Latest news with #Zubair
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
From detention cell to future doctor: Kashmir teen cracks NEET after PSA reprieve
SRINAGAR: Just nine months ago, Zubair ul Islam Bhat sat in police detention, staring at a future behind bars. The 19-year-old from Kupwara in north Kashmir now prepares to begin medical studies, not as a statistic in detention records, but as a symbol of second chances. He has cracked NEET 2025 — one of the country's toughest entrance exams. Zubair had been picked up by police last Sept, accused of suspicious phone activity and using a VPN. A dossier under the stringent Public Safety Act was ready. His life teetered on the edge of long-term detention — until People's Conference chief Sajad Lone stepped in. Lone, recounting the story on social media, said Zubair's family reached out when hope was slipping. 'I was convinced Zubair is special,' he wrote. 'The Kupwara SSP was apprehensive. I volunteered to personally guarantee his conduct. We talked several times, disagreed often — but eventually, he called back and said, 'I'm convinced Zubair needs a chance'.' Zubair was released. No PSA. No charges. Just a shot at redemption. On Saturday, results confirmed Zubair had cleared NEET. Lone called it 'a victory of love and compassion', crediting senior officials, the Kupwara SSP, and LG Manoj Sinha for backing the decision. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Total AV 2025 – Save Up to 80% Off Antivirus Today Total AV - Tier 2 Install Now Undo Zubair said he was detained for two days after authorities flagged his use of a VPN — commonly used to mask online location. 'They thought I was hiding something. I told them I used VPNs to save data, for gaming and study purposes. They checked my phone and found nothing. After Lone sahib intervened, they let me go,' he said Tuesday. 'I believed Zubair deserves a chance,' Lone posted. 'His life is a story. And I too am part of that story. From the depths of despair to a future in medicine — this is what love and compassion can do.'
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kashmiri youth who was facing detention under PSA cracks NEET
Zubair-ul-Islam Bhat, a youth from Kupwara who recently cracked the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) examination, was once under close observation by the J&K police and identified for detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA), which allows detention without trial for two years. J&K Peoples Conference (JK) president Sajad Lone said on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) that he had intervened with the police to prevent his booking under the PSA, a law used against local youths for separatist writing or behaviour. 'A year back Zuber was all set to be booked under the PSA. The dossier was ready. His family approached me. He is a couple of years older than my children. I don't know what happened. But I was convinced that Zubair had to be saved. I was convinced that Zubair is special and can deliver academically and move on to have an excellent career. I believed that Zubair deserves a chance,' Mr. Lone said. Police relented Mr. Bhat belongs to a small village, Khumriyal, in Kupwara. Mr. Lone admitted that the police were reluctant initially. 'I approached the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kupwara, who I have to say was very apprehensive. I volunteered to personally guarantee his conduct. We talked so many times over the phone and the conversation would end with disagreements... I got a call from the SSP that he too is convinced that Zubair needs to be given a chance,' Mr. Lone recalled. Mr. Lone described Mr. Bhat's trajectory as one that emerged from the 'depths of despair a year back.' 'Zuber has bounced back and will soon embark on a career in medicine,' the JKPC leader said. He said Bhat's story was 'a story of triumph of love and compassion.' 'Maybe there is a message in this story. I hope our decision makers understand that message,' he said. Mr. Lone congratulated J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. 'Without the consent of the top officials, this would never have been possible. Victory in Kashmir lies in love and compassion. Let us all rejoice in Zubair's success. It is a victory of the concepts of love and compassion,' Mr. Lone added.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
From PSA to cracking NEET, Kupwara boy makes most of second chance
