Srinagar 16 January: Welcoming Governor Satpal Malik’s offer to Huriyat that it must talk directly to him over the issues pertaining to atrocities against civilians and other related issues, AIP President Er. Rasheed has said that Mr. Malik should move a step further and facilitate certain genuine CBMs to prove his words. Er. Rasheed today talked to Governor Mr. S. P. Malik on phone and while welcoming his offer sought release of political prisoners languished in Tihar and other jails. He sought special intervention from the Governor to help release of Shahid-ul-Islam and informed Governor that if he truly respects Huriyat leaders and those having a divergent view point and cares for the human rights of Kashmiris, he must ensure release of Shahid-ul-Islam whose wife is fighting for battle in Srinagar and he is himself languished in Tihar Jail. Er. Rasheed also sought release of all political prisioners including Masrat Alam, Qasim Faktoo, Asia Indrabi and her associates, so that atmosphere turns conducive for sincere political process. Er. Rasheed asked Governor to intervene and take up the matter of filing charge sheet against Kashmiris students studying at JNU. Governor reiterated that initiating any political dialogue between New Delhi and Srinagar is not within his domain will surely intervene in other issues raised with him during the conversation. After talking to Governor Er. Rasheed in a statement said that Kashmiris don’t believe in confrontation but who other than Mr. Malik knows the fact that whether Huriyat or someone else, all are fighting for legitimate political rights of people of Jammu & Kashmir and want a peaceful resolution to Kashmir dispute in its historic perspective. He said “Governor must take note of unending human rights violations and should make security forces accountable as much as he can. Mr. Malik has every right to differ with anyone including Huriyat leaders but being at the helm of affairs he must ensure that fundamental human rights of Kashmiris should be respected and political victimization must end. Mr. Malik must ensure that aged and ailing Geelani is released and fabricated cases against youth and other political activists should be withdrawn without any pre-conditions so that one can trust his words. انجینئر رشید نے گورنر کو فون کر کے انکی پیشکش کا خیرمقدم کیا
Soldier injured in cross firing in Rajouri
KD Desk
Rajouri, Jan 13 : An army soldier on Sunday was injured after Pakistani army violates ceasefire violation in Rajouri district of Jammu.
Reports said that a soldier was injured after Pakistani army fired indiscriminately on Indian posts along the Line of Control (LOC) at Keri area of Rajouri.
However Indian Army retaliated back reports added.
Meanwhile the injured soldier was shifted to a nearby army hospital for advance treatment.
Several injured during clashes in parts of Shopian following Top commander’s killing
KD Desk
Srinagar, Jan 13 : Forces on early Sunday resorted to aerial firing as the mourners were gathering to participate in the funeral prayers of Al Badr commander Zeenat ul Islam at his native Sugan village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Reports said that as soon as news of top commander of Al-Badr Zeenat ul Islam and his associate Shakeel Dar killed in a gunfight spread in parts of South Kashmir’, people in thousands start march towards the native villages of both slians amid restrictions and shutdown.
Reports said that at many places clashes were reported after youths pelted stones on deployed forces.
The forces resorted to aerial firing to disperse the people reports added.
In the clashes several people received Injuries and among few were rushed to local hospital for advance treatment.
Massive clashes in parts of Shopian were on when filled this report.
Kulgam Encounter: Police officially confirms killing of Top commander Al Badr Zeenat ul Islam late night
Qayoom Khan
Srinagar, January 13: Police late night officially confirmed killing of two militants including top commander of Al-Badr Zeenat ul Islam in a gunfight at Kathpora area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
A top Police officer confirmed about the killing of Top commander Zeenat ul Islam and his associate Shakeel Dar.
The officer further said that the operation was prolonged due to darkness and there were apprehension of having more militants hiding.
Latter both the bodies were recovered and taken to the Police control room. The slain militant’s families were called in for identification and latter the slain militants were handed over to them after all legal formalities, the officer said
Zeenat Ul Islam with code name Dr. Usman resident of Sogan had switched last year from Hizb to Al-Badr. He was successful at many occasions to break cordon earlier.
