Jammu – Page 5

PDP confident of clear majority in Kashmir polls

December 22, 2014 by Nasheman

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti during an election campaign in Kulgam, Kashmir

Srinagar/ANI: Expressing confidence about winning assembly elections by a clear majority, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday asserted that the party won’t require any alliance to form the government in the region.

“We feel that we will win by clear majority because the exit polls only give idea of the trend but numbers generally differ. We don’t need any alliance. However, we need everyone’s support to run the state and deal with the issues, especially from the BJP because they are at power at national level and in state also they are coming up strong. We will need Congress’ support also. We need everyone’s support to run the government but not to form one,” said PDP spokesperson Naeem Akhtar.

He added that exit polls were credible in showing the trends but they don’t have exact numbers.

Counting of votes for the five-phased assembly elections will begin on Tuesday.

Earlier on Saturday, the Election Commission of India had announced 76 percent voter turnout in the fifth phase of elections, adding that the overall polling percentage in the state in all phases was 65.5 percent.

Schools in Kashmir issue advisory after Peshawar attack

December 20, 2014 by Nasheman

Fearing Peshawar-like attack across disputed Himalayan state of Indian administered Kashmir, prominent schools here on Friday issued advisory, issuing guidelines to the students and parents on dealing with such situations.

Srinagar: Fearing Peshawar-like attack across Jammu & Kashmir, prominent schools here on Friday issued advisory, issuing guidelines to the students and parents on dealing with such situations.

“Security and safety are primary concerns for all of us. All the children have the right to live in a secure environment. Being exposed to violence can have a negative impact on children’s health, sense of safety, security and their feelings about the future,” Principal at prominent Srinagar based Delhi Public School, Athwajan, Kusam Warikoo said in a communique issued to guardians. Warikoo asked parents to respected some guidelines by for ensuring “better security”

“No child will be allowed to board the bus without their Identity Cards. No electronic gadgets will be allowed in the school, if confiscated it will not be returned,” she wrote to them (parents).

The school authorities said that the students will be allowed only to carry their study material and their lunch in the school bag.

Similar communication has been issued by many other Srinagar based schools working under the aegis of CBSE.

Meanwhile Indian home ministry on Friday issued an advisory to all states and Union territories reiterating CBSE’s 2010 guidelines to schools on dealing with “terror” situations.

The standard operating procedures (SOPs), apprise the school management on how to deal with kidnappings outside the school gate, random firing from road outside the school, armed intrusions followed by hostage taking and explosive objects and seek regular mock drills at schools to test their preparedness against possible strikes.

A set of guidelines issued to the prominent schools across India has urged the authorities to remain vigilant and also use telephone connectivity from the gate, CCTV systems along the boundary and inside, walkie-talkie communication between guards, alarm system and a centralized public announcement system are some of the other requirements to make the school secure.

The government has said that the in the event of kidnapping of children at the time of arrival/departure, the guards must rush children outside inside the school and close the gates, besides asking vehicles carrying children to leave the area. Mock drills should be conducted to ensure that a system is in place to set off the alarm, alert the police and respond to medical emergencies.

“If there is bomb scare, children should not be allowed to collect in one place without properly checking the area,” a guideline booklet book issued by Indian home ministry said.

‘Outraged camp’

Many Kashmiri leaders are outraged and strongly condemned the Peshawar incident wherein the Taliban stormed a military-run school in northwest Pakistan and gunned down over 145 people, most of them children, in one of the country’s deadliest attacks in recent weeks.

Huriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani while terming the attacks barbaric, said waging war against such elements is the duty of every Muslim.

Geelani said that there is no need to prove that those claiming to fight for Islam and are involved in such cowardly acts are in actual the biggest enemies of Islam and Muslims. He said that the attacks are inhuman and those involved in the incidents must be served the stern punishment.

Kashmir chief cleric and Huriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while condemning the killings of school children said that those involved in the cowardly acts cannot be the well-wishers of Islam and Pakistan. Huriyat Conference leader Shabir Ahmad Shah condemned the attack saying that the killings are tantamount of killing the whole humanity.

(With inputs from Authintmail)

Fourth phase: 49% cast vote in J&K, 61% in Jharkhand

December 15, 2014 by Nasheman

Ranchi: Ignoring the boycott call given by separatists and braving cold weather, over 49 per cent of 14.73 lakh voters exercised their franchise in the penultimate phase of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

Barring minor clashes between supporters of rival parties at a dozen places, polling in all the 18 constituencies spread over three districts of Kashmir, including summer capital Srinagar, and one district in Jammu region was by and large peaceful.

Despite severe cold, long queues of voters were seen outside the polling stations to exercise their franchise at many polling stations.

