Lolab youth still untraceable
Another put on dialysis at SKIMS
Srinagar, Sep 5 : Demanding immediate resignation of Jammu Kashmir Law Minister for his failure to trace the Kupwara missing youth, Human Rights activist Muhammad Ahsan UntooTuesday said that what people can expect from Abdul Haq Khan who is not able to locate his missing relative.
Untoo said that Army based in Trimukh camp in Lolab Valley of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district tortured two local youth Nasarullah Khan and Manzoor Khan inside the camp. “Nasarullah Khan is battling for life at SKIMS Srinagar where doctors have put him on dialysis. I visited the hospital and talked to victim personally who informed me that Army tortured him and his neighbor Manzoor. The Army men virtually tried to hang Nasarullah with a tree and the marks of rope are still visible on his neck. Manzoor has probably been killed and God only knows where the Army men dumped his body,” Untoo told news agency CNS adding that doctors at SKIMS have confirmed that both the kidneys of Nasarullah have been damaged due to severe torture.
“It is irony that Army tortures two youths and then denies their involvement in the crime. One is battling for life and another is still missing and yet Police have not been taking cognizance of the case,” he said.
Untoo said that people of Devar Lolab have lost all the hope in Law Minister who happens to be the resident of the same area. “Even after the tragedy this Minister is asking people not to get instigated by those who want to raise this issue and seek action and investigation into the matter. We want to know the whereabouts of Manzoor and action against those who damaged the kidneys of Nasaraullah Khan. This is a clear example of barbarism,” he said.
Untoo while quoting the family members of the missing and wounded youth said that it is mandatory for the villagers of Devar Lolab and its adjacent areas to register their names in a book while visiting the upper reaches. “Manzoor and Nasrullah after making their entries were captured by Army. The injured youth lying in the hospital is himself the witness and is saying that Manzoor was accompanying him. We want the whereabouts of Manzoor,” Untoo said.
Untoo claimed that some unknown elements tried to eliminate Nasarullah when he was undergoing treatment at SMHS Hospital here in Srinagar city.
Hizb pays tribute to militants killed in Sopore gunfight
Srinagar, Sep 5 : Militant outfit Hizbul Mujhadeen Monday said that the death of senior commander Parvez Ahmed Wani alias Mubashir Sidiqui in a gun fight is the biggest loss for the outfit.
Pervez Ahmad Wani of Galoora Handwara and Nayeem Ahmad Najar of Brath Kalan Sopore were killed in a gunfight with government forces in Shangar gund area of Sopore on Monday.
Burhanuddin, the spokesperson of the outfit told news agency CNS over phone that United Jehad Council Chief Syed Salahuddin and Deputy Chief Saifullah Khalid paid rich tributes to Parvez and Nayeem and said that their every drop of blood will produce hundreds of militants in coming days.
“Parvez was an asset to this freedom Movement who joined the Hizb ranks in 2001. He participated in scores of gunfights and inflicted heavy losses to enemy troopers,” the spokesperson said adding the separation of these commanders is really painful.
The spokesperson said that
Hizb Operational Commander Field Muhammad Bin Qasim has appealed people to be cautious about the stooges and agents helping Indian agencies to get the militants eliminated. “The strong Intelligence Network of the Hizb will surely expose the black sheep and aides of Indian agencies,” he said.
34 Lakh Gujjar Bakarwals of J&K favour continuation of Article 35-A
Poonch, Sep 5 : Shamsher Hakla Poonchi, a prominent Gujjar leader and intellectual of Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday said 34 Lakh Gujjar Bakarwals of the state are in favour continuation of Article 35-A.
He said that that in the state of J&K excluding Ladakh region Gujjar Bakarwal can be found in all the districts while there are two sects of Gujjars in J&K viz. Gujjar and Bakarwal. Bakarwals are about 10 lakh in whole state and Gujjar are about 24 lakh.
Hakla said the problems and need of Gujjars Bakarwals are quite different from other communities of J&K state. He said that the language and culture of this community is also different than those of other communities of this state and that is why this community has its own peculiar position. Gujjar Bakarwal community is different and as such the community has a distinctive identity.
Gujjar Bakarwal community mostly resides in far flung hilly, mountainous areas near forests and on the Indo-Pak line of Control.
Shamsher Hakla Poonchi said that 34 lakh Gujjars Bakarwals of J&K state are in favour of Article 35-A and demanded that it should remain and continue as it was.
