PRESS REPORTS NOT SUFFICIENT AGAINST GULZAR BHAT: SUPREME COURT OF ISLAMIC SHARIET

Srinagar May 30 (Only Kashmir): A Spokesman of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of Islamic Shariet in a statement to Only Kashmir has clarified that no decision can be announced against or in favour of any person on the basis of the Press reports unless and until impartial enquiry of the allegation leveled against the concerned person are not proved. The Spokesman further stated that a Committee Headed by Advocate Mir Ghulam Nabi Sahib has already been constituted in the matter, report of which is awaited. Meanwhile the Spokesman of the Hon'ble Shariet Court has made an appeal to the General Public to be very careful such religious matters, because there is no space for creation of chaos and confusion among the society it is the need of the Hour to keep an eye against such wicked persons whose desire is always to create disturbances in the society. People should also make themselves fully aware about such activity. (OK)

Read more...

4,074 SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR 2,542 PEOPLE

Srinagar May 29 (Only Kashmir): The authorities today said that the security is provided to only 2,542 people facing threats from militants. An official reply to a Right to Information query said 2,542 people faced threats "and as such have been provided security cover". It said a total of 4,074 security personnel provided security to these people. It added that Rs.55.4 million worth of fuel was spent in 2012 on vehicles deployed with these 2,542 people. Though the reply said that many families of those getting protection were also provided security, no details were offered. "And we have 22 districts in Jammu and Kashmir," he said. "Each cabinet minister moves with at least two security vehicles with at least two dozen security personnel... So, the number of protected persons and those giving protection is underplayed. The cost incurred on security too is not rightly reflected," the official said. (OK)

Read more...

MANMOHAN SINGH LIKELY TO INVITE KASHMIRI SEPARATISTS FOR TALKS

Srinagar May 28 (Only Kashmir): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to invite the Kashmir separatists group and all low profile separatist leaders which include Azam Inqlabi, Asiya Andrabi and Hilal Ahmad War and many others for round table conference during his visit to Valley. However in the wake of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit, both the factions of Hurriyat Conference as well as JKLF have adopted silence.
This will be the first interaction between Jammu and Kashmir's separatist group and the United Progressive Alliance after 2008-10 public agitation. However, yet the invitation has not been extended officially.
Pertinently state Congress Chief Prof Saifuddin Soz Monday advised Hurriyat Conference leaders to talk to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the latter’s visit to Kashmir next month. “The doors of dialogue from Prime Minister’s side are open. I think Hurriyat should talk and if they need any facilitation from me, I am ready. Dialogue will end political suffocation,” he added.
Meanwhile today MLA Langate Engineer Rashid Tuesday said that it will be a futile exercise for Hurriyat to meet Prime Minister of India during his Kashmir visit. “India is not sincere and Prof. Saif-u-Din Soz must explain for what he has extended invitation to Hurriyat to meet PM of India. Did Manmohan Singh act when Mufti Mohammad Syed and Omar Abdullah write a letter to him seeking the mortal remains of Afzal Guroo back to Kashmir,”
Engineer Rashid said that Soz has no authority to invite Hurriyat for talks with Prime Minister. Mere meeting the PM will not resolve the issue. Let India declare Kashmir as a dispute and talk to Hurriyat,” he said.

Read more...

IRREGULARITIES AT ITS PEAK IN SKICC

Srinagar, May 16, Only Kashmir: It has come to fore that Operations Sections at Sher-i-Kashmir International Complex (SKICC) has been involved in lot of wrong-doings while scores of private parties which booked SKICC lawns and halls on rental basis have alleged that they were cheated by the management. Besides, VIP Huts in premises of SKICC and Halls were provided to blue-eyed persons on complimentary basis duping state exchequer heavily.
The documents lying with a local reputed News Agency CNS reveal that VIP Huts in premises of SKICC are let out without any check. There is no proper record for occupancy of VIP Huts hence the occupancy bill record is not being provided to anyone. Huts occupied on 30/11/2012 and 01/12/2012, the General Manager Operations has replied that the guests of a Bureaucrat were staying in Huts and Director SKICC had ordered to give Huts to his guests on complimentary basis.
When contacted Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmed Mir told CNS that he would verify the matter thoroughly. “If any such thing has happened or has been happening, I assure you that I will personally look into the matter,” Mir said. (OK)

Read more...

