Author: snskashmir

SNS KASHMIR

LEH, DECEMBER 23 :

Amid the long haul of the Indian army in Eastern Ladakh, the Army chief General MM Naravane Wednesday arrived in Leh and visited the forward areas and interacted with the commanders and other ranks of officials.

The situation in eastern Ladakh worsened after the armies of India and China entered into the confrontation a couple of months back in the ensuing year that left nearly 20 Indian soldiers dead and following which the army foiled the PLAs incursion attempt in the same region.

Defence sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that early this morning the Army Chief, General MM Naravane reached Leh and visited the forward areas to review the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during which he interacted with the commanders and other officers who briefed him about the situation. 

They said that the Army chief visited Rechin La, a forward area where he undertook the first-hand assessment of the situation along LAC. “The GOC of fire and fury corps briefed the chief besides the commanders on the operational preparedness of forces in the area,” they said.

At Rechin La, the defence sources said that the Chief undertook the spot inspection of the state habitat of troops on the forward line where he appreciated the forces for the formation for the comfort of troops deployed along the LAC.

From there, they said that General MM Naravane visited the forward base of Tara and interacted with the local command and troops.

The defence sources further said that the Army chief also interacted with the troops deployed in forward areas and appreciated them and exhorted all to continue working with zeal and enthusiasm flowing which he distributed sweets and cakes on the eve of Christmas.

The army chief also appreciated the troops for their high morale and state of readiness.

It may be recalled that the army chief, General MM Naravane earlier in June and September visited Leh besides accompanying the visit of Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Chief of Defence staff during their visit to the region post the clash between two armies on June 15.

Pertinently, a series of talks were held in the past since the situation arose from the region between two countries at different levels—(KNO)

‘I am Sher-e-Kashmir’s son, will not bow before anyone except Almighty, many weaknesses in NC, will strengthen party’

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 23 :

National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah Wednesday said that forging alliance with other political parties in the DDC polls was a very tough decision but it was taken for the larger interests of people of J&K.

“It was a difficult to forge alliance with the parties that were the rivals of NC. But a decision was taken in the large interests of people of J&K,” said Dr Farooq Abdullah while addressing party workers at NC headquarters, Nawa-e-Subh here.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Dr Farooq in an obvious reference to BJP, said that in 1996, they used to stay that “NC had died down in Kashmir and didn’t exist anymore.” “Narsima Rao used to say that NC doesn’t exist in Kashmir anymore. But when they realized, they (Delhi leaders) came to meet me in London and begged to save them. Let me tell them, NC was there, is there and it will remain there,” he said.

He said that “he was the son of Sher-e-Kashmir and will not bow before anyone except Allah.” “They want me to bow before them but I won’t,” Dr Farooq said. He said that there are weaknesses in the party that needs to be plugged sooner the better. He congratulated NC workers for the huge success of alliance candidates in the recently concluded DDC polls in J&K—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

GANDERBAL, DECEMBER 23 :

Three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men were injured in grenade attack in Tawheed Chowk Daderhama area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Wednesday afternoon.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that militants hurled grenade on 118 bn CRPF in Daderhama, resulting in injuries to three CRPF men.

He said that the injured CRPF men were shifted to hospital for treatment, adding that the area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 23 :

National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah Wednesday said that the DDC poll verdict is loud and clear that August 5, 2019 decision of Centre about scrapping of Article 370 was not accept to people of J&K and world community can’t be befooled anymore that people of J&K support GoI’s move of stripping the semi-autonomous status of erstwhile State.

Addressing workers at NC headquarters Nawa-e-Subh here, Omar said that there is no denying the fact that the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has won the DDC elections with huge majority. “The DDC poll verdict is loud and clear that August 5, 2019 decision of scrapping the Article 370 was not acceptable to people of J&K,” Omar said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). The former J&K chief minister said that now that the BJP is not able to digest the reality, its leaders are now saying that “democracy has won in J&K.”

