Kashmiri prisoner’s unable to tolerate burning heat: Khan

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Revealing that dozens of Kashmiri prisoner’s health has deteriorated badly due to burning heat in different jails of India, senior separatist leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan has demanded the immediate shifting of all Kashmiri prisoners to the valley.

“The Kashmiri prisoners languishing in jails like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jodhpur, Madras, Delhi, Kuthua, Jammu, Hiranagar etc, are not familiar with the scorching heat there, I have information that many Kashmiri prisoners have gone seriously ill and went unconscious many times a day, so all these prisoners should be shifted to the valley as soon as possible,” Khan said in a statement.

Pertinently, there are a number of people languishing in different jails outside the state. Many among them have been convicted in different cases.

“All Kashmiri convicts who are languishing in different jails were not provided ample opportunity to defend themselves so their conviction is not based on justice,” Khan said adding “We demand their immediate shifting to the valley.”

Khan also demanded the release of prisoners languishing in Srinagar and other jails of the valley.

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Careers in Creative Writing

By Saima Rashid

All writing is creative to a degree. Writers must think of words to use, how to organize their thoughts and how to appeal to an audience. However, creative writing tends to refer to writing specific types of things that include poetry, drama, short stories, personal essays, long and short fiction and some non-fiction. It goes beyond writing in certain formats like journalism or technical work, and there are sometimes grey areas where writing is both creative and professional.

In many colleges and in some vocational schools people can study creative writing and they may also study it at the high school level. Those who want to major in this art should expect to do a lot of reading. They’ll read example material from some of the best writers in the world, past or present, and they’ll also read books, texts and guidelines on how to begin or enhance their writing skills. It almost goes without saying that someone studying creative writing will need to spend a lot of time practicing the art form too.

In college settings, students may earn a BFA, or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree by studying creative writing. Some people earn a BA in English literature instead, but have had a primary focus on creative works in their college studies. Students can also progress to the graduate level and there are many programs that offer an MFA or Master of Fine Arts degree in the area of creative writing. Some doctoral programs exist that may offer this study too, though these are still relatively rare.

When people want to write primarily plays or screenplays, they may study for this separately. They’re still likely to earn a fine arts degree but it might be in screenwriting or in drama instead. This can depend on the school, but many people who choose to specialize in one of these areas look for a school that offers this specific focus.

It isn’t always necessary to major in creative writing or in fields like English to choose this as a career. People may come to it from a variety of directions or disciplines. John Grisham was a lawyer before he penned works like The Firm, and JK Rowling did her university studies in French. Other writers like Laurie R. King, have studied in diverse fields like religious studies.

There are many potential paths to having a writing career. While some people will go to school to study, others learn by doing, and might take the occasional creative writing workshop. There are many of these located online and in numerous local communities.

It should be stated that some of the most successful writers in the world never took a class on creative writing, but it can certainly help. It is important to have good writing skills, which means at minimum most creative writers need to understand grammatical conventions and the art forms in which they work. They must possess, in general, very strong language skills.

A degree in this field is certainly not a requirement, but persistence is, in addition to being able to take criticism. Most writers are used to having their work rejected, repeatedly. The field is also not one where most will hit the jackpot and make tons of money.

Yet many may make a living at least, if they continue to work and submit work, and there are now many ezines and Internet sites that pay a little bit for creative works, in addition to the more traditional publications like magazines and if you like write and are wondering how to take your passion and turn it into a job you will enjoy, consider the following 15 writing career options.

Some creative choices you might want to consider are writing (1) poetry, (2) fiction, (3) plays, (4) screenplays, (5) TV scripts, (6) comedy material, and (7) trivia. Although the odds of succeeding in any of these endeavors are not great, there are still many people who are successful writing in these various genres.

Both poets and short writers can market their work to magazines and online publications. There are also numerous contests available that both poets and short story writers can enter. Novelists will need a publisher for their work. One great place to start looking is The Writer’s Market.

Playwrights can also enter contests but they can also approach theaters directly that might be interested in staging and performing their work. For screenplay and TV writers, they need to write a spec script and send it to an agent who can market it for them.

In the case of the TV writer, the script is not often purchased; instead, it serves as an example of the kind of work you can do and often opens doors for you to pitch story ideas to various shows. If you have a good sense of humor and enjoy making up jokes, consider writing comedy material.

Comedians are always looking for new jokes and monologues. You can contact comedians directly, offering to write some material for them on speculation. If they like your stuff, they just might hire you. Another fun thing to write is trivia questions. You can create crosswords, word searches, puzzles, etc. Many magazines and newspapers buy this sort of material, and if you write enough of it, you can actually create a book that you can publish books.

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Waiting For Gashe’

Nightmare for Ganai family of Shopian began in 2003 with the mysterious disappearance of their second son. After disappearance, death of their eldest son surged their sorrows. Their third and remaining son was then devoured by Amarnath land row. Bilal Handoo reports the family whose three sons became the casualty of conflict

He is taking his time to recall the haunting memories of past. He mumbles, creases his forehead and flips through inked pages. But there is no flashback. In defeat, he calls his wife: “Gashe’ kar gayov gaib?” (When did Gashe’ got disappear?). Gashe’ is their disappeared son. His wife preparing tea in the kitchen is taking her time to reply. A strange stillness grips the room. Minutes after, she breaks the lull: “Perhaps, in March 2003.”

Forgetting is indeed a blessing in disguise for Nazir Ahmad Ganai, 64, and his wife Kulsooma, 58, of Jamia Masjid Shopian. Over the last eleven years, one by one, they lost all the three sons to different reasons boiling down to conflict. Now, living a hushed life inside a spacious house, the couple is pinning a strange hope to have what seems an ‘impossible’ reunion with their disappeared son.

It is noon. And the sun is glowing intensely outside. But darkness is disturbingly gripping the room where Nazir is still scanning the notes written on torn pages. His memory is perhaps flashing back in bits and pieces. And meanwhile, his wife walks inside the room with tea. Her huffs are quite audible as she pours tea into cups. Now, the aged couple is conversing as well as competing with each other while recalling the events that lead to their first tragedy.

Finally, it seems, the search of the father has ended on a positive note. He lifts his head up and starts reading from the torn page in his hand: “Hmm… it was March 8, 2003. Yes, that day, my son, Naseer Ahmad Ganai [Gashe'] went missing mysteriously.”

A long pause follows.

With grim facial expressions and folded forehead, Nazir resumes: “That day, after returning home from office, we [Nazir and Gashe'] both had a lunch and then, he left for local mosque, but never returned.”

Later that evening, when Naseer didn’t show up, Ganai House echoed with soft moans of mourning. As days of futile search to seek whereabouts of their son followed, the mourning only grew loud. “Eleven years have passed since then, but we are still waiting for him,” says Kulsooma, the mother with myriad health issues.

Naseer was 17-year-old at the time of his disappearance. He was teaching in a local seminary, and was respected due to his religious devotion. His disappearance set the rumour mills on fire. Some claim: Naseer was arrested by the SOG outside his residence. But nobody saw that happening. And others believe: He joined militant ranks and was subsequently killed in an encounter. “But the fact is: we don’t know the fate of our son,” says Nazir.

Naseer’s disappearance drove his parents at extremes on the onset. But somehow they regained composure for the sake of their two remaining sons. During the same time, a growing whisper in the town about Naseer’s killing greatly disturbed his elder brother, Hilal Ahmad Ganai, 19. “He would remain lost in thoughts and would hardly talk to anyone after his brother’s disappearance,” Nazir says.

And then, one day in August 2003, (exactly four months after his brother’s disappearance) Hilal froze at the doorstep of his home. He complained about chest pain. And later, he died of cardiac arrest.

The death after disappearance pushed Nazir and Kulsooma into the deep state of mourning. And with that, they were only left with their youngest son, Sajjad Ahmad Ganai.

As the recollection of the parents inside the room peaked, some kids walk inside. Kulsooma takes them inside the kitchen and serves them lunch. They are kids of their neighbours, who often visit them. And, thereby ends their seclusion for some moments.

