Disappearance of 2 sons leaves father at others’ mercy
Mir TariqSumlar (Bandipora), Nov 26: Unable to move properly, 86-year-old, Kalm-u-din Bajard of Sumlar, Bandipora remains sitting near the window of his house overlooking the nearby forests where his two sons were taken after being picked up from their home in March 1999 by a group of masked men in uniform. They are missing since then.Bajard’s two sons Farooq, 36, and Latief, 23, were both labourers.Over the years, while moving from pillar to post to ascertain the whereabouts of his sons, Bajard developed ophthalmic and orthopaedic ailments. Recalling the incident, Bajard said, "We tried to snatch them from kidnappers, but they beat us and forcibly took them with themselves. They are missing since then," said Bajard, adding, "I even didn't have any photograph of my sons which created so many difficulties for me while I searched for them.”“Bajard's sons were innocent and hardworking," said Nazir Ahmed, Bajard’s neighbour, adding, "Their father became the victim of administrative and police tyranny who only wasted his time without doing any help to ascertain the whereabouts of his sons as he failed to grease their palms."Without any photograph, Bajard is imagining his sons in clothes which he had bought for them just a day before their disappearance.“I remember them by kissing their clothes which they wore in front of me a day before their abduction and disappearance.""My life is useless as my sons have been snatched from me," said Bajard amid sobs."I approached every office and officer to help me trace my missing sons but all in vain as I am poor and failed to grease their palms,” he said, adding, "Official apathy compelled me to indulge in begging which I had never even thought of."Bajard said the local police station didn't lodge any compliant or FIR as they also sought a photograph of his sons"I have never been helped by anybody expect local Auqaf Committee. Even the department of Social Welfare didn’t help me as they also sought picture of my sons," he said."There is no one to earn for his family now. He was forced to beg, but keeping in view his deteriorating health, local Auqaf Committee is looking after his needs and he always remains sitting on the window looking towards forests and waiting for his disappeared sons to return," said Muhammad Ramzan who is deputed by Auqaf to look for him.
Fierce gunfight on in Sumlar
3 militants killed, 3 houses gutted
Mir TariqBandipora, Nov 27: Three militants were killed and three houses damaged in a fierce gunfight at Sumlar area in this newly created district, which went to polls in the first phase on November 19.Police sources said on specific information 14 RR and police personnel laid siege around Sheikh Baba area in Sumlar on Wednesday evening. “At around 11 pm, the militants hiding in the area fired from sophisticated weapons towards the soldiers, who had earlier asked to surrender and lay down the weapons. The troopers took defensive positions and returned the fire,” they said.The sources said that heavy exchange of fire between the holed-up militants and the troopers continued throughout the night. “Additional troops were rushed to the area in the day and they tightened the siege around the area to prevent militants from escaping from the area,” they said.Three militants were killed in the gunfight, which continued till 6 pm. “At 6 pm the operation was suspended and will be resumed early Friday morning,” SP Bandipora, Sheikh Junaid told Rising Kashmir. Police sources said that three residential houses and two cowsheds were damaged during the exchange of fire. “The houses belonged to Latif Khan, Bashir Khan and Qasim Khan. More than 30 cattle have died in the gunfight,” they said.The residents said that army used heavy mortar shells to overcome the resistance offered by militants during the gunfight. “This was one of the longest gunfights in the area in the 20 year old turmoil,” they said.A top official of Army’s 8 mountain brigade told Rising Kashmir that three militants have been killed so far. “We have so far shot dead three militants but we don’t know the exact number of militants present in the area. The operation, which was suspended after the sunset, will be resumed in the wee hours of Friday,” he said. He said that the identity of the slain militants and the outfit to which they owe allegiance could not be ascertained yet.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Kupwara’s sole KP family votes for ‘change’
Mir TariqKupwara: The only Pandit Kashmiri family residing in Kupwara casted vote here on Sunday for redressal of their problems and for helping the return of displaced Kashmiri Pandit families to Kashmir.Sandeep Kumar, 32, is one of the nine members of the family. "It is my first vote and I am looking for change," Kumar said.Kumar took his whole family along to Boys Higher Secondary, Kupwara for casting their vote.In the queue along with other residents, Virender Kumar, student of 12th standard said, "We are following our Muslim brothers. We need good governance which our Muslim brothers also ask for."Commenting on the boycott call given by separatists, another family member, Sunny (24) said, "Everything has its importance and hence every political stand has its consequences. We are with development and prosperity and not against anybody."Commenting on the political stand of migrant Pandits, Kumar said, "Kashmiri migrant Pandits are following different politics. In Kashmir, we are under the influence of politics prevailing in this region.”On the recent unrest in the valley following the Amarnath land transfer controversy and the subsequent anti-election call, the Pandits voters said, "Everything in Kashmir is not long lasting. What we are noticing here today may not be there tomorrow."