Mr. Hakla said that if this article would be removed from the J&K state, then Gujjars Bakarwals would strongly protest against it as it provides a special status to the state of J&K.
Ghambir to support Education for slain cops daughter
J&K Police Chief hails the gesture
Srinagar, Sep 5 : Indian Cricketer Gautam Ghambir, who is struggling to find a spot in the national team Tuesday, announced his support for Zohra daughter of slain Jammu Kashmir Police Officer Abdul Rashid by promising Education for her Lifetime. He in his tweet wrote “Zohra, I can’t put you to sleep with a lullaby but I will help you to wake up to live your dreams. Will support your education for lifetime”.
For this gesture DGP, J&K Dr. S.P. Vaid has personally thanked Gautam Ghambir. DGP in his tweet said that the support for J&K Police martyrs shown by celebrity like you will go a long way in boosting the morale of forces and an assurance to kins of martyrs that the citizens of the Country care for them.
Zohra’s father ASI Abdul Rashid was killed by unidentified gunmen just before three days of Eid while performing his duty at South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
A police official said that besides this gesture J&K Police has got a number of requests from the general public from different parts of India and State who want to donate voluntarily for the welfare of the Police Martyr families.
Shutdown in Handwara and Sopore in north Kashmir to mourn militant killings
Sopore, Sep 5 : The killing of two Hizb militants sparked spontaneous shutdown in different parts of Apple town Sopore and adjacent areas of Handwara here in North Kashmir’ district.
Pervez Ahmad Wani of Galoora Handwara and Nayeem Ahmad Najar of Brath Kalan Sopore were killed in a gunfight with government forces in Shangar gund area of Sopore yesterday.
Eyewitnesses said that all the shops and business establishments remained shut in Sopore and adjacent areas of Baramulla while transport was also off the road. Shutdown was also observed in different parts of Handwara town of Kupwara district.
Large contingent of government forces personnel had been deployed to maintain law and order in the restive parts of the district.
Kashmiris to observe Sep 8 as ‘Solidarity Day’ with Rohingya Muslims: Mirwaiz
Srinagar, Sep 5 : Condemning the killings and persecution of Rohingya Muslims, Hurriyat (M) chairman and chief cleric of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday said that September 8 will be observed as “Solidarity Day” with the victims.
“Strongly condemn ethnic cleansing of #Rohingya Muslims #Kashmir to observe #SolidarityDay with victims &protest world silence on Friday Sep8,” he tweeted.
Earlier, Mirwaiz as head of Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) joined several other religious organizations in condemning the persecution and “ethnic cleansing” of Muslims in the Rakhine state of Myanmar.
Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) head Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and all other religious organisations of Kashmir including Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat-e-Ahlihadith, Anjuman-e-Share Shian, Islamic Study Circle, Itihaad-ul-Muslimeen, Darul Uloom Rahimiya Bandipora, Anjuman-e-Tableegul Islam, Anjuman-e-Himayatul Islam, Grand Mufti J&K, Muslim Personal Law Board, Darul Uloom Bilaliya, Darul Uloom Qasmiya, Anjuman-e-Nusratul Islam, Anjuman-e-Mazharil Haq Beerwah, Darul Uloom Noorul Islam Tral, Parvan-e-Vilayat J&K, Ahlibait Foundation, Anjuman-e-Ulema-e-Ahnaf and others, in a joint statement strongly condemned the persecution and ethnic cleansing of the minority Muslim Rohingya by the Myanmar government, said a spokesman.
To show support and express solidarity with the Rohingya Muslims, people of Kashmir will observe coming Friday, September 8 as “Solidarity Day” with them, said the statement.
“On that day, post Friday prayers peaceful protest will be held and a joint resolution framed by the MMU and others, will be passed in all masjids and shrines of the Valley which will reflect Kashmiri people's unanimous support to the Rohingyas.”
The joint resolution will later be sent to human rights organizations across the globe, OIC and the United Nations and other forums for immediate end to massacre of Rohingya Muslims said the spokesman.
“All these organisations questioned the criminal silence and inaction observed by the international community over the brutal killing and persecution of Rohingya Muslims at the hands of majority community of Myanmar, stating that it extremely unjust that Rohingya are being hounded and killed for their religious beliefs and there is little concern among the world community or the Muslims countries who are all watching this humanitarian tragedy unfold as mute spectators.”
