Tragic Assassination of Advocate Babar Qadri Kashmir recently witnessed dastardly killing of prominent lawyer, tv debater, writer and political commentator.
Babar Qadri was shot Thursday evening at his home in Srinagar by unidentified gunmen. Police blamed militants and said they formed a special investigation team.
“We will arrest them as soon as possible and if we cannot arrest them, we will try to neutralize them in an encounter. This case is a top priority for us,” Inspector General Vijay Kumar said in a news conference.
Qadri’s relatives said two men came to his home and posed as his clients. As Qadri came out, they fired at him and fled, they said. Qadri was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Qadri, in his late 30s, was an outspoken person known for his tv debater and writing skills.
It is indeed a very painful act that has send waves of grief across Jammu and Kashmir.
One hopes that killers of Babar Qadri would be unmasked soon and bloodshed comes to an end.
Civil service exam of 2020 In a big development, the Supreme Court refused to postpone UPSC civil services preliminary exam, to be held on October 4, because of COVID-19 pandemic and floods in several parts of the country. A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar, B R Gavai and Krishna Murari asked the Centre to consider granting one more chance to those aspirants who may not appear in their last attempt for the exam due to the pandemic. It also refused to consider the plea for clubbing of UPSC civil services exam of 2020 with 2021 exams saying this will have a cascading effect . The bench was hearing a plea seeking postponement of the Civil Services Exam for two to three months, so that the flood/ incessant rains recede and the COVID-19 curve flattens.
One hopes that students are able to go through exams in a nice manner . On the other hand, The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) opposed the plea saying all necessary precautions have been taken and adequate arrangements have been made for holding the exam.
In these gloomy times it is a notable development.
LAWDA DYSP Raies Ahmad Mir a paragon against encroachment News Kashmir Desk At a time when world including Kashmir is facing pandemic Coronavirus , some vested interests are trying to take undue advantage of same and resort to establishing encroachment in different parts of Srinagar. On the other hand, the tipper mafia is aiding the efforts of such illegal elements by ferrying construction material illegally. To weed out this menace a team formed under Dysp Raies Ahmad Mir has been constituted and it has been on war foot basis doing exemplary work. Since day one the dynamic personality of Raies Ahmad Mir has been leading from front weeding out the menace of illegal encroachment as soon as they surface, and going hard against the tipper mafia. It is learnt that a number of Touts and Brokers are in nexus with all this mafia trying to disturb the beauty of Srinagar. Raies Ahmad Mir, DYSP LAWDA has vowed to take forward the mission of preserving the serenity of Srinagar and go always tough against encroachers and such Tipper /land mafia as recently many tippers have been seized and booked under relevant sections of law.
Masses have highly appreciated these developments and hoped that soon the Srinagar city with such ONE MAN ARMY like officers would see new dawn of sustainable development.It is learnt that that in order to tackle such mafia more than twenty illegal tippers in Habbakadal, Saidakadal, NFR,WFR were seized which created panic among the mafia as a result they are labelling baseless allegations to hinder such appreciable practice.
News Kashmir Exclusive. With most educational institutions offbound due to covid crisis world over , exam season this year is likely to be unprecedented . Many are looking at tech-enabled proctoring solutions, despite concerns about keeping a close vigil to at least ensure some sort of evaluation of students before promoting them to next class. The coronavirus becoming more severe leaves just option of online exams in hand. A report of UK suggests that by 2025, digital exams should take the place of pen and paper booklets in order to make exams more accessible and relevant to the modern world. Online exams also called ‘E- Exam’ or ‘Digital Exam’ is an online test for judging student’s . Debate is now on in Kashmir too that has time come to go for online exams and prepare ourselves for same .
