Mir Farhat
Srinagar, June 20: A day after a minor girl was allegedly gang raped by four men in Baramulla district, the incident has indicated a surge in such cases against women, including minor girls.
Police sources said Jammu and Kashmir has registered 378 rape cases in 2013, which corresponds to seven rapes every week and is an increase of 75 cases from the total of preceding year.
“277 rape cases were registered in 2011, while the number had shot up to 303 in 2012,” sources said.
Besides, sexual violence against women including molestation and harassment has also gone up since 2009, with around 900 such cases reported every year.
Official data with police says that 759 incidents of molestation and harassment were reported in year 2008.
In 2009, 823 cases of harassment and molestation were reported by police. The number of such incidents has risen from 1057 in 2012 to 1077 in 2013.
The National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data mentions that rape on minors in Jammu and Kashmir is on the rise.
“13 child molestation and rape cases were registered in Jammu and Kashmir in 2012. And eight cases of molestation and rape on minors were registered during 2010 while the number was nine and 11 in 2011 and 2012 respectively,” the report said.
Police says that crime against women might be higher than the figures suggest, as only 10 per cent of cases are reported. Often, cases of sexual crimes are unreported either due to remoteness of the location or victims choosing to stay silent out of fear or social stigma.
“In most of such incidents occasions, complaints are filed days after the incident as victims do not inform their ordeal to parents immediately. Or in some cases, the victims even don’t report to parents,” said a police official.
Surge in such incidents has been encouraged by the lack of swift police action and investigation which ultimately results in low conviction of the accused.
“Lack of women police cells in immediate towns also blocks filing of such complaints by the victim as women prefer not to speak before police men in our conservative society,” the official said.
At present, the State has only two women police stations – one each at Jammu and Srinagar which are exclusively run by women police officers. Besides, four women cells are functioning at Anantnag, Baramulla, Udhampur and Rajouri.
The shocking incidents have taken place across the towns and villages in the State.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government had last year, in principle, agreed to incorporate a provision for awarding capital punishment to those convicted of raping a minor or gang rape.
Rape, molestation against women surge in J&K
Anjuman-e-Imamia protests against atrocities in Iraq
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 20: After Friday prayers, a protest was held against the atrocities of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in Iraq.
Large number of people (Shias) assembled outside Mosque at Pir Mitha under the banner of Anjuman-e-Imamia, Jammu and expressed their resentment against the atrocities of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.
The protestors raised slogans and demanded that the Central and the State Government should intervene in the issue at the international level and assure the safety of the Shias, a minority in the world.
Addressing the gathering, Imam Jumma Maulana Ali Badshah Naqvi said that the inhumane practice of ISIL in Iraq shows the real face of these people.
He added that this is the right time that Shias and Sunni brothers all over the world should get united and fight against this cruel force.
President, Anjuman-e-Imamia Jammu Syed Amanat Shah Naqvi said that the great Ayatollah Jenab Sistani Sahib already given the fatwa for fight against these evil forces and following this, crores of volunteers are joining hands with the Iraq Army for fight against the Takfiris.
President, Anjuman-e-Jafari, New Plot Shakeel Karblai said that they will fight against these forces till the last drop of blood and will not tolerate if any damage will be done to the holy shrines in Karbala.
Other Anjumans who have participated are Anjuman-e-Hussaini Bathindi and All Ladakh Muslim Students Association, Jammu.
Army throws open Baltal bridge for yatris
Excelsior Correspondent
srinagar, June 20: Army today threw open the bridge in Baltal which will facilitate the movement of yatris, Bhandaras, and security forces.
A defence spokesman said the 50 feet bridge was inaugurated by Preet Pal Singh, Additional CEO, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board today.
“The bridge has been constructed by the Victoria Cross Engineer Regiment of the Chinar Corps, abutments for the bridge were constructed by Roads and Bridges and is expected to cater the heavy rush of Yatris who will undertake the annual pilgrimage,” the spokesman said.
