698 POLITICIANS AMONG 13, 215 CIVILIANS KILLED IN J&K SINCE 1990: GOVT

Jammu, Mar 31 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir government today said that 13,215 civilians, including 698 politicians, were killed in terrorist attacks in the state since 1990. 13,215 civilians, including 698 politicians and political leaders and workers, were killed by terrorists since 1990 in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a written reply in Legislative Council here today. Giving a break up, he said that 12,517 civilians and 698 politicians and political leaders and workers were killed between 1990 to February 25, 2011. He said the highest number of 1,275 civilians were killed in 1996 and highest number of 101 political
leaders and workers were killed in 2002. In 2010, there was a decrease in killings as 33 civilians and 4 politicians were killed as compared to 59 civilians and 3 politicians in 2009, he said. In two months period of current year, 4 civilians and a political activists were killed.

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CHANGE IN SCHOOL TIMINGS FROM APRIL 01

Srinagar, Mar 31 (Only Kashmir): According to Director School Education Kashmir, all Government as well Private Educational Institutions of Kashmir Division (excluding Leh and Kargil) upto Senior Secondary level shall function from 9.30 am to 3.30 Pm within the Municipal limits of Srinagar city and from 10 am to 4 Pm in rural areas from April 1st, 2011 till further orders.
All the heads of Educational Institutions are impressed upon to adhere to this school timing in letter and spirit, any deviation from the prescribed timing shall warrant action under relevant rules.

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MIRWAIZ WELCOMES ‘CRICKET DIPLOMACY’

"I am watching the game for sure tomorrow,"

Srinagar Mar 29 (Only Kashmir): Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is not the only one to support Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's 'cricket diplomacy' in inviting Pakistan President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to visit India and watch Wednesday's semi-final game between India and Pakistan at Mohali.
All Party Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq have also extended their support to Dr Singh's initiative.
Mirwaiz denied that they were taken aback by what many suggested was Dr Singh's 'sudden gesture.'
"No I would not say that I was taken aback by this move which has now come to be known as Dr Singh's cricket diplomacy," Mirwaiz told Only Kashmir
"This is a positive move and would have an impact on bridging the gap between the two neighbours. This is a move to take the India-Pakistan dialogue process forward, and I hope the two prime ministers would discuss the relationship between the two countries on a serious note," Mirwaiz said.
"I am watching the game for sure tomorrow," said Mirwaiz, who 'hopes that the present move by Dr Singh would have an impact on the dialogue process that would help in solving the Kashmir problem.'

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MUSHARAF PROVIDED GOLD OPORTUNITY ON KASHMIR: NC

Srinagar Mar 29 (Only Kashmir): Ruling National Conference Tuesday hailed General (retd) Pervez Musharaff's efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue, saying the former Pakistani president had created a "golden opportunity" which was let go.
"Musharraff's efforts had created a golden opportunity to resolve the Kashmir issue, but the chance was let go," General Secretary National Conference, Sheikh Nazir said in a statement to PBI.
This is for the first time that the ruling party has sounded in support of the formula, hailed mainly by the Hurriayat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
Terming the foreign secretary level talks between India and Pakistan as a "positive" development, Nazir the representation of Kashmiris in the dialogue process was a must in order to find a solution to the issue and bring peace to the sub-continent.
Nazir said the issue cannot be kept in cold storage for long and that both the countries must find ways to resolve it at the earliest keeping in view the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people.
The senior party leader maintained that Kashmir was political issue.
He said that the party believes that the restoration of internal autonomy was good solution to the problem. "However, we are ready to accept any other better solution to the issue," he added.

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KASHMIR LIVES IN OUR HEARTS: IMAAM KAABA

New Delhi Mar 29 (Only Kashmir): The Imam of the Holy Kaaba Sheikh Abdur Rehman Bin Aziz has accepted the invitation of Hurriyat-M chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to visit Kashmir.
Sheikh Abdur Rehman, who was on a 3-day visit to India, Sunday evening offered ‘Magrib’ prayers at Jamia Masjid Delhi and later addressed thousands of devotees. Later, he left for Saudi Arabia after completing his India tour.
The Imam-e-Kaaba Sheikh Abdul Rahman As-Sudais prayed for peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue.
Reports said Sheikh Abdul Rahman who is currently on a visit to New Delhi, prayed for amicable resolution of Kashmir issue.
In Delhi, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq invited Sheikh Abdur Rehman to visit Kashmir. Sheikh was at the residence of Shahi Imam of Jamia Masjid where he interacted with several dignitaries.
"I am eager to witness natural beauty of the Valley, as Kashmir lives in our hearts” said Imaam Mirwaiz presented some Kashmiri gifts to Imam-e-Kaaba.

