SRINAGAR: Nearly two years after the reorganization of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, the administration of Ladakh has declared snow leopard as state animal and black-necked crane as state bird for the Union Territory.
Black necked crane
“The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Ladakh is pleased to declare” snow leopard” (Panther unica) and “black-necked crane”( Grus nicricollis) as state animal and state bird, respectively, of the Union Territory of Ladakh from the date of issue of this notification,” news agency KNO quoted the notification issued by the UT’s Forest, Ecology and Environment as saying.
The black-necked crane, which was also the state bird of the erstwhile state of J&K, is found only in Ladakh in India.
Classified as vulnerable, black-necked crane is a tall bird with a height of about 1.35 m, a wingspan of about 2-2.5m and weighs about 6-8 kg with a bright red crown on the head. Usually seen in pairs, their courtship dance has inspired one of Ladakh’s famous folk dances – Chartses.
The mountainous region of the western and eastern Himalayas is the habitat of snow leopards in India. They are primarily found in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh
It is pertinent to mention that Hangul was the state animal of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir which also comprised Ladakh.
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SRINAGAR: A vehicle of Jammu and Kashmir Apni party district secretary for Srinagar was torched late last night by some unknown persons in Chinkral Mohalla area of Habba Kadal in Srinagar, officials said.
Quoting official sources the news agency KNO reported that unknown persons last night set ablaze a Scorpio vehicle bearing registration number DL12CA-1466 in Chinkral Mohalla area of Habba Kadal.
They said that the vehicle belongs to Jeelani Kumar son of Abdul Hamid Kumar, who is the district Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Apni party for Srinagar.
They said that the fire was put under control with the help of fire tenders and locals, while the vehicle has suffered severe damage from inside.
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SRINAGAR: India finally has reached out to the new Kabul regime led by the Taliban. One of its top diplomats in Doha had a detailed meeting with senior Taliban leader Sher Mohammed Stanekzai at Doha, reports in the media said.
Mulla Andul Gani Baradar with his colleagues. Sher M Abbas Stanikzai is on the left. He was educated in India.
The meeting between the two sides has taken place in Indian High Commission. It coincided with the US leaving Afghanistan and India completing its month long presidentship of the United Nations Security Council.
“India today discussed the safety and security of its nationals with senior Taliban leader Sher Mohammed Stanekzai at Doha and got assurance from him that the new regime will not allow its territory to be used for anti-India activities,” Hindustan Times reported. “Stanekzai is the head of Taliban political office in Doha, Qatar and a former alumnus of Indian Military Academy in the 1980s. The meeting, sanctioned by the top Taliban leadership, lasted over an hour.”
On August 29, Stanekzai has asked India to resume trade with Kabul.
“ The Indian interlocutor, Ambassador to Qatar and Af-Pak expert Deepak Mittal, made it clear that India wanted the safety and security of its nationals still stuck in Afghanistan as well as those of Hindu and Sikh minority communities living in that country. Mittal also sought assurance from the Taliban that Afghanistan under the Taliban would not allow the use of its territory for anti-India activity without naming Pakistan based terrorist groups,” the newspaper added.
The Mittal-Stanekzai meeting came within days after India’s opposition members, in an all-party meeting, had talked about India’s “diplomatic isolation” in Afghanistan.
“That Stanekzai personally called to fix up the meeting held in the Indian Embassy premises at Doha says it all with New Delhi already alerted in advance a day before. Clearly, the Indian efforts to broker a resolution at the UNSC on August 30 and that it heads the UNSC sanctions committee had a role to play in the Taliban reach-out,” the newspaper added.
This is being seen as a major forward movement. However, this is not been seen as formal recognition of Taliban led Kabul by New Delhi.
The meeting came a day after India as UN SC president piloted a resolution asking the war-ravaged country may not be used to threaten or attack any nation or shelter terrorists. The UNSC resolution, passed by 13 of the 15 members (China and Russia abstained) also refrained from using the term ‘terrorist’ for the organisation, indicating that the world body is trying to ease itself into dealing with the Taliban, which still remains on the UN list as a designated terrorist outfit.
A statement issued by the MEA said the, discussions between Mittal and Stanekzai focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit to India, also came up. While Mittal “raised India’s concern that Afghanistan’s soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner, the Taliban Representative assured the Ambassador that these issues would be positively addressed,” the statement noted.
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SRINAGAR: A BSF man was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Sunderbani area of Rajouri district, officials said on Tuesday.
Quoting officials news agency GNS reported that the BSF constable, Rakesh Kumar son of Lt Sh Satpal of Pathankote, at present 69 Battalion, was found dead at Sunderbani at about 0930 hours under mysterious circumstances while on duty.
“An inquest has been initiated to ascertain the cause of death,” they said.
The body has been shifted to SDH Sunderbani for postmortem. A police officer confirmed to GNS that the body has been found in “mysterious” circumstances and that inquest proceedings have been launched into the incident.
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SRINAGAR: One person was killed and two others were injured in a road accident in Achabal area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday evening.
Reports said that a man was killed and two others injured after a Venue vehicle (JK03K- 6600) turned turtle and fell into a deep gorge at Achabal near the police station.
They said that the injured was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.
A police official identified the deceased as Riyaz Ahmad Mir Son of Abdul Ahad Mir of Gopal Khurd Anantnag.
He said that a case under relevant sections of laws has been registered in the concerned police station and further investigation taken up.
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SRINAGAR: The Government on Tuesday informed that 166 new positive cases of novel Corona virus (COVID-19), 18 from Jammu division and 148 from Kashmir division, have been reported today, thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 325419. Also one Covid death has been reported from Kashmir Division.
Moreover, 99 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from various hospitals including 36 from Jammu Division and 63 from Kashmir Division.
Besides this, 66.78 percent of the population above the age of 18 years has been vaccinated across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Bulletin also informs that one new case of Mucormycosis has been reported today, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 45 in the UT of J&K.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 325419 positive cases, 1330 are Active Positive, 319681 have recovered and 4408 have died; 2166 in Jammu division and 2242 in Kashmir division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 13373127 test results available, 13047708 samples have been tested as negative till today.
Till date 3226966 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 8042 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 1330 in isolation and 462855 in home surveillance. Besides, 2750331 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 72449 positive cases (including 74 cases reported today) with 528 Active Positive, 71086 recovered (including 26 cases recovered today), 835 deaths; Baramulla has 23938 positive cases (including 27 cases reported today) with 138 Active Positive, 23518 recovered (including 08 cases recovered today), 282 deaths; Budgam reported 23193 positive cases (including 21 cases reported today) with 136 active positive cases, 22851 recovered (including 03 cases recovered today), 206 deaths; Pulwama has 15341 positive cases with 46 Active Positive, 15101 recovered and 194 deaths; Kupwara has 14243 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today), 34 Active Positive, 14043 recoveries (including 04 cases recovered today) and 166 deaths; Anantnag district has 16452 positive cases with 26 Active Positive, 16221 recovered and 205 deaths; Bandipora has 9638 positive cases with 40 Active Positive, 9497 recoveries and 101 deaths; Ganderbal has 10125 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 49 Active Positive, 9998 recoveries (including 08 cases recovered today) and 78 deaths; Kulgam has 11419 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 09 Active Positive, 11293 recoveries and 117 deaths while as Shopian has 5598 positive cases with 06 active positive cases, 5534 recoveries and 58 deaths.
Similarly, Jammu has 53020 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 92 active positive cases, 51786 recoveries (including 05 cases recovered today), 1142 deaths; Udhampur has 11380 positive cases with 06 active positive cases, 11237 recoveries and 137 deaths; Rajouri has 11096 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 31 active positive, 10830 recoveries (including 03 cases recovered today) and 235 deaths; Doda has 7572 positive cases (including 05 cases reported today) with 95 Active positive, 7347 recovered (including 10 cases recovered today) and 130 deaths; Kathua has 9286 positive cases with 10 active positive cases, 9125 recovered and 151 deaths; Samba has 7136 positive cases with 04 active positive cases, 7012 recoveries and 120 deaths; Kishtwar has 4780 positive cases with 48 Active Positive, 4688 recoveries and 44 deaths; Poonch has 6317 positive cases with 11 active positive, 6209 recoveries and 97 deaths; Ramban has 5994 positive cases with 10 active positive cases, 5917 recoveries and 67 deaths while Reasi has 6442 positive cases with 11 active positive cases, 6388 recoveries and 43 deaths.
