Curfew Imposed In Pulwama

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Local administration early Saturday imposed a curfew in Pulwama in South Kashmir.

Locals told Kashmir Life that they were not being allowed to come out of their homes. They added that police and CRPF personnel on Saturday morning announced curfew through loudspeakers and asked people not to come out of their homes.

They said that additional forces were also deployed.

Police sources told Kashmir Life that fearing apprehensions of protests over the killing of a local militant yesterday evening, they had to impose curfew.

Pertinently, on Friday evening a militant was killed in an encounter in Keungen area of Pulwama. He has been identified as Aijaz Ahmad from Chursoo, Awantipora.

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NC Core Committee Meets To Assess CSC Recommendations

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah flew to Jammu from Delhi to preside an urgent meeting of the NC core group to assess the recommendations that the CSC would be making to the cabinet. The CSC has finalized creation of 659 administrative units which are nearly triple the units that Mushtaq Ganai committee had recommended.

The meeting currently in progress at the residence of Chief Minister is being attended by Abdul Rahim Rather, Mian Altaf, Ajay Sadotra, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Surjit Singh Slathia and Devinder Singh Rana. The meeting will take a formal decision about the NC stand in the cabinet meeting that will take place at 2 PM.

The CSC that concluded its last-but-one meeting slightly past midnight is expected to meet again before submitting its report. There is a possibility that either side may suggest some more corrections.

The committee, so far, has recommended 659 administrative units in addition to making Patwar Halqas coterminous with the existing Panchayats. The new administrative units include 46 sub divisions, 131 tehsils, 178 community development blocks and 304 Nayabats. The other recommendation would improve the number of patwar halqas to nearly 4098, an addition to more than 2000.

Mushtaq Ahmad Ganaie headed Commission had recommended only 222 administrative units (excluding patwar halqas) only. Interestingly, it had suggested eight new districts, for which the CSC lacked any mandate. The new districts include Akhnoor-Chhamb and RS Pura-Suchetgarh-Bishnah (border district), one district carving out of Reasi and Ramban including Gool-Arnas-Mahore-Gulabgarh, one district in Rajouri comprising Sunderbani-Kalakote-Nowshera and one district out of Kathua including Bani-Basohli-Billawar, all in Jammu province, two districts in Kashmir including one in Anantnag and another between Baramulla-Kupwara and one district in Ladakh between Leh and Kargil, a Jammu newspaper reported. The new districts are just a suggestion and not the recommendation.

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JKP Reinstating 3 SOG Men Who Killed Eight In Brakpora

KL Report

SRINAGAR

It proved a huge coincidence that on Friday when DIG N D Wani retired from his services, a Delhi newspaper reported exclusively his recommendation that the cops dismissed for the Brakpora massacre of March 2000 be reinstated. Wani was heading an internal enquiry that was constituted on the directions of high court.

The officer had submitted the findings of a departmental enquiry that he headed, to the state home secretary on September 12, 2013 in which he had established the involvement of the three SOG personnel – ASI Ashok Kumar and Constables Chaman Lal and Krishan Kumar in “unprovoked and unwarranted firing on a civilian procession”.

Interestingly, however, the officer had recommended their reinstatement saying “their suspension for the past 13 years has kept them away from policing [and] as such [a] lenient view is hereby taken.” DIG, however, recommended that their annual increments be forfeited, reported the Hindu.

Wani, a decorated officer who has even served the UN at one stage of his career, retired on Friday. There were two farewell functions organized for the warm send off at the conclusion of his service that started in 1984.

The same day, the Hindu carried a detailed account of how his recommendations may mean gross injustice to eight civilians who were killed at Brakpora by the three cops and four CRPF personnel. Action against the cops was recommended by Justice S R Pandian who headed the one member commission that probed the massacre of people seeking the whereabouts of 17 civilians who had gone missing in the belt after the Chttisinghpora massacre.

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CSC Meeting Again On Saturday Afternoon

KL Report

SRINAGAR

The cabinet sub committee that is finalizing its recommendations for creation of new administrative units is meeting Saturday afternoon, almost two hours ahead of the scheduled cabinet meeting. Its final touches to its recommendations remained inconclusive at 12.30 am after nearly one-and-a-half late night meeting.

Informed sources revealed that there were certain changes to the recommendations and it will again be printed for a final touch. The meeting will take place at 12.30 pm on Saturday. A member said there were certain changes in the numbers which will be rectified. He put the new units somewhere between 550 and 600.

“It is a mix of what Ganai report suggested and what the CSC found on its own,” the member said. “We have recommended that the Patwar Halqas be made co-terminus with the existing number of Panchayats which is a separate recommendation excluding the creation of other units – tehsils, sub divisions, blocks and nayabats.”

The cabinet is taking a final call on the CSC recommendations. Members from the both the parties said the recommendations have taken care of the what the Chief minister wanted.

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CSC Recommending Less Than 550 New Units

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Apprehensions that the discord over the new creation of administrative units in the state may encourage Omar Abdullah to walk out stand doused as the cabinet sub committee meeting concluded its marathon meeting at a positive note. The CSC has finalized its report and will see it again after the recommendations are printed and mandatory signatures of its members.

CSC is meeting at 10 PM again to sign the document that would be submitted to the weekend cabinet at 2 PM, sources from Jammu said.

A member of the CSC told Kashmir Life that the meeting, though long, was cordial and there was not the tensions as media was speculating. “It was smooth and accommodating,” the member, speaking anonymously said.

He said the CSC ended up recommending less than 600 administrative units comprising tehsils, sub-divisions, blocks and Nayabats. Exact numbers would be available once the final print out is ready.

“The major demand was there for patwar halqas because across J&K we have less than 2000 patwar halqas,” the member said. “We have recommended that J&K should have a patwar halqa for every Panchayat and that essentially means we may have to double the patwar halqas to reach the 4200 which is the number of panchayats.”

The CSC will meet one last time at 10 PM at the state guest house and go through the notes and final print of the recommendations that it is making. It will be signed and will go to the cabinet in the afternoon. It depends on the cabinet whether or not it accepts everything or makes any change.

Another member said that the CSC addressed the problems that were there in the Mushtaq A Ganai report. “We improved things as there were certain disparties,” he said. “The new units may not be more than 550 to be precise.”

The meeting was presided over by Deputy Chief Minster Tara Chand and those attended included Akbar Lone, Ajay Kumar Sadotra, Mir Saifullah (NC), Sham Lal Sharma, Nawang Rigzin Jora, G A Mir and Ghulam Hassan Mir (Congress).

Another report said the CSC has approved tehsil for Litter in Pulwama and “something for Wagoora” in Baramulla.

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Cabinet Sub Committee Meeting In Progress

KL Report

SRINAGAR

A cabinet meeting on Saturday at 2 PM will decide the fate of Omar Abdullah led coalition government when the cabinet sub committee will submit its report over the creation of additional administrative units in the state. Omar had accused Congress of being not supportive in ensuing “effective governance” of the state by adding to the existing administrative units.

Reports from Jammu said the CSC started its meeting at 2.30 PM in the state guest house under the chair of DCM Tara Chand. While NC is represented by Akbar Lone, Ajay Kumar Sadotra, Mir Saifullah, Congress has Sham Lal Sharma, Nawang Rigzin Jora, G A Mir and Ghulam Hassan Mir.

