SRINAGAR: In an interesting development, Abdul Hamid Bhat, the founder of Raheem Greens has been appointed as Adjunct Faculty by the SKUAST-K. The tenure of the honourary position shall remain two years, an offer letter addressed to Bhat said.
Abdul Hamid Bhat, owner of Rahim Motors
The offer has been made in a letter written by Prof T H Masoodi, the Registrar of the SKUAST-K on April 26.
“In recognition of your vast contributions in area of entrepreneurship, education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, sports and plantation drives to revive green gold and as well as your acclaimed attributes of inspiring young minds, the university is pleased to offer you the position of Honorary Adjunct Faculty for a period of two years to imbibe thought-provoking manifestations to our students and the faculty,” the letter reads. “We look forward to you joining our university for sharing your experience to serve our broader social commitments.”
Bhat owns Rahim Motors and a number of other businesses.
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SRINAGAR: In most of the Muslim world, Sunday will be the last day of the Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting. Reports from Saudi suggest that the Shawwal crescent was not sighted anywhere so the region will celebrate Eid on Monday, May 2.
Youngsters in Kashmir periphery gave it a try but could not trace the crescent moon (the photograph is satirical and taken to ridicule the people who do not observe the fasting but are keen to celebrate Eid) Photo: Facebook
Reports said Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court and the moon sighting committees in the UAE, Qatar and other Arab states have already announced that Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Monday.
A number of countries in the West including the USA, UK Canada and most of Europe celebrate Eid as per the decision announced by Saudi Arabia’s Royal Court.
Egypt, Turkey and Iraq will celebrate also celebrate Eid on Monday.
Traditionally, the Eid in South Asia is celebrated a day after the Gulf. However, it depends on the crescent sighting. It has happened quite a few times when the entire Muslim world celebrates the Eid on the same day. It all depends on the sighting of the Shawaal crescent Sunday evening. Sunday will be the 29th day of the Ramzan in Kashmir.
The Islamic lunar calendar has 12 months with 29 or 30 days. If the crescent moon is visible shortly after sunset on the evening of day 29, the following day is the first day of the new month. If no sighting is made, a 30th day is added to the current month, which is then followed by the first day of the subsequent month.
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SRINAGAR: Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jama Masjid (AAJ) Srinagar has announced that as per Islamic tradition Eid-ul-Fitr prayers would be offered at the historic Eidgah in Srinagar at 9.30 am (inshallah).
Anjuman has urged the people to participate in the Ijtima in large numbers to express unity and maintain discipline.
“People are urged to bring prayer mats ( JaiNamaz) along. In case of rain or bad weather, Eid namaaz will be offered at the historic Jama Masjid. The timings for namaaz will remain the same,” reads the statement issued by Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jama Masjid.
It should be noted that this year Sadaqa Fitr has been fixed at Rs. 65 per person which must be paid before Eid prayers, it reads.
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SRINAGAR: Kupwara Police has filed a charge sheet against nine accused persons in a narco-terrorism case related to the recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunition and narcotics in Karnah area of Kupwara district.
A police spokesman in a statement said that the charge sheet was filed in the Special NIA Court Baramulla against the six arrested accused and their three handlers presently based in Pakistan Administered Kashmir.
The spokesman said that the six accused arrested persons are Adil Husain Shah son of Mir Hyder Shah resident of Takiya Bhadur Kote Karnah, Fariz Hussain Shah son Mir Shah resident of Padna Prada Karnah , Rafiq Ahmad Tanch son of Mohammad Khan Tanch resident of Bayiadi Karnah , Amir Fareed Tanch son of Fareed Ahmad Tanch resident of Biyadi Karnah, Mohammad Farooq Badan son of Yousf Badan resident of Amrohi Karnah and Umar Ashraf Lone son of Mohammad Ashraf Lone resident of Vijipopra Hajan district Bandipora .
“Investigation has established that the nine charge-sheeted accused persons were part of a deep-rooted conspiracy for procuring arms , ammunition and narcotics from across the LoC and then supplying it to militants active in the Valley,” he said.
“The narcotic drugs were sold for generating funds in J&K and other parts of India in close association with operatives of banned terrorist outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) based across the border in Pakistan,” he added.
The spokesman said that the funds generated were pumped for furtherance of militant activities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir through a network of over ground workers arrested in the case.
“The Pakistan based militant handlers chargesheeted under section 299 CrPC in the case are Mohammad Sadiq Shah son of Akbar Shah originally hailing from Panjtara Karnah , Tanzeer Ahmad son of Mangta Shah Originally hailing from Karnah now based in Muzafarabad and Mahmood Shah son of Maqsood Shah originally a resident of Panjtara Karnah,” said the spokesman.
“The case was registered at the Karnah Police Station of Kupwara district on November 2, 2021 after accused Adil Shah was arrested from whose possession 02 AK Rifles, 02 AK Magazines and 208 Rds of AK were recovered on a specific information developed by Police,” he said.
He added that further investigations led to the recovery of 04 Pistols, 05 Pistol Magazines and one packet of Brown sugar and also the arrest of other accused persons in the case .
“The investigations of the case were carried by DySP Sayed Majeed under the supervision of Addl SP Kupwara Pardeep Singh,” he further added.
“The arrest of this OGW module of narco-terrorism in this case is a major setback to the militants and their handlers involved in supplying of arms and ammunition and funds to the militants in the Valley,” said police spokesman in a statement.
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SRINAGAR: A 27-year-old youth from Tangmarg area was killed in a road accident in Saudi Arabia on Saturday while the family here has appealed to the Lieutenant Governor led administration in Jammu and Kashmir to help them in returning the body for last rites.
Reports said that a youth identified as Muhammed Yunis Mir, son of Muhammad Saidullah Mir of Goigam Tehsil Kwarhama Tangmarg died in a road accident at Gizan in Saudi Arabia at around 03:30 AM when he was returning to his accommodation after offering Tahjud prayers.
Mir, who was the sole bread earner of his family, was working as a coffee boy at a restaurant namely Alaman.
Quoting the family news agency KNO reported that they appealed to the administration to help them in returning the body of the deceased youth.
“We appeal to the administration especially Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to help in returning the body of our beloved for last rites,” the relatives of the deceased said.
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SRINAGAR: Weather remained dry in Jammu and Kashmir as the Met Department on Saturday forecasted mainly clear to partly cloudy weather during the next 24 hours.
“However, a brief spell of a thunderstorm with rain may occur towards late afternoon/evening. Cloudy weather with chances of light to moderate rain/snow most likely during May 3 evening to May 5,” the Department said in a statement.
Srinagar recorded 12 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 5.8 and Gulmarg 5.5 as the minimum temperature on Saturday.
Drass registered 1.8 degrees Celsius, Leh 6.4 and Kargil 6.7 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 25.6, Katra 23, Batote 13.5, Banihal 13.8 and Bhaderwah 11.8 as the minimum temperature.
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MUMBAI: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday addressed the Indian Family Business Awards-2021, organised by Money control, Network 18 Group, to recognize the significant role of Family Businesses in shaping the Indian economy.
Lt Governor at the Indian Family Business Awards-2021 in Mumbai on April 29,2022
Addressing the distinguished gathering of business leaders, the Lt Governor congratulated the award-winning family businesses and said that the award is a fitting tribute to traditional business families of the country, who have been serving as the backbone of India’s prosperity. There is an emerging perception that new generation with their dynamism will add to the growing economic success, he added.
