Kupwara, September 27
Walnut producers in north Kashmir are reaping a good harvest this season despite a dry spell during the months of July and August. Another icing on the cake is high prices of walnut kernels this time around.

“The best quality walnut kernels are bought between Rs 800-1100 per kg. The kernels are sold between Rs 1,400 to Rs 3,500 in national and international markets,” said Ghulam Nabi, a local resident.

Last year, the best quality kernels had touched a high of Rs 750. People in Kupwara, Handwara and Baramulla towns of north Kashmir are busy thrashing walnuts and selling the kernels in market.

Some growers are selling the walnut without removing the kernels. North Kashmir has the distinction of being the largest producer of walnuts in the state. It produces around 60,000 to 90,000 quintal walnut kernels every year.

Experts say a cold period of one month is necessary for the growth and good produce of walnut.

Heavy snowfall in December and January in north Kashmir helps it reap a good harvest. In most of the rain-fed areas in North Kashmir including Lolab, Rajwar, Ramhal, Mawar, Handwara, Hayhama, Kandi, Nutnoosa, Chowkibal, Kalaroose, Kachama and Kralpora, walnut is grown on a large scale. The border areas of Tangdhar, Keran, Machil, Gurez and Bandipora are main producers of walnut here.

Walnut kernels are collected from villages by the dealers. They are later on graded, packed and sent to big mandis across India and also to European countries. The harvesting of walnut provides employment to many people.

As compared to apple, walnut plantation is profitable and it involves little labour and small space. It does not need much irrigation and rain-fed areas are suitable for its growth.

“The walnut industry is the backbone of economy in the region. The horticulture department should set up a mandis in the town to give a fillip to the industry,” said Mohd Ashraf, a walnut grower.

Srinagar, September 27
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the use of force against young journalist Azhar Qadri of The Tribune while performing his duty and girl students who were holding peaceful demonstrations to press their demands yesterday.

In a press release, the PDP chief spokesperson Naeem Akhtar said the use of brute force was a “method” of the Omar Abdullah-led government in the state when it comes to deal with any situation.

Srinagar, September 27
At a time when there is a rush among students for opting science subjects, management and commerce as their areas of study to pursue various careers, here is a girl who studied history to make her mark on the academic front.

A proud recipient of two gold medals at the 18th Annual Convocation of Kashmir University, Yenbuerzal was adjudged the “Best Graduate of the Year (2009)” and the winner of Dr Mohammad Yasin Ghazipuri Gold Medal for being the topper of MA history examination.

Surprisingly, this bright student gave up her national scholarship for studying sciences at the undergraduate level and instead chose arts subjects.

She grew up in the turbulent 90s but that hardly dampened her enthusiasm and she is all set to opt historiography as her research subject at the university.

Yenbuerzal thinks it is important to choose subject areas that are usually not opted much so that new observations and opportunities could come to the fore.

“I do not want to pick research areas which many scholars are already studying. Instead I want to provide my contribution to a subject which has given me so much respect and satisfaction. I would therefore focus on art of writing history which is a universal topic and that applies to all. Moreover, there are very few scholars who have worked in this area,” she said while speaking to The Tribune.

She also has civil services on her mind although she believes that cracking IAS or Kashmir Administration Services (KAS) examination would require a lot of hard work.

Yenbuerzel’s father Bashar Bashir is Valley’s renowned writer and Sahitya Academy Award winner. Bashir says he has left it to his daughter to make her career choices and he never imposed his views on her decisions.

“She was a brilliant science student till XII and she decided not to appear in the medical entrance examination. She was more intrigued by arts so there was no point in forcing her to study sciences,” Bashar said.

Prof Farooq Fayaz who teaches history at the Department of History, Kashmir University, says the university needs more students like Yenbuerzel who dare to do something different.

“I think the state needs to explore various subjects of study and for that we need the youth who are willing to opt such subjects,” Fayaz said.

