by Hirra Azmat

SRINAGAR: Come to the autumnal equinox and gradual decrease in temperature season of the year, it is followed by sniffling, sneezing, coughing and fatigue. The conditions identified with all the familiar trappings of the flu. Continuing its effects as fall enters through the winter months till early spring, the severity of the infection varies.

A file photo of doctor give flu vaccination shot to a patient.

Concerned over the crisis, October emerges as the prime time for flu vaccinations. But this year, the trend to opt for a flu vaccination, precisely known as flu shot has increased tremendously. Call it a Covid-19 effect, the stakeholders reveal that the overall sale of the flu shot has doubled up this year.

Experts suggest the increasing trend is to avoid a “twindemic” with the current pandemic. “The increase in the sales of the vaccine is due to the reason that people seek to avoid dreaded overlap of flu and coronavirus,” said Dr Shakeel, a senior medical health officer.

As per the rough estimates, this year, a record number of doses have been consumed in Kashmir. If only two major brands available in the market are taken into account, a total of 59,000 flu shot vaccines, FluQuadri produced by Sanofi Pasteur and Influvac Tetra by Abbott, have been sold in Kashmir so far.

Terming the sale of this year more than double, a pharmaceutical distributor told Kashmir Life that “we have sold approximately 40,000 vaccine doses of Influvac Tetra this season compared to last year when the number stood at 15,000,” Wishing not to be named, he said he has crossed over the sales of five crore rupees so far. Pertinent to mention, a single shot of  Influvac Tetra is priced at Rs 1, 539

Priced at Rs 1680, the sales of Flu Quari vaccines has also doubled up this year. “The number of FluQuadri vaccine doses sold this season has shot up as compared to last year. This year the company made a business of around 3 crore rupees by selling approximately 19,000 vaccine doses whereas only 9,000 were sold in autumn 2019,” said the medical supplier, requesting not to be named.

Aimed to provide some sort of immunity during the cold season, Flu vaccine shots are touted to act as a preventive shield against the soaring viral infection and decrease the risk of developing other respiratory problems like H1N1 and pneumonia, which could aggravate a person’s risk of getting Covid-19.

Talking about the increased sales, the President Kashmir Medical Representatives Association Mohammad Arif Bhat said the demand for the vaccine doses for the coming flu season has soared up, the main reason being the current pandemic.

“The percentage of sold-out vaccine doses is much greater than the previous year. Widespread flu vaccination could help free up hospital beds, a vital public health measure to cushion the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

Terming cost as the barrier, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) urged health authorities to provide vaccine free of cost to the poor and marginalized.

As the nature of the virus is to mutate, experts insist to get vaccinated every year for proper protection. “Flu shots are always important, but they’re even more important this year, particularly the vulnerable groups,” said Dr Shakeel.

by Saifullah Bashir

SRINAGAR: Srinagar woke up to another encounter on Monday in which two militants were killed. Part of Barzulla remained disrupted for most of the day because of the encounter.

Irshad Ahmed, a resident of Barzulla, was busy in renovating his house as his daughter and son were slated to get married this year. They were living in a single storey house and the family somehow managed to add one more level to it. The October 12, morning changed his entire plan and scattered all his dreams. Irshad is a mechanic.

On October 12, he heard some knocks at his main door at around 5:30 am. After he opened the door, he saw a mixed contingent of cops and paramilitary personnel. His home was searched. He was told that the area has been cordoned off. Quickly, his family was evacuated and shifted to their relatives, living not far away. What actually was going on there, Irshad says he does not know anything. As soon as they reached the house of their relative, firing and loud bang started.

Smoke billowing out of the house that was damaged in an encounter at Barzulla area of central Kashmir’s Srinagar on Monday, October 12, 2020. Top LeT commander Saifullah from Pakistan among two militants were killed.KL Image by Bilal Bahadur

The sound of the bangs was coming from the neighbouring house of Irshad, a 3-storey building owned by Shakeel Ahmed. It is a premises rented out as Ahmad, a contractor, lives in another house in the same locality.

During the encounter, four houses suffered damage. These belong to Irshad Ahmed, Shakeel Ahmed, Atifa Bano and Mushtaq Ahmed.

Shakeel’s house, where the militants had taken shelter, is almost razed to the ground. The gunbattle continued for almost four hours. The locality is a congested one and that is why police said it took them a lot of time. There was no damage to any civilian life. “We evacuated all civilians from the area.” IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told reporters.

Authorities had deployed the police and paramilitary forces on most of the airport road and the bypass side to ensure that nobody resorts to protests. There were reports of some tear smoke shells being lobbed in Barzulla locality. Police and CRPF were hugely deployed on the banks of the flood channel and the Barzulla Doudh Ganga Canal as well.

DGP Presser

Director-General of Police Dilbagh Singh Monday said in 75 anti-militancy operations this year, 180 militants were killed. He said the counter-insurgent grid won’t allow militants to establish a base in Srinagar especially when only one militant involved in series of attacks is active in the capital city.

“Today’s operation was a successful one. All operations against militants conducted this year were clean and conducted in a professional manner”, Singh told reporters. “The slain commander of LeT killed in Rambagh area this morning was involved in a series of attacks on security forces including the recent attacks of Nowgam, Chadoora and Kandizal, Pampore.”

The house damaged in Rambagh encounter in which two LeT militants were killed on Monday, October 12, 2020. KL Image

He said the operation was the outcome of a specific tip-off about the presence of militants.

“Security forces are alert all the time,” Singh said when asked if militants are setting up a base in Srinagar. “We will not allow militants to establish their base in Srinagar. Whenever any militant outfit tries to establish its base in Srinagar, we successfully corner the militant with the help of our intelligence and other sources.”

Singh said so far in 2020, eight encounters took place in Srinagar city in which 18 militants including a top Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander were killed. So far, Singh said Jammu and Kashmir Police has lost 19 men while Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 21. The Army lost 15 soldiers, mostly on the LoC.

DGP said 26 youth who had joined militancy were reunited with their families. He said there is no rehabilitation policy in place for those quitting militancy.

Police Statement

Jammu and Kashmir Police issued a detailed statement about the encounter. Its is being reproduced verbatim.

Director General Of Police along with IG CRPF and IGP Kashmir addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Monday, October 12, 2020. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur

“On a specific input of Srinagar Police regarding the presence of terrorists in Rambagh area of Srinagar, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Srinagar Police and CRPF in the said area.

During the search operation, as the presence of terrorists got ascertained they were given the opportunity to surrender after evacuating all civilians. However, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter.

In the ensuing encounter, two terrorists of proscribed terror outfit LeT were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. The killed terrorists have been identified as top LeT Commander Saifullah (a Pakistani National) and Irshad Ahmed Dar @ Abu Usama resident of Pulwama who was active since May-2019 and involved in several civilian killings and attacks on Police/SFs.

As per police records, terrorist Saifullah infiltrated earlier this year and since two months shifted his base from north to south Kashmir. He was involved in planning & executing several major terror attacks on security forces which includes killing of a CRPF officer at Chadoora on 24/09/2020 and 02 CRPF personnel at Kandizal area of Pampore on 05/10/2020. He was also part of the group involved in killing of two police personnel at Nowgam Srinagar on 14/08/2020. Besides, he was also involved in firing on convoy on 21/09/2020 in Nowgam area.

Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes.

A woman who fainted in the midst of the gunbattle being given water in Barzulla on Monday, October 12, 2020, KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

Keeping in view the prevailing pandemic due to COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of people from the inherent risk of contracting the infection, the dead bodies of the killed terrorists shall be sent to Baramulla for burial after completion of all medico-legal formalities. The nearest family members of the killed local terrorist shall be allowed to participate in the last rites.

In this connection, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated.

DGP J&K, IGP Kashmir and IG CRPF appreciated the role of Police and CRPF for conducting operation without any collateral damage.

People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials if any.”

Note: The original report had a factual error about the ownership of the house that was on rent. It has been rectified. The mistake is regretted.

SRINAGAR: In the surprising twist to the global diplomacy, Saudi Arabia, the leader of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) lost its race to become a member of the United Nation’s premier body, the Human Rights Council (UNHRC). It was Pakistan that scored record votes to become its member.

Imran Khan, Pakistan Prime Minister, driving visiting Saudi crown prince MBS from the airport in February 2019.

The other surprise was that of the newly elected members to the world’s most influential human rights watchdog, it was China, Russia and Cuba who became the members. All three countries do not meet even the basic minimum standards of democracy as per the UN watch. Now they will oversee the state of human rights on earth. Unlike China and Pakistan, however, Cuba and Russia were elected unopposed.

The secret ballot involved a total of 193 votes – all the members of the UN. The results shocked all – Pakistan got 169 votes, Uzbekistan 164, Nepal 150, China 139 and Saudi Arabia only 90 votes. Seemingly, not all the OIC members have voted the Saudi stake. Saudi Arabia’s worst human rights record spilt over its status in the world body and prevented its re-election. In 2016, the Saudis had won a seat with 152 votes.

To run the OHRC, elections are held for the 47-seat Human Rights Council. Seats are assigned to the regions. The contest was required for the Asia Pacific only because all other regions had nominees without a challenge. There were 15 seats to be filled through the Tuesday election.

Resolution 60/251 that governs the 47-member council wants the nations elected to the council must uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights. Members sit for three years for a maximum of two terms and are not eligible for immediate re-election.

Photo of the Preparatory Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting for the OIC Makkah Summit.

Membership in the UNHRC is distributed between five regional groups: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Western Europe and Eastern Europe. African and Asia-Pacific states have 13 seats on the council each, Latin America has eight, Western Europe seven, and Eastern Europe receives six seats.

Ivory Coast, Malawi, Gabon and Senegal got four African seats.

Two East European seats were taken by Russia and Ukraine. The UK and France won the two Western European seats.

Mexico, Cuba and Bolivia won the Latin American and Caribbean group seats.

Some human rights groups had opposed the election of China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, asserting their human rights records are questionable. “Electing these dictatorships as UN judges on human rights is like making a gang of arsonists into the fire brigade,” Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch was quoted saying. Off all the elected members – unopposed and elected, it is interesting to mention here, the UN Watch had only termed the UK and France two fit countries to be the members. Interestingly, 50 UN experts had sought decisive measures against China on Hong Kong and Xinjiang in June. Three months later, China emerged the referee of the council. The only satisfaction to the human rights champions is that China got the lowest votes.

Countries with a compromised track record on human rights do not auger well for the human rights body. In 2006, it killed an earlier commission because some of its members had a bad track record. With this election, it is face to face with the same situation.

On the flip side, some experts say that countries with the worst records getting elected will expose them fully.

Visuals from an event of a conference held on the sidelines of the UNHRC meeting in Geneva on March 2, 2020.

“There is a silver lining to repressive countries being elected to the council – their position as the supposed guardian of human rights makes it far more difficult for them to hide their own human rights abuses,” Kevin Jon Heller, professor of international law at the University of Copenhagen was quoted by the al-Jazeera saying. “A member of the council can hardly refuse to participate in a Universal Periodic Review [UPR] of its record. This stands in marked contrast to the United States, which no longer participates in the council.”

Interestingly, the USA, the world’s most powerful democracy and champion of human rights has walked out of the Council in 2018.

The Human Rights Council is a vital UN body that identified the crisis on human rights issues. Its mechanisms including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), special procedures and treaty bodies, as well as the technical assistance provided by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) play an essential role in providing early warning of the risk factors that can lead to crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and genocide.

What the election means to world diplomacy is different from what it means for the Muslim world. The rejection of Saudi Arabia over its hugely questionable human rights records and an impressive vote for Pakistan means a lot for the OIC. Interestingly, the two erstwhile allies are in serious tension with each other over Kashmir. Riyadh has frustrated Pakistan’s efforts to convene a meeting of the group over Kashmir. This has triggered a sort of showdown that included undoing of fuel supply on credit and recovery of a huge loan before it was supposed to be repaid.

The Muslim World that is grouped in OIC is witnessing polar tensions for over a year now. Pakistan, Iran, Malaysia, and Turkey are seeking Saudi assertion on key issues confronting the Muslim world. It even led to an abortive bid to the formation of a sort of a new grouping within OIC block but was frustrated by the Saudi kingdom.

Pakistan is excited over the election. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi termed the election an “important diplomatic achievement” that was “a manifestation of the international community’s confidence and trust in Pakistan’s commitment to a progressive national & global human rights agenda.” This is Pakistan’s fifth term to be a Council member.

However, the Council mechanisms are unlikely to permit Pakistan or any member to sit over the judgement of the human rights record of other countries. India is already a member until the end of 2021.

by Zafar Aafaq

NEW DELHI: An argument between a landlady and her tenant ended up the former calling the latter a ‘terrorist’ just because the tenant, a girl student, happens to be from Kashmir.

The argument between the two was over “trespassing” and “rent dispute” at a flat in South Delhi’s East of Kailash neighbourhood which comes under Amar Colony police station. The incident happened at around 8 pm on Wednesday.

Noor Bhat

Noor Bhat, belonging to Srinagar in Kashmir, told Clarion India that the landlady calling her a terrorist hurt her deeply. A recent pass out of Amity University, Noor alleged that the landlady barged into her flat in her absence and took out her furniture and other belongings including her passport and clothes.

Shortly after the incident, Noor posted a series of tweets on social media narrating her ordeal. The tweet instantly went viral as people came out in her support.

Noor said she was at her cousin’s place in Kalkaji when she got a call from the landlady who alerted her that there has been a robbery in the building and that she should come home.

But moments later, Noor again got another call from the landlady and this time she told her, “It is not robbery but we have broken the door of your flat and taken out the furniture and other stuff.”

A shocked Noor reached her flat only to find that the door was actually broken and her belongings were missing. The first thing she did was to video record the scene and call the police.

In the meanwhile, the landlady came in with a constable. A man, stranger to Noor, also accompanied her. “We told her you are our landlady, we would speak with you only. Send this man first,” Noor said. At this, the landlady allegedly started verbal abuses using racial, political and ethnic slurs. “You are a terrorist, you spread terrorism. Your father is a terrorist. Mulle Kashmiri,” Noor quoted her as shouting at her.

Mulle is a pejorative term for Muslims in India.

The landlady also grabbed Noor by her shoulder and gave scratches on her body and yanked her hair, Noor alleged.

“I was deeply hurt by this behaviour,” she said alleging, “It looked like a hate crime.”