NC, PDP workers clash again
Mir Tariq 29 NovDevar Lolab (Kupwara)Voting remained suspended for an hour at a polling booth in Devar, Lolab when the National Conference (NC) candidate for the constituency, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone was allegedly attacked by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) workers on Sunday during the third phase of assembly elections.
Three political workers were also injured in the incident They include: Manzoor Ahmed and Mushtaq Ahmed of NC, supervisory agent of Panthers Party, Showket Ahmed.Alleging police of assisting PDP workers, Lone told Rising Kashmir, "PDP workers tried to take me and other fellow NC workers hostage and also attempted to capture poling stations in Devar. They also damaged my car.”"They are being assisted by the police who instead of maintaining law and order situation harass NC workers inside poling stations" Lone added.PDP representative, Abdul Haq Khan denied the NC allegations."I am the local resident and people were coming out in huge numbers to cast their votes in my favour. Fearing high voter turnout in my favour, Lone tried to disrupt the brisk polling," he said.An eyewitness, Ghulam Hassan said, "Lone entered the poling booth where a women was about to cast her vote. He was guiding her to vote in his favour which annoyed the nearby agents of other parties. They thrashed Lone out of the booth.""Later NC workers started raising slogans and cursing workers of opposition party after which police intervened and pacified the workers," he added.Police resorted to aerial firing to disperse the voters who were seen cursing each other.Some people also alleged that Lone’s security guards opened fire creating disturbance in the area.
Mir TariqKupwara: The only Pandit Kashmiri family residing in Kupwara casted vote here on Sunday for redressal of their problems and for helping the return of displaced Kashmiri Pandit families to Kashmir.Sandeep Kumar, 32, is one of the nine members of the family. "It is my first vote and I am looking for change," Kumar said.Kumar took his whole family along to Boys Higher Secondary, Kupwara for casting their vote.In the queue along with other residents, Virender Kumar, student of 12th standard said, "We are following our Muslim brothers. We need good governance which our Muslim brothers also ask for."Commenting on the boycott call given by separatists, another family member, Sunny (24) said, "Everything has its importance and hence every political stand has its consequences. We are with development and prosperity and not against anybody."Commenting on the political stand of migrant Pandits, Kumar said, "Kashmiri migrant Pandits are following different politics. In Kashmir, we are under the influence of politics prevailing in this region.”On the recent unrest in the valley following the Amarnath land transfer controversy and the subsequent anti-election call, the Pandits voters said, "Everything in Kashmir is not long lasting. What we are noticing here today may not be there tomorrow."
NC, PDP workers clash again
Mir Tariq 29 NovDevar Lolab (Kupwara)Voting remained suspended for an hour at a polling booth in Devar, Lolab when the National Conference (NC) candidate for the constituency, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone was allegedly attacked by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) workers on Sunday during the third phase of assembly elections.
Three political workers were also injured in the incident They include: Manzoor Ahmed and Mushtaq Ahmed of NC, supervisory agent of Panthers Party, Showket Ahmed.Alleging police of assisting PDP workers, Lone told Rising Kashmir, "PDP workers tried to take me and other fellow NC workers hostage and also attempted to capture poling stations in Devar. They also damaged my car.”"They are being assisted by the police who instead of maintaining law and order situation harass NC workers inside poling stations" Lone added.PDP representative, Abdul Haq Khan denied the NC allegations."I am the local resident and people were coming out in huge numbers to cast their votes in my favour. Fearing high voter turnout in my favour, Lone tried to disrupt the brisk polling," he said.An eyewitness, Ghulam Hassan said, "Lone entered the poling booth where a women was about to cast her vote. He was guiding her to vote in his favour which annoyed the nearby agents of other parties. They thrashed Lone out of the booth.""Later NC workers started raising slogans and cursing workers of opposition party after which police intervened and pacified the workers," he added.Police resorted to aerial firing to disperse the voters who were seen cursing each other.Some people also alleged that Lone’s security guards opened fire creating disturbance in the area.
Tihar prisoner to fight elections from Bandipora
‘He will contest polls to prove himself innocent’
Mir Tariq Bandipora, Oct 31: An under trial prisoner languishing in Tihar Jail, New Delhi will contest the forthcoming assembly elections from Bandipora constituency in this newly created district.Iqbal Jan, a student turned businessman of Sonarwani Bandipora is languishing in Tihar Jail from November 16, 2006. He was arrested by Delhi police on the charges of acting as a conduit for militants. The charges have been termed fabricated by Iqbal and his family members and they are fighting the legal battle to seek his release.