Srinagar, September 27
President of the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Prof Saifuddin Soz along with a delegation called on President Pranab Mukherjee at the Raj Bhavan today and presented memorandums to him.

A JKPCC spokesman said Soz brought to the notice of the President that they had already approached the Centre to sanction funds for giving honorariums to sarpanchs and panchs.

“The President was informed the JKPCC has put in efforts to explain to the coalition partner (National Conference) that it is high time that the provisions of 73rd Amendment of the Constitution be implemented as this alone will empower sarpanchs and panchs to serve the best interests of the people. They also stressed that this measure was good for the health of the coalition itself,” the spokesman added.

Srinagar, September 27
One person died while 13 others were injured in different road accidents across the Valley.

The police said Mohammad Muzaffar Bhat, a resident of Nehru Park in Srinagar died in a road accident at Hazratbal when a truck hit his motorcycle. Bhat was critically injured and was shifted to the Srinagar hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

In another accident, a Gypsy of Pattan police station turned turtle near the Hartrath bridge in Baramulla which left three police personnel and others injured, including the Pattan police station SHO and two civilians.

“All the injured were shifted to Srinagar for treatment where their condition is stated to be stable,” police said.

A SUV without a number plate rolled down the road at Zadkhussi nullah near Razdhan Top in Bandipora in which seven persons were injured. The injured were identified as Habibullah Lone, Shameema, both residents of Achoora in Bandipore, Nowsheena of Badwan, driver Manzoor Ahmad, Bashir Ahmad, Saleema, all residents of Nayal Guraz and Zeenat of Badwan Guraz in Bandipora.

In another accident, a Tata Sumo hit a pedestrian Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh of Lawaypora on the National Highway, Srinagar thus injuring him. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment. A case has been registered in this regard. 

Srinagar, September 27
Independent MLA from north Kashmir Engineer Abdul Rasheed has blamed the ruling National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the killing of panches and sarpanches in the Valley. He said “it is the dirty politics being played by these two parties” which was fuelling the situation.

He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should first leave his security ring and then dare the militants.

Rasheed made these comments while talking to mediapersons during sit-in protest at Regal Chown here in Srinagar. “When anyone gets killed, I feel pained. I am against the killing of anybody and I believe that it is the dirty politics which is fuelling attacks and killing of sarpanches in Kashmir. In fact, it is the politics of the PDP and NC which is responsible for these killings,” he said.Omar Abdullah had blamed militants for the attacks. “The government has so for not empowered the panchayats. Do you think that militants will kill them (panches and sarpanches) just for the heck of it. By the way, who has identified the attackers as militants” Rasheed asked. Rasheed rejected the Chief Minister’s statement as “irresponsible”.

“First he should not have said like this. If he is so brave, let him leave his security and walk in a Kashmir village and taste the reality.” Rasheed said. The Chief Minister had yesterday called the militants “cowards” and dared them to attack him blaming them for the recent killing of panchayat members.

During a press conference in Srinagar yesterday, Omar had said that all possible measures would be taken to protect panches and sarpanches. Despite assurances by the state government, many terror-stricken panches and sarpanches have tendered their resignation following the killing of their colleagues in north Kashmir.

Ganderbal, September 27
Nazir Ahmad, the father of eight-year-old Mohammad Yasin, who is suffering from cerebral palsy since his birth, had given up the hope of seeing his son walk.

But Nazir, a labourer from Safapora village in Ganderbal district, is now hopeful that his son will start walking after an NGO started offering free treatment to Yasin two years back.

"In 2010, they started treating my son. Now he is able to walk on his own with the support of a walking frame that was installed at our home. I am hopeful that Yasin will show more improvement," Nazir said.

Yasin is being treated by the Hope Disability Centre (HDC) that has been offering free treatment in the Valley to thousands of such patients having disabilities since 2001.

"We started working with just one room and two staff members in 2001 but now we have a staff strength of 40," HDC Executive Director Dr Sameer Wani said.

