The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Eid festivities continue in Valley
Residents throng shrines, parks; celebrations stretch over the weekend
Bismah Malik
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, august 11
The Kashmir valley continued to be in a celebratory mood on Sunday as well, stretching its Eid celebrations over the weekend. Many families either preferred brief outings or home get-togethers during Eid holidays. Children’s parks, Mughal gardens, Boulevard Road and shrines were thronged by adults and children during the weekend.

Even though Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated for two days in the Valley, the celebrations stretched due to Sunday. People exchanged greetings, sweets and visited each other’s place during the weekend.

Even though social activists and separatists had appealed to people not to burn crackers on Eid, the sale of crackers was high, except in south Kashmir.

Cracker bursting is not popular in the Valley on festive occasions. However, for quite sometime now, children have been bursting crackers on Eid. “We did a good business this year as compared to the last year,” said Mukhtar Khan, a cracker seller.

After a month of fasting, people were seen enjoying various delicacies, including sewaiyan, firni, halwa and Kashmir-specific mutton dishes (wazwan) at popular food joints of the city.

“Since Eid celebrations extended for three days, we enjoyed eating out today. For the rest of the two days, we relished home-cooked food and invited our relatives and friends. This is the spirit of Eid. Eid represents sharing the bond of togetherness. It also means thanking the Almighty for the blessings he provides us with,” said Ishfaq Shah, a government employee.

The biggest Eid congregations were held at Eidgah, Khankah Mohalla in downtown Srinagar and Hazratbal shrine on the banks of the Dal Lake.

Baramulla-Banihal train services remain suspended on Day 2
Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 11
Train services remained suspended between Baramulla and Banihal for the second consecutive day today due to the prevailing tension across the Kashmir valley. Officials said the services would resume only after normalcy was restored in the region.

“We have stopped the services because of the turbulent situation in the Valley. The services would resume only after the situation normalises in Kashmir,” said Neeraj Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer, Northern Railways.

Incidentally, the railway authorities had announced six special trains from Saturday for three days to cater to the rush of passengers during the Eid festivity. Even these trains could not run because of the tension in the area, the official said.

Sources said the authorities were forced to halt the train operations on Saturday after a rack was damaged during stone-pelting at several stations in south Kashmir.

“After the Kishtawar incident, we were advised by the police not to ply any train up to Banihal fearing damage to the rail property,” said a railway official in Budgam. “So, we decided to ply the train between Qazigund and Baramulla,” he said.

When passengers were asked to alight the trains before their destinations, they were caught unaware and subsequently vented their anger by pelting the railway racks with stones. Incidents of stone-pelting were reported from several other stations, including Qazigund. Thereafter on the advice of the police, the train services were suspended, he said.

“We are accessing the damage caused to the railway property,” he said.

13-year-old boy killed, four injured in leopard attacks
Amin Masoodi

Handwara, August 11
A minor boy was killed and four others were left injured in leopard attacks across the Handwara tehsil. In the recent spate of attacks, a leopard killed the 13-year-old at Karihama village. Basit Mir was attacked by the leopard when he came out of his uncle’s house last night.

“The leopard pounced on him and killed him on the spot. The boy could not even scream, as the wild animal caught him by the throat,” said Mohd Sultan, a local resident. Basit, a resident of Hayhama village, had gone to his uncle’s home to celebrate Eid.

In another incident, Shafiq Ahmad Lone, a resident of Chal Sodal, was critically injured when a leopard attacked him in the vegetable fields last evening. The 25-year-old is currently battling for life at a hospital in Srinagar.

In Tumpora, the beast attacked Bilal Ahmad Bhat and left him grievously injured. Bilal was shifted to the District Hospital, Handwara, for treatment and from there he was referred to Soura hospital.

Like others, Abdul Jabar Mir of Batpora, Langate, and Abdul Gani Dar of Khanpora, were also attacked by the leopards last evening.

Villagers said there were as many as 20 leopards on the prowl in the area and alleged that the Wildlife Department was not doing enough to check their advances.

“Children are more vulnerable to attacks from wild animals. The department is not doing enough to put a check on the movement of the animals. They are increasingly becoming dangerous for us. We are helpless, we are not able to do anything to scare them away,” said Abdul Hamid, a resident of Kahipora.

Wildlife warden Rouf Zargar, meanwhile, said the department had tranquilised a dozen of leopards during the past one week and cages had been set up in affected areas to trap the animals.

He, however, advised people not to roam around the vegetable fields and orchards particularly during the morning and evening hours.

“People should refrain from moving into the vegetable fields and fruit orchards, especially during the morning and evening hours. They should move in groups, if at all they visit for work,” Zargar advised. “We are sparing no effort to trap the animals, but people should take extra care while venturing out of their homes,” he said.