“I want to ask when did we say that we don’t believe in democracy. We never said that,” Omar said. He said that BJP used its paid media to project that people are not with the National Conference any more as not even “dogs visit our offices.” “Last year, these days, I was in a guest house, my father was booked under PSA while my other colleagues were in MLA hostel and under illegal house detention.”

“We can’t forget those days. BJP lost no opportunity to tell the world that NC didn’t exist anymore. But let me to tell them that NC has faced every storm and fought against every conspiracy. We are a party that faced grenades and bullets but kept the party flag high,” Omar said.

About DDC, Omar said that NC leaders knew that their mission is strong and intentions clear and they were expecting help from Almighty and the same happened. “These elections are not the success of Dr Farooq, Omar, Sagar or any other NC leader, but it’s the victory of our ground level worker. This time, we didn’t publish posters and never went for campaigning. The only thing we did was that we told our local level leaders to tell workers that it was a fight to get back our lost identity,” Omar said.

He said that entering into an alliance wasn’t so easy. “In last Parliamentary polls, we were against each other everywhere. But for larger interests of J&K and its people, we decided to leave aside our differences. Our leaders offered huge sacrifices by not contesting in the seats where they were strong as we left seats for alliance leaders,” the NC vice-president said as per KNO.

Taking a jibe at BJP, Omar said that NC is a cadre based party and has roots in Kargil, Leh, Jammu, and Kashmir including the hilly areas of two regions.  “It’s not that easy to burry us,” he said. Omar said in the DDC battle, some old guards of NC switched to other side and sold their conscience. “Till yesterday, they were on our side chanting Zindabad slogans,” he said. Omar said the way BJP has tasted defeat in DDC polls, “I don’t think, GoI will announce Assembly elections early in J&K. He said NC leaders will work hard in the days ahead to strengthen the party wherever it is weak.”—(KNO)

It’s an irony agencies are probing where from PDP got money for Late Mufti’s graveyard, my mother’s accounts, sister’s property details being investigated; PDP alone has bagged 30 seats, I don’t think Assembly polls would be held in near future

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 23 :

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday accused the Government of India and BJP of “terrorizing her family” in the name of investigations stating that BJP must fight her political and not involve her family, friends and party colleagues in the “battle.”

Addressing a press conference at her Gupkar residence, Mehbooba said that today’s press conference may be her last one given the BJP’s approach and the way agencies like “CBI, NIA and ED are being used against her.” “Irony is that these agencies that are supposed to probe cases of sensitive order are probing wherefrom PDP got money for Late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s graveyard at Anantnag. Not just this, they are investigating my mother’s bank accounts and have sought property details of my sister, who is a doctor by profession,” the PDP chief said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

In an obvious reference to BJP, she said that GoI should fight her politically. “BJP won’t gain anything by using agencies against me. If they want to face me, they should fight me politically,” she said.

She said BJP should not involve her family members, party colleagues and friends into the “battle”.

“My party colleagues have been detained for no charges. I tried to find out whether there was any arrest warrant against Sartaj Madani and others but there is none,” she said.

Similarly, she said that PDP youth president, who emerged victorious with huge margin in DDC polls, was arrested by the NIA. “He was tortured to accept the militant links which ultimately would connect me one or the other way, but they failed,” she said.

Mehbooba said that PAGD has won maximum seats in J&K and that “it’s a people’s verdict against revocation of article 370.” “PDP alone has bagged 30 seats. BJP used to say that PDP doesn’t exist anymore. But today’s verdict is an eye-opener for the BJP,” she said.

The PDP chief said that BJP’s carrot and stick policy won’t do and that “people will resist all such moves.” She said that the way BJP was defeated in DDC polls in Kashmir, Assembly polls won’t be held in near future and would be further delayed—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

BARAMULLA DECEMBER 22:
Continuing the strenuous efforts towards the eradication of drug menace from the society, Uri Police recovered contraband from main market Uri.