Jan's sister, Shameema told Rising Kashmir that he will contest the assembly elections from Bandipora constituency as Panthers Party (PP) candidate. "We sent the papers to him in Tihar Jail where he filled the documents. These were also sent to party president Bhim Singn and after his clearance the nomination paper were filed,” she said.Returning Officer Bandipora, Ali Muhammad Dar confirmed that they had received the nomination paper from Iqbal Jan as Panther’s Party candidate in accordance with ECI rules and regulations. Iqbal’s sister said that his brother was framed by Delhi Police to seek reward and promotions. “We approached the chief minister and higher-ups in Law and Justice Ministry, Government of India but nobody helped us and our innocent brother continues to be languishing in jail. We also wrote to Indian president and other Indian ministers but of no avail”.Shaheena said that her brother has decided to fight elections to prove himself innocent. “All of us (five sisters) will campaign for him in the hamlet. We will be visiting every household in Bandipora constituency and seek votes for him to ensure Iqbal’s victory,” she said. “If he wins, we will fight for the Kashmiris, who have been framed and are languishing in jails outside State,” said Salma on behalf of his brother. The Panthers Party Kashmir president, Farooq Ahmed said that Iqbal Jan is innocent and the party will fight for the victimized people.
‘He will contest polls to prove himself innocent’
Mir Tariq Bandipora, Oct 31: An under trial prisoner languishing in Tihar Jail, New Delhi will contest the forthcoming assembly elections from Bandipora constituency in this newly created district.Iqbal Jan, a student turned businessman of Sonarwani Bandipora is languishing in Tihar Jail from November 16, 2006. He was arrested by Delhi police on the charges of acting as a conduit for militants. The charges have been termed fabricated by Iqbal and his family members and they are fighting the legal battle to seek his release.
Jan's sister, Shameema told Rising Kashmir that he will contest the assembly elections from Bandipora constituency as Panthers Party (PP) candidate. "We sent the papers to him in Tihar Jail where he filled the documents. These were also sent to party president Bhim Singn and after his clearance the nomination paper were filed,” she said.Returning Officer Bandipora, Ali Muhammad Dar confirmed that they had received the nomination paper from Iqbal Jan as Panther’s Party candidate in accordance with ECI rules and regulations. Iqbal’s sister said that his brother was framed by Delhi Police to seek reward and promotions. “We approached the chief minister and higher-ups in Law and Justice Ministry, Government of India but nobody helped us and our innocent brother continues to be languishing in jail. We also wrote to Indian president and other Indian ministers but of no avail”.Shaheena said that her brother has decided to fight elections to prove himself innocent. “All of us (five sisters) will campaign for him in the hamlet. We will be visiting every household in Bandipora constituency and seek votes for him to ensure Iqbal’s victory,” she said. “If he wins, we will fight for the Kashmiris, who have been framed and are languishing in jails outside State,” said Salma on behalf of his brother. The Panthers Party Kashmir president, Farooq Ahmed said that Iqbal Jan is innocent and the party will fight for the victimized people.
Politicians campaign from Govt buildings in Bandipora
Mir TariqBandipora, Oct 29: The mainstream political parties in this newly created district are not adhering to the directions of administration and using government buildings for their election campaigns. After Governor's rule was imposed in the State, the district administration issued directions to the political leaders asking them to vacate the buildings occupied by them and their party workers.
Official sources said that ex MLA Usman Majid is running his election campaign from the residential quarter of Assistant Engineer R&B while PDP MLC Nizam-ud-Din Bhat has ‘occupied’ BDO's quarter along with his office. They said that NC block president Ghulam Muhammad Malik has occupied Irrigation hut nine years back and is using it as his main office for election campaign. With the mainstream politicians taking over the buildings, the functioning in government departments has been affected with employees unable to discharge their duties efficiently. Sources said that the three politicians are not depositing the rent to the government. “They have been occupying the buildings when the NC and coalition government came in power in the State,” they said.The officers and employees of the departments, whose buildings have been ‘occupied’ by the politicians have demanded immediate evacuation of the building for running the affairs smoothly.''Political workers make all kind of noises. We cannot concentrate on our work and this has badly affected the functioning of some departments,” confided a woman employee, who wished not to be named. Talking to Rising Kashmir, ex-MLA Usman Majeed said that he has been in the possession of the government building long before. “I have prepared the document and these are pending in R&B department. The building was vacant and I used it after the consent from then Chef engineer R&B." He, however, was quick to add that the building will be evacuated sooner or later for the befit of the employees and general public.A top official said, pleading anonymity, said, “In May 2008 Chief Engineer R&B wrote to DC Bandipora and urged him to get the building vacated from the possession of politicians and political workers. However, Chief engineer’s pleas were not taken serious”. Executive Engineer R&B Ghulam Qadir Pintoo and Assistant District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Bandipora Bashir Ahmed Bhat admitted that the ‘political occupants’ don’t have permission from the government to use the buildings.Bhat told Rising Kashmir that they are holding dialogue with the politicians to get the buildings vacated. “We have also to keep the security concern of the political leaders in view before getting the buildings evacuated," he added.
