Srinagar, May 28
The moderate Hurriyat Conference today filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court about banning the use of pellet guns and pepper gas during protests.

The PIL was accepted by the registry and is likely to be listed for hearing in the coming days.

The PIL was filed by Hurriyat legal cell head Syed Mannan Bukhari through his counsel Ajaz A Dar. The PIL prays that directions should be issued to the respondents not use pellet guns or pepper gas.

Scores of people have been injured by the pellet guns which were introduced to tackle protests after 2010 unrest. Last week, a 20-year-old youth had received pellet injury in the old city area.

The pepper gas is being used by the police and paramilitary forces during protests and it was also introduced after the 2010 street protests.

Last week, the chairman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, had released a list of those killed and injured by non-lethal weapons including pepper gas and pellet guns.

“We also seek directions to all Station House Officers to register FIR against the personnel who fire pellet guns and cause injury to civilians,” the PIL says. The PIL also seeks compensation of Rs 50 lakh in case of death and Rs 20 lakh for injury.

The Central and state governments, the Director General of Police and Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Director General and Inspector General, CRPF, and Divisional Commissioner have been made respondents in the PIL.

The high court is already hearing a PIL seeking a ban on the use of pepper gas on civilian protesters in Kashmir. The PIL was filed by two advocates, Mian Tufail and Nasir Qadri, on March 12 in which the petitioners stated that the gun was designed to cause blindness.

The State Human Right Commission (SHRC) has already issued a preliminary recommendation to the police asking it not to use pepper gas.

Srinagar, May 28
The police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the activities of a fake dervish, who was arrested on charges of raping four minor girls in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

A police spokesman said the SIT had been constituted to investigate the allegations of repeated sexual exploitation of four minor girls by Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Budgam.

The SIT would be headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police of the Khan Sahib area, the spokesman said.

So far, five girls including four minor have recorded their statements alleging they were repeatedly sexually exploited by the fake dervish.

Bhat, who was pretending to be a mystic, was arrested on Tuesday last week when four of his disciples recorded their statements before the police accusing him of sexual exploitation. All the four girls were below the age of 18 and the youngest victim was a 14-year-old girl from south Kashmir.

The fifth girl recorded her statement yesterday.

Bhat was operating a bogus seminary for girls in Budgam district and faking to be a mystic for nearly a decade.

In the recent years, Bhat had become a frequent speaker on local cable channels delivering lectures on religion and mysticism.

Several of Bhat’s accomplices have been detained, but the police has not revealed the exact figures saying it may hamper the investigation process.

A group of religious preachers, Mutahidda Majlis-e-Ulema (United Council of Scholars), today condemned the dastardly acts of Bhat, who they termed as a “thug”.

In a statement issued after a meeting of the MMU, the council said: “The black deeds of the thug (Gulzar Ahmad Bhat) are deplorable and cannot be accepted at any cost.”

The council said it would launch a public awareness movement against the activities of the fake dervish to prevent its recurrence. 

Ganderbal, May 28
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today pleaded for giving job opportunities to the youth from the area in the Central University of Kashmir that would be coming up over 500 acres of land at Tulatula Mulla.

During the foundation stone laying ceremony at Tulatula Mulla in Ganderbal, Omar said people of Ganderbal must be benefited from the Central University. Omar, who represents Ganderbal constituency, said so far, no job opportunities were given to the locals.

The university has been functioning from a rented accommodation in Srinagar for the past four years. Referring to the stopping of TATA project in West Bengal by the land owners, Omar said, “People here gave land on their own for which compensation has already been given to them.”

He said no job opportunities at the level of drivers, chowkidars, cooks etc were provided to the local population. He said the people of the area were equal partners in the setting up of the national level educational institute.

The Chief Minister said there was a delay at the initial stage for want of requisite land for the university campus. “There was a stage when we had no hope of getting the land for establishing the university,” Chief Minister said adding that the people of the area came forward and helped in getting things move in a proper direction.

“Those who have given their land have been promised various opportunities in this institution,” Omar said adding that the promises would be fulfilled.

Earlier, Union Minister for Human Resources Development (HRD) M M Pallam Raju and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah laid the foundation stone of the university in the presence of Union Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Higher Education Minister Mohammad Akbar Lone, Chancellor Dr Srikumar Banerjee and Vice-Chancellor Abdul Wahid, other ministers and legislators were present on the occasion. 

Kupwara May 28
Bank ATMs in Kupwara and Handwara towns often remain out of order, giving inconveniences to clients.

A resident said, “The cash dispensing machines often develop snags, lack cash and remain closed after 9 pm.” He said the machines in old chowk Kupwara and Hajaj market often flashed the message, “Sorry, I am being serviced”. “Clients rarely get benefit of the ATM facility. The machines often remain out of order,” said Ishfaq Ahmad, a trader. He said a beeline of clients was witnessed when these machines start working.

