Saturday, 28 February 2015

Omar Congratulates Mufti

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday congratulated PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed on taking oath as the new chief minister of the state,


“Congratulations to Mufti Mohd Sayeed Sb (sic) on assuming the office of CM of J&K. I wish you all the very best for your term as CM,” Omar wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.com.


Mufti Mohammed Sayeed took oath as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir today at Jammu in the presence of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.


22 ministers also took oath of the office and secrecy from the governor NN Vohra.






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Mufti Starts his Second Inning

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed was sworn in as the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Sunday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jammu.


79-year-old PDP patron will be heading a coalition government in the state for the second time. He was administered oath of office by Governor N N Vohra.


Earlier, Modi arrived in Jammu to attend the swearing-in ceremony at the General Zorawar Singh Auditorium of Jammu University.


BJP president Amit Shah, union ministers including Home Minister Rajnath Singh, senior BJP leaders L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi and chief ministers of neighbouring Haryana and Punjab had come to attend the ceremony.


Apart from chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, thirteen ministers from the PDP took oath from the governor. They include Ab Rahman Veri, Javed Mustafa Mir, Ab Haq Khan, Syed Basharat Bukhari, Chaudhary Zulfikar Ali, Dr Haseeb Drabu, Ghulam Nabi Lone, Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Imran Ansari, Naeem Akhtar, Ab Majid Paddar, Mohammad Ashraf Mir and Aasia Naqash.


The BJP ministers who took their oath include Dr Nirmal Singh, Chandar Prakash, Lal Singh, Bali Baghat, Sukhnandan Kumar, Sajad Gani Lone, Sheiling Dhorje, Sunil Kumar Sharma, Ab Gani Kohli, Priya Sethi and Pawan Kumar Gupta.






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Oath Ceremony: MLAs Face Shortage of Entry Cards

KL Report


JAMMU


Newly elected MLAs of both PDP and BJP are facing shortage of entry cards and they are not able to provide cards to all their relatives, friends and well wishers to attend the oath taking ceremony.


Sources said that hundreds of people, who have travelled from Srinagar to attend the swearing in ceremony of PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, are wandering for cards.


The function is to take place in General Zorawar Singh Auditorium of Jammu University.


Sources said that General Zorawar Singh Auditorium has a capacity of 1300 seats while as administration has allotted 300 entry cards to each of the two coalition partners.


They said 700 cards have been kept reserve for other dignitaries and VVIPs.


“Many MLAs have cards for their fathers but their mothers are still waiting for one,” sources said adding “it has created a sort of trouble for the newly elected legislatures.”


Mufti will take oath as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir for the second time, leading a “historic” alliance with the BJP which will be part of a government in the state for the first time.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the oath ceremony which is scheduled to take place at 11 am.






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PSA Slapped on Two Geelani’s Supporters

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Terming the slapping of PSA on Shakeel Ahmad Yatoo Tehreek-e-Hurriyat district president Shopian and Zubair Ahmad Turray of Shopian as “oath taking gift” of the new government to the Kashmiris, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani Saturday condemned it in strong words.


In an emailed statement he said, “The Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have although termed PSA a ‘lawless law’ but it is still endlessly used in Jammu & Kashmir and in the name of preventive detention, the common people of this state are detained for years together and no one cares about this lawlessness.”


“The PSA is a symbol of cruelty, autocracy and it was initiated in the state in 1978. According to this law a person can be detained without proving guilty of any crime and this detention is non-bailable in any court of law. At the time of inception of this law, Shaikh Abdullah termed it as anti-forest smugglers act but later it was illegally used against the political leaders of the state and the Islamic and pro-freedom people became main target of this law,” he claimed.


“Shaikh Abdullah himself used this black law for silencing his political opponents and then his successor Farooq Abdullah also used this lawless law for suppressing the genuine and just voice of the Kashmiri nation,” Geelani alleged.


The Hurriyat (G) chairman said that the regimes of Mufti Sayed, Omer Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad also continued to imprison hundreds of people under this cruel act and despite the severe criticism of this law from the human rights organizations its application was not stopped.


Only from 2010 hundreds of people have been detained under this law and majority of them were college and school goings. “Slapping of PSA over the pro-freedom leaders Shakeel Ahmad Yatoo and Zubair Ahmad Turray a day before the oath taking ceremony of the Mufti Sayeed are indications of the fact that this black law will continue to hurt the Kashmiri nation in future and there will be no change in the lawlessness of the state,” he said.


“Whosoever is appointed as the chief minister of the state, he is just a show boy and the state is actually ruled by the home ministry of India with the help of police and army. Nothing happens here without their consent and no one dares to speak against this system,” Geealni claimed.


“A fresh crackdown has been launched against our forum/organization and during the last 10 days dozens of our activists including district president Kulgam Mohammad Shaban Dar and Showkat Ahmad have been detained in different police stations. To justify their arrests, many false and fabricated cases have been registered against them and they have been accused with such charges which are far away from the reality,” he added.


While demanding unconditional release of all the political prisoners, the Hurriyat (G) chairman said that the Kashmir dispute can’t be resolved through the bloodshed and arrests. “It is a political as well as human issue and its solution is possible only through political means. To start a meaningful political process it is compulsory to provide a political space to the pro-freedom people and unannounced restrictions should be lifted from their political activities,” Geealni added.






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Governor Invites Mufti to Form Govt

KL Report


SRINAGAR


The Governor, N.N. Vohra, Saturday invited Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Patron, J&K Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to form the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.


The Governor’s invitation follows the BJP-PDP combine staking the claim for formation of government in the State under the leadership of Mufti.


Mufti has also addressed the Governor to inform him that the Peoples Democratic Party and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) have decided to form a coalition government with a joint strength of 53 members in the 89 member House and that the coalition government would thus enjoy an absolute majority in the Legislative Assembly, which would enable it to provide a stable government for the State.


In his letter Mufti also informed the Governor that he has been elected as the leader of the PDP Legislative Party on 27th February, 2015 and the BJP has offered its support for PDP-BJP Government to be headed by him as the Chief Minister.


Meanwhile, in a separate letter Jugal Kishore Sharma, State President of BJP has also informed the Governor that the BJP Legislative Party has unanimously decided to extend support to the PDP in forming a government in Jammu and Kashmir and that the BJP will also join the Government together with its 25 MLAs.


The Oath Ceremony is scheduled to be held tomorrow, the 1st March, 2015 at 11.00 A.M at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu.






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H1N1: No Fresh Death in Kashmir

KL Report


SRINAGAR


The Sher-e-Kashmir Institute Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura said no fresh death of H1N1 positive was reported in the Valley on Saturday.


A SKIMS statement said that 7 patients are currently admitted in the hospital while two were discharged.


The statement added that 181 people have been tested H1N1 positive so far since October in the Valley.


Meanwhile, Medical Superintendent of SKIMS, Dr Farooq Jan has said that old testing lab in OPD was shifted due to lack of space to new place. “The hospital couldn’t conduct fresh tests for H1N1 from last one and a half days as a result of that,” Dr Jan said.


He said now the new lab is ready and fresh cases would be reported tomorrow.






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Extortionist Gang Busted in Kulgam

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Kulgam police busted an extortionist gang who were extorting money from public including Panchs and Sarpunches of the Yaripora, Behibagh area. Police recovered letter pads of HM outfits and a fake gun from them, a police statement said on Saturday.


The statement said that police after receiving information regarding an extortionist gang being active in Yaripora, Behibagh area of Kulgam who had instilled fear in the general public including Panchs and Sarpanchs of area and was extorting money from them.


A case FIR number 16/2015 under section 420,386,506 RPC was registered in Police Station Yaripora and investigation was taken up. During investigation police succeeded in apprehending three persons of the gang.


The arrested extortionists were identified as Javid Ahmad Lone son of Abdul Razak Lone, Showket Ahmad Lone son of Ghulam Rasool and Zubair Ahmad Lone son of Ghulam Mohammad Lone all residents of Shedcheck, Zainapora Shopian.


