Protest continues against braid chopping
‘Expose the criminals, say protesters
Srinagar, Oct 19 : Mysterious braid chopping incidents continue to give sleepless nights to whole Kashmir populace while victims both young and elderly have been under massive mental stress. The increasing incidents have been sparking protests and even clashes in different parts of Valley.
Reports said that an overnight braid chopping incident sparked shutdown and protests in Hazratbal area of Srinagar on Thursday morning.
According to locals the braid of a woman was chopped off at Dhobi Mohalla on Wednesday night. Reports said that the residents took to streets and staged massive protests against the increasing braid-cutting incidents.
Two incidents of braid-cutting have taken place in the area in past week.
Meanwhile, shops and other commercial establishments remained closed in the area.
Joint Resistance Leadership and Jammu Kashmir Mass Movement held a protest here in Srinagar city. The protesters in these two protests castigated government for acting mute spectator. They alleged that government and police have miserably failed to expose the criminals involved in braid chopping incidents.
The protesters were holding placards with messages urging an end to braid-cutting attacks. “Stop Braid Chopping”, “Attacks on dignity of daughter not acceptable” and “Attacks on Kashmiri women and braid chopping is a ploy to intimidate Kashmiris” were some of messages written on placards.
Lesser known, All India Rahul Gandhi Association also held a protest in Press Enclave Srinagar and asked government to expose the criminals behind these braid chopping incidents.
Witnesses reported that people took to roads in Beerwah area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district after a fresh braid chopping incident. The victim according to locals was the same girl whose braid was chopped two weeks back. The protesters raised massive slogans against police and the government.
Protest was also held against an overnight braid chopping incident at Lari-Preng area of Kangan town of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The braid of a middle aged woman was chopped off by miscreants on Wednesday sparking nocturnal protests.
Pertinently, over a 100 incidents of braid chopping have occurred in different parts of Kashmir Valley during the past month while police is still clueless.
The victims have told their families and police that unknown persons cut their hair after knocking them unconscious with some spray.
The police have formed Special Investigation Teams to probe the incidents. However, so far the police and the authorities have been clueless.
The police have announced a reward of Rs six lakh for credible information leading to arrest of any person behind braid chopping incidents. So far, no arrests have been made.
At several places, vigilante mobs have thrashed innocents mistaking them for braid choppers.
Erratic mobile services irk Pulwama locals
Srinagar, Oct 19 : The subscribers of telecommunication companies, Airtel, Aircel, Jio and BSNL have complained about erratic mobile phone services and poor internet services at several villages of Pulwama district in South Kashmir.
The Airtel, BSNL, Jio and Aircel subscribers from Adarbal, Nikas, Haal and its adjoining areas said that they are facing immense problems due to erratic mobile service.
“We are unable to contact our nears and dears as every time we dial the number, the network comes busy or number does not exist,” subscribers said.
They said that call drops are frequent in the area due to poor network.
“Many a times, we are not able to complete our conversation as the call drops suddenly due to the network error,” subscriber Faizan Qayoom said, adding that they were now fed up with the poor services of the Airtel, BSNL, Jio and Aircel.
The subscribers said, “Although Airtel, BSNL, Jio and Aircel are the leading telecommunication companies, but all these companies have failed to provide quality service to the people of these villages of Pulwama district.”
“We apprised Customer Care Executives about the erratic service many a time, but they failed to mitigate our problems,” subscribers added.
Using the name of Zakir Musa, India planning to play a deadly game in Kashmir: UJC
Srinagar, Oct 19 : Asking freedom loving of Kashmir to be vigilant and cautious, the conglomerate of local militant outfits United Jehad Council (UJC) Thursday said that Indian agencies are mulling to play a dangerous game in the name of ISIS and Al-Qadia using the façade of Zakir Musa.
In a statement to news agency CNS, Syed Sadakat Hussain, the spokesperson UJC said they have already made it clear; “Indian Intelligence Agencies are busy in hatching conspiracies and are trying to use the paid agents and stooges to weaken the ongoing Freedom Struggle in Kashmir.”
