Budgam still hot with NC, PDP clashes

Syed Ali Safvi

SRINAGAR, May 23: A day after NC and PDP activists clashed in Budgam town, National Conference (NC) activists today allegedly vandalised and looted three shops of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sympathisers.

NC and PDP activists had gathered in the old Bus Stand this morning. They were forcing the shopkeepers to down their shutters. Smelling trouble, police swung into action and in the ensuing lathicharge four persons were injured. Eyewitness said that police also fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. The injured were shifted to the District Hospital Budgam, and their condition was stated to be normal. Bilal Ahmad Bhat, who was shifted to SMHS yesterday after he was seriously injured, was brought to the district hospital Budgam. His condition is also stated to be normal.

Police also arrested seven persons for “disrupting peace in the area”. They have been identified as Ghulam Hasan Bhat alias Changa, Nasir Hussain Sheikh, Shabir Ahmad Mir, Feroz Ahmad Khan, Nisar Ahmad Bhat, Riyaz Ahmad Mir, and Sarwar hussain Bhat.

Earlier this morning a group of NC activists allegedly vandalised and looted grocery and general stores of Ghulam Hussain Wani and Aijaz Ahmad at Imam Bara Budgam. The group then looted the mobile shop of one Rafeeq Ahmad Sheikh in full public glare. The shop is located just opposite the local police station Budgam.

SSP Budgam Aftab Ahmad Kakroo told Kashmir Times that normalcy has been restored in the Budgam town.

“NC and PDP activists took to streets this morning and tried to disturb the peace, however, police swung into action and managed to bring the situation under control,” he said. “100 per cent normalcy has been restored in the area.”

Kakroo, however, denied that any tear gas shell was fired by the men in uniform.

Shops and business establishment remained closed for the second consecutive day today. However, vehicular traffic was restored only in the afternoon. Heavy deployment of police on roads in Budgam town is indicative of the fact that all is not normal.

At least 55 persons were injured yesterday in a day-long clash between NC and PDP workers. NC activists had objected to PDP's rally at historic Budgam Chowk. Police fired half a dozen tear-gas shells to chase away NC activists.

The NC activists had set ablaze the taxi stand at old Bus stand Budgam, and had taken the entire Budgam town hostage with police acting helplessly.

Clashes between the two political rival groups broke out when NC activists forced a shutdown in the Budgam Chowk to protest the conduct of PDP rally, which was scheduled to be addressed by PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, the party president Mehbooba Mufti, and senior leaders Iftikhar Hussain Ansari and Aga Syed Mehmood.

55 injured as NC, PDP workers clash in Budgam

Syed Ali Safvi

BUDGAM, May 22: At least 55 persons were injured, three of them seriously, in a day-long clashes between National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) workers here today. Most of the injured (50) were NC workers who had tried to disrupt the scheduled PDP thanksgiving rally at historic Budgam Chowk. Police fired half a dozen tear-gas shells to chase away NC activists.

Panic had gripped the Budgam town late last night after a group of NC workers attacked PDP office here. NC activists also set on fire the taxi stand at Budgam Chowk.

The direct clashes between the two estranged groups, however, started early this morning after a maruti car of PDP worker was attacked by a group of NC activists near Karipora, just 200 meters away from the office of senior superintendent of police (SSP). 16-year-old Irfan Ahmad Bhat, who was driving the car, was severely beaten to pulp. He was later shifted to SKIMS with serious head injury.

The news of the attack spread like a wild fire and soon PDP acticists too took to streets and pelted stones on NC activists. In the ensuing clashes dozens of NC activists were injured, who were shifted to the district hospital.

Policemen had been deployed on different roads leading to Budgam town since last night. However, they were unable to quell the violence. Instead, they let the situation to go out of control. Just 100 meters away from SSP office, a mob of baton-wielding youth were harassing the commuters. Ironically, the police men who had been deployed nearby to maintain law and order in the area were watching as mute spectators.

When contacted SSP Budgam, Aftab Ahmad Kakroo said that angry youth had taken to streets at different places, but situation had been brought under control.

“150-strong mob of NC workers tried to disrupt the rally, but police swung into action and resorted to lathicharge to disperse them,” Kakroo said.

He, however, denied that police fired tear gas shells.

“Only one tear gas shell was fired when a group of stone pelting youth tried to attack PDP activists, who were returning from the rally, on Budgam-Ichgam road,” he told Kashmir Times. “I had issued strict orders against use of tear gas shells to ensure that rallyist don’t get panicky.”

