Less than 3% attendance in christian missionary schools in Srinagar

Out of 8,747 students only 208 turned up
Nishwan Rasool:
Srinagar, September 27: In four Christian missionary schools in the Srinagar City on Monday the attendance was less than 3 per cent with 208 students out of the total 8747 making it to schools amid curfew and strike. Many among those who attended the school complained that ‘not a single State Road Transport bus as promised by the government was available’.

A senior staff member at the Valley’s oldest Christian missionary school Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson Educational Society said, “Out of 3,747 students only 100 were present today.... government’s decision to open schools at this time when there is so much agitation and tension in the Valley is really wrong.”

“I travelled from Rangreth, Rawalpora to my school Tyndale Biscoe by foot which was very difficult, I did not see any SRTC bus plying,” said a student from Tyndale Biscoe.

“If it is going to be like this then it is impossible for me to come to school regularly,” he added.

Schools could not also send their buses to areas which were under strict curfew.

“We managed some school buses to go to Uptown, but could not send our buses to Downtown as it was under curfew. Out of 2,500 students only 33 students were present in the school. We tried our level best to make the buses to go Downtown but unfortunately the area was under curfew,” said an official from Burn Hall School in Sonwar.

“Early morning, we got a message from the Rangreth, that protesters turned away a school bus or else they have to face the stone throwing,” he further added.

In Presentation Covent 75 students were present, this despite that the mandatory Golden Test Examination for the class 10th was scheduled today.

“Out of 180 class tenth students only 21 appeared in the exams,” Faiza Zahoor, a student who appeared in the exams said.

An official of the school told Kashmir Dispatch, “Out of 2,500 students only 75 made it to school.”

“We can’t assure the parents that their children are safe in the school premises,” the official plainly stated.

Medical students 'thrashed' by STF men

Nishwan Rasool:

Srinagar, September 17: At a time when doctors are needed more than ever before in the Valley, Munsheeb (name changed), a 23-year-old, sixth semester student of Government Medical College who decided to appear for his exams today despite the trying circumstances was ‘trashed by the Special Task Forces on his way to the hospital in Srinagar’.

Speaking to Kashmir Dispatch, Munsheeb said, “After a notification was issued from the College authorities we decided to travel last night to get to our hostel. We were traveling in sumo with six other students of our college when some Special Task Force (STF) personnel tried to stop us in Islamabad Chowk. We requested them that to grant us permission as we had to appear for exams but they start harassing us.”

Recounting the incident where he received cuts and scars because of the violence, Munsheeb said, “They harassed us and went on a rampage. The girls were loudly crying and shouting for mercy but they just laughed and continued beating us. It was really unlawful and we were terrified,” said a student of GMC who wish to keep his anonymous

Ironically, there were some JKP policemen in the vehicle with Munsheeb, “A policeman took his head out of the window, saying, ‘I am from the police department and we have to go to our area for duty.’ But even they weren’t spared by the STF.”

Munsheeb described how the policemen were dragged by their hair outside the vehicle. He added, “Somehow, the cops managed to get back into the car. Our driver drove the car in reverse but they chased us. The car rammed into a road barrier but the driver managed to keep the control. The STF threw their batons at our car’s windows. The glass windows shattered on to my face causing some scratches.”

“We can’t afford to miss our exams as it would badly affect our career. It would show on our certificate that we have re-appeared,” he lamented from a friend’s house in Kokernag, Islamabad.

A status update on Munsheeb’s wall encapsulates what every student is the Valley is going through since the authorities insist on holding exams despite the unbearable conditions that prevail, “I miss my college. I miss my batch mates. I miss my friends... I call this life... so I miss my life.”

Awantipora airport shut for public till Sep 16

Nishwan Rasool:
Srinagar, September 13: In the wake of current unrest in Kashmir, the airport authorities on Monday decided to stop the flight operations to and from the Valley till September 16. The decision of Airport authorities to stop civil air traffic service has caused a serious concern among passengers with official sources putting the number of stranded passengers at 500 at the Awantipora Airport.

Official sources disclosed, “We have cancelled every flight at Awantipora Airport due to this ongoing agitation in the Valley. It is all for the safety of our esteemed customers.”

While talking to Kashmir Dispatch, Mudasir Nazir, a passenger who is studying in Jamia Millia said, "I was supposed to leave to Delhi as my internal exams are going to start from day after tomorrow."

This has also hit travel agents very hard. "My 50 tickets were cancelled due to prevailing circumstances in these two days. It is a big loss to our business sector," said Abid Hussain, owner of a travel agency.

Sameen, a Srinagar based B.V.S.C student from Pakistan whose ticket was also cancelled said, "My practicals and viva examinations are starting in a couple of days. We have been handed a notification from the college authorities to come two days before the examinations. But now I’ll have to re-appear for my examination.”

