SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has instructed the Pulwama deputy commissioner to administer the oath of office to Waheed ur Rehman Parra, a youth leader from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as a district development council (DDC) member, provided that there are no legal restrictions under the Panchayati Raj Act.
Parra had been elected as a DDC member in December 2020, but he could not take the oath of office due to his arrest in two cases related to militants. However, he is presently out on bail in both cases and has approached the high court to be sworn in. The court has ordered the deputy commissioner to carry out the statutory duty of administering the oath of office to Parra, notwithstanding the ongoing writ petition. The court has also noted that Parra’s legal troubles do not affect his entitlement to join the office as an elected member of the DDC, Pulwama. Parra was arrested in January 2021 for alleged offences under various acts, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act, and the Explosive Substances Act.
Consequently, Parra was unable to present himself voluntarily to the deputy commissioner of Pulwama to take his oath as an elected DDC member. Parra had been granted bail by the special NIA court on January 9, 2022, but was not released as he was subsequently booked in another case under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code at the Counter-Intelligence Kashmir police station in Srinagar. However, he was granted bail again on May 25, 2022, after filing an appeal before the division bench of the high court.
Srinagar: Farooq Abdullah, the president of the National Conference, departed for Saudi Arabia on Sunday to undertake ‘Umrah’, which is a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, the two sacred cities of the Muslim faith.
A party representative confirmed that the 85-year-old Member of Parliament from Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency was joined by Aijaz Jan, a colleague from the same party.
Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah’s son and the NC’s vice president, wrote a message on Facebook wishing his father and Jan a safe journey and praying that Allah accepts their supplications and strengthens their faith. “Jenab Dr. Farooq Abdullah Sahib leaving for the Haramain Sharifain to perform Umrah. @ajazjan7 is accompanying him on the holy pilgrimage.May Almighty Allah accept their supplications, and strengthen their faith,” Abdullah wrote.
SRINAGAR: The curtains rose to the sound of water gushing and birds chirping, offering an idea of a serene spot lacking noise and visibility. Melodious background music added to the sensory appeal.
As soon as the stage lit up, a beautiful set-up of the village could be seen. Heemal, played by Zareena Ali, came to wash dishes as any normal village girl. Shahi Mumtaz gave voice to the character in the play. As Heemal was seen dancing, her friend played by Jameela Akhter asked for the reason. The whole conversation took place in a rhythmic manner exhibiting the poetic capacity of the two Kashmir women. Heemal expressed her happiness over her marriage tie-up that had taken place a day before.
It was the play surrounding the life of Arinmal, a Kashmiri poetess, who has left behind a lot of poetry and lived an interesting life. The next scene showed up two men explaining the life of Heemal. She was born in a Hindu family in Palhalan (Baramulla). Born in 1718, when Kashmir was misruled by Afghans. Intelligent and beautiful, the conversation suggested that she wanted to study, but women’s education was not in vogue.
The cast line of theatre play Arinmaal that was staged in Tagore Hall Srinagar on March 3, 2023. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur
Her parents, however, provided her with all the possible education, they could afford within the confines of their Palhalan home. She was fond of poetry and literature.
At a very young age, she was married to Bhawani Das Kachroo, a resident of Rainawari in Srinagar, who worked on a very high post in administration. Besides, he was also a good Persian poet and wrote under the name Naikoo. Heemal nodded for the marriage for the common love of literature among both of them. This was the point from where she was known as Arnimaal.
The play was presented by Saath Theatre Group, directed, written and designed by Manzoor Ahmed Mir. The music direction was done by Raja Bilal. The songs in the play were sung by Shahi Mumtaz and recorded at Folk Studio Srinagar.
Palhalan’s Arinmaal
The couple loved each other immensely until the day Bhavani Das returned home drunk. He was furious at Arnimaal and accused her of causing him humiliation. Unaware of the cause that frustrated the Afghan coutier, she insisted but failed to elicit a response. Following days Bhavani Das became alcoholic and frequented Srinagar’s dance bars.
When Arnimaal came to know about her husband’s new found refuge in dancing, she made efforts to get him out of bars. In an attempt to make her husband fall in love again, she practiced singing and dancing. Even though she struggled hard but he did not give up.
In fact, when Bhavani Das learned about it, he raised her hand against her and defended himself by saying that the religion, culture and society gives man the freedom to do whatever he wants. She refuted him politely which worsened the situation between them. He asked her to leave his home. However, she stayed back. Bhavani Das spent most of the time outside. Nobody talked to her.
Meanwhile, she planned to go back to her parents many times, but her intellect did not allow her. Eventually, one day, an angry Bhavani Das succeeded in throwing her out of his home.
Arnimaal went back to Palhalan where she waited for him for several years without any change in her love towards her estranged husband. On the other hand, Bhavani’s hate also remained unchanged.
Eventually she lost her sane self and turned old and dull. She died on the same place where the play started. Bhavani’s servant was provoking him against Arnimaal. When the news of Bhavani’s behaviour reached the governor, he was upset. After facing humiliation, Bhavani Das went to Palhalan but it was late already as she was no more. He arrived when the funeral of Arnimaal was going on. He regretted his actions. The darkness that would follow was shown by the lights that turned off marking the end of the play.