The trends in voter turnout in eight constituencies of Srinagar city, which have witnessed low voter turnout in the past elections due to separatist boycott calls, pointed towards a higher poll percentage this time.

While four constituencies of Khanyar, Habbakadal, Amirakadal and Zadibal had already surpassed the turnout recorded in 2008 assembly elections, the polling was going on briskly in other segments.

Sonawar constituency, where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is contesting, witnessed the highest 33.85 per cent turnout in Srinagar followed by Hazratbal constituency at 22.77 per cent.

Edigah, Zadibal, Khanyar, Amirakadal and Batmaloo constituencies witnessed over 21.51 per cent, 20.14, 21.02 and 18.73 per cent turnout, respectively, till 2 PM in the fourth of the five-phased Assembly polls.

Anantnag constituency in south Kashmir, where PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is a candidate, saw 30.58 per cent of the electorate cast their votes in the first six hours.

Pahalgam constituency in Anantnag district was leading in the turnout in Kashmir with 54.63 per cent of electorate exercising their franchise till 2 PM.

Shangus constituency recorded 53.46 per cent turnout, followed by Dooru (52.63), Kokernag (51.95), Bijbehara (44.07), Shopian (39.78) and Wachi (36.30).

Stringent security arrangements have been put in place to ensure incident-free polling across the state, the officials said.

Women outnumber men in Jharkhand

Women voters Sunday outnumbered men in the fourth phase of the assembly elections in Jharkhand. Around 61 percent balloting was reported from across the 15 constituencies that went to the polls, officials said.

“The highest polling was reported from Chankayari with 71.28 percent, followed by 70.2 percent in Madhupur. Polling was by and large peaceful. The turnout in Maoist-affected areas was more than 60 percent,” a poll official said. Women voters scored over the male voters.

“In the fourth phase, women’s turnout was around two percent more than male voters,” an Election Commission official said.

Balloting for 15 of the 81 assembly constituencies began at 7 a.m. While voting for 13 seats ended at 3 p.m., it continued in Bokaro and Dhanbad till 5 p.m. Voting took place at 5,482 booths, including 36 auxiliary ones.

As many as 716 booths were declared ‘very sensitive’ and 2,007 declared ‘sensitive’.

The Election Commission declared 183 polling stations as model polling stations. Webcasting facility was available in 335 polling stations and 27,410 polling personnel were deployed in the fourth phase.

A total of 43,48,709 voters, including 20,03,516 females, were eligible to elect their representatives.

The fate of 217 candidates, including 16 females, was sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) by the end of balloting for the day. Former chief minister Babulal Marandi contested from Giridih constituency.

Ministers Mannan Mallik of the Congress, Haji Hussain Ansari of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Suresh Paswan of the Rashtriya Janata Dal were among the other prominent candidates in this phase.

In the 2005 assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party and its then alliance partner Janata Dal-United won seven of these 15 seats together. The JMM won four seats.

(Agencies)

Ranji Trophy: Jammu & Kashmir take historic win over Mumbai

December 11, 2014 by Nasheman

It was J&K’s first win over the 40-time champions in the tournament’s 79-year history.

Mumbai: Jammu and Kashmir upset domestic cricket giants Mumbai with a historic four-wicket win by chasing down 237 runs on the last day of the match here at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.

It was J&K’s first win over the 40-time champions in the tournament’s 79-year history.

Opener Shubham Khajuria led the innings again, with a composed 78, and the win was secured by an unbeaten 41 from Hardeep Singh. Captain Parvez Rasool also contributed with a valuable 32.

J&K resumed on 58 for one and lost Bandeep Singh in the fourth over of the day.

But the visitors were steadied by Rasool and Hardeep and sealed the victory despite losing four more wickets.

Khajuria was named Man of the Match for his 50 in the second innings and 107 in the first.

Brief scores:

Jammu & Kashmir vs. Mumbai – 254 & 237/6 (Shubham Khajuria 78, Hardeep Singh 41; Vishal Dabholkar 2/66, Iqbal Abdullah 1/24) beat Mumbai 236 and 254.

12 killed in deadly raid on Indian Army camp in Kashmir

December 5, 2014 by Nasheman

The Army camp which came under attack is located in Mohura village.

Srinagar: Suspected insurgents launched a suicide attack on an Army camp near the border town of Uri Friday morning, killing at least seven Army soldiers and five Jammu Kashmir Police personnel before being shot dead.

Reports said the insurgents, believed to be five to six in number, stormed an Army camp in the vicinity of Army’s Rampur brigade near Uri along the Line of Control at around 3 am.

PTI news wire reported that 12 men including seven Army troops and five J&K police personnel have been killed in the attack so far.

