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Religious zeal marks shia processions
Muharram ends |
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Disappeared persons innocent: Study
‘Intrusion’ hits working of animal husbandry office
Gulmarg, Pahalgam resorts shiver in sub-zero conditions
A woman prepares smoked fish which is believed to help in preventing cold, flu and other winter-related diseases, in downtown Srinagar. Photo: Yawar Kabli
Students put on thinking caps at Kashmir varsity
SIT submits progress report in court
Pulwama back on track
Two killed in road mishaps
Police re-arrests minor boy
Srinagar to host calligraphy exhibition
Mirwaiz expresses grief over Pahalgam inferno
Rasheed flays GOC’s statement
Players in action during a match of the Ranji Trophy tournament in Jammu on Monday.
Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh
Talwara Club win opening T20 match
Jammu Division strike double in kho-kho
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Religious zeal marks shia processions
He said processions were taken out on a daily basis during the first 11 days of Muharram. “From now onwards, processions will be taken out only on important days like 15th and 25th of Muharram,” he added. The main Muharram procession used to be taken out on Muharram 8. Traditionally, Shia Muslims used to march from Guru Bazzar and proceed through Lal Chowk before the procession culminated at Dalgate. However, the procession was banned by the government after eruption of militancy in the state and the Shiites now take out the same in interiors only. Even as attempts had been made to take out processions through Lal Chowk on Muharram 8 and 10, the bids were foiled by the police. While the martyrdom of Imam Hussain besides his family and supporters is also mourned by the Sunni community especially
during Friday sermons, the Shias hold religious functions on a larger scale throughout the Muharram month. |
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Valley returns to normal
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, November 26 Most business establishments were opened and traffic was bustling on city roads a day after authorities had blocked civilian movement on several key roads to scuttle any attempt by Shia mourners to lead a procession through city’s major commercial centres. Authorities here had imposed restrictions in the past week to stop Shia mourners from taking out processions to mourn the seventh century “martyrdom” of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Members of Islam’s Shia community flagellate themselves and lead major mourning processions every year during the first 10 days of Islamic month of Muharram. Over the past two decades, the government has imposes restrictions around several areas of the city to disallow the mourners from pouring onto the city’s landmark areas. In the past week, the government had placed concertina wires to block any civilian access to the Lal Chowk and hundreds of policemen were patrolling the city’s major commercial districts to discourage mourners from entering the key locations. On Sunday, which capped the 10 days of major mourning period, the police had imposed restrictions in Lal Chowk and parts of the old city which had led to stone throwing in Hawal area of the old city. Protests had also erupted on Friday when the police tried to intercept a mourning procession near Batamaloo in the city. Many parts of the city, where there were no restrictions, wore a deserted look on Sunday as residents preferred to remain indoors in the wake of holiday on Sunday coupled with restrictions and public transport was severely hit as key roads of the city remained blocked. Several Shia leaders were also detained in the last 10 days to discourage their followers from leading any major processions. However, many smaller mourning processions were taken out by Shia Muslims in the interior areas of the city.
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Disappeared persons innocent: Study
Srinagar, November 26 The APDP in its survey conducted earlier this year had stated that around 82.25 per cent of the disappeared persons in the Kashmir valley were innocent and were picked up by security forces. Prof Dabla’s study reveals that around 72 per cent of the people who disappeared in the Valley over the past 23 years were innocent. Prof Dabla’s team of students and research scholars from the Sociology Department interacted with 700 respondents during the survey, whose family members were involved in disappearance cases. “The survey was done to ascertain the sociological, economical and health status of the family members of the persons who had disappeared after being picked by security men and militants in the past two decades. Most of the people who disappeared since 1989, when violence erupted in the Valley, were married men, who were the sole bread earners of their families and were involved in government jobs, private business and other means of livelihood. By no means were they involved in militant activities,” Prof Dabla said. He said the survey had been done in the most authentic
way. Parveena Ahanger, president, APDP, said the KU’s study had finally stated what she had been saying for long. “I have been saying everywhere, in India as well as other countries, that the sons and husbands whom the APDP members have lost are all innocent. The government has always wanted a proof and here is one more proof,” she
said. Parveena’s concern for half widows in Kashmir (women whose husbands went missing in 1990s) has also been highlighted in Prof Dabla’s study. The study points out that the legal system in the country has not been able to give “half widows” their status due to which their chances of re-marrying have diminished. “It is interesting that despite being thousands in number, the concerns of half widows in Kashmir haven’t been addressed till date. In most of the cases, they are the sole support system for their families,” he said. The study says after the disappearances, the family members of victims have experienced psychiatric disorders. It states over 42 per cent respondents said they had experienced emotional trauma, insomnia, nightmares and anxieties. The study highlights the social segregation of these families in Kashmir, which has worsened their economic and health problems. “How could a mother sleep when her son is taken away for no fault of his? I lost my only son twenty years back. I have waged a battle against the state since then and thousands of mothers and sisters have joined me reinforcing my belief that our beloved sons/husbands were innocent,” Parveena says. |