After killing of Saddam Paddar last year Zeenat was only among old lot left in Shopian.
Governor Satya Pal Malik on Shah Faesal’s resignation
JAMMU, JANUARY 12: On the resignation of IAS officer, Dr. Shah Faesal, Governor Satya Pal Malik has issued the following statement.
Governor said that Shah Faisal was an efficient and dedicated officer who rendered his services with great zeal and enthusiasm for the welfare of the state and its people particularly belonging to weaker sections of the society. In case he would continue his services as an IAS officer he could serve the people of society in a better way. As far as his feelings about Kashmiris are concerned he could be posted in the region for extending his fullest support in ameliorating the poverty and creating job opportunities for the youth of the valley so that people would be prosperous and would lead a better life.
Terming the decision to join politics by Shah Faisal as his personal, Governor observed he could have done better even otherwise. He (Shah Faesal) has to consult the youth to know their aspirations and try to create a new platform for the redressal of problems and grievances of youth.
Governor said Dr. Shah Faesal could deliver better as an officer rather than as a politician.
He, however, observed that it is not necessary for him to suggest Shah Faesal what he has to do in future even though his best wishes were always with him. “I would love to meet him if he comes to me for redressal of problems of youth”, the Governor added in his statement.
Atmosphere in Kashmir peaceful: Guv Malik
Srinagar, Jan 12 : Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Satya Pal Malik on Saturday said that atmosphere in Kashmir is peaceful, saying that the militants have failed to vitiate peaceful environment in the Valley.
As per Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, talking to reporters in Jammu, Governor Malik said that Pakistan is frustrated after the peaceful conduct of Panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir. “The militants were asked by their chief to vitiate the peaceful environment in the Valley but they failed to do so as the forces with the help of people, who are supporting us, foiled their plans,” he said.
About the killing of Army men including a major on LOC, the Governor called it as ‘frustration of Pakistan’, saying that the forces are giving them (Pakistan forces) a befitting reply on border and the infiltrators are not being allowed to cross the border, adding these attacks are the outcome of successful conduct of Panchayat polls that indicates the ‘frustration’ of Pakistan.
About Shah Faesal’s resignation from country’s elite service and his plans to join politics, Malik wished Faesal well for his future course of action but said “it could have been better in case he could have sustained to serve the people being an IAS.”
“I don’t know what he has done in IAS and what he is going to do in politics but I would like to wish him a well,” he added.
Governor Malik also said that his administration is concerned over the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley. (KNS)
Will announce TRC, if elected to power: Dr Farooq
KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Jan 12: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president and Member Parliament Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said the party wouldn’t support ‘Operation All-out’ launched against the militants if his party is elected to power with a majority in the upcoming assembly elections.
While talking to the reporters at south Kashmir’s Islamabad town, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said that talking to Pakistan was imperative.“I request Rajnath Singh to send an invitation to Hurriyat before elections and it is very important to talk to Pakistan,” Dr Farooq said.
“How can we support something where there is suppression? We do not want our people to be beaten at their homes. We are not going to support any violation of human rights, we live in a free country,” he said.
He said that there should be a reconciliation commission to probe the killings of 2016, “we will announce on the very (first) day when the new government takes over that we will appoint such a commission (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) and see to it that the results are brought before the people not only in Jammu and Kashmir but in rest of the world,” he said.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a party function in Anantnag, Abdullah who represents Srinagar-Budgam constituency in the Parliament, said his son and NC vice president Omar Abdullah had already asked for a truth and reconciliation commission.
“We hope that God brings our party into power strongly and we don’t have to stand on crutches (referring to a coalition). This (probe) will be a great thing that we will announce on the very (first) day when the new government takes over that we will appoint such a commission (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) and see to it that the results are brought before the people not only in Jammu and Kashmir but in rest of the world,” said Dr Abdullah in response to a question on a probe into 2016 killings.