Meanwhile, Nazir, a retired official of fire and emergency service department of state, resumes: “Somehow we had learned to move on with life by focussing on the upbringing of our son, Sajjad, but…”

It was 2008. Amarnath land row had gripped the whole valley. On September 12 that year, Ganai House again echoed with loud mourning: their youngest son fell to the state bullets that day.

It was Friday and month of Ramadhan. Sajjad returned home from work. He had a bath, applied iter and left to offer Friday prayers. No sooner the prayers ended, ‘peaceful’ protests started near Jamia Masjid. “Sajjad came out of the Masjid and, went to the nearby graveyard to offer Fateh at his eldest brother’s grave,” recalls Nazir, who was inside Jamia Masjid when protests broke out in the town.

To counter protests, the police and paramilitary stationed in the town swung into action. Nazir says, while offering prayers at his brother’s grave, police resorted to indiscriminate firing on protesters. “The cops fired teargas canisters towards the mosque which set one of the windows of Jamia Masjid on fire,” Nazir recalls the event, now with rapt clarity. Sajjad soaked an abandoned jute bag lying on ground wet and tried to place it over the blazing window, says Nazir: “The moment he did it, a bullet pierced through his abdomen and left him in a pool of blood.”

Sajjad, who used to sell the produce of his orchard in a nearby fruit market, was immediately rushed to hospital by people. But, according to eyewitnesses, their way was intercepted by police. Many people “vainly pleaded” with a police officer present on the spot to provide them vehicle, so that, they could shift Sajjad to the hospital. “While the police denied the help, Sajjad lost blood profusely and succumbed there,” Nazir says. “He was fasting and refused to drink water when asked. Later people told me that he recited the Kalmia and… It was simply a target killing!”

Soon after Sajjad’s killing, deputy commissioner Shopian ordered inquiry into the circumstances leading to his death. But the grieving father says, the logical conclusion of the probe remains elusive till this day. “In fact,” he says, “the police mentions in its FIR that I and my son Sajjad attacked the police station and in retaliation, the police opened fire that killed my son. But I have no complaints, because, that is the real face of law in Kashmir.”

Six years after the “target killing” snatched their last hope; the aged parents have decided to perform Hajj on behalf of their sons. But now, Nazir says, the passport authorities aren’t clearing up their passport. “In 2011, we performed our first Hajj,” says Kulsooma. “But now, we want to perform it for the lasting peace of our sons. But, we are being denied the same.”

A silence returns to the room after mosques outside pitch the call for noon prayers. The floor of poorly lit room is littered by documents, scribed torn pages and passports. Both of them are now silently placing documents back into the bag. And with that, a painful narrative pauses for a while. Now, they are affectionately pressing the stranger to spend some more time with them.

After some time when the door leading to their courtyard opens up, Kulsooma on the parting note speaks: “Look, we have not pinned any hopes on the ruthless state. Our sons were Allah’s gifts who have safely returned to Him. But yes, we hope, someday our Gashe’ might return to our dark lives.”

And with that, they shut the door and returned to the dark room.

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News Notes

Mystery CONTINUES

In last two months two almost identical cases involving minors has shocked people across the valley. In both the cases, minor boys went missing and after a few days of search their bodies were found.

On the evening of May 6, three-year old Faheem Asgar Lone of Nowpora area of downtown Srinagar went missing from the compound of his home where he was playing, when his mother Hameeda, went to washroom for ablution.

Fortnight later, Faheem’s body was fished out from Wular lake in Leharwalpora, Bandipora. According to police, Faheem had drowned in a nearby canal near his home where one of his footwear was found on its banks. However, the parents of Faheem, fearing his “murder”, had raised questions that “how did his body reach 60 KMs away from congested Nowpora to Bandipora?”

While the Police had already got clues about the boy’s drowning, the post-mortem report of Faheem is yet incomplete. “At this time, we cannot say that whether the boy had drowned or somebody had abducted or murdered him, as the post-mortem report hasn’t come yet,” said Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, Amit Kumar.

“We have written to Forensic Science Laboratory to provide us with the post-mortem report so that we can proceed on with the investigations.” Kumar also said that police helps the families in the form of providing them services of divers, motorboats, rescuers and other logistics that can help to locate their missing ones.

On June 19, seven-year old Muhammad Afreen Parray son of Muhammad Rafiq Parray resident of Lachmanpora Batamaloo went missing from his maternal home in Zooh Lasjan when, according to his family, he went outside to purchase sweets at around 2 PM. While the family had kept reward of one-lakh rupees in cash to anyone knowing the whereabouts of the boy, Afreen’s body was fished out from river Jehlum on Wednesday.

While denying any danger of abduction and murder of children in Srinagar, SSP, Amit Kumar said “this is the second case we have in recent two months and the similarity in both cases is that the place where the boys went missing are very close to a water body.” He further said “another common thing was that both the missing children were unattended and unguarded by their parents at the time of their disappearance.”

“Children usually get attracted towards water. It is the responsibility of the parents to not keep their little ones unguarded, usually where the water body is close,” he said.

While the families of Faheem and Afreen mourn their loss, parents have become extra cautious towards their wards to ensure that they stay safe.

DILUTING BARRIERS

Just a month in office and Modi is seriously taking up trade ties with Pakistan. Union Ministry of Home Affairs last Thursday agreed to the long-pending demand of the traders to provide them the much-needed communication (International Subscriber Dialling) facility for the trading activity. A three member team which is in valley assured the Government that it would “seriously pursue” setting up the banking facility for trade which is presently a barter system.

“Provision of the ISD facility to the senior officers dealing with the trade and designated heads of the traders associations was agreed by the MHA officials during the meeting,” reports said.

The team has asked the State government to work out a proposal in consultation with the BSNL authorities for setting up the communication facility on this side of the LoC which would allow traders to remain in touch with their counterparts from the other side.

The proposal aims to set-up communication links at Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch, Salamabad in Uri and Srinagar and provide communication lines (ISD facility) up to Kaman Post.

“Once the proposal is worked out, the State Home Department will then take it up with the Union Home Ministry for requisite action. The setting up of the communication links was almost agreed to by the MHA officials; only the formalities have to be completed now,” the sources said.

While Islamabad has kept the communication facility on for their traders, their counterparts this side have been debarred from it by New Delhi since the beginning of the trade in 2008.

PDP BICKERING

Pepped up with its victory in the last Lok Sabha elections; Peoples Democratic Party seems yet to come to terms post results. As the reports suggest, maverick Mufti is being influenced by powerful businessmen and clerks who have lately joined PDP.

Reports say that party has opened its arms for the corrupt retired bureaucrats. Ironically, same PDP has been cornering ruling National Conference for corruption.

The recent reports said that the businessmen and clerks have been pressing senior Mufti to allot assembly seats to their choices, though the party leaders say that it is nothing but ‘deliberations’. “We can’t stop businessmen, former bureaucrats or clerks from joining the party or discussing things with the party leadership,” Tariq Karra said.

However, he said it was not the people who lack wisdom to decide mandate in the party but the party’s top leadership, who do not get influenced by manoeuvres that would not benefit the party.

About reports that PDP was delaying announcing handing of mandate to senior leaders like party’s General Secretary, Muhammad Dilawar Mir, Karra said Mir was the frontrunner to contest from Rafiabad.

“As a matter of precedence, the mandates given at last are the senior members of the party like what happened with Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s mandate,” he said.

Long WAIT

While commemorating the 18th anniversary of Ali Muhammad Mir, a contractor from Brein Nishat, who was kidnapped and killed by a renegade group led by notorious government gunman Papa Kashtwari, the family members of Mir demand his dead body.

On June 26, 1996, Ali Muhammad Mir was kidnapped from Dalgate – where he had gone to purchase medicine for his ailing father – by a group of renegades led by Ghulam Mohammad Lone alias Papa Kashtwari and was taken to his infamous camp cum torture centre at Pampore. While searching from pillar to post to trace the whereabouts of his father, Nazir Ahmad Mir, son of Mir, registered a missing report in Nishat Police Station three days after Mir’s disappearance. Nazir finally got a clue about his father from another infamous renegade from Sumbal Sonawari, Kuka Parray who confirmed the abduction of Mir by Papa Kashtiwari.

