Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: The Legal Metrology Department Kashmir Tuesday said that it conducted 3027 market inspections during the month of September and booked 211 erring traders for violation of Legal Metrology Laws.

In a statement issued to news agency KINS, the department said that the nature offences detected were short-weighment/short-delivery/overcharging on MRP on packed products/inadequate labeling norms/use of non-standard weight or measure etc.

“A penal sum of Rs. 6.27 lacs was recovered from the erring traders. The trade wise break-up of challans is: “Bakery dealer = 21, Brick Kilns  = 10, Drugs/Surgical Devices = 08, Kiryana Sellers = 24, Petrol Pumps = 08, Package seller = 21, Mutton/poultry = 18, Miscellaneous = 103” the statement reads.

It also said that the department also standardized 9565 weights and measures in the laboratories of the department for which a stamping fees of Rs. 5.47 lacs has been realized.(KINS)

Srinagar: Special Director General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Zulfikar Hassan Tuesday said that appropriate measures are being taken to prevent attacks on CRPF on highways.

“CRPF being the primary force responsible for highway security are being targeted. Appropriate measures are being taken to prevent attacks on highways,” Zulfikar told news agency KINS.

Meanwhile, concerned over the growing attacks on security forces on the Kashmir highways, top security officials  said that new Standard Operating Procedure (SoPs) are being framed to prevent highway attacks and it won’t be feasible to share what measures are in the pipeline given the security issues.

The officials while speaking to the Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), said that a security review meeting was on cards soon to discuss highway attacks and to frame a SoP to prevent loss of security personnel.

“New SoPs are being framed and it won’t be feasible to divulge them at this juncture due to security reasons,” IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar told KINS. He, however, said the situation was well under control and there was no need to worry.

IG CRPF for operations, Deepak Rattan said that focus of the SoPs will ensure militants don’t succeed in killing CRPF men deployed on highways as part of the Road Opening Parties (ROPs). “CRPF is primarily responsible for the RoPs and clearance of highways in Kashmir.

So there will be a level of extra alertness to foil militants’ designs on highways,” he said, adding that “any retaliation by forces on highways can lead to civilian casualties, which our men are avoiding.”

Sources in the security grid said that in the next two days, a high level security review will take place in Srinagar to discuss threadbare the attacks by militants on highways and other busy areas of the region while strategy will be devised to prevent killing of security forces’ personnel if militants try to target forces.

Pertinently, yesterday, two CRPF men were killed and three others sustained bullet injuries when two-bike borne militants fired at them at Kandizaal area of Pampore in Srinagar outskirts. Before that, militants had attacked a police party on August 14 at Nowgam byepass in Srinagar killing two policemen while their rifles were also snatched. In the Pampore attack, IG CRPF said no weapon was snatched and only two “CRPF men were killed.”

According to IGP Kashmir, any retaliation to militant attacks on highways, will invite trouble for the civilians. “We don’t retaliate to militant attacks on highways as that would lead to civilian casualties.

Every day, thousands of vehicles ply on highways and any retaliation from outside will lead to chaos and trouble for civilians, which we avoid. But yes, we will ensure there is no loss of security forces personnel if militants target them on highways,” the IGP said.(KINS)

Srinagar: The Education Ministry has issued the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for reopening of schools in the country.

According to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) the Guidelines for gradual opening of schools after 15th of October are broadly divided into two parts which include health and safety aspects in accordance with Health Ministry guidelines to follow all necessary safety precautions of ensuring physical distancing and wearing masks.

“The second part of the guideline deals with Academic aspects and on methods of delivery of education amidst the pandemic. The guidelines emphasise on the smooth transition of students from home-based schooling during lockdown to formal schooling by the school authorities,” the guidelines said.

It calls for making a Comprehensive Alternative Calendar of Activities for the Whole Year with focus on learning outcomes.

The teachers have been asked to polish their skills for integration of IT technology for its proper usage in the class modules.

