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  • Kashmiri students ‘thrashed’ in Meerut University

    ‘We were forced to leave campus by authorities’
    Chairman Youth for Peace and Development Rasik Bhat Has Condemned the Attack On Kashmiri students in Meerut University
    Srinagar: The Kashmiri students at the Swami Vivekananda Subharti University in Meerut city of Uttar Pradesh have been asked to vacate the varsity by the authorities after a group of local students allegedly thrashed them over celebrating Pakistan’s win over India in the Asia Cup match on Sunday.
    The students told GNS over phone from Meerut that all the Kashmiri students were watching the Indo-Pak Asia cup match with the students of other parts of India in the campus on Sunday evening. However, trouble started when India lost the match and Kashmiri students celebrated the victory of Pakistan team.
    “When Indian team was in stronger position, the Hindu students were cheering. And when Pakistan team was in strong position, we used to cheer,” a 3rd year B Tech student wishing anonymity told GNS. He said “Finally when India lost, we cheered and this anguished and enraged our fellow Hindu students.”
    The angry Hindu students, he said, started to thrash Kashmiri students. He said had their senior not intervened, the enraged students would have lynched them to death.
    “They ruthlessly thrashed our ten boys. Our seniors saved us from their wrath,” he said, adding “When we went to the hostel to sleep, the students broke the window panes of our rooms. They terrorized us throughout the night,”
    He said this morning the Hindu students staged protests in the University campus demanding the ouster of the Kashmiri students. Besides abusing them, the student, he said, also accused Kashmiri students of breaking window panes. He said succumbing to the pressure of the Hindu students; the administration asked all the Kashmiri students to leave the varsity.
    “We were told to leave the University at the earliest. The administration also slapped a fine of Rs 5000 on us without any reason or rhyme. We’re being punished for supporting Pakistan cricket team,” he said.
    “Around 5:45 pm, we were forced out of the varsity by the authorities. They are in no mood to listen to us. They have succumbed to the pressure of the fanatic students,” he added.
    He said that at least 25 Kashmir students are enrolled in the University, who are undergoing different courses.
    Rabia Baaji, coordinator, Kashmir consultancy, which sends Kashmir students to outside institutes, told GNS that she was not aware of the alleged thrashing of the Kashmiri students or their ouster from the University.
    “However, today evening, I received a mail from the chairman, Atul Krishna, of the university about the incident. They have mentioned that this year varsity has decided not to entertain any Kashmiri student,” she said, adding “The Varsity chairman has also written the Kashmiri students should be sent to Pakistan for studies,”
    When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Meerut, Aukar Singh, told GNS that he will look into the matter. “You have brought the issue in my notice and there is no need to worry” he said. He denied that police has interfered in the issue so far.
    Meanwhile Chairman Youth for Peace and Development Rasik Bhat Has Condemned the Attack On Kashmiri students in Meerut University