“I went to Papa Kashtwari to know about my father as he was already harassing him. He was demanding three lakh rupees from my father to run an election campaign which my father refused,” Nazir says. “He ultimately killed him and then buried his dead body at some unknown place.”

During my repeated meetings with Kashtwari about my father, he took an amount of around 160000 from me and promised me his release, says Nazir. It was Kashtwari’s bodyguard, Showkat Ahmad who told Nazir once that, his father was killed on the same day of his abduction.

Feeling helpless, Nazir knocked the door of State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) which directed the police to file up the investigation report in a three months time. “In 1999, when Papa’s men were arrested, during interrogation they admitted to have abducted my father on his instructions. But despite their confession the police released them and didn’t take any action against the killer Papa Kashtwari.”

In 2007, after a long ordeal of threats and intimidation, Papa Kashtwari was arrested by J&K Police after one of the SPO’s of Papa’s security Nazir Ahmad from Harwan came with a statement on April 18, 2007 that he was an eyewitness to the murder of a contractor, Ali Muhammad before City Judge Srinagar,

However, the family claims that despite court orders, police has failed to recover the weapon used by Kashtwari in killing Mir. “He has killed hundreds of people and state government itself is complicit in the crime. How can they give the weapon?”

“He has amassed a property worth of crores. He is in jail but he is enjoying a safe zone,” Nazir says. “We demand the dead body of my father. There is an empty grave awaiting him in our neighbouring graveyard.”

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Khawaja Abdul Ghaffar

An old ideologue of Muslim Conference, an ardent admirer of Mohammad Ali Jinnah and a veteran Kashmiri leader, Khawaja Abdul Ghaffar passed away Monday at his residence in Rawalpindi’s Satellite Town. He was 88.

A native of Old City’s Wazapora, the deceased had migrated to PaK in 1948 along with the late Moulvi Muhammad Yousuf Shah. From Pakistan, Ghaffar worked for the freedom struggle of Kashmir. Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in his condolence message described the late leader as a “great supporter of Kashmir’s freedom movement”.

Khawaja Ghaffar was pursuing graduation in Humanities from Srinagar’s SP College when he migrated to PaK. In his youth he was actively involved in Muslim Students Union, which made him vulnerable.

Rated as one of the reckoned and influential Kashmiri leaders in PaK, the deceased was known for his political acumen and personal rapport with leading Pakistani politicians. He was in close touch with Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, KH Khurshid and other notables of the time. An ardent lover of KH Khurshid, Khawaja Ghaffar was also a devoted disciple of Muhammad Ali Jinnah whom he met in Srinagar in 1944 as a student.

Sardar Khalid Ibraheem Khan, the erstwhile Prime Minister of PaK described the late Kashmiri leader as one of the few senior politicians who played crucial role in politics over the years.

Emerged as a kingmaker in the political set-up of PaK, it is said that Khawaja Ghaffar distanced himself from power politics. Over his demise, JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik expressed ‘grief and sorrow’. Malik, while recalling his close association with the deceased leader termed him ‘a loving personality’.

After migration, he was offered the position of Information Officer in Pakistan government in September 1948. And later, as a lecturer along with stalwarts like Mohammad Yousuf Saraf, Pir Ziauddin Ahmad, Ghulam Ahmad Trali and others. However, after working in the government for three years, he switched over to business.

Khawaja, who visited Srinagar many times since migration, was known for his vast knowledge of Kashmir’s history and politics. He was known for his hospitality and great love for Kashmir and Kashmiris. His house in Rawalpindi was the first stop for any Kashmiri visiting Pakistan.

His funeral prayers were attended by former bureaucrats, government officials and political and religious leaders from both sides of the Line of Control. Among those who attended the funeral prayers included Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan (former PaK PM), JKLF supreme head Amanullah Khan, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar and others.

– Bilal Handoo

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A humble feat

Known for his humility and brilliance, a youth from Sopore made a hat-trick in civil services. As his departure from academic to administrative setup begins, Riyaz Ul Khaliq & Saima Rashid profile the journey of the man so far

He wasn’t a boy next door. There was something special about him since his school days. When it comes to studies, he would always emerge as the first among the equals. Much to his own ignorance, he was already an inspiration for his batchmates and juniors. He would always finish at top in debates, essay competitions and others school activities. Now out of school, the boy has grown up into a young man. But he continues to impress people with his brilliance. He cracked the civil service exams thrice in his last three consecutive appearances.

Bashir Ahmad Bhat, 25, hailing Batpora Sopore is presently posted as First Class Magistrate Sogam, in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

After topping class 12 from Sainik School Manasbal in 2005 under Central Board of School Education, he got selected for Bachelors in Veterinary Sciences from a Jammu college. While he was studying veterinary sciences, Bashir was simultaneously preparing for civil services. And as his degree completed in August 2010, he appeared in Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS) examination in 2011 and then in he appeared in IAS in 2012. He made to it in both attempts.

“My back to back achievements are the outcome of my hard work,” Bashir says, in his soft tone. “And, I never took any coaching or so.”

Bashir, his teachers say, has been a very hard working and obedient student. “We have no words to describe Bashir,” says Abdul Hamid, who taught Bashir Sainik School Manasbal. “He has been a gem. His success is what he has been!”

Coming from a modest family, Bashir’s journey, so far, has been inspiring. His father is a shopkeeper in his own locality at Batpora, in apple town Sopore.

Since he joined his veterinary course, Bashir had made it sure to get through the civil services examination in the very first go. And eventually the time came when he got selected in state level administrative services. After his training and probation at J&K IMPA in Srinagar, Bashir was sent to frontier district Kupwara and posted as Tehsildar Sogam – the post he still occupies. But the thirst of doing something more did not let him rest.

“In 2011, I got selected in Indian Administrative Services (IAS) with 432 rank but I did not left my KAS posting,” he informs.

His colleagues in his office describe him the most efficient official they have ever seen. “You won’t see him sitting idle in his office,” one of his sub ordinates said. “Completion of cases on fast track basis is his mantra.”

And then in 2013, he again appeared in IAS. And the recent results declared him successful at rank number 189, bettered his previous rank by the margin of 243 higher slots.

“Yet I have no thoughts like joining it, but when services will be allotted only then I will decide whether to join or not,” Bashir says.

Till recently, Bashir was facing financial hiccups, but now the scenario of his life has completely changed. But he says, he is still the same person. One of his friends who attended boarding with him in picturesque Manasbal says there is not an iota of doubt of his intelligence. “But what makes him different from others is his grounded character,” says Tasveer Ahmad, his erstwhile classmate and now a Economics contractual lecturer in Kashmir’s Central University.

Bashir and his younger brother Imtiyaz Ahmad had their same schooling up to twelfth then Imtiyaz left for mainland India. “Both of them were toppers. In fact, they used to share top positions many times,” Tasveer added. Imtiyaz is PG Economics from JNU and preparing for PhD.

Bashir advises the youngsters who want to join civil services to work hard as there is no substitute to it. Just possessing dozens of administrative books doesn’t really make it up, but the consistent revision actually takes you to the roots of success, he advises.

“It is not only to proclaim that one is going to be an administrative officer, you have to prove it,” says Bashir.

Bashir owes his success to his parents. “You can’t expect miracles if your parents don’t support you,” he exclaims. “They should be ones back force even if monetary hiccups are there.”

Besides, Dr Bashir is all praise for his Alma meter days. “I had my golden period of life at Sainik School though we faced some problems at an earlier stage,” he said. “I had my vision broadened there.”

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Cut It Lose

Enam Lone

Our inferiority complex largely derives its proteins from two things: first, our assumption that everyone is mindful of us; of our looks, activities, failures (if not successes), economy, clothes, behaviour etc. We assume that everyone ‘thinks’ about us more than anything else, and that when they do, they do so ‘collectively’ rather than individually, and critically rather than neutrally, that when we walk past a group of them, they will definitely be reviling and ridiculing us and that these ‘anti-us’ thoughts will come to their minds ‘simultaneously’. As if they constitute a parliament of brains assigned the exclusive task of passing resolutions, by any majority, to condemn our existence on a collective level.

