Category: Union Territory

PTI

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday carried out changes in top police brass, replacing Dr B Srinivas as the head of CID with R R Swain, who returns to the cadre after 15 years, officials said here.

Srinivas, a 1990-batch IPS officer, who was brough back from his central deputation in 2018 to help the state police revive the intelligence apparatus, has been posted as Commandant General of Home Guard and Disaster Force.

He will also head the Fire and Emergency Services.

During his second tenure as the Additional Director General of CID, the state saw intelligence carried out operations leading to several kills in the erstwhile state and later the union territory.

Srinivas initially joined the CID department in 2010 during the height of stone pelting. However, after Mufti Mohammed Sayeed took over as chief minister in 2015 he was removed.

He moved to central deputation in SSB before his services were sought again in Jammu and Kashmir when it was witnessing a breakdown of the law and order machinery.

According to the official figures post-September 2018, when he took over, 85 local militants and 28 foreign terrorists were killed that year. In 2019, as many as 123 local and 31 foreign terrorists were killed.

The figure stood at 81 local terrorists and four foreign terrorists in 2020.

As many as 160 militants were killed last year and the figure is already touching 100 this year.

During his tenure as the Additional Director General of CID, Srinivas had successfully managed in running a campaign to prevent local boys from joining militant groups.

It was the Jammu and Kashmir CID department which had first informed the Centre about the presence of a large number of volunteers inside Jamaat-e-Tablighi headquarters at Nizaumuddin after which a crackdown was carried out..

He was succeeded by Rashmi Ranjan Swain, an IPS officer of 1991 batch. He had stayed in Jammu and Kashmir till 2005 and later shifted to central deputation.

The administration also gave charge of Managing Director Police Housing Corporation to Deepak Kumar, a 1993-batch IPS officer, who is serving as Additional Director General of Railways.

PTI

Jammu: The National Generic Document Registration System was launched in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, a spokesperson said.

The new system aims to facilitate public with a transparent and hassle-free registration process, he said.

Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, K K Sharma, e-launched the NGDRS developed by the department of land resources through the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the spokesperson said.

The new system will aptly address the diversity and variation prevailing across the union territory on account of languages, processes and formats, he said.

Sharma said generic customizable software when universally adopted in the country will enable anywhere access to data and information to both the common man and the enforcement and regulatory agencies.

Financial Commissioner, Revenue Department, Pawan Kotwal said this event signifies a remarkable transition from a manual system of carrying out the process of registration to a fully computerized system.

Samples are taking at least 13 days for results leading to virus spread, says politician

In the first 55 days of the lockdown, the COVID-19 curve in Ladakh’s Kargil district touched the bottom with no case reported on May 15, but only to see another wave surging in the past one week, which is attributed by locals to “poor quarantine protocols and delayed testing”.

From touching the base, the number of COVID-19 patients in the past three weeks has reached 425 with 404 active positive cases, according to official figures. Most of them were reported this month.

Unnerved, the Kargil administration, in a fresh order issued two days ago when 69 tested positive for the virus in just 48 hours, extended the lockdown restrictions up to June 30. They were lifted on May 18.

No traffic is allowed between Kargil and Leh of the Union Territory (UT) except for essential services, officials said.

“Even vehicles carrying essentials are being allowed on one-plus-one basis [which means only a driver and a helper will be allowed],” the order said.

“The Kargil administration has started facilitating return of stranded students from the outside. It has become the cause of spread as the quarantine protocol is poor. The samples taken from the quarantined take at least 13 days for results. By that time many asymptomatic people mix up with the population. This is responsible for the surge,” Sajad Kargili, a local politician, told The Hindu over the phone.

Kargil, with 1.41 lakh population, has its nearest testing lab 200 km away in Leh. “Many samples are sent to Delhi,” Mr. Kargili said.

Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil, chief executive councillor, Feroz Ahmad Khan urged the administration to speed up testing. “The delay in timely receipt of sample results is creating confusion, especially those under institutional and home quarantine,” Mr. Khan said.

He appealed to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, to clear the backlog of samples.

“Of 69 cases reported in 48 hours, many are already kept in institutional and strict home quarantine,” District Magistrate, Kargil, Baseer-ul-Haq said.

With inputs from The Hindu

It also alleged that BJP is more concerned about political interests at the time of grave crisis following the outbreak of coronavirus.

PTI

The Jammu and Kashmir unit of Congress on Monday termed the BJP’s ‘Jan Samvad’ virtual rally in the Union Territory a ‘flop show’ and claimed that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had failed to send a loud and clear signal to hostile neighbours including China and Pakistan.

It also alleged that BJP is more concerned about political interests at the time of grave crisis following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic besides severe external challenges.

Addressing a virtual ‘Jan Samvad’ rally for Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, the Defence Minister said India never compromises on its national pride amid a standoff with China on the Ladakh border and asserted that its security capability has risen and it is no longer a weak country.

Reacting to the address of the Defence Minister, chief spokesperson of Pradesh Congress Committee Ravinder Sharma said Mr. Singh failed to send a loud and clear signal to the hostile neighbours who are flexing muscles and transgressed deep into the Indian territory.

