Category: Union Territory

Missing MOU turns untraceable for task force formed in 2011

Srinagar: NHPC hasn’t paid a single penny out of its profits from Dul Hasti power project to the Jammu and Kashmir government, leaving the state exchequer with loss of thousands of crores.
Furthermore, according to the official documents with Kashmir News Service, there is no agreement or MOU available with the state government on the terms and conditions under which Dulhasti power project was executed by the NHPC in past. The task force constituted to trace the missing file is also in dilemma due to not finding even the traces of the agreement or MOU.
In the year 2011, cabinet subcommittee was constituted vide government order No: 638-GAD of 2011 dated 1-06-2011, to look into various issues arising from the terms and conditions of entrustment of the Hydropower projects to the NHPC in the state. The Committee too could not find any agreement or MOU under which Dul Hasti HEP was entrusted to the power giant NHPC for execution. When the report of the Cabinet Sub- Committee was submitted to the cabinet, it was observed as follows:
“The most important document which will determine financial implications and responsibilities of various stakeholders i.e. State government, central government and NHPC is the MoU, however, as per the report of the Sub Committee the relevant agreement is not available on record.”
The Sub Committee pointed out that misplacement of record pertaining to an important cabinet decision is a serious matter. It recommended that a task force of senior officers of the state be constituted to look into the circumstances leading to the misplacement of these records and fix responsibility for lapses.
As the task force, according to reports, was constituted, it launched a massive manhunt to find the traces of the vital MoU over Dul hasti. It found the records of secretariat and power development department but didn’t succeed in finding even the traces of the prized document.
Furthermore, the official documents reveal that the NHPC is paying no royalty to the state government out of its profits. The NHPC has so far earned no less than thousands of crores from the Dul Hasti power project but the state has so far been given peanuts in the name of free power. According to official figures, since commercial operation of Dulhasti power station on 07-04-2007, NHPC is providing 12 percent of ‘free power’ as royalty from Dulhasti power station to Jammu and Kashmir government as per the allocation order issued by the Government of India. (KNS)

Hundreds protest against the incident and blocked national highway

Srinagar: Despite High Court orders State Police today arrested Er Rasheed near Banihal on way to Kishtwar. It is worth to mention that J&K High Court had directed state government not to stop Er Rasheed from visiting Kishtwar. According to Party Spokesman Inam-Un-Nabi, When Er Rasheed today morning left for Kishtwar, he was first stopped by SP Awantipora but after seeing the court orders said police officer allowed him to move. However, at the outskirts of Banihal a large contingent of police stopped Er Rasheed and asked him to go back and despite being shown court orders, police was keen bent to not allow him to proceed onwards. For hours together, Er Rasheed along with his colleagues were forced to get caged in their vehicle. However, as soon as the news of detaining Er Rasheed reached at Banihal town and adjoining villages, hundreds of youth reached the spot and started protesting against the highhandedness of police. Protestors were raising slogans in favour of plebiscite, state terrorism and seeking protection for Jammu Muslims. Addressing the protestors Er Rasheed said that the incident has proved beyond doubt that there is complete jungle raj in J&K when police doesn’t give a damn to court orders. However, he reiterated his strong desire not to succumb and added that whole of the Jammu province has been handed over to goons of Sang Parivar. Due to the protest on the national highway, traffic jam halted for almost an hour. Er Rasheed further added that he will move tomorrow High Court to seek stern action against police for contempting the court orders.

‘Kashmir has suffered immense tragedies because of violence, time to give peace a chance’

SRINAGAR: Paying rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary, the Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti Sunday said Gandhi’s ideals of non-violence, equality and religious tolerance have eternal value.

Asking people to take cue from Gandhi Ji’s teachings, the Chief Minister said his philosophy of non-violence, harmonious co-existence and mutual respect will always remain relevant, more so in today’s world which is marred by varied political and ethnic conflicts.