  • Twin militant attacks leaves two policemen dead, one injured

    ‘Militant’ arrested after stabbing SOG man
    Pulwama: Amid inputs from a possible militant attack in South Kashmir’s Pulwama town, unidentified militants Monday killed two policemen outside Court Complex while in another attack a militant stabbed a Special Operation Group man in Pampore town injuring him critically.
    Police sources told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS that police had inputs that militants may strike in an any part of the South Kashmir’s Pulwama town and to thwart the attempt of militants, security was beefed all around in the town. Police, SOG and CRPF personnel had laid barricades on Srinagar-Pulwama road near Gangoo area stopping scores of vehicles and checked the identity cards of the passengers.
    Eyewitnesses told CNS that at around 11:45 a.m, near Drangabal Pampore, a youth attacked an SOG man with a sharp knife and stabbed his neck. The incident occurred when Army personnel from 50 RR, CRPF and SOG personnel had been deployed in strength in Pampore town. Sources said that a man using phiran took out his sharp knife and attacked the SOG man Bhopindar Singh son of Sher Singh resident of Dhar Basoli Kathua and snatched his service rifle when the SOG man fell down in a pool of blood. The Government Forces immediately swung into action and chased him. Eyewitnesses said that the Government Forces chased and overpowered him. He was detained in police station Pampore while a police official said that the said assailant belongs to a militant outfit and he identified him as Ishfaq Ahmed Khan son of Ghulam Nabi resident of Hundura Tral. “He is being questioned and everything will be clear after his interrogation,” he said.
    Locals said that Government Forces resorted to intense aerial firing soon after the incident which created panic in the area. Traffic on Srinagar-Jammu Highway came to grinding halt for about an hour.
    Meanwhile, Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Dr Farooq Jan told CNS that the injured SOG man identified as Bhupinder Singh has deep stab wound on his neck and he is under observation. “He has suffered C1, C2 and T2 which in medical terminology is called cervical vertebra fracture in vital area. The injured policeman is so far stable but due to critical wound we can’t predict about his survival,” he said.
    Barely two hours after this attack, militants appeared outside Court Complex Pulwama and fired upon a police vehicle. Panic gripped in the town after continuous gunshots were heard, while people and shopkeepers ran for cover.
    Police sources told CNS that the unidentified militants fired indiscriminately upon police vehicle in which two policemen were critically injured. Policemen present in and around the area and rushed the injured policemen to District Hospital Pulwama. One of them breathed his last on way while the other died immediately after arriving in the hospital.
    The two deceased policemen have been identified as Mukhtiyar Ahmed Wani (484PL) resident of Syed Wari Qazigund and Farooq Ahmed Mir (70PL) resident of Vedpora Shopian. Locals and traders  alleged that some SOG personnel went berserk soon after the militant attack and beat people to pulp, an allegation denied by police.
    Sources said that in order to nab the militants, Army personnel from 55 RR, 183 Battalion CRPF, police and SOG personnel cordoned off adjoining areas of Court Complex. Reports said the Dangarpora and Washbough area were also sealed to nab the militants.
    Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Abdul Gani Mir rushed to Pulwama soon after the incident and paid a rich tribute to the deceased policemen. Besides IGP, several police officer’s attendant the wreath laying ceremony of the killed policemen.
    A police handout issued to CNS said that some unknown militants fired upon a Police vehicle near court complex which resulted in the death of two policemen idenitified as Farooq Ahmad Mir son of Ghulam Hassan Mir resident of Vedpora Pulwama and Mukhtar Ahmad Wani son of Ghulam Hassan Wani resident of Syed Wari Qazigund. Immediately after incident senior officers including IGP Kashmir A.G. Mir visited Pulwama.
    A wreath laying ceremony was held at DPL Pulwama to pay homage to the departed SPOs. Farooq Ahmad Mir son of Ghulam Hassan Mir is survived by his aged mother and father, 02 brothers, sister, wife and a son while Mukhtar Ahmad Wani son of Ghulam Hassan Wani is survived by his widow mother, brother, wife and an infant daughter of two months. (CNS)

  • Hassan Mir’s Tangmarg rally ‘orchestrated’: NC

    Srinagar: Coming down heavily on the Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) president and minister for agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir, National Conference Sunday said that Mir schemed his recent rally at Tangmarg.
    “He is in valley for a sellout of the people of Kashmir. He is a darling to the Indian intelligence agencies and time will come when he has to stand before the people for the misdeeds he has committed so far,” said additional general secretary NC Mustafa Kamal.
    In a tele-statement to KNS, Kamal accused Mir of receiving the Technical Support Division’s (TSD) secret funding and that he has not denied the charges sofar. “I stand witness to everything he has done against the people of Kashmir in general and against the people of Tangmarg in particular.”
    Kamal added that Mir was responsible of attempting to kill NC Patron Dr Farooq Abdullah in 1984 and that the case is still pending in the sessions court Baramulla. “He is involved in most of the human rights violations in Kashmir and his close relations with the army were exposed at the time when it was revealed that he had received more than one crore to topple Omar led government in 2010.”
    Kamal further alleged that Mir’s recent rally that was held in Tangmarg on March 1 was ‘stage managed’ and the contents of his lecture are enough for the wise ones to understand his true intentions. “The people who participated in the rally were not the common masses but the employees of the different government departments. We have reports that the government employees were asked to participate in the rally.”
    Kamal while demanding probe into the background on the people who participated in Mir’s rally stated  that government must initiate an early inquiry into the matter so that truth could come to fore at the earliest. ”He talked against Kashmir issue and even accused that we are cheating people. I want to tell Mir that Kashmir issue is the reality and has been accepted by the world at large. Mir’s demand that people should stop talking about Kashmir issue is bizarre and illogical. He has been assigned to say so. ” (KNS)

  • Kishtwar Riots: 18 Weapons Still Not Recovered

    SRINAGAR: Rioters in Chenab Valley Kishtwar town are still holding 18 weapons as the looters are still at large, official sources said.
    During the August 2013 communal riots, a gun shop was looted by the rioters and it involved a total of 41 weapons. Three persons were killed and a lot of commercial property was destroyed. The government ordered a commission of inquiry that has already submitted an interim report. Police said they have recovered only 24 weapons so far.