They said the Organization of Islamic countries should break its “criminal silence” over such a serious issue confronting a large Muslim population of Rohingya and play its role to stop their killings and persecution by the Myanmar state.
The statement urged the world community and international human rights bodies to do their duty and come to rescue of Rohingya Muslims by putting pressure on Myanmar Government and its military to stop the hate killings and persecution of Rohingya Muslims and let them live peacefully in their own land.
Bear mauls Forest Guard in North Kashmir
Handwara, Sep 5 : A Forest Guard was critically wounded after he was attacked by a wild bear in a North Kashmir’s Forest on Tuesday afternoon.
Forest officials told news agency CNS that two Forest Guards Ghulam Muhammad Wani and Muhammad Akbar Wani were inspecting the Compartment number 45 of Mawar Handwara forest when a bear attacked Ghulam Muhammad and injured him critically.
Another Forest Guard Muhammad Akbar managed to flee from spot. The wounded forest employee has been admitted at District Hospital Handwara.
Kashmir lawyers protest against summoning of Bar president by NIA
Srinagar, Sep 5 : Kashmir High Court Bar Association (KHCBA) Tuesday held a protest march in Kashmir capital Srinagar against the summoning of its president Mian Abdul Qayoom by National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The lawyers donning the black and white uniform raised slogans against the NIA. They were carrying banners condemning the move. They termed the NIA move “a ploy to supress the voice of people”.
The protesting lawyers marched from District Court Complex Mominabad Batamaloo and reached at State High Court near Civil Secretariat where amid anti BJP, PDP and NIA slogans lawyers said that summoning Mian Qayoom is a conspiracy to stop him defending Article 35A in the Indian Supreme Court.
Qayoom was served a notice by NIA summoning him to New Delhi for questioning in the case related to funding of Hurriyat leaders. He has been told to appear in the NIA office in New Delhi on September 6.
Senior lawyer Zaffar A Shah said that lawyers will continue to stay away from work until Qayoom returns “with dignity” to the Valley.
“We feel that the (NIA) notice is not bona fide. It is the outcome of a design, of a conspiracy to lower down the credibility of our public men,” Shah told journalists.
He said that the NIA could have recorded the statement of Qayoom in Srinagar as well.
“We know Mr Qayoom. He is not involved in any manner in this case at all but at the same time if the NIA wanted to record his statement or to question him, we strongly condemn his summoning to New Delhi. The same thing could have been done even at Srinagar if it was a simple case of recording the statement for a witness or seeking information from him,” said Shah.
By summoning him to New Delhi, he said, “we feel that our respectable persons are being humiliated”.
The notice is a part of larger crackdown on Hurriyat leaders and pro-freedom activists in the cases alleged funding case.
From past couple of months NIA has arrested several separatists including Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Khan and Shahid ul Islam.
Aga Hasan appeals Islamic countries to come to rescue of Rohingya Muslims
Pattan, Sep 5 : Jammu Kashmir Anjuman Shari Shian Tuesday organized a Hussaini Majlis at Yal Pattan in which a vehement appeal was made to Muslim countries to save the Rohingya Muslims from the atrocious rulers of Buddhist Burma.
While throwing light on the teachings and philosophy of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S), senior separatist leader and president Anjuman Shari Shian Aga Syed Hasan Almosvi Alsafvi said that the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S) and his loyal soldiers is a lesson. He said that Yazeed and Hussain (A.S) are two different characters while one represents the oppressed lot the other is the oppressor himself.
Castigating Buddhists of Burma for inflicting torture and miseries upon the helpless Rohingya Muslims, Aga Hasan said fanatic and terrorist Buddhists of Burma have been leaving no stone unturned in eliminating these Muslims. He said that West is silent on the genocide of these Muslims.
He appealed Muslim world to protect these hapless Muslims.
Summoning Mian Qayoom an attempt to deny legal aid to Kashmiris: DeM
Srinagar, Sep 5 : Dukhtaran-e-Millat on Tuesday questioned the illegal imprisonment of party chairperson, Asiya Andrabi and her personal secretary, Sofi Fehmeeda in Ambphalla Jail, Jammu and expressed concern over the deteriorating health condition of the duo.
In a statement, DeM general secretary, Nahida Nasreen, said that the family members of the duo had gone to meet them on Monday and they noticed that the health condition of both Andrabi and Fehmeeda has deteriorated.
