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  • Kashmir has changed for good despite forced militancy: GoC 15 Corps

    ‘Villages close to LoC have great tourism potential’

    Kupwara, Aug 11: General officer Commanding (GoC) of Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lieutenant General DP Pandey Wednesday said that Kashmir has changed for good despite the forced militancy while the events organized by Army across the valley are witnessing an “enthusiastic crowd.”

    Speaking to media men on the side-lines of the Bungus Valley Festival, the GoC said that the Lieutenant Governor has already given the directions and the facilities for commoners in border areas will be made available soon.

    “This place (Bungus) is just eight kilometres from the Line of Control (LoC) and similarly there are bases in Keran, Tulail, Machil, Tangdhar, and Uri. Festival and other activities will continue to be organised in these areas,” the GoC Pandey said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

    He said that the army will provide all the best possible facilities to facilitate the administration to construct mobile towers and provide facilities required for daily usage for the people of border villages.

    The GoC termed the visit of the LG Manoj Sinha to Bungus as landmark stating that the event conducted is awesome and it will send a message across.

    “There are many other places like Bungus. This Kashmir valley is the safest place for tourists because of the people of Kashmir,” the army officer said. “Similar events are ongoing across Kashmir despite the militancy which is being forced on the people. “Kashmir has changed for good,” he said.

    He informed that a massive crowd witnessed and enjoyed the two-day-long Bungus festival which depicts the direction of Kashmir today and similar enthusiasm is witnessed at other functions organized by the Army across the valley.

    “People must visit Bungus so that native people will get a medium to earn a livelihood,” the army officer said—(KNO)

  • 242 children in Bengaluru test COVID-19 positive in 5 days, number to ‘triple’ warn officials

    In alarming news, at least 242 children have tested COVID-19 positive in the last five days in Bengaluru, government data revealed.

    The health department has warned that this number may further rise in the coming days. This is once again proving right the earlier prediction that the third wave of the pandemic could affect children.

    According to the Bengaluru civic body BBMP, 242 children below the age of 19 years tested COVID-19 positive in the last five days. The data further reveals that 106 children below the age of 9 years and 136 children between 9 and 19 years have tested positive in the last five days in Bengaluru.

    Health officials recommended parents to keep their children at home and follow all the COVID-19 norms as children will have less immunity compared to older people.

    They went on to warn that this number will ‘triple’ within a few days and there is a great threat to children.

    The Karnataka government has already taken some strict measures to control the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state. Only yesterday the state government requested the Indian Railways to ensure all passengers travelling to the state from Kerala and Maharashtra undergo compulsory COVID-19 test before boarding trains.

    Night and weekend curfews in all the districts have been ordered. Karnataka borders have restricted entries from Kerala and Maharashtra. Only those who can show their RTPCR test of less than 72 hours are allowed to enter the state.

    Reports suggest that the government is likely to impose a partial lockdown from August 16.

    Karnataka has been recording around 1,500 daily new COVID-19 cases in the last one month.

    AGENCY

  • Govt Can Allow Transfer Of J&K’s Agri Land For Public Purposes: MHA

    Srinagar, Aug 11: The Ministry Of Home Affairs on Wednesday said that as per the adapted land laws of Jammu and Kashmir, the Government can allow transfer of agricultural land for public purposes such as education, charitable purpose and healthcare.

    “After 5th August, 2019, all provisions of the Constitution of India have been made applicable to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) which necessitated changes in existing laws in Jammu and Kashmir by Adaptation Orders so as to conform with the provisions of the Constitution of India,” Minister of State in the Ministry Of Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai said in a written reply.

    “As per the adapted land laws of Jammu and Kashmir, the Government may, by notification in the official gazette, allow transfer of land, for public purposes such as education, charitable purpose and healthcare.”

    He was responding to a question congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh in Rajya Sabha whether Government has altered the land laws of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) wherein no domicile or permanent resident certificate is required to purchase non-agricultural land in the J&K.

    To another question on whether the historic Jammu and Kashmir Big Landed Estates Abolition

    Act, 1950 has been abolished which led to the radical redistribution of land which paved way for rural prosperity and ended landlordism in J&K, the minister said: Under the Jammu and Kashmir Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, 1950, the land was transferred to the tillers. The Act also prescribed a limit to right of ownership of 182 standard kanals (22.75 acres).”

