The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Kulgam simmers over ‘custodial death’
Protesters allege police high-handedness, block Yaripora-Kulgam road for hours
Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, August 2
Protests hit the Bolsoo area of Kulgam district, here in south Kashmir, after a 55-year-old man allegedly died in police custody. The deceased has been identified as Abdul Jabbar Sheikh, a resident of Bolsoo village.

Sheikh was arrested on the intervening night of July 29 and 30 after he was caught by the locals while stealing cattle from a nearby Kulpora village.

Sheikh’s family alleged that the police had been asking for a ransom of Rs 80,000 for his release. “He was beaten to death by the police after we refused to pay the ransom,” the family members alleged.

According to reports, residents of Bolsoo came onto the streets soon after the news of Sheikh’s death reached them and started protesting against the high-handedness of the police force.

The angry villagers blocked the Yaripora-Kulgam road for several hours.

“We want that the guilty police officers be punished for the crime,” demanded a protesting villager.

Meanwhile, the police denied the allegations that Sheikh was beaten to death.

“He was caught by villagers in Kulpora while stealing cattle,” said a senior police official from the area, “The villagers had beaten him ruthlessly before they handed him over to us,” the police said.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), south Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar, said an FIR was already registered against the deceased for theft, adding that, “Another FIR has been lodged against five persons who had handed him over to the police and beaten him mercilessly.”

He said Sheikh was shifted to the hospital as his condition deteriorated and it was there that he breathed his last.

Regarding the allegations of asking for ransom, levelled by the Sheikh family against some police officials, the DIG said that a thorough inquiry would be conducted in this matter.

“I assure you that if any police official is found to be guilty of asking for a bribe, he will be dealt with severely,” the DIG said.

Rallies mark Youm-e-Quds
Youth clash with police in Nowhatta
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 2
Protesters threw stones at police and paramilitary personnel in several pockets of the old city here as rallies were held at many places to mark Youm-e-Quds, the day of solidarity with Palestine.

The rallies in solidarity with Palestinians and denouncing the US and Israel were held in several areas of the city.

In Abi Guzar locality near Lal Chowk, a few hundred demonstrators raised slogans against Israel and the US after Friday congregation prayers. They also set ablaze an Israeli flag.

The last Friday of Ramadan is marked as a Youm-e-Quds in solidarity with Palestine. Several separatist groups also mark the day as Youm-e-Kashmir.

A demonstration was also held in the Nowhatta locality of the old city to show solidarity with Palestine. The demonstration soon turned into a clash as youth threw stones at police and paramilitary personnel who retaliated by firing pellet shot at them.

An eye-witness said he saw a woman being injured when she was hit by pellets during the protests.

The rallies observing the Youm-e-Quds were reported to have been held at Rainawari where demonstrators raised slogans calling for the liberation of Palestine. Similar rallies were also held in Kulgam and Budgam district.

A resolution drafted by the moderate separatist amalgam was also read out in several mosques across the Valley.

The resolution demanded an immediate solution to Kashmir and Palestine issue.

Don’t let fake charities befool you, warn clerics
Unrecognised organisations in the Valley duping people in the name of donation
Bismah Malik
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 2
When Eid is around the corner, Srinagar is flooded with vans, makeshift stalls and public announcements from various charity organisations urging the people to donate generously during the blessed days.

But for quite some time, these institutions and their way of functioning have become dubious with the police cracking down on these organisations and finds them out to be fake.

Now, even religious scholars and clerics have started a campaign against such fake charity or philanthropist institutions, advising the people not to fall in their traps.

Mufti Bashir Ahmad, one of the prominent clerics of South Kashmir who delivers sermons at Jamia Masjid, Shopian, said the number of such fake fund seekers was on the rise.

“A few people approached me to make public announcements for donations for orphans, widows and destitute. Later, it turned out a fake institution. Usually, if strangers approach the people for charity in Ramadan, they are not shooed away. But the people need to be cautious while doing charity,” Mufti Bashir said.

“While giving charity in this month holds a great reward, it doesn’t mean that the people should donate carelessly. It is recommended in our faith that the priorities should be given to those who are poor and needy and to those who are close in relation or neighbours,” Mufti Bashir said.

Reportedly, the absence of a strict monitoring system or regulations by the state government has led to mushrooming of these fake trusts in the Valley.

