Author: snskashmir

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 19 :

Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday directed Senior Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch Kashmir, to ensure within three months completion of investigation into a case involving fraudulent withdrawing of Rs. 20,34,634 against non-existent works by PHE officials, leading to the denial of potable water supply to hundreds of people in Handwara area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district in 2014.

Disposing of a Public Interest Litigation, a bench of Justices Ali Mohammad Magrey and Vinod Chatterji Kou directed the SSP to file challan before the competent court of law within the period.

“On consideration of the matter and in terms of order passed on 15th of December 2014, the Court had sought status report from the Senior Superintendent of Police Crime Branch, Srinagar, about the investigation of case FIR No. 91/2014, which was earlier registered at Police Station, Handwara and thereafter transferred to Crime Branch, Srinagar,” the court observed in an order, a copy of which lies GNS.

The Court had also sought status report about the departmental enquiry initiated against the delinquent officials.

A status report of the investigation in the FIR as also about the inquiry conducted by the department was filed subsequently by the officers concerned.

“It is seen from status report filed by the Senior Superintendent of Police that several persons fraudulently and dishonestly have withdrawn an amount of Rs. 20,34,634/- against non-existent works in the PHE Division Handwara. Some of the officers were arrested and placed under suspension,” the court said, adding, “Perusal of the record reveals that Finance Department vide letter dated 27th of October, 2016, has also directed the Director General Audit and Inspection to conduct special audit of the PHE Division Handwara w.e.f. 2006. Status report filed by the Commissioner/Secretary to Government Irrigation and Flood Control Department, reveals that the inquiry has been expediated and is in the process of conclusion.”

The Director, General, Audit and Inspection, the court observed, has also submitted report to the Government for taking action.

“The respondents (government functionaries) are on record to guarantee supply of safe drinking water to the public as per their requirement. It has been highlighted that in most of the areas safe drinking water is supplied as per the scheme of the Government of India and Government of Jammu Kashmir.”

The court closed the PIL, observing that it was satisfied with the investigation of the matter, the inquiry conducted by the Government as also supply of safe drinking water to the public in Handwara.

“Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Jal Shakti Department (PHE), shall take departmental proceedings to its logical conclusion by adherence to rules and regulations in vogue and pass appropriate orders,” the court said, adding, “Chief Engineer, PHE Department, Kashmir shall ensure that safe drinking water is supplied to the areas of PHE Division, Handwara, which is not covered in terms of the scheme in vogue.” (GNS)

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 19 :

The Crime Branch Kashmir (CBK) Friday presented Baramulla resident before the Court of 3rd Additional Munsif Srinagar, who is involved in multiple cases for duping youth on the pretext of providing them government jobs.

“The CBK presented Manzoor Hussain Qadri, son of Late Ghulam Hassan Qadri of Poshwani Tehsil Pattan District Baramulla before the Hon’ble Court of 3rd Additional Munsif Srinagar in case under FIR number 36/2014 under section 420, 467, 468, 120-B RPC,” a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

“The accused was wanted in multiple cases for having grabbed huge amounts from a large number of youth, on the pretext of providing them government jobs. He has been remanded to Crime Branch Kashmir’s custody by Hon’ble Court of 3rd Additional Munsif Srinagar,” it said.

Pertinently, the accused was also wanted in cases of similar nature filed at Crime Branch Jammu and was transferred from Jammu to Srinagar by Crime Branch Kashmir after getting arrested in Jammu—(KNO)

_19 Exam Centres Established for 36717 Aspirants_

SNS KASHMIR

BARAMULLA, FEBRUARY 19:

Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Mohammad Aijaz Asad today chaired a meeting with concerned departments in order to review the arrangements put in place for the conduct of JKSSRB Class IV examinations scheduled on 27th, 28th of February and on Ist March.

On the occasion, a comprehensive discussion on the subject was held wherein it was informed that 36717 aspirants are going to appear in these exams for which 19 exam centres have been established across the district. 

During the review, it was informed by JKSSRB Zonal officer that this is the first ever exam being conducted by the Recruitment Board for Class IV posts. DC urged upon  the Departments to work in coordination and cohesion for conducting the exams smoothly and peacefully. DC further directed to make all the requisite arrangements well in advance adding that necessary training shall be imparted to the duty staff. 

Moreover, DC said that one observer and one duty magistrate shall be appointed for each centre so that exam is conducted in a smooth and transparent manner. The meeting was also informed that GAD has appointed ADC Baramulla as the general observer for the said exam. 

