Will not hurt sentiments of people of Kashmir: Rajnath Singh
Jammu, Sep 11 : The situation in Kashmir Valley has improved significantly over the past year, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today as he expressed willingness to meet anyone who wants to help resolve problems of Kashmir.
Singh, who is on a four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, told reporters that a permanent solution to Kashmir issue is based on five 'C's -- compassion, communication, coexistence, confidence building and consistency.
"After meeting the delegations and holding meetings here, I understand that the situation in Kashmir has greatly improved. I don't want to claim that everything is completely fine but things are improving, this I can say with firm belief," Singh said.
He said during his visit he has interacted with police and CRPF personnel and he will also meet Army personnel.
"I am willing to meet anyone who wants to help us in resolving problems of Kashmir.There is no question of a formal or informal invitation. Those who want to talk should come forward. I always come here with an open mind," Singh said when asked if the government was ready to hold talks with separatists.
He said the government does not want to leave out any of the stakeholders with whom dialogue should be held.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government “will not go against the sentiments of people” while reacting on a petition lodged in the Supreme Court seeking abrogation of Article 35A.
“We will not go against sentiments of people. There are no issues left that is why such issues are being raised,” Singh said in Srinagar.
He said that he was willing to talk to anyone who helps in resolving problems of Kashmir.
He said that he has asked the administration and forces to treat “misguided” Kashmiri children with compassion.
Singh said he has directed the security forces and the administration that children who have been “misguided and pushed into violence” should not be treated as criminals and put into jails.
“Such misguided children should be dealt with according to the juvenile justice system and not locked up in jails. They should be properly counselled and treated with compassion," he said.
Asked about the arrests of separatist leaders in the state, the Home Minister said the National Investigation Agency is the premier investigating agency of the country and is acting according to the law of the land, but added that this should not deter those who want to talk to the government.
"Law will take its course, but we are ready to speak to everybody. We have never opposed talks. The all party delegation came here and met everybody, we did not oppose that. I have already said that all stakeholders are welcome and anybody ready to talk to us is welcome," he asserted.
Omar welcomes Rajnath Singh’s statement on Article 35A
Srinagar, Sep 11 : Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday said that he supports Article 35A and special status.
Responding to a question during a press conference, Rajnath Singh said that Government in New Delhi won't do anything against the emotions of the people.
Reacting to the statement of the Home Minister, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah tweeted: “This is a very important statement from the Union Home Minister. His assurance will go a long way towards silencing the noises against 35-A.”
Pertinently, an NGO backed by RSS has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of Indian seeking the abrogation of Article 35A, that debars non-state subjects from purchasing land and acquire jobs in Jammu and Kashmir.
Killing of two Hizb militants spark shutdown in Kulgam
Thousands attend last rites
Kulgam, Sep 11 : The killing of two militants in a gunfight sparked spontaneous shutdown in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday.
Reports said that all shops and other commercial establishments remained closed in the town and peripheries.
Two militants of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant outfit were killed in a gunfight with forces in Khudwani area of the district early on Monday.
An over-ground worker was also apprehended with a pistol in the area, police said.
The slain militants were identified as as Sayar Ahmad Wani and Dawood Illahi Khan.
On Sunday two militants were killed in adjacent Shopian district. In three day’s five top militants were killed in three different gun battles in North and South Kashmir.
Clashes erupted in Lalchowk area of Islamabad district after news about the killing of two militants in Khudwani Kulgam spread in the area.
Local sources said that youth pelted stones on police and other forces deployed in the area, who retaliated triggering clashes.
Mobile internet services have been suspended in the district to prevent law and order problems.
Earlier police launched a CASO in Khudwani after inputs about presence of militants.
During the searches, an encounter ensued and two militants were killed in the gunfight. The slain militants include Dawood Ahmad Illahi of Hawora Kulgam and Sayar Ahmad Wani of Wanpora Kulgam.
Police sources said that two weapons have been recovered from the slain militants.
They said that an OGW of militants identified as Arif Sofi was also arrested during the gunfight. A pistol has been recovered from his possession, they said.
Reports said that thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of these two slain militants.
