The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

State govt staff march to Civil Secretariat foiled
Fresh round of protests starts as employees scheduled to observe a two-day lockout starting today
M Aamir Khan
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 9
The bid of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an amalgam of various government employees' bodies, to take out a march towards the Civil Secretariat was foiled here today. The amalgam started its fresh round of protests today while the employees are scheduled to observe a two-day long lockout from tomorrow.

A large number of protesters led by JCC leaders Abdul Qayoom Wani and Farooq Trali among others gathered at the Municipal Park and later attempted to march towards the Civil Secretariat.

However, the police intercepted the procession near the TRC ground and as per Trali, resorted to mild cane charge. Coloured water from a water canon was also sprayed to disperse the protesters. The movement of vehicular traffic remained disrupted for around an hour near TRC during the employees’ protest.

While several protesters were taken into preventive custody after the police foiled the march, Trali said they would go ahead with their scheduled lockout tomorrow and day after. The JCC had recently announced its fresh protest programme for the meeting of their demands.

The employees’ demands include release of arrears recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission, enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years, removal of pay anomalies and regularisation of daily wagers and casual workers working in various government departments.

The other JCC demands are inclusion of five years of contractual service of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers in the service book and regularisation of education volunteers after seven years of service.

After a series of protests and strikes by the employees last year, the government had reached an agreement with the JCC wherein the employees were assured that a decision on their demands would be announced by September 30.

However, the JCC then resumed protests, saying the government had failed to fulfil the promises made to them.

This year too, the government had urged the employee leaders to resolve their issues through talks but the same had been rejected by the JCC.

Meanwhile, the JCC demanded a probe into the recent Shopian killings. “We strongly condemn the incident and demand a high-level probe into the incident,” Trali said.

shopian killings
Lawyers suspend work in courts
Ishfaq Tantry
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 9
With killing of four persons by the CRPF in Shopian evoking widespread condemnation, hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for Shopian Chalo march on Tuesday.

Kashmiri lawyers today suspended work at the High Court and other subordinate courts in Srinagar and later took out a demonstration to protest against the killings at Shopian and injuring of another civilian in Budshah chowk shootout on Saturday evening. In a statement, a spokesman of the hardline faction said hardline separatist Syed Ali Geelani had appealed to residents of south Kashmir to march to Shopian on Tuesday where four youth were killed during the weekend. He said Geelani asked the residents of Kulgam, Pulwama, Anantnag and Shopian to march to the district where a mourning meet and demonstration will be held.

Today, the members of J&K High Court Bar Association suspended their work to show solidarity with the people of Shopian and Pulwama, the Bar spokesman said in a statement. Later, the lawyers also took out a protest demonstration from the High Court complex which passed through Jahangir Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Regal Chowk, Press Enclave, Lal Chowk and ended at Sadder court Srinagar.

During the protest, many lawyers, including Bar president Mian Qayoom, addressed the gathering. Condemning civilian killings at Shopian in their slogans, the lawyers also raised slogans against Zubin Mehta.

In his address, Qayoom said Zubin Mehta was allowed to perform at Srinagar by the Central and state governments only to “hoodwink” the world community, “so as to make them believe that everything is normal in Kashmir”. “He also stated that the statement made by Farooq Abdullah regarding the non-conducting of an inquiry in the Shopian incident also points out to the giving of free hand to the forces to kill the innocent people of J&K,” the Bar said in the statement.

Condemning the Shopian killings, Awaami Ittihaad Party (AIP) and MLA Langate Engineer Rasheed today appealed to political parties to unite against the human rights violations in Kashmir.

“Unite against brutalities and atrocities of uncontrolled security forces who seem to be having given licence to kill Kashmiris without seeking any permission,” an AIP statement quoted Rasheed.

Rasheed said this while addressing a meeting of party workers here, the statement added. An AIP statement said the meeting had been convened to discuss the recent Shopian killings and “criminal silence of the state government and New Delhi over the issue”. Meanwhile, terming Shopian killing as “unfortunate”, the ruling National Conference has demanded a probe into the incident. "The Shopian incident is unfortunate and condemnable. If the Centre is reluctant to revoke AFSPA, it should at least honour its commitments on zero tolerance towards human rights,” NC additional general secretary Mustafa Kamal said.

