Author: snskashmir

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.

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 19 :

Three militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba were killed on Friday in an overnight encounter in Badigam area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar told GNS, that three militants have been killed in the gunfight which had started on thrusday night.

However their identity is yet to be ascertained, the IGP Said.

Earlier, Reports reaching GNS that a joint team of Police and army launched a cordon and search operation in Badigam.

As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off an gunfight.(GNS)

Terms It Unfortunate That Some Politicians, Ex-Officers Continue To Stay Unauthorizedly’

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 18 :

Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Thursday said that it was unfortunate that some former ministers, legislators, retired officers, politicians, and political persons etc., have illegally and unauthorizedly managed to continue to stay in the residential accommodation provided to them by the government though they are no longer entitled to such facilities.

Disposing of a Public Interest Litigation filed by it suo-moto in October last year, a division bench of Justices Ali Mohammad Magrey and Vinod Chatterji Koul ordered that the directions passed by the Court from time to time in the matter of eviction of unauthorized and illegal occupants from Government accommodation and recovery of rent shall be strictly implemented by the authorities concerned “in the same spirit in which they were meant to be.”

“At the very outset, we wish to observe that it is unfortunate that some former Ministers/ Legislators/ Retired Officers/ Politicians/ Political persons, etc., have illegally/ unauthorizedly managed to continue to stay in the residential accommodation provided to them by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, though they are no longer entitled to such accommodation,” the court said as per GNS.

“Many of such persons continue to occupy residential accommodation commensurate with the office(s) held by them earlier and which are beyond their present entitlement. The unauthorized occupants must realize that rights and duties go correlative to each other, inasmuch as the rights of one person entail the duties of another person, whereas, the duties of one person entail the rights of another person,” the court said, adding, “In this context, the unauthorized occupants must appreciate that their act of overstaying in the premise directly infringes the right of another. No law or direction can entirely control this act of disobedience, but for self-realization among the unauthorized occupants.”

Apart from it, the court said that the natural resources, public lands and the public goods, like Government bungalows, official residence are public property belong to the people of the country. “The ‘Doctrine of Equality’, which emerges from the concepts of justice and fairness must guide the State in the distribution/ allocation of the same,” the court said, adding, “Any former Minister/ Legislator/ Retired Officer/ Politician/ Political person, once he/ she demits the office, is on a par with the common citizen, though by virtue of the office held, he/ she may be entitled to security and other protocols as per assessment of the concerned filed agency. But allotment of Government bungalow, to be occupied during the lifetime of such persons, would not be guided by the constitutional principle of equality.”

The court also directed the Chief Secretary and the Secretary Estates Department to take all possible steps for ensuring eviction of the illegal and unauthorized occupants including Ministerial Bungalows/ Special Houses (Atype, B-type and C-type quarters), in tune with the mandate of law provided by the Supreme Court. “The Chief Secretary of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Secretary to Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Estates Department, shall ensure recovery of rent/ arrears of rent from the occupants of Government accommodation for the period for which they were in authorized/ unauthorized occupation of the said accommodation as Land Revenue.” (GNS)

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 19:

A Special Police officer of Police has been killed while as another policeman injured in an ongoing fierce encounter in Beerwah area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

A senior police officer told GNS, that one SPO has lost his life namely Altaf Ahmad, while as another Policeman injured namely Manzoor Ahmad in an ongoing encounter in Beerwah.

Earlier, Reports reaching GNS that a joint team of Police and army launched a cordon and search operation in Beerwah.

As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off an gunfight.(GNS)

BUDGAM, 18 FEBRUARY:

Unknown gunmen on Thursday evening looted a fuel station at Nadigam area of Budgam and decamped with cash of Rs three lakh fifty thousand.

According to the KNO, some unknown gunmen looted a petrol pump at Nadigam Budgam.

They said that they decamped with a cash of Rs 3,50,000 in the evening, saying that police has taken cognizance of the incident—KNO

Four centres sealed, fine ₹12,000 imposed, Notices served for violating norms

SNS KASHMIR

BARAMULLA, FEBRUARY 18:

Acting on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aijaz Asad and in the interest of student community, authorities in Baramulla today launched surprise inspection drive in which  64 tution centres across the district were inspected to ascertain whether they are adhering to the regulatory framework or not.

At Baramulla, the inspection was conducted by ACR who was accompanied by Chief Education Officer and other functionaries wherein they inspected 06 coaching centres and 02 centres were sealed and a fine of Rs 12,000 was realized for violating the requisite legalities. 

Similarly, in Sopore ADC carried out the inspection of 35 centres. Concerned SDMs in Tangmarg, Pattan and Uri inspected 15, 03 and 05 centres respectively in their areas. However, warning notices were also issued to several coaching centres wherein they have been asked to strictly follow the prescribed rules failing which legal action shall be initiated against them. 

The tution centres that were sealed during the inspection include Excel Coaching Centre Baramulla, Brooks Coaching Centre Baramulla, Bright Coaching Centre Tangmarg and Brilliant Coaching Centre Tangmarg.

Pertinent to mention that these tution centres were checked whether they are following regulations like sufficient accommodation, COVID-19 SOPs, reservation for poor and destitute students, student-teacher ratio, mantainence of records among other codal formalities.

On the occasion, DC said that strict legal action shall be taken against the violators and added that any kind of laxity won’t be tolerated in the interest of student community. He emphasized upon the concerned stakeholders to strictly abide by the rules and regulations and said that while ensuring quality education adherence to normative framework and compliance to the same must be ensured.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 18 :

Jammu and Kashmir reported 87 fresh covid-19 cases, 44 among them travellers, even as three person succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Thursday.

They said 11 cases were from Jammu Division and 76 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total case tally to 125634.

Providing district-wise details, the sources told GNS that Srinagar reported 48 cases, Baramulla 6, Budgam 10, Pulwama 6, Kupwara 0, Anantnag 1, Bandipora 3, Ganderbal 0, Kulgam 0, Shopian 2, Jammu 11, Udhampur 0, Rajouri 0, Doda 0, Kathua 0, Samba 0, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 0, Ramban 0 and Reasi 0.

Also, there were three fresh deaths in the Valley due to the virus during the last 24 hours, taking the number of people succumbing to the virus in J&K to 1954—725 in Jammu and 1229 in the Valley.

Moreover, 53 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals, 19 from Jammu Division and 34 from Kashmir valley.

So far 122992 people have recovered— 50931 in Jammu and 72061 in the valley.

Meanwhile, Head of Chest Disease Hospital Dr Naved Nazir Shah warned against second wave, saying indications in this regard have started to come.

“Beware and cautious Indications of second wave beginning to come.. Maharashtra/Kerala starting to heat up again TAKE VACCINE whosoever get an opportunity and TAKE PRECAUTIONS…” he said in a tweet. (GNS)

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 18 :

There shall be no traffic on Jammu-Srinagar, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, on Friday.

A traffic department official told GNS that the Friday has been declared as dry day for maintenance and repairing of the thoroughfare.

Meanwhile, Mughal road, connecting Shopian and Poonch districts, remained closed due to the snow accumulation. Srinagar-Leh highway was officially closed on the orders by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir on December 30. (GNS)