Srinagar, March 15
Curfew continued for the second day today across the Kashmir valley shutting down all businesses and restricting residents to stay indoors.

All roads in Srinagar city and adjoining districts of Ganderbal and Budgam remained deserted.

In Srinagar, most of the cross-roads were sealed with concertina wires and no civilian movement was allowed anywhere in the city.

All major markets in the city also remained under a strict security lockdown. At Jehangir Chowk, the police and paramilitary personnel had sealed all roads and no civilian movement was allowed.

Ambulances and vehicles carrying hospital staff were allowed to ply smoothly.

Residents of Srinagar’s old city said they were not allowed to offer Friday congregational prayers in several roadside mosques.

A protest took place at Hyderpora, on the outskirts of the city, after the Friday prayers.

A police spokesman said situation across the region remained peaceful throughout the Valley barring some isolated incidents of stone-throwing at a few places.

Curfew also continued for the second consecutive day in most parts of south Kashmir comprising four districts.

While protests broke out at a few places in Shopian and Pulwama districts, the situation remained largely calm.

The police and CRPF personnel remained deployed in strength in riot gear across all the south Kashmir towns. Security personnel had also erected barricades at major roads and barbed wires were laid at the entry and exit points of the major towns.

“No vehicular movement is being allowed in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam towns,” a police official said.

Several residents of Anantnag town said Friday congregational prayers were not allowed in major mosques of the town.

“We were forced to offer Friday prayers in local mosques. No prayers were offered in the grand mosques of the town,” a resident of Anantnag town said.

In Shopian district, clashes broke out in Gagran, Bonna Bazar and Malik Mohalla as protesters pelted stones at the police and paramilitary personnel following which teargas shells were fired to disperse the protesting youth.

A protest also erupted at Tral township of Pulwama district after a peaceful procession after Friday prayers turned violent. There were no reports of any injuries during the protests.

Meanwhile, curfew also remained enforced in all major towns of north Kashmir while restrictions were in place in other parts of the north Kashmir, which restricted people across the region to stay indoors.

The police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in all major towns of north Kashmir, including Baramulla, Handwara, Sopore, Kupwara and Bandipora to impose the restrictions.

A police spokesman said protests erupted at Hajin and Naid-Khai areas in Bandipora district and at Langate in Kupwara district. The spokesman said Station House Officer of Handwara police station and a constable was injured in clashes with the protesters.

The police barricaded major roads in Kupwara, Handwara and Baramulla with concertina wire to prevent vehicular and civilian movement. There were no reports of clashes from any major town in north Kashmir. Public and private transport was off roads due to restrictions and most of the people were confined to their homes.

Most of the schools remained closed in the region and only a few schools in remote villages witnessed thin attendance of students and teachers.

Police and CRPF personnel were also deployed in strength in many areas of Lolab valley, including in Sogam and Lalpora, where protests broke out in recent days.

(With inputs from Suhail A Shah in Anantnag and Amin Masoodi in Kupwara)

Srinagar, March 15
Two days after the fidayeen attack on the outskirts of Srinagar, which left five CRPF men dead, the paramilitary force removed two of its oldest bunkers in the old city.

The bunkers were removed from Eidgah locality of the old city. The CRPF said it was a regular exercise and part of the government’s efforts to reduce the presence of security forces in the civilian areas.

“We removed two bunkers from the old city,” said CRPF spokesman Sudhir Kumar. “We have already removed many bunkers from the city and after reviewing the security situation we may remove more bunkers in future,” he added.

The two bunkers were removed on the day when the entire Valley was under curfew over the killing of a civilian in the old city by the CRPF on Wednesday.

With the lifting of two bunkers in the old city, nearly 50 CRPF bunkers have been removed from the Valley after the 2010 summer unrest so far.

The removal of bunkers is part of the efforts of the state government to reduce the visible presence of security forces in the civilian areas. The decision to remove the bunkers was taken in the wake of the 2010 unrest that had witnessed a series of killings in the Valley for about five months.

The CRPF was first brought into the Valley in 1990 to fight militancy but it was gradually replaced by the Border Security Force (BSF).

