PASSION OF COLLECTING HERBS
TURNS INTO FULL TIME WORK FOR THIS VERINAG GIRL.

TAWQEER HUSSAIN
Hailing from south Kashmir’s Verinag area, Tabasum Jan 21 gave herbal remedy to increase the memory power. Her herbal treatment has made her the recipient of the prestigious Sristi Samaan award from National Innovation Foundation (NIF) of India in 2007, only girl in valley till date to hold this award. She is also the only female collaborator working with Grass Root Innovations and Augumentation Network (GIAN) Cell, University of Kashmir.
Eighteen years old Tabasum discontinued her studies after class tenth to help her mother in her day to day work. In childhood, she developed an interest in embroidery and started devoting her time in it. Along with it she also started learning traditional herbal practices from her Grandmother. She has good knowledge about herbs and their medicinal uses. She gives herbal medicines for anaemia, memory loss, stomach ache, ear pain and other ailments.
“My Grand mother although illiterate had high knowledge of these herbs. She used to give this herbal Medicare to the entire village for dozens of ailments. People always throng to our house for prescription” recalled Tabasum.
With the death of her Grandmother, people still came to our house only to go back empty hands, as there was no one to follow the Grandmother’s footsteps. This thing always pinches me and soon i thought of giving life to this herbal practice again. Also With the passage of time, people became relying mostly on the English medicines and this traditional herbal practice was put in to the darkness.
Keeping this practice alive Tabasum’s first patient was her own father Abdul Gani Ganie who was suffering from the memory loss.
“My father always used to double check the power switch. He was mot sure whether he had turned off the switch or not. He would at times come out of bed during night to checkwhether the power has been switched off or not. I became eager to check this disturbing situation and i came yo know that my father is suffering from memory loss” says the young innovator.
Once I took out the courage and gave my father couple of doses of “Ded” (Read dead ) herb and after couple of days i found positive results and soon i gave it to some of my friends who were also satisfied with its result.
I became very happy and thought of distributing this knowledge among others so that everybody will get benefit from it, but due to the limited resources i could not make it.
One day while sitting at my home I found some persons from the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) of India and outside my house enquiring about my herbal practices. They asked several questions to me about the Ded herb and its use. They told me that they want to share my practice to the entire country. Initially I hesitated but later Anil K Gupta, Chairman of the NIF explained me the work of NIF and at that time I submitted my herbal practice to them.
I explained them the whole process and also told them that the Herb Ded is used to increase the memory power and irrespective of the available memory increasing agents in market, this herb is from any side effects. The same thing as later proved by the researches done by NIF and my herb was approved as the memory increasing agent.
After six months, I received a communiqué from the NIF about being selected for the Sristi Samaan award.
In the year 2007, i went to the Ahmadabad to receive the honour. This honour boosted my morale and soon I started devoting my entire time in searching the new herbs. Some girls also joined me in the process and today we are a group of 20 girls carving out this hidden herbal Medicare.
This girl of high morale and honour was ignored by the GIAN cell, until this reporter called them.
“ i worked hard and collected some unique herbs but the people from the GIAN cell always ignored me with” rued Tabasum.
Talking to this reporter, Chairman GIAN Cell, university of Kashmir accepted that the girl was ignored because of the mis-understanding and communication gap, but he adds that she will join us as the collaborator in the coming month.
“Initially due to the communication gap, Tabasum was ignored only because we don’t know about her, but recently when i came to know about her innovation, i sent a team headed by Dr Shabir Ahmad and motivated her to come here. Today she is our only female collaborator in the valley” said Dr. Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, Chairman GIAN Cell, university of Kashmir.

BLOODBATH CONTINUES IN VALLEY:
17 killed, 100s injured in 12 hours; Toll 88

Sept 13: Kashmiris soil was once again soaked with the innocent blood as Kashmir witnessed one of its bloodiest days on Monday in past two decades of conflict as 17 persons were killed and over 200 others injured in police and CRPF action in various parts of the valley. Kashmiris were protesting against the alleged desecration of Quran in United States, but unlike other countries, had to face bullets. With today’s killings death toll in the ongoing Kashmir unrest has mounted to 88.