“Initially, the members were getting in and out of the venue quite frequently,” sources told Kashmir Life. “Then they all came out for around 15 minutes and went to separate rooms and were probably talking to their parties. And then they all came and again they are meeting.” Officials associated with the ministers said the meeting seems to be taking place smoothly and it is not noisy.

A source privy to the meeting said there are discordant notes from the two sides. But there are efforts to have some sort of consensus.

While Omar has said he can go move out of the government – obviously without coming out of the UPA, most of his party leaders and also those in Congress are against creating any situation that can lead to such a crisis. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is visiting Jammu for two days from Sunday.

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Amarnath Yatra 2014: Registration to commence on March 1

KL Report

JAMMU

The process of registering Yatris for this year’s Amarnath Yatra shall commence on 1st March, 2014, simultaneously for both the Baltal and Chandanwari routes, through 425 designated Bank Branches.

According to government statement issues relating to the commencement of registration for this year’s Yatra were discussed at the last meeting of the Shrine Board.

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‘Chillai Kallan’ ends

KL Report

SRINAGAR

The coldest period consisting on forty days commonly known as ‘Chillai Kallan’ in Kashmiri calendar ended on Thursday, however, valley is witnessing severe cold since last few days.

Kashmir received two major snow falls during ‘Chillai Kallan’ this year. The first snowfall came on December 31, 2013, the last day of the last year.

‘Chillai-Kalan’, begins every year on December 22 and ends on January 31. The second major snowfall came on January 22, 2014.

MeT department has predicted another snowfall from February 2 to 5.

Meanwhile, there was no respite from the cold wave in Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region as the minimum temperature dropped in most places.

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Weather Advisory; Div Com asks DC’s to gear up

KL Report

SRINAGAR

In view of bad weather warnings, which may affect J&K from February 02 to February 05, 2014, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has asked all the Deputy Commissioners to gear up their men and machinery and to be in a state of preparedness, to minimize disruption in essential services, including water and power supply, healthcare and road connectivity.

Besides, the Deputy Commissioners of Islamabad, Pulwama, Shopian, Srinagar, Kulgam, Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kargil and Leh have been asked to advise people living in avalanche prone areas to restrict their movement during the day and not to venture out during night hours to avoid any untoward incident. The Deputy Commissioners have been asked to establish joint Control Room in the district.

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Police recovers body in South Kashmir

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Police in South Kashmir’s Islamabad district recovered an unidentified female body near Aang Bridge, this afternoon. Police registered a case FIR number 8/2014 and started investigation to ascertain the cause of the death.

Police was informed by some locals that a body of a female is lying near Aang Bridge in the jurisdiction of police Station Islamabad. Police team rushed on the spot and recovered the body. The body was shifted to District Hospital, Islamabad. Investigation has been started.

Anybody having any information regarding the identity of the deceased may please contact on Phone no.s 9419005190, 01932222870 or Police Control Room, Srinagar on Dial 100.

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Focus on Budget Session about TMU creation: JAH

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Socio-religious organization Jamiat Ahalhadees (JAH) Thursday said that its all focus in on the coming Budget session and the organization hopes that Government will give a nod to the creation of Transworld Muslim University.

During a press meet at Barbarshah headquarters in Srinagar, JAH president, Ghulam Muhammad Bhat said that new leadership of Jamait has its own stand on Transworld Muslim University issue. “We will not come on roads and will try our best to settle the issue through political and legal means. We are eyeing on the upcoming Budget session and are confident that this time Government will not let us down,” he said.

“Jamiat’s university is planned as Rs 200 crore multi-disciplinary institution with a stated mission to “suit and serve the modern world through the quality and impactful education and research in the field of medicine, science and technology with emphasis on spirits of Islamic theology and principles. All these merits will help us this time to get a nod from the government,” he said.

He reiterated that JAH will not participate or support elections. “Jamiat believes that solution of Kashmir does not lie in elections but its solution lies either in UN Resolutions or tripartite talks,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, General Secretary, Abdul Latif Alkandi said that JAH is a socio-religious organization which works with in the tenants of Islam. “Our organization is working for the betterment of Muslims and we have started a Diagnostic Centre in the interest of people and soon a medical store will be opened so that poor people could be benefited,” he said.

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Power shortage continues to haunt people

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Power shortage continues to haunt people in Kashmir. Amid chill people at different places in Kashmir Valley took to streets on Thursday against Power Development Department (PDD) alleging that scores of areas are reeling under darkness while the PDD do not bother to stick to its curtailment schedule that it came up with on the onset of winter in November last year.

Reports said that hundreds of people blocked Bandipora-Shadipora road near Ganistan Sumbal area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district. Protestors including men, women, youth and children assembled on road and used wooden logs to disrupt the vehicular movement.

The protestors alleged that scores of areas in Sumbal Tehsil are without electricity from past ten days while PDD officials are in slumber. “Whenever we approach any PDD official, he assures of regular power supply but soon his assurances prove hoax as we never see electricity,” they said.

Traffic was disrupted for hours on roads while the Police and PDD officials who visited the spot assured that electricity will be restored in the affected areas without any delay.

Similar protest was reported from South Kashmir’s Kulgam town where people alleged that PDD is not following their curtailment schedule.

In several parts of Old Srinagar City, people also took to streets and protested against the shortage of electricity. Residents of Khanyar and Saida Kadal areas blocked the roads that led to traffic chaos.

The protestors alleged that these areas witness frequent and unnecessary power cuts. “PDD has miserably failed to supply uninterrupted power supply. Not speaking of continuous power supply, even curtailment schedule is not being followed and it is adding to the woes of people,” they said.

Police and PDD officials reached on spot and assured protestors that electricity would be supplied to the affected areas as per schedule.

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People accuses Sarpanch of misusing his power

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Scores of residents from Panchayat Halka Yaroo in Langate Handwara Thursday alleged that the Sarpanch of their Ward has swindled a huge chunk of money and the works done under MGNREGA in the area are present on papers only.

A delegation headed by a local Aijaz Ahmed Bhat told CNS that Sarpanch Yaroo, Abdul Majid Wani is looting the state exchequer on the name of different Centrally sponsored schemes. “The said Sarpanch with the help of Block officials has embezzled a large chunk of money that was meant for IAY beneficiaries and MGNREGA works,” they said.

They said that we had sought information from Block Development Officer Langete about the works done by Sarpanch under MGNREGA. “The irony is that Block Development Office gave its hand written reply on a plain paper in which it claimed that one work has been completed while four works are in progress while the fact is that no works have been done in the area,” they said and appealed to the Panchayati Raj Minister to look into the matter.

They alleged that Sarpanch Abdul Majeed Wani has given benefits to his relatives under IAY scheme. “He is misusing his power and position.”

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Administrative Units row: CM’s Samba statement shocked Congress party

KL Report

SRINGAR

Congress party Thursday alleged that after giving mandate to Cabinet Sub Committee to ‘balance’ the Mushtaq Ganaie Committee Report (MGCR), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shocked everyone when just after 3 days in public rally at Samba, he claimed that some people do not want Ganaie Committee report to be implemented in letter and spirit and are trying to scuttle it.

“What was the fun of that statement when Chief Minister himself formed Cabinet Sub Committee to balance the report about the creation of new administrative units? Chief Minister himself asserted that Ganaie Committee report is imbalanced and needs to be balanced but to everybody’s surprise, National Conference started blaming Congress Party, forgetting that their members were the part and parcel of the CSC formed by Chief Minister,” Tourism Minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir told CNS adding that even some of the NC leaders didn’t see eye to eye with MGCR.