Realistically speaking, there’s never a collective consensus that people have about you as long as you are a common man, neither famous for exquisite bravery nor infamous for extreme brutality. Everyone sees you through their own individual glasses, if at all they do. Some may be clear, some blurred. And logically that is, in no way, your problem. And by no means, under your control. As such, it’s sheer absurdity, albeit a rampant human trait, to worry about the ‘collective others’ and their thoughts regarding you. What should matter instead is the ‘individual you’.

Second, comparing yourself with others. Ingratitude, as an innate human attribute, always keeps us busy with comparisons of all stupid sorts. These comparisons dilute the value of our possessions and make them look meagre and mean. While they further the sense of our incapacity and deprivations. They are mostly destructive to our personality. Whenever we come across people having something ‘apparently perfect’ than us, we cry upon our ‘misery’ and the ‘injustice’ done to us by the Divine Judiciary. Why me? we fret, frown and wail. Our ingratitude and insecurities instil the sense of inferiority into us. They prevent us from acknowledging the universal quality of imperfection of humans. Of the fact that nobody is perfect.

That everyone has flaws. Yours maybe more apparent or more superficial than others’ but flaws, they too have. Maybe much more grave than yours, who knows upon a cursory sight! Flaws need not necessarily be evident like bodily or economical or materialistic, they may well be obscured like those of intention, character, morality, manners, happiness, contentment, peace of mind and others. But when you keep counting and recounting your ‘relative’ shortcomings, flaws and keep cursing yourself thereof, they only seem to multiply, and thus infuriate your sense of lowness further. This is a vicious cycle of self imposed punishments and self-destruction. And it can only get worse with time.

True happiness lies in contentment, and contentment is seriously hurt by the inferiority complex. It robs you of much more than just your confidence. You lose your peace of mind, the sense of satisfaction, the reasons to be grateful. In other words, you lose life itself.

If, thus, you are caught up in this whirling hurricane, know that you are being burdened either by worrying too much about others’ opinion or by all those comparisons you keep drawing up all the time. These loads are making you vulnerable to the storm. Cut them off and, congratulations, you are alive!

An Engineer by profession, Enam interests in Literature.

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Re-opening Wounds

As Omar Abdullah announced a fresh probe into the 2010 civil unrest that saw more than a hundred youth dead and scores blinded by the non-lethal set-up. Shah Abbas revisits the crisis that perhaps is one of the worst instances of subverting criminal procedure code

On January 30, 2010, it happened for the first time in Kashmir. Police Control Room (PCR) Srinagar was properly cleansed, perfumed by incense sticks and rose water sprays to host the Mullas, Molvis and Mutwalis affiliated with different Srinagar Shrines. They were told to perform Khatam-e-Sharief (Special prayer meeting) for peace and tranquillity in the conflict ridden state. The Mullas were offered delicious Wazewan at the end and paid Bakhshis as well.

But the money spent on the event went in vain as it did not yield the desired results and the summer which followed witnessed large scale protests, killings, shutdowns and curfews. The stone pelters did not spare the PCR as well and pelted stones on it. According to sources, police even once detained and beat the youth in the same room where Mullas had prayed for peaceful 2010!

A day after the police hosted the Khatam-e-Sharief, a youth Wamiq Farooq was killed by police in the down town area of Srinagar. The killing evoked severe reaction across Kashmir. At least 150 persons including 50 police and CRPF men sustained injuries in violent clashes that crippled life for five days not only in Srinagar but across all the major towns of the Valley.

The situation started brewing and police arrested alleged 410 stone pelters in March 2010 only. It also managed ‘Bharat Darshan’ for dozens of stone pelters to different metropolitan cities to “change their mind”. Chief minister Omar Abdullah probably sensing the situation had earlier emphasized the need for upgrading the skills of state police to handle law and order situations more effectively. “The traditional methods employed for crowd control require improvement in the light of our experience in Kashmir. I would request the Government of India (GOI) to provide us with the necessary assistance to devise crowd management systems which are suitable for the conditions in the state,” Omar had said addressing the Chief Ministers’ Conference on Internal Security in New Delhi on February 7, 2010. The chief minister was visibly worried as protests of 2008 and 2009 against the Amarnath land transfer and Shopian alleged double rape and murder tragedy respectively, were still fresh in his mind.

State Ministry of Home informed the legislative assembly on February 19, 2014 that 1733 FIRs have been registered against 9166 persons since 2009, in different districts of Kashmir division.

And what followed was something unimaginable. In the words of senior Journalist, Parvaiz Bukhari, “The summer of 2010 witnessed a convulsion in the world’s most militarized zone…..an unprecedented and deadly civil unrest.”

But the announcement of enquiry into 125 killings during 2010 uprising happened only after the recent poll debacle in which ruling National Conference lost all three seats to rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The “curative measure” of Omar led government apparently suggests: had NC won the LS elections there would have been no inquiry at all.

“The Commission of enquiry (COI) will also enquire into the adequacy, or otherwise, of the force used, fix responsibility, wherever excessive force has been used, resulting in fatalities, and where due care has not been taken to avoid such fatalities, suggest measures to avoid the recurrence of such incidents in future and recommend the action to be taken against those found responsible in any such incidents,” said an official statement.

The critique are of the opinion that the “corrective measure” of the Omar led government is grossly misplaced or it is all deliberate and just another “gimmick” to “hoodwink” the people. “After all, some people have mastered the craft here; earlier they would do it by displaying green scarf in public rallies and now by cheap appeasement tactics,” a political commentator said.

“After four years, the decision looks not only ridiculous but appeasement factor makes it more humiliating than the categorical denial of justice. It lacks grace and also underlines the insincerity of the NC led government towards delivering justice to the victims,” Shawkat Ahmad Parray, a political scientist told Kashmir Life.

Even the former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad fails to understand why Omar delayed the probe into civilian killings of 2010 unrest. “It will be better if you put this question to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who holds three portfolios — chief minister, head of the government and the home ministry. This was purely state government’s job,” Azad said in response to a question.

The government has not more than six months at its disposal even if we stretch its tenure beyond maximum possible limit. “What it couldn’t do in last four years it is now vowing to do that at the fag-end of its writ,” Shawkat said.

Many say, if the apparent change of heart in the NC leadership is serious then they should probably look into the reasons that prevented any meaningful inquiry into the 2010.

They should also see why justice was not delivered, at the institutional level, into many other such incidents.

According to experts, the cause of the civilian killings in 2010 is not that complicated that we need to repeat the “tradition” of initiating an inquiry.

“It’s foolish to play naive. An honest admission of the larger problem and its fatal fallout is enough,” Nayeem Ahmad Khan, a separatist leader told Kashmir Life. However, Khan added, “if one fixes the responsibility to bring the culprits to book and deliver justice then it is more meaningful to first remove the institutional glitches that failed the earlier commissions to meet their objectives.”

Political commentators believe that Omar led coalition government’s failure to initiate any action against officials allegedly responsible for 125 killing was denting party’s credibility prompting government to assign the time-bound inquiry to a retired High Court judge ML Kaul.

Kaul is already holding an inquiry into the death of three persons in the CRPF firing at Gagren, Shopian on September 7, 2013. Three civilians were killed in CRPF firing while Zubin Mehta was in the summer capital entertaining the elite of the society. Koul has not completed this assignment even after seeking four extensions. Now Koul has started to probe the killings of 125 persons and he has been directed to submit the report by the end of September 2014. Koul has to complete inquiry within the stipulated time in a system which is yet to decide whether Tufail Matoo, was killed by the tear smoke shell or not – even after four years of investigation.

Before assigned to probe Shopian killings, Koul, was once chairman of the Advisory Board meant to review the cases against those languishing under Public Safety Act. “Koul sahib in his tenure of many years never negated even a single government decision of PSA against any person,” a senior officer affiliated with the Advisory Board told Kashmir Life.

