Srinagar, February 7
At a time when voices for freedom of expression for women in Kashmir are garnering support, deaths of women due to domestic abuse are going unnoticed.

Two women have died in Kashmir valley within the last three days due to alleged domestic violence meted out to them by their in-laws, signalling a macabre rise in domestic violence cases.

On February 4, after 28-year-old Tasleema from central Kashmir district, Budgam, breathed her last at a Srinagar hospital battling for her life for one week after being allegedly set ablaze by her in-laws, 38-year-old Riffat from south Kashmir’s Pampore district died on February 6 after being allegedly poisoned by her in-laws.

While the police has registered a case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) in both cases and arrested the husband of the woman in the former case, it says investigations are on in the latter case.

A police spokesperson at Pampore police station said an FIR has been lodged (in Riffat’s death case), but so far, no arrests have been made.

Riffat’s parents, who live in Kursoo Rajbagh, Srinagar, said she was continuously harassed by her mother-in-law and eventually, she poisoned her yesterday at their residence in Pampore. "She died at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar,” Riffat's parents said.

In Tasleema’s case, her uncle alleged continuous harassment by her mother-in-law who later set her on fire.

Even after State Women’s Commission chairperson Shameema Firdous reiterated that the state government needs to give more teeth to the Domestic Violence Act which came into force in 2011 so that the crime perpetrators are dealt with sternly, the state government has done little to address the problem.

A recent study conducted by Prof Bashir Dabla on Domestic Violence/abuse among Kashmiri women reports that of 200 respondents in the survey (comprising married/unmarried women), 40% state they have experienced mental torture at their homes.

And 30% women Prof Dabla surveyed in his study said they preferred silence over raking up of the issue.

SAME OLD LACK OF POLITICAL WILL
Even after State Women’s Commission chairperson Shameema Firdous reiterated that the state government needs to give more teeth to the Domestic Violence Act which came into force in 2011 so that the crime perpetrators are dealt with sternly, the state government has done little to address the problem.

Srinagar, February 7
A house was damaged in a storm in Srinagar last night. Police said the rooftop of the house belonging to Mohammad Sultan Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohi-din-Bhat, resident of Batpora Rainawari, Srinagar, in the jurisdiction of police station Rainawari, was damaged.

No loss of life or injuries were reported in the incident.

Meanwhile, a police residence of Mohammad Yousuf Wani, son of Late Ghulam Qadir Wani, resident of Dachnoo Herpora, Shopian, was damaged in a recent snowfall.

Anantnag, February 7
Being without a health care centre is pinching the people of Takia Magam village in Kokernag area of this south Kashmir district. And it is particularly hard on them, considering that such a situation exists even after a hepatitis-C epidemic broke out in the village.

According to reports, the 5,000-odd residents of this far-flung village have been living without any health care system in their area for as long as they remember and they somehow had got used to the fact; however, a fortnight ago, more than 450 persons in the village tested positive for the hepatitis-C virus and the need for a health care system is being felt like never before.

“For the last 40 years, we have been dependent on the three local chemists for our health care and in case of emergencies, the patients were shifted to Kokernag, some 10 kilometres from the village, or Anantnag,” says Muhammad Subhan, a local.

He says now that people have tested positive for the hepatitis-C virus, they feel they should consult the doctors regularly to maintain a healthy lifestyle despite the infection.

“Isn’t it our basic right to get health care facilities at our doorstep? We have been pleading with the authorities for the last 40 years but to no avail,” said a group of locals.

Experts feel lack of a health care centre in the area is one of root causes for the infection reaching such menacing levels.

“The local chemists cater to the health care demands in the area. They have even conducted deliveries, given the fact that the hospitals are far away,” says Dr Khuroo, a gastroenterologist appointed by the government to produce a report on the outbreak.

Dr Khuroo says the practice of using needles over and over again, and for that matter, use of unsterilised needles where disposable syringes are not available, are common causes of infection by the virus.

“There is no doubt that the epidemic has spread through reuse of needles in the area and that pertains to lack of a health centre in the area,” says the expert.

The department of health services maintains a primary health centre is provided to a population of more than 20,000 and this particular village does not fall in that category.

“Keeping the circumstances in view, we have requested the government that a primary health centre be sanctioned to the village. A senior minister has assured the people of the village and they will hopefully get the health care centre soon,” said Dr Gulzar Ahmad, Chief Medical Officer, Anantnag.

Srinagar, February 7
Reserving its final orders on a plea seeking registration of an FIR and compensation in a petition involving the death of a youth in police custody, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has asked the authorities to produce record next week.

Sajjad (22) from Sangrampora in Sopore had died at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, on March 22, 2012 while serving detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA) at the Kupwara district jail.

A magisterial inquiry, which was ordered by the government following the incident, had held the jail authorities responsible for the death in police custody.

The High Court had, in its previous orders on October 11, 2012, asked the state government to file an affidavit explaining action taken on the magisterial inquiry report which had held the jail authorities responsible.

As the case came up before the High Court today, the government counsel submitted that the authorities had already taken action against the jail official concerned, which was however contested by advocate Mian Qayoom, the counsel representing the deceased youth’s family.

