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Civilian deaths in 2010: HC notice to govt
New
year bash
2013 LOOKING ahead |
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Horrible crimes shocked people in north Kashmir
Hotels seek uninterrupted power, water supply
Power supply better in Kupwara
Residents demand basic amenities
Vice-Chancellor lauds efforts of university’s NSS wing
State police emerging as finest counter-insurgency force, says DGP
‘Educate and protect girl child’
IISM trains local youth in housekeeping
A youth receives certificate from Yashvir Singh, Director Finance, Ministry of Tourism at the IISM, Gulmarg on Monday. A Tribune Photograph
Officials mourn death of former DGP
ADGP Rajendra, IGP Sahai greet people on New Year
Harassment of students condemned by KEA
Rich haul of medals for state shooters
Cyber-stalker arrested
Ashutosh nominated for IOA chairman College vacations from today 5 Ladakh Scouts emerge champs
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Civilian deaths in 2010: HC notice to govt
Srinagar, December 31 The court had on October 8 directed the state government to finalise its orders on the appointment of members of the Inquiry Commission, as the earlier members of the commission have already demitted their office. The PIL, seeking investigation into civilian killings in 2010, was filed by chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Mohammad Yasin Malik in the High Court on January 10, 2011, and was listed today before a double Bench of Justice Verinder Singh and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar. As the case was called up for hearing, senior Additional Advocate-General AM Magray sought time to file a status report with respect to the October 8 directions of the High Court, wherein the government had been asked to finalise orders about the appointment of probe panel members. After perusing the application filed today by state counsel seeking time, the Bench granted the state government four weeks to file its status report. The government in its earlier status report filed on October 3 had submitted that earlier members of the probe panel, Justice (retd) Bashir-ud-Din and Justice (retd) YP Nargotra have demitted office as members of the Inquiry Commission and the process for finding their replacement was on. Advocate-General M Ishaq Qadri, who had submitted the October status report, had also told the court that the Home Department had already identified three retired High Court judges in place of the earlier members of the Commission. The court in its October orders had also questioned the rationale of the state government behind bringing only 17 cases
under the ambit of the probe panel. In 2010 unrest, more than 117 civilians were allegedly killed by the security forces to quell the protests. The PIL has
been demanding registration of an FIR and investigation into all the civilian killings that took place during 2010. Time line
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Tourism Dept’s plan of firecracker show draws flak
Bismah Malik Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 31 Kashmir Ecology and Environment Watch (KEEW), an umbrella of various organisations focusing on preserving the natural environment of the Valley, said today if the Tourism Department does not refrain from holding the extravagant firecracker show, it would be compelled to lodge complaint against the department. A handout of the KEEW said the firework displayed in places like Gulmarg, which holds the distinction of a wildlife sanctuary would scare away wild animals, who might lose their natural habitats to escape the frightening detonations. It said the probability of the wild animals, as leopards and bears descending down to human habitations, would also increase tremendously, thereby, adding to the already existing man-animal conflict in the state. The KEEW spokesperson said fireworks were usually possible in human habitations, especially urban cities and not eco-fragile places like Gulmarg, where even the occurrence of snow avalanches increases due to such acts which might slow down the adventure sports activities scheduled for the New Year celebrations. “The Department of Tourism can utilise the money for some better work at Gulmarg like maintenance of the internal roads and lavatories which needs an immediate attention and care,” the KEEW spokesperson reiterated.