According to the bulletin, among the total 325419 positive cases in J&K, 23157 have been reported as travelers while 302262 as others.
The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.
The bulletin added that there are 2423 COVID dedicated beds, 2019 Isolation beds with 2002 vacant beds and 404 ICU beds where 399 beds are vacant in Jammu division while there are 3353 COVID dedicated beds, 3074 Isolation beds where 3039 beds are vacant and 279 ICU beds where 254 are vacant beds in Kashmir division. There are a total of 5776 COVID dedicated beds, 5093 Isolation beds with 5041 beds vacant and 683 ICU beds with 653 vacant beds in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
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SRINAGAR: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the Parliamentary Outreach Programme for the empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre, Srinagar on Tuesday.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
Besides Birla, the programme was attended by Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha; Union Minister of State for Ministries of Jal Shakti and Food Processing Industries, Prahlad Singh Patel; Union Minister of State, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale; Union Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Annpurna Devi; Dr Farooq Abdullah, Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Nirmal Kumar Singh, Members of Parliament and other eminent dignitaries.
Outlining that the objective of the Outreach Programme is to make our democratic institutions at the grass-root level stronger and more transparent and accountable, Birla said that democratic institutions like Gram Panchayats can make people’s lives better and for that collective and coordinated efforts are needed at the ground level. ‘Empowered Panchayats will make our democracy stronger, and will increase the confidence of the people at large, he said.
Birla also referred to the ongoing AzadikaAmritMahotsav events and said that democracy in India has been strengthened over the period time. He noted with satisfaction that the hopes and aspirations of the people have been fulfilled to a large extent and now India is leading the world community in the journey of democracy. Birla also said that it is democracy that connects our diversities and makes us a collective force. He stressed that our collective force can help us to overcome the adversities that impede our progress.
Birla lauded the developments in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and said that the UT is on the path of peace, progress and development. The Speaker observed that collective and coordinated efforts by democratic institutions at the grass-root level would take the fruits of development to the last man standing in the row. He emphasized that democratic institutions need to fulfill their responsibilities as agents of development to make the country, including the UT of Jammu & Kashmir, Aatmanirbhar. He further said that Jammu and Kashmir has the potential and skill in the fields of tourism, handicrafts and agri-products and grass-root level democratic institutions should work in the direction of providing a marketing platform to them at the national and international level. He hoped that Jammu and Kashmir would lead the country in development and employment.
On this occasion, he also assured that an elaborate arrangement would be made by Lok Sabha Secretariat for capacity-building programmes for representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the Union Territory. He hoped that properly trained representatives would be able to work professionally which would ultimately make a qualitative change in the lives of the people. Birla further informed that he would suggest to the Parliamentary Standing Committees to undertake regular Study Visits to the far-flung areas of the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to understand the ground realities and possible solutions for mitigation of grievances of the local people.
Suggesting that development should start from the bottom as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi at the time of Independence, Birla appealed for active participation of the people in democratic institutions and democratic processes. He felt that elections to local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir have strengthened our democracy and this process would ultimately help the people.
Birla also said that formulation of SoPs for democratic institutions is the need of the hour to facilitate the smooth conduct of their proceedings. He appealed to the democratic institutions working at the grass-root level in Jammu and Kashmir to devise their rules and procedures for structured functioning and fulfillment of people’s hopes and aspirations. He was of the firm opinion that the process of development will get a fresh momentum if these institutions work properly and adopt the best practices.
Speaking on this occasion, Union Minister of State for the Ministries of Jal Shakti and Food Processing Industries Prahlad Singh Patel referred to various government schemes like Pradhan MantriAwasYojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and Pradhan MantriUjjwalaYojana that have reached the intended beneficiaries in the recent past. He said that in democracy, Panchayats have a significant role in channelizing of the fruits of development at the grass-root level. Patel also said that government schemes, which have been overseen by the representatives of local bodies, have improved the way of life of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha said that Gram Panchayats and PRIs are at the heart of our development process and they can provide good governance at the grass-root level. Referring to the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, he hailed the implementation of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha also said that enhanced budgetary support to the PRIs in Jammu and Kashmir is ensuring rapid development of the Union Territory. He also called for improving transparency and accountability of democratic institutions and use of technology in this regard. By 2024, all the households in Jammu and Kashmir will be provided 24×7 electricity, said Sinha.
D Farooq Abdullah, Member of Parliament from Srinagar said that Panchayati Raj Institutions are the foundation stone of our democracy and called for providing more resources to these institutions and transparency in the implementation of works at the Panchayat level. He exhorted the representatives of these bodies to work honestly and serve the people in all possible ways. He also recalled several attempts made in the past to implement the three-tier system in Jammu and Kashmir and hoped that newly elected representatives would win the trust of the people, in times to come.
Earlier, welcoming Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Nirmal Kumar Singh, former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, appreciated the initiative of the Lok Sabha Speaker in involving the highest institution of our democracy in strengthening local bodies at the grass-root level. Singh said that the visit of Birla is a milestone in the journey of democratic institution building in Jammu and Kashmir.
Secretary-General, Lok Sabha, Utpal Kumar Singh, presented the Vote of Thanks.
Later, three-panel discussions were held on (i) Indian Parliament and Grass Root level Institutions: Potential and Challenges – Stepping stone towards leadership, (ii) Leadership of Panchayat: Social Change, Economic Development and Empowerment of women in rural areas, and (iii) Role of Panchayats on promotion of Tourism, Culture and Handicrafts in Jammu & Kashmir. During these panel discussions, the delegates shared their experiences and ideas to fine-tune their work in their respective areas.
Ramprit Mandal, Member of Parliament and Baseer Ahmad Khan Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir delivered the valedictory address.
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SRINAGAR: An employee of Power Development Department (PDD) was electrocuted to death on Tuesday in Khag area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Quoting police sources news agency KDC reported that Mohammad Amin (lineman) son of Abdul Khaliq Bhat of Sodipora Budgam was electrocuted to death while he was repairing a high transmission line at Kanchatpora area of Khag.
They said Bhat was immediately shifted to SDH Beerwah where doctors declared him dead.
After completing medico-legal formalities the body of Bhat will be handed over to his family for his burial, they added.
Police have taken cognizance of the incident and further investigation has been launched.
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SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday claimed to have busted a Lashkar-e-Toiba module by arresting four people in Kreeri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
A police spokesman in a statement said that on August 22, 2021, at about 2100hrs Police Station Kreeri received information about a blast like sound in village Shrakwara Kreeri area of Baramulla. Accordingly, Baramulla Police along with 52RR & 176Bn CRPF rushed to the spot.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that a grenade was lobbed towards the police guard at the house of Sarpanch Narinder Kour which caused some minor damages to window panes and vehicle Maruti-800,” said the spokesman.
“Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 90/2021 under relevant sections of law was registered at Police Station Kreeri and investigation initiated,” he said.
“During the course of investigation, Police taking advantage of modern gadgets including examination of CCTV footage learnt about the involvement of Mohammad Saleem Khan son of Ghulam Hassan resident of New Colony Shrakwara and Sajad Ahmed Mir son of Late Ali Mohammad resident of Mir Mohalla Saloosa in the commission of crime and who were subsequently arrested,” he added.
“During further course of investigation, both the accused persons also confessed that they are working as militant associates for proscribed outfit LeT on the behest of Pakistan based handler namely Ali Bhai (TRF),” said the spokesman.
