State

Lawaypora encounter: Families demand SIT probe, asks govt to break silence

Published

3 years ago

January 14, 2021

Asian News Hub Webdesk

‘Either prove our kin militants or return bodies’

Jahangeer Ganaie

Pulwama, Jan 14: The three families from South Kashmir, whose kins were killed in Lawaypora encounter on 30 December last year, Thursday demanded a special investigation team (SIT) probe into the killing.

The three youth namely Athar Mushtaq resident of Bellow Pulwama, Aijaz Ahmad resident of Putrigam Pulwama and Zubair Ahmad lone were killed in an encounter at Lawaypora in the outskirts of Srinagar on 30 December. While as police and army claimed that the trio were militants, their families claimed trio were innocent and killed in a staged encounter.

The trio’s family also asked authorities to break silence on the encounter and either prove their wards militants or return the bodies.

Mushtaq Wani, father of Athar Mushtaq, while talking with news agency—KNO questioned the government’s silence on the issue.

“Two weeks have passed but no investigation has been ordered. We too were silent as we had given time to the authorities to prove that our sons were militants but they have failed to do so,” Wani said. “Authorities must start the investigation at the earliest.”

Family members of Zubair Ahmad also said that if any way authorities can prove their son was a militant, they will never seek his body.

“However, if they have failed to get single evidence against him, then they must return his body and punish the culprits who killed him,” they said.

Mohammed Maqbool, father of Aijaz Ahmad also echoed the same voice and said that authorities must come clear and break the silence.

The families of the trio also said that if they were hardcore OGWs then there would have been at least a single FIR registered against them.

“If they would have joined militant ranks, they would have called their families once that they got trapped but we didn’t receive any call in 18-hour encounter,” they said.

“Trio were innocent and were killed in a fake encounter,” they said while requesting authorities to constitute SIT and investigate the matter besides return their dead bodies.

Earlier, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha said that J&K that he will come up with facts about the Lawaypora encounter at an “appropriate time.”

“Let me tell you that J&K is a very sensitive UT. I have noted all versions including that of forces’ and the families of the (slain trio). I will come up with facts before you at an appropriate time,” he said

State

DDC vice chairperson Kupwara visits fire victims in Lolab

Published

7 hours ago

October 2, 2023

Asian News Hub Webdesk

DDC Vice Chairman Kupwara, Haji Farooq Ahmar Mir, visited fire victims in lolab area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

Also Read: LG unveils statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Charkha at Civil Secretariat, Srinagar

He extended his heartfelt support and solidarity to the victims of the fire incident and emphasized his commitment to ensuring that they receive comprehensive assistance and relief in their time of need.

In a heartfelt appeal to the LG administration, he underscored the urgency of additional assistance and resources to expedite the rehabilitation process, highlighting the pressing need to ensure that the victims can rebuild their lives and homes with the necessary aid and support in this challenging period of recovery and reconstruction.

State

LG unveils statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Charkha at Civil Secretariat, Srinagar

Published

8 hours ago

October 2, 2023

Asian News Hub Webdesk

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today unveiled the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and a Charkha installation, as a mark of tribute to the Father of the Nation on his Jayanti, at Civil Secretariat.

Also Read: Dutch scientist predicts strong earthquake in Pakistan within 48 hours

“Pujya Bapu always believed that the message of Charkha’s circumference is much broader than its tangible circumference. The goal of the Charkha is to serve mankind, to live without hurting others, to create an inseparable bond between the rich and the poor, capital and labour,” the Lt Governor said.

Charkha was used as a significant tool by Bapu in the fight against British Rule. It is a symbol of Swadeshi movement, self-reliance and economic freedom, he said.

Paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, the Lt Governor said the ideals of Bapu are for all humanity.

“I hope our officers, inspired by Bapu’s ideas and ideals, will continue to work dedicatedly for the dignity of every citizen in the society, for equality, social justice, and for a developed and self-reliant Jammu Kashmir,” the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor reiterated the commitment of the UT Administration to develop the villages as the centre of socio-economic growth and transform the lives of the rural population.

Today, villages in Jammu Kashmir are witnessing unprecedented growth due to the availability of various sources of income. New entrepreneurs are starting their new innings from villages. In terms of basic facilities, the gaps between village and the city are disappearing, the Lt Governor said.

Following the ideals of Pujya Bapu, J&K in 2021-22 had established 21,640 manufacturing and service units in the villages with the help of KVIC, providing employment to more than 1.73 Lakh. In the last Financial Year, more than 10,628 new units had been installed, he added.

The Lt Governor congratulated the Jammu & Kashmir Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) for the installation of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and Charkha. He also called for collective efforts by all the stakeholders for promotion of Swadeshi products.

There is a need to promote city-based Self Help Groups engaged in Khadi, which has become a new fashion statement for youth, he said.

Dr Hina Shafi Bhat, Vice Chairperson, KVIB; Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Sh R K Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Administrative Secretaries and senior officers of UT and Police administration also paid their tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

State

Our endeavour is to root out fear from common man’s heart and mind: Spl DG Swain

Published

8 hours ago

October 2, 2023

Asian News Hub Webdesk

Our fight is against those who promote violence, Challenges before J&K police different than other forces, Our fight is for public

Jammu and Kashmir police’s Special Director General (CID) RR Swain Monday said that police is trying its every bit to root out fear from the common man’s heart and mind while the fight against those who promote violence is purely for the general public.

Also Read: Three residential houses damaged in separate fire incidents in Kupwara

Talking to reporters on the side-lines of a mega marathon organised by the J&K police, the special DG (CID) said that J&K is police quietly fighting against the enemy which is “organised” after using the outside support and influence. “To fight some people who promote violence needs an extra bit of valour and that is found within the J&K police. Challenges before J&K police are quite different than what other forces are facing,” he said. “We are fighting this battle quietly, silently for the common man who is sitting in a far off village. Our fight is for a small farmer, a lawyer, a Khateeb and a small journalist or for that matter a common man who respects and abides by the law.”

J&K police had organised a massive marathon in which participants from Kashmir, Jammu and other parts of the country participated. The event coincided with Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.

The top police officer said: “Gandhiji always promoted non-violence.”

Swain said: “We will have to make the distinction between peace loving people and those whose ulterior motive is violence. So our fight is against those projecting violence. Our fight is for the general public and our endeavour is to root out the level of fear from common man’s heart and mind,” Swain said. KNO