BUDGAM
At least seven persons including district president JKLF (R) and a woman were killed in violent clashes in Budgam while over 60 people were injured 23 of them critically.
While a 7th class student, Danish Nabi son of Ghulam Nabi Kumar, of Charar-i-Sharief was killed in CRPF firing at a group of youth who had engaged the paramilitary troopers in clashes near Hanwari in Char town, five persons were killed in police and CRPF firing at different places in Budgam.
Shouting pro-Islam and anti-US slogans, thousands of people took to streets in various areas here. However, police and troopers swung into action firing teargas canisters and bullets to disperse the protesters.
Atleast four persons including women were killed when the troopers and police opened indiscriminate fire on protesters at Humhama here. Witnesses said thousands of people including women from different villages of Budgam were marching peacefully towards Srinagar to protest against the desecration. However, as soon as the procession reached near Humhama, it was intercepted by a large contingent of police and CRPF.
“We assured the police and troopers that the march will remain peaceful and they allowed us to proceed. However as the procession moved forward, the troopers and cops without any provocation opened indiscriminate fire on us. Four person were killed on the spot,” said one of the injured undergoing treatment at the district hospital Budgam.
The victims were identified Javaid Ahmad, Nissar Ahmad Kuchay, 22, Ghulam Rasool Ahanger—all residents of Humhama while a woman Rafeeqa, hails from Ompora Budgam.
Doctors at the Budgam and Srinagar hospitals told Greater Kashmir that those who succumbed to the injuries had bullet injuries above their waists.
“It is a clear indication of target firing,” said a senior doctor at Budgam hospital, adding the hospital received more than 40 bullet injury cases. Fifteen of them who had bullet injuries above waist and were critical. They were referred to Srinagar for treatment,” the doctor said.
Another doctor said of the 10 bullet injury cases received at Ompora medical institute, eight were referred to Srinagar in critical condition. Two more persons from Chattergam, Budgam, were critically injured in teargas shelling at a procession, doctors said.
Eyewitnesses said 13 year old Danish was shot at his chest from a close range during protests at Hariwari here. Though he was rushed to the local hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. They said Shakeel Ahmad and Mudasir Mushtaq, were critically injured when they received bullets in their abdomen,
Eyewitnesses told Greater Kashmir that after being hit by bullets, Danish and Shakeel were allegedly dragged by the CRPF troopers towards their camp and beaten severely. ”“We saw troopers dragging them and kicking their chests” said an eyewitness, Mushtaq Ahmad.
Soon after the incident, thousands of people came out on the roads to protest against the killing. Women could not control their emotions on seeing the duo in a pool of blood.
Furious over the killing people burnt two vehicles and two motor bikes in the main bus stand reportedly belonging to police, and armed police which is stationed near the shrine of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani (RA).
People also raised the bunker of the armed police in the bus stand. In retaliation the troopers of armed police resorted to aerial firing which continued for more than 30 minutes. However locals alleged the firing was unprovoked.
Thousands of people attended the funeral prayers of Danish who was later laid to rest at the martyrs’ graveyard. The protests were going on late in the evening.
The district president JKLF (R), Showkat Ahmad Mir, was killed in firing by CRPF and police in the main town Budgam when he was leading a procession.
At main town Budgam, a policeman identified as Ravinder Singh, was killed after being run over by a vehicle that was reportedly carrying injured to Srinagar hospital.
South Kashmir
Four persons were killed and at least 100 injured when police and CRPF men opened fire and resorted to intense teargas shelling on the protestors at various places in south Kashmir today. Meanwhile a teenager went missing after he jumped in river Jehlum while being chased away by the forces.
Strict curfew was clamped in Islamabad, Pulwama, Kulgam, Bijbehara and Kakpora while severe restrictions were enforced in other major and small towns of the region.
Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of people from different localities of Pampore defied the restrictions, took to roads and staged pro-freedom and anti-India protests. They said that the protestors entered into clashes with government forces and tried to block the Srinagar-Jammu Highway at Kadalbal. As the protesters after being dispersed were running for safety, the police and CRPF chased them and resorted to firing and heavy teargas shelling in the interiors of the town killing one person on spot and resulting in the injuries to 50 others, witnesses said.
Two critically injured were shifted to Srinagar hospital where they succumbed to injuries. The deceased have been identified as Riyaz Ahmad Shiekh S/o Ghulam Muhammad Shiekh (28 ) of Tengan, Pampore, Ajaz Ahmad Wagay,(26) of Kadalbal and Javaid Ahmad Rather of Kadalbal. At least 20 persons sustained bullet injuries. The injured have been admitted in different hospitals while the condition of three critically injured youth
Bilal Hussain Mir, Muzzafar Ahmad Mir and Riyaz Ahmad who have been shifted to Srinagar is stated to be critical.
A 14 year boy was killed and two others injured after the forces and police resorted to unprovoked' firing in Islamabad. Witnesses said the police and CRPF men without any provocation opened fire at Sarnal near the house of Member of parliament and senior NC leader Dr. Mehboob Beg in the evening killing a 14 year old boy Aqib Ahmad Wagay S/O Gulzar Ahmad Wagay on spot and injuring two others. The injured were shifted to district hospital, Islamabad and
later Firdous Ahmad S/O Ghulam Qadir who was hit by a bullet in chest, was referred to Srinagar in a critical condition.
Reports said as the news about the death of the boy spread , thousands of people including women defying the restrictions, took to streets and staged protests. The massive protests and fierce clashes between forces and youth, were going on in many areas of the town till late
night.
Eyewitnesses said the Ikhwanis turned SOG persons of Kadipora SOG camp also fired on the funeral procession of
the deceased near Mattan chowk.
" When we reached with the body near Kadipora SOG camp at Mattan Chowk, the Ikhwanis camping there, fired at us.
They even did not even spare the dead and fired a volley of bullets on his coffin" said Basheer Ahmad who was a part of the procession
Earlier, in the afternoon in Khanabal area of the township another teenager went missing after he jumped into the river Jehlum while being chased away by the government forces near Khanabal bridge.
Eyewitnesses said that dozens of youth in the morning defying the curfew took to roads and clashed with the police and forces at Khanabal Chowk. They said that the forces resorted to intense teargas shelling to chase away the youth. " While being chased away by the forces, three youth jumped into the Jehlum out of whom of two were rescued while the another went missing" locals said.
He has been identified as Raju Nath S/O Mukhtar Ahmad Nath, 17, of Nathpora Khanabal. Locals alleged that the forces fired teargas canisters and threw bricks on the youth after they jumped into the river as one of the
bricks hit Rajoo.
After the incident hundreds of people defying the restrictions assembled at Khanabal chowk to rescue him. However when reports last came in, the search was going on.
Earlier, in the morning several police and CRPF personals were injured when the youth defied restrictions in volatile area of Malakhnag in old town and hurled stones on the forces deployed there. At least 15 people were injured when cops and forces resorted to firing and teargas shelling at protestors at Sangam on the Srinagar-Jammu highway.
Eyewitness said that thousands of people from the peripheries of Sangam like Mazgam, Litter and Naina took out a procession and marched towards Sangam this afternoon.
As the protesters reached near Sangam Chowk and tried to block the highway, the forces opened fire and lobbed teargas canisters on them triggering clashes. At least fifteen protestors sustained injuries. One of the critically injured Shabir
Ahmad who received the bullet injuries was shifted to Naina hospital where from he was referred to Srinagar.
In Shopian at least 40 people were injured some of them critically during the day long clashes between them and the forces.
Reports said that groups of youth in many localities of the town took to roads and clashed with the police and forces since morning. They said that the youth attacked the police station and Deputy Commissioners' office with bricks and stones triggering violent clashes between the two sides. The police and the CRPF men deployed there fired rubber bullets and resorted to intense teargas shelling and aerial firing to quell the angry youth.
During the clashes, eyewitnesses said, at least 40 persons and six police men were injured. Three youth, reports said, received rubber bullets in their eyes and were shifted to Srinagar hospital. Reports of violent protests and clashes with several injured were also received from Kulgam, Qaimoh, Qazigund, Pulwama, Awantipora, and Bijbehara townships
