Power crisis: People contest PDD claims in DC’s presence

Srinagar

Power Development Department (PDD) authorities on Tuesday informed District Development Commissioner Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir that uninterrupted power supply for 13 and 8 hours in metered and unmetered areas respectively is being provided by the department in north Kashmir district. However, the locals including traders contested the claims.

An official said that District Development Commissioner Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir, convened a meeting of PDD authorities to review the overall power scenario and the status of ongoing development works carried out by the department under different schemes in the district.

On the occasion, the DDC inquired about the availability, demand and supply position of power supply in the district. It was informed that uninterrupted power supply for 13 and 8 hours in metered and unmetered areas respectively is being provided by the department.

The DDC impressed upon the authorities to provide uninterrupted power supply to the people during scheduled hours.

He also stressed upon arranging buffer stock of transformers and upgradation of receiving stations within a stipulated time, the official added.

Showkat Massodi, Convener local civil society group said that PDD resorts to uninterrupted power cuts and never sticks to the curtailment schedule.

“After every half an hour, the supply electricity for 5 to 10 minutes. The electricity comes for just namesake,” he said.

The shopkeepers of Kupwara also contested the PDD claims. “They say electricity is provided uninterrupted. We request worthy Deputy Commissioner to visit the market and check the claim made by the PDD,” Gulzar Ahmad, a shopkeeper said.

Abdul Rashid, who is running a DTP shop in Kupwara said that uninterrupted power supply curtailment schedule holds good on paper only. “After every 20 minutes or half an hour, power goes off which creates hurdles in our day to day work.”

Similarly, consumers said that curtailment schedule is never adhered to by the officials. “One thing is true, there are unscheduled power cuts and not schedule cuts,” said Mohammad Jamal Bhat, a resident of Battergam Kupwara.

“The concern shown by the Deputy Commissioner is highly appreciable. Now he shall ensure that PDD sticks to the announced curtailment schedule,” he added. (GNS)

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Sheep, Cows Trigger A Racket As Money Taken By Board Member

Srinagar

A member of the Board for scheduled tribes (Gujjar and Bakerwal) is facing a series of police cases for looting more than 100 people in north Kashmir by asking people to avail a scheme by depositing their money in his personal account, police sources said.

Muneer Ahmad Kataria, 35 from Salamabad Uri, was receiving money from people for giving them livestock in the shape of sheep and cows on subsidized rates from animal husbandry department.

The “beneficiaries” alleged that he had called some village representatives from Sopore and Baramulla to DC office to tell them about the scheme and convinced them to contribute the money so that he could provide them with the livestock at a much lesser price.

Ghulam Hassan of Dardpora Zaloora is one of the beneficiaries. “He called some people of ST to DC office and said he is a board member and can help people by giving them sheep and cows on subsidized rates,” Hassan said. “He gave livestock to 42 units. A unit was a cow or nine sheep and it would cost Rs 21,000, per unit. He supplied cattle worth Rs 9,10,000.”

As he supplied the livestock to some unit, the people felt encouraged to pay money. At one point in time, the supply of livestock stopped.

“He owes us Rs 19,50,000. He gave us cheques from HDFC Bank worth Rs 17,64,000 that bounced,” Hassan said. “Later, he also gave us the affidavit regarding it. Then we registered a case in police station Bomai. He was arrested for around two months after which he got bail.”

Hassan said, in reaction, the accused registered a counter case against the then SP Sopore, a PDP activist and Hassan. “He defamed us on the social media but couldn’t find any evidence against us,” Hassan said.

Khazir Mohammad Mir, a resident of Tujjar had the same story. “After he ensured some unit to evolve, the people felt encouraged in giving money,” Khazir said. “We handed over the money to Ghulam Hassan who was appointed as block secretary by district president PDP and he transferred the money into Kataria’s account but he was cheated too.”

Khazir said the people collected Rs 22,000 per head and some people raised loans. “He has a strong political influence due to which we were not able to confront him,” Khazir said. “We could somehow manage to register police cases.”