THIS IS WHAT SHE DID!!! pic.twitter.com/DRkP5B8Q5O

— Noor (@noorbhat1998) October 14, 2020

Clarion India’s attempts to reach out to the landlady to get her version did not mature.

Clarion India spoke with the Special House Officer of Amar Colony police station. The SHO downplayed the incident saying a dispute between the two sides has been going on for some days. It’s related to non-payment of dues, according to him. He said that they have heard the complaint but have not filed an FIR. “We have asked both parties to come to the police station on Thursday morning. We will hear them and then proceed.”

Noor said she has cleared all the dues until last month and she can prove it with documents. “The rent is transferred through bank account and electricity bills through BSES,” she said.

Noor said that she was grateful for the support she got on social media after her tweet went viral. She said when she posted the tweet she did not know that it was going to attract such a huge response. “I would not have posted it on Twitter if she had not called me a terrorist. I thought people should know it and I am glad for the support I received.”

This is her and the man. She threatened me that she will burn my face with the cigarette she was smoking and she told me she would throw me from the balcony pic.twitter.com/cuwTp3963g

— Noor (@noorbhat1998) October 14, 2020

Nasir Khuehami, spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) condemned the incident as he said that the association is ready to assist the victim in every possible way. He also said that discrimination against Kashmiri students living in Indian cities must stop.

DCW Chief @SwatiJaiHind issues notice to Delhi Police in the matter of alleged assault and harassment with a Kashmiri girl in Delhi.

दिल्ली महिला आयोग @SwatiJaiHind ने दिल्ली में रहने वाली एक कश्मीरी लड़की के साथ हुई मारपीट के मामले में दिल्ली पुलिस को नोटिस इशू किया। pic.twitter.com/XrwhffVDM5

— Delhi Commission for Women – DCW (@DCWDelhi) October 15, 2020

Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, Swati Maliwal, took suo-moto cognizance of the matter and issued a notice to the Delhi Police. She said through a tweet that the police is being asked to file FIR and take action against the culprits.

Meanwhile, Police has registered a case on the allegations made by the woman and have started an investigation, reported news agency IANS.

Noor Bhat has given a written complaint and a case u/s 448/380/457/323/509 IPC has been registered at PS Amar Colony and the same is being investigated,” said R.P. Meena, DCP South East.

The landlady too filed a police complaint, which is also being looked into, said the officials.

(This report was lifted from ClarioIndia website)

by Syed Samreen

SRINAGAR: Scores of guests are pouring in at the Allochi Bagh residence of Sharanjeet Singh, who scored 682 marks out of 720 in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2020.

Sharanjeet Singh, who scored 682 marks out of 720 in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2020.

Singh originally belongs to Budgam district of Kashmir. His parents Popinder Singh and Sapinter Kaur, both are government teachers.

The NEET 2020 was Singh’s second attempt, as he had scored only 296 points in the previous year exam.

This year, he not only qualified the exam but secured a medical college reservation by a whopping 682 points.

Singh has studied in Tyndale Biscoe school till twelfth grade and pursued further education from Luthra Academy in Jammu. Singh prepared for the entrance exam under the guidance of Aakash Institute, Srinagar.

“I belong to the dropper batch of Aakash Institute. I thank all my teachers there, who helped me achieve this victory,” he said.

Singh is among the toppers and other qualifiers of the key examination from Kashmir, who prepared for it amidst a communication gag and an internet blockade.

However, the coaching institute he was studying in immediately shifted the students to Solan, Himachal Pradesh for uninterrupted coaching.

“After August 5, we moved to Solan facilitated by Aakash institute. We downloaded all the necessary videos and material we would require later and stored it in our memory sticks,” he said.

He added that once they returned to Kashmir, the slow speed internet was also restored soon.

“One month before the exam, I continuously started studying for thirteen hours a day. My parents have been the biggest support,” he sighed.

Singh said that his favourite subject has surprisingly been Physics, which otherwise haunts every entrance exam aspirant.

“I’ve not only worked hard but smart. I increased my score from 296 to 682 in a year. If I can do it, anyone can do it,’ Singh asserted.

Singh also shared an entertaining memory from his last 24 hours of awe and contentment. He smirkingly said: “Even those relatives called to congratulate me, who hadn’t called me or my family in years. This gives me an idea of the magnitude of my success.”

Aakash Institute has congratulated Singh and Liba Aziz (who scored 675). “Both of them in all probability will be amongst the top five J&K state toppers,” an executive of the Institute said. “From our centre, more than 27 students are securing 600 plus marks.”

by Hirra Azmat

SRINAGAR: Setting an example of how the hard work pays off, eighteen-year-old Seerat Nazir of Trehgam in border Kupwara district has secured 638 points in the National Eligibility Test-2020.

Seerat Nazir of Trehgam in border Kupwara district has secured 638 points in the National Eligibility Test-2020.

Confident of securing good score in the NEET 2020, the teenager used to study religiously for ten hours on a daily basis to qualify the examination.

“It was my first attempt and I made it through. I was motivated to pursue the examination due to my parents’ and teachers’ unconditional support. They always believed that I have the required potential,” Seerat said.

Seerat did her primary education from Kupwara Public School (KPS) and secondary education from Government Girls Higher Secondary, Srinagar.

“I have done my coaching for NEET from HOPE coaching Institute in Parraypora. My coaching began right after I finished my matriculation,” she said.

But it was not a smooth sail for Seerat as she faced some challenges during her NEET preparation journey.

“The shutdown post-August 5 and pandemic disrupted my routine. We could neither appear in regular online tests nor download video lecturers. Besides, as a female, I faced another set of problems,” she said.

Seerat was often taunted by her neighbours and relatives for staying away from home during her coaching period.

“They often told my parents that I should not stay away from home for longer stints and should restrain from spending a lot of money on my education,” she said.

However, she continued to take the unconventional route and proved her naysayers wrong.

Seerat’s father, Nazir Ahmad, a government teacher by occupation, said that his daughter had indeed worked very hard and had made everyone in the family proud.

Her mother, who is a social worker by profession said that she wants to see her daughter excel and prove as an inspiration for others.

Seerat’s advice to NEET aspirants is that there is no shortcut to hard-work.

“Consistency is key as preparing for an examination is not an overnight job. One needs to put in a lot of hard work,” she adds.

by Saifullah Bashir

SRINAGAR: The NEET results have thrown up interesting surprises. Authorities recently booked three teachers from a south Kashmir seminary-school alleging they were radicalising their pupils. In today’s results, two of the former students who scored better belonged to the same seminary until their middles.

Chairman Sirajululoom Seminary Mohammad Yousuf felicitated Kaisar Gulzar, 18, a resident of Srigufwara in Anantnag who scored 606 in the national level examination.

One of them is Kaisar Gulzar, 18, a resident of Srigufwara in Anantnag who scored 606 in the national level examination. Kaisar was a student of Sirajul-ul-Uoom till his eighth class. Then he went to a government secondary school and qualified tenth class examination from there.

After qualifying his tenth class examination with 466 marks, Kaisar flew to Rajasthan for a good education. Accordingly, he qualified twelfth with 443. Kaisar did a two-year course in Kota and the appeared in NEET exams.  Kaisar worked hard to secure good points in the first attempt.

