|
|
|
|
|
North Kashmir remains tense
28 detained in Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Resentment against pepper gas use
Valley schools to reopen on March 11
Doctors allege police high-handedness amid curfew in Srinagar
Shiv Khori Festival
Central Kashmir: Markets closed, streets deserted
KU likely to direct students, teachers to attend classes on strike days
We’ve not been paid for six months, say ReT teachers
Security sought for drivers of Kashmir-bound vehicles
Tara for streamlining of education dept
Woman attempts to burn herself to death
4 injured in leopard attack
Ex-member of counter-insurgent group shot dead
CRPF man ends his life
APS holds prize distribution function
CRPF win volleyball match
|
|
North Kashmir remains tense
Kupwara, March 8 Residents of Hirri near Trehgam also held a protest demonstration on Kupwara Chowkibal road near Hirri. They clashed with police and were dispersed after police burst numerous teargas shells. Hundreds held protests in Arampora village on Sopore-Kupwara Road. CRPF and police rushed to the spot and clashes erupted. The protesters pelted cops with stones as they burst teargas shells. The pitched battles continued till 4 pm. People in Handwara defied restrictions and held protests near old chowk. The protesters later clashed with police and windowpanes of J&K Bank building were damaged in clashes at Handwara. Three protesters were injured in clashes and a cop sustained injuries, sources said. The protesters raised slogans against the state government and chief minister Omar Abdullah. Protests were held at a few places including Kaloosa, Papachan, Hajan and Mantrigam in Bandipora district. Police resorted to bursting of teargas shells and lathicharge to disperse the protesters at Kaloosa. Protesters pelted Army Goodwill School, Hajan tehsil of Bandipora, with stones. Windowpanes of the school building were damaged. All major towns of north Kashmir witnessed heavy deployment of police and CRPF enforcing the restrictions. The cops patrolled the deserted markets and streets.
|
||
|
28 detained in Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora
Kupwara, March 8 The arrested youth, sources said, were involved in stone-throwing and disruption of law and order. In Kupwara, sources said, at least six youth were arrested from Ganie, Regipora and Darzi Mohalla during raids last evening. Police arrested four youth each from Trehgam and Handwara during last night. The identity of the arrested youth could not be ascertained. The residents of Trehgam accused police of committing excesses during the raids. “Police and CRPF barged into the houses around 10 pm last night and thrashed the youth before taking them into custody. Cops also ransacked some houses in Malik Mohalla,” said a local resident wishing anonymity. Sources said joint teams of CRPF and police arrested at least eight youth from a few villages of Baramulla. The arrested youth were lodged at different police stations in the district. “The arrested youth have been found involved in stone-throwing time and again. On the basis of video clips shot during the protests, police was able to detain the youth,” sources said. To prevent youth from resorting to protests and clashes, police in Bandipora arrested at least six youth from Bandipora last night. Residents of north Kashmir have demanded immediate release of the youth from detention. A police spokesman in Srinagar said four stone-pelters allegedly involved in extortion of money from drivers near Chankan bridge in Sopore were arrested last night. “They were threatening the people, boarding their cars and extorting money from them by threat and intimidation. They were collecting Rs 100 to Rs 500 from the car owners, depending on the model and make of the car,” a police spokesman said. “Two miscreants were arrested from the spot. Upon their identification, two more were later arrested from their homes,” he added. A case under sections 382, 336 and 341 of RPC has been registered at police station Tarzu Sopore.