He (the government counsel) said the Director General of Police (prisons) has already penalised a jail officer for “negligence” in the case.

In his submissions, Qayoom reiterated his pleas that contempt proceedings should be initiated against the jail officials concerned for violating Supreme Court guidelines as laid down in the DK Basu verdict.

He also submitted that the court should direct the authorities to register a case against the jail authorities in the matter and should compensate the victim’s family.

After hearing both the sides, the single judge bench of the high court reserved its final verdict in the main pleas besides asking the authorities to produce the record of the case before the court by next week for perusal.

The report of the magisterial inquiry, which was ordered by the Kupwara District Magistrate on March 23, 2012, had held the district jail authorities and the jail medical staff guilty of negligence.

The magisterial probe concluded that the victim was physically unfit, having acute problem and a head injury.

The report was forwarded by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asghar Samoon, to the Chief Secretary for necessary action in April last year.

Following the custodial death of Sajjad, the DGP (prisons) had ordered withholding of the annual increment and promotion for one year of the then in-charge of the Kupwara jail, Ghulam Qadir Padroo (jail superintendent), for “carelessness, non-seriousness and lapse” on his part.

Kupwara, February 7
Patients in north Kashmir have been facing problems due to lack of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility in all major hospitals. These hospitals also lack Computerised Tomography (CT) scan facility often advised by specialist doctors to patients as part of the diagnosis or treatment of illnesses.

The locals demanded that the important medical facility be provided to them at local hospitals. They said they were forced to visit SMHS and SKIMS hospitals in Srinagar and wait for months to get the tests done.

“Getting an MRI test done is the most cumbersome job, especially for a poor patient. After getting the name registered in Radiology department of SMHS or Soura hospital, it takes months to get the test done at these hospitals,” said Ghulam Hassan of Kralpora, 17 km from Kupwara. “It took me nearly six weeks to get the MRI (head) of my father done by the doctors at SMHS,” he added.

All major hospitals in north Kashmir including district hospitals at Handwara, Baramulla and Bandipora lack MRI facility. These hospitals are witnessing a huge rush of patients but the treatment of patients who are advised MRI tests by doctors often gets delayed in the process of getting the tests done in Srinagar hospitals.

“A specialist surgeon at Handwara hospital advised me MRI L1, L2 (Lumbar spine) and it took me four weeks to finally produce the report of the test before the doctor. The doctor was able to treat me better after he went through the contents of the report,” said Mumtaz Hussain of remote Rajwar area in Handwara tehsil.

Most of the patients advised MRI test prefer state-run hospitals for the purpose as the same costs them around Rs 3,000 against a hefty Rs 5,500 to Rs 6,000 at private clinics.

A senior doctor at Kupwara sub-district hospital said like other medical tests, MRI and CT scan tests were important in diagnosing ailments or injuries in the human body, especially the skull. He said a doctor cannot embark on effective treatment without such tests. “Tests help immensely in diagnosis and effective treatment of illnesses. MRI and CT scan are often advised to patients having chronic complications, especially in the skull or any other part of the body and also to victims of accidents,” he said.

Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Salim-ur-Rehman said the department was working to provide such facility at district hospitals in north Kashmir. “The facility would be made available at major hospitals in north Kashmir. I cannot give you a deadline on making the facility available but we are working on it,” he said.

Srinagar, February 7
The Indian Red Cross Society donated relief material and wheelchairs to differently-abled children at a health camp held in Boniyar Uri on Thursday.

The health camp was organised by Child Relief and You (CRY) fellow Ambreen Bashir with support from IRCS Srinagar and HOPE disability Centre Baramulla at Primary Health Centre, Boniyar.

“The purpose of the camp was to assess the quantum of disability and steps taken to improve their functional mobility either through surgical intervention, physiotherapy or by counselling of parents,” the CRY fellow said.

The number of children assessed by psychiatric and occupational therapists and general physicians was more than 25.

“Despite the bad weather, a majority of the parents turned up with their children, carrying them on their shoulders from far-flung areas because they don’t want their child to remain dependent and face the stigma of isolation and neglect. They want them to be respectable citizens of the society,” said Ambreen. After the camp, a feedback session took place in order to ensure follow-up camps for these patients in order to reduce chances of further disability.

The honorary sectary of ICRS Abdul Jabbar Checkt said the issue-based research conducted by fellow will not be wasted. “We will definitely follow these cases in order to ensure maximum recovery of these children as suggested by doctors,” he said.

The Occupational therapist, HOPE Disability Nahid Pandit said therapy will be administered on a weekly basis and training would be given to the children’s parents also because the motive was to make them independent and stay healthy.

On the occasion, Block Medical Officer Boniyar Dr Sheikh Farooq said it was appreciable that the CRY fellow has been carrying on with her mission very successfully by roping in government and non-governmental organisations for complete rehabilitation of differently-abled persons.

The camp was attended by Dr Nizam-ud-din, Psychiatrist, Dr Anila Hamdani, Medical officer, ICRS, Fayaz Ahamd, Incharge Camp ICRS, Shereen Nawaz, Senior Assistant ICRS and Dr Ayaz PHC Boniyar.

