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.

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.

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.

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.

800 take DOEAC annual Diploma exams
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MIR TARIQ OCT 12
Bandipora: 800 Information Technology (IT) Students appeared in the Annual examinations today in Bandipora conducted by NCPUL and DOAEC at the recognized centre of Bandipora College of Information technology. DOEAC and Ministry Of Human Resources Development (HRD) New Delhi and NCPUL conducted the exam, which continue till 18th of this month.
Students came from as far off as Gurez, Uri, Lolab, Tulalil, Poonch, Havelli, Karna, Spore and other remote villages of Bandipora to appear for the exam. Talking to Rising Kashmir, Nazir Ahmed from Arin said the exam was easy and on expected lines and we appreciate the DOEAC administration for conduct of the exams. Candidates and their parents, however, cribbed about the postponement of the test earlier due to the disturbance in state. The entrance exam was conducted today after much confusion and delay. Earlier, the exams were scheduled to be conducted on July 8 but due to the disturbance in the State, date of exam was changed. Director BCIT Fayaz Ahmed Fayaz constituted vigilance committees to ensure transparency in the examination centres. Moreover, the college has announced that the admissions in new Courses which include ‘A' and ‘O’ Level course in Information technology, Language Courses, Hardware Software courses and Other IT allied courses would commence from October 15 to November 15. Meanwhile, the collage has invited applications for Various Scholarships for regular candidates for the year 2008-09. The desiring candidates can collect and submit scholarship forms at the office of PRO BCIT after having attested them by concerned department chairman by October 30.