“ It was also revealed that both the accused are drug addicts and were also in contact with the active militants of LeT Hilal Sheikh and Usman (FT) and it was on their directions they had obtained grenades from Batamaloo Srinagar,” he said.
“Two more militant associates identified as Bilal Ahmad Sheikh son of Mohammad Maqbool resident of Saloosa and Naseer Ahmad Dar son of Ab Majeed resident of Najibhat who had also assisted the accused persons in the commission of crime were also arrested. Two hand grenades and 100gms of Charas like substance have also been recovered from the possession of accused persons,” he added.
“Further investigation in the case and their links in other cases is also being investigated,” said the spokesman.
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Kashmir has produced a lot of literature on ancient architecture involving the Buddhist and Hindu period. The deficit about the medieval Muslim era was filled byHakim Sameer Hamdani’s book, The Syncretic Traditions of Islamic Religious Architecture of Kashmir that was published by Taylor & Francis Group Company, Routledge recently
Masjid at Bijbehara near the shrine of Baba Nasibuddn Gazi. Pic: H Sameer Hamdani
Kashmir’s architectural traditions linked with Islam have mostly been studied as part of the Orientalist projects of the nineteenth and twentieth century. Most of these works, mostly in the latter period briefly touch the subject and are weak in the documentation and theoretical approach, lack the objectivity and rigour of a proper academic analysis and interpretation.
That is where Hakim Sameer Hamdani’s book The Syncretic Traditions of Islamic Religious Architecture of Kashmir (Early 14th–18th Century) fills a historic gap. It investigates the historicity of a transcendent Kashmiri identity within the framework of Islamic religious architecture in the region, arguing that this genre of architecture transcends the established non-native building traditions linked with the Muslim faith, traditions that were adopted in designing Muslim religious buildings outside Kashmir in the wider geographical swathe of the subcontinent, in a time period contemporaneous to the establishment of Muslim rule in Kashmir.
Its major argument is that the Islamic religious architecture of Kashmir is representative of a process by which the cultural manifestation of Islamic principles –functions were realized in a syncretic idiom of the existing Kashmiri identity. The book offers a new framework of syncretism and identity within which the understanding and appreciation of Kashmir’s Islamic religious architecture acquire new dimensions and possibilities.
In investigating the genesis of a transcendent Kashmiri identity, the book argues that the Islamic religious architecture is a vernacular expression of Islam exploiting the hitherto existing formal and material vocabulary of the syncretic past of Kashmir’s building tradition. Kashmir’s Islamic religious architecture critically and creatively engaged with the historical traditions and the forms of Buddhist and Hindu architecture while simultaneously articulating a unique Islamic identity and material culture. This genre of architecture subtly rejects the established non-native building traditions that were adopted in designing Muslim religious buildings outside Kashmir in the wider geographical swathe of the sub-continent, in a time period contemporaneous to the establishment of Muslim rule in Kashmir.
The uniqueness of Kashmir’s cultural identity, and consequently of the Islamic architecture, was further reinforced by the mountainous frontiers and the accompanying physical isolation of the land. This geographical predicament provided Kashmir with enough space to carve out its own architectural image, an image, which retained its cultural cohesiveness while assimilating outside influences that came with demands of the Muslim faith. In addition, this architecture was respectful of the cultural and religious landscapes of Kashmir and developed in a close affinity with the ‘place character’ of the previously existing ensemble of religious architecture.
The book has successfully attempted at a conceptual reading of the Islamic religious architecture of Kashmir and in doing so has contextually located itself in the medieval period of Kashmir history spanning the entirety of Muslim rule in the region from the early fourteenth to mid-eighteenth century. Methodologically it has approached the understanding by examining buildings linked to this tradition and evaluated textual references against available archaeological data.
Masjid Malik Ahmed Yatoo, Srinagar. This mosque is an early example from the Sultanate period.
First Monograph
The book is the first such monograph devoted to the Islamic religious architectural traditions of Kashmir. It is a vital addition to any section dealing with the broader cultural and historical study of South Asia in the general and the architectural and spiritual history of Kashmir in particular. The book provides a detailed overview of the origin and development of Islamic sacred architecture of Kashmir on a scale not attempted so far, covering the entirety of Muslim rule in Kashmir during the medieval period, focusing on both monumental as well as vernacular architecture.
In doing so, it evaluates the entirety of buildings associated with this genre, in the changing historical and cultural context of the land. Richly illustrated with images, drawings and sketches, the book will is a timely addition to the expanding knowledge of Islamic architecture, especially the various regional trends associated with this architectural genre.
Hakim Sameer Hamdani’s book on Kashmir’s Islamic architecture manages a historic deficit
There is no recent book or monogram that provides an in-depth dedicated study of the Islamic religious architecture of Kashmir. This book only lists major historic buildings of Srinagar including those linked with Muslim religious architecture and does not provide any detailed analysis of the architectural development associated with this architectural genre.
The book provides a wealth of new data and illustrations which will be of use to a large audience, not only in art and academic circles but also for tourists, visitors, hobbyists, students and academics, historians, architects, artists, designers, the wider public, etc. More importantly, the book tries to articulate a theoretical framework within which the transition of Kashmir to Islam in general and the evolution of the Islamic religious architecture of Kashmir can be better understood and appreciated. For the discipline of architectural history and other allied disciplines, the book proves to be an indispensable library resource, apart from also being of interest to professional institutes, public libraries, museums, cultural and heritage bodies and other similar bodies. The new research provides a wealth of new data and illustrations.
Masjid-i Sayyid Muhammad Madni, Srinagar. It has been constructed around the mid-fifteenth century.
Filling The Gulf
The book is of interest to the professionals, academics and students from Kashmir, India and Pakistan as well as the general public interested in the architectural and cultural history of South Asia in particular and the Muslim world in general. Books on Islamic religious architecture devoted to regional trends and variations have largely been missing in the market. It is particularly true for the Islamic religious architecture of Kashmir as well.
Though the pre-Islamic artistic and cultural legacy of Kashmir, mostly involving Hinduism-Buddhism, has been widely studied even during the recent past, the same is not true for the art and architecture linked with Muslim traditions of the region. So this makes the book an interesting addition that fills a major academic deficit.
For the discipline of architectural history and other allied disciplines, the book will eventually prove to be an indispensable library resource, apart from also being of interest to professional institutes, public libraries, museums, cultural and heritage bodies and other similar bodies.
A Brief Outline
The book starts with a detailed narrative about how historically, Kashmiris’ have seen their land and described its uniqueness, drawing from ancient texts to writings in the medieval period. It is this uniqueness, reinforced by the geography of the land and its frontiers that has helped in framing the tradition of inter-determinacy between the land and its people giving rise to a shared feeling of sameness.
It provides an overview of how by the time Muslim rule commenced in Kashmir in the early fourteenth century, Islam the religion had already acquired a recognizable architectural image, an image which was also seen with the establishment of Delhi Sultanate, the closest major political centre to Kashmir.
The Muslim Rule
The establishment of Muslim rule in Kashmir in its formative period laid the ground for cultural syncretism. A detailed chapter examines the archaeological traces from this period and illustrates how rather than standing apart from the prevailing society by creating victorious monuments to faith, the Muslim Sultans of Kashmir tried to blend in with local customs and architectural practices.
From the initial decades of the formative period, the book expands in the subsequent chapter, to the late fourteenth-fifteenth century when the Sultanate of Kashmir expanded from its natural boundaries, drawing contact with surrounding lands and attracting attention of missionaries from the wider Persianate world.
Shrine of Sayyid Qasim, Khan Saheb (Budgam). It belongs to early nineteenth century with unique Kashmiri terracotta Brangh (Spire).
In analyzing the period the focus remains on how even though new ideas, materials and crafts were introduced in the region, yet local building traditions continued to be promoted by both the court as well as patrons outside the court. The chapter focuses on the role of native Kashmir Sufis linked with the Reshi order who effectively promoted the preservation of pre-Islamic cultural symbols, in face of an orthodox view emanating from non-native Persian speaking Sufis.