“If any place can give Gandhi Ji the best tribute, it is Kashmir through a message of peace, brotherhood and religious tolerance to the entire world by following his philosophy”, the Chief Minister said while addressing a function organized here in connection with the launch of special ‘Sanitation Week’ from 2nd to 8th October, by Srinagar Municipal Corporation. 

Also present on the occasion were Advisor to the Chief Minister Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Minister of State for Housing & Urban Development Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education, Asiea Naqash, Member Parliament, Mir Mohammad Fayaz, MLAs Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Aijaz Ahmad Mir, Anjum Fazili and MLCs Khursheed Alam and Sofi Yousuf.

The Chief Minister said the public policy must go beyond symbolism on standing for Gandhian philosophy and it must be equally focused on the religious harmony, equality of all religious communities and acceptance of diversity as the basis of our nationhood which were integral to Gandhi’s way of approaching collective identity. “A hundred years ago, Gandhi began to move Indian society in the direction of a nationhood that was non-competitive, non-combative and non-exclusionary. Nowhere in the world was there a precedent for such nationhood,” she said and added it is time to rediscover India as a symbol of that inclusive nationhood which forms the central pillar of the country’s present.Ms Mehbooba said the biggest challenge that the world faces today is of violence and chaos. “Be it a large country like America or a smaller nation like Bangladesh no one considers itself at absolute peace,” she said adding; “We have forgotten the values of peace and brotherhood, which we need to revive and if there is any time when Gandhi Ji’s ideals and philosophy is most needed, it is now.”

Contrary to the fact that maximum resources should be utilized in addressing issues like alleviation of poverty and unemployment, the same are getting diverted towards defence and security, the Chief Minister said and added peace and harmony is therefore need of the hour, especially in the South Asian Region where the people are still plagued by poverty and impoverishment.

The Chief Minister said that under the prevailing situation, on this day we need to resolve to give peace a chance. She said violence has not achieved anything but only brought miseries to the people in terms of development, economy, business, trade, tourism and education, adding that it is the poor who suffer the most. She said over the years Jammu and Kashmir has suffered colossal losses in terms of precious human lives, economic dispossession, cultural disintegration and educational disempowerment because of the turmoil.

Ms Mehbooba said the truepicture of Kashmir depicts communal harmony and religious tolerance. Recalling the turbulent period of the Partition when Mahatma Gandhi saw a ray of hope in Kashmir alone, she said Kashmir’s age-old traditions of amity and brotherhood have survived several threats in the past and it would continue to uphold the virtues of a civilized and emancipated society in the future as well.

Reiterating that her government be allowed time and space to mitigate the sufferings of the people, the Chief Minister said that we can give greatest tribute to Gandhi Ji by adopting his philosophy of non-violence and mutual respect. “Help me bring back peace and I will find a way for dialogue to resolve the issues”, the Chief Minister said and sought the people’s support in creating an environment of peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir.With regard to the special sanitation drive the Chief Minister lauded the work of SMC, especially the Safai Karamcharis under the prevailing situation in the Valley. She said Gandhi Ji believed that cleanliness was next to Godliness and this drive should help imbibe in us the habit of keeping our surroundings and city clean.

The Chief Minister said that specific instructions have been given to the LAWDA authorities with respect to maintaining cleanliness of the Dal Lake. She said if we need to conserve the beauty of Srinagar city we need to conserve Dal Lake. She stressed that no encroachments at any cost shall be allowed within the area and any such construction will be strictly dealt with.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also flagged off vehicles viz hoopers as part of the sanitation week and also inspected the cleanliness drive being carried out within the lake.

Chief Secretary, B R Sharma, Financial Commissioner Planning and Principal Secretary to CM, B B Vyas, Principal Secretary Home, R K Goyal, Director General, Police, K Rajendra Kumar, Special DGP Coordination (Law & Order), Dr S P Vaid, Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD, Hirdesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan, IGP Kashmir, S J M Gillani, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Lone, SSP Srinagar, Amit Kumar, Commissioner SMC, Bashir Ahmad Khan, VC LAWDA, Tehseen Mustafa and other senior officers of police and civil administration were also present on the occasion.