It is worth here to mention that, DC has issued an order wherein Deputy Chief Education Officer Balbir Singh was appointed as the Nodal Officer who shall liaise with various stakeholders for the smooth conduct of the exam. The Nodal officer shall constitute a Whatsapp Group for ensuring proper coordination among all the Departments and JKSSRB.

DC Announces ₹80,000 as immediate cash Assistance out of Red Cross

BARAMULLA, FEBRUARY 19:

In order to provide immediate assistance to the fire victims of Hakapatheri Boniyar whose residential houses were gutted in the fire incident, District Administration Baramulla has provided immediate relief among the victims. The relief, apart from some essential commodities, include more than three dozen blankets, tents, stoves and other relief items of daily use.

In this connection, a team of officers headed by Tehsildar Boniyar Peer Zahid Ahmad visited the spot where 03 residential houses were gutted in the fire during the intervening night of 18th and 19th February 2021 and to assess the damages due to the fire incident.

Meanwhile, the DC also announced cash relief of Rs 80,000 for the affected families out of the district Red Cross fund. Further DC said that Ex-gratia Relief as admissible under Rules shall also be provided to the affected families . 

People of the area have appreciated the prompt  response of district administration and expressed gratitude for providing the immediate relief.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 19 :

Government on Friday promoted two IPS officers of J&K cadre to DGP rank with effect from January 1 this year.

According to an order issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of J&K and Ladakh, the 1991-batch IPS officers, R R Swain and A K Choudhary were promoted to the DGP rank with the approval of the Competent Authority. (GNS)

SRINAGAR FEBRUARY 19 :

On specific intelligence, a Naka was established during the night intervening between 16/17, Feb 2021 and a vehicle bearing registration Number JK01AL-6822 was intercepted by the Qazigud & Mir Bazar Police Parties.

In which Five Personswere found travelling, among them three persons namely Abdul Qayoom Guroo S/O Mohd Shafi Guroo, Aarif Ahmad Guroo S/O Mohd Shafi Guroo, Hilal Ahmad Dar S/O Ghulam Ahmad Dar all are the residents of Rabitar Shadipora Ganderbal taking advantage of darkness flee from Spot however two Persons namely, Imtiyaz Ahmad Guroo S/O Gulzar Ahmad Guroo and Mohd Yaseen Sofi S/O Abdul Salam Sofi both the residents of Rabitar Shadipora Ganderbal were apprehended tactfully.
While questioning, the Duo confessed that they are Burglars and were going to Hiller Qazigund for Burglary purpose and also confessed that they are involved in many Burglaries at various locations in district Kulgam and at various other spots in other districts of south Kashmir and central Kashmir.
They further disclosed about the modus operandi of Burglary and the disposal of Looted Gold Ornaments, as the stolen gold was being sold to Zum Zum Ornaments Owned By Shabaz Ahmad of Sultanpora and Star Gold (Baramulla & Sultanpora) owned by Aabid Abass a resident of Sultanpora and was further sharpened into Gold Biscuits by a person namely Vikas R/O Maharashtra A/P Sultanpora who is evading arrest.
The investigation of the Case FIR No. 299/2020 U/S 457, 380, 411, 420 IPC of Police Station Qazigund is going on and so far, 60 Gold Ornaments worth Lakhs have been recovered and Four persons have been arrested Searches are going on to nab the other culprits of the instant case and more recoveries are expected.

Says both attackers identified; docs tried their best to save two cops, but couldn’t; The incident will help us to work with more dedication; will go for security review to plug loopholes, policemen were unarmed

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 19 :

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range Vijay Kumar said that two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants including a local carried out the attack in which two policemen were killed at Baghat area of Barzulla in Srinagar on Friday and that both attackers have been identified.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a wreath laying ceremony of two slain cops at DPL Srinagar, the IGP said that two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants including a foreign militant and a local who has been identified as Saqib, carried out the Baghat attack. “The two policemen were on a routine duty and were at a shop to buy something. They were fired from the back. They were totally unarmed,” IGP Kumar said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

He said that both the attackers will be tracked down soon. “Doctors at the hospital tried their best to save the two injured cops but couldn’t,” the IGP said adding that the incident will help the cops to work with more dedication and take extra precautions. “We will go for a security review and plug the loopholes. Had the policemen with weapons, perhaps they would have retaliated,” the IGP said.

