Ghost exorcised?

‘Haunted’ Kashmir House sitting on Green Drain http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15625&Itemid=55 Srinagar, Aug 06: The State Legislative Assembly, which remained “haunted” for 27 years after former chief minister and National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah laid its foundation stone, is sitting on a ‘Green Drain’. According to official sources, the authorities Wednesday evening organized Quran Khawani to exorcise the ghosts present in the legislative complex, which has been constructed over a drain christened after Engineer Green. The entire area presently housing the new secretariat, assembly complex and the State High Court was earlier known as Gool Bagh. According to senior residents of Shaheed Gunj, a drain was built for Shaheed Gunj area at the place of the present assembly complex during the oppressive Dogra rule in 1920s. The drain was named after the engineer Green who built it. “It was called the green drain,” Abdul Razzak, a senior a senior resident of Shaheed Gunj. A women’s park was also located near Gool Bagh known as ‘Osmana Zanana Park’ named after Brigadier Osman. However after the secretariat was constructed during the Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad’s regime the park was closed. Fatima Jinnah, the sister of Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the visit of Qaid Azam to Kashmir in 1944 addressed a women’s gathering at Zanana Park, a location adjacent to today’s Legislative Assembly complex. “Fatima Jinnah addressed a women’s gathering in the Zanana Park when she came to Kashmir along with Qaid Azam,” said Muktha, an elderly woman who participated in the gathering but could not recall what Fatima JInnah said during her address. After the historic ‘Moi Muqadas Tehreek’, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah addressed a gathering in sixties in Gool Bagh after his release from the jail. “Moulvi Iftikar was also present in the gathering in which he vowed to fully support Sheikh Abdullah in all his efforts,” said Dr Mubarik a Physician, social activist and keen Kashmir observer. On 19 June 1964, Kashmir Political Conference party started in 1953 and led by Qazi Ghulam Mohiuddin Karra also celebrated its Raising Day in Gool Bagh. “Prem Nath Bazaz was also a member of KPC. The party used to raise three slogans: Raishumari Foran Karo, Pakistan Zindabaad and Foujoon Ko Nikaal Dou. They reiterated their stand during the mammoth gathering here,” said Mubarik. After Shiekh Abdullah returned to power in 1977 elections, he also organized a huge rally against his deputy Chief Minister Mirza Muhammad Afzal Beg who was in Delhi at that time. The stage was set at the place of assembly complex. “Sheikh Abdullah was all furious against Beg and spoke volumes against him. The anti-Beg lobby in NC was instrumental in organizing this huge public rally,” says Mubarik who is also witness to this event. Immediately after Beg’s arrival in the State from New Delhi, he floated new party called Inquilabi National Conference and organized a rally in Gool Bagh. “Thousands of people participated in the gathering. However Beg had a narrow escape. NC activists threw stones and also abused him. Few people managed to save Beg that time including his servant Muhammad Ramzan,” said Mubarik who himself helped Beg come out of the chaotic situation. Jama’at I Islami also organised a huge gathering in Gool Bagh in 1980 in which the then Imam-e-Kabba and other Islamic scholars from Iran and other Muslim countries participated. “We had set a stage where the present assembly complex is built but NC government at that time objected and we had to move the stage to the other side of the park,” said the Amir Jama’at Islami Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Hassan who was then the State Secretary of the Jama’at.

Hurriyat for night business in Ramadhan

http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15660&Itemid=55 Srinagar, Aug 07: Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday suggested that the markets should be open until late night during the holy month of Ramadhan. “In Muslim countries, markets remain open until late night during Ramadhan. It should start here also. Ramadhan is a special month and should be different as well,” said Mirwaiz. For the past 20 years, markets in Kashmir close as early as 7 pm to 8 pm and open in the morning at around 9 am to 10 am. He said Hurriyat would talk to the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries and other trader associations to get a nod in this regard. “Markets should remain open until 2 am to 3 am. It will have an impact on all of us living here,” said Mirwaiz. Shopkeepers often claim that the harassment by troopers was the main reason why the markets don’t remain open until late in the night.

People pay obeisance at Manga Sahib shrine after 6 decades

Musharaff was injured here in 1971 War

http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15053&Itemid=55 Leepa Valley, July 19: After a gap of six decades, hundreds of devotees Sunday paid obeisance at the shrine of saint Manga Sahib near the Line of Control in Leepa Valley, where former President of Pakistan Parvez Musharraf was injured in 1971 War. The public gathering in which more than 1500 people participated was facilitated by MLA Langate, Engineer Rashid with the help of 17 Infantry Brigade Nowgam. After paying obeisance at the shrine, Er Rashid said: “The shrine should act as a bridge between the two parts of Kashmir. It is a meeting point of love and peace.” People from Sopore, Kupwara, Srinagar and other areas participated in the gathering. Leepa Valley that was a part of Pakistan administered Kashmir until 1971 was a hotspot of war between the two nuclear neighbours. Former President of Pakistan Parvez Musharaf was injured and hospitalized during the India-Pakistan War in 1971 in Leepa Valley. Leepa Valley was part of Pakistan administered Kashmir until 1971 but after the war, India took over the control of the valley. Leepa Valley, 74 km from Handwara in North Kashmir via Mawer area has a picturesque locale with glaciers en route the Valley. Hazrat Manga sahib is revered as a saint by people from both sides of LoC. However authorities closed the shrine immediately after the partition. “I dreamt to visit this place. I always heard about it from elders. I hope the steps taken by Engineer Rashid will bear fruit and people from other side will also be allowed to come to this place,” said Imran Ahmed, a participant in the procession. The Valley is un-trodden and authorities can develop the health resort. “It is more beautiful than Bungus Valley and has the temperature similar to Srinagar. It should be brought on Kashmir’s tourist map,” said Muhammad Shafi of Baramulla. According to Engineer Rashid, Pakistan Army had constructed an underground hospital in Leepa Valley. “It is now under the control of Indian Army. The name of Parvez Musharaf is still in the hospital records when he served as Major.” Regarding Saint Manga Sahib, locals say their ancestors told them that he was a potter. “There was no water in Kashmir valley. Manga sahib axed a stone from which water came out and this water is still flowing there,” said an elderly Ghulam Muhammad Khan. “This is what my elders have told me.” Locals also believe that the water in the area never freezes.