Mir said that Ganaie Committee in its report has proposed a ‘Block Status’ for three ‘halkas’ while ignoring those Blocks which are comprised of more than 10 ‘halkas’. “In one of the meetings, even some NC leaders like Mir Saifullah felt that MGCR is inconclusive and admitted that it is not balanced one,” Mir said.

He said both NC and Congress members requested Chief Minister to form a CSC to seek suggestion from people. Mir said that Omar Abdullah gave nod to CSC after he felt that Ganaie report was not balanced. “CSC was formed by Omar Abdullah. He gave 10 days time to the Committee comprised of both NC and Congress members. But, only after three days the Chief Minister at his Samba rally in Jammu claimed that some people are trying to scuttle the Ganaie Committee report,” Mir told CNS adding that why NC is blaming Congress for delay in the submission of CSC report when its members are part of it.

Senior Congress leader said that Congress is not demanding the creation of 2100 administrative units. “It is an exaggerated figure. Our demand is that all the three regions of the State should be given their share on equal basis,” he said.

Mir said that it was not an easy job for CSC to submit its report in 10 days as it involved many technicalities. “CSC is working day in and day out to complete the report and the report will be tabled before Cabinet in its next meeting,” Mir said.

Responding to a query, Mir said that there is no threat to the Coalition Government from Congress side. “Congress party is cooperative and want to cooperate with NC at all levels to run the affairs of the Government smoothly,” he said.

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Clashes in Palhalan against youth’s arrest

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Police had to use tear smoke shells to disperse protesters in Palhalan on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway after hundreds of angry people gathered to register their protest against arresting of a youth Thursday afternoon.

Earlier Police arrested Nisar Ahmad Bhat of Bhat Mohalla, Palhalan, in Hyderbeigh area.

Soon after the news of Bhat’s arrest reached Palhalan, hundreds of locals gathered on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway crossing and started raising anti-India and anti-SOG slogans.

“28 years old Bhat was arrested by SOG men situated at Hyderbeigh,” they alleged.

The police personnel swung into action and tried to chase away the protesters who in retaliation pelted stones on the men in uniform.

Police used tear smoke shells to disperse the mob and the ding dong battles were going on when the reports last came in.

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Pathribal case closure: PDP delegation calls on Governor

KL Report

JAMMU

A delegation of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by party MLA Shangus, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain Thursday called on Governor N N Vohra and demanded justice for the victims of Pathribal fake encounter case.

The delegation demanded re-opening of the case and fresh investigation in a time bound manner.

According to a statement expressing his anger over closing the case by the Army, Peerzada Mansoor pointed out that this case has provided a window of opportunity to the state government as well as Centre to provide justice to the people of Kashmir. “Faith on the democratic institutions of the common masses has been badly shattered due to the closing of this case so it was need of the hour to re-investigate the case in a time bound manner to revive faith of the people,” he said.

The MLA, under whose constituency Pathribal falls, said that it was all due to the denial of justice and lack of transparency and accountability in the system that alienation among Kashmiris has been increasing.

He insisted that all institutions including Army and other security forces should be made accountable. MLA urged the Governor to take this issue before the Defence Ministry.

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9 years old girl dies in road accident

KL Report

SRINAGAR

A minor girl died in a road accident in south Kashmir’s Kulgam District last evening, police said on Thursday.

According to a statement a Tata mobile bearing registration number JK021F/5685 hit a nine years old pedestrian later on identified as Nidu Jan daughter of Shahnawaz Ahmad Hajam resident of Kehrwat, Kulgam at Buchroo.

The minor girl died on spot. Police has registered a case in this regard.

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Jaasindah’s “The Escaped Moments” released at KU

Saima Rashid & Shiekh Tabish

SRINAGAR

Jaasindah Mir

A debut novel “The Escaped Moments” authored by Kashmir University’s post-graduate student (in Literature), Jaasindah Rafiq Mir (24) was released at varsity’s Ghandi Bhawan on Thursday.

Prof Talat Ahmad, vice chancellor KU was chief guest on the occasion. He termed the author different from others.

“She approached me once and told me to have a look at her writings,” Prof Talat told audience. “I saw a different spark in her writing style. And knew, she would make it a big.”

The novel is about a fifteen-year-old small town girl, Aatirah who has underwent a lot of tragedies right from her birth. She is a character who has antipathy not only to her life but her dad, step mother and her cruel step brother.

“Besides this, Aatirah has many troubles but behind the drapes, the conclusion of this novel goes like this; would Atirah be successful at grabbing the freedom of her heart by opening it up or still does she have a desire of having a friend who confides her,” Jaasindah said in her speech.

But before throwing light into her novel, she recalled an incident wherein certain person had cast a doubt on her ability to pen down the novel. “But I assured the person that I will do it,” she said. “I am victorious today after a lot of rejections!”

At last, Jaasindah was honoured by a momento by Prof Talat. Presently, she is writing her second novel, The Kohl Girl.

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NACO employees protest against ‘less wages’

Asmat khan/ Tyba Bashir

SRINAGAR

Employees of state AIDS prevention and control society protested against the authorities in the press colony on Thursday alleging that they are paid very less wages as compared to the employees of the same department in other states.

The protestors included counselors, lab technicians and other staff members working in the department.

Protesters were demanding the regularization of the contractual staff and also increase in their wages.

“The employees working in other states in the same department are paid adequately by the central government, but here they are paying us less” an employee said.

The protesters threatened to go on an indefinite strike if their demands were not met.

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Won’t leave UPA: Omar Abdullah

KL Report

SRINAGAR

A couple of days after hinting at a possible split from the UPA, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday, clarified that his party, the National Conference, will not walk out from the alliance.

He instead blamed a few Congress leaders who reportedly want to go it alone in the elections. “These voices are coming from Congress state leaders. They want to go alone,” Omar was quoted by a news Channel.

Omar also dismissed reports that his party was softening its stand towards the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

Omar had on Tuesday said his party was seriously reviewing his alliance with the Congress ahead of elections in the state later in 2014.

He categorically denied reports that the NC might join the NDA. “There can be no relationship with the NDA,” he said.

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Valley shivers, Kargil freezes

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Kargil town in Jammu and Kashmir recorded the lowest temperature of the season on Thursday as mercury dips to 21.6 degrees, MeT officials said.

“Kargil town recorded the lowest temperature of this season today (Thursday) at minus 21.6 degrees Celsius,” he said.

The officials further said that the minimum was minus 3.4 in Srinagar, minus 10.8 in Pahalgam and minus 12.0 in Gulmarg.

Leh town in the Ladakh region recorded a minimum temperature of minus 12.7 degrees Celsius while the Jammu city recorded a minimum of 9.0 degrees.

The official said the weather is likely to remain dry till Saturday.

“We are expecting moderate to heavy snowfall in the valley Feb 2 onwards. During that period, the night temperatures would pick up by a few notches, while the day temperatures would drop because of the cloud cover and precipitation,” the official said.

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Omar’s resignation drama, a non-existing heroism: PDP

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Commenting over the “threat” given by the chief minister Omar Abdullah that he will resign if congress fails to submit its report on the creation of new administrative units in the state, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Wednesday termed it “a hollow threat and a drama to impress people by the non-existent heroism”.

