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  • Mother spares life of son’s killer with slap in Iran

    Iran: An Iranian mother spared the life of her son’s convicted murderer with an emotional slap in the face as he awaited execution with the noose around his neck, a newspaper reported Thursday.

    The dramatic climax followed a rare public campaign to save the life of Balal, who at 19 killed another young man, Abdollah Hosseinzadeh, in a street fight with a knife back in 2007.

    Shargh newspaper said police officers led Balal to a public execution site in the northern city of Nowshahr as a large crowd gathering on Tuesday morning.

    Samereh Alinejad, mother of the victim who lost another son in a motorbike accident four years ago, asked the crowd whether they know “how difficult it is to live in an empty house.”

    Balal, black-hooded and standing on a chair before a makeshift gallows, had the noose around his neck when Alinejad approached.

    She slapped him in the face and removed the rope from his neck assisted by her husband, Abdolghani Hosseinzadeh, a former professional footballer.

    “I am a believer. I had a dream in which my son told me that he was at peace and in a good place… After that, all my relatives, even my mother, put pressure on me to pardon the killer,” Alinejad told Shargh.

    “The murderer was crying, asking for forgiveness. I slapped him in the face. That slap helped to calm me down,” she said. “Now that I’ve forgiven him, I feel relieved.”

    Balal said the “slap was the space between revenge and forgiveness.”

    “I’ve asked my friends not to carry knives… I wish someone had slapped me in the face when I wanted to carry one,” Balal said in a television interview.

    A high-profile campaign was launched by public figures including Adel Ferdosipour, a popular football commentator and TV show host, and former international footballer Ali Daei, appealed for the victim’s family to forgive the killer.

    According to the United Nations, more than 170 people have been executed in the Islamic republic since the beginning of 2014.

    Under the country’s interpretation of Islamic sharia laws in force since a 1979 revolution, murder and several other crimes are punishable by death.

    But the victim’s family has the right to spare a convict’s life in return for blood money, under Islamic laws.

     

  • 800 militants killed in custody during Omar rule: Er Rashid

    Srinagar: Awami Itihad Party (AIP) president and Baramulla Parliamentary seat candidate Er Abdul Rashid today criticized the statement of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in which he had stated that it was during PDP rule that top militant leadership was liquidated.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, Er Rashid was addressing a public gathering at various places in Kulgam and Anantnag. While referring to the statement to Omar Abdullah Er Rashid asked him that the statement of Omar reflects that during his rule no militant or innocent Kashmiri was killed?

    Er Rashid reminded Omar that during NC rule more than 800 militants were killed in custody. The PDP rule was no exception to such type of killings too. Er Rashid further alleged that both these parties are working on the diktats of Delhi and rubbing salt to the wounds of Kashmiris.

    He advised Mehbooba Mufti and Omar to rise above petty politics and chalk a way out that would not hurt the interests of Kashmiris otherwise history will remember them as criminals. He alleged that both these parties just indulge in mudslinging against each other and are not interested in resolving the issues facing a common Kashmiri.

    “Both Omar and Mehbooba exploit the name of militancy and Syed Salahudddin to befool gullible Kashmiris. On the one hand they are trying to please Delhi through their measures against militancy and on the other hand they are praising the militants to get favors from the masses.”

    Er Rashid said if Omar is true to his claim then can’t it be stated as an acknowledgement of the fact that militants are representing the emotions of the common Kashmiris. He pointed towards PDP and NC and advised them that they should stop showing green pastures to Kashmiris instead they should focus on making India accept the disputed status of Kashmir and be united in taking people out of this mess or they should leave Kashmiris on their own so that they can evolve a better roadmap for resolution of Kashmir issue. (KNS)

     

     

  • SKIMS employees caught while stealing hospital equipments

    Srinagar: In an embarrassing situation for Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) management, two of its employees were Wednesday caught while stealing cooper wire, medicines and other equipments of the hospital by the police.

