Srinagar, October 2
Wetlands in the Valley, which are an important part of its fragile ecosystem, are on the verge of extinction. This, courtesy unabated encroachments and a sheer official neglect.

Reports suggest that most of the wetlands in Kashmir are breathing their last with rampant encroachments in and around these precious water bodies.

“Silting and encroachments on these water bodies by people has not only decreased their water levels but they are shrinking at a worrying rate,” said Reyaz Ahmad, a wildlife expert.

Ahmad said these wetlands, besides being a natural habitat to lakhs of migratory birds from Siberia and West Asian countries, play a vital role in balancing the very fragile ecosystem in the state.

“It is painful to see the neglect these water bodies are facing from the authorities. If this trend continues like this, I fear the wetlands will vanish from the Valley within five years or so,” said the expert.

While the government has been making claims of preserving and maintaining the wetlands in Kashmir, sources say at least seven wetlands listed by the Wildlife Department are yet to be notified and brought under the ambit of the Wildlife Act.

“Twelve wetlands were identified by the Wildlife Department in different areas of the Valley and listed them for preservation keeping in view their area, ecological and socio-economic importance but the government has notified only five of them so far while seven continue to face official neglect," said an official in the Wildlife Department.

He says that most of these wetlands have been reduced to half their size due to the official neglect.

“Three of these wetlands are located in south Kashmir while four are located in north and central Kashmir regions,” he added.

Alleging the government of an apathetic attitude, he said officials in the Wildlife Department say that it was imperative to constitute a committee for the conservation of these precious water bodies.

“The government has failed to take initiatives to preserve these water bodies to minimise the threat to them from various quarters like rampant encroachments,” said an official in the department requesting anonymity.

Emphasising upon the importance of these wetlands and a need to protect them, the experts feel these water bodies act as filters removing pollutants from the water.

“Besides being home to a variety of flora and fauna, the wetlands act as reservoirs and aid flood and erosion control by absorbing excess amount of water,” another expert said.

Srinagar, October 2
With a view to attract more tourists to the Valley, the J&K Tourism Department today organised a one-day ‘shikara festival’ on the Dal Lake. The Tourism Department has invited tour operators from 32 countries, mostly from south Asia, on a sightseeing tour so that more foreign visitors come to Kashmir. The foreign guests were taken on shikara (boat) ride around the Dal. They will also be taken for a sightseeing tour during the next three days.

Tourism and Culture Minister NR Jora inaugurated the festival. He said the south Asian countries had not issued travel advisories against visiting Kashmir and, therefore, the tour operators would help in bringing more foreign visitors from the region.

He said if Britain lifted the travel advisory, other Commonwealth nations would follow the suit. A national kayaking and canoeing event was also inaugurated at the Dal Lake.

“The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is holding a national-level training camp here for 18 days to prepare paddlers for the forthcoming kayaking and canoeing event in Kazakhstan,” a Tourism Department official said.

An interactive session of the delegation of foreign tour operators was held at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the banks of the Dal Lake. The foreign tour operators interacted with their Kashmiri counterparts and discussed ways to bring in more visitors to the Valley.

Hoteliers Club member Musadiq Shah assured every possible help to tour operators by facilitating hotel bookings for foreign visitors in Kashmir. The Tourism Department has set a target of receiving 18 lakh tourists this year. Around 13.5 lakh tourists had visited Kashmir last year.

Anantnag, October 2
The police has launched a manhunt to nab militants who fled yesterday after firing at a police party at an apple orchard in Zainapora area of Shopian district.

“We are searching for the militants in the area. Hopefully, we will be able to nab them soon,” said Shopian Superintendent of Police (SP) Mumtaz Ahmad.

The SP said the militants were hiding in an apple orchard in Zainapora village when the police cordoned off the area following a top-off.

“The militants fired on us. Due to civilians’ presence in the orchard, we had to use restraint and the militants were able to flee the spot in the meantime,” said the SP.

The militants were three to four in number, the SP added.

The police party along with 62 RR personnel combed the orchard and recovered an INSAS rifle and a magazine.

Meanwhile, the Anantnag police claimed to have recovered three hand grenades from the forest area in Kokernag.

“Acting on specific information, the police launched a search operation in the forests of Kokernag area and were able to recover three rusted hand grenades,” a report said.

Srinagar, October 2
Over a dozen physically disabled persons are on an indefinite hunger strike at Mushtaq Enclave, also known as the Press Colony in Srinagar. Sitting under a tarpaulin shed, they are seeking to draw the government’s attention towards their demands.

