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BJP moves election panel against ‘abusive’ Farooq
NC responsible for exodus of Kashmiri Hindus: Pandits
news analysis
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Only 14% Kashmiri Pandits will be able to vote in Jammu for Srinagar seat
A day before polling
‘Ignored’, disappeared persons’ kin to stay away from polls
‘Swaraj’ only solution to Kashmir issue: AAP
Campaigning ends for Srinagar seat
Jehangir Chowk flyover construction
Mirwaiz condemns crackdown on youth
Only Farooq can fight communal forces: Soz
Don’t sell medicine without prescription: Mirwaiz to chemists
Sikh body flays state govt for ‘non-utilisation’ of resources
Villagers block highway over water shortage
166 drug samples taken during raids on 456 stores
Workshop on vascular surgery organised
Programme on dispute resolution concludes
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BJP moves election panel against ‘abusive’ Farooq
In the complaint, the BJP stated that the NC president had been using “abusing and insulting language” against the party and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. It demanded immediate action against Farooq. The complaint was written especially with reference to the remarks of the NC candidate for the Srinagar constituency during an election rally here yesterday. “They say those who don’t vote for Modi should go to Pakistan, (rather) those who vote for Modi should drown in sea,” Farooq had said while pointing to the threats issued by BJP leader Giriraj Singh earlier this month. Spokesperson of the BJP Kashmir unit Mohammad Altaf Thakur said the party had shot off the letter as Farooq had not “mended his ways”. “He wants to throw voters into sea who will vote for Narendra Modi. He has called the BJP a communal party. These statements are in violation of the model code of conduct. Farooq had also made derogatory comments during a recent rally in north Kashmir and has not mended his ways,” said Thakur. “In Jammu recently, we even released a CD showing Farooq using unparliamentary language. It is time the Election Commission took action against the repeated use of abusive language by him,” he added. Farooq’s remarks have already triggered a war of words between the BJP and the NC. While the NC leader had also stated that “India cannot become communal and if India becomes communal, Kashmir will not remain with India”, Modi has accused the Abdullah family of communalising J&K and migration of Pandits. Omar Abdullah too joined the war of words today by calling a press conference here to respond to Modi's comments.
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NC responsible for exodus of Kashmiri Hindus: Pandits
Jammu, April 28 Since 1947 the NC has nourished the roots of fundamentalism and secessionism in Kashmir, while hiding behind the Article 370, which led to the exodus of over 3.50 lakh minority community members in 1990, members of the displaced community alleged. Kashmiri Pandits also alleged that the then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah left minorities at the mercy of terrorists when he left the Valley on January 19, 1990, without bothering about the fate of lakhs of people, who were being harassed by the armed insurgents. “The NC was in power when killings of Pandits started after large number of Valley youth returned from arms training in Pakistan. The government totally abdicated its duty towards the people and almost surrendered before insurgents,” said Sanjay Tikku, president of the Kashmir Sangharsh Samiti, a valley-based organisation of Kashmiri Pandits. In Jammu, Panun Kashmir, a frontal organisation of the displaced community, alleged that since 1947 the minority community was subjected to social exclusion, political marginalisation and economic squeeze and
they always faced threat from fundamentalist elements. “The Jagmohan theory is just a mask to hide the conspiracy of separatists and many mainstream politicians to cleanse Valley of its minorities in 1989-90. Farooq Abdullah was Chief Minister when the armed terrorists crossed the Line of Control and unleashed brutality against the minorities,” said Panun Kashmir president Ashwani Kumar Chrangoo. Exodus of minorities is one of the complex historical events in Kashmir imbroglio and has often divided the views of Kashmir’s majority Muslims and minority Hindus. While separatists hold the then Governor Jagmohan responsible for the migration of Hindus, the displaced community places culpability on the terror groups which selectively targeted hundreds of people belonging to the minority. |
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Omar-Modi war crosses red lines; J&K may slide into danger zone
Arun Joshi Tribune News Service A direct war has broken out between Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and BJP’s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi, and the uncounted casualities are the facts. Neither of them is completely on the right side of history. The trigger was provided by Bihar BJP leader Giriraj Singh, who asked all those opposing Modi to go to Pakistan. The comment was rebuffed by Omar, who volunteered to go to the terrorism-torn Pakistan. His father Farooq Abdullah took the war of words further on Sunday, saying that “if India becomes communal, Kashmir will part ways with communal India.” That was the boiling point. Both sides are unaware that they are playing with fire. Their impulsiveness can cost the state dear. Neither India nor Kashmir is communal, but the fact is that within Kashmir, which is part of India, radicalism is on the rise, as it is in the rest of the country. Modi, who had been ignoring the incessant criticism of him by the Abdullahs — Omar and Farooq — felt that enough was enough when Farooq Abdullah in his typical style of pressing his lips in anger said: “I say those who support or vote for Modi should drown in sea”. Modi returned the compliment, saying that the (Abdullah) family had ruined the state and inflicted an irreparable damage on secularism. Three generation of the Abdullah family — Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Farooq and Omar — have governed Jammu and Kashmir. Modi did not leave it at that. He also brought the issue of the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley and accused Farooq of executing it. He hit a raw nerve as the National Conference claims to be secular but had failed to check militancy, when it first erupted in the late 1980s. The Kashmiri Pandit killings started in August-September 1989 and Farooq was the chief minister till January 19, 1990, when Governor Jagmohan took up his assignment for the second term. After the Hawal massacre in Srinagar in May 1990 in which more than 50 people were killed in CRPF firing, Jagmohan was removed from the post by the same man ---- then Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed --- who had had him appointed. Pandits had started leaving the Valley in September 1989, when they failed to get any assurance from the government that they would be protected. Massive migration took place in February 1990, when Jagmohan was the Governor. The Pandits left in the darkness of night, after they were threatened or felt threatened by the violence directed against them by militants. “Modi is no one to lecture us on secularism,” Omar wrote on twitter. His obvious reference was to the Gujarat riots in 2002. Omar is right in one sense that Kashmir was a beacon of communal harmony in 1947, when the rest of the country was engulfed in the flames of hatred. That time his grandfather Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was in control of things and chose a “secular India over Muslim Pakistan”. But what has happened in the past quarter of a century in Kashmir is a blot on secularism. This war will not stop here. The state is back to the situation where communalism has come to stay. Who wins in these elections is a different matter, but the way things are happening, there is a fear of further rise in radicalism and communalism. The threads of democracy and secularism are under strain.