Singh thanked the Army and District Administration, Ganderbal for constructing the bridge in record time after the existing bridge had been rendered unusable due to heavy snowfall in the Baltal-Domel area.
HC directs JMC to remove sealing of tutorial
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 20: In a petition filed by Navneet Mahajan challenging the order of Jammu Municipal Corporation by virtue of which building of petitioner was ordered to be sealed, High Court today directed the JMC to remove the sealing of tutorial.
According to the case set up by petitioner, he has constructed a building at Sector 5-A after obtaining proper permission from the JDA and JMC. However, during the course of construction, he found size of the plot from western side less than the prescribed which resulted in slight deviation in maintaining the setbacks.
Later, the JMC issued notices under Section 7(1) and Section 7(3) of COBA that too at a time when the building was already constructed. Aggrieved thereof, the petitioner filed statutory appeal before the Tribunal which directed maintenance of status quo.
However, JMC issued the impugned order dated 28.02.2013 under Section 8 (1) of COBA directing sealing of the premises. According to petitioner, the building was sealed without the petitioner being afforded an opportunity of being heard.
After hearing Advocate Pranav Kohli appearing for the petitioner whereas Advocate SS Nanda for the JMC, Justice Bansi Lal Bhat allowed the petition and Order impugned No. MJ/CEO/407 dated 28.2.2013 was quashed and JMC was directed to remove the sealing of the premises. “The issue of violation of sanctioned building plan and demolition thereof being sub-judice before the Tribunal, is left to be dealt with by the Tribunal”, High Court said.
YAIKS asks KPs to support PM’s initiative on return
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 20: Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS) in its coordinators under the chairmanship of its chief, R K Bhat expressed satisfaction over the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s keen initiative for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in Valley.
The meeting said that AIKS is convinced that the new dispensation at the Centre is committed to deliver on the promises made to displaced community and hence it has become imperative that YAIKS becomes the part of the process.
The meeting said it took 24 long years to bring the train on the track and we have to ensure that the same is not derailed.
It said community will lose a golden opportunity, perhaps the last to reclaim its motherland in case of any delay and laxity on its part. It said as long as the Government at Centre remains sincere and committed to return and rehabilitation of displaced Pandits in Valley with dignity and honour, the YAIKS and extra mile in making that possible. For this purpose the community has to be constructive and positive to accept the Modi’s return formula along with other political, economic and social initiatives.
The meeting further said it is high time for the political parties, social activists and religious preachers to protect and safeguard the rights of the community and welcome Mr Modi’s vision on KPs return. The meeting said it is high time for the majority community in Valley also to play their constructive and positive role in maintaining pluralistic and composite culture of the State. It is litmus test for the civil society in Kashmir also.
It said the Kashmir is a land of Sofis and saints and being the natives of Kashmir the Pandits can’t be separated from the land.
Sunil Koul, Manoj Handoo, Deepak Dhar, Sanjay Ganjoo, D N Bhat and Ajay were present in the meeting.
JKRF demands enhancement in reservation quota
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 20: J&K RBA Forum (JKRF) has strongly reacted inclusion of 38 forward area villages into the backward area list, saying the decision has tightened the scope of people of backward areas. The Forum has termed the Government decision anti-people and demanded enhancement of reservation from 20 to 32 %.
In a press statement, State President of J&K RBA Forum, Zakir Malik Bhallesi said that State Cabinet which accorded sanction to the inclusion of 38 villages of different districts in the list of backward areas has done a cruel joke to the people of backward areas.
He said that Government has accepted its failure of not developing backward areas which forced them to make forward villages the backward one. He said that this is dangerous decision for RBA people because Government is adding the number of people and not enhancing the reservation.
He said that Forum is not opposing the villages which were added but opposing the move of Government for not enhancing reservation percentage and thus demanding to enhance the reservation from 20 to 32 percent according to backward area population.
