NEWS OF 02 JULY 2012

THEDAILY

VOICE OF SRINAGAR

SRINAGAR, MONDAY, 11 SHABAN 1433 AH ; 02 JULY 2012

Email:-editorvosgr@gmail.com

NEWS

Omar announces restoration of Peer-e-Dastgeer (RA) Shrine in 24 months

Reconstruction will be based on heritage, will personally monitor work

Expresses gratitude to people for maintaining calm

            SRINAGAR, JULY 01 – Announcing the restoration of Peer-e-Dastgeer (RA) Shrine in accordance with its heritage characteristic within 24 to 30 months, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who is also the Chairman of Muslim Waqaf Board Sunday said that the suggestions regarding expansion of ambit of enquiry ordered to ascertain the reason of the fire would be actively considered.

            “As the Chief Minister and Chairman of Muslim Waqaf Board I would personally monitor the restoration of revered Shrine on the basis of its original structural characteristic”, he said adding that the digital photographs, images, maps of every inch of the Shrine of Peer-e-Dastgeer (RA) and various other holy Dargahs of the State have been got documented by the government through INTACH. He said this documentation would provide necessary basis for restoring the Shrine of Dastgeer Sahib in its original architecture.

            Interacting with the members of civil society including various Imams and Khateebs of Mosques and Ziarats of Srinagar, the Chief Minister said that the suggestions given by various sections to expand the ambit of enquiry ordered to probe the reason of fire in the Shrine would be given due weightage.

            Omar Abdullah said two enquiries one by Divisional Commissioner and another by the Police Department through Special Investigation Team (SIT) have been constituted and the suggestions to expand the ambit of enquiries will be given proper consideration.

            Appreciating the restraint exhibited by the people at the hour of mourn and gloom to maintain amity and peace, the Chief Minister also referred to the positive approach shown by various shades of opinion in helping to uphold calm and brotherhood.

            “Apart from extending my gratitude to general public for the maturity they have shown at the moment of challenge, I also want to thank those, who do not share our political view point, for working positively to help in maintenance of peace and brotherhood. They made appeals to the people repeatedly for this purpose for which I am thankful to them”, he added.

            The Chief Minister said that he has already directed for fire safety auditing of all Shrines under Muslim Waqaf Board. “I have given directions to the Muslim Waqaf Board to conduct fire auditing of all Shrines and upgrading the fire checking mechanism installed in various Dargahs”, he said adding that the Muslim Waqaf Board has also been asked to train the shrine management staff in the use of fire extinguishing equipments.

            Omar Abdullah said that he has asked the Minister of State for Home to work out a foolproof security arrangement for the Shrines and come up with a befitting mechanism in this regard.

            Omar Abdullah said that the endeavour of the government would be to take all measures to avoid such unfortunate incidents in future. He sought the active cooperation of the people in this regard and said, “perhaps the lesson has not been learnt by such incidents taking place in the past”.

            The Chief Minister said that there are certain vested elements in the society who try to take advantage of such unfortunate incidents and disrupt peace and tranquility. “They use these opportunities to divide the society and create law and order problem”, he said and added that the strict law and order measures put in place by the government for 4 days in some parts of Srinagar city were only aimed at preventing damage to the precious human lives. He said many elements were out to create 2010 like situation in the garb of the unfortunate and saddening fire incident of Peer-e-Dastgeer (RA) Shrine.

            Omar Abdullah sought the support of the civil society at large to help maintain tranquility to carry forward tourist season successfully and accomplishing development targets as per schedule.

            The Imams, Khateebs, senior citizens and representatives of various associations of trade, tourism, transport, hoteliers and houseboat owners in their speeches in the meeting lauded the timely action of the government to maintain law and order at the hour of gloom and mourning. They also appreciated the Chief Minister for cutting short his stay at London and immediately rushing to the Shrine spot to take first hand appraisal of the status of the damage.

Chairman PGCIL calls on CM

Omar stresses on speeding up Srinagar-Leh transmission line project

            SRINAGAR, JULY 01 – Chairman Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, R. N. Nayak today called on Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah here and presented him the resume of the status of various works being executed by the Grid Corporation in the State.

            Director Projects, I. S. Jha, E. D. NR2, S. C. Singh, Chief Manager Srinagar, PGCIL, Shafat Ahmad and General Manager S. K. Sharma were present in the meeting.