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New govt at Centre will have to address Kashmir issue: Mufti
Kupwara, April 28 Terming the denial of justice in Kashmir a blot on the democratic system of the country, Mufti said the PDP would use Parliament as a platform for addressing the aspirations of the people of the state and highlighting grievances. “The prevailing trust deficit in Kashmir has been created because the regional parties of the state have not been able to use Parliament to highlight the genuine concerns of the people of the state,” he said. The PDP patron addressed rallies at Awoora, Kralpora and Kupwara. He said the killing of a young teacher, Abdul Haq, in Shopian last week was a tragic manifestation of the persistent persecution, state repression and denial of justice in Kashmir. “The PDP, during its brief stint in the government, addressed the fundamental issue of ensuring security to the people and upheld their dignity. The atmosphere of relaxation was visible in the nook and corner of the state during that period, which is widely acknowledged even today,” Mufti said. Urging people to vote for PDP candidate Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, Mufti said the party’s role was to make Parliament a forum for representing the Kashmir issue for a meaningful dialogue at the national level. Launching a scathing attack on the coalition government, Mufti said: “The present anarchist regime has become synonymous with anti-people oppressive measures, fuelling a new wave of alienation among the youth. In the very first year of this government in 2009, two innocent women lost their honour and life in an awful incident in Shopian, leading to protests, killings and detentions.” “In 2010, the Valley witnessed killing of 120 innocent youth, including children and girls. Even today, there seems to be no end to the reign of terror let loose by the Omar-led government. The government resorted to reckless use of the draconian Public Safety Act to suppress the voices of dissent, resulting in the arbitrary detention of separatist leaders and youth,” he said. On the occasion, about a dozen National Conference workers joined the PDP. Fayaz Ahmad Mir, Tahir Sayeed, Imtiyaz Ahmad Banday and Ghulam Mohammad Mir also addressed the rallies. |
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Only 14% Kashmiri Pandits will be able to vote in Jammu for Srinagar seat
Jammu, April 28 Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Sachan Dev Singh, Assistant Returning Officer, said, 1,679 forms had been accepted under which 5,098 migrant voters would be eligible to cast their vote at 13 special polling stations in Jammu. “To cast their vote in their respective areas, migrants had to fill an M-form after which the Election Commission crosschecks their names in the list, after which they will be eligible to cast their vote in the special polling station,” he added. Thousands of Kashmiri Pandit migrants had protested against the Election Commission as their names were missing from the voter list during the polling of the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday. Other migrants, who have to cast their vote for the Srinagar and Baramulla constituency, are also uncertain about their names in the voter list. To clarify the confusion among voters, the ARO said Kashmiri Pandit voters, who have filled the M-form, would only be eligible to cast their vote. As per the details available with the department, 1,888 families have filled M-form, out of which 209 forms have been rejected and 1,699 forms have been accepted for polling in Jammu for the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Among 1,689, there are 2,569 male and 2,529 female voters. The Election Commission has also issued eight postal ballots for the Kashmiri Pandit voters residing outside the state. As per a notification of the Election Commission of India, 18 special polling stations has been setup for Kashmiri Pandit migrant voters in Jammu, Udhampur and Delhi. Voting issues
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PDP’s Karra blames NC for ‘tyrannical’ policies, killing of youths