Sheikh Sameer, an education expert states , while talking to the News Kashmir states :”Online classes has provided an opportunity for students to get exposed to technology based education..In this part of world ,where strikes and curfews have consumed much of our time,and students and experts later on have to persuade the govt to reduce syllabus to 20_ 50 % or even mass promotion to students .. Covid lockdown provided an opportunity to think tanks to experiment online education via different means be it zoom or Google classes to complete syllabus therefore , provided little room for students to demand curtailment of syllabus.. However,Online schools require online interactions and the submission of written materials to help show evidence of learning. Some results, however, cannot be measured by the written word. How does an instructor know if the student wrote the report or if someone else wrote it for them? There are fewer checks and balances.Many students don’t have access to technology especially students belonging to underprivileged section of society . Network issues, frequent internet shut down too may cause inconvenience to students in this part of globe.”Some other voices are heavily in favour of conducting online exams. Showkat Shafi, Deputy Director Internal Quality Assurance Higher Education, Kashmir University, while talking to News Kashmir states :” During the Covid times and post Covid times we need to learn importance of online exams.The big universities of world are already going for online exams. It is in Vogue already. Examination is conducting to know students understanding and Knowledge of the subject, we should in this regard have online exams with multiple choice exams. The online exams will help us in effective automatic grading system and yield flawless scoring. Online exams would help us also in fair examinations. It would also help us in saving papers. There are no reasons thus why we can’t go for online exams both at national and international level. “ With pandemic Coronavirus wrecking havoc on all sectors especially on the all important education sector it looks clear that online exams is the only option left.
Schools as per capacity will take care of deserving Students : GN Var News Kashmir Desk Fee waiver has become a welcome decision in current times of pandemic Coronavirus for those parents facing economic hardships in Kashmir. In a significant development few days back, Private Schools’ Association of J&K (PSAJK) announced a major fee waiver scheme for students, whose family income has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown. The announcement about the fee waiver scheme was made during a press conference addressed by President PSAJK G N Var after holding deliberations with Parents Association of Privately Administered Schools (PAPAS), trade bodies and representatives of tourism, transporters and other sectors, a statement issued by the schools association said.
While talking to the News Kashmir, GN Var, President Private Schools’ Association of J&K (PSAJK) stated :” The schools at individual level and as per their capacity will take care of deserving students.We have to also bear in mind that Parents have to pay fee otherwise economy schools will collapse . “ On Covid crisis he stated that the online exams, uniform curriculum and community schooling is the only option as long as Covid 19 situation continues. Masses are pinning hopes that considering the economic pain they are in, the private school associations and bodies will take care of their interests.
Kashmir’s exemplary Corona Warrior DSP Sheikh Aadil Farzana Mumtaz Coronavirus is now a widespread pandemic which has killed lacs and infected millions . We are well aware that harsh lockdowns have crushed economies across world and as we are coming out of lock down the crisis still remains as cases continues to increase and with it deaths. Kashmir has been witness to many shining examples of Corona Warriors helping humanity. Police officer Sheikh Aadil Mushtaq is paragon of this veracity. During the tougher phase of Covid-19 lockdown, a top cop Sheikh Aadil Mushtaq posted in traffic department has come out to the rescue of needy people by providing essentials and medicines at their door steps.He has set a wonderful example for one and all. It is pertinent to mention here that, Sheikh Aadil Mushtaq, a 2015 batch Jammu and Kashmir Police Service (JKPS) officer from Baramulla district, who is posted as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) traffic police in Srinagar has started a chain on volunteer contribution across the Kashmir valley by delivery the lifesaving drugs and essential food items at the door steps of needy people. Talking to The News Kashmir , Sheikh Aadil shared his experience : “We started this idea of helping needy as we got hundreds of distressed calls on life saving drugs since initially lock down was quite tough we used volunteers from traffic department , and DC srinagar also helped and provided curfew passes for all volunteer. This was initiative by like minded groups. We formed four whatsApp groups ranging from catering to food to medicine to other Covid related help. We used social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp mediums to get people’s request and mobilise help for same.