while massive pro-freedom demonstrations rocked Tral. More than twenty thousand people from the adjoining villages and Tral staged protests in the main town.
Later in the evening, police ransacked the house of Bar President Islamabad Fayaz Ahmad Saudagar. The family accused the police of looting cash and jewelery from the house besides thrashing them. Pertinently Saudagar is the district president of Democratic Freedom Party
Tangamarg
Atleast five people were killed and 65 others injured, when police and the CRPF personals opened fire on the protesters in the Tangmarg area of north Kashmir.
Reports said that thousands of people from Tangmarg and the adjoining areas assembled during the wee hours of Monday to take part in the protests against the alleged desecration.
As the protesters according to reports gathered in the main chowk of the tangmarg, a group of protesters moved towards the Bisco school situated in the area. The protesters after setting the newly constructed missionary school on fire, set ablaze other Government buildings including Fisheries department, Social welfare department, Block office, Tehsil Office, Court office, Treasury, Mechanical Division office, Sheep Husbandry office and the Municipal office.
However the troopers and cops swung into action and opened indiscriminate fire on the protesters killing three persons on the spot and injuring 65 others. The deceased were identified as Mudassir Ahmad Parrey S/O Gh. Rasool Parrey R/O Krishama Tangmarg, Tariq Ahmad Ganaie r/o Tillegam and Qayoom Ahmad Wani of Waniloo Tangmarg., Iqbal Ahmad Malik s/o Bashir Ahmad Malik of Tumberhama village.
Out of the 65 injured, 55 have bullet injuries and have been shifted to the Srinagar for specialized treatment.
Witnesses said after the shootout, police continued the firing hampering the rescue operation resulting in four deaths due to loss of blood. Many youth were reported to be missing following the shootout. People fear that the police might have dumped the bodies in Shajamarg forests in Tangamarg as the locals were not allowed to search for the missing there.
In the evening, people attacked the houses of cops in Tilgam and its adjoining areas. Reports said 40 youth have been taken into custody.
Meanwhile clashes broke out in different parts of Varmul district over the killings. In Pattan area, police opened fire, after a group of protesters attacked the police station. In the ensuing clashes three persons were injured.
Violent clashes were also held at Sangrama and Azad Gunj.
Bandipore
One person was killed and 30 others were injured as police and CRPF open fire at several places here in North Kashmir district of Bandipora.
Nissar Ahmad Bhat (22) was killed and three others were injured when personnel of Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly opened fire on peaceful protesters in Ajas township of Bandipora on Monday morning.
Eyewitness told Greater Kashmir that a group of youth were protesting against the desecration on Srinagar-Bandipora road at Ajas on Monday morning who were fired open by the BSF personnel after they (BSF) unprovoked beat them mercilessly.
“When the elders interrupted they (BSF) open direct fire and killed Nissar Ahmad on spot. He was not the part of protests during the incident” the witnesses said.
Locals in the alleged BSF, CRPF and Police of beating injured persons who were referred to Srinagar. “We are beaten and not allowed to move towards Srinagar. They (CRPF) forcef us to go Hajin along with Injured for treatment” said a local.
“They didn’t allow us to use Hospital ambulance in order keep the incident hidden” he said. Six persons sustained injured in Ajas after funeral procession of Nissar when people attacked cavalcade of Superintendent of Police
Junaid Mehmood.
Nine people injured in Saderkoot village of Bandipora when forces allegedly opened fire to chase away people who were protesting against the Ajas killing near Saderkoot, four of them were referred to Srinagar.
During the daylong clashes eight persons were injured including two women when Police and CRPF lobbed teargas shells to disperse the protesters in various wards of Bandipora.
People defy curfew early in the morning when police allegedly barged into houses and beat a 38-year-old Rukhasana Begun and his son Mudasir. This infuriated the residents who staged protests and pelted stone on cops deployed in the main Market Bandipora, three persons were injured in Nadihal, Hajin, Kaloosa and Sheikh Mohall Bandipora during the day long clashes.
Dozens of youths have been arrested from various localities of Bandipora like Kaloosa, Saderkoot, Main town and Sheikh Mohalla.
Reports of protests and clashes incidents were also reported from several other places, including Aloosa, Ashtangoo, Nathpora, Ajar, Papcahan, Lawadara and Bhag Bandipora. Police used batons, lobbed teargas shells and fired warning shots to disperse the protestors but there was no report of any casualty in these areas, they added.
11 Injured in Srinagar clashes
For the second day running, a strict curfew was imposed across the summer capital here to check the protests even as people defied curfew at a few places including Soura and Parimpora. At least 11 persons were injured in police action against protesters during clashes.
Witnesses said protesters defied curfew and staged pro-freedom demonstrations near Sabzi Mandi, Soura. They clashed with police and CRPF men and pelted them with stones as they tried to disperse them. The forces caned protesters, lobbed teargas shells and opened fire injuring at least eight of the protesters, witnesses said.The injured were shifted to the nearby SKIMS for treatment where doctors said all of them were stable. Intermittent clashes continued throughout the day in the locality.
Earlier near Parimpora, on the Srinagar-Varmul highway in city outskirts, three persons were wounded when police opened fire to disperse protesters demonstrating against the alleged desecration of holy Qur’an in US. Witnesses said a procession, comprising of people from several localities including Sumbal, Narbal, Mujgung and other localities, was on its way to Srinagar. The protesters, they said, clashed with police at Parimpora.
They pelted policemen with stones and attacked the Parimpora police station. The cops lobbed tear smoke shells and opened fire to disperse them injuring three of them.
The injured were identified as Zahoor Ahmad son of Bashir Ahmad of Mujgund, Muzaffar Ahmad son of Abdul Rahim of Mujgund and Bilal Ahmad Tantray son of Abdul Rashid Tantray of Panznair. They were shifted to JVC Hospital Bemina.
In several localities including Gow Kadal, Mandar Bagh and Khnyar, several youth attempted to take out protest processions after news about fresh killings broke out.
Police and CRPF chased away youth and beat several of them
Locals of Basant Bagh and Khanyar said that CRPF men had unleashed terror in the localities and aren’t even allowing them to peep out of windows.
“Whosoever even attempts to open door is being yelled at. They attack our houses and smash windows by canes and stones,” they said.
“Since Eid we aren’t allowed to offer prayers in Masjids. It’s interference in religious affaris,” they said.
Elsewhere, police and CRPF remained deployed in large numbers imposing curfew. The forces didn’t allow anyone to step out of their homes. Witnesses said they even hindered the free movement of the essential service vehicles including hospital ambulances which were ferrying the injured from other distracts to the Srinagar hospitals.
The forces didn’t honour the curfew passes issued by the district administration and prevented media persons from performing their duties.
In downtown of city, police and CRPF vehicles made rounds of localities asking people not to defy curfew.
Ganderbal
Over two dozen persons including several policemen were injured after intense clashes broke out between police and
protestors at several places across this district on Monday.
Raising anti-America and pro- Islam slogans people from Batwina, Baroosa, Ahan, Wakura, Kurhama, Dangerpora, Waheedpora, Gangerhama and the adjoining areas took out a massive protest procession and were
heading towards the district head quarter. However police and CRPF intercepted and resorted to aerial firing, smoke shelling and lathicharge in which dozens were injured witness said.
Meanwhile a massive protest demonstrations were also reported from Saloora, Malshahibagh, Duderhama and Manigam where several protestors including some policemen were reportedly injured.
Police has also detained several youth across this district.
Meanwhile, people tried to defy the curfew in Kangan town. Clashes broke out between police, CRPF and
protesters on Monday afternoon. People from Chatergul, Goripora, Preng , Barwula, Wusan and other
adjoining villages assembled at Srinagar- Leh Highway near Preng. However, Police and CRPF intercepted them
near Kijpora triggering clashes, police fired tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters .
Kupwara
Protests also broke out in Trehgam, Kralpora, Kupwara, Handwara, Langate,Kralgund, and Wadipora areas of Kupwara. People took to streets and staged sit-ins in various rural areas of the district including Harai, Punzwa,Punzgam, Halmatpora, and Lolab.