Srinagar, April 28 Being a part of the highly volatile Amirakadal Assembly segment, security men don’t want to take any chances. It was this Assembly segment where from Hizbul Mujahideen operational chief Mohammad Yusuf Shah alias Syed Salahuddin contested polls in 1987 and lost. However, the defeat was attributed to alleged “rigging”. The men in uniform are also worried as political rallies across the Valley have been greeted with stones at various places. Karra is pitted against Union Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who is seeking re-election from the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat. As the cavalcade of the PDP leader enters the Natipora locality, he steps out of his Tata Safari to reach out to the people. Karra is greeted by a small group of women. An elderly woman Raja offers him a glass of milk, the leader readily obliges. The woman kisses him on forehead and wishes him luck. Thereafter he is garlanded by his supporters. Dressed in checkered suit and supporting a tie, Karra addresses his supporters in chaste Kashmiri trying to strike a chord with the audience, who shout pro-PDP and pro-Karra slogans. He straight away hits out at Union Minister Farooq Abdullah and questions the NC’s contribution. Karra urges people to vote for change. “The NC has brought only miseries to the people of the state,” he adds. “There is an environment of change and I am sure people will come out to vote for the change on April 30,” Karra says. The Srinagar parliamentary is scheduled to go to polls on April 30. “The state’s young population has been the biggest victim of the tyrannical policies of the present government. They (youth) are being subjected to collective punishment. So I request you to vote for change,” the PDP leader goes on. While Karra was addressing the gathering, many people who passed by seemed to be unconcerned. However, the presence of large number police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men would attract their attention. “I had no idea of any election programme, but when I noticed the presence of security men I could make out that there was a poll-related activity going on,” said Abdul Rahim, a local businessman. “…but we are least concerned about these elections,” Rahim added. Meanwhile, as Karra finished his speech a group of elderly men approached him and shook hands with him. They promised support for the PDP candidate. The anxious security men want the cavalcade to move out quickly from the congested area, given its past history and vulnerability to incidents of stone throwing. A founder member of the PDP, Karra was elected to the Legislative Assembly from the Batamalloo constituency of Srinagar in October 2004. The richest candidate to be in the fray from the Srinagar parliamentary segment was earlier nominated by the PDP as a member of the Legislative Council in February 2003. Karra, a 1979 law graduate from Kashmir University, joined active politics in 1999 and made his maiden entry into the state Cabinet in November 2005. During his tenure as the Finance minister, Karra advocated dual currency for Jammu and Kashmir. However, in 2008 Assembly polls he lost the Batamaloo seat. Addressing a gathering at Mehjoor Nagar area of Amira Kadal earlier in the day, Karra said the NC has not done any major development in Srinagar. “Compare the government that we provided after 2002 with the present government, which has not done any development in Srinagar. Instead hundreds of youth were killed during its tenure,” Karra said. “This is time that you need to come out to vote. A day’s mistake means azab (torture) for 2190 days (six years),” the PDP leader said. During his road show in Amirakadal, Karra addressed nearly half a dozen gatherings. Though the response was not immense, the leader was hopeful that he would make it through. “This time the voters will teach a lesson to the NC as there is an atmosphere of change,” Karra said. Earlier, before starting the poll campaign the PDP leader talked to party workers at his palatial house in Shivpora Batwara and chalked out the programme for the day. Srinagar: On the last day of campaigning on Monday, PDP leader and party’s candidate for the Srinagar constituency Tariq Hameed Karra appealed to the voters to give him a chance to serve them at a bigger platform. “I am contesting the parliamentary polls with the sole objective of highlighting, at a bigger platform, the vital political and economic issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir,” Karra said while addressing election meetings in Srinagar. He said the Srinagar constituency was being represented in Parliament by the National Conference representatives for the past almost 60 years without making any tangible contribution on the ground. “Let the voters of this constituency give the PDP next 5 years, we would try our best not to let them down,” he said and urged the youth to lead the movement for change.