Sheikh Aadil adds that now the requests have come down much as the lockdown has been eased the number of requests have come down. He is stressing people to come forward and don’t be shy of asking any needed help. Sheikh Aadil observed :” This Coronavirus crisis is of gigantic proportions been seen first time by our generation. With rising cases and deaths the only option with the people remains to adhere to social distancing and follow utmost Precautions. People should regularly wash their hands and maintain perfect hygiene. People should take care of personnel fitness as it holds key to build required immunity to fight Coronavirus. “ He hopes that humanity will soon triumph Coronavirus. Sheikh Aadil believe as police has been at forefront battling Coronavirus the pandemic has come as wonderful opportunity of improving police public relations and people are recognizing great efforts of police .
India China after more than 40 years have witnessed deadliest border clash at Easter Ladakh in Galwan Valley. On 15 June, 2020 night fierce border clash in Galwan Valley that left at least 20 Indian Army soldiers dead. Sources from India claimed 35 Chinese soldiers were dead or injured.
The clash in Galwan Valley is the biggest confrontation between the two militaries after their 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost around 80 soldiers while the death toll on the Chinese side was over 300.The Indian Army, however, said on Thursday that all Indian soldiers involved in the deadly clashes with the Chinese army at the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night had been “accounted for”. “It is clarified that there are no Indian troops missing in action,” the Army said in a brief statement without elaborating. Military sources on Thursday added that a total of 76 Army personnel were brutally assaulted by the Chinese army on Monday out of which 18 were seriously injured while 58 of them sustained minor injuries. They said 18 personnel are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Leh while 58 are admitted to various other hospital. The problematic point is that China is claiming Sovereignty over whole Galwan valley.
Mushtaq ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, a renowned political analyst, while talking to the News Kashmir stated : “China-India border violence points out the fact of deteriorating relations. More than twenty soldiers are dead and violence can flare up again. Violence is a manifestation of breakdown of diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations. Kashmir dispute that BJP and other regimes are trying to brush aside as resolved or internal matter has the potential to drag India to the brink of war. Pakistan has been using its diplomatic and economic negotiation skills to create trouble for India through China and Nepal, as Pakistan claims stakes in Kashmir being a party in the dispute. So once again India & Pakistan have to dialogue with each other to de escalate the violence in which China now has become a party too. Kashmiris have been bearing the brunt of state and non state violence and with the illegal abrogation of its special status and detention of pro Indian Kashmiri leaders, the alienation has been complete between Kashmiris and Indian state. If Kashmir dispute is not resolved according to the wishes of people, particularly the United Nations designated stakeholders India and Pakistan, it will continue to bleed the parties involved, earlier just Kashmiri muslims were the victims. Now the soldiers and civilians will be cannon fodder too with the involvement of China.” The nutshell analysis is that with every moment India China relations are worsening.
Ehsaas International in service of Humanity An interview with Chief Spokesperson Tahir Makhdoomi
NGO Ehsaas International is a prominent non political social organisation working for benefit of masses in Jammu and Kashmir .At Ehsaas International the belief is that humanity is not limited by borders nor by affordability. It is all about ‘EHSAAS’(meaning care and respect in Urdu language) for human beings and human values. In the need of the hour Ehsaas International have reached different corners of the world and participated in whatsoever means one can ,be it Palestine or Yemen, Chennai or Muzaffar Nagar UP, Nepal or Kerala and Kashmir . In the ongoing Pandemic Coronavirus, Ehsaas International has done a marvellous job in Kashmir, especially when it came to providing the frontline workers all important standard PPE and Masks. In an exclusive interview with the News Kashmir’s Rameez Makhdoomi, the Chief Spokesperson Ehsaas International Tahir Makhdoomi talks on diverse issues.