“Use of divergent teaching resources including peer-teaching and learning, use of workbooks and worksheets and use of technology-based resources in class has been advocated in order to ensure compliance with physical distancing and other safety norms”.

Schools have also been encouraged to make their own SOPs based on the guidelines issued by states and UTs, keeping in view the safety and physical or social distancing norms.(KINS)

Srinagar: An unidentified militant was killed and a PSO of a BJP worker was injured at Nunar Ganderbal in central Kashmir on Monday evening.

“The (militant) fired upon one BJP worker at Nunar Ganderbal. He is safe,” police said in a tweet, “However his one PSO was injured in this incident. One unidentified militant got killed in PSOs retaliation,” police said in a tweet.

Sources told GNS that the PSO identified as constable Altaf Hussain has been shifted in “critical” condition to SKIMS Soura. (GNS)

Can’t retaliate indiscriminately as highway witnesses huge rush of civilian vehicles: IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar

Srinagar: Special Director General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Zulfikar Hassan Tuesday said that appropriate measures are being taken to prevent attacks on CRPF on highways.

“CRPF being the primary force responsible for highway security are being targeted. Appropriate measures are being taken to prevent attacks on highways,” Zulfikar told news agency KINS.

Meanwhile, concerned over the growing attacks on security forces on the Kashmir highways, top security officials  said that new Standard Operating Procedure (SoPs) are being framed to prevent highway attacks and it won’t be feasible to share what measures are in the pipeline given the security issues.

The officials while speaking to the Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), said that a security review meeting was on cards soon to discuss highway attacks and to frame a SoP to prevent loss of security personnel.

“New SoPs are being framed and it won’t be feasible to divulge them at this juncture due to security reasons,” IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar told KINS. He, however, said the situation was well under control and there was no need to worry.

IG CRPF for operations, Deepak Rattan said that focus of the SoPs will ensure militants don’t succeed in killing CRPF men deployed on highways as part of the Road Opening Parties (ROPs). “CRPF is primarily responsible for the RoPs and clearance of highways in Kashmir. So there will be a level of extra alertness to foil militants’ designs on highways,” he said, adding that “any retaliation by forces on highways can lead to civilian casualties, which our men are avoiding.”

Sources in the security grid said that in the next two days, a high level security review will take place in Srinagar to discuss threadbare the attacks by militants on highways and other busy areas of the region while strategy will be devised to prevent killing of security forces’ personnel if militants try to target forces.

Pertinently, yesterday, two CRPF men were killed and three others sustained bullet injuries when two-bike borne militants fired at them at Kandizaal area of Pampore in Srinagar outskirts. Before that, militants had attacked a police party on August 14 at Nowgam byepass in Srinagar killing two policemen while their rifles were also snatched. In the Pampore attack, IG CRPF said no weapon was snatched and only two “CRPF men were killed.”

According to IGP Kashmir, any retaliation to militant attacks on highways, will invite trouble for the civilians. “We don’t retaliate to militant attacks on highways as that would lead to civilian casualties. Every day, thousands of vehicles ply on highways and any retaliation from outside will lead to chaos and trouble for civilians, which we avoid. But yes, we will ensure there is no loss of security forces personnel if militants target them on highways,” the IGP said.(KINS)

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha condemned the militant attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men in Pampore area today and promised that the sacrifice of the forces personnel will not go in vain.

In his message, the Lt Governor said, ‘the sacrifices of our CRPF personnel will not go in vain. The government is determined and committed to foil the design of those who want to disrupt peace and derail the development of Jammu and Kashmir through such a militant attack. I assure the people of Jammu and Kashmir and family members of our brave personnel that we will punish the perpetrators of such attacks’.