It was expected that he would reiterate the often repeated pledge that every inch of our territory including Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir shall be retrieved but he twice repeated that country’s armed strength is for self-defence only and not to terrorise any country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to see eye to eye with China and teach a lesson to Pakistan. Where is that promise? the Congress leader said in a statement in Jammu.

However, he said the entire country stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces and the government of the day to deal with external challenges.

Describing the virtual rally a ‘flop show’, Mr. Sharma said it only highlighted the fulfilment of BJP’s agenda about revocation of Article 370 but did not discuss the growing resentment over several post-abrogation actions adversely affecting the people, especially the youth of the region.

The top BJP leadership only talked about the fulfilment of the party agenda to abrogate special status but failed to mention a word about post-abrogation protections as promised resulting into resentment and concern among the local population, especially the youth of Jammu besides large scale anger over the disbanding and downgrading of the historical Dogra state, he said.

The PCC spokesperson said the Union Minister did not speak about the promise to restore Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir despite lapse of about 10 months, the increased graph of unemployment after BJP failed to fulfil its hollow and false assurances of providing over 50,000 jobs and the anti-youth recruitment policy and norms.

Mr. Sharma said the new faulty domicile law, non-fulfilment of demands for revocation of SRO 202, restoration of 4G mobile internet services and burdening people of Jammu with toll plazas were the other issues which needed to be addressed.

Taking a dig at the local BJP leaders for their failure to raise the public issues, he said they only indulged in showering praises but did not raise the plight of the local youth besides displaced people from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJ&K) apart from border residents who are becoming soft targets on regular bases due to increased ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

BJP is more concerned about political interests at the time of grave crisis and people dying of COVID-19 besides severe external challenges but the Modi government and the ruling party is holding political rallies which are unfortunate, he further said.

Junaid Mattu meets GA Mir

Srinagar: In a significant development, Peoples Conference and Congress on Monday joined hands to defeat a no-confidence motion against Srinagar Municipal Corporation mayor Junaid Azim Mattu.

The incumbent mayor of Srinagar Junaid Azam Mattu reached residence of Pradesh Congress Chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir this afternoon to seek his support for defeating a non-confidence motion supported by BJP to oust him from key position in the civic body.

“I called on JKPCC President Jenab GA Mir Sahab at his residence this afternoon to discuss the current situation in SMC. The 22 Corporators of the @JKPC and the 17 Corporators of @INCIndia and some independents will abstain from the’ NO Confidence Motion’ tomorrow,” Mattu tweeted.

He said all future modalities including a future course of action between Congress and PC will be discussed and deliberated upon the leadership of both parties in the following days.

In a statement to news agency–Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the party said it has decided that its corporators shall not be part of voting process in the Corporation.

“The INC corporators shall not be part of voting process in the Corporation. The corporators have been issued whip and the same has been conveyed to concerned authorities in the Corporation,” reads the statement.

According to the law, if any corporator violates, he/she will lose membership of the Corporation. It is worthwhile to mention that BJP is backing the no-confidence against Mattu. The BJP’s Kashmir media-in charge, Manzoor Bhat had told KNO that party is supporting the no-confidence motion against Mattu—(KNO)

“Probation period for existing appointees reduced to two years”

Srinagar: In a significant decision, the Administrative Council of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Friday decided that no new appointments in Jammu and Kashmir will be made under SRO-202.

Sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the Administrative Council which met today approved the recommendations of a high-powered committee headed by Chief Secretary.
In its recommendations, the committee suggested that no new appointments will be made under SRO-202.

It also recommended that probation period for all appointees under SRO-202 will be reduced to two years –(KNO) 

Srinagar: 79 CRPF personnel, an army soldier and a policeman were among 183 fresh cases of novel coronavirus reported in Jammu and Kashmir so far on Monday. The cases, which also include two pregnant women and as many shopkeepers, take the overall tally of the covid-19 patients in the J&K to 5224.

Official sources told GNS that while 126 cases were confirmed at viral diagnostic laboratory at SKIMS Soura, 57 cases were reported from various other laboratories.

Among the 57 cases, 14 were reported from Srinagar followed by Pulwama (8), Udhampur (7), Samba(6), Ramban (4), Reasi (3), two each in Kulgam, Budgam and Kupwara while one case each has been reported from Ganderbal, Kathua and Kishtwar.

Sources told GNS that among the 57 cases, 14 were confirmed at the CD hospital’s diagnostic laboratory and included a soldier (31) from 42 Rashtriya Rifles stationed at Tral, a 40-year-old policeman from Awantipora police station, two pregnant women—both aged 32-year-old each, one from Wanpoh and Rahmoo—besides as many shopkeepers—45-year-old female from Duderhama Ganderbal and a 50-year-old male from Drabgam Pulwama.

Dr. G H Yatoo, Nodal Officer Coronavirus Control Measures at SKIMS, told GNS that out of the samples processed at the viral diagnostic lab today, 126 returned positive for the virus.