However, eyewitnesses said that police fired at least half a dozen tear gas shells to quell the violence.

NC activists had also taken control of district hospital Budgam and they were not allowing any injured from PDP camp to be treated in the hospital. Even regular patients visiting the hospital were being thrashed. It all was happening under the nose of the police who acted helplessly.

Late in the evening, NC activists also thrashed a resident doctor - Dr Rafi - at district hospital here.

Senior PDP leader Aga Syed Mehmood, who was organizing the rally, said that the district administration had given permission to them yesterday to hold the rally, but today police stopped their workers to reach the venue.

“What the district administration did today is a best example of state terrorism. The district administration, particularly the police, has played a partial role in handling the affairs. They gave free hand to NC activists who did whatever they wanted to at will,” he told Kashmir Times. “I tried to contact SSP many times, but he did not bother to receive my call.”

Traffic remained off the roads and Budgam town was virtually converted into a garrison. Later this evening, situation seemed to have been brought under control, but policemen were still deployed on road to prevent any untoward incident.

Despite the violence, PDP managed to hold the rally at new Bus Stand Budgam, which was attended by over 1000 people. Senior leader of PDP Molvi Iftikhar Ansari, Javed Mustafa Mir, Aga Syed Mehmood, Dr Mohammad Shafi, and Saifuddin Bhat addressed the gathering. The leaders condemned the partialrole of district administration.

Khush-hal Sar's fish, birds, nadroo lost in oblivion

Syed Ali Safvi

SRINAGAR, May 20: Khush-hal Sar was once known for its mesmerising beauty and delicious fish. It was a preferred place for recreation. Its nilimbo (nadroo) was very famous and used to sell like hot cakes. The nadroos of Khush-hal Sar was much more in demand than of any other lake in the Valley. If senior residents of the area are to be believed, the lake generated nadroos amounting to more than Rs. 25 lakh per month.

"The soil beneath the water is so furtile that it still generates nadroos at few places," said Sajad Husain Khan.

The lake also hosted migratory birds, but with it having been reduced to a sewage reserviour even birds have bid farewell to the lake.

There were around 15 springs inside the lake, but almost all of them have dried up.

"I had made a request to our ex-MP to arrange some funds through MPLAD for the restoration of springs, and thankfully he arranged Rs five lacs for the same and I hope at least the springs can be restored now," said Ghulam Mohammad, ex-deputy Mayor SMC.

The other specialty of the Lake was its delicious fish.

"The fish of the lake was much in demand even up to early 1990's and was often presented as a gift on special occasions," said Joo.

Around 250 households living on the banks of the lake used to sell fish and nadroos to earn their livelihood.

Some of them now work as mechanics in automobile workshops and some sell vegetables to make their ends meet. Unable to cope with the present situation, some of them, particularly the youth, have taken to drugs.

On the other side of the Khush-hal Sar, in Saidpora, the lake has been almost completely filled and bungalows erected illegally inside its waters. Surprisingly, the governmnet has neither stopped nor removed the illegal construction.

"I smell something mischievous in the entire scheme of things. On one hand the government is shifting the Dal dwellers to restore Dal's pristine glory, and on the other hand it is turning blind eye on the illegal construction taking place inside Khush-hal Sar," said Ghulam Muhammad Joo, a senior resident of the area. "I get the feeling that even the government wants Khush-hal Sar to be extinct. I see a conspiracy in almost every policy that is being framed in the Valley today."

In October 2004, the then Minister for Forests, Environment, Wildlife, Housing & Urban Development Qazi Afzal had reportedly said that a detailed project report (DPR) regarding the conservation of the water body was being prepared.

"It (DPR) will take a month or two to complete and the funds will be allocated according to the project report," the minister was quoted.

Regarding lack of required funds, manpower and machinery to protect the lake, the minister had assured that the department would be provided machinery and all other logistical support for the job of saving the lake.

However, after more than four years nothing substantial has been done to preserve the lake, which is a part of Kashmir's rich heritage. The lake continues to narrate a dismal tale of government apathy.

It is pertinent to mention here that the government had announced to establish a a huge Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) of 132 MLD for Zone III of Greater Srinagar at Noor Bagh, where the sewage would be treated and then discharged into River Jhelum. When the project was approved in 1997-98, its estimated cost amounted to Rs. 23 crore and due to the appreciation in prices, the cost has now gone soaring to Rs. 45 crore.

The resdents of Khush-Hal Sar and adjacent areas had also established an NGO - Global Helpline - in 2000 to work for the preservation of the lake.

