DDC convenes meeting of respectable citizens
SAS
SRINAGAR, Dec 20: In order to broker peace between two Muslim sects in central Kashmir’s Budgam district so that peace and normalcy is restored in restive Budgam villages, District Development Commissioner (DDC) Budgam, Mohammad Rafi, today convened a meeting of responsible persons from both the sects to discuss the measures in tackling sectarian strife, triggered by the surfacing of a porn MMS clip, involving a local youth, who belongs to a Muslim minority sect, on December 15.
The DDC convened a meeting of responsible citizens, including youth, at a Conference Hall here this afternoon. The meeting was attended by senior PDP leader and former minister, Aga Syed Mehmood Al-Moosvi, Moulvi Abid Hussain Ansari, members of civil society, some residents of restive villages of Nasrullahpora, Warpora, Dahpora, Sepdan, Bemina, Qadipora, and other villages. Senior officials of district administration, including SSP Budgam, Uttam Chand, were also present on the occasion. Senior journalists Ahmed A Fayaz and Syed Ali Safvi also attended the meeting.
The meeting condemned the incidents and discussed various measures to restore peace and normalcy in the district. The representatives of both the sects unanimously demanded stern action against the main accused involved in the porn clip. They assured the district administration that they would ensure that no untoward incident of this nature takes place in the district.
On the assurance of villagers and respectable citizens, it was decided that the persons, who have been arrested for allegedly fomenting trouble, would be released.
The villagers also assured the district administration that divisive elements would be reined in.
The representatives of both the sects also apologized for whatever had happened over the passed five days.
SSP Budgam, Uttam Chand, speaking on the occasion, said that the district police had prepared a list of “lumpen elements” and “we are keeping close watch on them”.
Referring to the Budgam Degree College incident where youths of the Muslim majority sect were harassed, the SSP said that such incidents would not be tolerated.
“Strict action will be taken against those who indulge in such activities,” he said.
Pertinently, several villages of Budgam district have been reeling under severe police restrictions for the last five days following violent protests by villagers against a pornographic MMS clip, showing a local youth in a compromising position with a girl inside his truck
The matter took an ugly turn when some residents of Nasrullapora village marched towards nearby hamlet of Dahpora and pelted stones and ransacked the house of the main accused. The tipper of the accused was also torched. After the incident, police and paramilitary CRPF were deployed and curfew was imposed in half a dozen villages of Budgam district.
Meanwhile, rumour mongers enjoyed a field day and escalated the tension between two Muslim sects. Several attempts, according to sources, were made in different areas to attack the nearby villages.
The tension escalated yesterday afternoon when, according to the sources, some youth belonging to Muslim majority sect were roughed up by some youth near Budgam.
Soon after the word spread, two Muslim minority villages –Sepdan and Qadipora - were attacked allegedly by groups belonging to the majority sect in late evening. The sources said that attackers pelted stones and smashed window panes of a house at Sepdan crossing.
Following the incident, police and CRPF personnel were heavily deployed in Sepden area. DDC Budgam, SSP Budgam, and SHO Budgam arrived on the spot to pacify the situation.
The police and CRPF personnel continued to be deployed in the area when last reports came in.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Budgam continues to remain tense
Don't fall prey to divisive forces: Aga Hassan, Shabir Shah appeal to people
SYED ALI SAFVI
BUDGAM, Dec 17: Curfew continued to remain in force for second consecutive day in parts of Budgam district, disrupting normal life in the areas, even as fears of sectarian strife mounted in the curfew bound villages.
Police and para-military troops are heavily deployed along Mirgund-Nasrullahpora-Chandipora road, restricting public movement in the area. The forces are also deployed at Dahpora, Nasrullahpora, Tekipora, Mirgund, Qadipora, Pymus, and Pathanpora villages.
A strong contingent of police has been deployed at Tekipora, Mirgund, just one and a half km away from the offices of DDC and SSP. The 200-strong police contingent have almost blocked the main road and are preventing even the pedestrians to move beyond Mirgund crossing.
According to sources, police today stopped senior separatist leader and Democratic Freedom Party president, Shabir Ahmad Shah, at Mirgund crossing and did not allow him to proceed to Nasrullahpora.
However, another senior separatist leader, Aga Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi, who is also a senior Shia cleric and heads Anjuman-e Sharie Shian - a Shia religious body - was allowed to go to Dahpora to lead the funeral prayer for a 16-year-old girl who died of cardiac arrest late last night.
The sources also said that the police had partially lifted the restriction yesterday evening, but some of the houses in Dahpora were attacked allegedly by residents of nearby villages following which the curfew was re-imposed in the areas.
