DC Baramulla Visits Uri, Assures Compensation to Fire Victims

Ubeer Naqushbandi
SRINAGAR

Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Yashah Mughal, Monday directed officials of the revenue department to prepare a detailed and comprehensive report of the fire incident that engulfed two structures completely, consuming more than 3 dozen shops.

A loss of more than one Crore rupees has been reported in the incident.

In the ensuing blaze two complexes belonging to Mushtaq Ahmed Choudary and Mushtaq Ahmed Sheikh got completely damaged.

Deputy Commissioner on the spot passed directions to SDM Uri and Tehsildar to prepare a detailed report on the loss incurred by the blaze. He, on the occasion assured fire victims that they will be duly compensated.

The Deputy Commissioner on the occasion assured the victims that a special team will also be constituted in this regard in DC office Baramulla.

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J&K Bank Bags Four Awards for SHG, JLG Financing

KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR

The Jammu and Kashmir Bank has been awarded with four State Level Micro financing awards 2015-16 for its performances under promotion and financing of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) in the Jammu and Kashmir State.

The bank’s Executive President S S Sehgal received the awards on behalf of the bank from the Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh during State-level Micro Finance Awards 2015-16 ceremony organized by NABARD in Jammu.

In recognition of its comprehensive efforts to promote and finance Self Help Groups (SHGs), the Bank was ranked 1st among all the commercial banks and Regional Rural Banks operating in the state, while as in the category of financing Joint Liability Groups (JLGS), the bank secured 3rd position.

While as in SHG financing, Raithan business unit (branch) of the bank in Budgam was declared winner among all of the J&K Bank branches, while as the Doda (Main) branch topped the list of the bank branches in JLG financing.

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Former PDP Minister Smells ‘Conspiracy’ in Sarore Episode

KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR

Chowdhary Zulfikar Ali in Sarore.

Smelling conspiracy in Sarore incident, senior PDP leader Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali Monday said that there is no coincidence in HP Police raid and JDA’s eviction drive and some planned conspiracy was there to target Gujjars which needs to be exposed.

Accompanied by various Gujjar leaders Ali today visited Vijaypur to express sympathy and condolence with Chowdhary Rahmat Ali whose son was shot dead in Police firing at Sarore few days ago.

Following his visit, Ali said that there is big game to target Gujjars and harass them in the name of “selective eviction” drive. “This conspiracy needed to be exposed so that nomads do not face any threat in future. He said that if HP Police had visited Sarore to arrest some culprits, what JDA and police were doing there with bulldozers.”

He said that there may be a big conspiracy behind this. “Sarore was trailer and there may be further attacks on Gujjar community who are helpless to protect themselves.”

Terming role of Police in the incident as biased, Ali said that he has gone through various videos captured by locals during eviction drive in which some “goons” were attacking elderly people and Gujjar youths and Police were only witnessing this rather stopping the goons and some senior Police Officers are clearly shown in these pictures.

He said that to expose real culprits, goons and police personals involved in the attack, there is a need of judicial inquiry and Governor Administration should order it. He added that there is no reason to hide real culprits and Governor must order judicial probe of the incident in a time bound manner. He said that they are watching the response of government and if Governor Administration did not respond he will go for a mass agitation.

Expressing surprise over response of nomad killings by the political elites of Jammu,  Ali said that even though Gujjars have religious affiliation with the people of Kashmir but they always supported the cause of Jammu and showed solidarity with the people of Jammu but this episode has hurt them.

He said that the murdered person in Sarore was not militant or anti-national and it is surprising to see total muteness of the civil society and intelligentsia of Jammu on the incident.

Reiterating his party’s stand on eviction, Ali said that his party does not support encroachments but they will never support selective eviction drive. “I visited Sarore spot where I came to know that on the both sides of land occupied by Gujjars, some influential people are having land which also belongs to government but JDA and Police selected only this spot to harass Gujjars who are putting up there since 1960.”

He said that he will not tolerate this at any cost and will take further course of action if the government does not respond.

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Second Day of Book Fest: Satirist Zareef Enthrals Audience

Ubeer Naqushbandi

SRINAGAR

Zareef A Zareef during a Book fest.