Gurez: Far away from the madding crowd
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Gurez Valley retains her old-world charm; and this charm becomes even more perceptible during the approaching wintry days, Mir Tariq guides us through this beautiful valley Gurez- a beautiful valley located on the banks of River Neelam besides pleasing its visitors makes them acutely interested into the life and desires of young women who work for their families while men remain busy in playing cards and singing traditional songs inside their homes.
On its rise, the sun peeps through the grim layer of black clouds giving little warmth to the people who are waiting for its rays in cold days. After October every year the sun starts playing hide and seek while people always remain waiting for warmth. Gurez Valley, 153 Km from Srinagar remains cut off from the rest of the valley due to heavy snowfall as the only Bandipora-Gurez road remains closed from November to May, every year. One has to cross the coldest and dangerous peak Razdan located 16,000 feet above sea level, to reach the valley. One faces various hardships while visiting this beautiful valley of Gurez like one has to get a Pass issued by SSP Police which an ordinary man can hardly get. Photography is not allowed in the area; however one can take snaps after getting permission from Army officers and the most disturbing problem is the fast digestion of food. This because of the smell that emanates from wild herbs know to be highly digestive like Artimesia, Belladona, Kuth, Banwnagon, Zerra and Murin etc. After reaching Gurez a group of children greets us with smiles that are no less warm than sunshine. "Oh! You have come to visit our homes in our village?" they quip. Our "No" does not dampen their spirits a wee bit. Unlike most of the city kids, they are in no hurry. School can wait when it's wedding season in a village. The sun was battling with the clouds to give warmth to this cold valley. We were moving along while shivering with clod; meantime sun, after valiant efforts, find its space in the sky and people start coming out of wooden homes n order bask in its shine. We keeping moving; moving past a herd of animals, even as an old woman and her young companions look indulgently at the herd. "It's cold and it needs a protective covering. But thank God, the sun is showing," says the woman. After sun stays there for a while, a few old men and women are getting the best of the sun on the roadside that overlooks a potato field. Frost has stamped its mark on the crops — the leaves are wilting badly. To get the warmth in the cold women and men were sitting in semi-circle; actuate into homely discussions in the Shina language. When we reached near the discussion circle, without seeking an introduction, they welcome us. Hospitality of villagers is not a myth but very real. After serving spicy food and corn slices, our host seek introduction from us."A village life is different. There is no hurry as things amble along. The winter sun makes us all sit together and forget our worries," says Abdul Jabber Lone, a villager, while his friends nod in agreement. All through the visit, we hardly notice any young one in the vally. Gurez valley constitutes population of 30,000 besides 60,000 troops who are guarding the borderline touching the other side-Pakistan. One thing is interesting about Gurez; most of the population depends on the Army, as this is the only economy and administration of the area."We have lost the count of youngsters who left the village to try their luck abroad. Every time, we grapple with loneliness. And it's community life that sustains us," says another villager Muhammad Yaseen lone, retired Zonal Education Officer. Gurez have given birth to many IAS and KAS officer who are serving the sate in different departments. As we go a little further, groups of women greet us with stacks of timber tightened to their bodies. Though it is very cold, women folk always visit forests and get wood and timber for the chulas for making daily meals.For those who think that rural women are all for home and hearth, there is a pleasant surprise — a surprise that is enough to scotch stereotypes. We see a small shop offering biscuits, toffees and other knick-knacks being run by a young woman. And she doesn't make much ado about it. "You live life. Why waste time thinking it out?" she throws her question at us. It is an answer to our question. As we drive on, scenes flit across our eyes in quick succession — women trudging along with sacks full of fodder, children romping back home from school, girls sewing clothes in the open, men playing cards, dogs yawning lazily and bellowing a random bark at strangers they don't fancy and football-shaped water tanks dwarfing the houses. The sun is already getting a shade weaker. And as we leave Tulial for other nearby villages, the vast fields, and the narrow, cobbled lanes, and men and women who live in sync with the cycles of nature leave us rather enamoured of the village life! Feedback
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WILDLIFE WEEK
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Wildlife Conservation: Invoking ethical teachings
Unless humans become conscious about the importance of wildlife and it becomes firmly rooted in their hearts and minds, celebrating occasion may prove little beneficial; need of the hour is to change the mind-set of people, and for that invocation of moral and ethical teachings can be highly effective, suggests Mir Tariq Rasool
Nature; we live with it, in it, and by it. Some of us take deep delight in hiking through the woods in groups or solitary walks along vast beaches, others enjoy weekend bird watching events and some of us are employed to take accurate counts of wildlife and to protect it. There are still others who see nature in an entirely different way; to them, nature is to be dominated and exploited. Entire species of animal and plant life have been destroyed, and continue to be destroyed, by humans who hunt them to extinction or have obliterated the habitats that allowed them to thrive. If man originally hunted to survive, now the profit motive is often the ultimate reason for these acts of destruction. Others simply seem to derive some satisfaction from the very act of destruction. Humankind has altered the environment around the globe and has been responsible for both deliberate and unintentional acts of destruction including the destruction of wild life habitat.
However, humans have also known that nature, in both its obvious details and the mysterious "laws of nature" that man has always struggled to comprehend, is vital to our survival — as individuals and as a species.Trees are being chopped and put up for sale, the fishes are killed in the lakes by water pollution, the skins and bones of tiger are exchanged in the border areas and the rare migratory birds are captured and sold in the black markets around the world. Yet, every year around this time, (October 2 to 8) governments, environmentalists, and activists to accelerate the awareness of wildlife conservation among people, observe Wildlife Week. NGOs or self-claimed conservationists can be seen busy in sponsoring the Wildlife Week celebrations and papers are full with the write-ups on wildlife conservation, but all with insufficient results. Why government is not able to curb the growing extinction of wild species and destruction of habitat thereof? It needs to be analyzed. The mandate to conserve the wild species is given to the NGOs or self-claimed conservationists, who have only financial and materialistic benefits in handling the projects of wildlife conservation; columnists are just exercising their word gymnastics by writing on the issue. It needs deep change of mind-set of the people while dealing with the problem and this job can be done at a popular level by spreading the basic moral and ethical teachings. With a growing urge among the Muslims for a better understanding of the ideal, but practicable, way of life, the study and relevance of such teachings has added importance. The environment is central in Islam. Due to the growing impact of deforestation, continuous efforts are being made by some anxious animal lovers to protect the endangered species of wildlife as well as those that are on the verge of extinction. Wildlife is important for four main reasons. Beauty: By their unique way of existence, wild creatures enhance the natural beauty of the earth.Economic value: The financial value of wild species is important to the economies of several nations, as it provides many valuable substances like wood and other plant products, fibres, meat and other foods, and skins and furs.Scientific value: By studying wildlife, scientists have gained valuable knowledge about various life processes and discovered important medical product. Survival value: Wildlife helps in maintaining the balanced living systems of earth, which consequently ensures survival of life. All these four main reasons are encompassed in the ethical and moral teachings. Take for example teh behaviour of Zoo officials; they keep animals confined in limited space do not consider the 'agony 'of the animal. Now a clue can be taken from this prophetic message' it is a great sin for man to imprison those animals which are in his power'. Even non-Muslim environmental ethicists like, R.P Misra adhere to the Islamic bio ethical theme and states that justice, indeed is one of the corner-stones of the Muslim religion. Since environmental abuse or destruction is more often a form of injustice, the grand principle of Justice can be invoked to ensure that environment and wildlife is not subjected to any kind of abuse. To promote environmental, especially wildlife awareness among the people, the Indian government has started various natural projects and programs such as Project Tiger (formed in 1972 and launched on the 1st April 1973 at Corbett National Park), Project Elephant (a centrally sponsored scheme, was launched in February 1992 to provide financial and technical support to major elephant bearing states in India for protection of elephants, their habitats and corridors). Besides this, there are also various NGOs working on wildlife conservation in India, how much these Projects and NGO's are successful in protecting the wild life can be notices by the fact that between a quarter and a third of the world's wildlife has been lost since 1970, according to data compiled by the Zoological Society of London; populations of land-based species fell by 25%, marine by 28% and freshwater by 29%, it says. Humans are wiping out about 1% of all other species every year, and one of the "great extinction episodes" in the Earth's history is under way, it says. Pollution, farming and urban expansion, over-fishing and hunting are blamed. In India where Wildlife Week is celebrated with great pomp and show, the National Animal (Tiger) and National Bird (Peacock) is on the verge of extinction. Moreover, other animals such as elephants, musk deer, Tibetan antelope, rhinoceros, red panda, Ganges river dolphin, etc., without getting proper care are getting endangered. In these circumstances when so-called conservationists and NGOs keep eye on their own benefits rather than conserving the wildlife, then the moral and religious applications become more meaningful and needed. When the mass awareness programmes and observance of days and weeks in the name conserving the natural and wild life prove ineffective, an alternate way of convincing the hearts and minds becomes a necessary imperative. It is the need of time to underline the religious and bio-ethical teachings of conserving the wildlife rather than solely insisting on using conventional and unplanned methods, which have proved, and are proving ineffectual, as surveyed by the international and national wildlife forums and societies. If people are to awaken to the challenges of preserving the wildlife and its habitat, modern wildlife conservationists and scholars must illuminate the ecological and wildlife conservative principles embedded in moral themes as they apply to contemporary environmental and wildlife issues. The world now is undoubtedly more complex than it was a thousand years ago when the industrial revolution had not taken place and the earth's resources had not been strained. For example the wildlife consciousness in Islam is reflected in one of the familiar instances of life of the Prophet when, during a journey, one of companions removed a baby pigeon from a nest. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) confronted and gently returned the bird to its nest. "For charity shown to each creature with a wet heart, there is a reward," the Prophet declared. Let us hope a day will dawn when we shall see the start of a new era; when man accorded to wild life the respect and status they deserved and for so long have been denied. Feedback
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