Teenager killed in Anantnag

TAWQEER HUSSAIN

After the paramilitary forces beat the women few days in the neighbourhood, Irshad Ahmad became furious back and came out to register the protest against the forces. Irshad confronted with the paramilitary forces and police and dared them to shoot him. He even snatched the bamboo stick from a trooper with which the latter was beating the innocent women.
Since then the 11-year old’s parents were apprehensive about the life of their son.
Relatives and neighbors describe Irshad as sensitive. On Monday, the young child – son of an auto driver – fell to the pallets fired by police while protesting against the earlier incident of women’s beating by police and CRPF.
“On August 18, the CRPF personnel went on rampage, barged into several houses in this old Eidgah locality and even beat up the women. The screams of the women touched the conscience of Irshad as he came out of his house and confronted the forces. He even snatched the bamboo stick from one of the CRPF men and then dared them to shoot,” said his father, Muhammad Ashraf Parray, with moist eyes.
“From that incident, it seemed as if Irshad changed completely. He couldn’t eat and sleep well. Then he said that he was not feeling well and on Sunday evening I took him to hospital for a check up. Her mother pleaded to him to have a rest and not move out,” said Ashraf.
He said that despite not keeping well, Irshad woke up for Sehri (dawn meals) and insisted that he will keep a fast.
“Fearing Irshad may come out for protests, his mother locked him in his room, but in the afternoon he left his home from the window without any body in the family noticing it, never to return,” said Ashraf while breaking down.
He added that before leaving, Irshad had a bath and put on new clothes.
Irshad’s neighbors vouch for his honesty, gentleness and his careful nature.
“He was very shy, down to earth kid, offered prayers five times a day but never tolerated any sort of oppression and would openly raise his voice against it,” says a neighbors.
Some of his friends had seen Irshad offering Zuhar prayers in the nearby Sheikh-ul-Alam Masjid and later the Asar prayers in Jamia Ahlihadith Masjid on Monday.
“When the protests were going on in Cheeni Chowk and Sherbagh area of the old town, Irshad first went to offer prayers in the nearby Jamia Ahlihadith Masjid,” said one of his friends.
He said that after coming out from the masjid, Irshad also started protesting.
Eyewitnesses say that Irshad was deliberately targeted by the police.
“Police personnel from the nearby police station resorted to intense tear gas shelling. After spotting Irshad, they fired pellets from a shot gun at him and he fell down amid a pool of blood,” eyewitnesses told Greater Kashmir.
Irshad had multiple injuries in abdomen, chest and shoulder was immediately rushed to district hospital Islamabad where from he was referred to SMHS. He was declared brought dead by the doctors in SMHS.
A 7th standard student, Irshad is survived by his parents, elder brother studying in 10th standard and younger sister studying in 5th standard.