“There are many examples of such business families who with humble beginnings, hard work and honest relations have laid the foundations of future enterprises and nurtured the country’s economy. They are the pioneer of the Indian economy and were vital in providing stability and strength to the development of the country before and after economic liberalization,” the Lt Governor said.
Today, if we are moving towards becoming a 5-Trillion Dollar Economy, it is also because of the traditional business houses which have contributed by shaping the Indian economy, creating employment, empowering the community and entrepreneurial spirit in the country, he added.
Expressing gratitude towards the Prime Minister, the Lt Governor said that he has rapidly renovated every sector of the Indian economy through various reforms since 2014. India has emerged as the economic superpower of the world in the last 8 years. Despite Covid pandemic and global instability, the International Monetary Fund has kept India’s GDP growth projection at 8.2%, which is higher than many other big economies of the world.
Underscoring that rapid economic growth can be achieved only by accelerating reforms, the Lt Governor said that since Hon’ble Prime Minister took over the leadership in 2014, India’s position in the Ease of Doing Business rankings has jumped from 140 to 63 due to relentless reforms introduced by Union government and the day is not far when we will figure in the top 50 countries.
Highlighting the key developments in Jammu Kashmir, the Lt Governor said that even after 70 years of Independence, the UT received only 17,000 crore in private investment as the immense potential of business remained buried under many regressive laws. It was only due to Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision that after August 2019, infinite possibilities and unprecedented growth opportunities were unlocked in J&K, he added.
In January 2021, we had launched a new Central Sector Industrial Development Scheme of Rs 28,400 crore offering four types of incentives for the industrial sector. Against the expected proposals of Rs 15,000 to 20,000 crore, proposals worth Rs 53,000 crore have been received by the UT administration, out of which proposals worth Rs 38000 crore have already been approved, the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor further said that in order to facilitate the industries and manufacturing units, Land Use Policy was reformed in the UT and private industrial estates are also being promoted. ‘With all 235 services made online for ease of doing business and 180 services made available on single window system. We have turned red tape into red carpet and we seek to build a more modern economic edifice’, he added.
The Lt Governor said that tremendous progress has been made in upgrading infrastructure, connectivity and a host of incentives are available now for new investments. Infrastructure projects worth Rs one lakh crore are already ongoing in J&K, he added.
For better power supply, six new hydro power projects are being set up, besides the supply chain has been strengthened and skilled manpower for Industry 4.0 technology is also being created in collaboration with IITs, NITs and Tata Technology for providing knowledge and human capital to the industries. Jammu and Kashmir has cheapest electricity, the lowest crime rate and is giving 400% more incentives as compared to other developed states/UTs, the Lt Governor observed.
Recently a delegation of 30 multinational companies came to J&K and at least 15 to 20 UAE companies are expected to invest in the UT. Dubai’s Emaar group is going to develop 500,000 sq ft shopping mall in Srinagar.
A group of businessmen from UAE had also met Hon’ble Prime Minister during his visit to J&K on April 24, which has infused new confidence, new energy in the Union Territory, the Lt Governor added.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor also extended invites to Industry leaders to come to J&K for exploring business opportunities and becoming partners in UT’s unprecedented developmental journey.
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SRINAGAR: At least 39 persons including 17 tourists were injured after they were attacked by stray dogs at Dalgate area of Srinagar on Friday evening.
Quoting locals the news agency KNO reported that stray dogs attacked and injured at least 39 persons including 17 domestic tourists at Ghat no.5 in Buchwara area of Dalgate.
They said that the injured were shifted to a medical facility for treatment.
Meanwhile, locals of the area here have appealed to authorities to act against the increasing menace of stray dogs in the area.
Meanwhile, the Medical Superintendent of SMHS hospital, Dr Kanwaljeet Singh said that 39 injured were brought to the hospital this evening.
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SRINAGAR: Kangri or Kangaer, an earthenware pot containing burning coal encased in a wicker basket, is an inexpensive way to keep warm during the harsh winters of Kashmir. The combination of the long pheran, the traditional Kashmiri attire, and the kangri is the most effective and reliable way to safeguard against the biting cold for the poor and underprivileged population in far-flung areas of rural Kashmir where electricity is still a luxury.
However, during the last few years, the Valley has witnessed many cases of Kangri cancer, a type of squamous cell carcinoma. Medical experts claim that the overuse of the kangri pot is the principal cause of this type of cancer. A recent study revealed that Kangri cancer patients had a history of using a kangri for 5-6 hours a day, 3-4 months in a year. Elements that are believed to contribute to the development of this cancer are heat, burning wood particles, smoke and burnt chinar leaves.
Dr Shaqul Qamar Wani, MD, Associate Professor and Consultant, Department of Radiation Oncology, State Cancer Institute, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, told 101Reporters, “Kangri cancer is a type of squamous cell skin cancer that is more aggressive than other skin cancers and that usually occurs in the lower part of the body (lower abdomen and inner thighs), due to the frequent placement of the kangri close to these areas to keep oneself warm during chilling winters.
“As kangri is made and used in Kashmir, this cancer is found only in this part of the Indian subcontinent. In time, the heat injury to the skin takes the form of superficial reticular blackish-brown coloured lesions called ‘erythema ab igne’ or fire stains, which itself is a precancerous condition. If left untreated, these lesions may take the form of single or multiple well-defined lesions that will continue to grow and may be associated with itching, bloody discharge, and non-healing ulcers.”
Expressing her concern over the rising number of Kangri cancer cases in the region, she said, “For the last five years, we have registered over 400 patients with skin cancer, including the Kangri cancer patients in our hospital. The educated population are well aware of this disease. However, we need to have frequent awareness programmes for the economically weaker sections of society living in remote areas.”
Abdul Gani, a 75-year-old man from Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, told 101Reporters, “Two years ago, I had some burn marks because of using kangri. I applied some homemade remedies, but they did not help much. So I decided to visit a dermatologist who, after brief treatment, suggested that I visit an oncologist.”
Gani’s grandson, Aqib Hassan, said that his grandfather was advised to undergo many tests after consulting with the oncologist. He recalled that they were stunned when the doctor informed them that the burn marks were starting to show signs of cancer, a disease that was unknown to them.
“Later, we were advised to consider radiotherapy. My grandfather showed good recovery signs after the procedure. However, due to his advanced age, he suffered from various other health issues besides weakness,” said Hassan. The preventive applications of radiation have been noted as “encouraging” in reducing some tumours and eliminating others.
Another patient, Ghulam Nabi Dar, 67, from North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, was at SKIMS for his follow up check-up after being detected with Kangri cancer last year.
He said that before consulting an oncologist, he thought that the burns caused by the kangri were because of a common allergy as it caused itching, bleeding and ulceration. “I was shocked after hearing the diagnosis that there is even such a type of cancer. Initially, I was distraught, but doctors and counsellors encouraged me and gave me hope, and I was motivated to fight this disease,” Dar told 101Reporters.
He added that the doctors educated him about preventing a recurrence of cancer by avoiding the use of kangri pots close to the body. They recommended he use adequate thermal protective clothing and alternative heat sources.