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Tibetans in Srinagar believe voting can solve their problems
Srinagar, April 28 Although the refugees are not entitled to vote in the Assembly elections, they can vote in the Lok Sabha polls. The Srinagar parliamentary constituency is going to the polls on April 30. Tibetan refugees say since they have been granted Indian citizenship, they will participate in the elections. Members of this Muslim-majority community say they feel like Kashmiris but do not necessarily agree with them on political issues. For the last many parliamentary elections, the voter turnout in the Tibetan colonies of the Hawal, Eidgah and Rainawari areas of Srinagar, known for stone-throwing incidents, has been good. The Tibetan community has issues which have not been resolved. These include reservation in colleges, jobs and grant of state citizenship. However, they are optimistic that their participation in the elections will improve their condition. The Tibetan neighbourhoods are mostly ghettos, with roads, streetlights, electricity and infrastructure in bad condition. “My grandparents, who came to Kashmir in the 1960s, said even practising religion in Tibet was banned. I find Kashmir a secular place. We live with Kashmiris like they are our brothers. I know they don’t participate in the elections, but I do. Last time also, the voter turnout in this neighbourhood was higher than theirs. We participate in polls so that our local issues get solved,” said Muhammad Latief, 32, a Tibetan refugee, who owns a restaurant here. The community members said it was mainly the National Conference (NC) and the Congress for which they had voted in the past parliamentary elections. They said no big leader had showed up in their localities except for a local NC MLA. “Usually, party candidates and their workers promise big things during the election time. Once they are elected, they don’t care,” said Suhail Shafi, a student. Suhail said although he had a voter ID card, he was not sure for whom
to vote. |
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Gadkari, Naqvi to campaign for BJP candidate in Ladakh
Jammu, April 28 The announcement was made by political adviser to the BJP state president and senior party leader Hari Om during a press conference at the party headquarters here. “The party leaders have been putting their best efforts in Ladakh after massive polling in the two Lok Sabha constituencies of Jammu province. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi would address rallies at Zanskar, Kargil and Drass on May 1 while Nitin Gadkari would address an election rally at Leh on May 4,” he said. The Ladakh seat comprises two districts of Leh and Kargil. There are two Assembly segments in each district. BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi was scheduled to address a rally in Leh on May 4 but his visit was cancelled due to his preoccupation. The Ladakh seat is going to the polls on
May 7. “The visit of the BJP national leaders will ensure the victory of our candidate in Ladakh with a thumping majority,” Hari Om said. He added that, “People of Ladakh have made
up their mind to teach the Congress and the National Conference a lesson for a number of reasons.” The BJP leader said it was former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who had allegedly sabotaged the Union Territory movement in Ladakh. He said the people of Ladakh would join hands against the Congress and vote for Thupstan Chhewang, which, in turn, would be a vote for BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. |
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Kashmiri youth disassociate themselves from elections
Say successive governments have done nothing for them Rifat Mohidin
Srinagar, April 28 Khalid Ahmed, 23, a university student pursuing his post-graduation, feels ignored by the successive regimes. "What is there in elections for us. Our issues have not been addressed by any of the governments - be it Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the National Conference (NC). They all mean the same for us. It is better not to cast vote as a mark of protest," he added while sipping coffee in the university café. Another student while supporting the boycott call justified it with the killings of youth in summer unrest of 2008 and 2010 when nearly 118 protesting youngsters were killed by the security forces. "Election boycott to a certain level is fine, but we are at a stage where we should find a solution to the Kashmir issue. The people of the state have sacrificed their lives for this indigenous struggle. We cannot forget the killings of teenagers in 2008 and 2010," said Ahmed. "There are more than 55 per cent youth in the Valley. The government has not done anything good for us till now. Violence, abuse and torture have pushed two generations of youth into deep psychological trauma and hopelessness. The youth of Kashmir continue to find themselves enmeshed and entrenched in a bellicose uncertain scenario, where their past seems to be their looming future as well and any political prophecy would say this election will witness the participation of youth in Kashmir in bulk," he said. The parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in Srinagar constituency amid tight security on April 30. With low turnout in south Kashmir, the observers say it will have an impact on the turnout in Srinagar constituency as well. Enthusiasm about elections is low among female university students too. They say the government has not addressed the unemployment problems in the Valley. "I am Masters in commerce and I have no work to do. It has become difficult to find a job in a private school, leave the government one. Why should we vote? We vote or not it doesn't change anything," said a 24 year-old university student. Another youth from Old City added that by arresting the youth of the city, the government is deliberately distancing itself from the youth. "Elections act as a tool for government for legitimising oppression on Kashmiri youths. The rhetoric of power, road and water are just selling points for the political parties here. When you don't have dignity and security of life, how can you promise facilities of life," said a resident of Razi Kadal in old city. One of the youths, who has just finished his degree in management, without giving many details said, "I would not be voting in the elections." Srinagar, which has around 12 lakh electorate, will go to the polls on April 30. The main contest remains between NC's Farooq Abdullah and PDP's Tariq Hameed Karra.