Police recovered threatening letters on letter pads of HM outfits and a fake gun used to extort money from them.


The accused according to police are being questioned and efforts are on to arrest the rest accused in the case.






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Winter Vacations Extended Again

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Winter vacations of the Schools in Kashmir have been extended upto March 7, official sources said on Saturday.


They said that due to bad weather conditions in Kashmir Valley, Director School Education Showkat Ahmad Beigh while announcing it said that weather conditions are not favourable in Kashmir.


However, sources said the spread of H1N1 is also a reason in extending the winter vacation.


March 9 will be now the first working day of Schools.


Pertinently, Kashmir schools are not functioning since September last after the devastating floods.






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Tral Encounter: Police Version

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Two militants got killed in an encounter with police, and security forces in Tral area of South Kashmir, police said in a statement on Saturday.


The statement added that last night on specific information police alon gwith 42RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in village Rathsuna, Tral. During the searches militants fired upon the joint search party triggering an encounter. Two militants got killed in the ensuing encounter who have been identified as Shabeer Mir resident of Dadsara and Idrees Shah resident of Norpora.


Police said that Shabbir @ Suhail joined militancy in 2012 and was earlier associated with LeT Qasim group and later shifted to HM and was involved in a number of attacks including attack on sarpanch of Amlar Tral besides several attacks in Pulwama area. He was an associate of Bilal Bhat of Lelhar.


The police statement also said that on 17-04-2014 he along with Reyaz Ahmad Naikoo killed a sarpanch of Gulzar Pora Mohammad Amin Pandith son of Abdul Ahad resident of Gulzar Pora. A case Fir number 35/2014 under section 302, 7/27 A Act already stands registered in Police Station Awantipora.


Police said that on 21-04-2014 he along with Burhan killed Mohammad Anwar Sheikh son of Mohammad Sadiq resident of Amlar Tral. He was also involved in motivating the youth to join militancy and coordinating between LeT and HM.


According to police Idrees got active in 2014 and was involved in the killing of a driver Firdous Ahmad of Drussu, Pulwama. A case FIR number 135/2014 under sections 120 B and 302 RPC already stands registered in Police Station Pulwama.


The bodies of the militants were handed to their relatives for last rites.


2 AK rifles, 06 AK magzines, 80 rounds, 02 pouches, HM letter pad, 01 matrix sheet and a diary was recovered from the encounter site.






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Friday, 27 February 2015

Budget 2015: AIIMS in South Kashmir, IIM in Jammu

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday announced that the government would set up branches of AIIMS or the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in five states, including Jammu and Kashmir.


Currently only Delhi has an AIIMS hospital – which is one of the country’s premier research and referral hospitals – and it caters to thousands of patients who come from all over the country.


Jaitley also announced more IITs and IIMs, which are counted among the world’s top engineering and management institutes.


Another Indian Institutes of Technology or IIT will be set up in Karnataka and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) will be set up in Jammu and Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh.


Jaitley was presenting union budget 2015 in the parliament. According to sources AIIMS would be established in south Kashmir while as IIM would be established in Jammu.


Reacting to the announcement former chief minister, Omar Abdullah immediately tweeted. “Bricks & mortar don’t make AIIMS & IIMs. In fact quite the opposite, they dilute the brand equity of the original institution,” Omar Tweeted.






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Mufti Invites Sonia, Yadav to Swearing in Ceremony

KL Report


SRINAGAR


People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Saturday morning met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Janta Dal chief Sharad Yadav and invited them to his swearing in ceremony.


Sources informed Kashmir Life that Mufti visited the residences of Sonia and Yadav and formally invited both the leaders.


Earlier, PDP patron invited former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to his swearing in ceremony.


Mufti along with 25 cabinet members is scheduled to take oath of office on Sunday in Jammu.


PM Narendra Modi is also scheduled to attend the swearing in ceremony of Mufti.


Many central ministers are also expected to be in Jammu tomorrow to attend the swearing in ceremony of the first ever J&K coalition government of which the Hindu nationalist party is a part.


If Manmohan, Sonia, Azad and Yadav accepted Mufti’s invitation then it will be first kind of its swearing in ceremony.


Pertinently, the deal between PDP and BJP was finalised when Mufti met Modi yesterday.


PDP and BJP after hectic deliberations of more than two months finally reached to an agreement ‘Common Minimum Programme’ to form a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir.






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SC Directs JK Govt to Decide about Student’s Mass Promotion in 3 Weeks

KL Report


SRINAGAR


The Supreme Court on Friday while hearing the writ petition titled as Vasundhra Pathak Masoodi V/S Union of India directed Jammu & Kashmir Government to take the decision on mass promotion of the students within three weeks.


The petitioner -in-person pleaded that the students are the worst victims of the colossal floods that inflicted the state of Jammu and Kashmir in September last year and the decision to continue with holding of examination would result in their further victimization.


She further pleaded that the students lost their books, notebooks and related paraphernalia and have been reeling under tremendous psychological pressure. She also pointed that despite the direction of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir to decide the matter of mass promotion favourably, the state has so far failed to take a favourable decision in this regard.


The council for the state submitted that popular government in state would soon be in place and appropriate decision would be taken soon.


Upon hearing the submission of both the sides, Supreme Court directed the state government to take the decision on mass promotion within three weeks.






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Mufti Invites Manmohan, Azad to Swear in Ceremony

KL Report


SRINAGAR


People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Friday late evening met former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad at their residences and invited them to his swear in ceremony, sources said.


Mufti along with 25 cabinet members is scheduled to take oath of office on March 1 in Jammu.


PM Narendra Modi is also scheduled to attend the swearing in ceremony of Mufti.


Sources said that Mufti went to the residence of Manmohan and Azad and invited them to the function however it was not known whether both the Congress leaders accepted the invitation of their former friend or not.


Earlier, in the day the deal between PDP and BJP was finalised when Mufti met Modi.


Pertinently, PDP and BJP after hectic deliberations of more than two months have finally reached to a an agreement ‘Common Minimum Programme’ to form a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir.


It will be the first ever coalition government with Hindu nationalist party as its partner in the Muslim majority J&K.






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Encounter broke out in Tral

KL Report


SRINAGAR


A fierce gunfight erupted between militants and government forces at Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district late this evening, official sources said.


They said that following the specific information about the presence of militants, the joint team of army’s 42 RR and SOG launched cordon at Moominabad in Ratsuna village.


“As the joint team of forces intensified the searches the militants opened heavy fire upon them, the forces retaliated the fire ensuing an encounter,” the sources said.


Two militants are believed to be trapped in the area, they said. (GNS)






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Encounter broke out in Tral

KL Report


SRINAGAR


A fierce gunfight erupted between militants and government forces at Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district late this evening, official sources said.


They said that following the specific information about the presence of militants, the joint team of army’s 42 RR and SOG launched cordon at Moominabad in Ratsuna village.


“As the joint team of forces intensified the searches the militants opened heavy fire upon them, the forces retaliated the fire ensuing an encounter,” the sources said.


Two militants are believed to be trapped in the area, they said. (GNS)






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Schools should extend winter vacation: DAK

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) president Dr Nisar ul Hassan Friday said that in view of ongoing H1N1 outbreak in the valley concerned authorities should extend winter vacation of schools by two more weeks.


“Flu activity is increasing and the number of positive cases in valley is an underestimate of disease burden as minuscule percentage of population is tested. School closure is recommended non pharmaceutical intervention to contain and mitigate the spread of virus during an outbreak,” the statement said.


“According to a study at Mc Master University published in Annals of internal medicine, closure of schools is likely to significantly reduce the rate of transmission during an outbreak as children are important drivers of transmission. Children in valley are defenseless due to no immunization against H1N1 and are at high risk of infection and complications. We have seen in past outbreaks when it appeared worst is over, flu activity increased abruptly which is because of unpredictability of the virus,” he said.


“Health authorities in valley are duty bound to vaccinate children on priority to protect them which in turn will reduce the impact of H1N1,” he added.