Killings continue...

Youngest victim of CRPF firing

TAWQEER HUSSAIN

“I can’t live without you my son, come back, come back” these are the words which reverberates in the house of 8-year old Milad who lost his battle for life in the srinagar's SK Institute of Medical Sciences after a bullet fired by CRPF hit him in the brain at K.P road in south Kashmiris Anantnag district.
Milad's parents would have never in their worst dreams thought that they would lose him forever to a CRPF bullet. After battling for life for six days, Milad gave in at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of SKIMS Thursday morning.
After returning from Darsgah last Saturday, August 14, Milad had complained of vomiting and was rushed to district hospital Anantnag by his parents and relatives in a private vehicle. According to the family, Milad was hit by a bullet on way to the hospital.
“ As Lal chowk remains very tense so we preferred to take K.P road to reach the hospital,but on the way we got down from the vehicle after paramilitary CRPF personnel fired upon us at Lazibal in Islamabad. We somehow managed to escape the scene. But just few minutes later, I saw blood on my sleeve,” recalled his father Muhammad Amin Dar, 31.
“On reaching the hospital we found that hospital was full of chaos as more injured were pouring in and we wasted no time to rush injured Milad in an ambulance to SKIMS,” he said.
Medical Superintendent of SKIMS, Dr Syed Amin Tabish said, “Milad was unstable when he admitted in the emergency ward last Saturday. He had a bullet injury and his brain was severely damaged. He had been put on the ventilator since he got here.”
A doctor who saw him in the emergency ward said, “Milad was bleeding from his nose and had a wound of about 0.5 cm on his head. He had a history of fever and diarrhoea also.”
He added, “We called the paediatrician and opted for CT scan, thinking may be it was an infection in the brain. We had no idea that the infant had been shot in the head. Even his parents didn’t know. The bullet had travelled from one side of the brain to the other.”
“I am assuming the child must have gone numb in extreme fear that he did not even feel the pain of the bullet piercing his head. Had he felt pain, he would have complained or cried at least,” he said.
Hailing originally from Wanpora village of Khudwani in Kulgam district, Milad’s father had shifted to Laar village in Ganderbal, where he served as Imam of a local mosque for last five years. Dar along with his family had come to Harnag village of Islamabad district to visit a relative.
Milad was laid to rest in his native village of Wanpora in Kulgam amid tears and sobs.

And the bloodshed continues.......

30 killed in 7 days

TAWQEER HUSSAIN

Srinagar, Aug 5\: Since last Friday, the bloodshed continued on the streets of valley with 30 killings registered in the last week and not a single day went off without registering the killings .Out of 30 deaths nearly 25 have been killed in police and CRPF action while five youngsters died in a blast at SOG camp at Khrew in south Kashmir pulwama district, which was set ablaze by the angry protesters.

JULY 30: 4 KILLED

This cycle of violence started with the killings in north Kashmir. Muhammad Ahsan Ganai, 50, son of Abdul Aziz and Showkat Ahmad Chopan, 17, son of Abdul Majid Chopan of Amargarh at Sopur were killed in police and CRPF firring at sopur. On the same day Muhammad Rafiq Bhat, 14, of Palhalan and Nazir Ahmad Mir, 32, of Sheeri, Varmul lost there life when police opened fire on protesters at Pattan on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway.

JULY 31: 2 KILLED
A youth Mudasir Ahmed Lone, 20, son of Ghulam Muhammad Lone of Harpora Naidkhai, was killed in police and CRPF firing at Naidkhai in Bandipore district while in Varmul, another youth Javed Ahmed Teli, 23, son of Ghulam Muhammad Teli of Bangla Bagh, Varmul was killed in CRPF firing.

AUGUST 1: 8 KILLED
this day witnessed the maximium number of deaths in the valley in the ongoing crises.Two youngesters Nayeem Ahmed Shah, 20, son of Bashir Ahmad Shah of Hyderpora and Rayees Ahmad Wani, 18, son of Abdul Rashid Wani of Pampore were killed in police firing at Pampore while a Afroza Tel 15, daughter of Ghulam Muhammad Bhat of Khrew Pulwama was killed in SOG and CRPF firing at Khrew in south Kashmirs pulwama district.The killing of girl spread intense protests in khrew and people set ablaze the SOG camp. The ammunition which was dumped there went off triggering a massive blast in which five youth were killed.

AUGUST 2 :7 KILLED, ONE SUCCUMBS

seven persons, including a minor, were killed on August 2 while a youth who had sustained bullet injuries on august 1 lost his fight against death.
Tariq Ahmed Dar 17 son of Farooq Ahmed Dar from Simthan Bijbehara injured in police firing on August 1 succumbed in a Srinagar’s SMHS hospital. The locals allege that after being hitten by the tear shell, police vehicle rolled over tariq making his condition more serious. However the police rejected the latter allegation.
Muhammad Yaqoob Bhat, 22, son of Abdul Rahim Bhat, of Zadoora, Pulwama was killed in CRPF firing near Pulwama. Khursheed Ahmed War, 22, son of Muhammad Maqbool War, resident of Shumnag, Kupwara was killed in SOG firing near Kralpora in frontier district of Kupwara. Aashiq Hussain Bhat, 14, son of Ghulam Hassan Bhat, of Wahiepora area of Kulgam district was killed in CRPF firing at Kulgam.
Bashir Ahmed Reshi, 44, son of Muhammad Ismail Reshi of Wachi, Pulwama was killed in poloce firing on Sangam bridge. Irshad Ahmed, 17, son of Muhammad Abdullah of Reshipora, Awantipora was severely beaten to death by police. Rameez Ahmad, 16, son of late Abdul Rashid Bhat was killed in CRPF firing at Kulgam.
Youngest victim of ongoing crises 7-year old Sameer Ahmed Rah was beaten to death by the CRPF personals at Batmaloo, when he was on his way to home from the local playground.