The slain was identified as Fayaz Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Gani.

Srinagar: By day, the Kashmir Valley is in the grip of an uneasy calm. But at night, raids by security forces looking for youths supporting the militant cause are causing widespread fear.

Even as the valley remains shut for the 86th day, a semblance of normality has returned, barring some parts of south Kashmir, the epicentre of a seemingly unending unrest.

More people and vehicles are seen during the day and no major incident of violence has been reported from south Kashmir for over a week.

The outward calm, however, seems to melt away after sunset.

Residents here and in south Kashmir say that night-time raids by security forces have forced scores of youths to go into hiding.

The night raids are being conducted jointly by the police and paramilitary forces, almost daily, in the south, central and north Kashmir areas.

“Night-time raids do not take place in Kashmir alone. They take place across the country when police has to catch any criminal,” Deputy Inspector General of Police Nitish Kumar told IANS over telephone, adding: “We raid in the morning, afternoon, evening and similarly during night.”

The forces are looking for youths involved in stone-throwing and other street protests since anti-India protests gripped the valley after the July 8 killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

Police have reportedly arrested thousands from different parts of Kashmir, but no official figures were available.

Residents in south Kashmir’s Achabal area said police personnel in civilian dress come to the town at night and enter houses. A resident said they are very rough with anyone who opposes them.

Kumar denied charges of police brutality. “The Jammu and Kashmir Police is a professional force. Such allegations are baseless.”

Reports of the night-time raids have also come from Kupwara, Sopore, Budgam, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Srinagar.

A resident of Kulgam town told IANS that security forces raided his house looking for his son.

“My son was not at home. They roughed me up and tried to arrest me but the strong resistance put up by neighbours forced the police to retreat. I received four stitches on my foot,” he said, asking not to be named.

The fear of arrest has forced many youths of the town to spend nights away from their homes.

Another resident said when security forces come for raids announcements are made over loudspeakers asking people to defend themselves.

Mohammad Abbas, President of the Anantnag Bar Association, said most of those caught have been charged with arson, rioting, instigating riots, conspiracy and attempt to murder. A few have been accused of anti-national activities.

Night-time raids, he said, “are unlawful and unfortunate”.

Most arrests have taken place in south Kashmir (Anantnag, Pulwama, Awantipora, Kulgam and Shopian) followed by north Kashmir (Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Sopore, Handwara) and central Kashmir (Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal).

Official sources said that over 3,500 youths had been arrested in south Kashmir, about 1,500 in north Kashmir and around 1,000 in central Kashmir in recent weeks. (IANS)

Sahai posted as ADGP Coordination at Delhi

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Ghani Mir will again be heading the Intelligence Wing of J&K Police as the Additional Director General of Police CID, SM Sahai, has been posted as ADG Coordination in the office of J&K’s Principal Resident Commissioner in New Delhi.

Sahai is likely to proceed on central deputation and formalities in this regard are being cleared at different levels. Sahai is an IPS officer of 1987 batch. Earlier he was ADGP (Armed) and posted as CID chief on March 3, 2016.

In this respect, an order was issued by State Home Department vide No 578 Home of 2016 Dated 30-9-2016. The order reads that in the interest of administration, S M Sahai, ADGP, CID, J&K, is hereby transferred and posted as ADGP coordination in the office of Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K Government, New Delhi with immediate effect. He shall attend to all coordination-related matters, as may be assigned to him, from time to time, by the Home Department, it added.
“Consequent upon the above, one post of IPS cadre of J&K, at the level of ADGP is temporarily transferred to the office of Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K Government, New Delhi, for the purpose of drawl of salary of the officer, till such time, the post is held by the officer,” reads the order.

Mir, (IPS:JK:1994), has served J&K police in different capacities. He has served as SSP Anantnag, DIG central and North Kashmir, DIG CID, IGP Crime, IGP Kashmir, and head of CID. Mir, had during his first tenure as intelligence chief replaced Dr. B.Srinavasan.

