Today’s Front page of Kashmir Despatch 
Father of six booked under PSA for 10th time, shifted to Kotbalwal jail
Nasir Khuehami
Srinagar, December 21 :Authorities have booked a man, father of six daughters from Hajin area of Bandipora under Public Safety Act (PSA) for 10th time in a row over his alleged involvement in anti-national activities.
Asaadullah Parray, resident of Hajin Bandipora, is district president of Muslim League led by Masrat Alam Bhat was arrested in August 2015 for his alleged involvement in anti-government activities and was shifted to Kotbalwal jail Jammu.
An official told KNO that Assadullah Parray has been booked under PSA vide No. 26 DMB/PSA/18 dated 12-12-18 under FIR No.116/13.Parray’s six children are surviving on hard means. The children have already lost their mother in 2012 and father has remained in jail much of the time since.
One of Parray’s daughters is suffering from a skin disease that requires her to visit hospital for treatment. Another daughter is suffering from trauma and is also on medication.
Meanwhile, Muslim League spokesperson condemned slapping of Public Safety Act on Parray, termed it as ‘worst form of State terrorism and human rights violation’.
He said that “police has crossed all the limits. With these tactics, they can’t break Political will of inacracted Assadullah Parray.” Mariya, elder daughter of Parray said that, “My father was arrested in 2015. He has dedicated his life for the freedom Struggle of Kashmir.”
Maria, the eldest sibling among six children, has been taking care of the family in her father’s absence. Earlier, Parray has served 13 years in jail for his association with the pro-freedom movement. “He faced the worst victimisation during the reign of army-backed counter-insurgency “Ikhwan” in mid-90’s. Parray was associated with Jamaat-e- islami before joining the Muslim League,” one of gis relatives said.
Earlier Member of Legislative Council (MLC), Yasir Reshi has also demanded immediate release of Parray. Reshi had said that there was no case registered against him as all the cases lodged against him were quashed by the court. He said that Malik is really sincere towards ending the sufferings of people the he must release all the prisoners against whom no cases are registered.(KNO)
People protest amid shutdown in Pulwama against civilian killings
Qayoom Khan
Srinagar, Dec 21 (GNS): People in Pulwama on Friday staged protests in the district’s main town against the last week’s killing of seven civilians by the government forces in the southern Kashmir district. Some youth also clashed with the government forces deployed in the area.
Reports reaching GNS said that soon after the culmination of Friday prayers here at Markazi Jamia Masjid Pulwama, people held protests against the killings in Sirnoo village Pulwama on December 15 while as a youth also pelted forces with stones.
Meanwhile, on the seventh straight day, Pulwama and its adjoining areas were closed and traffic was off the roads. All shops, business establishments remained closed while traffic was off from the roads.
Internet service also remained suspended for the seventh consecutive day in the district. (GNS)
SPO among two arrested with 2 kg charas in Kupwara
Srinagar, Dec 21: (GNS) Police on Thursday arrested two drug peddlers including an SPO and recovered two kilograms of charas from their possession, in Awoora area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Reports reaching GNS said that the sleuths of District Special Branch (DSB) of police picked up two persons, Haris Ahmad Shah, son of Farooq Ahmad Shah and Amir Ahmad Lone (SPO), son of Ghulam Nabi, from their native village in Awoora.
“Upon the search, two kilograms of charas was recovered,” reports said adding that the duo was later handed over to police station Trehgam for further investigations.
Station House Officer (SHO) Trehgam Parvez Ahmad while confirming the incident, said, “In this regard, a case under FIR number 88/2018 under section 8/20 NDPS Act was registered and further investigations were taken up.”
Meanwhile, locals of the area hailed the police action against the growing drug menace. (GNS)
Police Arrests 02 Burglars In Kupwara; Stolen Items Worth lacs recovered
December 21: Police on Friday claimed to have arrested to burglars and recovered stolen items worth lacs. In statement police said that Kupwara police cracked a case of burglary by arresting two accused persons involved in the crime and recovered stolen items worth lacs of rupees from their possession.
