Earlier this month, the Government had imposed restrictions on civilian movement on the Highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar, in order to ensure adequate security to the movement of Forces’ Convoys while at the same time minimizing public inconvenience.
“These restrictions became necessary following the large movement of forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack. These forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for conducting general elections peacefully,” an official statement said.
“In order to facilitate unhindered and secure movement of Security Forces’ Convoys, the Government had imposed a prohibition on civilian traffic on NH-44 from Baramulla to Udhampur twice a week, i.e. on Sunday & Wednesday, from 4.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m. At the same time, elaborate arrangements were made by the local administration to facilitate the movement of the public during the period of restriction,” it said.
The Government is monitoring the convoy needs of security forces on a real-time basis and making all attempts to minimize public inconvenience. Earlier, the restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 was reduced only to Sunday w.e.f. 22-04-2019 and the prohibition on Wednesday was lifted.
As indicated earlier, the Government is alive to the needs of citizens and will seek to balance public convenience with requirements of security force convoys. The Government has once again reviewed the requirement of forces. Following the successful conduct of elections in Anantnag & Kulgam districts and as the requirement of Security Forces is now reducing as they are de-inducted, the Government has decided to further relax the restrictions on traffic imposed earlier as follows: –
The restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 will be completely lifted w.e.f. 2-05-2019. There would be no prohibition on civilian traffic in this stretch on Sunday or Wednesday.
The restrictions would continue between Srinagar and Udhampur on NH-44 as earlier. However, these would be reviewed periodically and relaxation would be made as to the need for restriction reduces.
The local administration would continue to facilitate the movement of civilian traffic as has been happening so far, including by allowing public transport of JKSRTC to move during the period of restriction on the NH.
A complete review of restrictions on the Highway would be done subsequently.
The Government stated that the purpose of these restrictions is in the larger interest of the security of everyone and appealed the people to extend full cooperation in the smooth regulation of traffic. The restrictions strike a balance between the needs of people and inconvenience caused to them on one side and the needs of security forces. The restrictions will continue to be reviewed on a real-time basis and modifications will be made as necessary in the coming days.
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Kashmir law college, Srinagar in collaboration with Mukhtar memorial society, organised a one-day seminar on “ menace of drug abuse in Kashmir ‘ issues and challenges.
Kashmir Law College organises seminar on ‘Drug Abuse’
Dr Muzafar director Drug de-addiction centre Srinagar spoke on the various dimensions of drug abuse and highlighted various causes of drug abuse, by reference to the case studies and discussed the measures to control this menace.
Prof. SM Afzal Qadri discussed the purpose of the seminar and highlighted the issues n problems of drug abuse.
Prof A L Wani said we have become a nation of pill takers SP Hazratbal discussed the role of police in controlling the drug abuse, students of the college presented skit on drug abuse which was adjudged a best, and was awarded a trophy.
In the debate segment, Shehla of BA.LLB 4th and Misbah Haqqani a student of BA.LLB 8th semester were given 2nd and 3rd prize, the event was attended by the chairman of the college and Faizan Abrar, chairman mukhtar memorial society.
The program was conducted by Ifra, a student of BA.LLB 10th semester.
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Two boys were injured when a shell they were fiddling with went off in Dhamhal Hanjpora area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday.
Official sources told news agency GNS that the boys were fiddling with the explosive device when it went off at Dhamhal Hanjpora, causing minor injuries to both of them.
The duo identified as Shahid (12) and Ikhlaq (11) and both were shifted to nearby PHC for treatment, they said.
After being treated at the PHC, Ikhlaq was referred to district hospital Kulgam for advanced treatment, they said.
A doctor at PHC Dhamhal told news agency GNS that Shahid received injuries in his hand while as Ikhlaq suffered wounds in his face. The doctor, however, said that the condition of both the boys are stable.
A police officer also confirmed it and said that police has taken cognizance of the incident and further investigations have been up.
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Authorities on Wednesday said the historic Mughal road-connecting Shopian with twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri will be reopened for traffic today.
Reports said that snow has been cleared from the Mughal road fortnight ago and is ready for the vehicular movement. Chief Engineer Mughal Road Mohammad Ashraf Bhat told GNS that one-way traffic will be restored on the thoroughfare today. He said that traffic will be allowed from Poonch towards Srinagar on Wednesday.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Poonch Ramesh Kumar Angral told GNS that the vehicles have to cross Pir Ki Gali between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm and no vehicle shall be allowed beyond the time stipulations.
The measures have been taken in view of the slippery road conditions of the road, SSP said. Pertinently, the road was closed on January 1, this year following heavy snowfall in the region.
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A 55-year-old man died after falling from a newly constructed house in Mendhar area of Poonch district on Wednesday morning.
Reports said that a man namely Somnath Sharma son of Raghunath Nath Sharma Resident of Dachial, Mendhar age 55 while spilling water to the newly constructed house suddenly fell unconscious due to which he fell from the house on to the ground.
He was rushed immediately to the SDH Mendhar where doctors declared him brought dead.
Medical officer Javaid Ahmad told news agency GNS that Somnath was brought as dead to hospital and it seems he had a heart attack due to which he has fallen unconscious which led to his fall from the house, the officer said.
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A 20-year-old girl allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself inside his home at Glasdegi area of Hyhama in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Tuesday.
Ruqsana daughter of Siraj ud Din Khan of Glasdegi, Hyhama, hanged herself inside her home today in the afternoon, an official said.
The family members of the girl, after spotting her hanging inside the room, immediately rushed her to the Sub-District hospital Kupwara where doctors declared her brought dead.
Ruqasana, who was a class 12th student and it was not immediately known as to why she took this extreme step, the official said.
Meanwhile, police have registered a case under 174 CrPc and taken up further investigations in this regard, the official added. (GNS)
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In an official communication received from the office of Managing Director, Jammu Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL), the office has rebutted the news item published in a section of press regarding a delay in procurement of drugs and medicines.
It was informed that JKMSCL has in the last year (2018-19) made supplies of drugs and medicines worth Rs 96 crore to various health institutions of the state.
JKMSCL has at present the rate contract available for 949 drugs including suture material, disposable items and also rate contract is available for 154 machine equipment including hospital furniture items, he said.
As per budgetary distribution, JKMSCL is supposed to place purchase orders for 75 per cent of the total budget and 25 per cent are made available with HOD’s only to meet the emergencies in the hospital. In case JKMSCL is not able to finalize any item due to poor response in tendering, NOC for the same item is being issued.
Although 75 per cent of the total budget for procurement of drugs is earmarked for JKMSCL, the considerable delay has been witnessed in the past years in timely processing of legitimate claims of the bona fide suppliers of drugs due to erratic funding pattern in JKMSCL. However, due to the intervention of the higher authorities, funding pattern has been streamlined from the current financial year which would prove as a short in the arm in JKMSCL’s endeavor to provide quality medicines at competitive rates in a time-bound manner to the health institutions of the state.
JKMSCL is undertaking e-procurement of Drugs & Machinery through open tendering in a fair & transparent manner through registered vendors. However, to further encourage fair competition & in its endeavor to garner competitive prices, JKMSCL has dispensed away with mandatory registration in order to maximize competition & ensure competitive rates without compromising on the quality of drugs & prospective bidders through an inherent system of checks and balances in the SBD.
Online Supply Chain Management Software which monitors procurement & distribution of drugs on an online platform has been strengthened by effectively highlighting the numerous advantages of such system & chalking out training schedules in this Regard for the end users to ensure that a robust & effective online system is put in place which would ensure timely placement of demand for drugs of health institutions of d state & their consequent distribution in sync with such demand.
Further, in order to prioritize procurement of only essential drugs in consonance with the available budget, essential drug list is being pruned from the existing number of 850 odd drugs to 300 in toto which would ensure focused attention on procurement of essential drugs in parity with the available budget.
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The weatherman on Tuesday advised farmers to postpone irrigation and spray of orchards till Friday even as rains lashed Kashmir Valley.
A meteorological department official said that Srinagar received 1.0mm of rain this morning till 8:30 a.m. The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of 12.5 degrees Celsius last night against 9.3 degrees Celsius normal for this time of the season, he said.
The official said that Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of 12.6 degrees Celsius and had traces of rains while the mercury in Kokernag town, also in south Kashmir, settled at a low of 11.7 degrees Celsius. Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a minimum of 9.1 degrees Celsius and had rainfall of 1.0mm. Gulmarg, the famous ski-resort in north Kashmir, witnessed a low of 4.9 degrees Celsius and rainfall of 0.4mm. The famous health resort of Pahalgam recorded a minimum of 7.7 degrees Celsius and rainfall of 2.7 mm.