    However, he said, this Act has been repealed and there is another legislation i.e. The Jammu & Kashmir Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976, for transfer of land to tillers which is in force. This Act prescribes ceiling restriction of 100 standard kanals (12.5 acres).

  • Investors of US, Dubai, England willing to invest in JK

    ‘J&K industrial policy generated lot of interest in corporate sector’: Ranjan Thakur, Principal Secretary I&C

    Srinagar, Aug 11 : The investors of United States (US), Dubai and England are willing to invest in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a top government official informed KINS.
    “From last week we have been in talks with delegates and investors from the United States (US), Dubai, and England. The prospective foreign investors had detailed discussions with the government officials on their business plans,”the top officials in the industries and commerce department told news agency KINS, wishing not to be named.
    He said that they have also asked them to visit the region and explore investment opportunities provided by the UT government.
    He said that they have provided them the knowledge and research-based information, policy advocacy, marketing and developmental activities in the focus sectors.
    The official said that they were also in talks with foreign delegates like- Russia, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Belarus — for exploring different avenues to attract global investments.
    “The government is working towards policies and schemes to ensure ‘ease of doing business’ to investors. We are always open to facilitate queries and collaborate with the trade fraternity,” the official maintained.
    “We are sure that more traders from across the world will be looking forward to visiting the Union Territory,” he said.
    He said around 400 kanal of land have already been approved in the Union territory. “We have identified 30000 kanals of land and out of it around 400 kanals of land have been approved,” he maintained.
    On August 5, 2019, the Centre bifurcated the state into the two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
    The two units came into existence on October 31.
    Meanwhile sources said that the SIDCO has received expressions of Interest (EoI) from several outside companies. These companies, according to the official sources, have shown interest in investing in different sectors in J&K, including apple industry, Hospitals, cold storages, dry fruit and saffron industries, and tourism and hotel industries.
    “All of them have submitted detailed project proposals, including land required, setting up their businesses,” said the source.
    “Once some companies start their operations in J&K, it will encourage other investors to follow. We hope this is only the beginning.”
    It is to mention here that to remove bottlenecks for the land allotment under the new industrial policy, the government has created an easy online registration option for the investors across India.
    The investors can now submit their proposals online for the investment in Jammu and Kashmir.
    Principal Secretary Industries and commerce Ranjan Prakash Thakur told news agency KINS that the aim to introduce online registration was to provide a hassle-free option for the investors interested in expanding base in JK.
    “The aim was to make the whole process a single window clearance. We don’t want to make the entire process tedious for the investors,” Prakash told KINS.
    The Principal Secretary said the new J&K industrial policy has generated a lot of interest in the corporate sector.
    “Projects worth Rs 23,000 crore have already been locked,”
    Sources said that the sectors that the government identified include tourism, agro and food processing, manufacturing, IIT and IT, health and pharmaceuticals, skill development, milk, poultry and wool, infrastructure and real estate, herbal and medicine plants, film sector, renewable energy, agriculture and mulberry, handloom, handicrafts and horticulture.(KINS)

  • J&K facing ‘direct assault’ from New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi in Sgr

    Statehood in full should be restored forthwith; Elections be held in free and fair manner; My fight against PM Modi’s divisive policies to continue, I am not allowed to speak in Parliament; Congress believes in love, honour, not hatred; will visit Jammu, Ladakh soon

    Srinagar, Aug 10: Stating that J&K was “facing direct assault from New Delhi”, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi Tuesday said and the Government of India should restore full statehood to J&K and conduct the elections in a free and fair manner.

    Rahul, who arrived in Kashmir on a two-day sojourn, also said that he is fighting against Prime Minister Narendera Modi and his policies of “dividing India” and he will continue his fight till he wins. Addressing a gathering at the newly constructed J&K Congress headquarters at Moulana Azad Road here, Rahul said today there is not the assault on J&K only but other parts of India also like Tamil Nadu, Bengal and other States. “But one thing is clear that J&K is under direct assault from New Delhi while other parts are facing an indirect attack,” Rahul thundered from the pulpit, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

    He said the Congress party has a clear stand for J&K. “Statehood should be restored in full and there should be Assembly polls in a free, fair and transparent manner,” Rahul said.