  • Rasik Bhat to contest Assembly polls from Baramulla constituency

    SRINAGAR: Chairman, “Youth For Peace and Development” Rasik Bhat who has turned politician while speaking in a gathering at Baramulla said that this Constituency has been ignored by the present Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA). 

    Addressing the public gathering at Baramulla, Rasik Bhat said people of Baramulla have been deprived of government benefits. Rasik Bhat is going to contest Assembly polls from Baramulla constituency as an Independent candidate “There is nobody to care about the grievances of the people of Baramulla,” said Rasik Bhat , adding that Fruit, Agriculture remained a luxury for Baramulla residents even as it has been the center for generation of Employment to next Generation. Accusing the government of double standards and wrongly treatment with the people of Baramulla, Rasik Bhat said, “The present constituency representative is still unable to understand the problems of the area.” ‘Politics is played over the resources of Baramulla and the representatives have reaped the benefits from our resources because of the self centered politics, he said.

  • In do-or-die clash of Asia cup, Pakistan beat India

    Shahid Afridi hit a six in the last over to help Pakistan to a one-wicket win over India, sending them to the top of the Asia Cup table.
    Mirpur (Bangladesh): In a thrilling cricketing clash between here, Pakistan today defeated its rival India in very important match of Asia Cup by 1 wicket here.
    Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja (52) hit a timely unbeaten half-century as India recovered from a mid-innings collapse to post a modest 245 for eight in their marquee Asia Cup clash against Pakistan here today.
    Opener Rohit Sharma (56), who finally found his touch after a lean patch, and Ambati Rayudu (58) also did their bit but none of the batsman could make it big. However, India had at least something on board to fight for.
    Rayudu scored 58 from 62 balls, while Jadeja was unbeaten on 52 from 42 balls (4×4, 2×6)
    Experienced spinner Saeed Ajmal (3/40) bowled nicely in the death overs to remove three batsmen while debutant pacer Mohammad Talha (2/22) and off-spinner Mohammed Hafeez (2/38) took two wickets apiece.
    Jadeja made full use of his reprieve on 12 when Hafeez dropped a sitter to post his ninth century.
    It was Hafeez, who trapped Dhawan to give Pakistan their first breakthrough but India had the match in control with Sharma and Kohli in the middle.
    Sharma’s approach was different from what he looked after a poor outing in South Africa and New Zealand.
    He pulled Gul over square leg to break free and he showed no mercy against pacer Junaid Khan, punching the left arm pacer for consecutive six and four.
    Victim of Sharma’s assault, Khan conceded 25 runs from his three overs before being taken away.
    The duo mostly scored in boundaries and added a quick 38 runs from 36 balls before Gul gave Pakistan the biggest breakthrough in Kohli.
    It turned out to be a soft dismissal as the in-form Indian skipper was done in by an away going delivery when he edged it to the wicketkeeper, looking to work it away towards the third man.
    Sharma cruised to his 22nd half-century in just 44 balls with seven fours and two sixes but he could not make it big after getting out on a rash shot.

  • HCJK leaders detained again

    Srinagar: As per programme a high level delegation of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir led by Shabir Ahmad Shah was heading towards Lal Pora, Kupwara a large contingent of police force preventd them from moving forward and arrested them. The delegation apart from Shabir Ahmad Shah included Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Yusuf Naqash, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo and dozens of Hurriyat activists.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, the arrest of leaders resulted in brawl between police and Hurriyat activists with people present there protesting againt the arrest of leaders who were dispersed off by forces. The Hurriyat spokesperson while condemning the arrest of leaders and use of force against Hurriyat activists said that to arrest Hurriyat leaders again and again is the outcome of government frustration. “If the so-called government would be having even a little faith in democracy, it will never restrict Hurriyat leaders from meeting people,” he said.
    Applauding the people of Lal Pora, Kupwara for their courage and freedom spirit, the spokesperson said that Kashmiri people will resist Indian illegal occupation till Kashmir issue is not resolved as per the wishes and aspirations of its people. The spokesperson also appealed UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon to take notice of the human rights violations taking place in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS

  • After exploiting NC is shamelessly defaming, insulting people: Mehbooba

    Jammu: Reacting sharply to the National Conference patron, Farooq Abdullah’s comments that ‘all Kashmiris are thieves’ (maha-chor) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Sundaysaid after exploiting the entire population of the state for decades, now the NC leadership is shamelessly defaming and insulting them, which is highly condemnable.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, while speaking during a public meeting at March in Jammu, Mehbooba said the NC leadership has always exploited the people; compromised their self-respect, dignity and looted the state for their cheap political interests. She said it was ironical that instead of labeling the entire population as ‘thieves’,  Dr Abdullah didn’t look at himself to see where he stands in the public life. “Police has reportedly established his involvement in the high profile multi crore JKCA scam,” she said and added the NC has the distinction of creating richest politicians at the cost of the people whose resources they have brazenly grabbed.
    She said it was shameful to see the NC patriarch questioning the character of an ordinary man, who has been immensely suffering all because of the deceitful & corrupt politics of NC, which they have been espousing in the state since last 60 years. She said had NC not betrayed the people at crucial junctures, the situation would have been totally different in the state and they have been treating people a vote bank to remain in power.
    Mehbooba said for the power’s sake they dumped ‘Raishumari’ in 1975 and aligned with BJP in 1996 after securing votes in the name of autonomy even though the latter wanted the article 370 scrapped altogether. “In all through this, three generation of chief ministers from the family have sold more than dozen power projects to the NHPC only for the chair,” she said and added this is all where their politics ends. She said if it is in a public forum that Dr Abdullah makes such disgusting comments, what will would the NC top leadership actually feeling about the people they claim to be representing and what would they be speaking in private with the people, who see Kashmiris through a stereotype. Mehbooba said calling Kashmiris as ‘big thieves’ of course come as a shocker from Farooq, but the party had earlier branded our youth as stone pelters and demonized and victimized them drug addicts and enemy agents.
    She said the entire state is presently facing huge shortage of power and instead of putting in efforts to meet out the existing deficit, Dr Abdullah’s performance as a minister for new and renewable energy in the centre government, has been abysmal and similar to his performance as chief minister of the state for many times in the past. She said it is all because of dismal performance of NC leaders that J&K has not benefited from the entire programme and not a single project has been taken up in the state.
    Mehbooba said PDP has emerged as a viable platform to people of all the regions of J&K so that the collective interests of the state are pursued in a more democratic and creative fashion. She said the party stands for probity in the public life and it has brought an element of positivity into the state politics and provided a platform to sections of people to develop a united discourse for the overall development of J&K. “Our emphasis will be on connecting the people rather than trying to perpetuate the traditional methods of NC too create fissures in the society,” she said adding PDP likes to present a united voice of the state for the problems it is facing and seeking fair deal in our federal structure. She said it will be the PDP’s priority to revive the institutions of accountability, probity to make them impactful and vibrant. She said the successive NC governments have placed a ceiling on the aspirations of people by limiting the development discourse, but it will be the PDP’s priority to take development to next level.
    Expressing satisfaction at the new atmosphere of probity and demands for accountability, Mehbooba said emergence of AAP could strengthen that spirit. She said even though the performance of Arvind Kejriwal in government was yet to be tested, PDP can genuinely claim having introduced institutionalized probity in government and politics way back in 2003 when it streamlined the much abused recruitment process in the state. “PDP introduced RTI Act a year before the GOI did it and established State Accountability Commission in 2005 even as the centre is trying to do so now after a nationwide campaign on the issue” said Mehbooba.
    On the occasion, Yashpal Shrama, MLC, who is also PDP’s candidate for Jammu-Poonch parliamentary constituency; Ms Shanti Devi, Thakur Suram Singh Chib, Vikram Singh Langeh, Ashok Sharma, Suman Sharma, Soorat Singh, Chaudary Ramesh Lal, Seema Devi, Ram Lal, Vickey Sharma, Dilay Ram and Gopal Sharma and other were also present. (KNS)

  • Kejriwal arriving in April 1st week

    Will lead rally from Char-e-Shareif to Ganderbal
    Srinagar: Stating that Arvind Kejriwal is arriving in valley in the first week of April and that he would lead a rally from Char-e-Sharief to Ganderbal, the Aam Admi Party’s (AAP) candidate for Lok Sabha polls in Srinagar Dr Muzafar Bhat while reacting to the recent statement of Huriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani Sunday claimed that no pro-freedom leader in Kashmir can end the growing menace of corruption in the state and that it is AAP that has promises the achievable for the people of Kashmir.
    Geelani in a recent statement had accused that Kejriwal and Modi are the faces of the same coin. The amalgam spokesman has said that ‘like the roles of Farooq Abdullah and Mufti Sayed are dangerous and harmful for the Kashmir cause, so in the same way every person who will vote or support AAP or any other pro-Indian party, will commit an act of treason.’
    Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat while reacting to the allegations leveled by the senior separatist leader told KNS that the people of Kashmir are going through the most turbulent times and that the roots of corruption in the state have deepened seriously. “The corruption in Kashmir must end and for the same it is the need of the hour that someone within the system has to eradicate it.”
    Bhat stated further that the people of Kashmir have witnessed since decades the worst power crises and huge tariffs for the same. ”Every time the people of valley have been promised that the power crises will end but nothing concrete was done so far .”
    I want to ask Geelani sahib that shouldn’t the corruption from the stand end, should people be given proper electricity, said AAP’s Srinagar Candidate Dr Muzaffar, adding that the pro-freedom camp cannot end these types of people’s woes and that it is within the system that these crises can end.
    Mirwaiz Umar keeps on cornering the government at Jamia Masjid over worst power crises in the state. I want to ask these leaders that who is going to rectify the power crises in Kashmir and who will strive so that the corruption could end,” Dr Bhat told KNS.

