Supreme State
Supreme Court might be the highest point of justice delivery in India but when it comes to Kashmir, it is the State that is supreme! That is what speaks the case of ‘enforced’ disappearance of Mohammad Ashraf Koka, who disappeared 13 years ago from his residence in Verinag, District Islamabad. Koka’s family alleges that “government of Jammu and Kashmir continues to disregard the rule of law.”
The father of the victim approached the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and on May 22, 2014, the High Court set a time limit for the proposed identification parade of Inder Singh Negi [then Commandant, 10th Bn ITBP and presently Inspector General (IG), ITBP] and other named personnel of the ITBP, whom the family allege were involved in the disappearance case of their son.
But IG Inder Singh Negi contested this order, seeking to further delay and obfuscates the processes of justice despite ample evidence against him. Then a notice was served by the Supreme Court to the SHO, Police Station Dooru, to which Government failed, to present itself or file submissions on their position on the matter, on two separate hearings before the Registry, Supreme Court.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Police have delayed investigations, and protected the perpetrators of the crime for 13 years, and continues to do so before the Supreme Court of India,” says victim family who are waiting for justice to be done.
As per a local news agency, the father of Mohammad Ashraf Koka has filed his submissions on August 28, 2014 before the Supreme Court Registry and placed on record, the role of IG Inder Singh Negi, ITBP and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir that how they have used delay and other means to prevent a meaningful investigation parade over the last 13 years.
The matter is once again listed next week before the Supreme Court Registry.
Love of Cricket
For Kashmiri students studying outside the state watching a game of cricket could prove detrimental for their careers. At least twelve students were injured at a private engineering college in Punjab after clashes erupted over Kashmiri students cheering for Pakistan during a cricket match against Sri Lanka.
The college authorities have closed the college till September 8. As per the reports the fight took place after students residing in a hostel were watching the match when Kashmiri students allegedly cheered for Pakistan and others asked them to stop. The argument soon turned into a brawl which resulted in the injuries to 12 students, who were rushed to local hospitals.
About 200 students from Kashmir are enrolled in this college and most of them stay in the hostel.
Back home this cricket fervor has panicked their parents and the state government. The speaker of the legislative assembly Mubarak Gul has asked all Chief Minister’s to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students studying in different states of India.
Pertinently, in March, this year 60 Kashmiri students at a college in Uttar Pradesh were charged with sedition after they supported Pakistan in a match against India. Later all of them were suspended and removed from the campus.
The charges against them were dropped after Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spoke to his counterpart in Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav.
Stoned Fates!
Once again alleged stone-pelters are the most sought after people in Kashmir, but for a different reason!
With elections round the corner both unionist parties: NC and PDP are concerned about the fate of alleged stone-pelters.
During the ongoing session of the legislative assembly, speaker Mubarak Gul first disallowed and then allowed the discussion on almost 6000 youth who are booked under different cases since 2010, as they are not able to apply for various government posts and passports.
In his reply, Ali Mohammad Sagar, the minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, announced that his government will soon announce an amnesty for persons involved in stone-pelting incidents and withdraw cases registered against them.
Sagar informed the house that 2,376 persons were detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) by this government, while cases have been registered against 6,000 youths for involvement in protests.
The discussion was sought by the opposition party but later the discussion turned bitter when the ruling party alleged the opposition of being involved in the stone pelting to ‘weaken’ the government. Sagar alleged PDP of being involved in the stone pelting itself.
“Your party workers are involved in the stone pelting and cases are registered against them, Sagar shouted at PDP members. He added and said that PDP’s only agenda has been weakening the state government.
Jan Dhan Yojna
On August 28, the Pradhan Matri’s Jan Dhan Yojna was launched throughout India including the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
In Kashmir, the plan was launched by J&K Bank, ‘Convener J&K State Level Bankers’ Committee at SKICC and in Jammu it was held at Government Women’s College, Gandhi Nagar.
J&K Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather was Chief Guest at Srinagar function while as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and MoS for Prime Minister Office Dr Jitender Singh was the Guest of Honour at the function.
Around 1.5 crore saving accounts were opened across India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the country-wide campaign of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi. Modi’s address to the nation was telecast live at SKICC auditorium.
The Finance Minister of the state informed that the launch of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna is an important milestone for the financial inclusion programme which has been successfully carried out in the state by the banks.
“Led by J&K Bank, banks in the state have successfully accomplished Financial Inclusion Plan Phase-1 by providing 100 per cent coverage to all the 795 villages with population above 2000. Even 80 per cent of 5582 unbanked villages have been covered under the phase two of the Swabhiman campaign,” he said.
On the occasion, there was a distribution of welcome kits among beneficiaries that contained RuPay Debit Card, Passbook and literature on financial awareness.
The new scheme – an improvement over the current financial inclusion programme envisages Rs 5,000 overdraft facility for Aadhar-linked accounts, RuPay Debit Card with inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs 1 lac for the account holder and minimum monthly remuneration of Rs 5,000 to business correspondents who will provide the last link between the account holders and the bank.
Meanwhile, in Jammu Union Minister for Water Resources and River Development Uma Bharti was the Chief Guest and State Minister for Planning Ajay Sadhotra was the Guest of Honour on the occasion.