Today at around 1500hrs during the routine checkup of vehicles at Uri Sumo stand one person namely Amir Aftab S/o Aftab Ahmad Magral R/o Sultan Daki was seen roaming in a suspicious way. He was asked to stop by the naka personnel but he tried to fled away, he was however caught by the prompt and quick action of naka party. During his personal search one packet of Heroin like substance was recovered from his possession on the spot.

In this regard Case FIR NO 176/20 us 8/ 21 NDPS Act stands registered in PS Uri ,accused person have been arrested and investigation taken up.
Police Baramulla

Says 12 militants laid down arms this year during live action

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR DECEMBER 22 :

Two Lashker-e-Toiba militants surrendered before security forces after a brief encounter in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on wee hours of Tuesday.

Officials said that a joint team of Srinagar and Kulgam Police besides army’s 34RR and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Tongdounu area of the district.

As the joint team approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering off an encounter.

Both the militants later surrendered “after persuasion by all including their families who were brought to the spot”, they added.

Confirming it, Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar IPS said that after initial exchange of fire, the militants belonging to Lashker-e-Toiba surrendered after they were offered to lay down the arms.

Twelve militants have surrendered during live action this year, highest so far in Valley in recent years. (GNS)

SNS KASHMIR
SRINAGAR DECEMBER 21 :

Kashmir has witnessed an increase in crime against women. Among them were many horrifying rape and murder cases were reported recently which sent shockwaves across Kashmir.
In an interview to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) Senior Supreme Court advocate Vasundhara Pathak Masoodi said that it has been observed that women and girls from socially and economically disadvantaged groups, rural or far off areas are more vulnerable and are at greater risk of gender-based violence in Jammu and Kashmir. “Juxtaposing rape cases that happened in past few years with recent cases of rape we can conclude the women and girl who belong to marginalised section of society or those who live in not easily accessible areas are more prone to gender based and sexual violence,” she told news agency KINS.
Masoodi has remained last chairperson of J&K Women’s Commission that ceased to exist.
“A recent report submitted by the government in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir has revealed that 16 cases of rape, 64 cases of molestation and one case of eve-teasing have been reported in J&K during the lockdown period. These are the cases that got reported and I am sure the number is way more than what has been reported. Jammu and Kashmir is predominantly a hilly area wherein it is difficult for women to reach out to law and order agencies to report such crimes in normal circumstances, needless to say, things apparently turned much difficult for the victims during lockdown. There has also been an unprecedented upsurge in gang rapes and rapes of minor girls by relatives and neighbours that sometimes result in tragic deaths,” she said.
The Supreme Court lawyer, who belongs to Kashmir, said that there have also been cases wherein women/girls have been raped by their close relatives or an acquaintance.
“By and large the reasons for an increase in such cases are no different from those reported in other states. Lack of deterrence, conviction, long drawn out legal proceedings, financial constraints, societal pressure, unwillingness to report are some of the main reasons because of which cases of sexual violence continue to happen unabashedly,” she says.
It has been over a year since State Women’s Commission was dissolved. When asked she being the chairperson of the then State Women’s Commission, does she still receive complaints from victims, Masoodi replied, “Though, very unfortunately, the State Women’s Commission got dissolved without the new mechanism in place for over an year now, nevertheless, I have been receiving complaints from victims belonging to different areas in Jammu and Kashmir.”
About nature of complaints she is receiving: “The complaints vary in their nature as we not only received complaints against domestic violence but also against sexual harassment at work place, child abuse and gender based discrimination, medical negligence, etc.”
Apart from Women’s Commission, when asked whether there is need for establishment of more institutions which would work for destitute women, she replied, “There must be a system or a mechanism wherein women are represented in due proportion in various existing institutions, organisations, management and legislature. First and foremost we need to strengthen our existing institutions by ensuring equal participation of women in decision making. I believe if women are given their due share in decision making and implementation of laws right from the grass root level such as effective implementation of the 73rd and 74th Amendments (1993) to the Constitution of India it would help laying a strong foundation for their participation in decision making at the local levels.”
Asked IF there was a need to establish women police station in every district, she said that role of police is pivotal in safety and security of citizens in general and women in particular.
“As we all know that women who are victims of violence or harassment do not find it easy to approach the police or other authorities in Jammu and Kashmir forgetting help or support. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide Women’s’ Police Station or Mahila Police Station in each and every district. I go a step further and suggest that in order to provide help and support to women lodging complaints there should sub ranches/chowkies of Women’s Police Station in each district so that women do not have to travel much in terms of seeking redressal of their complaints,” she said.
She has urged the UT administration to increase focused community outreach by engaging/nominating Mahila Police Volunteer (MPVs) in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, who will act as an interface between police and community to facilitate women in distress and conduct mass awareness programmes to sensitize masses on gender equality and women friendly laws.
She also said that strict implementation of laws by law enforcement agencies is ‘’sine qua non’’ extremely crucial factor in clamping down on such ignoble crimes.
“The role of law-enforcement agencies begin the moment a crime is reported till the criminal is prosecuted and punished, any soft or sluggish approach or negligence in terms of conducting investigation, collecting evidence or recording statements of credible witnesses, delay in filing the charge sheet can lead to an unfortunate acquittal of the culprit and denial of justice to prosecutrix. Moreover, the whole purpose of laws against sexual violence is frustrated if justice is not delivered in time. The judiciary has the primary responsibility of enforcing fundamental rights, through constitutional remedies. Therefore, the trial in such cases should be run and concluded on fast track basis so that justice to victims of sexual violence is not denied due to unwanted and unwarranted delays,” she added. (KINS)