The Lt Governor prayed for peace to the slain security forces personnel and strength to their family members. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of injured CRPF men—(KNO)

Srinagar: Connecting herself with the horrific incident of ‘rape and murder’ in Hathras region of Uttar Pradesh, Advocate Deepika Singh Rajawat stated that this episode and its consequential progress has reminded her of 2018-Rasana rape and murder case, when attempts were made by power holders to muzzle the voice for the justice.

“I have witnessed how pressure was exerted on the family of the victim as well as social activists, who stood by the cause,” said Advocate Deepika in an exclusive talk with The Typewriter.

Advocate Deepika Singh Rajawat first captured the country’s attention in April, 2018. The nation was shocked yet divided by the news of the rape and murder of an eight-year-old nomad girl Kathua district of Jammu & Kashmir.

Since the victim was Muslim and the accused were Hindu, the case quickly took a communal and political turn. In the face of an alleged police cover-up and support for the accused, Deepika was among those few who stood up for the victim. She offered legal support to the victim’s family, going up against the two state ministers, who defended the accused.

In fact, it was Advocate Deepika who took the parents of the victim to the High Court at Jammu for monitoring of the investigation that was conducted by the Crime Branch, Jammu.

She also guided them to approach the Supreme Court of India for seeking transfer of the trial to Pathankot, Punjab.

“The political involvement to suppress the facts in Hathras has reminded me how difficult it was to seek justice for the rape and murder victim of Kathua under constant harassment and threats from particular section of the society,” Advocate Deepika said as per news agency KINS and added that even her own fraternity opposed her.

“On April 4, when I was there in the High Court, J&K High Court Jammu Bar President late B.S Salathia asked me not to appear in this matter.

When I told the bar president that I was not a member of the said BAR Association and hence I can appear for the cases I want, he replied, “Yaha Par Gandh Phailane Ki Zarurat Nahi Hai (no need to spread filth here)”.

When she protested, she was further threatened, “I have the means to stop you,” Advocate Deepika said and maintained that she was even denied drinking water in the High Court by an office bearer of the BAR Association.

Advocate Singh further said that her heart bleeds when she read the news about rape, but it hurts more when some politicians and section of society supports the accused and colour it in the name of religion and caste.

“What is happening in Hathras is reflection of widely pervasive casteist mindsets, similar to what happened in Kathua rape case, where the accused were supported because of their religion,” said Advocate Singh, adding that these brutal sexual assaults against women are being framed as isolated incidents of crime rather than atrocities which are the outcome of systemic and deep-rooted casteism and misogyny.

Deepika Singh Rajawat further informed that she received rape and death threats, and was constantly trolled on social media.

“The false narratives weaved by some politicians and deliberately endorsed by few media houses shook me to the roots and I am still bearing the repercussions of those fake narratives.

It was disastrous, I was labelled as anti-national and anti-Hindu for supporting rape victim, who happened to be an eight-year-old Muslim girl,” Advocate Deepika Singh Rajawat said and added that similar treatment is being meted out to the people and social activists supporting rape and murder victim in Hathras, who happens to be a Dalit.

“It needs courage to face such circumstances and stay firm, because not everyone likes to be branded as anti-national. BJP, which is playing with the sentiments of the people lacks merits to win, the only way that they use to gain support is to peddle fake nationalism, which is causing more damage to the nation and the same needs to be stopped to protect the country from getting ruined,” Advocate Deepika Singh said, adding, “The people who never wanted me to stand for the victim of Kathua started lobbying allegations that I have taken huge funds in the name of the victim, which is absolutely fallacious, because had it been the case, I would have been living a lavish life and not changing homes every few months.”

In the past few years, Deepika was ‘forced’ to change her accommodation thrice as house owners did not want her on their property. All of them discontinued the rent agreements, for reasons that she has fought Kathua case.

“Let me be very frank, nothing is more troublesome and exhaustive than changing houses. In the last almost three years, I am unable to settle down at one place. You can imagine the travesty of my life, in 2018 I celebrated Diwali in Government accommodation, in 2019 I had to celebrate it in Gandhi Nagar rented accommodation and this year, I will be celebrating in the other house,” Advocate Deepika said and added that all this is happening due to unwavering smear campaign against her.