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Pandits allege conspiracy in removal of names from voter list
Jammu, April 28 To show the resentment and to draw the attention of the Election Commission of India against the non-inclusion of names of thousands of Kashmiri Pandit migrants in the voter list of the Anantnag parliamentary constituency, despite filling up of M Forms by them well in time, activists of the Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS) held a protest in front of the office of the CEO. RK Bhat, president, YAIKS, alleged that there is a deep-rooted conspiracy in the removal of the names of Kashmiri Pandit migrants from the voter list. “Political parties and bureaucracy is involved in the removal of our names from the voter list, they know that KP vote can change the scenario in Kashmir, so they have removed our names,” Bhat said. “The casting of vote is the only right left with us. We wait for five years to use our right, so that we can choose our leader. But it is very unfortunate that the Election Commission is not serious about migrant voters and our names are missing,” he added. Migrants said it was disappointing on the part of Election Commission of India and Relief Commissioner office, Jammu, who have failed in their obligation to protect the fundamental right to vote of the migrants, who have already been living in exile as refugees in their own country for the last 25 years in the democratic country like India. It seems like a conspiracy from the authorities against the displaced community, who are decisive voters in J&K as the Valley has shown less participation in elections." Bhat said, "There are more than 32,000 voters actually and the government statically accepted that it had received 8,500 M Forms from the migrants after proper scrutiny, but when we went to cast our votes we found our names missing in the voter list." Later, a delegation of the Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj, led by its president RK Bhat, was called by Chief Electoral Officer Umang Narula at his office chamber and their demands were discussed. He assured the delegation that a probe would be done as to how after scrutiny of 8,500 M Forms only 4,500 voters were allowed to cast their votes. |
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‘Ignored’, disappeared persons’ kin to stay away from polls
Srinagar, April 28 “Despite successive changes of government, whether in New Delhi or in Jammu and Kashmir, there has been no change for the family members of the disappeared or for that matter for the…victims or family members of human rights violations,” a spokesman for the association said in a statement here. “The National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Indian National Congress have remained in power at different stages in Jammu and Kashmir between 1996 and the present, but none of these governments have taken any step to resolve the issue of enforced disappearances,” the spokesman said. “No political party in their election manifesto has referred to the alarming issue of 8,000 disappearances in Jammu and Kashmir….Except making promises like setting up a truth and reconciliation commission (NC) and empowering State Human Rights Commission (PDP), nothing has been done by any of the parties,” the spokesman said. The APDP has urged its members to stay away from the elections, as it does not want to provide legitimacy to the political leaders by participating in the election process. The APDP in its statement further said, “Though the J&K State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in its findings in October 2011 confirmed the phenomenon of unknown, unmarked and mass graves, none of the recommendations of the SHRC or the demand of APDP have been acted upon by the successive governments, which includes DN testing.” |
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Security up across Kashmir ahead of polling in Srinagar
Srinagar, April 28 The security was beefed up in all three central Kashmir districts — Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal — which constitute the Srinagar parliamentary constituency. The security has been strengthened a day after two blasts took place near the two political rallies of Union Minister Farooq Abdullah which left 17 injured. “All necessary arrangements are in place to ensure peaceful polls. Various measures have been taken to ensure that there is no militant-related violence and law and order problem,” said a senior police officer. The security has also been tightened in the wake of threats by militant groups, which have asked voters to stay away from polling. On Sunday, posters of the Hizbul Mujahideen, which had earlier claimed responsibility for targeting the two political rallies of Farooq — had appeared in the old city warning of attacks on policemen and politicians. The police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Monday carried out surprise checking of vehicles, mostly light motor vehicles. The checking was reported from many parts of Srinagar and north Kashmir. “Militants might try to step up violence during the polls,” the police officer said. Inspector General, CRPF, PK Singh said the situation was under control. “We are geared up for the polls and all arrangements are in place,” said Singh. Meanwhile, nearly 500 youth, including 400 from central Kashmir, have been taken into preventive custody across the Valley. The detained have been involved in stone-throwing incidents recently or in the past. A police spokesman in Srinagar said nobody would be allowed to disrupt the electoral process. “The arrests have
been made to instil confidence among the voters so that no one attempts to
intimidate them by resorting to violence,” the spokesman said. 500 youth taken into preventive custody
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‘Swaraj’ only solution to Kashmir issue: AAP
The rally was addressed by AAP candidate from Gurgaon in Haryana Yogendra Yadav. AAP’s Srinagar candidate Raja Muzaffar Bhat was present. Yadav, while talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the rally, said the AAP believed in allocating powers to the states and ‘swaraj’ could be the only solution to the Kashmir issue. He said the AAP opposed gun politics and human rights violations, committed by militants and security personnel. While distancing from the comments of party colleague Prashant Bhushan on referendum on Kashmir, he said the party was open to dialogue with all parties for the resolution of the Kashmir issue within the boundaries of the Indian Constitution. He said the problems of Kashmir, including lack of development, persisted and the successive state governments had done nothing to improve ‘bijli’, ‘sadak’ and ‘paani’ in the Valley. Yadav said the time was opportune for the Valley voters to exercise their right and help uproot the established, dynastic politics from the state and pave the way for change by giving the AAP a chance. “We are set to introduce a new political system in the country and Kashmir will be no exception. The lingering dispute in the region has adversely affected all faces of life here,” the AAP leader said.
