Author: snskashmir

SNS KASHMIR

SHOPIAN, DECEMBER 26 :

The SIT which was constituted by Police to probe Amshipora, Shopian encounter on Saturday produced challan against three persons including an army captain who were involved in the case, on Saturday.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Wajahat Hussian (KPS) who was heading probe committee told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that challan which comprises 300 pages against three persons involved in the case was produced before Principal and Sessions Judge Shopian.

He identified the trio as Capitan Bupinder of 62 RR, Tabish Ahmad, a resident of Shopian and Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Pulwama.

It is pertinent to mention here that DySP wajahat himself visited Rajouri to take samples of families of slain trio. Pertinently, the army on Thursday said that the process of summary of evidence has been completed with regard to the July 18 Amshipora, Shopian fake encounter in which three labourers were killed and that the concerned authorities along with legal advisors are examining the same for further proceedings.

“The process of recording the summary of evidence has been completed. The same is being examined by the concerned authorities in consultation with legal advisors for proceeding further.” they said

They said that the army is committed to the ethical conduct of operations. “Further details will be shared in a manner so as not to prejudice the proceedings under army law,” he said.

Notably on July 18, this year, three labourers were killed in a fake encounter at Amshipora, Shopian. Their pictures went viral on social media after which three families from Rajouri district of Jammu claimed that the slain were their kin who had traveled to Shopian to work as labourers.

Amid hue and cry by the netizens and civil society activists, the families demanded DNA mapping of slain trio.

The police conducted the DNA profiling of slain, the samples of which matched with three Rajouri families on September 25 , which proved that the slain were not militants, the labourers who were earning their living in Amshipora.

While the army initially said the three were “terrorists”, it later admitted that its men exceeded the powers vested under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and contravened the dos and don’ts of the chief of army staff (COAS) as approved by the Supreme Court. The army had also ordered a court of inquiry into the encounter.

The slain trio were identified as Abrar Ahmed, 25; Imtiyaz Ahmed, 20, and Mohammed Ibrar, 16. On October 3, after around 70 days, the bodies of three labourers were exhumed.

The bodies were later handed over to the families who had reached Kashmir from Rajouri through Mughal road. The bodies of three labourers were later buried at their native places in Rajouri district as per the families of the slain—(KNO)

DC B’la Presided over the Function at Dak Bungalow, Highlights Significance of the Scheme

SNS KASHMIR

BARAMULLA, DECEMBER 26:

In the wake of launching of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT scheme for the residents of Jammu and Kashmir by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, various golden cards were distributed among the beneficiaries of Baramulla district during a grand function organised at dak bungalow to witness the launch of the scheme.

The function was presided over by District Development Commissioner Baramulla Dr G N Itoo whereas senior officers of police and civil administration viz ADDC, SSP, President MCB, CMO , newly elected DDC members, BDC Chairperson, PRIs, health workers among other concerned stakeholders participated in the programme.

Highlighting the objectives of the scheme, Dr Itoo said that under the yojana, beneficiaries will get the Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) as per the SECC 2011 database. He added that all the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their socio-economic status, will be covered under the scheme.

“The scheme will operate in insurance mode in convergence with Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY),” he said, adding that the benefits of the scheme will be portable across all the empanelled hospitals enlisted under the insurance scheme.

While elaborating the features of PM-JAY, Medical Superintendent Associated Hospital Baramulla Dr Syed Masood said that the health insurance scheme fully financed by the government, provides a cover of Rs 500,000 per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation across public and private empanelled hospitals in India. He added that benefit of Rs 5,00,000 is on a family floater basis, which means that it can be used by one or all members of the family.

Meanwhile, the participants carefully listened the speech of Hon’ble Prime Minister who delivered a special address after launching the scheme.

Says Police, security forces will bring further better environment for UT people, two Al-Badr militants killed in Shopian gunfight

SNS KASHMIR SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 26 :

Jammu and Kashmir police chief, Dilbag Singh on Saturday said that huge participation and enthusiasm among voters and candidates in the maiden District Development Council (DDC) polls indicates that the sense of fear has come down in Jammu and Kashmir. He also stated that the police along with Army and other security forces have been able to give better much better environment to the people in the Union Territory.

Talking to the media persons on the sidelines of the function here at SKICC, Director General of Police (DGP) as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Correspondent said that police, security forces along with Army have been able to give much better environment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “Peace is further getting stabilized and enemies of peace are getting neutralized,” he added.

He added “people have participated in the DDC elections in a big way without any sense of fear. We have not seen that kind of enthusiasm among the voters and the candidates for the last many years, which show that a sense of fear has come down.”

