The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The body of a man who leapt into the Jhelum River last month has been retrieved, officials confirmed on Saturday.

According to a statement from a local official quoted by a news agency, the deceased has been identified as Nazir Ahmed Matoo, son of Ali Mohammad Matoo, a resident of Tenbagh Eidgah in Srinagar. His body was recovered near the Shalteng bridge by the police.

Authorities revealed that Matoo had jumped from the Safakadal Bridge on February 29.

Police have initiated an investigation into the incident to understand the circumstances surrounding Matoo's tragic decision.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Police inspector who was injured in a militant attack in Srinagar has succumbed to his injuries at AIIMS New Delhi on Thursday.

After undergoing treatment for over a month, Masroor was shifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Wednesday for specialised treatment. “He was taken to Srinagar Airport from there where he was shifted in Air Ambulance to New Delhi,” police said.

A top official told the Srinagar-based news agency KDC that the police inspector identified as Masroor Ahmad of Srinagar was taken to New Delhi for treatment, however, he succumbed to his injuries today.

Police Inspector Masroor Wani was attacked by a pistol-borne militant last month when he was playing cricket with other members of the local community at Eidgah Srinagar.

SRINAGAR — Eid prayers at Srinagar's historic Eidgah are unlikely to be allowed as the security establishment has expressed apprehensions about “fomenting of trouble by vested interests to vitiate the peace” in the Kashmir Valley.

A senior police officer on condition of anonymity told the news agency GNS that even though no decision has been taken about holding and otherwise of the Eid prayers, “it was most unlikely as trouble mongers may use the occasion to foment trouble and vitiate the prevailing peace.”

“Security clearance for such an occasion is a must and police establishment is of the belief that it should not be allowed,” the officer said, adding, “The decision lies with the government.”

Earlier this week, the Chairperson of Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board had indicated at holding congregational Eid prayers at historic Eidgah after 2019.

Talking to media persons at Waqf Office Srinagar on the sidelines of a meeting, Waqf Chairperson, Dr. Darakshan Andrabi had said that “if weather permitted”, Eid prayers will be held at Eidgah.

“The (Waqf) Board will initiate necessary cleanliness drive and arrangements for the smooth conduct of congregational prayers at the historic venue," Andrabi had said.

SRINAGAR — Amid confusion about whether the Eidgah land in Srinagar will be converted into sports facilities or a cancer hospital, the divisional administration today said that it is so vast that it can accommodate both facilities.

Talking to the news agency KNT, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole said that the ground is so big that it can accommodate all facilities.

"It is Waqf land measuring more than 600 kanals. In length, it is more than 7500 feet and in width, it is 2000 feet. The Wakf Board can build a cancer institute as per its planning," he said.

Pole said temporarily some area is used for playing by surrounding localities. "One portion out of which will be made better for playing to children. The adjacent park is used by elderlies for walks. This park under the management of the Floriculture Department needs normal upkeep, which will be done," he said.

He said that Waqf Board is to decide about the use of the land, including having a cancer hospital on some portion, as per its planning.

"Taking into account the vast area size of the ground, there cannot be any question of either one facility or the other. It can accommodate all as per planning," he said.

Wakf Board chairperson Dr Daraksha Andrabi has said that the Board will build a cancer hospital on its 70 kanals, while the divisional administration has proposed upgradation of sports infrastructure.

SRINAGAR — Eidgah will be developed as a state-of-the-art playground in Shahr-e-Khaas that will have at least 10 scientifically-developed turfs and an upgraded football ground while the park will be upgraded as a major attraction with all modern facilities, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole said on Wednesday.

Talking to the news agency KNO, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir said, “I visited the area today to assess the sports facilities available to the youth. I directed officials to create more sports facilities for youth in the area.”

As far as the cancer facilities are concerned, he said the nearby SKIMS Soura and AIIMS already upgraded facilities to treat cancer patients. “Eidgah will be developed on modern lines as one of the best playgrounds of Shahr-e-Khaas. It will have 10 scientifically-developed turfs for cricket players and an upgraded football ground.

"The nearby park will also be upgraded as a major attraction with all modern facilities,” he said.

Pole’s announcement comes days after Waqf Board Chairperson Darakshan Andrabi stated that the Board will construct a cancer hospital at Eidgah, Srinagar. Her announcement sparked massive protests by the youth of Downtown.

SRINAGAR — A Sub-Inspector with CRPF was injured after militants hurled a grenade toward the paramilitary force’s bunker near Ali Masjid Eidgah area of central Kashmir’s Srinagar district on Saturday.

A senior police officer, as per the news agency GNS, said that militants lobbed a grenade on a CRPF bunker which exploded on the roadside.

"SI Parvez Rana of 161 battalion CRPF sustained minor splinter injuries," he said. He was shifted to the hospital for further treatment and is completely stable, the officer added.

Meanwhile, the whole area was cordoned off to nab militants but when the last report was filed, no arrests were made.