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Campaigning ends for Srinagar seat
Srinagar, April 28 Though election rallies were held amid tight security all over the constituency, two incidents of violence occurred at two rallies of the National Conference resulting in injuries to at least 17 persons yesterday. One of these incidents had taken place in the Khanyar area of the old city, while another took place at Magam in Budgam district. A series of rallies were held during the campaign by the NC, PDP and other parties. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah was elected to the Lok Sabha first in 1980. His son and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has represented Srinagar in the Lok Sabha thrice in the past, has been engaged in the election campaign this time. Congress leaders, including JKPCC chief Saifuddin Soz, were also among those who campaigned for NC leaders over the past two weeks. The main contest in this constituency, comprising Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts of central Kashmir, is mainly between NC president and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah and PDP candidate Tariq Hameed Karra. There are 14 candidates in the fray. |
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Lawyers’ strike: Police contemplate Gandhi Nagar SHO’s transfer
Jammu, April 28 The protesting Bar association members, however, insisted on immediate suspension of the police officials responsible for the incident prior to holding impartial inquiry by a sitting or retired judge. They disrupted vehicular traffic on the Janipur-Ambphalla and Jammu-Nagrota road in protest against the “dilly-dallying tactics” of the Police Department vis-à-vis initiating legal action against the police officials responsible for the alleged assault on a lawyer. Police sources said the department had shown some flexibility in its stance and was ready to either attach or transfer the SHO and other police officials who were involved in the incident. “The department is ready to either attach or transfer the SHO and other police officials to resolve the issue at the earliest. The SSP, Atul Goel, has also written a letter to the president of the J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, MK Bhardwaj, requesting him for holding dialogue with them (senior police officials) to end the ongoing standoff,” the sources said. The sources, however, said the department was not interested in suspension of police officials saying the matter was subjected to the inquiry. On April 16, a lawyer, Harshvardhan Gupta, was allegedly thrashed and put in illegal custody by the Gandhi Nagar police. Since then, the J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, had suspended its functioning in all courts in support of its demand of the suspension of police officials responsible for the incident and holding an impartial and fair inquiry by a retired or sitting judge in the matter. Meanwhile, the lawyers continued their agitation for the eighth consecutive day and held a demonstration against the Police Department. They accused the police officials and their “agents” of sending a wrong impression to the social media about their agitation. “We will continue our agitation till the department suspends the guilty police official responsible for assault on a lawyer. For an impartial and fair inquiry, the department should suspend the police officials involved in the incident as they may win over the witnesses and sabotage the inquiry report,” MK Bhardwaj said while addressing the protesting lawyers on the High Court complex. |
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Trains services come to a standstill in Kashmir
Anantnag, April 28 According to sources, commuters blocked the track after they were unable to board the train due to overcrowding. They alleged that they were unable to board the train on routine because of overcrowding. This was the second time in this month that the commuters blocked the track and halted the train. Earlier on April 10, the commuters at Bijbehara town of this south Kashmir district had halted the train for more than three hours. Railway controller Vikramjeet Singh, confirming the blockade, said trains on both the sides of the track came to a standstill for more than four hours. "The whole schedule of the trains today was disrupted after the halt," he added. "We have been demanding increase in the frequency and the capacity in the trains ever since the second phase of the railways was inaugurated in June last year," said the agitated commuters, adding that it has become a nightmare to board a train after the second phase was put in motion. The Banihal-Qazigund phase of the Kashmir rail link was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on June 27, 2013. However, the commuters say the trains now get overcrowded before they reach Qazigund or for that matter Anantnag, making it impossible for passengers at other stations to board. "It was supposed to be a boon, but the functioning of the Banihal-Qazigund is turning out to be a nightmare for us," said Imtiyaz Ahmad, a commuter. The railway officials, however, passed the buck to the civil administration, maintaining that increasing capacity or the frequency of trains is beyond their jurisdiction. |
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Jehangir Chowk flyover construction Tribune News Service
Srinagar, April 28 According to a statement issued by the traffic police, only limited number of 407 passenger vehicles bound to Budgam and adjacent areas will be allowed to travel through the Rambagh route. "As limited number of vehicles will be available from Jehangir Chowk to Budgam, Chadoora, Natipora, Rangreth, Nowgam, Kanipora and Charar-i-Sharief, the passengers can avail service for such routes from Batamaloo with effect from May 1. The Sumo vehicles which are not registered with any stand in Srinagar city will also be diverted towards bypass to Tengpora to reach Baramulla. "These measures are being taken to decongest the areas falling in and around the flyover corridor. These diversions are bound to cause inconvenience to passengers travelling towards Budgam and adjoining areas, but cooperation of the people will be highly appreciated till the flyover project is completed," an official handout read. 407 vehicles allowed
Only 407 passenger vehicles bound to Budgam and
adjacent areas will be allowed to travel through the Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh
flyover route. |
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Mirwaiz condemns crackdown on youth
Srinagar, April 28 Mirwaiz, who is the chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, said on the eve of the elections, Srinagar had been turned into a “garrison.” “The crackdown on resistance leadership, Hurriyat activists and youth in central and north Kashmir by the police and turning Srinagar into a garrison on the eve of the elections is condemnable,” said Mirwaiz in a statement here, while terming these actions as “suppressive and tyrannical.” Mirwaiz said the arrest spree had completely exposed the anti-people agenda of the government. The police today admitted that 500 youth and activists have been taken into custody from different parts of Kashmir. Warning of more such arrests in the coming days, the J&K Police in a statement issued here today said, “To ensure peaceful and violence-free polling in central Kashmir, the police have been taking preventive measures and arrested around 400 stone throwers and trouble-makers.” Mirwaiz said, “By resorting to such undemocratic tactics, the tall claims of democracy and rule of law made by the rulers in the name of elections has completely fallen flat on its face.” Stating that the election is no alternative to the right of self-determination, Mirwaiz in his statement has also called for a complete shutdown on April 30 against the elections. |
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Only Farooq can fight communal forces: Soz
Srinagar, April 28 Speaking on the occasion, Soz told the workers that there was no doubt that NC candidate Farooq Abdullah had the capacity to fight communal forces that had been unleashed by BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and his cohorts. The workers also explained their problems and Soz assured them that these problems would receive attention in future and would be resolved as early as possible. He particularly urged the women workers to ensure their participation in voting for Srinagar constituency that is going to the polls on Wednesday. Today was the last day of campaigning for Srinagar parliamentary constituency. According to the arrangement between the coalition partners, the NC is contesting from the three constituencies in Kashmir, while the Congress is contesting the remaining three from Jammu and Ladakh.