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Army Man Dies of Swine Flu in Kashmir

KL Report


SRINAGAR


An army man died on Friday due to H1N1 infection in Srinagar.


Sources said that army man identified as Havildar Dangar Bavan Danbhai was tested positive for the virus.


Meanwhile, a doctor, identified as Bhupinder Singh, who had been shifted for treatment to New Delhi after testing positive also passed away overnight.


As many as 182 people have so far tested positive for the swine flu virus in the Valley, but there have been no more fatalities, while another 30 have tested positive for the virus in the Jammu region.






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Mufti Writes to Governor, Claims Throne

KL Report


SRINAGAR


People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Friday staked claim to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.


This followed his unanimous election as the leader of the PDP legislature party that emerged as the single largest party in the recent election.


The meeting of legislature party was held in Jammu. As per a party statement the PDP leader Ab Rehman Veeri presided over the meeting.


The development followed the meeting Mufti had with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi earlier in the day.


In his letter to governor Mufti informed him that with the support of the BJP the PDP led coalition would enjoy a clear majority and was in a position to provide a stable government in the state in the wake of a split verdict.


The swearing-in ceremony will be held at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium of the Jammu University at 11:00 AM on Sunday March 1st 2015 which will be attended by the PM Modi.


The swearing in ceremony will follow a joint press conference of PM Modi and Mufti.






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State Capital Shifted to Nagpur: Omar

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Former chief minister and National conference working president, Omar Abdullah Friday while reacting to the newly PDP-BJP coalition as “A hug of South Pole and North Pole”.


Omar Abdullah as usual took to micro blogging site Twitter to comment just after PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence.


“With this hug the South Pole & the North Pole met and the capital of J&K shifted to Nagpur,” Omar wrote.


PDP and BJP are all set to form the next government in jammu and Kashmir.


This will be the first ever coalition including the Hindu Nationalist Party (BJP).






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CMP to be Made Public on March 1

KL Report


SRINAGAR


People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said the details of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) between her party and the BJP would emerge on March 1.


PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is to take oath as the chief minister of the state on Sunday for the second time.


“Our agenda for alliance talks of development, economic growth and so on, besides political issues. Please wait till March 1, everything will be clear then,” Mehbooba said while talking to reporters in New Delhi.


Meanwhile, reacting to the BJP-PDP coalition, Minister of State (MoS) in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh has said that the joining of hands of the two parties to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir should be seen as a “historic opportunity”. He added that any other alliance would have been the violation of the mandate given by the people.


“This is a historic occasion and a historic opportunity. This is the best decision that could have happened, given the kind of mandate that has been thrown by the state of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Singh.


“And the mandate was clearly in favour of PDP from Kashmir Valley and clearly in favour of BJP from Jammu region. Therefore, any other alliance would have been violation of the mandate obtained from the people,” he added.


Another BJP leader Ram Madhav said “both parties have reached a consensus on the Common Minimum Programme. The announcement in this regard will be made during the swearing-in ceremony.”


Earlier in the day, PDP patron Mufti met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s official 7, Race Course Road (RCR) residence.






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Thursday, 26 February 2015

Mufti to Head 25 Member Cabinet,12 from BJP

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed will head a 25-member cabinet, half of it from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), sources said on Friday.


With the PDP-BJP deal sealed after ironing out differences over contentions issues like Article 370 and AFSPA, 79-year-old Mufti, who will be sworn in as chief minister, met the Prime Minister on Friday, capping two-month long hard negotiations between the two parties on government formation.


According to sources, Mufti will be heading a 25-member cabinet which will have 12 BJP MLAs including the deputy chief minister post.


This is the first time that BJP is in the government in the state. Accompanied by chief interlocutor of PDP Dr Haseeb Drabu, Mufti had a nearly one-hour long meeting with Modi during which he extended invitation to the PM for attending the swearing-in ceremony at Jammu on March one.


Modi and Mufti were all smiles as they hugged and posed for cameras with their photographs trending on social networks within minutes.






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Modi Accepts Mufti’s Invitation

KL Report


SRINAGAR


People’s Democratic Party Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Friday said that both his party and BJP have got the opportunity to unite hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.


After meeting and inviting PM Narendra Modi to the searing in ceremony to be held in Jammu, Mufti said, “history has given us a second chance, we should respect people’s verdict. We have got the opportunity to unite hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”


Mufti, who is set to become the Chief Minister, said he has invited PM Mod for the swearing in ceremony. “I have invited PM for swearing-in ceremony on March 1, he said he will be attending the ceremony,” Mufti said.


PDP patron met PM Modi this morning, days after their parties finalised an alliance to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir.


The alliance between the two parties announced last week, had faced a last-minute hitch, which was sorted out at a meeting late on Wednesday night. For a time, there were apprehensions that Modi-Mufti meeting and the oath ceremony might have to be postponed.


“When asked about the differences between the two parties, Mufti said, “we have successfully managed all the differences by virtue of a common ground.” He however did not give details of the “common ground”.


The two parties, ideological opposites, are expected to govern the state on the basis of a common minimum programme (CMP). They spent the last two months in attempts to bridge the political and ideological differences.






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Tremor Jolts Kashmir

KL Report


SRINAGAR


A moderate-intensity earthquake jolted Kashmir on Friday although no loss of life or property has been reported so far.


The earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale occurred at 3.29 a.m. today (Friday), MeT sources said.


They said the epicentre of the earthquake was in the Pakistan region.


Kashmir is situated in an earthquake prone region where temblors have caused devastation in the past.


In October 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale killed over 40,000 people on the two sides of Jammu and Kashmir.






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Mufti Meets Modi

KL Report


SRINAGAR


PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s residence in New Delhi on Friday and finalised the deal of government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.


Hindi nationalist party and the PDP have sorted out their differences and reached a consensus on a common minimum programme (CMP) that will form the basis of their coalition government.


The new J&K government led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is to be sworn in at 11 a.m. on Sunday.


Mufti, founder-patron of the PDP, flew down to New Delhi on Thursday evening to meet Modi.


Sources said that Mufti is likely to invite Modi for the swearing-in function to be held in Jammu.


The meeting between the two was going on when the reports last came in.






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H1N1: 9 More Test Positive; Toll Reaches 181

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Nine persons were tested positive for H1N1 in Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura on Thursday, a statement said.


The toll of infected persons according to the statement has climbed to 181 since October, 2014 in Kashmir Valley. However, the the statement said, no death was reported in last 24 hours.


50 frontline health workers including doctors and paramedics were vaccinated today at the hospital in addition to 100 workers already vaccinated.


“Also 195 patients were seen today up to 2.00 P.M and 9 fresh samples were taken .Eleven patients are admitted in isolation ward and out of which one is on ventilator,” the spokesperson said.


The SKIMS would likely receive reagents/chemicals for 500 patients from NCDC New Delhi.






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Death of pregnant woman: Inquiry team exonerates accused doctors

KL Report


SRINAGAR


A team of doctors against whom police had lodged an FIR for their alleged negligence in patient care and subsequent death of a pregnant lady in North Kashmir Pattan Town of Baramulla district have been exonerated by the inquiry committee. However, rejecting the findings of the inquiry committee, the family members of the deceased woman have alleged that the inquiry committee report is partial as all the members of the committee were doctors who had close relations with the erring doctors.


Pertinently, clashes and protest had broken out in Pattan last year after a pregnant woman from Zangam Pattan namely Maryaem Banoo wife of Sharafat Ali Khan allegedly died due to negligance of the doctors at Sub-District Hospital Pattan. Sensing trouble, the district administration Baramulla had constituted a team of 4 doctors to probe the matter while police had lodged an FIR vide number 94/2014 under section 304A, 109 RPC against the accused doctors.


The father of deceased woman said that the inquiry team handed over their report to him, which reads that the woman died due to loss of blood and all the accused doctors are exonerated. “I challenge their findings and I was fully aware of this fact that will never conduct a fair probe,” he said.