“The banks should keep these machines working round-the-clock or wind these up,” said Aijaz Ahmad, a teacher.

“The ATMs are closed during night hours and in case of an emergency, patient suffers the most,”said Feroz Ahmad.

In Handwara town, the situation is no different. The ATM service here also remains affected most of the time. “Either machines lack cash or develop some snag. We rarely get the facility,” said Abdul Hamid, a local resident.

Srinagar, May 28
A Canadian diplomat today met hardline Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani and enquired about the possibility of Taliban coming to Kashmir after the 2014 US withdrawal.

David Hamilton, first secretary (political and economic) at Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, met Geelani at the latter’s residence, the hardline Hurriyat faction said in a statement.

Hamilton enquired about the possibility of Taliban coming to Kashmir after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014, the statement read.

This is for the first time in recent years that a western diplomat has openly enquired about the possibility of the Taliban spillover into Kashmir.

“Geelani categorically rejected it saying that there is no role for Taliban (in Kashmir),” the Hurriyat said.

Anantnag, May 28
More than 100 people fell sick after consuming food at a marriage function at Mohammad Pora village in Kulgam district.

Sources said villagers complained of vomiting and dysentery soon after consuming food at a local marriage function. “They had eaten something at the marriage function that might have caused food poisoning,” said a local doctor.

Sources said most of the people were treated at the local health centre while some of them were referred to the district hospitals at Kulgam and Anantnag.

Medical officials however, maintained that the situation was under control.

“A medical team was also sent from the Kulgam district hospital and we made sure that most of the patients get treated locally,” said block medical officer Dr Shakeel.

He said some patients, who were in critical condition, were referred to other hospitals; however, their conditions were stated to be normal.

“What exactly at the feast caused the food poisoning is yet to be ascertained,” the BMO said.

Such cases have been reported earlier too during the marriage season in Kashmir.

Earlier this month, around 150 people were diagnosed with food poisoning at Sirhama village of Bijbehara in Anantnag district after they consumed food at a marriage party.

Sources said the poisoning was caused after people consumed expired packed mushrooms at the feast.

Doctors maintained that such cases were prevalent in summers because the comparatively higher temperature shortens the life of food.

“The danger of food poisoning in rural areas increases manifold as the food is cooked in the open and chances of insects contaminating the food is far greater,” said Dr Adil of the District Hospital, Anantnag.

Srinagar, May 28
To fast-track developmental projects in housing and commercial sectors, Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) will seek funding from subsidiary of Government of India, Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) to meet the growing demand for such facilities in Srinagar city.

This was decided at a high-level joint meeting of SDA and HUDCO officials held here today under the chairmanship of SDA vice-chairman Mohammad Shafi Rather.

HUDCO was represented by executive director (Finance), PK Aggarwal and regional chief Harjit Kumar at the meeting.

“It was decided in the meeting that given the mounting demand for apartment-type housing and in view of the escalating land costs in Srinagar city, the SDA would seek loaning facility from the HUDCO for speedy construction of around 500 proposed flats - Shehjar Apartments - at Bemina.

Besides assuring adequate loaning facility, the HUDCO also offered technical assistance to the SDA for formulating the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the ambitious project,” a SDA spokesman said.

These flats will be in addition to the 60 apartments to be constructed by the SDA near the existing Gulposh Apartments for which DPRs have already been finalised and submitted to the government for approval.

The spokesman said the HUDCO had also agreed to provide funding for acquisition of land for the development of Integrated Commercial Centre (ICC) at Railhead, Nowgam.

“The proposed commercial centre housing hotels, motels, restaurants, shopping plazas, office spaces, multi-level parking and recreational facilities would be spread over 1,500 kanals of land already notified by the government for the purpose,” he said.

Another key project to be taken up for execution by the SDA with HUDCO funding is the construction of office-cum-convention complex at MA Road near the existing Sangarmaal city centre. Besides, having exclusive office spaces, the complex will be provided with state-of-the-art conference hall for holding conferences, seminars and media interactions. This will be an exclusive facility in the area as presently only SKICC can host such events.

“HUDCO officials assured that loaning facility, to be extended by the corporation, would be at the most competitive interest rates with the provision of long term financing and easy repayments. They also offered rebate in interest rate for housing projects for economically weaker sections,” he added. 

Srinagar, May 28
Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora today conducted an extensive tour of various areas of south Srinagar to review developmental projects which are currently being executed by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

After the tour, Jora issued instructions that the projects being executed should be complimentary to the traditional Kashmiri architecture. He also visited the community centre at Khal Natipora, the construction of which, as per an SMC official, is in progress and is nearing completion within the next three months.

The Minister also visited the under construction citizen facilitation centre at Chanpora, which is in progress with the completion of ground floor and first floor. Jora directed the SMC authorities to further improve sanitation and also look into the drainage works of these areas which are prone to water-logging, especially during the rainy season.

