Srinagar, October 29
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu to comply with its earlier directions in which they had been asked to take prompt steps to stop illegal quarrying, particularly in the forest areas.

The court has sought the personal appearance of these commissioners in case they fail to comply with the directions.

The High Court is hearing a public interest litigation filed by Sofi Arif seeking a ban on illegal quarrying in the forest areas of the state.

Earlier on September 4, the High Court had asked the official respondents, including Commissioner Secretary, Forest Department, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir Division, Director General of Police (DGP) and Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir/Jammu, to file response and take prompt steps to stop illegal quarrying in the forest areas.

As the matter came up before a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justice Mansoor A Mir and Justice Ali Mohammad Magray, senior counsel Zaffar Qureshi submitted that no policy with regard to rehabilitation of quarry owners had been produced so far. He further submitted that quarry sites were yet to be identified by the government.

After hearing all the sides, the court directed all respondents to comply with its earlier directions.

It further directed the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, to file committee report/policy within three weeks.

The court also asked the Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir to comply with earlier directions issued on September 4, 2013.

The High Court observed that "in default" they would have to appear in person before the court on next hearing fixed after three weeks.

Earlier in April, the court had directed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to ensure strict implementation of its orders on illegal quarrying in the forest across the state, while making it clear that any laxity to implement the directions in letter and spirit would be viewed seriously.

The High Court in its earlier orders issued in August had also observed that as per the report of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, in the areas of Tujjar, Harvan, Satwari (A plus B), "no extraction of stone is being allowed".

Srinagar, October 29
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has asked the government to consider appointment of a sister of a youth who was killed when a bullet was accidentally fired from the service rifle of a policeman during 2008 land row agitation.

The bullet was fired when a protester tried to snatch the service rifle of a policeman in the Safakadal area of Srinagar during agitation.

These directions were issued by a single Bench of Justice Mansoor A Mir in a petition filed by the father of slain youth Imtiyaz Ahmad Mandoo.

As submitted in the petition, 28-year-old Imtiyaz, son of Habibullah Mandoo, hailing from Firdous Colony, Bemina in Srinagar, was killed by the police on June 28 in 2008 “without any “provocation and justification.”

The court in its orders directed the District Magistrate, Srinagar, to accord consideration to compassionate appointment of the slain youth’s his sister within four weeks from the date she approaches his office with necessary papers in support of her claim.

The court passed these directions after perusal of compliance report filed by Senior Superintendent of Police, in which it had been submitted that the youth was killed due to a stray bullet.

“Even if the stand taken by respondents in the petition as also their status report is taken at face value, the petitioner's son has not been part of the crowd that attacked the constable or made an effort to snatch his service rifle. He has been hit by the gunshot once an attempt was made to snatch the service rifle of the constable”, High Court observed.

It added that the state government had also paid an amount of Rs 1 lakh as ex gratia relief to the petitioner.

In these circumstances, the court observed, the (government) respondents “are under an obligation to accord consideration to compassionate appointment of sister of the deceased.”

Srinagar, October 29
The state weather department has predicted light rain over plains and snow over higher reaches of Kashmir valley for three days from tomorrow.

“Light rain and thundershower would occur at isolated places over the state with light snowfall at higher reaches in next 24 hours,” the state Meteorological Department said in a statement.

The weather department said the downpour would continue till Friday.

The light rain and thundershower over plains and snow over higher reaches at isolated places would continue on Thursday and Friday, the department said.

“Light rainfall is also expected in Srinagar city on Wednesday where maximum temperature will rise to 17.0 degrees Celsius and the minimum will fall to 4.0 degrees Celsius,” the department said.

In Srinagar, where sky remained overcast during the day today, the maximum temperature rose to 18.0 degrees Celsius and the minimum fell to 3.0 degrees Celsius.

The downpour in the region is expected to begin from Wednesday afternoon.

Anantnag, October 29
More than 24 hours after the Rohmoo branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank was robbed by four armed men in Pulwama district, the police remained clueless about the robbers.

“The investigation is going on, however, we are yet to reach any conclusion,” said a police official.

The official said it would be too early to say anything about the robbery. “Every angle of the case will be investigated and details will be shared with the media,’ he said.

Four gunmen yesterday robbed the Rohmoo branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited of Rs 7 lakh.

A case has been registered in this regard at the Rajpora police station.

Srinagar, October 29
The Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an amalgam of various organisations of government employees, alleged that the police today foiled its meeting as it was to announce its fresh protest programme.