“This was the national level exam so I was nervous but finally I did it”, Kaisar said.

Kaisar was willing to study in Kashmir but an encounter forced him to left for Rajasthan. “In our village, one of the militants was killed and then my parents sent me Rajasthan”, he said.

During preparation days, Kaisar used to study for six hours and used to play games in order to engage his mind with activities. Parents of Kaisar are orchardists and they are now extremely happy with the achievement of their children.

by Shakir Ashraf

SRINAGAR: Kashmir is home to interesting twists. Authorities see South Kashmir has the most violent region necessitating a lot of deployment. Now, Kashmir’s topper in NEET also came from the same region.

Advisor Farooq Khan felicitates Basit Bilal for topping NEET examination.

Basit Ahmed, 19, scored 695 out of 720 marks in the NEET examination, which was supposed to be conducted in the month of May. Owing to Covid-19 it was eventually held on July 26.

Basit was confident of qualifying the test but with these good points, it was unexpected.

When the government of India abrogated Article 370, the internet was shut down and like other students, it landed Basit in trouble. During this communication blockade, Basit had to remain confined with his textbooks and was repeatedly revising the lectures that were taught by his teachers. “Unavailability of the internet was really a big problem as we could neither access our teachers nor could join online classes,” Ahmed said. “Any dream comes true when you will work hard.”

He gives credit for his success to his parents and teachers. Basit’s father is a dentist and he was always hopeful that his son will qualify NEET with better percentage.

Interestingly, Basit was not interested in social networking as he doesn’t have any Facebook or Instagram account. He sees it as a diversion

Khan Basit Bilal who scored 695 out of 720 marks in the NEET examination.

After Basit passed his tenth class with good marks, he went to Srinagar for tuitions where he studied eleventh and twelfth classes. He was enrolled and passed his twelfth standard from the Government Higher Secondary School Ratnipora. After that, he came to Srinagar where he studied for some months got into self-study.

Interestingly, on Saturday, he was the darling of various interactions with the Jammu and Kashmir administration. An official spokesman said Farooq Khan, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor felicitated Basit for securing 99.98 percentile in NEET-2020. The spokesman said Basit called on the advisor.

Basit hails from Narwa village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district and has scored 695/720 in the NEET exam with all India rank of 188 with topmost rank in Jammu and Kashmir and is all set to get a seat in MBBS.

“He congratulated Basit for qualifying the exam and topping from Jammu and Kashmir despite facing many odds while hoping that he would inspire many other youth from the region to crack other prestigious exams in order to serve the society in the best possible way so that their energy would be utilized for the development of the nation,” the spokesman said. “On the occasion, Advisor Khan gifted Basit Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine of volume 1 and 2 and Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology.”

SRINAGAR: Twin brothers from Tangmarg area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have not just made their family proud but the Kashmir valley as well by qualifying the coveted National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2020 with flying colours.

Twin brothers from Tangmarg area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have scored 651 and 657 marks in National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2020.

Twin brothers, Gowhar Bashir and Shakir Bashir, hailing from Batpora village of Kunzar in have scored 651 and 657 points respectively out of the total 720 points.

While talking with the news agency KNO, Gowhar said this is the moment of joy and pride for them as they have qualified the much anticipated and covet entrance exams with excellence.

Finally a poor father who is security guard got a tremendous success when his twin sons shines in NEET 2020. #Baramullah. pic.twitter.com/CBKs21MS16

— SignatureEgo (@SignatureEgo) October 17, 2020

He said in 2019 they both had cracked JEE Mains exams and were enrolled in NIT Srinagar in B.Tech course. “This year it was our second attempt to go for the NEET exams and this time we made it with excellence. We took full advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown by dedicating our time toward our studies,” he said.

Bashir Ahmad, father of the twin brother told KNO that he is working as a private security guard at a fair price shop. “I was not able to help them much but I tried my best. Today I feel so proud that my sons have qualified the NEET exam.”

He said that his long-awaited dream has come true and they have not just him proud but the whole Kashmir as well.

by Saifullah Bashir

SRINAGAR: Suhail Maqbool, 17, a resident of Pulwama started his journey from finding a good tuition centre in Hope Classes. After a tireless hunt, he landed at this coaching centre in Srinagar. Suhail’s goal was to become a doctor and qualifying NEET is considered as the first step of this ladder.

Suhail Maqbool, 17, a resident of Pulwama who scored 627 marks

Suhail completed his schooling in a local school of Pulwama. He performed brilliantly in tenth and twelfth class. His parents, who are employees by profession, were confident of his capabilities.

Suhail qualified the tenth standard with 486 marks and scored 485 in twelfth. He studied at the coaching centre for three years, spending almost six hours a day on preparation.

He is the elder son of his parents and now has become an inspiration for his siblings, a younger brother and a sister.

The period of uncertainty in the valley didn’t impact Suhail. He fought against all odds and succeeded. “There was no internet, no way to go to tuition, thanks to Allah I did my best”, said Suhail.

Staying at home was hectic for Suhail. Sometimes it was chaotic. But his parents turned out mentors for him. Master Mohammad Maqbool, a teacher, and Shafeeqa, his mother, used to motivate him.

South Kashmir being Kashmir’s most volatile region, Suhail stuck to his goal, scoring 627 in NEET. Initially, Suhail was nervous because it was his first attempt and a national level examination.

“While thinking of exams it was worrying because due to political instability in the region outside students get more exposure and knowledge and we remain confined to four wall of our house”, Suhail added.

Along with parents, Suhail thanked Hope Classes management for their role and efforts in Suhail’s success.

Suhail always wanted a doctor and his parents are now happy about his performance.

by Shakir Ashraf

SRINAGAR: Murtaza Ahmed 19, resident of Kupwara, the only son of his parents among six sisters has fulfilled the dream of his parents by scoring 600 marks in NEET.

Murtaza Ahmed Punzwa in border Kupwara district has secured 600 points in the National Eligibility Test-2020.

“It was my dream as well as my parents’ dream to score good marks in NEET,” said Murtaza Ahmed. “My parents worked very hard to earn money and then had to pay my fee in tuition centres. Since my childhood, it was my dream to become a doctor and my teachers used to call me doctor since my childhood” said Murtaza.

Murtaza’s father is a farmer and his mother is a housewife. Murtaza has six sisters and is the only son of his parents.

Murtaza has passed his twelfth standard from Government Boys Higher secondary school Vilgam in Kupwara with flying colours. Later, he came to Parraypora Srinagar for NEET tuitions.

“Internet shutdown has always affected our studies but credit goes to my tuition centre, which provided us with study materials in pen drives,” Murtaza said.

Murtaza is not the lone successful candidate who has done his basic schooling in a state-run school.

Another NEET aspirant from Muqami Shahwali Kupwara made his parents proud by scoring 624 marks in NEET. Hamid, 20, put all his efforts this year to score good marks in the second attempt of his NEET.

Hamid Shah Muqam Shahwali in border Kupwara district has secured 624 points in the National Eligibility Test-2020.

Hamid Shah who scored 624 marks in NEET exam believes in self-study rather than tuition centres. He worked hard himself without taking tuitions in his second attempt.

It used to take Hamid a whole night to download the previous years’ question papers and then he could solve it in the day.