Dr Shaqul said that detecting this cancer early is the key to the cure. If the disease is localised, then a simple surgical procedure is effective. If it is advanced to locoregional draining nodes, it can be dealt with surgery followed by radiation to the problematic areas. All the facilities required to manage such patients are available in the Valley now.
An article published by Dr Mohmad Ashraf Teli, Departments of Radiotherapy and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar-Kashmir, revealed that surgery is the frequent modality of treatment used in the management of these tumours.
Medical health professionals also believe that education and awareness about this type of cancer among the local Kashmiri community could help reduce the incidence rates.
“Regular medical screening at periodic intervals with blood tests, scans, and physical examinations is important due to its high metastasising potential and possibility of recurrence. Kangri cancer can be altogether prevented by finding alternative ways of keeping ourselves warm during winters.”
“My sincere request to our community is to initiate and practice healthy measures from today to have a better and happy tomorrow. It does not matter how monetarily sound we are; there is always a way out. It may be difficult to replace kangri use all at once, but it will be possible over time. Until then, we should use it judiciously and try to keep it as far away from our skin as possible,” said Dr Shaqul. (IANS)
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New Delhi: Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said that there was an increase in seizure of arms and ammunition from Afghanistan in Kashmir.
General Naravane, who is all set to hang his boots on Sunday, said in a video released on Thursday: “There is definitely an increase in the number of weapons and other equipment, especially night-vision devices that we are capturing or unearthing, which definitely have come from Afghanistan.”
He added that there were also apprehensions that after Taliban took over Afghanistan last August, the mujahideens would be pushed into Kashmir by Pakistan.
“When the previous Taliban regime was there in Afghanistan in the early 2000s, we did have a little spillover. We had captured or killed Afghan terrorists (in Kashmir) also,” Naravane had said the recently-concluded Raisina Dialogue.
Last month, General Naravane and other top military commanders reviewed deployments of troops at Western and Northern borders.
The military top brass had discussed the force preparedness at Line of Actual Control with China and the Line of Control with Pakistan.
In February this year, General Naravane had said the situation in Afghanistan was again brought to focus, the use of proxies and non-state actors to decisive effects.
“These actors thrive on local conditions, innovatively exploit low cost options, to devastating impact and create conditions, that limit the full use of sophisticated capabilities, available to the state,” he had said.
The concept of sequential, and often graduated application of force, has also undergone significant changes.
“I have said this in the past, and I wish to reiterate, that in future conflicts, the troops, on the forward-most locations, ready and in a high state of alertness, may not be the ones to face the first wave of aggression,” he had added. (IANS)
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SRINAGAR: Weather remained cloudy with rain at scattered places in J&K during the last 24 hours as the Meteorological (MeT) department said on Friday that cloudy weather with light rain is expected during the next 24 hours.
A weather office statement said, “At present, weather is generally cloudy throughout Kashmir and in the hilly areas of Jammu.”
“A brief spell of light rain may occur at isolated places of Kashmir towards late afternoon, today and tomorrow. There is no forecast of any significant weather.”
“A Western Disturbance is most likely to cause scattered to widespread moderate Rain/snow during May 3rd and 5th. The forecast is being monitored closely, as it may change as day comes nearer”.
Srinagar had 12.5, Pahalgam 7.2 and Gulmarg 4.0 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Drass in Ladakh had 4.2, Leh 7.3 and Kargil 6.5 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 30, Katra 24.2, Batote 12.6, Banihal 12.2 and Bhaderwah 13.1 as the minimum temperature.
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SRINAGAR: A middle-aged Pak resident was arrested by army along the Line of Control in Rajouri district on Friday, officials said.
Pak Resident Arrested Near LoC In Rajouri
Quoting officials news agency GNS reported that the man Mamood Ali (55) son of Shah Wali of Kotali was arrested by Army along the forward area of LoC in Tarkundee area. Later he was handed over to police station Manjakote.
A police officer said that besides a few Pakistani currency notes, an axe was recovered from his possession.
He said that investigations are underway if the man crossed the LoC inadvertently or otherwise.
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SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday informed that as many as 62 terrorists have been killed so far this year, of which 47 were local terrorists and 15 were foreign terrorists.
The IGP attributed the success of security forces against militants to enhanced human and technical intelligence. “As many as 32 militants got neutralised within three months of their joining terror ranks. Of 62 slain militants, 15 were foreigners,” he said.
“Among the 62 slain militants, 39 were linked with militant outfit LeT, 15 with JeM, 06 with HM and 02 with Al-Badr,” said IGP Kashmir.
“As many as 32 militants got killed within three months of their joining militant ranks. Of 62 slain militants, 15 were foreigners,” he said.
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SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Dr Piyush Singla placed Panchayat Secretary, Panchayat Halqa Akhingam (B), Block Achabal under suspension for “misconduct and dereliction of duties”.
An order has been issued in this regard by the DC Anantnag as per news agency GNS.
Additional District Development Commissioner Anantnag has been directed to conduct a detailed enquiry into the matter and furnish a detailed report in this regard within a period of 15 days.
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SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday claimed to have arrested three over-ground workers (OGWs) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Three militant associates arrested in Kupwara
A police spokesman in a statement said that based on specific information, an OGW module is working for militant organisations operating in the Valley and is involved in smuggling of arms and ammunition from across the LoC to be made available to the militants, a police team of Karnah Police Station led by its SHO Mudasir Ahmed under the supervision of DySP Syed Majeed arrested the trio from different localities of the area.
“According to the police, the trio has been identified as Mohd Amir son of Mohd Shakoor Kalas, Nisar Ahmad son of Manzoor Kalas residents of Hajitra Karnah and Kafeel Ahmad son of Late Abdul Rehman Bhat a resident of Sudhpora Karnah,” said the spokesman.
“Upon their confession, police said one Chinese pistol along with a magazine and 14 live cartridges have been recovered,” he said.
“Case FIR No. 32/2022 under sections 7/25 IA Act, 13,18,23,39 UA(P) Act has been registered and investigation taken up,” said a police spokesman in a statement said.
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SRINAGAR: Two women were mauled by a wild bear in far flung Gagriyan village of J&K’s Poonch district on Thursday.
Quoting an official, news agency KNO reported that Zarifa Begum, 38, wife of Mushtaq Ahmed and Sharifa Begum, 42, wife of Ghulam Mohd Jaan, residents of Gagriyaan village of Mandi tehsil in Poonch district were attacked by the bear near their house on this morning.
Locals managed to rescue them from the clutches of the bear, an official said.
He said the duo has been hospitalised with multiple injuries.
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SRINAGAR: Shah Faesal, the 2009 IAS topper, who had quit the coveted service and joined politics, is apparently returning to government, his tell-tale tweets suggest.
Dr Shah Faesal (IAS)
“Eight months of my life (Jan 2019-Aug 2019) created so much baggage that I was almost finished. While chasing a chimera, I lost almost everything that I had built over the years. Job. Friends. Reputation. Public goodwill. But I never lost hope. My idealism had let me down,” Faesal tweeted. “But I had faith in myself. That I would undo the mistakes I had made. That life would give me another chance. A part of me is exhausted with the memory of those 8 months and wants to erase that legacy. Much of it is already gone. Time will mop off the rest I believe.”