Muhammad Maqbool, an official of Jammu and Kashmir Yateem Trust, a recognised orphanage and charity organisation, said as the government had failed put a check on such fake organisations, so the people are losing faith on recognised organisations as well.

“Now, the people are raising questions about the functioning of our trust, though we take care of at least 450 orphans across 11 orphanages in the state. This time, we have dissected the charity into various parts as Zakaat (charity given in Ramadan), Sadqa-e-Fitr (given before Eid eve) and wedding assistance fund for orphan girls. However, we totally agree with clerics that the emergence of fake trusts in the Valley has brought a bad name to charity, a noble cause,” Muhammad Maqbool added.

Occasion-wise donation

Zakaat — Charity given in Ramadan

Sadqa-e-Fitr— Charity given before Eid eve

Wedding assistance

Power cuts irk residents during Ramadan
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 2
The state government has failed to ensure round the clock power supply in the city even during Ramadan. Reportedly, many areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama have plunged into darkness either due to damaged transformers or incessant power cuts by the Power Development Department.

Many areas of Srinagar city are reeling under unscheduled power cuts with some localities are without power for more than 24 hours.

“Instead of providing 24-hour power supply during Ramadan, the authorities have resorted to more power cuts. Even Lal Chowk, a commercial centre of Kashmir, has been battling with power hassles throughout the holy month which goes on to describe the worsening power scenario in the Valley even before the arrival of the winter,” Tanveer Ahmad Beigh, a shop owner, said.

In some of the localities in the old city, the damaged transformers have not been repaired even though residents of the localities had made repeated representations to the authorities concerned.

“The state administration is completely aware of our problems and still not paying any heed to them. And when we take to streets to raise our voice, we are dubbed as stone pelters,” said Muntazir Ali, a youth from Zaindar Mohalla, Habba Kadal.

“A common man has been forced to come on streets to protest against the absence of essential commodities even during the festive season,” said Mushtaq Ali, a government employee.

Despite repeated attempts, PDD Chief Engineer Muzaffar Matoo could not be contacted.

Traditional fervour marks celebration of Jumat-ul-Vida
M Aamir Khan
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 2
Jumat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of Ramadan, was observed with traditional fervour across the Kashmir valley today. Devotees in large numbers thronged the mosques and shrines for Friday prayers.

The largest Friday prayers gatherings in the city were witnessed at the historic Jamia Masjid in the old city and Hazrtabal shrine, which houses the holy relic of Prophet Mohammad (SAW), on the banks of the Dal Lake.

Due to heavy rush, devotees were seen praying on the streets adjacent to several mosques and shrines. Traffic on routes to Jamia Masjid and Hazratbal was diverted due to the heavy rush of devotees during the Friday prayers.

While religious heads threw light on the significance of the fasting month during Friday sermons, reports reaching here said that Jumat-ul-Vida was observed with religious fervour from other parts of the Valley as well.

Even as the official holiday for Jumat-ul-Vida was held today, there is a likelihood that the next Friday may also be observed as Jumat-ul-Vida subjected to the appearance of the crescent. Eid-ul-Fitr is likely to fall on next Friday or Saturday. In case Eid falls on Saturday, only then next Friday will again be observed as Jumat-ul-Vida.

It is pertinent to mention that the preparations for Eid usually start after the last Friday of the fasting month. Besides, Eid shopping is expected to begin from tomorrow.

Meanwhile, religious functions commemorating Shab-e-Qadr will be observed during the intervening night of August 5 and 6. Shab-e-Qadr, which is considered to be the holiest night of the fasting month, is mainly observed on the 27th night of Ramadan.

The state government has already issued a traffic plan to deal with the heavy rush of devotees and shoppers ahead of Shab-e-Qadr and Eid.

Another celebration likely

One dies after inhaling toxic gas
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 2
One person has died and another has been hospitalised when they inhaled a 'mysterious' gas while digging a well in the city here, police today said. A police spokesman said both of them lost their consciousness when they inhaled an unknown gas which emanated from the ground which they were digging at Sikanderpora near Rainawari.

“Two persons, Mohammad Saleem Khan of Chowdhary Bagh and Abdul Rashid Kallu of Hassibhat fell unconscious after inhaling the gas. Both of them were shifted to the Rainawari hospital,” the spokesman said.

Khan was declared brought dead by the doctors at the hospital and his body was handed over to his relatives for the last rites, the spokesman said.

Kallu has been shifted to SKIMS hospital for further treatment.

