News Analysis India

Tag: Jammu and Kashmir

  • SC reserves verdict on plea for immediate release of Rohingya refugees in Jammu

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Friday reserved verdict on a fresh plea seeking immediate release of detained Rohingya refugees in Jammu and restrain the Centre from implementing any order deporting them to Myanmar.

    A bench of Chief Justice Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian after hearing detailed arguments on the plea said, ‘We are closing it for order’.

    During the hearing, advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, said Rohingya children were subjected to killing, maiming and sexual exploitation and Military in Myanmar has failed to respect international humanitarian law.

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said he is showing the problems which persists in Myanmar.

    Bhushan referred to verdict of International Court of Justice and said that it has said that Myanmar has not presented any concrete measures aimed specifically at recognising the rights of the Rohingyas to exist as a protected group.

    He said that Jammu and Kashmir administration has detained Rohingyas in Jammu, who have refugee cards and they will soon be deported.

    ‘I am seeking directions to not detain and deport these Rohingyas to Myanmar under Article 21 of the Constitution,’ Bhushan said.

    Mehta said they are not refugees at all and this is the second round of litigation as this court had earlier dismissed an application filed by the petitioner, who is also a Rohinga.

    ‘There was a similar application for Assam earlier. They (petitioners) wanted that no Rohingya to be deported, we had said that we will follow the law. They are illegal immigrants. We are always in touch with Myanmar and when they confirm that the individual is their citizen, and then only deportation can take place’, he said.

    The bench said that can it be said that you (Centre) will deport only when Myanmar accepts.

    Mehta said yes, the government cannot send an Afghan national to Myanmar.

    The bench said that it is closing the matter for orders.

    On March 11, an interim plea was filed in a pending PIL, seeking immediate release of detained Rohingya refugees in Jammu, and sought restrain orders from the court to the Centre from deporting them.

    The plea also sought direction to Ministry of Home Affairs to expeditiously grant refugee identification cards through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for Rohingyas in informal camps.

    The application filed by Mohammad Salimullah, a Rohingya refugee through advocate Bhushan, said that it is filed in public interest in order to secure and protect the right against deportation of refugees in India.

    The plea said that it is filed to protect rights guaranteed under Article 14 and Article 21, read with Article 51(c) of the Constitution, against the deportation of Rohingya refugees who have taken refuge in India after escaping widespread violence and discrimination against their community in Myanmar.

    “Release the detained Rohingya refugees immediately and direct the Union Territory government and the Ministry of Home Affairs to expeditiously grant Refugee identification cards through the FRRO for Rohingyas in informal camps,” it said.

    It sought direction to the Union Government to refrain from implementing any orders on deporting Rohingya refugees, who have been detained in the sub jail in Jammu.

    Violent attacks allegedly by Myanmar army men have led to an exodus of Rohingya tribals from the western Rakhine state in that country to India and Bangladesh.

    Many of them, who had fled to India after the earlier spate of violence, have settled in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan.

  • Carpet of tulips to greet visitors in Srinagar from tomorrow

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR:   From Thursday, Srinagar’s Dal Lake area will surprise you with colours and fragrance unique to Kashmir: A flower carpet of about 15 lakh tulips in a variety of hues is set to greet you at Asia’s largest Tulip Garden spread over 30 hectares on the banks of the lake as it opens for public on March 25.

    There’s more: Tulip Festival awaits you in the first week of April. Farooq Ahmad Rather, Director, Floriculture, told this newspaper that a record number of 15 lakh tulips of various colours will bloom in the garden this year.

    The tulip bloom is expected to last till end-April. Rather said his department has planted early, mid, mid-late and late varieties of the flower to ensure that the garden remains open for a month. “We have planted 62 varieties of tulips, which will give a new and even more picturesque look to the garden,” said an official. Hardly any tourist witnessed the tulip bloom last year and the gardeners’ hard work remained unnoticed and unappreciated as the garden remained closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Rather said adequate measures have been taken to ensure that Covid protocols are followed this year. “We won’t allow anybody to enter without wearing a mask. Thermal scanners will also be put up and the visitors will be requested to follow social distancing within the garden premises,” he said. Hand sanitisers will also be available.

    The director said he hopes a large number of local, domestic and foreign travellers will turn up at the garden, which was thrown open in 2007 by then Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. “We expect VIPs to visit the garden during the Tulip festival, which will lead to a boost in tourist arrivals in the Valley. Overall, all tourism stakeholders — hoteliers, house boat owners, shikara wallas, ponywalas, shopkeepers  all of them will benefit because of the Tulip festival,” said an official in the know.