JCC leader Farooq Trali said the police detained four employee leaders, including Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) president Abdul Qayoom Wani, as the amalgam had planned to hold a meeting on the Agriculture Complex here. The JCC had called the meeting to announce its next round of state-wide agitation programme.

While condemning the police action, Trali said they would not get bogged down by ‘such tactics’ of the government and continue to fight for their demands. He said the JCC would now announce its next round of protest programme in the next few days.

While talks between the government and the JCC had ended in a deadlock last month, the employees have been staging frequent protests and strikes for over two years now.

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 fulfill the promises made to them.

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.

Srinagar, October 29
Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khandey has asked the district administration to make advance preparations for snow clearance, keeping all necessary equipment and machinery in place besides ensuring adequate stocks of essentials are stocked by or before November 10.

The Chief Secretary is currently on a weeklong visit to various districts to review development progress and winter preparedness in the Kashmir valley.

An official spokesman said the Chief Secretary today visited Shopian and Pulwama districts after holding review meetings at Kulgam and Anantnag yesterday in south Kashmir. Khandey was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shalindra Kumar, Special Secretaries to the Chief Secretary, Chief Engineers of the PDD, PHE, PWD, Irrigation and Flood Control, PMGSY, Mughal Road, besides the Director, Health Services, Horticulture, Agriculture, Education and other senior officers.

“At Shopian, several deputations called on the Chief Secretary, apprising him about various issues confronting them and sought their redressal. The deputations comprising traders’ federation, fruit growers, Auqaf, Citizens Welfare Forum, members of Bar Association and senior citizens had detailed interaction with the Chief Secretary, who assured them that their grievances will be looked into on priority,” he said.

“During the review meeting held with the District Administration, Shopian, the Deputy Commissioner briefed the Chief Secretary about development progress and plan achievements for the current fiscal. He said, out of the annual plan outlay of Rs 65.29 crore and availability of Rs 29.86 crore, so far Rs 16.15 crore has been spent on various developmental works under different sectors,” the spokesman said.

The Chief Secretary called for launching vigorous awareness campaigns across the district to improve literacy rate especially among the women.

“The Chief Secretary also directed for bringing all farmers under the Kisan Credit Card scheme for availing various types of financial incentives and benefits under different schemes. Power Development Department was asked to improve, revenue realisation besides ensuring repairing and replacing damaged transformers during ensuing winter,” the spokesman.

Later in the afternoon, the Chief Secretary visited Pulwama and reviewed the overall developmental scenario besides stock and supply position in the district.

Srinagar, October 29
Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has been released after remaining in detention in his house for 236 days.

Geelani, who heads the hardline faction of the separatist Hurriyat Conference, was placed under house arrest soon after his return from New Delhi in March earlier this year.

A spokesman for the hardline Hurriyat Conference said the police deployment outside Geelani’s Hyderpora residence, on the outskirts of the city, was removed today after remaining in place for 236 days during which the separatist leader was confined to his residence.

“Geelani is scheduled to visit north Kashmir’s Sopore town on Friday, where he will address a rally and later visit the house of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru,” he said. Guru was hanged on February 9 in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail. The spokesman said Geelani would visit all district headquarters in coming weeks.

The spokesman said a senior police officer had informed Geelani today that the police had been immediately ordered to remove restrictions from his residence, where a makeshift check post manned round-the-clock by police personnel had been installed.

Geelani would also visit Gool, Tral, Shopian, Markundal and Kishtwar where several civilians and militants had been killed this year.

It is not clear whether Geelani will continue to stay in Kashmir or spend winter months in New Delhi, as has been his schedule over the past few years.

Srinagar, October 29
To commemorate the platinum jubilee of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jammu and Kashmir, several blood donation camps and matches were held throughout Srinagar and Budgam district.

A function to mark the 75th anniversary of the CRPF in Budgam was chaired by Agha Syed Rauhullah and other senior police officials were present on the occasion.

“A medical camp was organised by the 43 Battalion at Kesarmulla, Budgam, and a blood donation camp by the 23 Battalion, Karan Nagar, in which approximate 100 personnel donated blood,” a CRPF spokesperson said. Cultural programmes, mela and Bada Khana were also organised at the Recruit Training Centre in Humamaha, Srinagar, under the guidance and supervision of PK Singh, IGP, CRPF, Srinagar, in which DK Pathak, Special DG, J&K Zone, was the chief guest.