They say success tastes sweeter when it comes from the grit and grind of a second chance. Zubair ul Islam Bhat, a youngster from the remote village of Khumrail in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, knows for sure as he emerges triumphant from the depths of hopelessness. Zubair was given a second chance by the Jammu and Kashmir Police that did not book him under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) and he used the opportunity to excel in academics and crack the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the result of which was announced on June 14. The inspiring story of Zubair was shared by People's Conference chairman and Handwara legislator Sajjad Lone, who played an important role in securing the second chance for the youth so that he could pursue his education. Congratulating Zubair and posting his photos on X, a proud Lone wrote: 'He is much more than a young boy who has cracked NEET. I share a special bond with him. From the depths of despair a year ago, Zubair has bounced back and will soon embark on a career in medicine. A year back, he was set to be booked under the PSA. The dossier was ready. His family approached me. He is a couple of years older than my children. I don't know what happened. But I was convinced that Zubair had to be saved. I was convinced that he is special and can deliver academically and move on to have an excellent career. I believed he deserves a chance.' Lone approached the Kupwara senior superintendent of police, who was apprehensive about the move initially. 'I volunteered to take personal guarantee for Zubair's conduct. We talked so many times over the phone and the conversation would end in disagreement. But I remember the day I got a call from the Kupwara SSP when he said he had given it a thought and was convinced Zubair deserved a chance,' he said. Expressing gratitude to the Kupwara SSP, Lone said: 'His decision to release Zubair means he has added a doctor to the society. I would have never talked about this. But Zubair's story is a story of triumph of love and compassion. Maybe there is a message in this story. I hope our decision makers understand that message. My thanks to @OfficeOfLG J&K. Without the consent of top officials, this would never have been possible. Victory in Kashmir lies in love and compassion,' Lone said. Zubair ul Islam isn't the first. In the past too, Lone has helped many students, particularly those from north Kashmir, to excel in academics. They include children of those who were killed during the years of militancy in the early '90s. Zubair said he was detained by police last year in Kupwara after a complaint against him. 'My family approached Sajjad Lone, who took personal interest in getting me released,' he said, adding it was his second shot at NEET and he secured 535 out of 720 marks. 'I had started pursuing Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery in Ganderbal last year and worked hard to crack the NEET with a higher merit this time,' he added.
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kashmiri man dies in Delhi hospital: Family alleges police torture, cops deny
The death of a 30-year-old Kashmiri garment salesman at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital has sparked outrage in the Valley. Zubair Ahmed Bhat's family has pointed fingers at the Delhi Police, alleging he was beaten up at the local police station. People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti and Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have come out in support of the family. Speaking to The Indian Express, his 24-year-old brother Faizan alleged: 'On May 28, Zubair texted us, saying he had been beaten up by the police. The police said that he banged his head on the wall. Then why is there no injury?' Police, however, maintained that Zubair was found injured in Southeast Delhi's Lajpat Nagar on May 29. They said he was taken to Safdarjung Hospital in a PCR van and died on June 2. Police also said Zubair was suffering from migraine-related issues and that the injuries he sustained were self-inflicted. DCP (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said the allegations of police beating up the deceased are false. 'On May 28, around 2 pm, the deceased got a call from his family. He then had a chat with his siblings, where he claimed that he was beaten by the police. On May 29, he checked out of the hotel at 11 am, and, around 6 pm, police got a PCR call from the Lajpat Nagar 2 area. CCTV footage of the time between May 28, when he claimed to be beaten, and May 29, when we got the PCR call, shows that he was roaming around in the Lajpat Nagar area and looked physically healthy,' he said. He added, 'The deceased was never taken to the police station. He was taken to the hospital from the spot after a PCR call… in front of 50-60 people.' Zubair was the only earning person in his four-member family, comprising his brother, sister, and mother. Speaking to the media last week, PDP's Iltija Mufti said, '… What was his fault? That he is Kashmiri? Is being Kashmiri a crime?… And where is the NC government? They are absolutely silent on this. They are not able to protect the youth of Kashmir. They should come and meet the family. Their MLAs haven't been elected to inaugurate showrooms and collect ribbons.' 