    Replying to senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s suggestion regarding seeking a bill in the parliament to press for restoration of Statehood for J&K, Rahul said: “ I am not allowed to speak in the parliament. I can’t speak about Raffle, unemployment and corruption. They (BJP) have attacked judiciary, Lok Sabha and even the voice of media stands muzzled. Journalists can’t write what they want to.”

    He said that when there was a Congress government in J&K, major schemes like Udaan were launched and Panchayat polls were held.” “We brought experts to Kashmir University and sent Kashmiri youth to other states of India. But they (BJP) attacked this process too,” he said.

    Rahul said that he can feel the pain of people of J&K. “My message to you is that I am with you to build a relationship based on love and honour. I am fighting against PM Modi. My fight is against Modi’s ideology and violence he is preaching besides his mission of breaking India. I will continue to fight till victory,” the Congress leader said as per KNO

    He said J&K people have an age-old culture of love, honour and whatever “you want to do for people of J & K should be based on love and honour.” “If you start your hatred for people of J&K, nothing can be achieved, “Rahul said in an obvious reference to BJP. He said earlier, during Covid and post abrogation of Article 370, he tried to visit J&K, but was denied all the time,” he said.

    Rahul said that he has a Kashmir connection as his ancestors were living in Valley. “Today, my family lives in Delhi, before that they were living in Allahabad and before that, they were living in Kashmir. So I have inherited a tinge of Kashmiriyat that lies inside me,” he said. Rahul who is also the Congress MP said he will visit Jammu and Ladakh very soon. Earlier, Rahul visited Mata Kheerbhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal and Hazratbal shrine to pay obeisance—(KNO)

  • Around 74 civilian, political killings witnessed in J&K since 2019 

    Srinagar, Aug 10: Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed around 74 civilian and political killings since 2019, reveal official figures.

    Sources revealed to Kashmir News service (KNS), that Kashmir has witnessed around 74 civilian and political killing since 2019 year while the deaths were caused either by violence or by militant attacks.

    The data further revealed that in the year 2019, around 31 deaths have been witnessed in Kashmir while in 2020 around 26 deaths have been reported.

    It futher stated that around 17 deaths have been witnessed in 2021. (KNS)

  • Body of 10-yr-old boy retrieved from Jhelum

    Srinagar, Aug 10: The body of a 10-year-old boy, who drowned into river Jhelum at Cement bridge in Qamarwari area of Srinagar, was retrieved on Tuesday.

    Official sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a boy identified as Sheezan Fayaz, son of Fayaz Ahmad Malla drowned while taking a bath in river Jhelum today.

    They said that the river police Srinagar retrieved the body of boy, adding that the body has been handed over to the family for last rites—(KNO)

  • Amir Khan’s interview with DPS Srinagar girl goes viral

    The superstar appeared on the Radio DPS show with little Zainab

    Srinagar: A Learning Resource Center (LRC) Student of DPS Srinagar – 12-year-old Zainab has become the first visually impaired child from the country who interviewed Bollywood superstar Amir Khan. The superstar appeared for the interview on Radio DPS, the first of its kind across the country that is completely run by the students of Delhi Public School Srinagar.

    “This is the proudest moment of my life. I had never imagined that my dream would come true and I would get this opportunity to interview Amir Khan, who I adore a lot,” said Zainab

    “I consider myself very lucky that among thousands of students, I was the lucky one who got the chance. Even as I am visually impaired Vijay sir always makes sure that no specially abled students lag behind” she said.

    Appreciating the dedication of Zainab, actor Amir Khan gave her his autograph which stated “Dear Zainab Thank You for a lovely interview, was a pleasure talking to you. Happiness always. Love from Amir”.

    The joy of the parents of Zainab knew no bounds when actor Amir Khan interacted with them and appreciated their effort and support towards their dedicated child.

    “I felt extremely happy that my daughter interviewed a celebrity. This made me realize that my daughter has no stopping point in life. We are proud of her,” said Zainab’s mother.

    Father of Zainab, Bilal Qayoom Rehbar while expressing joy over the role and support of DPS Srinagar towards shaping the lives of specially-abled students, attributed the success of his daughter to her school.

    “Our child cannot see was our worst nightmare when Zainab came into this world. Then at DPS Athwajan, we were made to understand that Zainab is a special child and it’s the effort of the school that Zainab is now making us proud and we are feeling like special parents,” said her father.