— TNS |
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Don’t sell medicine without prescription: Mirwaiz to chemists
Srinagar, April 28 "It is unfortunate that substandard drugs are being provided in government-run and private hospitals. Besides, open supply and sale of fake drugs has exposed the government's drug policy," a statement quoted him. "Besides keeping a tab on the import of sub-standard drugs and medicines into the valley, I urge the chemists and druggists of the city not to sell any medicine without a doctor's prescription, especialy to the youth," Mirwaiz said, while claiming that the youth of Kashmir are being forced to get addicted to drugs under a well-planned conspiracy. |
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Sikh body flays state govt for ‘non-utilisation’ of resources
Srinagar, April 28 This was said by APSCC chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina in a statement issued here. Flaying the present coalition government for “failing” to generate employment opportunities in the state, he said: “There is a tremendous scope in the fisheries sector where lakhs of youth could have easily made their future, but the state government failed to ensure this positive development. Lack of initiatives from the people at helm has made lives of youth miserable irrespective of the communities they belong to.” “The entire state of Jammu & Kashmir has abundant water resources and as such the production of fish is also great, but it is astonishing that we use stale fish coming from outside with nobody ready to tap the local fish market,” the statement said. “Opportunities are also available in various other sectors such as tourism and medicinal plants, but the same needs to be explored, which is not being done by the present coalition government,” Raina added. He alleged that the political parties had always exploited sentiments of people especially the youth for their own political means. He said the present coalition government had failed to come up to the expectations of the youth with no broader policy for them. “Leaders of political parties can go to any extent for their own political means. These people exploit the sentiments of the youth by saying that they can even go to the other side if the genuine aspirations are not met,” he said. |
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I&B initiates steps to spread awareness about Amarnath Yatra
New Delhi, April 28 The meeting was convened on the request of Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB). During the meeting, the I&B Secretary discussed various issues to strategise appropriate communication tools to make intending pilgrims aware of the procedures to be followed for seeking registration for the yatra, the need for compulsory health certificate and the ‘do’s and don’ts’ to be followed during the pilgrimage and related health advisories for the yatris. During the discussions, Julka stated that a well-planned campaign would soon be launched by the Ministry through Doordarshan and All India Radio for spreading awareness about the yatra, which is scheduled to commence on June 28 and conclude on August 10. The sustained campaign would include broadcast/ telecast of public interest messages/ documentary films/ video spots/ audio spots educating the pilgrims about the challenges and medical problems faced during the yatra. The meeting was attended by RK Gupta, Principal Secretary to Governor (J&K) and CEO, SASB, and senior officers from the I&B Ministry, Doordarshan and AIR.
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Militants killed in Shopian encounter involved in attack on poll staff: Army
Srinagar, April 28 “These terrorists (who were killed in the encounter) had been active in the area since 2012 and intelligence inputs indicate that they were involved in the killing of polling staff Zia-ul-Haq and injuring five innocents on April 24 in south Kashmir,” Lt Col NN Joshi, Defence spokesman in Srinagar, said. Three militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen, Asif Ahmad Wani of Drabgam-Rajpora, Pulwama, Shabir Ahmad Gorsi of Regward Keller, Shopian, and Abdul Haq Malik of Arwani, Bijbehara, were killed in an 18-hour-long gunbattle in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, which also left Major Mukund Vardarajan and Sepoy Vikram Singh of the Army’s elite counter-insurgency unit dead. The encounter had erupted a day after militants carried out an attack on polling staff at Nagbal in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, which left a poll official dead and five others, including three security men, injured. Deputy Inspector-General of Police in South Kashmir Vijay Kumar said the investigation in the polling staff attack at Nagbal was on. “The investigation in the case is going on,” Kumar told The Tribune. However, police sources said the initial investigation suggested that the same group was behind the attack on the polling staff. “We have to establish certain things in the case. But the initial indications are that this group fired at the polling staff and fled from the area,” said a police officer. |
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GOC-in-C pays homage to slain soldiers
Udhampur, April 28 “We will not succumb to terrorists, who are threatening the country’s integrity. We will fight back and give them a strong reply,” said the GOC-in-C, Northern Command, while paying homage to Major Vardarajan and Sepoy Vikram Singh of the 44 Rashtriya
Rifles, who died while fighting with militants in the Valley. |
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Villagers block highway over water shortage