“Weather to remain cloudy to overcast with intermittent light to moderate rain at most places of Kashmir, many places of Jammu and isolated places of Kargil district,” director meteorological department Sonam Lotus said. “Today, as of now, it looks like there will be a gradual decrease in rainfall from tomorrow.
Accordingly, farmers are advised to postpone irrigation and spray of orchards till 3rd May,” he continued. Some places in Jammu and Kashmir region are likely to experience thunderstorm mainly in the evening, he added. (GNS)
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The Election Commission of India has decided to seek further clarification on certain aspects from the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the conduct of assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir.
A full commission discussed the issue regarding the assembly polls at Delhi on Tuesday.
“It was decided to seek further clarification on certain aspects of the issue from Ministry of Home Affairs,” Spokesperson of the commission Sheyphali Sharan told news agency GNS. “It was also decided to seek the opinion of an eminent Legal Expert in the context of ongoing President’s Rule in Jammu & Kashmir,” she said.
On March 10, when the poll body had announced the schedule for the ongoing Lok Sabha election, it had said the polls to the state Assembly will not be held simultaneously. It had cited the law-and-order situation in the state for delaying the Assembly polls.
Since the Assembly has been dissolved, the election commission was is bound to hold fresh polls there within a six-month period, which will end in May.
The government of India and the state administration, being managed by the Centre-appointed governor was against holding the two elections together.
However, all political parties in the state spoke in favour of simultaneous polls during a meeting with the EC.
The six-year term of the Assembly was to end on March 16, 2021, but it got dissolved after the ruling coalition between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fell apart. (GNS)
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Police on Tuesday said that a youth from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district shunned militancy and returned to the mainstream.
Taking to social networking site Twitter Police wrote, “One more #youth from #Pulwama with the efforts of #community members & #Police has shunned the path of violence & returned to #mainstream. #Identity stands #protected.”
In a meeting held at Raj Bhavan, Governor Satya Pal Malik reviewed the progress of construction of Bunkers, which have salience for the people living in the border districts, especially during the escalation of border tensions.
The spokesman said that Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, K Vijay Kumar, Advisors to Governor; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor; Shaleen Kabra Principal Secretary Home; Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, were among those present in the meeting.
Governor was informed that 10,260 number of bunkers are to be constructed in the border districts viz Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Rajouri and Poonch. These are being executed by the PWD and Rural Development Department and till date, 2041 bunkers have been completed and work plan has also been prepared to accomplish the remaining assignment in a time-bound manner.
Governor expressed his satisfaction over the progress in execution observing that in the past the construction of bunkers had remained sluggish which has gained traction during the recent months. However the executing agencies and Deputy Commissioners were directed to accord primacy to the construction of bunkers – it is a strong felt need in the border areas. 215 bunkers in the districts Samba and Poonch which were being executed by PWD and have remained unallotted/untendered were decided to be constructed through RDD to ensure their speedy completion.
With regard to ex-gratia relief to the victims of cross border firing, Governor was informed that the relief has been paid in respect of all the eligible/ approved cases of death, permanent disability, injuries and damage to crops, houses and livestock, up to March 2019. The assistance has also been provided under SRE in respect of 73 cases and central assistance to 50 cases.
Governor expressed his satisfaction, especially with regard to disposal of relief cases of the DPs of 1947, 1965 and 1971 after being informed that out of 26,000 families which had applied, the cases in respect of 23,576 families have already been sanctioned for release of payment, which is made directly into the accounts of the recipients.
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The Office of Power Controller, Kashmir province, PDD Bemina, Srinagar on Tuesday informed that 33 KV lines Bemina IInd and Bemina-Exhibition of STD- IInd would be shut down on May 2, 2019, from 9 am to 4 pm, and 10 am to 2 pm respectively.
Governor, Satya Pal Malik on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting here at Raj Bhavan to review the status of Jhelum River Flood Protection Works and the flood response mechanism being put in place by various departments/agencies in Kashmir Division.
Governor reviews disaster preparedness across Kashmir Division
In his opening remarks, Governor emphasised the need for seamless coordination and synergy among various departments/agencies like Irrigation and Flood Control, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Departments, Divisional and District Administration, Police, Army, CRPF and Voluntary Organizations to enable dealing with disasters like floods cohesively, promptly and in a befitting manner.
It was directed that the Departments, Divisional and District Administration shall ensure to be ready with their response in the form of a composite plan which can be put into action as and when required to tackle the challenges on account of a disaster like flood swiftly, cohesively and without any hassle, much to the convenience of the people.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir in his detailed briefing submitted the measures taken by the Divisional and District Administrations post-2014 floods and flood like the situation of 2018 to address the gaps in effective flood preparedness.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir informed that audit of the embankments of Jhelum river and its tributaries has been undertaken and several critical spots identified for corrective action. He said over 6 Lakh sandbags are available with the I&FC Department to strengthen these critical spots. He also gave details about the availability of boats, shelters, tents, blankets, health kits and other relief material.
The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir was asked to expeditiously finalize the land acquisition cases of Bandipora along-with the rehabilitation plan of families likely to be displaced on account of acquisition proceedings in Bandipora and near Hokersar as part of the flood mitigation measures being undertaken by the Government.
The Commissioner/Secretary, PHE and I&FC about the Jhelum River Flood preparedness including the short and long term measures being undertaken, the status of implementation of the Comprehensive Flood Mitigation Plan, strengthening of the flood forecast, monitoring and response system in the division.
It was informed that under Short Term Measures – Phase-I, I&FC department has prepared “Priority works – Comprehensive Plan for Flood Management Works on Jhelum” costing Rs.399.29 Cr and this is presently under execution.
Under Phase-II and to mitigate a flood threat of 60,000 Cusecs at Sangam, the department has submitted a DPR of Rs. 5411.54 Cr to the Central Water Commission, (CWC) GoI for appraisal and technical clearance. Under, the long term measures and to mitigate a total discharge of over 115000 Cusecs, supplementary flood spillway channels, flood storage dams in tributaries of Jhelum and conservation of flood detention basins from Sangam to Padshaibagh etc are being looked at, subject to the outcome of studies and model analysis.
I&FC department has plugged 3,320 breaches/weak spots under temporary restoration and completed 1,235 breached/other spots under permanent restoration.
In order to strengthen the flood assessment beforehand, it was informed that 9 more Automatic Water Level Recorders (AWLRs) are being installed by the I&FC Department including 2 in River Jhelum at Pampore and Asham, 6 on various tributaries of Jhelum viz Romshi Nallah, Sindh Nallah, Pohru Nallah, Sukhnag Nallah, Doodganga and Ferozpora Nallah and one in Wullar lake at Ningli. Further, the I&FC Department has moved a proposal under World Bank funded JTFRP for installation of 11 more AWLRs on River Jhelum & 23 AWLRs on various tributaries, 13 Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs) in various catchments to record & communicate the real-time rainfall data and 20 Acoustic Doppler Profilers (ADPs) or WVRS to record & communicate the real-time discharge (flow) of Jhelum at 9 Stations & of various tributaries at 11 Stations
Secretary, DMRR&R briefed about the steps being taken for operationalization of the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) at Humhama Srinagar. He was directed to take all the required steps for fitting the SEOC at Humhama with state of the art equipment to ensure its 24×7 functioning including VSAT communication and Generator Sets.
Secretary, DMRR&R further informed that 7 SDRF, 2 NDRF, 100 Home Guard Teams and hundreds of trained volunteers are exclusively available for rescue operations in case of any eventuality.
The Secretary, DMRR&R was directed to review the availability of rescue equipment with the districts and SDRF officials and immediately project requirements so that funds can be sanctioned for procurement of the same under SDRF. To facilitate coordination in the matters relating to control room, evacuation, rescue and relief, the Divisional and District Administration were asked to prepare for communication redundancies and those related to essential supplies including power, ration, fuel and medicine.
The DCs were instructed to undertake a mock drill simulating a disaster like situation and involving all concerned departments and also including village and ward level committees and volunteers to assess the level of preparedness and measures required to strengthen the same.
He stressed upon community participation and greater involvement of local volunteers in handling disasters.