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‘Intrusion’ hits working of animal husbandry office
Kupwara, November 26 Chief Animal Husbandry officer Dr Hafizullah Dar said the activist had forcibly occupied the office accommodation in 2006 and since then he had been using the same as a “resting place” for three days in a week. The officer said due to illegal occupation of a major portion of the building, the office was left with little space and even vital records of the office were gathering dust for want of space. “We are facing acute shortage of space due to illegal occupation of the office accommodation. Initially, the PDP activist occupied one room and over the years, grabbed a major portion of the building leaving us choked in a few small rooms,” said Dr
Hafizullah. The office carved out some funds to raise additional accommodation but as soon as work was started, the occupant made a hue and cry and finally forced the department to suspend the work. “As a final resort, we tried to raise some rooms on the same building occupied by him. But he along with his family members objected the removal of tin sheets and forced us to shelve the construction work,” he said. The office bears an additional expenditure of Rs 4,000 every month as poultry development officer is putting up in a rented accommodation due to lack of accommodation. An employee said office of the Chief Animal Husbandry had become a bus stand. “It is really disgusting to work here. Scores of people visit this office to enquire about jobs and other works. The occupant of the building has made huge money from gullible people by promising jobs to them,” he said. The occupant has a posh house in Sogam Lolab and he uses the government accommodation only to show his officialdom, the employee said. “He has kept the government accommodation only to mislead people and make easy bucks. He lures people into government jobs,” he
said. Kupwara Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Hafeez said he would seek a report from the officer concerned and ascertain the fact of the matter. “Nobody will be allowed to take law into his hands. If anybody has forcibly occupied the government accommodation, he will be dealt under the law,” he said. |
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Gulmarg, Pahalgam resorts shiver in sub-zero conditions
Srinagar, November 26 The day temperature at Gulmarg on Monday rose to a maximum of 5 degrees Celsius. In Pahalgam in south Kashmir, the minimum temperature was recorded at 2.2 degrees Celsius. In Srinagar, minimum temperature increased by three degrees from the low of previous night to settle at 1.6 degrees Celsius, the official said. The mercury around the city had last night fallen to minus 1.4 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature in the city was recorded at 16.1 degrees Celsius. The weather department said the mercury around the city was likely to remain positive over night tonight. The minimum temperature in Leh district of remote Ladakh region was recorded at minus 7.6 degrees Celsius and in nearby Kargil district, the mercury overnight had dipped to minus 5.8 degrees Celsius. Qazigund town in south Kashmir recorded a cold night with mercury falling to minus 0.8 degrees Celsius and Kupwara district in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 1.1 degrees Celsius. The state Meteorological Department has predicted dry weather in plains and light snow and rain in higher reaches of Kashmir region in next 24 hours.
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Students put on thinking caps at Kashmir varsity
Srinagar, November 26 The workshop was aimed at infusing enthusiasm and inculcating scientific temper among youngsters of the Valley. The event showcased innovative projects, made without using paper, of students from various schools and colleges of Kashmir. Idrees-ul-Haq Beigh, CEO, JKIF, who is the man behind the workshop, asserted that the programme was a clean and green event held on zero budget. “We were able to tell young people of the state of how the available technology could be put to the best possible use,” he said. Students gave presentations on issues concerning state, including the saffron conservation and the implementation of bio-gas plant project. While addressing students, Prof Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, KU, asked them to take full advantage of the facilities being provided by the university for innovative projects. He said it was the youth who could tackle and provide better solutions for the indigenous environmental and social problems. The Vice Chancellor said the youngsters should think out of the box and be proactive in realising their ideas. Registrar, KU, Prof Zaffar Ahmad Reshi in his address said such seminars encouraged students to think innovatively and provided a platform to express their ideas. He said, "The university is trying its best to bring forth the talent of young innovators to society and there are many corporate houses and MNCs who are in need of such innovative thinkers." Earlier, the Director, DLL, Prof GH Mir, said the department acted as a facilitator and imparted education to innovators in their respective fields. "The program is the first of its kind and is based on zero cost where we have not used any paper. Registration of the participants, certification and the entire discourse is electronic. Its sole focus is on providing guidance, economic support and increasing accessibility to those who want to upgrade and exchange their ideas on innovation," he said. An e-book titled "Shortcut to Physics" authored by a student of 11th standard, Yawar, was also released on the occasion.