    Sources told KNS that Bashir Ahmad Khan who is also vice president of the one of the Employees Unions in SKIMS and another employee Mohammad Iqbal were caught by the internal security of the hospital while stealing the hospital equipments. “The duo was later handed over to police station Soura. However, some senior employees of the hospital and the management were trying to shield the accused,” they claimed.

    Sources said it has been a routine in SKIMS that some employees of the hospital who have patronage of the managements are continuously stealing drugs and other equipment which they sell in market against hefty amount. “The hospital has become a hub of corruption and management is watching all this as mute spectators. It is high time that the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah takes cognizance of the matter and books the accused,” they said.

    A senior employee of the SKIMS told KNS that it was embarrassing for all the staffers of the hospital that some vested interests were involved in such petty thefts. “We demand a thorough probe into the matter so that such incidents are not repeated in the future,” he added. (KNS)

     

  • HCJK leaders’ activities restricted

    Shah, Nayeem under house arrest, Mushtaq-ul-Islam still in detention

    Srinagar: Restricting the activities of Hurriyat Conference JK leaders, a large contingent of police force today put to house arrest the senior leaders of the amalgam Shabir Ahmad Shah and Nayeem Ahmad Khan while as Mushtaq Ul Islam continues to be in unjustified detention. The leaders were scheduled to visit south Kashmir’s Kulgam, Kemoah and Bogam areas.

    According to a statement issued to KNS, however, chairman, Islamic Political Party, Muhammad Yusuf Naqash, chairman Muslim Conference Shabir Ahmad Dar and JKLF’s Wajhat Qureshi, Muslim League’s Bilal Ahmad Shah, Freedom Party’s Ghulam Ahmad Maqdam, Abdul Rashid and dozens other activists succeeded in reaching Kulgam where they addressed various gatherings as part of election boycott campaign. The leaders highlighted the role of martyrs in the freedom movement and appealed people to honor their sacrifices by staying away from elections.

    Meanwhile, the Hurriyat spokesperson while condemning the house arrest of Shabir Ahmad Shah said though Shah has not been continuously in jail but his house has been turned into a jail from last three years. He said Shah’s total period under arrest or detention since last three year has been one year, four months and 17 days.  The spokesperson also condemned the house arrest of Nayeem Ahmad Khan and unjustified detention of Mushtaq ul Islam. (KNS)

     

  • Don’t have political ambitions: Civil society tells Mirwaiz

    ‘Raising Tosamaidan lease issue-out of concern’  

    Srinagar: Reacting to the statement of Huriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq wherein he had slammed Kashmir’s civil society group allegedly for dividing people in Kashmir over Tosamadidan lease issue, the group Thursday reiterated that it is raising the issue on humanitarian grounds and no one can stop them.

    The Huriyat Conference (M) in a seminar held at its party headquarters on April 16 had stated that civil society should not poke its nose in every matter and stop their campaign against those who have sacrificed their lives for Azadi movement.

    The civil society raising Tosa Maidan lease issue on Thursday came in open stating that they don’t have any ambitions of gaining any political platform and the group has no power sharing.  Various members of the group whishing not to be named told KNS that if the issue of Tosa Maidan lease is given a political color then it will be difficult to resolve the issue. “This is possible that the issue could be related to Kashmir dispute and then we have to look towards Indo-Pak dialogue so that it could be resolved.”

    “We want to resolve it as humanitarian issue as the lives of the people living in the area is at stake, said another member, adding that the political leadership must not feel insecure as the society has no ambition to join the political fray. We are raising this issue as per our conscience like every Kashmiri who at present is concerned over the lease we will continue our efforts in this direction.” (KNS)

     

     

  • Army waiting for Delhi headquarter directive on Tosa Maidan

    Div Com, top army officers authorized to find feasibility of alternate location

    Srinagar: Though the army and civil administration is tight lipped on extension in Tosa Maidan artillery firing range lease agreement, reliable sources today revealed to KNS that Chinar Corps has forwarded its recommendations on recently surfaced lease row to army headquarters in Delhi.

