Category: Union Territory

The Jammu and Kashmir government has cleared a project to lay an emergency landing strip in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, a militancy-hit area.

According to a notice from the Geology and Mining Department, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been awarded the project to build the 3.5-km emergency landing facility at Bijbehara in Anantnag.

The earth work has started for the strip, which can handle even fighter jets. The project will come up parallel to the Srinagar-Banihal National Highway at Semthan. Around 49,000 tonnes of extracted earth is being laid to complete the strip.

“There is no need to seek clearance from the Environmental Department for the liner projects,” the order said.

It is the third airstrip in the Kashmir Valley, after those in Awantipora and Srinagar, that will be used by the Indian Air Force for its exercises.

With inputs from The Hindu

Former Generals point out multiple face-offs and the geographical spread of the conflict.

The ongoing border tension with China at multiple points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is more serious than past incidents, indicating China’s planning and the likelihood of a protracted stand-off, two senior former generals said on Wednesday.

Unlike previous LAC incidents that were localised, the current stand-offs were spread over at least four points along the LAC and involved more troops than before, which complicated the possibility of an early disengagement and return to status quo, they said.

“The fact of the matter is some kind of planning has gone through before these multiple face-offs,” said Lt. Gen. (retd) S. L. Narasimhan, Member, National Security Advisory Board. “Earlier, they used to take place in one place. This time there have been multiple face-offs and geographically spaced out, in Sikkim, Pangong Tso and Galwan. The kind of numbers we see is also not what we saw earlier, and the aggression has been more than normal.”

“Normal face-offs happen every year, they don’t lead to these kind of incidents,” added Lt. Gen. (retd) D.S. Hooda, former Northern Army Commander. “This is much more serious. They have come completely well prepared and prepared to do things by force. We have never seen this level of violence,” he added. Both were speaking at a webinar organised by the Institute of Chinese Studies.

India rejects China’s claims of trespass

Stand-offs in at least four locations along the LAC remain unresolved, with reports of a build-up in Galwan valley, Pangong Tso and Hot Springs in Ladakh, and Naku La in Sikkim, with Chinese troops present on India’s side of the LAC in some of these spots. Talks at the level of Lieutenant Generals are set for June 6.

Gen. Hooda said a key difference was that past incidents, including in Depsang in 2013, Chumar in 2014 and Doklam in 2017, were localised, triggered by road-building activity. “We were absolutely clear of the red lines and demands of two sides. One wanted to build, the other said no. Therefore, we knew the steps towards resolution. I am not sure we know that in this case. What is it the Chinese want, and why [are there incidents] in so many areas? Will they ease off and go back having invested so much and come into these areas? That adds to risk and possible difficulty in resolving it. We are in for tough hard negotiations and maybe a protracted stand off.”

Also new in this instance is the stand-off at Galwan valley, which is not one of the points on the LAC where there have been differing perceptions of alignment. In Pangong lake, face-offs had occurred in the past, as India has been patrolling up to its LAC at Finger 8 while China would come up to Finger 2 — the “fingers” from 1 to 8, running from west to east, refer to mountain spurs on the lake’s northern banks. Here also the stand-off is different, as Chinese troops are now present in the area between Fingers 4 and 8 and are preventing India from patrolling up to Finger 8, effectively altering the status quo.

Gen. Hooda suggested that clarifying the LAC in all key areas needed to be done “on an urgent basis” to prevent recurring incidents.

He suggested following the example of Chumar in 2014, where the stand-off was resolved on the basis of a moratorium in patrolling into contested areas for a certain number of days, which was observed for almost two years with transgressions coming down to zero. A similar arrangement could be considered, he said, as “the current protocols are not working”. The solution to the current stand-offs would be to return to the status quo as of May 3, before the first incidents were reported, he added.

The former Northern Army Commander said reports suggesting China had over the recent years “nibbled away” at parts of Indian territory were incorrect, and that the Indian Army had ensured it had continued access to patrolling points on the LAC. “In the past 15-20 years, there has been no real change in what we felt was the alignment of the LAC. Those [points] are sacrosanct to the Indian Army.”

Gen. Narasimhan said if it was not possible to clarify the entire LAC — the process has been stalled since 2002 after China objected to exchanging maps in the western sector — both could at least start doing so in the disputed and sensitive areas. “This would go a large way in reducing face-offs in the border,” he said. While enough protocols were in place — from 1993, 1996, 2005 and 2012 — to regulate patrolling, the problem was ensuring they were followed, he said. “If LAC can be clarified, [we] can work on modality to address face-offs.”