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9,598 APPOINTMENTS MADE IN J&K POLICE DEPARTMENT

Jammu Mar 26 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said that 9,598 appointments have been made in the state's police department in the last two years.
In a written reply to questions of Mehbooba Mufti (PDP), Ashok Khajuria (BJP), G M Saroori (Cong) and R S Sharma (NC) in the Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said 9035 appointments were made through Police Recruitment Board (PRB).
47 appointments were made under compassionate grounds, 47 on-the-spot recruitment and 10 appointments made on court probes, he said.

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"WE WILL TEACH INDIA A LESSON": HAFIZ SAEED

Mar 25 (Only Kashmir): Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has alleged that India has been aiding terrorist activities in Pakistan, and that Pakistanis have "every right to use the Kashmir door" to throw the book at the neighbouring country.
Speaking on the issue 'Challenges faced by Muslim Ummah and their solutions' at Hameed Nizami Hall in Lahore on Thursday, Saeed said that India was facilitating terrorist activities inside Pakistan and 'we have every right to use Kashmir door to teach India a lesson'.
Calling for India to quit Kashmir as early as possible, he said that any delay would prove harmful for the country (India), The Nation reports.
Saeed, alleged to be the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind, also claimed that the United States pressurised Pakistan and gave India a free hand to erect fences along the Line of Control.
The arrival of the US and her allies in the region after 9/11 caused a blow to the freedom movement in the Kashmir region, he said.
The US and her allies had now failed in Afghanistan and it was impossible for India to continue its control of Kashmir, he added.
Saeed said that the US and her allies were holding Pakistan responsible for their defeat in Afghanistan, and that the West was hatching conspiracies to teach Pakistan a lesson- the drone attacks and the Raymond Davis episode being part of that scheme.
He also said that the rulers set Davis free against public aspirations, and now they would have to face the consequences for betraying the nation.
Stressing upon unity among the Muslim ummah, Saeed said that the rulers should come out of the US and West slavery and rely on their own resources to meet the prevailing challenges. He also suggested boycotting the western states, which he said were hatching conspiracies and waging a war against Muslim countries.
Saeed said that the Muslim countries were possessing 80 per cent of the global resources, capable manpower and sufficient technology to live respectably, adding that there was no need to rely on the US and the enemies of Muslims.
He, however, said that China could be a reliable friend of the Muslim bloc.
Saeed also stressed upon improving the education system and curriculum, and equipping the future generation with the knowledge of Islam and the ideology of Pakistan.
He said that there was no need of using English as medium of education, adding that Urdu should be adopted as the medium and English should be taught as a separate language.
Referring to the tragic incident of desecration of Holy Quran at a Florida Church, he said that the enemies were resorting to blasphemy in desperation due to the fear of Islam and Muslims.

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JIHAD ONLY SOLUTION TO KASHMIR ISSUE: NIZAMI

Lahore Mar 23 (Only Kashmir): Editor-in-Chief TheNation and Chairman Nazria Pakistan Trust Majid Nizami has reiterated that Kashmir will not be free without waging Jihad against India.
He said the country would convert into desert if we fail to free our jugular vein from Hindus.
“India is constructing dams at rives flow from Kashmir to Pakistan, conspiring to turn our land into waste”, he added.
NPT Chairman expressed these views while presiding over a sitting at Aiwan-e-Karkunan Tehrik-e-Pakistan on Tuesday. Former chief ISI Lieutenant General (r) Hameed Gul was the chief guest on the occasion. NPT and Pakistan Movement Workers Trust jointly organised the event on the World Water Day.
Majid Nizami said Quaid-e-Azam had termed the Kashmir a jugular vein of Pakistan and had ordered the then army chief to enter army into Kashmir for its independence, but he (the then army chief) had refused to admit the Quaid’s order, he added. Since the day, no army chief even tried to please the Quaid’s soul, he regretted. Jihad is the only solution to Kashmir issue, he declared.
“I ask every Pakistani who act upon the spirit of Islam to make oneself ready for Jihad,” he said, adding there must be a war between India and Pakistan on water issues.
While speaking on the occasion, Hameed Gul observed that India with the support of international imperialists wanted to deprive Pakistan of water but their actual target was the country’s atomic assets, he hinted.
“Our national security and internal solidarity is at stake until the settlement of water issue”, Gul further stated. He said the irrigation system of Pakistan had a vital role in the security of the country, yet India intended to destroy the same, the defence analyst added. Gul criticised the political parties those were opposing Kalabagh Dam. He was of the view that Pakistan Peoples Party, Awami National Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement were the responsible for energy crises in Pakistan. Besides KBD, we must build other reservoirs, he stressed.

