Saturday, December 6, 2008

Kokernag: 36 RR troops accused of raping a minor girl

Rising Kashmir Dec 7, 2008


Rape of minor girl

Bar to file writ petition against army

Rising Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 06: Kashmir High Court Bar Association Saturday said it would file a writ petition in the High Court against 36 Rashtriya Rifles, army’s anti-insurgency wing, against the alleged rape of a minor girl of Kokernag by its troops.
Condemning the incident, the Bar termed it a shameful act by troops and rejected the magisterial inquiry announced by civilian administration.
A judicial probe should be held under some sitting judge of the higher judiciary, a spokesman of the Bar said.
Keeping the gravity of the incident in view, the Bar will file a writ petition against the culprits in the court, the spokesman said.
“The accused army men should have been arrested and action initiated against them. But nothing like that happened and the guilty troopers are enjoying a free life,” he said.
The army men and the administration are threatening the victims and the villagers, a statement of the Bar Association said.
“They are being pressurized to retract from their statements. Tehsildar Kokerang is acting under pressure. The magisterial inquiry is influenced by army and top civilian officials,” he alleged.
The Bar is concerned over the deployment of troops in the area who are allegedly involved in rape and molestation of women in the area, the spokesman said.
He said the village heads are being threatened of serious consequences by troops if the voter turnout is low.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Police spokesman: “An undeclared curfew would be strictly forced..."


It’ll be again curfew-like today


Rising Kashmir News November 30

Srinagar, Nov 29: The authorities will impose undeclared curfew in Srinagar on Sunday to foil the proposed “Kupwara march” called by the separatists on the third phase of polling.
“We have decided to impose Section 144 CRPC in Srinagar on Sunday,” Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo told Rising Kashmir.
“More than four people would not be allowed to gather at a single place,” he said.
Kakroo said that authorities have to impose section 144 to maintain law and order in Srinagar city to thwart the “Kupwara March” of the separatists.
The separatists have already called upon people to march towards places, which go to polls on different dates. They have given Jahan poll wahan chalo (where elections march there).
DC said that every measure would be taken to maintain law and order in the city. “We do not want those things to happen, which can prove detrimental for lives of people. We have to ensure safety and security of masses,” he said.
SSP Srinagar Afhad-ul-Mujtaba said lawful restrictions will be imposed in Srinagar on Sunday.
Asked whether movement within the city would be permitted, Mujtaba said, “It would depend on the law and order situation prevailing on the ground”.
CRPF spokesman, Prabhakar Tripathi said the restrictions have been imposed in the wake of proposed separatist march to Kupwara.
“The restrictions would be similar to those imposed on Friday. However, we would allow mild movement within the city,” he said.
Authorities said strict security measures will be put in place in downtown city.
“An undeclared curfew would be strictly forced in that part of the city. In other parts of city, the undeclared curfew would remain imposed in early hours but later in the day the movement would be allowed,” a top police official said.

Custodial killing in Shopian

‘Custodial killing’ triggers protest

Greater Kashmir Nov 30, 2008


Curfew Imposed In Shopian



Shopain, Nov 29: Authorities imposed curfew in this south Kashmir town and its adjoining areas on Saturday following the alleged custodial killing of a youth.
Locals told Greater Kashmir that troopers of 62-Rashtriya Rifles and local police arrested Ghulam Hassan Malla from Manyal Shopain on Thursday and since then his whereabouts were not known. “We heard this morning that he has been killed in custody. We approached the 62-RR camp to ascertain about his welfare. But troopers chased us away,” they said.
The villagers alleged that Malla was killed during interrogation.
As the word about Malla’s killing spread, hundreds of people took to streets raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. When they tried to move towards Shopian town, police dispersed them by firing scores of teargas shells. Many people were injured in the police action.
Fearing violent clashes, the authorities later imposed curfew in the area.
A top police official told Greater Kashmir that while Malla’s body was handed over to his family, police have registered a case against Army. “We have started investigation,” the official, wishing anonymity, said.


Saturday, November 22, 2008

Indian troops shoot dead schoolboy, funeral mourner

BLOODBATH IN VARMUL

Greater Kashmir Nov 23



CRPF TROOPERS SHOOT DEAD SCHOOLBOY, THEN FIRE AT MOURNERS KILLING 25-YEAR OLD MAN; MASSIVE ANTI-INDIA, ANTI-ELECTION DEMOS IN CURFEWED TOWN



Varmul, Nov 22: Massive anti-India and pro-freedom demonstrations were held in Varmul on Saturday where people accused the troopers Central Reserve Police Force and Police of killing a 17-year old boy and a 25-year old man in Varmul town.
While the paramilitary troopers and police used excessive force, and imposed curfew, to quell the demonstrations, the angry protesters torched a vehicle of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s cavalcade, and also damaged the vehicle of Panthers Party candidate.
Mansoor Ali, 17, of Khanpora Varmul was shot dead in the morning by CRPF personnel guarding the Congress candidate for Varmul, eyewitnesses told Greater Kashmir.
“Between 11.45 AM and 12 PM we were playing in the playfield (of government middle school Khanpora) when the troopers asked us to leave. We told them we are playing; we won’t leave, but they beat us up. And when we ran out of the ground the CRPF troopers escorting Congress candidate fired at us and a bullet hit Mansoor in his chest,” Shabir Ahmed Kumar, an eyewitness and colleague of the deceased.
“In the morning some youths had clashed with police and CPRF and pelted stones, but the situation was peaceful when we were playing,” he said.
He said that two other youth, Danish Gojri and Ishfaq Ahmed Kumar, were injured in incident.
“It was a cold-blooded murder,” said a man who claimed he witnessed the incident.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Varmul Shiekh Faisal said that they have received information that bullet was fired by guard of Congress candidate.
“We will definitely investigate the whole matter and then only file the case against the culprits,” Sheikh Faisal said.
The Congress candidate, however, denied the involvement of his guards in killing of the youth.
“A clash between police and protesters was already going on when I reached Khanpora; the youth was probably killed in the firing by the CPRF troopers, there is no hand of my guards in the incident,” the Congress candidate Mushtaq Mir of Nowshehra, Varmul said.
The authorities had already imposed a curfew in old town area since early morning by deploying large contingent of police and CRPF troopers in area. The locals said the CRPF troopers had terrorized them since Friday when they demonstrated peacefully after Friday prayers. The residents said the troopers barged into their houses, beat up the inmates, and ransacked household goods.
As the news of Mansoor’s death spread, thousands of people in volatile old town, defying curfew, took to streets shouting anti-India, pro-freedom, and anti-election slogans. They carried the body of the dead boy towards martyrs graveyard.
But the CRPF men fired upon mourners at Bunglow Bagh, critically wounding Muhammed Rafiq Bhat, who was shifted to SKIMS Soura in Srinagar for emergency treatment.
Another wounded mourner Muhammed Rafiq Najar, hit by a tear smoke shell directly aimed at protesters, told Greater Kashmir that CRPF troopers fired numerous teargas canisters and beat up people with bamboo batons when they tried to lift Muhammad Rafiq Bhat.
“They did not allow us to take the wounded men to hospital. They were brutal,” he said.
After the firing spree on mourners, the agitated people resurfaced and clashed with CRPF men in Mir Sahib Mohalla. The troopers, according to eyewitnesses, fired indiscriminately at the protesters. A bullet hit Tanveer Ahmed Shiekh in his chest, killing him on the spot.
“We took him to hospital in a pushcart but doctors declared him brought dead,” said Fayaz Ahmad.
Medical superintendent of District Hospital Varmul told Greater Kashmir that both the dead persons had bullet wounds on chest.
After killing Fayaz, the witnesses said the CRPF troopers went berserk and thrashed an ambulance driver, Javed Ahmad, and an employee of the Hospital, Manzoor Ahmad, who ferried the body of deceased in old town from the hospital.
Driver Javid Ahmed told GK, “The CRPF troopers asked me to get down from the ambulance and thrashed me and Manzoor brutally. They even stoned our vehicle and damaged it.”
Some of mourners injured in CRPF action are: Muhammad Rafiq Najar, Rafiq Ahmad Bhat, Bilal Ahmad Gojri, Ishfaq Ahmad Kumar, Riyaz Ahmad Malla,Nasreena, Mudasir Ahmad Sheikh, Tanveer Ahmad, and Abdur Rashid Ahangar.
Following the killings, thousands of people in Khanpora and old town demonstrated against India, police, CRPF, and assembly election.
The CRPF and SOG troopers lobbed dozens of teargas canisters in old town to crush the protesters, but the demonstrators offered stiff resistance.
The people damaged the campaign vehicle of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party candidate, Shafeeqa Begum, who managed to escape from the spot.
Later in evening the protesters torched the ambassador vehicle of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti , who was on way from Kupwara to Srinagar .
The people in Khanpora also beat-up people of Uri participating in rallies of pro-India political parties.
The district administration has also announced magisterial probe in the incident.
An official spokesman said the Additional District Development Commissioner Varmul Muhammad Akbar Mir has been appointed as the inquiry officer and asked to submit inquiry report within a week.
The CRPF troopers also ransacked the house of Vishwa Bharati Prinicipal in Varmul.


GK REPORTER BEATEN
The personnel of the dreaded Special Operations Group (SOG) of police beat up this reporter at Main Chowk Varmul when he tried to photograph a street in the old town teeming with troopers and policemen.
“We will show you how a photograph is taken,” said an SOG cop, and started thrashing this reporter.
GKNN


Mehbooba’s escort vehicle set ablaze
Varmul, Nov 22: Angry protesters set ablaze the escort vehicle of the Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti here on Saturday.
Witnesses said that angry youth pelted stones at Mehbooba’s cavalcade near Azad Gunj this evening. “One of the vehicles carrying a security guard of Mehbooba was gheraoed by the protesters. After dragging the driver and the guard out of the vehicle, protesters set it ablaze,” witnesses said.
A police official said that after setting ablaze the vehicle, mob took the driver and the SPO as hostage. “The duo was released after the intervention of the top police officials,” he added.
Police sources said that Mehbooba Mufti who was on her way back from Kupwara was advised not to take Varmul route. “She refused to change the route,” sources added.
When contacted, Mehbooba told Greater Kashmir, “I was not aware about the incident till I reached Srinagar. I am perfectly alright. People didn’t attack my cavalcade. The vehicle which was set ablaze had developed some trouble and it was being repaired by the security men. The incident happened after I had crossed Azad Gunj."
GKNN


PP candidate’s house attacked
Ganderbal, Nov 22: Unidentified persons hurled a grenade towards the house of Panther’s Party candidate here in north Kashmir on Saturday evening, police said.
A police official told Greater Kashmir that the device exploded few metres away from the house of Abdur Rasheed Ganie at Arhama Ganderbal. No one was injured in the attack, he added.
Ganie is contesting from Kangan where polls are to be held on Sunday in the second phase.
GKNN


Blast in DPN candidate’s house
Sopur, Nov 22: Unidentified persons threw a grenade on the residence of Democratic Party Nationalist candidate, Muhammad Abdullah Dar, at Yaseen Colony Sopur on Saturday evening.
“It exploded with a deafening noise and damaged his residence. No one was wounded in the blast,” a police official wishing anonymity said.
The security guards of the candidate opened fire triggering a gunfight with the gunmen. The fight continued for 10 minutes, sources said adding the gunmen later fled from the site.
GKNN

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

memories of 1947 genocide in Jammu

Another forgotten genocide, recent Indian history is full of those - a conveniently flexible memory, erasing the mass murder of minorities from the national memory....

3 survivors recount horrors of Jammu genocide


Greater Kashmir Nov 6, 2008


Islamabad, Nov 5: It is one of the least known genocides in the modern history. It was carried out with such a precision that it is difficult to find its traces, except in the memories of the survivors, and the tales of horror they passed on to their next generation. It started on November 6, 1947. Nearly two hundred thousand innocent Muslims were slaughtered by Dogra army and extremists in Jammu region.
The genocide was carried out to cleanse the Muslims from Jammu region. The Dogra troops backed up by the extremists succeeded in pushing half a million Muslims to Pakistan administered Kashmir and Pakistan.
Rashid’s father, brothers, sisters, wife, and a son were slaughtered Malik Abdul Rashid, a survivor from Reasi, currently settled in Rawalpindi, says he was 22-year old when the carnage happened.
“Men, women, children were killed in the cruelest manner, maimed, intimidated. The carnage continued for several days. I lost my father, brothers, sisters, wife, and a son,” Rashid said.
“I lost all my dears; the genocide has haunted me all my life,” he said.
On 4 November 1947, when Dogra troops entered Reasi, two highly esteemed citizens of the town, Khwaja Amkullah and Chaudhary Aziz-u-Din rushed to the office of then Deputy Commissioner Thakur Gavinder Singh, complaining against the entry of the troops when Peace Committees, comprising Hindus and Muslims, were already in place to maintain peace. Both of them were shot dead in the office.
“People were mowed down with machine guns and swords during the night. And those who had survived were assembled in a field where they were put to death. Some women who escaped jumped into Chinab river to save their honour,” Rashid recounts.
“Khwaja Ali Muhammad of Bhadarwah who was performing his duties as a public prosecutor at Reasi went to a police station to save his life, but the duty officer, a Dogra, handed him over to the RSS men. They dragged him out and tortured him so much that he begged them to kill him than torture him. But the barbarians cut his fingers one by one and told him ‘we will send your fingers to Pakistan’. He was killed near the court premises in broad day light,” Rashid said.
Rashid said Maharaja Hari Singh orchestrated the carnage to eliminate Muslims from Jammu. “Muslims were not even allowed to have weapons for self defense, but Maharaja distributed arms to the marauders of his community,” he said, adding the killers were trained and armed in RSS camps for the genocide.
He said that Maharaja Hari Singh who fled from Srinagar to Jammu on 26 October1947 ordered his troops to kill Muslims everywhere.
“The carnage started in remote villages, and many Muslims fled to towns and district headquarters. But the killers were everywhere. Hundreds of Muslims committed suicide to avoid torture,” he said.
The killers kidnapped the daughter of legendary leader Chaudhary Ghulam Abbas, the prominent leader of Muslim Conference. Mistari Ahmed-u-Din hailing from Mast Garh Mohalla of Jammu himself killed his two daughters fearing the Hindu marauders would rape them.
On 4 November Muslims who had escaped slaughter were asked to assemble in a ground near police station in Jammu so that they would be driven to Pakistan in buses. On November 5 and 6, 1947, scores of buses, trucks and lorries, loaded with women, children and old men were taken into the wilderness of Kathua forests where Hindu extremists and armed gangs butchered them like chickens.”
‘MY 3 SISTERS WERE ABDUCTED, TWO WERE RECOVERED, SURAYA IS STILL MISSING’
Another Kashmiri migrant from Jammu, Muhammad Khan Naqashbandi, told Greater Kashmir that his mother was killed and three sisters were abducted by the marauders while they were traveling to Pakistan.
Two of his sisters were recovered, but the youngest sister Suraya was still missing. Teary eyed Khan said, “My sister is still missing and I don’t know whether she is alive or dead. I survived because I was studying in Lahore when the carnage occurred. No Muslim can forget that genocide.”
Naqashbandi said the slaughter was well planned and rehearsed to prevent people from acceding to Pakistan.
Muslims were slaughtered at Mavera near Samba on November 5 and the next day carnage was carried out near cantonment in Satvari.
‘OUT OF 6000, 250 SURVIVED’
Abdul Qayum Qureshi, a witness of the genocide, hails from Dalpatian Mohalla of Jammu. Qureshi told this scribe that the blood-bath of Muslims in Jammu province had started several weeks ago but the hunt against Muslims intensified when frustrated Maharaja of the state entered into Jammu on 26 October 1947 and ordered his troops to kill Muslims wherever they can be found. Mohalla Dalpatian was a Muslim majority area where thousands of Muslims from other areas had taken shelter.
“There was a big ground where these refugees were camping. Volunteers were guarding them, but everybody lived in a state of fear. The extremists and Dogra soldiers had besieged the area but they did not dare to enter the area. Muslim volunteers led by a former army official Captain Naseer-u-din defended the camp bravely,” Qureshi said.
Qureshi narrated the horrors thus:
“Meanwhile a fresh group of refugees arrived but the ground was full so they were accommodated in an empty Haveli (a mansion). But the killers had taken positions in a trench close to the Haveli. And when people entered the Haveli premises, the killers started indiscriminate firing, but the Muslim volunteers fought back. Then a Dogra official, Chetan Chopra, arrived with the message that he wanted to talk to Captain Naseer-ud-din. Around 4 PM Captain Naseer returned saying the administration has announced a ceasefire and assured that the violators will be punished. The ceasefire continued for seven days but the situation remained tense. On 5 November Muslims were asked to assemble in the police lines Jammu. I remember about 26 trucks and buses were present in the police grounds. People were ordered to board the vehicles so that they could be driven to Pakistan via Sialkot border. The Dogra officials circulated a rumor that these vehicles have reached Pakistan. We had absolutely no idea that they were butchered in the Kuthwa and Samaba forests.
On 6 November a caravan of refuges in buses and trucks was driven towards the border area. I was also part of this caravan. But after half an hour drive the entire caravan was turned towards Bisna. Around 11 AM all of us, about 6000, were dragged out of the buses. Then they fired at us indiscriminately. The bloodbath continued for nearly three hours; like other people I took refuge in a canal. People hid under thorny bushes and wherever they could. At 3 PM the Dogra officials asked the survivors to come out hiding so that they could be driven to safe places. Having no alternative we came out, and fortunately on the directives of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah we were later shifted to a refugee camp in Jammu. Only 250 had survived. My father was in the Valley and my two brothers were in Mirpur.”

Friday, October 31, 2008

CRPF opens fire, raids homes

61 injured in Friday clashes
Rising Kashmir Nov1, 2008
* Youth hurt in police firing at Rajouri Kadal
* Valley observes half-day strike