The main HDC centre is located at Wayil in Ganderbal and now even admits patients besides providing free artificial limbs and bearing the costs of their operations, if needed.

"We also have expanded operations at Baramulla and Kupwara," Wani added.

Dr Mudassir Ashraf, who works at the centre, said they had treated around 5,000 patients since 2001. Besides treating patients at the centre, they even deployed their staff at the houses of patients who needed more help.

"Just like we set up a walking frame and other equipments at Yasin's home, we have set up equipment at other houses as well. Our staff regularly visits these places for treatment," Mudassir said.

While the NGO has been providing free treatment to mostly accident victims from remote areas, he said they also had treated patients who had become victims of landmine blasts or had birth defects.

Three-year-old Mehran Raina, another patient, from Gund Sonamarg had lost his leg after he was hit by a vehicle last year. He too, like other accident victims, got help from the NGO.

“We do not charge money from anyone and we are available for anybody having disability,” Mudassir said.

Wani said the HDC gets financial support from organisations such as the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Handicap International.

“Sometimes the Army and the police too donate equipments,” he said.

Srinagar, September 27
The state police has registered 15 cases for uploading the blasphemous film on internet that triggered a series of protests across the Valley earlier this month.

“The police has initiated action against certain objectionable film clips uploaded by the title “Innocence of Muslims” that had surfaced on YouTube. Fifteen cases have been lodged at different police stations of Kashmir zone for prompting religious enmity among different groups on religious grounds,” a police spokesman said today.

While a case has been registered in Srinagar district, one case each has been registered at Budgam and Ganderbal districts of central Kashmir. Similarly, one case each was registered at Anantnag, Shopian, Pampore, Awantiopra, Tral, Pulwama, Kulgam and Rajpora in south Kashmir. The police has also registered one case each at Sopore, Handwara and Kupwara in north Kashmir besides Leh in the Ladakh region.

The video that was reportedly made in the US had triggered tension in the Valley after several separatist and religious organisations called for protests.

Kashmir’s Grand Mufti had said the US citizens on a visit here must leave the Valley following the video but his statement had found no takers.

While hardline Hurriyat faction chairman Syed Ali Geelani had said that Americans were welcome, Mutahida Ulmayee Aehlay Sunnah, a conglomerate of several religious organisations, had said it would knock the doors of all the embassies and consulates of Muslims nations in the country to garner support for boycotting the US made goods.

Srinagar, September 27
Normal life in Kashmir was affected today due to a general strike called by the separatist outfits.

The shutdown call was given by Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani and was supported by other separatist groups against President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit.

Mukherjee is on his maiden three-day visit to Kashmir after being elected President. He addressed the 18th convocation of Kashmir University at Hazratbal today and is scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Friday.

Owing to shutdown, schools, banks, offices, shops and other business establishments in the summer capital remained closed and the public transport remained off roads. However, private vehicles were running in many uptown localities of the city.

Besides, there were reports of shutdown from other major towns of the Valley, including Baramulla, Sopore, Handwara, Bandipora in north Kashmir and Ananatnag, Pampore, Shopian and Pulwama towns in south Kashmir.

Reports said that normal life was affected due to the shutdown call by the separatists as most of the business establishments, shops and other institutions remained closed.

However, the day passed off peacefully as there were no reports of any untoward incident from any parts of the Valley. Meanwhile, to ensure security and maintain peace, authorities in Srinagar had deployed police and other security forces in various parts of Srinagar, including downtown Srinagar, where frequent stone-pelting incidents were witnessed earlier.

To ensure tight security, the authorities had laid a three-tier security ring around Kashmir University where President Pranab Mukherjee today addressed the convocation.

An interactive session was organised for the students.

Srinagar, September 27
Minister for Forests and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmed today urged the people to avail full benefits of the developmental schemes launched by the state and the Central governments.

Altaf said this during his visit to various Gujjar colonies and far-flung areas of Tral, including Bangdar, Naristan and Watnar in the south Kashmir.