“If he (Omar) had moral courage, he had much better reasons to resign earlier,” said chief spokesman PDP Naeem Akhtar, adding that Omar could have resigned at the time of execution of Afzal Guru.

“In 2010 there were more than 120 people killed by his own forces on valley streets, at the time of Shopian and when the case of Haji Yusuf’s killing was surfaced, Omar didn’t resign,” said Naeem.

The PDP spokesman added further, “Omar holds nothing to show as his achievements to the people and it is like sticking to a straw by a drowning man.”

Ahktar further said, “They know that there end is near and in this desperation, they are trying to shake the foundations of the state.”

Akhtar stated that NC and Congress are at present through the issue of new administrative units, trying to show to their respective constituencies that they are their saviors and champions.

However, Akhtar stated that PDP is with the creation of new administrative units in the state, keeping in view the topographic and climatic conditions. “We are against the political gains that Congress and NC is trying to get through the issue. They cannot buy polls by indulging into the thoughtless exercises.”

Demanding that the Mushtaq Ganaie report must be made public so that people could give their opinions about the issue, PDP accused that the report is being kept as secret deliberately.

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Land transfer irregularities: SVC reviews progress on verification

KL Report

JAMMU

The Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Commission (SVC) on Wednesday, reviewed the progress on verification of the alleged irregularities committed in transfer of land under the Roshini Scheme, in Jammu at a meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Vigilance Organisation(JKVOJ) officers.

It was for the second time that SIC took a review of the matter and discussed various steps taken and to be taken by the VOJK for the required verification.

The Director Vigilance Organization said that four Special Investigation Teams (SIT) each headed by an SP have been constituted to work under close supervision of nodal SIT headed by DIG VOJK for speedy verification. It was also indicated that Government (General Administration Department) has also issued instructions to all the Deputy Commissioners on January 27, 2014 for cooperating with the SITs of Vigilance Organisation to complete the verification.

The meeting was chaired by Chief Vigilance Commissioner, Kuldeep Khoda.

Vigilance Commissioners, R K.Jerath and Gousul Nisa Jeelani, besides Director State Vigilance Organisation, J&K, Sheikh Owais, IGP Vigilance Organisation, Alok Puri, Secretary State Vigilance Commission, DIG , SSP , Deputy Director Prosecution and Assistant Commissioner Rev of Vigilance Organisation, Additional Secretary SVC, Chief Prosecuting Officer SVC & FA/CAO were present in the meeting.

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Congress Throwing Ball In Omar’s Court

KL Report

Srinagar

Congress has decided that the cabinet sub committee led by its top man in the government, the Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, will submit the report on creation of new administrative units by February 1. However, the report is expected to seek answers to the funding part of the new units that eventually wil be created.

Congress sources told Kashmir Life from Delhi that there are 2103 administrative units that exist right now. The Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai report that working on the issue for four and a half years recommended creation of 955 units. Finally when the cabinet acknowledged disparities in the report’s recommendations, the cabinet sub committee was set up by Chief Minister. In slightly more than half year of its existence, it has received demands for creation of 2133 units in addition to what Ganai report suggested.

Implementation of Ganai committee report would require Rs 3455 crore of expenditure and in case the CSC recommendations any additions, it will add up to costs.

Indications suggest the CSC will seek prudent financial assessment before opting for any additional creations. It is expected to seek a threadbare discussion on the options available.

While the reportage on the issue has suggested a discordant approach by the ruling partners, insiders in the two parties said there are not many differences. “There is near consensus on the demand that all the Panchayats should be patwar halqas,” a Congress minister said. “Right now, we have more panchayat’s and less patwar halqas.”

Meanwhile the CSC met at Jammu. An official spokesman said the CSC had a detailed deliberations on various representations received by it. The CSC discussed in detail various issues to be taken under consideration while deciding creation of new administrative units in different regions and sub-regions of the state, the spokesman said. The meeting decided that regional imbalance, area discrimination particularly in hilly and tough terrains as well as issues left unattended by the Ganai Committee would be taken under deliberation before finalizing the report.

The spokesman said the Deputy Chief Minister instructed the revenue secretary to submit before CSC the set of norms and minimum parameters to be followed for creation of new administrative units at different levels in the next CSC meeting.

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Protesters torched a car in Budgam

KL Report

SRINAGAR

The people protesting against the frequent power cuts in Budgam, torched a car when it hit and injured a pedestrian, Police said on Wednesday.

A Santro car bearing registration number JK03C/8011 hit and injured a pedestrian Ghulam Mohammad Mala resident of Sebdan at Sebdan, in Budgam.

Some persons were protesting against PDD for transformer damage nearby. The protesters attacked the car and set it ablaze. The car was damaged in the incident.

“Some miscreants torched the car when it hit a pedestrian and Police have registered a case and launched a manhunt for the miscreants,” Police said.

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TV on fire over coalition future, Omar Sips Coffee at home

KL Report

SRINAGAR

At a time when TV Channels and news websites were busy in doing the stories about the resignation of Omar Abdullah, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister was enjoying making coffee and tweeting at his Srinagar residence.

“Damn I’m a real #tubelight today. I only just got the #chaiwalla #coffeewala jokes. And now come the wise cracks -”only today???” :-)) said Omar’s tweet when news stories about his flying to New Delhi on the advice of his father were going viral.

Omar Abdullah, who came to summer capital Srinagar Tuesday evening and then decided to spend the night here, did not flew neither to Jammu nor New Delhi on Wednesday.

“My poor sister is going to wake up & wonder what hit her when she sees her TL.” Omar’s another Tweet said.

There were stories running that Omar has been called to New Delhi by none other than his father, Farooq Abdullah after the later sorted out the issue of administrative units with Congress High Command, but Omar was enjoying Coffee making from a new machine at his Srinagar residence.

Omar’s another Tweet said that AeroPress coffee maker is the Cheapest way to make the most amazingly smooth coffee. “Thanks to my sister I got my hands on an #Aerobie #AeroPress coffee maker. Cheapest way to make the most amazingly smooth coffee.” The Tweet said

Sources said that earlier Farooq Abdullah played a crucial role in bridging the gap between the Congress and the NC with his proximity to 10 Janpath spoke to Omar Abdullah late Tuesday evening informing him that the crisis had been resolved.

Sources said that National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance headed by Omar Abdullah Wednesday resolved the deadlock over the creation of new administrative units in the state after NC patron and union minister Farooq Abdullah invoked the intervention of 10 Janpath.

They added that Omar Abdullah and his father finally managed the intervention of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son and party vice president Rahul Gandhi to shoot down the dissent within the state Congress unit over the creation of the new administrative units.

The state government had set up a commission which had recommended 900 new administrative units and the NC wanted to go ahead with this.

Omar Abdullah had walked out of the cabinet sub-committee meeting here on January 24 after its Congress members told him the report on their recommendations was still not ready.

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NC not averse to Modi as Prime Minister: Farooq

KL Report

SRINAGAR

After Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah “threatened” to part ways with the UPA ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the National Conference President and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah said that the party is not averse to Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, reports say.

Farooq’s statement has come at a time when National Conference is a logger heads with its coalition partner, Congress over the establishment of new administrative units in Jammu and Kashmir.

About the pre-poll alliance, Dr Farooq said that the decision taken by his son and State CM Omar Abudllah will be final.

Omar in an interview has earlier said that his party has serious reservations over the Pre-Poll alliance with Congress.