    However, the sources added that any decision by the army on agreeing to use alternate locations will be taken by the army here only after a directive comes from its Delhi headquarters.

    Sources in civil administration however, divulged to KNS that the divisional commissioner Kashmir has been authorized by a high level committee headed by the chief secretary to visit some locations alongwith with some senior army officers to report about the feasibility of those spots.

    Pertinently the lease agreement between army and the state government on Tosa Maidan artillery firing range is expiring tomorrow. “The expiry of the lease agreement is a mere formality and it has no bearing on the relocation of the artillery firing range from Tosa Maidan. If some alternate location is found feasible, the technicalities of lease can be sorted out thereafter,” a senior officer in the civil administration told KNS pleading anonymity. (KNS)

     

  • JKLF leaders Continue Election Boycott Campaign in Srinagar.

    JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik arrested from his residence

    Indian elections in Kashmir nothing but an institutionalized manipulation to hoodwink international community: JKLF

    Srinagar: Chairman Jammu Kashmir liberation front (JKLF) Mohammad Yasin Malik was arrested by police today and has been imprisoned at police station kothi Bagh. Police and forces cordoned Yasin sahib’s residence early morning and arrested Yasin sahib. He was shifted to police station Kothi Bagh and is lodged there. Yasin sahib was scheduled to lead a public rally and meting at Budgam today.

    Condemning the arrests of Yasin sahib and raids, restrictions and searches by police and army across towns and villages JKLF spokesman said that rulers and their masters in India are frustrated by the successful and most peaceful boycott campaign of JKLF and other resistance organizations and out of frustration have started a spree of arrests and other oppressive measures against the peaceful political movement.

    Spokesman said that besides arresting Yasin sahib, police and forces are raiding; searching and harassing JKLF leaders and activists across the valley and these oppressive measures have once again proved that Indian elections inKashmir are nothing but an institutionalized manipulation to hoodwink the international community and also befool the Indian public.

    Yasin sahibs arrest and other oppressive measures have exposed the tall claims of democracy of India and its Kashmiri puppets. Using police and forces against peaceful political activities has clearly shown that Indian elections inKashmir are nothing but a one sided drama, institutionalized manipulation and military operation. Spokesman said that these arrests and use of force against peaceful political leaders and activists has once again proved that resistance camp represents the people of Jammu Kashmir and exemplary peaceful boycott campaign run by JKLF and resistance parties has frustrated India and its Kashmiri puppets and their tall claims of democracy and openness has vanished and they have started using iron fist against peaceful programs.

    Spokesman while refuting the claim of Police chief in which he had said that the programs of resistance camp are violent said that in recent times JKLF has organized many programs but there was no violence in any program, instead it was police and other forces which used brutal force against JKLF leaders at Pattan, Islamabad and other places, arrested and assaulted them.

    Spokesman said that in-fact these arrests and oppressive measures are like conceding defeat by India and its KashmirI stooges even before the contest. Spokesman said that on one hand police and other institutions are used for pro election rallies and full protocol is being provided to these but on the contrary election boycott programs are met with iron hand and oppressive measures. He said irony is that this institutionalized manipulation is named as “democratic elections” and Indian leaders often refer to these as a vote for India to hoodwink the international community.

    Spokesman said that if India and its Kashmiri puppets believe in democracy and battle of ideas they should have some shame and should provide a space and allow their political opponents to run peaceful political programs freely.

    JKLF leaders and activists continued their election boycott campaign and visited Eid Gah area of Srinagar today. Led by Noor Mohammad Kalwal, leaders Mohammad Yasin Bhat, Mir Siraj ud din, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, Sheikh Khalid, Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri, professor Javed, sheikh Abdul Gaffer, Showkat Ahmad Dar, Ghulam Mohammad Dar, Pir Abdul Rashid, Mushtaq Ahmad Gabroo, Mohammad Amin and Imtiyaz Ahmad walked door to door at Wangan Pora, Rathpora, new Coloney Wangan Pora, new colony Rathpora and Laigurdooro areas meeting people individually and collectively and asking them to keep away from Indian elections. On the occasion written material about election boycott was also distributed. People at every place assured JKLF leaders that they will keep away from these Indian elections and will never forget the sacrifices of martyrs.