|
||
|
Resentment against pepper gas use
Srinagar, March 8 However, with Kashmir valley on the edge for over a month and protests growing day by day, more and more evidence is emerging about the large scale use of pepper gas by the police and security forces in civilian areas to quell the protests. “Yesterday, I and my kids came in contact with the pepper gas in our staff quarter when the police used it on protesters outside our hospital. The gas has had a horrible effect on us, particularly my kinds, who were coughing violently as soon as they inhaled this gas,” said Dr Imran Majeed, who is an Assistant Professor in Dermatology Department at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh State Hospital (SHMS) Srinagar. “The most immediate effect of this gas is on the respiratory tract and the eyes. But long-time exposure to this gas can cause skin irritation and blisters. Besides, the available literature on pepper gas suggest its carcinogenic effects if somebody is exposed for longer durations,” added Dr Imran. The SHRC, which has already taken note of the pepper gas, has also received calls from many quarters about the harmful effects of pepper gas. Besides, District Magistrate Srinagar has received a complaint by Srinagar residents about the use of pepper gas, who in turn has sought factual report from the police concerned. “The commission had already issued an interim recommendation in which the police authorities had been asked not to use the pepper gas because of its harmful effects,” Tariq Banday, Secretary to the SHRC, said. “The commission is waiting for the response, but in the meantime the commission has got lots of calls from different quarters including from doctors in which they say that the pepper gas is having adverse effect on people, particularly women, children and the aged. The people are requesting the commission to take up the matter for banning the use of pepper gas,” he said, adding that the matter is likely to come up before the commission next week. Pepper gas contains Capsaicin as an irritant. Valley doctors who have been dealing with such cases in hospital say
that the number of patients complaining of irritation by pepper gas has steadily increased in the last
two years, when the pepper gas was first introduced in the Valley to deal with protesters. “They say pepper gas contains an active ingredient called Capsaicin which is derived from the capsicum, and is highly irritating. Anybody who comes in direct contact with pepper gas through eyes, nose and throat develops strong irritation,” said Dr Naveed Nazir Shah, who is Assistant Professor at
the Chest Diseases Hospital Srinagar. “The effects of this gas on the normal person are very strong and if a patient of bronchitis or asthmatic inhales this gas or comes in contact with pepper gas, he can have severe bronchial or asthmatic attack, which can be life-threatening if immediate medical relief
is not provided,” he said. He added that the Chest Diseases Hospital Srinagar is also getting a regular number of patients, especially from the areas where pepper gas has been used. “Our hospital has been getting such patients on a regular basis for over the past two years, when pepper gas was first introduced in the Valley,” he stated. He advised that first people, particularly patients suffering from respiratory diseases, should avoid contact with this gas and if somebody inhales this gas and develops irritation, he should be administered anti-allergens or bronchodilators and rushed to the hospital. |
||
|
Valley schools to reopen on March 11
Srinagar, March 8 He added that even if the restrictions remain in certain areas of the Valley, that would not curb the movement of school children and school buses. “Even if restrictions happen to be in any area in view of apprehension of breach of peace, we may consider school buses and uniform as permission for movement to and from schools in the Valley,” Div Com, Kashmir, said. He urged cooperation from parents and civil society of Kashmir in ensuring smooth work at the Valley’s schools. With almost the entire Valley under curfew today and stray incidents of stone-pelting still occurring at various places, parents are sceptical of the security of their children even if the state government has decided to go ahead with the decision of reopening the schools. Especially the past experiences of summer unrest of 2010 when school buses were caught up in violent incidents on streets have led to fear psychosis among parents and children. “What guarantee does the government have that our children would not be attacked? In the past, even school children weren’t spared from violence and school buses were set on fire. The class work is not more important than the lives of our children. Although it is true that academics suffer, the safety of school children and teachers should be the priority,” Muhammad Amin, a parent, said.
|
||
|
Doctors allege police high-handedness amid curfew in Srinagar
Srinagar, March 8 Resident Doctors Association (RDA), SMHS Hospital, president Dr Aadil Ashraf said the identity cards of the doctors and paramedics were not treated as curfew passes by the security/policemen despite the state government having ordered free movement of hospital staffers with identity cards. “Although health services are an essential service, even under curfew situations, unfortunately, the security forces and police does not treat them that way,” he added. RDA members said at various places in Srinagar today including Hawal, Rainawari, Nowgam Bypass and even in the vicinity of SMHS Hospital area in Karan Nagar, the security forces/police didn’t let them reach the hospital. RDA condemned the ill-treatment of female staffers in particular by the security forces/police and demanded action against the erring personnel. The doctors further criticised the use of pepper gas shells by the police and security forces in the hospital vicinity. |
||
|
70 wrestlers to participate in dangal this year
Our Correspondent
Katra, March 8 The wrestling meet is being organised by the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association, in collaboration with the Department of J&K Tourism and Shiv Khori Dangal Committee, as a part of the annual three-day Maha Shivratri. The festival would be held from March 9 to 11. The decision of organising the dangal was taken in a meeting held at Reasi, under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Nirmal Sharma who is also the vice-chairman of the Shiv Khori Shrine Board. Shiv Kumar Sharma, president of the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association, said the association has been organising the dangal for the past 14 years. This year around 70 wrestlers would participate in the event. The winner of the first bout would be awarded with the ‘Shiv Khori Kesari-2013’ title, in addition to the traditional ‘Silver Gurj (Gadda) and Patta’ and a cash prize. The event would be held on Mud Akhara. Others who attended the meeting were Chief Agriculture Officer Reasi, RK Safaya, Dy SP (Headquarter) JS Salathia, Assistant Director of Tourism, Katra, Vinakshi Koul, AD CAPD, Kewal Krishan, Assistant Controller of Food, ML Magotra, District Social Welfare Officer Suresh Sharma, District Youth Services and Sports Officer SS Chib, CMO Dr Menia, ACD, Reasi, Rakesh Kumar, DPO Rohit Sharma and Tehsildar RK Anand.