However, the CRPF was brought back again to replace the BSF.

The replacement took place after the recommendation of a Group of Ministers.

The CRPF’s primary role is to assist the state in police operations to maintain law and order and contain insurgency.

Srinagar, March 15
Tej Partap, Vice-Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir, called on the Governor here today to brief him about the functioning of the university.

Governor NN Vohra, who is the Chancellor of SKUAST (K), held discussions with Dr Partap to review the functioning of the university, particularly with regard to admission procedures and certain other problems which had been taken up at the last meeting of the University Council. The Governor also reviewed the status of establishment of KVKs in the Valley, Seed Farm in Zanskar and pastures in Changthang in Leh district.

Expressing satisfaction over the progress achieved in various sectors, the Governor complimented Dr Partap as the university has bagged the third position in a country-wide competitive examination held by ICAR for the award of Junior Research Fellowships to postgraduate students.

Twenty-seven students of the university have won the JR Fellowship this year, which is a record number and surpasses all earlier achievements. The Governor urged the Vice-Chancellor to maintain the excellent standards established by the M.Sc and Ph.D students and ensure that maximum number of students win National Talent Scholarships.

Handwara, March 15
Residents of Kasloo, Kahipora, Kralgund, Chikarpora, Saenwor, Vahipora, Younus, Pohru Chakla, Waripora, and Hanji in Handwara tehsil are facing severe shortage of drinking water for the past three months. Locals said many people were suffering from jaundice and gastroenteritis due to consumption of contaminated water from Lal Kul and Pohru nullah - the streams flowing through these villages.

They said the incessant rains during the past few days had made the nullah waters muddy but they were forced to consume the same in the absence of water supply to these villages. “We are forced to consume contaminated water from nullahs. This has led to outbreak of gastroenteritis and jaundice. Many people are suffering from these diseases and pleas of local residents have fallen on deaf ears,” said Sajad Ahmad of Kasloo.

Another local from Waripora said, “For the past more than a month, the Public Health Engineering (PHE) division of Handwara has suspended tanker service, making our problems worst. Officials have been making tall claims of spending crores on making basic facilities available to the people but residents of villages located on main roads are suffering for want of a single drop of water.”

Inhabitants of these villages complained that the PHE division of Handwara had suspended the water tanker service to these villages, which had aggravated their problems.

“The division suspended the tanker service for unknown reasons. We have made several requests to the officials concerned to resume the service but to date it has not been restored. Women have to cover a lot of distance on foot to collect water from nullah and often we make use of handcarts to transport water in buckets from the nullah,” said Nazir Dar of Kralgund.

The executive engineer of PHE division, Handwara, Mohd Afzal, said Younus-Wahipora scheme meant to supply drinking water to the affected villages was expected to complete in October.

“An estimated Rs 1 crore is being spent on a mega project to supply water to these villages. I am hopeful the project will be completed in October this year. Tanker service will also be pressed into service soon,” said the officer.

Kupwara, March 15
Clashes erupted between residents of Gaine and Sofi mohallas of Arampora village of Bandipora district. One of the residents allegedly fired in the air. The dispute started over the installation of a transformer.

Four villagers have been arrested by the police, sources said.

Both groups pelted stones and firepots at each other, the sources said.

Residents of Ganie mohalla wanted the transformer to be installed in their mohalla but inhabitants of Sofi Mohalla insisted that the transformer belonged to their village and must be installed there. The officials of local power division had transported the transformer for installation today when the trouble started.

On this, locals first indulged in heated arguments and soon they started assaulting each other.

They fought pitched battles and three persons were injured. A local resident, Bashir Ahmad Ganie, son of Abdul Aziz of Ganie Mohalla, allegedly fired some shots in the air with his 12-bore rifle. Locals from nearby villages rushed to the spot believing that clashes had erupted and securitymen also fired to disperse the protesters. A police team reached the spot and arrested four persons, said a police spokesman. The identity of arrested persons could not be ascertained. Additional forces were rushed to the village to bring the situation under control.

Srinagar, March 15
A group of the Valley’s senior gynaecologists, medical students and para-medicos have come together to update themselves about the latest laparoscopic and hysteroscopy surgical techniques for female reproductive problems in a workshop which was organised by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lal Ded Hospital, here.