Asked if a civilian has been detained at Baghat area, the Kashmir police chief said that nobody has been detained or arrested. “May be someone has been detained for routine questioning,” he said and paid rich tributes to the slain cops Suhail Ahmed and Muhammad Yousuf, residents of Ashmuqam, Anantnag and Zurhama, Kupwara—(KNO)

Says all three arrested, pistol, cracked case in just 24 hours; bike used in crime recovered; attack carried out at the behest of Lashkar commander Gazi to create fear among tourists, security to be intensified in Dalgate, adjoining areas; if needed new bunkers to be set up as well

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 19 :

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar Friday said that three-bike-borne newly recruited militants carried out the attack on the owner of Krishna Dhabar at busy Dalgate area to instil fear among tourists on a day when foreign envoys were in Srinagar.

“We acted swiftly and constituted teams under the supervision of DIG rank officer that was headed  by SP (South City). A civilian called SP South city that attackers were riding a bike after which we accessed the CCTV footage and followed other inputs,” the IGP Kashmir said addressing a presser at PCR, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

He said that Srinagar police with the help of Anantnag police followed certain leads and arrested two youth who were involved in the act. “The  bike used in the offence and pistol were seized. After interrogating the duo, they revealed that third person was also involved in the crime. Third one was also arrested. All three were newly recruited militants and one of them was given pistol training in the forest area of Pahalgam,” the IGP Kashmir said. “Two arrested youth hail from Pampore and third one is from Pulwama.”

He said that three youth were lured by a Lashkar-e-Toiba or (TRF) commander Gazi, who had tasked the trio to strike at Krishna Dhab where tourist rush is always high and the shop even remains open during hartals.

“The main aim of the attack was to instil fear among the tourists on a day when EU envoys were in Srinagar,” the IGP said.

He said that all three arrested youth have accepted the crime and “we have recorded their confession statement in a video to be produced before the court along with the challan.” “We have cracked the case in 24 hours and it is a big success for us,” he said.

Asked whether any further security measures would be taken given the fact that tourist season is coming, he said that there would be more surveillance and deployment in the busy areas of Srinagar and elsewhere. “More bunkers will be set up if needed in these areas. A close watch will be kept on the elements who may try to disturb the peace. Frisking will also be intensified,” he said—(KNO)

SNS Kashmir

Srinagar: Two policemen who were critically injured on Friday after they were attacked by the suspected militants in Baghat area in Srinagar outskirts have succumbed to their injuries.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that earlier, militants fired upon the policemen at Baghat chowk.

He said the two policemen deployed at the spot were critically injured and they were shifted to hospital for treatment, where they succumbed.

The official identified the deceased cops as Constable Suhail Ahmad and SgCt Mohammad Yousuf

He said that Suhail succumbed to his injuries at SMHS hospital while Mohammad Yousuf succumbed at PCR hospital Srinagar.

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU FEBRUARY 18:

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today held an interaction with the Foreign Envoys who were on their two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to have a firsthand appraisal of government’s efforts to restore normalcy and boost development in the Union Territory.

As many as 24 Foreign Envoys including Excellencies – Mr. Juan Angulo, Ambassador , Chile; Mr. Andre Aranha Correa do Lego, Ambassador, Brazil; Mr. Oscar Israel Martinez Cordoves, Ambassador, Cuba; Ms. Katrin Kivi, Ambassador, Estonia; Ms. Ritva Koukku-Ronde, Ambassador, Finland; Mr. Lukmon Bobokalozoda, Ambassador, Tajikistan; Mr. Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador, France; Mr. Brendan Ward, Ambassador, Ireland; Mr. Marten Van Den Berg, Ambassador, Netherlands, Mr. Carlos Pereira Marques, Ambassador, Portugal; Mr. Ugo Astuto, Ambassador, European Union; Mr. Muhammad Imran, High Commissioner, Bangladesh; Mr. George C. Mkondiwa, Ambassador, Malawi; Mr. Alem Tsehaye Woldermariam, Ambassador, Eritrea; Mr. N’DRY Eric Camille, Ambassador, Cote d’Ivore; Mr Abdoul Wahab Haidara, Ambassador, Senegal; Mr. Klas Molin, Ambassador, Sweden; Mr. Vincenzo de Luca, Ambassador, Italy; Mr. Dato Hidayat bin Abdul Hamid, High Commissioner, Malaysia; Mr. Francois Delhaye, Ambassador, Belgium; Mr. Asein Isaev, Ambassador, Kyrgyzstan; besides Mr. Sebastian Beliwine, Cd’A, Ghanna; Mr Juan Jose Cortez Rojas, Cd’A, Bolivia; Ms. Montserrat Moman Pampillo, Cd’A Spain visited the Raj Bhavan for the interaction.