"Even after completing all the formalities the authorities denied to give recognition to the NGO," said Raja Ashraf Hussain.

Amidst promises made by the Government and the sorry state of affairs on the ground, Khush-hal Sar desperately needs a godfather that will restore its pristine glory. In the alternative, another gift of nature bestowed on our Valley is on the verge of being consigned to the dustbins of history.

Syed Ali Safvi

SRINAGAR, May 19: The best lotus blossoms was once found towards thes southern side of the Anchar lake called Khus-hal Sar during the months of July and August. Once the pride of Kashmir, Khush-hal Sar (meaning prosperous lake in Kashmiri) is near death. When the government is taking measures to conserve Dal lake, Khush-hal Sar is being ignored because no government department involved in conservation of Kashmir's water bodies knows under whose jurisdiction the ill fated lake falls.

Lakes and Water Ways Development Authority (LAWDA) say that Khush-hal Sar does not come under their ambit.

"It comes under the purview of Remote Sensing Department," they say.

The Environment and Remote Sensing department officials have a different story to tell.

"LAWDA is entrusted with the responsibility of conserving both Khush-hal Sar and Anchar lake. The machinery and other equipments it uses in Dal Lake can be used in Khush-hal Sar as well," they maintain. "As far as our department is concerned we don't have the machines and funds."

Ghulam Muhammad Hajam, Ex-deputy Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and local Corporator, who has been rigorously working for the conservation of Khush-hal Sar, blames the local legislators for the lake's deplorable condition.

"The projects of Brarinambal and Khush-hal Sar were approved simultaneously in 1997-98. The project of Brarinambal is on the verge of completion, but very small work has been done in case of Khus-hal Sar," he says. "Istrongly feel that ex-MLAs have miserably failed to protect Khush-hal Sar."

Khus-hal Sar, according to the Rajitarangini, stretched on a vast area of three miles. According to official records, prior to 1985 the lake covered 1400 kanals. Today it is half that size. And with all the dumping of night soil and sewage from the drains across Srinagar the lake has become a virtual sewage reservoir. As many as 96 MLD of sewage flows into the lake every day according to J&K Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED).

"The first drain coming into the lake was made in 1985," says Raja Ashraf Hussain of Zadibal.

Today the sludge arrives via Vicharnag Nalla from Buchpora, Soura, Illahibagh, Awantibaan, and from Bohri Kadal, Islamia College, Mukhdoom sahib, Rjouri Kadal, Nawa Kadal, and the adjacent areas of Kawadara and Reshandar, not to mention Nallah Amir Khan carrying the sewage of Lal Bazar, Mandibal, Bota Kadal, Amda Kadal. Last but not least, Khush-hal Sar receives the night soil coming through the chain of open drains.

The sewage generated by the population of 285763 (2001 census) goes into the Khush-hal Sar thereby deteriorating the water quality, which has become a menace for jthe population living on the Lakeside.

Due to the abundant sewage flowing into the Lake, there has been an outbreak of various fatal diseases like hepatitis B, jaundice, and lung cancer, which have so far claimed more than a dozen lives in Khush-hal Sar area. Eye infection has become very common.

The government announced a raw sewage treatment plan a few years ago, in which a main drain would control the sewage going into the lake. All the drains and Nallahs were supposed to be joined with the main sewer line. The government also decided to establish a huge Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) of 132 MLD for Zone III of Greater Srinagar at Noor Bagh, where the sewage would be treated and then discharged into River Jhelum. After laying a few sewer lines, however, the government abruptly stopped the project without explanation. Moreover, around 50 kanals from the total 350 kanals of land reserved for the construction of the STP were handed over to the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) in 2007.

"We have got information that the government wants to hand over few more kanals to some other agencies as well," says Sajad Hussain. "I get the feeling that the government is in no mood to construct the Plant."

Sajad's apprehension seems true when one goes through the content of a letter sent by the Chief Engineer J&K Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) to the Principal Secretary to Government Housing & Urban Development Department Srinagar on June 23, 2006 regarding the transfer of 50 kanals of land at Noor Bagh.

"It is pertinent to mention here that the sewerage scheme in Zone III of Greater Srinagar has been designed with the outfall to said location..... Changing the proposed site will altogether change the design parameters of the project besides making the already executed works redundant," the Chief Engineer wrote. "Under the circumstances highlighted above it becomes quite imperative that the land acquired at Noorbagh by this department is just sufficient for raising of the proposed sewerage treatment plant and the department is not in a position to spare any patch of land to any agency."