“When I failed in my first attempt I did not give up,” Hamid said. “On the day of result when I saw that I have not scored enough marks to qualify, I didn’t lose heart. I started working hard.”

Hamid is the youngest in his family. Hamid’s father is a plumber by profession and his mother is a housewife. Hamid gives all the credit of his success to his father.

“The message to the NEET students is not to indulge yourself in mobile games like PUBG. It is the waste of time only”, said Hamid. He also added that one should prepare oneself for the NEET from ninth class.

Hamid passed his twelfth class with 450 marks from local Government Higher Secondary school. His father said that his efforts in bringing up his son have not been wasted.

by Khalid Bashir Gura

SRINAGAR: Saleem Sadiq, 17, a resident of Swari, Koteranka, in Rajouri has scored 647out of 720 marks in NEET examinations that fetched him an All India Rank of 13 in Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

Saleem Sadiq, 17, a resident of Rajouri who scored 647out of 720 in NEET exams

Sadiq had his schooling from Delhi Public School, Jammu. His mother, a homemaker, and father, a Deputy General Manager, in Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), supported him through thick and thin and ensured his coaching from the best coaching Institutions.

When he had all he had asked for, all that was needed was the hard work coupled with smart work, patience, persistence, dedication and focus on the examination.

When asked about what an aspirant should read, Sadiq said: “It is important to stick to NCERT’s basic books and revise them multiple times. One should consistently practice mock tests.”

Further, he used to practice more than 500 problems for every chapter of physics and chemistry and biology. Besides, Sadiq urged them to have micro-goals on daily basis and macro goals for the final exam.

When pandemic lockdown shut education institutions, Sadiq was relentless in his pursuit to goal and success as he saw an opportunity in the problem.  “Lockdown gave me extra time for self-study and practising papers,” said Sadiq.

When asked about how he tacked constant distractions from various mediums like social media and socialization, Sadiq said he is a gadget freak but likes cycling, photography, sketching as well. “I believe that ‘excess of everything is bad’. I was not off from social media but used it for a limited time when I thought my goal for a day is done; I remained connected with many close friends through Social media. For entertainment, I used to watch YouTube videos,” he said.

Not negating to be a nerd or oblivious to social media and gaming world, which has taken over the time and attention of youth much these days, Sadiq said: “I used to play some online games just to refresh my mind, but I made sure I do not become an addict,” he added.

Asked about the importance of the Internet, Sadiq said it is very important in modern-day studies especially it helped him during the lockdown period. “I did all my mock tests online that were provided by institutes.”

Sadiq credits his success to parents who supported him in his toughest times and teachers who were always available for him to guide.

“I always had a goal to not just be a doctor but wanted to be in a good Medical College like All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), or Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC)” he said, insisting he always had kept his goals high and wanted to score at least above 600 in the examination.

SRINAGAR: Dr Farooq Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir’s five-time Chief Minister was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate for five long hours. During the questioning he misses his lunch, he told reporters after coming out of the ED office in Rajbagh.

Dr Farooq Abdullah coming out from Enforcement Directorate office Srinagar after day-long questioning on Monday, October 19, 2020. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur

“I am quite clear, let ED do their job, I will do mine,” Dr Abdullah told reporters later. “Resolve for the restoration of Article 370 will continue whether I am alive or dead.”

The party will be responding to this ED summons shortly. This is nothing less then political vendetta coming days after the formation of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. To set the record straight no raids are being conducted at Dr Sahib’s residence.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 19, 2020

The NC president didn’t get the time to have lunch. Talking to reporters after spending almost a day at ED’s Srinagar office, Dr Farooq said: “ “My fate will be decided by the court when they would put the case into the court. I couldn’t have lunch today. There was no time.”

Dr Farooq Abdullah talking to media after coming out from Enforcement Directorate office Srinagar after day-long questioning on Monday, October 19, 2020. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur

Asked whether he was summoned because of the formation of Peoples’ Alliance for Gupkar declaration, Dr Farooq said that “don’t bring Gupkar declaration into this.”

When asked if the questioning was about the Cricket Association scam, Dr Abdullah said: “Apko kya chati padi hai. Ask them”. A visibly irritated Dr Abdullah retorted: “I am not worried, why are you worried? The only regret I have is that I could not have my lunch.”

ED’s sudden summon to Farooq sahab displays the extent of GOIs nervousness about mainstream parties in J&K fighting as one unit. Also reeks of political vendetta & wont in the least blunt our collective resolve to fight for our rights. https://t.co/jasXiiZqH7

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 19, 2020

However, Dr Farooq said it will not that weaken his resolve. “This is the resolve of people of Jammu and Kashmir. This will continue whether Farooq Abdullah is dead or alive.”

To a query that his son Omar Abdullah and PDP chief had termed the ED summons to him as political vendetta, Dr Farooq said: “I have nothing to say on that.”

Dr Abdullah, as already reported, was summoned today by ED at 11 am today. He was let go at 5 pm after facing seven hours of questioning. The NC president, however, said ED sleuths were “nice sober and friendly to him.”

Reports appearing in the media quoted anonymous ED officials saying that Dr Abdukah was quizzed on Monday in the probe connected to a money-laundering scam of over Rs 40 crore of JKCA funds. The officials said the NC chief’s statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Dr Abdullah had received the ED summons on October 16, a day after the People’s Alliance on Gupkar Declaration was announced.

News gatherer ANI quoted Dr Abdullah saying: “This questioning has been going on for many years, it is nothing new. I am not going to say anything. The Court will decide what is to be done. I am not worried.”

Earlier, Dr Abdullah was questioned by the ED on July 31, 2019, in Chandigarh. It was after the questioning that Dr Abdullah had flown to Delhi and met the Priem Minister along with his son Omar and Husnain Masoodi. It was in the same month that CBI submitted a charge sheet in the case in which Dr Abdullah and three others were accused of misappropriating over Rs 43 crore from grants given by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) for promoting the sport in the state between 2002-11

NC Condemns

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference vehemently condemned ED summons to Party President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah, saying the measure exudes witch-hunt and vengeance, according to a joint statement issued by the party.

The leaders said the incumbent ruling dispensation in Delhi was employing government machinery and malevolent tactics to subdue Dr Sahabs effort in forging unity among different mainstream political parties.

What a sorry state of affairs. Dr Farooq sahib summoned by ED. Reeks of vendetta. Contrary to what they want to coercively achieve this will certainly have the opposite impact.

— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) October 19, 2020

“This government is doing everything it can to silence the combined voice of the people of J&K, which Dr Sahib has been able to forge,” the statement said. “The tactics are being employed across the board in the country to stifle the voices of dissent by using all spiteful measures, the party will not duck due to such tactics. We condemn the treatment that is being meted out to Dr Sahab, an octogenarian, senior-most politician of J&K, and sitting Member of Parliament from Srinagar. Such tactics will only make us more resolute towards achieving our goal peacefully and constitutionally. The measure also reveals the jittery the present ruling dispensation is going through in wake of the growing consensus among all mainstream political parties on People’s Alliance for Gupkar declaration headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah.”