Rajouri, April 28 The villagers blocked the Jammu-Poonch highway raising slogans against the officials of the PHE Department and warned that if the supply of water was not restored soon, they would organise a bigger protest. Villagers under the leadership of their sarpanch Bau Ram had staged a protest before the office of the Executive Engineer, PHE, on Friday also. The sarpanch said motors installed at the pumping stations frequently goes out of order, forcing people to fetch water after covering a distance of 3-4 km. Hamid Choudhry, DSP headquarters, along with Junior Engineer of the PHE Department rushed to the spot. The protesters told the DSP that despite several complaints, the department had failed to replace the faulty motors. The DSP assured them that within next few days, a new motor would be installed and the supply of water would be restored. On the assurance of the DSP, the protesters lifted the dharna. |
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166 drug samples taken during raids on 456 stores
Jammu, April 28 According to an official handout released here today, a total of 456 establishments were inspected and 166 drug samples were taken mostly from rural areas. While the operations of three firms were suspended, show causes notices were issued to 16 firms for various contraventions. The Designated Officer, Jammu district, also closed down the operations of Pushap Energic Food Products, Narwal, Jammu, on the ground that the establishment was carrying out manufacturing activities in violation of the laid-down provisions of law, besides carrying out operations under unhygienic conditions. The substandard drugs worth Rs 61,194 were confiscated as a product recall measure and custody of habit-forming drugs worth Rs 2,000 was also sought. The licensing authorities directed the licensees to sell drugs strictly as per prescription and maintain sales records. Instructions for the sale of drugs falling under Schedule H-1, which require sales records to be maintained separately, were also issued for strict adherence to the rule. Action taken against defaulters
The operations of three firms were suspended, while show cause notices were issued to 16 establishments for various contraventions |
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Workshop on vascular surgery organised
Jammu, April 28 These included Dr VS Bedi, HoD, and Dr Ajay Yadav, senior consultant, Vascular Surgery Department, Sir Gangaram Hospital, Delhi, Dr HS Bedi, HoD, Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, CMC, Ludhiana, and Dr Rahul Jindal, HoD Vascular Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Mohali. They demonstrated the advanced techniques of foam sclerotherapy, endo-venous laser and radio frequency ablation of varicose veins, a very common vascular problem which was being treated by conventional open surgery so far. In addition, a session on colour doppler assessment of varicose veins was also conducted by experts. According to Dr Gurjit Singh, Head, Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, JK Medicity Hospital, who organised the academic meet, the workshop was highly informative. He added that the workshop was attended by about 50 young surgeons and sonologists, including PG students of surgery and radiology departments of GMC, Jammu, who had good interaction with the faculty. The proceedings of the CME were conducted by Dr Arvind Kohli. The invited faculty delivered lectures on peripheral arterial diseases and the current management of venous disorders. The academic session was chaired by Dr Vijay Gupta and Dr HL Goswamy, both former Principals of GMC, Jammu. Dr Gaganpreet Singh, MD, JK Medicity, presented the vote of thanks. |
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Casual labourers hold protest
Jammu, April 28 The protest was held by the forum to press the state government and higher authorities of different departments for accepting demands of casual labourers. The protesting labourers raised slogans in support of their demands and urged the state government to frame regularisation policy for all casual labourers/need-based workers, who have been working in various departments for the last 10 years. While addressing the workers, state president of the JKTUF Mohammad Gafoor Dar condemned the alleged delaying policy of the state government regarding regularisation and payment of pending wages under proper wages heads. He warned the authorities that the forum would launch a mass agitation after May 16 for the final settlement of their genuine demands. Others who addressed the gathering included Rajinder Kumar, Barkat Ali, Devi Dass, Saleem Wani, Ajay Kumar, Makhan Din, Pawan Kumar, Pritam Lal and Ajaz Ahmad. |
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Programme on dispute resolution concludes
Jammu, April 28 The programme was organised by the Mediation Monitoring Committee of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and District Mediation Centre, Jammu, under the pilot project scheme formulated by the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee (MCPC) of the Supreme Court. The programme was conducted under the direction and guidance of the Mediation Committee of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, comprising of Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir, chairman, Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Tashi Rabastan, members, with the objective of giving proper direction to the ADR mechanism in Jammu and Kashmir. Trained mediators, Shalinder Kaur, Anupam Dhingra and Brijesh Oberoi of the Delhi Mediation Centre, trained mediators of the Main Mediation Centre and District Mediation Centre at Jammu conducted live mediation wherein litigants and general public participated actively to demonstrate their enthusiasm towards the ADR mechanism. Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Tashi Rabastan watched the mediations being conducted. A critiquing awareness and refresher programme was also conducted for judicial officials of Jammu district, lawyers, advocate mediators and law students of Law School, University of Jammu. The logistic support for the programme was extended by Suresh Kumar Sharma, Registrar General, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, Ashok Kumar Koul, coordinator, Mediation Monitoring Committee, and Rakesh Sagar Jain, coordinator, Mediation Centre, Jammu.
— TNS |
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Srinagar, April
28
Srinagar, April
28