SDPO Pattan meanwhile said that after conducting probe into the incident, they had written to DC Baramulla, seeking the permission for the arrest of accused doctors. “We received no reply from the administration and thus are unable to show any progress in the case,” he said.


Pertinently, the team of doctors that conducted the probe included District Health Officer Baramulla Dr Abdul Rashid, Block Medical Officer Kunzar Dr Idrees, Gynecologist Dr Nasreen Aziz and Medical Consultant Dr Abdul Ahad Wani.






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State Government challenges Gulzar Peer’s Acquittal

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Jammu and Kashmir Government Thursday approached State High Court to challenge the acquittal of rape accused ‘faith healer’ from Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, Gulzar Ahmad Bhat alias Gulzar Peer. Peer was acquitted by Principal Sessions Court Budgam of rape charges on February 12.


Police sources informed CNS that after getting a nod from the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to file an acquittal appeal against the local court’s judgment passed by the Principal Sessions Judge Budgam in case titled State through SHO P/S Khansahib, FIR No. 40/2013 u/s 376, 109 RPC v/s Gulzar Ahmad Bhat and others, Deputy Advocate General N H Shah Thursday filed an appeal against the acquittal in High Court Srinagar.


In its appeal before the High Court, the State Government has submitted that the judgment of Principal and District Sessions Judge Budgam is based on wrong assumption of facts and is far from justice. “The judgment of the Principal and District Sessions Judge is erroneous and based on the wrong assumption of facts,” the appeal filed by State Government reads.


Police sources informed that they are in possession of solid evidences against Gulzar Peer and on the basis of these evidences, government decided to challenge the acquittal judgment of the local court. “The government has already directed Qazi Abdul Qayoom, Chief Prosecuting Officer Budgam to provide all necessary assistance and certified copies of the judgment to the deputy Advocate General N.H.Shah who will plead case for the State Government,” they said.


Pertinently, the self-styled faith healer Gulzar Bhat alais Gulzar Peer of Latur Chadoora, who used to run a seminary at Shamsabad Budgam was arrested for allegedly raping minor girls on the pretext of “purifying their soul” in May 2013. The complainants had alleged that Gulzar Peer raped at least 40 girls in his so called ‘Hujra-e-Khaas’ at his Shamsabad Seminary.






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Hurriyat (G) anguished over ‘ill-treatment’ to detainees

KL Report


SRINAGAR


While expressing its concern and anguish over the ‘ill-treatment’ meted out to the detainees of District jail Anantnag and the visitors who came to meet them, Hurriyat Conference (G) Thursday appealed the Amnesty International, International Red Cross and other institutions to take notice of the plight of political prisoners and use their influence to address this issue.


According to the Hurriyat (G) spokesman, its legal cell will conduct an investigation into the reports coming from the District jail Anantnag with regard to the jail inmates and to highlight this issue, “we will take all the necessary measures.”


“The relatives of the detainees came to the Hurriyat office and complained that not only the jail inmates but the relatives who came to meet them are also badly treated there and in the name of search and frisking, they are insulted and abused. The women visitors are not any exception to this treatment and they are harassed by the unnecessary and unwanted processes during the search operation. The relatives of the detainees said that the sub-standard food item is given to the inmates and due to this they usually fall ill,” the spokesman said.


“There is no proper medication available for the ill detainees. Every kind of patient is treated with few tablets of pain killers which sometimes causes serious side-effects to them. The families of the detainees complained that there is no professional doctor available for the inmates and if somehow they bring any doctor into the jail but he could not attend all the detainees,” he claimed.


“The detainees don’t get proper quota of the ration which is due to them according to the Jail manual. Under-trials are not presented for the court hearing which is unnecessary prolonging their detention,” he added.


While expressing serious concern over this situation, Hurriyat (G) spokesperson alleged that the government is not treating the political prisoners of Kashmir according to their status and they are treated as professional criminals. “They are subjected to the political vengeance inside the jail. This kind of treatment with the political prisoners is the serious kind of human rights violation and it is also against those rule and regulations which the government have itself setup,” he added.






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22 years after Sopore Massacre, CBI files documents in the case: JKCCS

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) Thursday said that CBI filed documents in Sopore massacre case without giving the victim families access to the documents.


“Hearing the closure report filed by the CBI in the Sopore massacre case, the TADA Court, Srinagar today ordered the CBI to provide all supporting documents – witness statements etc – in the case,” the JKCCS statement said.


“The entire investigation record is now finally before a court. But, the CBI does not want the victim families to have any access to these documents, or even be heard by the court on whether the case should be shut down.”


The JKCCS spokesman, Khurram Parvez said that this was the same position taken by the Indian army and the Government prosecutor in the Kunan Poshpora mass rape and torture case of 1991. “Clearly, Government of India, across the board, takes the same position and wants the victims and their families to be shut out of all legal proceedings. In this case, after protecting the perpetrators the CBI now wants to ensure that no one can now review their work/cover up,” he said. “In a separate submission, the BSF [who had also filed an FIR in this case blaming militants for the massacre], took no objection to the CBI closure report in their FIR but sought that the weapons seized be returned to them.”


Three survivors of the 6 January 1993 Sopore massacre had earlier, 28 June 2014, filed a protest petition against the closure report filed by the CBI on 4 December 2013 before the TADA court, Srinagar, after 20 years. The protest petition – seeking further investigations in this case – is a contestation of the States lies and attempts to cover up the Sopore massacre of 1993.


On 6 January 1993, personnel of the 94th Battalion, BSF carried out an attack in Sopore town that led to the killing of more than 50 civilians, scores of injured, and destruction of more than 500 shops and 20-25 houses. The Sopore chowk area was burnt down including the roadside areas of: Shahabad, Bobimir Sahab, Muslim Peer, Shallapora and Kralteng. Further, Samad Talkies, and the women’s college located near the Sopore chowk were also burnt. One FIR [8/1993] was filed on behalf of the victims, and FIR no. 9/1993 was filed by the BSF for the same incident.






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AI report deflates India’s zero HR violations claim in Kashmir: Hurriyat (M)

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Referring to the international human rights watchdog, Amnesty International (AI) annual report, which states that the forces personnel involved in extrajudicial execution cases in Kashmir have not been brought to Justice, the Hurriyat (M) spokesman said the report should serve as an eye opener for the world community that how even the right to life is snatched from Kashmiris by means of force.


The spokesman said that Amnesty International has openly admitted that the human rights of Kashmiris were violated at a large scale, adding, the report adds facts to its observation by pointing out cases like Pathribal fake encounter where the army gave clean chit to the accused personnel.


He said it talks about Machil fake encounter case where despite the fact that the accused army personnel were convicted and awarded punishment in a court martial, the Army’s Northern Command refused to give its approval to the conviction. Adding, the report also points out the case of Chattergam where a 14 year old student and another 21 years old of Nowgam were killed by the Army’s 53 RR personnel after opening unprovoked fire on a car they were travelling in.


The spokesman said the Amnesty International report deflates the claims of Indian state that it has adopted zero tolerance towards HR violations in Kashmir, adding, such statements are made only for public consumption and to divert the attention of world community from Kashmir. He said the reality was that the government announces only formation of commissions to probe the innocent killings, but nobody has been punished for such crimes till date. He said that HR violations in Kashmir have been used as a weapon of war to suppress the people so that they are prevented from demanding right to self determination. The spokesman has appealed international community and rights organizations to use their influence to stop Indian state from committing HR violations in Kashmir besides stressing upon them to solve the Kashmir issue on urgent basis.


Meanwhile, senior Hurriyat leader and member of Hurriyat Executive Council Mukhtar Ahmad Waza visited Shopian to pay tributes to the two slain youth who were martyred on Wednesday. He said the sacrifices of martyrs is a priceless asset lying with the Kashmir nation, adding, the Hurriyat as a representative body of Kashmiris would continue to fight for the right to self determination for which the martyrs have laid their lives.