He said one possible reason for the current stand-off is that the Chinese “aren’t clear why infrastructure is coming up” on the Indian side. “They are unsure of what we are doing in our area,” he said. With continued engagement through both military and diplomatic channels, he hoped “there will be a disengagement”. “I have the feeling this will get resolved amicably over a period of time,” he added.

With inputs from The Hindu

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Additional troops have been brought in from three locations outside Ladakh to the LAC where a standoff with China has been on since early May.

New Delhi: Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Y.K. Joshi Tuesday reached Ladakh to review the situation amid growing tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which has forced the Army to move in about two additional division strength-level forces into the region, ThePrint has learnt.

Sources said most of the troops who were moved over the past few weeks have finished their acclimatisation and have been deployed to counter the Chinese build-up along the Galwan Valley, larger Hot Spring Area and the Finger Area of the Pangong Lake.

The brigades that have been moved from at least three different locations into Ladakh also have elements of artillery. Support elements have also been sent.

While the 14 Corps, the Army division that looks after Ladakh, is sufficiently armed in terms of artillery, armour, men and reserves, more soldiers have been brought in to create large reserves and forward deployment.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has also increased its flying in Ladakh with a mix of Sukhoi and Mirages even as the Chinese have increased flying on their side.

“What is happening is mirror deployment. The Chinese have a troop build-up and we too are more than adequately placed,” a source said.

Even though the build-up is there, as reported by ThePrint earlier, the focus is on finding an “amicable solution” through talks.

Talks are being carried out through established channels, both at military level as well as the Army level.

Sources said while the situation in Galwan and the larger Host Spring area is “under control”, the main problem lies around Pangong Lake.

The 134 km of Pangong Lake’s northern bank juts out like a palm, and the various protrusions are identified as ‘fingers’.

The Chinese have come between the disputed area between Finger 3 and 4 and have dug up a moat-like construction with troop build-up to prevent Indians from patrolling further.

The dispute lies in the fact that India claims the LAC is at Finger 8 while the Chinese say it is at Finger 2.

With inputs from ThePrint

PTI

Srinagar: Seven policemen were placed under quarantine after a man who was arrested here earlier this week on charges of domestic violence tested positive for COVID-19, officials said on Wednesday.

The policemen had taken into custody a man from Kalai-andar in Rainawari area of the city after his wife had registered a case of domestic violence against him in Nowhatta police station, the officials said.

He developed a cough and fever on Monday night after which his sample was taken and sent for COVID-19 test, they said, adding the result came positive.

The seven police officers, who came in contact with the arrested person, have already been placed under quarantine while samples of several other policemen have been collected for testing, the officials added.

Election Process Will Be Initiated Once Covid-19 Pandemic Is Over

Srinagar: Rejecting the unsubstantiated news reports about formation of Advisory Council in days to come in J&K, BJP’s General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Koul on Wednesday termed it “hearsay” and added BJP is eagerly waiting for elections in the UT once J&K will get free from Covid-19 pandemic.

Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Koul while reacting to the rumors about formation of Advisory Council in J&K said that it is all “hearsay” and have no relevance with the ground reality. “Rumors about Advisory Council are unsubstantiated reports having no relevance with the realities on ground”, Koul asserted.

He said that there is no chance of formation of Advisory Council in J&K. “No chance for Advisory Council, not at all”, Koul added.

When asked what BJP wants currently in J&K, Koul said “We want conduct of assembly election in the Union Territory (UT) and formation of an elected government who can represent peoples wish and address their day-to-day affairs but it is possible only once UT will get free from Covid-19 pandemic”.

Koul stated the J&K is currently gripped under Covid-19 badly. We are monitoring the situation keenly. Once Corona Pandemic is over, delimitation process will be initiated followed by election which literally will provide an elected government to the people of J&K.

About backtracking of National Conference (NC) from being a party of Delimitation Commission, BJP leader said they were just “associate members” of the Commission as BJP itself is an associate party having two Parliamentarians.

Koul clarified that there is already three-member Committee headed by former Supreme Court (SC) Judge Ranjana Prakesh Desai with two more members including Election Commissioner of India (ECI) Sushil Chandra and State Election Commissioner of J&K UT.

The Commission will delimit the constituencies of J&K in accordance with the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019.
Kaul asserted that BJP is turning a “big political force” in J&K and will emerge a single largest party who will dominate the forthcoming elections in J&K. (KNS)

PTI

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday revoked the stringent Public Safety Act against former IAS officer-turned-politician Shah Faesal and two PDP members, including the maternal uncle of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, officials said.