Rashid’s march to CM’s residence foiled
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 11
The newly floated Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) today tried to lead a protest march towards the Chief Minister’s residence here in support of their demand to quash the Village Defence Committees (VDCs), which they claimed were acting like “goons”.

The AIP president and Langate MLA, Engineer Rashid, along with his supporters tried to lead a procession from the Ganta Ghar area here towards the CM’s residence. However, the bid was foiled after Rashid and a few other party members were taken into preventive custody.

“The protest was aimed at highlighting the inefficiency of the state government for allowing organisations like the VDCs to function like goons,” AIP spokesperson Showkat Ahmad Nadvi said while condemning the arrest of his party members.

“The VDCs should be banned right away, as they served no purpose. Rather they work as a force that can create communal problems and affect the smooth functioning of the government,” he added.

Nadvi alleged that both the National Conference and the Congress were trying to “polarise the situation” for their vested interests.

“If the government failed to protect the life and property of the minorities in Jammu, the situation can snowball into a bigger problem all over the state,” he warned.

Nadvi also flayed the BJP for “playing a communal role” in the state.

Met office predicts respite from heat wave
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 11
The people here might finally get some respite from the hot and humid weather conditions, as the Meteorological Department has predicted moderate to heavy rainfall across the Valley from coming Tuesday.

The summer capital witnessed a light shower in the wee hours today, but it hardly brought any relief as the maximum temperature rose to 29.6 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 20.9 degrees Celsius.

“There is a possibility of moderate to heavy rain on August 13 and 14 that would bring respite from the heat wave across the Valley,” a MeT official said. He also predicted light rainfall at a few places in the Valley during the next 24 hours, besides light to moderate rainfall in the Jammu region.

Meanwhile, some other parts of the Valley also witnessed a light rainfall today.

While Qazigund recorded 5.9 mm rainfall, Kokernag in south Kashmir registered an 8.8 mm rainfall this morning. The day temperatures across the Kashmir, though, remained on the higher side.

Qazigund saw a high of 28.5 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a maximum of 29.9 degrees Celsius.

At Pahalgam in Anantnag district recorded a maximum of 26.6 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperatures in Qazigund, Kupwara and Pahalgam were recorded at 19.7, 20.5 and 16.0 degrees Celsius, respectively.

In Ladakh region, Kargil recorded the maximum temperature at 33.2 degrees Celsius, while Leh saw a high of 32.2 degrees.

Bulbul Shah shrine does not fall in ancient monument category: Govt
Ishfaq Tantry
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 11
Following the submissions by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) that it cannot declare Bulbul Shah shrine a national monument, the state government has also said the structure does not fulfil the criteria of an ancient monument.

This was stated by the state government in its status report to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, which is hearing a PIL about the preservation and protection of the religious and heritage structure.

Syed Abdul Rehman, popularly known as Hazrat Bulbul Shah, a saint of high spiritual and sufi order, travelled some 700 years ago from Turkistan and settled in Kashmir around 1324 AD, a time when Kashmir was ruled by Buddhist ruler Rinchan Shah.

Rinchan Shah later converted to Islam at the hands saint Bulbul Shah, thus becoming the first Muslim king of Kashmir. It was during his reign that the Bulbul Shah shrine was first built. Bulbul Shah is also credited with being the first preacher of Islam in Kashmir.

“As per Section 2 of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1920, any structure or building sought to be declared as a monument must not be less than 100 years old. So in this case, the present structure (Bulbul Shah shrine) does not fulfil the criteria for declaring it as an ancient monument,” the state government has submitted in its report filed through the state Department of Archives, Archeology and Museums.

However, it has added that in view of the historical importance of the shrine, the high court may pass any appropriate orders aimed at its preservation and protections.

Earlier in July, the ASI in its compliance report had expressed its inability to declare the ancient Bulbul Shah shrine in Srinagar as a monument of national importance, saying there are no remains of the original structure of the holy shrine which was built by King Rinchan Shah alias Sadruddin.

The high court had earlier directed the ASI to take steps for declaring the shrine as a heritage structure of the national importance.

In its compliance report to the high court, the ASI has said the original structure of the holy shrine, which was built by King Rinchan Shah in 15th Century AD, has undergone extensive renovation and addition and alteration by which the shrine has “lost its antiquarian” value.

