Community Archives | Page 44 of 185

Hadowun Hospital – In History and Memory

September 14, 2021 Editor

By – Dr Khan Khawar Achakzai IN Shah Mohalla, there was a big orchard that belonged to the Syed family and partly to the Kanji family of Suleiman Kanji, located on the left bank of Sonnar Koll. In addition, there were three graveyards on elevated portions. Sir Hadow (also called Heedo), an Austrian merchant and philanthropist much revered by Kashmiris, purchased 237 Kanals of land from the grandfather of Syed Ehsanul Haq in silver coins. Mr. Hadow initially established a carpet factory, Hadow Mills carpet factory, encompassing around 450 looms…

UN Experts express concern over Ashraf Sehrai’s death, Rights body on Geelani’s Funeral

September 11, 2021 Editor

The statements issued by the UN and the International Federation for Human Rights join a host of condemnations of alleged violations against dissenters in India. Four UN special rapporteurs have expressed serious concerns over the arrest, alleged torture, and death in custody of Hurriyat leader Ashraf Sehrai. Sehrai died in May this year, battling multiple illnesses at the Government Medical College in Jammu while serving detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978. The special mandate holders have also demanded a separate, impartial inquiry into the matter. Separately, the International…

GoI can help Sikhs fleeing Afghanistan find a home in Kashmir Valley

September 10, 2021 Editor

The hasty withdrawal of the American troops from Afghanistan last month and the rapid advance of the Taliban to Kabul to capture power created a very insecure environment for the minorities, including the Tajiks, Hazaras, and the Sikhs. The Indian government with some reassurances from the Taliban was able to evacuate most of the Indian community, including the Sikhs and Hindus residing in Afghanistan for several generations. The announcement of the Taliban government wherein proscribed terrorists has been made ministers, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, a dreaded leader, has further confirmed the…

Global spotlight on harassment of J&K Journalists grows with latest letter from UN Experts

August 30, 2021 Editor

The communication joins a list of the growing chorus by global bodies and international watchdogs against the worsening press freedom scenario in India. By – Shakir Mir The UN Special Rapporteur for protection of the right to freedom of expression’s “serious concerns” over the reports of arbitrary detentions and intimidation of journalists in Kashmir is the latest in what has been a global spotlight on Jammu and Kashmir’s lack of press freedom. The communication, sent to the Indian government on June 3 earlier this year, was made public on Wednesday,…

‘Film-City’ in Kashmir on cards, Govt mulling to encourage owners to re-open existing cinema halls

August 27, 2021August 28, 2021 Editor

The government of Jammu and Kashmir is mulling to encourage and incentivize owners to reopen closed cinema halls in Kashmir Valley. Pertinently, cinema halls in Valley were closed after the eruption of militancy back in the 1990s. Some of the cinema halls of Valley have been converted into medical facilities, malls or have been occupied by government forces. Film Policy-2021 which has been implemented in Jammu and Kashmir states that besides encourages cinema hall owners to re-open their cinema houses, incentives will be offered to them. The government is also…

Kashmiri’s accuse Indian forces of Arbitrary Arrests, Intimidation

August 23, 2021 Editor

Arbitrary arrests and intimidation by security forces wielding batons and snatching phones leave many too scared to voice dissent. Public protests in Indian-administered Kashmir were once an almost weekly occurrence. But two years after New Delhi imposed direct rule on the region, locals say arbitrary arrests and intimidation by security forces wielding batons and snatching phones have left many too scared to voice dissent. A week before the region’s partial autonomy was abolished, and as a massive troop deployment fanned out to help forestall a local backlash, Rafiq (name changed)…

Kashmir governor’s public relations blitz leaves the press in tatters

August 23, 2021 Editor

Newspapers now publish little more than government handouts about Manoj Sinha and his supposed feats. By Rayan Naqash In Kashmir’s front-page headlines, there’s just one newsmaker. His utterances and field trips are not only prominently placed, some newspapers dedicate nearly all their pages to his feats and often print several pictures of his on the same page. A glance at Kashmir’s newspaper stands and you won’t miss the multitude of mastheads – there are 171 titles registered in Kashmir currently and 180 in Jammu – but look closely and you…

What is India’s new endgame in Kashmir?

August 14, 2021 Editor

A man on a motorbike shows his belongings to an Indian security force personnel during a cordon and search operation, in Srinagar

The Indian government has changed its approach to the ‘Kashmir problem’ because it has new strategic priorities. By- Umar Lateef Misgar If performance and posturing were the only indicators within politics, it may be said the political scene in Indian-administered Kashmir has been abuzz with renewed activity in the past few months. Earlier this summer, New Delhi initiated a new dialogue with local collaborators it has forged inside Kashmir, signaling its willingness to once again put its trust in them to help it subdue and rule the valley’s rebel population.…

Kashmir’s lone rose water maker Abdul Aziz Kozgar, scents uncertain future

August 10, 2021August 10, 2021 Editor

Declining sales, insecurity in Kashmir have dealt blow to Abdul Aziz Kozgar’s business The sweet smell of rose water filled the air as Abdul Aziz Kozgar opened the shutters of his nearly 100-year-old shop in Srinagar for another day of business that has been hit by a sharp decline in sales over recent years. Wearing a skull cap and a loose kurta salwar, the traditional dress of most Kashmiri men, Kozgar smiled when reminded of his status as the last rose water maker in Srinagar, skills he acquired from his…