The I&FC and DMRR&R departments were directed to give focused attention to the contour map of Srinagar while drawing up the rescue and relief plan for various flood-prone areas of the city. The DC Srinagar was directed to hold a meeting with SMC officials to work out the requirements, if any, with regard to de-silting and cleaning of drainage and sewerage networks in the city and project the same to the Government through Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.
The DMRR&R was asked to transcribe the daily weather alerts into easily comprehensible messages for the public so that people are aware of the weather in advance.
The Chief Secretary directed the Divisional Administration/DCs to draw up a checklist detailing the elements of the action plan on mitigation of floods/other disasters for the facility of convenient operation. The components of the Checklist will interalia include EoC centre, district control room, police control room, alert system, weather alert, information sharing with different departments and public so as to give correct feedback, rescue equipment, communication equipment, relief measures, availability of sufficient accommodation/shelters with all basic facilities besides storage tanks, mobile toilets, public address system in shelters etc.
Chief Secretary observed that the role of officers/officials should be clearly spelt out/defined so that there is no confusion or duplication or overlap in any of the activities being undertaken which can otherwise obstruct the smooth relief and rescue operations. He said duty charts of officer/officials should be drawn up with details including name, contact number, area of jurisdiction/responsibility etc at the District, Sub- District and even up to village and ward level and pasted in concerned Control rooms and also circulated by May 15, 2019, among the concerned.
Chief Secretary stressed for planning a greater number of shelters with required facilities for the convenience of the families as may be affected by disasters. He also impressed upon undertaking only such disaster mitigation activities as are in sync with the Srinagar Master Plan. He asked the PWD to undertake a survey of embankments of River Jhelum to ascertain as to whether any of the bridges require re-designing on account of river flow obstruction. He also asked the PWD to mark the bridges on river Jhelum to easily help the people in discerning the water levels in their areas.
In order to feed the public with the correct and timely information and dispel rumour mongering, Chief Secretary asked DCs to devise a mechanism in consultation with the Telecom Operators like BSNL so that public/media can be informed through flash alerts on WhatsApp, through SMSs, bulletin etc.
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Electric M&RE Wing Power Development Department, J&K on Tuesday assured Small Scale Industry Units liability for material supplied for SAUBHAGYA works shall be cleared fully in the month of May 2019 after the approval of recasted DPRs.
In an official handout, It has hailed the SSI units for extending their cooperation in timely supply of material on deferred payment through SICOP or P&MM Wing of PDD due to which department was successful in timely completion of 100% electrification of Households under Centrally sponsored Scheme ‘SAUBHAGYA’ and also brought laurels to the State by winning first prize in its category.
It stated that the Part payment of material has already been released in favour of SICOP and P&MM Wing but there has been some delay in releasing balance payment as a department, while executing SAUBHAGYA works, has also executed certain parameters of works covered under other Centrally sponsored schemes like DDUGJY.
“There have been some variations in parameters of SAUBHAGYA as well for which a revised DPRs are required to be prepared and get approval from Ministry of Power, Government of India. Power Development Department has already taken up the work of recasting of these DPRs and its approval from the Ministry of Power is expected shortly”, it informed.
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Police Station Maisuma arrested an assailant, who attacked and injured an ice-cream vendor near Ghanta Ghar in Srinagar.
Yesterday, Police Station Maisuma received a distress call that an ice cream vendor near Ghanta Ghar was attacked by an unknown assailant with a sharp-edged weapon and is bleeding on the spot. Responding swiftly, a Quick Response Team, from Police Station Maisuma reached the spot and shifted the injured person identified as Asif Ahmad Mir resident of Kupwara to hospital.
Consequently, a case FIR No. 13/19 under relevant sections of law was registered and an investigation was initiated in the matter.
During the course of investigation, it was learnt that accused identified as Burhan Ahmad Wani, son of Khazir Mohammad Wani, a resident of Maisum at present Maloora HMT, had fled from the spot after committing the crime.
The accused was tracked by police and was taken into custody a weapon of the offence was also recovered. He has been charged for attempt to murder and remains in custody, the police spokesman said.
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The government on Tuesday said that the official twitter handle of the Governor Jammu and Kashmir Satya Pal Malik was hacked by the “miscreants”, however, with the immediate intervention it was restored and necessary corrections were made.
The spokesman said that it was noticed today that the Governor J&K’s Twitter handle was hacked by some mischievous elements and he was shown as a follower of Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan Twitter Handle.
“The moment it was noticed, necessary corrections were made to the account and the Imran Khan Twitter Handle was un-followed. The matter has been reported to JK Police to take necessary follow up action as per law and find out who the miscreants are,” the spokesman said.
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Jammu and Kashmir National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday asserted Art 370, Art 35-A are of utmost importance for safe and secure future of our younger generation, saying that any attack on the special constitutional position of the state will have far-reaching and dire consequences on our coming generations.
NC vice President Omar Abdullah addressing an election rally in Shopian on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.
Addressing a public meet at circuit house in Shopian, party vice president said, “The much illustrious land to tiller stride made by Sher e Kashmir, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah which made the poor peasantry of our state the rightful owners of the land which they worked upon was only possible due to Art 370, Art 35-A, however any attack on the articles will reverse back the situation to pre 1947 era. Our people would eventually cease to be the rightful owners of their land, they would cease to be the soles beneficiaries of various scholarship programs and jobs offered in the government sector. Therefore the fight we are fighting on roads or in Supreme Court has to be efficiently fought in the country’s highest house, the Lok Sabah. For that purpose, we ought to have a voice representing us who can effectively put forth the case of our state and fight the forces as are hell-bent to destroy our identity. For the same purpose, people of south –Kashmir have to repose their faith in Masoodi Sahib and send him to parliament with a thumping winning margin. The people of Baramulla parliamentary constituency have already chosen Lone to accompany Dr Farooq to parliament now it is the turn of south Kashmir to elect Masoodi so that he could be a part of a team headed by Dr Farooq in Parliament,” he said.
Party vice president said that the tribal population of the state would also not escape the dire consequences of an attack on the special status of the state. “You won’t be able to draw your sustenance from forests. When we talk of saving Art 370, Art 35-A, we are talking about our future, our very existence. So it is imperative for you to strengthen the hands of NC candidate for Anantnag constituency Justice Masoodi. He has the necessary political acumen to deal with the situation. A legal luminary, he is known for his pronounced judgments on Art 370. He far exceeds other candidates which are in the fray, in terms of his acquaintance with legal aspects of Art 370, Art 35-A,” he said.
Flaying Mehbooba Mufti for shedding crocodile tears on the miseries of people he said, “The election time crocodile tears are political tears whose veracity is under question. Had PDP president and the Ex-Chief minister shed tears when our youth were devoured upon in 2016, it would have had any impact. One may inquire from her as to where she was her concern for people when the people of Kashmir were subjected to worst of human rights violations, killings, blinding and much more. It was during her tenure that people were used as human shield; where her sympathy and empathy was for those who were blinded, bruised during her tenure. People are the good judge of the character of PDP and its stint in power.”
“When enjoying the benefits of power, she had bolted her mouth. People who had voted for her, and reposed their faith in her were dejected by her changed outlook. People still remember how sordidly she mocked the death and misery of hundreds of families who had to shoulder the coffins of their beloved, with her milk and Toffee remarks. People remember how appallingly she had asserted that the guns of security forces aren’t for display but action. She shamelessly stuck to her chair when the youth who had voted for her were being fired at. She didn’t have the gumption to bid goodbye to BJP when scores of our youth, and elderly were blinded and maimed. On the contrary, she barefacedly presided over the relentless miseries of people. How can people forget her treachery and political duplicity? People across the state particularly in Kashmir are bidding goodbye to the PDP’s brand of politics, which is based on duplicity, crude lies and political Shenanigans. Mehbooba is herself admitting the fact that people of the state, in particular, her workers are disgruntled with her. PDP is a spent force, it never was any; the edifice of PDP has stumbled down under the weight of its own deceit and falsehood,” he said.
Omar said that how can people trust her for the protection of Art 370, Art 35-A given the fact she was the one who implemented SARFAESI, NFSA, GST in the state. “What vital was left of our autonomy in terms of fiscal autonomy was also surrounded by PDP before BJP for the lust of power. Today our people are hankering for ration, who is to be blamed for it? Who is to be blamed for the soaring prices of cooking gas and other edibles? Ever single household item ranging from cooking gas to diesel and petrol have become dearer now, who is to be blamed? PDP self-importantly chose to berate, belittle the mandate of people which especially the people of south Kashmir had given her. It is the south Kashmir which bore the brunt of her deceitful politics. She failed to deliver on every single promise she made during the 2014 election campaign trail. She deceived the people on Agenda of alliance,” he said.