|
||
|
Central Kashmir: Markets closed, streets deserted
Srinagar, March 8 Hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in the city to impose the restrictions while concertina wires were laid at all crossroads to prevent any civilian movement. The major markets in the city including Lal Chowk, Residency Road, Jehangir Chowk and Karan Nagar remained closed for the fifth consecutive day. In defiance of the restrictions, protests broke out at several places in the city including at Soura, Barzulla, Rawalpora, Dalgate Nawab Bazar, Bagh-e-Mahtab and in the interiors of the old city. At Barzulla, photojournalists and reporters were stopped by a contingent of police and paramilitary personnel from going towards the protest location. Photo and video journalists were also stopped from travelling to the old city. A doctor at Bones and Joints Hospital said he was stopped by paramilitary personnel at Sanat Nagar on outskirts of the city and was beaten despite showing an identity card. An association of doctors, in a statement, said it condemns the “highhandedness” of security forces, alleging the doctors were facing humiliation and the female staff has been “harassed and abused” in recent days. In Ganderbal district, where a strict curfew had been imposed, protests erupted at several places including at Saloora and Safapora. A strict curfew was also imposed in Budgam district. |
||
|
KU likely to direct students, teachers to attend classes on strike days
Srinagar, March 8 Sources told Kashmir Tribune that the KU
Registrar Prof Zaffar Reshi has instructed the administration to treat the employees who remain absent on strike days as having taken
casual leave. Earlier, KU had even suspended a few employees during unrest of
previous years when they could not discharge their duties. Although the Registrar’s decision has been welcomed by the KU teaching staff and students, they say unavailability of
transport facilities from the varsity would only aggravate their problems of reaching university under restrictions. Pertinently, as a cost-cutting measure, KU, under the supervision of Vice Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad, had to decrease the number of vehicles which it used to make available for students and teachers. For students hailing from far-flung areas, the problems are even worse. “Even if we somehow reach Srinagar, there should be university vehicles available which
could take us to the university campus. Non-availability of KU buses is a major concern. In the past, when such directives came from the authorities, the classes registered thin attendance since teachers and
students could not make it to the university,” an administrative official wishing anonymity said. |
||
|
We’ve not been paid for six months, say ReT teachers
Poonch, March 8 Poonch district president of the ReT teachers’ association Najam Jafri said the department was violating labour laws. “These teachers are performing their duties honestly in remote areas in Poonch district with utmost dedication but in return they are being exploited,”
he said. The teachers flayed the officials concerned for their failure to manage the department properly. “Due to the unjustified delay in the release of salaries, all the ReT regularised teachers have been facing immense problems for the past six months. We are finding it hard to run our families and meet our daily expenses in the absence of our wages,” said
a teacher. The teachers appealed to Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, who is also holding the charge of Education Minister, to intervene in the matter and release the pending wages at the
earliest. ReT teachers in Poonch also held several protests in the
district. Poonch Chief Education Officer Ashraf Chowhan said, “In the district, we need Rs 9 crore to release all the pending salaries to all ReT regularized teachers but we have received only Rs 51 lakh. As far as the salary of a head teacher is concerned, we need Rs 1.10 crore but we have received only Rs 41 lakh.” “I have forwarded the received amount to the ZEOs proportionally for the disbursement,” Chowhan said. |
||
|
Security sought for drivers of Kashmir-bound vehicles
Jammu, March 8 NNO activists raised
slogans against the state government for its failure to take concrete measures to ensure safety of
the drivers of Kashmir-bound vehicles. Some miscreants had yesterday smashed window panes of some Kashmir-bound vehicles near