Ishfaq Mir

Srinagar, Oct 31: At least 61 persons including four women were injured in clashes between angry youth and cops in Valley, which witnessed half a day strike on Friday.
Srinagar and other parts of the Valley observed complete shutdown after Friday prayers in response to the call given by the Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee (JKCC), spearheading the present agitation in Kashmir.
Eyewitnesses said that dozens of youth chanting pro-freedom slogans took to streets in Maisuma and gathered near the JKLF head-office. The acting JKLF chairman, Bashir Ahmad Bhat addressed the protesters and asked them to stay away from the poll process. “We don’t fear arrests because is part and parcel of the struggle. We will continue our peaceful struggle and won’t be cowed down by the tactics being used by the Indian government,” he said.
He, however, cautioned New Delhi that if any harm was done to the our pro-freedom leaders, it will have to repay for it. Raising slogans like ‘Sarkari Jamhuriyat, hai hai’ (Down with the government democracy), Bhat urged the people to follow the JKCC’s progrmame.
The youth later tried to march towards Lal Chowk but were intercepted by police and para-military personnel, who were deployed in strength in the area. They fired tear smoke shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse the agitating youth, who retaliated by hurling stones and bricks towards them. Half a dozen protestors were injured in the clashes.
Meanwhile the shopkeepers of Koker Bazar and adjacent areas of Lal Chowk alleged that CRPF personnel beat scores of shopkeepers and passerby after the clashes.
Police opens fire in Nowhatta
Eyewitnesses said that police and CRPF personnel fired dozens of tear smoke canisters and resorted to aerial firing to disperse angry youth, who were raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans at Nowhatta after the Friday prayers. The clashes between the angry youth and cops continued for more than an hour during which 18 persons were injured.
The clashes also took place between the protestors and cops at Kadi Kadal, Rajouri Kadal and adjoining areas. The cops had to fired dozens of tear smoke shells to disperse the youth who pelted stones and bricks on them in Rajouri Kadal. As the clashes continued, the cops fired towards the protestors, injuring one Tuaab Ahmad Bhat son of Gulzar Ahmad Bhat of Safa-Kadal. He was shifted to hospital, where doctors operated on him and removed the bullet.
A woman identified as Nusrat daughter of Ghulam Qadir of Rajouri Kadal was injured in police action at Kadi-Kadal. She has been hospitalized.
A police spokesman while confirming the police firing said that 12 CRPF and 3 police personnel were injured in the stone pelting by the youth in Rajouri Kadal area.
CRPF goes berserk in Zanpa Kadal
Residents of Zanpa Kadal, Chattabal area alleged the para-military CRPF personnel barged into their houses and beat up the inmates including women and children. They also alleged that the CRPF men ransacked the household items and desecrated a local mosque.
“CRPF personnel beat up everyone, who came their way. Even women and children were not spared. Angry youth and CRPF personnel clashed for more than two hours and after failing to arrest any of the protestors, the cops barged into the residential houses and beat the inmates. CRPF men desecrated a mosque on the pretext that they were searching for those youth who pelted stones over them,” said the residents.
As the news about ‘highhandedness’ of troops spread, people in hundreds came out on roads and staged a massive demonstration and para-military personnel. They were demanding stern action against the CRPF personnel.
Reports from South Kashmir’s Islamabad district also said that the CRPF personnel barged into residential houses and beat the inmates.
Clashes in North, South
Eyewitnesses said that police and CRPF men fired tear smoke canisters and resorted to heavy baton charge to disperse the peaceful protesters amidst chanting of pro-freedom and pro-Islamic slogans. The protestors retaliated and the clashes continued for nearly an hour during which 10 persons, mostly protestors were injured. The condition of one Bilal Ahmad who received seven stitches after being severely beaten by the cops was stated to be critical.
After the clashes, additional police and CRPF personnel were deployed in the area to prevent people from taking to roads.
Meanwhile, 13 persons were injured in apple town Sopore when clashes broke out between people and CRPF men.
Reports said that people took out a protest rally from Jamia Masjid to Main Chowk Sopore. As they reached the Main Chowk Sopore, CRPF men intercepted them and tried to stop the protesters. This angered the youth, who pelted stones on them. The cops retaliated and in the ensuing clashes during which many tear smoke shells were fired towards the protestors, at least 13 persons were injured.
Later police arrested Hurriyat (G) leader, Abdul Gani Bhat of Babaraza Sopore.

Home of Kashmir High Court Bar Association President raided

Bar president’s house raided
Rising Kashmir Nov 1, 2008
Lawyers take out protest rally

Rising Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 31: Police and CRPF men Friday raided the Barzulla residence of Kashmir High Court Bar Association President Mian Abdul Qayoom.
As the news spread, the lawyers stayed away from the court proceedings for nearly two hours. However, the work resumed after Qayoom reached the High Court and addressed the lawyers.
The strength of police and paramilitary personnel was increased in Lower Court premises to prevent the lawyers from taking to roads and staging demonstrations. However, the lawyers broke free and took out a procession from Lower court premises to Lal Chowk in Srinagar. Carrying placards and banners, the lawyers condemned the clampdown on separatist leaders and large scale arrests.
Addressing the lawyers from historic Ganta Ghar, Qayoom drew world attention towards the excesses being committed by Indian soldiers on hapless Kashmir. “People participating in freedom marches are being arrested and harassed and this is being done to prevent people from participating in such marches. The Kashmiris won’t be cowed down by such measures and will continue their peaceful struggle till Kashmir issue is resolved as per their wishes and aspirations,” he added.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

3 yrs on, ‘framed’ KU student languishing in jail without trial

Rising Kashmir Oct 30, 2008
Enraged mother seeks VC’s intervention
Sofi Imtiyaz
Ganderbal, Oct 28:
Arrested three years back for alleged involvement in October 29, 2005 Delhi blasts, Muhammad Rafiq Shah of Shuhama, Alasteng is languishing in Tihar jail without trial.
Delhi police had arrested Shah on the intervening night of October 21and 22, 2005 at 3 AM on charges of carrying out blasts in New Delhi’s Govindpuri area.
"Rafiq was pursuing post graduate studies in Islamic Studies under roll no 8566 and had passed three semesters. Now he was preparing for the final semester, but his dream of completing the PG was shattered when he was arrested,” his father Muhammad Yaseen said.
"For two months, we knew nothing about his whereabouts. Later, when we were informed on phone that Rafiq has been detained in Tihar jail in connection with October 29, 2005 Delhi blasts, we were shocked and tried every possible means for his release, but to no avail. Despite protests by Kashmir University students and wide coverage by media, no progress has been made in the case,” he said.
Yaseen accused Delhi police for framing his lone son.
Giving further details of the case, Yaseen said that police arrested four Bangladeshi militants and a Deoband cleric on April 07, 2006 who reportedly took the responsibility of the blasts.
“Even the mastermind behind the blasts Jalal-ud-din alias Babu Bai confessed of being involved in the attacks when he was arrested soon after the Bangladeshi national's arrest,” he said.
Apparently, the then Delhi Police chief, KK Paul, had given Rafiq a clean chit. But its Special Cell claimed he was guilty.
The family struggles to make the two ends meet. Rafiq being the only son of his parents, the family, including his two sisters, is run on his father's pension with no other source of income.
His mother has sold all her ornaments to visit his son in jail.
"The day the blasts took place in New Delhi, Rafiq was in the University. Even the then Vice Chancellor Abdul Wahid has confirmed it," Raifq's mother said.
Giving emotional vent to her pent-up frustration over the “indifferent” attitude of Kashmir University authorities, she threatened to set the varsity on fire if it fails to get his son released.
"I vehemently appeal to the vice chancellor to intervene in the matter or otherwise face dire consequences," she said with anger and tears in her eyes.
“If VC has the powers, then why not use them for pursuing the release of an innocent student of his university,” she added.
"I am very much tired now. I have lost almost all hopes particularly with media. What can you do by highlighting this issue through your newspaper? We have tested all such means. No one comes to our rescue,” she said with a sigh, adding "if any minister passes through our road, I will set him and his vehicle on fire.”
Anger and frustration is evident on the faces of Rafiq's friends also, who still don’t seem to have come in terms with their companion’s detention.
"He is innocent. He was present in the varsity when the blasts occurred in Delhi. We appeal vice chancellor of Kashmir University, Prof Riyaz Punjabi and Delhi administration to take serious cognizance of the issue so that justice prevails. ", said one of the colleagues of Rafiq.
When contacted, Prof Punjabi wished not to comment on the case.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

CRPF opens fire in Varmul, killing one - protests against arrests and paramilitary violence

VARMUL ON BOIL


Student killed in police firing, curfew clamped
Greater Kashmir Oct 27



Varmul, Oct 25: A student was killed and eight others were injured, four of them critically, when police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force opened fire to disperse demonstrators in this north Kashmir town on Sunday, after which the authorities clamped an indefinite curfew in the area.
Witnesses told Greater Kashmir thousands of people took to streets for the second consecutive day today in protest against the arrest of six youth and alleged ransacking of houses in the old town. However, policemen and paramilitary troopers, who had been deployed in strength, resorted to baton charge, fired tear smoke canisters, and later opened fire, killing a student, Irfan Ahmad Akhoon (20), son of Muhammad Amin Akhoon of Jalal Sahib, and injuring eight others.
Pleading anonymity, a friend of the deceased said he and the victim were watching the protest from a distance near the Cement Bridge without being a part of it. “Suddenly, Irfan fell down as a bullet hit Irfan in his lower abdomen,” he said, adding, “I raised an alarm and rushed him to hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.”
The witnesses said that out of the eight injured, four persons, who sustained bullet injuries, were rushed to Srinagar in a critical condition.
Bashir Ahmad, a local, who had joined the protests, said they were peacefully demonstrating against the “high handedness” of police and CRPF and were demanding action against the erring troopers and policemen. “Police and CRPF directly fired at the protestors,” he added.
As the word about Irfan’s killing spread, thousands of people from the town and adjoining areas, shouting pro-freedom and anti-police slogans, took to streets to give vent to their ire. Reinforcements were rushed to the area and authorities clamped curfew in the entire township.
When contacted, the deputy inspector general of police, Abdul Gani, admitted that one youth had been killed after a bullet hit him. “We have ordered an inquiry into the incident. We would probe the circumstances in which the security forces opened fire on the protestors,” he said, adding that indefinite curfew had been clamped on the town.
Police version
Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement said, “A violent mob tried to overpower a small contingent of deployment near Cement Bridge in Varmul which resulted in a scuffle.”
Quoting district police authorities, the spokesman said, “A frenzied mob tried to move towards the main town with the intention to disrupt the normal life. The mob resorted to violent activities by throwing stones and sloganeering and put some innocent people in front. The mob which had swelled in numbers tried to overpower a small contingent of deployment in Cement Bridge area, the deployment had to resort to firing in which one person Irfan Amin Akhoon son of Muhammad Amin of Jalal Sahib was killed, while another person Bilal Ahmad Sofi son of Muhammad Shaban of Jalal Sahib was injured. He has been shifted to SKIMS, Srinagar, where he is under treatment and his condition is stable.”
The spokesman said, “Two more persons were also injured but not by bullets. Muhammad Rafiq son of Muhammad Sultan Kanjwal of Old Town was injured in a collision with a vehicle while the other one Irshad Ahmad son of Ghulam Nabi of Old Town sustained minor injuries.”