Earlier on Tuesday reports said, Omar Abdullah was considering resigning following sharp differences between the two parties.

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NC-Cong deadlock apparently over, Tara to submit report before Feb 1

KL Report

SRINAGAR

The deadlock between National Conference and the Congress over the establishment of administrative units in Jammu and Kashmir has apparently ended as the Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chan on Wednesday announced that he will submit its report earlier than the due date.

“We will support the government till the last day, and will submit our report before the February 1 deadline,” Tara Chand, who heads cabinet the sub-committee was quoted by a TV news Channel today.

Sources said that due to the direct intervention of Congress High Command to “settle the issue amicably” state Congress has directed Tara Chand to submit the report.

The proposal to create new administrative units in Jammu and Kashmir has become the new bone of contention between Omar Abdullah’s National Conference and the Congress, casting a shadow on the fate of the alliance in the state.

With the ties between the two alliance partners hovering on the brink, the cabinet sub-panel headed by deputy chief minister Tara Chand, a senior Congress leader from the Jammu region, according to sources has sought to trump the NC by recommending the formation of 2000-2500 new administrative units, against the 700 favoured by Abdullah’s party.

The sub-committee was formed by the NC-Congress government in the state to examine the recommendations of the Mushtaq Ganai panel, which had come up with the idea of reorganizing the state’s administrative structure to bring administration at people’s doorsteps.

Relations between the two partners have never been easy, and have survived only because of the personal equations between Abdullah and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

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Malik distributes Rs 1.34 lakh among kokerbazar fire affected families

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Chairman JKLF Mohammad Yasin Malik visits the affected families of kokerbazar fire Tuesday and distributed sum of Rs 1.34 lakhs among them.

On the occasion, Malik said that keeping Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) teachings in mind, we all shall stand up in support of our affected brothers and sisters in this hour of need.

“Our brothers and sisters at kokerbazar Srinagar are today facing a calamity and have been tarnished by a devastating fire.” Malik said. “These families are today compelled to live under open sky and are in dire need of help and support in this hour of need.”

Pertinently, a devastating fire ruined many houses and literary brought half a dozen families of kokerbazar last night.

Soon after learning about the worst condition of these affected families, Malik said, he met many wealthy and rich friends and appealed them to help these affected brethren.

“As a human and Muslim we are duty bound to rush for supporting them and provide them whatever relief we can,” he said.

He also thanked those who provided their support to these affected people.

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Kichloo distributes ex-gratia cheques among road accident victims of Padder

KL Report

SRINAGAR

The Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, who is also local public representative of Kishtwar, Tuesday distributed ex-gratia relief cheques of Rs one lakh each to the Next of Kin of 10 deceased passengers of Ishtihazi Padder who died in a tragic road accident on way to Udeypur Himachal Pradesh in connection with Triloki Nath Yatra.

On the occasion, Kichloo conveyed his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved families. He said the coalition Government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to the welfare of the people adding that all the resources have been pooled to provide basic facilities at their doorsteps. He said the Government is always at the beck and call of the people in distress adding that common people should also imbibe spirit of sympathy and compassion in them. He said service to mankind is the best form of worship. He said people should know that the God helps those who help themselves.

Kichloo said the present Government is particularly concerned about the condition of people living in hitherto neglected and backward areas adding that it is for the first time that special budgetary provisions are now being made for the development of bad pockets exclusively.

He said the Government has embarked upon an integrated and comprehensive plan to improve road connectivity in the scattered and remote areas of the Kishtwar district surrounded by rugged terrain. “Unless road network is improved and expanded up to remote areas overall development of the State will remain a distant dream,” Kichloo maintained, adding that keeping in view this fact, focused attention has been paid in the planning process towards construction of road network in bad pockets.

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NC has reservations about pre-poll alliance with Cong: Omar

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that there are some reservations in his party (National Conference) about fighting elections together with the Congress.

Talking about the pre-poll alliance with Congress during a TV interview the Chief Minister said that it was under discussion. “There are reservations in my party about fighting elections together with the Congress and there are sections in the Congress that would rather go it alone, he said.

“Both Congress and National Conference have a presence in the 3 regions of the state. If we start giving seats to them we start to lose our identity in those seats, and what is the guarantee that votes will be transferred from Congress to the NC and vice versa,” Omar elaborated.

Stating that he will discuss the Pathribal case closure issue with Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh when he will be visiting Jammu early next month, Omar said “We are expecting the Prime Minister in Jammu & Kashmir early next month; it is an issue I will be discussing with him. The army has said they don’t have enough to proceed with a court martial my understanding is that the CBI has found enough. I am more likely to accept what they have to say that anybody else,” Omar said in an interview with a TV Channel.

Answering a question Omar said, “People might think you need to do an Arvind Kejriwal and sit on the street, but what happened, Arvind Kejriwal did a dharna for the Delhi Police what did he end up with, two policemen sent on paid leave. There are ways to take this argument forward we have done our best to convince government of India about the logic of our argument about AFSPA.”

Answering another question, Omar said that Chief Ministers are not put in office for dharna’s. “They are put in office to work with the government to try to resolve issues that is what he is going to have to do,” Omar said adding “can the Jammu and Kashmir CM hold a dharna outside the Ministry of Defence? Would the media cover that equally positively?”

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Deodar seeds recovered in Handwara

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Handwara police Tuesday arrested three smugglers and recovered Deodar seeds worth lacs of rupees in North Kashmir’s Handwara.

On a tip off regarding smuggling of forest produce particularly Deodar Seeds, Handwara police established a Naka during the previous night near Shanoo Muqam Handwara.

During the wee hours today at about 07:15, the Naka Party noticed the movement of a TATA Mobile Vehicle white colour bearing registration Number: JK05A-4407. The vehicle was stopped for search. During the search 27 bags of Deodar Seed loaded in the vehicle were recovered by the police party. The forest produce worth lacs of rupees was supposed to be transported to other parts of the valley.

The vehicle alongwith Deodar Seed was seized on the spot and three persons boarding the vehicle were also arrested. A case FIR NO: 17/2014 under section 379 RPC, 6.F.Act. has been registered in Police Station Handwara and investigation has been started.

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Er Rashid: A lawmaker or a separatist?

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Independent lawmaker, and Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) President, Er Rashid on Tuesday, held a protest against army for the closure of Pathribal case and alleged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Congress President Sonia Gandhi that it was after their consent that army closed the case.

Marching from TRC crossing up to the Press colony in Lal Chowk, Er Rashid along with his considerable number of followers raised anti-India and pro-Afzal Guru Slogans all the way.

To the utter surprise of even police officials, Rashid raised slogans like, “Tum Kitnay Afzal Maro Gay, Har Ghar Say Afzal Niklay Ga.” (How many Afzal’s will you kill, Afzals will born in every house of Kashmir)

Rashid and his followers did not stop at this but continued resembling themselves with the separatists saying, “Bharat Teray Hathon Maen Who Lakeer Nahin Hay, Kashmir Teray Bap Ki Jagir Nahin Hay.”

Talking to media persons Rashid said, “Indian forces are killing Kashmiris and they are not being even asked about it and this is all because they (forces) are enjoying unlimited powers under AFSPA.”

He further said, “Today’s protest is against the closure of Pathribal case by army with the consent of the ruling National Conference and Congress.”

Rashid and his followers tried to march up to Ghanta Ghar, but a large contingent of police stopped them from moving forward. After a brief sit in, police swung into action and arrested Rashid along with his dozens of followers.