    Meanwhile JKLF has paid rich tributes to great martyr and freedom fighter S Hamid on his martyrdom anniversary. Recalling his struggle and sacrifices, JKLF termed the martyr as a noble soul. JKLF has also expressed heartfelt grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Mohammad Sultan uncle of advocate basher Sideeq. JKLF delegation comprising of advocate Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Mir Mohammad Zaman, Sheikh Abdul Rashid and Mohammad Sideeq shah visited the house of deceased and participated in his funeral prayers.

     

  • 2014 offers historic opportunity to change system: Mufti

    Urges Srinagar to lead from front

    Srinagar: Urging the people of Srinagar to vote for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said 2014 offers a historic opportunity for the state to defeat the vested interests that have held it captive for several decades.

    Addressing a well-attended public meeting in Batamaloo segment of Srinagar parliamentary constituency, Mufti said for any change in the  system and governance to be credible it is essential that the politically conscience people of Srinagar lead from the front. On this occasion District President Mohammad Ashraf Mir MLC, Ab Hameed Kosheen Secretary Coordination, Mohammad Khurshid Alam , Nisar Ahmad Mandoo, Ab Rouf Bhat, Mudasir Amin Khan, Mohd Shafi Mir , Noor Mohd Sheikh , Dr Ali Mohammad Wani and others were also present.

    He said the unchallenged dominance of NC for most part of the last century has resulted in complete degeneration of that party making it unable to either provide voice to the people or take care of their needs.

    “NC has now become a power broking agent that sells the interests of the state and its people for its share of power and luxury. Hence this party has lost its representative character and credibility and is on a life support system which would not last long.” said Mufti.

    Referring to the repeated U-turns of NC to stay in power, Mufti said in1996 they sought votes in the name of autonomy and then went straight into the lap of BJP which has declared abrogation of Article 370 as one of its main objectives.

    He said NC had a record 60 members in the state assembly and it had no compulsions to join the NDA, but it sacrificed the confidence and faith of the people just for Omar Abdullah to become a junior minister in the BJP-led government.

    Even the NDA could have run its government without the participation of NC but strangely DrFarooq Abdullah decided to gatecrash into the BJP –led coalition even in the face of opposition from their own ranks, Mufti said and recalled how Prof. Saif-u-DinSoz was thrown out of the NC for voting against the first NDA government, which brought that down.

    Mufti said all the alliance of NC have been without a political purpose or development goals, whether in 1986 Rajiv-Farooq coalition or NDA time or now in the Rahul-Omar alliance, the sole purpose has been somehow to secure power and keep Kashmir deprived of democratic rights and its due share in the development.

    Mufti said while being the NDA partner, NC failed to secure any benefits and concessions for J&K instead it created a frame work of terror through task force, SOG, Ikhwan, enforced POTA, transferred 7 most feasible power projects to NHPC, banned Shahtoos and gave an understanding to the Central government to ban recruitment, opening of schools and up gradation educational institutions. It also extended AFSPA to Jammu region.

    “NC enforced a package to disempower the people of the state politically and deprived them economically. The transfer of power to NHPC was a major blow to the economy of the state and the ban of Shahtoos hit Srinagar the most resulting in destitution of thousands of families who earned their livelihood which has given Kashmir its global identity,” said Mufti.

    He said NC didn’t leave NDA even when ‘Autonomy resolution’ was humiliatingly rejected or when the Gujarat riots generated outrage in the country.