LA Times story about Malik Sajjad,GKCartoonist






Malik Sajad, a talented 20-year-old who has been drawing a daily editorial cartoon for the Greater Kashmir newspaper since he was 15, is about to publish a graphic novel describing his encounter with an elderly man whose son was allegedly killed and subsequently falsely identified as a terrorist by the Indian army.

Such violence and abuse was the reality with which Sajad was raised.

"It's part of me, my art," said the reedy, bespectacled youth. "You see landscapes; you draw landscapes. I saw guns; I draw guns. This is part of my surroundings. It's a normal part of my life."

His novel also recounts a run-in he had two years ago with local security forces that had stopped him at a checkpoint -- a typical experience for young Kashmiri men -- as he made his way home from work one evening. The police refused to believe he was a cartoonist, despite his company ID card, until he whipped out a pen and drew a caricature of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his hand.

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Kashmiri cartoonist's ordeal in Delhi

Back home, I feel reborn
Greater Kashmir Sept 28

The GK Cartoonist Malik Sajad Narrates The Experience Of Being A Kashmiri At A Wrong Time In New Delhi.

I arrived home from Delhi yesterday. I took a deep breath when I laid eyes on the landscapes of the valley. My mother was waiting for me at home. Her face was pale and her eyes were full of tears. My father held me for a long time as if I were away for years. My brothers gathered around me as if my return was unexpected. My mother asked me in a weak voice, “Were you okay in Delhi?” “Yes,” I nodded, “My exhibition had a huge response. Everyone praised my cartoons and I enjoyed the trip.”
They looked worried and I sought the reason for their worry.” They replied, “Sajad, some policemen in civilian clothes came here to verify some information about you while you were in Delhi. You didn’t call us for four days. We thought something bad has happened to you. We were all crying.” I was surprised. My family already knew what I had tried to keep secret for the sake of my mother’s health. At home I felt safe again, and I narrate to them the ordeal I went through in New Delhi for being a Kashmiri.
I was invited by the Public Service Broadcasting Trust to create an installation art in the OPEN FRAMES, EXPLORING CONFLICT, an international film festival about peace and conflict held at the India Habitat Centre. The festival began on the 12 September and lasted eight days. My installation titled “Terrorism of Peace” featured my cartoons hanging from rolls of razor wire with some alcohol bottles hanging on the wire, exactly the same way as found around bunkers of troopers on the streets of Srinagar. I put some mud and stones on the shiny green marble floor of the Stein Auditorium to give the installation the real feel of Kashmir.
On Saturday afternoon, the second day of the festival, I drew a cartoon in my hotel room for my Sunday Slice column. I took a picture of it with my digital camera and headed to a cybercafé about 150 meters from the habitat centre to mail it to Greater Kashmir. After I mailed the cartoon I visited the Greater Kashmir website and my cartoon website. Meanwhile, I heard another browser seated on a nearby computer chatting over the phone about the serial blasts at Connaught Place and Greater Kailash I. Soon everyone in the café joined in on a discussion about terrorism and the blasts. While I was watching news videos on Greater Kashmir’s website, the owner of the café peered over my shoulders to glimpse what I was looking at. Soon the owner and others started to talk about me in hushed voices. “He is Kashmiri! We should check his identity!” they whispered. The owner approached me and asked me for my passport in a soft voice. I gave him my identity card and told him that I don’t have my passport with me. He took it and xeroxed it. He studied my identity card for a long time. He asked me where I was staying in Delhi and I gave him the address of the Habitat Centre. He asked me which websites I had visited. I listed them for him. I could hear the customers saying “He is looking at websites from Kashmir!” Then someone said loudly “Why should we take responsibility for this boy. He could be anything! Just call the police and let them verify who he is!” I started to panic. “I am Kashmiri,” I thought “No one will listen to me.”
There was a PCO in the café. They called the police and told them that there is a Kashmiri in the café and that they should verify my identity. I asked the café owner to call the habitat centre to check my identity as

well. They refused. I pleaded with them to just call the centre, but they wouldn’t. Two fat police constables and a woman inspector wearing two stars arrived within five minutes, wearing a we-have-got-the-culprit look. Her face frightened me. Her hair was jet black and short like a boy’s hair cut. Her eyes were stiff like black moles on her face. She held a very fine stick in her hand. She entered the café shouting “Who is the guy? Who is the guy?” Before anyone pointed at me I raised my hand with my I card, shouting back, “Madam it is me, it is me! Here is my I card!”
She didn’t look at the card, but slid it into her pocket, and ordered a constable to search into my bag. They studied my camera as if it were a bomb. They told me to pack everything in the backpack. I quickly managed to eject the memory card out of my camera and slip it in my pocket, since my photographs were the only proof of my installation at the habitat centre. Before they confiscate my mobile I memorized the number of the director of the film festival. The inspector shouted at me “Salay bahar chalo!” I shook with fear. I didn’t know what to do. No one would listen to me. The constables literally dragged me out of the cafe. Someone shouted “We should place him in the bus.” I was shocked and cried, “Please listen to me! Please listen to me!” Almost two hundred people gathered on the road to see the “terrorist”--Me! The crowd was so big that it created a traffic jam. I shouted in the air “Somebody please go to the habitat centre and tell them the artist whose installation is there has been arrested!”
As they were dragging me to the police station, the inspector shouted at me “You Kashmiri bastard! Why do you people have problem with being part of India? Sala…!” At the police station, they seated me on a bench with another person they had arrested. He had dried brown blood all over his face. His eyes were sharp and red. It was obvious he was drunk. I pleaded, “Please listen to me. I am a cartoonist in Kashmir! I am not a terrorist! I am innocent!” They ignored me and listened to their wireless radios. They continued to hurl abuses at me. Another woman inspector wearing civilian clothes with a wireless radio in her hand shouted at me “You bastard, you speak such nice Hindi! Why do you have a problem with being part of India!” I replied, trying to be as transparent as possible, “Madam, I am speaking Urdu actually, which sounds like Hindi.”
The inspector woman who dragged me to police station began to record the evidence:
1: He was looking at the website with diagrams of guns on it. (This was her definition for my cartoon website kashmirblackandwhite.com!)
2: He was searching for information about the Kashmir conflict. (I was reading some articles to prepare for my talk about the “Dialoguing peace in Kashmir” at the Stein Auditorium on 17 September.)
3: He had a camera with a memory card in it. (Obviously my camera is a Canon digital SLR and it can’t be without a memory card.)
I was crying. I couldn’t feel my fingers and feet. I felt like I had been electrocuted. The incandescent lights in the police station were shining brightly, but it seemed to me very dark.
I had no hope now. I thought of running away from the police station. “The habitat centre is only 50 meters away,” I thought. “Even if they shoot me I would be injured, but I can prove my innocence.”
But I didn’t want to give them any chance. I thought my life was over. “If there is no hope of life, I need to accept the reality,” I said to myself. But somehow this thought actually gave me strength. “I am not going to be scared of them any more,” I thought “They are not going to listen to me any way.” I stood up and said to them sternly, “Come kill me! Shoot me! Do whatever you want, but keep in mind that I am a guest here and my work is being displayed in the Stein Auditorium! Hang me or label me a terrorist! I am going to sit here silently now!” Then they finally called the Coordinator for PSBT. The number was busy. I asked her “Madam, can’t you come with me to the Habitat Centre to check whether I am speaking truth or not? It is only 50 meters away.” Finally, after fifteen minutes, she relented and agreed to take me to the Habitat Centre. They held me by the collar as we walked to the centre. Once we entered the gate no 3 of habitat center, she continued to curse Kashmiris. At this point however, I was in the habitat centre, so I shot back, “Mind your language!” My voice was firm and she became quiet. When she saw my work in the auditorium, she started shouting “You Kashmiris have a problem!” I wasn’t in their grasp anymore, so I picked up a stone lying in the mud of my installation and started to smash my installation. The sound of the glass frames breaking echoed throughout the auditorium. Those watching a film inside the auditorium came outside to see what had happened. The policewoman ran away.
I called GK to inform them what had happened, but the Habitat Centre manger instructed me to not leave the premises and not to call from my phone, or email, for a few days. After three days I called home and the GK office. The PBST issued a letter to the security agencies that I am their guest and they are responsible for my accommodation and tickets. I thank God that I was a guest of the habitat centre and not alone as a cartoonist for GK. Otherwise, the story of another missing Kashmiri would have been all over the news here. I watched the news channel that night to see if they would flash my name….