“When they (Andrabi Sahiba and Fehmeeda) were shifted from Kashmir to Jammu 5 days ago, they were extremely ill but despite that the government shifted them to Jammu. The travel and the unhygienic conditions within the jail have further taken toll on their health and their condition, as per the family members, is extremely critical now,” she said.
Nasreen while commenting on the summon issued to senior advocate, Mian Abdul Qayoom, by the Indian NIA, said that this was a sinister tactic by India to disturb the daily lives of the pro-resistance people of Kashmir.
“This is like a soap opera in which to add new episodes, new characters, twists and plots are added every now and then. This all is just a drama and it will end as a drama ends and it will never become a reality.”
She said that Mian Abdul Qayoom has been helping the people of Kashmir, who have been the victims of unjustified and unlawful Indian system, legally.
“It is for the same reason that the Indian NIA has summoned him so that to pressurize him against helping the oppressed Kashmiris so that no one comes to their legal aid and India continues to oppress them as must as it can ,” she said.
JKJCCI delegation raises LoC Trade issues with Governor
Srinagar, Sep 5 : A delegation of Jammu and Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JKJCCI), led by its Joint President Sh Rakesh Gupta, called on Governor N.N Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here today.
The delegation appealed for Governor’s urgent intervention in restoring trade on the Poonch- Rawalakot route which has remained suspended for the past over 8 weeks, leading to large losses to the traders. For making this trade more transparent and accountable the delegation suggested steps being taken for the vacation of stay on Government’s order of 31-05-2017 which prescribed measures to streamline the trade; revisiting the application of GST on LoC trade so that LoC trade is taxed at a minimal percentage which too can be reimbursed on the same pattern as applies to the incentives being given for the promotion of industry in J&K; in the light of the recent NIA raids, corrective measures need to be taken to ensure that there is no nexus between the various agencies and the unethical traders at the LoC points; to ensure against emergence of vested interests no officer of any agency posted at the LoC Trade Facilitation Centre should continue for more than 6 months at a stretch; a dedicated authority for management of LoC trade should be established to streamline and enhance the trade; setting up a hassle free single window system for the trade; e-commerce and digitization of LoC trade so that real time monitoring and evaluation of this barter trade can be done; enhancement of security infrastructure including installation of CCTV cameras, full body truck scanners, X-ray machines etc and banking facility be put in place instead of the present barter system with the currency medium to be decided mutually by both countries.
Governor observed that he would take up their demands with the Union Government and the Chief Minister.
Dy CM for promoting integrated farming in JK
Dr Singh reaffirms Govt’s commitment to make state self sufficient in food production
Jammu, Sep 5 : Lauding the Integrated Farming System model developed by SKUAST Jammu, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh emphasized that these types of models are need of the hour for our state where farmers are facing numerous challenges.
Deputy Chief Minister said this during his visit to Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu to take stock of Integrated Farming Model for Small and Marginal Farmers towards profitability, sustainability and Livelihood Security. The model has been developed and validated by SKUAST-J under AICRP.
Dr. Nirmal Singh laid emphasis on increasing the production of agriculture, poultry, meat, eggs and fish in the state thereby making J&K self sufficient in food production. He further exhorted upon the scientists and technocrats for developing remunerative technologies for hilly and plain areas of the state.
He appreciated the role of the University for educating farmers and development of integrated farming system model to increase profitability of farmers and stressed upon the need to work for the poor farmers of the state keeping in view their economic status and nutritional needs.
Dr. Nirmal Singh stressed that farmers should adopt integrated farming system to increase per hectare net income to Rs 3 lakh compared to rice wheat cultivation that fetches a maximum of net profit of Rs 70000 per hectare under irrigated conditions.
Later, the Dy CM also visited the experimental farm established in the premises of SKUAST Jammu and went around each and every sections of the integrated farming system model developed by the institute.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor SKUAST Jammu briefed the Deputy Chief Minister about various components of the Integrated farming System Model. He informed that the model is established in the year 2011 and initially designed for 1.5 hectare which was later reduced to only 1 hectare as majority of the small farmers fall under this category. He further informed that this model initially started with a capital of Rs. 3.50 lakh for infrastructure development like animal, shed, poultry unit and fish pond, which upon earning the profit added more components.
The Integrated Farming System (IFS) model at present comprises of crop unit, horticulture include fruit, vegetable & flower, animal unit, fish cum poultry, vermin compost, recycling of farm waste, mushroom unit, apiary unit, biogas, boundary plantation, etc. The Model has been designed for 5 farmer’s family members. After three year of establishment, this model realized net profit of Rs. 3 lakh approximately which is having further scope to increase farmer income.