    The Congress-NC collaboration in 1986 resulted in pushing the youth of the state out of democratic system and Kashmir is still bearing the brunt of rigging resorted in 1987.

    The present coalition, he said, has brought nothing but miseries and destruction as a result of mis-governance, corruption and inefficiency.

    He said NC and Congress leadership can’t wash their hands off the secret hanging of Mohammad AfzalGuroo, out of turn, last year.

    He said the PDP’s agenda is to prevent such things in future and the party will work to uphold the sentiments of people and protect the interests of the state.

    He said Srinagar has been the main victim of NC’s lust for power and inability to govern.

    He said out of 126 persons killed in 2010 by Omar Abdullah government most of the victims belong to Srinagar. Thousands have been involved in multiple police cases and an entire generation has been labeled as stone-pelters, drug addicts, LeT agents, criminals etc.

    He said PDP had made a strong beginning in reconstruction of Srinagar along with the other parts of the state in spite of the fact that it had no representative from Srinagar.

    “But we considered Srinagar as heart of Kashmir that must be in good shape for the entire region to feel good,” he said.

    Mufti said the initiatives taken by his government had unfortunately been abandoned by Omar Abdullah government in spite of the fact that it owed its existence to the eight seats in Assembly from the city.

    He said the PDP’s main thrust would be to upgrade the representation of the state in the parliament.

    He said the irresponsible statements made by the present MP, DrFarooq Abdullah which branded every Kashmiris as ‘MahaChors’ should be taken seriously.

    “Would any state leader dare to utter such words about his own people and then come to seek their votes,” Mufti said and added I know the people of Kashmir are noble in their attitude but they will hold toaccount anybody who tries to defame them in rest of the world.

    Speaking on the occasion, the party’s candidate for Srinagar parliamentary constituency, Tariq HameedKarra said both NC and Congress have failed the people of Jammu & Kashmir as they remained busy with their own joys  and fancies and didn’t care about them over the last more than five years .

    “They remained mostly absent from from the ground with the result people have to cry for even basic amenities in every nook and corner of the state,”

    Karra said the ruling government didn’t work seriously to address the people’s woes and it even reversed the gains made by the previous PDP-led government.

    The senior party leader and former minister, SofiGhulamMohiudin said PDP has a positive agenda for the Kashmir issue and the issues of Kashmir and the party has demonstrated it during its brief tenure in the government.

     

  • Plum farming picking up in JK

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 24 per cent increase in plum production in 2013-14. Last fiscal the total plum production has been recorded at 10,777 MT in the state, which is up by 2,095 MT from 8682 MT in 2012-13.

    The increase in the production has brought some good dividends to the farmers and orchard owners in the state.
    As per the Horticulture department a good number of farmers in the state are shifting to plum farming and availing for themselves various schemes of the department.
    Horticulturists in the state opine that after apple, it is now plum cultivation which has picked up in recent years.

    KASHMIR REGION
    Data compiled by the Horticulture department show that the production of plums in Kashmir alone has gone up by 1880 MT to 8268 MT in 2013-14 from 6388 MT recorded in 2012-2013.
    The data has been compiled for every district in the state.