Besides, it examines the iconoclastic campaign that was launched by these non-Kashmiri missionaries in their efforts to remake Kashmir in a more orthodox image and the role of the Reshis in helping to assimilate past traditions within the boundaries of expanding Muslim community of Kashmir. How this process of assimilation was advanced within the boundaries of architecture is exhibited through a case study of cave shrines of Kashmir linked with the Reshis.
Mughal Kashmir
The fall of Kashmir to the Mughal Empire in the sixteenth century resulted in two centuries of Mughal rule in Kashmir.
The book has dedicated a complete chapter to examine how the Mughals viewed Kashmir as a terrestrial paradise to enjoy and embellished the land with their architectural undertakings. Built in stone, the architectural outpourings of the Mughals in Kashmir marked the projection of an image of permanence of Mughal power and hold over Kashmir as well as their munificence in creating new spaces of worship for the locals.
Focusing on the various mosques and a shrine that the Mughal constructed in Kashmir, the work examines how these buildings were used to portray the durability of Mughal rule in Kashmir, yet were mostly abandoned by the Muslim community of Kashmir. The narrative argues that the architectural tonality of Mughal architecture in Kashmir, its rejection of local established building traditions was the reason why this architectural phenomenon lacked public acceptability.
An 1890 photograph of Khanqah and its adjoining homes taken from the banks of Jhelum.
The unenthusiastic reception of Mughal religious buildings amongst the Muslim community of Kashmir is contrasted with the reconstruction of the Khanqah-I Shah Hamadan during the closing years of Mughal rule in Kashmir. An analysis of how the reconstruction was undertaken in the native Kashmiri idiom at a time when central Mughal authority had collapsed in Kashmir helps in establishing the actual architecture of the building within the socio-cultural realities of its construction. The book expands on the theme of image, official patronage and local community involvement and the resultant shape that the reconstruction took.
Authority Declines
Continuing with the theme of the decline of central authority located outside Kashmir, yet another chapter analyzes how the local image linked with the designing of mosques, khanqahs, shrines and imambadas were re-established in the region, drawing on from community patronage, following the collapse of Mughal rule in Kashmir.
Hakim Sameer Hamdani
The chapter focuses on how under adverse socio-political conditions linked to Afghan and Sikh rule in Kashmir, the Kashmiri Muslim community remained the source of patronage for both preservations as well construction activities of Muslim places of worship. Expanding on the theme of a resurgent native architecture, the thesis posits that the community-based patronage of native architectural enterprise is both a testament to the existence of a real ‘community identity that the research associates with Kashmiri-ness as well a celebration of its syncretic culture. A culture that encompasses not only the architecture but also the entirety of the shrine traditions linked with the Muslim community of Kashmir.
The Conclusion
In conclusion, in order to show the contemporary relevance of this architectural tradition as well the cultural meaning behind it, the book offers an overview of the Islamic religious architecture of Kashmir in the twentieth century Kashmir, drawing on issues of traditions, change, identity, image, conservation and changing perceptions about past.
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SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday said that the Government of India is committed to hold Assembly elections in J&K Union Territory soon after the Delimitation Commission (DC) will complete its exercise.
“In the August 15 speech, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the Delimitation Commission was working on a fast-track basis. Apart from that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already stated on the floor of the house that statehood will be granted to J&K at an appropriate time,” the LG said addressing a press conference on the side-lines of a function at SKICC here on the banks of famous Dal Lake, as per news agency KNO.
The LG said that soon after the DC will complete its exercise, Assembly elections will be held in J&K. “As far as the dates of elections, it’s the prerogative of the Election Commission of India,” he said.
Pertinently, the LG said that the number of Assembly seats will go up from existing 87 to 94 in J&K. Interestingly, during its visit to J&K, the Delimitation Commission members had stated that the process of delimitation was not a mere athematic. Replying to a query, whether there was a possibility of any impact on J&K in the wake of Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the LG said that the foreign minister has already made a speech in the Parliament over the issue and people should stick to that.
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SRINAGAR: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah Tuesday claimed that his party will sweep assembly elections in J&K whenever polls are held and “we will form the next government”.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at SKICC here, Dr Farooq while replying to a query about whether NC was preparing for the upcoming Assembly polls, said: “We will sweep and win elections….you see…I am saying it with authority as NC is the biggest party in J&K.”
As per news agency KNO, the NC chief said that Covid pandemic has hit development as well as employment opportunities in J&K. “You can see for yourself whether the situation has improved post Article 370 or deteriorated. I won’t talk about it much. If I say anything, they (BJP) would say I being in opposition has started targeting them. So let people judge themselves what has changed and what has not,” he said.
On Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan, he said there will surely be an effect of the development taking place in Afghanistan. “Our neighbouring countries are in distress. I don’t know which country will face more impact of the Taliban take over. We have Pakistan, China, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Russia as our neighbor. Who knows whether the US would face more impact from Taliban take over. I can’t say, but yes, there will surely be an impact of the Afghan situation on the world,” Dr Farooq said.
About Sarpanchs security in Kashmir, he said Sarpanchs and Panchs besides other leaders are facing life threats as recently many of them belonging to BJP and one of them who was affiliated with the Apni Party were killed. “There has to be some security for them. BJP lost eight leaders in recent attacks,” the NC chief said.
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SRINAGAR: Police Tuesday detained an Afghan national at a COVID testing centre established at Jammu and Kashmir’s Lakhanpur entry point in Kathua district.
Quoting a police official news agency KNO reported that a 17-year-old boy was detained by police in Lakhanpur near J&K-Punjab border, where restriction on movement of any-person was imposed under COVID guidelines and for testing.
Police sources said that one Afghan national, aged about 17, was detained near COVID-19 testing point Lakhanpur after police observed some suspicious movement. “His identity was revealed from his Passport and Visa. He was taken to Lakhanpur Police Station for further enquiry,” the sources said.
“Yes, a person from Afghanistan has been detained,” a senior police officer confirmed to KNO, adding that the “The Afghan national has valid travel documents, which shows that he is a teenager. This is why we are not disclosing his identity,” he said adding, “We are verifying the matter to find out how he entered into J&K and purpose etc. It would be premature to draw any conclusion as he is being quizzed.”
The detention of Afghan national comes at a time when the Taliban has taken over the full control of the country and when the last US solider has left Afghanistan as part of the US forces’ pull-out from the country. Security forces in Kashmir have already been on a high alert to ensure there is no infiltration of Taliban militants into Jammu and Kashmir territory.
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SRINAGAR: India on Tuesday reported 30,941 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, pushing the cumulative tally to 3,27,68,880.
Out of the total fresh Covid infections reported on Tuesday, 19,622 were reported from Kerala — the highest among the states.
The daily positivity rate remains below 3 per cent and stands at 2.22 per cent.
In the same span of time, India reported 350 deaths due to Covid, taking the total fatalities so far to 4,38,560, according to the Union Health Ministry’s report.
In the last 24 hours, active cases in India have declined by 5,684 to stand at 3,70,640. The active caseload accounts for 1.13 per cent of the total cases, the health ministry’s data shows.
Also, in the last 24 hours, a total of 36,275 Covid patients were discharged, pushing the overall recoveries to 3,19,59,680. India’s recovery rate from Covid infection stands at 97.53 per cent.
According to the data shared by the Health Ministry, a total of 13,94,673 Covid samples were tested in the last 24 hours, taking cumulative tests to 52,15,41,098 till Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, 59,62,286 doses of Covid vaccines were administered in India, taking the total doses of vaccination to 64,05,28,644. (IANS)
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SRINAGAR: The Wildlife department on Tuesday caught a leopard alive in Chashma Mansbal area of Safapora in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Quoting an official the news agency KNO reported that the leopard was roaming in the residential areas between Ganderbal and Bandipora jurisdiction, posing threat to locals especially to children.
He said that after being informed by the locals, teams of wildlife department armed with necessary gadgets visited the area and captured the leopard alive this morning.