Witnesses said that five rounds of funeral prayers were held for Dawood Illahi Khan in Hawoora village while four rounds were held for Sayar Ahmad Wani in Wanpora.
They said that pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans were raised during the last rites of both the militants who were killed in an early morning gunfight with forces in Khudwani area of Kulgam.
Students protest against the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Burna
Sopore, Sep 11 : Students of Sopore Law College and Degree College separately staged protest against the killings and persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
At Sangrama, students of Sopore Law College blocked the road and chanted anti-Mayanmar slogans. They demanded that the killings and persecution of Rohingya Muslims should be immediately stopped. The students appealed the Islamic Countries to take measures to safeguard the Muslim community in Burma.
A large number of students from Government Degree College Sopore also staged a protest inside the college campus and condemned the killings and persecution of Rohingya Muslims.
They said that the protesting students were carrying placards and banners seeking an end to genocide of Muslims in Myanmar.
Raising slogans, the protesting students marched towards Iqbal market and main chowk area.
Army’s 92 Base Hospital Commemorates Platinum Jublee
Srinagar, Sep 11 : Indian Army’s 92 Base Hospital (BH) located in Kashmir capital Srinagar celebrated its Platinum Jubilee on Sunday. This flagship combat hospital was raised in Rawalpindi during World War-II on 10 Sep 1942 as 92 General Hospital and subsequently relocated to different locations in Bengal before being mobilised for war to Kure in Japan on 02 Mar 1946. Having demonstrated its capability in war the hospital was moved to Jammu and Kashmir for the Indo-Pak conflict on its return to India. It reached Srinagar on 02 Oct 1948 and occupied the old Jammu & Kashmir State Forces accommodation. The hospital was subsequently reorganised as a static hospital and renamed 92 Base Hospital on 28 Aug 1970.
First day cover to mark the occasion was released by Lt Gen J S Sandhu, the Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen Rajbir Singh, Commandant AMC Centre and Records, Mr Sanjay Sharan, Chief Post Master General, J&K.
As per a statement issued to CNS, Lt Gen J S Sandhu, the Chinar Corps Commander complemented all Doctors, Nursing Officers and the civilian staff for achieving this milestone and rendering yeomen service in providing world class health care in J&K. The Base Hospital is an epitome of professionalism and has truly lived upto its motto of “Touching Hearts, Saving Lives”, Gen Sandhu said.
92 BH has always been known for its tradition of eminence in patient care during peace as well as various conflicts in the region including Operation Rakshak, the Kargil war, Operation Prakaram and the flash floods in Kashmir in Sep 2014 when 92 Base Hospital was tasked with coordinating the medical management and it did so for the rescued civilians including the evacuation of 102 critically ill children from a flood ravaged hospital in Srinagar. The hospital extends its support not only to the Armed Forces personnel and their dependants, veterans but also to the Police and Paramilitary Forces during the critical period of resuscitation and life saving intervention. Many precious lives have been saved due to the excellent ‘critical management’ provided by the hospital.
The hospital has kept up with the times and is equipped with the most modern diagnostic tools including automatic analysers, CT scan and MRI. It has in addition a fully licensed blood bank with capability of component segregation. It is recognised by the Medical Council of India for Internship training of graduate doctors to qualify for the degree of MBBS.
In recognition for all the above, 92 BH has the unique distinction of being the only medical unit to be awarded the Chief of Army staff Unit Citation thrice along with the General Officer Commanding in Chief’s Unit Appreciation and the Director General Medical Services (Army) Rolling Trophy on two occasions. Individual awards of distinguished service and devotion to duty are innumerable including recognition by the Police and Paramilitary Forces.
Killing of Bemina youth: ‘Despite HC directions, sister of deceased not given Govt job’
Srinagar, Sep 11 : The family of a slain youth from Bemina area of Srinagar city who was killed by a ‘stray’ bullet in 2008 has alleged that even after the directions passed by Jammu and Kashmir High Court to provide government job to the lone sister of the deceased youth, the District Administration is delaying the process and is not keen to confer Government job to the sister of the deceased.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court had directed the State Government in October 2013 to accord consideration to compassionate appointment of the sister of the deceased within four weeks from the date she approaches the office with necessary papers in support of her claim.