Court orders judicial probe into Wamiq's killing

Nishwan Rasool:
Srinagar, May 11: A local court here Tuesday ordered a judicial enquiry to probe the circumstances which led to the death of 13-year-old Wamiq Farooq, who was killed on January 31 this year after a teargas shell fired by the police hit him.

“Chief Judicial Magistrate has referred the judicial enquiry to the judge of small cases Srinagar,” Advocate G N Shaheen, who is pleading the case on behalf the complainant, said.

“The judicial enquiry should complete within two months,” the order passed by Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar, Mohammad Ibrahim Wani reads.

The hearing in the case will now commence on July 15.
On April 16 this year, court had recorded statements of two witnesses in support of an application seeking registration of FIR under section 302 (murder) against police officials accused of firing tear gas shell that killed Wamiq.

The application was filed by Farooq Ahmad Wani, father of diseased teenager, on March 27.
Both the witnesses had stated in the court that they could identify all the police men who were present on the occasion including Assistant Sub Inspector Abdul Khaliq and Constable Mohammad Akram.

Wamiq Farooq Wani of Rainawari was killed after he was hit by a teargas shell fired by police near Gani Memorial stadium rajouri Kadal, in old city Srinagar.

Wamiq's death led to widespread protests across valley for many days.

However, the police on February 20, in its report had described Wamiq a “miscreant” who was involved in stone pelting and succumbed to an injury sustained in police's “retaliatory measure” at Rajouri Kadal.

Subsequently, on March 27 Wamiq’s father had moved an application before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate seeking registration of FIR against accused police officials under section 302 (murder). He also recorded his statement before the court on March 30.

The family had also sought constitution of a Special Investigation Team comprising of “senior and credible police officials” to investigate the matter and bring the accused police officials to justice.

NIT students up in arms against CRPF 'occupation'

Ready to move out if govt provides alternative: CRPF
Nishwan Rasool:
Srinagar, August 27: Notwithstanding the inconvenience caused to hundreds of students, paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) continues to occupy some 150 rooms of hostels at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) here.

Out of the total five hostels at the state’s most reputed engineering college: Indus, Chenab, Tawi, Jehlum and Girls hostel, the CRPF is holding 50 rooms in the Tawi hostel while 99 rooms from the Chenab hostel are also under the paramilitary force’s, officials said.

The CRPF replaced the Border Security Force, who had moved into the college premises in 1993.

Last year, the NIT Director took some “positive” steps in favour of students and issued some notifications to the concerned authorities over the condition of the hostels, but to no avail. “Even the central government pressurized the CRPF to vacate the hostel premises, but they didn’t respond. The state government has already expressed its willingness to give an alternate accommodation to the CRPF troops but they are not ready to leave,” an official, who didn’t wish to be named, said

“Some 272 students from the state and outside are suffering due to non-availability of rooms,” the official said, adding that more than 150 hostelites .

The official further added: “More than 150 hostelites are undergoing inconvenience due to CRPF occupation. Presently four students are lodged in one room. This year students from outside Srinagar could not stay in the college hostels due to non-availability of space. There are nearly 300 CRPF personals deployed in college premises and hostels.

When contacted, Srinagar based spokesperson for CRPF, Prabhakar Triphati said, “The accommodation was provided by the state government. We are here to provide security and do not look for for accommodation on our own. We are ready to vacate the premises if the state government provides us an alternative accommodation.”

Police hunt for 7-year-old Bemina ‘protester’

Nishwan Rasool
Srinagar, August 24: When the police were unable to look for a seven-year-old 'protester' from Nund Reshi colony in Bemina, Srinagar, they allegedly roughed up other members of his family and also offered locals Rs one lakh as a reward for information on the child.

Bashir Ahmad Lone (50) and his father, Habibulla (75) were beaten up by the police when they could not find Danish alias Bret Lee, the youngest member of the family.

“They were looking for my seven-year old brother Danish alias Bret Lee. But when they couldn’t find him, the police got frustrated and ruthlessly beat up my father and grandfather who they also taken into custody,” said Danish’s brother Aamir.

Aamir added that the police officials even did not even spare the other members of the locality, “They harassed our mothers and sisters they even told others that if you provide us with information on Danish you would be given Rs one lakh in cash.”

Even Aamir was not spared, he alleged, “I was abused and beaten up by the police.”

Danish would never take part in protests. I can’t understand why they all are after my grandson, asked a shaken Habibullah.

On Saturday, the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) carried out a crackdown on Bemina’s Nund Reshi Colony.

Locals alleged that the forces entered their homes without making any announcements in the area and rummaged through their things. “They told the youth and elders of colony to go to the mosque for an identification parade after sealing off the area,” said Atif Khan (name changed), a local.

Speaking to Kashmir Dispatch, Atif added, that a youth, working as an informer for the police pinpointed some 40 youth from the area, who were picked up by the police.

