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The Print
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Curious case of Zubair Bhat: Kashmiri youth's mysterious death in Delhi, flashpoint in Srinagar
Flanked by Bhat's sister and brother at their residence in Aali Kadal of Srinagar, Iltija Mufti, the daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, said Bhat had informed his sister about the police taking his Aadhaar card and assaulting him with sticks. Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti Thursday alleged that Bhat was killed after torture and discrimination by the Delhi Police and a hospital in the national capital. New Delhi: A day after allegations of torture, the Delhi Police has denied arresting 30-year-old Srinagar resident Zubair Ahmed Bhat. In fact, they say they got a call from the Safdarjung Hospital only after his admission to the hospital by the personnel attached to the police control room. The police control room, officers claim, had received a call that Zubair was showing symptoms of seizures in front of the residence of a doctor in Lajpat Nagar. 'There is proper proof. He was a 30-year-old man who was the sole breadwinner for the family. He was in the handicrafts business. The family is saying that after he reached Delhi, police personnel at Lajpat Nagar caught and beat him up and repeatedly assaulted him the next day when he went back to take back his Aadhaar card,' Mufti told the press Thursday. 'He was also asked if he was a Kashmiri. Being Kashmiri is enough for people to hang us. What was his fault that he was Kashmiri?' Mufti also alleged that doctors at a Delhi hospital denied him treatment. Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also paid a visit to Bhat's family residence in Srinagar. 'Mirwaiz assured the family that he stands with them and the people in their pursuit of justice for Zubair. He reaffirmed his commitment to continue raising his voice against injustice and to seek accountability, so that such tragic incidents are not repeated,' his office said in a statement Friday. Ms. @IltijaMufti_ speaks to media on Zubair Ahmad Bhat sb's tragic demise in Delhi. — J&K PDP (@jkpdp) June 5, 2025 However, the Delhi Police have refuted the allegations citing no relation and engagement with him in respect to any case or proceedings. South East Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Hemant Tiwari said there was no case or any proceedings ongoing with regards to Bhat and that the police did not question him or arrest him even for a brief period of time. 'The police had no role and link to Bhat. He was neither a suspect nor a stakeholder in any case. He was not at all arrested or even questioned by the police,' DCP Tiwari told ThePrint. PCR call by doctor & suspicion of prolonged drug abuse Explaining the sequence of events leading up to Bhat's death around 11.30 pm on 29 May, Delhi Police officers said Bhat was first noticed the same evening by a doctor in front of her residence in Lajpat Nagar area of the national capital. 'A call was made to the Delhi Police control room at 6.07 pm on 29 May when an eye specialist employed at Safdarjung Hospital spotted him with symptoms of seizures. She made a call saying that an unknown man was in front of her house and also raised suspicion about being a drug addict in the PCR call,' a Delhi Police officer told ThePrint. The PCR team picked him up from the Lajpat Nagar area and admitted him to the Safdarjung Hospital emergency department which recorded 'multiple injection marks on the left cubital fossa (front of elbow joint)' on his body, the Delhi Police officer further said. In the investigation for the treatment, doctors sought urine samples for detection of drug remains in his body, the officer further said. Another police officer said that a preliminary probe conducted so far suggests that Bhat used to be in Delhi for six months a year and was employed by a Lajpat Nagar-based businessman who used to sell Kashmiri shawls at Dilli Haat. 'He used to stay in the ground floor of the accommodation of his employer.' On the morning of 27 May, Bhat had allegedly called his employer seeking Rs 50,000 for shopping for his sister's wedding. After agreeing, the employer asked him to return to his accommodation. However, he did not go there and instead went to a hotel in the national capital but not before buying four strips of Tapentadol for Rs 2,000 from a chemist that he used to visit regularly, the police officer has said. 'Between December last year to May, he has bought Tapentadol, a well-known opioid worth Rs 29,000 from the same shop. He did not stay at his usual accommodation but instead proceeded to stay at a hotel after acquiring the drug,' said another police officer. Police officers said that Bhat's sister called him on the afternoon of 28 May, but he did not take the call. But he messaged her on Whatsapp to tell her that the police had beaten him up 'because he was Kashmiri' and taken his Aadhaar card. 'Shortly after, he said that he was in a hotel,' the officer said, adding there was CCTV footage from the hotel confirming his presence at the time he claimed he was with the Dehi Police. 'Later that night he also had to break open his room door as he had lost his key. Even that incident has been captured in the CCTV footage,' he added. The cause of death has been suspected to be encephalopathy due to drug abuse and 'altered sensorium due to drug intoxication', the police officer further said. Sources said that around 25 people who had gathered around him in Lajpat Nagar area before he was taken to hospital by Delhi Police PCR van have confirmed his status at the time the police arrived. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also Read: What is the 2017 Kotkhai custodial death case that led to life term for Himachal IGP, 7 other cops
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Farmers devastated as violent storms destroy crops across major growing region: 'Wreaked havoc ... across the valley'
