Author: snskashmir

SNS KASHMIR

LEH DECEMBER 20 :

In another incident of Chinese intrusion, two Chinese vehicles carrying Chinese citizens crossed the Indian border and entered Changthang area of Nyoma block in Leh district.

The Chinese reportedly raised objections to the local nomads allowing their livestock to graze in the area, but after strong protests by local authorities and other nomads, the went back.

Nyoma Councillor Ishey Spalzang, who represents the constituency in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, said the incident reportedly occurred four-five days back.

He said for about three years local nomads have not been taking their livestock to Kakjung area for grazing due to varied reasons but this year some local nomads had put up tent there.

“After a tent was put up near the border, locals across the border started objecting to it. The Chinese said they will face problems in letting their livestock graze in the area. They threatened our nomads who retreated from the area and communicated the incident to local authorities and other locals,” Ishey said.

A video which has gone viral on social media shows Chinese vehicles entering the Indian territory and rushing back after strong protests were staged by the sub-district magistrate and other locals.

Some locals say though the vehicles were carrying people who looked like civilians, there is a very strong possibility that some soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were also among them, which they say has been regular occurrence for the past few years.

Ishey further said that about three years back livestock in the neighbouring Chushul block had died due to a contagious disease post which locals stopped moving close to the border.

At the moment, it is grazing season in Ladakh and nomads take their livestock to the few remaining grazing lands available in the area. However, this year some locals decided to take their livestock to Dokbuk near Kakjung but the Chinese started objecting to it. Chinese locals reportedly told Indian nomads that since they have not been visiting the area for the last three years, they shouldn’t do so now and that if they did, it would create problems for them.

After the incident was reported back to the authorities, locals said the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel posted there, also joined the others in confronting the Chinese locals, after which they returned.

Konchok Stanzin, who represents the Chushul constituency, located along the Line Of Actual Control (LAC), said there is nothing surprising about this incident.

“Intruding into Indian territory and claiming it their land, is now a regular act of the Chinese Army and its establishment. They regularly harass and intimidate our nomads who now fear going near border for grazing their livestock and in the process the Chinese have taken over a large part of our land. Chinese nomads are being provided all the facilities and are encouraged to move to the border but our authorities are consistently failing local nomads,” said Konchok.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 20:

Kashmir Working Journalists Association (KWJA) is dismayed over the criminal silence maintained by the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir over the enquiry into the death of senior journalist Muddasir Ali.

Muddasir, who was a senior editor at Greater Kashmir, died exactly a month before at Chrar Sharif Sub-District hospital after the on-duty doctor allegedly failed to provide him basic life support.

“The KWJA wants to convey to the Health department authorities that our month-long silence over the enquiry should not be misconstrued as a fait accompli,” said Samaan Lateef, General Secretary KWJA.

“We have been waiting for the outcome of the enquiry for a month now. It seems the Health department wants to hide its failures and hush-up the case. Let it be clear to all that the journalist fraternity of Kashmir will pursue the case until Muddasir, his family and friends get justice.”

The alleged negligence on part of the SDH Chrari Sharief BMO, the on-duty doctor and paramedic staff was accentuated by the delay in providing Muddasir oxygen supply and lifesaving drugs at the Emergency Room, established at SDH Chrar Sharief few years ago under ‘Save Heart Initiative’.

“KWJA has learnt that Muddasir Ali was the first critical care case presented to the SDH Chrar-Sharief in past two years but the doctor on duty not only failed to save his life but forgot to even follow basic treatment protocol in pulmonary embolism or myocardial infarction cases.”

Samaan said KWJA is deeply pained to learn that Muddasir Ali had to wait for at least 10 minutes inside the hospital before the on duty doctor could wake himself up and treat him. “Even after declaring Muddasir Ali a heart attack case, the doctor failed to treat him as per the protocol laid down under Basic Life Support (BLS).”

KWJA understands that the doctor on night duty was in deep sleep when Muddasir was brought to the hospital and it is likely that the drowsiness due to sleep may have clouded his judgement after encountering a young healthy male patient needing emergency care, Samaan said.

“The hospital administration has to take responsibility for not keeping the Emergency Room functional and adequate number of doctors available during the night hours,” he said, adding, “That even basic equipment such as a stretcher was not available at the hospital on the fateful night and the doctor had to manually lift the patient in his arms with the help of the attendants should be enough to sack the BMO for negligence”.