While reiterating his clarion call of doing away with the PSA from the state he said, “I have taken an undertaking that once in power, my government will bid goodbye to PSA. We will make amends to the wrong committed by former BJP-PDP regime. The party is privy to the problem of impending KCC loans; we will find means and ways to bring respite to the people in that direction also.”
Omar also said that the development and infrastructure augmentation has been the primary casualty of PDP’s embrace with BJP. “What good was achieved in south Kashmir in terms of infrastructure building was done in my government until 2014. We didn’t saw any vital project coming up in Shopian during the PDP-BJP led coalition government. The mini secretariat, Fruit Mandi all came up during national conference led government. It was during our government that the people saw a headway in increasing road connectivity, building bridges and improvement in power-related infrastructure. However the past four years saw no headway in development-related projects in the state, Shopian being no exception to it,” he said.
Omar in a frontal attack on PM Modi said that his government had bequeathed much peaceful situation to Modi led BJP government. “But the central government led by PM Modi and the state government of which BJP was a part failed to carry forward the momentum of peace, prosperity. On the contrary they destroyed the situation to an extent wherein in they aren’t being able to conduct the assembly election. PM Modi is answerable to the people of country on this issue. Whatever good was achieved by my government was put into a chasm by BJP led central government. The figures of the steep increase in militancy bear my assertions out. The five years of PM Modi led government will be known for its regressive measures vis-Ã -vis Kashmir,” he said.
Among others party general secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar, senior leader Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, advocate Muhammad Akbar lone, Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, Dr Muhammad Shafi, Shabir Ahmad Kullay, Nisar Ahmad Nisar, Rafiq Khan, Ahsan ul Haq shah, Rafiq Ahmad Shah also addressed the people and sought support for party’s candidate for Anantnag parliamentary constituency Hassnain Masoodi.
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The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan on Tuesday reviewed various issues regarding the availability of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders across the valley.
The Divisional Commissioner stressed the concerned officers to ensure stocking of LPG cylinders so that there is no shortage of cooking gas.
The oil companies were also directed to ensure buffer stocking of LPG across Kashmir Division.
The Div Com stressed on better coordination among various agencies so that people do not feel any inconvenience regarding LPG availability.
Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Director FCS&CA, Representatives of Oil Companies and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.
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Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof. Talat Ahmad on Tuesday chaired the 1st meeting of newly constituted University Research Council of KU which was held at administration block of the Varsity.
Prof Talat chairs meeting of newly constituted University Research Council
While chairing the meeting Prof Talat impressed upon all the stakeholders to join hands to make the University a premier institution of teaching, learning, research innovation and extension.
He emphasised on meaningful academic linkages and collaborations across various disciplines to take research to the next level.
Besides Deans of various schools of KU, Heads of the Departments and other faculty members the meeting was also attended by, Prof. Ved Prakash, (Former Chairman, UGC), Prof. Mohammad Zahid Ashraf, Deptt. of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, Aijaz Altaf Andrabi, Director, Agriculture, Kashmir Division and Dr Samia Rashid, Principal, GMC, Srinagar.
During the meeting, Professor Zafar A. Reshi, Dean Research University of Kashmir gave a power point presentation detailing research programmes offered by the University, research projects currently in operation and future research plans etc.
Among other recommendations, the University Research Council endorsed various proposals for consideration by the statutory bodies which include Establishment of Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations, Adoption of UGC (Promotion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations-2018, Guidelines for Consultancy Projects and Research Policy.
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Police on Tuesday booked a “notorious” drug peddler from Downtown area of the city under the under public safety act (PSA), a police spokesman said.
A police spokesman said that in a first of its kind in Nowhatta area of Downtown, Srinagar Police lodged one infamous notorious drug peddler namely Gh Nabi Sheikh @Nabbe Kalla son of Habibullah Sheikh a resident of Tujgari Mohalla Shiekh Colony to Central Jail Kupwara under Public Safety Act.
“The peddler is infamous for his notorious acts of charas, Ghanja sale among the youth, particularly from downtown. Many FIR’s under NDPS are registered against this drug peddler in various Police Stations,” said the spokesman.
He said that action against the person was taken by police station Nowhatta on the directions of SSP Srinagar Dr Haseeb Mughal -JKPS.
He added SSP Srinagar has appealed people of Srinagar City to come forward and cooperate with the police in curbing the menace of drug peddling.
“He has assured people that Srinagar police is committed for the drug-free Srinagar and will take every step to save the young generation from becoming a victim of drug mafia,” said police spokesman in a statement.
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Hurriyat (g) Conference spokesperson in a statement said that the blockade of trucks loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables, livestock and other necessary edibles has rendered the wide section of business fraternity bankrupt and jobless.
The spokesman said that heavy financial losses and a wide range of debt trap is being deliberately knit to “destroy” the economy of Jammu and Kashmir.
Displaying its solidarity with the fruit growers association at Parimpora Srinagar, a high-level delegation of Hurriyat on the direction of Geelani visited Fruit Mandi Parimpore.
Taking a dig on the administration of Jammu and Kashmir, the delegation also expressed its solidarity with the contractors union who have been marginalized and ignored in all the state constructional activities as compared to the non-resident contractors of the state.
The delegation appreciated the business and labour classes of the state for its hard work, zeal and zest and managerial skills to keep up its pace of growth through all odds and blockades.
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Asserting that the scars of 2016 unrest in South Kashmir will continue to haunt people of Kashmir for decades reminding them of Torture & Barbarism on the part of PDP BJP government, the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President and Party Candidate G A Mir has said that people of Shopian & Pulwama should not trust PDP and other opportunist parties which are out to mislead people “again” for electoral benefits
This was stated by G A Mir while addressing meetings of Pulwama, Rajpura and Pampore constituencies at town hall Pulwama and resolved to fight against the betrayal & political exploitation on the part of PDP, BJP, NC and others.
Addressing the gathering Mir said he believes people of Pulwama and Shopian after witnessing bloodshed, brutality and loot by the PDP led government should ensure defeat of PDP, NC and other opportunist Parties in the present elections and cautioned them about their falsehood and political gimmicks aiming to generate peoples support, the fact of the matter was, “Shopian Pulwama has undergone tremendous damages due to misrule and mis-governance on the Part of previous PDP led government in the State,” he said.
The Coalition government led by PDP could have averted the damages and loss of precious lives in twin districts of Shopian and Pulwama had they not surrendered their agenda before BJP RSS. It was also unfortunate on its part that after getting a good mandate from South Kashmir this party aligned with the BJP for the sake of power thereby ensuring inroads to communal and fascist forces led by BJP in Kashmir valley.
“The people in Valley especially South Kashmir should not forget as to what the PDP had promised them in 2014 elections and what they (people) achieved after voting for this opportunist Party, people got pellets and bullets in response to their vote and support to PDP in 2014,” Mir said.
Pellet horror in Pulwama, Shopian was outcome of PDPs surrender before BJP, hundreds of bullet injured and pellet injured people were still under treatment in their homes and hospitals, scores of innocent civilians were killed, what was their fault, Mir questioned, their fault was only they were agitating against the barbarism, misrule and mis-governance, they were agitating against the bloodshed and innocent killings during PDP BJP rule, Mir said.
He said the PDP BJP presided over the darkest era of the State, now the PDP leadership was trying to generate support by showing tears in their eyes, which won’t change the mood of the people, for the fact, they (people) have lost trust will not repeat the mistake they have committed in 2014, Mir said.
Describing the Congress Party as strong and unifying force in the Country & State Mir said the Party is capable enough to defeat the communal, fascist forces, which are hell-bent upon to cause damages to special status of J&K, Mir said that people should also realize that the Congress Party is set to form Govt at Centre, will do everything to bring the people of J&K out of morass, besides ensuring their safety and security, besides protecting Special Status granted to J&K, Mir added and appealed people of Shopian and Pulwama district to ensure his victory with a thumping majority.
Mir also assured that Congress Party will take effective measures to bring respite to people in every respect by fighting against corruption and discrimination on the part of opportunist political parties and assured that Party will stay true to its promises.