He said India is trying hard to give the ISIS and Al-Qaida colour to indigenous movement of Kashmir.
“A new Ikhwan is being created from past several months in the name of ISIS and Al-Qadia using the façade of Zakir Musa. Indian paid agents are being recruited for this brigade. They are being hailed by Indian media and impression is given these paid agents are the real hero’s of Kashmir Freedom Struggle,” he said.
The Spokesperson added: “From past few days’ Indian print and electronic media is busy in cooking a cock and bull story claiming Zakir Musa’s meeting with militants who had managed to enter into Valley through Gulmarg route. We appeal people of Kashmir to be alert and expose such types of conspiracies.”
He said that the real face of terrorist organization ISIS has truly surfaced in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. “The pro American former president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai exposed the ISIS recently,” the UJC Spokesperson said adding that in the name of Zakir Musa, India is planning to pitch a Kashmiri against Kashmiri.
“To make these plots unsuccessful it is our responsibility to expose the anti-Kashmir elements,” he said.
CM visits children’s home at R S Pura, says their social integration every citizen’s obligation
Jammu, Oct 19 : Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has underscored the need for social integration and proper rehabilitation of orphans and the destitute.
Interacting with the inmates of a children’s and destitute home at R S Pura today, the Chief Minister said though Government is doing what it is supposed to do for the welfare of orphans and destitute but, she added, besides Government it is the obligation of every citizen to play its role in proper rehabilitation and social integration of these victims of fate.
Mehbooba Mufti appealed all sections of people to devote part of their mental, material or intellectual resources in bringing a large section of such socially fragmented people into the mainstream of society.
During her visit, the Chief Minister sat with the inmates of the children’s home and interacted with them. The children shared their interests like poetry, singing, painting etc. with the Chief Minister which she liked.
Mehbooba Mufti extended Diwali greetings to the children and wished them happy and prosperous times ahead.
Vice Chairman, SC/ST Development Board, Bushan Dogra; Vice Chairman, Women’s Development Corporation, Vijay Dogra; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. M K Bhandari; IGP Jammu zone, SDS Jamwal; officers of district administration and a large number of people were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, a large number of people from different walks of life met the Chief Minister here today and shared their festivities of Diwali with her.
Mehbooba Mufti wished them well and enquired about their welfare
Bar Association condemns army firing on people in Pahalgam
Srinagar, Oct 19 : J&K High Court Bar Association, Srinagar, strongly condemned the opening of fire by army on a group of people at Walarhama village in Pahalgam area of South Kashmir, in which at least five civilians including an old woman were injured and had to be rushed to District Hospital Anantnag, where two of them with severe bullet injuries, had to be operated upon to save their life.
The Bar Association maintained that earlier also, when the braid choppers were caught by people at Kulgam, Kupwara and Uri, the army and police immediately came on spot and resorted to firing and teargas shelling to rescue the braid choppers and it is exactly the same what has happened at Wularhama, where a braid chopper, who attempted to cut the hair of a local lady was spotted by the people, who wanted to catch-hold of him but he ran away and took shelter in an army vehicle which was doing rounds of the village and to save the culprit, the army resorted to indiscriminate firing, which caused chaos and confusion amongst the people and also injuries to many of them.
The Bar Association also condemned the subjecting of undertrial prisoners and detenues lodged in Kotebalwal Jail, Jammu, to physical torture and stripping and also keeping them in solitary confinement in small cells for weeks together, on their entry into the jail and requests the High Court to take judicial notice of the matter and initiate action against the culprits, who have no respect for the human rights of the prisoners. The High Court having been asked by the Supreme Court to monitor the conditions of the jails and the treatment meted out to the detenues and undertrial prisoners lodged over there, is therefore, required to act fast as it has to furnish a report to the Apex Court within two months regarding the conditions of jails and the treatment meted out to the detenues and undertrial prisoners by the jail authorities. The assault on Mohammad Shafi Shah and Javid Ahmad, both hailing from Kashmir and presently lodged in Tihar Jail, who were given a ruthless beating in Jail No. 3 of Tihar Jail recently, also deserves to be got investigated and those responsible for the dastardly act, deserves to be punished.
