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  • Alleged illegal route selling by transport unions: RTO Kashmir assures action

    Srinagar, Dec 30: Taking serious note of allegations levelled against registered transport unions for illegal route selling within the transportation industry, Regional Transport Office (RTO) Kashmir has assured to take strict action against those involved.

    RTO Kashmir, known for its regulatory oversight and enforcement capabilities, has taken a serious note of these allegations. The office shall initiate an immediate investigation into the matter, utilizing its resources and expertise to uncover any illegal practices and identify those responsible sources told Asian News Hub (ANH).

    Sources said registered transport unions are selling routes for Rs 50,000, which has raised serious concern among commuters and stakeholders within the transportation sector.

    An official in RTO Kashmir told ANH, “we are committed to uphold ethical standards and promoting a safe and reliable transportation system for the public.”

    “We assure public, commuters, and stakeholders that a thorough investigation will be carried out to uncover the truth behind these allegations. If any wrongdoing is found, strict actions will be taken against those involved.”

  • People Of Kashmir Free For First Time: PM Modi

    Srinagar- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are free for the first time with the abrogation of Article 370 and they can now shape their destinies with their own hands.

    In an interview with India Today, PM also said that the Constitution of India, which protects the rights of socially vulnerable groups, is fully applicable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

    He also spoke about the Supreme Court upholding Parliament’s decision to abrogate Article 370, elections in the Valley and ensuring sustained peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “The issue in front of the country is not the Supreme Court bringing legal closure. The people have an issue with the delay in terminating a temporary provision,” Modi said.

    He said despite India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru statement in Parliament on Article-370 that “Ghiste ghiste ghis jayega (it would erode and disappear one day)”, for seven decades, the people of Jammu and Kashmir were deprived of their rights, especially women and those from underprivileged communities.

    “With Article 370 gone forever, the people of J&K and Ladakh, for the first time, are free to shape their destinies with their own hands,” he said.

    The provisions of Article 370 were abrogated by the Centre on August 5, 2019, and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. On December 11 this year, the Supreme Court five-judge Constitution Bench said the President’s 2019 order to scrap Article 370 was valid.

    Speaking of the changes that have taken in the Union Territory post Article-370 abrogation, the PM said that the women of Jammu and Kashmir are today emerging in various fields, from sports to entrepreneurship, while new industries are opening up.

    “Terrorism has hit record lows while tourism is hitting record highs. International events, such as G20 meetings, have taken place, and the world has witnessed the hospitality and pristine beauty of the region,” he said.

    On what his government is doing to ensure this peace is sustained in Jammu and Kashmir, the PM said the Centre has adopted a multi-pronged approach with focus on security, development, investment in infrastructure and human capital and a complete re-engineering of government processes through reforms.

    “We are absolutely on the path of ensuring sustainable peace, stability and prosperity for the people of the region by improving their living standards, promoting economic growth and generating employment opportunities,” the PM added

    On holding elections in J&K, PM Modi said, “Jammu and Kashmir is already represented in our Parliament at the national level. At the local level, for the first time, we have been able to take democracy to the grassroots. A three-tier panchayati raj system has been established in the state and 35,000 leaders elected at the grassroots. Why do we underestimate the importance of these elections?”

    “Be it democracy, development or dynamism, today the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are seeing all-round progress in every aspect,” he added.

  • Jammu reports fresh Covid-19 case

    No need to panic, take precautions, measures put in place to meet any challenge: Officials

    Srinagar, Dec 29: After a long hiatus, a fresh case of Covid-19 has been reported in Jammu and Kashmir even as officials said that there is no need to panic but advised people to take precautions.

    An official from GMC Jammu told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a patient who had come in contact with the person who had returned from abroad has been tested positive for Covid.

    He said that this was the first case of now endemic Covid-19, however, his sample has been sent to the genome sequencing laboratory to find the sub-variant behind the case.

    He added that the patient who is recovering now had mild symptoms and has been kept under observation at home.

    He added that there is no need to panic but people need to take precautions like they were taking earlier.

    An official said that normal precautions are enough to combat Covid-19 and its strains and there is no need to panic.

    They said that young people going outside need to take more precautions as they may contract a virus and then it may spread to elderly ones and people having underlying problems.

    They added that people having underlying problems need to take more precautions and contracting any virus for these people may prove fatal .

    Officials from the Kashmir division said that no fresh Covid-19 has been reported in the Kashmir division.

    Spokesperson DHSK Dr Mir Mushtaq told KNO that people shouldn’t think about variants rather they need to focus on precautions so as to keep the disease away.

    “They need to understand whether Covid-19 or its variant is a one disease and the same precautions are required to keep Covid-19 and its strains or variants away,” he said—(KNO)

  • Mirwaiz Umar Farooq strongly denounced his repeated house detention on Fridays to prevent him from delivering Friday Sermon at Jama Masjid

    File Photo

    Those in charge of decision-making should revisit this policy, considering historical precedents and adopting a long-term perspective.

    Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today strongly denounced his repeated house detention, especially on Fridays, aimed at preventing him from delivering the Friday sermon at central Jamia Masjid Srinagar and participating in obligatory Friday prayers. Mirwaiz mentioned that after his release from four years of continued house detention since August 2019, on September 22nd he was only permitted to go to Jamia Masjid on three Fridays. Since then, every Friday, he has been put under house arrest without any reason provided by the authorities.