            Taking brief about various projects, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for speeding up the work on Srinagar-Leh Transmission Line to enable smooth supply of electricity and its distribution in Ladakh region and evacuation of power from various power stations constructed in the region.

            Omar Abdullah also emphasized the need for targeted completion of the ITIs being established by the PGCIL at Ganderbal and Jammu.

            The Chairman PGCIL assured the Chief Minister that the Corporation would take all steps aimed at completion of the projects within the scheduled time frame.

All public places in Srinagar district  declared smoke free

            SRINAGAR, JULY 01: Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Mr. Nazim Khan today announced that all public places of Srinagar district have been publicly and formally declared smoke free on the basis of the report of the End Line Survey conducted by District Evaluation and Statistical Officer, Srinagar. The End Line Survey was conducted to assess the position of enforcement of provisions of Section 4 and 6 (a&b) of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act-2003.

            The Additional Deputy Commissioner impressed upon all designated law enforcers of Tobacco Control Act to ensure that no consumption or sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products should take place in any public place falling under their jurisdiction in Srinagar district. The law enforcement officers have been directed to ensure strict compliance of Tobacco Control Act-2003 in respect of Section 4 and 6 (a&b) in all public places in Srinagar district. The offenders will be penalized as per the Tobacco Control Act.

          On the occasion, Executive Director of J&K Voluntary Health Association (JK VHA), Mr. A. M Mir said that our efforts have succeeded in sensitizing the public places in Srinagar district about the hazards of smoking .

            He said several awareness programmes have been organized in this connection besides organizing seminars, workshops and rallies for creating sensitization about the hazards of smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products. He further said that Srinagar is the second smoke free district in J&K State after Budgam district which was declared smoke free on January 26, 2012.

            He expressed gratitude to divisional and district administrations of Srinagar district for the achievement of  80 percent compliance of smoke free public places upto June 15, 2012 and hoped that the remaining compliance of Tobacco Control Act will be achieved by the Incharge public places in their respective sectors.

He requested all the members of media to play their role as in the past so that the people and younger vulnerable generation follow strictly.

            On this occasion various district officers of district administration were also present.

DDC Sgr reviews the arrangements for the celebration of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s birth day

            SRINAGAR, JULY 01: In connection with celebration of birth anniversary of 6^th Guru Hargobind Singh Ji Maharaja a joint meeting of district administration, Srinagar and Members of Prabandak Committee, Srinagar was held here today under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Mr. Baseer Ahmad Khan. The meeting reviewed the arrangements for  smooth  conduct of the birth anniversary celebration by the Sikh community.

            Mr. Baseer Khan instructed the concerned officers for providing of basic facilities to the devotees from July 03 to July 05, 2012 like portable drinking water, un-interrupted power supply, medicare, transport facilities and basic amenities besides ration, sugar, kerosene oil and additional quota of gas cylinders.

            The District Development Commissioner was told in the meeting that Health department will install a medical first aid centre at each Gurdwara and would also keep ambulance ready for providing medical facilities to the people. The PHE department will install additional water tapes for providing clean drinking water to the devotees. The PDD would also install the additional street lights near the Gurdwaras. Besides, Transport department was directed for providing adequate transport facilities till late hours for the devotees.

            The District Development Commissioner also directed the CA&PD for providing of ration, sugar, kerosene oil and additional quota of gas cylinders to facilitate the Sikh devotees, Srinagar Municipal Corporation was also directed to keep proper cleanliness around the Gurdwaras.

Jammu procures a record 1 lakh quintal of wheat-Mir

Reviews procurement of Kharief crop

JAMMU JULY 01: A record one lakh quintal of wheat has been procured in Jammu division during Rabi Marketing Season 2012 including 8000 quintal of certified high yielding wheat seeds under Seed Village Programme.

This was disclosed by the Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir during a meeting with officers of Agriculture and CAPD departments at Jammu held to review the procurement of wheat during the current season.

He said that the procurement of 92000 quintal of wheat grain for Public Distribution System was a result of the coordinated efforts of  FCI, CAPD and Agriculture Department. Had it not been for some teething problems, this being the first year of procurement of wheat, the total quantity procured would have been much higher, he maintained.

The Minister observed that due to pro-active measures taken by the Agriculture Department in recent years like timely providing of high yielding varieties of seeds and fertilizers, increase in seed replacement rate and heightened awareness among the farmers besides reaching out to the farmers through Kissan Melas and awareness programmes and exposing them to such practices outside the State has led to higher production and productivity. He enjoined upon the concerned agencies to work in coordination and make every effort to ensure that the farmers get the Minimum Support Price for the surplus grain produced by them so that they are encouraged to further increase their yield by adopting scientific agricultural practices.