How difficult it has been to work in a pandemic like Coronavirus especially at beginning? Whatever one does for society is always full of hardships and challenges. People were lot of panic struck when Corona hit first. The most difficult challenge for people of Kashmir was how we will fight this pandemic especially ensuring safety of our frontline warriors in covid hospitals. We at Ehsaas have been always at forefront in helping the society at adverse times . We do most of our work in education sector. This time we saw how we can protect our front line workers like Doctors , Paramedics, SMC people, sanitisation teams, those working in Quarantine centers, police, revenue officials etc. Our General Secretary Ilyas Hakeem and Chairman Tabasum Geelani held a brief meeting in this regard with executive body. We unanimously drafted idea of producing PPE and held a meeting with all the concerned stake holders especially administration and hospitals got their nod. At the end we bought the material and gave this idea practical shape in our thirty centers. Our PPPs and Masks produced are of global standard with full protection and comfort. We gave then orders to our centers to produce masks, PPE, food covers. We were able to engage large number of tailors and they also thus got meaningful livelihood opportunities. They had faced lot of economic pain due to previous and current lockdown. They got good amount of money to survive these tough times.
How many PPE and masks your produced so far? We have been able to distribute so far thirty thousand PPE to different institutions from Directorate of health , SMC to Quarantine centers, and other frontline workers. Our PPE proved great boon for the doctors and protecting them in hard times. We got appreciation letters from different organs of Government. We also distributed more than fifty thousand masks. After advice from esteemed DC Srinagar we then shifted to distributing food kits especially in those areas were no one had reached. We covered areas like Harwan,Dhara, Khimber, Phag, Theed etc. We have so far distributed more than 1500 food kits . Your initiative as Ehsaas International are also now part of UPSC exam. Your take ? One of the eminent team dealing with drafting of syllabus of UPSC exam talked with our General Secretary Ilyas and after getting inputs from us, they have now added tremendous work done by Ehsaas international in the exam syllabus. What about donation you received during this pandemic? We received impressive donation especially at the start and it is only due to this we were able to produce this large number of PPE,Masks, Food kits.Do you believe there is need to improve functioning of Mohalla or area committee in Kashmir? Definitely, the need to improve the Mohalla or area Committee remains in Kashmir. We need to strengthen the institution of the Bait ul Maal as we found many areas during this pandemic facing quite lot of hardships. Has NGO coordination in Kashmir improved during this pandemic? The NGO coordination in Kashmir has definitely improved during this pandemic.But, we need to bear in mind that due to diverse thoughts, different mentalities, difference in motives, ego clashes complete harmony between NGOs is not possible.
People should follow advisories to remain Cyber healthy : Tahir Ashraf With the advent of internet and it’s growing reach Cyber Crime has become a reality all over the world and in Kashmir Valley too. Cybercrime, or computer-oriented crime, is a crime that involves a computer and a network. The computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target. Cybercrime may threaten a person or a nation’s security and financial health. Editor in Chief News Kashmir Farzana Mumtaz talks to dynamic police officer and Superintendent of Cyber Police Kashmir Tahir Ashraf on different aspects.
People in Kashmir are getting calls from numbers allegedly from Saudi Arabia, what is it all about? People are getting lot of calls from foreign country numbers .We came into action and came to known it is global scam and scammers have targeted Kashmiri numbers.The motive of them is that you call back and you are diverted to much costlier premium charge calls,and thus lose good amount of balance. We have advised people not to pick these calls and also not call back. People should not panic and we have already issued advisories via print, electronic media. How far is cyber crime Increasing in Kashmir? With the growing internet usage the Cyber Crime is bound to increase, but the good part is we have been very much effective in dealing with cyber crime. We require cooperation of public especially in following our advisories from time to time. We also need cooperation of media in raising awareness. The esteemed DGP has stressed that Jammu and Kashmir police is committed to resolve the issues , worries of common masses when it comes to normal and cyber crimes. How far are people in our part of the world aware about safe use of Cyber world ? The awareness among people is still less about cyber world. People still do not known what is cyber crime and where to report it. . In this recent miss call scam issue from foreign numbers they came with application to us, while as it deals with people reporting these numbers to their respective telecom operators .Relationship between social media and cyber crime? Social media is a part of cyber. Cyber is a big world : Your own internet use, your data, your computers, CCTVs. The cyber world is sea and people think just Facebook, Instagram is cyber world which is not true.
Your message to masses? We as Jammu and Kashmir are committed to solve all issues of people and we appeal people to be alert on cyber world. People should follow the advisories issued by us from time to time and remain cyber healthy .
