough to give up their opposition to Article 370, which no Kashmiri can possibly agree to abrogate because it is a matter of preserving his special identity? Faced with this reality, politicians must realise that all talk of abrogation of Article 370 is moonshine and a non-issue. It is also a very sensitive matter touching the credibility of our secular professions and the justifiable fears of the minorities. With all this, when it is also patent that the abrogation of Article 370 is not legally and constitutionally possible, is there any moral, political or logical justification to keep up this empty noise? I submit there is none .

    Rasik Bhat is a General Secretary Of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Students Union .

  • Zaffer demands release of activists, youth, hails US report

    Paid glowing tributes to Youth Martyred in Magam Handwara

    Srinagar: Senior APHC leader and Jammu Kashmir salvation movement  Zaffer Akbar Bhat while hailing US State Department’s report on human rights, today demanded immediate unconditional release pro-freedom leaders, activists and youth detained during sham polls in Kashmir.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, Bhat who visited party activists and leaders including Muzaffer Ahmad Malik, Mohmmad Shaban, Farooq Ahmed who were released by the authorities after months of detention, said that Indian failed in crushing pro-freedom sentiment of Kashmiri people  since decades now. He congratulated the released activists and leaders for their determination for on-going freedom struggle.  He said that hundreds of pro-freedom leaders, activists and innocent youth continue to lash in different Indian jails.  Zaffer hailed the US State Department’s report highlighting grave human rights violations particularly denial of legal and medical aid to illegally detained youths. Zaffar also demanded return of Kashmiri detenues including Muzaffar Dar, Dawood Ahmed, Tariq Dar, Mohmmad Rafiq Shah,Gazali,imran farhat, Imran Sheikh from out side state jails to local jails.

    He said that harassment, intimidation and deliberate disregard for the human, civil and political rights of kashmiri people will not deter them in securing their ineligible right ‘right to self determination.’ Meanwhile, Zaffer Akbar paid glowing tributes to the youth who was martyred by Indian armed forces during a siege and search operation in Magam area of Handwara district. A delagtion lead by Party leader Nasir Mushtaq visited the area and participated in the funerals of the martyred youth. They also paid glowing tributes to the martyr of this soil.

  • Soz held interactive session with party block presidents in Samba

    Srinagar: Prof. Saifuddin Soz President Pradesh Congress Committee  held a pro-long interaction with the Block Presidents of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts at R.R. Resort Samba, today.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, all the Senior functionaries of the party, Vice Presidents, General Secretaries and other senior leaders were present. Prof. Soz heard the Block Presidents and other functionaries and noted patiently, their suggestions that were made by block presidents and other party functionaries for rejuvenating the Congress party fully, particularly in these districts.

    Ministers Sham Lal Sharma and Raman Bhalla also attended the meeting. Responding to the suggestions of block presidents, leaders and other functionaries of the party, Prof. Soz made the following remarks:-

    “There is need that the ministers improve their liaison and interaction with District President, Block Presidents and other functionaries of the party. Prof. Soz said that he would write to ministers in this behalf.

    Prof. Soz said that the party high command would be appraised of the suggestions that the party leaders made for revitalizing Congress party as an instrument of service to the people. He emphasized that the adjacent areas should be treated as the most important factor and Congress workers should put an extra effort to solve peoples problems.

    He agreed with the leaders/party functionaries that the INC-NC coalition has done many good things for the people of Jammu and Kashmir such as for instance, setting up of Administrative units, Review of Recruitment Policy etc, but it failed to deliver governance on ground in respect of  instance for Provision of Electric Infrastructure,  Provision of Existing grievances in respect of tariff ,  Distribution of rations, particularly in far-flung areas and fulfillment of other basic needs.

    Prof. Soz assured the gathering that he would constitute a committee comprising of credible persons to go in to the question of rejuvenating the Block and District Committees, as early as possible.

    He also assured that the such meetings would be organized in other districts also and the PCC Executive would also meet soon. He (Prof. Soz) said that he and Ghulam Nabi Azad were on the same page and soon Azad would be visiting to thank the workers and speak to the party functionaries.

  • Ex President Lecturer Forum, ex SSP, Sarpanch join NC; major setback to PDP

    Jammu: Peoples Democratic Party got a major setback when Ex President Lecturer Forum Hasam Din Qureshi, SSP(retd) Ghulam Sarwar Chouhan of Mendhar and Malik Badar-ud-Din, Sarpanch Budhal on Saturdayjoined National Conference in presence of President Dr Farooq Abdullah, Working President and Chief Minister Mr Omar Abdullah besides Provincial President Jammu Mr Devender Rana.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, Dr Abdullah and the Chief Minister welcomed the new entrants into the party and hoped their joining will further strengthen National Conference at grass roots level in the area. Senior National Conference leader and Deputy Chairman Legislative Council, Mr Javed Rana, who was also present on the occasion, described their joining in the party as a “major jolt” for the main Opposition party and  hoped that National Conference will strengthen its base at the grass root level. Mr Rana said that PDP has failed in playing responsible role as main opposition properly during the past five and half years. “This is the reason that people have no option but to desert PDP because of its wrong policies and join National Conference.