The controversial Public Safety Act (PSA) against Mr. Faesal, which was extended by three months on May 14, has now been superseded by the order on Wednesday from the Home Department of the Union Territory.

Mr. Faesal, who was under detention after scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, was booked under the PSA in February this year, with his detention being extended barely hours before it was to come to an end.

The Home Department also revoked the stringent act against senior PDP leaders Sartaj Madani and Peer Mansoor.

Mr. Madani was lodged with National Conference general secretary Ali Mohammed Sagar at a government bunglow. Their detention had been extended on May 5 for a period of three months.

‘We are struggling to sustain, Kashmiri traders excluded from GoI’s Rs 20,000 Cr package, want measures for revival of our businesses, education of students comes to grinding halt without 4G, despite losses, no businessman become Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi in Kashmir’

Srinagar: In last over two decades, an amalgam of 30 trade bodies in the Valley on Wednesday said that Kashmir has witnessed 3000 days of lockdown, thus simultaneously deteriorated the situation of business community here, which they claim are struggling to survive amid the prevalent situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

However, the traders also stated that the special package of Rs 20, 000 Crore announced by the government has been announced for the people excluding the business community of Kashmir.

Over 30 trade bodies including Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I), Kashmir Traders & Manufacturing Federation (KTMF), Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), PHD Chamber of Commerce (Kashmir Chapter), Kashmir Hotel & Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF), Jammu & Kashmir Hotelier Club (JKHC), Jammu & Kashmir Association of Hajj & Umrah Companies (JKAHUC), Kashmir Industrial Revival and Development Forum.(KIR&DF), Kashmir Joint Co-ordination Committee of Chemists & Druggists, All Kashmir Transport Welfare Association, Jammu & Kashmir Fruit & Vegetable Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA), Kashmir House Boat Owners Association (HBOA), Beopar Mandal (Maharaj Gunj), J&K Private School Coordination Committee, Shopian Fruit Mandi Association, Artisans Rehabilitation Forum, Kashmir Economic Form, Shehri-Khass Traders Coordination Committee, Jammu & Kashmir Hotels & Restaurant Association (JKHARA), Tourist Taxi Stand Federation, Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK),

Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Alliance (JKTA), Pilgrim and Leisure Tour Operators Forum(PILTOF), Tourist Trade Interest Guild.(TTIG), Urban Travel Agents Association.(UTAA), Kashmir Association of Retailers(KAR), Restaurant and Café Association of Kashmir (RAK), Association of Kashmir Tour Operators (AKTO), Kashmir Carpet Association. Kashmir Youth Entrepreneurs Federation (KYEF) and Kashmir Artists Welfare Foundation (KAWF) addressed the joint presser today at SKICC.

Sheikh Ashiq, president of KCC&I as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Correspondent said that the traders who have suffered in past several decades in Kashmir demand measures for the revival of their respective businesses. “The only aim to hold a joint presser today is to raise our voice for the business fraternity across the Valley who have suffered huge losses due to the time to time situation witnessed here,” he said.

“In particular, our businesses are suffering from last ten months and we have never come out of the lockdown. Though, we have met the Union Home Minister and Union Finance minister and MoS PMO regarding the losses faced by the traders. We have brought into their notice about the challenges being faced by the business community in Kashmir,” he said, adding that they were expecting a good result from the meetings but the COIVD situation that occur following the meetings spoiled it all.

He said that the situation of business has got further deteriorated after the COVID pandemic in Jammu and Kashmir. “In India, our businesses friends in India have raised voice over the losses suffered by them. The government later announced a package for the people who got affected. We have been excluded from the package as the package was announced for those only who have suffered losses in last two months. But, the businessmen in Kashmir are facing the losses from last ten months,” he added.

“As the government has announced the phase one of unlock, the business fraternity here is facing yet another challenge i.e. lack of cash flow,” he said, adding that such a situation is the outcome of the lockdown from last ten months

He added that as the unlock 0.1 has been declared, they have got disappointing feedback from the tourism sector, who are expecting no tourist flow in the Valley this year (2020) while are also doubtful about the next year.

Similarly, he said horticulture sector has also suffered huge losses. “Although the sector managed to transport the stuff in the month of August-September last year, but now, they too are struggling. Handicraft industry is also on decline up to 50-60 per cent from past several years,” he said.

About transport sector, Ashiq said that they are on the mercy of God as only Allah knows how they are feeding their families because they have not earned even single penny post August 5 decision. Besides, the general traders including shopkeepers are also worried about their future.