AUGUST 3: 4 KILLED
Meraj-ud-Din Lone, 20, son of Muhammad Maqbool Lone of Barthana was shot dead by a joint party of police and CRPF at Barthana, Qamarwari in Srinagar.
Anees Ahmed, 17, son of Khursheed Ahmed Ganai, of Dangerpora Narwara was killed in CRPF firing near Narwara in Srinagar. On the same day Suhail Ahmad Dar, 15, son of Muhammad Yasin Dar of Zainakote HMT, Srinagar was killed in CRPF firing. Jehangir Ahmad, 22, son of Muhammad Yousuf Bhat, of Chenigam Yaripora, Kulgam was killed in police firing and Riyaz Ahmed Bhat, 25, of Khrew, Pulwama injured at Khrew in police and CRPF action on August 1 succumbed to his injuries.

AUG 4: 2 KILLED
Muhammad Yaqoob Bhat, 20, son of Muhammad Yusuf Bhat of Nund Resh Colony, Bemina Srinagar was shot dead by paramilitary CRPF troopers near Bemina, while Muhammad Iqbal Khan, 22, son of Abdul Majid Khan of Lone Mohalla, Chanapora, Srinagar who had sustained bullet injuries in police and CRPF firing on July 30 breathed his last at SKIMS Soura.

AUG 5: ONE KILLED, ONE SUCCUMBS

Paramilitary CRPF troopers opened fire on peaceful protesters near Degree College Pulwama in south Kashmir killing Shabir Ahmed of Lonepora Newa. Ghulam Nabi Bidyari who was injured in CRPF firing at Ganpatyar Srinagar on August 4 succumbed at SMHS hospital.

Doru erupted in support of Azaadi

Tawqeer Hussain
Doru Shahabad, July 9: Hundreds of the people from different areas of the Doru Shahabad today staged the peaceful protest demonstrations at the main chowk Doru. The people were raising the pro freedom slogans and also chanting the slogans like “Go India Go Back”. The people were demanding the killers of the innocent civilians in the ongoing struggle be booked.
Soon after the Friday prayers, people from the Doru and its adjacent areas like Nathipora, Kreeri, Nowpora, Nadoora and Shairgadi came to the streets and raised the slogans against the Indian occupation and the use of brute forces against the protesters in the valley from the last three weeks, which resulted into 15 civilian deaths.
The protesters moved across the main market and later dispersed peacefully at Bakshi park Doru, where various people addressed the rally. The addressee appealed the people particularly youths to remain away from the violent protests. Meanwhile the area witnessed complete strike from the last ten days.

killing spree goes on.....

Kashmir simmers, 4 killed in 24 hours

Tawqeer Hussain

Four killed in the kashmir valley as the security forces shot dead protestors in different places in Srinagar on Tuesday as thousands took to the streets in waves after the death by drowning of a youth sparked wide protests in the entire valley particularly in the Srinagar.
The mourning procession of Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, in Batamaloo area of the Srinagar city
took an ugly turn when the police used tear shells to quell the mourners who were alleging that the youth was forced to jump in the river by the security forces when they were opposing the minister’s visit in the area.
By early evening as a 25 year old woman, a male government employee and a 14-year-old boy were killed in firing in separate incidents, further fuelling the anger among the masses.
Today's deaths took to 14 the number of civilians killed in firing by security forces in Srinagar since June 11 when the first such killing was reported.
Angry mourners took out the funeral procession of the Bhat, raised slogans against the forces and started stone pelting on the police and CRPF, who opened fire killing a government employee Fayaz Ahmad Wani, 30.
More and more people now poured out of their homes shouting pro-freedom slogans and tried to carry the two bodies for burial at a common graveyard in the Eidgah prayer grounds in Old Srinagar where thousands, killed in the ongoing 20-year-old separatist war, are buried.
The police intercepted the mourners, in the Batamaloo area and soon the people came out on streets again to protest the killings. The ding dong battle here between the protesters and the Para military forces last for long time, But as the protests spread, women in Batamaloo came out on the streets and started shouting slogans against the government and security forces.
The troopers again opened fire. This time a woman, Fancy Jan, 25, was hit in the chest and later died in hospital.
According to the police, fancy was viewing the protests from the first floor of her house and the stray bullet hit her resulting her death. However this theory was rejected by the people who alledged that, the girl was killed with intention by the security forces.
Fancy’s death led to more anger, more street protests and more clashes with security forces, who again fired, this time killing 14-year-old Abrar Ahmad in the Maisuma area of the Srinagar city.
The latest deaths led to unprecedented tension in Srinagar, forcing the government to impose curfew. On Tuesday, a government vehicle was torched, over half a dozen security vehicles were stoned, and even the city's police control room came under attack. Banks, offices and businesses quickly closed down as news of the latest deaths spread like wildfire.
Moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq asked his supporters to continue with the peaceful protests. He led a demonstration of hundreds from his ancestral home in Rajouri Kadal in Old City to protest against alleged human rights violations in tha valley.
The fresh killings have dealt a severe blow to the peace initiatives of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who had started meeting civil society members in the areas hit by days of violence.
Meanwhile South Kashmirs Anantnag town is under curfew from last eight days and the strike continued to affect the normal life in the valley.