Job aspirant alleges KU deliberately kept him out of selection list
The marks he was awarded were one short of the qualifying score for junior assistant’s post
Bismah Malik
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 9
A 34-year-old MBA qualified Srinagar resident, Kaiser Makhdoomi, has vowed to fight against the Kashmir University's recruitment rules alleging that top officials of the university deliberately kept him out of the Junior Assistant post selection list, the examination for which was conducted in January.

He alleged that university officials had deliberately given him 51 marks in the written test, although the qualifying score was 52.

He said he later filed an RTI application on March 5 to get the xerox copy of answer sheet.

“Although I saw the answer sheet, it was apparent that the examiner had deducted marks randomly. Even in proven cases, where I was to only answer for correct grammar, I was given not a single mark which reduced my overall score. With that, my chances of getting this job also diminished. It appeared that the evaluator deliberately chose to mark unfairly, so that I may be kept out of the selection list,” Kaiser said.

He did not stop there. He went on to complain to the Chief Minister’s Grievance cell with complaint number- 41402 on July 29.

“The CM’s grievance cell sent at least six reminders to the Vice-Chancellor, KU for inquiring into the case. Even, Governor NN Vohra wrote a letter (letter number- GS 360(G) APL/ 13/ 225) to VC, KU directing him to submit a report by 26 July which wasn’t done,” Kaiser said.

He added that an email reminder was again sent to the Kashmir University by the Raj Bhawan for furnishing the report, which Kaiser hasn’t received till date.

He said he will soon turn over aged to apply for government services.

“I have been treated unjustly. Some high rung varsity officials, including Assistant Registrar (RTI), Deputy Registrar Recruitment, Controller of Examinations and Registrar are trying to hush up the matter .They are covering up the faults of the examiner,” Kaiser blamed.

Controller of Examinations, Kashmir University, Abdul Salam Bhat, when contacted said the Assistant Registrar has gone for Haj pilgrimage and that the report has also been prepared after probing the case.

“Kashmir University’s stand is clear that the candidate will not be allotted any further marks. The report has been sent to CM’s grievance cell and Raj Bhawan and will be given to Kaiser soon. We have deducted marks on the basis of very poor handwriting of the candidate because the examiner is not able to understand the answers properly. The candidate is only assuming that he should have been given more marks, which is wrong,” the controller exams said.

Paddy harvesting begins in north Kashmir
Farmers pray for another two weeks of dry weather, want fungicide spray on crops affected with ‘rai’
Amin Masoodi

Kupwara, September 9
Amid the pleasant weather conditions, the harvesting season began in most of the villages and towns of north Kashmir a few days ago. Farmers are now busy harvesting paddy crop. Women are also helping men in the hectic harvesting operations to complete it at the earliest.

Rice is the staple food for the farmers and the entire harvesting operation from reaping, thrashing and milling of the crop depends upon the dry weather conditions. In most parts of the Valley, farmers are able to grow just one crop during the entire year.

“The only worry is that of the weather. It should remain dry for at least another two weeks so that we are able to harvest and stock the paddy. I expect the prevailing dry weather conditions to continue,” said Sultan, a farmer from Handwara.

Incessant rains in the last week of August had created panic among the farmers as rains during this period usually delay the ripening of the crop. "Had the rains continued for another week, our yearly yield would have been wasted. Dry weather conditions are necessary for ripening and harvesting the paddy crop," said Mohammad Shafi (45), a farmer in Baramulla district of north Kashmir.

Harvesting and thrashing of crop also offers seasonal jobs to many locals. The labourers charge Rs 300 to Rs 350 each day the job. “Almost every year, I put in about a month of work in harvesting paddy. After the harvesting is over, I work as a labourer and thrash the paddy. I am able to earn about Rs 20,000 for my work during the season,” said Bashir Ahmad, a daily labourer.

Farmers in Rajwar and a few of its adjoining villages in Handwara tehsil have complained that their crops were hit by the “paddy blast”, locally called ‘rai’. They said unlike last year, the agriculture department had not sprayed fungicide on the affected crop.

“We appeal to the department to spray fungicides on the affected crops so that we are saved from the damage. The incessant rains have already damaged crops over a vast area in Rajwar,” said Sonauallah Mir from Rajwar.

