DIES: Mohammad Aarif Bhat, 14 passed away after struggling for life for a year. A resident of Haba Kadal, he was hit by a tear smoke shell on October 25, 2009 in Maisuma. In the hospital he slipped into coma and was on expensive drugs for a year at his home. He died last night and was laid to rest in the Eidgah martyrs graveyard.
RULED: In an observation that could have far reaching consequences, the High Court has ruled that a person’s bail plea under a substantive offence shall be considered only after he is out of protective custody. The rule pertains to the people who are detained under PSA and simultaneously booked under other offences. The observation came in the case of leading lawyer Mian Qayoom who is behind bars since July 7. Meanwhile the lawyers across Kashmir resumed work after 125 days of strike.
PERMITTED: Chinese embassy in Delhi has provided stamped visa to a Jammu sculptor Bishambhar Dass. This goes against the Beijing decision of offering residents of J&K a stapled visa that is not being accepted by the Indian immigration officials. Earlier, as well a group of roller skaters from Jammu were also provided the routine visa. This has given rise speculations of a ‘change of heart’ in Beijing suggesting Jammu is not disputed but Kashmir is!
DIRECTED: For the first time in history FCI will be purchasing 1500 tonnes of paddy from Jammu farmers. This is aimed at preventing distress sales. Paddy crops suffered severely in rains this summer that has impacted its marketability. Purchases will be made at 15 places in Jammu plains.
CRASHED: An IAF chopper crashed while flying to Siachen glacier injuring both the pilots on board. Pilots ejected well before the Cheetah helicopter went into tail spin. The high altitude area with sub zero temperatures witnesses such crashes especially during winters.
UNEARTHED: Police in Jammu unearthed a brothel in densely populated Patoli area and detained seven persons. These included a retired veterinary doctor, a pimp couple besides four men and three housewives who worked as comfort girls. Earlier they had raided brothels at Trikuta Nagar and Bhatindi as well. The pimp couple was identified as Sunil, a carpenter from Pathankote and Razia, his wife from Kashmir.
SHIFTED: Directorate of Libraries is looking into the clandestine shifting of at least three libraries from the countryside to Srinagar. The libraries at Delina (Baramulla), Rohama (Rafiabad), Kunzar (Tangmarg) and Dangerpora (Sopore) were set up under ‘border block libraries’ in 1994. A decade later, these libraries were closed and shifted to Srinagar and Budgam. The staff is still being paid from the actual place of operation.
FAKED: Police is investigating a model Sohil Malik, the boyfriend of model-actress Rinky Chowdhary who was killed recently. Malik was born and brought up in Kashmir. Police says they have come to know that his actual name is Mohammad Salim Malik and his passport and bank account is this name. The police at Goregaon in Mumbai are planning to send a team to Srinagar to get more details. Malik was arrested and interrogated. Interrogation of Shamli Jain, Malik’s ex-girlfriend has also been recorded.
CLEARED: Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is issuing techno-economic clearance for setting up Baglihar-II after the DPR is revised and re-submitted for formal clearance. It will cost Rs 2228.87 crore including interest during construction and will have to get ready within 50 months after the contracts are approved. It would require no dam and M/S Jai Prakash Associates that implemented the first phase will implement this as well.
LANGUISHING: Two of the 12 stone pelters who were supposed to be freed as a CBM are still languishing in jails. Identified as Firdous Shah and Manzoor Ahmed, police said their families did not report to the jail authorities with the formalities that were key to their reunion with their parents.
FREED: The High Court in Jammu granted bail to Aslam Khan, a class-IV employee of the court who had married a student of a law college Priyanka Pandoh. It is his second marriage. Police had arrested them near airport after her family had filed a case accusing him of kidnapping. He told the court that she has converted and taken the name Shaheen Khan and is a major.
