SRINAGAR; A big gaffe by the lone woman minister in the Omar Abdullah' government has landed the ruling National Conference (NC) into trouble.

Social welfare minister Sakina Itoo was caught on camera imploring an elderly man to take oath on Prophet and Quran to support her and the party.

The 3:11 minute video (at below) has gone viral prompting the main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) to decide to approach the Election Commission seeking disqualification of the minister.

Ittoo, an NC MLA who represents Noorabad constituency of south Kashmir's Kulgam district, is seen in the video asking the man to swear by Almighty Allah and his Prophet that he would support her and the party.

Her colleagues, who are not seen in the frame, are imploring the old man to recite the Kalima (the first basic fundamental of Islam) and swear by Holy Quran to work for Ittoo and her party as he did in 1996 (when first assembly elections were held).

"It is an old thing when there was no code of conduct. It is frustration of PDP. We have never forced him to vote for the MLA or in the parliament elections. These words are not there. This old man has been the associate of my father for 60 years. He is like our family member," Ittoo told.

The minister noted they would be filing their response to the Election Commission once PDP approaches it. "Let them (PDP) approach the Election Commission. We too are here. This video dates back to December when there was no code of conduct," she said.

SRINAGAR; With a magisterial inquiry getting under way on Wednesday into the death of Farhat Ahmad Dar (21) at Nayidkhai village in northern Kashmir, allegedly in police firing on March 14, authorities in Bandipore district have acquired two important video clips.

The video clip in possession of Kashmir Informer shows the attacking men calling out to others loudly, commanding them to rain stones on the two police vehicles in the rear. As one group keeps shouting “Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan,” a youth in a striped sweater mounts one of the vehicles to celebrate ‘victory’. He is promptly followed by another youth, wearing a Pheran and blue jeans. The ascending crescendo of the slogan is silenced with a gunshot that brings down cheering Farhat Dar.

The video footage has been distorted to protect the identity of protesters.

Protesters pelting stones of Indian forces in Shopian after curfew was removed since staurday

Youth displaying bullets that were fired by CRPF in Gagren area of Shopian

CRPF troopers allegedly shot dead 28 year old Rafiq Ahmad in Meemander area, toll since the past week mounted to 5

Thousands offered funeral prayers of Shaheed Rafiq at Gol Chowk Shopian

Courtesy: AP

KN DESK; 11, Aug 2013: Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand along with senior cabinet ministers called on a meeting of civil society members, representatives of different political parties, social organizations, trade unions, Chamber of Commerce and prominent members of the society.

Tara said DDC Kishtwar has already started the process of assessment of damages to the property in Kishtwar and videography has been completed. A total of 68 shops, 7 hotels and 35 vehicles have been damaged during the untoward incident and 3 causalities have been reported so far, he added.

Minister for Horticulture, Housing and Culture  Raman Bhalla, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control  Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Planning & Development, Labour and Employment  Ajay Sadhotra and MOS, Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation(IC)  Ajaz Ahmad Khan were present during the meeting. Divisional Commissioner,  Shantmanu, IG, Jammu  Rajesh Kumar attended the meeting.

Prominent among those who participated in the meeting include, MLC  Davinder Singh Rana, president of Jammu Bar, President Chamber of Commerce and other prominent social activists.

The Divisional Commissioner briefed on the situation and detailed about the action taken on the points discussed in the previous civil society meeting.

Representatives of civil society presented their views and suggested measures to restore confidence and peace among the people.

Tara Chand said the demands put forward by civil society with regard to ex- gratia relief to the next of kin of those who have died has already been agreed to and assessment process for damages has also begun. He said a time-bound inquiry under the Divisional Commissioner has been ordered and necessary administrative steps have been taken to restore faith of the people in the administration.

He said in a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister earlier during the day clear instructions have been issued to book under law all those who are found involved in any way in the Kishtwar incidence. All people who are culprit shall be arrested and action under law be taken against them, he added.