The cheating has triggered a series of FIRs. These include FIR 44/2018 dated 17/03/2018 U/S 420 at Police Post Warpora for the amount cheated Rs 5,75000; FIR 28/2018 dated 17/4/2018 U/S 420, 506 RPC at P/S Tarzo for Rs 7 lakhs; FIR 19/2018 dated 22/2/2018 U/S 420, 506 RPC at PS Bomai for (19, 15,000) and FIR 49/2018 dated 4/5/2018 U/S 420, 506 RPC at P/S Dangiwach for Rs 2,20000. Besides, there is another FIR registered against the accused with P/S Kralhud in Srinagar.

Off late, however, the accused has taken to social media accusing police of serious misconduct. “Court has already ordered an enquiry which is to be conducted by DIG North Kashmir,” local news gathering agency CNS quoted police sources say. “Enquiry is going on but he is using social media to defame police.”

Some of the complainants have gone to the court again, this time for dishonouring the bank cheques. Informed sources said in three complaints, a court in Baramulla has taken cognizance and issued non-bailable warrants. One cheque involves nine lakhs and another Rs 31.40 lakh.

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Wreath laying event for slain SPO held at DPL Pulwama

Srinagar

A wreath-laying event was held on Tuesday late evening in District Police Lines Pulwama where tributes were paid to the slain SPO Sameer Ahmad Mir who was killed by suspected militants at Hanjan village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama.

A senior police officer paid floral tributes of slain SPO Sameer Ahmad at DPL Pulwama on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

A spokesperson in a statement said  SP Pulwama Chandan Kohli led the police, CRPF officers and jawans in laying floral wreaths on the mortal remains of the slain SPO.

“Slain SPO is survived by parents and two brothers,” the spokesman said.

“Among others who paid tributes to the slain include Addl. S.P Pulwama, DySP DAR Pulwama, DySP Hqrs Pulwama and other officers of the district,” a police spokesman in a statement said.

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Islamabad youth detained under fresh PSA, shifted to Hiranagar

Srinagar

 A youth from south Kashmir’s Islamabad district has been booked under PSA for the second time in succession while as he remained in custody.

The youth Shabir Ahmad Rather, son of Ghulam Hassan Rather of Mominabad, Dooru has been slapped with the second PSA while his previous one expired last week.

The second PSA has been slapped vide DMA /PSA/71/2018 dated 28/12/2018 and the youth was shifted to Hiranagar jail in Jammu today in the afternoon.

Confirming the incident, a police officer said that the youth was arrested by police in a case registered against under section 7/25 and 13 unlawful activities act. (GNS)

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Class 10th student allegedly raped by teacher in Poonch

Srinagar

A 10th class student was allegedly raped by a school teacher in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Tuesday.

A 14-year-old student (name withheld) was allegedly raped by Satish Sharma, a teacher at Government Middle School Mangnar, Poonch, a senior police officer told news agency.

He said police have received the complaint regarding the incident from Childline Poonch. In the complaint, the childline said they have received a call regarding the incident and they immediately rushed to the spot and enquired the victim.

“On enquiring the victim, she narrated that the teacher of the student repeatedly raped her,” the officer said.

Following the complaint, the officer said police have registered a case under FIR number under section 376 (rape) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) against the accused, and that they are investigating the matter for further details. (GNS)

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SPO shot dead in south Kashmir

Srinagar

A special police officer (SPO) of Jammu and Kashmir police was killed by suspected militants in Hanjan area of Rajpora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday late evening.

An official said that suspected militants fired at Sameer Ahmad Mir at his residence in Hanjan Payeen village. “He was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to injuries,” said the official.

Soon after the incident, a joint team of forces launched a hunt to nab the assailants, he said.

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LMD Bandipora books 27 erring traders; Recovers Rs 10600 fine

Srinagar

The Department of Legal Metrology (LMD) on Monday conducted marketing checking in various markets of the district and booked several erring traders.

According to the department, a team headed by Assistant Controller Legal Metrology conducted market checking in Bandipora, Sumbal, and Hajin areas and booked 27 traders for violation of Legal Metrology laws. A fine of Rs.10,600 was also recovered from the violators.

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