About the history of the force in the Valley, the IGP said, “The Central Reserve Police Force came into existence as Crown Representative’s Police on July 27, 1939, and on enactment of the CRPF Act on December 28, 1949, it became the Central Reserve Police Force”.

The CRPF is an armed force of the Union of India, with the basic role of maintaining internal security and assisting the state/Union Territories in maintaining law and order and counter-insurgency operations.

“In Jammu and Kashmir, the CRPF is playing a pivotal role in securing various vital installations, protecting VIPs, counter-insurgency duties and besides this also plays an important role in smooth conduct of Shree Amarnath yatra and facilitating Haj yatra at Srinagar Airport every year,” he added.

Kupwara, October 29
In order to give a boost to cocoon production in Kupwara district, the Department of Sericulture organised a day-long awareness camp here today.

The Deputy Director, Sericulture, Manzoor Ahmad, urged the producers to take full advantage of the centrally sponsored schemes.

On the occasion, Kupwara DC Itrat Hussian Rafique distributed cheques to 20 beneficiaries, including three award cheques for the construction of rearing houses. Members of the Kashmir Silk Cluster Organisation, an NGO, local farmers and scientists of the Central Silk Board also took part in the programme.

Rafique presented the statistics of cocoon production in the district. He said 62.5 tonnes of cocoon was produced in 2013-14 in the district and 1,500 farmers were benefited.

“Over 1,500 farmers are benefited by the trade of cocoon. Farmers’ interested in its production will be provided full support by the department. They can plant good number of mulberry trees and the department will provide them land free of cost,” said Manzoor Ahmad, Deputy Director, Sericulture.

The farmers were apprised of mulberry cultivation, self-help groups and formation of community-based organisations.

Scientists from the silk board apprised the farmers of cluster formation groups and urged the youth to take advantage of the scheme. 

Srinagar, October 29
The ruling National Conference (NC) today mocked at the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accusing its patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed of committing genocide during his tenure as Union Home Minister in early 1990s.

In a statement, the NC lashed out at the PDP and termed its call for a peace march as fake.

“Mufti is responsible for the death of more than one lakh Kashmiris, all done to protect his stay in power,” an NC spokesman alleged. “The person who led the war, murders, torture and genocide in Kashmir from 1990 to 1996, he is today shouting fake and emotive slogans to earn sympathies of the people,” the spokesman said.

The NC has regularly accused Mufti of committing massacres in Kashmir region during the latter’s tenure as Union Home Minister.

Mufti had recently called on India and Pakistan to restore a tottering ceasefire and announced that his party would lead a peace march on November 4 to convey their concern about the deteriorating security environment.

However, the ruling party remained unimpressed by Mufti’s call for peace.

“For five years from 1990 onwards, when Mufti was the Union Home Minister, he remained deaf to the cries of oppressed Kashmiris and now he is calling for peace marches to prove himself to be a peacenik,” the spokesman said.

“The first thing Mufti did when he became the Home Minister was to appoint Jagmohan as the Governor,” NC said in a tirade against Mufti. Jagmohan was the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir in early 1990s, when militancy was in its initial phase.

Srinagar, October 29
Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, today celebrated its annual day here today.

State Medical Education Minister Taj Mohiuddin, who was the chief guest on the occasion, gave away prizes to the meritorious students, an official spokesperson said.

The minister appreciated the faculty and management of the GMC for restoring the past glory of the institute and improving the services in its associated hospitals.

He said technological innovation was imperative for making advanced diagnostic facilities available and affordable to the people. Taj said a proposal of Rs 36 crore aimed at introducing innovative technologies in the health sector had been sent to the Union Health Ministry.

He said the Centre had helped the state in improving the healthcare sector by way of providing liberal funds for the upgrade of health infrastructure across the state.

Principal Rafiq Ahmad Pampori and senior faculty of the college were present on the occasion.

In his welcome address, Pampori gave a detailed account of the activities of the college and the innovative measures being taken at different levels for improving the healthcare system at the hospital.

Srinagar, October 29
A calligraphy-cum-art exhibition on the theme ‘Muharram’ was organised on the Kashmir University campus today. Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad inaugurated the exhibition.

Over 90 works of art were put on display.

The day-long open air exhibition was organised by a group of students in collaboration with the department of students’ welfare, the university PRO, said.

“The exhibition was a humble tribute to the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Hussain, and the martyrs of Karbala,” he said. As many as 26 students put up their work on display at the exhibition.