Srinagar, February 7
Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, honoured veteran Kashmiri poet, critic and writer Prof Ghulam Nabi Firaq, at a function held at Nowshehra in Srinagar, on Tuesday. The function was attended by Kashmiri poets, writers, artists and prominent people from all walks of life.

Deputy Director General of Radio Kashmir, Bashir Aarif performed Dastarbandi (crowning with traditional Kashmiri turban) of Prof Firaq while he was showered with flower petals.

Ghulam Nabi Khayal and Dr Rattan Lal Talashi presented papers on Prof Firaq’s life and literary contribution.

Various luminaries spoke on the contribution of Prof Firaq in the literary and cultural circles of Kashmir.

On the occasion, three new books of Prof Firaq were released, including a book on the journey of Kashmiri poetic genre Vatsun, a natia collection and a marsiya book. Prof Firaq also addressed the gathering. Famed singer Farooq Ahmad Ganai and party entertained the audience by the musical rendering of Prof Firaq’s lyrics.

Srinagar, February 7
The Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather, said about 80,000 vacancies would be filled up on fast-track basis through various recruitment agencies in the next fiscal year and job avenues would also be explored in the self-employment sector.

Addressing a public meeting in Chadoora area of Budgam district here today, Rather said during the remaining two years of the government, the main thrust would be on creation of as many job opportunities as possible for the educated youth to tackle the unemployment problem, besides fulfilling other promises made to the people of the state.

“We want to remove the gloom, despair and disappointment from the faces of unemployed youth and rekindle hope and happiness in their lives,” he said. Rather added that job opportunities would be explored on a large scale both in public and private sectors on war-footing and fast-track basis.

He added that a transparent mechanism would be put in place to ensure that every eligible aspirant gets adequate opportunity to appear in the interviews.

Rather said about 6 lakh educated unemployed youth were registered with various Employment & Counselling Centres and thus the self-employment avenues must be explored. He said under the Seed Capital Fund (SCF) scheme of SKEWPY, about 30 per cent capital cost of the project was provided free of cost whereas the remaining amount was credited by the J&K Bank at the lowest possible interest rates.

Baramulla, February 7
In an attempt to reach out to the youth and inculcate varied skills in them, a two-week-long orientation-cum-skill development programme has been organised in Pattan town of Baramulla district.

The programme was inaugurated by Commanding Officer of 29 Rashtriya Rifles, Colonel Prashant Pande, for students of Pattan, Palhalan and adjoining areas.

The workshop contains a variety of activities for youth, including computer education, career counselling and various academic and sports competitions. Besides, various field trips to different institutions in Srinagar have been arranged for, to make the students aware of the job opportunities available in and around Srinagar.

The programme also includes guest lectures by speakers from the media, politics, judiciary, social welfare and banking, for sensitising the youth on vistas available for personal growth.

The workshop is being organised by 29 Rashtriya Rifles, under the aegis of Headquarters Sector 10 Rashtriya Rifles/Headquarters CIF (K).

While inaugurating the event, Colonel Prashant Pande said Indian Army was committed to engage the youth positively and provide them opportunities to realise their untapped potential.

He also added that the Army was planning to organise more such youth-centric activities in the future.

Srinagar, February 7
The National Conference (NC), which is in the process of overhauling its organisational structure across the state ahead of next year’s assembly elections, today announced its new provincial committee for Kashmir, following the appointment of two new provincial presidents for Kashmir and Jammu divisions.

Showkat Ahmad Mir, who joined the NC on February 1, a day after his retirement from the government services as Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, was appointed provincial secretary of the party.

The newly appointed provincial president, Nasir Aslam Wani, who remained the Minister of State for Home till recently in the coalition government, announced the appointment of the new office-bearers, a statement issued here today said.

It added that the list had been approved by the working president of the party and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

A spokesman of the party said the district committees and the youth wing of the party were also in the process of being formed.

According to the statement, the two senior vice-presidents of the provincial committee of the party would be Mohammad Sayeed Akhoon (former MLA) and Abdul Rashid Shaheen (former MP). Two vice-presidents include Syed Abdul Rashid (former minister) and Sheikh Abdul Rehman.

Others appointed to the committee of the party include organisers, Din Mohammad Cheeta, Raja Nasir Khan, Mohammad Amin Khan and Sajad Husain. The two joint secretaries appointed include Abdul Rashid Haroon and Ghulam Nabi Bhat.

Srinagar, February 7
J&K Football Association (JKFA) congratulated the J&K Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) on wining the All-India Invitation Malwa Football Tournament 2013, which was played at Sironj, Badesha, in Madhya Pradesh.

JKPDC beat Sahara India Lucknow 2-0 to win the tournament, on February 4.

“This is a great achievement by the JKPDC team and it has brought honour and respect to the state, the department and to the J&KFA,” a spokesman of the association said.

The JKPDC officials had earlier thanked the team manager, Iftikhar Kakroo, coach, Abdul Majeed Kakroo and assistant coach, Rajinder Choudhary, for their efforts to ensure the team’s win.