A complainant Manzoor Ahmad Tanzoo son of Ghulam Ahmad Tanzoo resident of Kralpora reported to Police Station Kralpora with a written complaint stating therein that some unknown burglars have stolen mobile phones and other electronic accessories from his shop located at Kralpora Market.
On receipt of this information, a case FIR number 89/2018 under relevant sections of law was registered and investigation in the matter was initiated.
During the course of investigation, two persons identified as Reyaz Ahmad Ganie son of Khazar Mohammad Ganie and Hilal Ahmad Ganie son of Mohammad Sultan Ganie, both residents of Gazriyal Kupwara were called for questioned.
During questioning, it was found that the duo were found involved in the commission of crime. Stolen items worth lacs of rupees including mobile phones and their accessories were recovered on their disclosure. Further investigation in the matter is going on.
PC will contest on all 87 Assembly seats: Sajad Lone
Srinagar, Dec 21, CNS: People’s Conference (PC) Chairman Sajad Lone on Friday said that his party will fight elections in all 87 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our candidates will contest in Kashmir, Chenab Valley, Jammu and Ladakh. There will be no pre-poll alliance with anyone. We will contest on its own,” Lone said at a function in which PDP disgruntled leader Abid Ansari joined his party Peoples Conference.
Sajad Gani Lone welcomed Ansari to his party during a press conference held at Church Lane in Srinagar.
Abid Ansari said People’s Conference is his own party that was established by late Abdul Gani Lone, Iftikar Hussain Ansari and Shameem Ahmed Shameem. “I left PDP because there were some people who ruled the roost. Corruption was rampant inside the party while the promises made to him by the party were not fulfilled,” he said.
Replying to why he quit the PDP, Abid Ansari said that he had envisaged that whatever was happening in the party was wrong, “but no one heard me.”
“I never wished to be a minister,” he added. “I only asked them to fulfill my promises, promises made to my constituency. I was told employment will be given, artisan loan will be waived off but nothing happened. A few people were saying things and no one listened to the legislators and you see how people are leaving the party now.”
Sajad Lone responded to a number of questions. He said that he has no objection if Assembly Elections will be conducted in February. “Omar Abdullah has no right to fix the time for Assembly Elections. First of all he used Article 35A to stay away from local polls and now he is eagerly waiting for Assembly elections.”
To a question, Sajad Gani Lone said Farooq Abdullah should stop lying at his age. “At least Fraooq Abdullah should speak true now. My party will not only support the Autonomy Resolution but the Bill if a White Paper will be brought about 1987, 1996 and 2002 elections. Those were not elections but a selection. It should be seen why militancy erupted in Valley,” Lone said adding that the party that is responsible for erosion of autonomy is promising autonomy to people.
While answering to a question over recent civilian killings in Pulwama, Lone said that whenever there is an anti-militancy operation, “security forces should look for cost and benefits of it. If you have to kill seven civilians for killing three militants, then you have to ask questions. If there is a minor with a gun, which he doesn’t know meaning of, call off the operation?”
Anti-Corruption Bureau arrests Dy Excise Commoner taking Rs 2 lakh bribe
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Dec 21 (GNS): The Anti-Corruption Bureau on Friday arrested Dy. Excise Commissioner Jammu, Syed Muried Hussain Shah after catching him red handed while demanding and accepting Rs two lakh bribe, official sources told GNS.
They said the Anti-Corruption Bureau Jammu caught Shah, a resident of Poonch, in the afternoon while he was demanding and accepting the bribe.
Shah is under orders of transfer to JDA. According to sources, the army colonel’s father had a bar and for renewing the license, Shah had allegedly demanded the bribe. The army officer had filed a complaint with the vigilance following which the trap was laid.