KWJA urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Joshi to ensure that the enquiry into Muddasir Ali’s death is expedited and the report is shared with his family members.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 20 :
Suspected militants attacked security forces with a grenade in Achabal area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Sunday evening.

A senior police officer told GNS that militants lobbed Grenade on joint party of Police and CRPF in Achabal. In this incident one CRPF personnel and one Civilian recieved splinter injuries and has been shifted to nearby hospital for treatment.

Soon after the attack whole area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers.(GNS)

“Fulfilled the promise of free and fair elections”: LG, Prime Minister to launch SEHAT- Health Insurance scheme for entire J&K on December 26, LG extends Christmas and New Year greetings in advance

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU, DECEMBER 20 :

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the election machinery for the successful conduct of District Development Council (DDC) and Panchayat Elections in the Union Territory.

The Lt Governor was addressing the media persons during the Press Conference here at the Convention Centre.

“I thank and congratulate the people of J&K, especially the First-time voters, Independent Candidates and Political Parties for strengthening grass root democracy and paving way for progressive future of the UT and participating in the elections with such enthusiasm & zeal and making them a massive success”, said the Lt Governor.

Giving a new direction to the developmental process, people from all sections of the society – Youth, Women, Elders, Farmers, Labourers, Businessmen, voted in large numbers and played their crucial role in strengthening the grass root democracy so that progress and prosperity shall reach every citizen of the Union Territory, he added.

Speaking on enthusiasm shown by first-time voters, the Lt Governor observed that the participation of first time voters in DDC and Panchayat elections is a matter of pride for our democratic set up. Rejecting the regressive agenda, people voted for progress and development, he added.

Strengthening the 3-Tiers of Panchayati Raj System in J&K, the DDC elections were held for the first time in the UT and the response to the DDC Elections has been very encouraging, he said.

“I have fulfilled the promise of free and fair elections. Except for one or two incidents, the elections were conducted in free and fair manner”, the Lt Governor remarked.

Despite harsh weather conditions, the polling stations across the UT witnessed long queues of enthusiastic voters and people came out to vote in large numbers, with the voter turnout percentage even in the traditionally low percentage areas registering manifold increase as compared to earlier held Parliamentary elections, which itself manifests that faith of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the democratic process has deepened, he added.

He further said that with the culmination of DDC elections, the people of J&K will, for the first time in history, see a truly empowered grass root democracy entailing direct funding and decentralized decision making in the planning and development of rural areas.

“The 3-tier democracy will make J&K modern, AatmaNirbhar, besides giving a determined push to the developmental process. I am sure the elected representatives will give momentum to the developmental schemes on the ground”, maintained the Lt Governor.

He also lauded the State Election Commission, J&K Police, Security Forces, all on-duty officers/officials and media persons for working day and night for ensuring successful and peaceful conduct of DDC and Panchayat elections.

“I am confident that with the elected representatives of J&K complementing the Government’s efforts, J&K will reach new heights of development and welfare schemes for the people would reach every household”, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor also announced that the Hon’ble Prime Minister is going to launch SEHAT – Health Insurance scheme for the entire J&K on December 26, 2020 to cover the remaining One crore population which was not covered under Ayushman Bharat scheme.

Pertinently, under Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana, eligible beneficiaries as per SECC 2011 were covered under Health Cover of Rs 5 Lakhs. Under PMJAY scheme, 30 lakh people are being covered in J&K.

“With this, J&K will be among the first in the country to achieve Universal Health Coverage”, he maintained.

He further informed that the programmes will be organized across the UT and the distribution of Golden cards will be started on the same day. Around 16 Lakhs registrations have been done as on date and the registrations for the rest of the beneficiaries will be done on war footing, he added.

The Lt Governor has also extended Christmas and New Year greetings to the people of J&K in advance.

Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Sh. Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department and Information Department; Sh. Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar, Director Information & Public Relations were present on the occasion.

SNS KASHMIR

SYEED IMTIYAZ

KUPWARA,DECEMBER 20 :

Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Kupwara, Mukhtar Sofi Saturday distributed masks and hand sanitizers among sumo drivers hired for conveyance of Election staff for their safety amid COVID-19.