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Omar govt to focus on peace ahead of Assembly elections
Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service
The latest political moves, which took place in the event of elections to four seats of the Legislative Council (panchayat quota), led to the hints at “future alliance” between the National Conference and the Congress for the 2014 Assembly elections. Both the parties have maintained silence over any final decisions in this regard, even as the MLC elections were fought jointly by the two coalition parties. All eyes are set on Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the wake of AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s visits to the state wherein he had deliberated upon the Congress’ relations with the National Conference through the three generations. His assertions point towards the future alliances, despite the “overt differences” which surfaced over the 73rd Amendment in the Indian Constitution for the empowerment of panchayats. With the backlog of elections to the Block Development Councils and Urban Local Bodies, which are being accomplished this year, would pave the way for the coalition government’s face prior to the next Assembly elections. Both the parties would have to sink any differences to clear the backlog and complete the two elections this year ahead. Eyes are also focused on the “developments” towards the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) that was being vociferously advocated by the Chief Minister since he first made the commitment on October 21, 2011. Even as the Central government and the Army did not comply with his views, Omar Abdullah had been consistently favouring the revocation of AFSPA on the grounds that the situation had improved a lot, particularly in some areas of the state. It would be seen how far he is successful in getting any progress in this direction, though it all depends upon the situation and level of militant violence or public order. The authorities are sanguine over the maintenance of law and order and creation of “conducive atmosphere” during the past year. While the government during the past four years has been able to take forward the developmental activities, as per practice picking the threads from previous governments, it banks upon the series of developmental activities during the recent years. The second priority set by Omar Abdullah before taking over was the “friendly relations” between India and Pakistan to pave the way for an amicable resolution of the Kashmir issue. In this direction, it would bank upon the recent visit of the moderate Hurriyat delegation led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to Pakistan and PoK for holding dialogue with the leadership of different shades on the other side of the borders. The visit in the light of cordial relations between the two neighbouring countries, if not ice-breaking, is expected to be a step forward towards a permanent peace in the region. The authorities also bank upon the steep decline in the level of militancy over the years, which has reached the lowest ebb during the past one year. Militancy apart, peace in the state, particularly in the Kashmir valley, also hinges upon the events that in some cases take unwanted turns endangering peace, which had become clear during the recent years leading to the “summer unrest” between 2008 and 2010.
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Horrible crimes shocked people in north Kashmir
In a first-of-its-kind incident, the police claimed to have cracked a “honour killing case” towards the end of the year and arrested five members of a family in Lolab village of Kupwara district on the charges of murdering a 20-year-old girl for inter-caste marriage. In another incident that shamed the humanity and shocked people in north Kashmir, a man was arrested on the charges of murdering his four-year-old minor daughter. On developmental front, the Lolab valley was thrown open to tourism in September and an Ayush centre at Kupwara sub-district hospital bagged award for achieving the best performance in patent care throughout the state. On November 4, the Kupwara police claimed to have solved the murder mystery of a Lolab girl, eight months after the crime was committed. To the utter shock of people, the murder of 20-year-old Ameera Shah of Malgund village in Lolab turned out be a case of honour killing, a first-of-its-kind in north Kashmir. The police arrested father, brother, second husband and two more relatives of the victim on the charges of murdering her. The victim was found murdered on February 16 this year at her in-laws’ residence in her village. She had earlier eloped with Waqar Ahmad Khan and married him but the relatives opposed her inter-caste marriage. She was forcibly brought back and married to her cousin Naseer Ahmad Shah of Malgund. Investigations into the sensational murder case, which evoked massive protests for weeks, led to the arrest of brother of the victim Nawaz Ahmad Shah, Naseer Ahmad Shah (husband), Maqsood Ahmad Shah (father) and relatives Hamid Shah (wireless operator) and Nazir Ahmad Shah. In another shocking incident, the Kupwara police on October 3 claimed to have solved a murder mystery of a minor girl and arrested father of the victim on the charges of murder. Mohammad Shafi Malik of Ticker village was arrested on the charges of murdering his four-year-old daughter Asra Shafi on March 26 last year. The throat-slit body of the victim was found 50 yards away from her house. The police said the motive behind the heinous crime was to grab ex gratia relief and a government job. According to
the police, the accused had mercilessly slit the throat of his daughter with an axe. He (the accused) later informed the police about the murder of his daughter.