Those who addressed the gathering included Senior Party Leaders Haji Abdul Rashid Dar, Mohd Anwar Bhat, Bashir Ahmad Magrey, Syed Bashir, Gulzar Ahmad Wani, Surinder Singh Channi, Farooq Andrabi, Fayaz Ahmad Dar, Indu Pawar, Irfan Naqib, Gulam Mohd Mir, Mohd Ayoub Thoker, Umer Jan, PCC DCC Members,Block Presidents, Youth Leaders and others.
The Leaders emphasized the people to ensure the victory of Congress Party with a thumping majority and send a strong voice to Parliament from South Kashmir to represent them, genuinely.
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Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday shifted 22 inmates from Central jail Srinagar to Baramulla and Kupwara jails.
Sources said that on Tuesday morning a team of officials headed by Naib Tehsildar came to the jail and inform the inmates about the shift.
They said a large contingent of CRPF personnel was ready outside the jail to stifle any aggression from the inmates.
Earlier on April 5, intense clashes broke out inside the Central Jail after the prisoners protested against the construction of the new barracks in which several prisoners were injured and the Central Jail equipment was also damaged while barracks were set ablaze.
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Reacting to the statement by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu on April 29 that Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba Jammu and Kashmir was involved in radicalizing youth in taking up the arms, the spokesman of the organization in handout issued to media said that that they have no links with any militant person or organization and their all activities are peaceful and within the ambit of law of the land.
Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba Jammu and Kashmir logo
The spokesman in a statement issued to media said that none of their activities are unconstitutional or detrimental to peace or law and order. Hundreds of students associated with IJT are and remain law abiding citizens and never indulge in any subversive activity.
“Most importantly, we feel it pertinent to mention that IJT is a non-political students’ organization and stays away even from any sort of political activity. All our activities focus on imparting moral values to students and guiding them in education and achieving excellence in professional careers so as to make them productive members of society,” the spokesman said.
The person mentioned by the police is not a member of IJT and has nothing to do with our organization. He might have attended any of our public meetings somewhere in Kashmir in the past, like hundreds of students do, but he has never officially been part of our organization anytime in the past, the spokesman added
As per police records, the person in question is studying outside the State and IJT does not operate anywhere outside the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Our activities are restricted within the boundaries of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesman clarified.
Earlier, the Jammu range Inspector General of Police Manish Sinha claimed that Jamiat-ul-Tulba (IJT) was involved in radicalizing youth from non-criminal background into taking up arms.
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Ladakh Parliamentary Constituency is going to polls in the fifth phase of 2019 General Elections on May 6 for which 559 polling stations have been set up across the frontier region for the smooth conduct of the electoral exercise.
The Parliamentary Constituency comprises two districts of Leh and Kargil.
The Kargil district consists of two assembly segments Kargil and Zanskar while as Leh district includes Nubra and Leh assembly segments.
The Ladakh PC has an electoral strength of 174,618 voters. Out of total voters, 86752 are males, 85064 females, 2799 are service voters and 3 transgender voters.
Kargil assembly segment has a total number of 65,294 voters including 32,895 males, 31,354 females, 1044 service voters (1041 male and 3 females) and 1 transgender. As many as 181 polling stations have been established in this segment.
Zanskar assembly segment constitutes 22,487 voters including 11,162 males, 11051 females and 274 male service voters. The ECI has set up 84 polling stations in Zanskar.
Leh assembly segment has an electoral strength of 72,689 voters including 35728 males, 35746 females, 1214 service voters (1192 males and 22 females) and 1 transgender voter. 225 polling stations have been set up in Leh assembly segment for the conduct of polls.
Nubra assembly segment constitutes 14,148 voters including 6,967 male, 6,913 female, 1 transgender voter and 267 service voters (248 males and 19 females). In Nubra assembly segment 69 polling stations have been set up.
The candidates in fray are Rigzin Spalbar of Indian National Congress (INC), Jamyang Tsering Namgyal of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Asgar Ali Karbalai and Sajjad Hussain, both independents.
The ECI has established two polling stations in Leh (Gaik) and Nubra (Washi) segments having seven voters each while as polling station with the highest number of voters (1301) has been set up at Leh (Shynam).
The highest polling station, Anlay Pho (Changthang), has been set up in Leh district at an altitude of 15,000 feet. The booth is barely 50 meters from the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The voting timing has been fixed from 7 am to 6 pm.
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Private Schools’ Association of Jammu and Kashmir has strongly protested against the latest government order that has imposed early morning timing for schools, particularly in the city.
The Association said that the latest order directing schools in Srinagar city to operate from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm is torture for students particularly small kids. “For kids to reach at 8.30 am to school means that he has to board the bus anywhere between 7.00 am to 7.00 am and wake up and prepare even before that. Imagine a kid as small as four years old has to go through this torture every day along with his parents,” said G N Var Chairman PSAJK. “Many a time they are asleep in a school bus and even in the classroom, because they don’t get enough sleep. They can’t concentrate on their studies. Even their health is at risk.”
The Association termed the new timetable similar to daily early morning crackdown on students. “We have been in touch with parents and they say kids have to be dragged out of their beds with a heavy heart to reach the school,” said Var. “Early morning timing can be suitable for hot climate but we are living in a temperate region, the officers should understand that.”
The Association said that it is a scientifically proven fact that children tend to be active and fully aware only after 10.00 am and it is the best time to teach them. The Association said that then time table thrust on schools will mar the learning ability of students. “Previously it was agreed with concerned departments that any change in school timing will be after consultation with Private Schools’ Association and parents, but they have unilaterally taken the harsh decision and we strongly protest it,” said Var.
The Association alleged that all this is being done so that few government babus and secretariat employees reach their offices comfortably at their own choice of timing and without having to navigate roads with schools buses. “In the civilised world, students are given preference but here it is the opposite. The government is concerned for their own comfort and not anything else,” said Var. “We are getting hundreds of messages from worried parents and if the government doesn’t change their order we may protest with a joint strategy.”
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Business activities and developmental works, including languishing projects and repair of roads, and livelihood issues of people have come to halt in Kashmir. The Government has not only failed to release the pending payments of contractors but the closure of the national highway for two days a week has given a blow to the already fragile economy of Kashmir, this was stated by the CPI (m) leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The spokesman said that normally in April the work on development projects used to be on full swing as the Kashmir witnesses slump in construction activities during winter months due to low temperatures. However, this year situation is totally different as the work on all the important projects has come to halt as the pending bills of the contractors have not been released by the Government. The condition of roads across the Valley is pathetic as the macadamazation process has not begun.
The economy of Kashmir was already in doldrums since the devastating flood hit the Valley in 2014 and due to the unrest of 2016. While the prevailing uncertain situation in Kashmir continued to break the back of local businesses, implementation of GST in 2017 had a cascading effect on trade and related activities in the state. GST in Kashmir like many other states lacked clarity and hit trade badly.
Now the latest decision of the Government to close the national highway for two days a week has dealt another blow to the already feeble economy of Kashmir. The ban has impacted the transportation of goods and the flow of tourists. Banning transport for 48 hours in a week will lead to a huge economic loss. Shortage of essential commodities due to highway ban has led to a hike in prices which ultimately will lead to the crisis.
This ban has added to the trauma of travellers and drivers on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which remains closed for long periods due to the landslides during rain and snowfall. It is high time that the Government rescinds this ban order as elections in the state are almost over.
Besides, under the garb of the election code of conduct, the officers in the administration have left the day-to-day problems of people unattended from the last almost two months. Elections are important but the redressal of issues of common people can’t be ignored. Now when the elections are almost over the administration must gear up and solve the problems of common people on priority.
The non-payment of wages to daily wagers, casual workers, NREGA workers, contractuals, Anganwadi workers/helpers, ASHAs, CPWs, Mid-Day Meal workers and others is another concern which the government must attend on priority. The livelihood issues of people have been totally ignored. We are concerned over the plight of the working class who is adversely hit by the economic policies “pursued” by the Modi government which are drastically affecting the workforce in the state and the country.
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Hurriyat Conference (g) has appealed people to pray for Syed Ali Geelani, who was admitted in SKIMS this morning after complaining of abdominal pain.
The spokesman in a statement said that he was yesterday seen by doctors of the gastroenterology department at super speciality hospital Shareen Bagh Srinagar and was diagnosed to be having the large intestinal infection for which he needs admission in the hospital.
“At SKIMS concerned doctors attended the ailing leader and have put him on treatment and advised some investigations. He is physically weak and frail but stable,” said the spokesman.
“It is to worth mention here that a senior resistance leader besides suffering from multiple ailments is living on the half kidney as his left kidney and half of the right kidney has been removed while he was under detention at Ranchi jail Jharkhand in 2002,” he said.