SVS inaugurates newly constructed temple at Gopi Teerath
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 20: Samajik Vikas Sanasthan (SVS) organized an impressive function at Gopi Teerath temple complex on the foothills of Zabarwan Forests near Water Point Nishat Srinagar to inaugurate the newly constructed Shiv temple in the complex here today. The temple has been constructed in collaboration with Ishwar Ashram Ishbar Nishat Srinagar and was inaugurated by Mrs Jaya and Dr. Maharaj K Razdan patron of SVS.
The function was attended by the executive body members of Samajik Vikas Sanasthan and Ishwar Ashram besides large number of devotees and local population. Pooja and Aarti was held on the occasion where the participants prayed for peace and prosperity of the society at large. The complex was damaged during the turmoil period and SVS took up the work of its reconstruction/renovation in 2012.
This was disclosed by Kuldeep Raina chairman of Sansthan. The function was also attended by Shiban Ji Bhan and M K Pandita the other office bearers of the Sansthan.
Painting exhibition of Subhash Anand organized at Amar Mahal Museum
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 20: A painting exhibition (Avlokan) was organised by a renowned artist Subhash Anand at basement gallery of Amar Mahal Museum, here today. The exhibition will remain open for next two days (i.e. June 21st and 22nd).
AVLJ Rao, Deputy Commissioner of KVS was the chief guest for the occasion. VK Sambyal, Station Director of Radio Kashmir Jammu presided over the function whereas Anjali Sharma, Director Incharge of Doordarshan, was the guest of honour.
Subhash Anand is a qualified (BFA 1982) painter. He has also done 2 year National Apprentices course in painting (1985), from National Council for Training in Vocational Trades, New Delhi. He is not only an extra ordinary painter but also the first Cartoonist and illustrator of the State. He has been awarded as Best Painter for 2 times by the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in the year 1990 and 1996. He has also been awarded by the Fine Arts & Craft Society, New Delhi, in 2000.
Previously he held his exhibition at Abhinav Art Gallery in 1995. Now his latest work has been displayed at Amar Mahal Museum in which his compositions depicting sacred iconic figures gaze at us out of boxes, arterial traffic, touched to decorative preciosity by the painters brush, burdensome dreams and mythologisation of men in yogic or material postures.
Two absconding brothers held
Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, June 20: Thathri police arrested two absconding brothers, who were evading their arrested for the past one year.
A police spokesman said that, on specific inputs, police party from Police Station Thathri conducted a raid and arrested two absconding brothers namely Amit Kumar and Ajay Kumar, both son of Hans Raj of Galondra Tehsil Thathri from Karara area.
The accused were wanted in a case registered with police station Thathri under FIR No. 37/13 under Section 376, 363 and 109 RPC and warrant under Section 512 CrPC was also issued in this case by the competent Court. Further investigation is going on.
11 injured in road mishaps
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 20: Eleven persons were injured in different road accidents across the Valley.
A police spokesman said a Tavera JK03B-8925 hit a motorcycle near Women’s College Anantnag, resulting in injuries to motorcyclist Zubair Ahmad Wagay of Janglat Mandi, Anantnag. The injured was shifted to District Hospital for treatment.
A Scooter DL9SR/6038 hit a road divider on KP Road in Mattan Anantnag, resulting in injuries to two pillions.
A Maruti car JK13A-4772 hit a pedestrian near Shahi Bakery, K.P road Anantnag.
A Winger vehicle JK05C/6899 and an Alto Car JK01H/6330 collided near Wogub in Tarzoo, resulting in injuries to four students and the Winger driver.
All the injured have been shifted to hospital for treatment.
A Tavera 3058/JK05C hit a pedestrian on highway near TCP Hyder Beigh in Pattan. The injured person was shifted to hospital for treatment.
A Safari car JK01S/5574 hit and injured a pedestrian at Shalteng in Parimpora, Srinagar.
The spokesman said the injured have been shifted to hospitals and police has filed cases in these accidents.