On the occasion, ARTO said that the Motor Vehicle Department Kupwara is always committed for safety and welfare of transport community of the district especially in COVID-19 crisis.

Meanwhile, the sumo drivers expresed their satisfaction over the gesture of ARTO.

SNS KASHMIR

BUDGAM DECEMBER 20 :

Two months after her release, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti Sunday visited several areas of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

According to news agency—Kashmir News Observer KNO, Mehbooba Mufti first paid obeisance at Sheikh Ul Alam shrine in Charar-e-Sharief area of Budgam.

Pertinently, it was her first visit after her release on October 13. She was arrested on 5 August last year when article 370 and 35-A were abrogated.

As per reports Mehbooba Mufti after paying obeisance at Charar-e-Sharief met some of her workers and enquired about their well being.

Later on Mehbooba drove to Kanidajan Charar-e-Sharief to address a gathering of of those who has been asked to evict the forest land.

While talking to media persons Mehbooba said; “Since our domicile law was scrapped, the government is bringing people from across the country, however, people from here (J&K) are being evicted.”

“They have never opted for violence. They are pushed to the wall and are being forced to take harsh steps,” she said while referring to people who have asked to vacate the forest land.

She appealed to the Lt. Governor not to “harass” the forest dwellers as it might have some “serious consequences”.

She further said that, the ruling government is busy in harassing the people of Jammu and Kashmir and has failed to address the real issue for the last 70 years.

She was accompanied by party general secretary, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura and other senior leaders—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

KABUL DECEMBER 20 :

An explosion rocked Kabul city on Sunday morning, Kabul police headquarters confirmed.

Security sources told TOLO news that at least 9 people have been killed and six others were wounded in the explosion in PD5 of the city.

The explosion happened in Spin Kalay square in PD5 of the city.

The Interior Ministry’s deputy spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz said three vehicles caught fire in the area (PD5), however, it is unclear if the explosion is the cause.

The explosion targeted the vehicle of Haji Khan Mohammad Wardak, a member of parliament from Kabul. Wardak survived the attack.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR DECEMBER 20:

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehboob Mufti on Sunday slammed the Central government after the properties of National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah were attached in an alleged money laundering case. She accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of carrying of “sheer political vendetta” against political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir.

The former J&K Chief Minister also accused the saffron party of using central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to “settle scores”.

Taking to her official Twitter handle, Mehbooba Mufti said, “Attaching Dr Farooq sahab’s properties is sheer political vendetta as was evident from the abuses heaped on PAGD by BJP. People of J&K were least impressed & placed their faith in the alliance. Using agencies like NIA & ED to settle scores shows BJPs frustration.”

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU /SRINAGAR DECEMBER 20 :

The 270-km-long Jammu-Srinagar national highway was reopened for traffic on Sunday morning, nearly 14 hours after it was blocked by a landslide in Ramban district.

Hundreds of Jammu-bound vehicles were stranded last night after a landslide struck the road at Bhoom in Chanderkote area, completely blocking the highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, officials said.

The officials said two vehicles suffered some damages after being hit by debris, but their occupants escaped unhurt.

Road maintenance agencies pressed men and machinery to restore vehicular movement on the highway.

Traffic movement on the highway is restricted to one-way in view of the ongoing four-laning project.

An official said that Jammu-bound vehicles which were left stranded last night were allowed to move first soon after the landslide debris was cleared.

SNS KASHMIR

URI DECEMBER 20 :
In furtherance to our continuous efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society, Uri Police recovered contraband from Dachi.

In a statement issued here police said that a routine Naka was established by Police Uri in front of BOP Dachi.At around 1100hrs during the routine checkup of vehicles a SUMO vehicle bearing Registration no JK05 D.6531 was stopped the veh and passengers were frisked and two packets of Heroin like substance(one small,one big) was recovered from possession of two persons namely one Irfan Ah Mir S/O Habibullah Mir and Irshad Ahmed Pood s/o Mohammad Sharif Pood both R s/o Nambla C Uri.

In this regard Case FIR NONO 174 /20 us 8/ 21 & 29 NDPS Act stands registered in PS Uri ,accused persons have been arrested and investigation taken up.