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Hotels seek uninterrupted power, water supply
Srinagar, December 31 “Gulmarg and Pahalgam are frequented by tourists during winter months. Gulmarg witnesses heavy rush of ski lovers, mostly foreigners. If we fail to provide them proper heating arrangements, they will leave the Valley with a bad impression, which will prove fatal for the tourism industry,” said Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Association (KHARA) president Showkat Chowdary. Gulmarg is hosting a whole lot of adventure sports activities this winter. Chowdary also demanded regular snow clearance form the roads leading to Gulmarg for the smooth travel of the visitors. “Government should also keep its men and machinery alert to keep the roads leading to Gulmarg open for tourists. The hoteliers will also coordinate with the government and the Tourism Department in its efforts to make the stay of the tourists comfortable,” he added. Meanwhile, the KHARA welcomed the initiatives of the Tourism Department for its efforts to attract tourists to Kashmir even in lean months of October and November.
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Power supply better in Kupwara
Kupwara, December 31 They said after weeks of erratic power supply, they were now getting the supply according to the curtailment schedule. “It’s good to see that the electricity scenario in our village has improved to a great extent. The power is supplied according to the curtailment schedule in place. We hope the supply will remain unaffected during ongoing winter season,” said Zahoor Ahmad, a resident of Sulkoot near Kupwara. Executive Engineer of Kupwara Tajamul Hussian said the field staff has been asked to remain alert and rectify the faults, if any without delay. “In spite of acute shortage of manpower, we are trying our best to ensure that the power supply remains unaffected. Every second day, employees in our division are getting retired, which is contributing to the shortage of staff. But I have asked the field staff to discharge their duties round the clock to ensure that consumers are not put to any inconvenience,” said the officer. The situation in remote villages of the district has also improved. Locals from Batpora, Hayhama, Chowkibal, Trehgam and Kralpora villages said they were being provided electricity according to the schedule. “We are thankful to electrical division Kupwara for bringing an improvement in the power supply. There are no more unscheduled power cuts. The supply during the night hours has also improved,” said a delegation of locals led by Sheikh Mushtaq of Batpora. Locals of Kupwara town also expressed satisfaction over the improvement in power supply and hoped it would remain unaffected in the ongoing winter season. “Since Monday, the power scenario has improved. We hope during this winter the power division Kupwara would ensure a hassle-free supply to the people and traders in the town,” said Ghulam Nabi, proprietor of Dansih Enterprises at Jamia road, Kupwara. Given the bitter experience of consumers in the past, power outages increase manifold, especially in villages, during the winter season. |
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Residents demand basic amenities
Srinagar, December 31 A delegation of residents, led by Ghulam Hassan, complained that the colony, located at a distance of 15 km from here, had been neglected by the government. “The colony has a total number of 1,700 plots, but only 50 per cent of the people could construct their houses while others prefer to stay away from the colony due to lack of basic facilities,” Hassan said. Stating that an overhead water tank at the colony supplied drinking water only for one-and-a-half hour daily, he said: “With the advent of the winter season, lack of power supply leads to an inordinate delay of three-to-four days in the regular daily water supply.” Abdul Rashid, another resident said, “During the summer months, when most of the areas in and around the city and major towns and district headquarters get round the clock power supply, the colony gets only 11-hour daily supply. The situation gets worst due to shortage of transformers,” he said. “While the main link leading from the Srinagar-Budgam road was black topped last autumn, all the other link roads within the colony have not been touched and even maintained. More damage is caused to these link roads due to leakage of pipes spilling the water over the roads,” Amin added. The residents appealed the government to take necessary action so that their issues were addressed. |
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Vice-Chancellor lauds efforts of university’s NSS wing