The Minister said that this procurement of wheat was done for the first time in the State to benefit the farmers by providing them the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by the government of Rs1285 per quintal  to avoid their exploitation by the middlemen and local traders who earlier used to buy at very lower prices.

The Minister  further added that the department is providing additional incentives to achieve main objective of the Seed Village Programme i.e  to increase the seed replacement rate and appreciated the efforts of the Department in moving towards self sufficiency in seed production in the Division by producing over 8000 Qtls. of Certified wheat seed of high yielding varieties in the farmers fields under the supervision of Seed Certification Agency of the Agriculture Department and also in producing a record 21000 Qtls. of wheat seed in the Seed Multiplication Farms of the Department. 

The Minister also reviewed the strategy for procurement of Kharif Crop (Paddy) during the ensuing Kharif Season. It was disclosed that an MSP of Rs 1280/- for Paddy Grade A and Rs 1250/- for Paddy Common had been fixed for the crop year 2012-13. He directed the officers of the CAPD and Agriculture Department to open adequate number of centres in the concerned grain producing areas so that the farmers are incentivized to go for higher production.

Those present in the meeting included Director CAPD, Director Agriculture Jammu, Jt. Director Agriculture Extension, Jt. Director Agriculture Inputs, Chief Agriculture Officers of Jammu, Kathua, Samba and Udhampur districts and other officers of both the departments.

Governor for making J&K top State in country

 SRINAGAR, JULY 1 – Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor, today said that sustained peace and normalcy are essential elements for achieving progress and prosperity and called upon one and all to work towards making Jammu and Kashmir a peaceful, developed and prosperous State.  

The Governor, as Chief Guest, was addressing after felicitating six distinguished personalities from the field of art and culture at a function organized by the Athwaas Foundation, a society of artists, producers, directors, writers, performers and musicians, at SKICC, here this evening.

The Governor observed that the superb artistic presentation made by the artists depicting the past, present and future scenario of the State should strengthen confidence for resolving problems and promoting peace and harmony without which we cannot progress and prosper.

Referring to the unfortunate situation that prevailed in the State in the past years, the Governor said that besides the immense human and economic losses, the education of children was adversely affected. He, however, expressed happiness that things are moving in the right direction, hoping that J&K would become a frontline, developed and prosperous State in the coming years.

Referring to the Opera presented on the occasion, the Governor said that this provided an opportunity to meet the artists and witness their spectacular performance. He lauded the Athwaas Foundation for its endeavours aimed at the promotion of art and culture and wished it high success in its initiatives.     

The Governor felicitated Mr. G. R. Hasrat Gadda; Mr. Zameer Ashai; Mr. Hirday Koul Bharti; Mrs. Kusum Dhar; Mr.Balwant Thakur; and Mr. Mipham Otsal who were presented mementos, shawls and citations on behalf of the Athwaas Foundation. The Governor interacted with the awardees and congratulated them for their significant contributions in the arenas of art and culture. Mr. Gadda, Mr. Ashai, Mrs. Dhar and Mr. Otsal received the awards personally, while Mr. Bihari Kak and Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Tak received the awards on behalf of Mr. Balwant Thakur and Mr. Hirdey Koul Bharti.

Mr. Mubarak Gul, Advisor to the Chief Minister; Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State for Home; Mr. Vijay Bakaya, MLC; Mr. Khalid Bashir, Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages; Mr. Shabir Ahmad Buch, Director, Doordarshan, Jammu; senior officers, a galaxy of writers, intellectuals, artists, theaterists and invited audience were present on the occasion.    

“Waktuk Partav”- a musical opera in Kashmir, was presented on the occasion. In this opera motifs and symbols were used to communicate the essence of the whole story. These motifs were characters belonging to seasons i.e. winter, spring and birds and flowers. This poetic allegory was an artistic communication of the verse “when winter comes, spring cannot be far behind”. ”Saffar”, a tribute to the late Mr. Vijay Kumar Malla, and Athwaas Song, highlighting the spirit of unity in diversity, were the other highlights of the function.