Anantnag and had allegedly manhandled drivers belonging to the Jammu region. “We strongly condemn such acts as drivers from Jammu and others areas are becoming victims in the Kashmir valley. It puts a question mark on the government, which has failed to take any action against the miscreants who are bent upon creating law and order problems in Kashmir,” said Ramneek Singh Sasan, general secretary, NNO. He sought Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s intervention in this regard. |
||
|
Tara for streamlining of education dept
Jammu, Friday 8 He said a motivated workforce went a long way in performing duties effectively. He said all the stakeholders and functionaries in the department should work together to
deliver quality education to students. “After taking over the charge of the department, I have made efforts to promote transparency and professionalism so that teachers get a conducive atmosphere to work and ultimately, attend to their duty of guiding students with utmost dedication,” he said.Tara Chand was addressing a joint deputation of the J&K School Education Employees Co-ordination Committee here today. The deputation was lead by Qayoom Wani and comprised representatives of various employee bodies. |
||
|
Woman attempts to burn herself to death
Srinagar, March 8 A police spokesman said the woman, in an attempt to end her life, sprinkled kerosene oil on her body and set herself afire. The reason for taking such extreme step could not be immediately known. “She was shifted to
Sub-District Hospital Ganderbal, from where, she was referred to SKIMS Soura Srinagar for further treatment,” the spokesman said. Police has registered a case to investigate the causes and circumstances which led the woman to attempt suicide. There has been a constant increase in the number of suicides and attempted suicides in Kashmir valley over the last few years. Many of those yielding to suicidal instincts are women or teenage girls. |
||
|
4 injured in leopard attack
Srinagar, March 8 All the injured have been shifted to a hospital for treatment, the police spokesman said. Meanwhile, a Defence spokesman said heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Pir Panjal Range had increased incidents of man-animal conflicts. He said the presence of leopard at Khag also triggered panic in the area as a mob gathered around the house where the animal lay trapped. The spokesman said after a few hours of struggle,
the feline was tranquilised and captured by the wildlife authorities. |
||
|
Ex-member of counter-insurgent group shot dead
Srinagar, March 8 Police said Bashir Ahmed Ganai, son of Ghulam Nabi of Chanapora Kunzar Baramulla, was shot dead outside his home. “Ganai, in his forties, who was running a cosmetic shop in Kunzer Tangmarg, was called by gunmen outside his home where he was shot dead,” police said. Sources said Ganai was a member of now disbanded counter-insurgent Ikwan militia, whose members have been targeted by militants in the past. He had migrated from Palhalan Pattan to Kunzer. Soon after the incident, police and paramilitary forces rushed to the spot and cordoned off the village.
— TNS |
||
|
CRPF man ends his life
Srinagar, March 8 Kumar was posted in the official residence of Panchayati Raj Minister, Ali Mohammad Sagar at Church Lane Srinagar. The minister was not present at his residence when the incident took place. Police said Kumar had recently returned to the Valley and they were trying to ascertain as to why he took this extreme step. “We were told by his colleagues this morning and when we rushed to the spot, he was lying in a pool of blood,” said a police officer Ram Munshi Bagh police station where a case was registered. “Kumar was not associated with any law and order duty and since his return, was posted at the residence of the minister,” he added. |
||
|
APS holds prize distribution function
Jammu, March 8 SBI Manager (Canal Road Branch) was the guest of honour on the occasion. The programme started with a special morning assembly which was attended by Capt Singh and other staff members. Prizes were
given to meritorious students of various categories, including 100 per cent attendance awards, inter-class completion awards, Amul Vidhya Shree Awards, Amul Vidya Bhushan Awards and others. |
||
|
CRPF win volleyball match
Jammu, March 8 Addressing the gathering, Station Commander, 39 Wing, Air Force Group Captain DP Hirani said the match was aimed at better cohesion and camaraderie between both the forces. Hirani said such interaction would help
personnel of both the forces to know each other better. |
||
|
| HOME PAGE |
| Punjab |
Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | |
