Online Edition
|
|
|
|
|
Online Edition
|
COVER FEB 28th 2009
REGULARBACK COVER
|
News Scan 
Kither Cleared of Killers
BY MAJID MALIK FORM BHADARWAH ..For us they are the devils and fighting against them by standing shoulder to shoulder with Indian army is real jehad for us.. Kithar which can be genuinely described as another Kaka Hill has been freed after over 15 years of militant’s occupation. Kither, a remote village in the hills of Bhalessa (Distt. Doda) was under direct control of militants since 90’s. Situated at a height of 2300 mts. above sea level, Kither is bounded with Padder in the north; Himachal Pardesh in south and south east; Bhadarwah in south west and Kishtwar town in north west. The area has 120 houses scattered in small hamlets with a population of 2000 souls. In 1990 when militancy raised its ugly head it was this area that provided base for militant outfits like Al-Jehad, H.M, Harkat-Ul-Ansar and now LeT to train new recruits and to carry out operations in the entire length and breadth of Jammu Province. Due to its tough terrain it was almost inaccessible for security forces to launch operations in the area. In 2001, troops of 26RR launched Hill Down operation to flush out militants from Kither, but the operation failed and resulted in the casualties of 11 army personals. During 2002 -07 the same troops remained engaged against the militants, but failure greeted them with 8-10 troops sacrificing their lives. During this period barbarism was at its peak. Militants killed 14 civilians out of which 9 belonged to one family. Such was the height of barbarism that the head of a lady was shaven in presence of her vailing children. As if this was not enough, at least 8-10 cases of forced marriages with the girls of the unfortunate hamlets were witnessed and students were forced to carry food material and luggage of the militants. Such was the fear of militants that if some one was seen talking to any security personal he would be killed in full public view. The tragic account was narrated by one Shamas Gujjar who according to him had seen his 3 family members being lynched by militants on fake and false charges of spying. Last month, the troops of 26 RR in collaboration with contingents of State Police belonging to Thathri, Gandoh and Kishtwar Police Stations with active public support conducted Snow Leopard operation from all the sides of the hill despite heavy snow fall in this remote area, which culminated in to elimination of top brass of HM outfit including its Divisional Commander, Shamim Thool, District Doda Commander, Mohd Iqbal and Tehsil commander, Javeed Jat besides killing of 4 Lashker-e-Toiba and surrendering of 4 HM militants. In the gun battle 1 JCO and 3 police personals were also injured. Mean while 3 army personnels including 2,I/C of 26RR were critically injured while crossing a deep snow trench at zapak nalla in Kithar. The villagers have appreciated the efforts of army that it did for freeing them from the clutches of the trigger happy militants. They said that since 90’s they were being harassed by the militants who had killed a large number of innocent civilians including women for none of their fault. According to an army spokesman civilians including students were cooperating with troops in their efforts to clear the area of the last militant. “I have no hesitation to accept that the huge success that came to us wouldn’t have been possible had the civilians of the area preferred to abstain from the operation. “We had welcomed militants in early days of militancy believing that they had come to free us from the clutches of the infidel Indians, but experience of past fifteen years of their brutalities unleashed against the innocent population of the area has opened our eyes. We no longer see them as angels. For us they are the devils and fighting against them by standing shoulder to shoulder with Indian army is real jehad for us”. A senior citizen of the area claims. The villagers of the area have demanded that special army and police recruitment should be organized by the government in order to provide job opportunities to the youths that would also help them to protect the people from the onslaught of the anti nationalist elements active in the hilly and far flung area. Senior police officials claim that in light of the mounting pressure on the militants more surrenders were expected in near future. According to a surrendered militant local support to militants has come to an end and people are cooperating with the security forces rather with the militants as was the case in the early days when militants would move about in the hilly areas without any fear or problem.“A special recruitment drive would soon be launched in the district for those who want to join security forces”, claim Army sources. 
Shortage of wheel chairs makes patients suffer at SKIMS
“We are in need of at least 100 trolleys and wheel chairs, but unfortunately there are only 15 trolleys which are functional and only ten wheelchairs are at present used to carry patients”. Emergency unit of Sher-e- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), the only tertiary care hospital of the valley is short of wheel chairs and trolleys given the rush of patients faced by the unit. The emergency unit which receives more than 150 patients everyday has only ten wheel chairs and fifteen trolleys causing serious inconvenience to the patients. Considering the fact that the number of patients visiting the emergency in case of natural or man made catastrophe can increase, the lack of requisite number of trolleys and wheelchairs can lead to serious problems.“I had an elderly patient facing emergency and he was to be taken for diverse examinations, but there was no wheel chair or trolley available,” Shazada, an attendant with the patient complained. The attendants and the patients have expressed disappointed with the hospital administration for the shortage of wheel chairs and trolleys. ”My patient who was injured suffered more complicacies due to the unavailability of a trolley or wheel chair”, Mohammad Salim, another attendant said. “I had to carry him all by myself inside the ward”, he added. Fayez Ahmad, another attendant of a patient said: “To take my patient for X-ray, I had to wait for hours together to get a wheelchair. Insufficient wheelchairs create immense problems. I too would have followed the same tactic as other attendants do, but it is a delicate case as one of the fore and hind limbs of the patient are fractured,” says Fayez, while pointing to the patient. The hospital authorities also seem at loss regarding the available stock. However, the concerned nursing attendant explains “We are in need of at least 100 trolleys and wheel chairs, but unfortunately there are only 15 trolleys which are functional and only ten wheelchairs are at present used to carry patients”. Lack of trolleys and wheel chairs that tells upon the critical condition of the emergency patients has not only been worrying patients and attendants, but also the nursing attendants of the hospital. “We not only lack wheel chairs and trolleys, but also nursing attendants”, said one of the nursing attendants who wished not to be named. He further adds, “When the inflow of patients is more we make them (patients) to sit on the floor”. In addition to the dearth of wheel chairs and trolleys, there is a dearth of beds also. To cater to the inflow of patients which can be above200 per day, the emergency unit has not more than 12 beds. When contacted Dr. Sajad Ahmed Khan, Joint Director SKIMS told that the issue is of grave concern and authorities will look into the matter. He said that it is the responsibility of the Medical Superintendent of the hospital to take care of such things. -Report is prepared by PBI |
Subscribe Now 
ADVERTISEMENT Latest World Headlinessample |
|
COPYRIGHT © 1996-2009 J&K REPORTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. THIS WEBSITE IS DESIGNED, DEVELOPED AND MAINTAINED BY EQUINOXYS INC. USA. BACK| CONTACT US| ADVERTISE WITH US| ABOUT US |