 Earlier, Mr. Bihari Kak, President, Athwaas Foundation, in his welcome address, gave a resume of the history, evolution and activities of the Athwaas Foundation aimed at arranging platform and creating opportunity for the artist fraternity and utilize medium of art and culture for strengthening harmony and brotherhood. He said that this event was organized in the memory of late Mr. Vijay Kumar Malla, a singer and artist of the State, who passed away recently.      

Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Tak, Chief Editor, Urdu, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, presented a Vote of Thanks.

Separatist leaders leaving for talks with Pak FS

Hurriyat (M) executive council meets on June 3 in Delhi

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): After being invited by Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jaleel Abbas for consultations on June 3, ahead of the Indo-Pak FS level talks, the top separatist leadership is scheduled to leave for Delhi on Monday and Tuesday.

Hurriyat Conference (G) spokesperson Ayaz Akbar told VOS the Chairman of the conglomerate Syed Ali Geelani along with some other Hurriyat members will leave for Delhi on June 3. “The Chairman was authorized to choose the other members of the delegation, who would accompany him to New Delhi”, Akbar told VOS adding the delegation will meet the Pak Foreign Secretary in the evening on June 03.

Meanwhile reliable sources in the Hurriyat conference (M) said the faction will hold its executive committee session in Delhi on June 3, ahead of its meeting with the Pakistan Foreign Secretary at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.

Senior leaders and functionaries of Hurriyat Conference (M) including Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Moulana Abbas Ansari, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza and Musadiq Adil, according to Hurriyat sources, are scheduled to leave for Delhi on Monday for taking part in the executive meet apart from the meeting with the Pakistan Foreign Minister.

Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Bilal Gani Lone and Aga Syed Hassan are expected to leave for Delhi on Tuesday just ahead of the session. The Hurriyat (M) executive will meet before calling upon the Pakistan FS in Delhi to discuss the issues to be raised in the meeting with, said Hurriyat sources

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik is leaving for the talks with the Pakistan Foreign Secretary on Monday. JKLF sources told VOS, the JKLF Chairman will leave for Delhi in the morning on June 02.

Democratic Freedom Party President Shabir Ahmad Shah will also leave for Delhi on June 03, the party sources told VOS.

Pertinently the separatist leadership was earlier invited by the Pakistan High Commissioner Baber Amin for talks with the visiting Pakistan Foreign Secretary. (VOS)

Kokernag boy tops CET 2012

Sister among top 20

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): Mir Wajid Majid, a boy from a remote village of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, topped the Common Entrance Test (CET) 2012 conducted by the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations. The results of the CET 2012 were declared here on Saturday selecting about 400 boys and girls for admission to various professional colleges across the state.

Son of Abdul Majid Mir, a paramedic working for the state’s health department, Wajid ranked top in the CET after scoring 208 points out of a maximum of 210. He appeared in the exams under Roll No. 131184.

Incidentally the family belongs to remote Wangam village of Anantnage district Kokernag Tehsil.

Wajid’s sister Danish Majid who appeared in the CET under Roll No. 123385 ranked 17 scored 197 out of 210 marks.

The duo’s father is working as a head Pharmacist in the state’s health and family welfare department.

Wajid, a student of HISTA higher secondary school Islamabad had earlier passed his 10^th and 12^th class examinations with distinctions scoring 428 and 628 marks respectively

The siblings had failed to figure in the selection list in the first attempt, after appearing in the CET 2011. (VOS)

NC for improved Indo-Pak relations: Malik, Rana

Poonch, July 01 (VOS): Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik and Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Devender Singh Rana said that both India and Pakistan should continue the dialogue process in a bid to improve and have better cordial relations. They said people of Jammu and Kashmir those living on the line close to the border or the line of actual control have great stakes in the Indo-Pak relations because as and when the relations between two countries have deteriorated they have suffered the most.

The National Conference leaders said good Indo-Pak relations have a bearing on the peace in the sub-continent and the South Asian region where the concept of SAARC can only emerge if relations between India and Pakistan are of mutual trust and confidence.

They urged the Union Governments of India and Pakistan to introduce banking system in the cross LoC trade and replace the barter system with monitory transactions. They also urged the two governments to allow easier movement for the people across the LoC on two sides of Kashmir for a better people to people contact and in this regard he made a special mention for a multiple entry regime so that a better people to people contact can be established because the regular interaction within the people of the two sides can further accelerate the process of better relations.

