Saturday, December 18, 2010
Sachnews Jammu Kashmir
At least 68 people including children have been killed and 318 wounded some of them grievously in the leopard attacks in the frontier district of Kupwara from the last six years.
Sources in the Wildlife Department told sach news[SNN] that the attacks were at all time high in 2004-05. “During the year, the leopards attacked 60 people killing 15 and wounded 30 others,” sources said.
The officials attribute the increasing attacks of leopards in human habitation to the declining prey-predator ratio and continued human interference. “The predator is not only to be blamed for the man-animal conflict. It’s the humans who are intruding into the territory of the wild animals. Their interference is responsible not only for declining number of animals on whom the leopards prey, but also for degradation of their habitat. People are encroaching upon forest land in order to extend their habitation,” Wildlife Official told snn on the conditions of anonymity.
He said the leopards were on prowl in Darishpora, Machipora, Tumpora, Magam, Hafrada, Sharkoot, Phulmargi, Achamargi, Hangrikoot, Tumina, Chowkibal, Rashanpora, Melyal and Diver in Lolab valley.
“If the attacks are not stopped forthwith we will be forced to migrate to other places,” Abdul Rehman of Hangrikoot said.
Reyaz Ahmad of Chowkibal said, “We don’t send children alone to the school as during the last few days, two girl students have become prey to the leopards.”
When contacted, Wildlife Warden North Kashmir Circle, Rouf Ahmad told snn “Most times, the villagers attack the wild animals or lay snares. This brings more trouble for them as the injured leopard easily turns into a man-eater and then it is most difficult to eliminate it. We have paid Rs one lakh as an interim relief to the next of the kin of the 14-year-old student Rubeena who was killed at Malikpora while as the condition of Nusrat was injured at Phoolmargi is stable.”
“Our team is in the area to trap the beast for which we need the support of locals,” he added.
Sources in the Wildlife Department told sach news[SNN] that the attacks were at all time high in 2004-05. “During the year, the leopards attacked 60 people killing 15 and wounded 30 others,” sources said.
The officials attribute the increasing attacks of leopards in human habitation to the declining prey-predator ratio and continued human interference. “The predator is not only to be blamed for the man-animal conflict. It’s the humans who are intruding into the territory of the wild animals. Their interference is responsible not only for declining number of animals on whom the leopards prey, but also for degradation of their habitat. People are encroaching upon forest land in order to extend their habitation,” Wildlife Official told snn on the conditions of anonymity.
He said the leopards were on prowl in Darishpora, Machipora, Tumpora, Magam, Hafrada, Sharkoot, Phulmargi, Achamargi, Hangrikoot, Tumina, Chowkibal, Rashanpora, Melyal and Diver in Lolab valley.
“If the attacks are not stopped forthwith we will be forced to migrate to other places,” Abdul Rehman of Hangrikoot said.
Reyaz Ahmad of Chowkibal said, “We don’t send children alone to the school as during the last few days, two girl students have become prey to the leopards.”
When contacted, Wildlife Warden North Kashmir Circle, Rouf Ahmad told snn “Most times, the villagers attack the wild animals or lay snares. This brings more trouble for them as the injured leopard easily turns into a man-eater and then it is most difficult to eliminate it. We have paid Rs one lakh as an interim relief to the next of the kin of the 14-year-old student Rubeena who was killed at Malikpora while as the condition of Nusrat was injured at Phoolmargi is stable.”
“Our team is in the area to trap the beast for which we need the support of locals,” he added.
Sachnews Jammu Kashmir
At least 68 people including children have been killed and 318 wounded some of them grievously in the leopard attacks in the frontier district of Kupwara from the last six years.
Sources in the Wildlife Department told sach news that the attacks were at all time high in 2004-05. “During the year, the leopards attacked 60 people killing 15 and wounded 30 others,” sources said.
The officials attribute the increasing attacks of leopards in human habitation to the declining prey-predator ratio and continued human interference. “The predator is not only to be blamed for the man-animal conflict. It’s the humans who are intruding into the territory of the wild animals. Their interference is responsible not only for declining number of animals on whom the leopards prey, but also for degradation of their habitat. People are encroaching upon forest land in order to extend their habitation,” Wildlife Official told Greater Kashmir on the conditions of anonymity.
He said the leopards were on prowl in Darishpora, Machipora, Tumpora, Magam, Hafrada, Sharkoot, Phulmargi, Achamargi, Hangrikoot, Tumina, Chowkibal, Rashanpora, Melyal and Diver in Lolab valley.
“If the attacks are not stopped forthwith we will be forced to migrate to other places,” Abdul Rehman of Hangrikoot said.
Reyaz Ahmad of Chowkibal said, “We don’t send children alone to the school as during the last few days, two girl students have become prey to the leopards.”