Throughout the play, Arnimaal sang songs that explained and detailed the situation she was in. The dresses chosen for Arnimaal in the play also added to the character that shifted from modest when she was unmarried to bright and glittery during her marriage, then simple but colourful during the conflict and completely dull towards the end.
The Arnimaal cast line included Zareena Ali, her friend by Jameela Akhter, Bhavani Das Kachroo by Ashraf Nagoo. The narrators in the play were Mehrajuddin Bhat, Reyaz Ahmed Mir, Haseena Sofi, Farid Ahmed Sheikh. The dancer was played by Midhat. Other artists were Shagufta Rehman, Ghulam Mohammed Bhagat, Manzoor ul Islam Bhagat, M Iqbal Bhagat, Irfan Ahmad Bhagat, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat and Bilal Ahmad Bhat. The properties were provided by Gulzar Ahmad Dar, costumes by Shaheen Masarat, Set by Mir Adil, Make-up by Aijaz Ahmad. The lights were operated by Tariq Hajini.
SRINAGAR: Six rusted grenades and 127 rounds of Pika gun were recovered from an under construction house in Rajouri district on Sunday, officials said.
They said labourers during work found six rusted grenades and 127 Pinka gun rounds in the house on link road in Manjakote area of the district this afternoon. Subsequently, they said, police was informed and recovery was made.
Quoting a police official, GNS reported that investigations are underway.
SRINAGAR : Family members of a pregnant lady, who died at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) on Sunday, alleged medical negligence by hospital authorities in the death.
The family members of the deceased woman identified as Ulfat Jan, a resident of Wakura Ganderbal, according to news agency KDC , held a protest at SKIMS Soura against hospital authorities alleging that “She was not given proper treatment which consequently led to her death” this morning.
The relatives of the deceased lady have demanded stern action against the doctors, who they said were supposed to be present.
Medical Superintendent of SKIMS, Dr Farooq Jan said “An enquiry has been initiated in this regard and the committee has been asked to submit the report within five days.
Whosoever will be found involved in any kind of negligence will be dealt with strictly as per law,” Jan added. (KDC)
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday arrested two boys alleged of stalking, harassing and intimidating a girl in central Kashmir’s Srinagar district.
On March 3, 2023, a girl was stalked and harassed by two boys, riding a scooty.The boys had made lewd gestures and comments against the girl. The girl had posted about the incident on her social media account and subsequently also approached police post Nehru Park with a written application”, reads a statement issued to the news agency GNS.
On receipt of the complaint, an FIR was lodged under relevant sections of the law in Ram Munshi Bagh Police Station against the accused boys.
The two boys, the statement reads, were arrested by a team led by SI Syed Khalil, DO Nehru Park, under supervision of SDPO Nehru Park Mansha Beigh and a scooty bearing registration number JK01AG 5814 on which they committed the offence has been seized as well.
The duo will be produced in Court for getting their police remand, reads the statement.
Meanwhile, DIG Sujeet Kumar of Central Kashmir Range and Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar City Ajaz Asad congratulated for taking quick action.
DC Srinagar in a tweet, as per GNS wrote; “Prompt action by @SrinagarPolice. Miscreants arrested. Two wheeler seized. Such elements will not be spared and shall face action under the law. We are here to keep Srinagar city absolutely safe for everybody.” (GNS)
SRINAGAR: A civilian who was injured in a mysterious blast in Warpora area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Soura.
Reports reaching news agency KDC said that a man identified as Mohammad Jamal Dar (50), a resident of Warpora was injured in a mysterious blast while digging earth at his kitchen garden on 23 February 2023. Dar was immediately shifted to sub-district hospital Sopore, where he was referred to SKIMS for treatment.
Jamal, however, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile police had already registered a case under relevant sections of law in this regard and investigations are underway. (KDC)
SRINAGAR: An army officer died of a suspected heart attack in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Sunday, officials said.
They said that the army officer of the rank of Colonel, complained of chest pain following which he immediately taken to MI hospital where he was declared as brought dead on arrival.
The deceased officer has been identified as OP Sharma, a resident of Utter Pradesh, who was posted at Dagger Division Baramulla. (GNS)
SRINAGAR: In a bid to start renovation of Sindh Extension Canal near head works of the department in Srinagar Division the water supply would remain affected in some Srinagar areas on March 5 2023 till 9pm.
The Jal shakti Department Srinagar division has informed that the water supply to several areas will remain affected on March 6 of 2023 till 9pm.
The areas that would remain affected include Mal shahi bagh Zakura, Gulab Bagh, Alasteng, Shuhama, Naseem Bagh,Lal Bazaar , Habak, Hadoora, Pandach,Chaterhama, khal mohalla, Buspora, Soura, Anchaar,Bahavchipora, Zoonimar,Nowshera, Bagh-e- Ali Mardaan Khan, Zadibal, Hawal, Alamgiri Bazaar, Rajouri Kadal, Nallahmar, Nawakadal, Bohri kadal, Nowhatta, Hazratbal, sadrabal, Nigeen, Saida kadal, Karan Nagar, Chattabal, Kawdara, Eidgah, Mahrajgunj, ZainaKadal, Noor Bagh, Saidapora, Bemina, Firdous Abaad, Batmaloo, Qamarwari, Zainakote, Noor abad, Umarabad and adjacent areas.
In case of any urgency, officials have advised to call on 2477207 and 2452047, the notice reads.
