“Politicised” CAMPUS

The members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) backed by Congress Wednesday locked the Kashmir University Cafeteria, before allegedly assaulting a waiter and quarrelling with the fellow students and the Cafeteria staff.

Sources in the Kashmir University told Kashmir Life that since the establishment of NSUI unit the University has turned into a “political battle field.”

Students have decided to protest against the very establishment of the NSUI unit in the University.

Reports said the incident took place on Tuesday evening when Junaid Javed, the President of NSUI, Kashmir University unit and a LLB student along with his associates walked into the cafeteria near Humanities Block at the varsity.

The group started arguing with the waiter of the Cafeteria resulting in tension.

“Junaid started an argument, the waiter apologized to him but he didn’t listen and assaulted the waiter with a frying pan. Junaid and his associates used every utensil in the pantry to assault him,” an eyewitness said.

The victim was injured and taken to hospital for treatment, he added.

The waiter’s father is a cobbler who mends shoes outside the Varsity’s Arts block.

On Wednesday morning, Junaid, arrived at the canteen along with his associates and allegedly started an argument with the canteen staff again.

“They broke the furniture at the canteen and threatened the staff with dire consequences,” a Cafeteria staff member said.

An eyewitness said that the staff then joined hands against the NSUI president and his associates but not before they locked the Cafeteria.

There is a harsh resentment among the student fraternity against NSUI allegedly for “politicizing” the atmosphere.

The students are on path of a protest against NSUI.

When contacted, KU proctor informed Kashmir Life that there was a “minor scuffle” between some students and a waiter. “But now the matter is under control,” he said.

Meanwhile a day after the incidents, Junaid reportedly kidnapped waiters of Humanities Block Canteen. Later, NSUI president of KU was arrested as per certain reports.

Timber LOOT

The failure of officials to curb timber smuggling in North Kashmir’s Kupwara District has encouraged smugglers to cut down the prized timber in many compartments of Sogam Kupwara range.

A local news gathering agency reported that heavy damage is caused by jungle smugglers to the green treasure in forest range Sogam including compartment number 17, 18, 19, 21,25,28,27 SL by smugglers. “There is no check to the same by the authorities as the forest officials are in close nexus with smugglers,” sources in the forest department said.

Sources revealed that officials of forest department including Range Officer, Forester, and some Forest Guards of Sogam are hand-in-glow with smugglers thereby facilitating the smugglers to devastate the forests of these compartments.

“Timber is being ferried to the market by smugglers allegedly in connivance with these officials, although the Forest officials and the Forest Protection Force (FPF) personnel catch smugglers in various areas but set them free allegedly after taking bribe.

Sources further revealed that some forest employees have encroached over good chunk of land in the Compartment number 28 in village Valakul Sogam. “On November 4, 2013 the forest officials utilize the services of JCB to plain the forest land with a purpose to convert it into commercial land. Such a practice can be a lead for other villagers to encroach the forest land if not checked at earliest,” sources added.

“Higher authorities are mute spectators to the plunder of the green gold. Influential people of the area devastate the forests in connivance with officials. They (officials) receive their share,” sources said.

However, concerned District Forest Officer (DFO), Munshi Iqbal said that no felling of trees is going on in the area. “Our men seized timber and arrested several culprits in the past few months added that if any official of the department is found involved, he will be dealt sternly. I assure you that I will look into the complaints of deforestation as well.”

Meanwhile, range officer deny these claims and said that they have been successful in stopping the loot of green gold in the area to a large extent. Pertinently Kupwara  Police on September last year had admitted that some of the lower rung Forest officials have allegedly given a free hand to the timber smugglers to plunder the green gold and had register around 50 case against timber smugglers involved in the act.

Pitching 4-POINT

A day after Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed his dismay at the stance taken by the Indian government to address the issue of Kashmir, ruling National conference on Wednesday urged both the countries to work on former Pakistan President, Parvez Musharaf’s four point formula.

Senior National Conference leader and Member Parliament Dr Mehboob Beg told local news gathering that the serious efforts which were made by the former Prime Minster of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Musharaf, had taken the Kashmir issue close to its solution.

“Political parties including the separatists were also taken on board and the dispute was about to be resolved. I think that the four point formula given by Musharaf had a strong base and it could prove to be a good solution,” he said.

Joins the chorus political secretary of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Tanvir Sadiq said, “The mistrust which has evolved between the two countries should be given a serious thought. Both the countries should come forward to start a meaningful dialogue as dialogue is the only way to settle this issue.”

Meanwhile, Member Parliament G.N Ratanpuri commenting on the statement of Nawaz Sharif said, “It is true that no serious efforts are being made by the government of India regarding the Kashmir dispute. The centre is enforcing its policies in Kashmir on the basis of its might. They should realize that they have to work sincerely to resolve the issue if they want peace in south Asia.”

Speaking on the issue Provisional president Kashmir of National conference Nasir Aslam Wani said, “Though National conference advocates for Autonomy but I want to clear that if there is a better solution other than Autonomy, the party will welcome it for the betterment of Kashmir.GOI should realize that the developments can never prove to be a substitute for the resolution of Kashmir issue.”

National Conference senior leader Dr Mustafa Kamal said that I agree with the statement of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that India’s stance on Kashmir lacks sincerity. I must also say that there is mistrust between the two countries. “One more excuse that has come from India now is that they will talk on Kashmir after Parliament elections but I fail to understand what the elections have to do with the dialogue process. India is just buying the time and nothing else,” Kamal said.