Later, 33 of them were released after locals protested for their release. The police booked seven of them and charged them under Section 105 of the RPC, said SHO Zahoor Ahmed.

Meanwhile, the streets were lined up with troopers who refused to allow people to offer prayers. Locals said that the police broke windowpanes of houses, mosques and the darazgah.

“The police are not firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd but they are targeting the houses of our locality during the time of iftaar. We don’t drink milk and water or dates and bread but we take their bullets and inhale the tear gas smoke. The troopers have broken down our electric transformers and our water tanks,” lamented Samar Jan (name changed), another local.

Samar, further said that the police who blamed senior citizens of the area as the kingpins of the stone pelting beat their area president.

All the posters of the martyrs have been taken off the walls and have been putt in cow dung, Samar said. He added, “Police even said that if you will not surrender Danish and stop agitating in the area, girls would be targeted and their heads would be shaved off.”

Meawhile, SHO Zahoor rubbished the allegations, “We have been always telling the locals not to create law and order problems. The stone throwers extort money from the passersby. We have been encountering these types of complaints. So, strong action has to be taken to maintain law and order in the society.”

“Missing” youth returns home, had "passed out on drugs"

“Protesters had taken to the streets alleging foul play, damaged public property"
Nishwan Rasool:
Srinagar, August 20: A youth who had been missing for a few days from Rawalpora locality was finally found in a drugged out state on August 20, when he returned home. Locals had alleged that the 21-year-old had been picked up by the police, and were demanding his release..

Tension arose in the Rawalpora on August 16, when a massive crowd of women, children and youth took to the streets, demanding for the release of Mohammad Yaseen, son of Khazir Mohd Wani, a resident of Old Airport Road in Rawalpora. The youth went missing on the same day on his way back home from his evening prayer’s. Yasin was working as mechanic in Chevrolet’s showroom.

Protesters broke windowpanes of press cars and also damaged public property. The protesters finally targeted the Rapid Action Force (RAF) with stones, resulting in a problematic law and order situation. Deputy Commissioner (Srinagar) was also requested to visit the spot. Senior police officials visited the spot and requested the people to unblock the road. However, the protesters refused to budge until mid-day prayers. During this commotion, Yasin returned home. Soon, the people opened the road and the traffic resumed. Yasin was then bought to Sadr Police Station for questioning. There, he revealed that he had gone to Jammu along with Adil, a driver. Some of Yasin’s friends then said that Yasin had taken recreational drugs some days ago and had been lying in someone’s backyard for two days. They further disclosed that Yasin’s brother and a few others from the locality knew about this.

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A criminal case has been registered by the police against Yasin and a few others for creating a law and order problem in Rawalpora.

Youth critically injured in firing, locals blame CRPF

We didn't fire: CRPF
Nishwan Rasool
Srinagar, April 23: A 20-year-old youth was critically injured in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) firing at Nowshahra Soura here on Friday. The youth identified as Manzoor Ahmad son of Habib-ullah Mir of Kagazgari Mohalla was rushed to the nearby SK Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura.

Eyewitnesses told Kashmir Dispatch Manzoor was injured when troopers of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) fired at a group of people without any provocation while they were coming out of a mosque after offering the Friday prayers.

Hundreds of people in the area took to streets shouting pro-freedom slogans. They were demanding immediate action against the troopers involved in the incident. Situation was tense in the area when reports last came in.

When contacted, CRPF spokesperson Prabhakar Tripathi denied any involvement of CRPF troopers in the incident.
"CRPF officials including the DIG visited the spot to investigate into the matter but no incriminating evidence was found," Tripathi told Kashmir Dispatch.

Romana Murder Case: Witness identifies main accused

Nishwan Rasool
Srinagar: In a significant development in the Romana Javed hit and run case, a key witness Wednesday identified the main accused in a local court here. The witness—Anam Iqbal— deposed before the court of Principal District and Sessions Judge Gous-u-Nisa and recorded her statement today. Anam identified the vehicle, a black coloured Alto car bearing registration number JK01H- 5758, which she said Shoiab Dariyal, the main accused in the case, ran over Romana resulting in her death.

Seventeen-year-old Romana Javed daughter of Dr Javed Shabnum of Bagh-i-Mehtab, Budgam was allegedly mowed to death by Shoaib Daryeel son of Muhammad Ashraf Daryeel of Nowhatta and Obaid Ahmed Khan son of Zahoor Ali Khan of Bulbul Bagh Barzulla Alto in Parray-pora locality here on May 3 last year, in broad day light, after she refused their advances.

On March 13, this year, prosecution had filed a charge sheet against the Shoaib and Obaid in the case charging the two accused for murder under Section 302, 294, 201 and 34 RPC.

The court has now listed the case for further hearing on last week of June.

