Author: snskashmir

SNS Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 19 (KNO): After suffering the worst blackout due to updated privacy policy, the social media platform WhatsApp is worrying the youth in the Valley after several morphed videos are surfacing on the application with questionable content from unknown users.

The aggrieved youth in Kashmir claim that they received morphed questionable content on Watsapp video call depicting them in a compromising a position with an unknown girl.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), several affected WhatsApp users said that they have received an obscene video from unknown numbers who are demanding money from them, and in case of failing they threatened to upload the video on social media and make it viral.

Amir Ahmad (name changed), from North Kashmir, told KNO that a few days back one of his native friends rang up and verified from him of having shared any video or engaged in an absence scene with any girl.

“I clearly said no, and was very much confident since there was nothing as such but just at the moment I was shell shocked to know he has received an obscene video from an unknown Facebook messenger user who threatened to make it viral,” he said.

“Everything around me froze for a moment since I couldn’t differentiate between my real face and the morphed obscene video,” he said. “The user then started to intimidate and threaten me. He repeatedly demanded money and warned to make it viral in case I fail to pay.”

Several more affected youth in south Kashmir requesting anonymity, are afraid that viral videos can land them in a trouble.

“We received WhatsApp calls from unknown numbers and the moment we picked up the call, it got disconnected. Immediately after the drop call, the user sent a video of me with a girl in a compromising position,” they said.

One of the aggrieved users from the border district of Kupwara said that he approached a police post to file a complained about the matter, where he was told already two such complaints have been received.

“I was directed to visit the cyber police station in Srinagar with a complaint,” he said.

The users said that the unknown calls have left them shell shocked, causing them mental stress.

“There is always a social threat to such content. It can leave an individual in a worrying situation. We have sisters back home,” they said.

The aggrieved users have demanded cyber police Kashmir to investigate the matter at the earliest.

PC’s exit from PAGD: Everyone has right to take decision as per their wishes, say NC, PDP

SNS Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 19 : The parties associated with the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Tuesday reacted to the exit of Peoples Conference (PC) from the group, saying that everyone has a right to take any decision as per their wishes, adding that PC’s parting ways with the conglomerate won’t deter the cause.

“There is nothing wrong in quitting the group. There is a democratic set up all around and parties within the PAGD can take any decision as per their wish vis-à-vis staying or quitting with the conglomerate,” National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament, Hassnain Masoodi told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said that the parties got united to fight for a major cause and the group formed will continue to strive for the cause.

Asked about the resentment by PC led by Sajad Gani Lone over proxy candidates fielded in recent DDC elections, he said there is nothing like that. “People have accepted as in unison and have ensured the win of PAGD candidates all across Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) General Secretary and party’s senior leader, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura while talking to KNO said that although PC’s exit is unfortunate and should not have taken place.

However, he said that the party led by Sajad Gani Lone has stated that he will continue to support the cause for which the conglomerate was formed, thus the party’s exit won’t deter the cause.

“It is unfortunate that one of the party’s has exited the group. But, parting ways with PAGD is their decision and what can we say over it,” he said.

Pertinently, the Peoples Conference led Sajad Gani Lone, who was also the spokesman of the conglomerate has parted ways with PAGD today.

Writes to Dr Farooq Abdullah, says sentiment of alliance not followed on ground

SNS KASHMIR

Srinagar, Jan 19 : The Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference chairman, Sajad Gani Lone Tuesday wrote a letter to President PAGD, Dr Farooq Abdullah, stating that his party is no longer part of the PAGD.

In his letter, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Sajad Lone has stated that the purpose and sentiment of the PAGD was not being followed on the ground.

“This alliance needed sacrifice. Every party had to sacrifice on the ground in terms of giving space to fellow allies. No party is willing to cede space, no party is willing to sacrifice. We fought against each other in Kashmir province not against the perpetrators of August 5. And those who perpetrated August 5 and their minions are now vocally gleeful,” Sajad Lone mentions in his letter.

He further stated that it is difficult for them to stay on and pretend as if nothing has happened.

“There has been a breach of trust between partners which we believe is beyond remedy. The majoritarian view in our party is the we should pull out of the alliance in an amicable manner rather than waiting for things to get messier. And I am confirming that we will no longer be a part of the PAGD alliance,” he said.

He further stated that he would, however, want to add that they are divorcing from the alliance not its objectives.

“We will continue to adhere to the objectives that we set out when this alliance was made. And the PAGD leadership should be assured that we will extend support on all issues which fall within the ambit of stated objectives. We have issued clear instructions to all party leaders not to issue any statements against PAGD alliance or its leaders,” the letter reads

Panel to review functioning of Tourism; Delegation to meet NHAI on ‘Role of Highways in Nation Building’

SNS Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 19 : A Parliamentary delegation comprising 31 delegates will arrive in Kashmir tomorrow (Wednesday) to review the Tourism, Culture, road and transport sectors in the valley.

Special Secretary to the Government and Secretary Tourism, Sarmad Hafeez while speaking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) confirmed the visit of the Parliamentary Delegation and said the guests will meet the officials from Tourism department and other stakeholders associated with the department.