He said that his party was not going to support any violence or violation of human rights. “Everyone is free, we live in a free country. And therefore we as a government we will have to see that freedom of people expression is not curbed,” said Abdullah.
Three houses, seven shops gutted in fire in JK’s Doda
Doda (JK), Jan 12 (PTI) At least three houses and seven shops were gutted in a fire in this hilly district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said.
The fire broke out in a house at Kahara village, 45 kms from here, around 4.30 AM and quickly spread to adjoining structures, a police official said.
He said the fire and emergency services immediately rushed to the spot and managed to douse the flames after an hour-long operation.
A total of three houses and seven shops belonging to five different owners were damaged in the fire, the official said.
He said timely action of fire and emergency services and police averted a major tragedy as the fire happened in the densely-populated market and most of the structures are made of dry cedar and pine wood.
Efforts were on to ascertain the cause of the fire, the official said.
Widespread snowfall in Kashmir valley
Widespread snow started across the Kashmir Valley on Saturday as the weather office said there would be an improvement in the weather from Sunday.
An official of the MET department said the minimum temperatures improved across Jammu and Kashmir because of the night-long cloud cover bringing in some respite from the severe cold wave.
Srinagar recorded minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam minus 0.9 and Gulmarg minus 2.4 as the minimum temperatures on Saturday.
Leh town recorded minus 11.9 degrees Celsius, Kargil minus 16.8 and Drass minus 10.3 as the night’s lowest temperatures.
Jammu city recorded 8.5 degrees Celsius, Katra 6.6, Batote 1.8, Banihal 0.7 and Bhaderwah 0.6 as the minimum temperatures. (IANS)
Uttarakhand Landslide Tragedy: Govt. fails to compensate ailing father of 11 children from Uri
Zaffar Iqbal
BARAMULLA, Jan 11: After surviving the tragic landslide incident at Uttarakhand on December 21 last year, a 45-year-old labourer Altaf Ahmad is bed ridden since the day that tragedy left him handicapped.
However, his pain has increased manifold as the government of Jammu and Kashmir and Uttrakhand have sofar failed to provide any financial assistance to the injured labourer.
Hailing from Mothal village on Line of Control, Altaf got severely injured in the landslide incident and he was taken to Hospital in Uttarakhand where he remained under treatment for about 12-days. He was brought home by the company officials with whom he would work in Uttarakhand.
Altaf is the sole breadwinner of his family and is unable to meet the ends of life. “I was working in Uttarakhand as a labourer. When the landslide occurred I got severely injured which left my one arm and one leg broken. I was brought home by the company people by road after remaining in hospital there for about 12 days. Since then I am bed ridden at my home,” Altaf told Kashmir Despatch.
He further informed that he is survived by eleven children including eight daughters and three sons and he is only source of livelihood for his family.
“Now when I am completely bed ridden and I have a big family to shoulder. Till now, the government has failed to provide me any financial assistance,” he added. The family and the locals have appealed the governor administration to come to the help of this family and take necessary steps for his upliftment and treatment.
The family is living in penury and there is no other source of income for Altaf to run the daily affairs of his large family. “Since I am not in a position to go for work and in absence of any other alternative source of income, my family members will die from starvation,” he observed.
Pertinently in December last year a tragic landslide left eight labourers from Uri north Kashmir dead and two were injured. Although the government had announced exgratia for the deceased labourers but no financial assistance has been provided to the injured labourers sofar.
When contacted SDM Uri Baseer-ul-Haq told Kashmir Despatch: “We disbursed ex gratia relief among the families who had lost their members in Uttrakhand Tragedy but we had no instruction for any kind of financial assistance to be provided to the injured labourers.”
He informed further that since there were no announcements made by either of two governments, the injured labourers may have not been approached by the administration. “Since you have brought this case in my notice, I will depute a revenue official to his home to get the details and will surely recommend his case for any financial aid.”