JK's teachers working amid unique challenges: Altaf Bukhari
Iqbal, Lovely bag Best Teacher award
Srinagar, Sep 5 : Highlighting the role of teachers in inculcating values and morals in the students, the Minister for Education, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today said that teachers are like parents to the students.
In the contemporary times when mostly there are working parents, Bukhari said, the responsibility of child's overall development comes on teachers' shoulders.
Acknowledging the role of teachers in building a better society, Bukhari said that the teachers of Jammu and Kashmir have a great role to play as they face many challenges as compared to other states.
The Minister made these remarks during the Teachers Day-2017 function organized by Directorate of School Education, Kashmir at SKICC, here.
The function was attended by Minister of State for Housing & Urban Development, Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education, Ms. Asiea Naqash; Minister of State for Education, Priya Sethi; MLA Batamaloo, Noor Mohammad Sheikh; MLC, Mohammad Khursheed Alam; Secretary School Education, Farooq Ahmad Shah and other officers of the Department.
On the occasion, the Department honored two teachers for their outstanding work. Mohammad Iqbal Sheikh, lecturer at Girls' Higher Secondary School, Handwara and Lovely Sharma, teacher at SRLM Higher Secondary School, Jammu were given the best teachers award.
The Education Minister said that this award is not for the two individuals but for the whole teachers’ fraternity who work for the improvement in education scenario in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that Education Department is mulling to give awards at district and zonal levels as well.
Bukhari said that he considers himself as the custodian of the students and said will do everything to ensure that academic and other interests of the students are protected. He said it is our responsibility to counsel students and show them the right direction so that they can prosper in their lives.
Speaking on the occasion, Priya Sethi praised the role of teachers in students' lives. She said when a parent drops his child in a school; there is a firm belief in them that a teacher is there who will guide his child and take care of his overall development. "What I am today, it is because of the teachings of my teachers," she said.
Asiea Naqash said that teachers have a great role in shaping the child's intellect. Teachers teach us discipline, morality at various levels in schools, colleges and universities."We are born to our parents but what we are today is because of our teachers," She said.
Secretary School Education, Farooq Ahmad Shah while highlighting the importance of teachers in any society, said that teachers are the builders and makers of the nation.
He said that J&K had produced teachers, scientists and philosophers of eminent repute and the Government is working hard to take the education sector to new heights.
Besides others, the function was attended by DC Srinagar, Directors of School Education (Kashmir) & (Jammu), Directors of SSA, RMSA, Chairperson BOSE, CEOs, ZEOs, principals and teachers from various schools.
Chief Secretary reviews progress of PMFBY at SLCCI meeting
'86000 farmers avail crop insurance facility in Jammu'
Srinagar, Sep 5 : Chief Secretary B B Vyas today chaired the 5th meeting of State Level Committee on Crop Insurance (SLCCI) of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna at the Civil Secretariat here.
The meeting was also attended by Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Lokesh Jha, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production, Sandeep Kumar Naik, Principal Secretary Finance, Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Rohit Kansal, CGM NABARD, S K Majumdar and other officers of Finance, Agriculture Production, Revenue and other allied departments.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary was told that the insurance scheme has already kicked off with more than 86000 farmers insuring their crops such as Maize, Paddy, Oilseed and Mango in Jammu region while the scheme hasn't been launched in Kashmir division where the insurance companies are quoting very high premium.
According to officials, a private insurance firm has sought award cost of Rs 326 crore for one calendar year covering Maize, Paddy, Oilseed, Apple and Saffron crops in three districts of Ganderbal, Budgam and Kupwara alone with total sum assured of Rs 1027 crore.
"There's no way the State will go ahead with the tender (of private firm) unless the fundamentals are settled. We must first establish a standardized cost of production and scale of finance for crops grown in both Jammu and Kashmir regions, such as Maize and Paddy, to understand the disparity in premiums," the Chief Secretary said.
He directed the officials to compile the list of incidences of crop damage or production in Jammu and Kashmir and also suggest an ideal or possible rate of premium, "We can also consider involving central insurance companies for a period of two years. The state will write to the Centre to extend the deadline of the scheme," he said, while setting October 5 as the next date of meeting of the SLCCI.
REPORTS FROM : CNS