Srinagar, December 31 The NSS programme officers of the University, program officers of the NSS affiliated institutions (colleges and +2 schools) and principals of various degree colleges participated in the function where issues concerning the NSS and conduct of various NSS activities at +2 and college-level were discussed under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad. Prof Talat said the award received by the KU was a recognition of the dedication and hard work which its programme officers and volunteers put in the community service. Prof Talat said the NSS was being improved with the introduction of innovative content so as to enhance its relevance among the youth of the Kashmir and to design
the road map of social services for 2013. He said students expressed their desire to get enrolled as volunteers in various NSS units across the Valley, following which the matter was taken up with the authorities concerned for increasing the number of volunteers and NSS units in colleges. Prof Talat also distributed cheques of grants worth Rs 20,00,000 among the programme officers of various NSS units of the Valley for carrying such activities related to community mobilisation and organisation of the programmes related to the NSS. Registrar Prof Zaffar Ahmed Reishi, who was also present on the occasion, said the program officers of the NSS needed to be cognisant of emerging serious issues faced by the society like climate change, disaster management and drug-addiction so that they could organise their future programmes focusing in these areas and spread awareness in the society. The proceedings of the function were conducted by Tariq Abdullah, programme officer, NSS. |
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State police emerging as finest counter-insurgency force, says DGP
Jammu, December 31 In his New Year message to the police force and people of the state, Prasad said greater emphasis was laid on upgrading six police training institutions and one police academy to train the police personnel with latest technology and advanced weaponry. He said various special training courses had been introduced at training institutions to equip the personnel with investigative and crime detection skills. The DGP also lauded efforts of the JKP for maintaining law and order to the satisfaction of the people of the state. “Notwithstanding our best efforts, we have to continue to strive in areas where we could do better,” the DGP said. “Our training institutions have been upgraded and latest techniques of investigation and crime detection have been introduced in the syllabus of training courses,” he added. After creating conducive atmosphere, the force is constantly maintaining pressure on anti-national elements besides focusing on public service and professional policing, he said. He said a sense of security prevailed that reflected in the arrival of more than 13 lakh tourists to the state and 6.21 lakh Amar Nath pilgrims during the year thus boosting the economy in the region. The DGP said the JKP was emerging as one of the finest counter-insurgency forces in the world adding it had been focusing on restoring a conducive environment to bring lasting peace. “In 2012, more than 11,000 jawans and officers were imparted training in different skills and deployed in various areas of policing. In addition to this, 650 personnel were deputed for special technological skills outside the state and abroad,” the DGP said. He asserted that the organisation was committed to do more for the welfare of jawans and officers. In 2012, over Rs 18 crore was sanctioned for the welfare of serving and retired personnel, including the SPOs and their families, he informed. A mega construction programme has been launched across the state to enhance the building infrastructure in order to provide better living and working facilities to police force, he said. He added that improvements were being made to ensure quick disposal of verifications and avoid unwarranted trouble to
the public. |
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‘Educate and protect girl child’
Handwara, December 31 The seminar was organised at the Environmental Hall, Handwara, by the Department of Health, Kupwara. Many people, including students, senior citizens, lawyers, social activists, Asha and Anganwadi workers took part in the seminar. Addressing the participants, Islamic scholar Mufti Mohd Ashraf Imam of Jamia Qadeem Masjid urged people not to abort or harm the girl child but protect and educate her. Highlighting the importance of girls in the society, Ashraf said they were as important as boys and their importance should not be underestimated. Deputy CMO Kupwara, Dr Muneer Ahmad Mir expressed concern over deteriorating moral standards of the society with regard to the perception about the girl child. He said the Department of Health would spare no efforts in punishing the medicos, laboratory technicians or chemists, who resort to female foeticide in any manner. He said the parents found involved in any illegal act would also be dealt under law. Lawyers, who spoke on the occasion, strongly condemned the girl child abortion and appealed people to restrain from illegal act. Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kupwara, Dr Abdul Majid Wani said seminars were held in Kupwara and Handwara from December 24 to apprise people of the importance of girl child and serious consequences of harming the child before birth or at later stages in life. The seminars were held in Kalaroose, Kupwara, Villgam, Zachaldara and