Dr Farooq Abdullah addressing media after coming out from Enforcement Directorate office Srinagar after day-long questioning on Monday, October 19, 2020. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur

The statement was issued by Party General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar, Provincial Presidents Nasir Aslam Wani, Devender Singh Rana, senior leaders Mohammad Shafi Uri, Abdul Rahim Rather, Chaudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Mian Altaf Ahmed, Shammi Oberoi, Party MPs Muhammad Akbar Lone, Hasnain Masoodi; Mubarak Gul, SS Salathia, Ajay Sadhotra, Sakina Itoo, Shameema Firdous, Bimla Luthra, Nazir Ahmed Khan Gurezi, G A Shah, Sajjad Ah Kitchloo, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardey, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Ali Mohammad Dar, Dr Bashir Veeri, Javed Rana, Rattan Lal Gupta, RS Wazir, Brij Mohan Sharma, Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari, S Namgyal and Haneefa Jan.

The summon issued to Dr Farooq sb is a reminder of what is ahead on this road, should you choose and continue to stand for and by your people to struggle and restore the dignity and rights.
The timing of this is obviously motivated. But then, you do not expect them to be fair.

— Ruhullah Mehdi (@RuhullahMehdi) October 19, 2020

They termed it “undue witch hunt and intimidation” of party president, insisting the “motive behind the summon “is to deter him from representing the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

People’s Alliance Reaction

People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration has in a statement strongly condemned the summoning of Dr Farooq Abdullah, President J&K National Conference, by Enforcement Directorate.

In a statement People’s Alliance terming it as a part of vindictive politics practiced by the Central Government to kill dissent and disagreement across the Country and in present case to silence the genuine demand for reversal of unilateral and unconstitutional decisions of August 5,2019 and restoration of August 4, 2019, the Alliance has reminded the Central Government that such tactics are not to dampen the will of People of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to have the Constitutional status restored.

“It is stated that the Central Government unnerved by the unity amongst the people across all the regions and communities to pursue the goals of Gupkar Declaration and support extended to it by political parties and civil society groups at the national level is resorting to a game of witch-hunt and suppression,” said the statement.

“It has urged the Government of India (GOI) to realise the dangers in this process of witch-hunting and intimidation and desist from such vindictive designs. Dialogue with all stakeholders and restoration of special status remains the only option to address the deepening uncertainty in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” the statement said.

BJP Welcomes

Meanwhile, BJP Kashmir Unit welcomed the summoning of Dr Farooq saying it was in connection multi-crore scam of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) in which, it alleged, Dr Abdullah’s “played with the future of youth.”

Statement issued by the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration on today’s ED summons to Dr Farooq Abdullah. @MehboobaMufti, @sajadlone, @tarigami @MuzzafarShah1. #JKPM. pic.twitter.com/DibQ2ypHRc

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 19, 2020

“He said under Abdullah’s nose, the scam was done and he acted as a mute spectator,”  the BJP statement quoting Manzoor Bhat said. “The money meant for developmental work was looted and used for building their houses and increasing properties. Consecutive governments in J&K tried to hush-up the issue.” The statement urged the Central government “to nap other leaders also who were indulged in corruption”. The case, it said, was pending since 2012.

“Party has nothing to do with the ED summons to Abdullah and it is the domain of investigating agencies and not of BJP leaders. He is now frustrated as no one is interested in their family politics,” he said adding that Gupkar declaration is already a dead document.

by Khalid Bashir Gura

SRINAGAR:  This is the story of living for parents. A young boy who had already made to the National Institute of Technology (NIT) and was about to be an engineer, decided to live her mother’s dream, keen to see her son a doctor. So he started afresh and delivered her his success.

Waqas Iqbal Haji, 24, a resident of Bongam in Shopian, who secured 606 out of 720 in NEET examinations

This is the story of Waqas Iqbal Haji, 24, a resident of Bongam in Shopian, who secured 606 out of 720 in the open merit category. He appeared for the examination barely a few months before the age-bar could have rendered him ineligible to sit for the national test.

Even though having completed his B Tech in civil engineering at SSM College of Engineering, Iqbal decided to appear in NEET examination while pursuing his second semester of M Tech at NIT Srinagar.

Haji said he appeared in NEET examination with the sole intention of fulfilling his parents’ dream especially his mother of seeing her son as a doctor. Even though he had already completed his civil engineering and was now pursuing M Tech, the wishes and words of his mother: “Kaash Aap Doctor Hote,” kept him restive.

Iqbal sensed the opportunity to appear in the NEET examinations during successive lockdowns in Kashmir. As the people were enclosed, the internet was shut and the educational institutions were closed, Haji decided to utilize his time in revisiting his basics and it paid him back. He had completed his B Tech in January 2018 and simultaneously appeared in GATE examination next year and qualified that as well.

An eldest among his two siblings; a brother and a sister, Iqbal said: “My uncle is a doctor and he is my inspiration, along with my father and mother who brought me up.”

The son of a cab driver, Iqbal’s father helped him all through his journey of academic excellence and even in his decisions.

“The smiles on the faces of parent’s matters a lot for me,” he said, adding that the sacrifice of going back and studying again was worth it.  When asked if he regretted his decision as he had already invested his time in engineering, Iqbal said: “not at all.”

When asked what an aspirant should do during the preparation process, Iqbal said that he has observed in most of the candidates that even before preparation they are fearful of results and waste a lot of time thinking about disempowering thoughts of whether they can or not. “Instead they should focus on the process,” said Iqbal as with consistency and hard work one can achieve any goal.

Haji recommended NCERT books for aspirants for the preparation rather than losing themselves in a lot of material. “They should also read some other basic references,” said Iqbal.

When asked about the role of a social media and how important the internet is in the preparation, Haji said: “I have not used social media since 2011 when I was enrolled in the science stream and wanted to achieve my dreams,” even though he admitted using WhatsApp to stay updated.

According to Haji, the internet ban and slowing down of speed apparently worked in his favour and many students as is evident by the good score of many students but he also acknowledged the other difficulties faced due to its shutdown and low speed.

“I qualified NEET without any coaching,” he said as he is about to begin his fresh journey in a medical college for the sake of his parents.

A Hafiz-e-Quran

This season, Kashmir has a young boy who will enter the medical school after memorising the Quran.

Faizan Ul Islam, 19, he is from a distant village of Handwara who scored 541 marks in his third attempt.

Faizan Ul Islam, 19, he is from a distant village of Handwara who scored 541 marks in NEET exams

A resident of Muqam Rajwar Handwara, Islam had his schooling from local upper primary school. He was enrolled to Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom in Muqam where he memorized full Quran within three years. Later he passed class 10 and 12 from Government Boys Higher Secondary School Qalam Abad.

“Dedication and hard work are important for qualifying any exam,” said Islam besides that he considers the internet as very important in this modern era. “The credit for my success goes to my parents and all the teachers.”

When asked what should be the approach of students appearing in the exams, he said: “They should follow NCERT books and regularly go for mock test.”

by Khalid Bashir Gura

SRINAGAR: Dr Nazir Ahmad, a Kashmiri cancer research scientist was a part of WHO working group of 16 international experts from ten countries that met remotely at the invitation of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to classify opium consumption as carcinogenic.

A joint team of officials supervising the poppy cultivation drive in Chadoora subdivision. (File photo)

The Working Group evaluated the consumption of opium, an addictive narcotic drug.

“Opium consumption causes cancers of the larynx, lung, and urinary bladder,” the IARC said in a publication in the journal Lancet. Even though the authors of the Lancet said that “the evidence of it causing cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas and pharynx was “limited.”’