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MIRWAIZ’S 38TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED ON SOCIAL NETWORKS

Srinagar Mar 23 (Only Kashmir): As the Mirwaiz (preacher) of Kashmir All Party Hurriyat Conference chairmain Mirwaiz Umar Farooq turned 38 today, lakhs of his followers across the Kashmir and outside the Kashmir celebrated his birthday, with wishes on popular social networking site Facebook, Twitter etc.
As the Mirwaiz (Mir-Head; Waiz-Priest) of Kashmir and chairman of the Hurriyat Conference has both an important religious and political role in the politics of the Valley.
He inherited as the 14th Mirwaiz (Kashmiri term for traditional preacher of Muslims in Kashmir) in 1990. Before joining the pro-freedom Kashmir politics, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was an alumnus of the prestigious Burn Hall School in Srinagar, he had interests in computers and he wanted to become a software engineer. But fate had something else in store for this man, who
became the founder-chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference at the age of 20. He also holds a PhD. in Islamic Studies from Kashmir University.

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AMNESTY REPORT SHOULD BE EXAMINED IN TOTALITY: OMAR ABDULLAH

Jammu, March 22 (Only Kashmir): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that Amnesty International's report on alleged human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir has to be examined in 'totality before comments are rushed into'.
In a post on micro-blogging site Twitter, a day after the report was released to media in Srinagar, the chief minister said: 'The Amnesty report deserves to be examined in its totality before comments are rushed into. So don't expect knee jerk reactions from me.'
In another tweet, Abdullah said: 'And those of you working yourselves into a frenzy about the Amnesty report - I have not been given a copy so what do I comment about?'
Amnesty has demanded immediate scrapping of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA) that is used to detain suspects without trial for years.
Describing the PSA as a 'lawless law', Amnesty estimated that 8,000-20,000 people have been detained under the law in the past two decades of insurgency in the state.

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MIRWAIZ WELCOMES AMNESTY’S REPORT ON KASHMIR

Srinagar Mar 22 (Only Kashmir): The chairman of All party Hurriyat conference Mirwiaz Umar Farooq have welcomed the Amnesty International’s report that urged India to end the system of administrative detentions and repeal the draconian law, Public Safety Act (PSA) in the territory at the earliest.
The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a media interview in Srinagar, lauded the report released by the Amnesty International on gross human rights violations in the occupied territory.He appealed the World Body to impress upon India to stop massive human rights abuses in the territory. “The AI report corroborates our stand that the occupied territory has been turned into a military garrison,” the Mirwaiz said.

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A SHORT INTRODUCTION OF NAVROZ

(Only Kashmir Staff Reporter)
There had been tradition of house cleaning ahead of Nauroz as this also brings to an end the long and harsh Kashmir winter. On this day people don new clothes, visit relatives and friends present each other with gifts and compete in hospitality and the art of cooking.
The main dish of the day, which women cook a night before Nauroz, is duck with turnip besides fish with lotus roots. On Nauroz eve, pious families would lay a table-spread for Ali (sufra-e-shah) in the belief that the holy Imam visits the household at an appointed hour (tehvil), and leaves his blessings and marks of his visit on the objects laid out for him.
People with bone and joint diseases and also skin diseases would make their body bleed with a sharp edged knife to let the impure blood peep out of the veins for blood purification. This was in typical Kashmiri known as ‘tombi’.
Special interest would be paid to observing the tehvil, or the exact moment the sun enters the new constellation, by setting up a gravitational experiment. Some would determine the time by noting the collision between two round objects, like walnuts, floating in a basin full of water.
In earlier times Kashmiri women would gather in the evenings preceding Nauroz to sing Roff (folk songs in chorus) signalling the arrival of spring. The practice has largely been now restricted to rural Kashmir. Here, the mood is more festive as Nauroz, heralded by the first rays of the morning sun of spring, is the making of the first furrow.