The duo said that Omar Abdullah from the first day of his taking over as the Chief Minister of the state have said that better Indo-Pak relations are imperative for peace and resolution of various issues between the two neighbors. They said that coalition government will facilitate all processes aimed at bringing thaw in the relations of the two countries and seek permanent peace and stability in the state.

They said that J&K National Conference and its leadership have always been for good Indo-Pak relations and our efforts in this direction would continue.

Addressing the party workers Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari Vice Chairman Advisory Board for Pahari Speaking people said that the state coalition government under the leadership of Omar Abdullah is committed for the equitable all round development of the state and is laying special attention to development and welfare of the people living in the far flung areas of the state. He said an era of unbiased and unprecedented development has started in the state during the three years of the Omar led government and a large number of welfare schemes have been launched for the welfare and development of the weaker section of the society. He called upon the party rank and file to come forward and take the programme and polices of the party and the state government to the people at grass root.

Addressing the party workers Aijaz Jan, MLA Poonch said that during the last more than three years of the coalition government under the leadership of Omar Abdullah has kick started many developmental projects and laid out many developmental plans to be carried out in the next coming years.  He called upon the people to come forward and join hands together in the state government’s endeavor under the leadership of Omar Abdullah.

 “We the people of Poonch thank our Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for paying special attention for the development of this border area. We are indebted to the Chief Minister for all the support we have received which has unleashed development across the district”, Jan said.

Among others who were present on the occasion included Bashir Ahmed Wani, M.R. Qureshi,ex-MLC, Ch Abdul Gani. Bagh Hussain Rathore, Mohinder Pyasa, Moulvi Sayeed, Surinder Singh Bunty, Rajesh Bakshi, Peer Nisar Hussain Shah, Baby Pardhan, Narinder Talwar, Aftab Ganai, Nirmal Sharma, Ch. Shabir, Gh. Abbas Amin Bhatti, Mohd Bashir Naik, Daulat Ram, Rakesh Singh Chib, Mudasir Zargar, Abdul Wahid Kasana, Babu Khan, Ch. Wali Dad, Taj Bajad, Tariq Manhas, Hamid Rana, Bashir Malik, Mousin Bhat and others.

Sharia court condemns house arrest of Mufti Bashiruddin

Expresses resentment over Maneka’s visit

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): The Supereme Court of Islamic Sharia, Jammu and Kashmir, has condemned the house arrest of state’s Grand Mufti, Mufti Bashiruddin for stopping him from taking part in Imam-ul-Azam conference at Sopore.

“The government is scared due to which it is using such tactics”, said Chief Spokesperson on the Muslim Personal Law Board in a statement here.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Grand Mufti Nasirul Islam has asked the Wakf Board to show off the holy relic and other taraburkaat on the 11th of this month, which would dispel any doubts in the minds of people with regard to safety of the tabarukaat.

Mufti Nasirul Islam has also expressed displeasure over the visit of animal rights activist and politician Maneka Gandhi to the valley and termed her visit as a joke with the people.

“Maneka is concerned about dogs but has no concern for the Kashmiri youth who disappeared after being apprehended by the forces”, said the Mufti. “Rather than sterilizing the dogs, the Omar government should deliver all the dogs to Maneka at Delhi”, said Nasirul Islam in a statement adding he would personally bear all the expenses for such an exercise.(VOS)

Karra asks people to defeat forces fuelling sectarian tension

‘Govt should take probe to its logical conclusion’

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): Senior PDP leader and former Finance Minister Tariq Hameed Karra has urged people to thwart the nefarious efforts of the elements who are hell bent upon fueling sectarian tension in Kashmir.

Addressing a gathering at Gund Hassibhat today, Karra said a definite pattern is emerging in recent tragic fire incidents at various religious places, starting from the gutting of the Dastgeer Sahab shrine at Khanyar followed by another similar incident at Gund Hassibhat.

`Karra alongwith another senior PDP leader Aga Syed Mehmood visited Gund Hassibhat today.

Hailing the people for maintaining peace and tranquility in the aftermath of these tragic incidents and gravest provocations, Karra said the people have seen through the designs of the elements behind such nefarious acts and they didn’t allow such elements to succeed in flaring up sectarian passions in the Valley. He said Kashmir is an abode of saints and any effort to divide the people here won’t succeed.