The Minister was accompanied by SMC Commissioner Dr GN Qasba and other senior officials of the corporation. 

Srinagar, May 28
On the eve of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Political Science Department of Kashmir University, Varun Sahni, professor, School of International Studies, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, delivered a special talk about “Hegemony, Globalisation and the future of world politics”.

The lecture was delivered in the Gandhi Bhawan auditorium of the varsity.

Speaking on the occasion, Sahni said: “Power concentration is the core reality of the contemporary world. Hegemonies all over the world might employ ideological imperialism over people to get deep into their systems.”

Talking about the power concentration of the United States, Prof Sahni said, “US accounts for almost 48 per cent of the world’s military expenditure, which is more than the collective expenditure of nine other major countries.”

Dean Academic Affairs, Prof AM Shah, in his presidential address, talked about the decline in the economies of the west and the rise of Asian economies.

Political Science Department head Prof NA Baba and Social Sciences Dean Prof Mohammad Ashraf Wani were also present on the occasion.

Several cultural programmes were also presented on the eve of golden jubilee celebrations of the department.

Srinagar, May 28
Raja Shabir Khan, a national award winning filmmaker from Kashmir, and Dr Aziz Hajini, president, Adbi Markaz Kamraz (AMK) met Governor NN Vohra at the Raj Bhawan here today.

Khan, who was the winner of the 60th national film awards for his film “Shepherds of Paradise” presented a copy of the film to the Governor. He had recently won a national award in the category of best non-feature film and best cinematography.

The Governor complimented Khan for his achievements in the field of film-making and hoped that he would produce many more films which reflected the unmatched scenic beauty of Kashmir and also depicted the deep foundations of the secular belief which binds the various regions of the state.

During their meeting, Dr Hajini and the Governor discussed the literary and cultural scenario of the state. Other issues which came up for discussion included the need to devote high attention to the promotion of Kashmiri language and literature.

The Governor accepted Dr Hajini’s request to inaugurate a 10-day book exhibition being organised by the National Book Trust of India at Srinagar later this year, in which reputed publishers are scheduled to participate.

Meanwhile, M Narendra, chairman and managing director, Indian Overseas Bank, also met the Governor.

Narendra briefed the Governor about the functioning of the Indian Overseas Bank in J&K and its future expansion plans in the state, including the establishment of some branches to provide specialised support for the advancement of the agricultural sector.

"The Governor suggested to Narendra the usefulness of his executives keeping contact with the Divisional Commissioners, the two Farm Universities, the State Agricultural Department and the EDI to identify viable projects which could be provided financial support, particularly to boost fruit processing units and establishment of the cold chain," an official said.

Srinagar, May 28
A leading human rights group in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday said it had initiated a process of engagement with the foreign governments, including the European Union, to urge them to blacklist 500 security officers, which the group claims are “alleged perpetrators” of violations of rights.

“A process of engagement with the foreign governments, including the European Union, has begun. These governments have and will continue to be urged to blacklist and take action against any personnel of the Armed Forces or police who have been responsible for the human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir,” Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) said in a statement.

The group said it was seeking action against 500 “alleged perpetrators”, whose names it had published in its report titled ‘Alleged Perpetrators - Stories of Impunity in Jammu and Kashmir’. The list which it has published includes several senior officers of security apparatus.

“The action sought will range from denial of visas, to prosecutions against such alleged perpetrators if and when they step on foreign soil,” the group said.

The APDP said it has also formally handed over the copies of its report to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and BJP general secretary P Muralidhar Rao.

The group, which struggles to locate the whereabouts of several thousand persons who have went missing in last two decades, is commemorating this week as a part of the International Week of the Disappeared. On Tuesday, the first day of the international week, APDP held a public meeting to commemorate 23 years of struggle against the disappearance in Jammu and Kashmir.

The APDP alleges that more than 8000 people, including civilians and militants, have been forcibly disappeared over the last two decades. 

The case

A process of engagement with the foreign governments, including the European Union, has begun. These governments have and will continue to be urged to blacklist and take action against any personnel of the Armed Forces or police who have been responsible for the human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir

The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons is seeking action against 500 "alleged perpetrators", whose names it had published in its report titled 'Alleged Perpetrators - Stories of Impunity in Jammu and Kashmir'.

Srinagar, May 28
A 22-year-old youth was electrocuted when he accidentally came in contact with a high-tension electric wire in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, the police spokesman said here today.

Shiraz Ahmad Khan, a resident of Chattabal village of Kulgam district, received electric shock when he accidentally touched a high-tension electric cable that had fallen on a road at Chawalgam, the spokesman said.

Khan received serious injuries and was shifted to the district hospital, Kulgam, where doctors declared him brought dead, he said.

Meanwhile, three people were injured in two separate road accidents in north Kashmir’s Baramulla and south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.