Omar government had earlier commissioned an inquiry into the first 17 deaths which took place from June 11, 2010 to other retired judges of J&K High Court Syed Bashir Ul din and retired Y P Nargotra. The government, according to sources, did not agree to grant extension to the said Commission.

Then District Magistrate Islamabad had also ordered a Magisterial Enquiry into the killings of Ishtyaq Ahmad Khanday, Imtiyaz Ahmad Itoo and Shujaat-Ul-Islam on June 26, 2010 at Anchedora, area of South Kashmir, which after some time submitted its report. The state assembly on October 9, 2010 was informed that government has accepted the Magisterial Enquiry report and follow up action on the basis of the report had been initiated.

However, sources said that the report which held a Senior Superintendent of Police and four of his subordinates allegedly responsible for “lapses in the three killings” was dumped in the State Home Department, functioning directly under the Chief Minister.

“The SSP was promoted as Deputy Inspector General of Police and all the upper rank Police officers were promoted to senior positions or granted post-retirement rehabilitation,” sources said.

The locals alleged that Ishtyaq, Imtiyaz and Shujaat were victims of a “target killing”. “The trio was killed in the courtyard of Ahmad-ullah Khanday in the presence of some police officers,” they allege.

Interestingly, throughout 2010, government had maintained, through press releases, that the youth killed in police and CRPF firing were ‘miscreants’. In most of the cases there are FIRs registered against the victims!

Legislative assembly was informed on October 9, 2010 that 19 FIRs had been registered against security forces/police personnel where allegations of unprovoked firing or use of excessive forces were allegedly made.

The chain of killings during 2010 started with the killing of Inayat-ullah-Khan of Dalgate Srinagar on January 8. Subsequently, Parvez Ahmad Hajam of Sopore, Manzoor Ahmad Sofi of Yakman Pora Pattan and Mushtaq Ahmad Mir of Qalampora Pulwama were killed in the month of January alone.

Later, after the killings of Zahid Farooq and Tufail Matoo, the revelation of Machil fake encounter worked as fuel to fire resulting in a full fledged uprising against the Indian rule. Most of the analysts opine that the then separatist face Masarat Alam Bhat, who is languishing behind bars since October 2010, only exploited the public anger by issuing protest calendars.

Around 100 among those killed in 2010 were under the age group of 30 years including 4 kids of 10 to 12 years of age. They include Sameer Rah (9) of Batamaloo, Meelad Ahmad Dar (9) of Ganderbal, Asif Hussain Rather (10) of Delina Baramullah and Adil Ramzan Sheikh (12) of Palhallan.

The victims also include 5 women namely Afroza Jan, Aisha Begum, Fancy Jan, Hajra Begum and Mubeena Akhtar and 60 years old Habib-ullah-Khan of Dewar Lolab.

Most of the analysts are of the opinion that 2010 uprising was in fact a transition of Kashmiri separatist movement from violence to non-violence means in which masses were involved at full scale. “Little known and relatively anonymous resistance activists emerged, organising an unarmed agitation more fierce than the armed rebellion…….two decades earlier,” writes Parvaiz Bukhari.

For a senior journalist who wished anonymity, in last two and half decades since armed resistance broke out in Kashmir, 2010 was the first instance when Indian government was visibly nervous viz-a-viz Kashmir. It was for the first time that GOI sent an All Party Parliamentary delegation to meet separatists in Kashmir. The high profile visit yielded nothing as most of the separatists, who were freed recently, failed to engage them or get even a single youngster out of lockup.

But yes, Kashmiris were offered “blood money”. The central government announced a “special package” to “silent the annoyed Kashmiris”. Apart from the state government’s relief package vide Government order No. 852-GAD dated July 27, 2010, the central government sanctioned Rs 5 lac to the next of kin killed since June 11, 2010. The central government vide order No. Home 1234 of 2010 dated October 2, 2010 also sanctioned ex-gratia relief to the tune of Rs 5.10 crores in favour of the next of kin of 102 persons, Rs 5 lac each to the next of kin of deceased persons. Under the “special package” for the state, Jammu and Ladakh regions were sanctioned Rs 250 crore each for the development by debit to state own funds.

The “special package” also included the “rehabilitation” of the stone pelters. On spot recruitment drives were started throughout the valley and dozens of youth exclusively from down town area of Srinagar were recruited at one such function held at Khanyar. The famous stone pelters like Mandela of Maisuma were “rehabilitated” and recruited in the police. The state government also claims to have granted amnesty to the stone pelters involved in cases dating back to 2010. But according to family members of alleged stone pelters nothing has happened on ground and their loved ones still languish in different jails across J&K.

“Police officers at the local level run their own governments and they totally negate any amnesty to the protesting youth,” Mohammad Subhan, whose son is wanted in many FIRs, told Kashmir Life, adding, “my son seldom spends night at home.” There are also serious charges of demanding ransom from the victim families by police.

The civilian killings in Kashmir are going on since 1989 but in 2010 hundreds got disabled by the use of “non-lethal weapons” like pellet guns especially after the central delegation submitted its report to New Delhi and it announced the “special package” for Kashmir.

“From now on, you will have to count the disabled persons instead of dead ones,” a police officer (now retired) told a senior Journalist who shared it with Kashmir Life.

Answering a written and joint question of 5 MLAs in the state legislative assembly, the government on October 7, 2010 admitted that 534 civilians were injured in police and forces’ actions since June 2010. “As on October 2, 2010 while 29 persons are undergoing treatment in different hospitals of the valley, 13 persons have permanently/temporarily disabled during the police action,” the government answer said.

But, the medical records are alarming. “About 55 persons were brought here whose one or both the eyes had damaged due to pellets or other such weapons,” a doctor at SKIMS said adding, “I do not remember the count of other disabilities right now.”

As the one man Commission has started its probe into the 2010 civilian killings, most of the stake holders are not interested. Till recent past, there were strong demands from many quarters to probe these killings but they were not paid any heed. Separatists in particular and most of the victim families are still demanding “an impartial probe” clearly raising fingers on the COI established by the Omar government even before its output.

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02 girls commit suicide, man electrocuted

KL Report

SRINAGAR

One girl self immolated in Islamabad while another jumped in the river in Srinagar, a police statement said.

“A girl (name with held) resident of Achabal, Islamabad set herself ablaze by sprinkling kerosene oil on her body. She was shifted to SKIMS Soura, Srinagar for treatment where she succumbed to her injuries,” the statement said.

After performing all medico-legal formalities, the body was handed over to her relatives for last rites.

It added that a girl (name with held) resident of Sonwar jumped in river Jhelum from foot bridge Sonwar. “Efforts are on to retrieve the body from the river. Police has registered a case in this regard.”

The statement further said that two structures were damaged in two separate fire incidents across the valley.

“Fire broke out in a canteen of Manzoor Ahmad Khan son of Abdul Gaffar resident of Nadigam at Government Girls Higher Secondary School Shopian, resulting in the partial damage to the canteen. Fire was brought under control by fire tenders and police.”

“Fire broke out in the shop of Khursheed Ahmad Wani son of Mohammad Subhan resident of Darhmuna Soibugh, Budgam, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Budgam. In this incident the shop was gutted completely,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, a labourer Deva son of Ram Deva resident of Nepal received electric shock while working at a shopping complex at Malshahi Bagh, Ganderbal and got injured. He was shifted to SKIMS Soura, Srinagar for treatment.

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Two yatirs die near cave

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Shooting stones took the life of two Amarnath pilgrims on Sunday near the cave, official sources said. They added that the Yatri’s died on spot.

Sources said the pilgrims were heading towards the shrine when boulders came sliding down in the mountainous region.

The deceased have been identified as Suresh Yadav of Banaras and Tara Singh of Bathinda.

Amarnath Yatra 2014 was flagged off from Jammu on Friday. The first batch of Yatri’s reached balatal on Saturday evening.