“People are requested to pray for his speedy recovery,” said Hurriyat conference (g) spokesman in a statement.
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Train services in Kashmir have been resumed on Tuesday after remaining suspended on Monday for security reasons, a senior railway official said.
File image of train in Kashmir (KL Image)
A senior railway official told Kashmir Life that train service was resumed this morning in the valley.
A fresh advisory was received from the police to resume the train service after remaining suspended on Monday in view of the election in Kulgam district.
Therefore, he said, trains will run as per schedule on Budgam-Srinagar-Islamabad-Qazigund in south Kashmir and Banihal in Jammu region today.
Similarly, trains will also chug on Srinagar-Budgam and Baramulla in north Kashmir, he added.
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Hurriyat Conference (g) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani was admitted to SK Institute of Medical Sciences at Soura on Tuesday after he complained of abdominal pain.
Syed Ali Geelani (KL file Image)
Sources said that the doctors at SKIMS advised him several investigations which confirmed intestinal infection.
Geelani is on pacemaker since 1997. In 2003, his left kidney was removed at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai as it had developed carcinoma. In 2004, his gall bladder was removed at Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi. He was again operated upon in 2007 and half of his right kidney was removed. In 2008, he was out on new pacemaker at Escorts Heart Institute Delhi. In 2010, his eyes were operated upon at Apollo Hospital in Delhi.
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Life returned to normal in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday after remaining affected for a day following a joint Resistance Leadership JRL call in wake of the second phase of polls in Anantnag Lok Sabha seat.
Kulgam market: a file pic
Shops, Schools and other commercial establishments opened in across the Kulgam district elsewhere while transport also started plying.
A complete shutdown was observed in the district yesterday following a call issued by the Joint Resistance Leadership against the second phase election held yesterday for Anantnag parliamentary seat.
10.32 per cent voting was recorded yesterday in Kulgam district during the second leg of election for Anantnag parliamentary segment.
A large number of people were seen busy in purchasing different household items from the market.
Train services which remained suspended yesterday were also resumed today.
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At least 21 youth were detained by the government forces during an overnight raid in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Reports said that forces on late last night surrounded a cluster of houses in Murran area of town and detained twenty-one persons.
These youth, according to the official who wished not to be named said, were detained for questioning for their alleged role in stone pelting incidents on forces.
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As the Prime Minister Narender Modi launched the scheme of Pradhan Mantra Sehej Biljli Har Gar Yojana, alternatively known as Suabhagya in 2017 which ensures to achieve universal household electrification in the country by the end of 2018.
A village in north Kashmir’s Lolab without an electricity transformer. Pic: Shah Hilal
The same scheme was launched in Jammu and Kashmir to benefit the poor households and electricity connection free of costs in rural areas of the valley.
Under this scheme, the work was started in Gani Mohalla area of Rangwar in Lolab in September in 2018. But the sluggish work did not help complete the work.
“We have not seen the light from past six months in the area which has put us in trouble as our children’s are compelled to do their homework under the candlelight,” said Manzoor Ahmad. “We have been paying electricity bills on time Rs 350 per month without consuming the electricity from last six months.”
“When they started work for the project, our children’s spent five days with them. They lifted the electric poles on their shoulders from the main road to the place to installation”, said Ghulam Rasool Sofi. “The electricity department inspector of the area Ghulam Ahmad told us to collect the amount of Rs 150 so that we can bring the material but nothing happened.”
While everything was done, the work stopped. It just needed a transformer to be installed and the area would have seen the light of the scheme. As they visited the officers and could not get a positive response, the village youth managed a huge wooden log and lifted it and placed at the junction where the transformer was to be installed.
Executive Engineer Kupwara Mohd Iqbal said that due to the code of conduct we could not complete the work. “Now elections are about to finish, we will resume work from Monday and in the coming week, we will complete the project.
But can ‘code of conduct’ encourage officials to get into literal misconduct, residents ask.
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The Srinagar administration which has started an operation against food adulteration Monday constituted special teams which undertook inspections of restaurants and food joints at several places.
The inspections which will continue as a regular affair were held on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary who has taken a serious view of complaints of adulterated food items sold in the markets.
The inspection of restaurants and food joints was aimed at ascertaining the usage of synthetic food colour and monosodium glutamate in food preparations.
Eight food joints were put on notice during the inspections with seven of them being taken to the competent court of adjudication for violations of applicable provisions.
The owners of these among other restaurants and food joints inspected on the occasion were strictly warned against usage of chemicals in their preparations.
The DC said stringent actions under the law will be taken against offenders. He issued strict instructions to all food business operators in the district to maintain hygienic conditions.
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KULGAM: The tense calm outside Government Higher Secondary School Qaimoh, in Kulgam, would get broken by the slow-moving army and police vehicles every now and then. Around two dozen policemen sat on shop fronts opposite the school gate, which bore signs of a green flag, perhaps drawn and rubbed over with black overnight before the polling staff arrived.
The school housed 12 polling booths, clubbed together for voters of militancy hotbed villages of Hawoora, Redwani, Khudwai and Qaimoh. But in last three hours, just five votes were cast out of over 11000 votes. “The first voter came at 8:30 AM,” said Shabir, a National Conferences (NC) polling agent who refused to share his real name. “I am a local that is enough.”
Without voters around, both polling staff and a handful of political agents sat in a spacious lawn, shaded by Chinars. They gossiped and would look towards the gate for the voters to enter. Barely 300 meters away young boys raised slogans and pelted stones towards the school. Once in a while their voices and stones would reach school grounds, turning the atmosphere tense instantly. “I don’t think anyone else would come to cast vote now,” said Shabir. “Everyone is afraid for his safety.”
Two young men coming out of the polling station after exercising their right, wore helmets to stay anonymous outside. Kulgam polled for the Lok Sabha on April 29, 2019, in the second leg of the 30-phase polls for the South Kashmir constituency. KL Image: Shah Hilal
A few minutes into the conversation, the agent gets a call from one of the potential voters who waves from a house around. “He is our worker and wants to come out and vote but how can he cross the road,” he said looking tense. “I told him to wait for the situation to calm down, as we still have six hours left.”
Interestingly, these political agents, most of whom are locals from Qaimoh, had not aimed for high turnout while canvassing secretly among friends and sympathisers. “Frankly our estimate was at least fifty votes, per booth,” said the NC’s agent. “But I don’t think we can reach that number now.”
Ironically Shabir or any other polling agent from either party couldn’t convince even their close relatives to come out and vote! “It is their choice. We cannot force anyone to vote,” said a Congress polling agent who spoke to media after lots of convincing.
Outside both stones and slogans had stopped as the army carried a flag march of sorts. There were allegations of army ransacking a few houses in the area later in the day.
Unlike Qaimoh, that looked tense and deserted, Kulgam town was calm, but on the edge. In four polling booths located inside dilapidated Cooperative Super Bazaar building, people were coming to cast their votes in ones and twos. Till 10 AM, out of 3426 votes, only 63 had turned up so far.
Across the road, over two dozen people sat on shop fronts looking at the Bazaar building like a war relic. They would scan every person going inside with curiosity and excitement.
“A friend of mine who is a PDP agent got me inside. Now I don’t know how to go out without being seen as a voter,” said a young boy who tried to hide his face under a black cap.
“I have not voted,” he clarified flashing his fingers that carried no indelible ink. This young man who could have voted for the first time of his life symbolised the conflict between the demography and the democracy.
His polling agent friend Javaid Ahmad Naik, 30, a shopkeeper, is with PDP since last seven years. “It is really hard to convince people to come out and vote. They are both afraid and indifferent,” he said in a matter of fact tone.
But Javiad’s rival and NC’s agent Zahoor Ahmad Naik, 27, also a shopkeeper, is smiling as he is sure at least fifty people voted for his party. “I know all of them by face. They are affiliated with NC,” said Zahoor confidently.
A middle-aged woman in Kulgam flashing her indelible ink mark on her finger. She avoided revealing her identity because anonymity was key to the 10 per cent voters who polled on April 29, 2019, in the Lok Sabha. KL Image:
However, despite the confidence, Zahoor or any other agent couldn’t manage to get their families to vote. “Like everyone else they too are afraid,” said Zahoor.
The situation and scenes inside the polling booths were not much different in Mirhama, a small village located by roaring brook. Out of 3247 votes, only 11 were cast in three of the four booths set inside a school building.