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SIT submits progress report in court
Srinagar, November 26 Wamiq, a Class VII student, was allegedly killed due to a teargas shell fired by the police on January 31, 2010, in Srinagar. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, Rajeev Gupta, who is hearing the case, had on October 31 directed the SIT to expedite the probe into the incident and submit progress report of the investigation. “The SIT has further approached the ballistic experts, as well as the Head, Forensic Medicine Department, Government Medical College, Srinagar, to answer certain clarification as desired by the Court,” read the SIT progress report submitted to the court today. “The report from the FSL experts is awaited. Meanwhile, some eyewitnesses were again summoned, but they have refused to testify till date”, the SIT added in its progress report. In the earlier progress report, the SIT had submitted that it had examined five independent witnesses and recorded their statements, both in writing as well as in audio-visual form. After taking on record the SIT progress report, the CJM, however posted, the matter for further consideration on November 30. During the hearing today, the victim’s family was represented by counsel Ajaz A Dar, whereas the SIT was represented by a prosecution officer. The family of the deceased has maintained that Wamiq was killed after the police-fired teargas shell hit his head while he was playing carrom on a street near Gani Memorial Stadium in Srinagar. It has been demanding registration of a murder case against the accused police officers. On the other hand, the police has named Wamiq as a “miscreant” in its FIR. |
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Pulwama back on track
Anantnag, November 26 The police said normalcy prevailed in the town on Monday and commercial establishments functioned normally throughout the day. “Shops, schools and other commercial establishments resumed activity after three days. The traffic too plied on roads normally,” said Pulwama SP Javed Ahmad. Residents were protesting against non-availability of electricity and LPG cylinders in the area. Clashes between the police and the residents were witnessed in the past three days of the shutdown. They said they were forced to buy LPG cylinders at inflated rates from the black market. “Distributors have created a shortage of cooking gas in the market forcing the residents to buy it from the black market at escalated rates,” said a resident.— OC |
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Two killed in road mishaps
Srinagar, November 26 An unknown person was hit and injured by a motorcyclist near GB Pant Hospital in the city here who later died at the SMHS Hospital, the spokesperson said. He said the identity of the man could not be immediately confirmed and his body had been kept at the hospital for identification. “The deceased is an elderly person wearing chequered pheran, with black and white hair and white beard,” the spokesman said. In Budgam district, a man was seriously injured when the motorcycle he was driving rammed a tree at Razwan village near Magam town in the district. The injured, who was identified as Farooq Ahmad Rather of Aarh village, was shifted to a hospital in Srinagar where he succumbed to his injuries, the spokesman said. |
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Police re-arrests minor boy
Srinagar, November 26 The minor boy, a resident of Chattabal area of the city, was arrested on November 19 and remained in lock-up of Shaheed Gunj police station, ssid his lawyer Babar Qadri. The minor was today produced in a local court where he was released on bail. An official of the Shaheed Gunj police station, however, said the boy was arrested on November 23 on the charge of pelting stones. “As soon he left the court complex, he was again arrested by personnel belonging to the Kralkhud police station,” Qadri said. The lawyer, who has been fighting cases of arrested minors, said the boy was “severely tortured and beaten” at the police station. He said the minor was not transferred to the juvenile home since his arrest a week ago. Kralkhud police station SHO Aftab Ahmad said the boy "aged around
16-years-old" had been re-arrested. “He was involved in throwing a petrol bomb and stone pelting during an incident two months ago,” the officer said. Ahmad said police had a video proof of his involvement. The state authorities have come under criticism by various human rights organisations including Amnesty International for arresting minors and treating them as adults. Human rights group Amnesty International has often called on the Jammu and Kashmir Government to update its Juvenile
Justice Law saying the present version of the law was not “consistent with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child”. Over the last three years, dozens of minors
have been arrested in the state and many have later alleged they were ill-treated, beaten and abused during their
detentions. |
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Srinagar to host calligraphy exhibition