While he suggested that he will be going back to the government, he did not offer any details.
“Just thought of sharing that life is beautiful. It is always worth giving ourselves another chance. Setbacks make us stronger. And there is an amazing world beyond the shadows of the past. I turn 39 next month. And I’m really excited to start all over again,” he wrote on now-Elon Musk’s Twitter.
In the last two years, there were various reports suggesting his return to the government but it did not happen. This time, by his own account, there is a breakthrough.
Faesal floated Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement in March 2019 and had plans to contest assembly elections. However, the August 2019 decision making by BJP led to his arrest in Delhi. After his release, he gave up politics.
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SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court ruled on Wednesday that calling Kashmir “occupied Kashmir” and its residents as “slaves” does not enjoy protection under the Constitution’s Article 19 (A), on right to freedom of speech and expression.
A bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar, hearing a petition filed by advocate Muzamil Butt seeking quashing of an FIR against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, remarked:
“It is one thing to criticise the government for its negligence and express outrage on the violation of human rights of the people, but it is quite another to advocate that the people of a particular part of the country are slaves of the government of India or that they are under the occupation of armed forces of the country,” online portal Bar and Bench reported.
Police had registered an FIR against Butt for his Facebook post in which he criticised the killing of seven civilians in an explosion at the encounter site in Larnoo village in October 2018.
Butt had also expressed outrage on social media platforms at other incidents of violence, which, he argued, was within his right to free speech.
“By making these comments, Butt was supporting the claim that Jammu and Kashmir is not a part of India,” the court said. (IANS)
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SRINAGAR: One more militant was killed in an encounter with the counter-insurgent forces on Thursday in Mitrigam area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district taking the death toll of militants to two, an official said.
He said that one more militant was killed in the gunfight in Mitrigam area of Pulwama.
He added identified the slain militants as Aijaz Hafiz and Shahid Ayub, of Al-Badr outfit.
He added further that 2 AK rifles were recovered from their possession.
“They had been involved in series of attacks on outside labourers in Pulwama in the month of March-April 2022,” the IGP Kashmir said.
Earlier, police had said that one militant was killed in the encounter.
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SRINAGAR: At least 11 cattle were burnt alive after a blaze gutted a cowshed at Kallar Kattal area of Surankote in J&K’s Poonch district on Wednesday morning.
Quoting official sources, news agency GNS reported that the cowshed belonging to Mohammad Fazal son Wazir Mohammad caught fire due to unknown reason at around 8 am this morning.
Soon after, villagers rushed to the spot and were able to douse the flames after much effort. However, three buffaloes and eight goats kept inside the shed were burnt alive in the incident.
SHO Surankote Niaz Ahmed confirmed to GNS the incident and said that investigation has been launched into it.
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SRINAGAR: Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said she hoped that the Supreme Court would “not only reverse the revocation of Article 370 but also all the illegal laws brought in”.
Taking to social networking site Twitter, Mehbooba Mufti wrote: “A state robbed of its legal & constitutional special status was cleaved into two & disempowered. Yet it took SC 3 years to list the case. Hope the Hon’ble Court stays not only revocation of Article 370 but also reverses all the illegal laws brought in.”
A state robbed of its legal & constitutional special status was cleaved into two & disempowered. Yet it took SC 3 years to list the case. Hope the Hon’ble Court stays not only revocation of Article 370 but also reverses all the illegal laws brought in. https://t.co/i3EQksS8JY
Her remarks came a day after the Supreme Court said it would hear a batch of petitions, challenging the law used to scrap Article 370, after the summer holidays this year.
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SRINAGAR: Union Ministry of Home Affairs Tuesday said that 64,827 Kashmiri Pandit families left Kashmir in early 90s due to militancy and settled in Jammu, Delhi and other parts of India.
According to the annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for 2020-21, a copy of which is with the news agency KNO, due to onset of militancy in the early 1990s, 64,827 Kashmiri Pandit families along with some Sikh and Muslim families migrated from Kashmir Valley to Jammu, Delhi and other parts of the country. “Similarly, nearly 1,054 families from the hilly areas of Jammu migrated Jammu plains,” the report said.
It added: “As per the records of registration available with the Relief and Stration available with the Migrant Commissioner, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, at present 43,618 registered Kashmiri migrant families are settled in Jammu, 19,338 families are settled in Delhi/NCR and 1,995 families in a few other States/UTs in the country.”
The report further said that with a view to resettle Kashmiri Migrants in the valley the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved 3,000 jobs with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir under PMRP-2008 and additional 3,000 jobs with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir under PMDP-2015.”
“In order to provide accommodation to these 6,000 Kashmiri Migrant employees in the valley, construction of 6,000 Transit Accommodations at an outlay of 920 crore has also been approved the Ministry of Home Affairs, Under the Scheme, 1,025 dwelling units have been completed/substantially completed and 1488 flats are under construction,” the report said, adding “Under PMDP-2015, financial assistance of 75.50 lakh is also being disbursed to the 36,384 displaced families from PaJK, Chhamb and Niabat settled in Jammu and Kashmir. The Government of India has further approved similar financial assistance for inclusion of those Displaced Persons (DP) families, out of 5,300 DP families of PaJK 1947, who initially opted to move outside the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir but later on returned and settled in Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 1371.13 crore has been disbursed to 31,670 beneficiaries till 31st December 2020.”
The report said that financial assistance of Rs 3 5.5 lakh per family has also been approved by the Government of India with an outlay of Rs 317.02 crore for 5,764 families of West Pakistan Refugees (WPRS) who migrated from several areas of West Pakistan in the aftermath of the partition of 1947 and settled in different parts of the Jammu region,” the report further said.
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The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramzan is a month of reverence. Treasured as one of the five pillars of Islam, it stays from one observation of the crescent moon to the other. With fasting being one of the visible manifestations of this month, the essence lies in exploring the self and understanding the pain and problems of fellow human beings.
Divided into three phases, known as Ashra (ten days), whose beginning is mercy (Rehmah), the middle is forgiveness (Maghfirah) and the conclusion is seeking safety from the fire of hell (Nijat).
Since day one, every moment of this month is miraculous. Every minute is detoxifying. Besides imparting the discipline of self-control, this month takes us to the level of being conscious of our community.
The Last Ashra
Every Ashra of this holy month has its own significance, but when it comes to the last, it offers respite in many ways.
Beginning with the ritual of retreat in the Masjid (Aitikat), it ends on Eid, the day of gratitude. In between falls the Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr) and Jamat-ul-vida, the last Friday of the holy month. As Laylat al-Qadr signifies the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Mohammad (SAW), Jamat-ul-vida has its own significance. It is called the “day of worship.”
Not A Ritual
Being a month full of blessings, Ramzan is not a ritual. It is a reality to live for the next 11 months of the year. It is a drill that disciplines our demeanour. It helps to develop our manners and morality. Makes us responsive to the needs of others and instils a sense of empathy within us. In the routine of our life, we would never be able to figure out what hunger means and how bad it is to feel pangs of thirst, that many less privileged people, who are repeatedly living a life without proper food. This month gives us a chance to comprehend the crisis of the less fortunate.