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Use Social Media for freedom movement: DAK

KL Report

SRINAGAR

President Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Dr Nisar ul Hassan on Monday said that it is sad that Kashmiri’s particularly youth are using social media for entertainment and enjoyment.

In a statement Dr Hassan said, “It is distressing that our people are using social media networking sites for uploading and sharing personal/family photos, junk videos and non serious messages. The interactions on social media are about mundane and menial subjects. It is shameful to know of indecency and immorality on social networking sites. It is disgraceful that Kashmiri professionals working overseas are discussing petty personal issues on social media and forgetting the national issue to which they have an obligation.”

The DAK president added that social media–an instrument of interactive communication was the sole contributor to mobilization of protests in Jasmine Tunisian revolution on December 2010, which overthrew President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali and led to democratization of country.

“It was Facebook page “Kullena Khalid Said” that sparked Egyptian revolution in 2011 which inevitably spilled onto streets and ousted out President Hosni Mubarak. Kashmiris should use social media to portray sufferings of oppressed nation and highlight brutality and barbarism of Indian occupation. Online activism is crucial to get boots on ground and activists on streets. It is the incessant street demonstrations that will free us from clutches of slavery. The real heroes in a revolution are the ones on streets.”

The president DAK has observed that social media should be used to convince international community about the illegal occupation of Kashmir by Indian state. “Kashmiris should use the tool of social media to mount international pressure on India to vacate the occupied land. Martyrs are beckoning us not to forget their sacrifices and the best tribute to them is not mourning but to carry their mission to its logical conclusion. “Azadi means Martyrdom” and everyone of us should be prepared for sacrifices.”

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Second Cross LoC meeting ends in stalement

KL Report

SRINAGAR

A second round of meeting at LoC failed Monday as both the parties stuck to their official stands on the drug haul issue.

The meeting that lasted for about three hours failed to yield any consensus between the two sides.

“While Pakistani officials demanded the release of truck along with its driver,” an official who was part of meeting told Kashmir Life. “On the side, Indian officials denied the demand citing the crime involved in the case.” The next meeting is scheduled for January 30. Trucks from J&K are halted in Chakothi and 48 PaK trucks are in Salamabad since January 17 when security officials recovered 114 kgs of Brown Sugar in a PaK truck.

Meanwhile, bus services remained suspended for the second consecutive week. While the bus didn’t move from Srinagar, the Poonch bus had started and returned after it was refused permission by Pakistan, officials said.

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PDD mess: Non-employee electrocuted

KL Report

SRINAGAR

A family from Central Kashmir’s Beerwah town Monday alleged that Power Development Department made their son scapegoat and lured him to repair electric transformers and wires in return of few currency notes. According to family, their son Bashir Ahmed Teli resident of Chek Dewan Beerwah was electrocuted and is battling for life in Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura.

“My son is not an employee of PDD but the sub-division Beerwah used him often to repair electric wires in the area. PDD used to give some cash for his service. On Jan 21, while repairing electric wire in Beerwah, my son was electrocuted and is battling for life in the hospital,” the father of Bashir Ahmed Teli told CNS adding that PDD exploited the poverty of his son.

They said that PDD has no right to lure those youth who are not employees of the department. “Not a single PDD official visited their house or hospital to enquire about the health of my son. My son has become permanently disable,” he said.

Meanwhile, police has registered an FIR vide number 6/2014 under section 287,336 and 338 of RPC in this regard. “We have registered a case and investigation has been taken up to ascertain the facts,” a police official told CNS.

When contacted Chief Engineer PDD, Bashir Ahmed Khan told CNS that he will look into the matter. “It may be an individual case. This is come to our knowledge that some PDD employees unofficially give some money to some people for repairing electric wires and such employees would be dealt strictly. I will seek details about the case and accordingly will initiate action,” he said. (CNS)

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Kupwara observes shutdown to commemorate massacre

KL Report

SRINAGAR

A complete shutdown was observed in Frontier district Kupwara against the cold-blooded massacre of 27 civilians including three policemen allegedly the soldiers of 31 Indian Medium Regiment on 27 January 1994.

The markets remained closed and transport was off the roads. The government offices and banks also noticed thin attendance in the town. Congregational Fateah Khawani was held at Shaheed Mazaar, Kupwara. People paid rich tributes to the martyrs and said that their sacrifices will always be remembered.

Chairman International Forum for Justice Muhammad Ahsan Untoo staged a peaceful protest in Main Chowk Kupwara against the said massacre. The families of the victims joined him. Police swung into action and arrested Untoo. Besides Untoo, police arrested Abdul Aziz Ahangar and Waseem Ahmed.

Pertinently, the FIR registered by Police vide number 19/1994 reads that , “in a criminal assault, the soldiers of 31 Medium

Regiment who were on road opening party duty led by field officer S Bakshi gunned down scores of people in indiscriminate firing in Kupwara market and its vicinity without any provocation.”

Amoung the deceased three were policemen and one was a government employee. Most of the killed in cold blood by Army were traders.

Locals alleged that massacre was carried out to teach people a lesson after they observed complete shutdown on India’s Republic Day in 1994. (CNS)

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17 days on: Litter residents continue to protest for Tehsil status

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Hundreds of residents from Litter blocked Highway near Sangam in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday demanding Tehsil status to Litter. The protestors amid anti-government slogans threatened that people from Litter and its adjacent areas will stage a massive protest in City Centre Lal Chowk of Srinagar if the government did not give a word about the issue to the people within three days.

The protestors carrying placards and banners assembled on road and blocked the traffic for hours. Amid anti-government slogans the protestors including men, women and children alleged that Government is showing no keenness to pacify the protestors and concede to their demand.

“We are protesting from past 17 days but till date not a single officer from district administration or State Government visited the area. Litter has been ignored by government from time to time but this time there will be grave repercussions in case it is not granted Tehsil status,” Advocate Rayees Qadri told CNS.

He said that Litter residents will hold a demonstration Srinagar after three days in case government fails to concede to their demand.

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Social Work PG’s demand justice

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Scores of post graduate students possessing Masters in Social Work (MSW) Monday alleged that Jammu and Kashmir Yateem Foundation ignored them for their project despite the fact that they were eligible for the posts of Project Coordinator and Field Supervisor. These candidates alleged that Yateem Foundation selected blue-eyed persons as the nepotism runs high in the Foundation Board.

A group of postgraduate students told CNS that Jammu and Kashmir Yateem Foundation sought applications for the posts of Project Coordinator and Field Supervisor. They said that the advertisement notice published in a particular Daily read that preference would be given to students possessing Masters in Social Work and Masters in International Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS). “But the candidates who have been short listed are completely from different subjects, and they have done PG in History, Sociology, Mass Communication, Business Administration, Management, Commerce, Library Science, Environmental Studies, Information Technology and the most interesting thing is that a candidate having Masters in Physical Education has also been short listed,” one of the candidates told CNS.

These male and female candidates cried foul in the short listing. The Candidates said that fail to understand on what basis they were rejected when they are eligible and have completed their post graduation with flying colours. “We want to know on what basis the candidates from other streams were selected when they have lesser percentage than us,” they said.

The candidates also said that they have lost all the trust on such voluntary organizations, as they have started to function like government departments and prefer only those candidates who are known to them.