Confirming it, a senior officer told GNS that on the basis of the complaint, as prima facie case of criminal misconduct on the part of the Dy. Excise Commissioner was found made out and accordingly a formal case FIR No. 42/2018 u/s 5(1) (d) r/w Sec. 5(2) P.C Act Svt. 2006 and Sec. 4-A of P.C Act was registered at P/s ACBJ and investigation was entrusted to inspector Vikram Sharma.
“A trap team of the officers and officials was constituted by SSP ACBJ, which laid a successful trap and apprehended the accused Syed Muried Hussain Shah presently posted as Dy. Excise Commissioner (Executive), red-handed, while demanding and accepting the illegal gratification of Rs. 2,00,000 from the complainant in presence of the independent witnesses,” the official said. The accused was arrested on the spot and thereafter, a search team of Anti-Corruption Bureau was also dispatched for conducting the house search of the accused at his residence situated at Paloura, Jammu, he said. “Further investigation into the matter has also been taken up.”
In October this year, the governor Satya Pal Malik formally established Anti-Corruption Bureau in the State to do away with the shortcomings and multiplicity of roles in the existing anti-corruption mechanism and to effectively handle the menace.
The Governor has already issued directions for immediate setting up of six new Police Stations under Anti-Corruption Bureau, unlike State Vigilance Organization which had only two Police Stations one each at Jammu and Srinagar. (GNS)
Only threat nation is facing is from BJP: Azad on MHA order
Press Trust of India
Terming the move as “wrong”, he said such a provision should be used selectively for a district or a region where the law and order situation was bad.
The only threat that the nation faces is from the BJP and its government, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said Friday in response to the Centre’s move to authorise 10 central agencies to intercept “any information” on computers.
Terming the move as “wrong”, he said such a provision should be used selectively for a district or a region where the law and order situation was bad.
“But, they have done it for the entire country, without specifying any region or district, or person. Are we all anti-nationals? Now all the 1.3 billion people are under suspicion and our telephones and computers will be checked. This is wrong.
“Whenever the BJP feels it is going out of power, it talks about the nation being in danger. The country is not in danger…It is because of the BJP that the nation is in danger. If they go, the danger will come to an end. It is due to them that the country is in danger and is weakened,” Azad told reporters outside Parliament.
He earlier raised the issue in Rajya Sabha leading to an uproar in the Upper House.
The senior Congress leader said the country, from 1947 to 2014, was united and Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians were together.
“The biggest danger to the country is the BJP and its government and it is due to them that the country is in danger. India faces no other threat,” he said.
Opposition parties led by the Congress have joined hands to oppose the government’s move to authorise 10 central agencies to intercept “any information” on computers, describing it as “unconstitutional, undemocratic and an assault on fundamental rights”.
One person arrested with ammunition in Baramulla
Srinagar: One person was arrested on Friday in Singhpora area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
As per sources, Zahoor Ahmad Khan son of Abdul Rashid residence of Soibugh was arrested by police at a checkpoint in Harterath village of Singhpora.
“He was coming from Srinagar to Baramulla in an Alto vehicle bearing registration number JK18-1299,” a police official said.
The official also added that a grenade and 49 rounds of AK47 were recovered from his possession.
(Agencies)
Army officer killed, another injured in sniper attack along LoC in Jumgund
Jehangir Lolabi
Srinagar, Dec 21 (GNS): An army officer was killed and another was injured critically in a ‘sniper attack’ by Pakistan army along the Line of Control in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Friday late afternoon.
Official sources told GNS that Pakistan army in “violation of ceasefire” opened the sniper fire upon the army’s 2/8 GR posts in Jumgund area along the LoC.
Two army officers suffered serious injuries in the attack and the injured were immediately evacuated to military hospital Drugmulla where Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Subidar Gamar Thapa (42) succumbed to injuries, they said.
The injured has been identified as Junior Commissioned officer (JCO) Subidar Raman Thapa and was later referred to army’s 92 base hospital Badamibagh Srinagar for advanced treatment.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kupwara Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar also confirmed the death of the JCO and injuries to another.
He said that details with regard to the incident is being ascertained. (GNS)