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AMNESTY ASKS INDIA TO STOP RIGHTS ABUSE IN KASHMIR

Srinagar, March 21 (Only Kashmir) : Coming down heavily on India for alleged rights violations in terror-riven Jammu and Kashmir, global rights watchdog Amnesty International Monday said the Public Safety Act (PSA) should be revoked in the state.
The 600-page Amnesty report - the first on Jammu and Kashmir since 2000 - has termed the PSA a "lawless law".
"We strongly advocate abrogation of PSA as it provides immunity to troopers and officials involved in rights violations," Ramesh Gopalakrishnan, researcher Asia-Pacific Programme, and Bikramjeet Batra, campaigner India, Asia-Pacific Programme, jointly told reporters.
The report, released at a function at the Grand Mumtaz Hotel in the summer capital Srinagar, documents how authorities are using the act to detain people for years at a time, without trial, "depriving them of basic human rights otherwise provided under Indian law".
On the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Batra said, "Amnesty International's (AI) stand is clear, the act should be revoked forthwith."
Batra and Gopalakrishnan said the Amnesty team had visited Kashmir last year and studied at least 600 people booked under the PSA. "Their details and other particulars have been incorporated in the report," the researchers said.
Batra also said the team has sought an appointment with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and some other senior officials here to discuss the report.
He told IANS that the Amnesty team had March 17 met union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai who had assured that PSA detentions would be brought down by 10-20 percent this year.
The Amnesty report said, "Estimates of the number detained under the PSA over the past two decades range from 8,000-20,000."
Between January and September 2010, "322 people were reportedly detained under the controversial act that empowers district magistrates to detain people for up to two years for suspected offences ranging from anti-state activities to timber smuggling".
The report is based on research conducted in May last year and "subsequent analysis of government and legal documents relating to over 600 individuals detained under the PSA between 2003 and 2010".
"By using the PSA to incarcerate suspects without adequate evidence, India has not only gravely violated their human rights but also failed in its duty to charge and try such individuals and to punish them if found guilty in a fair trial."
The report said state authorities "often implement this law in an arbitrary and abusive manner".
It said that in many cases, the high court has quashed orders of detentions but the research "clearly shows that the authorities consistently thwart the court's orders for release by re-detaining individuals under criminal charges and/or issuing further detention orders, thereby securing incarceration".
Jammu and Kashmir has since 1989 witnessed a bloody separatist war - which India alleges is sponsored by Pakistan and militant organisations there - during which tens of thousands of people have been killed.
The watchdog said, "AI acknowledges the right, indeed the duty, of the state to defend and protect its population from violence. However, this must be done while respecting the human rights of all concerned."
It said: "India has so far chosen to ignore calls" to reform its "administrative detention system."
The report said a police officer, justifying the detention system, told the Amnesty team: "What rights are you talking about? We are fighting a war, a cross-border war."
AI has recommended that India:
* Repeal the PSA and end practices of illegal and incommunicado detention and immediately put in place safeguards to ensure that those detained are brought promptly before a magistrate.
* Carry out an independent investigation into all allegations of abuses against those detained.
* Extend invitations and facilitate the visits of the UN officials and panels, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
Some media reports here said the state government had decided not to revoke the Disturbed Areas Act in some areas of the state unilaterally. If the Disturbed Areas Act is removed, the AFSPA would automatically be rendered ineffectual in such areas.
The power to withdraw the Disturbed Areas Act is vested in the state government.

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GEELANI APPEALS FOR KASHMIR FREEDOM

New Delhi Mar 19 (Only Kashmir): Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Saturday made a fervent appeal to the people of India to heed the sufferings of the people of Kashmir.
Speaking at the session 'Kashmir - What next?' on the concluding day of the 10th India Today Conclave, Geelani said the Kashmir "dispute" is all about broken promises.
He said lakhs of Muslims have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir since 1947 and the state still hosts 7 lakh armed forces personnel.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah, however, strongly ruled out plebiscite in the state, saying that dialogue is the only way forward to solve the Kashmir issue.
"We can accept everything, but not the division of the state," Abdullah said.
He said India is ready to hear and do everything that will stabilise the nation.
Former Union Minister Arif Mohammad Khan blamed Partition for the continuing problems in Kashmir.