“Sense of enthusiasm, sense of participation in the government activities, democratic process strengthens our faith further that we will be able to bring further better environment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” DGP said.

About Shopian gunfight, DGP said that the operation was still on while two militants affiliated with Al-Badr, a militant outfit have been killed.

He said that the operation was launched last night in Kanigam village of Shopian ijn South Kashmir where initially two soldiers were injured and were shifted to the hospital for treatment.

“The lights were installed and late night two militants have been killed. I am told they belong to Al-Badr,” he said, as per KNO Correspondent.

Asked about the reports regarding damage to the nearby houses at the encounter site, DGP said the target house may have been damaged and during the gunfight, the nearby houses may have suffered damage, adding that he has no confirmation in this regard and will ascertain the facts—(KNO)

Process started from Shopian, two senior NC leaders detained for no reason, one woman candidate coerced to join Apni Party; why anti-defection law not being implemented to disqualify candidates switching parties

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 26 :

National Conference vice-president and the former chief minister of erstwhile J&K State Omar Abdullah Saturday alleged that administration led by LG Manoj Sinah was using police to force the winning candidates of Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to join Apni Party.

“On one hand Prime Minister Narendera Modi and J&K LG Manoj Sinha boats on DDC polls and claim democracy has won, but on the other hand, democracy is being discredited,” Omar said addressing press conference at his Gupkar residence as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

The NC vice-president played a call recording as to how the husband of a woman candidate from Shopian who had won was allegedly forced to “make his wife join Apni Party forcibly in lieu of getting her brother in law released from detention . “I don’t know the reasons on whose command this all is being done,” a visibly upset Omar said. “Winning candidates of PAGD are being threatened, humiliated and coerced to join Apni Party, which is a B-team of BJP.”

He said that if BJP leaders including its spokesman are beating the drums that democracy has won in J&K through DDC polls, why “same democracy is being discredited by the administration which is using police to force the winning candidates to switch sides to Apni Party.”

He said that perhaps this all is being done to change the verdict of DDC elections. “The process has been started from Shopian where NC’s former MLC Sowkat Ganai and senior NC leader Shabir Ahmed Kullay have been kept under detention for no reason,” he said, alleging that “perhaps the price of setting these leaders is to join the Apni Party.”

“This way democracy is being murdered in J&K,” he said. “I wonder if Parliament has anti-defection law, and the Assembly too has it, why the same is not being implemented in J&K and those switching sides being disqualified.”

He said the verdict of DDC polls was loud and clear that people voted for PAGD and the message is “August 5, 2019 decision wasn’t acceptable to majority of people of J&K. “ I don’t claim 100 percent people are with us but yes, majority have voted against August 5, 2019 decision,” he said—(KNO)

Says post Aug 5, 2019, developmental schemes in full swing; without peace, development, tourism not possible; New health scheme to cover every single resident of UT, we stand committed towards all promise made by PM for better J&K, DDC polls culminated without shedding a single drop of blood, hails LG Sinha, his team for smooth conduct of polls

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 26 :

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Saturday said that the hectic efforts put in by the Prime Minister Narendera Modi led government since 2014 for the J&K’s development, peace and infrastructure building have starting bearing fruit and today J&K is witnessing most peaceful atmosphere first time in past three decades.

Shah said that post-August 5, 2019, developmental schemes got a big boost and huge infrastructure building initiatives are in full swing while a “secure and peaceful atmosphere is prevailing for the first time since 1990.”

Addressing the twin gatherings in Srinagar and Jammu through virtual mode on the eve of inauguration of Ayushman Bharat-Sehat scheme by Prime Minister Narendera Modi, the Union Home Minister said that without peace and security, development and tourism was not possible. “I am glad to see tourism picking up in Kashmir,” he said and expressed gratitude to Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Shah said that efforts put in the Prime Minister Narendera Modi in 2014 for better and safe J&K have started bearing fruit. “Post August 5, 2019, developmental initiatives and infrastructure building received a big push and all projects small, medium or big are being taken to logical conclusion at a great speed,” Shah said.  He said that times ahead will be known as the “most peaceful era” in J&K.

On the Ayushman Bharat-Sehat scheme, Shah said that today was a very significant day for the people of J&K as the scheme will take care of the poorest of the poor. “Under this scheme, every single member of the family will get Rs 5 lakh health insurance cover and there are 229 government hospitals and 35 private hospitals empaneled for this scheme to serve the poor,” he said, adding that “time is not far when ailing lot of J&K won’t need to come to Delhi or any state of India for treatment as they will get quality treatment right in their own region or district.”