The minister took stock of the development work presently under execution in the areas. He met several deputations and individuals to get feedback of the work that was taken under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) and the other schemes.

The residents of the remote areas put-forth their demands for an urgent attention of the state government. The minister said the government was committed to ensure equal development for all the areas of the state, especially the remote and the far-flung areas, an official said.

The minister assured the demands of the people would be taken into consideration and directed the district administration to mitigate the problems confronted by the people, the official said.

Srinagar, September 27
A delegation of All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) called on President Pranab Mukherjee and put forth various issues pertaining to the community in the state.

APSCC chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said the issue of granting minority status to the Sikhs living in the state was raised in the meeting. Raina said the Sikhs living in the other parts of India were treated as minority while those in Jammu & Kashmir were being denied of this important constitutional privilege.

“Sikhs living in the different states enjoy the benefits and privileges that are due to the minorities but we are being denied the same. This issue was raised to the President and we urged him to intervene in the issue. The demand has been raised at various quarters both in the Centre and state but of no avail,” Jagmohan said.

“Sikhs living in the countryside were forced to shift to towns and cities but they did not leave the Valley. Instead of providing relief to these people they were neglected and were not compensated for horticulture and agricultural losses suffered during the past two decades. This issue needs immediate attention,” said Jagmohan.

Jagmohan expressed his concern that no employment package has been announced for the Sikh youth. He said most of the youth have left the valley and were looking for jobs in the different parts of India. He demanded employment package on the pattern of Kashmiri Pandits to the Sikh youth.

Jagmohan said the killing of 35 Sikhs at Chittisinghpora in 2001 should be probed thoroughly so that truth about the incident comes to the fore.

He said the issue of the refugees pending for the past 60 years was also raised during the meeting with the President of India.

Kupwara, September 27
The residents of Laderwan, 15 kms from Kupwara town, were provided free medical check-up and medicines at a medical camp organised by 160 Infantry Battalion (TA), JAK rifles. The locals of adjoining areas also visited the camp and availed the facility.

The camp was held under the aegis of Vajr division. As many as 410 women and 182 children were treated at the camp. Besides, 542 animals were also examined. A lady doctor and two vaccination staff members actively assisted Army doctors at the camp.

Regimental medical officers, doctors from veterinary policemen, and civil doctors provided free treatment and medicines.

The locals hailed the initiative and hoped that such camps would be held in future as well. The Commanding Officer, 160 battalion JAK rifles, said the objective of the camp was to reach out to the poor and provide them medical help. 

Srinagar, September 27
The Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar, along with the Minister of State for Roads and Buildings, Javaid Ahmed Dar, visited the residences of the panchayati raj representatives yesterday.

The representatives were recently killed by some unidentified persons at Pattan, Nowgam and Sopore in the Baramulla district.

Ali Mohammad Sagar assured that the state government would provide every possible help to the deceased families. He would discuss the matter of providing jobs with the Chief Minister at the earliest. He said the government would see that the persons involved in the crime were brought to book.

Sagar called these acts inhumane and said people from all sections of the society should condemn them. The people should unitedly work to defeat the elements who were trying to disrupt the peace and developmental activities initiated by the government, he said. 

Srinagar, September 27
The Civil Defence Organisation, Baramulla, along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Baramulla, organised an awareness programme on drug abuse and earthquake mitigation at the Government Secondary School, Binner, Baramulla yesterday.

The programme was organised under the supervision of the chief warden, Civil Defence, Baramulla wherein more than 200 students, including the teachers participated.

Dr Anayat Mir spoke on alarming rise of drug abuse in the youth and appreciated the role of Baramulla district police in providing the treatment facilities for the addicts at drug de-addiction centre, Police Lines, Baramulla.

He said the youth are involved in drug abuse leading to moral degradation, antisocial activities, school dropouts, suicides and increase in road traffic accidents.

The SDRF team gave demonstration on rescue and relief operations taken up during the disasters. Chief warden, Civil Defence, Baramulla spoke on earthquake risk mitigation and adherence to do’s and don’ts during an earthquake. 