15-year-old boy ‘detained’ in Saddar Police Station

Was picked up by CRPF five days ago, say eyewitnesses
Nishwan Rasool
Srinagar, August 19: A 15-year-old minor, Showkat Raina, son of Shafi Raina, a resident of Lal Nagar, Chanapora, was picked by the personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on August 15, while he was on his way to get bread for his family in Lal Nagar Chowk in Chanapora.

Showkat, a student of IX standard from a public school in Nowgam, excels in his studies and co-curricular activities. He is very hard working and patient too, says his elder brother Naseem.

On August 15, Naseem recalls, “The police arrested over a dozen youth after locals staged a peaceful protest in the area, against killings in the Kashmir Valley but were released later on. Showkat was picked up on the same day by the CRPF.”

Naseem added that Showkat was first taken to Chanapora Chowky, after which he was shifted to Saddar Police Station. “We tried to contact the police officials for his release but they kept on telling us that he would be released day after tomorrow. We are very worried about his future,” he lamented.

Showkat, who has been detained illegally without being booked under any offence is likely to be released on Friday according to the police, the family says.

From her Chanapora home, Showkat’s mother says that her son is innocent. “He has been implicated,” she said.

Meanwhile, a constable from Chanapora Chowky disclosed that Showkat was brought there after he was picked up and later shifted to Saddar Police Station.

When contacted by Kashmir Dispatch, police officials of Saddar Police Station said, “We have not made any such arrest in the area. We don’t have any information regarding the case.”

*All the names in the story have been changed to protect the minor boy’s identity.

Bandipora girl ‘abducted’ by Ikhwanis, family stages protest

Nishwan Rasool
Srinagar, May 3: Family members and relatives of a young girl from Bandipora Monday staged a protest demonstration here against her abduction by Ikhwanis(government sponsored gunmen) last month. They were alleging that on April 05 last three Ikhwanis barged into the house of Ghulam Mohammad Jan of Ajas, Bandipore and forcefully took away his 16-year-old daughter Jabeena with them.

Though Jabeena was released on April 20 after her father lodged an F.I.R with the concerned police station, the Ikhwanis abducted her again on April 24, Jabeena’s family members said.

Shouting slogans, the protesters demanded immediate action against the Ikwanis. “The Ikhwanis have unleashed a reign of terror in the area. Their notoriety can be judged from the fact that despite an F.I.R against them, they dared to abduct Jabeena for the second time,” said a relative, accusing police of inaction.

However, police says the accused was arrested and the woman handed over to the family.

“We acted swiftly and recovered the girl. The abductor was also put behind the bars. However, the court bailed him out,” Station House Officer (SHO) Sumbal, Mohammad Ashraf said.

“A case Fir No 77/2010 under section 366,451,109 RPC already stands registered,” he added.

However, Ashraf said, that the family has not brought the issue of fresh abduction into the notice of Police. He assured that the police will look into the matter.

Trial in BSF court debatable: CJM

Trial in BSF court debatable: CJM
Nishwan Rasool
Srinagar, May 5: A local court here held that the BSF’s plea to try two of its men, Commandant RK Birdi and Constable Lakhwinder Kumar accused of killing Nishat teenager Zahid Farooq, was debatable. The court also extended the duo’s judicial remand till May 19.

“Whether in the application filed by Border Security Force for trial of the accused by BSF court, the accused have or have no right to oppose or to support the application is debatable, but so far application filed for reinvestigation and lodging of Counter FIR is concerned, the accused require services of the counsel,” Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar, Mohammad Ibrahim Wani said today as no counsel was available for the accused.

“The accused are therefore granted sometime to inform the court of their own or need the assistance of this court for engaging the services of the counsel.”

Earlier, the accused informed the court that at present they don’t require the services of the counsel. However the court held that it was necessary that they must have a counsel, if the application filed by them was to be taken up for argument.

On April 6, the BSF through Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Brig (Retd) R M Painuly, had moved an application before the CJM, seeking stay in the civil proceedings and transfer of case to the BSF court under section 80 of BSF Act of 1989.

The State government on April 8 while objecting the bid by the forces agency had sought two weeks to file the objections.
In its 3-page charge-sheet the SIT charged the BSF personnel under Section 302 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), an offence punished with death, or imprisonment for life and fine.

The duo was also charged under Section 201 (destroying or tampering with the evidence) and Section 109 (abetment of offence). There are 86 witnesses.

The two BSF personnel are accused of killing 17-year-old Zahid Farooq in an unprovoked firing near his residence in Nishat on February 5 last.

On 30 March last, the accused sought a counter FIR akin to one in Wamiq Farooq, where the police filed FIR against the slain teen from Rainwari who was killed in teargas shelling by police.

Meanwhile, the CJM extended the judicial remand of the accused till May 19 and directed the superintendent of the central jail to produce the accused in the court on the date.