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Rajouri boy tops CET 2014-06-29

RIYAZ UL KHALIQ

SRINAGAR

Jassimran Singh, Bilaval Suhaib and Tufail Ashoor from three distant districts of Jammu and Kashmir are the first three toppers of the recently declared results of J&K common Entrance Test.

This year’s CET topper: Jassimran Singh hails from Rajouri in Jammu region while Bilaval Suhaib is from D H Pora Kulgam and has topped J&K CET from valley while Tufail Ashoor from Sopore has got third rank making him second topper from Kashmir, respectively.

The results were declared late Saturday evening and the entrance test was held on 7&8 early this month.

Jassimran Singh did his twelfth from M V International School, Jammu. Hailing from Rajouri, Jassimran’s family is these days in Jammu for schooling of their children.

Speaking to Kashmir Life over phone from Jammu, father of Jassimran, Gurcharan Singh, who is a civil engineer by profession said, “It is Guru Ji’s grace and hard work of my son.”

Having had his two years coaching from Akash Institute Jammu, Jassimran could not be contacted. “The managing body of the institute had come here and have taken him with themselves to their office,” he informed.

“It is a wish of every parent to nourish their children so as to help society at large and that is what I as a parent am trying to do,” he said.

Bilaval Suhaib

Speaking to Kashmir Life, second in the list,Bilaval said that it is hard work and luck that bore him the top position in CET. “Almighty God has been merciful to me and then definitely it is hard work and luck that worked,” he said. Bilaval has scored 187 points out of 210.

Son of a government teacher, Bilaval did two years course from Allen Carrier Institute, Kota and scored 88% marks in CBSE held twelfth exams this year.

“The prayers and financial help from parents are the key,” he said. “Besides, the guidance by teachers in Kota has been torch bearer.”

Single child of his working parents, Bilaval is all praise for his mother, who is a junior legal assistant. “She has been my inspiration,” he exclaimed. “The contribution of mother in upbringing a child is three times more than a father so we have to give credit to her three times more than we give to our father.”

Besides, Bilaval said, “I thank my grandmother for her prayers.”

Tufail Ashoor Bhat from North Kashmir’s volatile Sopore area is at number three in the Jammu and Kashmir Common Entrance Test declared results.

In a chat with Kashmir Life , Tufail credited his success to his mother’s love and affection. “My mother’s love and care has been the tonic to my success,” he said. Besides, Tufail said that the guidance his teachers gave him was of great help. Tufail has scored 182.6 marks out of 210.

“My teachers both at Sainik School and Coaching Institute have been a great help,” he said.

An orphan’s, success has been touching Tufail at every point. After his basic schooling from AFI Model School, Manasbal, Tufail got selected in Sainik School Manasbal in class sixth in 2006. “The time period at Sainik School was very helpful in my over all upbringing,” he said.

Being one of the brightest minds in his batch, Tufail topped in Class twelfth with 88.8% marks amongst his class mates.

His teachers describe him the most obedient and hard working guy. “The three things that define a successful student – hard work, obedience and Intelligence are imbibed in Tufail,” G M Shah who taught him at Sainik School said.

This was Tufail’s second appearance in J&K CET and last year he missed chance of getting MBBS cadre by .6 points. “I got selected in Bachelors of Dental Surgery (BDS) but I left it mid way,” Tufail informed. “Mentoring at Kashmir Institute of Excellence, Parray Pora has been very helpful,” he said.

Tufail’s father, Muhammad Ashoor Bhat died after being shot dead in 2001. Tufail was first class student then. Since then his grandfather and two uncles have been taking care of him and his elder brother who is a 3^rd year student at Degree College Sopore.

Close relatives of Tufail said, “Ashoor had shunned life of militancy and one day in 2001 while he was coming from market, unknown gunmen fired at him.”

Tufail said, “I don’t know exactly what happened that day as I was just a class first student.”

He continued, “my grandpa and uncles have nourished me in such a way that I never felt missing my father.” “But I pray no one’s father dies like my left me.”

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02 died, 09 injured in road accidents

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Two persons died while nine others were injured in different road accidents across the valley on Saturday.

In continuation to a previous road accident on 26th of this month in which a passenger Mohammad Yousuf Chopan son of Ghulam Hassan Chopan resident of Keenagund Chattergul, Anantnag was injured, succumbed to his injuries today. A case already stands in this regard.

In another road accident, a 50-year-old lady Khootana wife of Abdul Rashid Padder resident of Neel Surgung Banihal fell from a TATA vehicle 407 bearing registration number JK03/728 near Railway crossing Harnag, Kulgam resulting in her on spot death. Police has registered a case in this regard.

In another road accident, a Tavera vehicle bearing registration number bearing registration number JK08/8520 hit and injured a pedestrian Abdul Khaliq Sheikh son of Abdul Aziz resident of Motibidhard at Dandipora, Kokernag. The injured was shifted to Public Health Centre Dooru for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard.

In another accident, a TATA sumo bearing registration number JK04/9486 skidded off the road and fell in a deep George near Raiyar, Khan Sahab Budgam, resulting in injuries to 06 Passengers. All the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard.

Meanwhile, a Truck bearing registration number PB19H/9125 skidded off the road on National Highway near Gulab Bagh, Kulgam. In this accident Sunny son of Janak Lal resident of Kathua and Gulshan Kumar son of Dev Raj resident of Budi Meerut Kathua got injured. Both the injured were shifted to Qazigund Hospital for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard.

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‘Harassed’ by security agencies, man tries to end his life

KL Report

SRINAGAR

The Lelhar Kakapora family Friday alleged that one of their members who is a government employ and a relative of active LeT militant is continuously being harassed by Army and different security agencies. They said that in a bid to save himself from the alleged wrath of these security agencies, Shakeel Ahmed Ganai made an attempt on his life by consuming poisonous substance on Thursday evening.

The family of Shakeel residing in Lelhar Kakapora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district said that one of their close relative Irshad Ganai resident of Padgampora Awantipora is an active Lashkar-e-Toiba militant. “Army and different security agencies picked up Shakeel many times and tortured him mentally and physically. Shakeel is a government employee and has nothing to do with militancy. A few days before he was called by Army at their camp and was thrashed mercilessly for not providing them information about LeT militant Irshad Ahmed Ganai,” they alleged.

The family members further added that on Thursday evening Shakeel received a phone call from an Army camp and was asked to report immediately in the camp. “Sensing the consequences of his reporting at the army camp where he was earlier tortured, Shakeel tried to end his life by consuming pesticide. We immediately shifted him to Sub-District Hospital Kakapora where from he was rushed to SKIMS Srinagar,” the family said.

Reports said that as the news about his attempted suicide spread, people in Kakapora came on roads and staged a protest against the security agencies. (CNS)

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3 die, 7 injured in Uri accident

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Three persons died while seven others were injured in a road accident in Uri, apolice statement said on Friday.

A TATA sumo skidded off the road and fell into a Nallah at Fojal, in Uri, Baramulla, resulting in on spot death of 3 passengers and injuries to 7 passengers.

All the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment. More details are awaited.

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Amarnath Yatra 2014: First batch to reach Baltal today

KL Report

SRINAGAR

The first batch of Amarnath pilgrims was flagged off from Jammu on Friday. The batch is scheduled to reach Baltal late this evening.

The annual Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence from Saturday, however reports said that authorities flagged off the first group of Yatris from Jammu.

Authorities said that all arrangements are in place for smooth conduct of Yatra 2014.

They said that the first camp of Yatris at Baltal is ready to receive the first batch by this evening and requisite facilities have been made available for the safe journey up to the cave.

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Army, SOG detain 3 youth from Sopore

KL Report

SRINAGAR

A joint team of army and special operations group of police Thursday detained three persons from apple town Sopore in North Kashmir’s Baramullah district.

Official sources told GNS that three persons identified as Irfan Malik, Parvaiz Mir and Imtiyaz Mir were picked up by army’s 22 RR and SOG after they raided their respective residences at Brought Kalan in Sopore late today afternoon.

Sources said that the three suspected persons were detained for questioning.

