SHRC takes suo motto notice of Bandipora, Batamaloo incidents

Directs authorities to file reports

Srinagar, July 27 (VOS): The Jammu and Kashmir state human rights commission (SHRC), while taking suo motto cognizance of killing of a youth by army, allegedly in a fake encounter in Bandipora, has asked Director General Police and Deputy Commissioner Bandipora to file reports in the regard by the next date of hearing in the case.

Taking notice of reports appearing in a Srinagar based leading English daily, the Members of the SHRC, Javaid Kawoos and Rafiq Fida have admitted the killing of Hilal Ahmad Dar of Aloosa Bandipora by army, allegedly in a fake encounter, as a complaint and instructed the SHRC office to diarize the case.

“Prima facie, the news item discloses violation of human rights. A suo Motto cognizance in the matter is taken. Office to diarize and admit the same as a complaint”, reads an official order of the SHRC communicated vide No. SHRC/217/2012 dated 27/07/2012, a copy of which lies with VOS.

The commission has directed for issuance of notices to DGP J&K and Dy Commissioner Bandipora to file their reports by the next date in the case which is scheduled to be listed before single bench of the SHRC on August 22.

Meanwhile, taking strong exception to news paper reports and photographs carried in Daily Greater Kashmir on July 25, 2012, wherein a police man was shown apparently ‘outraging the modesty of a woman’ who was protesting against lack of civic amenities in Srinagar city’s Batamaloo area, the SHRC has asked Director General of Police and SSP Srinagar to file a report in this regard apart from disclosing the identity of the policeman shown in the photographs.

“It appears that the administration and particularly the police officers/officials concerned, equipped with sophisticated weapons were not dealing with the fair sex but were overpowering some notorious goon or as if they had to combat a militant”, the SHRC members said in the order. The order further criticizes the police for using disproportionate force in tackling a “minor law and order problem” resulting in unconsciousness of the lady. It has also castigated the police for failing to use the services of lady police officers while dealing with the fair sex.

While taking suo motto notice of the matter, the commission said, “The newspaper reports and photographs prima facie disclose violation of human rights especially that of women. As such this commission is taking Suo Motto cognizance in this matter”.

“The SSP Srinagar will, in addition, disclose the identity of the police official who is shown in the photographs prima facie outraging the modesty of the woman in garb of so called maintenance or law and order and dispersing of agitators”, reads the order while asking DGP and SSP Srinagar to file reports in the matter before the next date.

The Commission has listed the case for August 6, 2012 before its single bench. (VOS)

Antony arriving in Srinagar tomorrow

Will chair unified command meet tomorrow

‘Security situation, AFSPA on agenda’

Srinagar, July 27 (VOS): Defence Minister of India A K Antony will arrive in Srinagar tomorrow to review the security situation in Kashmir Valley during his two-day visit to the state. He will also interact with troops deployed in the forward locations in the state.
Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh and the Union Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, will also accompany the minister during his visit to the state.
The Defence Minister will review the security situation in the Valley and also chair the Unified Headquarters meeting at Srinagar on July 28 in the evening, sources told VOS.

Antony is also expected to discuss the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) with the state government and defense officials during the visit. He will also hold interactions with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Governor N N Vohra, sources added. “The meeting with the Governor is scheduled for late evening at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar”, reliable sources in the government told VOS adding the minister will later have dinner at Army headquarters in Srinagar where he will interact with troops apart from top Army brass.

"I will also have detailed discussions with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and our armed forces. Defence Secretary, Army Chief and other officials will be there and we will have a detailed discussion over the security scenario," Antony has told reporters in Delhi.

Meanwhile, sources in the state governemnt said that AFSPA will be discussed during the meeting of Defence Minister and state officials.

However, the minister earlier declined to comment on the issue "I don't want to say anything in public on this issue," he had said. (VOS)

16 yatris killed in Samba accident

Governor, CM expresses grief

Guv asks DGP to review causes of frequent road mishaps

Jammu, July 27 (VOS): Sixteen Amarnath pilgrims died on Thursday after the truck they were travelling in fell into a gorge near Mansar in Samba district of Jammu. Sixteen others were injured in the accident.