As we often see, places of worship are full during the month of Ramzan. From dawn to dusk, people meet each other more frequently than in the rest of the months. In the routine, there is a sense of belongingness. A unity is forged regardless of status and societal issues. Iftaar, the time to break the fast, imbibes us with the concept of interacting with each other. It gives us an opportunity to see other people take food before us. A lesson of selflessness.
Besides abstaining from food, this holy period teaches us to abstain from being the reason for hurting others. Be it through words or deeds. Importantly, there is untutored learning to take a pause and stop. In the rush of life, we never know how our life is being spent, but this month applies breaks to see and reflect and ensure that we manage to do all the things peacefully.
The Month of Charity
Known as the month of charity, the concept of helping people lies at the core of these four weeks. For want of getting rewarded more, people spend this month by way of Sadaqah, Zakat, and so on. One of the biggest charities in the Muslim world is shortly before Eid when every Muslim is mandated to offer Sadka Faitr for the less privileged. In Kashmir, for this year, it has been fixed at Rs 65, per head, at the lowest slab. It can go up to Rs 2000, depending on how the giver calculates it.
However, the tragic part lies when lessons are lost immediately after the Eid Namaz. We seldom retain the essence of this month after the celebrations. As we tend to forget the reason for celebration, we are caught again in the quagmire of life. We as a society replicate what a student normally does when he actually passes his examination. Forget the leanings, throw the books and be part of the new setup, only to work hard next time.
A Failure
But if this happens, we fail the purpose of purification. Ramzan is not a lesson for a month, but a lifetime.
There is a need to inculcate the teachings, intrinsically. There is no purpose to leaving food and other things for a month if we don’t make it perpetual in our life.
The sufferings do not end on Eid. The hunger persists. The thirst is there. Poverty is our part forever. Orphans have their own crisis. Widows wail all year. Sick seek attention. Children need education. Poor girls have their hands out. Aged parents need support. The homeless desire shelter. This is an unending process for all times to come. Ramzan or no Ramzan, the crisis persists. There is a need to sacrifice for the entire 12 months. Ramzan is a lesson to be implemented in totality for all times to come.
The symbolism may not remain, but substance should never be sacrificed.
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SRINAGAR: Militants made a failed attempt to snatch rifle of a paramilitary CRPF personnel in Anantnag district of south Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.
Quoting the officials, news agency GNS reported that the militants threw chilly powder into the eyes of the paramilitary trooper guarding the house of a Kashmiri Pandit at Reshibazar Anantnag.
However, his colleagues including policemen present there foiled the attempt.
The militants also managed to escape from the spot, they said. A police officer told GNS that area has been cordoned off.
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SRINAGAR: Another injured Sarpanch succumbed today after the bus they were travelling in crashed into a tipper and overturned on Baramulla-Srinagar Highway at Pattan on Monday evening.
Quoting officials the news agency KNO reported that one more injured Sarpanch Abdul Jabbar (56), son of Abdul Rahim Lone of Lachipora Baramulla has succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Srinagar hospital taking the death toll to 3 including two Sarpanchs and a driver.
Earlier on Monday evening, the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation bus was carrying the panchayat members who had attended the Prime Minister’s function at Palli village, from where he addressed all gram sabhas in the country to mark the National Panchayati Raj Day, en route to Baramulla crashed into a tipper resulting in on spot death of a sarpanch identified as Fayaz Ahmad Bhat son of Samad Bhat from Gulgam Kupwara, and injuries to six others.
However, the driver of the bus identified as Abdul Qayoom Shah succumbed to his injuries late at night.
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SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested two drug peddlers along with the contraband and Rs 55,000 cash in Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Policeman among two arrested with contraband, Rs 55,000 cash in Chadoora
The spokesman said that continuing its efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society, Budgam police have arrested two drug peddlers and recovered contraband substances and cash from their possession.
He said that during patrolling at Nagam-Hayatpora road police party of Police Station Chadoora intercepted a vehicle (Alto-800) bearing registration number JKO4E-9628 with two persons on board.
“They have been identified as Mohammad Ayoub Beigh son of Mohammad Jamal Beigh resident of Nowhar Chadoora and Nazir Ahmed Sheikh son of Mohammad Shafi Shiekh resident of Tangnar Chadoora,” he added.
According to the officials, Beigh is working in the police department.
“During search, 69 Kgs of Poppy Straw and cash amount of Rs 55000/= were recovered from their possession. They have been arrested and shifted to the police station where they remain in custody. Besides, vehicle used in the commission of the crime was also seized,” said police spokesman in a statement.
“Accordingly, a case vide FIR No 67/2022 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Chadoora and further investigation set into motion,” he said.
“Community members are requested to come forward with any information regarding drug peddlers in their neighbourhood. Persons found indulging in drug peddling will be dealt as per law. Our consistent actions against drug peddlers should reassure the community members that we are making efforts to keep our society free from the scourge of drug menace,” said a police spokesman in a statement.
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JAMMU: The fidayeen attack case at Sunjuwan on April 22 ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu was Monday formally handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which will now take over the First Information Report (FIR) registered in this connection at Trikuta Nagar Police Station.
Quoting police sources the newspaper Daily Excelsior reported that case diaries and all related documents pertaining to the fidayeen attack will be handed over to the NIA.
Almost all such attacks, which took place earlier also in Jammu and Kashmir, were handed over to the NIA. Some of such cases are now being investigated by the State Investigation Agency (SIA).
While NIA and SIA teams had visited site of the attack on April 22 itself, NIA chief Kuldiep Singh had visited the spot the next day.
Meanwhile, three persons, arrested in connection with the recent encounter in Sunjuwan area here, were Monday remanded in police custody for 10 days.
Two Pashto-speaking suicide bombers of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed in the encounter after they managed to sneak from across the border and killed a CISF officer by attacking his bus in Sunjuwan on Friday.
Driver Bilal Ahmad Wagay and his helper Ishfaq Chopan of Kokernag area, who allegedly transported the militants in a mini-truck from Supwal border in Samba to Sunjuwan, and Shafiq Ahmad Sheikh of Tral who had received the ultras and also arranged their stay in a house in the area for a day were arrested in the case so far.
Police have also detained the house owner for questioning. However, he is yet to be arrested formally in the case.
Producing the three accused before the court of Third Additional Session Judge, also a designated NIA court, newspaper Daily Excelsior quoted the officials as having said police sought their remand for interrogation.
The court granted 10 days remand of the accused to the police and accordingly they were whisked away for questioning.
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SRINAGAR: India reported 2,483 fresh Covid cases in the past 24 hours, a marginal decline against previous day’s 2,541 infections, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the active caseload of the country has reported a decline at 15,636 cases, accounting for 0.04 per cent of the country’s total positive cases.
In the same period, 1,399 Covid deaths were reported. Of the total deaths, 1,347 took place in Assam, said the ministry. With fresh fatalities, the nationwide death toll has mounted to 5,23,622.
The recovery of 1,970 patients in the last 24 hours took the cumulative tally to 4,25,23,311. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.75 per cent.
Also in the same period, a total of 4,49,197 tests were conducted across the country, increasing the overall to 83.54 crore.
While, the weekly positivity rate stood at 0.58 per cent, the daily positivity rate reported a considerable decline at 0.55 per cent.
As of Tuesday morning, India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 187.95 crore, achieved via 2,30,89,167 sessions.