About 38 hours into the hunger strike, they are now warning of an extreme step to make the government listen. One of their fellow protesters Farooq Ahmad Badana fell unconscious and had to be hospitalised.

“We are now nearing 38 hours on hunger strike and not even a clerk from some government department has come to us to know why we are here,” president of Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association (JKHA) Abdul Rashid Bhat said.

Under the banner of the association, these men are camping at the busy Residency road. They are on hunger strike since Monday morning. The place is a hotspot for various protests.

Disappointed over the government’s apathy, they are now threatening to immolate themselves.

“If no one comes to us by tomorrow evening, we will set ourselves afire at Ghanta Ghar on Thursday at noon. We know this is not allowed in our religion but we have no option left now. It is better to finish the kind of life we are leading for once and all,” Bhat warned.

Those on hunger strike have set a list of 21 demands which they say remained unchanged during past 12 years since they formed the association.

Their demands include enhancing their monthly pension among others.

“We are getting Rs 400 per month and that should be increased to Rs 3,000 per month. What will you do with Rs 400 per month,” was the common refrain.

Their other demands include implementation of reservation for the handicapped “vertically rather than horizontally”, free education for their children, loan at low interest rate and formation of an advisory board for them. Bhat said they had on several occasions met many ministers to seek a solution to their problems.

“They always gave us assurances but never did anything for us,” he said. The government formed a coordination committee which was established on the recommendation of the Chief Minister to look into their grievances which they said meets only once in many years.

Despite repeated attempts to contact, Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo did not receive phone call.

Kupwara October 2
The Kupwara police on Monday claimed to have solved the murder mystery of a minor girl that took place last year and arrested her father on charges of murder.

Police sources said that Mohammad Shafi Malik of Ticker near Kupwara was arrested for murdering his four-year-old daughter Asra Shafi on March 26 last year. A throat-slit body of the victim was found just 50 yards away from her house.

After the incident, the police had registered a case under Section 302 at Kupwara police station.

The motive behind committing the heinous crime was to avail ex-gratia relief, the police claimed.

“We have arrested Mohammad Shafi Malik on the charges of murder of his minor daughter. He committed the crime with an intention to grab ex-gratia relief from the government,” said Kupwara Deputy Superintendent of Police Sajad Hussain.

After slitting the throat of his daughter, the accused had informed the police about the murder of his daughter.

The heart rendering incident had triggered protests in the area for days and sent the local residents into panic. The accused is a panch at Ticker village. The police has also recovered the weapon used by the accused for murder.

“He kept his wife and family members in dark. On the fateful evening, he lured his daughter with candies and murdered her just 50 metres from the house. After some time, he raised an alarm screaming his daughter had been murdered,” police sources said.

The police said the accused confessed to the crime after a sustained interrogation. The accused in August this year had left his ex-gratia case pending at the office of Kupwara Deputy Commissioner after sensing trouble.

“He vigorously started pursuing the relief case soon after the incident. But in August, he left pursuing the case as he suspected that police was keeping a vigil on his activities,” sources said.

Sources said the accused had even submitted an application seeking speedy investigation in the case. Following this, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) had taken a serious note of a shoddy police investigation and directed the police to intensify the probe into the matter.

Baramulla, October 2
People in north Kashmir are happy over the state government’s decision to bring some areas in the Lolab valley on tourism map.

The residents of Lolab hope that it will generate jobs for many unemployed people and infuse a new lease of life into this hitherto ignored area.

“It was a long pending demand to bring the picturesque Lolab valley on tourism map. The entire valley has a vast potential for tourism. Many jobless people are likely to earn livelihood following this decision,” said Sharif-u-din, a resident of Chandigam Lolab.

The state government had yesterday opened the picturesque Lolab valley in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district for tourists. Surrounded by lush green forests and full of waters, the picturesque valley comprises about 45 villages. Lolab is about 30 km from Kupwara town and almost all villages in the valley have road connectivity.

The valley is also famous for centuries old caves in Kalaroose and the Satbaran monument. The authorities have decided to throw open these important places for bringing in more tourists. Following the government’s decision, people in Chandigam and few other places of Lolab held celebrations.

“It is a welcome step and it will bring the ignored Lolab valley back in focus after two decades. More importantly, it will boost the local economy here,” said sarpanch of Chandigam.

Deedikote and Wayan in Kupwara are surrounded by lush green forests and hillocks. Local residents here had demanded the places should also be brought on tourism map.

“It will help give a fillip to the local economy and provide jobs to many jobless youth in these areas. Deedikote and Wayan are bestowed with natural scenic beauty and these places will attract a large number of tourists,” residents said.