    He added further that it is the policy of the separatists to speak against mainstream and that he would not interfere into it. However, he maintained that the people of Kashmir must understand that AAP is fighting for their day to day issues within the system and it has noting do with the ideology of any political party here. (KNS)

  • Kashmiris Are ‘Biggest Thieves’: Farooq Abdullah

    JK non-performer in renewable energy: Report
    New Delhi: Even as the renewable energy sector in other states has progressed, Jammu and Kashmir comes as a laggard in utilizing its huge potential in wind, solar, biomass and small hydro-power projects (SHP), reveals a report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
    Dr Farooq Abdullah, minister for new and renewable energy released at New Delhi the report titled: “Citizen’s report on state of renewable energy.”
    The report takes stock of the current status of renewable energy in India as well as the issues that plague the sector.
    Abdullah while commenting on dismal scenario of energy sector in Jammu and Kashmir said, “Kashmiri chor nahi mahachor hai” (Kashmiris are biggest thieves), triggering laughter among the audience.
    “They use illegal electricity connections and bribe the local linemen,” he said, terming it as the “main problem” plaguing the state’s electricity department. According to the report, among the cash starved state power utilities and electricity departments all over India, Jammu and Kashmir with annual loss of Rs 2288 crore is not alone.
    “As many as 21 state electricity departments face similar situation with Rajasthan topping the list showing a whopping Rs 11209 crore loss in power sector. It is followed by Tamil Nadu where the loss is Rs 8090 crore. J&K stands at fifth position in annual losses.” The report that analyses the renewable energy sector projects minister’s home state as a “non-performer in exploiting any renewable energy.”
    According to the report, in solar energy Gujarat leads the chart with its installed capacity of 860 MW followed by Rajasthan with 666 MW.
    J&K features nowhere in the list with zero MW capacity project installed anywhere in the state. The only achievement for J&K has been the installation of small 308 kWp plants under Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar Mission. In J&K most of these plants are in Ladakh region. In comparison 42157 such plants were installed all over India.
    In wind sector the situation is even worse. Among India’s installed wind power projects of 20149 MW, not a single MW comes from Jammu and Kashmir. Tamil Nadu has installed wind energy project of 7200 MW capacity by December 2013 and Gujarat follows with installed capacity of 3074 MWs. Although Jammu and Kashmir is among the top seven states having the high wind energy potential, state government has been unable to start even a single project. According to the report, at 50 metre height the installable wind energy potential in Jammu and Kashmir is 5311 and at 80 metre height the wind energy potential is 5685 MW.
    The dismal performance continues in SHP sector that constitutes projects below 25 MW capacities.
    According to the report, “J&K has almost 1,500 MW of SHP potential but has developed around 150 MW only.” In comparison, Karnataka with potential of 3177 MW has installed 1000 MW. Neighboring Himachal Pradesh has constructed SHPs to generate 583 MWs.
    The report also criticized the state policy for Micro/Mini hydro power projects for being silent on any environmental norms or ecological flow regulations.
    In utilizing agricultural and agro-industrial residues (collectively called biomass) for energy generation, Jammu and Kashmir is yet to plan any project. Here Uttar Pradesh leads the pack with installed capacity of 776 MWs of electricity from biomass. In waste to energy sector, the report says that power generation potential of waste generated in Srinagar city is 8.5 MWs and none of it has been exploited so far.
    According to the report, the current grid connected generation of renewable energy in India stands at 30,178 MW. Jammu and Kashmir’s share stands at dismal 150 MWs, all of which is generated in SHP projects. In off-grid generation of 973 MW, the share of J&K is almost zero.
    The report emphasizes the need for making efforts to generate electricity from renewable sources without harming the environment.