Langate. |
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IISM trains local youth in housekeeping
Srinagar, December 31 “They were trained in basic lessons of housekeeping, cleaning process, bed making, upkeep and maintenance of the rooms. Some of the boys have been employed after the training,” he said. Dhillon said though the mandate of the institute was to run adventure courses, this was the first time that the Union Ministry of Tourism had given them a new task to train the local youth in housekeeping. The institute plans to conduct more such courses in the future, he added. The IISM is the first institute of the country to begin ski courses at Gulmarg resort in north Kashmir. The successful students were given certificates and financial incentives by Yashvir Singh, Director Finance, Ministry of Tourism, a statement issued by the IISM said today. |
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Officials mourn death of former DGP
Srinagar, December 31 “The IGP prayed for peace to the departed soul and extended his condolences to the bereaved family,” the spokesman said. A condolence meeting was also held at Armed Police Complex at Zewan on outskirts of the city, which was attended by DIG Central Kashmir, DIG IRP Kashmir and all Commandants of Kashmir-based Armed and IRP units. The condolence meet was chaired by IGP Armed and IRP Kashmir Rauf-ul-Hassan, the spokesman said. “Police officers condoled the death of former DGP and expressed their sympathy with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of departed soul,” the spokesman said adding that a two-minute silence was also observed in memory of the deceased. |
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ADGP Rajendra, IGP Sahai greet people on New Year
Srinagar, December 31 Kumar also greeted the families of policemen, including the martyrs families, wishing a blissful and happy new year. The ADGP in his message lauded the dedication of the JKP and the whole-hearted support of the people of the state for maintaining peace and order during the year. SM Sahai also greeted people of Kashmir and all ranks of the JK Police on the eve of New Year. Sahai wished the new year may usher in prosperity and peace to Kashmir and lauded the people, the JK Police and security forces for their contribution in creating atmosphere of peace and development in the state. |
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Harassment of students condemned by KEA
Srinagar, December 31 “The KEA has taken a serious note of hate and prejudice faced by the Kashmiri students by the management and fellow students of Ganga Institute of Technology, Jajar and Haryana. The plight described by the students in their communication addressed to the Kashmir Civil Society and the government authorities is shocking,” said KEA chairman Mohammad Yaseen Khan. Stating that the state government was duty-bound to ensure the well being of all the Kashmiris, especially the youth, who go out of the Valley in pursuit of education or work, Khan said: “Reports emanating from last few years have shown increasing incidents of hate and dislike for the Kashmiris, especially in the states governed by the BJP.” He said the KEA would take up these issues with the student organisations of various colleges and universities so that local residents do not face harassment outside the state.
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Rich haul of medals for state shooters
Jammu, December 31 Shooters Aman Singh, Sahil Sharma and Vishal Choudhary clinched bronze medal in .22 team event. Deepika Singh secured 565 points out of 600 while Joythsana garnered 546 in senior section of .22 event. Swati Mishra secured 558 points. Sushil Kumar and Tarun Dev Singh bagged 568 and 566 points in .22 and .50 metres events respectively. In the .177 air pistol, Tejaswi Singh has qualified for the Kerala National Games by securing 552 points out of 600. Harshdeep Singh also booked his berth for the upcoming National Games. |
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Cyber-stalker arrested
Srinagar, December 31 A complaint was received from a girl that she was being persecuted by a cyber-stalker, the police said. The stalker was disseminating obscene material and comments against her in cyberspace," the spokesman said. The accused was running a fake Facebook account under the name
waseemdarokhil@yahoomail.com. A case with FIR number 90/2012 under Section 66 of the Information Technology Act was registered at Shaheed Gunj police station and the investigating team cracked the accounts and arrested the accused, whose name has not been disclosed, the spokesman said.
— TNS |
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Srinagar, December 31
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