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THE SACRIFICES OF KASHMIRI PEOPLE WOULD BEAR FRUIT: MIRWAIZ

Srinagar, March 18 (Only Kashmir):The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has reiterated its demand of withdrawal of Indian troops, immediate release of illegally detained Kashmiris and repeal of draconian laws in the territory so that conducive atmosphere could be created for resolving the Kashmir dispute.
The demand was made by the APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while addressing a gathering at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, today. He urged India to give up its intransigent approach and initiate talks with Pakistan and genuine Kashmiri leadership to settle the lingering dispute. The Mirwaiz maintained that the sacrifices of Kashmiri people would bear fruit soon and they would get rid of Indian bondage.

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700 MILITANTS READY TO CROSS INTO KASHMIR: GOC HASNAIN

Srinagar Mar 17 (Only Kashmir): General Officer Commanding of strategic 15 Corps Lt General Syed Atta Hasnain on Thursday said 600-700 militants are waiting to cross into Kashmir from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "It is very difficult to put the exact number of militants who are waiting to sneak into the Valley, but we have information that 600-700 militants are waiting at different launching pads on other side of the LoC," said Hasnain in north Kashmir's Pattan town on the sidelines of a ceremony.
The army, he said, has "strong intelligence inputs" that militants will try to infiltrate in coming days or weeks as snow is melting fast on the LoC.
"We have reports militants are converging at the launching pads," said Hasnain.
Divulging details of the army's preparedness to stop infiltration, Hasnain said the counter-infiltration grid is very strong with latest surveillance devices.
"Any attempt by the militants to infiltrate will be prevented," he said.
The army has in place a three-tier security grid with Israel-made sophisticated equipment.
About the ongoing army operations Hasnain, while referring to recent encounters in Tral, Shopian and Sopore areas, said, "All these places there was no collateral damage or civilian deaths."
Hasnain referred to Sopore as a "troubled area".

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KASHMIR DISPUTE HAS ASSUMED CENTRE STAGE: MIRWAIZ

Srinagar, March 17 (Only Kashmir): The All Parties Hurriyet Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that the Kashmir dispute has assumed centre stage at the global level and the international community is fully cognizant of the urgency of resolving it in accordance with the Kashmiris aspirations.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq briefing the APHC Executive Council in Srinagar, today, about his recent visit to America, Britain and Geneva, he said that the world powers acknowledged the genuine and indigenous character of the Kashmir liberation movement.
The APHC leaders said on the occasion that the people of Kashmir were being made victims of political vendetta by awarding sentences of death and life imprisonment to their youth. They denounced certain reports published in the media in this regard saying that these were meant to defame the APHC.

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12 MORE BUNKERS REMOVED IN SRINAGAR

Srinagar, Mar 17 (Only Kashmir): With further improvement in the overall situation, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) today removed 12 roadside bunkers in the downtown and uptown areas of the city.
With this, a total of 39 bunkers were removed in the city so far.
"We removed 12 bunkers, particularly in the downtown, Batmaloo and uptown areas of the city today," a CRPF spokesman Prabhkhar Tripathi told UNI.
He said as announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the roadside bunkers to be removed were identified by the authorities.
"We have withdrawn our personnel and removed these bunkers from Rainawari, Hawal and other downtown areas, he said, adding one bunker was removed at Batmaloo.
Mr Tripathi said the bunkers were constructed on the directions of the local administration to thwart any militant attempt to cause disturbances.
These were also removed as per the instructions from the local administration, he said, adding the CRPF was entirely at the disposal of the state administration, who can use the force as and when require.
He said the CRPF was to help the local police in maintaining the law and order and also to fight against militants.
He said the removal of bunkers started last year when 16 roadside bunkers were removed. Later eleven more were removed and today 12 were withdrawn.
There are still about a dozen bunkers in the city, he said adding the Road Opening Party (ROP) will remained deployed in the summer capital to maintain law and order.
The Interlocutors in their recommendations has, among other things, urged the government to remove bunkers from some civilian areas.
The separatist organisations have also demanded withdrawal of security forces from the civilian areas in the Kashmir valley.

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SAJJAD AFGHANI (CHIEF COMMANDER JEM) KILLED IN SRINAGAR

Srinagar, Mar 10 (Only Kashmir): Sajad Afghani, chief commander of the Jaish e-Muhammad (JeM) group, was today gunned down by security forces in this Jammu and Kashmir summer capital, police said, describing the killing as a major success.
'Sajad Afghani, the chief commander of JeM terror outfit, and his guard Bilal, both foreigners, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in the Dal Lake Foreshore area of the city today,' S.M. Sahai, inspector general of police (IGP) Kashmir zone, told Media here. He added that they were Pakistani nationals.