The evaluation applies only to opium, which is the minimally processed product derived from the juice (latex) of the unripe seedpod of the poppy plant. However, some opiates such as heroin, morphine, and codeine or synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are excluded from the carcinogenic classification.

Kashmir’s Hidden Epidemic

“Opium has a complex chemical composition, comprising at least 25 alkaloids and other ingredients,” reads the article.

The classification of opium as carcinogenic applies to both ingestion and smoking, and to all forms of “minimally processed opium” that are consumed—raw opium, opium dross, and opium sap, reads the research paper.

According to the WHO, about five million people across the world consume minimally processed opium. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has the world’s highest per capita consumption and accounts for 42 per cent of the global consumption of minimally processed opium,” the IARC said. “Other countries with comparatively high opium consumption rates include Afghanistan and India.”

Further, according to the research paper, India is also one of the largest legal producers of opium wherein the states such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan grow opium legally—along with Afghanistan and Myanmar.

The opium consumption is a problem in many low-and middle-income countries, with strong implications for public health and society,”  reads the article.

According to the article, “opium production and distribution have been controlled internationally since 1961. Opium is produced illicitly in approximately 50 countries worldwide, and global production has increased during the past decade.”

“Over 80 per cent of the world’s illicit opium comes from Afghanistan. Of the total opium produced, 15–20 per cent is used raw or minimally processed; the rest is processed into other opiates, mainly heroin,” the article reads.

In 2009, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan were estimated to be the world’s largest per capita consumers of raw or minimally processed opium.

There is another study on pattern and prevalence of substance use and dependence in Kashmir with a special focus on opioids carried out by Dr Yasir Rather, Head of the de-addiction unit at Institute of Mental health and neuro-sciences in collaboration with world vision India.

The study focussed on Srinagar and Anantnag reveals the average monthly expenditure of one opioid user came out to be Rs 68626 which makes the daily expenditure as Rs 2287.5.

According to the study, opioid dependence poses a significant burden on the economy as the daily expenditure on the consumption of Opioid in two districts of Srinagar and Anantnag is Rs 37, 490, 329. The total prevalence of substance dependence in the two districts is 1.95 per cent and the total opioid dependence is 1.80 per cent.

SRINAGAR: Dr Farooq Abdullah spent almost five hours in a questioning session at the Enforcement Directorate’s Srinagar office, media reports said. The second session of questioning in a span of few days coincided with his 84^th birthday.

Dr Farooq Abdullah coming out from Enforcement Directorate office Srinagar after day-long questioning on Monday, October 19, 2020. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur

Reports appearing in media said the questioning pertained to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association racket that was earlier investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI). He had reached the ED office at 11 am and was retained for five hours.

Disgraceful that ED has summoned Farooq sahab yet again despite a marathon interrogation that lasted for six hours. The fact that GOI is jittery because of our united front is for all to see. Such actions wont deter us from pursuing our common goal.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 21, 2020

This was the second questioning session. The first one, on Monday, continued for seven hours.

Omar Abdullah broke the news on Twitter in the morning saying: “This on a day when my father turns 84!”

In the afternoon, the NC met at the party headquarters and termed the summoning as part of Delhi’s “coercive plot”. NC spokesman said the objective was “browbeating”. The NC statement asked: “What is it that ED forgot to ask during the six hours it interrogated an 83 yr old Member of Parliament?”

ED officials reportedly revealed to some reporters that he was required for some clarifications. The officials, according to reports, said Abdullah was asked: “about the procedures followed and decisions taken when he was the president of the cricket body”.

Unlike October 19, Dr Farooq did not talk to reporters who were waiting outside the ED premises in Srinagar’s posh Rajbagh.

JKNC passes Resolution condemning vindictive/ coercive action against Dr Farooq Abdullah

GS Sagar presides over extraordinary meeting at Party Head Quarters

Full statement here:https://t.co/eza2frFMJ4 pic.twitter.com/ZKpEmV0eha

— JKNC (@JKNC_) October 21, 2020

ED is investigating the case that it registered on basis of CBI charge-sheet under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in 2018. Dr Abdullah was questioned by ED in Chandigarh in July 2019. The ED is planning to submit a charge sheet in the case.

In JKCA scam, CBI registered a case – on directions of High Court in a PIL in 2015 – against its office-bearers, including Mohammed Saleem Khan and former treasurer Ahsan Ahmad Mirza. Later in 2018, the federal investigator filed a charge sheet against Dr Farooq Abdullah, Khan, Ahsan Mirza besides Mir Manzoor Gazanffer Ali and former accountants Bashir Ahmad Misgar and Gulzar Ahmad Beigh for the “misappropriation of JKCA funds amounting to Rs 43.69 crore”.

ED sources have told newspapers in Delhi that Dr Abdullah was initially summoned as “witness”. However, after they found his involvement, he was booked in the case. Dr Farooq Abdullah has asserted his innocence before the court and is insisted that he is being implicated to tarnish his image.

by Saifullah Bashir and Shakir Ashraf

SRINAGAR: In her first press conference after being released from detention, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday they will continue the fight to bring back the state flag and special status.

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti addressing a maiden press conference on Friday, October 23, 2020, after her release of detention. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur

Donning green attire, Mufti started with condemning harassment on journalists.  “I want to appreciate you (media) for highlighting the ground situation by risking your life,” Mehbooba said, adding that “youth are being booked for a normal Facebook post”.

Talking on the current situation of Jammu and Kashmir she said that “We need to unite and then we can fight, no doubt we might face difficulties”.

Placing former state flag along with the party flag in front of her table she said that “When I was in jail, I thought PDP has vanished but my workers continue to stand with agenda, made by late Mufti Mohammad Sayed.”

She said that people of Jammu and Kashmir are shell shocked after August 5, 2019 decision. “It seems that people have lost all hopes,” she added.

Commenting on article 370 she said that “On August 2019 dacoity took place and GOI illegally read down special status, they themselves tempered the sacred constitution but they do not have any power to do so”, said Mehbooba.

“A robber may be mighty, but he has to return the stolen goods. They demolished the Constitution… Parliament had no power to taken away special status,” she told reporters. “Dictatorship will not continue for long,” she said.

She said that as former CM Dr Farooq Abdullah talked about the August 5 he was called by ED for questioning.  She said that “under the chairmanship of Farooq Abdullah we formed people alliances so that we can fight together”.

Mehbooba said that through different means, the centre government left no stone unturned to discourage and silent mainstream parties, but till the release from jail, we did not let our agenda to be dilated.

Targeting BJP she said that BJP passed CAA and anti-farmer bill in parliament but they should know that nation cannot be run on the wishes of government nor can they replace Indian constitution with their personal manifesto.  “BJP has nothing to show the world but they are fooling people that free COVID-19 vaccine will be given,” she said.

She said that I want to convey the message to people who are sitting in Delhi darbar that Kashmir issue is a real issue. “By closing eyes pigeon cannot save himself from the cat. Your existence will be erased,” she said.

“Our economy is worse than in Bangladesh. They have demonised Muslims, Dalits all downtrodden communities. PDP always wanted to bring peace to this place,” she said.

She said due to the centre’s decision China has now come in the ring and almost 1000 kilometres have been taken by them.