She maintained that with god’s grace, she is doing well in her profession and people ‘trust’ her, but the ramifications of the fake narratives are still bothering her and the same has caused immense damage to her reputation in the society which cannot be repaired.

“Few months back, one of my friends had selected a particular house and even the rent was fixed, but when they came to know about me, they refused,” she said and added, “There was a wave against me, I have approached a lot of people. The moment they learn about me, they flatly refuse. This also happened to me in June when I was looking for an office.”

When asked about why she was dropped from the Asifa case by her parents, Advocate Deepika Singh Rajawat said that you might have heard how the Hathras District Magistrate Praveen Kumar Laxkar is ‘threatening’ the family of the victim.

“It can be sheer coincidence that administration in Uttar Pradesh was caught on camera while threatening the family, while as in Kathua case, some BJP leaders, who were openly supporting the accused, could not be, perhaps, recorded while threatening the biological father of the victim,” said Advocate Deepika Singh Rajawat, adding, “Moreover, had I been a state lawyer, I would have been in a position to do the trial also. As a private lawyer, until appointed by the government, cannot do a session trial.”

She informed, as a private lawyer she took the case to the Supreme Court, but could not do it further because she was not permitted by the government or appointed as a Special Public Prosecutor in the case.

She further noted that due to involvement of politicians, it becomes difficult for lawyers and social activists to take up such cases and thus justice is eluded.

‘’I understand what injustice means, I have seen my parents suffering because of the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. Growing up in a migrant family was not easy, we were traumatized. But that’s when I decided to begin my quest for justice and not bow down by intimidation,” Deepika said, adding “In present scenario, it is getting difficult for activists in India to raise their voice against injustice. They are either killed or jailed. By imposing stringent laws on the activists, the ruling party is trying to silence the saner voices to enjoy unaccountable terms.”

“Despite having stringent law governing the subject, why crime against women is increasing day by day”, she questioned.

“Ruling BJP that came up with the slogan of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao needs to be firm on its implementation as mere playing with the words will not protect the women in India. They need to walk extra miles to actually make women feel safe in India”, she further added. (The Typewriter)

Kathua: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar Monday said that the 3rd edition of Back to Village programme (B2V3) was aimed to encourage participatory development in panchayats by listening to grievances and plan development as per the aspirations of the rural populace.

The Advisor said this while addressing a large gathering of people during a B2V3 function at Panchayat Kattal Brahamana in Hiranagar today.

Advisor Bhatnagar maintained that the Back to Village programme is devised to enable, strengthen and empower PRIs and foster the pace of development at grassroots level. He said UT administration has directed DCs and SSPs to convene public hearing every Wednesday at the door steps of the people to achieve speedy redressal of issues raised by them. He asked the people to come forward and avail benefits of welfare schemes of the government to improve their socioeconomic condition.

The Advisor impressed upon the PRI members to plan out the development works of their respective panchayats in order to fulfil the aspirations of people regarding development from all levels.

Referring Covid-19 pandemic as one of the reason of slowdown in taking up of some development work, the Advisor said with the opening up of lockdown restrictions the speed of work has been increased considerably and in coming days the pace of all developmental works will be increased.

Responding to the demand of making easy mechanism for issuing border resident certificate, the Advisor directed DC Kathua to look into the matter and devise suitable mechanism for the same at the earliest.

On the occasion, several delegations met the Advisor and raised issues included water scarcity, road connectivity, low voltage and other developmental issues with the Advisor.
The Advisor gave patient hearing to the demands and issues raised by the public.

On the occasion Deputy Commissioner Kathua O.P Bhagat said that the administration is making effort to educate people about various schemes of different departments. He said departments will be directed to make special awareness camps in Hiranagar to benefit border dwellers.