When contacted, Wildlife Warden North Kashmir Circle, Rouf Ahmad told Greater Kashmir “Most times, the villagers attack the wild animals or lay snares. This brings more trouble for them as the injured leopard easily turns into a man-eater and then it is most difficult to eliminate it. We have paid Rs one lakh as an interim relief to the next of the kin of the 14-year-old student Rubeena who was killed at Malikpora while as the condition of Nusrat was injured at Phoolmargi is stable.”
“Our team is in the area to trap the beast for which we need the support of locals,” he added.
Sources in the Wildlife Department told sach news that the attacks were at all time high in 2004-05. “During the year, the leopards attacked 60 people killing 15 and wounded 30 others,” sources said.
The officials attribute the increasing attacks of leopards in human habitation to the declining prey-predator ratio and continued human interference. “The predator is not only to be blamed for the man-animal conflict. It’s the humans who are intruding into the territory of the wild animals. Their interference is responsible not only for declining number of animals on whom the leopards prey, but also for degradation of their habitat. People are encroaching upon forest land in order to extend their habitation,” Wildlife Official told Greater Kashmir on the conditions of anonymity.
He said the leopards were on prowl in Darishpora, Machipora, Tumpora, Magam, Hafrada, Sharkoot, Phulmargi, Achamargi, Hangrikoot, Tumina, Chowkibal, Rashanpora, Melyal and Diver in Lolab valley.
“If the attacks are not stopped forthwith we will be forced to migrate to other places,” Abdul Rehman of Hangrikoot said.
Reyaz Ahmad of Chowkibal said, “We don’t send children alone to the school as during the last few days, two girl students have become prey to the leopards.”
When contacted, Wildlife Warden North Kashmir Circle, Rouf Ahmad told Greater Kashmir “Most times, the villagers attack the wild animals or lay snares. This brings more trouble for them as the injured leopard easily turns into a man-eater and then it is most difficult to eliminate it. We have paid Rs one lakh as an interim relief to the next of the kin of the 14-year-old student Rubeena who was killed at Malikpora while as the condition of Nusrat was injured at Phoolmargi is stable.”
“Our team is in the area to trap the beast for which we need the support of locals,” he added.
Srinagar, Dec 17: Chairman of the Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Friday completed 100 days of house detention. Talking to Greater Kashmir, spokesman of the amalgam, Ayaz Akbar, said that the veteran pro-freedom leader was placed under house for 100th day today.
“The state Government has imposed curbs on his movement by deploying forces outside his home and he is not being allowed even to pray in the Masjid,” he said.
“The state Government has imposed curbs on his movement by deploying forces outside his home and he is not being allowed even to pray in the Masjid,” he said.
Srinagar, Dec 17: Life in Srinagar came to a grinding halt as Government imposed a strict curfew in the areas falling under eight police stations to prevent people from taking out Ashura processions.
On the cold Friday morning, the authorities deployed hundreds of CRPF troopers and policemen, wearing riot gear and brandishing guns and bamboo sticks, in major and small lanes and by-lanes of Srinagar. The bunker vehicles were parked at major junctions while concertina wires were laid to stop the movement of people on the roads and city entry points.
The troopers enforced strict curfew and stopped people from come out of their homes.
The streets wore a deserted look and troops were witnessed stopping commuters and not allowing them to proceed. The curfew also led to a complete shutdown. Schools, shops, banks and other business establishments remained closed.
In city areas where curfew was not imposed, most of the people preferred to stay indoors as very thin traffic was seen plying on the roads.
The authorities imposed curfew in the areas falling under police stations M R Gung, Safakadal, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Maisuma, Kralkhud and Kothibagh to thwart Ashura processions. Authorities did not allow people to take out Ashura processions in the curfew bound parts of the city. Several religious organisations on Thursday had appealed people to join Muharram processions to be taken out from Lal Chowk and surrounding areas.
Ashura marks the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) grandson, Imam Hussein (AS), in the battle of Karbala.
Before the onset of militancy, the people of the city used to take out processions from Abi Guzar in Kothibagh and Guru Bazaar in Kralkhud police station areas which culminated at Dalgate to mark the eighth day of Muharram. However after 1990, the Muharram processions were banned since authorities feared that they would culminate into anti-India demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the government said Muharram processions were carried out in entire state. The official spokesman said Ashura processions were carried out in areas in Srinagar where curfew was not imposed.
The processions were also taken out at Zadibal and Shalimar in Srinagar, Khonmoh in Pulwama, Budgam and adjoining areas and Uri and Pattan in Baramulla and Sumbal in Bandipora district, he said.
The spokesman said traffic was diverted through alternative routes on Srinagar-Muzzafrabad highway to allow the smooth conduct of Muharram processions at several places.