Anganwadi sealed, probe sought
Reports say eatables caused severe skin rashes to locals
Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, August 2
The district administration today sealed an Anganwadi centre in Kootihar village of Shangus area in south Kashmir district and seized all its supplies after the eatables caused skin rashes to the people.

According to reports, a helper at the Anganwadi centre ‘A’ along with his family members tried to open a bag of new food supplies. As they opened the bag, they developed severe skin rashes all over their body. The food supply was meant for the children of the area.

They were immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment, said Ghulam Nabi Khanday, a panchayat member from the area.

He said the authorities were soon informed and a team was deputed to check the food material. The team, sent by Tehsildar Shangus, found the eatables stale and old with insects all over them.

The team immediately sealed the Anganwadi centre and seized all eatables.

The supplies at centres B, C and D were also checked and samples were sent to a laboratory for test, the Tehsildar said.

The Tehsildar had ordered officials at the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) not to supply any eatables to centres B, C and D till further orders.

Local residents have demanded stern action against persons involved in the crime.

“Lives of our children are at stake and we want a thorough probe into this matter,” the locals said.

Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC), Anantnag, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, has ordered a probe into the matter. The inquiry will be headed by the Assistant Deputy Development Commissioner (ADDC), Anantnag.

Baramulla observes shutdown as govt fails to remove vendors
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 2
North Kashmir’s Baramulla town today observed a shutdown against the failure of the government to remove unauthorised vendors from the streets of the town. The vendors have encroached upon the major roads of the town, resulting in frequent traffic jams and inconvenience to the pedestrians and shoppers, said Tariq Ahmed, a shopkeeper.

This morning, an altercation between a vendor and a shopkeeper, who had asked the vendor to remove his handcart from the road which he refused to do so, led to a shutdown in the town, he said.

The shopkeepers accused the administration of not being serious to remove the vendors.

Baramulla is the district headquarters and if the authorities fail to remove vendors in this city, what will be the condition in other towns? questioned Ishfaq Ahmed, a shopkeeper.

“We smell that these vendors are being patronised by the local administration and that is the reason that they don’t take action against them,” he added.

The district authorities later held discussions with the traders and they assured them that these vendors would vacate the roads after Eid.

‘Customer First’ to bring post office closer to people: Samuel
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 2
John Samuel, Chief Post Master General, Jammu and Kashmir circle, launched ‘Customer First’ campaign here yesterday. Talking to media persons, he said the campaign was being launched to bring the post office closer to the customers.

“The campaign aims to bring the post office closer to the people and to make them customer friendly. There will be training programmes for the staff on customer relationship,” he said.

Under the campaign, Samuel said each household in the Srinagar General Post Office (GPO) area would get a letter from the post office giving details of the postal services available and information about the name of the postmaster and the postmen serving the customers and the pin code of the post office.

“The postmaster will organise ‘customer meets’ to keep in touch with the customers. A detailed customer satisfaction survey will also be conducted and this will give a feedback about the customer satisfaction level. All staff members of the Srinagar GPO will be trained on the campaign,” he added.

Samuel said people could directly write to him sharing their experience on postal services for further improvement.

Varsity hosts Iftaar for special children
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 2
Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmed along with special children from JK Yateem Khaana, Rahat Manzil school for orphans, Bemina, attended an Iftaar party hosted by the National Social Service (NSS) wing of the University of Kashmir.

Prof Talat, accompanied by Kashmir University Registrar Zafar A Reshi and NSS coordinator Farooq A Khan and other dignitaries from the university, spent a good time with the students of the Raahat Manzil and exchanged ideas with the functionaries of the orphanage.

Addressing an assembly of about 500 students and top functionaries of the JK Yateem Khana, the Vice-assured of all help from the University of Kashmir to the institute for the furtherance of this noble and sacred cause.

"We will see how we can help the students in their pursuit of higher education," assured the Vice-Chancellor.

Referring to the inspire programme which the university had been hosting time and again, the Vice-Chancellor said the university would provide opportunity to the science students to be a part of the programme. This would help them a great deal and inspire them to take up different streams of sciences for their careers as well, he added.

Kashmir University Registrar Zafar Reshi said the university was alive to its social responsibility and would do all it could to help these special children.

Prof Farooq A Khan, NSS coordinator, KU, said the NSS volunteers would remain in touch with the students studying at the school for orphans in Bemina. He thanked the Vice-Chancellor to be a part of the Iftaar party for special children.