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Leaders arrested

Malik, Zaffar arrested ahead of Lal Chowk march
October 6 Greater Kashmir

Mirwaiz, Sajad put under house arrest, Geelani stable

GK NEWS NETWORK

Srinagar, Oct 5: Ahead of Lal Chowk march, police arrested the chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik and senior Hurriyat(M) leader Zaffar Akbar Bhat, while many pro-freedom leaders, including Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone, were put under house arrest since Saturday evening.
A JKLF spokesman said a policemen and paramilitary CRPF troopers raided the Maisuma residence of Malik last night after he visited the historic Lal Chowk yesterday to see the arrangements for Monday’s Lal chowk chalo march.
The spokesman said Malik, who was heading the committees formed by the Coordination Committee (CC), spearheading the present agitation in the Kashmir valley, for the march was taken to an unknown destination.
The vice chairman of the front advocate Bashir Ahmed Bhat strongly condemned the arrest of Malik and termed it undemocratic .
This was for the second time police arrested Malik on Lal Chowk march issue. On August 25, when the CC had appealed the people to reach Lal Chowk, Malik was arrested after he violated the curfew restriction and tried to march towards Lal Chowk.
He and other senior pro-freedom leaders including chairmen on both Hurriyat factions Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were released after about one week.
Police on Sunday arrested senior Hurriyat (M) leader Zaffar Akbar Bhat from city outskirts here. Hurriyat insiders said that Bhat was arrested from Natipora when he was on way to his residence to Bagh-e-Mehtab. Bhat was taken to an unknown destination.
Meanwhile top ranking Hurriyat (M) leaders, including the chairman of the conglomerate Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, were put under house arrest on Sunday.
Media advisor to Hurriyat, Shahid-ul-Islam told Greater Kashmir that Mirwaiz, Aga Syed Hassan Al Mousvi, Bilal Gani Lone, Moulana Abbas Ansari and Professor Abdul Gani Bhat were placed under house arrest this morning.
Islam termed their arrest as “undemocratic” and described the clamping of curfew ahead of Lal Chowk march as “unjustified.”
Chairman of Peoples Conference Sajad Gani Lone was also put under house arrest on Sunday.
A spokesman of the party said, “Policemen and paramilitary CRPF troopers cordoned off Sajad’s residence at Rawalpora this morning and informed him that he was under house arrest.”
A spokesman of JKLF (R) said that police raided the houses of the chief spokesman of the front Rasik Khurshid and district president of the front for Kupwara Abdur Rasheed Bhat. “Police and troopers are harassing the front activists throughout the Valley,” the spokesman alleged.
Geelani stable
Condition of the Hurriyat (G ) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was shifted to SK Institute of Medical Sciences, Saturday night, was stated to be stable on Sunday.
Family members of the veteran pro-freedom leader told Greater Kashmir, “ Doctors have described his condition as stable.”
Geelani was shifted to SKIMS after he complained about severe chest pain.

Indefinite curfew imposed in Kashmir

Indefinite curfew imposed in Kashmir
Greater Kashmir Oct 6

GK NEWS NETWORK

Srinagar, Oct 5: All major towns and tehsils in the Kashmir valley were brought under indefinite curfew early today in wake of 'Lal Chowk Chalo' call for Monday by the Coordination Committee.
Official sources said curfew was imposed from 0430 hrs in the morning to prevent people from participating in the 'Lal Chowk Chalo' march called by the Coordination Committee (CC), spearheading the present movement in the valley. The CC is demanding, among other things, opening of all cross-Line of Control(LoC) roads for trade and free movement, release of all detenues and revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which provides impunity to the troopers operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
There was no report of any violation of curfew in the Valley, including Srinagar city. “The situation was by and large peaceful in all parts of the Valley and no violation was reported till late in the evening,” a police spokesman said.
However, reports said that a minor clash between the youth and policemen broke out at Nowahata in old city this morning. “The youth were dispersed and situation was brought under control within few minutes,” official sources said.
Pro-freedom demonstration in Varmul
Scores of youth defied curfew at old town Varmul in north Kashmir on Sunday and staged a pro-freedom demonstration.
Witnesses told Greater Kashmir youth raising pro-freedom slogans marched through the bye lanes of the old town this afternoon. However after the march protesters dispersed off peacefully.
Minor clash in Kulgam
Reports said that hundreds of youth tried taking out a pro-freedom demonstration at Kulgam in south Kashmir on Sunday morning. “Policemen and troopers intercepted the protesters and resorted to baton charge to disperse them. Protesters were dispersed and no one was injured in the police action,” official sources said.
Lal Chowk sealed
The historic Lal Chowk was sealed last night from all the sides. Besides, the CRPF and policemen had also been deployed in strength in the civil lines to prevent any gathering there, official sources said.
All the routes leading to Lal Chwok were sealed. Tin sheets and barbed wire were put around Ganta Ghar (Clock tower).
Gulmarg under curfew
Law enforcing agencies imposed curfew strictly in famous health resort of Gulmarg on Sunday. Reports said that policemen and troopers asked the shopkeepers not to open their shops and the tourists who were present in the health resort were directed to remain inside the hotels, and the huts they were putting up in. “This is for the first time that curfew had been enforced so strictly in Gulmarg,” a caller from the health resort told Greater Kashmir over phone.
He said that tourists present in Gulmarg were facing severe hardships due to curfew.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Public health eemployees threaten suicide - wages not paid for four months

PHE daily wagers threaten suicides
Oct 1 Rising Kashmir

Demand wage release

Mir Tariq
Bandipora, Sep 30: While demanding immediate release of their salaries a large number of daily wagers in this North Kashmir district of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Tuesday threatened that they will commit suicides in case their demands were not conceded.
More than 200 daily wagers of the PHE staged a sit in protest near the D.C office who are running from pillar to post to get their salary released, which the department had allegedly withheld without any reason.
The employees threatened to commit suicides in case their demands were not conceded. "We and our children have been brought on the verge of starvation due to non-payment of our salaries for the past four months. What shall we eat? Where shall we go? Does the department wants us to beg?" they questioned.
Spokesman of daily wagers Farooq Ahmed said: “PHE has not released their salaries form July this year. Despite the orders from the Government in this connection but department is not releasing the same in our favour without any reason," he said
"We approached the officers in PHE however; but they are not responding," said Sajad Ahmed a daily wager, adding, "Our salary was stalled despite orders by the chief and superintending engineer."
They urged the government to release pay at the earliest as the employees had taken loan and are under huge debt.
"I had to eke out extra money in April to deposit the admission fee of my children. I had to borrow money from a relative to sustain my family for past four months," said a daily wager Ghulam Ahmed
Meanwhile a group headed by Farooq Ahmed met Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Sheikh Mushtaq and briefed him their grievances.
Talking to Rising Kashmir Executive Engineer Ghulam Qadir Pintoo said, "Due to some technical faults we were not able to release the wages of the daily wagers earlier.”
"However we have diverted the funds for the release of the one month salary to the daily wagers," said Pintoo.
The department of PHE Government of Jammu and Kashmir released funds amounting 38. 56 lakh (approximately 38, 56, 640) under Major Head: 4215 134/CE/PHE/PlG of 2008 (12-09-2008), which includes 6.13 lakh for PHE Special sub-division Bandipora. But the department is not releasing the wages due to unknown reasons.

Govt impounds KCCI chief’s passport

Trade talk gets dull
Rising Kashmir Oct 1

Govt impounds KCCI chief’s passport

Mehboob Jeelani
Srinagar, Sep 30: Regional Passport Office on Tuesday impounded the passport of president Kashmir Chambers of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), Mubeen Shah, who was to lead a trade delegation to Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PaK).
Police sources said that the intelligence wing of the state police had requested the passport office to impound the travel document of the KCCI president following an "adverse report" about his alleged separatist activities.
Shah received a letter on Tuesday from the office of Passport Officer informing him about the impounding of his passport. It has been mentioned in the letter that Shah had come into the ‘adverse notice’ of Police and Central Investigative Department (CID).
KCCI president, Mubeen Shah told Rising Kashmir, “I received the letter in the morning and I don’t know why it has been done. I have decided to take a legal action against the authorities for impounding my passport”.
He, however, said that the reasons of impounding his passport were not mentioned clearly in the letter. “The letter reads that on ‘adverse grounds’ my passport was impounded. No specific reason has been mentioned,” added Shah.
The KCCI president was expected to lead a trade delegation to PaK as a reciprocal visit for discussing possibilities of strengthening trade ties between the two parts of Kashmir. The cross-LoC trade will commence from October 21.
Shah is the member of Jammu Kashmir Coordination Committee (JKCC), which is spearheading the peaceful agitation across the valley. It was formed after the economic blockade of Kashmir by the right-wing Hindu activists of BJP, VHP, Bajrangdal and Shiv-Sena.
After the lifting of economic blockade by the Hindu extremist elements, the Kashmir-based traders have boycotted the Jammu trade. The boycott campaign against the Jammu based products is being headed by Mubeen Shah and President of Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Shakeel Qalander.
The president of Jammu chambers of commerce and industries, Ram Sahai recently visited Kashmir and pleaded Shah and Qalandar to lift the boycott.
After refusal, Sahai accused Shah of being ‘puppet’ in the hands of separatist leaders.

