Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Kashmir on 25 August 2010



Srinagar August 25:


A teenager allegedly beaten by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police in Soura area of city outskirts on Monday succumbed to injuries at SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) on Wednesday. The death of the teen sparked off fierce clashes between protesters and forces, leaving as many as 20 people injured six among them with bullets.

17-year-old Mohammad Umer, son of Abdul Qayoom Bhat of Anchar was critically injured when troops and police allegedly thrashed him during a demonstration in Soura area in city outskirts. He was rushed to SKIMS for serious injuries. However, after battling with life for three consecutive days, Umer succumbed to injuries this afternoon.

“The teenager was brought to hospital on August 23 with multiple injuries due to beating. He had suffered liver injury as well. He was instantly operated upon and put on life support system. Around 1445 hours today, he succumbed to injuries,” Medical Superintend SKIMS, Dr Syed Amin Tabish told our Bureau chief sanam Aijaz.


Pertinently, Umer is the fifth victim of the alleged deadly thrashing by CRPF troops and police in last two months.

The first victim, Rafiq Ahmad Bangroo, 27, was beaten to pulp by CRPF and police outside his Noorbagh residence on June 12. A week later, he succumbed to injuries at SKIMS.

After Bangroo, three more people, including seven-year-old boy Sameer Ahmad Rah son of Fayaz Ahmad Rah of Batmaloo were beaten to death by the forces.

The news of Umer’s death brought thousands of men women and children on roads in Soura, Bachpora, Anchar, Namath (90 feet road) and upper Soura. Chanting

“Umer your blood will bring revolution,” and anti-slogans, the people were protesting against death of the teenager.

When the protesters tried to march through the streets of the area, CRPF and police resorted to cane charge and burst tear smoke shells to control the protesters. In retaliation, protesters pelted rocks and stones on the forces sparking off fierce clashes. Angry protesters also razed to ground a picket of the forces.

After tear smoke shells and warning shots proved ineffective, forces opened fire resulting in injuries to at least five people.

All the injured identified as Mehraj-ud-din Teli, Irfan Ahmad Dar, Rafiq Ahmad Najar, Adil Ahmad and Ishtiyaq Ahmad were rushed to SKIMS. Ishtiyaq has suffered bullet injuries in head and lips.

“We have received seven people, five among them with firearm injuries. The doctors are attending the patients,” Tabish said.


Amid sobs, wails Umer was laid to rest. Thousands of people participated in his Nimaz-e-Jinaza (Funeral prayers)

However, police said that minimum force was used to chase away a section of mourners who indulged in arson and stone pelting besides setting ablaze on fire a police vehicle and a private vehicle.

The slain youth, police spokesperson said was arrested along with two other youths Aamir Bashir Sheikh, son of Bashir Ahmad of Umarheir Buchpora and Irshad Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Qadir Bhat of Dar Mohalla Soura by police on Friday last week and booked under section 107/151 Cr PC.

“All the youth were bailed out on Saturday last week and handed over to their parents/guardians,” the spokesman added.


Earlier, a youth was injured when CRPF men opened fire to disburse a mob in pampore of pulwama district

The injured youth identified as Javed Ahmad, 32, son of Abdul Ahad Bhat was rushed to SKIMS for treatment. He had received pallets in Neck and shoulder. His condition is said to be stable.

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a police spokesman said that that a huge mob pelted stones on the vehicles plying on the Highway resulting in injuries to a driver of the social welfare department.

“Police used mild lathi charge and chased away the stone pelting mob. However, one injured namely Javed Ahmad Bhat of Frestabal Pampore has been admitted in SMHS Hospital with shoulder and neck injuries. Police has taken cognizance and is looking into the matter,” the spokesman added.

Reports of protests and clashes were also received from other districts of South Kashmir.


Meanwhile, normal life today was again affected in wake of the strike call given by Hurriyat Conference (G) coupled with curfew and restrictions by the state authorities.

All shops, offices, educational institutions, banks, private and government offices remained closed throughout the day while the transport was off the roads.

In Srinagar, curfew was clamped in areas falling under the jurisdiction of Police Stations/Police posts of Batamloo, Bemina, Qamarwari, Kralkhud, Nowhatta, Khanyar, M.R. Gunj, Safakadal, Maisuma, Shaheedgunj and Abi-guzar area of Kothi Bagh

high security arrangements were made in this capital city to prevent any attempt of people to come on roads and stage demonstrations. troopers and policemen manned the lanes, by lanes and streets in the old city and civil lines to restrict the movement of the people.




PDP accuses Omar of Corruption

Srinagar August 25:

Accusing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of gross corruption and misuse of office, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Wednesday alleged that junior Abdullah has received Rs 500 crore as kickback for allotting the Rattle Power project to a particular party. .

In a scathing attack on the Abdullah-led government, the PDP alleged that the only project that has been completed in the state during the 20 months of Abdullah’s tenure is the “palace being constructed for him at Gupkar road at a cost of 20 crore rupees.”

“While every other work in Kashmir is on standstill for the last three months construction of the Abdullah palace has been going on nonstop with the workers from outside the state lodged in the state guest house at state expanses. There are reports of certain priceless antiques having been pilfered from the state Tosh Khana to install them in the chief minister’s residence and his family wardrobe,” Nizamuddin Bhat, senior PDP leader and member legislative assembly from Bandipore told media persons here.

Bhat said the only thing Abdullah was considered about at a time when people are being slaughtered is his palace.

Referring to Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Shawl, Bhat said the noted cardiologist “recently publicly accused the chief minister and his close aide and minister of having demanded 3 crore rupees for a permission to open up a hospital.”

The government, he said, has put on sale the whole of the state.

“According to our information the entire amount of 26 crores available under the secret fund of the Chief Minister has been withdrawn recently,” Bhat added.

Bhat said while the chief minister was reported in local press to have ordered a vigilance inquiry into the alleged corrupt practices of four of his senior ministers and inquiry was supposed to have been completed in ten days; nothing has been heard about it.

“The larger tragedy of present day Kashmir apart, which is defined by atrocities, repression, collapse of political and administrative system, grave economic crisis, starvation prospect of large sections of society these instances of corruption should have been sufficient for any government to feel ashamed and face public trial. But this government has systematically demolished the institutions like the Accountability Commission and the Information Commission. We are therefore taking these issues to the public for their scrutiny,” he added.

Bhat said even though the situation in Kashmir is currently too grim to afford any distraction from the agony and trauma of an entire population which is under siege while parents are mourning their children, government repression is touching new levels and the discredited, irrelevant and illegitimate government is only making things worse, the PDP “desisted from raising issues that could tend to trivialize the tragedy and undermine a genuine sentiment that is being flagged by our youth at the cost of their lives.(curtsy PBI)

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