When contacted one of the members of selection board of Yateem Foundation told CNS that for the project titled, ‘Save the Children’ they sought applications for different posts. “We had never mentioned that only MSW students will be preferred but had quoted that students possessing general degrees can too apply. The candidates were shortlisted by the Board after proper deliberations and scrutiny,” he said adding that ‘justice and fairness’ is the motto of Yateem Foundation.

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‘SKIMS turning out to be death-bed for patients’

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Main CT scan machine in Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) is defunct for over a month now putting hundreds of patients to hardships.

Muhammad Ayoub Ganaie resident of Shahgund Sonawari from Bandipora district told CNS that her mother Zoona Begum is battling for life in the hospital as CT NGO machine is defunct. “My mother suffered a stroke and she needed CT scan but we were aghast when doctors informed us that the machine used for Brain Hemorrhage patients is defunct,” he said adding that her mother is at the verge of death.

On daily average, around 40 to 80 patients need CT scan, mostly admitted in emergency ward with head injuries which is necessary to provide them medical help. There is total chaos and patients are the worst sufferers of inability of the government to repair the machines early. “This is the biggest hospital in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and looking at its condition, one feel so sad. Most of the people are afraid to admit patient in the hospital,” another attendant Abdul Rashid from Muran Pulwama said.

Sources told CNS that some brain scan cases are pending for months, mostly patients from rural and poor background. These patients are suffering due to non functional machine in the hospital, but this was not the first time when patients have to pay for the fault of the hospital but many time earlier patients have to face problem due to one reason or the others.

When contacted, Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Dr Ajaz Mustafa told CNS said that CT NGO machine is made in Germany whose one component called ‘Injective’ has become defunct. We know that people are facing hardships, but most of these machines are imported from foreign companies,” he said adding that machine will be repaired soon.

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Brown Sugar row: ‘Karwan-e-Aman’ suspended again

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Weekly cross LoC bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, remained suspended for the second consecutive week on Monday after a huge amount of Brown Sugar was recovered from one of the Trucks of PaK carrying goods for barter trade going on between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad.

“The service run was suspended again today,” sources said adding “This was the second week the bus could not operate because of drug row.”

Initially, ‘Karwan-e-Aman’ was suspended on January 20 when a PaK bus driver was arrested after 114 packets of brown sugar were recovered from his vehicle at Salamabad, Uri trade centre.

Later, Pakistan closed the gate and refused to take back their drivers who remained stranded in Uri.

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Geelani, demands remains of Bhat, Guru, calls for three day shutdown

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman, Syed Ali Geelani called complete shutdown on February, 9, 10 and 11, to press for the return of the remains of late Mohammad Maqbool Bhat and late Mohammad Afzal Guru.

Bhat was hanged in Tihar jail on February 11, 1984 while as Guru the Parliament attack convict was hanged last year on February 9 in the same jail.

Denying their bodies to their families, Bhat and Guru were buried in the Tihar jail premises.

“We are the heirs of thousands of Martyrs but the martyrdoms of Bhat and Guru are different,” Geelani said in a statement.

He announced that a seminar will also be held at his Hyderpora residence on February, 12, 2014 to pay homage to both Bhat and Guru.

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Missing Head Constable found dead in Baramulla

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Police recovered the body of the missing police Head Constable from an open field in Baramulla, police said on Monday.

Head Constable Abdul Rashid Hakeem son of Ghulam Mohammad resident of Malpora Sheeri who was posted as Guard Commander at a minority Picket at Veervan Pandit Colony Baramulla was reported missing on January 20, 2014 from the guard room.

The body of the Head Constable was found from an open field at Khadiniyar, in Baramulla.

Police took the body under custody and proceedings under section 174 CrPC were initiated to ascertain the cause of the death.

The dead body was later handed over to his next of kins for last rites after completion of all legal formalities.

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Leopard injures 2 in Kulgam

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Two persons were injured in Oriel Kund, Qazigund when they were attacked by a Leopard in district Kulgam, police said on Monday.

Leopard attacked the two persons in resulting in injuries to Gul Khan son of Lassi Khan resident of Kanchloo and Ghulam Nabi Khan son of Ghulam Hassan resident of Chamelwas Banihal.

Police said that both the injured were shifted to Sub District Hospital, Qazigund for treatment.

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3 residential houses, Cowshed damaged in fire

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Three residential houses and a cowshed were damaged in fire in two different incidents across the valley, police said on Monday.

Fire broke out Sunday late evening in the residential house of Jan Mohammad Sofi son of Mohammad Sultan resident of Koker Bazar, Amira Kadal, Srinagar which engulfed another adjacent residential house of Shabir Ahmad Sofi son of Khazir Mohammad Sofi resulting in partial damage to both the houses. Later fire was brought under control by fire tenders.

Meanwhile fire broke out in the joint residential house of Wali Mohammad Bhat and Ali Mohammad Bhat sons of Abdul Aziz Bhat resident of Yaroo, Kulgam, resulting in damage to their residential house and a nearby cowshed.

The fire also engulfed the adjacent residential house of Gulzar Ahmad Sheikh son of Sikander Sheikh resulting in partially damage to the house.

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Afzla Guru’s ‘Last Message’ Published In PaK

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Thousands of people had gathered in Muzaffarabad on Sunday to attend the book release of Parliament attack convict, Mohammad Afzal Guru.

The last Message of Afzal Guru is a compilation of Guru’s writings who was hanged on February 9, 2013 in Tihar jail.

The book was earlier complied and published in Srinagar, last year by senior separatist leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan, who is now a part of Hurriyat Conference (JK).

Khan claims that the writings which he has compiled in the shape of a book were provided to him by some prisoners who had met Guru, in Tihar.

“Guru had written his opinion about so many things and later handed them over to the other jail inmates from Kashmir, I after confirming was convinced that the write ups belonged to Guru finally compiled and published them last year,” Khan said.

Meanwhile reports reaching Srinagar said that a number of militant leaders also were present at the book release function in Muzaffarabad.

“They (Militant leaders) strongly criticised India for ‘killing Kashmiri Muslims’ and accused New Delhi of carrying out terror activities in Pakistan,” the reports said.

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MeT predicts fresh snowfall on Feb 1 and 2

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Metrology department of Kashmir on Monday predicted fresh snowfall on the very first day of the next month.

According to MeT officials the temperature will dip in the coming days and a fresh snowfall is expecting on February 1 and 2.

Meanwhile Srinagar recorded a low of 0.9 degrees Celsius on Sunday night whereas the mercury in Qazigund settled at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, slightly down from minus 0.9 degrees Celsius on the previous night.

Pertinently Kashmir valley witnessed two major snowfalls of the season so far.

The first snowfall occurred on the last day of the last year while as the second on January 22, 2014.

On both the occasions the valleyites suffered because of the power and water supply was badly affected.

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Shabir Ahmad Shah

After distancing himself from moderate Hurriyat camp headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, it seems senior separatist leader, Shabir Shah is on prowl. After floating his faction of Hurriyat Conference (JK), Shah recently termed it as a political platform of resistance people. And in the same breath, appealed all resistance leaders to join it for taking the ‘freedom’ movement to its logical conclusion.

A native of Kadipora, in South Kashmir’s Islamabad and a son of a Block Development Officer, Shah said: “Hurriyat Conference (JK) represents the aspirations of the people of Jammu Kashmir,” Shah said, addressing a public meeting in Rafiabad. “I appeal all pro-freedom leadership to strengthen it and play their role in taking the freedom movement to its logical end.”

