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Asks forces to be ‘extra alert’, strengthen public relations

Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Tuesday said militants and their masters are frustrated by witnessing huge participation of people in the ongoing electoral process and are attempting to create disturbance.

The DGP, according to a police statement issued to GNS, is in the Valley and chaired a series of joint security review meetings at Sopore, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts. He was accompanied by IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar.

While addressing the officers’ meetings, the DGP directed the forces to be “extra alert” to foil the “evil designs” of militants.

“The people of J&K have expectations from the forces and we have to fulfill their expectations by working with commitment,” Singh said while stressing for keeping strict vigil on the activities of anti-national elements attempting to disrupt the peace in J&K.

People’s wholehearted cooperation with the forces has helped in maintaining sustained peace, and these relations should be strengthened at all levels to defeat ill designs of inimical elements, he added.

The DGP directed the officers to utilize their resources and energies efficiently to gain the confidence of the people, making them stakeholders in the dividends of peace and progress. He also called for strengthening the security grid and plugging the gaps with strict security measures for the remaining phases of the ongoing DDC elections. He emphasized on usage of surveillance technology and focus on qualitative changes. At Bandipora, the DGP inaugurated newly constructed conference hall and GOs mess.

The DGP appreciated the role of Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security forces in combating militancy and providing a better security environment to the people of J&K.

During the meetings, the officers apprised the DGP regarding the security situation in the areas under their command. (GNS)

Srinagar: People associated with handicrafts in Kashmir are struggling to feed their families due to subsequent lockdowns since August 5 last year.

Kashmir remained shut for months after abrogation of Article 370 in August last year and now COVID-19.

Amid this, at least 3 lakh people associated with handicrafts including carpets, papier-machie, shawls, wood carving are finding it difficult to feed their families. Kashmir’s handicrafts are famous across the world due to quality and are man made.

Ghulam Mohammad, 45, a resident of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district has been selling vegetables on a footpath for the last several months.

“All the money I had saved which I earned through carpet weaving has been exhausted. It is over a year now, we are making no earnings through carpet weaving and now selling vegetables,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS). Before August 5 last year, he would earn Rs 600 per day. He had two more people who were assisting him in carpet weaving.

There are so many artisans who have taken up odd jobs to manage the expenses of their families during the COVID.

“We were making earnings even during the worst times. But this time, our business is shut as we are not able to export carpets in international markets,” said Bashir Ahmad, a carpet dealer.

Gulf and European countries form a major customer base for Kashmiri carpet dealers.
They have suffered huge losses as they could not export the goods.

Mohammad Subhan, a papier-machie artist from Srinagar is sitting idle since the COVID-19 began in March.

“We have been badly hit first by lockdown post abrogation of Article 370 and now COVID-19 pandemic. There is no availability of raw material. There is hardly any productivity and sales,” he added.

The Kashmiri craft of papier-machie mainly uses wood, leftover wood pulp and paper waste.

Every year Subhan would participate in various artisan fairs across India like in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Gujarat.

However, this year, these fairs were not organized due to COVID-19.

In Bandipora’s Gada Khad village over 500 people associated with handicrafts are doing menial jobs to sustain their families.

An official said 3 lakh people associated with handicrafts are in bad shape.

He said presently there is no business in the handicrafts sector. (KINS)

Says massive people’s participation in DDC polls changed K-narrative

Srinagar: Apni Party President Syed Altaf Bukhari Tuesday asserted that massive participation of people in ongoing District Development Council (DDC) polls have changed the Kashmir narrative and it has become evident that elections and Kashmir issue are two separate poles.

Bukhari, who was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a maiden rally in Sher-e-Kashmir Park here in Srinagar said that people’s enmass participation in ongoing DDC polls has changed the traditional Kashmir narrative and people have made it clear that elections and Kashmir issue are two separate poles.

Bukhari who had been a cabinet minister in PDP-BJP combine in recent past said that JKAP is trying to take all sections of sociey into confidence for ensuring grassroots level development in Jammu and Kashmir. “Today you can see transporters, traders, hoteliers, houseboat owners and other sections of the society participated in our rally which is a clear message that people doesn’t want divisive and deciet politics which they bore during last 70 years”.

Without naming anybody, Bukhari said that few political parties tried to hoodwink common masses amidst ongoing DDC polls but people have understand their designs and subsquently the worth of ballot. “The electorates across J&K are politically mature. They know who are their well-wishers? They have changed the traditional narrative of Kashmir issue while participating in ongoing DDC polls massively and came to know elections and Kashmir issue are two separate poles”, Bukhari said.

Hitting hard to regional political parties, the JKAP President said that not only BJP but regional mainstream political parties who ruled over J&K for decades are equally responsible for “political uncertainty” in Jammu and Kashmir. “I blame BJP equally as Congress, NC, PDP and others for the “political uncertainty in Kashmir”, he said.