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Mufti Rendered Art 370 Hollow: JKLF Chief

Shah Abbas


SRINAGAR


Accepting defeat at the hands of Indian strategists during election time, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik Thursday alleged PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed of damaging Article 370 more than anybody else during the Ghulam Mohammad Sadiq’s era.


“Mufti, who is today trying to make the Art 370 an Art of faith, damaged it upto 95 percent when he was a minister in Sadiq’s dispensation,” Malik said during a press conference.


However he said that his party is not bothered about the Article 370. “We are only concerned about the State Subject Act, and if it is touched we will come on roads to protect it with our blood,” he said.


Malik lashed out at Mufti for using Fair View, the erstwhile Papa 2 (the notorious torture centre) as his official residence and said, “once a dreaded interrogation centre holder has no moral authority to talk about the protection of Human Rights.”


JKLF chairman also criticized local media for visiting Mufti’s official residence and “cherish Wazewan” there. “Some of my Indian friends like Tappan Bose and Rahul Bhatia do not even take water at Papa 2 but our local media persons use to visit thrice a year and cherish Wazwan there.”


Malik alleged Muti of helping BJP in Jammu region to divide Muslim vote bank.


“Mufti was enjoying RSS gathering in his Jammu public addresses and it was only to give message to the Muslim vote bank of Jammu that he was relevant in the region,” Malik said.


Separatist leader said that BJP and its strategists had made a plan to terrify Kashmiri people so that they could come out in large numbers to vote. “I salute BJP for making itself a villain for its national cause so that Kashmiris are made to vote in large numbers,” he said. He alleged some media persons and columnists without naming them for “making the BJP plan a success.” He said, “The Indian strategists defeated us in the elections but we will rise again, however when they are defeated at our hands they will not get a second chance.”


Continuing targeting Mufti, Malik alleged that PDP patron was involved in the killings of top Hizbul Mujahideen Commanders. “After he became the chief minister by exploiting pro-freedom sentiment in 2002, Mufti killed top Hizbul Mujahideen Commanders,” Malik said adding “he as the head of the command council was directly involved in the said killings”. It was Mufti, Malik continued, who turned every police station across Kashmir into Task Force Camp after claiming the disbanding of the “infamous force”.


JKLF chairman however made it clear that he is not interested in the government formation. “Our stand is clear, from National Conference to PDP, Congress to communists and independents; all work as the Indian collaborators so it hardly matters who makes the government,” Malik said.


“We will not take part in any election until and unless Kashmir dispute is resolved however, I challenge Mufti and Omar Abdullah to face me in a privately conducted election in Islamabad and Beerwah.”


Malik also alleged that psychological coercion was used in the recently held elections which according to him “led to the higher voter turnout.”






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Wednesday, 25 February 2015

Explosion Leaves Six Injured at Shopian Encounter Site

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Six persons were injured when a live grenade went off at the encounter site in Heff village in Shopian district Thursday morning.


Local sources said that around ten hours after the encounter ended at Heff a grenade apparently left there exploded when people were busy cleaning the debris.


Two militants were killed in the 25 hour encounter including a highly qualified Turkewangam youth.


Four army men including a Major were also injured in the encounter.


More than a dozen persons were also injured during clashes around the encounter site yesterday after hundreds of people pelted rocks on forces protesting against the militant killings.






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PDP, BJP Last Time Hitches May Delay Modi-Mufti Meet

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Ideologically different PDP-BJP representatives have started a fresh round of talks to settle some last time differences on the Common Minimum Programme, sources said on Thursday.


The last time differences according to sources have created some hitches in finalising the Common Minimum Programme which are likely to affect the Mufti-Modi meeting scheduled for Friday.


“The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, which was slated for Friday, also looks unlikely to happen,” sources said.


The consequences, they said, could be a delay in the swearing-in ceremony, which is to take place on Sunday.


Sources said that a meeting was held late last night to resolve the fresh differences about CMP however it was not clear whether the meeting could prove fruitful.


The two parties are expected to govern Jammu and Kashmir on the basis of a CMP. They spent last two months to prepare the same.


Recently, it was formally announced that BJP and PDP will form a coalition government in the state after a meeting between Amit Shah and Mehbooba Mufti.






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PM Approves Rs 426.83 crore PMNRF Aid for Damaged Houses

KL Report


SRINAGAR


The Prime Minister Wednesday approved financial aid of Rs.426.83 crore out of the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for assistance being provided to the owners of severely and partially damaged pucca and Kacha houses. This aid will benefit 1.87 lakh owners of houses damaged in the floods.


According to a government statement the Prime Minister had earlier announced PMNRF relief of Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 50,000 to the affected families whose Pacca/Kacha houses had been fully damaged.


The financial assistance now approved by the Prime Minister envisages additional assistance of Rs.50,000 for severely damaged Pacca house, Rs.25,000 for partially damaged Pacca house, Rs.10,000 for severely damaged Kacha house and Rs. 5,000 for partially damaged Kacha house. Owners of 30,933 severely damaged Pacca houses involving an amount of Rs.154.66 crore and 93,024 partially damaged houses involving an amount of Rs. 232.56 crore will get benefitted. Also, owners of 15,832 severely damaged Kacha houses involving an amount of Rs.15.83 crore and 47,550 partially damaged houses involving an amount of Rs.23.77 crore will get benefited.


The financial assistance will be distributed through NDMA who would finalize the data of admissible beneficiaries in consultation with the State Government and transfer the assistance directly to the existing bank accounts of the beneficiaries or through the newly opened Aadhar linked Jhan Dhan Yojna accounts.


The Governor has expressed gratitude to the Union Home Minister and the Prime Minister for approving additional PMNRF relief of Rs. 426.83 crore for assisting the flood affected families. The Governor had met the Union Home Minister and the Prime Minister last month and sought early sanction of additional relief. Pertinent to recall that Rs. 115.81 crore PMNRF relief has already been disbursed to 16748 beneficiaries in respect of fully damaged Pacca and Kacha houses in pursuance of the announcement made by Prime Minister where he visited Srinagar on Diwali day.


The Governor has directed the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu Divisions to urgently finalize the data of beneficiaries in accordance with the admissibility conditions so that the grants can be electronically transferred to their bank accounts without any loss of time.


The Raj Bhavan Spokesperson recalled that soon after taking over the Governor had sent a detailed communication to the Union Home Minister to highlight that the scale of relief admissible under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) is altogether inadequate for the affected families to even partially repair their damaged houses. The Governor had called for substantial enhancement in the scale of relief to enable the affected families to carry out the essential repairs, keeping in view the considerably high cost of materials and labour in the Kashmir Valley.


It was clarified that the PMNRF assistance now approved by the PM will be in addition to Rs.12,600 and Rs.3,800 already paid to the affected owners as per the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms.


Till such time as the Central Government considers and sanctions funds under the Special Flood Relief Package, the Governor had directed that all necessary steps should be taken for providing relief as per the SDRF norms. After the promulgation of Governor’s Rule the Governor had launched vigorous initiatives to seek Central assistance for providing additional assistance to enable the owners of severely/partially damaged houses to undertake essential repairs till final decisions are taken on the Special Package. Considering the significantly high cost of labour and construction materials the affected families have been demanding enhancement of the relief amount.






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H1N1: 41 Positive Cases, 8 In Jammu

KL Report


SRINAGAR


A spokesman of the Raj Bhawan admitted 41 fresh cases of the Swine Flu positive cases across Kashmir. While eight cases were reported by Directorate of Health Services Jammu, the rest were reported from Kashmir.


SKIMS had already said with new 19 cases reported on Wednesday the overall cases with the institute have reached 172. These exclude 14 cases which were reported by Directorate of Health Services Kashmir from peripheral hospitals.


Offering details of the management, the Raj Bhawan spokesman said 57,000 Tamiflu tablets, 600 N 95 Masks, 600 PPE Units and 90 VTM viles were received today by the Director Health Services in Srinagar. SKIMS also received 20,000 Tamiflu tablets and 2000 H1N1 masks today.


Similarly, 4440 Tamiflu tablets, 300 N 95 Masks, 400 PPE Units and 60 VTM viles were received by the Director, Health Services, Jammu and an additional 200 VTM viles shall be delivered tomorrow.