The Bar Association also condemns the continued incarceration of Asiya Andrabi, Fehmeeda Sofi, Masarat Alam Bhat and hundreds of others, whose orders of detention have either been quashed by the High Court or the period of detention has expired, but instead of releasing them, they have been booked in fictitious cases and have been lodged in jails, both inside and outside the State, to make their release impossible.
The Bar Association also express serious concern over the extension of Judicial remand of Shabir Ahmad Shah; Nayeem Ahmad Khan; Farooq Ahmad Dar; Altaf Ahmad Shah; Mehraj-ud-din Kalwal; Peer Saifullah; Ayaz Akbar; Shahid-ul-Islam and Zahoor Ahmad Watali, by a Court at Delhi, most of whom are physically unwell, due to their continued incarceration and failure to provide them the necessary medical aid and assistance, which also stands substantiated by the medical record, besides others of Nayeem Ahmad Khan, whose platelets have gone down to twenty thousand, putting his life in danger. (CNS)
Army lends a helping hand in Ganderbal
Srinagar, Oct 19 : The Army at Ganderbal provided a much needed helping hand to the civil administration on request from the Awaam when two trucks collided near Watlar in Ganderbal.
The Army troops according to spokesperson immediately rushed its recovery vehicle and recovered the truck preventing the traffic jam during peak hours and ensuring smooth flow of vehicles. Such gestures by the Army have resulted in cementing the bond, not only between Army and people, but with the civil administration too.
‘I am neither Indian nor Pakistani proxy: Er: Rasheed
Says he always speaks for his conscience
Handwara, Oct 19 : A large number of people participated in an anti braid chopping protest at Handwara led by AIP Supremo and MLA Langate Er. Rasheed. Aaddressing the gathering at main Chowk Handwara Er. Rasheed appealed all the stake holders not to make Kashmir a hub of conspiracies and added they must restrain from destroying self respect and dignity of Kashmiri women for political goals. Er. Rasheed in his speech said “Govt. is duty bound to nab the culprits and find out the miscreants behind these shameful incidents. If Govt. fails in doing so, then onus lies on the Govt. and its agencies as they are duty bound to protect the life and property of masses”.
Amid slogans Er. Rasheed reiterated that he had nothing to hide and if NIA could be used to probe Kashmiri leaders just to stop them from talking about Kashmir resolution, why should not NIA be asked to investigate huge atrocities on Kashmiris including forced labour, custodial disappearances, custodial deaths, tortures and other shameless incidents committed by Govt. forces during all these years. He said “Using NIA selectively against Kashmiris has exposed the claims of PM Narinder Modi that Kashmir issue can be resolved by embracing Kashmiris. Similarly home minister’s periodic claims that centre is keen to resolves Kashmir issue doesn’t fulfill the purpose unless New Delhi doesn’t come out of confusions”. Er. Rasheed appealed militants not to forget that they always claim a moral ground while fighting for their cause, as such they need not to do any such action which would create chaos or confusion among masses.
However he added “Those condemning the murder of Sarpanch in Shopian or any killing at the hands of militants do loose the moral ground when they justify the action of forces targeting properties and relatives of militants. While pro-resistance leaders kept always mum over the killings at the hands of militants, main stream leaders have been equally responsible when dozens of Jamat-I-Islami workers and those from other pro freedom parties were butchered by Govt. forces and counter insurgents. As such, it is important that the politicians of all the streams revisit their traditional policies of selective condemnation and need to respect human rights and human lives of all humans”.
Rasheed said that complete silence by main stream and resistance camps over his being summoned by the NIA has given an ample proof that he is neither an Indian nor a Pakistani proxy but speaks the voice of his conscience and that of his people. He reiterated that seeking right to self determination by no means amounts to being anti-Indian as New Delhi is bound to agree to the demand of right to self-determination sooner or later
Diwali celebrated at Raj Bhavan
Srinagar, Oct 19 : Governor N. N. Vohra and Lady Governor Mrs. Usha Vohra celebrated Diwali with Raj Bhavan officers, staff and security personnel at Raj Bhavan here today morning.