Apart from the roar of the brook, it was completely silent both inside and outside the school. “We didn’t expect much votes but at least fifty people had promised to come till yesterday,” said Ghulam Mohammad Padder, 60, a PDP loyalist since party’s creation in 1999.
Padder’s phone rang continuously as he assured people, it is okay to come out and vote. Interestingly, Padder blames Tarigami, who is not contesting himself but supports NC, for the low turnout. “His cadre stayed away from polls rather than voting for NC. That created an atmosphere among people and nobody is coming out now,” said Padder with sadness. “Else this village is CPI (M) bastion and they vote.”
Communist leader Tarigami is representing the Kulgam constituency for the last four terms, uninterrupted. Now, he has a good following in the belt.
But not all polling booths in Kulgam were deserted.
At Government Model Higher Secondary School, Damhal Hanjipora in Noorabad, where four polling booths were installed for over 2810 voters, people were flashing their inked fingers with pride. Till noon 763 people had cast their votes. Home to NC’s Sakeena Itoo, women giggled their way out of the polling booth telling people alabani trov (voted for NC’s symbol ‘plough’).
Inside the school’s playground, a tent was pitched by a party worker, for voters to sit in the shade while they waited for their turn to cast their ballot. A young boy was offering tea in disposable plastic glasses to everyone. Two young girls sat around a woman in a yellow dress, who later identified herself as PDP’s key worker. They were keeping a close eye on much larger NC’s worker’s group sitting nearby. The sense of competition between the two rival camps was palpable.
“If there would have been complete boycott we would have still come out to vote,” said one of the young girls from behind her veil. “People should come out to save Article 370 and 35 A. And it can be saved by only if one votes for Mehbooba Ji.”
By 2 PM, the situation in Qaimoh and its adjoining areas has worsened as eight boys got injured in clashes with police, CRPF and army. Two of them with severe pellet injuries were later shifted to Srinagar for treatment.
Indifferent to the happenings in Kulgam, a small group of young Sikh boys from Palpora village sat outside Bumthan (B) polling booth, located inside Food Corporation of India’s in Mirbazar godown. With most of the polling agents for the first time in their lives, a turnover of 432 votes out of 2352 registered voters, in three booths, kept them busy.
Voters in a queue outside a polling station in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on April 29, 2019. Pic: DIPRK
They all had their own reasons to do what they were doing. In Amandeep Singh’s case, it was on Sofi Youfus’ insistence that he agreed to become a polling agent for BJP a day before polling. “He (Yousuf) said I like your face,” said Amandeep Singh proudly. “My entire family votes for him so I said why not.”
Amandeep is not alone who has been christened into politics at the eleventh hour by Yousuf. His three friends, all in their mid-twenties, joined BJP a day before polls, like him.
But it was not only BJP that has enthusiastic polling agents, NC, Congress and PDP too had their fair share of excited agents from the Sikh community. “Time will prove that Mehbooba Ji was right all along about BJP,” said Jitendar Singh, a PDP worker for last two years.
CEO Speaks
Chief Electoral Officer Shalinder Kumar addressed a news conference in Srinagar. It was a brief interaction in which he offered the poll percentage. He revealed that Noorabad belt polled the highest with 20.5 per cent voters coming out but in 2014, its tally was 58.4 per cent. Devsar, another better-polled area had 16.6 per cent of its voters actually coming to the polling stations which was less than half of the last tally of 41 per cent. Humshalibugh that polled 23 per cent in 2014 had a dismal performance of 1.1 per cent in today’s poll. Same is the case of the central Kulgam segment that polled 15 per cent last time but today only 1.7 per cent voters agreed to be electors.
Later the government issued the following statement.
“Incident-free voting marked the second leg of three-phase polling for south Kashmir’s Anantnag Parliamentary constituency of Kulgam district with a total voter turnout of 10.32 per cent, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) J&K, Shailendra Kumar informed on Monday.
Addressing a press conference at Banquet Hall in Srinagar, the CEO informed that the overall percentage recorded in the district during today’s polling was 10.3 per cent with the highest in Noorabad segment, recording at 20.58 per cent.
He said that for the smooth polling across the district, 433 polling stations were set up out of which 20 were model polling stations. Moreover, 4 all women polling stations were also set up across the district.
Divulging the details of the voter turnout in the district, the CEO informed that the total number of votes polled was 35524 with the highest turnout of 20.58 per cent recorded in Noorabad segment of the district. With the completion of today’s phase, the overall poll percentage of Anantnag constituency has touched 12.35 per cent.
He further elaborated that the total percentage of voting till date in various parliamentary constituencies in the state including Baramulla, Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur and Anantnag was recorded at 47.06 per cent with total votes polled at around 3364104 out of 7149047 total electorates.
The CEO complimented voters, political parties, contesting candidates, media, polling staff and security forces for the smooth and peaceful conduct of polling under IV Phases in the state.
A tent erected for Polling agents, voters and staff at a polling station in Noorabad on April 29, 2019, when the district polled for the Lok Sabha elections in the second leg of the 3-phase poll for South Kashmir constituency. KL Image: Shams Irfan
It may be recalled, over 3.45 lakh electors were scheduled to exercise their franchise in Kulgam district of south Kashmir region, in the second leg of three-phased schedule for Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency on April 29, including 28761 first-time voters and 2870 migrant voters.
Regarding the health of E-rolls, the CEO said that 43 polling stations were set up for webcasting.
Pertinently the candidates in the fray are Hasnain Masoodi of Jammu Kashmir National Conference, Sofi Yousuf of Bhartiya Janta Party, Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Indian National Congress, Mehbooba Mufti of Jammu Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party, Nisar Ahmad Wani of Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party, Choudhary Zaffar Ali of Jammu Kashmir Peoples Conference, Sanjay Kumar Dhar of Manav Adhikar Party, Surinder Singh of Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) and Imtiyaz Ahmad Rather, Ridwana Sanam, Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, Zubair Masoodi, Shams Khwaja, Ali Mohammad Wani, Gh Mohammad Wani, Kyasir Ahmed Sheikh, Manzoor Ahmad Khan and Mirza Sajad Hussain Beigh, all independents.
The CEO informed that two general observers, one expenditure observer, one police observer, 68 micro observers besides 1732 polling staff ensured the smooth conduct of the voting in this phase.”
Post Script
Late evening reports from Kulgam said a sub-inspector identified as Suresh Kumar of SSB was injured in stone pelting at Watoo in Damhal Hanjipora. In Ashmuji, a young girl identified as Shahida daughter of Mohammad Altaf of Ashmuji was also injured. The reports were not immediately confirmed by the police.
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In a bid to scale-up the level of knowledge of its human resource and keep them abreast of the latest developments in the banking and financial sector, Chairman and CEO J&K Bank, Parvez Ahmed on Sunday unveiled the first issue of the Bank’s monthly in-house magazine ‘TRUST’ rolled out by the Internal Communication and Knowledge Management Department of the bank, said the spokesman in a statement.
Chairman JK Bank Launches Bank’s Internal Communication, Knowledge Management Initiative
The spokesman said that the magazine was launched in an impressive function at Bank’s Corporate Headquarters in presence of the Bank’s Executive Presidents R K Chibber and P K Tickoo, Presidents, G M Sadiq, Sunil Gupta, Rakesh Gandotra, ArunGandotra, Mohammad Maqbool Lone, Ghulam NabiTeli, RajniSaraf and Mohammad YounusPatoo, Vice Presidents, Clusters Heads and other senior officials of the bank.
Explaining the raison d’etre of the Internal Communication & Knowledge Management initiative and roll out of the monthly in-house magazine, the Chairman and CEO Parvez Ahmed said, “Many organisations aspire to change the society in which it exists but very few have all the elements required: talent, resources, passion, perseverance and resilience. J&K Bank has time and again proven that it has all these in abundance. As the Chairman and CEO of this wonderful organization, this has been the recipe of my success in turning around the bank from a loss of 1632 Cr to seven continuous quarters of profitability, I can’t ask for a better. No doubt we have made a lot of progress but we are not done yet and to achieve the crowning glory we need to keep hitting the refresh button to align the knowledge and skill of our staff with the dynamic requirements of banking.”