The review held today disclosed that 7559 patients have so far been seen in OPD in the two medical Colleges and various hospitals of the State. Out of the total 111 samples taken for H1N1, 03 cases have been tested positive, 19 have turned out to be negative and 21 patients have been admitted till date.


As of today, the Directorate of Health Services Jammu (DHSJ) received another 4,440 Tamiflu tablets out of which 400 have been issued to GMC Jammu and 3,600 to the District Hospitals.


Similarly, out of 400 PPE kits received, 200 each have been issued to the GMC Jammu and the District Hospitals. Out of 300 N-95 masks received, in addition to already available 122 masks, 100 masks have been issued to GMC Jammu and 220 to the District Hospitals. 60 VTMs have also been received today. 2410 Tamiflu tablets, 82 VTM, 128 PPEs and 102 Masks are in stock.


The Raj Bhavan spokesperson disclosed that as per the daily situation report received from the Director Health Services Jammu (DHSJ), 152 patients were seen in the GMC Jammu OPD today and 21 samples were taken for H1N1 Influenza. In all 8 cases have been found positive and 19 negative. Report in 84 cases is still pending. Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) has today issued 200 Tamiflu tablets to the CMOs and the District Hospitals, keeping a balance of 2300 tablets. The DHSK has 150 VTM and has issued 65 of them to the CMOs and the District Hospitals.


In SKIMS 145 patients were seen in OPD and 17 samples were taken for tests; 19 cases have tested positive for H1N1 Influenza and 03 patients were discharged in the last 24 hours; 11 patients remain admitted in the Isolation Ward. The total number of cases which have tested positive in SKIMS so far is 172. Today, 20,000 Tamiflu tablets and 2000 masks were received by SKIMS.


Under DHSK hospitals, 473 patients were seen in OPD; 28 samples were tested for H1N1 Influenza; 14 cases tested positive, 03 negative and reports in 11 cases are still awaited.






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Parliament members criticize black laws

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Several Indian Parliament members Wednesday criticized anti-terror laws in vogue in Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur and demanded immediate repealing of these stringent acts.


Mohammed Basheer of IUML raised the issue of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act during Zero Hour, saying it was a “black law”.


Underlining that an anti-terror law cannot be misused for “victimization”, he demanded a judicial review of all the cases charged under it, suggesting that many accussed have no terror links.


“We are duty-bound to repeal this black law. An anti-terror law cannot be misused for victimization,” he said.


Thokchom Meinya, Congress member from Manipur, spoke against abuse of AFSPA and said there is an urgent need to “review” it.


He cited a number of committee reports, including one headed by Congress MP and former Union minister Veerappa Moily and another by Justice (retd) JS Verma, which highlights its “draconian” provisions.


AFSPA is in force in militancy-hit states like Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir and various political parties and civil society groups have claimed from time to time that it allows armed forces to get away with serious violations of human rights.






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Masked men steal vehicle from hapless person; three police stations refuse to lodge an FIR

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Two police stations and a police chowki refused to lodge an FIR after unidentified masked men drove away the vehicle of a hapless person from Karan Nagar area in Srinagar city.


Parvez Ahmed Najar a resident of Noorbagh Srinagar informed CNS that as usual he was returning to Idgah when a numberless Sentor car hit his Maxima vehicle (JK01V-6737) near Bemina Court Complex.


“Despite their fault the three masked men from Santro Car came down and forcibly bundled me into their car while one of the masked person snatched keys from me and followed the Santro car in which I was taken as a hostage,” he said adding that near Government Medical College Karan Nagar, they kicked me out from the Sentro car and disappeared along with them vehicle.


“I informed police station Karan Nagar which refused to lodge an FIR saying that the matter comes under the jurisdiction of Qamarwari police station. Qamarwari police station Chowki officer did not oblige and directed me to approach police station Parimpora. I got the same reply from Parimpora Police station. As a dejected lot I returned to my home with that apprehension that masked men will use my vehice for any terror act,” he said.


He said that he failed to understand why Karan Nagar Police Station refused to lodge an FIR when the incident occurred in its jurisdiction. “These police officers instead of reassuring the complainents have become habitual of giving directions and orders. I appeal to IGP to take stern action aginst these careless officers,” he said.


When contacted DO Qamarwari said that he doesn’t know anything about the incident while Parimpora police station officials said that it is the duty of Karan Nagar police station to lodge an FIR in this regard.


SSP Srinagar Amit Kumar said that he would look into the matter while soon after contacting SSP Srinagar, Karan Nagar police station officer informed CNS that FIR (15/2015) has been lodged in this regard and all efforts are on to trace the missing vehicle and the miscreants.






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Lone accuses PDP of cheating voters

KL Report


SRINAGAR


National Conference Wednesday alleged that People’s Democratic Party cheated people by forming the government with the support of a communal party like Bhartiya Janata Party.


“PDP did not do good for the people of Kashmir. It hugged that party against whom it sought votes from the people of Kashmir,” NC senior leader and former Minister Muhammad Akbar Lone told CNS adding that people of Kashmir will never forgive PDP for helping BJP to enjoy the seat of power.


Accusing PDP of cheating people of Kashmir, Lone siad that in coming years the ship of PDP will sink and sink deep. “PDP has created history by helping a party (BJP) to share power in the State and have a say in the Legislative Assembly that people detest and treat as communal one,” he said.


The alliance between PDP and BJP has amply made it clear that PDP can go to any extent to cling to the Chair. “PDP has got exposed and people have come to know about the real designs of this party. By forging an alliance with Bhartiya Janata Party, PDP has not only betrayed the common people but has also insulted them,” he said.






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‘Give Mufti a chance’: Radha Kumar to people

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Former female interlocutor Radah Kumar Wednesday said that people of Jammu and Kashmir should give Mufti Muhammad Sayeed a chance and should not raise eye-brows at a wrong time.


“People of Kashmir should wait and should give PDP a chance. They should only react if the PDP-BJP government will fail to deliver the goods,” Radha Kumar told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS adding that PDP-BJP government will not touch the contentious issues and their focus will primarily on the good governance.


“What I have grabbed from the political developments in Jammu and Kashmir is that the basic focus of PDP-BJP led government will be good governance and both the parties have decided to shelve all the contentious issues,” she said.


Radha Kumar said that it is difficult to guess whether the PDP-BJP coalition government will complete its full term or not. “No one can make an accurate guess in this regard. It will be too difficult for PDP to work with BJP as both the paties pursue a different and distinct agenda,” she said but added that Mufti Muhammad Sayeed is a seasoned politician and he knows how to steer a boat.






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Army rescues 41 villagers near Nasta chhun Pass 

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Army deployed at Nasta chhun rescued 41 civilians of Lontha and Karnah villages at around 10.30 PM last night, the army spokesman said.


“Army based at Nasta Chhun Pass received information that 35 men, 05 women and a child had stranded near Kunni Nala of Nasta Chhun Pass due to heavy snowfall and ice formation,” the army spokesman said. “On receipt of the information about the stranded villagers avalanche rescue team deployed at Nasta Chhun Pass immediately got activated.”


The team braving all odds moved to the location with the rescue team despite the inclement weather, snow blizzard and night condition, the spokesman said.


“On seeing, the Army rescue team, stranded villagers got a sigh of relief,” the spokesman said. “The villagers were safely brought to Nasta Chhun Pass and provided with medical care and refreshments by the Army.”


The spokesman said that the timely and prompt assistance provided by the Army not only rescued these civilians but also ensured that all 41 villagers including two ladies and one child safely reached their destination. “Efforts of the Army were highly appreciated by the locals of the area.”






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PM approves Rs 426.83 crore PMNRF aid for flood-damaged houses

KL Report


SRINAGAR


The Prime Minister Wednesday approved financial aid of Rs 426.83 crore out of the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for assistance being provided to the owners of severely and partially damaged pucca and Kacha houses.