Notably, on July 11 a girl was taken away by a leopard from a car in the Zazuna area of Ganderbal and later her body was recovered from an orchard.
However, it was not immediately known if the captured animal was the same that had mauled the minor girl to death.
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SRINAGAR: Major General Sanjiv Singh Slaria on Monday took over as the General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the counter-insurgency Kilo Force.
Major General SS Slaria takes charge as General Officer Commanding (GOC), Counter Insurgency Force, in Srinagar on Monday August 30,2021.
An army spokesman in a statement said that Major General S H Sahi on relinquishing the command moves to Army Headquarters, New Delhi.
He said that Maj Gen Sahi’s tenure saw the Kilo Force take distinctive steps towards peace and stability in north Kashmir.
He added that Major General S S Slaria was commissioned into 10 Armoured Regiment in June 1990.
He said that an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the winner of the Sword of Honour at Indian Military Academy, Maj Gen Slaria has attended staff courses at Defence Services Staff College at Wellington, Command and General Staff College at Thailand, Higher Defence Management Course at College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and the prestigious NDC Course at Mirpur, Bangladesh.
The spokesman said that in his distinguished military career spanning over three decades, Slaria has held various prestigious instructor and staff appointments.
He said that Maj Gen Slaria was an instructor at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and Directing Staff at the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad.
The spokesman added that he commanded his own regiment and later Armoured Brigade in the high-altitude area.
He said that Maj Gen Slaria has held various important staff appointments prior to assuming the command of the prestigious counter-insurgency Kilo Force.
“Complementing his military career, he also did M Sc from Madras University, M Phil (Strategic Management) from Osmania University and cleared PhD NET exam from UGC,” said an army spokesperson in a statement.
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After completing his twelfth class, Manjit Singh took his father’s ideation of life seriously. Working within the orchard, he is creating a model of growth, reportsFirdous Parray
If the surroundings do not offer adequate opportunities, it is better to look around within the space that is immediately yours. That is precisely what Manjeet Singh did.
Watching the state of economics in the Kashmir market and the drying up of jobs in the public and private sector, Singh, 24, started exploring the possibilities of work within his home at Chatrugam. Within a few years, he has emerged as a successful entrepreneur with no debts and a possibility to take his business to the next level.
Singh did his matriculation and spent two years at the Government Higher Secondary School, Bajwani. He completed his twelfth class in 2016.
Manjeet Singh, a twenty-four-year-old Sikh from Chatrugam Tral, has opened farming units of sheep, poultry, cows, rabbit, and orchards with different varieties of fruits, like apples, pear, cherry, peach and plum. He is one of the successful young entrepreneurs who started his business while in difficult conditions.
Soon after, while sitting in his orchard spread over 25 kanals of land, just in front of his home, he had a Eureka moment. He decided to start with a poultry farm within the apple orchard without disturbing the ecosystem. It was a success.
“Currently I have 300-400 chickens of 500 grams weight,” Manjit said. “Another flock of 100 chickens has crossed an average weight of a kilogram each.” Fed with greenery and being raised in a natural environment, the flocks grow quite fast and lay eggs too. “I sell the eggs to the local market in Tral and there is a good demand.”
Unlike the traditional farms that feeding Kashmir, Manjit is rearing the local chicken species that fetch almost double the price in the Kashmir market. His farm is a free-range farm where the chicken roams around, and are not caged, which makes them healthier, strong and their meat is hugely nutritious.
With one success and still a lot of space around, Manjeet started a sheep farm on the margins of his orchard. The small herd graze within the orchard without disturbing the apple trees. For most of the summer, he sends his herd up the Tral meadows deep inside the hills for grazing. Right now he has more than 80 sheep.
“There is always a huge demand for meat and chicken in Kashmir,” Manjeet said. “To fulfil this demand all unemployed youth must establish sheep farms.”
While taking care of the twin farms, Manjit explored inter-cropping and started growing vegetables. “I grow all the vegetables that the local market requires,” Manjit said. On average, he sells almost a ton of vegetables every season and that is not his main income.
Young entrepreneur, Manjit Singh in his orchard farm where he is making successful experiments with growth and profit. KL Image: Firdous Parray
Very recently, he started a rabbit farm. Off late, rabbit rearing has become a popular hobby among pet lovers. He got two pairs of rabbits.
“They have given birth to a dozen babies and l sell these rabbit kittens after a month at affordable prices, which ranges from Rs 200 to 400 an animal,” Manjit said.
What is remarkable is that Manjit has understood the ecosystem in which species complement each other. “I use the hen manure and sheep poo for my orchard as manure and this has improved the yield,” Manjit said. “The orchard’s apple production has increased from 1000 to 3000 boxes in all these years.”
All this was done by Manjit without seeking any funds from anybody. “I am not indebted to any financial institution,” he said. “I do not require it because all these projects are not so capital intensive.” His support, however, came from his parents. Right now, six persons are manning his farms.
Manjit gives credit for his success to his father, a serving employee of the animal husbandry department. Farming was his father’s idea. Though there were challenging issues initially, Manjit said his family supported him in the thick and thin of it.
“The concept of setting up these small farms was developed by my father,” Manjit said. “I am happy that instead of wasting time and waiting for a government job I started earning a good amount early.”
The early success has broadened the horizon of his thinking. “I have a big dream to set up more such units if the government provides financial support or training,” he said.
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SRINAGAR: Dozens of Kashmir patients suffering from Haemophilia are getting no proper treatment from the only Haemophilia Centre at SMHS hospital in Srinagar. The patients are losing their limbs and afraid of their lives with little to no hope for a change.
Haemophilia is an extremely rare genetic condition that reduces the number of proteins in the body responsible for blood clotting, thus, resulting in continuous bleeding, severe health problems and even death. With lesser than one million cases in India alone, this disease is extremely deadly and cannot be cured completely, however treatable to a certain point.
A 50-year-old man who decided to remain anonymous told Kashmir Life that he is the only person earning in the family, that he had been healthy all his life and this disease struck him out of nowhere and since then it has rendered him useless and the cost of treatment is too much for him to handle.
Dr Majid Qadri, Director of the Haemophilia Society in Kashmir said, “We have approximately 357 people in the valley suffering from this deadly disease, mostly women and since the last two years we have been insisting the Government to give the medicine called Prophylaxis (which helps in the bleeding prevention) to GMC instead of various medical corporations for a faster availability of the medicine but to no avail and in the process people are losing their lives and limbs.”
With so many hopeless patients in Kashmir waiting for a cure, the officials and doctors are still waiting for proper funding and NOC from the Government, therefore neglecting the treatment.
“For the past 3 months, through GMC, we have been asking various medical corporations for medicines continuously but all we’re getting are excuses and neglect,” he said, adding that “in desperation to help with the patient’s pain and bleeding, we perform fresh frozen plasma therapy which is extremely dangerous and can cause severe joint pains along with Hepatitis. While NHM is helping us, the medical corporations aren’t, so it’s not enough.”
Prophylaxis is used for patients to stop bleeding, one vial costs Rs 4000 and a patient may require many vials for it throughout the day depending upon the weight and the severity of the problem and they are in dire shortage of it.
“We appeal the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor to give the license of these medicines to GMC instead of these corporations outside in order to be available anytime to battle this disease,” Dr Majid requested.
Medical Superintendent SMHS hospital Dr Kanwaljeet Singh said, “We have already sent an application to the Government to get the NOC and we are waiting for the approval, we cannot do anything without the order given by the corporations.”
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SRINAGAR: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who arrived in Srinagar on August 29, 2021, met with the representatives of District Development Council (DDC), Block Development Council (BDC) and Sarpanches of Panchayati Raj Institutions of Anantnag District and other nearby areas at Pahalgam on Monday.
Lok Sabha Speaker meets representatives of local bodies in Anantnag on Monday, August 30, 2021.
Congratulating the newly elected local representatives, Birla said that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is on the path of peace and prosperity. The Speaker added that Panchayati Raj Institutions in the UT have been strengthened and appealed to the local representatives for their greater involvement in making the democratic institutions more transparent and accountable.
