The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Many injured in Pulwama clashes
Security forces resort to tear gas shelling to disperse protesters
Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, February 18
Several persons, including policemen, were injured during widespread clashes amid a complete shutdown in Pulwama district of south Kashmir against the detention of youth by the police. Sources said a complete shutdown was observed after a police crackdown on the youth protesting against the hanging of Afzal Guru, the 2001 Parliament attack convict.

“People took to the streets in many areas of Pulwama town and the adjoining areas,” said a source, adding that they were demanding the release of the youth detained by the police.

Residents of the town alleged that the police was making the life of the youth miserable. “While many have been detained, others have left their homes and are on the run,” said a protester.

Huge contingents of the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed to tackle the protesters.

The security forces resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse the protesters. “However, clashes between the protesters and the forces continued throughout the day, injuring many,” reports from the area said.

An undeclared curfew has been imposed in the area. Contingents of the police and the CRPF have been deployed throughout the town.

Meanwhile, some media personnel in the area alleged that they were not allowed to perform their duties by the police.

“I was warned by a police officer against covering the protests,” said Bilal Khan, a correspondent with Hyderabad-based TV channel.

He said he had complained to the higher ups of the police department and they had assured that they would look into the matter.

Residents face shortage of kerosene
Say they have not received oil quota since October last year
Amin Masoodi

Kupwara February 18
Residents of remote Jumagund village near the Line of Control, nearly 55 km from Kupwara, are facing severe shortage of kerosene for the past many months. A delegation of residents said they were not getting kerosene and shortage of firewood and cooking gas had worsened their problems.

“We have not seen kerosene since October last year. Shortage of cooking gas and firewood have compounded our problems. In spite of repeated requests to officials concerned, we have not been provided with the oil so far,” said Muzzafar Khan, leader of the delegation.

The residents said due to heavy snowfall early this season they were unable to store firewood. “We could not store enough firewood this season due to early snowfall in upper reaches. At least two feet of snow is still accumulated on the ground in many parts of Jumagund. Cooking gas is also not available as the road leading to the village remained closed for traffic for many weeks,” said Sonuallah Khan.

The residents demanded that they should be provided with a separate depot at the village for distribution of kerosene oil.

They alleged that officials of the department were in nexus with the dealer had shown oil distribution on papers each month but on ground the same had never been provided to them since October last year.

“Ironically on paper, the kerosene stands distributed to each household but no family has received the same. The officials in nexus with the dealer at Zurhama village sell the quota of oil meant for Jumagund in blackmarket to drivers and others,” said a local.

“We should be provided with a separate dealer for smooth and equal distribution of oil according to ration cards,” he added.

Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Chowdary Mohd Ramzan said, “I will look into the matter. The problems of residents of border area would be resolved at the earliest.”

Villagers protest against power cuts in Handwara
Our Correspondent

Handwara, February 18
Residents of many villages in Handwara tehsil of Kupwara district staged a demonstration against the Power Development Department (PDD) for its failure to supply power according to the curtailment schedule.

The villages reeling under power crisis include Rajpora, Behnipora, Satkochi, Budnamal, Ashpora, Magam and Wadipora. The protesters blocked the Handwara-Kupwara road near the office of the power department in Handwara for at least two hours. They demanded that instead of 25 KV transformer, which often develops snags due to overloading, the villages be provided with 63 KV transformer for smooth supply of power. They said their villages were reeling in darkness for the past three days and power was playing hide and seek in some other villages, including Bakiakar, Vodhpora, Kulangam, Wadipora and Magam.

“We have not seen electricity for the past three days. The power division, Handwara, snaps the supply if consumers fail to pay power tariff in time. If the supply is not restored till this evening, we will not pay the tariff for February,” said Aijaz Ahmad.

Some shopkeepers also joined the protest. The protesters raised slogans against Electrical Division, Handwara. “What is the point in paying the tariff when power is not supplied according to the schedule given by the department? Every now and then, we are made to suffer for want of power,” said Sameer Mushtaq.

Leading the protest, Rajpora Youth Club president Imtiyaz Ahmad said, “The villages must be provided with 63 KV transformer to avoid load shedding and ensure smooth supply of power.”

Executive Engineer, Electrical Division, Handwara, Abdul Qayoom said, “The division will provide 63 KV transformer to the villages in a few days.”

Woman died of heart attack during raid, allege villagers
Army, police say victim’s house was away from cordoned-off area
Suhail A Shah

Kulgam, February 18
Violent protests erupted after a 55-year-old woman died following a heart attack, which the residents alleged, was caused during a raid by personnel of the police and the Army at Chidar village of Kulgam district last night. The police as well as the Army have refuted the allegations. “The house of the woman was out of the cordoned-off area,” a police statement said.

The deceased has been identified as Nazira Bano, widow of Late Ali Muhammad Dar, of Chidar Motalhama village in the Ashmuji area of this south Kashmir district.

Several persons, including some policemen, were injured during the protests that lasted for nearly three hours. Protesters tried to march towards the national highway with the body but were stopped by the police and the CRPF personnel at Qaimoh village.