Karra said it is now the responsibility of the government to bring the culprits behind these diabolic acts to book. “The probes announced by the government into the tragedies at Khanyar and Gund Hassibhat should not meet the fate of scores of similar probes announced by this government. These inquiries should be taken to the logical conclusion so that people know the elements behind such sacrilegious acts,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Aga Syed Mehmood hailed the people of Gund Hassibhat and adjoining areas for maintaining peace in the area. He also urged the government to bring the culprits to book.

Prof Soz carries out extensive tour of Kupwara

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): Former Union Minister and President J&K Pradesh Congress Committee Prof.Saifuddin Soz today visited Kalaroos, Khumriyal (Lolab), Halmatpora, Awoora, Hutmullah and Kupwara. He was accompanied by Mohd Muzaffar Parray Senior Vice President, Gulam Nabi Monga Vice President, Mohd Amin Khan District President, Haji Farooq Mir, Raja Farooq, Saifullah Khan, Nazir Ahmad Lone, Gh.Rasool Malik(Tikri) Insha Begum and others.

Prof. Soz addressed gatherings at Kalaroos, Halmatpora, Awoora and Hatmullah and met several delegations enroute who explained their difficulties in respect of drinking water, irrigation facilities, dilapidated roads, improvement of electric infrastructure and other problems.

Prof. Soz sanctioned money out of his MP LAD funds for repairs of roads, construction of bath rooms and toilet blocks, fencing and leveling of parks, provision of transformers.

He assured the people that he had taken note of their problems and he would organize positive response of the Administration towards solution of these problems.

Prof. Soz appreciated the demand of youth including girls for provision of computers and sports materials and he sanctioned money out of his MP LAD for purchase of computers and sports materials for games like Cricket and Badminton etc.

During this tour many prominent Political Workers including Dr. Noor Ud Din joined the Congress Party, a statement said.

Prof.soz made a passionate appeal  to the people to strengthen  the Congress party further  at the grass root level, so that their problems could be identified and resolved and he (Prof. Soz) assured them that Congress party would fulfill its commitment to serve the people best.

Those who addressed the gatherings included Mohd Muzaffar Parray, Gulam Nabi Monga, Mohd Amin Khan, Haji Farooq, Nazir Ahmad Lone and others.

Confiscation of property a conspiracy against Hurriyat leadership: LeT

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): Condemning the confiscation of the house of Hurriyat leader Gh Mohammd Khan Sopori at Chanpora on Saturday, Lashker-e-Toiba has said such acts are aimed at sabotaging the freedom struggle of Kashmiris by harassing the Hurriyat leadership.

In a telephonic statement to VOS, spokesperson of LeT Dr Abdullah Ghaznavi quoting the outfit’s operations commander Mehmood Shah said, “We strongly condemn the government action of attaching property of Khan Sopori and others. This is a conspiracy against the separatist leadership”.

The operation Commander of LeT has termed the police action as atrocious

Authorities detain Dawoodi, Qasmi at Islamabad

“Don’t want division, conflict in society”

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): District Administration Anantnag Sunday detained religious scholars Moulana Abdul Rashid Dawoodi and Mufti Shabir Ahmad Qasmi at Islamabad to prevent any confrontation in wake of a proposed debate between the Ullema.

Deputy Commissioner Anantnag confirmed to VOS that the two had been detained at the Dak Bungalow by the district administration. “We don’t want divisions and conflict in the society”, said Shah. “There were apprehensions of confrontation and law and order problems”, he added.

“We had to take the measure to keep the popular sentiments in mind”, Shah said.

Meanwhile, people of Anantnag at large have hailed the district administration for timely action to prevent confrontation during the debate.

Jamaat condemns attachment of Khan sopori’s house

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): Jama’at-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir has strongly condemned the police action of attaching the residential house of Ghulam Mohammad Khan Sopori at Chanapora and described it as ‘misuse of power’.

“Jama’at strongly demands early release of the attached house in favor of Khan Sopori so
that he and his family do not suffer for want of shelter”, said the Jamat spokesperson. Jamaat has also condemned the alleged harassment of Kashmiri students in Haryana. “Jama’at condemns the attack of some hooligans on Kashmiri students studying in Swami Devi Dyal College of Engineering and Technology, Golpora in Haryana and stresses upon the local administration to take effective and efficient steps for the safety of
all the Kashmiri students studying outside the state so that no such incident occurs in future”, the spokesman said.

.Kashmiri Conferece being held at Poonch

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): Writers, poets, intellectuals and journalists, from the Kashmir Valley will take part in the 33rd Annual Kashmiri Conference to be held at Poonch in Jammu region.