Talking to Kashmir Times, SSP Budgam, Uttam Chand, said that situation has been brought under control.
“Situation is normal now. We had a meeting with senior citizens of the areas yesterday and they have cooperated with us,” he said.
Asked why the restrictions have not been lifted, he said, “Restrictions have been imposed as a precautionary measure. There are elements which will try to create trouble that's why we have asked our men to remain stationed there. The situation is under control.”
Pertinently, authorities had imposed curfew in several villages of Budgam district Thursday evening following violent protests by villagers against a pornographic MMS clip, showing a local youth in a compromising position with a girl inside his truck.
The residents of Nasrullahpora village had marched towards nearby hamlet of Dahpora and pelted stones and ransacked the house of the main accused involved in the clip. The protestors, according o eyewitnesses, torched the tipper of the accused and set ablaze the clothes of his family members and looted the belongings.
Meanwhile, Aga Syed Hassan and Shabir Ahmad Shah have appealed people not to fall prey to the campaign by divisive forces.
In a press statement issued here, Shah alleged that deliberate attempts were being made to discredit the age old Shia-Sunni brotherhood and harmony and to create a wedge between the two communities.
He said attempts to destabilize Shia-Sunni harmony were made even in the past also.
“Only the individuals involved in the act should be held responsible and punished and it should have nothing to do with the community,” Shah said.
SYED ALI SAFVI
BUDGAM, Dec 17: Curfew continued to remain in force for second consecutive day in parts of Budgam district, disrupting normal life in the areas, even as fears of sectarian strife mounted in the curfew bound villages.
Police and para-military troops are heavily deployed along Mirgund-Nasrullahpora-Chandipora road, restricting public movement in the area. The forces are also deployed at Dahpora, Nasrullahpora, Tekipora, Mirgund, Qadipora, Pymus, and Pathanpora villages.
A strong contingent of police has been deployed at Tekipora, Mirgund, just one and a half km away from the offices of DDC and SSP. The 200-strong police contingent have almost blocked the main road and are preventing even the pedestrians to move beyond Mirgund crossing.
According to sources, police today stopped senior separatist leader and Democratic Freedom Party president, Shabir Ahmad Shah, at Mirgund crossing and did not allow him to proceed to Nasrullahpora.
However, another senior separatist leader, Aga Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi, who is also a senior Shia cleric and heads Anjuman-e Sharie Shian - a Shia religious body - was allowed to go to Dahpora to lead the funeral prayer for a 16-year-old girl who died of cardiac arrest late last night.
The sources also said that the police had partially lifted the restriction yesterday evening, but some of the houses in Dahpora were attacked allegedly by residents of nearby villages following which the curfew was re-imposed in the areas.
Talking to Kashmir Times, SSP Budgam, Uttam Chand, said that situation has been brought under control.
“Situation is normal now. We had a meeting with senior citizens of the areas yesterday and they have cooperated with us,” he said.
Asked why the restrictions have not been lifted, he said, “Restrictions have been imposed as a precautionary measure. There are elements which will try to create trouble that's why we have asked our men to remain stationed there. The situation is under control.”
Pertinently, authorities had imposed curfew in several villages of Budgam district Thursday evening following violent protests by villagers against a pornographic MMS clip, showing a local youth in a compromising position with a girl inside his truck.
The residents of Nasrullahpora village had marched towards nearby hamlet of Dahpora and pelted stones and ransacked the house of the main accused involved in the clip. The protestors, according o eyewitnesses, torched the tipper of the accused and set ablaze the clothes of his family members and looted the belongings.
Meanwhile, Aga Syed Hassan and Shabir Ahmad Shah have appealed people not to fall prey to the campaign by divisive forces.
In a press statement issued here, Shah alleged that deliberate attempts were being made to discredit the age old Shia-Sunni brotherhood and harmony and to create a wedge between the two communities.
He said attempts to destabilize Shia-Sunni harmony were made even in the past also.
“Only the individuals involved in the act should be held responsible and punished and it should have nothing to do with the community,” Shah said.
Curfew imposed in parts of Budgam after protests over porn clip
Truck of main accused torched, house ransacked; DC, SSP chip in to defuse crisis
SYED ALI SAFVI
BUDGAM, Dec 16: Curfew was imposed in three villages of central Kashmir’s Budgam district following violent protests by villagers against a pornographic MMS clip, showing a local youth in a compromising position with a girl inside his truck.
Pertinently, this is the second incident of this nature to occur in the district in a month.