    “For all that happened till date, we are first thankful to Almighty and then to DPS Athwajan, especially the teachers led by a great human being Vijay Dhar who works day in and day out and makes sure that special children create an equal space for themselves in the society,” he added.

    “I conduct interviews only after I got a degree in mass communication from AJK MCRC Jamia Millia Islamia. Training someone who has no media background and is really young for a celebrity interview is not an easy job. You have to take care about the ethics, voice modulation, and other minute details,” said Yasmeen Khan who works as station head for Radio DPS.

    “Training Zainab was indeed a difficult task, I was really concerned. Her school teacher Saima who happens to be a special educator made the task really easy with her techniques, Zainab was also curious and dedicated to learn, so it was a collective effort,” she added.

    The teachers at school’s prestigious department Learning Resource Center offer help and guidance to students who are autistic or visually impaired. All the specially-abled students are trained by professionals and special educators throughout.

    “It is a blessing to teach a student like Zainab because she never says I can’t but always says I will try ma’am. So often you find that the students you are trying to inspire are the ones that end up inspiring you,” said Saima Nisar, teacher of Zainab.

    Chairman DPS Srinagar, Vijay Dhar shared his immense pleasure over the achievement of Zainab and called it a remarkable move.

    “This is a proud moment for the entire DPS Family that Zainab carried out a successful celebrity interview. We are overwhelmed that our students from LRC don’t have a stopping point. We will look forward to more such activities that would involve the participation of special children,” he said.

  • Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid greets Muslim Ummah on new Islamic year.

    Srinagar, Aug 10: Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid has extended heartfelt greetings to the Muslim Ummah in general and the Muslims of Jammu & Kashmir in particular on the arrival of the new Islamic year 1443 AH.

    Anjuman on behalf of its president Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who continues to be under continuous house arrest said, “Every new year provides us with an opportunity to go for self introspection and reflect upon what is happening around us and as such, we need to learn lessons from our past and strive for the betterment of our present and future.”

    “We must also submit ourselves completely to the will of Allah (SWT) and seek refuge from the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic by organising special prayers in this regard. We must strengthen our bond with our Creator – Allah (SWT) and deepen our love and devotion with our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW), so that we as Ummah are able to discharge our religious and milli responsibilities in a much better way.”

    the statement, stressed that “in order to overcome the challenges the Muslim Ummah presently faces, the extreme grave situation prevalent in Jammu & Kashmir, and the problems confronting our society; it is imperative for us to uphold unity and have complete faith in Allah (SWT) – that He alone is our saviour and from only Him shall we seek help and remedy”.

    It also expressed hope that the new Islamic year brings happiness, progress and prosperity to the entire humanity especially the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

  • 57 youth travelled to PaK on student, tourist visa in 2017-joined militancy: J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh

    Says 17 returned along with weapons, got killed in encounters; 13 still active in Kashmir being tracked; 17 others in PaK under constant watch of J&K police; four groups infiltrated recently into J&K, Visa procedure, security clearance for studying in PaK to be strict now

    Rajouri, Aug 10: J&K’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh Tuesday said 57 youth went to the other side of Kashmir on valid visa and documents but joined militancy of which 17 youth returned along with weapons and got killed in encounters. He also said that 13 are still active in this side and 17 are still living across, who are under constant watch of J&K Police.

    Addressing a press conference at Rajouri, the DGP Singh as per news agency– Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that in 2017 and 2018, 57 youth crossed over to the other side of the LoC on valid documents and visa. “But instead of studying there, they joined militancy. Of the 57 youth, 17 crossed over to this side and were killed in various encounters. Almost 13 are still active in Kashmir while 17 continue to remain on the other side, who are under the constant watch of J&K police,” he said.

    The DGP said that because of the fact that youth who visit to the other side of Kashmir on the pretext of studies and tourism later end up in militancy, the visa procedure and security clearance has been further made strict.

    About the infiltration he said that so far three to four groups including one in Bandipora and around three in Rajouri-Poonch sector infiltrated into this side. “Four militants who were killed in Bandipora had crossed over to this side through Machil and Gurez sectors while in Rajouri two militants were killed recently and there are apprehensions of the presence of two more,” the DGP said.

    He said launch pads are full and security forces have strengthened the anti-infiltration grid both at the LoC and hinterland to foil all bids—(KNO)

    Full story in Evening Bulletin