    DISTRICTS
    It shows that in Ganderbal district as many as 26 hectares have been brought under plum cultivation last year. As per the report the total area under plum cultivation in the district has gone up to 178 hectares in 2013-14 from 149 hectares in 2012-13. “The production of the fruit in the district has increased by 91 MT from 1022 MT in 2012-13 to 1113 MT in 2013-14. “
    As per the report in Budgam district the area under plum crop was 953 ha in 2012-13 which has now gone up to 963 ha and the production has increased from 1616 MT in 2012-13 to 1659 MT last fiscal.
    In Islamabad (Anantnag) district the area under plum crop has increased by 20 ha as in 2012-13 the plum cultivable area in the district was 375 hectares which has swelled to 395 hectares in 2013-14. The production of the fruit in the area has witnessed steep increase from 1075 MT in 2012-13 to 2724 MT in 2013-14.
    As per the report, the area in Pulwama district under plum crops in 2013-14 was 67 hectares. It was 59 hectares in 2012-13. The production has increased from 295 MT in 2012-13 to 338 MT last year.
    In Kupwara district, the fruit production has gone up by 183 MT. The total production recorded in the district in 2012-13 was 369 hectares which has jumped to 555 MT in 2013-14. Similarly, the area under its cultivation has also increased from 41 hectares to 46 hectares in one year.
    In Srinagar district the area under plum cultivation in 2013-14 was 251 hectares. In 2012-2013 it has increased to 249 hectares.  The production of plum in the district has increased from 663 MT in 2012-13 to 664 MT in 2013-14.
    The area under plum crop in Bandipora district has increased from 24 hectares in 2012-13 to 25 hectares in 2013-14. The production has also increased from 42 MT to 52 MT.
    However, the production in Kulgam district has decreased from 1287 MT in 2012-13 to 1145 MT last year. Contrary to trend in other districts, the area under plum crop in the district has shrunk to 205 hectares in 2013-14 as against 206 hectares in 2012-13.
    In Shopian district the production has increased by 1 MT from 18 MT in 2012-13 to 19 MT last year. The area under its cultivation has not seen any change from 6 hectares.
    In twin districts of Ladakh region the area under plum has decreased from 4 hectares in Leh and 5 hectares in Kargil during 2012-13 to 1 hectare each in 2013-14.
    The production recorded in the two districts stood at 2 MT in 2013-2014.

    JAMMU REGION
    The Jammu region has witnessed increase in plum production from 2294 MT in 2012-13 to 2509 MT last year. The area under its cultivation in the region stands at 2623 in 2013-14 hectares which was 2566 hectares in 2012-14.
    Deputy Director Horticulture, AH Lone said the plum farming was picking up in the state. “Plum farming has become profitable and local temperature suits its cultivation,” he said.
    President, Parimpora Fruit Mandi, Bashir Ahmad said that plum is mostly exported to states like Punjab, Delhi and Mumbai.
    “Our local demand for plum is not high and it is mostly exported to other states. But its short shelf life impedes its export to far-off places,” he said.

     

  • All-new Tata Aria rolled out in Kashmir

    Srinagar: Tata Motors— India’s largest automobile manufacturer Wednesday launched All New Tata Aria MY-14, an upgraded version of its premium Tata Aria offering, in the domestic market.

    In Srinagar, the car was launched at an impressive function at a local hotel today.

    Speaking on the occasion, GN Baba, General Manager, Fairdeal Motors, authorized dealership of Tata Motors, said that Tata New Aria MY-14 will be available in 3 variants – top of the line Pride 4×4, Pleasure 4×2 & Pure LX.

    The vehicle has a seating capacity ranging between 7 and 9 seats in front and side facing configurations. “The price of the vehicle has been fixed at Rs 9.99 lakh ex-showroom, Srinagar,” he said.
    “The exterior design of this vehicle is very subjective. Indian reviewers have reported it as very attractive. It looks unmistakably a Tata. The Aria is spacious on the inside as is expected from a big crossover,” he said.
    Tanit Obrai, Tata Motors Regional Cooperate Manager said: “The Tata New Aria MY-14 seeks to deliver added value to customers through substantial changes in the exteriors and interiors combined with improvements in drivability, ride, handling and comfort, besides an all New Varicor 2.2 L Engine delivering 15.1 KMPL mileage.”
    He said the spare parts of the vehicle shall be available easily in market. “If you fail to have spare part on visiting showroom which makes your vehicle unable to run on road, the company will pay you Rs 1500 as compensation for each day, it reaches to you,” he said.
    “The exteriors have been accentuated by new head and tail lamps and indicators on electrically operated ORVMs. The interiors have been refreshed to give the vehicle a completely new, contemporary look with a two tone theme complemented by a new faux wood centre console and new fabric upholstery,” he said.