“This aid will benefit 1.87 lakh owners of houses damaged in the floods,” the Raj Bhavan spokesman said.


The spokesperson recalled that the Prime Minister had earlier announced PMNRF relief of Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 50,000 to the affected families whose Pacca/Kacha houses had been fully damaged.


The financial assistance now approved by the Prime Minister envisages additional assistance of Rs.50,000 for severely damaged Pacca house, Rs.25,000 for partially damaged Pacca house, Rs.10,000 for severely damaged Kacha house and Rs. 5,000 for partially damaged Kacha house. Owners of 30,933 severely damaged Pacca houses involving an amount of Rs.154.66 crore and 93,024 partially damaged houses involving an amount of Rs. 232.56 crore will get benefitted. Also, owners of 15,832 severely damaged Kacha houses involving an amount of Rs.15.83 crore and 47,550 partially damaged houses involving an amount of Rs.23.77 crore will get benefited.


The financial assistance will be distributed through NDMA who would finalize the data of admissible beneficiaries in consultation with the State Government and transfer the assistance directly to the existing bank accounts of the beneficiaries or through the newly opened Aadhar linked Jhan Dhan Yojna accounts.


The Governor has expressed gratitude to the Union Home Minister and the Prime Minister for approving additional PMNRF relief of Rs. 426.83 crore for assisting the flood affected families. The Governor had met the Union Home Minister and the Prime Minister last month and sought early sanction of additional relief. Pertinent to recall that Rs. 115.81 crore PMNRF relief has already been disbursed to 16748 beneficiaries in respect of fully damaged Pacca and Kacha houses in pursuance of the announcement made by Prime Minister where he visited Srinagar on Diwali day.


The Governor has directed the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu Divisions to urgently finalize the data of beneficiaries in accordance with the admissibility conditions so that the grants can be electronically transferred to their bank accounts without any loss of time.


The Raj Bhavan spokesperson recalled that soon after taking over the Governor had sent a detailed communication to the Union Home Minister to highlight that the scale of relief admissible under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) is altogether inadequate for the affected families to even partially repair their damaged houses. The Governor had called for substantial enhancement in the scale of relief to enable the affected families to carry out the essential repairs, keeping in view the considerably high cost of materials and labour in the Kashmir Valley.


It was clarified that the PMNRF assistance now approved by the PM will be in addition to Rs.12,600 and Rs.3,800 already paid to the affected owners as per the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms.


Till such time as the Central Government considers and sanctions funds under the Special Flood Relief Package, the Governor had directed that all necessary steps should be taken for providing relief as per the SDRF norms. After the promulgation of Governor’s Rule the Governor had launched vigorous initiatives to seek Central assistance for providing additional assistance to enable the owners of severely/partially damaged houses to undertake essential repairs till final decisions are taken on the Special Package. Considering the significantly high cost of labour and construction materials the affected families have been demanding enhancement of the relief amount.


The Raj Bhavan spokesperson informed that the Governor was further pursuing with Union Home Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office the other elements of the Special Package, valuing about Rs. 11,000 crore, which would enable extending assistance for grant of house loans at subsidized rates of interest, soft loans for revival of tourism, business and industry, extension of moratorium on return of loans etc.






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People to deposit licensed guns in Police Stations in Bandipora

KL Report


SRINAGAR


According to Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Sonawari in district Bandipora, all those persons who are having licensed guns in the Sub Division Sumbal, shall deposit their guns in nearby Police Stations immediately, failing which, action under rules will be initiated against the violators and their licenses would be cancelled.


“The step has been taken to stop misuse of licensed guns, extensive poaching of the migratory birds in Wullar Lake and other wet lands,” the police statement said.






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Mehbooba raises PMSSS issue in Parliament

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and MP Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday raised in the Parliament the problems being faced by the students of Jammu and Kashmir on account of poor implementation of Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) and the fraud being played by certain NGOs and individuals facilitating these admissions.


Raising the issue in the Zero Hour, Mehbooba made a strong plea to the Centre to help the students who have been attracted into getting admission in certain institutions under the scheme some time back.


She said now the institutions were demanding money from the students as they were not enlisted under the Scheme or in some cases the admissions have been exceeded beyond the permissible limits.


“These students are now being expelled for want of fee. The central government should come to the help of these students who hail from poor families and cannot afford the fees and have been the victims of fraud played by certain NGOs,” she said.


Responding to the issue raised by Mehbooba, the HRD Minister Smriti Irani assured the House that she has asked for the information and a decision will be taken in the best interests of Kashmiri students pursuing their studies under PMSSS.


“We are exploring various possibilities… Institutions and individuals will be brought to book… They have deliberately misled the students,” Irani informed the House.


Pertinently, Mehbooba had called on Irani on February 16 raising the same issue and seeking her personal intervention to mitigate the sufferings of Kashmiri students.


She had also urged Irani to direct all academic institutions identified under the scholarship to strictly follow the guidelines on supernumerary quota under PMSSS for Kashmiri students in a fair and transparent manner.






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JK Bank Opens 3 New Branches, Total Goes to 805

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Jammu and Kashmir Bank has opened three more branches taking its total network to 805, a statement said on Wednesday.


Abdul Rashid Sheigan, Bank’s Head for Kashmir Central Zone, dedicated two branches to public at Parnewa in Budgam and Balhama in Srinagar amid remarkable public gatherings.


While interacting with people, Sheigan said that Bank was eager to bring all the households of the Jammu and Kashmir into the folds of formal financial system.


“Our focus on branch expansion is primarily aimed at 100% financial inclusion to pave way for inclusive, sustainable and equitable growth,” he said, adding “objectives like collective welfare and individual empowerment are at the core of our business strategy.”


Among others present at the inauguration of Parnewa branch included MA Wanchoo, Bank’s Cluster Head and M Akbar, Block Development Officer while Shafat Hussain Rufai, Bank’s Cluster Head was accompanying Zonal Head at the Balhama inauguration.


Meanwhile Arvind Gupta, Bank’s Head for Jammu Central Zone inaugurated one more branch at Sainik Colony in Jammu at a simple but impressive function attended by people from all walks of life. The Business Unit is well equipped to cater to the all the banking needs of the residents and business men of the area with state of the art ambience to match the strong brand of the bank.


Speaking on the occasion, Gupta stated that the bank with its focus on technology based products was well positioned to serve its existing and prospective customers across all the strata of the society and especially the younger generation whose dependence on technology based products was quite high. He urged upon the people especially the unemployed youth to come forward to start their entrepreneurial journey with the preferred bank of the state.






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No Proposal to Delete Art 370: Home Ministry

KL Report


SRINAGAR


Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday that government has not any proposal under consideration to ‘delete’ Article 370 of the Constitution, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.


“There is currently no such proposal under consideration,” Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary said in reply to a written question on whether government intends to delete Article 370.


Chaudhary said Article 370 was made in the Indian Constitution for continuance of the state of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union of India on the basis of Instrument of Accession.


“Thus, Article 370 is a device to continue the existing relationship of state of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union of India,” he said.


He added “Through this Article, the Union Parliament gets jurisdiction to enact laws on matters specified either in the Instrument of Accession or by later addition with concurrence of the government of state of Jammu and Kashmir.”






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H1N1: 19 More Tested +ve, Toll Raises to 172

KL Report


SRINAGAR


19 patients tested positive for H1N1 on Wednesday, raising the toll to 172 since Oct, 2014, a statement issued by SKIMS said.


However, the statement added that no death has been reported today.


Meanwhile, SKIMS received twenty thousand Tamiflu tablets and 2000 N95 masks.


The SKIMS statement said that out of 11 patients , only one patient is on ventilator.


11 patients are admitted in the Isolation ward of SKIMS and 3 were discharged in last 24 hours.


Doctors at SKIMS processed many samples in the last 24 hours however 19 were positive for H1N1.


Meanwhile, 145 cases were seen in the OPD today upto 2:30pm.


SKIMS authorities have informed general public to maintain hygiene, wear masks, avoid gatherings and unnecessary visit to hospitals.






