‘Communication breakdown for a minutes gives idea what Kashmir is going through’

Srinagar, Sep 07 : It is very difficult to make people residing outside the Kashmir Valley understand that how painful it is to live life in this digital age without means of any communication barring landlines.

Thanks to the Chandrayaan-2’s unsuccessful attempt to land on the moon on Saturday, as this communication glitch might have given those at the helm of affairs the realization that how painful it was to live without any means of communication.

According to wire service—, like Chandrayan-2, thousands of families had the nightmarish experience after losing contact with their loved ones for days together. And all were left on the mercy of God.

The people in Kashmir Valley are living without telephone and internet communication since August 5, hours before the union government announced the revocation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

All hope is not lost where effort is made, for the Chandrayaan-2’s Orbiter and its eight instruments still continue to operate successfully, orbiting the moon and studying it from above, even though contact has been lost with Vikram lander that was carrying the Pragyaan rover, national media reported.

“Don’t lose hope. Be courageous. There are ups and downs in life. What you all have done is not a small thing. You have done a great service to the country, science and mankind. I am with you. I wish you all the best,” the Prime Minister told the scientists.

Kashmir was keenly observing and seeing the irony of India’s reach on the moon after watching minute to minute update about the launch of Chandrayaan-2, while the same nation has cut communication for more than a month now and without any realization of its consequences on the overall mental health of people here, Majid Ahmad, a local resident lamented.

Who would have thought that primitive means of communication would be back to enquire about well-being of each other in last 34 days in Kashmir in the 2Ist century, however, people in Kashmir have no alternative- except to relay on traditional means of communication.

In these circumstances’ hospitals have turned transit places to disseminate verbal messages and to enquire about families.

All hope is not lost where effort is made, for the Chandrayaan-2’s Orbiter and its eight instruments still continue to operate successfully, orbiting the moon and studying it from above, even though contact has been lost with Vikram lander that was carrying the Pragyaan rover.

Similarly, all hopes are not lost here. People in Kashmir are the best crisis managers, they know the ways to deal with the situation and overcome the toughest phases with the time, as have been doing from decades (KNO).

Not able to talk to our families, kids; sole landline only source of communication for us, says troops deployed on Sgr streets

Srinagar, Sep 07 : As normal life continues to remain paralyzed in Kashmir for the second month as markets remain shut, roads deserted, and educational institutions closed, the security forces personnel deployed at length across Kashmir, especially Srinagar are not different than a common Kashmiri. The communication gag, according to wire service—has taken a serious on the security forces personnel as they are not able to get in touch with their families in various parts of India in absence of mobile phone and internet services.

The deployment of security forces including of police and paramilitary troopers are seen manning the roads at several places throughout the city in order to thwart any possible protest. Not only are the people of the Kashmir and Srinagar but the deployed troopers are also in the state of confusion about the future course of time and the prevailing uncertainty which took place just after the abrogation of the Article 370 by the Parliament, seems no end in the valley. The deployed forces are deployed in most of the volatile areas with an aim of maintain the law and order situation in those areas.

Sushil Kumar, a deployed trooper at downtown Srinagar told wire service that “I am deployed here right from the Aug 10, 2019 to ensure the maintenance of the law and order situation. The first week of posting posed a tough challenge for me and my colleagues as to ensure the strict restrictions in place throughout the day.” He told that before reaching the valley he heard a lot of negative about the situation in the valley but he experienced something different on grounds.

Another trooper wishing anonymity told wire service –that The Kashmir is undoubtedly a beautiful place and the recent order for the abrogation of Article 370 will surely bring the bright future and prosperity among the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.” He told that, the prevailing uncertainty is only because of the people’s unawareness about the future possibilities that they can avail and benefit from and I am sure that the people of the region will see the positive outcome of this decision.”

While commenting on the communication blackout he told wire service ,” The sudden communication gag was put in place to avoid the rumour mongering and to ensure the maintenance of law and order situation in the region of Kashmir but this lasted bit longer than the need which not only caused inconveniences to the general public but we also faced the same fate. We also continue to stay out of touch with our families while we being on duty here in the valley.”

(KNO)

NASEER A GANAI

Newspapers are supposed to be credible and the only source of information during a communication blackout. And Media, as the fourth pillar of democracy, has an important role to play in shaping public opinion. It’s September 2019. Kashmir is under a communication blackout for over a month now. But in the Valley, journalists are forced to abandon their role of ‘gatekeepers’.

With no Internet or phones, Kashmiris rely on newspapers to know what’s happening in the Valley — how the government’s decision to scrap Special Status of Jammu and Kashmir would work out in the long run; what are fears of people after the scrapping of Article 370 and hopes of officials whose phones are buzzing even during the blockade.

But newspapers that are published from Srinagar say nothing about political developments unfolding in the Union Territory, but a lot about nothingness, the very futility of life, simplicity of life, benefits of organic farming and how to remain silent when a volcano hits you. So many columns are being written about existential crises of life that a reader forgets the world is what it is. Jack Rosen, President of the American Jewish Congress, in an article on Kashmir in The Washington Post on September 2, almost predicted a war in the region. “And when the actor violates the status quo and breaks the equilibrium, the eventual goal of true, stable autonomy is destroyed. And then comes an inevitable war,” he wrote. But the newspapers published from the Valley have better things to write about.