Over 2.70 crore adolescents have been administered with a first dose of Covid-19 jab since the beginning of vaccination drive for this age bracket. (IANS)
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SRINAGAR: The visit of President Ram Nath Kovind to Jammu on April 27 has been postponed. The President was coming to Jammu to address the fifth annual convocation of Indian Institute of Management (IIM).
“The IIM Jammu was to hold its 5th Annual Convocation on April 27 at the Convention Centre, Gulami Bagh, Canal Road, Jammu,” IIM spokesman said.
He added that Ram Nath Kovind was the chief Guest on the occasion and deliver the convocation address.
“Due to unavoidable circumstances, the visit of the President to IIM Jammu Convocation stands postponed until further orders,” said the spokesman.
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SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Para-Medical Council, Government Medical College Jammu, has accepted that they have received the compliance report from Desh Bhagat University (Mandi Gobindgarh), Punjab against the letter vide JKPMC/OUTSIDE/5615-5626 issued on March 14, 2022.
Desh Baghat University
Under the Right to Information Act 2005, they have accepted that, as per the policy of Jammu and Kashmir, the paramedical council shall register the paramedical and nursing students (degree/diploma/certificate) of Desh Bhagat University (Mandi Gobindgarh) and admitted that such candidates who have taken training from paramedical institutes situated outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which are duly recognized by/affiliated with a paramedical council/state nursing council/respective state government/universities recognized by UGC.
Desh Bhagat University Chancellor Dr Zora Singh, according to a statement issued by the university, said that Desh Bhagat University is doing its work with full honesty and integrity, but now the Jammu and Kashmir Paramedical Council has also accepted and clarified that the paramedical and nursing students of our university will be registered because Desh Bhagat University is approved from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC).
Desh Bhagat University is also approved by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), and Desh Bhagat University’s law programmes of LLB, BA-LLB and LLM are approved by the Bar Council of India (BCI). Desh Bhagat University is also accredited by NAAC. He further said that now the misconceptions of all those who had any doubts would have been cleared.
Dr Zora Singh said that Desh Bhagat University has been contributing diligently to the field of education for many years and continued to do this work even further.
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SRINAGAR: India reported 2,541 fresh Covid cases in the past 24 hours, a marginal decline against previous day’s count of 2,593, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.
Also in the same period, an additional 30 Covid fatalities increased the nationwide death toll to 522,223.
The number of India’s active caseload has increased to 16,522, accounting for 0.04 per cent of the country’s total positive cases.
The recovery of 1,862 patients in the last 24 hours took the cumulative tally to 4,25,21,341. Consequently, the recovery rate stands at 98.75 per cent.
Also in the same period, a total of 3,02,115 tests were conducted, increasing the overall to 83.50 crore.
While, the weekly positivity rate stood at 0.54 per cent, the daily positivity rate reported a considerable spike at 0.84 per cent.
As of Monday morning, India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 187.71 crore, achieved via 2,30,40,984 sessions.
Over 2.66 crore adolescents have been administered with a first dose of Covid-19 jab since the beginning of the vaccination drive for this age bracket. (IANS)
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit after the reading down of Article 370 was focused on the development and grassroots democracy. The visit that saw the inauguration and foundation laying of projects worth Rs 20,000 crore was in sharp focus after a militant attack, two days ahead, reportsTahir Bhat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Jammu on April 24, 2022. This was his first visit after the reading down of Article 370.
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s Samba visit, his first to Jammu and Kashmir after the reading down of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into federally ruled Union Territories; saw a renewed emphasis on ending discrimination with people, encouraging development and strengthening grassroots representation. It might not have pleased the political class that hoped the Prime Minister will announce some kind of announcement about elections and restoration of the state status of Jammu and Kashmir.
After e-inaugurating a series of projects totalling Rs 20,000 crore, Prime Minister said that despite being chota rajya, Jammu and Kashmir is being liberally funded. He made special mention of the 20 districts now having access to Rs 22,000 crore, compared to Rs 5000 crore earlier. Most of his speech focused on grassroots representation because he had flown to address the panchayats across the country on Panchayati Raj Diwas.
“Be it democracy or development, today Jammu and Kashmir, is setting a new example,” Modi said. He repeatedly talked about the impact that the “change” has brought about in Jammu and Kashmir: a private investment of Rs 17000 crore in 75 years and Rs 38000 crore in two years; an unprecedented number of visitors have arrived and for next three months the sector is sold out; all the central laws that were denied to the people stand implemented which ended discrimination with some people. He told the new generation of Jammu and Kashmir that they will not face the same problems as their fathers and grandfathers faced. He said he has come with the message of the development and the pace of which has already increased with every penny being honestly spent.
Huge Audience
Prime Minister spoke to an impressive audience that includes all the representatives of the grassroots democracy including panchayats, urban local bodies and the rural development eco-system. The government agencies were working on the venue for the last fortnight to make it a major event. Authorities levelled vast swathes of land into a huge ground and pitched one single sprawling tent with fans and other temperature reducing systems. The entire venue was properly compartmentalised to house a particular section of the invitees. The event was webcast live.
Prime Minister spoke to a huge audience at Samba on April 24, 2022. Authorities had converted a huge ground into a major tent town to accommodate nearly one lakh of people.
All the PRI members from Kashmir were driven by the SRTC fleets a few days ahead of the event. They were housed in hotels and guided to the venue. The entire Samba belt was literally busy with the event preparations for the last 10 days. Though the venue was at Pali village, the entire belt remained engaged for one or the other reason. The parking lots are created in a number of villages for the event. The event required the creation of three helipads in the area. The area was under the control of the Special Protection Group (SPG) for the last many days. All movements into the belt were banned for the last many days and the heavy vehicle movement on the highway, barely three km away, was also banned because of the VVIP visit.
Pali village in Samba district was selected to make it Jammu and Kashmir’s first carbon-free solar panchayat. In anticipation of the event, the village got access to a macadamized road and the authorities launched an electric bus service to the village, around 17 km from Jammu. It got an upgraded Panchayat Ghar, with a computer and internet connectivity, renovated government high school building, a new pond and improved playfields. Overnight an ATM was installed in the village after years of pleading with the authorities.
Barely a few days ahead of the visit, a Rs 2.75 crore 500 kW solar plant was commissioned on war-footing on 6408 square metres to provide clean electricity to 340 houses under the federally sponsored Gram Urja Swaraj scheme. District administration had already distributed the solar Chulhas (stoves) to the Pali families.
An Attack
With the entire government busy in preparations for the high profile visit, it was a sensational militant attack that put the visit on newspaper front pages two days ahead of the event.
On April 22, Friday, when 15 CISF personnel were on their way to their duties, their bus was attacked around Sunjwan garrison. The attack led to the killing of an ASI as some of his colleagues were injured. This triggered an operation in the area in which 10 cops and paramilitary men were injured and concluded with the gunning down of two heavily armed militants wearing bulletproof vests.
On the eve of the visit, Jammu and Kashmir Police offered details of the investigations into the attack. They said the two slain militants were Fidayeen who had crossed into Jammu from the International Border at Supwal near Samba. They were picked up by a truck driver, Bilal Ahmad Wagay, a resident of Kokernag, in his vegetable-case laden truck and arranged their stay in the house of Mohammad Iqbal Rather, originally a resident of Ahahmadabad, DH Pora Malwan who is constructing a house at Jalalabad in Sunjuwan. In this, help was extended by Shafiq Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Mir Mohalla, Tral. He works at a walnut factory in Narwal along with his brother.