Ashiq further stated that the students have got badly affected in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that it is the only place across the country where students are being deprived of the 4g internet services, which is a vital tool at present to get the education. “The restoration of 4G internet services seems a far off dream. Our students are suffering. The nation can’t go forward without education, which has got badly affected in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

“We need to get the attention of the government at present as the ten months of suffering needs to be mitigated. The people at helm should take comprehensive measures for revival of Kashmir’s business,” he said. He also expressed concern over the alarming increase in the unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir.

Iqbal Ahmad, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) Vice-Chairman while talking to the media men said that the Valley has witnessed 3000 days of lockdown in over two decades. “Whenever the valley witnessed lockdown, the business fraternity got badly affected. Since 1999, Kashmir has witnessed 3000 days of lockdown. Despite witnessing such a situation, none from the traders here become Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi. The Kashmiri’s trader who has borrowed money from the banks here is repaying the amount in instalments and on apt time,” he said, adding that “We do deserve the package.”

“We have approached the State governments in past, they heard us; many packages were given in the past. I will not deny that but when Rs 8000 Crore were announced for Jammu and Kashmir after floods, a meagre amount was given to the business community here,” he said.

He further stated that the situation that arose across the globe due to COVID has made it clear to the countries that what consequences the economy face due to the shutdown—(KNO)

Flocks of prized Pashmina goats hit as the LAC conflict has cut off crucial feeding grounds

The Chinese Army’s intrusion in Chumur and Demchok since January has left Ladakh’s nomadic herding Changpa community cut off from large parts of summer pastures.

The People’s Liberation Army has taken over 16 kanals (two acres) of cultivable land in Chumur and advanced around 15 km inside Demchok, taking over traditional grazing pastures and cultivable lowlands. This has destabilised the movement of over 2,000 members of the nomadic community. In a cascading effect, this has resulted in a sharp rise in deaths of young Pashmina goats this year in the Korzok-Chumur belt of Changthang plateau in Ladakh.

“Over 16 kanals of cultivatable land in Chumur’s Chabiji pasture has been inaccessible since January this year due to the aggression and incursions of Chinese Army there, destablising the annual seasonal migration of our livestocks, including yaks and Pashmina goats (also known as Cashmere). Timely migration is essential for their survival,” Gyurmet Dorjey, councillor from Korzok constituency bordering China, told The Hindu over the phone.

The much-valued wool from the Ladakh herds is essential for the prized Pashmina shawls woven in Kashmir and famous for their intricate hand work.

Since 2017, the vital winter grazing grounds of Guntcsay Phu-Tagapank Nak low-lying belt has witnessed heightened tension between the Indian and Chinese armies.

“Already 35 metres of grazing range has been encroached in the belt by the Chinese Army this year,” said Mr. Dorjey. The PLA, according to the villagers, has already stopped the centuries old nomadic movement to low-lying winter pastures on the otherwise fluid border or Line of Actual Control (LAC).

“The Chinese army used helicopters to maintain a vigil on grazers in Chuchol-Gunso belt. Even the food stocks kept in shelters for seasonal migration was taken away. There is already a motorable road constructed opposite Chumur with a nallah (stream) in between,” he added.

The villagers claim the shrinking of grazing pastures is impacting their prized Pashmina herds this year and the mortality among the newborns has gone up. “Around 70-80% of the kids are finding it hard to survive,” Mr. Dorjey said.

The Chushol-Demchok-Chumur belt border areas are home to the maximum number of Pashmina goats, which graze at altitudes above 13,000 feet, and the belt contributed 25 to 30 tonnes out of 45-50 tonnes of the finest wool produced annually in Ladakh.

With inputs from The Hindu

Srinagar: A top Jash-e-Mohammad commander is suspected by police to be among the three militants killed in a gunfight in Kangan area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday. An army soldier was injured during the course of gunfight, official sources said.

Director General of Police Dilbag Singh told GNS that three JeM militants have been killed in the encounter. However, he said, the identity of the slain militants was yet to be ascertained.

A police officer told GNS that a top commander of the outfit, active in south Kashmir for quite some time now, was suspected to br among the slain.

“We are ascertaining the identity and suspected that the foreigner with expertise in IED making and linked to recent attempted bid (averted Pulmawa car bomb) is among the slain,” he said.

Sources said that arms and ammunition were also recovered near the gunfight site even as searches are going on.

Earlier, according to the reports reaching GNS, a joint team of Police, Army’s 53 Rashtriya Rifles and 183 battalion CRPF launched the joint cordon-and-search-operation in Astan Mohalla following specific inputs about the presence of the militants.

As the joint team approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them. The fire was retaliated by the joint team, triggering off the encounter eventually leading to the killing of the three militants and injuries to an army soldier. (GNS)