After the objectionable video surfaced at Nasrullahpora, adjacent to Budgam district headquarters, yesterday, the irate residents marched towards nearby hamlet of Dahpora and pelted stones and ransacked the house of the main accused involved in the clip. The protestors, according to eyewitnesses, torched the tipper of the accused and set ablaze the clothes of his family members and looted the belongings.
As the situation went out of control, large contingents of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed in the area and curfew like restrictions were imposed by the authorities in three villages – Nasrullahpora, Dahpora, Tekipora – to prevent further damage, loss or injury and prevent the issue taking a sectarian hue as the accused belongs to Muslim minority sect.
The Budgam police had arrested the accused last evening from Dahpora and a filed a case of rape under section 376 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
“The accused has been arrested and a case under section 450, 67 IT, 292, and 376 has been registered against him,” Uttam Chand, SSP Budgam, told Kashmir Times.
SHO Budgam said that the youth had circulated the video clip to his friends. He said that although the girl’s identity has not yet been ascertained, but as per the video clip she appears to be “mature”.
Meanwhile, DC Budgam, Mohammad Rafi, and SSP Budgam visited the curfew bound village of Nasrullapora this afternoon to defuse the crisis. They interacted with the respectable citizens and sought their support in restoring normalcy in the area.
“The villagers assured them that they will ensure that peace and stability are restored in the area,” SHO Budgam, who is stationed at Nasrullapora from last evening, told KTNS. “Situation is under control now and the restrictions have been partially lifted.”
Pertinently, on November 14, as valley was celebrating Children’s day, a video showing a minor school girl in a compromising position was distributed to the mobile users.
The irate protestors had ransacked the house of the main accused. A case of rape under section 376 was registered and the main accused was arrested.
Significantly, the first incident of a similar nature had taken place in August 2006 in the district.
On August 5, 2006 a video showing a minor girl in compromising position surfaced in the town. The video was shot at a local private school and had been shot by the younger son of a senior government employee, posted in the district, and running the school.
The case, however, was taken to a Sharia Adalat (religious court) of Aga Syed Hasan Al-Moosvi, president of Anjumani Sharie Shiayan, a Shia Muslim religious body.
SYED ALI SAFVI
BUDGAM, Dec 16: Curfew was imposed in three villages of central Kashmir’s Budgam district following violent protests by villagers against a pornographic MMS clip, showing a local youth in a compromising position with a girl inside his truck.
Pertinently, this is the second incident of this nature to occur in the district in a month.
After the objectionable video surfaced at Nasrullahpora, adjacent to Budgam district headquarters, yesterday, the irate residents marched towards nearby hamlet of Dahpora and pelted stones and ransacked the house of the main accused involved in the clip. The protestors, according to eyewitnesses, torched the tipper of the accused and set ablaze the clothes of his family members and looted the belongings.
As the situation went out of control, large contingents of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed in the area and curfew like restrictions were imposed by the authorities in three villages – Nasrullahpora, Dahpora, Tekipora – to prevent further damage, loss or injury and prevent the issue taking a sectarian hue as the accused belongs to Muslim minority sect.
The Budgam police had arrested the accused last evening from Dahpora and a filed a case of rape under section 376 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
“The accused has been arrested and a case under section 450, 67 IT, 292, and 376 has been registered against him,” Uttam Chand, SSP Budgam, told Kashmir Times.
SHO Budgam said that the youth had circulated the video clip to his friends. He said that although the girl’s identity has not yet been ascertained, but as per the video clip she appears to be “mature”.
Meanwhile, DC Budgam, Mohammad Rafi, and SSP Budgam visited the curfew bound village of Nasrullapora this afternoon to defuse the crisis. They interacted with the respectable citizens and sought their support in restoring normalcy in the area.
“The villagers assured them that they will ensure that peace and stability are restored in the area,” SHO Budgam, who is stationed at Nasrullapora from last evening, told KTNS. “Situation is under control now and the restrictions have been partially lifted.”
Pertinently, on November 14, as valley was celebrating Children’s day, a video showing a minor school girl in a compromising position was distributed to the mobile users.
The irate protestors had ransacked the house of the main accused. A case of rape under section 376 was registered and the main accused was arrested.
Significantly, the first incident of a similar nature had taken place in August 2006 in the district.
On August 5, 2006 a video showing a minor girl in compromising position surfaced in the town. The video was shot at a local private school and had been shot by the younger son of a senior government employee, posted in the district, and running the school.
The case, however, was taken to a Sharia Adalat (religious court) of Aga Syed Hasan Al-Moosvi, president of Anjumani Sharie Shiayan, a Shia Muslim religious body.
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