Villagers said the Kulgam police and 9RR of the Army had cordoned-off the area on Sunday night at around 11pm.

“They went berserk and smashed windows and doors of several houses, including that of Late Ali Muhammad Dar,” said Altaf Ahmad, a resident of the village.

Sartaj Ali, younger son of the deceased, said his mother ventured out after the Army tried to take away one of the boys in their neighbourhood.

“She was harassed by the police and the Army personnel,” said Ali. “They pointed guns at her, which triggering the heart attack,” he alleged.

He said the family was not allowed to take her to a hospital for more than an hour. “When they finally did allow us, she had died by then,” Ali said.

Neighbours alleged that they were restricted to their homes by the forces from 11pm to 1am.

In the morning, when the villagers tried to march towards the national highway, violent clashes erupted between the villagers and the police and CRPF personnel.

“The security forces resorted to aerial firing and tear gas shelling,” said a villager. “Many people were injured,” he added.

The police and the Army have denied the allegations levelled by the villagers.

“The police and the Army had cordoned some houses of the village on a tip-off that militants were hiding in one of the houses,” the police statement said.

The statement, however, stated that the house of the victim was outside the cordoned-off area.

“The house of Late Ali Muhammad Dar was not searched at all,” the police statement said, adding: “The woman died a natural death.”

The Army too in a statement issued by Spokesperson Lt Col JS Brar has said that they have no hand in the death of the woman.

Meanwhile, the district administration has ordered an inquiry into the death. A report will be submitted by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, within a week.

Cheques worth Rs 1.18 cr given to saffron growers
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
Incentive cheques worth Rs 1.18 crore were distributed under the National Mission on Saffron among 220 saffron growers of Zewan, Balhama and Khunmoh areas today. The cheques were distributed among the farmers in the city.

Kashmir Agriculture Director Farooq Ahmad Lone said the National Mission on Saffron is aimed to increase productivity, maintaining quality and improving marketing facilities of saffron.”

Lone said, “The country has to import saffron to meet the domestic demand of 20 tonnes per year and the government has launched this programme to increase saffron production in the state so that country’s demand is met.” The official said the need of the hour was to initiate steps for protection of saffron crop besides increasing productivity and improving its quality. He said Spice Park worth Rs 22.6 crore would be established at Drusoo, Pampore, to facilitate online national and international marketing of growers’ produce at their doorstep besides provide quality control facilities to them.

He said five borewells at the cost of Rs 2 crore had been installed at Khunmoh, Balahama, for irrigation facilities to saffron areas.

Lone directed officers of the department to put their efforts and utilise modern technology in boosting the production and enhancing the quality of saffron.

Chief Agriculture Officer, Srinagar, GM Rather said during current year, 54 hectares of land had been covered under replanting of corms programme and the remaining area would be covered under rejuvenation programme in the next year.

Meanwhile, the Director, Agriculture, Kashmir, chaired a meeting with saffron growers of Pulwama district in which the growers of the area apprised the officer about situation that had developed due the untimely rain and change in weather conditions.

3 held for causing 2 pedestrians’ death
Our Correspondent

Kupwara, February 18
The Kupwara police on Sunday arrested three persons, including the driver of a vehicle, on charges of killing two residents of Khumriyal village in a road accident on February 16.

Mohd Jamal Mir (52), son of Khazir Mohd Mir, and Mohd Shafi Lone (38), son of Ghulam Rasool Lone, both residents of Khumriyal village were killed in a road accident near Goose on the Kupwara-Lolab road.

The police on Sunday arrested driver Ishfaq Ahmad Khan of Manigah, and Bashir Ahmad, owner of the vehicle, and Mohd Amin Khan (who were travelling in the vehicle at the time of accident).

Sources said the speeding vehicle hit pedestrians near Goose, killing Jamal on the spot and injuring Shafi. “Had the driver informed the police in time, injured Shafi’s life could have been saved. Instead, the driver or others travelling in the vehicle tried to destroy the evidence and pushed the deceased and the injured towards a nullah,” said a source. Relatives of the victims said they were returning to their homes after offering Friday prayers and the accident claimed their lives near Goose. They demanded stern action against the accused.

Two attempt suicide
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
Two persons, including a woman, attempted to commit suicide in Kupwara and Baramulla districts of north Kashmir, said the police here today. The woman, a resident of Wavoora village of Kupwara district, consumed some poisonous substance at her house, a police spokesman said.

The woman was shifted to the Sub-District Hospital, Sogam, from where she was referred to the Sub-District Hospital, Kupwara, for treatment, the spokesman said adding that a case had been registered in this regard.

In Baramulla district, a 22-year-old youth identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Khan consumed some poisonous substance at his home in Girdannowa-Nowshera village near Boniyar town.

Khan was shifted to the Public Health Center, Boniyar, for treatment from where he was referred to the District Hospital, Baramulla, the spokesman said.

Ski C’ship postponed
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
The Winter Games Association of Kashmir has postponed the National Junior Ski Championship, which was scheduled to be held from February 11 to February 15 in Gulmarg, indefinitely in the wake of curfew.