Among others SSP Kathua , Shailendra Mishra , SDM Hiranagar , BDC chairman, PRI members, officers from various departments and a large number of locals were present.

Kupwara: “I want to create an Ecosystem in J&K, which promotes self-employment, enterprises, manufacturing, industries and also bridges the skill gaps to make rural areas of this Union Territory Atmanirbhar”, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha made these remarks during his visit to the frontier Machil area in Kupwara, where he participated in the ongoing Back to Village-3 programme.

He observed that there is a need to work on the promotion of local crafts and imparting Traditional Skill Training to generate self-employment. In the last 3 months, 246 local youth, including 122 girls, trained for Village Entrepreneurship. “Kupwara figures in the list of best performing aspirational districts; will be turned into a modern industrial hub for walnut production and processing”, he added.

Taking note of the long pending issues of the local population, the Lt Governor announced local recruitment rallies in Armed Forces for unemployed youngsters. He also issued directions for the immediate installation of 5 mobile towers in the area fulfilling a much-needed demand of the people of the area, who had been ruing for mobile connectivity for the past several decades. He also remarked that Kupwara-Baramulla Rail Line is UT Government’s top priority for which the initial survey has already been undertaken.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor inaugurated 33 KV Khumriyal-Machil Line costing Rs 471.80 lakhs which connects the area to the National Grid, BSNL V- Sat for internet, 24 bunkers/alternate secure shelters sheds, Panchayat Assets worth 80.65 lakh created in the last one year. Gram panchayat Action plan 2021-22 of Machil was also unveiled on the occasion.

The Lt Governor also distributed Kisan Credit Cards, Sports Kits, and handed-over financial assistance, various certificates, and sanction letters to beneficiaries under different departmental schemes.

I believe in action, not announcements; will not rest until all villages of J&K are provided with basic amenities. We do not lack funds, but awareness and planned execution. Rs 200 crore have been allotted for development of village industries in J&K; going to secure investment of more than Rs 25 thousand crores very soon” remarked the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor observed that the District has largely unexploited potential of processing around 50 thousand tones of Walnuts and around 3 lakh tonnes Apples every year.

He congratulated the people of Machil and Keran for getting electricity through National Electricity Grid, ending their 70 years long wait only due to the ‘Inclusive Development’ mission of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He assured that the efforts are also underway to connect remaining habitations with the Power Grid as well.

‘I want to make Kupwara a modern industrial hub for walnut production and processing. A single unit set with a cost of Rs 10 lakh could help provides employment to 20-25 people and an annual turnover of 30-35 tonne walnuts’, observed the Lt Governor. He also asked the District Administration and the Panchayats to generate cluster plans for walnut and apple processing in the district.

‘The Government is helping people set up food processing units by giving 50% amount of the total investment. Two educated youth from every Panchayat are provided Rs 5 lakh each to set up business unit during Back to Village 3. More than 8000 youth will be benefitted from this initiative across J&K and a special desk have been set up by J&K bank for assisting young boys and girls in setting up their business’, told the Lt Governor.

“I understand the difficulties faced by Kupwara due to its proximity to the border. I come with a promise that the government is striving to connect Kupwara and other remote areas of J&K with the nation through all-round development”, the Lt Governor said. He said that the government is focusing on promoting key sectors, including food processing, identified for investment which would help generate lots of employment avenues within the district. 

Kupwara can achieve phenomenal growth through clear policies, convergence, incentives, skills, and expansion of the market and I’m confident about it. We need to develop and promote new avenues for youngsters from Kupwara. Let us make a promise to ourselves that we will work with dedication and honesty to make our education system robust and professionally competent, the Lt Governor maintained.

The Lt Governor appreciated the district for completing 561 works from earlier phases of the Back to Village programme, and for taking up 1099 works during the ongoing phase.
‘162 works are being completed under the government’s Border Area Development Programme(BADP) in the district.