Expounding on the dynamic character of the banking and finance sector, the chairman reiterated on the need to reorient the workforce as per the changing landscape of the banking sector. “Two decades ago when I joined the bank the A, B, C, D of banking was Accounting, Book Keeping, Credit and Debit which has now changed to Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud and Data Analytics. Earlier banking meant going to bank spending a couple of hours between 10 AM to 2 PM and just see the dramatic change now it is 24*7 sitting at home on a click of a button. Such tectonic shifts in the way banking is being reshaped need to be supported by lifelong learning platforms and that is what we need to accept as a reality. We have to provide that kind of leverage to our employees. We have to design courses to cater to such change or else the way things are changing we may be rendered Skill-less and hence redundant. We need to adapt and readapt ourselves to do it, again and again, to keep pace with the changing paradigm,” he said.
Earlier the Editor of the Magazine and the In-charge of the Bank’s Internal Communication & Knowledge Management Department made a detailed presentation to the audience about the initiative and the pipeline of various upgradation modules to be released in the magazine in future. Notably, the Chairman and CEO is the patron of the magazine with P K Tickoo as the head of its editorial board. Members of the board include Presidents, Rakesh Gandotra, Sunil Gupta, RajniSaraf, Mohammad Maqbool and Vice President, Roshan Khayal Khan, with Sajjad Bazaz as the editor of the magazine.
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Police on Monday submitted charge sheet in respect of case FIR No 93/2018 of Police Station Shaheedganj.
“The FIR pertains to the incident dated 24.07.2018, wherein militants holding illegal weapons had fired indiscriminately upon CRPF and Police Personnel deployed for Secretariat duty near Pampori Sons Showroom resulting in injuries to CRPF Personnel among which one CRPF Jawan Ct/GD Shanker Lal Brala of A/23 Bn CRPF died,” said police spokesman.
After the conclusion of the investigation, he said, the charge sheet has been filed before the competent Court by Srinagar Police U/S 302,307 RPC, 7/27 IA Act, 16,18,19,38 & 39 of ULA(P) Act and substantive offenses thereof subsequent to obtaining necessary Government sanction for prosecution under UA(P)Act.
“The charge sheet has been filed against nine accused including Mohammed Shafeeq Bhat R/o Diyarwani Batamaloo; Waseem Khan R/o Diyarwani Batamaloo; Bilal Ahmad Bhat R/o Kund Qazigund; Shazia Yaqoob @ Pari R/o Kamad Anantnag; Tehseen Ahmed Batloo @ Junaid R/o Zainder mohalla Habakadal for their role in hatching criminal Conspiracy for the terrorist act, Harbouring militants and giving support to the proscribed militant Organisation,” said police spokesman in a statement.
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The Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar on Monday visited Civil Secretariat to review the arrangements put in place for the annual Darbar move to the summer capital here.
The Advisor was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Baseer Ahmed Khan, Additional Director General of Police, Director Estates and other concerned officers.
Kumar was briefed at length regarding the government accommodation and security arrangements made for the move employees. He was also briefed about the sanitation and renovation works that were carried out in various government quarters.
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Office of the Power Controller Kashmir today informed that there will be shutdown of various 33kV lines, for carrying out branch cutting, preventive maintenance and other minor works, which will affect power supply to various areas.
According to PDD, in order to carry out branch cutting/pruning of trees 33kV Wanpoh Anantnag and Lisser Hiller lines will be shutdown on May 02 2019 and May 04, 2019 from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Furthermore, 33kV Pampore SIDCO line will be shutdown on April 30 2019, Pampore Lethpora line will be shutdown on May 01 2019, Pampore JK Cements and Awantipora Sangam I & II will be shutdown on May 2, 2019, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The power supply to the fed areas will be affected during the said date and time.
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The Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) today ordered a change in school timings for Kashmir province from May 1, 2019.
According to an order issued here, the new timings for the government and the recognized private schools falling in the areas of Srinagar Municipal limits will be from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm, while as the timings for schools falling outside the Srinagar municipal limits will be from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.
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Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Monday asserted that development and employment generation have been principal casualties of PDP’s embrace with BJP, saying corruption, maladministration, nepotism and cronyism have inconsistently been the hall-mark of BJP-PDP rule.
Party’s parliamentary candidate for Anantnag parliamentary constituency Retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi, while addressing series of public meets at Pulwama, Shopian said that people’s explicit memories are still afresh with the rampant nepotism and cronyism of the former coalition government led by Mehbooba Mufti.
“The former coalition government spared no efforts to rob our educated youth of their merits. The state has no dearth of educated and highly qualified youth but the former BJP-PDP government had left their fate in the lurch during their stint in power,” he said.
He said, “We saw how our meritorious youth were pushed to wall because of the open political patronage, nepotism, unprecedented chaos in recruitment in service commission, and other competitive exams. We saw how former BJP-PDP government pushed the highly qualified youth towards militancy. Besides that, the unprecedented repression that was unleashed by PDP-BJP chocked the safe spaces for youth to pursue their vocation. With the complete collapse of the tourism sector, and zero headway in encouraging a private sector growth, diminishing jobs in public sector the former coalition government headed by Mehbooba Mufti had created an alarming situation which continues to haunt our youth even today.”
Masoodi said that the new government under with Omar Abdullah in the vanguard of it, the party will spare no effort to curb nepotism usher in a corrective era of growth, peace and prosperity in the state. “We will continue to dole out more pro youth policies on the fashion of SKEWPY, and Udaan. We will provide safe spaces for the youth to pursue their vocations without fear. We will give impetus to employment generation in both the public and private sector,” he said.
Meanwhile, he condemned the repressive pressure of preventing trucks laden with essential it seems to ply on Srinagar-Jammu highway, saying that the measure has put traders and the general public to duress.“The impudent move has resulted in huge losses to traders and has created a scarcity of various edibles in Kashmir. The move can trigger an economic crisis in the Kashmir division. The government should rise up to the occasion and allow the trucks carrying fruits and other perishable edibles to ply on the highway. The holy month of Ramadan is forthcoming; there is a gush in the requirements of people during the holy moth. I urge the administration to allow trucks carrying perishable items, edibles to ply on the highway,” he said.
He also urged the election commission of India and chief electoral officer of the state to make it a point to keep the polling stations at their previous positions. “Changing the location of polling booths will inadvertently affect the participation of people in the elections. How can people of one locality travel to other places for casting their votes? How can the elderly and patients travel long distances? I believe the step of changing polling booths will lead to the less participation of people in the democratic exercise.
Meanwhile party’s central secretary, former MLA Irfan Shah has urged the administration to ensure all basic and effective amenities to the devotees on the urs of Hazrat Sheikh Davood (RA) Batamaloo. He has also extended greeting to the people on the urs observance.
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As the polling for the second phase of the three-phase elections for Anantnag Lok Sabha seat ended on Monday, the Noorabad assembly segment recorded the highest turnout and the overall percentage in the Kulgam district was recorded 10.2%.
Paramilitary forces manning the polling booth at Government higher secondary school Qaimoh in Kulgam district. Kl Image by Shah Hilal
As many as 15663 (20.5 per cent) people cast the vote in Noorabad, 15160 (16.6 per cent) in Devsar, Kulgam 1684 (1.7 per cent) and Homeshalibugh 891 (1.1 per cent), till 4:00 pm.
According to officials, 10.2 per cent overall polling was recorded in Kulgam district.
The candidates in the fray are Hasnain Masoodi of Jammu Kashmir National Conference, Sofi Yousuf of Bhartiya Janta Party, Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Indian National Congress, Mehbooba Mufti of Jammu Kashmir People’s Democratic Party, Nisar Ahmad Wani of Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party, Ch. Zaffar Ali of Jammu Kashmir People’s Conference, Sanjay Kumar Dhar of Manav Adhikar Party, Surinder Singh of Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) and Imtiyaz Ahmad Rather, Ridwana Sanam, Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, Zubair Masoodi, Shams Khwaja, Ali Mohammad Wani, Ghulam Mohammad Wani, Kyasir Ahmed Sheikh, Manzoor Ahmad Khan and Mirza Sajad Hussain Beigh, all independents.
The polling began at 7 a.m. and ended at 4 pm for the second phase of the three-phase elections for Anantnag Lok Sabha seat.
Kulgam Assembly segment has the highest number of 98,298 voters (51,051 males, 46,818 females, 455 service voters and 4 transgender voters) while as Noorabad has the lowest 77,171 electors, including 40,093 males, 36,886 females, 188 service voters and 4 transgender voters.
Assembly segment of Devsar has 91288 voters (47467 males, 43324 females, 492 service voters and five transgender voters), and HS Bugh segment has 78669 voters (40996 males, 37576 females and 127 service voters).
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in Kulgam district.
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