Observing that the roots of Indian democracy are in our tradition, Birla urged the Panchayati Raj representatives to work towards fulfillment of hopes and aspirations of the people.
Mentioning that decentralisation of power is the key to success of democracy and development,Birla called for greater coordination among administration and Panchayati Raj Institutions so that the fruits of development reach the intended beneficiaries. In this regard, Birla stressed on the importance of consensus and dialogue and said that all democratic institutions must interact among themselves and they should also device a set of rules and procedures for structured functioning. Birla also said that Gram Sabhas should meet regularly to address people’s issues.
Stating that Jammu and Kashmir has tremendous potential for tourism and export, Birla called for measures for boosting marketing and export of local handicrafts and artifacts in national and international markets.
The Panchayat representatives lauded the initiative of Birla for his historic visit and said that the visit of the Lok Sabha Speaker would boost democracy at the grass roots level.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate Parliamentary Outreach Programme for the Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir tomorrow, i.e 31 August, 2021.
Besides,Birla, Union Minister of State (IC) for the Ministries of Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office; Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space Dr Jitendra Singh; Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha; Union Minister of State, Prahlad Singh Patel; Members of Parliament, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir,Nirmal Kumar Singh and other eminent dignitaries will grace the occasion.
The Parliamentary Outreach Programme for the Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions is a unique initiative of the Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla. A first of its kind Programme, it is intended to strengthen the institution of governance and planning at the grass-root level.
The first such Outreach Programme was organized at Dehradun, in the State of Uttarakhand on 08th January, 2021. The Programme was physically attended by 445 Panchayat representatives. In addition, approximately 40,000 Panchayat representatives and officials were connected to the programme online via web link.
The second Outreach Programme was organized at Shillong on February 26, 2021 for the State of Meghalaya and other North Eastern States. Around 115 members of the local bodies of North Eastern States physically attended the programme. Besides, a large number of participants from all of the North Eastern States joined the programme online via web link.
The third such programme in the series was recently organized for the grass root level institutions of the Union Territory of Ladakh on August 27, 2021. Around 195 number of Panchayat representatives attended the programme.
The fourth such programme is scheduled to be organized for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on August 31, 2021 at Srinagar. The theme of the programme is “Parliamentary Outreach Programme for the Empowerment of the Panchayati Raj Institutions”. Around 100 Panchayat representatives will physically attend the programme and many others will join online via weblink.
The broad objectives of the Programme are create mass awareness/mass participation, create self confidence/self respect for the ground level leaders, creation of sense of ownership of the assets that have been created, fuelling the ambitions for grass root political leaders for democratic values, creating the awareness about the various schemes and the doorstep delivery – opportunities for development work and opportunity to develop a network and push the aspirational level of the ground level leadership.
Birla will visit Gulmarg to meet the Panchayat representatives on September 1, 2021.
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SRINAGAR: The Government on Monday informed that 105 new positive cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), 30 from Jammu division and 75 from Kashmir division, have been reported today, thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 325253.
Moreover, 117 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from various hospitals including 31 from Jammu Division and 86 from Kashmir Division.
Besides this, 65.86 percent of population above the age of 18 years has been vaccinated across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Bulletin also informs that no new case of Mucormycosis has been reported today, thus the total number of confirmed cases remains 44 in the UT of J&K.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), out of 325253 positive cases, 1264 are Active Positive, 319582 have recovered and 4407 have died; 2166 in Jammu division and 2241 in Kashmir division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 13326639 test results available, 13001386 samples have been tested as negative till today.
Till date, 3215413 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 7471 persons in-home quarantine including facilities operated by the government, 1264 in isolation and 459184 in-home surveillance. Besides, 2743087 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 72375 positive cases (including 48 cases reported today) with 481 Active Positive, 71060 recovered (including 15 cases recovered today), 834 deaths; Baramulla has 23911 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 119 Active Positive, 23510 recovered (including 07 cases recovered today), 282 deaths; Budgam reported 23172 positive cases (including 09 cases reported today) with 118 active positive cases, 22848 recovered (including 04 cases recovered today), 206 deaths; Pulwama has 15335 positive cases with 42 Active Positive, 15099 recovered and 194 deaths; Kupwara has 14239 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today), 34 Active Positive, 14039 recoveries (including 06 cases recovered today) and 166 deaths; Anantnag district has 16450 positive cases with 26 Active Positive, 16219 recovered and 205 deaths; Bandipora has 9628 positive cases with 33 Active Positive, 9494 recoveries and 101 deaths; Ganderbal has 10123 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 55 Active Positive, 9990 recoveries (including 06 cases recovered today) and 78 deaths; Kulgam has 11417 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 13 Active Positive, 11287 recoveries and 117 deaths while as Shopian has 5598 positive cases with 07 active positive cases, 5533 recoveries and 58 deaths.
Similarly, Jammu has 53016 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 93 active positive cases, 51781 recoveries (including 09 cases recovered today), 1142 deaths; Udhampur has 11380 positive cases with 07 active positive cases, 11236 recoveries and 137 deaths; Rajouri has 11094 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 32 active positive, 10827 recoveries (including 05 cases recovered today) and 235 deaths; Doda has 7567 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 100 Active positive, 7337 recovered (including 10 cases recovered today) and 129 deaths; Kathua has 9286 positive cases with 11 active positive cases, 9124 recovered and 151 deaths; Samba has 7136 positive cases with 05 active positive cases, 7011 recoveries and 120 deaths; Kishtwar has 4780 positive cases with 58 Active Positive, 4678 recoveries and 44 deaths; Poonch has 6316 positive cases with 11 active positive, 6208 recoveries and 97 deaths; Ramban has 5988 positive cases with 04 active positive cases, 5917 recoveries and 67 deaths while Reasi has 6442 positive cases with 15 active positive cases, 6384 recoveries and 43 deaths.
According to the bulletin, among the total 325253 positive cases in J&K, 23145 have been reported as travelers while 302108 as others.
The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.
The bulletin added that there are 2423 COVID dedicated beds, 2019 Isolation beds with 2007 vacant beds and 404 ICU beds where 400 beds are vacant in Jammu division while there are 3353 COVID dedicated beds, 3074 Isolation beds where 3041 beds are vacant and 279 ICU beds where 254 are vacant beds in Kashmir division. There are a total of 5776 COVID dedicated beds, 5093 Isolation beds with 5048 beds vacant and 683 ICU beds with 654 vacant beds in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
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SRINAGAR: Army on Monday claimed to have foiled an infiltration bid and killed two militants on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, officials said
An army spokesperson in a statement said, “In the early hours of Monday, militants from across the Line of Control attempted to infiltrate the Poonch sector. Alert Army troops detected the infiltration bid by effective use of the integrated surveillance grid”.
“On being challenged by Army troops, there ensued a fierce firefight with the militants in which one militant was neutralised and his body along with an AK-47 rifle has been recovered,” he added.
The operation is still in progress in the area.
“In continuation of operations in Poonch, search operations near the LoC revealed the presence of the body of another militant with AK 47 across the LoC. Thus, two militants have been killed,” he added.
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SRINAGAR: At least three persons received injuries after lightning struck a human habitation in Kona Gabra area in Karnah of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Monday evening, an official said.
Identifying the injured as; 20-year-old Shakeel Ahmad Jatla son of Mohammad Shafi Jatla, 21-year-old Sajad Ahmad Paswal son Mohammad Shafi Paswal and 18-year-old Mohammad Aamir Paswal son of Nazir Ahmad Paswal, all residents of Gabra, quoting officials news agency GNS reported that all of them were immediately removed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
It has been learnt from the hospital that all the three are stable and responding well to the treatment, the official further said.
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SRINAGAR: Apni Party on Monday organized a high-level core group meeting held at its office in Lal Chowk Srinagar where various matters relating to the functioning of the Party and the current socio-economic-political situation in J&K were discussed in detail.
JK Apni Party chairman Altaf Bukhari addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Monday, August 30, 2021.