The two-day workshop titled “Live Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy Workshop” was inaugurated by Principal Government Medical College & Associated Hospitals, Dr Rafiq Ahmad Pampori.

The first day of the workshop saw various sessions of experts with the resident and consultant doctors and students apprising them of the latest surgical techniques to treat ovarian and uterine problems of women involving minimum invasive techniques (making as less incisions in abdominal and pelvic cavity as possible).

Two experts Dr Nitin and Dr Osman were flown in from Delhi and Cairo (Egypt) respectively to impart the training of performing the latest breakthrough surgical techniques on patients in the Valley.

Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Medical Superintendent, LD Hospital, said the workshop would go on smoothly despite restrictions imposed in the city as the hospital staff and medical college students had expressed their keen desire to attend the event.

“The workshop will be a learning ground for everyone in the gynaecology and obstetrics medical fields and we expect to provide painless and bloodless surgical treatments to the females who visit this hospital,” Dr Mushtaq added.

Polycystic Ovarian Disorder (which is characterised by the presence of cysts on ovaries) has become a common reproductive health disorder among Kashmiri women, with various studies conducted by the gynaecologists and endocrinologists at SKIMS, Soura, and LD Hospital. The studies corroborate that 20 per cent of women in Kashmir suffer from PCOS and therefore the usage of modern surgical treatments has become all the more necessary.

Srinagar, March 15
Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone today expressed concern over the ‘clampdown’ of separatist leaders in the Kashmir valley.

In a statement issued here, Lone said, “The space for dissent and democratic agitation has been politically barricaded in a blanket siege where imposing curfews has become the impulsive operational response of an unpopular government that is clueless about the sentiments of its people.”

“Suffocating dissent and anger by making peaceful protests impossible sadly gave space and relevance to other violent alternatives which could take Kashmir back to the din of armed turmoil and violence. The proponents of the operational management of the sentiment in Kashmir - both in New Delhi and in Kashmir - should learn from the past experiences and understand the futility of such measures - be it endless curfews or mass preventive arrests. The very aspect of preventive arrests reeks of a dictatorial and oppressive mindset,” he added. 

Srinagar, March 15
Even as the tourists’ arrival has been affected this year in the aftermath of the execution of Afzal Guru, the Tourism Department today launched helpline numbers for tourists facing difficulties in view of the frequent shutdowns and restrictions.

“All tourists who are in Kashmir and Srinagar and want to go anywhere for site-seeing can contact the tourism police if they face any difficulty. They will help them reach their respective destinations,” a notice issued by the Tourism Department said.

Tourists, currently on a visit to the Valley, have been advised to contact the following numbers, in case they faced any problems: 0194-2459644, 24962691 and 09906500728.

The visitors can also contact SP enforcement (9419406179), Police Station, Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) (0194-2484627) and Station House Officer (SHO) Tourism (979789241).

While the main tourist season used to pick up in March earlier, several bookings had been cancelled after the execution of Afzal Guru last month that had triggered widespread protests across the Valley. However, the tourists have started trickling in yet again, though not in full strength as compared to the corresponding period last year.

The Valley had witnessed booming tourist seasons during the last two years, after the sector was badly hit due to the Amarnath land row agitation, infamous Shopian incident and summer unrest in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Srinagar, March 15
A well-known writer and journalist, Shams-ud-Din Shameem, passed away after a prolonged illness here last night. He was 63 and had a long association with Doordarshan as a news reporter.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condoled the demise and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family and prayed for peace of the departed soul.

The officers and officials of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Jammu, also condoled the sad demise of the playwright, short story writer and journalist. Rich tributes were paid to late Shameem and his contribution to Urdu and Kashmiri literature was recalled.

The condolence meeting was presided over by Secretary Academy, Khalid Bashir Ahmad, who recalled his long personal association with the departed writer. He said Shameem had a close association with the Academy and was a regular contributor to its Urdu and Kashmiri publications.