Professor Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura, told GNS among them 79 are from CRPF Battalions, 19 from Shopian, 14 from Kupwara, six from Baramulla, three from Bandipora and one each from Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam, Kulgam and Kupwara. (GNS)

Srinagar: 79 CRPF personnel, an army soldier and a policeman were tested positive for the fresh cases of novel coronavirus reported in Jammu and Kashmir so far on Monday.

At the CD hospital’s diagnostic laboratory and included a soldier (31) from 42 Rashtriya Rifles stationed at Tral, while Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura, Professor Farooq Jan told GNS 78 personnel from CRPF Battalions tested positive there.

ANI

A so called Kashmiri women journalist and social activist has lambasted Pakistan for spreading false propaganda against India on Kashmir.

Yana Mir or Yana Mirchandani, the editor-in-chief of the Real Kashmir News, while interacting with Pakistani journalist and other panelists on webinar, said Kashmir is integral part of India and Pakistan is misleading the Kashmiri youth by sponsoring cross-border terrorism.

“Over 90 per cent of terrorists are infiltrators who come from your side (Pakistan) with an aim to terrorise and radicalise our youth. Besides motivating the youth to achieve in studies, they are forcing them to take up arms. To stop the infiltration and terrorism, Indian security forces do carry out encounters in which civilians also get hurt. If you want this to stop, the cross-border infiltration needs to be stopped”, said Yana Mir or Yana Mirchandani, who is a daughter of a retired police officer in J&K Police.

Yana categorically blamed Pakistan for running terror training camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir from where the armed terrorists infiltrate into India.

She said, “Everybody knows that terror training camps exist in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and they infiltrate into the Kashmir valley. Pakistan is deliberately tarnishing India’s image globally by raising the Kashmir issue. It is Pakistan who misleads the youth against our country. The Kashmiri youth is losing its identity with this propaganda. Pakistan must stop playing dirty politics against India and the Kashmiris. Pakistan is politically and militarily engaged in spreading misinformation about Kashmir”.

The young Kashmiri journalist said that Pakistan must understand the UN resolution on Kashmir before demanding a referendum in Jammu & Kashmir.

She said that the Instrument of Accession was signed by Maharaja Hari Singh and he agreed to accede to India. “If J&K has Muslim majority, it doesn’t mean that it can’t have secular governance. It’s propaganda by Pakistan which misleads the Kashmiri youth”, said Yana.

“I am against any referendum as I am proud as an Indian citizen. I know that if Kashmir gets independent, it will face danger. The way people in Gilgit Baltistan are eager to be part of India, people in Kashmir valley will be in the same situation. Pakistan and China will make our life as hell,” she added.

“In the best interest of Kashmiris, Kashmir will remain with India. Those who wish to go for a referendum; they must understand the United Nations’ mandate”, said Yana by adding that the UN has clearly given three steps. Referendum comes at the last step. At the second step, India has to reduce its armed forces whereas at the first step Pakistan has to remove its army from the LoC.

The Kashmiri journalist said, “It Pakistan does not agree to implement the first step, then why does it directly jump to the third step for a Referendum? If your army leaves the area, India will think about removing its forces. Then it will come to referendum, which is clearly mentioned in the UN mandate. If Pakistani media is not making it clear, then I have a right to say that Pakistan is doing propaganda in Kashmir”. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) 

Islamabad: Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated on July 31 “as per calendar of the Ministry of Science and Technology”, said federal minister Fawad Chaudhry on Monday. 

Taking to Twitter, Chaudhry said that the moon for the month of Zilhajj will be seen in Karachi and its surrounding areas on July 21. He added that the moon could be sighted with the help of binoculars and in some areas, with the naked eye as well. 

وزارت @MinistryofST کے کیلنڈر کے مطابق عید الضحیٰ 31جولائ 2020 بروز جمعہ ہو گی، 21 جولائ کو ذیاالحج کا چاند کراچی اور اس کے ارد گرد علاقوں میں دوربین سے واضع طور پر اور کئ علاقوں میں آنکھ سے بھی دیکھا جا سکے گا۔ چاند کی لوکیشن کیلئےآپ“رویت”ایپ بھی استعمال کرسکتے ہیں ۔ #EID

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) June 15, 2020

Chaudhry added that the “exact location” of the moon can also be determined through the Ruet App.

The minister has been advocating that the Ministry of Science and Technology take the lead in the sighting of the moon issue which is usually done by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.

He has called for the ministry to take lead so the controversy surrounding the issue could be ended once and for all.

On Eid-ul-Fitr, Chaudhry had said that two moon observatories will be set up by next year to “permanently resolve” moon-sighting conflicts.

The minister had said the plan was to set up moon observatories in Islamabad and Gwadar where anyone would be able to go and see the moon for themselves.

“Given the debate we observed over moon [sighting] this year, we intend to set up a moon observatory in Islamabad next year and we’re also trying to set one up in Gwadar too,” the federal minister explained.

“The issue of moon-sighting will be permanently resolved after the moon observatories” are established, he had noted. “A common person will be able to go and see the moon and decide for themselves”.

With inputs from Geo Web Desk