The truck carrying the 34 pilgrims, who were members of a Langar organization which had rendered voluntary service at the ongoing Shri Amarnathji pilgrimage

, was returning back when it skidded off the road and rolled fell deep into the gorge near Zamoorha Morh in Mansar area of Samba district, about 45 kilometres from Jammu city at around 11:40 pm on Thursday, police sources told VOS.

Police and army rushed to the spot, immediately after the news spread. Sixteen injured pilgrims were referred to the Government Medical College in Jammu.

According to police nine pilgrims died on the spot and seven others succumbed to injuries on way to hospital

This was second major accident involving Amarnath yatris in the region this month. Fifteen pilgrims were killed when a SRTC bus bringing them back from the yatra had rolled down into a gorge near Ramban on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on the night of July 14.

Meanwhile Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, N. N. Vohra has expressed deep concern and grief over the loss of life in a the accident. 

Governor conveyed his sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls. He also prayed for speedy recovery of all those injured in this tragic accident.

Meanwhile, the Governor has asked Director General of Police, Ashok Prasad to personally review the causes of frequent road accidents in the State, particularly on several stretches of the National Highway, which result in heavy losses of life, and direct immediate measures to check these, said an official spokesperson.

Meanwhile Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has expressed grief over the sad demise of Shri Amarnath Yatries in the road accident at.

In a condolence message issued here today, the Chief Minister conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls. (VOS)

Azad, Tara convey condolences to Khan

Srinagar, July 27 (VOS): Senior Congress leader and Union Health Minister Gh Nabi Azad has expressed grief over the demise of MLC Haji Ali Mohammad Khan’s wife who had passed away at Wakoora Ganderbal earlier.

Conveying condolences and expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, Azad prayed for peace for the departed soul.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand has also expressed sadness over the demise of Khan’s wife. (VOS)

Dialogue and state violence cant go together: Mirwaiz

Srinagar, July 27 (VOS) : Ridiculing Foreign Minster S.M krishna's statement regarding Indo-Pak talks, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chiarman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq cautioned that no talks between the two rival countries would yield any results unless Kashmir dispute was addressed. 
Mirwaiz who was placed under house arrest on Friday along with other separatist leaders said, “You can't talk of peace without silencing the barrel of the state guns." He said that dialouge and violence can not go simultaneously.

Talking to VOS Mirwaiz said that issuing statements regarding the initiation of dialogue at a time when the state violence was unabated is tantamount to dual politicking. “If they really want problem to get solved they have to take Kashmiri leadership on board", asserted Mirwaiz, adding that Hurriyat had already suggested some measures which need to be given a thought.

Meanwhile terming state government as 'anti Islam', Hurriyat (M) Chiarman said, “We were not allowed to offer Friday prayers even in the holly month of Ramadan which is akin to interference in religious affairs", Mirwaiz told VOS. He said that such prohibitory measures were not in accordance with democracy but dictatorship. He added that by doing so state government showed disrespect not only to the faith with the holly month of Ramadan but also displayed its "anti-Islamic'' stand.
Meanwhile various hurriayt (M) leader Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi Al Safvi addressed a large gathering Badgam, Moulana Abbas Ansari addressed people at Jamia Sajdia Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza addressed gathering at Shivpora islambad, Hakim Abdul Rashid led a delegation and addressed people at Ongam, badgam, while as Shabir Andrabi addressed people at Ratni pora,  and Adnan Salfi at jamia Masjid Shopian.

The leaders denounced the killing of a youth in bandipore and expressed concern over the regular shrine fires in Kashmir. They said there seems to be a pattern in fire at religious places aimed to weaken the social fabric of Kashmir.

Imam Hi, jamia Masjid also criticized the curbs laid on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and termed it interference in the religious affairs of the leader. (VOS)