The Parliamentary Panel is scheduled to meet with stakeholders on leading aspects of Road sector, Tourism, Travel and Hospitality sector, in addition to a meeting with officials of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and J&K UT Government on ‘Role of highways in nation building.’

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole while speaking to KNO said: “The 31 member Parliamentary delegation will be visiting Kashmir valley tomorrow, the delegation will review the Road, Air, and Railway connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.”

The committee was also look into the Tourism and Cultural promotions in the valley, pertinent to mention that Srinagar Jammu National highway is a vital surface link between Kashmir and rest of the country which frequently gets closed in winters due to heavy snowfall, landslides and shooting stones, which also results in delay of essential supplies and other commodities to the valley.

All the successive governments’ so far have failed to find alternatives to the crises that result from the closure of the Srinagar Jammu National Highway in the 70-plus history of Kashmir.

To curb the road connectivity crises Government of India approved implementation of projects for four-laning of the mountainous Srinagar Jammu National Highway.

The road widening project has failed to complete despite missing several deadlines.

Earlier, National Highway Authorities also confirmed to KNO that work on four- laning of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was stopped at many places and excavation work was also halted in the areas which proved vulnerable. They further said they are exploring the options of Tunnels and Wide-ups on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.(KNO)

Say goods worth crores of rupees remain stuck on highway for many days, Govt must come up with alternate arrangement till new highway comes up

Tasaduq Hussain

Jammu, Jan 19: Jammu based traders Tuesday said that the economy of both divisions (Kashmir and Jammu) is interdependent and the Srinagar-Jammu national highway closure casts shadow on the business of both the regions. They said that frequent closure of the highway leads to huge business losses on the both sides of the Jawahar tunnel.

The highway remained closed for a week from January 9 to January 16 as a bridge and portion of road caved in at Kela Morh in Ramban district. Hundreds of trucks and private vehicles were stranded on the highway and Kashmir was almost on the verge of shortage of essential commodities.

Several Jammu traders while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the highway closure is a decades-old mystery and not only the stranded people suffer the economy in Jammu gets hit as well. “The flow of goods and import-export particularly gets halted which adds to the losses of traders in both the divisions,” they said.

Senior trader and former president of Jammu Chamber of Commerce (JCCI), Rakesh Gupta said that both Kashmir and Jammu divisions are interdependent as far as business between the two regions is concerned and that the highway closure is a basic and big problem.

He said: ” High way closure leads to huge business losses to Kashmir as well as Jammu region. I won’t say only Jammu is suffering, both regions are suffering due to highway closure.”

Gupta said that not only in terms of the economy rather in terms of everything both the divisions are interdependent and suffering equally.

The highway blockade adds to the woes of truckers and drivers who get stuck in extreme cold temperatures on the highway which leads to the loss of goods being transported from Jammu to Kashmir, Gupta said.

He said that there has never been a permanent solution to such problems since the government takes it as a non-serious matter and remains confined to just repairing the damaged slots of the highway. “The government needs to take serious steps till the new highway is through,” he said.

He also said that the local traders do suffer highly in both divisions. “Amid the closure of the highway and air services the import and export naturally gets hit and there is no trade”, he said.

Govind, a shopkeeper in the main Bus stand, Jammu told KNO that undoubtedly the small class businessman also gets hit since the stranded passengers are very hesitant to buy items regularly and the people over a year have lost jobs and don’t prefer to shop more.

“There are shoppers across the markets but hardly anyone visits different shops including mine to buy different items and even many of the material is lying at my shop for several weeks now,” Govind said.  

Rajesh Gupta, senior trader and the newly elected Chairman of Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI), told KNO that both Jammu and Kashmir divisions suffer an equal share of losses during the highway blockade, and similarly, the transporters suffer heavy losses since the stock laden trucks get stuck halfway for many days.

“We have seen tucks laden with stock getting stuck for two weeks or more and the transporters from either of the division suffer loss be it Kashmir or Jammu”, he said.

He said that the stock sent from Jammu goes through various challenges as the stock has to reach the destination well on time and the delay itself is a loss.

About the local trades, the newly elected chairman said that the local traders in Jammu do suffer loss and unless there isn’t flow of stock and halt in traffic movement adds to the loss of transports since the set fair won’t be increased

Community asks the administration to provide basic facilities to them during migration

Two children of a nomadic family died due to frosty weather in two days in south Kashmir’s Kulgam, where the family has set up a temporary shelter on the highway leading to Jammu’s Reasi district.

An official said Sahil Zubair, 10, and Shazia, 6, died due to dip in the night temperature. South Kashmir has been witnessing a minimum of minus eight degrees Celsius for the past one week.

“Zubair died on Saturday and Shazia on the intervening night of January 16-17. The Bakerwal family was living inside a tent on the roadside. The cold wave resulted in their deaths, preliminary reports suggest,” the official said.

Senior officials from the district, including a tehsildar, have visited Zubair Ahmad Mandar, father of the victims.

The family had set up a tent at Birnal Lammar area of Kulgam’s Devsar, which is reeling under a cold wave due to sub-zero temperature. They were heading to Jammu’s Reasi district from Kulgam.

