Category: Union Territory

Srinagar, July 18: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole on Sunday said that no congregational prayers will be allowed on Eid-ul-Adha in the Kashmir valley in view of the prediction of Covid-19 third wave.

Talking with Kashmir *News Service (KNS), PK Pole said that there will be no congregational prayers on Eid as the limited number of people allowed in any sort of gathering is just 25 and it will difficult to limit the number to 25 if congregational prayers are allowed.

He said that the prayers will be allowed in a decentralised way like it has been allowed during the peak of Covid-19 second wave.

“As any sort of gathering is limited to 25, which included Eid gatherings or congregational prayers, so these prayer will not be allowed. Limiting the number of people to 25 would be difficult if congregational prayers are allowed in Eid, so the prayers will be allowed in a decentralised way, there will be no congregational prayers,” he said.

He also said that that people must follow government SOPs and medical experts’ instructions on the occasion Eid-ul-Adha and avoid Covid-19 threats.

Pole said that considering the damage caused by the third wave of Covid-19 in other countries, everyone should follow the guidelines and precautions strictly on the occasion of the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha with regard to COVID-19.

He said that the third wave of Covid-19 has become a reality in other countries and in view of the third wave, the government of India has also taken steps against it and people have to follow them.

Pole said that the coming days will be very crucial and urged people to continue their fight against the pandemic by strictly following the physical distancing norms and use of mask. (KNS)

‘Governor’s job assurance proved hoax’

Srinagar, Jul 17: The families of three youth from Rajouri who were killed in a fake encounter on 18 July last year said that they were betrayed by the administration.

The families said that except receiving Rs 5 lakh compensation each, no progress has been made in the case.

Mohammed Yousuf, father of Abrar Ahmad told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that last year when LG Governor visited their residence, they were assured that a kin of each family will get a government job but as of now nothing has happened.

“We visited the offices of Deputy Commissioner Rajouri where we were asked to bring a letter from LG office following which we sought an appointment with LG, but we are still waiting for the call,” Yousuf said.

“If authorities have already identified the people who killed our sons, why is the government unnecessarily delaying action against them,” Yousuf said.

They requested the LG Governor to look into the matter and provide them justice by providing government jobs to one family member of each slain.

Notably on July 18, last 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 the 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 and buried at their native places in Rajouri district.

Police later produced challan against three persons involved in the case and were produced before Principal and session Judge Shopian in December last year.

As per the challan trio involved in the case are Captain Bupinder of 62 RR, Tabish Ahmad, a resident of Shopian and Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Pulwama—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jul 20: In the past five years, at least eight percent of the female population in Jammu and Kashmir suffer pregnancy loss, reveals a survey conducted by Government of India (GoI).

The official figures of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) states that the region has witnessed at least eight percent of foetal wastage in the backdrop of abortion, miscarriage and stillbirth in the past five years.

“At least 92 percent of last pregnancies in the five years preceding the survey ended in a live birth, and the remaining 8 percent terminated in foetal wastage (abortion, miscarriage, or stillbirth),” reads the survey.

It also states that the miscarriage was most commonly reported type of foetal wastage, accounting for at least five percent of all pregnancies, and abortions accounted for 2 percent.

“The three main reasons for abortion reported by women were complications in pregnancy with 26 percent, health issues with 19 percent and 17 percent of unplanned pregnancy,” reads the GoI survey.

It also states that the 69 percent methods used for performing abortions was done through medicines, Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) was conducted to one percent and other 23 percent surgical methods were also used.

“A large majority of at least 79 percent of abortions were performed in the public health sector, and 14 percent were performed in the private health sector,” it reads.

“Thirty-seven percent of women reported having complications from the abortion. Most abortions in Jammu and Kashmir with 82 percent are performed by doctors,” the survey reads—(KNO)

SRINAGAR: The second wave of the Covid epidemic in India is not even over yet that the third wave has started worrying. The Union Health Ministry said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently issued a warning of the third wave of the epidemic for the whole world.

This means that the whole world is moving towards the third wave. In such a situation, the next 100-125 days are going to be very important for India. According to Hindustan Times, Dr. VK Paul, member of NITI Aayog (Health), said that at present, except the North and South America region of WHO, the epidemic situation is moving from good to bad and from worst to worst. The world is heading towards the third wave of the pandemic and it is a fact.

He said that the next 100-125 days are challenging for India in view of the rapidly increasing cases in the world. Dr. Paul said that Spain has seen a 64 percent increase in weekly cases of the corona, while the Netherlands has seen a 300 percent increase. The situation in Thailand was stable for a long time, but now cases are increasing.

He further said that Africa has also increased the cases of corona infection by 50 percent. Similarly, in Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, there is a sharp jump in the cases of infection.