KL Image Bilal Bahadur
The meeting was headed by the Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari besides whom Party’s Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, Former Minister and Apni Party Leader Mohammad Dilawar Mir, Vice Presidents Aijaz Ahmad Khan & Choudhary Zulfikar Ali, General Secretaries Rafi Ahmad Mir & Vikram Malhotra, Chief Coordinator and In-charge District Kulgam Abdul Majeed Padder, Provincial Presidents Mohammad Ashraf Mir & Manjit Singh, Additional General Secretary Hilal Ahmad Shah, State Secretary Muntazir Mohi-ud-Din, Apni Party Youth President Junaid Azim Mattoo, Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi, Provincial Vice President Jammu Syed Asgar Ali, Provincial Vice President Srinagar Jagmohan Singh Raina, Provincial Secretary Javid Mirchal, District President Srinagar Noor Mohammad Sheikh, District President Anantnag Abdul Rahim Rather, District President Kupwara Raja Manzoor, District President Pulwama Ghulam Mohammad Mir, District President Baramulla Shoaib Lone, District President Ganderbal Javid Mir and District President Bandipora Shafat Kazmi.
Later while addressing the media persons, Bukhari said that Apni Party remains firm on its pragmatic stand and doesn’t change the narrative with regards to the situation, place or audience.
“There is no room for shifting stands in Apni Party while as we see that PAGD, on one hand, is speaking about the ‘No Compromise’ on Article-370 and 35A but on the same time it becomes a signatory to Opposition memorandums that don’t even mention about the restoration of these special Laws. PAGD is trying to keep the people away from development based politics through its hollow and emotional slogans. It is only because its constituents don’t want to be held accountable for their dismal failures and historical blunders committed from time to time for the sake of power,” he said.
He said it seems that the major constituents of PAGD are unable to comprehend the fast-changing geopolitical dynamics in the region and want people of J&K to perpetually get consumed to the nefarious designs of the forces inimical to peace.
“These parties continued to cling to power despite hundreds being killed and thousands being blinded under their noses. However, fear-mongering still remains a vital tool in the hands of PAGD in order to secure its vote bank as these factions want to regain their lost credibility and relevance among the people of J&K,” he remarked.
Bukhari said that Apni Party has not only safeguarded the socio-economic and legal rights of the people but also ensured measures by the government of India to create an enabling and peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are also desirous of Restoration of Special Status to J&K and we expect a favourable decision by the Supreme Court in this regard. Even if the Apex Court’s verdict disregards peoples’ aspirations, Apni Party will pursue the same with the leadership of the country,” he observed.
Referring to the remarks made by President Ram Nath Kovind during his recent visit to J&K wherein he said, democracy has within its capacity to reconcile all differences; Bukhari reiterated Apni party’s demand for restoration of Statehood and early elections in J&K.
He said that the grievances of the people are addressed by an elected and accountable government and cannot be substituted by any bureaucratic regime.
“Our demand assumes more significance in view of the remarks made by the Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs which in its recent visit to J&K expressed satisfaction over the security situation saying that militancy is at an all-time low and there have been no instances of stone-pelting in the Valley,” he observed.
Bukhari demanded that the process of delimitation should be expedited as it can catalyze the electoral process in J&K.
In the meeting, the Apni Party leaders demanded a thorough security review of political activists so that they can continue with a hassle-free political process across Jammu and Kashmir.
“Security of political activists, irrespective of their party affiliations, needs to be reviewed. Besides, we would also like to appeal to other political parties to stop their two-hoot policy and join Apni Party’s pragmatic politics in order to prevent further loss of life in J&K,” Apni Party leadership observed.
They also raised serious concerns over the exponential increase in unemployment rates while seeking stern actions against those involved in corruption irrespective of their position and status.
“Regularization of casual laborers, daily wagers, ITI Skilled, need-based, HDF, NYCs, Computer Operators and consolidated workers is a must. Similarly, infusing capital for the revival of PSUs, disbursing of salaries, pensions to PSU employees, retirees, adjudication of land compensation cases and issues faced by the mining sector across J&K need to be resolved once for all,” they said.
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SRINAGAR: A Biscuit Store worth crores of rupees was gutted in a devastating fire that broke out the intervening night of Sunday and Monday in the main market of Narbal area in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Biscuit Store up in flames at Budgam.
Quoting an official news agency KDC reported that a biscuit store identified as ‘Sahil Trading Company’ owned by Mohammad Anwar Lone, a resident of Sopore turned into ashes after a massive fire broke out at Dumail area of Narbal alongside of Srinagar- Baramulla National Highway. Goods worth crores were destroyed in this massive fire.
He said fire tenders were rushed to the spot and they brought the fire under control with great efforts of locals and police adding that no loss of life was reported in this incident.
Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident and further investigation has been set into motion.
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SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested a policeman for the murder of his 36-year-old wife in Poonch district.
Quoting officials news agency GNS reported that the woman, a teacher by profession, was strangulated by the policeman along with his mother and the duo had placed the body at around 100 meters from the residence. Later the police recovered the body of the woman, Shanaz Akhter (teacher) at Keri Gulatta on August 24. While injury marks were visible, police filed a case (FIR No. 91) under sections 302 and 109 of IPC at Police station Gurasi and started an investigation.
Subsequently, they said, the police worked out the blind murder case of the woman, a mother of three girls and a son.
SDPO Mendhar Z A Jaffri said that based on the technical and other evidence, it has found that the woman husband, constable Mohammad Irfan Manhas, had reached home and in midnight strangulated the wife while she was asleep.
The police officer said that while Iran (posted with IRP battalion in Batamaloo Srinagar) manually strangulated the woman, his mother (mother-in-law of deceased) held her legs. After the murder, the son-mother duo tried to destroy evidence and among other changed clothes of the victim woman before placing the body in the dead of night at some 100 meters of the residence, the officer said. After the murder, Mohammad Irfan Manhas (the policeman) son of Mohammad Aslam (ex-serviceman) left for Srinagar in a truck in a bid to give the impression that he remained on duty, the officer said.
“It was an organised crime and criminals have tried to hide /remove all evidences but due sincere efforts of SHO Gursai Niaz Ahmed and technical team of Dysp operation Poonch Manish Sharma and timely guidance and supervision of SSP Poonch and DIGP R/P range Vivek Gupta led to the solving of the blind murder case within a period of five days,” a police officer said.
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SRINAGAR: Army on Monday claimed to have foiled an infiltration bid by killing a militant along the Line of Control in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
An army spokesman in a statement said that in the early hours today, militant from across the Line of Control made an attempt to infiltrate in Poonch Sector.
“Alert Army troops detected the infiltration bid by effective use of the integrated surveillance grid. On being challenged by Army troops, there ensued a fierce firefight with the militant in which one militant was neutralised and his body alongwith an AK-47 rifle has been recovered,” it reads.
“The operation is still in progress in the area and this action by alert Army troops displays resolve of Indian Army to thwart any misadventure along the Line of Control,” reads the statement issued by army.
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SRINAGAR: India saw a single-day rise of 42,909 new Covid infections, which took the total tally of cases to 3,27,37,939, while active cases registered an increase for the fifth consecutive day, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Monday.
The death toll has climbed to 4,38,210 with 380 fresh fatalities, according to the data updated at 8 am.
The number of active cases has increased to 3,76,324 and comprises 1.15 per cent of the total infections. The national Covid recovery rate has been recorded at 97.51 per cent, the health ministry said.
It said active cases in the country increased by 7,766 cases in a span of 24 hours.
The ministry said that 14,19,990 Covid tests were conducted on Sunday, taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far in the country to 52,01,46,525.
The daily positivity rate has been recorded at 3.02 per cent. It is above three per cent after 35 days, it said.
The weekly positivity rate has been recorded at 2.41 per cent. It has been below three per cent for the last 66 days, according to the health ministry.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 3,19,23,405, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.34 per cent, the data stated.