Besides being a noted writer who excelled himself as a playwright and short story writer, Shameem was an extremely social person always eager to help others. He specifically referred to two of his Kashmiri plays, Padder Tchhetch and Guil that earned him fame. The secretary said in the death of Shameem, the Academy had lost a well wisher and a prominent writer.

Adbee Markaz Kamraz (AMK), a cultural organisation working for the cause of Kashmiri language, in its condolence message said besides being a writer par excellence, Shameem was a compassionate human being who was readily available to help and guide others.

He was a genius whose plays, short-stories and essays in Kashmiri language are priceless literary treasure. Through his works Shameem marvellously depicted the hardships and exploitation of a common man, a statement of the AMK said.

Srinagar, March 15
An anti-police graffiti appeared today in the heart of curfew-bound Srinagar city, which was later erased by the police personnel.

The graffiti, “JKP We r coming”, was found written on the shutter of a shop on the Residency Road. JKP is acronym for the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

It remains unclear who wrote the graffiti and when it was written. The region has remained under a strict lockdown as curfew continued across the Kashmir valley for the second consecutive day today.

A senior police official while confirming the graffiti said they were looking into the matter.

Srinagar, March 15
Hardliner separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani was detained today when he attempted to visit the native village of Muhammad Afzal Guru, who was hanged and buried last month at New Delhi’s Tihar Jail.

Geelani was detained outside his residence and has been kept at a nearby police station, a member of his party said.

In a video shared by hardliner Hurriyat’s official Facebook page, Geelani is shown making a brief speech before being taken away by a group of policemen, led by a senior officer.

Geelani had earlier this week announced that he would visit Afzal’s village Seer-Jageer, near north Kashmir’s Sopore town on Friday, to address a condolence meeting there.

Srinagar, March 15
A delegation of senior National Conference leaders led by JK Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul today visited the house of the party activist who was killed earlier this week.

Minister of State for Home Sajad Ahmed Kichloo and NC’s provincial president for Kashmir Nasir Aslam Wani also accompanied them, a party statement said.

Altaf Ahmad Wani, a resident of Saidpora locality of Srinagar’s old city, was killed on Wednesday afternoon when CRPF personnel opened fired to disperse protesters.

“The antecedents of Altaf Ahmad Wani are well known to the party and the party can vouch for the fact that he was never involved in any stone-throwing incident and as such the party is convinced that he was innocent,” Wani had said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.

The three National Conference leaders condemned the killing of the party activist and expressed condolences with his family, the statement said.

Srinagar, March 15
Kashmiri taxi drivers, who are on a 10-day sojourn to Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Ajmer, yesterday paid obeisance at Ajmer Sharief and prayed for peace and prosperity of the state.

A defence spokesman said the taxi drivers, along with their families from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, reached Ajmer on Thursday and paid obeisance at Sufi Saint Khuwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chaisti’s dargah and held special prayers for the peace and prosperity of the nation, especially Jammu and Kashmir.

"The tour, being organised by Army’s 3 Rashtriya Rifles, is aimed at exposing the diversity of religious and cultural co-existence of the country to the families of taxi drivers who are not able to travel outside the valley," the spokesman said.

Earlier, the participants of the tour visited the Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Jahawar Lal Nehru Museum, Jamia Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri and Lotus Temple in New Delhi. "In lotus temple also, the taxi drivers held silent prayers for peace and prosperity, as the tour’s slogan is ‘Peace journey’," he added.

Srinagar, March 15
One person was arrested for his alleged involvement in different ATM fraudulent transaction cases in Anantnag district, a police spokesman said here yesterday.

He said Gulzar Ahmad Bakloo, a resident of Pushroo Achabal, had fraudulently withdrawn Rs 3,97,000 from different ATMs located in Anantnag town during the past few months.

Ghulam Mohi-u-Din Dar, a resident of Bangdar village of Anantnag, recently lodged a complaint with the police that someone had changed his ATM card during a transaction at Janglat Mandi branch in the town, 55 km from here, in November last year and allegedly withdrew Rs 3,97,000 from his account, they said. Bakloo was arrested yesterday and an amount of Rs 3.70 lakh was recovered from his possession, the spokesman said.

He said the Anantnag police had also solved three other cases related to ATM frauds during the last two months.