The nomadic community in Kashmir keeps moving from summer pastures of Kashmir to winter pastures of the Jammu plains every year. The community has asked the administration to provide basic facilities to the nomads on the move to stop such incidents.

“We demand the authorities to set up shelters on the way to help such families not to put up under the open sky in this frosty weather,” Noor Khan, a nomad, said.

Apni Party leader Abdul Majeed Padder said such families should be provided with comfortable accommodations on the way.

“The untimely death of these two kids is appalling, unfortunate and heart wrenching. I urge the administration to provide necessary aid to such families who are facing severe problems this winter due to extreme cold,” Mr. Padder said.

He demanded that the divisional administration in Kashmir should “issue advisories so that the vulnerable sections of society do not face such a situation”.

Srinagar: An earthquake of magnitude 3.6 on Richter scale hit Jammu and Kashmir at 9.13 pm today: National Center for Seismology said.

This story is being updated…

Omar termed the motion illegal, Omar to continue as President MCB till further order

Reyaz Rashid

Baramulla: Jammu and Kashmir High Court stays no-confidence motion moved against President Baramulla Municipal Council Omar Kakroo on 9th January 2021 in which 11 out of 12 polled votes went against him.

As per J&K High Court order dated 15-1-2021, Omar Kakroo would continue to be as President Municipal Council Baramulla till final decision is not received from High court regarding the no-confidence motion which was also moved earlier and later withdrawn.

The HC fixes next date of hearing is 17th March 2021 and stays the no-confidence motion till further orders.

While talking to media persons in a presser Omar Kakroo who was flanked by several councilors said, “I am happy and satisfied with the High Court order cum direction in my favour which proves my genuineness as the motion was moved illegally.”

“As I had already termed the no-confidence motion and order by Executive Officer MCB illegal and unjustified, I approached High Court for justice and have full faith in the court. Removing me illegally without following proper procedure was clear violation of J&K Municipal Act,” he said.

He further claimed that he has been working from last two years for general public in good faith and gesture.

“We have purchased new transport including suction machine, garbage hoopers etc. besides the projects that was initiated with the help of my Councilors from last two years will be completed and  taken up coming ,” he said.

“ The projects in pipeline include door to door collection of garbage from household and commercial activities, cent percent street lights, completion of Janbaz wali (RA) Marriage Hall, renovation of lanes and drains in all wards especially in old town, Khanpora and Khawajabagh, proper drainage system in Baramulla, solid waste management project, construction of office complex, construction of parking place at Noor ul Huda market, children park, model library cum press club ,beautification of town cum river banks, STPS and many other things,” he informed.

 He appealed general public to put their valuable ideas for making the town a wonderful and beautiful city.

Earlier, Executive Officer MCB Imtiyaz Ahmad had said that a floor test was conducted in which total 12 councilors participated and 7 didn’t attend the meeting. Out of 12 votes 11 went against Omar Kakroo resulting into the success of no- confidence motion.

Kakroo had survived a floor test in December 2019 which was later withdrawn.

Case registered under ULA (P) Act in 2015

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 18 :

The Jammu & Kashmir government has given its go-ahead to police for prosecution of jailed separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act-1967 in a six-year-old case.

The Home department of the Union Territory has sanctioned prosecution of Shah, who is chairman of Democratic Freedom Party, for commission of offences punishable under section 13 ULA(P) Act.

“Now, therefore, in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section 02 of section 45 ULA(P)Act, 1967, the government hereby accord sanction for launching prosecution against the abovementioned accused for commission of offences punishable under section 13 ULA(P) Act in the case FIR No. 52/2015 of police station Sumbal,”reads an order issued by Home department, a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

According the order, Bandipora police had received a reliable information on March 28, 2015 that Shah after conclusion of Friday prayers had addressed a public gathering raised slogans against the sovereignty and integrity of India.

“During investigation, it was revealed that that the accused after Friday prayers had appeared in Naidkhai and raised anti-national slogans and also instigated the youth of the area against the sovereignty and integrity of India,” reads the order. The Home department of J&K UT is the competent authority to grant sanction in the FIRs registered under the ULA (P) Act.

Shah was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in July 2017 in a money laundering case dating back to 2005. Since then, he is in jail—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR JANUARY 18 :

National security and issues of monumental importance have been ‘reduced to a TRP tamasha’, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti alleged on Monday.

The PDP president was reacting to purported Whatsapp messages between editor of Republic TV Arnab Goswami and former CEO of BARC P D Dasgupta that were reportedly part of supplementary charge sheet filed by Mumbai police in the TRP scam case

“Today we stand vindicated that it was done to benefit a particular party in the elections & not to avenge the martyrs of Pulwama attack,” she claimed, referring to Balakot airstrikes.

“National security & issues of monumental importance have been reduced to a TRP tamasha that benefits BJP & creates false narratives. Masses are conditioned to believe fake news, hate imagined enemies within & outside the country. Nation wants to know who will pay the price for this?” Mehbooba said in another tweet. (PTI)