Kupwara DC Sarmad Hafeez said, “All required facilities will be ensured for smooth stay of tourists in Lolab. I hope that tourists will enjoy visit to Lolab.”

Minister for Home Nasir Aslam Wani visited Lolab yesterday. He said that tourism in Lolab will be regulated to ensure that it does not affect the fragile ecosystem of the Valley. “We will also promote eco-tourism activities including home stays, fishing and trekking in the area,” Nasir said.

Srinagar, October 2
Two persons were injured in a road accident in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, a police spokesman said.

A car hit a motorcycle at Natnusa near Kupwara town resulting in injuries to the motorcyslist and a pedestrian.

The injured motorcyclist was identified as Mohammad Rafiq War and the while the pedestrian was identified as Ashiq Hussain Makhdoomi.

Both the injured were taken to hospital for treatment, the spokesman added.

“The police has registered a case in this regard,” the spokesman said.

Srinagar, October 2
The pilgrims from the Valley on the Haj pilgrimage have complained about various difficulties being faced by them in the holy city of Mecca.

Half of the total Haj pilgrims from the state had already arrived in Mecca and Madina after performing the annual pilgrimage.

Many Haj pilgrims from the Valley complained to the State Haj Committee that the place of residence provided to them in Mecca was far away from holy mosque.

Sources said the pilgrims complained about the venue of the place which was different from the one actually allotted to them.

J&K Haj Committee executive officer Abdul Salaam Mir said few problems were faced by a group of pilgrims which had been addressed.

"All the pilgrims were provided accommodation within two kilometers range from the holy mosque. There was no question that pilgrims had been provided place of residence far away,” Salam said.

The executive officer said the issue of the elevator was solved when it was brought to the notice of the State Haj Committee.

Over 5,000 Haj pilgrims had left for holy city from Srinagar to perform the annual pilgrimage which is a fundamental duty of every Muslim.

Over 9,100 Haj pilgrims from the state would be performing Haj this year. The pilgrims spent forty days in the cities of Mecca and Medina performing the rituals of Haj which include stoning the satan and spending a night under open sky in the city of Mina. The pilgrimage is taken every year in the last month of Islamic calendar.

Srinagar, October 2
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah has called upon the doctors to put in their best to serve the people of the state who are facing hardships on the account of advanced medical facilities.

Abdullah hoped the doctors who had gone abroad would revise their brethren and return back to contribute in the state health sector,” a spokesman said.

Speaking at the free super-specialty medical camp, jointly organized by Zainab Ali Khair-e-Aam and Kashmir Health Services director at Khrew Pampore in south Kashmir, Abdullah said the doctor’s job is a noble profession and should be performed with dedication and social commitment.

Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone, Minister for Forest and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad, Member of Parliament Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri, Director Health Services Kashmir Saleem Rehman and the members of Zainab Ali Khair-e-Aam were present on the occasion.

Abdullah said both the state and the Central governments are endeavouring to provide best possible health care facilities to the people.

Kupwara, October 2
Negligence of the Power Development Department (PDD) claimed life of a Class VI student and left another Class V student seriously injured in two separate incidents in the Kupwara district of north Kashmir.

Zeeshan Majeed (12) of Meelyal Kralpora, died of electrocution yesterday evening. Zeeshan stepped on to a live electric supply line, which was lying suspended on the ground in his native village. “Due to sheer negligence of the PDD, the boy lost his life. He received a strong electric shock and was charred to death,” Zahoor Ahmad, a local resident said.

The victim was returning from school when the incident took place. “Unaware that the supply wire lying on the ground was carrying current, he stepped onto it and died moments later,” said another resident. Following the incident, the locals held protests against the PDD, demanding a stern action against the department officials posted in the area.

The locals accused the PDD of risking their lives. Ill-fated Zeeshan is not the only victim, who lost his life due to alleged negligence of PDD.

Asif Ahmad Chopan (12) of Charwari Gulgam, is battling for life at the SKIMS hospital in Soura, Srinagar. On September 28, he suffered serious burn injuries all over his body due to an electric shock in his native village. “On the way to his home from school, he unintentionally stepped onto a live wire lying suspended on the road side. The poor Class V student received serious burn injuries,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a local resident.

Srinagar, October 2
Minister for Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar today said the state government has empowered the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and the forces trying to mislead people are the enemies of peace and progress.

The minister was addressing a gathering during one-day convention organised by the Department of Rural Development here today.

Sagar said the government by putting the PRIs and ensuring their empowerment with the powers of 14 vital departments had already incorporated the spirit of 73rd Amendment into it but unfortunately certain forces were trying to create doubts in the minds of the people.