LG, Manoj Sinha presented a piece of Basholi Panting to visiting Prime Minister on April 24, 2022, at Samba.
Police said they arrested Wagay and Shafiq along with Mohammad Iqbal Rather. Shafiq’s brother Asif is also being searched by the police. He is being accused of arranging mobile telephones for the militants. Police said one of the arrested persons told his interrogators that the slain militants were Pashto speaking and were either from a village in Pakistan bordering Afghanistan or from Afghanistan itself.
Police said they have examined a lot of CCTV footage, which corroborates with the statements given by the arrested people. However, it is yet to be established about how the two Fidayeen crossed over.
PM Modi Inaugurates, Lays Foundation Of Projects Worth Rs 20,000 Cr In J&K
Mukesh Singh, the ADGP Jammu and Kashmir Police, who heads the police in Jammu, told reporters that Sheikh brothers are neck deep involved. Asif, Singh said created a Telegram identity Pagal Jamaat that he used to stay in touch with his Pakistan based Jaish-e-Muhammad handler, Veer. On his directions, he left his Tral home on April 20, stayed at Transport Nagar for the night and left for Supwal in Samba where he picked up the Fidayeen duo and transported them in a medium-size truck loaded with empty vegetable crates. They reached the Jalalabad locality of Sunjwan around 2.30 am where Sheikh took them home.
Singh said the plan was to inflict maximum causalities on the security forces. “Before they could set out for their mission, we received intelligence and immediately a cordon was laid,” Singh said. “The terrorists were holed up throughout the night.” Now the case is being investigated by the NIA, the chief of which also visited the spot of the encounter.
Projects Inaugurated
The militant attack added to the profile of the event that saw the inauguration of a series of projects.
During his Samba visit on April 24, 2022, Prime Minister Modi clicked a photograph with his sculpture that a local sculptor couple produced. LG Manoj Sinha is also seen in the frame.
“When I speak about Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, our focus is on connectivity and bridging distances. Our aim is to provide all-weather connectivity to J&K,” Modi said. “The inauguration and laying of the foundation of projects of Rs 20,000 crore took place today. This will give new impetus to the development of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The major project that was thrown open is the Banihal-Qazigund road tunnel which reduced the travel time between Srinagar and Jammu by around 90 minutes and 16 km of hill drive. The 8.45-km-long twin-tube tunnel cost Rs 3100 crore.
Besides, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of three road packages of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, being built at a cost of over Rs 7,500 crore. He also laid the foundation stone for 850-MW Rattle and 540-MW Kwar hydroelectric projects that would cost almost Rs 10,000 crore.
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SRINAGAR: Weather remained mostly dry in J&K and Ladakh during the previous 24 hours as the Meteorological (MeT) department forecast light rain in the two union territories during the next 24 hours.
“Light rain is likely to occur in J&K and Ladakh during the next 24 hours,” news agency IANS quoted an official of the MeT department as having said.
Srinagar had 12.2, Pahalgam 5.4 and Gulmarg 4.4 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature and received traces of rain.
Drass in Ladakh region had 1.8, Leh 2.2 and Kargil 5.0 as the night’s lowest temperature.
Jammu had 24.0, Katra 22.2, Batote 14.2, Banihal 10.4 and Bhaderwah 11.7 as the minimum temperature.
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SRINAGAR: Days after the Centre reduced the areas under AFSPA in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the armed forces are in favour of the withdrawal of the Act from Jammu and Kashmir.
“The three wings of our defence forces want Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to be removed from Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible. The circumstances are responsible for the imposition of AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir, not the Army,” news agency ANI quoted Rajnath Singh as having said.
He said that AFSPA was removed from 15 police stations each in Manipur and Nagaland. “That in itself means a lot. This is the result of durable peace and stability in this area,” Rajnath Singh said. He said that AFSPA was recently completely removed from 23 districts of Assam. The minister said that people from all parts of the country had taken part in the 1971 war.
“We should take inspiration from the 1971 war, there were commanders from different castes, they belonged to different religions and all unitedly protected India. This social harmony of Assam should not be broken at any cost,” he said.
The minister said that the Narendra Modi government is “working to wipe out terrorism from the country” and the North East Region (NER) is moving fast on the path of development due to synergy between the Centre and the states.
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SRINAGAR: In a bid to make group calling better, the Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp will now reportedly support up to 32 participants in group voice calls.
According to 9To5Mac, with version 22.8.80 of the app, users will now be able to participate in group voice calls with up to 32 people.
This update includes a redesigned interface with a social audio layout, speaker highlight, and waveforms.
In addition, this new version of WhatsApp for iOS has an updated design for voice message bubbles and info screens for contacts and groups. There’s also a new tweak when accessing your favorited media in the gallery.
The messaging platform is readying a lot of new features for the coming months, such as Reactions, increased size files users can send, community function, and more.
WABetaInfo recently discovered that the developers are readying Reactions 2.0 to its desktop version. This means that in a future update users will be able to react to a message with any emoji they want, the report said. (IANS)
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JAMMU: Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Giriraj Singh and Lieutenant Governor, J&K, Manoj Sinha on Sunday handed over National Panchayat Awards to PRI members of J&K at Raj Bhavan.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh, LG Sinha Hand Over National Panchayat Awards To PRIs Of J&K
The Union Minister and the Lt Governor congratulated the awardees and impressed upon them to continue their work as vital members of the grassroots democracy in J&K.
The PRI members received awards under different categories of the National Panchayat Awards 2022, which are Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar (DDUPSP) for improving delivery of services and public goods; Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP) for outstanding contribution to the socio-economic development by involving Gram Sabhas; Gram Panchayat Development Plan Award (GPDPA) for developing its GPDP on the model guidelines and Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award (CFGPA) for adopting child-friendly practices.
The Panchayats/ Village Councils were evaluated for the work undertaken by them during the appraisal year 2020-21.
Safeena Beigh, DDC Chairperson Baramulla; Mir Iqbal, BDC Chairperson from Baramulla; Anju Sharma Sarpanch from Rajouri and Parveena Begum, Sarpanch from Kupwara received Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar (DDUPSP) under National Panchayat Awards-2022, while Romal Singh, Sarpanch from Doda received Gram Panchayat Development Plan Award (GPDPA), Khazir Mohd Mir, Sarpanch from Baramulla received Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award (CFGPA) and Zainab Jan, Sarpanch Kupwara received Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP).
Mandeep Kaur, Administrative Secretary, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj; Mohammad Mumtaz Ali, Director Rural Development Jammu, besides other officers were present on the occasion.
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SRINAGAR: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, a suspected blast was reported in Bishnah’s Laliyana village today.
Reports said that the site where the suspected blast was reported is nearly 12 kms from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit.
The blast was reported by villagers in the area.
Commenting on the incident, the police said they suspect it to be a lightning strike or a meteorite.
Investigations are underway.
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SRINAGAR: The two Pakistani militants of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit, who were killed in an encounter with counter insurgent forces in Mirhama area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday, have been identified and were active since 2018, police said on Sunday.