Have you ever considered the environmental factors that are necessary to allow you to enjoy a piece of fruit? A severe hailstorm, which caused extensive damage to apple orchards in Kashmir, India, highlights the climate challenges associated with farming. On April 18, hail and heavy rain began to fall in the Northern Indian region, affecting the districts of Shopian and Kulgam in Kashmir, as the Hindustan Times reported. Following the storm, Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) said on X, formerly known as Twitter, "Yesterday's hailstorm wreaked havoc on fruit orchards across the valley leaving farmers devastated." With "chickpea-sized hailstones" inflicting damage on the apples, according to Greater Kashmir, the fruit has lost most of its value. Farmers are now frantic, fearing devastating financial loss. While the Shopian district is known in the subcontinent as the "Apple Town," that name feels momentarily fraudulent, with up to 70% of the area's crops destroyed. Mufti mentioned in the X post, "Horticulture is the backbone of our economy & has consistently supported the region even in the most difficult times." Hailstorms are just one example of climate issues affecting food sources. Droughts, floods, and poor air quality are common problems that impact food production and livestock. These issues are exacerbated by rising global temperatures due to pollution from toxic, planet-warming gases. Earlier this year, Icelandic potato farmers faced crop shortages due to a harsh winter, and mango farmers in India experienced a major decline in their crops, with fumes from a nearby factory the likely culprit. Political leaders have spoken out about this issue in Kashmir and are urging the government to intervene. Advocating for agricultural insurance to protect against unexpected circumstances is at the top of these proposals. "Urge the government to immediately deploy assessment teams to evaluate the extent of the damage & provide all possible assistance to the affected farmers," JKPDP President Mufti said. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Local communities in the villages that these farmers support are distraught after this extreme weather incident, and government intervention is crucial. Luckily, Additional Deputy Commissioner Tanveer Ahmed said, "All reports are being compiled, and we are actively addressing the issues. Relief is being provided as a priority," as quoted in the Hindustan Times. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
News.com.au
29-04-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Zip line operator targeted over two words in viral video of tourist unaware of terrorist attack
A longer version of a chilling video of a man smiling on a zip line during a horrific terror attack has revealed details that has sparked a debate across the world. At least 26 men were killed at Pahalgam in the Indian-administered Kashmir region last week. India accused Pakistan of backing the attack, which it denied, and relations between the countries have plummeted. Witnesses said militants came out of the trees at a meadow and started firing. In the zip line video, a tourist filmed himself oblivious to the terror unfolding below and as gunshots were heard in the background. (Watch in the video player above). The clip quickly went viral and made global headlines. A longer version of the video then emerged, with the zip line operator accused of chanting 'Allahu Akbar' before pushing the tourist off from the platform. Allahu Akbar is an Arabic phrase meaning 'God is the greatest' and is commonly used by Muslims. Its use here has drawn particular attention because some victims' family members have claimed they were told to recite Islamic verses during the attack and when they did not, they were shot. One Indian politician, Congress MP Pramod Tiwar, called for an investigation into the video, while another Indian politician, Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (JKPDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti, said action should be taken against those spreading hate on social media. As translated and quoted by Asian News International, Ms Mufti explained 'Allahu Akbar' was said by Muslims during any difficulty, like 'Jai Shree Ram' is a common expression said by Hindus. The family of the zip line operator, identified as Muzamil, also defended his words to Indian media, insisting he was not involved in the attack. Abdul Aziz, Muzamil's father, told NDTV his son was 'very scared, he started crying' after the attack and was now speaking with police. 'Even if the storm comes, we say Allahu Akbar. What fault do we have in this? Muzamil used to work only with the zip line; he didn't do any other work,' Mr Aziz said. The tourist on the zip line was identified as Rishi Bhatt from Ahmedabad, a city in western India. Towards the end of the recording, as the ride comes to an end and he moves closer to the ground, a tourist is seen falling down presumably after sustaining a bullet injury. Mr Bhatt told Asian News International as soon as he realised what was unfolding, he quickly unclipped himself from the zip line harness, found his wife and son and started running. 'We saw people hiding at a spot which was like a pit, so they could not be spotted easily,' he said. 'We hid there too. When the firing stopped a little after 8-10 minutes, we started running toward the main gate … The firing resumed and four to five people were shot. Around 15-16 tourists were shot in front of us. When we reached the gate, we saw the local residents had already left. One pony guide helped us to leave the place.' 'Pursue them to the ends of the Earth' Relations have plummeted between India and Pakistan since the attack on April 22. Both countries have since exchanged gunfire in Kashmir and diplomatic barbs, as well as expelled citizens and ordered the main land border crossing shut. Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to pursue those who carried out the attack in the tourist hotspot, and those who had supported it. 'I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer,' he said on Thursday. 'We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth'. The bellicose statements have prompted worries of a rapid spiral into military action, with calls from several nations for restraint. The US State Department said top diplomat Marco Rubio would call his Pakistani and Indian counterparts soon to urge them 'to not escalate the situation'. UN chief Antonio Guterres meanwhile held calls on Tuesday with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in which he 'offered his Good Offices to support de-escalation', his spokesman said. Mr Sharif's office later said he had urged Mr Guterres to 'counsel India' to exercise restraint, while pledging to defend Pakistan's 'sovereignty and territorial integrity with full force in case of any misadventure by India'. Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in full. Rebels in the Indian-run area have waged an insurgency since 1989, seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan. Indian police have issued wanted posters for three men accused of carrying out the Kashmir attack – two Pakistanis and an Indian – who they say are members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, a UN-designated terrorist organisation. They have announced a two million rupee ($36,770) bounty for information leading to each man's arrest and carried out sweeping detentions seeking anyone suspected of links to the alleged killers. The worst attack in recent years in Indian-run Kashmir was at Pulwama in 2019, when an insurgent rammed a car packed with explosives into a security forces convoy, killing 40 and wounding 35. Indian fighter jets carried out air strikes on Pakistani territory 12 days later. Iran has already offered to mediate and Saudi Arabia has said Riyadh was trying to 'prevent an escalation'. US President Donald Trump downplayed tensions, saying on Friday the dispute will get 'figured out, one way or another'. — with AFP