Dr. Paul said, “Our population is still vulnerable. We have not yet reached herd immunity. Especially because of infection, but it is not that we want to achieve herd immunity through infection. We are also increasing the vaccination.” He said, “Even 50 percent of our vulnerable population has not been vaccinated so far. In such a situation, we are still vulnerable, but the situation is under control and it has to be maintained.”

Dr. Paul said that one dose of the corona vaccine has been found to reduce the risk of death by 82 percent and both doses by 95 percent. This means that nothing happened to 95 percent of the people who got infected after getting the vaccine.

SRINAGAR, JULY 16: The Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department today clarified that the Jammu and Kashmir government has not issued any ban order on slaughtering of animals in accordance with rules.

Pertinently, Animal Welfare Board of India every year issues advisory regarding animal slaughtering to be carried out while following laws and rules. The same advisory has been issued this year also and has been forwarded to the concerned authorities.

They were involved in three incidents, were tracking them, got lead yesterday: IGP Kashmir; 2 CRPF men also injured in gunfight, hospitalised, say officials

Sheikh Danish

Two militants killed in an encounter at Alamdar Colony, Saidapora, Eidgah Srinagar Friday morning were affiliated with Islamic State J&K outfit, police said.

Police said both were locals from Natipora area of Srinagar. The two slain were identified as Irfan Ahmed Sofi and Bilal Ahmed, who had joined militancy on December 14, 2020.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that two militants were involved in three incidents that took in June after which “we were tracking the movement of duo. We got a lead about them yesterday after which joint teams of CRPF and police cordoned off Eidgah area in Srinagar. We appealed to them to surrender but they refused after which an encounter took place in which both militants were killed,” he said, adding that as per police list “two slain were affiliated to LeT and had switched to ISJK as per social media reports.”

In the gunfight, two CRPF men were also injured who were identified as Bupinder Sharma of 21 BN and Unis Ahmed of 73 BN who have been hospitalised and are stable.

Earlier, police had said that two unidentified militants were killed in an encounter that broke out in the wee hours at Alamdar Colony Danmar, Syedpora area of district Srinagar.

“Joint team of Police and CRPF had launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the area after receiving credible inputs about the presence of militants in the area,” the official said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar had told KNO that with today’s operation, 78 militants have been killed this year so far in various encounters. “Of 78 total militants killed, 39 belonged to LeT followed by HM, Al-Badr, JeM and AuGH,” he had said.

Says solution to Kashmir issue lies in what Manmohan-Musharraf had agreed to; Mirwaiz has a role, he should be allowed to play it as and when he is ready; Statehood a genuine demand of mainstream leaders; Delimitation may benefit a little to Jammu region; Security situation improving, but political process must to stop young boys from choosing wrong path

Srinagar: Former RAW chief A S Dulat Thursday said that Article 370 was a gone case and it won’t come back again now while he believes the solution to the Kashmir issues lies somewhere in what former president of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf and former Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh had agreed to.

In an exclusive interview with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Dulat said that he is of the strong belief that the Article 370 issue is over. “The credit for scrapping it goes to BJP,” he said. “I personally believe that it won’t come back. Even mainstream parties like the National Conference have stated that the issue is before the Supreme Court and they will fight it there. The issue is sub-judice and let’s wait for the court verdict…..”

Stating that he was always an ardent supporter of dialogue for resolving the Kashmir issue, Dulat said that the solution to the Kashmir problem lies somewhere in what Manmohan Singh and Musharaf had agreed to. “One thing is clear: whatever is across the LoC is there and whatever is on this side is here. So softening up the border is a choice….,” he told KNO over phone from New Delhi. “Even NC chief Dr Farooq Abdullah has been stating this since long.”

Asked whether separatists have been rendered irrelevant in Kashmir, he said there is a role of the moderate Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. “The role of Syed Ali Geelani was squeezed by Mushraf himself in 2004. Who talked to the Centre then? Geelani may have his own role but Mirwaiz definitely has a role to play and I believe he should be allowed to play his role as and when he is ready for it,” Dulat said. On if Mirwaiz had a role, why he is under continuous house arrest since August 5, 2019, the former RAW chief evaded the query reiterating that he (Mirwaiz) should be allowed to play his part whenever he is ready.

Replying to a query about the delimitation process in J&K, Dulat said that Jammu may get a little benefit out of the process. To a query that PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has stated that the script of the delimitation panel was already written, he said: “I hope all the apprehensions of Mehbooba turn out to be wrong….”

About the ceasefire on the LoC, Dulat said that it was a good step. “I heard peace is prevailing on borders and there is zero infiltration. This is a good thing indeed,” he said. “There is a regular meeting of DGMOs of both sides.” Asked whether there was alienation at its peak in Kashmir at present as even government employees are being sacked, the former RAW chief said that some boys are still not satisfied and are treading the wrong path. There has to be a political process to keep these youngsters away from choosing the wrong way.”