    Referring to BJP’s sinister move of abrogating Article 370, Mr Rana said that National Conference will never allow this .”This party has always  sacrificed for this state and we are always ready for more sacrifices if needed in the future for the betterment of our state”, he said adding that it is a  conspiracy hatched by BJP and PDP to abrogate Art 370 from the state. He maintained that any attempt to repeal this would be on our dead bodies. He appealed to the people to expose these forces who are constantly trying to polarise the situation in this state. 

  • PDP MLA Rafi Mir sustains minor injuries in road accident

    All functions, meetings to be presided by him cancelled 

    Srinagar: Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLA Pahalgam, Rafi Ahmad Mir, has sustained minor shoulder injuries after a road accident in Srinagar, a PDP Spokesman said.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, he said the accident took place when a car hit Mir’s vehicle in Hazratbal area of the city. He was later taken to Bone & Joints Hospital, Barmullah, for treatment. Meanwhile, all the meetings and functions to be presided over by the MLA stand canceled till further intimation, the spokesman added. 

  • Come clean on probe in Tahir Sofi’s killing: Geelani asks Govt

    Srinagar: While strongly condemning the inaction of government against the army personals who are involved in Tahir Rasool Sofi’s murder, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani said that the investigation of this case was handed over to the district magistrate Baramulla, although he have submitted the investigation report a year ago but they have neither taken any action on the report nor has been any case registered against the accused personals.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, he said that if any other authority is really present in the Jammu and Kashmir other than army then the personals involved in this unjust murder should be immediately arrested and they should be made accountable for this unjust murder of an innocent student in a civil court.

    Hurriyat (G) chairman said that after the 24 days of Afzal Guroo’s hanging, the personals of 46-RR without any provocation opened fire and martyred Tahir Rasool Sofi son of Ghulam Rasool Sofi.

    “On 6th march two important ministers of Omar lead government visited the Baramulla and announced a magisterial enquiry into the said incident and then this inquiry was handed over to the one member committee Additional District Magistrate Baramulla. He said that on the notification of the enquiry commission, 21 eye witnesses appeared before it and got their statements recorded and the Commanding Officer (CO) of 46-RR also submitted his statement before the commission in this regard. After detailed examination of every aspect of the case, the said commission submitted its report on 18th June 2013 which clearly indicated the personals of 46-RR for this murder.”

    Geelani said that the inquiry report presented by the Additional District Magistrate also states that due to the shutdown call given by many organizations on 5 March 2013, all the commercial and other activities were halted in Baramulla, but the situation was calm and no protests were being held in the town and the youths were playing cricket in the Eidgah of the old town.

    “According to the report the party of 46-RR appeared in the area at around 2 p.m. and ransacked residential houses, shops, street vendors and vehicles in the Ganie Hamam and Kukar Hamam mohalas. The army personals after ransacking in Ganai Hamam locality retracted towards the Khanpora Bridge and at around 3 p.m., the army personals without any provocation opened fire at a group of youth who were at the Ganie Hamam side of the Khanpora bridge and the bullet hit a teenager boy Mohammad Abad Lilu who was shifted to the district hospital Baramulla where from he was referred to Bone & Joint hospital Barzulla Srinagar.”

    The report further states that at around 4 p.m. same day the army personal once again opened 2 rounds of fire and of these one of the bullet hit the face of Tahir Rasool Sofi S/o Ghulam Rasool Sofi resident of Ganie Mohallah Baramulla killing him on the spot, although he was shifted to the district hospital Baramulla where he was declared as brought dead by the doctors. Even though the army has written in their statement that the youth attacked their personals, with the result they opened fire but the District Magistrate termed this statement as baseless and stated that at that time there were neither any kind of protest nor was any stone pelting incident going on and nor were there any type of sloganeering.

    According to Geelani, the completion of the investigation report and its submission to the government has completed a year now but no action has been taken so far and this attitude of the government proves his stand that the appointment of commissions and committees after such incidents are merely a formality and its only purpose is to silence the voice of people for time being.

    “The government is neither sincere about the investigation nor is it in position to prosecute the army personals due to the presence of black laws like AFSPA and disturbed areas act. Chairman Hurriyat said that due to this reason our permanent stand is that all the crimes committed by the Indian army and other government forces in Jammu and Kashmir should be investigated by any independent international agency and the personals involved in the war crimes should be tried in the International Court of Justice and punished accordingly.”

    The pro-freedom leader questioned the Omar Abdullah led government that they should come clear over the result of investigation in the killing of Tahir Rasool Sofi that had they tried to prosecute the culprits or not.