Similarly, he said processions were also taken out from various areas of Jammu and Ladakh. In Kargil and surrounding areas large number of people joined the processions.
Similar reports of processions being taken out came from several areas of Poonch district. In Poonch town procession was taken out under the patronage of Anjman-e-Jaffria president Alhaj Rahat Hussain Nehvy Sahib.
Police spokesman said situation in the curfew-bound areas of Srinagar and elsewhere remained peaceful.
On the cold Friday morning, the authorities deployed hundreds of CRPF troopers and policemen, wearing riot gear and brandishing guns and bamboo sticks, in major and small lanes and by-lanes of Srinagar. The bunker vehicles were parked at major junctions while concertina wires were laid to stop the movement of people on the roads and city entry points.
The troopers enforced strict curfew and stopped people from come out of their homes.
The streets wore a deserted look and troops were witnessed stopping commuters and not allowing them to proceed. The curfew also led to a complete shutdown. Schools, shops, banks and other business establishments remained closed.
In city areas where curfew was not imposed, most of the people preferred to stay indoors as very thin traffic was seen plying on the roads.
The authorities imposed curfew in the areas falling under police stations M R Gung, Safakadal, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Maisuma, Kralkhud and Kothibagh to thwart Ashura processions. Authorities did not allow people to take out Ashura processions in the curfew bound parts of the city. Several religious organisations on Thursday had appealed people to join Muharram processions to be taken out from Lal Chowk and surrounding areas.
Ashura marks the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) grandson, Imam Hussein (AS), in the battle of Karbala.
Before the onset of militancy, the people of the city used to take out processions from Abi Guzar in Kothibagh and Guru Bazaar in Kralkhud police station areas which culminated at Dalgate to mark the eighth day of Muharram. However after 1990, the Muharram processions were banned since authorities feared that they would culminate into anti-India demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the government said Muharram processions were carried out in entire state. The official spokesman said Ashura processions were carried out in areas in Srinagar where curfew was not imposed.
The processions were also taken out at Zadibal and Shalimar in Srinagar, Khonmoh in Pulwama, Budgam and adjoining areas and Uri and Pattan in Baramulla and Sumbal in Bandipora district, he said.
The spokesman said traffic was diverted through alternative routes on Srinagar-Muzzafrabad highway to allow the smooth conduct of Muharram processions at several places.
Similarly, he said processions were also taken out from various areas of Jammu and Ladakh. In Kargil and surrounding areas large number of people joined the processions.
Similar reports of processions being taken out came from several areas of Poonch district. In Poonch town procession was taken out under the patronage of Anjman-e-Jaffria president Alhaj Rahat Hussain Nehvy Sahib.
Police spokesman said situation in the curfew-bound areas of Srinagar and elsewhere remained peaceful.
The Interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir said today that implementation of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), listed by them after their first two visits, will facilitate the process of dialogue in the State but said their ultimate task was to work out a political settlement of the problem acceptable to all three regions and communities residing within the every region.
Reaching here this morning on their third seven day visit of the State from New Delhi, Chief Interlocutor, Dileep Padgaonkar and former Central Information Commissioner M M Ansari, for the first time here acquainted themselves with security scenario prevailing in Jammu region by meeting top brass of security forces, police and administration including IGP Jammu Ashok Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, IG BSF Siddarth Chattopadhyaya and IG CRPF Dinesh Kumar.
They also met Vice Chancellors of Jammu University and SKUAST and representatives of different student organizations.
Categorically denying the words attributed to him by a local newspaper on the State Government and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in an interview given to Channel X, Mr Padgaonkar told reporters in an informal chat on his arrival here that he has never ever uttered these words and the fact could be verified during telecast of interview tonight and repeat telecast in next few days. He also denied having favoured PDP’s self rule as a possible solution to the problem over autonomy as reported in some newspapers.
In a significant remark on the demand of troop reduction in the State, Mr Padgaonkar said: "we are convinced that anything which fulfills aspirations of the people will be done’’.
Clarifying the remarks attributed to him on favouring self rule, proposed by the opposition PDP, the Chief Interlocutor, who took most of the questions from the media persons, said they have been produced two set of documents, one the autonomy of National Conference and other the self rule of PDP.
"We haven’t passed judgment on any document. The words attributed to me that self rule is better than autonomy are totally fabricated. In fact, it is not our job to pass judgment. Our mandate is to come up with suggestions that how we can go about political settlement of the problem acceptable to all three regions and communities residing in every region’’, Mr Padgaonkar said.
His remarks came amidst reports carried by two newspapers today that he had praised the self rule document and described it as a possible solution. He was also quoted as having described Omar Abdullah Government as "inefficient and insensitive’’ saying that not even 30 per cent of Rs 6000 crore annual plan allocation has been spent so far. However, Mr Padgaonkar himself categorically denied his remarks saying that any one can watch the interview.