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MIRWAIZ TO PARTICIPATE IN SEMINAR ON "DEFENDING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE" IN GENEVA

Geneva, March 10 (Only Kashmir): The speakers in a seminar “Defending the Will of the People” to be hosted by International Educational Development, today, will appeal the international community to help grant right to self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
They would also draw the attention of the Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Council that exercising right to self-determination and defending the true will of a people could occur a variety ways such as in periodic, democratic and fair elections.
The speakers of the seminar are Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman, All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Kashmir, Lord Nazir Ahmed, Member, British House of Lords, England, Dr. Karen Parker, IED delegate to the United Nations, USA, Dr Ahmed AbdelLatti, IIFSO Secretary General, Turkey, Hussein Orac, Archectic of Freedom Flotilla to Gaza, Palestine, Suaad Alfitouri, Chairman, Society Outreach, Libya, Mohamed Abdel Wahid Ghanem, Exiled Leader, Egypt, Waleed Albanany, Al-Nahda Movement, Tunisia, Loghman AHMADI, Congress of Nationalities for a Federated Iran, Professor Nazir Ahmad Shawl, Executive Director, Kashmir Centre, London, Amjad Yousuf, Kashmir Institute of International Relations, Azad Kashmir and Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director of Kashmiri Centre Washington.

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BREAST CANCER IN KASHMIR ON RISE

Srinagar, Mar 09 (Only Kashmir): In a major health concern, the breast cancer is on rise in Kashmir with experts blaming the sedentary lifestyle, late marriages and bottle feeding as its main causes.
They underscored the need to strengthen the medical facilities in the Valley for early diagnosis of the dreaded disease to prevent it from reaching an alarming stage.
“There is a sharp rise in the breast cancer cases in the Valley over the years. In fact, breast cancer has reached among the first five commonest cancers including esophageal, lung and stomach,” Prof Mushtaq Ahmad, the Head of Department Medical Oncology, Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) told Media on sidelines of 15th Annual National Conference on Breast Cancer at SKICC here.
The two-day Conference which concluded today was organised by the SKIMS Medical College in collaboration with the Cancer Society of Kashmir to mark the International Women’s Day
“Over the years there has been a drastic change in the lifestyle of Kashmiris. The problem is coupled with the growing problem of late marriages and high prevalence of bottle feeding mostly by the working mothers. These factors contribute to the occurrence of breast cancer,” Prof Mushtaq said.
However, he maintained that the dreaded disease has mostly targeted urban women of Kashmir. “We have observed that women of the Valley’s urban areas in the age group of 40-50 are suffering with breast cancer due to their sedentary lifestyle. As compared to their counterparts in villages, the urban women undertake less physical activity, prefer first childbirth at late age and desist from breast feeding,” he said. Dr Rubina Lone, Assistant Professor Microbiology of SKIMS Medical College said early detection of the breast cancer can not only save
the patients’ lives but also the affected breast.
“If a woman finds any lump or unusual change in the breast during self-examination, they should immediately consult the doctor for diagnosis of the disease though tests. Even if a woman is diagnosed to be suffering with breast cancer, she should not panic as there is better prognosis and curable rate for this form of cancer. We have one of the best doctors and facilities at SKIMS to reconstruct the affected breasts to combat the emotional and psychological trauma of the patients who have undergone Mastectomy,” Dr Rubina said.
On the occasion, experts from various leading hospitals of other states maintained that marriage at an appropriate time and having kids before 30 years can lessen prevalence of breast cancer. They said that women should take the symptoms including oozing of water or blood from nipples, lump or swelling of breasts, soreness in and around the nipple or underarms without having pain, seriously as it could be the first stage of breast cancer.
There was a general consensus among the experts on the need of strengthening the medical facilities and spreading greater awareness of breast cancer among the masses in Kashmir.
After a scientific session yesterday, a special public health awareness programme on breast cancer was organised today in the Conference. During the program over 300 females from HELP
Foundation and Anganwardi workers from across the city were educated on the basics of Objective Structured Self Examination and Objective Structured Clinical Examination for early detection of the breast cancer.
On the occasion, Dr. G.S. Bhattacharya, consultant medical oncologist and clinical oncologist AMRI, Calcutta, Dr. Sanjay Sharma: President Breast Cancer Foundation of India and consultant surgical oncologist, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre threw light on management and diagnosis of non palpable breast lesions.
Among others who spoke on various aspects of breast cancer included Prof. J.K. Singh, National Secretary Breast Cancer Foundation of India, Patna, Dr. S.S. Nayyar, surgical oncologist,
Indore, Dr. Parmeshwaran, Prof and Head Radiotherapy, Trivandrum, Dr. Harit Chaturvedi: HOD, Surgical Oncology Max Hospital, New Delhi, Prof Tanuja Seth, consultant, Tata Memorial Institute, Bombay and Dr. Ramesh Billimanga: Consultant Radiotherapy Bangalore.
(Source: Greater Kashmir a daily newspaper published from Srinagar)