‘Short listing failed, discarded cricketers compared to talented youngsters is mockery’

The Ranji trophy probable selection by J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) has come under criticism with stake holders alleging favoritism in the process.

The stake holders have alleged that JKCA taking undue benefit of ongoing Kashmir unrest has included ‘failed and discard cricketers’ compared to talented youngsters in the probable list of 32 players. JKCA conducted selection trials at Jammu in which they shortlisted 32 cricketers, 16 each from Kashmir and Jammu for the Ranji trophy selection. The selection of Kashmir province players was also conducted at Jammu instead of Srinagar due to ongoing unrest in valley. The shortlisted set of players from Kashmir province has raised many eyebrows as it includes names of some discarded failed cricketers according to stake holders.

“It is irony and this body is killing cricket in the State. Rivalry apart, I believe this selection is complete joke wherein they have dropped talented players and included failed, discard cricketers,” said former JKCA General Secretary, Saleem Khan.

The probable list announced on September 26, misses the names of some of the top cricketers of State like Sameer Ali , Manzoor Pandaw, Obaid Haroon , Muhammad Mudassar Gujree, Abid Nabi, Javed Mir, Mehjoor Sofi  among others while includes players like Suhail Andleep, Nadeem Dar , Mohsin Mufti who have no solid background in cricket.

“You are dropping players like Mehjoor, Abid, Sameer and Manzoor and includes players like Suhail SAndleep , Dar , Mufti is total injustice. It flays all the selection criteria that any selection committee adopts. It would have been better to shut selection drama and announce squad on its own,” he said.

“My suggestion has always been that we shouldn’t involve players in politics. Selection should have been done in fair manner which is not the case this time. Selecting a discard player like Suhail who last season slapped team manager is total mockery of cricket. Some the other players selected in the probable list doesn’t deserve place in district team not to mention of Ranji trophy,” he said.

Despite repeated attempts JKCA General Secretary Iqbal Shah and other officials were not able to be contacted for the comments.

BOTENGO: Three shells that rained on two residential houses in Batengo Sopore Thursday night not only freaked out the villagers, but also set off a sense that Indo-Pak war has begun. 

What made villagers certain about the outbreak of the war in this sleepy village—5 km from Sopore town—was its timing and peaked hostility between nuclear armed neighbours India and Pakistan.

Earlier that morning, Sept 29, army in a first from New Delhi stated that Indian army’s Ghatak forces had carried out “surgical strikes” on militant launching pads inside Pakistan-administrated Kashmir. Though Pakistan immediately rubbished the claims, but the war discourse instantly gripped the valley.

“It was around 11:30 in the night when two loud thuds rattled us,” Altaf Malla of Batengo’s Bhat Mohalla told Kashmir Life. “Before we could make any sense of the strike, two shells tearing down our rooftop exploded inside my house.” Luckily, he and his family escaped unhurt.

In nearby Herpora Mohalla, another shell rained on Ghulam Hassan Malla’s house, driving his shrieking family on streets. “We thought,” Hassan said, “the war has started between India and Pakistan.”

Three shells at the drop of a hat ended Batengo’s sleep as everyone anticipated further shelling. “It was a painful night,” Hassan said. “Everyone was expecting worse and shivering in fear.”

Earlier in the day, villagers had seen a mysterious flying object trailed with a long, white smoke in sky. People from Srinagar, Islamabad and other major towns immediately reported the flying object. Many even confused it with rocket or drone; others said it was a shooting star.

What happened at Batengo hours later made the villagers sure that it was indeed the same object they had spotted on skies.

Next day, the villagers were told by army’s 22 RR regiment camped in Botengo that the nocturnal shelling was done by them after “sensing some suspicious movements” in the village. “Those shells were harmless and were fired on trail basis,” the villagers quoting a senior army officer as having said.

The Srinagar-based army PRO couldn’t be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.

But the fact it was first of its kind of shelling in Botengo — and that too, when Indo-Pak war “rumours” are flying thick, it was only apparently natural for Botengo to confuse it with the beginning of the war. (Kashmir Life)