The aim of BADP is to strengthen the border area infrastructure, especially of health sector; development of key sectors like education, agriculture, water resources; financial inclusion, and skill development. 90% of the BADP budget is borne by the Union Government’, he continued.

Identifying the water deficit topography of the district, the Lt Governor called for installing solar-powered water pumps to provide water to water deficit areas of the district.

‘Under the new regime, no more delays in projects shall be tolerated. The government is trying to change the existing ecosystem of delays’, said the Lt Governor.  He stressed on peoples’ cooperation and sector specific policy interventions to mitigate unwarranted delays.

He called upon senior officers of the district for organizing public grievance redressal camps at the block level every week according to need and feasibility.

The Lt Governor called for organizing Rozgar Utsav, as part of next Jan Abhiyaan wherein educated and skilled youth could participate and connect for exchange of ideas. He also asked respective departments to utilize the opportunity to gather relevant data and help implementation of New Education Policy effectively.

The Lt Governor congratulated Nadia Beigh of Punzwa village and Aftab Rasool of Trehgam for cracking the prestigious UPSC exam. He also observed that modern e-Library cum reading rooms being inaugurated during the Back to Village programme would help youngsters prepare for competitive exams.

He directed the Deputy Commissioner and senior officers from the education department to identify the cause of significant secondary school dropout rate and work on it to eliminate the lapses.

Speaking on the promotion of sports activities, the Lt Governor observed that all Panchayats have been provided sports kits according to local preferences. He expressed satisfaction over the construction of 3 indoor stadia in the district and completion of 341 out of 385 projected playgrounds.

The Lt Governor directed officers to ensure availability of drinking water and power supply, ration, medicines, and other basic amenities.
Locals also expressed gratitude for the recent announcement of Lt Governor regarding the use of Raj Bhavan choppers during medical emergencies and evacuation situations, especially during winters and termed it as a sensible effort of the government to mitigate the genuine problems.

Later, the Lt Governor met with various public delegations coming from remote areas of Dudi, Misribehel, Ring Payeen, Chuntimari, Pushwari, Doniwari and took stock of their issues and developmental needs. He assured them that all their genuine issues and demands will be addressed on merit and all efforts shall be made to provide the best rural road connectivity, bunkers, and other necessary infrastructure.

BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Pandurang K. Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Vijay Kumar, IG Kashmir; Anshul Garg, Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara; Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar, SSP Kupwara; BDC Chairpersons; PRI Representatives; HoDs; senior officers and a large number of people were present on the occasion.

Sagar, Nasir others express grief, pray for peace to departed, strength to bereaved

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Party President and Member of Parliament Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Mr. Omar Abdullah have expressed profound grief over the demise of Former MLA Khansahib Abdul Gani Naseem.

The party president and vice president in their message prayed for peace to the deceased and much needed strength to the bereaved family to bear the inconsolable loss. The duo also expressed solidarity with the bereaved family in their hour of grief.

While expressing grief over the demise of Naseem Sahib the duo said that the deceased will be remembered for his work towards the socio-political emancipation of poor and destitute and his penchant for literature and social work which they said has also left a deep impression on whosoever came into contact with him.

Party General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, Provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani; Senior leader Abdul Rahim Rather, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Ali Mohammad Dar have also condoled the demise of Naseem sahib, prayed for peace to his soul and fortitude to the grief-stricken family to bear the loss.

Meanwhile Dr. Farooq Abdullah has also condoled the sad demise of renowned Surgeon Dr. Nazir Ahmed Wani and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family. Among others Party GS Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar, AGS Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, Dr. Bashir Ahmed Veeri, Imran Nabi Dar, Dr Sajad Shafi Uri, Showkat Ahmed Mir have also condoled the demise of Dr. Nazir, prayed for peace to his soul and strength to the grief-stricken family to bear the loss. The functionaries said Dr. Nazir has left a deep impression on the hearts of people with his dedication and work ethics, and that the void created by his demise will not be filled for a long time.(KNS)