Heritage status

Hearing a PIL calling for protection and preservation of the heritage shrine, a division bench of the high court in a verdict on August 16, 2011, had directed the Archeological Survey of India to declare the 700 years old Bulbul Shah shrine as a national monument
Setting a time frame, the high court had directed the ASI to cause necessary inspection and pass appropriate orders in this regard within a period of three months from the date of receipt of the orders
Later, petitioner GA Lone had filed a contempt petition against the official respondents, wherein he had submitted that the authorities concerned had failed to comply with the court orders
Subsequently, the HC had directed the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, Director, Archives, and others to file a compliance report

4 killed, 18 injured in mishaps
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 11
Four persons, including a woman, were killed and 18 others injured in at least 15 road accidents across the Kashmir valley, a police spokesman said here today. A motorcyclist hit and injured a pedestrian identified as Abdul Gani Nadaf, a resident of Takiabal in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

The injured was shifted to the SKIMS Hospital here for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries, the spokesman said.

In north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, a car and a motorcycle collided at Zangam, resulting in injuries to motorcyclist Manzoor Ahmed Teli, a resident of Ashpeer, Sopore, Tariq Ahmed Sofi and Javaid Ahmed Sofi, both residents of Arampora, Sopore. The injured were shifted to the Bone and Joints Hospital, Srinagar, for treatment where Tariq Ahmed Sofi succumbed to his injuries.

In central Kashmir’s Budgam district, an unidentified motorcyclist hit and injured a woman identified as Taja Bano, a resident of Zoogoo village. The injured woman was shifted to the Public Health Centre, Hardupanzoo, for treatment where she succumbed to her injuries, the spokesman said.

In another incident, a car skidded off the road at Kaltha Batpora in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, resulting in injuries to the driver identified as Aijaz Ahmed Khan of Chanipora area of Baramulla. The injured was shifted to the Army Hospital, Badamibagh, for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries, the spokesman said.

In Anantnag district, a van hit and injured a pedestrian at Bragam village. The injured was shifted to the District Hospital, Anantnag, for treatment from where he was referred to the SKIMS Hospital in the city for further treatment.

A cab hit and injured a pedestrian identified as Abdul Ahad Malik, a resident of Adhal in Anantnag district, the spokesman said. The injured was shifted to the District Hospital, Anantnag, for treatment.

On Srinagar-Baramulla highway, a car hit and critically injured two pedestrians identified as Ghulam Nabi Wani and Mohammad Sultan Shah, both residents of Tapper village in Baramulla district. The injured were shifted to the JVC Hospital here for treatment, the spokesman said.

In Baramulla district, a vehicle hit a motorcycle driven by Rayees Ahmed Sheikh of Khanpora at Kacherbately Bala, resulting in injuries to the motorcyclist, the spokesman said. The injured was shifted to the District Hospital, Baramulla, for treatment.

Two cars collided at Preng in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, resulting in injuries to five passengers. All the injured were shifted to the SKIMS Hospital here, the police spokesman said.

In south Kashmir’s Awantipora town, a car collided with a cab resulting in injuries to a woman identified as Zareefa Bano, a resident of Bargam village. The injured woman, who was travelling in the car, was shifted to the SMHS Hospital for treatment.

A car skidded off the road at Palpora near Handwara town of Kupwara district, resulting in injuries to Aftab Ahmed Khan, a resident of Halmatpora village, and Amir Hussain Khan, a resident of Bulgam village, the spokesman said. Both the injured were shifted to the SKIMS Hospital for treatment.

In Baramulla district, two cars collided at Choor village near Sopore town, resulting in injuries a car driver Ghulam Mohammad Pir. The injured was shifted to the SKIMS Hospital here.

A tipper fell into a deep gorge near Imberzal Wari near Sopore town, resulting in injuries to driver Nazir Ahmad Lone, a resident of Astengo village in Bandipora district. The injured was shifted to the SKIMS Hospital for treatment, the spokesman said.

A motorcycle collided with a car near the Pandrathan petrol pump in the city, resulting in injuries to motorcyclist Shahnawaz Mir, a resident of Bragpora village in Anantnag district, the spokesman said. The injured was shifted to the Bone and Joints Hospital here

A car hit a footpath near the SKICC-Royal Spring Golf Course, resulting in injuries to some people, the spokesman said, adding that further details were awaited.

Malik accuses mainstream parties of stoking communal, sectarian tension
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 11
Accusing the mainstream parties of stoking up communal and sectarian tension in the state, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik today made an appeal to saner elements in Jammu to come forward and play a positive role in defusing the communal tension in the region.

Malik alleged that the communal and sectarian violence was fanned as a part of a conspiracy ahead of the 2014 assembly elections. Alleging that the communal tension in Jammu was being stoked up as part of “dirty electoral politics”, he said the recent sectarian tension in Budgam or communal tension in Zanskar, Ladakh, too was fanned by the mainstream parties.