Cumulatively, 63.43 crore Covid vaccine doses have been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive till Monday morning, the ministry said.
The 380 new fatalities include 131 from Maharashtra and 75 from Kerala.
A total of 4,38,210 deaths have been reported so far in the country, including 1,37,157 from Maharashtra, 37,278 from Karnataka, 34,878 from Tamil Nadu, 25,080 from Delhi, 22,818 from Uttar Pradesh, 20,541 from Kerala and 18,423 from West Bengal.
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Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs comprising of 28 Members of Parliament from Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha headed by senior Congress leader and Member of the Parliament Anand Sharma interacting with officials in Srinagar on August 20, 2021. Pic: DIPR JK
In 10 days, as many as three parliament standing committees visiting Jammu and Kashmir. These included the committee led by Congress leader Anand Sharma on home affairs. Back home, Sharma, who committee spent eight days in the erstwhile state, has said there was red-tapism and the bureaucracy was delaying the developmental roll-out. It has said the militancy is down, though not out. Though the Home Committee remained in news, the fact is that three Committee visited and all the three were led by Congressmen. Before Sharma Committee, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) led by Congress leader, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, visited Srinagar and Ladakh, to examine the issue of protective clothing for troops stationed at high altitudes. Another panel that visited Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg around the same time was the Committee on Sub-ordinate Legislation, headed by another Congressman Partap Singh Bajwa, to study waste management, rejuvenation of water bodies like the Dal Lake, and lending by banks to priority sectors, among other issues. Now, Jammu and Kashmir will host Shashi Tharoor-headed the Standing Committee on Information Technology in September. This is perhaps the highest number of PSCs that visited Kashmir in a season after 2019. Is BJP telling Congress to see how better they managed Kashmir?
Despite being the consumables in Kashmir’s wild-food chain, the Hangul population has increased from 237 animals in 2019 to 261 in 2021
JAMMU
Lt Governor meeting delegation led by former Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta (1)
A BJP leader, who was next to Chief Minister at the peak of his career, was the first to support the “land Jihad” narrative when Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Roshni started spreading darkness. Now both of them, Kavinder Gupta and were found to be in occupation of the land under the same scheme. Kavinder Gupta along with two others, Subash Sharma and Shiv Rattan Gupta, have jointly occupied 23 kanal, 9 marla at village Ghaink in Bhalwal tehsil.
ISLAMABAD
PM Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the valley inaugurated and laid the foundation stone to various projects including Kiru Power project .
It was supposed to happen. India’s Indus Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Saxena has revealed that his Pakistani counterpart Syed Muhammad Meher Ali Shah raised objections on the construction of the 624-MW Kiru Power Project being set up on the Chenab basin. Pakistan has invoked the treaty provision that gives her the right to seek the design of a project within three months. Kiru is a run-of-river project and is planned to be implemented by a Joint Venture between the NHPC and JKSPDC. The project will be discussed when the two Commissions’ meet in Pakistan, later this year. The World Bank brokered water-sharing Indus Water Treaty gives all the waters of the eastern rivers — Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — amounting to around 33 million acre-feet (MAF) annually to India for unrestricted use in lieu of waters of western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — amounting to around 135 MAF to Pakistan.
Earlier this year, during the meeting between the Indus Commissioner of India and Pakistan, Pakistan has raised objections on the designs of Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has also raised objections on hydropower projects in Chilling (24 MW), Rongdo (12 MW) and Ratan Nag (10.5 MW) are in Leh; while Mangdum Sangra (19 MW), Kargil Hunderman (25 MW) and Tamasha (12 MW) are in Kargil. India had said the designs of these projects are also fully compliant with the treaty.
Girls outshined boys in the University of Kashmir convocation as they took 280 of the 409 gold medals home.
SRINAGAR
Parvez Rasool (KL Image by Bilal Bahadur)
The erstwhile poster boy of Kashmir cricket, Parvez Rasool, is facing an embarrassing situation as the BCCI intends to “nail him down”. The cricketer who was once selected to be part of Team India (not permitted to play) and later selected for the IPL, has alleged that some vested interests are trying to ruin his image. The entire crisis is the outcome of a single e-mail that Brigadier Anil Gupta, currently member, administration, of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, sent on July 26, to the Srinagar in-charge, Majid Dar: “Do we have any proof to nail him down?” Though it was politely apologised later taking the “inadvertent” route, Rasool is tense over the clear objective. By the way, Gupta has accused him of “not returning equipment belonging to the JKCA”. He has been asked to return the pitch-roller or face “police action”. JKCA is currently being managed by BJP office-bearers.
ALOOCHIBAGH
Mohammad Abbas Sheikh, a top militant, has been active since 1996. He returned back to his ranks after being arrested and released twice
In a brief shoot-out, the Jammu and Kashmir police killed TRF chief, Mohammad Abbas Sheikh and his deputy, Saqib Manzoor. Police said a posse of their shooters had gone in civvies. Abbas lived in South Kashmir and was the most senior militant alive and Saqib was from the city. Police said it was the biggest success as Abbas was the TRF architect. Abbas has been a militant since 1996. Arrested in 2004, he moved out a year later and rejoined militancy and was against arrested in 2007 and remained in jail till 2011. After his second release, he became a tailor but returned to militancy in 2014. Reports said he was the seventeenth person from his extended family who was killed, since 1990. His sister is in jail under UAPA. Police said he topped the list of 10 most wanted insurgents.
In seven days, Punjab Police said they recovered 16 Kgs of Heroin at Madhopur as it was being taken out of Jammu and Kashmir.
SRINAGAR
Ruksana, the bride in Nowgam, is happy that she will finally settle down. In her 20s, she is an orphan who has lost her father almost eight years. Ruksana is now working at home as a carpet weaver.
With the Covid19 pandemic playing havoc with the economies, Kashmir is witnessing a crisis as the carpet appetite has fallen the world over. Against Rs 369.81 crore exports in 2016-17, Kashmir carpet exports were at Rs 299 crore in 2019-20. Now the planners are trying to be innovative to get back the buyer attention and manage the unlocking of capital from the inventory. With Geographical Index (GI) already in pocket, authorities have pushed the hand-knotted carpet, with its intricate and colourful floral patterns, to adore a special cover of the Indian Postal Service.
JAMMU
Mansar Haveli is being restored
Authorities have decided to revive and repair Mansar Haveli in Samba and Laddan Kotli Fort in Udhampur. In the first phase, the historic buildings will be restored and thrown open to visitors. In the second stage, the preservation of miniature paintings and murals will begin. Mansar Haveli is located near the lake. By now it is seventy per cent restored but will take some time more. It witnessed reconstructed archways, stabilization of slopes and filling of cracked walls. Surkhi and Nanak Shahi bricks were used by the same skilled workers who earlier restored one of the major entrances of the historic Mubarak Mandi complex. Its restoration is expected to cost Rs 68 lakh. Similarly, at an investment of Rs 94 lakh, Udhampur’s Laddan Kotli Fort is being revived. Built by a later Chenani king, the fort is spread over nine kanals of land with houses and farms to its eastern side and forests on the other.
SRINAGAR
At the entrance of the Shalimar Garden in Srinagar outskirts, the health staff on August 26, 2021, is testing a visitor for Covid19. Visitors planning entry into the Mughal garden is subjected to proof that the person is inoculated against the Covid19 or has to undergo a Covid19 test. This is aimed at preventing mass morbidity in anticipation of the third wave fears. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur
In order to avoid the departing second wave getting active again and paving way for the third wave, authorities have enforced a strict protocol, at least in the tourist spots. In Mughal Gardens in the city periphery, the health officials huddle at the entrance and seek certificates from the visitors about the Covid19 inoculation. In case, they fail to prove that they have taken the vaccine, they are asked to undergo a quick RAT. This has been done at a time when the tourist footfalls are gradually improving.
Covid19 has infected a total of 324647 people across Jammu and Kashmir of whom 4404 have died. Even though the new infections are in the 100-150 range on daily basis, still more than 1060 people are currently the active cases.
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