Shah, who began his political career in 1968 at the age of 14, was arrested and jailed for 3 months and 15 days in Srinagar’s Central Jail as a teenager. Immediately after his release, he resumed his political activities by forming Young Men’s League along with his colleagues for which he was arrested at Islamabad and was detained for 8 months in Srinagar’s Central Jail, again.

Significantly, it is the second time (decadal split) after 2003 when Hurriyat Conference has split. Then Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani floated his own faction after he accused Sajad Gani Lone of People’s Conference of fielding proxy candidates in the assembly elections.

Shah was arrested on August 29, 1989 and was released on October 14, 1994. Since then he has been in and out of various jails and has been put under house arrest most of the time.

His political movements have also been restricted to very much extent since then until he was detained under PSA on August 20, 2008 after taking part in “Muzaffarabad Chalo” march during the Amarnath land agitation.

After his detention grounds were quashed by the High Court, the government again slapped PSA against him on December 8, 2008, which was later revoked by the Court. He was released on May 22, 2009 but was re-arrested on June 8 with a fresh PSA slapped against him.

Having spent much of his life in Indian jails, Shabir Ahmad Shah gained international coverage as an Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience. He is also known as ‘Nelson Mandela of Kashmir’ and sometimes called as ‘Jail Bird’. Shah has spent almost 29 years, mostly the prime of his youth, in prisons and frequent house arrests.

But critics claim he is more popular overseas, in particular in the USA, than he is in Kashmir.

– Bilal Handoo

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Logjam At LoC: Who Owned The Drugs?

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Photo by: Bilal Bahadur

As India and Pakistan are holding the truck convoys of PaK and PaK for nearly 10 days now in a worst ever stand-off involving cross-LoC-barter, police are yet to get the real answers about who was end owner of the 114 kilograms of brown sugar. It valued Rs 114 crore in international market and its recovery was key to the arrest of PaK truck driver Mohammad Shafiq Awan and his truck that carried it along with almond kernels.

The investigations into this sensational case may eventually offer interesting details about how this barter is taking place. Chief Minister had once, famously, termed the LoC traders “smugglers”.

People privy of the investigations said the cargo was sent by Muzaffarabad based company al-Fajr to the Bandipore based trader Showkat Habib. This traders has been associated with the barter for nearly a year.

Within minutes after Awaan’s arrest, Showkat Habib was taken into custody. In police arrest, he told sleuths the cargo did not belong to him. He said it definitely was in his name but the actual trader was Baramulla based Tariq Ahmad. He was immediately arrested.

Tariq had summoned a truck from Baramulla to the Slamabad Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) to evacuate the cargo – apparently a truck load of almond kernels. Police acted quite fast. But watching Awan arrest and his truck seized, he directed the truck to return back. But police acted fast. First, they rounded up Tariq and within a few minutes, they tracked the empty truck and seized it. Driver and conductor – father and son, were detained for questioning.

Entire trade was aware of the fact that both Showkat and Tariq are both forwarding and commission agents. They, like majority of the cross-LoC traders, work for the big traders – importers, sitting in Punjab’s Wagha. They might never accept it publicly. But in this case, they finally have informed the police that the consignment did not belong to them.

Now police have started investigating the big importers in Punjab for whom the consignment was to be received by Tariq and Showkat.

A police official said they are stumbled with a case that may eventually prove an inter-state or, worst, an international drug trafficking racket. Soon after seeing the magnitude of the mess, they are working on two fronts.

Firstly, they are analyzing and studying the call details of the two detained traders and there are lot many calls they have received from Delhi, Punjab and even Dubai.

Secondly, they have deputed teams to Delhi and Punjab to investigate the people who names have somehow appeared during the course of investigations. The case is being probed by an ASP rank officer of the state police.

Thirdly, the police is yet to rule out the possibility of the drug haul having links with insurgency. But they are yet to get any clue, so far. Interestingly, the police had nothing adverse against either of the two traders who are in detention and formally booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

Meanwhile, there is no breakthrough on this front between India and Pakistan. Both the sides have summoned the envoys of other side for reprimands. That is the last thing that has happened between the two sides. All the 48 truckers are quatrained at Slamabad. Last time, they were signed in newspapers were when they were playing in the premises with their adored trucks offering a calm background to the concrete, high altitude pitch on the banks of Jhelum.

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PIL- Don’t appoint Kashmiri as All’d HC Judge

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Advocate Ashok Pande has filed a PIL in the Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench as regards the recent process on way to get A R Masudi appointed as High Court Judge.

As per the PIL, A R Masudi was born in Islamabad district of Jammu and Kashmir and later came to Lucknow. As per article 370, many restrictions have been imposed on people from rest of India to settler or work in Kashmir. Right to equality demands that people from Kashmir shall also have similar restrictions and hence Mr Masudi shall not be appointed as High Court Judge from Lucknow Bench.

Mr Pande has said that in last many years no persons from SC, OBC and women category have been appointed from Lucknow bench of the High Court which is against Article 15 and has hence asked for appointment from these weaker sections of the society.

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Governor hoists tricolour at State level R-Day function at M. A. Stadium

KL Report

JAMMU

N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, hoisted the tricolour at the State level function on the occasion of the 65th Republic Day, at Maulana Azad Stadium, here this morning.

On a bright sunny morning Sunday, the Governor inspected the parade and took the salute at the march past of the smart contingents of the Army, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, men and women contingents of the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, State Disaster Response Force, J&K Prisons, Police, Jammu, J&K Fire and Emergency Services, J&K Forest Protection Force, Ex-Servicemen, National Cadet Corps, Bharat Scouts and Guides, boys and girls schools students and Bands of Army, BSF, J&K Police, Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police and various schools.

Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul, Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Amrit Malhotra, Chairman, Legislative Council, Ministers, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Vice Chairmen of various Boards, Legislators, Chief Justice and Judges of the State High Court, senior Civil, Police and Army officers, political and social activists, prominent citizens, media persons and a large number of the citizenry were present on the occasion.

A colourful cultural programme based on national integration and the glorious composite heritage of the State was presented by thousands of students on this occasion. Bhartiyam, in which over 1500 students from various educational institutions participated received a thunderous applause. Gun Drill by 26 Inf. Div. and Motorcycle acrobatics display by Dare-Devils of J&K Police also received repeated cheers from the jam-packed audience in the Stadium. Army weapon and equipment display and dog show by BSF were other highlights of the function.

Among the other attractions of the programme included the tableau on “Shiksha Mera Adhikar” by the Directorate of School Education, Jammu; “Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation” by the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu and “Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram by Directorate of National Rural Health Mission, Jammu.

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Clashes hit Palhalan, again

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Police and forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters in Palhalan on Sunday after people came out of their houses and started protesting against searches in the area.

Authorities had deployed a large number of police and forces personnel in the village two days ahead of 26 January.

“The men in uniform have been making house to house searches since last two days and the practice continued today as well,” local sources told Kashmir Life adding “This provoked the people who came out and started protesting against it.”

The protesting people raised anti-India slogans and started marching towards the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway.

Sources said that police and forces chased the protesters who in retaliation pelted stones on them.

Police later used tear gas shells to disperse the protesters resulting in panic in the village.

Sources said that clashes continued for an hour and an extra reinforcement of police personnel helped in controlling the situation.

Meanwhile, police spokesman told Kashmir Life that Republic Day passed away peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in Kashmir.

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