He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had ensured the orders of decentralisation of the democracy and the percolation of powers to the grassroot level were done and had already been conveyed down the line.

The minister said to monitor the implementation of the empowerment, the coalition government had directed the Divisional Commissioners as well as the District Development Commissioners to monitor the empowerment of the PRIs and had appointed the additional District Development Commissioners as the nodal officers for monitoring the same.

He said the role of the panches and sarpanches was of a vital importance as they had to ensure the sustained development of their areas in coordination with the officers of different departments.

Srinagar, October 2
A group of former militants along with the members of Lok Janshakti Party (Yuva) today observed a day-long hunger strike at the Press Enclave near Residency Road here.

Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Welfare Association (JKWA), along with Lok Janshakti Party (Yuva) national president Sanjay Saraf, observed the strike to draw the state government’s attention to their demands.

Former militants have been demanding free education for their wards till Class XII and rehabilitation on the lines of Punjab and northeast states. Other demands included respectable citizenship, grant of easy loans, ex-gratia relief to the families of dead militants and shifting of local militants to jails in the state so that they could meet their family members.

Saraf said they were protesting against the government’s alleged indifference to the ex-militants seeking proper rehabilitation. “Despite having approached the state and the Central governments, the authorities have failed to address their (ex-militants) grievances,” he said.

Demanding a special Central package for ex-militants, Saraf said he had written to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to suitably rehabilite them but has not received a favourable response so far.

He said these former militants were facing immense problems while getting CID clearance for the issuance of their passports to perform Haj and Umrah pilgrimages.

The issue of ex-militants should figure prominently whenever India and Pakistan hold talks, Saraf said.

“We also want that the government should hold talks with all the stakeholders in the state so that issues related to them are addressed well in time,” he said. The protestors also demanded revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Public Safety Act (PSA) from the state.

Srinagar, October 2
University of Kashmir organised a blood donation-cum-poster competition programme to mark the Voluntary Blood Donation Day here today.

Social and Family Welfare Kashmir director Dr TK Moza, while speaking at the blood donation camp said, “In the Asian countries, only nine among 1,000 persons donate their blood voluntarily as compared to 45 in the European countries. This is one of the reasons behind the shortage of blood across the blood banks in the Asian region.”

Dr TK Moza said Moza said there is dire need to cultivate the blood donation spirit among the youth.

More volunteers should come forward for this noble cause and donate blood to meet the blood shortage that the world is facing today to save the precious life at the time of eventuality, he said.

As many as 100 students from various departments of the University and other institutions voluntary donated their blood, a University spokesman said.

Highlighting the importance of donating blood, Dr Rakesh Khajuria, project director, Jammu and Kashmir State Aids Prevention and Control Society (JKSAPCS) said, “There is no technology available through which blood can be manufactured, it is the youth who have to cater it to the needy.” The myths and negative perceptions about blood donation need to be discouraged, he said.

Besides, students from various departments of the university and affiliated colleges and various schools of the Valley also participated in the on spot poster competition on the theme ‘Somewhere someone needs you, your blood donation is precious’.

The event was coordinated by Sahid Ali Khan, coordinator, Red Ribbon Club, University of Kashmir.

Prof Nilofar Khan, Dean Student Welfare, University of Kashmir congratulated the students and said that their blood could bring someone back to life.

Srinagar, October 2
Kashmiri separatist leader and chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has submitted a memorandum to the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and has urged the Islamic block to call upon India to revoke the contentious laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA).

Mirwaiz is currently on his visit to New York, where he met the OIC contact group and held meetings with the Pakistani authorities, including President Asif Ali Zardari on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

In the memorandum, Mirwaiz has urged the OIC to support the declaration of the leaders of All Parties Hurriyat Conference and the human rights activists as Internationally Protected Persons,” the spokesman said.

The memorandum was presented by Mirwaiz to the OIC Secretary General today. The spokesman said that the memorandum was adopted by the OIC, which met at New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Urging the OIC to call upon India to address the core issue of J&K in the dialogue process, Mirwaiz in his memorandum to the OIC has submitted that India should be asked to withdraw troops and revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958, the Jammu and Kashmir Disturbed Areas Act 1992 and the Public Safety Act 1978 from the Valley.

The spokesman said Mirwaiz urged the OIC members to call upon India to allow access to major Human Rights NGOs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other human rights organisations to monitor and document the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Asking the OIC to play an active role in the Valley, including providing humanitarian assistance to the Kashmiri widows and children, the memorandum has urged the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) countries to support the right of freedom of movement of Kashmiri people, including the Hurriyat leaders seeking their guaranteed protection.