Boasting on the recently concluded DDC polls, the Union Home Minister said that for the first time elections were held “without shedding a single drop of the blood.” “I was glad to see a huge number of people coming out to take part in the elections. Now that the three-tier panchayat raj system is in place in J&K, the local representatives elected will take up the governance related issues and resolve them on priority. Money will directly reach villages and districts rather than the J&K administration,” Shah said.

He said by conducting peaceful polls, the Government of India has fulfilled its promise of taking democracy to grassroots level in J&K. Shah felicitated the LG Manoj Sinah and his team for smooth conduct of DDC Polls in J&K. “In every meeting that is chaired by the Prime Minister regarding JK, focus remains on Development, infrastructure building and creating a secure and peaceful environment in the UT. I would like to mention here that PM Modi and his team is committed to take J&K to new heights on developmental front,” Shah said—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

NEW DELHI DECEMBER 26 :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT scheme for the residents of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

The scheme will benefit as many as 21 lakh eligible people on the basis of Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011. The beneficiaries will get the Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) as per the SECC 2011database.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the scheme would work in convergence with Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

“The scheme would operate in insurance mode in convergence with Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY),” the statement read, adding that the benefits of the scheme would be portable across all 24,148 hospitals enlisted under ABPM-JAY in India.

The PM-JAY, the world’s largest health insurance/assurance scheme fully financed by the government, provides a cover of Rs 500,000 per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation across public and private empanelled hospitals in India. The benefit of Rs 5,00,000 is on a family floater basis, which means that it can be used by one or all members of the family.

It covers medical procedures such as oncology, cardiology, nephrology, etc, and up to three days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days post-hospitalization expenses such as diagnostics and medicines are also included in the scheme.

SNS KASHMIR

SHOPIAN DECEMBER 26 :

Two militants have been killed in ongoing South Kashmir encounter.

A gunfight which had raged between Joint Forces including soldiers from 44 Rashtriya Rifles and militants after a siege was laid around Kanigam village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district yesterday.

As the search operation was launched, militants fired upon search party, leading to an encounter.

Sources said that two trapped militants have been killed, A Senior official told that during exchange of fire two Soldiers from 44 RR also received injuries and were shifted to hospital.

Police sources said that there were inputs about the presence of two militants in the village. Reports identified the killed militants as Asif Ahmad Lone of Turkawangam Shopian who went missing in the middle of June this year and Amir Hassan Bhat of Malbagh Shopian who joined militant ranks last month.

Meanwhile, Joint Forces fired tear smoke shells to disperse youth who pelted stones on them in outer cordon area.

The operation was underway till the filing of this report though firing has stopped.(KNT)

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU, DECEMBER 26 :

A policeman from Kupwara was killed in an accident along Jammu-Srinagar highway in Ramban district on Saturday, officials said.

They said that a vehicle— Grand I10 (JK01AH6950) rolled down into deep gorge at Ratanbas area near Banihal along the thoroughfare, the only road link connecting Kashmir Valley with outside world.

“Body of one Mohammad Altaf Mir of Wavoora Lolab in district Kupwara was recovered from the spot,” they added.

Confirming the incident, a police officer told GNS that the deceased was a police Head Constable working in IRP’s 14 battalion and was returning from home to join duty in Jammu. (GNS)

‘These Parties Using Money, Muscle, Threats And Govt Coercion To Make Numbers’

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 25:

Former Chief Minister and National Conference president Omar Abdullah on Friday accused government of playing partisan politics to curry favour with the “ruling party and their stooges.”

“Shame on this administration for playing partisan politics to curry favour with the ruling party & their stooges. These parties couldn’t win seats so now they are using money/muscle/threats & government coercion to make up the numbers. So much for “democracy has won”!” Omar said in a tweet.

Tagging a picture in which president of JK Apni Party Syed Altaf Bukhari is seen greeting a DDC poll winner from “National Conference” into the JKPA party, Omar said: “This explains why our leaders in Shopian district are being put under “preventive arrest” by the police. J&K police & the administration are facilitating horse trading & defections. The woman shown here joining the BJP’s B-team contested & won elections on a NC mandate.” (GNS)

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU, DECEMBER 25 :

Two Army soldiers died and one was seriously injured as a barrack collapsed at Machedi in Kathua district on Friday.

Officials told GNS that the injured soldier has been referred to Military Hospital Pathankot. PRO Defence Jammu Lt Col Devinder Anand confirmed the incident to GNS and said that further details are awaited. (GNS)