Second day of Book cum Literary fest at Srinagar’s Sangermal saw a signature performance by a noted Kashmiri satirist-poet Zareef Ahmad Zareef, who not only enthralled the audience, but also left them thought-provoked with his poetry.

Zareef while paying tributes to noted Kashmiri scholar Wahab Khar of 19th century said: “We have rich cultural heritage and history and fests like these are going to give it boost.”

In his signature satirical style, Zareef pointed toward the “dwindling” human values in society. “As a society, our women still make discrimination between baby girl and baby boy. So, prime most responsibility to check the female infanticide lies on women.”

He also recited his poem ‘Taran Garey Taran Garey’ on the occasion and enthralled the audience.

Zareef also talked about the tumultuous nineties when “countless Kashmiri youth became casualty at the hands of people like Muma Kana and forces”.

While referring to “instability prevalent” in the society, Zareef said that the lavish feasts, immodesty, over-age and suicides are peaking in Kashmiri these days—“and no efforts are being made to check them.”

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‘Musical’ Abdullah Back with Duet

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

Flamboyant Farooq Abdullah is at it once again. After seen in number of videos recently exchanging puns and hymning his heart out, the glitzy Abdullah was Monday seen singing a Bollywood number in a video that went viral on social networking sites.

Dr Abdullah’s latest blitzkrieg came at a marriage function in Jammu where he joined the hosts with a famous Bollywood duet “Lag Jaa Galey”. The duet amused the audience.

Interestingly, Abdullah love for dancing and singing has already created a different niche for himself in his tribe.

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VDC Terror Resurfaces in Doda: Now, a Helpless Widow Facing the Brunt

Naseer Khora

DODA

VDC members.

A widow from remote village of Gondho tehsil in Doda district of Chinab valley has alleged repeated harassment, humiliation and dead threats by some of her ex-husband’s relatives—who are part of a notorious civil militia armed group, Village Defense Committee (VDC) members in the area.

As per the written complaint by Sangeeta Devi before police authorities, she while narrating her tale of woes has alleged that her in-laws supported by some VDC members are repeatedly harassing her.

It is stated that her in-laws want to grab the property and belongings forcibly from her after her husband’s death, one and a half year back. Her husband, Harnam Singh, had married another lady namely Samrawati Devi, two years back, who is now eyeing her property.

“The Samawati Devi is trying to snatch all the movable and unmovable property from Sangeeta Devi. She is threatened her to vacate the residential house, too,” her complaint read. Due to constant life threats, she is now feeling insecure about her children’s security.

In the face of frequent harassments, the widow has migrated from her native village to a safer place. She is now residing in a private accommodation in Munshi Mohallah Doda.

But Samrawati with backing of her VDC relatives is continuously hounding her.

“A couple of days ago, Samrawati along with some police personals entered the rented house where Sangeeta is putting up. They attacked and thrashing the lady and snatched 18th months baby from her,” the complaint read.

On the very next day, with the help of some civil persons, the baby was taken back from the kidnappers.

But Samrawati lodged a false written complaint with the police levelling some baseless allegations against the widow, said a police source.

Along with Samrawati, Balwant Singh—a VDC member and others have been continuously giving life threats to the widow. “Balwant Singh has warned me of dire consequences if I enter my native village, again,” said the widow. “I am feeling insecure.”

The widow while demanding a CBI probe into the matter said she has moved an application to SP Crime Branch Jammu for immediate action against the accused.

The complainant Sangeeta Devi further made an appeal to the State Human Rights Commission SHRC and civil society members to come forward for her help.

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Amid Restructuring, EDI Back to Business

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

 

Nine days after three Lashkar gunmen stormed in Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) in Sempora, the institute is back to business—imparting training to the aspiring entrepreneurs.

On February 20, when the siege took over EDI, there were around 110 candidates from all over the valley receiving the training.

 

In an ensued 48-hr long gunfight, the institute was reduced to the smouldering rubble, making many believe that restart of activities at the institute will take some time now.

“But thanks to the dedication shown by the staff, we are back to business,” said Obaid Riyaz, Manager HR Training. “Of 110 students, 100 trainees are back for the training.” The training has been arranged in the hostel. “Everything was done on war-footing with a motive to keep the spirit of EDI alive.”

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