As far as the sacking of employees, only the elected government can address such issues. “It is the elected government that can satisfy people and address their concerns,” he said. About the demand for restoration of statehood in J&K, Dulat said it is a genuine demand that should be fulfilled.

To a query whether separatist leaders serving detention since past over two years in New Delhi need to be released, he evaded the query saying, “I can’t comment on this issue…”—(KNO)

Srinagar, July 15: All the constituent members of Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) Jammu and Kashmir, headed by incarcerated Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq on Thursday asked the government to lift restrictions, imposer in view of Covid-19, on offering Friday prayers in central mosques of Jammu and Kashmir.

A spokesperson told that MMU members in a joint statement have asked the government to remove the restrictions on offering Friday prayers in central mosques of J&K due to Covid-19, in view of the rapid slowing down of Covid-19 cases in J&K, before the occasion of Eid ul Azha .

In the joint statement, MMU-an amalgam of too religious bodies of the state said that on the advice of medical experts, parks, market places shopping malls, restaurants, hotels etc. have been allowed to open with the condition of following Covid appropriate SOPs, similarly all central places of worship in Jammu and Kashmir, which include the historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Dargah Hazratbal Srinagar, Khanqah-e-Mu’ala, Imambarah Budgam, and other main mosques, shrines and imambarahs, that had been closed in view of the Pandemic, should now be allowed to hold Friday prayers and Eid-ul-Adha prayers adhering to strict Covid protocol.

As per the statement, members of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema include Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Darul Uloom Raheemiya Bandipora, Muslim Personal Law Board Jammu and Kashmir, Anjuman-e-Shari’a Shian, Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadeeth, Jamaat-e-Islami, Karwaan-e-Islami, Ittehad-e-Muslimeen, Anjuman-e-Himayat-ul-Islam, Anjuman-e-Tabligh-ul-Islam. Jamiat Hamdaniya, Anjuman Ulema Ahnaaf, Darul Uloom Qasmia, Darul Uloom Bilalia, Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Anjuman-e-Mazhar-ul-Haq, Jamiat Aima Wa Ulema, Anjuman-e-Imam-o-Mashaa’ikh Kashmir, Dar-ul-Uloom Naqshbandia, Dar-ul-Uloom Rasheedia, Ahl-e-Bayt Foundation, Madrasa Kanz-ul-Uloom, Karvaan Khatm-e-Nabuwat, and other religious, social and educational associations.

Srinagar, July 14: The Enforcement Directorate has sent a demand notice of over 14 lakh to Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani asking him to deposit the penalty amount, imposed upon him under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, within 10 days.

As per the notice, a copy of which lies with Asian News Hub, the ED said that a penalty of Rs 14,40,000 was imposed upon SAS Geelani on 2019, which he till date has failed to deposit.

“Adjudication Order No.ADJ/02/SRZO/2019/AD-NG dated 20.03.2019 passed by Assistant Director, a penalty of Rs. 14,40,000 was imposed upon you under section 13(1) of Foreign Exchnage Management Act, 1999. And whereas, the penalty of Rs. 14,40,000/- has not been deposited by you, till date, as per records of this office,” it reads.

It reads that: “Now therefore, you are hereby given notice to deposit the aforesaid penalty amount within 10 days of receipt of this Demand Notice by means of Demand Draft in favor of the “The Pay and Accounts Officer, Pay & Accounts Office, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi”, failing which action contemplated u/s 14 and 14A of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 is liable to be initiated against you, as per law.”

It also reads that in case of any ‘Stay Order’ passed by any Court, Tribunal Authority, in respect of the penalty imposed upon you, a copy thereof be provided to ED office within 10 days of receipt of this demand notice. (ANH)

Pehalgam, July 14: Islamic Fraternity (IF), an organization working in the field of Da’wah, education and social welfare, wrapped-up its Ten days Da’wah program in Pehalgam on Tuesday.
A tent and Dawah tables was erected by the organization inside Pahalgam where dozens of volunteers distributed Islamic literature particularly the Holy Qur’an in various languages, for the purpose to clear the misconceptions about Islam in the minds of non-Muslims.
The tourists were also served traditional Kashmiri Kehwa.

The programme was part of a series of campaigns that Islamic Fraternity has started to spread awareness about Islam among non-Muslims and to break the propaganda created by “biased” media against Islam across the globe.

The volunteers of IF had come from several districts of Kashmir launched a mass campaign for the awareness of COVID protocols besides Dawah camp at Pehalgam and distributed masks free of cost among the tourists and the locals.

“The main aim of organizing such programs in the valley is to remove misconceptions and to give the true message of Islam” said Muhammad Aamir the president of Islamic Fraternity Kashmir.

Ambulance service was also made available to meet the emergencies.

People, especially locals, hailed the organisation for their efforts to counter the propaganda manufactured by the anti-Islam elements, particularly by a section of media trying to demonise Islam and weaken the Muslims around the world.