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NC poised to get decisive mandate in ensuing LA elections: Rana, Sadhotra

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Confident of reversing the recent poll debacle into massive victory in the upcoming Legislative Assembly polls, Provincial President Jammu Devender Singh Rana on Thursday said Jammu and Kashmir is poised for a stable government under National Conference later this year, a party statement said.

“The people have realised the crucial need for political stability with government not suffering any sort of handicap while implementing the policies and programmes”, Rana said while addressing workers at Sunderbani this afternoon.

He recalled how National Conference led governments worked for steering the state to development and progress in the past and now, saying the massive mandate of the people from time to time equipped it with strength required for effective governance. He also referred to success achieved in dawning much needed peace during his party led government in mid nineties when the state was struggling to come out of the morass. “This effort gained further momentum in 2009, when Omar Abdullah took over the reins of government during most turbulent situation”, he said adding that after meeting the challenges in 2009 and 2010, his government gave a new dimension to the developmental effort in all the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

“We have touched new milestones during the past nearly six years”, he said and regretted that the developmental landscape needed rather more projection for the people to know what Omar led government has done for empowering masses, ensuring accountability and transparency and reaching out at the doorsteps of people in a big way. He said alongside development, the Chief Minister ensured peoples’ massive participation in decision making which is reflected by the historic conduct of Panchayat elections after 33 years.

Rana exhorted the party functionaries and workers at the grass roots level to gear up further for the upcoming elections, saying next four months were crucial for National Conference to make aware people across the state about the achievements of Omar Abdullah led government. He sought conversion of district and block committees into election committees in order to have effective synergies at various levels.

The Provincial President also exposed the deception of people’s Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying pretending to be adversaries publicly, they worked in tandem to implement their clandestine political strategy. “This is no more secret now”, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Minster for Planning and Development Mr Ajay Sadhotra enjoined upon the workers and functionaries at the district and block levels to further rejuvenate entire cadre for meeting the challenge with courage and fortitude.

“National Conference is a force to reckon with and those underestimating it were demonstrating their political naivety”, he said, adding that the legacy of Sher-e-Kashmir has overcome most turbulent situations sagaciously at the strength of the public support. He said National Conference is the only party presence of which is visible in nook and corner of the State. “We are proud of our past and great ethos of togetherness, which is our strength to meet every challenge”, he said and referred to historical facts when National Conference emerged victorious after braving the challenges.

Sadhotra dwelt in detail on the steps taken by Omar led government during the past nearly six years and said achievements are discernible in every sector and everywhere across the state. This momentum will be maintained during years to come and the day is not far when Jammu and Kashmir will become one of the progressive states of the country”, he added.

MLA Kr Rachpal Singh urged the party workers to maintain the spirit with which they worked during recent elections and established how strong National Conference was in Poonch and Rajouri districts.

“In the upcoming elections, National Conference will emerge as victorious and establish its premier role in the state politics”, he said and hoped that the party workers will spread in their respective areas and enhance the mass contact programme.

On this occasion, District President Mr Vipin Pal Sharma also addressed the workers and called for synergy at various levels, saying National Conference is a force to reckon with. He said that history is testimony to the fact that Sher-e-Kashmir’s great legacy has bounced back with full strength during most crucial challenges.

He exuded confidence that the party will register a big victory in the ensuing legislative assembly elections.

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Joint Secretary (Kashmir Affairs) calls on Governor

KL Report

SRINAGAR

R.K. Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Kashmir Affairs), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India who is in Kashmir Thursday called on N.N. Vohra, Governor, here at the Raj Bhavan. Srivastava held a detailed meeting with the Governor of the State in which issues pertaining to Internal Security management, Cross LoC Trade and preparations for the ensuing Amarnath Yatra-2014 were discussed.

R. K. Srivastava according to reports also met some top police and other security agency officials and had a detailed meeting on the present security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir. Reports said that R.K. Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Kashmir Affairs), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India also had deliberations over security situation with top Army officials as well.

Earlier in the day, J.S. Kashmir Affairs held a meeting with Rakesh K. Gupta, CEO of the Amarnath Shrine Board, and other senior Security Forces officers to discuss the security arrangements being made for the Amarnath Yatra.

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Lt Gen Subrata Saha takes over as GOC Chinar Corps

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Lieutenant General Subrata Saha assumed the charge of General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 15 Corps Srinagar on Thursday, an official statement said. He took the charge after his name was cleared by the Defence Ministry as well as the Army Headquarters last month.

Lieutenant General Subrata Saha took the charge from Lt Gen Gurmit Singh who is moving to Army headquarters in New Delhi.

Before taking his charge as GOC 15 Corps Command, Saha was Chief of Staff at newly created Strike Corps based in Panagarh near Kolkatta. He has earlier served in Kashmir as Brigade Commander in Farkian in Frontier district Kupwara. Defence Ministry promoted him as Lt General from Major General and on Thursday he assumed this rank soon after taking over as the GOC in Srinagar.

“Lt Gen Singh handed over the reins of Chinar Corps to Lt Gen Saha who has earlier commanded a brigade in the valley and is a very experienced General Officer,” the Defence spokesperson said.

The outgoing Corps Commander Lt General Gurmit Singh according to CNS has been picked up for a coveted position. He is all set to take over as Director General of Military Intelligence at Army headquarters New Delhi.

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Judgment expected in a month in Tabinda Gani murder and rape case

KL Report

SRINAGAR

The last witness to the Tabinda Gani murder and rape case admitted before the Session Court Kupwara that the four accused held for raping and murdering 8th class student were paraded before the eyewitnesses under his command and the people including a minor during the parade clearly identified the culprits and he is witness to such act.

According to CNS, the last (86th) witness to Tabinda Gani rape and murder case, then Naib Tehsildar Langete, presently Tehsildar Abdul Rashid Shah continuously appeared before the session court for the fifth time and during his last turn, he confirmed to the court all the accused in the case were properly identified by the witnesses during a parade.

“As Naib Tehsildar in 2007 when this unfortunate incident occurred, I called many suspects and during parade the key witnesses including a minor identified four accused including two non-state subjects,” he informed the court and identified the culprits as Sadiq Mir alias Sadiq Choor, Azhar Mir alias Bilal both residents of Langete, Jehangir Ansari of West Bengal (carpenter by profession) and Suresh Mochi (a cobbler).

During the hearing when the judge told the accused that they can also present their witnesses before the court, all the accused with their head down said they don’t have any witness.

The Court is expected to deliver its judgment within a month’s time. “The judgment is hardly a month or more away now. The court has recorded the statements of all the 86 witnesses,” public prosecutor Ghulam Muhammad Shah said.

Meanwhile, the uncle of the victim, Muhammad Iqbal Shah said that whole locality want these rapist to be hanged. “From seven years, we have been waiting for the justice and punishment to the culprits,” he said.

Tabinda, then a student of 8th class, was found dead in an orchard in Langate area in July 20, 2007 after her abduction. Medical reports had confirmed that the abductors had raped her before slitting her throat.

Following the incident, Kashmir witnessed massive street protests with people demanded punishment to the culprits. Police later arrested four accused including two non-locals and residents of Langate and filed a challan against them. The accused confessed to the crime. But the family is awaiting justice as on date.

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Kashmir youth shot dead in Indore buried

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Amid sobs and tears, a Kashmir youth who was shot dead in Madhya Pradesh, was buried here in Sonwar area of summer capital Srinagar on Thursday afternoon.

The deceased, Tanveer Ahmad Dar, was shot dead by a pistol borne person at Indoor in Madhya Pradesh, official sources had told GNS on Wednesday.

A senior police official had said that the youth, who was working as an operator of a private mobile company (Intex), was killed by a man identified as Govind, who was running the company’s franchisee on Khajrana road at Chanderloc Churaha in the city.

Earlier, the body of the deceased arrived here in Sonwar. “As soon as his body reached here, a pal of gloom descended in the entire area with women wailing and beating their chests,” a neighbour of the deceased said. Witnesses said hundreds of people offered the funeral of Tanveer.