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AFSPA MAY GO THIS YEAR: OMAR ABDULLAH

Jammu Mar 05 (Only Kashmir): The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, granting immunity to the army and paramilitary forces in anti-insurgency operations, may go from some parts of Jammu and Kashmir this year, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Saturday.
“Militancy is constantly on the decline and if it continues in this fashion, I can assure you that the Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) and Armed Forces Special Powers Act may be removed from the state this year itself, what to talk of during the tenure of my government (till 2015),” Abdullah declared in the legislative assembly while replying to the motion of thanks on the governor's address to the joint session of the legislature on Feb 28.
Abdullah said the government has already removed 40 bunkers from the summer capital of Srinagar and also reduced the strength of Central Reserve Police Force by two battalions (approximately 1,200 personnel) and held out promise that “more would be reduced from Srinagar and other towns".
“Not only that, we are also planning to thin out the presence of the army from the built up areas in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The removal of AFSPA and DAA have become part of the hot political debate in Kashmir politics. While it has been a consistent demand of the ruling National Conference, main opposition Peoples Democratic Party and separatists, the army is opposed to withdrawal of AFSPA.
The army chief Gen. V.K. Singh in his observations has said that “AFSPA was needed for the anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir".
Abdullah also denounced the criticism that thousands have been arrested in the Kashmir Valley. “It's simply not true,” he said.
“The truth is that 4,064 were arrested, of whom 3,900 are out on bail,” he said.

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WE WILL NEVER FORGET KASHMIR IS A POLITICAL ISSUE: OMAR ABDULLAH

Jammu Mar 05 (Only Kashmir): A day after PM Manmohan Singh promised a solution within the "constitutional framework" for the complex problem of J&K, chief minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday declared that "Kashmir is a political issue and we can never forget it".
Replying to the motion of thanks on the governor's address, the chief minister said in the legislative assembly that "Kashmir essentially is a political issue" and also reminded the centre that it had "failed to honour the political promises made to the people of Kashmir".
In this regard, he recalled the comments of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of "talks within parameters of humanity" and that of the recurring promise of "unconditional dialogue" or that the "mistakes of the past would not be repeated".
"None of these promises have been honoured," he said.
The opposition benches were empty when he was replying on the motion of thanks on the governor's address that was delivered to the joint session of the state legislature on Feb 28.
The opposition had staged a walk out from the house against what it alleged was discrimination in the allocation of funds to different constituencies. It was alleged that the constituencies represented by the ministers were getting better and preferential treatment as compared to those which elected the opposition MLAs.
Abdullah who has completed more than two years in office asked the centre to "fulfill all the
political promises made to the people of Kashmir".
Undeterred by the criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party to his Oct 6 speech in the house in Srinagar in which he had stated that "Jammu and Kashmir had acceded and not merged with India", the chief minister said: "This is a historical fact and the historical facts cannot be negated by anyone."
"This is the time to recognize facts and the fact is that for the first time even parliament agreed that Kashmir is a political issue and its solution has to be unique as its accession with the country was in a unique situation and under unique circumstances," Abdullah said recalling the statement of union home minister P. Chidambaram in parliament.
He decried all those accusing his government of regional discrimination. "Any one can level charges, but these should be substantiated with evidence. My government is for equitable development of all the three regions of the state."