“We approached District administration with completer papers but no step has been taken in this regard so far,” the father of the deceased youth Habibullah Mandoo told.
A Bemina resident, Habib-ullah Mandoo father of deceased Imtiyaz Ahmad Mandoo had filed petition in the High Court stating that he lost his only son at the hands of government forces in 2008 and he is suffering from cardiac ailment and is exclusively dependent on his daughter for livelihood.
“Even if stand taken by respondents in the petition as also their status report is taken at face value, 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,” bench of Justice Hasnain Massodi had said in its order adding that the sister of the deceased youth should be given a government job on compassionate grounds.
“From past three years I have been visiting District Magistrate office Srinagar. The officials are using dilly dally tactics to buy time. They are not honouring the court verdict. I am hopeful that newly deputed District Magistrate will ease my sufferings. I request Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to look into the matter and direct the district administration to honour the court orders,” said the father of the deceased youth.
Khayal’s book ‘Jashan-e-Khayal’ released
Srinagar, Sep 11 : ‘Jahan-e-Khayal’ authored by noted scholar, poet and writer Ghulam Nabi Khayal was released on Monday at a local hotel here in Kashmir capital Srinagar. The book highlights different aspects of Kashmir society, culture, polity and history.
Retired Justice Bashir Ahmed Kirmani lauded the research undertaken by Ghulam Nabi Khayal. He requested him to pen down the account about Kashmir right from 1947. “Khayal Sahab has written books in Urdu, Kashmiri and English and he has really served the literary arena of Kashmir,” he said.
In his remarks, well-known writer Nasir Mirza had high praise for the work. He said that Ghulam Nabi Khayal is a force to reckon with whose service to literary filed is laudable.
Asfandyar Kachoo said that the life of Ghulam Nabi Khayal is like a shining star. Wahshi Sayeed said that Ghulam Nabi Khayal is a voice that can’t be ignored. He said that his life is a treasure filled with beads and pearls.
The book has been published by Nagina Publishing House.
Rajnath Singh assures personal intervention into Photo Journalist’s case
Srinagar, Sep 11 : Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday assured Journalist fraternity that he will himself look into the circumstances leading to the arrest of Photo Journalist Kamran Yousuf.
Kamran Yousuf is currently in NIA custody in New Delhi. India’s National Investigating Agency arrested Kamran Yousuf from South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Journalist fraternity has been asking government as well as NIA to come clear on his arrest.
Sources have been telling that he has been arrested for aiding stone-pelters, however, till date both the NIA and Jammu and Kashmir Police are tight lipped over the matter.
Couple of Journalists raised the issue with the visiting Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh who not only directed Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh but also to the police department to look into the matter.
Singh also directed MoS in Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh to look into the matter.
“I will personally look into the matter. You need not worry,” Singh told Journalists.
Hizb pays tribute to Kulgam slain militants
Srinagar, Sep 11 : Militant outfit Hizbul Mujhahideen on Monday paid rich tributes to the two of its militants who were killed in a gunfight in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Sayar Ahmed of Wanpora and Dawood Illahi of Hawora were killed in a gunfight with government forces in Khadwani area of Kulgam district.
Burhanuddin, the spokesperson of the outfit told news agency CNS over phone that United Jehad Council chief Syed Salahuddin, Deputy Chief Saifullah Khalid and Operational Field Commander Muhammad Bin Qasim paid rich tributes to Sayar and Dawood.
“Both these valiant youth had proven their mettle in shortest period of time and participated in many gunfights. The separation of loyal militants like them is really painful,” the spokesperson said.
Job aspirants demand declaration of selection list
Baramulla, Sep 11, CNS: The job aspirants who were shortlisted by the authorities in Baramulla district for different departments Monday staged a protest against the district administration for causing delay in the release of final selection list of candidates’ for class fourth employees, despite court orders.
The protesting candidates said that district administration Baramulla is callous towards their hardships and whenever, they draw the attention of the officials towards the releasing of selection list, they are being admonished and sent back.
“We have been awaiting for this list from past 11 years but district administration Baramulla is causing unnecessary delay. We appeal Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to look into the matter,” they said.
REPORTS FROM : CNS