DISSAPPEARANCE

MOTHER’S LAST WISH: "MISSING SON SHOULD SHOULDER HER COFFIN".

TAWQEER HUSSAIN
Sixteen years after his arrest, the whereabouts of Doru Islamabad youth is still unknown. The agency which affected the arrest has no knowledge about him and the National human rights commission believes, he might have joined the militant ranks.
According to the family sources, Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh s/o Late Mohammad Yasin Sheikh R/O Zamalgam Doru was picked up by the Rashtriya Rifles 1 during the intervening night of August 29/30 1994.
Narrating the woeful tale, the mother of the missing said, ‘’ that night he was sleeping at his grand father’s house close to them, the soldiers of the RR1 came at about 10:30 PM and picked him up’’.
‘’Next day he was brought to the village. He was in bad shape. They searched my house but could not find anything, he was taken back and this was the last time when I saw him’’ she added with tears roll down her face.
Due to this trauma we lost our father also in 1996, added Bilal Ahmad, the younger brother of the missing.
We rushed to the camp to release the Fayaz, but the soldiers denied his arrest’’ he added.
With moist eyes he continued to say that police first refused to register the case.
The traumatized parents sought judicial intervention in 1995. the high court directed the concerned SSP to ensure the registration of the case and an investigation into the disappearance. Accordingly FIR NO.62/99 under section 364RPC was registered in police station Doru.
A petition was also filled in the State Human Rights Commission. The commission issued notice to the state police. In its communication no. GB/EG/2001/7083; DATED March 27, 2001 addressed to DC Islamabad, the SSP said,
‘’ the report sought from the concerned SDPO reveals that there is nothing adverse against the subject’’. The SHRC recommended the ex-gratia to the next kith and kins of the missing.
Meanwhile the disappearance also filled in National Human Rights Commission. The NHRC in postal letter to the family members informed them that the commission sought a report from the Defence Ministry. The Defence ministry in its report admitted the arrest, however it reads he was then released. The letter further stated that the subject might have joined the militant ranks.
‘’ I have been appointed at the sheep husbandry department under SRO 143, but I don’t need the job I only want to see my brother’’ said Bilal Ahmad.
With uncontrolled weeping and in broken voice, the mother further said ‘’ I want to see my son before my death, so that he would give his shoulder to my coffin’’ she said and fainted.

DID OMAR FAIL TO DELIVER?

TAWQEER HUSSAIN
Hopes were generated among the general masses, when the youngest ever chief minister of J&K Omar Abdullah took oath on January 5 this year, it was seen as a welcome step as he being young could understand the problems faced by the young educated but unemployed people.
If the six months tenure of the coalition government is seen and examined, several questions emerge and eye brows raised over the performance of the government by the observers. The situation demands immediate attention of the Chief Minister, else people will come out on the roads in coming months. Now the question arises, Did Omar fail to deliver? Or is he being victimised by the political and pressure groups who don't want the state to be brought back on developmental platform.
Political analysts believe that it is too early to raise eye brows on the functioning of the six months old government as the tenure of young CM is witnessing protest after protest which keeps government on back foot. Just after three days of assuming the charge, the first blow to the new government was the killing of deaf and dumb person at the vicinity of the CM's residence in Srinagar. The incident started the present government's dark era. The killing was condemned by everyone. Then the process starts - Bandipora, Kupwara, Sopore, Shopian, Baramulla boiled and thus the whole Kashmir once again came to streets demonstrating against government. Fifteen civilians are killed so far in the recent crisis. With every killing questions are raised and hopes diminish.
The shifting of Bomai Sopore camp, where army personnel allegedly murdered two local youths although generated that hope again but the mishandling of protests by police and civil administration once again kept whole Kashmir on boil and government on its toes. Then came the darkest era of the six months in Omar led government. The double rape and murder of two Shopian girls, Asiya and Neelofer made Kashmir to come on streets to get justice. The first statement of CM Omar Abdullah asserting the deaths by drowning added fuel to the already burning Kashmir; however CM retracted later by saying 'something happened in Shopian.' Three days later when forensic experts confirmed rape and murder, forcing police to register the case, Omar did not take any action against the officers for misleading and misinforming him. Rather, he got angry with himself for not remaining quiet in that press conference.
"I should have said no comments when I was asked about the cause of death of two women," CM Omar Abdullah was quoted by Hindustan Times recently. It is quite astonishing how Omar swallowed such humiliation at the hands of his own officers and rather punishing them, he wanted to remain silent. The suspension of four police officers the then SP Shopian Javaid Iqbal, DSP Rohit Baskotra, SHO shafiq ahmad and SI Gazi Abdul Karim and their arrest by the orders of high court has somehow stabilized the situation, but question is still there, fifteen deaths in six months. Did Omar fail to deliver?
Political observers and analysts believe that until the administration both police and civil is not over hauled in the state no government can succeed in its mission of making Jammu and Kashmir a prosperous one. They believe that it is early to raise such question as every government took at least six months to review the older one and formulate the new strategies. "The chief minister cannot perform alone; he needs an honest team of officers both in civil and police. Other wise like other chief ministers, he will also be rated as one who made promises and sketched dreams that will never come true," says Farooq A Ganai a senior journalist and political analyst from Jammu. Referring to recent protests across Kashmir, Ganai said Kashmir has been witnessing the same since 1947 and the day butchers of the state and elsewhere in the world will stop selling red blood in green bottles, people have to suffer for one or the other reasons. "It is too early to answer such question, as every government takes at least six months to review his strategies and makes way for development" said Farooq Ganai.
Commenting about Omar Abdullah's vision, he said, Omar too had dreams to develop Kashmir, uplift youth and resume peace process, but those politicians who want to see Kashmir in news for all bad developments will not support him in development of the state. Omar's first six months rule has been divided into elections, code of conduct and protests and during this time, people have not seen the fruits of democratic government. Every government has pressure groups which work both for and against the government. But in Kashmir, pressure groups work only against the government and create fuss, thus hindering the development and democratic setup.
The leaders of Opposition, however, allege that the Omar led government has failed to deliver goods to the people and said that people are suffering in absence of even basic amenities. "Where are the Omar's big promises of providing good government to the people when they (masses) are suffering for even a drop of water to drink and power remains off in almost all the areas," they say. People don't want to hear about the dreams; they need immediate redressal of their problems.
However, a minister in the coalition government blames political parties for creating unnecessary hurdles in running the government by instigating people over even minor issues for getting political mileage out it. With allegations and counter allegations people of Kashmir are not going to be benefited at all, they need respite from what they are facing, unemployed needs to be given attention and those suffering for even basic amenities are to be given adequate supply of essential commodities. Omar Abdullah should feel the pain and agony of the people they are under going these days and should take immediate steps to bridge the gap between the officials and people.
Government officials should be made accountable and police should be asked to maintain restrain while dealing the law and order situation in the state. In short one should feel sense of responsibility, howsoever high he is and whatsoever post he is holding and the people should also contribute from their side while maintaining peace and let the government function smoothly.
http://www.kashmirtimes.com/archive/0908/090801/feature.htm