SOME PEOPLE WANTED TO MALIGN MY IMAGE: SYED GULZAR

Srinagar May 15 (Only Kashmir): Renowned saint of Valley Syed Gulzar today said that some people are hell-bent to malign his image and are spewing venom against him on social networking sites. He appealed Civil Society and Law keeping agencies to cater and take care of such elements and stop them from assassinating somebody’s character. According to Only Kashmir monitoring  Syed Gulzar is propagating the message of Quran and Hadith in the light of global peace and harmony for last 16 years but some people are keen to malign his reputation out of Knowledge.
Pertinently, some users on social networking site, Facebook had uploaded some anti-saint post. In a statement, Syed Gulzar has called people to remain aloof from fake news items being propagated regarding the Islamic mission started by him.
“I have been propagating the message of Quran and Hadith in the light of global peace and harmony for last 16 years but some people are keen to malign my reputation. I appeal people to be cautious and alert and don’t give heed towards people,” the statement reads. (CNS)

Read more...

GHULAM AHMAD MIR KICKS OFF KASHMIR FESTIVAL

Srinagar, MAY 14 (Only Kashmir): Minister for Tourism Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Mir today inaugurated fortnight Kashmir Tourism festival 2013 at Kashmir Haat, where recreation facilities besides stalls have been put in place by different Departments to showcase the rich tourism, art and culture of the valley for attraction of tourists.The fortnight festival was organized by Tourism Department with financial assistance of Central Government and in collaboration with different departments. During the festival days different tourist related activities are being carried out at various tourism spots with focus to highlight adventure, golf, river and eco-tourism besides art and culture of the Valley.Union Tourism Secretary, Mr. Parvez Deewan, District Development Commissioner Srinagar, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director Tourism Kashmir, Mr. Talat Parvez, Chief executive Officer Go-air, senior officers of various Departments and representatives of Tourism Associations besides tourists and locals were among others present on the occasion. 
                Speaking at the inaugural function, Tourism Minister said that Kashmir festival was organized after a long gap with the aim to bring back the tourism sector on the “revival path”. He said through the festival, the government intends to introduce the cultural traditions including Sufi music, folklore and other art forms adding that the Tourism Department along with the J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages (JKAACL) is also hosting a two-month folk festival across the Valley these days. Mir said they were holding several adventure sports-related activities like paragliding and water sports that had not been exploited to its full potential.On the development of unexplored tourist destinations, Mir said the authorities could not fully develop the infrastructure due to the un-favourable conditions in the past. However, he said, the government was working on developing the required infrastructure so that the full potential of the tourism sector was exploited.He said the festival would not only help locals to come to know about their inheritance but their participation in the mega festival will depict a true picture of Kashmir’s rich culture which has no match in the entire world. He said “the two decade long turmoil completely hooked the chances of our younger generations to compete with the youth of other States of the Country. We want our youth to come out of the uncertainty which they faced these years,’’ he maintained. (OK)

Read more...

KASHMIR PROTEST AGAINST THE DESTRUCTION OF GRAVE OF THE GREAT COMPANION (SAHABA)

Srinagar, May 10 (Only Kashmir): According to Only Kashmir sources received here protest rallies were held today in various parts of Srinagar Kashmir against the destruction of Grave of the great companion (Sahaba) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Shahid Hijr ibn Adi (Ra), in the outskirts of Damascus by Salafist groups. As reported earlier in one of the recent posts of Only Kashmir the body Shahid H

ijr ibn Adi (Ra), was extracted up and taken to an unknown location by Salafist groups. In this connection various protest rallies held today after Friday congregation prayers in various places of Srinagar. 

“Hijr ibn Adi was a pious companion of the Prophet (saw) and played a vital role in the correction of the Ummah. During Muawiyah’s reign when the custom of cursing Ali from the pulpit’s of Mosques began, hearts of the Muslims were being bled dry but people bit their tongues fearing death. In Kufa, Hijr ibn Adi could not remain silent and he began to praise Ali (as) and condemn Muawiyah. Until Mughira remained the Governor of Kufa, he adopted a lenient attitude towards this, but when Ziyad’s Governorship of Basra was extended to include Kufa, serious altercations arose. He would curse Ali (as) during the sermons and Hijr would refute him.(OK)

Read more...

UNRESOLVED ABDUCTION CASE OF SHEERAZA, MOTHER OF TWO CHILDREN

Kousar Mohi ud din

Srinagar (Only Kashmir) May 09: Even after a fort night since the abductor of a mother of two children belonging to Soura Srinagar Mohammad Salim Sheikh was taken by police into custody, the case is still proving mystery for police giving a tough time to them for cracking the reality of the case.