“We have postponed the National Ski Championship indefinitely due to the prevailing crisis,” said Muhammad Yusuf, spokesperson, Winter Games Association of Kashmir.

“There are no directions as to when this championship can begin. Also we have a limited time at our disposal since this is the most opportune time to conduct Alpine skiing sports activities in the snow-clad Gulmarg valley,” he said.

The spokesperson said the decision about whether to conduct the championship would depend on the security situation in the Valley.

This was the first-ever National Junior Ski Championship in which 200 skiers (in the age group of 10-19 years) from Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh were to participate.

Jammu and Kashmir was to field its 40 skiers for the competition (20 girls and 20 boys).

The state Department of Tourism had agreed to provide the logistical support for holding the championship.

The Gulmarg Gandola Cable Car Corporation and Gulmarg Hoteliers had tied up with hosts for rent and transport facilities to participants.

Handing over of Guru's body: MLA to 'knock doors' of separatists, moves resolutions
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
A day after his suggestion to hold an all-party meet to chalk out a joint strategy for handing over of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru’s body to his family found no favour, MLA Langate Engineer Rasheed today said he would “knock the doors” of the separatist leaders.

Addressing a press conference here, MLA Langate said he would start “knocking their doors” in the coming days and that he would also take his fight over handing over of Guru’s body to his family to the Legislative Assembly.

Rasheed had yesterday urged all the mainstream parties to bury their differences and form a joint strategy for return of Guru's body. While flaying the ruling National Conference for rejecting the offer, he said the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had sought time in this regard. "I am waiting for them (PDP) as they told me, I should have given them two to four days time. I am also willing to support them if they have their own strategy," Rasheed added.

Ruling out his resignation as MLA, he said: "Even though the mainstream (leadership) has failed me, I will continue to fight." Rasheed said he had moved four resolutions on February 12 that included seeking return of mortal remains of Maqbool Bhat and Guru for the upcoming session of the Assembly.

He also sought the support of the PDP over his resolutions seeking handing over of Bhat’s and Guru’s bodies that lie buried in Tihal Jail, New Delhi.

Maintaining that Guru was "innocent", Rasheed warned New Delhi against a "hushed burial" as many quarters had upped the ante for the handing over of Parliament attack convict’s body to his family members. "Recent rumours that Afzal Guru's body was being brought here were floated only as feelers to check the reactions of Kashmiris," he added.

Moderate Hurriyat flays house arrest of Mirwaiz
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
The moderate Hurriyat today flayed the “continuous house arrest” of the chairman of the conglomerate, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. In a statement issued here, the spokesman for the moderate Hurriyat said Mirwaiz had been placed under “continuous house arrest” in New Delhi after the recent execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

The spokesman claimed that Mirwaiz was also being denied communication facilities. Asserting that Mirwaiz was not only a “leader of the masses” but also a religious head, the spokesman said: “The restrictions against him and the continuous house arrest is giving a moment of introspection for international organisations. It is also a matter of concern for people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

The moderate Hurriyat also appealed to international organisations to take strong notice of the alleged “human rights violations” in Kashmir.

13-day educational tour concludes
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
A group of 20 youth from Ganderbal district have returned after a 13-day educational tour, which concluded on Saturday, organised by the Army under Operation Sadhbhavana.

A Defence spokesman said during the tour, the selected youth visited the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun and the National Defence Academy in Pune, apart from other places of interest in the two cities, from February 4 to February 16.

The team interacted with senior officials of the IMA and the NDA. The objective of the tour was to give Kashmiri youth a glimpse of the culture and heritage of the country, the spokesman said.

The youth also played two friendly cricket matches with the Abhimaniyu Cricket Club and the CEME, Pune team. The tour was organised by 49 Air Defence Regiment and was officially flagged in by its Commanding Officer Col Sanjay Chauhan on Sunday.

State’s legendary scout passes away
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
Legendary scout of Jammu and Kashmir Ahmadullah Affandi, who was awarded the Bharat Scouts and Guides Silver Elephant National Award by the President of India in 1999, passed away today at his residence in Wonagam village of Bandipora district in north Kashmir.

Affandi passed away after a prolonged illness at the age of 91 years. He is survived by his wife, four daughters, three sons and grandchildren. Ahmadullah Affandi had the privilege of being the leader of the Indian contingent which was invited to Saudi Arabia in 1967 by the then Saudi Arabian King Shah Faesal.

He played as a goalkeeper for the Kashmir 11 hockey team, which participated in different matches at Lahore in 1948 and 1949.

He had raised a scouts troop at Eaglet's Public School in Bandipora, where he taught for more than two decades after his retirement from government services.

Born on February 22, 1922, he was appointed as teacher in 1941 on the basis of his scouting skills. As a teacher, Affandi taught in a unique style based on the spirit and basic principles of scouting to kindergarten students.

Man dies in road accident
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
A 55-year-old man’s body was found on the national highway in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, said a police spokesman here today. The body bore injuries in the head and was apparently hit by an unknown vehicle, the police spokesman said.

The victim has been identified as Abdul Majee Shiekh of Vessu village near Qazigund town. Shiekh’s body was found near Palpora Mir Bazar on the Srinagar-Jammu highway.