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR DECEMBER 21 :

December 21st marks The beginning of “Chillai-Kalan” the harshest days of winter.
Chillai Kalan, is the 40-day period of harsh winter,begins from December 21 and ends on January 31 next year.

During Chillai Kalan, the weather in Kashmir valley continues to remain dry and cold with minimum temperatures hovering below the freezing point.

The most intense part of winter in Kashmir consists of three months, & divided into three parts called the Chilas. The Chillai Kalan, the Chillai Khurd and the Challai Bache.

The chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum in chillai Kalan.The snow during this 40-day period freezes and lasts longer.Any snowfall after the chillai kalan does not remains long.

Since many years there has been more snowfall and cold during chillai khurd and chillai bachcha than during chillai kalan.

During this period, water bodies like lakes, river and stream get frozen with a thick layer of sheets.

In this period, snow gets frozen and it doesn’t melt. People face trouble in this phase due to heavy snowfall and cold wind. It has been named Chillai-Kalan by our ancestors.

Earlier people used to drink water after melting snow. It is the coldest phase of winter From Feb, the atmosphere starts getting better,” another local said.

Before starting of Chillai Kalan, people here start storing wood, coal and other products which are useful in producing warmth. Majority of the commuters prefer to be home before the sun sets(KNS). 

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR DECEMBER 21 :

The high speed mobile data services, which remained suspended from August 05, 2019, would likely be restored across Jammu and Kashmir by on New Year Eve ending, sources said on Monday.

Reliable sources while divulging the details told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the 4G mobile internet services would likely be restored across J&K by the end of this month.

“The announcement regarding the restoration of high speed mobile data services would likely be made soon in Jammu and Kashmir,” sources said.

Confirming the reports, a central Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, wishing anonymity has confirmed that the 4G internet services would be restored by the end of December month.

“The deliberations regarding the restoration of services were going on since long and it has been decided to restore the services by the end of this month,” sources said, adding that the announcement would probably be made after December 25.

However, there was no official confirmation from the J&K administration.

Pertinently, except two districts—Ganderbal and Udhampur, the administration in Jammu and Kashmir has extended the ban on high speed mobile data services across J&K till December 25.

The high speed mobile data services were suspended in J&K on August 05, 201 when the government scrapped the special status of erstwhile J&K state and bifurcated it into two Union Territories. The ban on 4G mobile internet services has crossed the 500-day mark on December 16, 2020.

Notably, on August 16 this year, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided to restore 4G internet services in Ganderbal and Udhampur district of the union territory on trial basis—(KNO)