Malik pointed out that 2008 Amarnath land row agitation was “stoked up” ahead of the elections as well. “They (mainstream parties) can go to any extent. They go to specific communities for votes (after riots),” he added.

Regretting loss of life and property during the communal clashes in Jammu, Malik urged the saner elements to come forward. “There has been loss of life and property from both sides. No religion sanctions this, but the saner elements in Jammu who believe in humanity should come forward and cooperate in dousing flames,” he said.

Demanding the disarming of the Village Defence Committees (VDCs), he termed the VDCs as “ikhwanis” and “army without uniform”. He said the JKLF would organise a protest march here tomorrow to give a peace message so that communal violence in Jammu was ended.

After Doda, it is Lolab villagers who are spending sleepless nights
Our Correspondent

Handwara, August 11
Nearly a week after the Army had to step in to rid the people of the fear due to continuous stone throwing by some unknown miscreants at night in Doda district, people in north Kashmir’s Lolab valley have alleged that they are experiencing knocks at their doors and windows after the dark.

“Some unknown men are hurling stones on our rooftops during night hours for the past one week. They also knock at our doors and windows,” said a resident of Muqam village in Lolab.

The locals alleged that their complaints had fallen on deaf ears.

“We have been subjected to sleepless nights, but the police has done nothing to check the menace,” added a local. Last night, the miscreants allegedly clad in black outfits broke the windowpanes of Ghulam Nabi Wani’s house and hurled stones at many other houses.

“For the past one week, we have been forced to stay away from our homes due to the fear created by some unknown men. Last night, they hurled stones and broke the windowpanes of Ghulam Nabi Lone’s house. There is immense fear among children,” said a resident of Kumar mohalla.

In another incident, Ishfaq Ahmad was hit by a stone when he was standing in the yard of his house.

“At around 9 pm, some unknown men started indiscrimnately hurling stones towards the houses, they also knocked at doors and windows,” said Ghulam Rasool Kumar, a local resident.

“We informed the police over phone about the incident, but so far nothing has been done,” he added.

The locals said they saw men wearing black trousers throwing the stones, but could not chase them as they took advantage of the darkness and disappeared.

“I saw a few men running away after hurling stones on rooftops. They were wearing black trousers and probably carried guns,” said a local resident.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police, Kupwara, has said the police will look into the matter and try to stop the menace at the earliest.

Army organises integration tour for Valley youth
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 11
The Pir Panjal Brigade of the Army is organising a 14-day national integration tour to Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad as part of its flagship ‘Operation Sadhbhavana’ programme. The tour which has taken selected youth on board will end on August 24.

The tour was flagged-off by the Commander, Pir Panjal Brigade, at Rampur on August 10 in a ceremony which was attended by a number of civil dignitaries, family members of the participants and local residents. “This initiative by the Army is with the aim to give adequate exposure to the youth of the Kashmir valley and introduce them to the diversity and rich socio-cultural heritage of our nation,” said Defence spokesperson in an official statement.

The statement said the members during the conduct of the tour would visit the places of military and historical interests at Pune, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad. It said they would be visiting Aga Khan Palace, National War Museum, Patealeshwar Caves, Mulshi Lake and dam, Saras Garden, Raja Dinakar Kelkar Museum, Bund Garden, Vishram Bagh Waada, St Mary’s Church, Parvati Hill Temple, Jawarharlal Nehru International Stadium, Katraj Snake Park, Chaupati, Marine Drive, Mumba Devi temple, Gateway of India and Sabarmati Ashram besides other places of tourist interest.

23 medicos suspended in Anantnag
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 11
On the directions of Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, accompanied by tehsildar, Bijbehara, paid a surprise visit of various health institutions of Anantnag and checked the attendance of the employees of these health institutions.

During the visit, they inspected District Hospital, Anantnag, Sub-District Hospital, Bijbehara, Sub-District Hospital, Dooru, Sub-District Hospital, Kokernag, Sub-District Hospital, Seer Hamdan, MCH, Anantnag, and Primary Health Centre, Mattan.

They checked the attendance registers of the respective health institutions and found 23 officials, including medicos, paramedicals and other ministerial staff, absent from their duties. All the absentees have been put under suspension, adding that action would also be taken under rule.

Suicide bid by two girls
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 11
Two girls, including a teenager, tried to end their lives in Kashmir’s Baramulla and Anantnag districts, a police spokesman said here today. While the 25-year-old girl from Gadool Mirpora village in Anantnag district set herself ablaze, the 16-year-old, who hails from Satraseeran village in Barmulla, consumed some poisonous substance, the spokesman said.

He said the 25-year-old had been referred to the District Hospital, Anantnag, for treatment.

The teenager, meanwhile, was being treated at the SMHS hospital in Srinagar, he said.