    Since October 13, Jamia Masjid itself was locked to people for ten consecutive Fridays, and it was only last week that people were allowed to offer Friday prayers there. However, the duration of this permission remains uncertain while the ban on me continues. The authorities whimsically open or close the central Jamia Masjid to Muslims for prayers without accountability, and no one can inquire why.

    This arbitrariness, disregard for religious rights and sentiments of Muslims, and strong-arm tactics of the authorities, even on the basic human principle of allowing the practice of religion uninterrupted, are telling signs of the time and situation we are living in. It also mocks the authorities’ own statements claiming “Things are great in Jammu & Kashmir, and I am a free man who can go anywhere.”

    Mirwaiz reiterated his belief that repression of any kind, including on religious rights, cannot bring or maintain “peace.” He urged those in charge of decision-making to revisit this policy, considering historical precedents and adopting a long-term perspective.

  • Pakistan bans New Year celebration in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

    Pakistan bans New Year celebration in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Announcement made by the caretaker Pakistan PM Kakar.

  • Centre bans Masarat Alam led J&K Muslim League for 5 years





    Srinagar, Dec 27: The Centre on Wednesday declared Muslim League Jammu and Kashmir, led by incarcerated separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat, as ‘unlawful association’ and banned it for 5 years under UAPA.

    In a post on X, Home Minister Amit Shah, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that this organisation and its members are involved in anti-national and secessionist activities supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in J&K.

    “The ‘Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction)’/MLJK-MA is declared as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under UAPA,” he said.

    He said that PM Modi led government’s message is loud and clear that anyone acting against the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of the nation will not be spared and face the full wrath of the law—(KNO)



  • Netizens Asks Cyber Police To Take Cognizance Of This Child




    Representational Picture


    Srinagar: Prominent Youth Leader Manzoor Bhat requested Cyber Police Kashmir kindly take cognizance of this child because of the wrong impression he is giving on our society.

    Concern regarding inappropriate content on social media. It is crucial for everyone to be responsible and mindful of the content they share on social media. Safety and promoting positivity are essential in shaping our society. Let’s support each other in spreading kindness and positivity. My request to all social media users is that they should not promote such content.



  • IUST Awantipora Announces Winter Vacations from Jan 1, 2024 up to Feb 11, 2024


    Srinagar, Dec 27: The Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora on Wednesday announced the observance of winter vacations from January 1, 2024, upto February 11, 2024.

    The exams and other academic/administrative activities, as per a varsity notification, will continue as planned during this period.

  • Anand Marriage Act implemented after Art 370 abrogation in J&K: LG  


    Jammu, Dec 26: The Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha participated in a function marking ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ at Gurudwara, Bhagwati Nagar today. He also unveiled a statue of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji, disciple of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and attended a ‘Shabad Kirtan’.

    The four Sahibzades of Guruji were the embodiment of courage, valour and sacrifice. The life, ideals and bravery of Sahibzades is unparalleled in history, the Lt Governor said.

    “Our great Gurus ensured society is free from all discrimination, fear and insecurity. The martyrdom day of Sahibzades is an occasion to remember the contribution of our revered Sikh Gurus to nation and we must strive relentlessly towards achieving the ideals espoused by them,” the Lt Governor observed.

    The Sikh Gurus worked with the common commitment to protect the integrity and sovereignty of India and promoted social justice, social harmony and empowerment of all sections of society, he said.

    The Lt Governor said, it is a matter of great pride for all of us that the entire society has come together to pay the respect to our Great Gurus, Sahibzades and resolved to the task of nation-building.

    “Under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Anand Marriage Act has been implemented in Jammu Kashmir. Some people say what has changed in Jammu Kashmir. If Article 370 had remained in Jammu Kashmir, Anand Marriage Act would not have become a reality. The administration is restoring the shrine of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji in Reasi. The devotees and tourists from across the country will be able to visit the spiritual place of Baba Banda Singh Ji,” the Lt Governor said.

    The Lt Governor reiterated the commitment of Union Territory administration to promote Punjabi language in education.

  • LT Colonel who was in coma after gunfight with Militants in Kupwara dies after 8 years


    Jalandhar, Dec 25: Lt Col Karanbir Singh Natt, Sena Medal, who was in coma for last eight years after receiving serious injuries while fighting militants in Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir in 2015, passed away on Saturday in Military Hospital Jalandhar.

    Brig BA Dhillon (retd), Director Sainik Welfare, Punjab, confirmed the news of Lt Col Natt’s demise.

    Lt Col Natt was serving as the second-in-command (2IC) of 160 Territorial Army Battalion (JAK Rifles) at the time of the incident in November 2015 while leading a combing operation against militants holed up in a village near Kupwara.

    Lt Col Natt was originally commissioned as a Short Service Commission officer in The Brigade of Guards in 1998. He served in the regiment for 14 years before being relieved from service in 2012. He joined the Territorial Army following his completion of service as a Short Service Commission officer.

    Lt Col Natt had received grievous injuries to his face, particularly lower jaw, when on November 25, 2015 a terrorist holed up in a hut in Haji Naka village in Kupwara district of J&K, close to the Line of Control, fired upon him. Doctors in the Military Hospital in Srinagar and later in Army Research and Referral Hospital New Delhi had conducted frantic surgeries in him to save his life.

    The family of Lt Col Natt originally belongs to village Dhadiala Natt, near Batala. He is survived by his wife Navpreet Kaur, and daughters, Guneet and Ashmeet.– (The Indian Express)