Police refuse to release detainee despite court orders

Distraught mother’s Eid wish, her ‘illegally’ detained son’s release
Rising Kashmir Sept 30

Wasim Khalid
Srinagar, Sep 27: Asha Begum, 65, beseeches help from authorities for the release of her detained son Meharj-ud-Din Mir who is languishing in the custody even though Jammu Kashmir High Court his detention more than two months ago.
“I am begging authorities to release my son this Eid. I am exhausted by frequent visits to courts and higher police officials for his release from illegal detention,” Asha said with tears in her eyes.
Narrating her ordeal, the distraught mother hailing from Rudbugh, Beerwah said her son fled home in 2001 never to return.
“He was only 18 then and was studying at a school in Magam. I have never seen him since then. Six years later, police claimed to have arrested him from south Kashmir on October 7, 2007. He was then sent to Central Jail Srinagar,” she said.
Asha said a police case registered in Beerwah police station against Meharj-ud-Din alleging him to be a militant was already cleared.
“The case was registered under Indian Arms Act. Sessions court Budgam granted him bail on February 15, 2008. As my son was about to be freed after six months, the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) arrested him again inside the jail premises after which Public Safety Act (PSA) was slapped against him.
The police in their report alleged that Meharj-ud-Din alias Rizwan-ul-Haq, son of Muhammad Shaban Mir of Rudbugh, Beerwah, Budgam was an IED expert and had crossed LoC to get the arms training. The police further alleged that huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from his possession.
“He was then shifted to Kotbalwal jail for about four months but was shifted back to Srinagar Central Jail since he had to appear in matriculation examination. In the meantime, the High Court quashed the PSA and ordered to set my son free in its July 15, 2008 order sheet,” Asha said.
The High Court order sheet in its clause 3 reads, “ The order of detention bearing No DMP/PSA/3/ dated 16-02-2008 is quashed with further direction to the respondents to release the person of Mehraj-u-din Mir, s/o Muhammad Shaban Mir of Rudbugh, Beerwa in district Badgam forthwith unless required in any other case.”
However, Mehraj-u-din is still languishing in the prison.
“After his release order, my son was taken by CIK. They kept him for 50 days. From there he was shifted to police station Nowgam. He is still there and police is refusing to release him,” she said.
She added that along with her husband she pleaded before the police officials to release their son, but to no avail.
“SSP says he is a militant and they cannot release him,” she said.
“We have approached courts and followed legal procedures. But the stubborn security officials have flouted the court orders also. We are facing economic crisis making it unaffordable for us to follow the case. My son lives separately. And my lone daughter feeds me and her blind father by shawl weaving. The daily visits to courts and offices of concerned authorities have drained us completely and I do not know if I could see my son ever,” Asha added.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, senior advocate Shafaqat Hussain said thousands of such cases are pending in Kashmir where prisoners have been jailed without remand.
“Routinely the CIK present inside the jail arrests the person again after PSA against him is quashed,” Hussain said.
“In Mehraj-u-din’s case, we challenged the PSA in petition HC 52/08 where the honorable court quashed the order and directed his release. He has been earlier cleared by the Court Indian Arms case. There was no case pending against him. However, police took him into custody and kept him at police station Nowgam,” he said.
“This is illegal detention. According to law, a person cannot be kept in custody for more than 24 hours in police station. They have to produce court remand within the stipulated time. But here the state flouts court orders and keeps people illegally confined for months together,” Hussain added.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

JAVED CAN NEVER BE AN ATHLETE NOW

JAVED CAN NEVER BE AN ATHLETE NOW
Greater Kashmir Sept 21

FROM REPRESENTING SCHOOL IN ATHLETICS COMPETITION TO FACING THE TRAUMA OF AN AMPUTATED LEG AND SIX SURGERIES, THE EIDGAH BOY'S DREAMS ARE SHATTERED.

RABIA NOOR / NAZIA AKHTAR

Srinagar, Sept 20: Javed Ahmad Pathan wanted to become an athlete. And he had a perfect pair of legs, which were shaping into legs of an athlete with constant practice. And then a bullet fired by the CRPF troopers hit him in the leg that was amputated, and with that, his dream.
On 12 August, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers fired at a peaceful pro-independence demonstration. Javed was hit in the right leg. The bullet had severed a major vein, damaged vital tissues and the bone. Luck didn’t favour him either. Due to heavy rush of people wounded in CRPF firing in the Valley, there was acute shortage of blood.
Javed remained unconscious all this time, and then the doctors at SKIMS, Soura took the life-changing decision: amputate his leg.
“When he regained consciousness in the post-operative ward, nobody dared to tell him anything. The reality slowly dawned upon him,” said Javed’s uncle, “Tears flowed from his eyes, and he didn’t utter a word either.”
“I won’t be an athlete now,” Javed said, “everything has changed.”
A student of Eight Grade, Javed represented his school, Government High School Narwara, in an Inter-State competition at Jammu last year. He was a regular visitor to Bakshi Stadium where he would practice and exercise. He lives at Saidpora near Eidgah grounds, a popular playfield.
“We lost the competition not because we didn’t perform well, but because there was discrimination. There was anti-Kashmir bias,” Javed said.
Javed is the only son and eldest among four siblings. “He is very good at studies, too. He always scores a minimum of 75 per cent marks every year and his favourite subject is Science,” said his mother.
Being a meritorious student, Javed’s parents had very high expectations from him. At this time, however, they are concerned about the health of their only son.
His family says that he has been operated upon six times in less than a month.
And his trauma is physical and psychological, but an athlete in him would be feeling the physical part more than the psychological.

When he regained consciousness in the post-operative ward, nobody dared to tell him anything. The reality slowly dawned upon him. Tears flowed from his eyes, and he didn’t utter a word either.

DRUG SHORTAGE HITS VALLEY - Indian companies refuse to ship directly to Kashmir

DRUG SHORTAGE HITS VALLEY
Greater Kashmir Sept 25

Chemists Seek Int'l Red Cross, Amnesty Intervention

MUHAMMAD TASIM ZAHID

Srinagar, Sep 24: Kashmir continues to suffer from drug shortage as major drug companies are refusing to send direct supply to the valley. This is despite the fact that valley consumes 80 per cent of the total state drug consumption.
Exasperated by the indifference of the drug companies towards Kashmir, the Valley Chemists and Druggists Association has asked the International Committee of Red Cross, Amnesty International and human rights organizations to come forward and intervene to save Kashmir from going to the brink.
Though the companies earn more in Kashmir, they want to trade through Jammu traders following a threat of political backlash by Jammu-based Pharma Association if they directly send supply to Kashmir.
However, in the valley there is strong resentment against ‘keeping Jammu middlemen alive’ in this age of globalization with chemists saying it is proving detrimental to the their trade and the people of Kashmir. The valley chemists also are opposing trade with Jammu following the economic blockade of Kashmir by Jammu-based companies, which had led to humanitarian crises here in August.
Mushtaq Ahmed is the spokesperson of the Valley Chemists and Pharma Distributors Association. He says, “There is a 30 per cent shortage of medicines presently in the valley. In case the condition does not improve we will have no option but to ask international agencies like Red Cross to intervene and save Kashmiris.”
Today the association took out a protest demonstration asking the international agencies to intervene and save Kashmiris. One of the protesting pharmacists, Nasir Ahmed, said, “We will not let Kashmiris suffer again for want of medicines.”
The association has given a deadline of September 30 to all major drug companies to decide about direct supply to the valley instead of going through Jammu-based agencies.
Mushtaq says that their demands are not illogical. “Our demand is simple, that the companies start supplying drugs directly to valley as Kashmir contributes almost Rs 100 crores a month to the pharmacy industry. Jammu contributes hardly 20 per cent of that.”
While five companies are already directly supplying drugs to Kashmir, but their names are being kept under wraps after threats from Jammu.
The association is, however, optimistic about the other companies also, saying that no company has out rightly refused yet.
Before the armed uprising in 1989 in the state, all major drug companies had their depots in Kashmir. But after the situation worsened the companies shifted depots temporarily to Jammu. Since then even the new players in the drug market have set up their depots in Jammu. While initially their number was around five, today there are almost 30 drug depots in Jammu. Industry estimates put the yearly turnover of Pharma companies in Kashmir region at almost Rs 1200 crores.
The arrangement was working fine until the Amarnath land transfer agitation in Jammu led to the economic blockade of Kashmir. The blockade led to a severe shortage of drugs in the valley.
The association is ready to boycott those companies who do not send drugs directly to the valley. Mushtaq said, “We will boycott their products and black list those companies. We will also talk to doctors and ask them not to prescribe the medicines of those companies and instead prescribe alternatives.”
The association has already black listed drug giant Cipla because the company has given its marketing rights of Kashmir to a Jammu-based agency. Cipla has its own distribution unit in Jammu but the marketing rights for the valley are with a Jammu-based agency.

Kashmiri protest at the UN

CRPF invading homes, filming women and girls; spokesman calls it a "familiarization program"

CRPF conducting survey in Handwara: Residents


Familiarization Program Meant For Developing Contact With People: PRO Tripathi
Greater Kashmir Sept 26
SHAHID RAFIQ

Handwara, Sept 25: The Central Resereve Police Force have started a survey in north Kashmir's Handwara township which the locals allege is nothing short of harassment.
Residents of Banday Mohalla and Ganai Mohalla in the border town told Greater Kashmir that CRPF troopers enter their houses without permission when the male members are out for work.
“They ask questions how many men and women are in your family, what is their age, what is the source of income and how did you accumulate such property? And, after questioning they warn of dire consequences if any of us is found in a demonstration,” said Irfan Sofi (name changed on request.)
Zoona Begum, a middle aged woman, said that many CRPF troopers entered her house in the main market of Handwara yesterday. “My daughters were very frightened when they saw CRPF personnel shooting their pictures with their cell phones. They counted the rooms of my house and took my signatures on a paper while leaving; I fear they would misuse these video clips and put the honour of my daughters at risk,” Zoona Begum said.
Because of this “survey” men prefer to stay at homes leading to loss of workdays.
The CRPF has already completed the registration process in Jamia Qadeem, Khonabal, Rest House Colony, and Iqbalabad in the past few days, the residents said.
When contacted, the Superintendent of Police Handwara, Muhammad Rafiq Vakil, told Greater Kashmir, “I have not received any complaint in this regard as yet; I don’t think CRPF personnel have time to register the details of the locals.”
The Public Relations Officer of CRPF, Prabhakar Tripathi, however, admitted that such a survey was in progress.
“This is a familiarization program meant for developing contact with people. We have directed the troopers to meet people and know every one; nothing more than that. People should not be sacred of CRPF personnel,” Tripathi said.