Srinagar, September 27
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today said it was keen to ensure the reopening of the erstwhile trade roads in Ladakh region.

This was stated by a PDP delegation that concluded a two-day tour to the region.

PDP senior leader Syed Altaf Bukhari, who led the delegation, was accompanied by party chief spokesperson Naeem Akhter, Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat and Shahnawaz Hussain Mir.

“Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) is a model of party’s self-rule road map. Keeping in view the functioning of the LAHDC, the party confirms that self-rule is already working in the Ladakh region,” he said while stressing on a need of reopening of traditional roads in the region for a smooth travel and trade.

Bukhari said before the formation of PDP led government in 2002, there were complaints of discrimination with some regions of the state. “But the PDP led regime not only removed such discriminations but also ensured empowerment of different regions and sub-regions through establishment and empowerment of the councils,” he said.

He said Leh's silk route that passes through the Nobra valley would make the region an instant hit with the industry in the north Indian states.

“Similarly, the reopening of roads to Kailash Mansarovar (Leh-Damchok-Tibet) closed since 1962 would convert Leh into a pilgrim-base camp. And the restoration on traffic on Kargil-Skardu road will offer it the easiest approach to the Karakaram highway that connects China with Islamabad,” he said.

Srinagar, September 27
While the toppers and representatives of each faculty received medals and certificates from President Pranab Mukherkjee at the 18th convocation today, all the candidates would be receiving their respective awards at a special function next month.

Governor NN Vohra in his address at the convocation said due to paucity of time and larger number of students passing out it was not possible to award degrees to all of the students.

He announced that a separate function would be held on October 17 where all the students would be presented degrees, medals and certificates.

The proceedings of the 18th Convocation today commenced with S Fayyaz Ahmad, Registrar, Kashmir University, seeking permission of the Chancellor to declare the convocation open.

The registrar called upon the deans of various faculties to present the candidates who were then admitted to the degrees by the Chancellor.

After the degrees were conferred, the President awarded the University gold medals, sponsored gold medals, sponsored cash prizes and degree certificates to PhD, MPhil, MD/MS to the awardees.

The awardees of the convocation include: Total medals-14; PhDs-234; MPhils-399; PGs-21,240; under-graduates- 1,19,799 and diploma holders-93.

All the candidates had completed their degrees between July 2009 and August 2012. The last convocation of the University was held in July 2009.

Jammu, September 27
In the first round of the senior snooker championship under the 22nd Jammu District Open Junior and Senior Snooker Championship, Ajay Pal Singh thrashed Depu by 3-0. The tournament is being organised by the J&K Billiards and Snooker Association at MA Stadium

Ajay pocketed the opening frame by a thin margin of 56-49. Deepu at one stage was close in on his rival but lost his momentum to eventually lose the frame. The second frame went in favour of Ajay Pal Singh by 62-57. In the third frame, Ajay Pal Singh trounced his opponent by a margin of 55-51 to seal the issue.

In another thrilling contest, Sanand Sharma defeated Nishant by 3-2 frames. Sanand made a winning start by winning the first frame 59-31 but Nishant equalised the lead in the next by winning the second frame 63-26.

In the third frame, Sanand Sharma bounced back to take lead with 59-31 win but Nishat was also equal to the task. He took the fourth frame by 69-39. Too many errors in the decider round eventually cost the game to Nishant who went down by a frame margin of 54-19.

In other first round matches, Abhishek Goswami beat Rohit Kapoor by 3-0 (65-15, 44-36, 47-21), Saurabh Dogra beat Aseem Ghai by 3-1 (49-34, 36-42, 43-16, 60-19), Sahil Kapadia beat Shubham Parbhakar by 3-2 (71-36, 47-55, 61-18, 12-35, 51-36) and Bhanu Gupta beat Divit Aggarwal by 3-1 (88-58, 52-69, 57-10, 55-17).