Srinagar, November 26 He said the exhibition, which was the first of its kind in the state, would remain open till December 7 and was part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Archaeological Survey of India. “The exhibition shall also be mounted in New Delhi, Lucknow, Bhopal and Hyderabad,” the official added. He said the exhibition would showcase Arabic-Persian and Sanskrit-Dravidian calligraphy on monuments, papers and coins. “Separate panels have been devoted to calligraphy on stone inscriptions, in holy Quran manuscripts, on paper and coinages of Sultans of Delhi and Mughal emperors….many marvels of the Islamic calligraphy in India will be put on display. Likewise, the epigraphy branch in Mysore has done pioneer work on Sanskrit & Dravidian epigraphs,” the
official said. Prof Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, will inaugurate the exhibition while J&K Chapter INTACH convener Mohammad Saleem Beg will be the guest of honour on the occasion. |
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Mirwaiz expresses grief over Pahalgam inferno
Srinagar, November 26 Over 46 houses were gutted in a massive fire that broke out in the early hours on Sunday at Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. The fire broke out in a house around afternoon at Frislan village in Pahalgam, 100 km from here, and quickly engulfed 46 houses and a few cowsheds, which were completely destroyed. “Terming the Pahalgam inferno as a difficult test for the victim families, Mirwaiz today expressed his solidarity with the families affected by the fire,” a Hurriyat spokesman
said here. He appealed the well off people and the government to come forward to help rehabilitate the effected families, who had been rendered homeless by the fire. He also urged the state government to take appropriate steps for quick rehabilitation of the effected families, who were sure to face hardships in the chilling winter. The spokesman added that the Hurriyat Chairman had also criticised the government for putting curbs on Muharram processions in the Valley. “Mirwaiz has also expressed his sympathies and solidarity with the family members of those killed in the recent traffic accident at Udhampur,” the spokesman added. |
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Rasheed flays GOC’s statement
Srinagar, November 26 Addressing a public meeting at Zangeer Sopore in north Kashmir, Er Rasheed said the GOC’s statement was like ‘adding salt to injuries’. “Had it been so easy then India would have forgotten the tragic loss of 160 lives killed in 26/11 terrorist attack and forgiven Ajmal Kasab,” he added. The GOC had reportedly made the statement in Baramulla on Saturday while delivering the closing address of an interactive session, ‘Youth - the Harbingers of Change in Kashmir’ Rasheed further said: “Who knows better than Gen Prakash that there are dozens of Ajmal Kasabs, who are roaming in Kashmir and have got promotion and awards for killing innocents.” He also drew parallels between civilian killings in the Valley and country’s ‘national heroes’. “If people and India cannot forget their national heroes like Raj Guru, Sukhdev and Bhagat Singh, how can Kashmiris forget one lakh people who lost their lives for the resolution of Kashmir issue,” Rasheed said. |
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J&K team trail in Ranji Trophy tourney
Jammu, November 26 Trailing by 237 runs, the J&K after resuming at 13/0 eventually bowled out for 222 runs in 77 overs. Ian Dev Singh put up a stiff fight. Ian Dev made 65 runs runs off 132 balls with the help of 12 boundaries. For the Andhra Pradesh team, Vijay Kumar, Atchuta Rao and MD Baba took three wickets each. AG Pradeep, who struck a magnificent century to help his team take a decisive lead, was adjudged the man of the match. With the win, the Andhra Pradesh team has scored seven points while the J&K is yet to score a point. |
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Talwara Club win opening T20 match
Jammu, November 26 Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by
Chandra Mohan, General Manager, NHPC, Jyotipuram. A total of eight teams from Reasi are participating in the tournament. Dharam Prakash, Second-in-Command, 126 Battalion, is the organising secretary of the tournament. In other matches, the Ransoo Cricket Club got the better of the Salal Cricket Club while the Jyotipuram Cricket Club had the last laugh against the KCC. SP Reasi AS Chouhan, CISF Commandant RK Tyagi and Assistant Commandant Rajendra Singh were among those present on the occasion. |
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Jammu Division strike double in kho-kho
Jammu, November 26 Meanwhile, in the
U-17 boys’ summit showdown, the Jammu Division beat the Kashmir division by 14-5 to bag the top honours. |
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The twin resorts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam continue to shiver in extreme sub-zero weather even as Srinagar received a respite for a night from the freezing weather.
Mercury in Gulmarg, located in north Kashmir, continued to plunge multiple degrees below the freezing point and dipped to minus 5.2 degrees Celsius, an official of the state Meteorological Department said. Gulmarg continues to top as the coldest place in Kashmir valley.
Srinagar, November 26