  • Four militants gunned down in encounter with security forces in J-K’s Shopian

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: Four militants were killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

    A police official said a joint contingent of police, CRPF and army launched a cordon and search operation in Manihal area of Shopian in the early hours today after receiving inputs about presence of a group of militants there.

    He said after laying siege to the area, militants zeroed-in on the militant positions and asked militants hiding there to surrender.

    However, the militants turned down the offer and fired on the troops. The fire was returned by the troops, triggering an encounter.

    An army spokesman in Srinagar said four militants have been killed in the gunfight so far.

    He said an AK rifle and two pistols have been recovered from the slain militants.

    The operation against the militants, he said, was going on.

    According to police, identity of the slain militants and the outfit to which they owed allegiance was being ascertained.

    It is the second gunfight in Shopian in two weeks.

    The security forces last week killed two Jaish-e-Mohammad militants including top commander Wilayat Lone alias Sajjad Afghani in a three-day long encounter in Rawalpora area of Shopian.

    At least eight houses were damaged in the 3-day gunfight.

  • Pakistani intruder arrested along International Border in JK’s Samba

    By PTI
    JAMMU: A 40-year-old Pakistani intruder was arrested by the BSF along the International Border (IB) in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir early Sunday, officials said here.

    Raja Hamid, a Pakistani national, was taken into custody by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at Chak Dulma outpost near Ghagwal around 2.30 am, they said.

    The officials said the man was being questioned to ascertain his motive behind crossing the border and entering Indian territory.

    Pakistani intruder arrested along International Border, in Samba on Sunday. (Photo | ANI)”During night hours, the alert BSF troops observed suspicious movement of one Pakistani national who crossed IB but was nabbed ahead of the fencing by the troops,” a BSF spokesperson said in a brief statement.

    On March 16 and February 8, two Pakistani intruders were shot dead by BSF personnel in Ramgarh and Chak Faquira sectors of Samba after they ignored repeated warnings while trying to sneak into the Indian side.

  • Pakistan intruder shot dead by BSF along IB in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba

    By PTI
    JAMMU: A Pakistani intruder was gunned down by the BSF along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district on Tuesday, the third such incident since November last year, a spokesperson for the border guarding force said.

    The incident happened in the Border Outpost area of Malluchak in Ramgarh sector, the Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said.

    “At about 3.55 pm, BSF troops observed suspicious movement of an intruder aggressively moving towards wild growth (sarkanda) while approaching fence from the side of Pakistani Village Lehri Kalan and crossing the IB into the Indian territory between Border Post No 12/5 and 12/6.

    “The intruder attempted to negotiate and exploit the Basantar river gap.BSF troops tracked and challenged him but the intruder tried to escape into Pakistani territory after which he was fired upon,” the spokesperson said in a statement here.

    He said the body of the intruder was recovered upon search of area and handed over to Ramgarh police station.

    “The Basantar river has been a traditional route of exploitation for infiltration and Lehri Kalan has been old launching pad of militants. This is the third killing of Pakistani intruder in recent times,” the spokesperson said.

    Officials said the deceased was in possession of Rs 200 in Pakistani currency and his physical appearance suggested that he was not mentally fit.

    His body is likely to be handed over to Pakistani rangers at a flag meeting after post-mortem, they said.

    He was the second Pakistani intruder killed by the BSF in Samba sector in the past 37 days and third since November 23 last year.

    A Pakistani infiltrator was killed in border outpost Chak Faquira in Samba on February 8, while another intruder was killed in the same area on November 23 last year.

  • J&K: Shopian encounter enters third day as fresh firing breaks out

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: Fresh firing erupted on Monday between militants and security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir where a top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit was among two ultras killed in the operation that entered its third day, police said.

    “Fresh contact has been established with the third terrorist at Rawalpora in Shopian,” a police officer said.

    Earlier in the day, Inspector General of Police Kashmir zone Vijay Kumar said the security forces achieved a major breakthrough by eliminating a top commander of Jaish who was operating under the nom de guerre of Sajad Afghan.

    Vilayat Hussain Lone alias Sajjad Afghani, one of the most wanted militants in kashmir, was killed in fresh exchange of fire with security forces on Monday.

    One militant — identified as Jahangir Ahmad Wani of Lashkar-e-Toiba — was killed in the firefight on Sunday.

    Kumar congratulated the security forces for eliminating Afghani.

    Meanwhile, a police spokesperson said security forces launched an operation on Saturday night based on specific input generated by Shopian Police regarding presence of terrorists in Rawalpora village.

    “During the search operation, as the presence of terrorists got ascertained they were given opportunity to surrender, however, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” the spokesperson said.