Events log Sept 11- 27

27 September Saturday
-Resistance Leaders Muhammad Salim Nanaji and Farooq Ahmed Dar previously abducted by Indian Security forces, booked under PSA and shifted to Udhampur Jail.
===================================
26 September Friday
-Indian Army to use laser gun in Kashmir. laser beam, will virtually "blind" the target for around 40 seconds. The flash beam of the gun is two to three metres wide
-84 km Mughal Road linking Poonch to Srinagar to be copleted by November 2008
-Department of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) is distributing ration to the population of Kashmir division according to 2001 census though population has risen significantly in past seven years
-Mixed response to LoC trade from Resistance leaders
===================================
25 September Thursday
-CRPF start survey in Handwara. Residents of Banday Mohalla and Ganai Mohalla state that CRPF troopers enter their houses without permission. CRPF ask questions such as how many men and womrn are in family, age,source of income and wanr of dire consequences if anyone is found in demonstration.
--CRPF has already completed "registration" process in Jamia Qadeem, Khonabal, Rest House Colony, and Iqbalabad.
--As per Public Relations Officer of CRPF, Prabhakar Tripathi : “This is a familiarization program meant for developing contact with people. We have directed the troopers to meet people and know every one; nothing more than that. People should not be sacred of CRPF personnel,”
-Traders Federation sent back two trucks of flour to Jammu
-India-Pakistan to start trade through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalkot from 21 October.
-Indian government not cooperating in Dal conservation.
--Chief Secretary appears before High Court while Advocate General does not.
--Senior advocate Zaffar Shah acting as amicus curiae in the case said that Pollution Control Board (PCB) and other autonomous bodies associated with the conservation of the Dal Lake should be allowed to report independently to the court.
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24 September Wednesday
-Six unarmed Kashmiris injured when Kashmiris protesting the attack on Resistance Leader Moulana Showkat Ahmad are attacked by CRPF troopers with batons and tear gas.
-Kashmiri Chemists seek Red Cross, Amanesty intervention due to shortage of medicine. Following the economic embargo unleashed by fascists in Jammu and North India , Kashmiri chemists need to trade directly with drug companies instead of through Jammu intermediaries
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23 September Tuesday
-Sumbal observes shutdown to protest the killings of two unknown people, possibly civilians
-Unidentified men lob grenade at lal Bazar, Srinagar residence of Resistance Leader Moulana Showkat. Peopel suspect government hand
-Sumo taxi drivers are routinely harassed, beaten and their vehicles are forcibly taken by army (Rashitriya Rifles) men. Vehicles taken throughout kashmir espcially in Shopian, Pulwama, Khanabal, Sopore, Baramulla and Pattan, Safapora, Wakoora and Sumbal like areas
-Hindu films of Uri turn down protection offer of Indian government saying "When there was bloodshed in 1947 in subcontinent we fled from Muzaffarabad and settled here. It was Muslims who protected us. Our security lies within hands of Muslims,"
-Chamber of Commerce and Industries Kashmir (CCIK) on Tuesday decided to continue the boycott of Jammu goods and import commodities from different states of India.
-KCCI threatens to boycott cross-LoC trade if expected items (apple, handicrafts and medicinal products..) are excluded from the list and modalities hurt the Kashmir trading community.
-Detained Kashmiri MBBS students released by Delhi Police
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22 September Monday
-Special Grade Constable Shamim Ahmed Bhat, prime witness in fake encounter of carpenter Abdur Rehman Padder by suspended SP Hans Raj Parihar, his deputy Bahadur Ram, assistant sub-inspector Farooq Ahmed Gadoo, prime accused SOG driver Farooq Ahmed Padder, constables Manzoor Ahmed Malik, Bansi Lal and Zaheer Abbas
-3 Kashmiri students detained by Delhi Police, Naveed Farooq son of Muhammad Amin Narchur of Janglat Mandi Islamabad, Muhammad Zainulabaddin son of Muhammad Ayub Dar of Gangnag Qazipora Islamabad and Adnan Firdous Raina son of Firdous Sultan Raina of Usmanabad Colony Kupwara- were detained by cops after they disembarked from a plane that arrived from Kolkata. The three are final year MBBS students in Bangladesh.
-State government sanctions Rs 2 lakh in favour of family of Romesh Chander son of Krishen Ram of Peer Mitha, Jammu, who had fallen to death from a rooftop of a house on July 6 when police was chasing stone pelting protesters during Jammu agitation.
Union Minister for Chemicals, Fertilizers and Steel and Lok Janshakti party chief Ram Vilas Paswan demands imposition of blanket ban on BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal, Rashtriya Swansevak Sangh “Economic blockade is the root cause of the present crisis in the Valley. The situation arose only after the terrorist organisations like BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal and RSS blew the Amarnath land transfer issue un-proportionately and imposed economic blockade of Kashmir. Such organizations should be banned for promoting hatred,”
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21 September Sunday
-Reports of local TV channels told to submit identity cards at DC office before 6th of October Lal Chowk Chalo march for freedom.
-Recruitment in Islamabnad of -800 Special police officer auxiliary police force used mainly in counter-insurgency and "extra-legal operations". candidates were not asked to fill up the application forms for the post, nor were any customary advertisements published in the newspapers. Instead the local cable television channels were displaying the advertisement for the past few days
-Governement delays Market intervention scheme (MIS) at the behest of senior bureaucrat in Agriculture department, who is a close relative of a former official of the Shrine Board. The said official has been openly saying in meetings that the government will not implement the scheme to ‘punish’ Kashmiris who revolted against the land allotment to Shrine Board,” Principal secretary, Agriculture production Department, Sonali Kumar (previously secreatry of forest department and wife of Arun Kumar, SASB CEO) refuted the allegations of the growers and said she was awaiting the impact study of the MIS. Fruit growers term Sonali’s statement a mere excuse. Fruit growers state
“If the study was so important it should have been done in winter. It is a sheer excuse to hamper the procurement process and harass the growers of Kashmir,”
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20 September Saturday
-Demonstrations & Total shut down in response to call from Kashmiri Resistance in Srinagar, north Kashmir's Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Handwara, Sopore and Pattan districts and major town's and south Kashmir's Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts
-Demonstrators beaten by CRPF in Nowhatta and adjoiing parts of downtown Srinagar.
-High Court Bar Association challenges detention of Resistance leader, Masrat Alam
-Resistance leaders Ghulam Ahmad Mir and Zaffar Khursheed Mirza of Rajouri abducted by Indicna security forces
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19 September Friday
-15 year old orphan Ishfaq Amin Bhat abducted by Special Task force (STF). Station House Officer (SHO) Shaheed Gunj, Aijaz Ahmad said there is no record against Ishfaq in the police station. Ishfaq has been moved to detention centre Air Cargo, Haftchinar
-Unidentified gunmen try to kill Shabir Ahmad Dar and Ghulam Hassan Bhat, at Sigdi, Chatroo, Kishtwar but the duo manage to escape
-protest demonstrations in Maisuma, Lal Chowk, old Srinagar city, Pattan and Ganderbal.
-resistance leaders Muhammad Salim Nanaji and Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bita Karatey detained by Indian security forces after attending Iftaar part hosted by Pakistan High Commissioner.
-Teargas canisters fired at Jamia MAsjid, Hyderpora, Srinagar
-Muhammad Altaf Dhobi and Anis Rashid of Safa Kada abducted by Indian security forces
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18 September Thursday
-People of Islamabad called in by Police Station House Officers and asked to give in writing that we won't participate in pro-freedom protests. The detainees are: Javaid Ahmad Khan, Hilal Ahmad Dhobi, Mehraj-ud-Din Najar, Mir Hafizullah, Abdur Rashid Lone, Ulfat Mohi-ud-Din, Muhammad Ramzaan Lone, Saif-ul-Lah Sofi, Riyaz Ahmad Beig, Bashir Ahmad Rather and Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh.
-J&K High Court issues notice to governer's administration for detention of 11 persons from Valley under Public Safety Actfor ptestting economic blockade.
-Muhammad bin Qasim, 17, and Ahmed bin Qasim, 8, appeal for release of their parents, Muhammad Qasim Faktoo (detained since 1984) and Asiya Andrabi (detained this month)
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17 September Wednesday
-Case registered against Major and personnel of 26 Rashtriya Rifles for the murder of Muhammad Aslam Malik of Gandoh Tehsil, Doda. the deceased had surrendered before SSP Doda on the 4th of August.
--As per Lt Col SD Goswami said that on specific information about presence of 2-3 militants in the area, a column of 26 RR and police launched a joint search operation. “As the troops zeroed in on the hideout, the militants fired on troops" and militant Aslam was killed.
-Shiv Sena, Bal Thackrey, threatens fresh “economic blockade” of Kashmir if Indian companies bypass Jammu distributors and directly supply goods to Valley. "Shiv Sena cadres from Delhi to Lakhanour will be mobilized to stop trucks going to Kashmir Valley directly"
-Mirza Muhammad Afzal Beigh (MMAB) Memorial hospital in south Kashmir’s Islamabad town is running short of the X-rays films and syringes for last few weeks.
-Four youth abducted by Indian security forces in Baramulla
-Srinagar Chemist and Druggists Association,Arshid Hussain suggests doctors in Valley not to recommend medicines from drugs companies operating in Jammu from September 30
-India finally includes trade of fruit in list of utems finalized for cross LoC trade. It was India that had excluded sruit of the list due to, as per Minister for External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee, 'fruit happens to be in the 'negative list of commodities' in the SAARC charter.
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16 September Tuesday
-CRPF troopers beat up people returning after Taraveeh prayers late last night and barge into houses and beat up inmates without provacation. CRPF officials have been informed that their men are creating law and order problems.
-Muslim organisations float Jammu Muslim Coordination Committe to ensure equal opportunities of progress and development to muslim. Convenor Professor Zahiruddin.