Following his dream, Javaid Ahmad Khan, a resident of south Kashmir elevated himself from simple party worker of Nationalist Congress Party to the J &K vice president portfolio. He has recently been nominated as the youngest ever consultative member of food Corporation of India. In a candid conversation with Journalist Tawqeer Hussain, he talks about his life and the future plans in NCP and the work ahead of FCI.
About yourself:
I am Resident of Doru Shahabad In Anantnag District. I started my early schooling at my native place and later I completed my graduation from government degree college Anantnag.
Why politics as career?
I joined the politics some six years before and today I am the state Vice president of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). From my early school days I dream of becoming the politician as I found this profession as the only stage were one can address the problems of common man. I always felt that the genuine grievances of common masses are not heard so I decided to join this political fray.
You have recently been nominated as the consultative member for the Food Corporation (FCI) of India. What is your prime task?
First of all I would like to thank Almighty Allah for this honour. From last 18 years no body from Kashmir represented FCI and this year I got the chance to represent Kashmir and Ladakh and I became the youngest ever consultative member In the FCI history. My prime task is to make the availability of rations easier to the people and also to check the availability of rations in the government stores. So far I with the help of state and centre government have opened so many ration stores for the public convenience and In the near future more such stores are on cards. At FCI we are planning to open five more big Godowns in the Kashmir valley so as to minimise the ration shortage in the valley especially during the winter season.
You have also contested the assembly election 2008. What happened in that?
Smiles, yes I contested but I lost. That time people did not know me completely and In the near future I am going to make my presence felt.
Your future plans
As FCI member, we are planning to open more store in the valley so that people can get the ration on their door steps. But as NCP Vice President, I have started a membership drive in south Kashmir and in two days I have registered ten thousand members. I am also making public appearances in the wake of coming Panchayat elections.

INNOVATION

With no formal education, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, of south kashmir solved his problem and made an innovation which made him honoured by receiving prestigious SRISTI SAMMAN award from the national innovation foundation of india. In candid conversation with journalist TAWQEER HUSSAIN, he talks at length about his life and innovation.
Tell us some thing about yourself?
I live at Tangpawa Sagam Kokernag; a village 30kms away from the
district headquarters Anantnag. I have never been to the school due to
the economic backwardness. Due to this reason I remain engaged to the
to the agriculture sector and also worked as daily labour in others
fields.
About your innovation?
My innovation “singing lantern” is the perfect requirement for our day
to day need. The singing lantern comprise of radio, light which runs
both on electricity and also can be charged by the solar light. It
also contains a mobile charger and a sound sensor which works in a
range of 10 meters.
How this idea of making singing lantern came in to your mind?
Since I worked in the fields’ all along the day and some times,
particularly during the autumn season I used to work in my fields till
late night. I always used a traditional lantern as the source of light
to work in odd hours. The slight wind makes the lantern off which not
only annoyed me but also disturbs my work. I always thought of
replacing it with something which can bear the wind. So one day I
modified this lantern and I fixed the battery in it in the space
provided for the oil. The wick was replaced by the bulbs and it
worked above my expectations.
What made you to put other three things in it?
I always remain adhered to the radio, no matter what the programme is.
This thing made me addict to carry a radio set all along with me. Once
I was working on my innovation, I simply tried to insert the radio
things in it and it worked. Then I fixed a mobile jack port in it
which gets the DC current from the battery and it works as the mobile
charger. When I tested it was I was successful. I was so happy that I
jumped on. Next day when I showed this apparatus to my village
friends, they named it singing lantern and soon I also endorsed this
name.
Did you received help from any quarter?
Initially I did all the things on my own. But one day I found the team
of National Innovation Foundation of India (NIF) Ahmadabad and Grass
Root innovation and Augumentation Network (GIAN) Cell University of
Kashmir Srinagar looking for the new innovators. I showed them my
lantern and they encouraged me lot. Later I went to the GIAN Cell and
where its Director Dr. G M Bhat and the Technical Officer Dr. Shabir
Ahmad helped me lot. They forwarded my file to the NIF and also
applied for the patent license. I also got the SRISTI SAMAAN AWARD
for this innovation from the NIF. Last week I received a communiqué
from the NIF that I will get the patent in the next month.
Your future plans.
Right now I am waiting for the patent license for this singing
lantern. I am also working to make the manual Generator.