On this joyous occasion Governor and Lady Governor greeted the assembled staff and distributed sweets among all those present.
Braid chopping incidents
District admin seeks cooperation from public to maintain peace
Srinagar, Oct 19 : According to the spokesman District administration Srinagar, two incidents of braid chopping were reported in Srinagar on 18th of October, one at Mehjoor Nagar at 7 a.m and another at Sangam Srinagar at 3:30 p.m.
Reportedly both the ladies (victims) were attacked by unidentified assailants within the premises of their residential houses. The district administration immediately rushed the teams to provide medical assistance to the victims and to assess the situation in order to find ways and means to tackle this menace.
The Spokesman district administration said that It has come to fore after proper analysis that the braid chopping incidents occurred here over the past few days, are being used as a ploy by the trouble mongers to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the valley.
He said that in many cases the braid chopping incidents are followed by stone pelting and law and order derangements. Also, there have been cases where the thieves and criminals, disguising as braid choppers, take a free run.
“In some cases braid chopping has become a tool of vengeance against mutual animosity. Some cases have been reported where past history of psychiatric affliction has also been found,” he added.
In this scenario, he requested the general public to remain cautious and help the administration to maintain law and order so that the nefarious designs in the garb of braid chopping do not find medium to vitiate peaceful atmosphere here.
GHSS B’la celebrates annual day
Quality education system foundation stone of a great nation: Farooq Shah
Baramulla ,Oct 19 :Secretary School Education, Farooq Ahmad Shah today said that a strong and quality education system is the foundation stone of a great nation. He said that those nations who consolidated their education mechanism have excelled in every field.
The Secretary said this while addressing annual day celebratory function of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Baramulla as the chief guest.
Among others, Director School Education, G N Itoo, Additional Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Farooq Ahmad Baba, Chief Education Officer Abdul Ahad Ashie, Principal GHSS Baramulla, Suraya Jabeen, Chairman BWJA, Qaramat Qayoom, Tehsildar Baramulla, Maeen Kakroo, and a large number of students were present on the occasion.
While terming teachers as nation builders, Farooq Shah highlighted their role in the overall career development of students and said that our commitment is to increase capacity building so that overall performance of the teachers are enhanced.
He impressed upon the teachers to create conducive environ while dealing with the students and stressed for adopting student friendly-learning measures.
On the occasion, the Secretary announced the up gradation of basic infrastructure of the institute and said that every basic facility with respect to the education will be facilitated within stipulated time frame. He also reiterated its commitment to providing quality education and said that all the vacant positions of the institute will be filled within a week’s time so that the students may not suffer due to the scarcity of faculty.
Director School Education, who was the guest of honour, said that strengthening educational curriculum had always remained our priority. He also hailed various students who presented various cultural programmes on the occasion and announced Rs 10,000 cash award to a drama team for their stunning performance.
A similar function was organized by Government Higher Secondary School Pattan, which was attended by Secretary Education and Director School Education.
Braid cutting: DC Kulgam constitutes special investigation team
Kulgam,Oct 19 : Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Talat Parvez Rohella today chaired a meeting to review the progress, so far, on reported incidents of braid chopping in the district.
He directed for constituting a special composite investigation team comprising officers from revenue and police, besides doctors, counselling psychologist/psychiatrist who will investigate braid cutting incidents and provide assistance to victims.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said that Village Level Committees have already been constituted to maintain vigil and report facts on such incidents.
The members of the special investigation composite team said that during any incident, the crime spots are not preserved which debilitate them from carrying out proper investigations. In this regard, the Deputy Commissioner sought the cooperation of the people in helping the administration in preserving the crime spots so that evidence could be preserved on the basis of which, conclusive investigations are carried out.
The counsellors of the health department sought the cooperation of the victims and their families so that they can be taken out of the post-incident trauma.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner directed the members to ensure the investigation into the matters in a time bound manner with some conclusive evidences.
FROM : CNS