The deceased is survived by his wife and a year old son. “Since he used to be out of state, he married a girl there some two to three years ago and he, approximately a year ago, became father of a boy,” Tanveer’s another relative said.

Besides, he said, he has a brother and his parents. “His brother is also married,” he added.

The accused, who is on the run, was operating a franchisee of the company’s mobile service centre but was unable to run it properly, following which he was asked to stop, a police official had said.

“The accused reached Ravi Apartment in Intex Technology’s regional office located in Chandralok Colony to discuss the issue of closure of his franchisee with the company’s head Tahir”, he said.

“Since then he was angry with the company officials and today he arrived in the office along with an associate to discuss the issue. When they did not respond to his plea, he shot at Tahir from close range,” the officer said.

The bullet hit Tahir in the stomach and back. Govind also fired at another official, who had a narrow escape.

“He paid price for his honesty,” his aunt said in the compound of his modest house in Sonwar neighbourhood of the city.

The Sonwar area observed a complete shutdown amid protests and clashes. Witnesses said soon after Tanveer’s funeral, local youth took to streets and resorted to heavy stone-pelting on the cops who were additionally deployed in the area.

“Angry youth also pelted stones on public and private vehicles and smashed their glasses resulting in halt of the traffic,” witnesses said. “However, a huge contingent of police was rushed to the area and they chased away youth and restored traffic.”

The women also took out a protest rally in the area and demanded severe punishment to the accused. “Whatever may be the reason but it is a fact that no Kashmiri youth is safe in outside states whether they go for studies or for business,” a woman protester said.

Senior police officers, who were present in the area, pacified them and later they dispersed peacefully.

The police haves registered a case under FIR no. 418/2014 under section 302, 307, 34 RPC in police station Palasiya and starts further investigations in this regard.

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22 absent employees suspended in south Kashmir

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Deputy Commissioner Kulgam alongwith Additional District Development Commissioner inspected various offices in Mini Secretariat on Thursday to ensure punctuality and regularity of officials, an official statement said.

During the inspection 22 employees of various departments were found absent from their duties and were placed under suspension with immediate effect, the statement said.

Explanation was also sought from 4 District Officers with stoppage of salary for leaving the station without the station leaving permission.

While inspecting offices, Deputy Commissioner passed on spot directions for improvement of work culture to ensure speedy disposal of public grievances, besides the officers of Agriculture & Horticulture Departments were directed to conduct field inspections and organize camps to aware people about the use of latest scientific methods to curtail the spread of contagious diseases. He also called for maintenance of sanitation & cleanliness in the offices.

Later on the Deputy Commissioner along with officers of Revenue and Rural Development Department visited Waltengoo Nar to sort out the issue of land acquisition for rehabilitation of snow affected families of Waltengoo Nar.

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International Drug de-addiction day observed across the Valley

KL Report

SRINAGAR

In connection with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, various functions were organized across the Valley on Thursday.

At Budgam, a seminar was organised by District Administration in collaboration with Cultural Educational Wing of Education department and Assistant Drug Controller, Budgam.

The Additional District Development Commissioner, Aijaz Ahmed Bhat who was the chief guest on the occasion made students present on the occasion aware about the personal and socio-economic problems linked with the menace of drug addiction. He also enjoined upon the parents and teachers to make their wards aware about the harmful effects of drug addiction.

Various causes and preventive measures of the substance abuse were also deliberated in detail during the seminar.

At Bandipora, similar function was held at Government Higher Secondary School Aloosa in which large number of students and prominent social activists participated.

During the function, speakers sensitized about the harmful effects of drug addiction. It was also stated that drug menace continues to constitute a serious threat to public health, the safety and well being of humanity in particular the youth. Besides, the drug menace undermines socio-economic and sustainable development. They also stressed for effective measures to curb the menace from the society and save the children and youth from ill effects of drug menace.

Meanwhile on the topic an Intra College seminar was organized of the Government Degree College (Boys) Pulwama in the auditorium of the College today. The students present on the occasion were informed about the ill & intoxicating effects of drug addiction.

Principal of the College, Dr. Mumtaz Ali asked the students to spread the message about the ill effects of drug abuse so that young precious lives can be saved from the menace.

Different schools held rallies in Srinagar city to aware people about the menace of Drugs.

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Former IGP Crime joins PDP

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Former IGP Crime and IPS officer Raja Ajaz Ali on Thursday joined Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Aijaz was welcomed by the Party president Mehbooba Mufti into the party-fold during a function organized in his honour.

Besides holding important positions in the police department, Aijaz has the privilege to be a member of the national team of 5 IPS officers tasked to plan vision project on security gadgetry, technical equipment, forensic lab equipment and communication for next 20 years as Prime Minister’s vision programme.

On this occasion, Aijaz said that it was the progressive agenda of PDP that impressed and motivated him to join the party. He said that PDP in its brief period of governance had restored the trust of people in democratic institutions by following its words with action on the ground.

Party president Mehbooba Mufti expressed hope that Aijaz’s joining would strengthen the party at the gross root level more particularly in border area like Uri. She said PDP’s doors are open to all right thinking people who have the welfare of the state at heart and want to contribute positively to peoples’ growth in every respect. She said that the party wants to deliver the change that people are expecting to come in the next elections through right think people.

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Chinar branch damages School

KL Report

SRINAGAR

A school building and an electric transformer was damaged when a Chinar tree branch fell due to windstorm in Ganderbal, a police statement said on Thursday.

Due to windstorm last evening, a major branch of Chinar tree fell upon Government Middle School Building at Batpora Dub, in Shadipora, resulting in damage to the school building.

The heavy branch also damaged a nearby electric transformer.

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11 injured in gas cylinder explosion

KL Report

SRINAGAR

11 laboureres received injuries when a lighting LPG gas cylinder exploded in a bakery work shop in Srinagar, a police statement said on Thursday.

A lighting LPG cylinder( Handy gas) exploded in a Bakery workshop at Bismillah Colony, Chowdary Bagh, Zakoora resulting in injuries to 11 labourers working in the workshop.

All the injured were shifted to SKIMS hospital for treatment.

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Rasool learns to respect equipments from Sachin

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Kashmir’s lone international cricketer Parvez Rasool on Thursday said the upcoming India A`s tour of Australia is very important for him and would try to put in his best efforts to secure a place in the senior side.

“The Australia tour is very important for me. I am going to Australia with the A team and I hope to perform well and get a place in the Indian team very soon,” Rasool said after inaugurating showroom in Srinagar.

Rasool, became the first cricketer from Kashmir Valley to get the ODI cap when he played against Bangladesh. “When I played for my state in the Ranji, it was a good feeling but when I got an ODI cap, the feeling was overwhelming. I felt really great to play an international match,” he said.

Rasool said he has learnt many things from Sachin Tendulkar, who mentored the emerging players including him.

“Sachin paji gave us many tips. But one important thing which I learnt from him was to give respect to my cricketing equipment.

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LPG Tanker leaks on Sgr-Jmu Highway

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Panic gripped on the Srinagar Jammu Highway on Thursday when a LPG tanker started leaking after turning turtle near Jawahar tunnel.

The Traffic was immediately suspended on the busy highway however later it was resumed.

“A LPG tanker turned turtle at the Titanic Post near the tunnel on the highway at around 11 pm last night,” an official said.

The tanker skidded downhill and started leaking the gas, following which the authorities decided to suspend traffic, he said.

The authorities swung into action to prevent spread of the gas, he said, adding that the traffic was later allowed to ply.

Sources said that as the news about the LPG leakage spread in the area some people mostly passengers were seen screaming.

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Curfew relaxed in Sopore

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Authorities relaxed the curfew for three hours on Wednesday in Sopore town which is under strict restrictions since Tuesday after the killing of a civilian youth by the hands of the men in uniform.

Official sources said that if the situation remained peaceful, the relaxation may be extended.

Local sources said that people are out in large numbers to buy the essentials especially milk, vegetables and medicine.

Curfew was imposed in the northern apple town after Arshad Ahmad Shah was killed at the site of an encounter hours after forces killed a foreign militant.

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