Mehbooba said that “I will not hesitate to give my blood for the restoration of special status, though we do not want violence we are being provoked by implementing harsh laws like domicile etc.”

She said that for centre people of Jammu and Kashmir are expandable; all they want is territory and resources.

Mehbooba said that we had acceded with secular India but we are not comfortable with today’s India where minorities have no rights and people of Jammu and Kashmir have lost its dignity.

“It is not impossible to get our old position back. This is a political fight and through non-violence, we will win, ”she added.

Asked about Geelani’s refusal to talk with the delegation from centre, Mehbooba said the refusal to meet the delegation led to the huge losses, adding that “It was the not delegation of BJP leaders. If Geelani was not willing to talk, he should have at least allowed them to enter the house. But restricting their entry in the home has portrayed a different picture of Kashmir,” she said.

On a question to a reporter, whether you will hold the Tri-colour or not she said that “My flag is this (pointing to the J&K flag on the table in front of her). When this flag comes back, we’ll raise that flag (tricolour) too. Until we get our own flag back, we won’t raise any other flag…This flag forged our relationship with that flag.”

“Our relationship with the flag of this country is not independent of this flag (Jammu and Kashmir’s flag). When this flag comes in our hand, we will raise that flag too.”

Mehbooba said that it is my personal view that “I have nothing to do with elections nor am I interested”, she said, replying to a question.

Commenting on participating in BDC elections she said that decision regarding to this is under process and it is the party who is going to decide.

Mehbooba Mufti was released from 14 months detention on October 13, after the J&K government revoked her detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA).

by Hirra Azmat

SRINAGAR: SRO Kashmir, a prominent Kashmir NGO, which has acted a saviour in difficult times for the Covid-19 patients, will not be entertaining any requests for Oxygen supply for a while in the wake of an attack on their main office in Batamaloo on Saturday, office-bearers said.

A charity group SRO is leading a major campaign to ensure the Covid-19 patients get the oxygen supply in time. Pic: Special arrangement

Speaking to Kashmir Life, one of the executive members of the SRO said their head office at Bonapora, Batamaloo was attacked, trespassed into and forcibly locked by some unscrupulous elements.

“Around 10:30 am, our volunteer Shahid faced a serious murderous assault. His phone and other personal belongings were snatched. He was first beaten inside the office and later to show the naked display of power, he was dragged outside by his collar, to further humiliate him and beat him. He was alone in the office that time,” the member said, wishing not to be named.

The member explained that there is an abandoned migrant property in their vicinity.

“Some unscrupulous elements had taken control over it for the last seven months. Recently, they have also begun construction on it. We had written to the divisional commissioner to take some action against it. Following which, he had taken a cognizance of matter and instructed the local Pathwaris and Tehsildars to take an action,” he said.

He said the case was forwarded to the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.

“They were planning to demolish it, however, the demolition was not executed. On Saturday, the construction was again resumed so we informed the enforcement officer to take a swift action on it. They accordingly, sent a squad and made some minor demolitions,” he said.

The member said that suspecting SRO-Kashmir, for being a hurdle for them in grabbing the abandoned property, they executed this attack in a meticulously planned manner.

The SRO has filed a police complaint in the Police Station Batamaloo.

“We have given our complaint before the Police station but the FIR has not been registered yet,” he said.

The member said the NGO will not take any requests for now.

“Till the FIR is registered, the NGO will not be functional. We are receiving calls for help from people in distress, which unfortunately we would not be able to take. We hope, our operations won’t be made to suffer for long and swift action is taken against the goons,” he said.

by Saifullah Bashir

SRINAGAR: Kashmir has moved from national elections to state elections. Article 370 that was read down in August 2019 is being loudly talked about in Bihar that goes to polls on in three phases starting October 28. Bihar’s 243 member house election is the first major electoral exercise after the major lockdown dictated by Covid-19.

PM Modi during an election rally at Bihar

Kashmir got into Bihar polls by the creation of a sort of insecurity. While addressing rallies in Vashali, Nityanand Rai, minister of state for home, said that “If RJD (opposition) come in power, terrorists would escape Kashmir and take shelter in Bihar. We won’t let them do that”.

The statement triggered a chain reaction. But what was said?

In subsequent days, various top leaders of the national parties, mostly the BJP, did their best to somehow mention Article 370 in their rallies.

Not only a normal politician but Prime Minister, as well as Chief Minister, targeted opposition parties for not supporting this act of central government.

“Earlier, a person from this part of Bihar could not even think of owning property in Kashmir. The Congress had put such a system in place,” UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in three public meetings on October 21. “But Narendra Modi and Amit Shah changed all that. Article 370 has been scrapped and the people now have a license to purchase and own property in any part of Kashmir.”

Then the Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally flew and he also talked about Article 370.

“Everyone was waiting for Article 370 to be repealed but these people are saying that they will overturn the decision once they are voted to power,” Modi was quoted saying in Sasaram, where he addressed a joint rally with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

“The NDA government abrogated Article 370. These people say they will bring it back if they come to power. After making such statements they dare to ask for votes from Bihar? Is this not an insult of Bihar? The state which sends its sons and daughters to the borders to protect the country?”

This has puzzled the Kashmir political class. “BJP has nothing to give or to show people and now they are using Kashmir card in other regions,” Mehbooba Mufti told in her maiden presser. “No one is talking about GDP, rise in rape cases in UP, Covid-19 situation and harassment of minorities”.

by Shakir Ashraf

SRINAGAR: Despite lockdown and internet shutdown, Anzar Nazir qualified IIT examination and got admission to IIT Roorkee College, one of India’s top colleges in India.

Anzar Nazir,19, resident of Shivpora Langate qualified JEE exams

Anzar Nazir,19, resident of Shivpora Langate made his parents proud by becoming the only candidate from district Kupwara to qualify JEE advance. Anzar secured 188^th rank and he is among 200 students selected by IIT Roorkee.

“After passing 12^th class, I started preparing for JEE Mains. When I got selected in JEE Mains and I become eligible for JEE advance. But I had to pay a fee for that which was not available for me, somehow I managed to collect the fee and I registered myself for JEE advance examination.” said Anzar.

Anzar belongs from a poor family and his father is a labourer, despite all hardships, Anzar focused on his goal and qualified JEE advance.

“I remain confined to my books and sometimes for better understanding I used YouTube,” Anzar said. “But the cell phone belongs to the family – we have only one mobile phone in our home. We five brothers and the sister use it. We assign the phone for a specific time to everyone as per the requirements.”

Anzar passed his 12^th from Government Higher Secondary School Langate.

JEE advance examination is being conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi. Almost 1,50,838 candidates appeared in both Paper 1 and 2 of JEE Advanced. Out of the total number, only 43,204 candidates have qualified the entrance examination.

JEE Main and JEE Advanced are all India level entrance examinations held for admission in the premier engineering institutes in India. JEE Main is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) for the candidates seeking admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs as well as other engineering and technology institutes run by the state governments and private institutions. Candidates who get better scores in JEE Mains are eligible for appearing in JEE Advanced that NIT Delhi conducts.

More than 200 candidates appeared for the examination in Srinagar. Interestingly, this was for the first time that an examination node was established in Srinagar. This year, NIT has lowered the cut-off for the  JEE advanced examination.