The attack is second of its kind on an Army installation in Kashmir in a fortnight and it is likely to put more pressure on India’s prime minister Narendra Modi who is visiting the state on December 8, to act tough against Pakistan.

Both the countries have indulged in a number of ceasefire violations along the LoC and International Border in J&K this year which have resulted in a number of killings including civilians.

Seven Army men, three policemen among 13 killed in Uri attack: Sources.

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 5, 2014

The gunfight has now stopped, the senior police officer told media around 11 am.

“Quick Response Teams (QRTs) were rushed to the site after the militants attacked the camp. The militants opened fire at one of the QRT vehicles on the main road, killing an officer and two soldiers,” the police officer said.

He said that the soldiers who took on the insurgents were killed outside the camp.

The army says it is looking for one militant who they suspect is still holed up inside the camp. A massive hunt has been started in and around the Army camp.

Amid protests and clashes, Kashmir sees 71% voter turnout in second phase of elections

December 3, 2014 by Nasheman

Photo: Javed Dar, Authintmail

by Jehangir Ali, Authint Mail

Srinagar: Amid protests and clashes in parts of Indian administered Kashmir, the second phase of the state assembly elections Tuesday recorded over 71 percent voter turnout.

Polling was held in 18 constituencies with a voter population of over 1.5 million which sealed the fate of prominent political figures including separatist turned pro-India politician Sajad Gani Lone who was contesting from Handwara where 71 percent voter turnout was recorded.

As polling was going on smoothly in some parts, clashes erupted in many places of Kashmir region including Kulgam where anti-election protesters threw stones at the forces who were deployed there for peaceful conduct of the elections, resulting in injuries to few CRPF men.

Some villages in Kulgam including Bogam, Khudwani, Kaimoh and Redwani witnessed a complete boycott of elections with few votes polled at many polling centres.

The voters there alleged they were harassed by government forces and coerced into voting.

Out of 4,521 eligible voters, just one vote was cast at six polling stations of Bugam and Parnivah falling in Kulgam in the first three hours of polling.

The overall voter turnout in Kulgam was 55.4 percent.

Gulabgarh assembly segment in Jammu recorded the highest turnout of 80.73 percent in the second phase of assembly elections in the region.

Peoples Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti said the massive polling has established that the people of Kashmir have seen through the game of dividing their votes.

“The fact that the overwhelming majority of the people came out to vote is an indication that their mission to bring about a change is taking shape on the ground,” she said while addressing meetings in Khansahib assembly constituency in Budgam region where polling will be held on December 9.

Homeshalibugh, a Jama’at-i-Islami stronghold, recorded the lowest voter turnout in second phase with a dismal 36.5 percent votes polled at end of the polling day.

In the twin Kunan and Poshpora villages of Kupwara where security forces allegedly mass-raped the womenfolk, voters protested outside the polling centres by waving black flags against the holding of elections.

In the frontier Kupwara region, where polling was held on five constituencies, there was a festivity in the air with long queues of men and woman, braving winter chill, lined up outside the polling booths since morning to cast their votes.

“I am voting for Peoples Conference. Our area has been neglected for many years by governments. Now we want someone from here to represent us,” Abdul Rashid, a voter in Handwara, told Authint Mail.

In Jammu region where polling was conducted on nine constituencies, there was an overall turnout of 76 percent with 80 percent voting recorded in Gool Arnas constituency.

Activists of PDP and Congress clashed at a polling station in Mendhar assembly constituency (72 percent) where at least one person was injured.

The second phase of elections was held amid increase in violence in the region with a ruling NC sarpanch shot dead and another hurt.

A grenade was hurled at a CRPF camp in summer capital Srinagar a day ahead of the elections.

The third phase of election will be held on December 9.

Modi’s Kashmir visit coincides with Babri Masjid demolition

November 27, 2014 by Nasheman

Srinagar/Authintmail: Prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Indian administered Kashmir will coincide with the demolition of the historic Babri Masjid.

Modi will address his first election rally in Kashmir on December 6 which was when, in 1992, rampaging mobs of Hindu zealots tore down Babri Masjid located in Ayodhya town of Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

The demolition was blamed on the right-wing Kar Sevaks associated with RSS, which is the parent organization of Modi’s Bhartiya Janta Party.

The consequences of the demolition of 16th century mosque are still felt across India where riots are a common occurrence in many parts.

Modi is likely to address voters in Srinagar which will be his first rally in Kashmir.

His party has sought permission from the state government to hold the rally at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar.

Thousands of people are expected to participate in the rally with BJP sources saying that people from 10 districts of the region are going to attend it.