DOMESTIC ABUSE-The epitome of power and control over a women during COVID-19
Safura Amin
It is a tough time for people around the world as we are suffering from a pandemic but it is tragic for women’s around the world as they are facing domestic abuse. Self-quarantining and social distancing are leading towards violence, abuse and aggression in homes. During these months, with many businesses closed, some victims are stuck at home with their abuser. Government has advised people to stay at home to avoid getting or spreading the novel coronavirus, but there are many women’s who are worried about staying at home, as it is not a safe or a happy place for them.Different women narrated there miserable experience during this Lockdown due to pandemic Coronavirus. Maroofa from lal Bazer called us and told he is tracking her more closely and keeping a watch on her. She pointed to the inability to see friends and family who might normally offer support and thusless the financial or emotional burden.Shafqat from Arampora told us he was abusing her emotionally, psychologically, financially, but due to lock down it has led to physical violence.Afshana from budgam said she expected that there will be an outbreak; her ex-girlfriend kept calling him and led to difference between them and which lead to physical abuse to kids as a reply to the questioning by wife.The condition is worst in Kashmir as we don’t have shelters home. Women facing violence are unable to escape their situations due to lack of facilities. Not every family in our society supports their daughter to live alone and escape the abuser. Women are expected to live in oppressive set ups to save the honour of the family and also because women are financially dependent on their family and abuser. As a lawyer there are many cases which come to us but as courts non availability leads to worst situation and no shelter home in Kashmir adds more to this. The courts will also see another type of case as a prolonged period of time where people are out of their routines and stuck at home with each other will exacerbate marital difficulties that may lead to increase in divorces. Unemployment will lead to increases in domestic violence .Domestic violence is also deadly, more so now with abusers finding themselves frustrated and at home far more than normal.Tabasum told she was the first to lose his job and suffered the most from economic problems. Low-income in families make it impossible to meet their most basic needs. She told us that her husband keeps fighting with her on the notion she spends a lot and not realizing the economic crunch of the family which ultimately lead to beating and violence in their home. Even if partners aren’t living together, the abusive patterns can still persist. For example, Nahida says her abuser tried to convince her to still see in spite of social distancing requirements. He use to send her Pressuring messages like, “If you really loved me, then you have come over” or “I haven’t been exposed and am not sick, so why won’t you hang out with me?” in this way van abuser is trying to exert control, at the risk of both partners’ health. The situation went worst when he told her that if you don’t meet me I will upload the victim’s pictures on internet. Isolation period can trigger flashbacks for survivors of domestic violence, too. “A trigger is something that elicits a certain reaction from us when we emotionally—or even physically—re-experience something in our lives,” Sana from Nowpora says she faced an abusive relationship long in the past; this isolation brings her back to that traumatic time Victims are more alone and vulnerable than before. Someone in an abusive relationship feeling even more emotionally dependent on an abusive partner and less likely to reach out for help. The more time that goes on, someone trapped in an unhealthy relationship can lose confidence in their ability to reach out to friends and family for helpMoreover, the very institutions designed to protect victims of abuse and violence—courts, social service agencies, and law enforcement—are themselves shutting down or cutting back while they struggle to determine how to implement social distancing and fight the pandemic. There’s a serious risk that they will operate at significantly reduced capacity at a time when the need for their services is greater than ever so it eventually lead a responsibility on every human to help, protect and report violence of any kind in society.There are enormous opportunities now for us as a responsible citizen to do better in the wake of this crisis and help each other. During this crisis it’s vital that we all look out for each other, and those experiencing domestic violence are on the list of our most vulnerable it’s important for victims to know that they’re not alone, and there is hope. Talk to someone and don’t be ashamed to ask for help. Whether it’s a neighbour, colleague, or family member, it’s important to have the support needed to get to safety.I want to conclude by saying if you have opportunity be a responsible citizen and help each other during this crisis. By- Safura Amin(The author is a practising advocate at J&K High Court, Madras High Court and can be reached at safurabhat15@gmail.com )