An official said that based on specific input generated by police regarding presence of militants in Mirhama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police and Army (44RR ) in the said area.
He said that during the search operation, as the search party proceeded towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter. Later on CRPF also joined.
“In the ensuing encounter, two militants linked with proscribed outfit JeM were killed,” he said, adding that they have been identified as as Sultan Pathan and Zabiullah, both residents of Pakistan.
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SRINAGAR: In the last 24 hours, India reported 2,593 new Covid-19 cases, which is a marginal increase over the 2,527 infections registered the previous day, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Affairs said on Sunday.
Also in the same period, an additional 44 Covid fatalities increased the nationwide death toll to 5,22,193.
The number of India’s active caseload has increased to 15,873, accounting for 0.04 per cent of the country’s total positive cases.
The recovery of 1,755 patients in the last 24 hours took the cumulative tally to 4,25,19,479. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.75 per cent.
Also in the same period, a total of 4,36,532 tests were conducted across the country, increasing the overall count to 83.47 crore.
While the weekly positivity rate stood at 0.54 per cent, the daily positivity rate reported a considerable spike at 0.59 per cent.
As of Sunday morning, India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 187.67 crore, achieved via 2,30,29,745 sessions.
Over 2.65 crore adolescents have been administered with a first dose of Covid-19 jab since the beginning of the vaccination drive for this age bracket. (IANS)
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SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday late night claimed to have arrested driver of a truck who had transported the fidayeen from International Border of village Supwal in Samba district to Sunjuwan, reported Daily Excelsior.
ADGP Jammu Mukesh Singh along with other senior police officers addressing a press conference over Sunjuwan encounter
According to report, Bilal Ahmad Wagay son of Khursheed Ahmad Wagay, a resident of Kokernag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, a truck operator was arrested by Police tonight from Pulwama.
Quoting police the report said that he had taken two militants from the International Border of Supwal near Samba and transported them to Sunjuwan a day before the attack, and then escaped to Pulwama.
“Wagay arranged stay of the militants in the house of Mohammad Iqbal Rather son of Abdul Rehman Rather, originally a resident of Ahahmadabad, DH Pora Malwan in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, who has also constructed a house at Jalalabad in Sunjuwan,” the report quoted police as having said.
“The stay was arranged with the help of Shafiq Ahmad Sheikh son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh of Mir Mohalla, Tral.”
Quoting Police newspaper Daily Excelsior reported that Wagay and Shafiq have been arrested as their involvement in conspiracy to carry out attack at Sunjuwan through two fidayeen has been established.
However, Mohammad Iqbal Rather has been detained for questioning but not arrested as yet. His arrest, however, hasn’t been ruled out.
Shafiq’s brother Asif Ahmad Sheikh is also involved in the conspiracy and is absconding. Jammu Police has launched manhunt to nab Asif as he is an important link in the entire case, said the report.
Police said that Asif Ahmad Sheikh had arranged mobile telephones for the militants besides rendering other required help to them.
It may be mentioned that both fidayeen were killed and a CRPF ASI was killed in nearly five-hour long encounter at Sunjuwan on Friday morning while 10 security personnel were injured.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, Additional DGP Jammu Mukesh Singh said as per one of the arrested persons, the slain militants were Pashto speaking either from a village in Pakistan bordering Afghanistan or from Afghanistan itself.
Singh was joined in the press conference by DIG Jammu Vivek Gupta and SSP Jammu Chandan Kohli among others.
The ADGP said a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was registered at police station Bahu Fort in connection with the encounter.
“The technical analysis of the CCTVs in the Jallalabad area as well as highway corroborates the disclosure of the arrested persons,” the ADGP said.
He said Sheikh also disclosed that the two militants were not speaking Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi or Urdu.
“When he was made to hear Pashto, he immediately recognised the language of the militants which indicate that they were either from an area of Pakistan border near Afghanistan or Afghanistan itself,” Singh said.
Responding to a question about the route taken by the militants to infiltrate into this side from Pakistan, the officer said whether they came through an underground tunnel or crossed the border fence is part of the investigation, which is underway.
“After the encounter, police teams worked tirelessly day and night to establish the identity of the conspirators who were behind this plan to carry out a suicide attack in Jammu,” he said.
On the basis of technical analysis and evidence, the police first zeroed in on Sheikh, who works at a walnut factory at Narwal, which is not far away from the scene of the encounter, Singh said.
The ADGP said Sheikh and his brother Asif are deeply involved with militants of JeM.
“Asif created a telegram ID called ‘Pagal Jamaat’ (Mad group) for Shafeeq and also provided him a mobile phone with a SIM card.He also contacted a JeM commander in Pakistan by the name of ‘Veer’, his telegram identity,” Singh said.
He said the commander of JeM instructed him to go to Jammu to receive a group of suicide attackers who will be brought by someone.
Though he did not disclose his name, the person was identified as Sheikh who set out on the instructions of JeM commander from Kashmir’s Pulwama at 10 am on April 20 and reached Jammu around evening time.
“He stayed at Transport Nagar and at around 12 am (midnight), he set out for Supwal (border) in Samba and picked up two militants of JeM. They boarded a medium size truck loaded with empty vegetable crates and neatly created cavity among the crates for hiding the militants,” the police officer said.
They reached Jallabad locality of Sunjwan around 2.30 am and Wagay, his co-driver and two militants were found in the truck there.
Sheikh received the militants and took them to his house where they stayed during the day and discussed their plans with their handlers across the border, Singh said.
The plan was to take them to the nearest security location and inflict maximum causalities on the security forces, to discourse the VVIP visit, the ADGP said, referring to the scheduled visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Palli Panchayat in Samba on Sunday.
“Before these people could set out for their mission, we received intelligence inputs that there are two militants and a cordon was laid with other security forces. The militants were holed up throughout the night,” he said, adding had they moved out, they could have caused huge damage but “we managed to keep them there and successfully eliminated them.”
He said that they were picked up from Sapwal border in Samba was further collaborated by the CCTV evidence along the way.
“We are working on the leads and are hopeful to arrest both the absconding accused person soon. Our counterparts in Kashmir are also actively pursuing the leads and more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses,” he said.
Asked about reports suggesting infiltration of some more militants into this side, the officer said this group consisted of only two members, adding further investigation is on.
Meanwhile, NIA chief Kuldiep Singh on Saturday visited Sunjuwan area.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief, who reached Jammu on Friday evening, was accompanied by Inspector General of CRPF, Jammu sector, P S Ranpise.
Singh, who is also the Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force, was briefed about the gun battle by CRPF officers, including Commandant of 38th Battalion Dhirendra Verma, the officials said.
The NIA director general also visited the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public rally at Palli panchayat in Samba district and reviewed the security situation, they said.
“Yes, a major attack was thwarted (by security forces),” Singh said after receiving the briefing about the encounter.
Asked whether the NIA will take over the case, he said, “It will depend… We will see, nothing can be said at the moment.”
On the security arrangements for the prime minister’s visit, he said all the necessary arrangements will be made.
Later, the officials said, Singh visited Palli panchayat and was briefed by senior officers about the security arrangements there.
Special teams of the NIA and the State Investigation Agency (SIA) had visited the encounter site on Friday evening.
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