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RS 5.10 CRORES SANCTIONED AS EX-GRATIA FOR CIVILIANS KILLED IN LAST YEAR UNREST: SAGAR

Jammu Mar 05 (Only Kashmir): Minister for Rural Development, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar informed the House that due to unrest in the state May 2010 to 25 February 2011, 92 civilians who were part of the violent mobs/ protests got injured during the engagements between protestors and the deployment on ground and succumbed to their injuries.
He said in addition to action by security forces, 12 persons also died during law and order
disturbance due to various reasons including stone pelting, stampede, blast, drowning etc.
The Minister was replying to a question by Mr. Mohammad Rashid Qureshi in Legislative Council today. He said the State Government has sanctioned a relief package of Rs. one lakh and
appointment of eligible family member of the deceased civilians in a government service
against lowest non-gazetted post or payment of cash compensation of Rs. 5 lakh including Rs.
one lakh for ex-gratia relief in lieu of Government job as one time exception, in favour of the
NoKs of such of the civilians who have lost their lives since June 11, 2010.
He said besides the State Government’s relief package, Central Government has also sanctioned
ex-gratia relief to the families of deceased persons @ Rs. 5 lakh per person killed in civil
disturbance since June 11, 2010.
He said an ex-gratia relief to the tune of Rs. 5.10 crores has been sanctioned in favour of NoKs,
102 persons @ Rs. 5 lakh in each case as per the Government Order No. Home-1234 of 2010
dated October 2, 2010.

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SHOOT-AT-SIGHT ORDERED IN KASHMIR

Srinagar Mar 05 (Only Kashmir): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday ordered shoot-at-sight to deal with the menace of rabid dogs after a spurt in canine attacks on humans.
"All superintendents of police and station house officers as well as security forces have also been authorised to take cognisance and initiate action in case of rabid and mad dogs," an official spokesman said.
Divisional commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon asked deputy commissioners to direct the officials to issue the orders to deal with the menace.
The measure has been initiated by the government to ensure the safety of the public after recent incidents in which two persons died due to dog bites in Uri and Pampore towns, the spokesman said.
He said the shoot-at-sight orders are only applicable for mad and rabid dogs.
The government is also planning a sterilisation drive of all male stray dogs to curb the growing numbers of dogs in the Kashmir Valley.

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HAWALA TRAIL: GEELANI QUESTIONED BY DELHI POLICE

New Delhi, Mar 1 (Only Kashmir): Pro-Pakistan Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was today questioned by men of the special cell of Delhi Police in connection with a hawala case in which one of his close aides Ghulam Mohammed Bhat has been arrested.
Geelani, who has been avoiding questioning in this case, made an unsuccessful attempt to leave the national capital this morning when he was intercepted by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Bhisham Singh near the airport and escorted to Lodhi Road where his statement as well as questioning was done.
During the two-hour questioning, Geelani was brought face to face with Bhat, who is at present in police custody after he was arrested under Unlawful Activities (Preventive) Act, after his arrest on January 21.
Commenting on the questioning of Geelani, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said "Delhi Police had requested him to make himself available for questioning in a hawala case. He (Geelani) had cited poor health as the reason for non appearance to which he was asked to appear as soon as he was fine.
"However, he was leaving this morning for Srinagar. So when he is fit to travel, he should be fit to record his statement as well. His statement was recorded and now he can leave whenever he wants to," Chidambaram said.
Delhi Police had served notice to Geelani asking him not to leave the capital but he left this morning for the airport to catch a flight to Srinagar. Geelani, who had been given the notice last month, was served a fresh notice last night.
On the way to airport, he was stopped and was taken to Lodhi Road police station for questioning. "He has been called in to join investigations related to Hawala case. Our investigating officials questioned him over the matter," P N Aggarwal, Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), told Press.
The recently-unearthed hawala trail in the Kashmir Valley has put the spotlight on some senior leaders of the Hurriyat conference following which the head of the hardline faction of the separatist grouping, Geelani was asked not to leave Delhi so that he could be questioned.
Efforts to contact Geelani for comments did not fructify as his son Dr Nayeem Geelani said that his father was busy and not available for comments.
Spokesman of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Ayaz Akbar had alleged if Geelani was being implicated in the hawala case it would be construed as an attempt to defame the movement in Kashmir.
Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir police had recently arrested one of Geelani''s close aides Ghulam Mohammed Bhat for allegedly receiving hawala money.

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ANTI PAKISTAN SLOGANS IN KASHMIR ASSEMBLY

Jammu Mar 01 (Only Kashmir): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators Monday shouted "Vande Mataram" in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly at the start of the budget session.
Sporting the national tricolor on their chests, they raised the slogans in unison, protesting against what they called was the Omar Abdullah government's anti-national act of stopping party leaders from hoisting the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar Jan 26.
BJP legislature party leader Chaman Lal Gupta raised the issue. The BJP members also raised slogans of "Jo kahega Pakistan, usko denge Kabristan".

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