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Rains Lash Kashmir

KL Report


SRINAGAR


The famous tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam in Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall, Wednesday while the intermittent rains continued in other parts of the Valley for the second consecutive day.


The Met department has predicted heavy rains or snow at few places over the next 24 hours.


Srinagar continued to receive intermittent rains since Tuesday and the city recorded 45.4 mm of rainfall during the night, a MeT official said.


The roads in many city areas including Jahangir Chowk have come under water and people find it difficult to move.


He said heavy rains or snow would occur at a few places over the state during the next 24 hours, while warning of a fresh Western Disturbance affecting the state from February 28.






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Violent Protests at Shopian Encounter Site

Sheikh Hilal


SHOPIAN


More than a dozen persons were injured including eight men in uniform and SDM Zainapora when hundreds of people attacked them with rocks at the encounter site in Shopian district on Wednesday.


Police used tear smoke shells and aerial firing to disperse the people who were demanding the body of slain militant Ashiq Hussain Dar.


Local sources said that as the news about killing of Ashiq spread in the area hundreds of people from Turkewangam, Shirmal and adjoining villages marched towards the encounter site at Heff raising anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.


On seeing people in large numbers, authorities asked for reinforcement and soon severe battles started.


“Protesting people started pelting rocks on the men in uniform from four sides injuring at least 8 personnel and SDM Zainpora,” sources said. They said that at least five civilians were also injured till the reports last came in.


A police official present at the encounter site confirmed violent protests however did not give details of the injured.


Ashiq Hussain Dar son of Ghulam Hassan Dar, a resident of Turkewangam village was killed in the encounter in Heff village of Shopian district early morning.


The encounter began yesterday after government forces received specific intelligence input about the presence of militants in Heff Shermal area of Shopian.


As the joint team of SOG and army began a search operation in the area, the hiding militants opened fire on them triggering an encounter.


The operation was halted for the night but the gunfight resumed this morning and a militant was gunned down in the early hours.


Forces believe that one more militant is still trapped and the firing was going on.






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Shopian Encounter: Slain Militant was a Highly Qualified Government Official

KL Report


SRINAGAR


A day after army released a report wherein it was mentioned that post-2010, highly educated youth joining militancy in Kashmir is a “very disturbing” trend, another militant with MA English B.Ed qualification (besides a government official) from south Kashmir’s Shopian district was killed in an encounter on Wednesday.


Ashiq Hussain Dar son of Ghulam Hassan Dar, a resident of Turkewangam village was killed in an encounter in Heff village of Shopian district early morning.


Sources said that Ashiq was selected as VLW in May 2014 and he joined militant ranks in August 2014 after working for three months as a government official.


Highly qualified Ashiq, according to local sources had also applied for jobs in the departments of Education, Revenue, CAPD and Horticulture and he was selected in all the departments. But instead joining the services, he had joined militancy and could not join.


24-year-old Ashiq was known as a religious youth in the area.


The encounter was going on till the reports last came in.


The encounter began yesterday after government forces received specific intelligence input about the presence of militants in Heff Shermal area of Shopian.


As the joint team of SOG and army began a search operation in the area, the hiding militants opened fire on them triggering an encounter.


The operation was halted for the night but the gunfight resumed this morning and a militant was gunned down in the early hours.


Forces believe that one more militant is still trapped and the firing was going on.






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Tuesday, 24 February 2015

Dawah through Facebook

Raashid Ul Nabi Khan


FB


Since my childhood I was having very much interest in Dawah (invitation towards Islam). But one thing was missing: a good platform. In 2009, my dream came true when I first time login to Facebook. It gave me a great opportunity to reach to non-Muslims. By the grace of Allah, the feedback from non-Muslim brothers and sisters has been excellent, so far.


Once a non-Muslim sister, Garima Yadav, said and I quote: “Hi, it feels so nice though. I do not know you that well but if you are what you write (sorry if it is offending) then I am so happy to see someone so passionate about one’s religion and giving his best shot to follow it. This world needs more people like you.” May Allah grant her Hidaya to accept the beautiful religion of Islam!


It reminds me the verse: Invite all to the way of Lord (Allah) with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in the ways that are best and most gracious. {Quran 16:125}.


She is a research scholar at Lady Shri Ram College for women. This was the great compliment from a non-Muslim sister, though there were instances, when feedback was against also.


I believe that on Facebook, Dawah is very fast. Every time when you post an Islamic link, video or any other related information, you have to be very active to give answers to all the queries related to the post. Every time when I upload an Islamic post, I always care for its authenticity. Dawah needs good and authentic knowledge and enthusiasm.


Good and authentic knowledge may be not likely to be known by the Facebook scholars but their courage, enthusiasm and their good intentions must be appreciated. It is a good Dawah tool, which must be used by all those who have authentic and good knowledge of Islam.


Now, it has been successful journey from past four years. Alhamdullilah, I clearly remember some good discussions on my Facebook wall on topics like hijab, jihad, sects among Muslims, and other topics. They were followed by strong arguments from Muslims as well as from non-Muslims.


Facebook also gave me chance to interact with prominent scholars of Peace TV like Nisar Nadiadwala, Assim Alhakeem, Areeb Islam etc. I believe lot of Dawah work is yet to be done, as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Whoever hides knowledge, Allah will brand him with the branding iron from the hellfire.” [Tirmidhi]


You can invest a pretty good time on Facebook while giving Dawah. This may take a bit of your time initially, but if there is anything beneficial for the society then Inshallah, this will be a sound investment of your time. The last prophet of Islam (SAW) said: “Balligo anni walaw aayah (Relate from me, even if, only one verse).”


So, if you know one verse of the holy Quran or one Hadith, spread it.


Let’s spread the word of Allah on Facebook to maintain peace, which is the need of the humanity in current times. I just pray to Allah that makes me steadfast on Islam, so that, I can serve the community in a best possible way.


You have heard about various professions across the globe like medical profession, legal profession, engineering as profession etc. I will tell you something about Dawah as a profession.


Dawah means invitation toward Islam. And, it is given to non-Muslims. If you have chosen Dawah as a profession, you have certainly chosen the lengthiest, hardworking and at the same time, the most rewarding profession.


Dawah can change your personality from a shy to the bold person. And, it can uplift your character. It is becoming too corporate too.


You have to wear dress formally, increase you vocabulary and most importantly, you have to increase the communication skills.


While doing Dawah, you have to be very humble in your approach. And, make your presentation very simple, so that, the non-Muslim can understand the holy Quran and Hadith easily.


There are various forms of Dawah. One type is street Dawah. It is that kind of Dawah where group of da’ees (Muslims who invite people to understand Islam) of any particular Islamic organisation choose a place in their locality and interact with non-Muslims. These interactions are face to face and clear the misconceptions about Islam among non-Muslims. You can also join Dawah organisation and help the community in various ways. It includes socio-economic and religious upliftment.


Once you have chosen Dawah passionately, success will kiss your forehead.


Dawah, you can give 24×7l, at any place, any time.


While giving Dawah to non-Muslims, you can choose some common topics like why Muslim women wear hijab, jihad in Islam, women rights in Islam, is terrorism Muslims monopoly, etc.


These days you can give Dawah on other social networking sites like on Twitter, Google+ etc, where you can share the holy Quran and Hadith with non-Muslims.


The online Dawah is fast growing. During Dawah, you have to keep certain things in mind. For Dawah, you have to be patient and humble and you have to work very hard as it needs real hard work. You have to be knowledgeable while given Dawah to non-Muslims. When you choose a topic to present it before any non-Muslim, you have to be very confident and should have in depth analysis on the topic.


There are hundreds of da’ees, who work day in and day out, in order to spread truth in the light of the holy Quran and Hadith.


So, brothers and sisters, what are you waiting for, start doing Dawah. If not full time, do it as part time. As you may be knowing that Dawah is compulsory for every Muslim.


If you want to be best, then carry out the work of Dawah. And, you will become the best.


(The author is Law Graduate, Masters in Political science. The views expressed are author’s own.)






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