Mir TariqBandipora, Oct 29: The mainstream political parties in this newly created district are not adhering to the directions of administration and using government buildings for their election campaigns. After Governor's rule was imposed in the State, the district administration issued directions to the political leaders asking them to vacate the buildings occupied by them and their party workers.
Official sources said that ex MLA Usman Majid is running his election campaign from the residential quarter of Assistant Engineer R&B while PDP MLC Nizam-ud-Din Bhat has ‘occupied’ BDO's quarter along with his office. They said that NC block president Ghulam Muhammad Malik has occupied Irrigation hut nine years back and is using it as his main office for election campaign. With the mainstream politicians taking over the buildings, the functioning in government departments has been affected with employees unable to discharge their duties efficiently. Sources said that the three politicians are not depositing the rent to the government. “They have been occupying the buildings when the NC and coalition government came in power in the State,” they said.The officers and employees of the departments, whose buildings have been ‘occupied’ by the politicians have demanded immediate evacuation of the building for running the affairs smoothly.''Political workers make all kind of noises. We cannot concentrate on our work and this has badly affected the functioning of some departments,” confided a woman employee, who wished not to be named. Talking to Rising Kashmir, ex-MLA Usman Majeed said that he has been in the possession of the government building long before. “I have prepared the document and these are pending in R&B department. The building was vacant and I used it after the consent from then Chef engineer R&B." He, however, was quick to add that the building will be evacuated sooner or later for the befit of the employees and general public.A top official said, pleading anonymity, said, “In May 2008 Chief Engineer R&B wrote to DC Bandipora and urged him to get the building vacated from the possession of politicians and political workers. However, Chief engineer’s pleas were not taken serious”. Executive Engineer R&B Ghulam Qadir Pintoo and Assistant District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Bandipora Bashir Ahmed Bhat admitted that the ‘political occupants’ don’t have permission from the government to use the buildings.Bhat told Rising Kashmir that they are holding dialogue with the politicians to get the buildings vacated. “We have also to keep the security concern of the political leaders in view before getting the buildings evacuated," he added.
BJP holds election rally in Bandipora
Mir Tariq Bandipora, Oct 29: Amid tight security Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held first public election rally here in this newly created district.Dozens of BJP loyalists and workers marched from Kaloosa to SK Stadium amidst chanting of pro Islamic slogans.BJP is the first pro India party that openly initiated election campaign after recent non violent pro freedom uprising while other parties confined their campaign to party offices in Bandipora.The BJP nominee for the constituency Shamus ud-Din Gojjar was the first candidate to submit nomination papers before Returning Officer Bandipora. Accompanied by BJP State President Sofi Nazir, Altaf Riana and Charan Singh Khalasa, Gojjar said, “We will fight the coming State Assembly polls on the agenda of growing unemployment, lack of basic amenities, poverty and illiteracy in the constituency.” "We will not charge electricity bills to people living below poverty line and will give free ration which they getting at Rs 17/per Kg," Gojjar said.BJP State President Nazir said "We will work for the betterment of downtrodden people in the constituency, and will work on the agenda of former PM of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee."Polling in Bandipora is going to take place on November 17. So far no party has come up with election agenda, except BJP, in this constituency.
Mir Tariq Bandipora, Oct 29: Amid tight security Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held first public election rally here in this newly created district.Dozens of BJP loyalists and workers marched from Kaloosa to SK Stadium amidst chanting of pro Islamic slogans.BJP is the first pro India party that openly initiated election campaign after recent non violent pro freedom uprising while other parties confined their campaign to party offices in Bandipora.The BJP nominee for the constituency Shamus ud-Din Gojjar was the first candidate to submit nomination papers before Returning Officer Bandipora. Accompanied by BJP State President Sofi Nazir, Altaf Riana and Charan Singh Khalasa, Gojjar said, “We will fight the coming State Assembly polls on the agenda of growing unemployment, lack of basic amenities, poverty and illiteracy in the constituency.” "We will not charge electricity bills to people living below poverty line and will give free ration which they getting at Rs 17/per Kg," Gojjar said.BJP State President Nazir said "We will work for the betterment of downtrodden people in the constituency, and will work on the agenda of former PM of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee."Polling in Bandipora is going to take place on November 17. So far no party has come up with election agenda, except BJP, in this constituency.
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