'I request that the government give the family long-term relief. Not just cash relief, give them government jobs,' she added. Farooq also visited the family last Friday and offered condolence prayers with them. The X handle of the Office of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir said, '… Mirwaiz assured the family that he stands with them and the people in their pursuit of justice for Zubair.' Congress's Pawan Khera also raised questions. In a post on X, he wrote: 'In the capital city, a young Kashmiri dies under mysterious circumstances and not a word of it gets discussed in mainstream media? If you don't question the authorities, obviously the authorities won't give you answers. @DelhiPolice needs to respond to questions surrounding the death of Zubair Ahmad Bhat.' According to Zubair's sister, Iqra, he left for Delhi last Tuesday. 'He worked with Kashmir Arts — he was a salesman. He would work in Bangladesh during the winters and in Kashmir during the summers. When he reached Delhi, he called and told us that he had booked a hotel in Lajpat Nagar.' His family said Zubair was supposed to pick up his fiancée, a Bangladeshi national, from the airport. They were to be married in August. But when Faizan called his brother on the evening of May 29, he said a policeman answered and said Zubair was sick. 'He said he has been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. Our family friend from Bangladesh, whom Zubair was supposed to pick up from the airport, rushed to the hospital,' he said. On May 30, Faizan and his family reached the hospital from Srinagar. On Monday, Zubair succumbed to his injuries. The family took the body to Ali Kadal in Srinagar for the last rites. The post-mortem report from Safdarjung Hospital, seen by The Indian Express, lists the cause of death as septicaemia and related complications. It says the patients had a history of high fever, HCV (Hepatitis C virus) with AFI (Acute Febrile Illness) and AMS (Altered Mental Status). Upon arrival at the hospital, the report states, he was diagnosed with septic encephalitis with pneumonitis with sepsis with MODS (multiple organ dysfunction syndrome). Police said further investigation is underway.
United News of India
06-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Train links welcome, but human links matter more: Mirwaiz
Srinagar, June 6 (UNI) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express connecting Katra with Srinagar, Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq welcomed the improved connectivity but reminded the Centre on Friday that it is 'human links, not just train links,' that matter more. Addressing the Friday congregation at Srinagar's historic Jamia mosque in old Srinagar, Mirwaiz, who is also Kashmir's chief cleric, called for the release of prisoners on Eid-ul-Adha as a goodwill gesture. He said for thousands of families in J&K, the Eid festival brings more pain than joy. 'Their sons, husbands, fathers and brothers have been incarcerated for years — many without trial — in jails within and outside J&K. And each passing day, more of our youth are detained,' he said. Mirwaiz said all such prisoners, including political leadership, remain in the prayers and thoughts of the people. 'If the Prime Minister truly seeks to reduce the 'dil ki doori' (distance of hearts) which he often mentions in his speeches, then such humanitarian steps are the real way forward. Train links are welcome, but it is the human links that truly matter and endure,' Mirwaiz said. Kashmir's chief cleric also termed the death of Zubair Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Srinagar, under mysterious circumstances in New Delhi on Monday "deeply disturbing". While Zubair's family claimed their son was killed in Delhi, police in Delhi said there was no 'indication of foul play' in his death. 'Zubair's 'custodial-like death' — as claimed by his family — has brought back haunting memories of such deaths and raised serious concerns regarding the safety and security of Kashmiris residing or working in different parts of India,' Mirwaiz said. 'After the recent Pahalgam incident, Kashmiris across the country are increasingly facing hostility. And now, an innocent young trader has been killed in cold blood. How long will this go on?' Mirwaiz asked. He urged the Government of India and the UT administration to fulfill their constitutional responsibility and ensure the safety, security, and dignity of all Kashmiri citizens, especially those outside the region. 'The silence and inaction only embolden those targeting Kashmiris,' he warned. Mirwaiz also made a heartfelt appeal to civil rights organisations, writers, intellectuals, and conscientious citizens of India to raise their voice against the growing onslaught on Kashmiris and to stand up in solidarity with the victims of such brutality. UNI MJR BD SSP