While interacting with the Foreign Envoys, the Lt Governor spoke on the developmental changes J&K is witnessing.

He observed that an ecosystem of democratic values, welfare principles and economic development has been developed in J&K and scores of measures are being taken by the Government for development and prosperity of the UT.

“Years of suffering for J&K people ended on 5th August 2019. The efforts of respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ushered the Union Territory into a new era, which has brought about socio-economic development in the region and empowerment of the people”, the Lt Governor remarked.

On reformative interventions being made by the Central government for boosting economic growth in J&K, the Lt Governor said that the central government headed by Prime Minister has drawn up excellent ideas and initiatives of industrialization even in far flung areas of the Union Territory so that more jobs could be created for our youth.

While speaking on the focus areas of the UT Government, the Lt Governor said that the Government is investing more than ever before in infrastructure, industries, education, healthcare, skill development, sustainable livelihood so that every citizen of Jammu & Kashmir has a safe future and earns recognition. Our collective aim is to continue implementing people-centric, development, and industry oriented policies, he added.

“Targeted solutions have been devised to address the issues like poverty, health, Skill development of youth, job opportunities and concrete steps are being taken to ensure that benefits of government schemes reach the last mile”, said the Lt Governor.

Women are also being provided with more opportunities to participate in economic development of the Union Territory and concrete support is being extended to those seeking a fresh start, he added.

Terming terrorism as the biggest enemy of human-kind, the Lt Governor said that despite relentless attempts by our neighbour to destabilize the security situation and trigger social disharmony by exporting terror, the Government is resolute towards the holistic and equitable development of J&K.

Recently, DDC’s peaceful, violence-free and fair elections were held and the three-tier Panchayat system was established to strengthen the grass root democracy. Now, the true democracy is flourishing in the UT, which is not merely about governance but the feeling of fraternity, brotherhood, communal harmony and attitude of respect and reverence towards each other.

Replying to the queries by H.E Mr. Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador, France and H.E Mr. Abdoul Wahab Haidara, Ambassador, Senegal pertaining to the Economic development and investment friendly reforms taken place in the UT, the Lt Governor observed that a new Industrial Development Scheme of Rs 28,400 crore has been unveiled for attracting investment in the UT, besides creating opportunities for the youth.

Various incentives are being offered to the investors across the globe. Earlier, a mega relief and revival package of Rs 1350 crore was announced to help the J&K business sector to tide over their problems, he added.

On being asked about the developmental measures taken by the Government, the Lt Governor observed that the Central and the UT Government are determined to preserve and create prosperity in J&K.

“Peace, Progress, Prosperity and People First- that is my vision for development of Jammu and Kashmir”, observed the Lt Governor.

On power generation, the Lt Governor said that despite the immense potential of Hydro Power, only 3500 MW of power was generated in J&K in the last 73 years, causing small businesses and citizens to face power problems. We have approved several projects worth Rs 54,000 crore during the last 3-4 months and we aspire to generate 3500 Megawatt in only four years to make Jammu Kashmir power surplus, he added.

Speaking on the problems faced by the people of J&K in the last seven decades, the Lt Governor observed that the people were deprived of development, basic facilities, their fundamental rights, and various acts passed by the parliament for the benefit of the people.

The Lt Governor said that the Prime Minister has ensured that all the benefits of Central Acts now reach to the people.

To make J&K the fastest growing region in the country, the Prime Minister has also provided the Union Territory with Rs 58,627 crore to establish Two AIIMS, Two IITs, IIMs, and execute world class infrastructure, he added.

J&K Administration at all levels is making tireless effort to rebuild the incredible economic and societal glory of Jammu and Kashmir. A culture of corruption had seeped far into the governance. We have transformed it into a transparent and accountable system in order to create a fair and just society, the Lt Governor maintained.

The Lt Governor also sought support from the global community in shaping a new future for Jammu & Kashmir.

“My effort is to create bliss, and seeds for flowering of each and every citizen of UT. You can see blooming of development in UT for yourself and fragrance spreading on the winds, I am sure, will be carried to every corner of the earth”, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor also thanked the Envoys for making this trip to see reality on the ground.