‘Pressure groups can help fight drug abuse’
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 9
The Anti-Drug Drive Committee, set up in Tujjar Sharief, Sopore, in North Kashmir, in collaboration with the civil defence organisation, Baramulla, held an awareness programme against drug abuse at Community Hall, Tujjar Sopore, on Sunday.

A large number of people, including members of samaj sudhar committee, sultaniya committee, panches, sarpanches, civil defence volunteers, civil defence wardens and school and college students were present at the programme.

Mohammad Yousuf, general secretary of the committee, under the supervision of chief warden, civil defence, Anayat Mir, coordinated the programme.

Anayat Mir gave a detail presentation on “the substances of abuse and common people”.

He said the social and economic implications of substance abuse were worrisome. Increased absenteeism and deterioration in quality and quantity of work output were also witnessed in substance abuse cases.

“The youngsters, who should be at the prime of their abilities, become dysfunctional entities within the society in the long term,” he said.

The effects of drug abuse were long-term and limitless, as they percolated through all the aspects of life, he added.

The presentation also detailed how there was an increase in the crime rate, road accidents, suicides and suicidal attempts due to drug abuse.

It was also demonstrated how drug abuse took a toll on general health issues, like liver disorders, gastritis, accidental injuries and led to an increased risk for HIV infections due to Intravenous Drug Use (IDU).

“Kashmir is losing the most productive age group to drugs with manifold repercussions on social and occupational function, affecting both the society and economy,” the presentation said.

While concluding the programme, Ibrahim Abdullah, vice-president of the Anti-Drug Drive Committee said apart from health and legal aspect, it was a big social issue where pressure groups within the community could play a vital role in minimising the growing menace.

Local boy wins gold at int’l Thang Ta Championship

Srinagar, September 9
Zakariya Bhat (9) has brought laurels to the state by bagging a gold medal in the sub-junior boys category of the 1st International Thang Ta Championship being played at Chungju, South Korea.

An official said Zakariya, a resident of the Bemina area of the city, defeated Suk Min Gyu of South Korea in the final bout of championship yesterday. Teams from India, Philippines, France, Ukraine, Nepal, Malaysia, Greece and host South Korea are taking part in the event.

Zakariya while expressing happiness over the performance said: “Firstly I am thankful to Almighty Allah who helped me and then my master Iqbal Sir, who trained me due to which I got medal here at this mega event. I am extremely thankful to my Grand Master Prem Kumar Singh, who appreciated me and I am also thankful to the J&K State Sports Council which sponsored me? I hope that in the future events more and more players from J&K would be sponsored and would compete at the international level and win the medals for the state as well as for the country, he added. Zakariya said he was now aiming to win an Olympic medal.” — TNS

26 injured in road accidents
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 9
More than two dozen people were injured in five separate road accidents in the Kashmir valley today. Most of the injured were passengers. A bus turned turtle at Mirgund in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, resulting in injuries to 21 passengers, a police spokesman said. All the injured where shifted to a hospital where they are under treatment.

In Anantnag district of south Kashmir, an SUV hit and injured a pedestrian, Ghulam Mohammad Shah, a resident of Poibugh village. The injured has been shifted to SKIMS hospital in the city here, the spokesman said.

In another accident, a cab hit a motorcycle near the grid station in Beerwah town of Budgam district, resulting in injuries to the motorcyclist. The injured were admitted to a hospital for treatment.

A tanker turned turtle near fish pond in Sonmarg, Gulmarg, resulting in injuries to Harban Singh, a resident of Jammu. The injured was shifted to a hospital for treatment, the police spokesman added.

In another incident, two people were injured when the car they were travelling in collided with a tanker at Lewdoora, near Qazigund town in south Kashmir. Both the injured were shifted to a hospital for treatment, the police spokesman added.

Jamaat all-women convention tomorrow
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 9
The Pulwama chapter of the women’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, is organising the annual all-women convention on September 11. A statement from the party said the convention would be held at Dar-ul-Huda, at Murran Chowk, Pulwama Town.

“The speakers and scholars from the women wing of Jamaat will throw light on various issues pertaining to the women in the contemporary world. The speakers will present an Islamic perspective on these issues,” the statement said.

The convention will start at 10 am and conclude with Nimaz-e-Asar in the afternoon. It will be solely administered by women.

“All women, especially students, are cordially invited to attend the convention,” the statement read.