    According to police records, Wani was active since September last year and involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities.

    Arms and ammunition including US-made M4 Carbine rifle and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of encounter, the spokesperson said.

    “During the encounter, three houses caught fire while a group of miscreants tried to disrupt the operation and created law and order problem near the encounter site during which some miscreants were also injured,” he added. 

  • Rohingya issues raised deliberately to garner votes in poll-bound states, claims J-K Congress chief

    By PTI
    JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president G A Mir on Sunday claimed that the recent drive against the Rohingya Muslims in Jammu was deliberately timed with an eye on the upcoming assembly polls in different parts of the country.

    He also advocated early assembly elections in the union territory and said “the government run by bureaucrats does not help the people”.

    Mir was speaking to reporters after a protest rally against fuel price hike in Kathua district.

    Responding to a question about shifting of 168 Rohingya Muslims from Jammu to a holding centre here recently, Mir, without naming the BJP, claimed that “they are raising such type of issues to garner votes in poll-bound states”.

    “They (Rohingya Muslims) have not come here on a personal invitation of anyone. They are allowed as per the UN resolution on refugees and their deportation to their homes or somewhere else will take place under international monitoring…we have no objections,” he said.

    However, he claimed that they (BJP) are raking up the issue deliberately as the dates for elections come closer in different states to avail the opportunity to garner votes.

    Asked about the need for the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress leader also said there was no alternative for a popular government in a democracy.

    “As a political party, we are always ready for the elections, which are part of the democratic system. The assembly elections should be held as soon as possible to provide a popular government to the people to mitigate their sufferings,” he said.

    He said a government run by bureaucrats does not help the public.

    “If you want to help the people, give them a popular government,” he said.

    He said the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir is strong and the morale of each worker is very high.

    “I have worked for the party across the country and can say it with authority that the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir is very strong. The local leaders need to get together and work in tandem,” he said.

    He alleged that the BJP has “exposed” itself by its falsehood and had broken the backbone of the common people by “tax terrorism” and unprecedented price hike of essential commodities, including fuel and daily use items.

    On the absence of district president Manohar Lal Sharma in the protest rally, he said there is inner party democracy in the Congress more than any other party and a forum is in place to take proper action if anyone tries to weaken the party within.

    “When I say inner party democracy, I mean everyone is free to put forth their view point for which they cannot be slaughtered. But for those who show arrogance and do not fulfill the given responsibility, there is a forum in place which is watching them. Anybody who tries to harm the Congress within will face appropriate action,” he said.

    Asked about senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad holding a public meeting in Jammu along with several leaders of G-23 last month, he avoided a direct reply but said anything which could be discussed within the party need not to be made public.

    “He is a national-level leader and as I said there is an inner party democracy in the Congress where anyone can put forth his view point. The views are accepted or rejected by the party leadership and all this happens within a discipline,” he said.

  • Jammu and Kashmir Police releases list of nine wanted terrorists

    By ANI
    SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday released a list of nine wanted terrorists active in and around Srinagar.

    The name of the wanted terrorists are Waseem Qadir Mir of Shahzadpora, Nowgam Srinagar (active since December 20, 2020); Saqib Manzoor Dar of Old Barzulla, Srinagar, (active since August 5, 2020); Ubaid Shafi Dar of Firdousabad, Batamaloo, Srinagar active since October 31, 2020.

    The others in the wanted list are Irfan Ahmed Sofi of Astan Mohalla, Natipora, (active since December 14, 2020); Bilal Ahmed Bhat of Natipora, (active since February 14, 2020); Abirar Nadeem Bhat of Eidgah, Mohalla, Narbal (active since December 12, 2018); Muhammad Yousuf Dar alias Iss Kantroo, a recycled militant who joined the ranks twice in 2012 and again in 2015); Muhammad Abbas Sheikh of Rampora Koimoh, Kulgam (active since April 2015) and Adil Mushtaq Sofi, of Pampore (active since October 2020)

    In the lookout notice, the police have also announced a reward for anyone providing information about them.

    “They (terrorists) are responsible for several crimes in and around Srinagar against civilians and forces. Massive manhunt to be launched to hunt them down,” police said.

  • Encounter between security forces, militants in Shopian

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: An encounter broke out Saturday between militants and security forces in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

    Security forces launched a cordon and search operation this morning in Rawalpora area of the district following information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

    He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants opened fire on the security forces who retaliated.

    There are no reports of any casualties so far on either side, the official added.

  • Around 200 terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir; another 250 in launch pads across LoC: DGP

    The DGP said police have unearthed a number of narco-terrorism cases in 2020 and 2021 and every one of them is being investigated.