Delegates including Gyanpeeth awardee Rehman Rahi and noted Kashmiri poet Zareef Ahmad Zareef will travel to Poonch through the historic Mughal Road.

This conference is being conducted in Jammu region for the first time. Kashmiri intellectuals and poets from all over the country are expected to participate in the three-day event, General-Secretary of the Adbee Kamraz Markaz, Shujaat Bukhaari said.

He said holding the conference in Poonch was an attempt to bridge the gap between the Kashmiri-speaking people living in various parts of the state.

Aziz Hajini, president of the Markaz, said while they were not against learning of other languages, they wanted to preserve and promote the mother tongue of Kashmiri people.

"People should learn as many languages as possible but mother tongue should be the first priority," he added.

Record number of valley students qualify AMU entrance test

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): A record 30 students from the state have been selected

for admission to Aligarh Muslim University X1th class entrance test held earlier at the Srinagar Centre.

JK Aligarh Association (JKAA) has expressed satisfaction over the development and called it a record achievement in last twenty years.

JKAA Patron Dr. Manzoor Ahmad and President Imtiyaz Rasool thanked all concerned authorities who made the test centre at Srinagar a success.

The admission formalities of the successful candidates will be completed on 15th July for Science stream students and on 18th July for Arts Stream students at A.M.U, JKAA sources told VOS.

Inquilabi expresses solidarity with Sopori, family

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): Chief Patron Jammu Kashmir Mahaz-e-Azadi (MeA) Muhammad Azam Inqilabi has expressed solidarity with the senior resistance leader Khan Sopori, whose house was sealed by authorities on Saturday here.

In a statement issued to press here, Inqilabi condemned the police action of sealing ailing Sopori’s house and evicting him and his family.

“Through this action it looks Indian government doesn’t want peaceful resistance movement here,” he said.

Sopori, who has spent more than 17 years in jails, said he was punished for being close to Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani.

“I appeal youth to make programs of Geelani Sahab successful aimed at breaking the shackles of slavery,” Inqilabi said.

MeA patron said on 11 Dec. 2003 he presented Geelani with “Asaai Sofi” award. “He (Geelani) has rightly honoured it. He is the symbol of cross sect unity in Kashmir.”

He asked Pakistan not to pick favourites among Kashmiri leaders. “This should be left to resistance leaders; they will decide who will lead.”

Inqilabi urged people to remain firm against the “anti-movement elements”.

Zafar condemns use of force by CRPF at Chandanwari

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): Senior Hurriyat leader and Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement, Zaffar Akber Bhat strongly condemned us of force by CRPF men against drivers at Chandanwari.

He also condemned the harassment of Kashmiri students at Haryana allegedly by Shiv Sena activists. “No Kashmiri is safe in India and we will continue our political and diplomatic struggle for liberation of Kashmir from Indian occupation besides of all odds and threats from Govt; and its forces”, said Zaffar.

Meanwhile he urged world community and human rights organizations to pressurize India and its forces to stop human rights violation in Kashmir and outside the state.

Lady yatri dies in Sheshnag

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): A woman yatri died due to cardiac arrest at Sheshnag today.

 55-years old Ranku wife of Appu resident of Kasuan Nagar, Channi Tamilnadu died at Sheshnag after suffering a massive heart attack. The body of deceased was handed over to the next of kins for last rites.  

Body recovered in Srinagar

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): Body of a male person was recovered in the Eidgah area of Srinagar today.

The dead body was found in suspicious condition at Firdous Colony, Eidgah who was later identified as Hafizullah Kozgar son of Mohammad Sidique resident of Firdous Colony, Eidgah.

Motorcyclist injured in road mishap

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): One person was injured in a road accident that occurred in Pattan area of Baramulla district today.

A Motorcycle bearing registration number JK01K/1419 collided with an unidentified vehicle, resulting in injuries to Motorcyclist, Aadil Ahmad Lone son of Wali Muhammad resident of Pattan, Baramulla. The injured was shifted to SKIMS Soura, Srinagar for treatment.

Labourer injured due to electric shock

Srinagar, July 01 (VOS): One person was injured after receiving an electric shock atAwantipora today.

Manzoor Ahmad Wani son of Mohammad Shaban resident of Chursoo Awantipora, a labour by profession, received an electric shock at Taniya Kachakoot in Awantipora. The injured was shifted to Hospital for treatment.