Lead Stories
Hajis’ homecoming: Emotional kin welcome pilgrims after weeks of zero communication
Srinagar: Emotional scenes are witnessed these days at the Srinagar International Airport where Hajis arrive to see and speak to their families for the first time since the authorities imposed a communication blockade in the region on August 5.
Last Monday, the family members of Abdul Majid were waiting for him. As soon as he came out of the Airport, he hugged his family members with moist eyes.
Majid, who performed Hajj, had not spoken to his family for two weeks due to communication blockade imposed in the wake of abrogation of Article 370 earlier this month.
“I feel happy to see my family. We have made a lot of prayers and everything will be fine soon Insha Allah. We prayed for the peace and prosperity of Kashmir,” he said, as he boarded the vehicle awaiting him.
Majid was one among the 304 Hajj pilgrims who arrived in the first batch in two flights here on Monday after performing the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
“How did you celebrate Eid here amid restrictions,” another Haji, who broke into tears, asked one of his relatives, who replied: “I can’t explain to you. Most people have been confined inside four walls for days.”
An elderly Haji from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district too said he could not speak to his family for two weeks.
“All Kashmiri Hajis were worried about their family members due to restrictions on communication. We did not know what had happened to our families. I can’t explain how happy I am after seeing my family,” he said.
Bashir Ahmad, a relative of one of Hajis said they had reached the Airport 7:30 on Monday morning. “We had to wait more than two hours to meet the arriving Hajis. There was no clarity on their arrival due to restrictions on communication,” he said. “We are happy after seeing our loved ones. We were eagerly waiting for them,” he said.
Even family members of several Hajis, who are still in Saudi Arabia, meet other arriving Hajis to inquire about their well-being.
“I have come here to know from Hajis about my uncle as we have no communication with him for the last 14 days. I wanted to know about him from another relative who returned from Hajj today,” said Farooq Bhat, a resident of Bemina.
On Monday, the pilgrims were received at the Airport by Advisor to Governor Farooq Ahmad Khan, who was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan, Inspector General of Police Kashmir SP Pani, and Deputy Commissioner Budgam Tariq Ganie.
Meanwhile, the government in a statement said that Hajis expressed their satisfaction over the elaborate arrangements that they were put in place by the government to ensure that they would perform their religious duties without facing any hurdles.
Lead Stories
Post abrogation of Art 370: Multinationals, manufacturing giants make beeline to set up units in UT
J&K receives `Expression of Interest’ worth Rs 3000 Cr
Srinagar, Nov 20: Dalmia Bharat Group, Singapore Electric vehicles and Dubai-based Lulu Internationals are among over 40 companies, which have shown interest in investing in Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370.
Jammu and Kashmir, which was a no-go- zone for outside investors, has been opened for all national and international business players after the scrapping of special status on August 5.
A source told The Kashmir Monitor that more than 40 companies have submitted their ‘Expression of Interest’ to invest in 10 different sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
Hospitality, Tourism, Education, Information Technology, Horticulture, Agriculture, Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) and manufacturing are some of the sectors which companies have zeroed in on.
“Prominent among these companies include Escott Infrastructure, Dalmia Bharat Group, Shree Cements, Jackson Group, Indian School of Business, Singapore Electric Vehicles and Lulu Group. They have submitted the proposals for setting up their units in Jammu and Kashmir,” the source said.
With an annual turnover of Rs 70, 000 crore, Dalmia Bharat Group is a renowned business house in India, which deals with cement, sugar, thermal power and other businesses.
Similarly, Kolkata-based Shree Cement, which has annual turnover of Rs 58.50 billion, has shown interest in setting up its unit in Jammu and Kashmir.
Singapore based Singapore Electric Vehicles Pvt Ltd, a commercial electric fleet company, has desired to invest in the manufacturing sector.
Founded in 2001, Indian School of Business, a private business college, has expressed readiness to invest in the education sector by setting up its campuses in the union territory.
Helmet manufacturing giant ‘Steelbird’ has also offered to set up a plant in Jammu and Kashmir. Hospitality player ‘Lemon Tree’ has also proposed two new properties with 35-40 beds each in Gulmarg and Sonmarg areas.
An official privy to the development said government has received 60 ‘Expression of Interests’ so far, which is worth approximately Rs 3000 crore.
“Some companies have submitted their Expression of Interests twice. Some wants to build tourism infrastructure and others want to set up industries,” he said.
Managing Director SIDCO, Ravinder Kumar told The Kashmir Monitor that a committee has been constituted to review the ‘Expression of Interest’ by these companies. “We are going to review the Expression of Interests in 10 to 12 days,” he said.
Srinagar, Nov 20: Cries of ‘ghost house’ resonated as relatives met caged politicians at the new detention center of MLA hostel on Wednesday.
On Sunday at least 34 political prisoners were shifted from Centaur hotel to MLA hostel, which has been designated as sub-jail.
Government sources said the move was necessitated due to cold weather in Kashmir and an exorbitant bill of Rs 3 crore generated in three months for the detained leaders at the Centaur hotel.
Those shifted include Sajad Lone of People’s Conference, Ali Mohammad Sagar of National Conference, Naeem Akhtar of PDP and former IAS officer turned politician Shah Faesal.
“MLA hostel has been turned into ghost-house. There is complete darkness with no facilities,” said AaliyaBano, sister of Muzaffar Shah of Awami National Conference.
ShehriyarKhanum, daughter of former minister and PDP leader Naeem Akhtar, said this is a defunct building which lacks basic facilities. “There should be a hygienic place for these leaders. Toilets are in bad shape. There are no heating arrangements and no proper lighting system,” she said
Khanum accused female staff at MLA hostel of “humiliating” relatives of political prisoners in the name of frisking. “We don’t know what protocol they are following,” she said.
Tanveer Veeri, brother of NC leader and former MLC Bashir Veeri, said there are no proper heating or lighting arrangements at MLA hostel.
“There is neither heating blower nor gas heater available. It is better if they are shifted to MLA hostel, Jammu or Central jail,” he said.
Relatives also complained about unhealthy food being served to detainees.
“The food being served is not healthy. The rooms are not good. There is no proper matting,” said Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad, father of detained Sheikh Imran, deputy Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
Son of detained PDP leader Sartaj Madni said families of political leaders were being “unnecessarily harassed”. “Our vehicles are not being allowed to go inside. We are carrying certain items which these leaders need. How will we carry items like matting and heating appliances?” he asked.
On last Thursday, former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti was shifted from Cheshma Shahi hut to a government facility on Maulana Azad Road. While Farooq Abdullah, who was slapped with Public Safety Act, has been detained at his home, his son Omar Abdullah is lodged at Hari Niwas Palace, which has been designated as sub jail.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh has said that despite much pressure from militant outfits.
He said the number of youths joining militant outfits is much lesser this year as compared to previous years. The DGP further said, militants were still trying to interfere with normal life in the Kashmir valley but asserted that police was making all efforts to thwart their attempts. Dilbagh Singh was speaking during his visit to Kulgam district in South Kashmir yesterday.
Dilbag Singh said police and security forces are working to give people a secure environment. He said the situation is much better now and normalcy fast returning in the Valley.
He said that although graph of militant activities has come down in the recent past yet for providing peaceful environment to the people of J&K, there is still need to continue the fight against militancy with enhanced vigour to end it for all time to come in Jammu and Kashmir adding that final assault should be strategically planned and effective.