Both the Interlocutors will leave on a three days tour of twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri tomorrow. They will return to Jammu on December 20 and leave for Srinagar the next day where they will stay for three days before returning to New Delhi and submitting their third report to the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. Third Interlocutor Prof Radha Kumar didn’t accompany them as she was reported to be in Kabul but could join the duo later.
Mr Padgaonkar said they have made a number of suggestions and recommendations to the Centre Government after their first two visits in October and November during which they had covered all three regions of the State including hilly Leh and Kargil districts.
"The recommendations have been vetted and cleared by the Centre. Some of them pertained to the Central Government and some others to the State for implementation. Though these CBMs are not a substitute to political settlement, they would facilitate dialogue process. The State Government is looking with great sympathy at the CBMs and they are going to be implemented’’, he added.
The dialogue process between separatists and the Centre has been stalled for quite sometime now.
The Interlocutors were reported to have recommended release of separatists, some youth and stone pelters detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) during three month long unrest allowing peaceful protests by the people etc.
Regarding remarks attributed to him by a local newspaper in an interview given to Channel X, Mr Padgaonkar described them as "fabricated’’ saying he has never made them. "I have never uttered these words. The interview given by me to Syed Naqvi will be telecast tonight and repeated this week. Any one can watch the interview and see for himself what I have said. The remarks published in the paper are fabricated. You are responsible persons. You see the interview, judge it and draw your conclusion. The word mentioned in the newspaper were never ever said by me’’, he told the questioners.
He asserted that they were not here to pass judgment on the Chief Minister, the State Government or self rule. "We will focus on our mandate to evolve a broad consensus on political settlement of a situation to Jammu and Kashmir. That is our mandate also’’, he said.
To a question on setting up of "broad contours’’ for a political settlement to the decades old issue, the Chief Interlocutor said "we will visit various areas of Jammu region starting tomorrow from border districts of Rajouri and Poonch and meet cross sections of the society’’.
After the completion of seven days long third visit to the State, the Interlocutors are likely to submit the "broad contours’’ for a political settlement to the Kashmir issue.
Meanwhile, the two Interlocutors today inter-acted with the Divisional Commissioner and IGP Jammu besides IG BSF and IG CRPF collectively for about an hour.
Though the officials declined to comment on what transpired at the meeting, reliable sources said the Interlocutors wanted to know about the situation on militancy and infiltration fronts in Jammu region besides law and order situation and local assistance to the militants.
"It was a general security review. We told the Interlocutors on the number of militants killed, arrested, surrendered and those still active in Jammu region besides the situation prevailing on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) and the number of infiltration attempts made’’, sources said.
Jammu University Vice Chancellor Prof Varun Sahni and SKUAST VC Prof Mishra besides representatives of a number of student organizations including scholars of Jammu University and heads of students bodies also met the Interlocutors.
JAMMU, Dec 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today distanced himself from the WikiLeaks cable emanating from the US Embassy in Delhi relating to alleged human rights violations in Kashmir in 2005 and indirectly blamed the then Government led by opposition PDP.
"I am not getting into anything more than the fact that these transcripts or these leaks pertain to 2005. You can do your own maths as to what regime was in power at that time. All I am saying is that as far as this Government is concerned we do not condone torture. We never have, we never will," the NC leader said.
In a rare briefing with the then US envoy to India, the International Committee of the Red Cross had in 2005 expressed concern over alleged human rights violations in Kashmir and spoke about torture in detention centres, though it pointed out that the situation was much better than in the 1990s.
"I think it’s important first to put into perspective that this is a report carried by diplomats of the US Embassy based on what they might have heard from the Red Cross. Also it is important to understand that this pertains to the year 2005 and during the much-talked about healing touch regime.
"That having been said, I can only talk about this Government both at the Centre and at the State. We are determined not to allow any sort of incidents of custodial torture or any sort of breach of law," he said.
Omar also dismissed a question on whether any investigation based on the WikiLeaks cable for the incidents in 2005 would be instituted.
"Well, unless there is something specific unfortunately we have nothing to investigate. It is, as I said, is based on a cable sent by the US Embassy to their own Government in Washington. Unless there are specific instances where names are mentioned whether by Red Cross or by these WikiLeaks cables or individuals, there is nothing unfortunately for us to investigate," he said.
Omar also said that his Government has always worked for transparency.
"In fact, in order to establish transparency, this is the first time that Amnesty International was allowed entry into Jammu and Kashmir. Whatever may be their findings, the fact is that we were clear in our minds that transparency is the best thing and we allowed them to come here and visit.
"Similarly, whether it is the National Human Rights Commission or the State Human Rights Commission neither have made any adverse findings against the State Government. Wherever the reports come in, they are investigated and if necessary, action is taken," Omar said
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