-Kashmir Economic Forum comprising FCIK, KCCI and KTMF launched.
-As per Shakeel Qalander, President FCIK, “Establishing customs office on LoC can change its status to International Border,”
-Kashmiri traders oppose list-bound commerce
-Government today revoked the detention orders of Swami Dinesh Bharti and Daleep Kumar, a youth from Jammu's Kathua district, under Public Safety Act
-Convenor of PUCL, Balraj Puri expresses surprise over failure of the government to arrest Swami Dinesh Bharti and withdrawal of PSA unconditionally against him despite reports that he was spreading hatred among communities.
-Central Reserve Police Force has started house to house surveys to ‘register’ youth above the age of 18 years in Srinagar. as per CRPF PRO, Prabhakar Tripathi, said the survey was part of the CRPF’s “familiarization programme.”
-officials of state Excise and Taxation Department extort money in the name of Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti from truckers
-Jammu and Kashmir Pharma Association's, Rakesh Gupta reiterates stand asking the Pharma companies not to supply medicines directly to Kashmir. Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu, disassociates itself from letter of secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Pharma Association
-Srinagar Chemists and Distributors Association(SCDA) Fayaz Ahmad Azad lodges complaint against the Jammu Pharma traders with the apex pharmaceutical group of the country, All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). SCDA states “We strongly condemn the anti-Kashmir policies of the Jammu pharma dealers. They are propagating the Sangh Parivar agenda and want Kashmiris to be at their mercy. During the recent economic blockade, they even stopped supply of life-saving drugs endangering lives of many patients. We can’t tolerate this and would continue to boycott medicines from Jammu. We expressed strong resentment against Jammu traders to the AIOCD. Though, the apex body has assured us all support, we will soon approach the international aid and humanitarian organizations like International Committee of Red Cross, Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) and United Nations to facilitate smooth and sustained supply of medicines to the Valley”
-As per State Administration, Resistance leader Shabir Shah has the right to challenge his abduction by Indian authorities
-Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Koïchiro Matsuura expresses concern over the death of a local television cameraman allegedly by the hands of troopers and beating of media men over the past few weeks.
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15 September Monday
-Muhammad Ashraf Rather of Cheki, Kulgam found dead after being abducted by gunmen last night.
-Additional Deputy Commisioner Srinagar to investigate and file report into desecration of Dastgeer Sahib Shrine within 15 days.
--FIR (No 114 of 2008) under section 295 RPC, copy given to shrine management. Exemplary punishment demanded of erring CRPF.
-Jammu Pharmacy associates, Rakesh Gupta warn Indian and multi-national pharma companies of stern action in case they directly supply medicines to "anti-national Kashmir based associations" following divisional commissioner, Kashmir, letter giving information to Pharma companies about shortage of medicine in Valley.
--Gupta writes. “the divisional commissioner (Kashmir) should have understood the basic fact that the route to the Valley from any part of the country is through Jammu province only.”
--the Jammu-based JK Pharma Association (JKPA) has informed its dealers in Jammu to go for non-cooperation with Lupin Laboratories in Jammu from September 15. Lupin Laboratories was first to directly go for trade with Kashmir distributors without involving the Jammu middlemen.
-India reviving ex-convict Ikhwan groups to intimidate and kill pro-freedom leaders and activists and so that security forces may not be blamed for unchecked killings"
-Israeli Commandos to train Indian soldiers in counterterror tactics, urban warfare and fighting in guerrilla settings following visit of Maj.-Gen. Avi Mizrahi to Kashmir
-Curfew continues for 3rd day in Shopian
-governement orders enquiry into desecration of the holy Dastgeer Sahib shrine at Saria Bala here, by the paramilitary CRPF troopers on Saturday
-Students Kashmir UNiversity stage peaceful protest against "atrocities" committed by indian security froces.
-as per indian government, Fruits and dry fruits have been included in list of items for cross LoC trade.
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14 September Sunday
-14 year old Masarat Akhtar of Achabal injured in police firing, people catch 6 ex-convict gumen working for 7 Rashtriya Rifles who were ransacking homes in Islamabad. people hand them over to police, police however release the ex-convicts, villagers stage demonstrations, and SHO Achabal with police arrive and without provocation fire, injuring 14 year old Masarat Akhtar
-Hundreds of people in Sarai Bal protest against desecration of Dastgeer Sahib including Kashmiri Resistance Leaders Yasin Malik, Syed Ali Shah Geelani,Javaid Ahmad Mir, Shahid-ul-Islam, Showkat Ahmad Bakshi
-Fruit not included in the list of items to be traded across the Line of Control (with Pakistan), Kashmiris continue to be at the mercy of the fanatic right-wingers of North India
-Police order probe into complaint filed by Sajad Ahmed beaten by CRPF at Amira Kadal on Saturday. (see video link)
-New Delhi ready to talk to seperatis groups “if they give up their pro-Pakistan stand”
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13 September Saturday
-CRPF ransack Shrine of Dastgeer Sahab, beatup the caretakers of the mosque. desecrated copies of Qur’an and other wall hangings having Qur’anic verses written over them
-It is worth mentioning that Hanuman Mandir is a stones throw away and that has not been touched by any Kashmiri
-Senior Superintendent Police Anand Jain states that "suspected millitants fire police shots into crowd and doctors have ascertained that Manzoor Ahmed Sheikh of Kupwara was killed at point blank range".
Authorities of Varmul District Hospital state that doess have not conducted any autopsy. As per doctors, "Shaheed Manzoor had a big entry wound near his heart, but there was no exit wound. It seems he had been hit by a rubber bullet.”
-Many including lawyer Sajad Ahmed(see video below) beaten by CRPF at Amira Kadal and all other parts of kashmir.
-BJP President Rajnath Singh demands nationalisation of entire route to Amarnath cave in the Kashmir valley.
-BJP also demands that Kashmiri Pandits should be rehabilitated in special enclaves in the Valley.
-Protests in Varmul, Sjopian, Srinagar against killings by Indian Security forces
-Indian Security forces hounding teenage girls and boys to "teach them a lesson" for participating in recent pro-freedom protests
-CRPF,Shahampora, Nowhatta uses Rafiq Ahmad Bhat,rickshaw driver (JKo1F 3708) as "human shield" to counter stone pelting Kashmiris
-Kashmiri Resistance Leaders Haji Ashfaq Mirza and Umar Arshad Malik of Rajouri abducted by Indian security forces
-Kashmir Chamber of Commerce (KCCI) President Mubeen Shah refuses to meet Chambers of Commerce and Industries Jammu (CCIJ) President Ram Sahai since CCIJ supported economic embargo of kashmir.
-Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Shakeel Qalander has informally met Commerce and Industries Jammu (CCIJ) President Ram Sahai. CLARIFICATION IS REQUIRED AS TO WHAT IS FCIK's stand with respect to goods from Jammu. Qalanadar states, "I also told them that officially no announcement of boycotting the Jammu products was made by any of our trade organization and that it is the people of Kashmir who are rejecting the Jammu products,”
-KTMF (Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federatio) Mohammad Sadiq Baqal said that Sahai was lying as his federation did not meet CCIJ delegation during its recent visit to the Valley
-CCIJ President Ram Sahai said that the meeting was successful in terms of breaking ice with Kashmiri counterparts. “We met many trade organizations and I will not hesitate to say that all the meetings turned out to be a success,”
-Ram Sahai is a non state subject hailing from Pathankot. He is representing the CCIJ for the last one decade on a stay order from the court. Being affiliated with BJP and RSS, he not only supported but fomented the imposition of economic blockade on Kashmir
-CRPF destroying apple orchards in Shopian
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12 September Friday
-Imtiyaz Ahmed Ganie of Pulwama martyred and 13 others injured when CRPF fire on unarmed Kashmiri protesters in Shopian
-Manzoor Afzal Sheikh of Kupwara martyred and gour others injured when Indian Security forces fire on unarmed Kashmiris in Varmul distruict
-List of wounded
--Muhammad Salim Wani of Aliyal Pora and Abdul Ahad Sheikh of Wokay, Kulgam critical
--Bashir Ahmad Dhobi of Kulgam, Muhammad Saleem Dar of Lal Bazar Srinagar, Abdur Rahman Bhat of Lawayhind Shopian, Muhammad Rafiq Manhas of Karewa Manloo, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat of Kitapora Shopian, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat of Bongam Shopian, Muhammad Ayub Wani Narpora, Rafiq Ahmad Turray Sopian, and Reyaz Ahmad Sheikh, Muhammad Yousuf and Muhammad Abdullah Gundroo of Shopian.
-SP Shopian, Javaid Iqbal - Police fired on protesters since hey “resorted to heavy stone pelting on police and troopers.” “Still we will file an FIR and probe the killing,”
-Students of Government Medical College, Srinagar stage massive pro-freedom protest
-Resistance leader Yasin Malik beaten up by indian security forces, shifted to SMHS after addressing demonstrators at Clock Tower, Srinagar
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11 September Thursday
-Gowhar Ahmad,final year student Islamic Colege Science and Commerce abducted by CRPF, hundreds of students protest against abducted of their colleague.
-Islamabad threaten to expel ex-convict Ikhwanis from Kadipora and jalatmandi. these ex-convicts like SPOs, Jehangir and Imran have been housed by indian government in houses of migrant Pandits and have been given a free hand to harass people.
-trade bodies of Kashmir refuse to meet Chamber of Commerce and Industries Jammu (CCIJ) who supported the agitation of Sangharsh Samiti. Dr Mubeen Shah, President of Kashmir Chambers of Commerce and Industries (KCCI). said that KCCI had decided to boycott trade with Jammu in order to avoid future blockades
-On 50 years of the enactment of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons and some other forums Thursday launched a signature campaign to demand repeal of the Act.
-as per legal experts, the government is bound to compensate the families of the Kashmiris killed during the recent agitation in the region as per the United Nation charter and Maharaja Hari Singh's instrument of accession of Kashmir to India.