The edit pages are published without editorials. And, if editorials appear, they do not talk about Kashmir or India or Pakistan, but about elections in Israel and Cambodia! I am convinced that many of these journalists writing editorials on Cambodian elections do not even know the name of Southeast Asian nation’s capital city.

“A second election of Israel, Naming of the Anthropocene Epotic move is caution to humanity, A result foretold: on Cambodian polls, Success is the biggest danger, God’s will in man’s life, Few methods of building trust, How to win hearts, Why anger is your enemy…” these are some of the many articles that have appeared recently in Kashmir dailies.

An edit in one of the Urdu newspapers moved me to tears. It talked about broken heart syndrome. It said when any tragedy affects your heart, it also impacts your brain. Well, it is indeed true. Reading articles and editorials these days does impact the heart and mind. I think one of the causes of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders would be reading papers that are coming out of Kashmir these days.

There is also a mention of Pakistan. In one of the Urdu newspapers, the lead article with Mahira Khan’s picture discussed, “Why in Pakistan age of women is a big issue?”

I asked an editor of a bilingual daily, “Why don’t you write anything on Kashmir in your edit and opinion pages.”? He looked at me and smiled. “We write. I write.” I went to check his paper. The edit page talked about “how to streamline traffic.” An apt editorial to write when there is no traffic on the roads! I showed him his paper. The opinion page was missing. He smiled again and started downloading “stories” for his paper from the media Centre.

At the media Centre in Srinagar, the government has provided four computers and low-speed internet for hundreds of journalists who need to check their mails and write or send stories for publication. It is also the only facilitation from where nearly a hundred newspapers download “Cambodian election” and other stuff to publish it in their papers the next day.

We have heard, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has grown a beard, Shah Faesal is reading religious books, Sajad Lone is reading philosophy. This is not an impact of apparently never-ending preventive custody on them. It is a result of reading newspapers, which might have shaped their spiritual and philosophical outlook inside the jail.

Via Outlook

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 07: In view of the imposition of Section-144 CRPC and in order to avoid any loss to the life and property, government has decided that no procession shall be allowed in District Srinagar on Muharram 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, which falls on September 08, 09, 10 respectively.

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 07: As there have been reports of raising unauthorized constructions, Earth filling and making encroachments, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan directed that their shall be no movement of tippers after 9pm across valley.

All Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) were directed to keep close watch on these violations so that no undue advantage of present circumstances is taken by the violators and encroachers.

Police Station, Anti Corruption Bureau, Rajouri registered case FIR No. 02/2019 u/s 5(1) (d) read with Section 5(2) J&K P.C.Act Svt.2006 and section 4-A of J&K P.C (amendment) Act, 2014  on the complaint of Ajay Pal Singh S/O Karnail Singh R/O Sant Market, Jammu. The complainant stated that Sub Inspector Suresh Sharma, Incharge Police Post Rajouri City, Rajouri Police Station demanded Rs 3 lakh from him for helping Sharanjeet Singh S/O S.Kartar Singh R/O Sant Market, Jewel Chowk, Jammu in investigation of  NDPS case registered against him at the Rajouri Police Station.

2.       The accused agreed to accept bribe of Rs 1 lakh as advance and rest of the amount was agreed to be paid after bail of Sharanjeet Singh. He demanded bribe amount repeatedly from the complainant . The complainant has further stated that Sharanjeet Singh is  maternal uncle of the complainant.

3.       It is to mention that Sharanjeet Singh was earlier arrested by Police Station Rajouri on the ground of recovery of narcotic drug for which investigation of the case was going on. Sharanjeet Singh was kept in custody of Police Post City Rajouri Police Station .

4.       Subsequently, ACB teams conducted search  at the house of accused Sub Inspector situated at Saran Ghou-Manhasan in connection with investigation of case FIR No 02/2019 u/s 5(1) (d) read with Section 5(2) J&K P.C.Act Svt.2006 and section 4-A of J&K P.C (amendment) Act, 2014. Further investigation of the case is going on.

September 07: Inspector General of Police Swayam Prakash Pani (IPS) today visited Kulgam to review the security scenario. He was accompanied by DIG SKR Atul Goel (IPS) and S.P Kulgam Gurinder Pal (IPS).

IGP Kashmir interacted with the Police, CAPF officers and discussed the initiatives taken for the maintenance of law and order in their respective areas. He expressed his satisfaction on the coordinated and effective measures taken for the security of the people.

IGP Kashmir appreciated the Police and security personnel for handling the situations in a professional manner. He said that the personnel maintained a restraint and ensured law and order without much inconvenience to the people.

IGP Kashmir also inspected Police Station Yaripora where he interacted with the officials posted at the Police Station. He directed the officials to continue their assistance to the general public in the present situations. He lauded the efforts of police for providing free telephone facilities to the public and easing their problems during the past few days. He said that such assistance should continue for the public in the hour of need.

IGP Kashmir said that the person involved in disturbance of peaceful atmosphere should be dealt under law. He said that stringent action will be taken against the trouble makers and rumour mongers.

SSP Kulgam and other field officers briefed the IGP Kashmir about the security scenario in district Kulgam.