The alleged kidnapper Mohammad Salim Sheikh, the son of a prominent Ikhwani leader and the alleged  abducted woman are both in the police custody, one is lodged in Soura Police Station and the other in Women Police station Rambagh.

 CNS learnt through reliable sources that the kidnapper has remarried clandestinely with Sheeraza, the wife of the Maqsood Ahmad Bhat of Chattergam Kute Pura. Sheeraza is the niece of his wife presently in wedlock with him.

The Mufti Azam J&K has termed this marriage contract as illegal and un Islamic saying that infringement of Shariya laws are great concern for all Muslims though belonging to different school of thoughts.

“The copy of fatwa announced against this marriage have also been also made available to different news agencies in Kashmir,” claimed inhabitants of Dagga Pora.

While talking to CNS they said that they are in great Shock and agony and they fail to understand that how they could protect their daughters and sisters from the clutches of such alleged rouges who according to them are being abetted by the police.

They blamed that Ayoub Sheikh an Ikhwan Leader and  a working member of PDP, Mohammad Altaf a panch from Sheikh Mohalla Daggarpora and Tariq Ahmad Sheikh an active Member of PDP  are supporting the kidnapper.

 They urged that prior the situation gets worsen more, the Divisional Kashmir and the Director General of Police and the law enforcing agencies shall take the cognizance of the case on its merit.

Read more...

JKYJA REMEMBERED JOURNALISTS ON WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

Srinagar May 03 (Only Kashmir): The Jammu & Kashmir Young Journalists Association (JKYJA) has held an important meeting at its office situated at Lal Chowk Srinagar to celebrate the 20 th annual World Press Freedom Day  and remembered those fearless journalists  who have died for their cause. 

 The meeting was presided over by JKYJA President, Mr. Ajaz Ahmad War. The meeting was attended by Bilal Furqani ( Vice President ) , Muhammad Tauseef Mir  (  General Secretary), Rameez Makhdoomi (Chief spokesman) , Majid Kapra, (organizer) , Bilal Bashir Bhat ( Treasurer) , Kaiser Ahmad ( publicity in charge  ), Advocate  Z. A .Quershi (Legal Advisor).

 Every year, May 3rd is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

JKYJA pleaded that it is an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.

JKYJA said, “It is a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favour of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide”.

It serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

More than 600 journalists have been killed in the past decade, many while reporting in non-conflict situations. Impunity is also widespread as nine out of 10 cases of killings of journalists go unpunished. JKYJA President, Mr. Ajaz Ahmad War urged United Nations to ensure the safety of journalists (Traditional Media Persons and Digital Media Persons) in every country especially in Conflict Zones of the globe like Kashmir, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq etc.

JKYJA said the Journalism was facing different challenges and was passing through a critical phase and vowed to continue the mission of those fearless journalists who laid down their lives for fair and just journalism.

Read more...

EARTHQUAKE SHOOK JAMMU AND KASHMIR, 1 DIED

Jammu, May 1 (Only Kashmir): The Jammu region was today struck by an earthquake in forenoon about  12.30 hours leading to death of one person and injuries to fifty nine persons, while one of the  critically injured  has been airlifted to Jammu Medical College Hospital.

"Earthquake of magnitude 5.7 occured in East kashmir, 17 kms NE of Bhaderwah. Coordinates 33.1N, 75.8E at 12.27 pm. May Allah protect us all, as we are unprepared." Aamir Ali a subject expert post on Social networking site.

            As per preliminary reports received from concerned deputy commissioners, one person died and six others were injured in Kishtwar district. Among those injured in the district one person has been airlifted to GMCH Jammu for specialised treatment.

            In Doda district, about 45 persons were injured, including highest 27 in Gandoh,  6 in Thathri , 8 in Bhaderwah and 4 in Doda Tehsils.

Similarly eight persons have reportedly been injured in Ramban district.           However there were no reports of injury and damage in other districts of Jammu region.

            The tremor also caused damage to some private and government buildings in the affected areas. 

            Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, who is supervising the relief and rescue operation, has dispatched twenty tents and 100 blankets to be provided to the people rendered houseless in the affected areas.

             The Div Com has also directed all the District Development Commissioners (DDC)s, especially to the most affected districts of Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban,  to constitute  Tehsil Level Officers teams to conduct detailed assessment of human loss and property , if any.  The district administrations have also been asked to activate Civil Defence Organisation and Red Cross Volunteers to lend hand in relief and rescue operations.

            The DDC have also been asked to accommodate the persons, if any rendered houseless be accommodated in Community Halls and other suitable government buildings. 

Read more...