Nine soldiers indicted for Kashmir killings

November 27, 2014 by Nasheman

Hundreds join the funeral prayers of two youths killed in Army firing in Chattergam area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district late Monday evening. Photo: Faisal Khan

Srinagar: Nine soldiers have been indicted for killing two youth in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district Nov 3 and will face court martial, the army said here Thursday.

“Nine soldiers of the 53 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), including a junior commissioned officer, have been indicted for the firing incident in Chattergam area in which two youth were killed.

“The court of inquiry appointed to probe the firing has found gross violation of rules of engagement by the involved soldiers. They have been indicted. There has been a total failure of the command by the officer in charge,” a senior army officer told IANS here.

Widespread public anger followed the killings of two youth – Faisal Yusuf Bhat and Mehrajuddin Dar – in Chattergam area of Budgam district Nov 3 by a mobile vehicle check post set up by the soldiers of 53 RR.

The army had initially said the car in which the youth were travelling had not halted at the security checkpoint.

Lieutenant General D.S. Hooda, GOC-in-C of army’s northern command, later admitted the deployed column of the RR had overstepped its brief and violated the rules of engagement while opening fire at the car.

(IANS)

70 percent polling in Kashmir, 62 percent in Jharkhand

November 26, 2014 by Nasheman

Polling ended peacefully, barring stray incidents of violence in at least six assembly constituencies where voting was held. Photo: Javed Dar, Authintmail

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday recorded a “high” poll percentage of 70 percent in the first phase of the state assembly elections, while the percentage in Jharkhand was 61.92, officials said here.

They said the percentage was likely to go up further.

Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi told the media here that balloting in Jammu and Kashmir was incident free.

He said 70 percent voters cast their ballot and there could be an increase of about two percent after all votes cast were taken into account.

He said the constituencies had seen 64.97 percent turnout in the 2008 elections and 52.63 percent in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year.

“It is a good increase. The voting percentage seems to be on the higher side,” he said.

Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha, who briefed the media about the Jharkhand elections, said the polling percentage in 13 seats that went to the polls was 61.92 percent.

He said the constituencies saw 58 percent polling in the 2009 assembly polls as well as in the Lok Sabha elections.

(IANS)

As hundreds are detained, Kashmir set to vote tomorrow

November 25, 2014 by Nasheman

Over a million voters registered with the Election Commission of India in 15 assembly segments of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions are expected to exercise their franchise on Tuesday.

Srinagar: The first phase of voting for the state assembly elections is set to be held on Tuesday in Kashmir where the ruling party is facing a rout by the opposition.

Over a million voters registered with the Election Commission of India in 15 assembly segments of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions are expected to exercise their franchise on Tuesday for deciding the fate of the ruling party which has been marred by charges of corruption, misgovernance and rights abuses.

“12 sitting MLAs, including seven ministers, are among 123 candidates trying their luck in 15 constituencies that will go to polls on Tuesday,” PTI news agency reported.

“More than 200 battalions of central forces have been deployed in 15 constituencies to ensure there is no violence on the day of elections,” a senior Jammu Kashmir Police officer who didn’t wish to be named.

Authorities have also launched a crackdown against anti-election protesters and Hurriyat leaders to ensure incident-free polls with over 300 detentions made every week, as per as a report in Indian Express.

Capitalizing on the anti-incumbency wave against chief minister Omar Abdullah’s National Conference and buoyed by the victory in the recent Lok Sabha elections – the party won three out of six seats in the region, the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is hoping to form the next government which will be a historic first in the Muslim majority state.

The party has reportedly set up its base in a hotel in Srinagar where a team of BJP strategists are working closely to increase their party’s membership in the Kashmir Valley under “Mission 44+”, but many political analysts and journalists say it is going to be a “tough road” ahead for the party.

The PDP which won three Lok Sabha seats in the recent parliamentary elections in Kashmir Valley was emerging as a strong contender to form the next government but the September 7 floods and some controversial inducts into the party took away the sheen from its poll prospects.

“We will form the next government in the state,” a PDP spokesperson said.

Officials say there has been less violence ahead of elections in the region as compared to previous elections which may encourage people who have traditionally stayed away from polling booths to come out and vote.

“The situation has been peaceful and we are hoping that calm prevails till the end of polling day,” Shah Faisal, the district administrator of Bandipora which is going to polls on Tuesday, said.

He said 74 battalions of central forces have been deployed in Bandipora where 24 candidates are in the fray with 13 from Bandipora, 7 from Sumbal and 4 from Gurez.

The Hurriyat leaders including pro-Pakistan Syed Ali Geelani and pro-independence Yasin Malik have called for a general strike on Tuesday in protest against the election.

Nearly 1800 polling stations have been set up in the region and the polling will begin at 8 am.