Bukhari said that Apni Party is 9-month old as it was constituted in March this year. “We are like a 9-month old baby. One should expect from us what he is going to expect from a 9-month old baby. We are not claiming we will sweep DDC polls but we will try to represent the wishes of our people instead of befooling them”, he said.

Bukhari who is being called as “B-team” of BJP by regional politicians said the JKAP will participate in delimitation process and ensure no justice is done to people of J&K. He added my party will be the first one to raise voice against the commission if share of any region or district will be grabbed during the process. (KNS)

Srinagar: In the backdrop of killing of a PSO of a PDP leader in Natipora area and recent attacks, security has been put on high alert in Srinagar to foil such attacks.

On Monday morning suspected militants gunmen shot dead a personal security guard of Peoples Democratic Party leader Haji Parvaiz Ahmad in Natipora area.

Police said two militants opened fire at constable Manzoor Ahmad and injured him as he was trying to protect the PDP leader. The constable was admitted to Bone and Joints Hospital, Srinagar, where he succumbed to his injuries.

“Jammu and Kashmir Police led by DGP [Director General of Police] Dilbag Singh salutes the martyr for sacrificing his life for the nation,” the official account of the force tweeted.
The incident is the latest in a series of such attacks on civilians and security personnel.

On December 9, five civilians were injured in a grenade explosion at the main market in the Singhpora neighbourhood of Pattan in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. A police officer and a civilian were injured on December 6 in cross-firing after an encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Srinagar.

On December 4, unidentified assailants shot at a candidate for the District Development Council polls at Sagam Kokernag area in Anantnag district during the second phase of voting. Anees-ul-Islam Ganie was contesting as an Independent from the Sagam constituency in Anantnag.

Two security force personnel were killed in a suspected militant attack on the outskirts of Srinagar on November 26.

A senior police official told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that security forces have been put on alert across Kashmir. “Security has also been strengthened and put on alert especially in Srinagar in view of attacks. Militants have shown their presence in Srinagar in the recent past,” the police official said.

As per inputs received by security agencies, there is a possibility that militants may carry out more such attacks, the official said.
“All security agencies have been put on high alert to foil any militant attacks as they are desperate to show their presence in the valley,” the official said. (KINS)

Jammu: Kashmir and Jammu are the “two eyes” of the Union Territory of J&K, and going ahead, for overall progress, both have to work together without one being favoured over the other, said Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of J&K.

“Samaan bhav sey dono ke vikas ke liye humein kaam karna hai aur dono milke hi is UT ko aage badha sakti hai (We have to work towards the development of these two regions equally, and it’s only when both work together that they can take the UT forward),” said Sinha in an interview to The Indian Express. “I think if the administration’s intentions are clear, and the government is not favouring one over the other, then there will be no opposition.”

The L-G spoke on a range of issues from the annulment of the Roshni Act and its unraveling to the fear of demographic change in the Valley following the repeal of land laws, the timeline for Assembly elections and restoration of 4G services, and the ‘Gupkar Gang’ jibe by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Sinha, who took oath on August 7, and has visited all 10 districts in Kashmir, and six (of 10) in Jammu, over the last four months, said there were “some people” who have “vested interests” in differentiating Jammu from Kashmir on the lines of “region, religion, caste, colour or area.”

L-G Sinha sought to allay fears expressed by mainstream political leaders that Assembly elections would be put on the back burner, particularly after the ongoing District Development Council (DDC) polls. He said Assembly elections are held in states which have DDCs. “Assembly function is different from that of DDC or Parliament. So, where is the contradiction?” he said.

There was no reason to fear, Sinha said. The Prime Minister has talked about Assembly elections from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15; the Home Minister has said it on the floor of Parliament, he pointed out.

“Is mein kisi ko aapatti nahi hai (Nobody has an objection to this). And the Prime Minister has said on August 15, that when the Delimitation Commission completes its work, Assembly elections will be held,” he said.

Responding to a question on fears of a demographic change in the Valley, especially after the repeal of certain land laws and amendments in some others, the Lt Governor said in J&K, 90 per cent of land is agricultural. “Nobody from outside J&K can buy agricultural land. Even within J&K, only agriculturists can buy such land,” he said.

While the amendment to certain laws has enabled outsiders to buy land in the UT, Sinha said there was no treatment for “imagined” fears.

“Give me a single example of any outsider having bought land here. Since August 5, 2019, tell me a single name. I challenge anyone to name one person from outside who has bought land here. This is baseless,” he said.

Asked about Shah’s tweet referring to mainstream political parties — which formed an alliance ahead of the DDC elections — as ‘Gupkar Gang,’ Sinha said: “As a leader of a party, he has every right to issue a political statement. If leaders in a political party can give certain statements, then others also have the freedom to speak their mind…Constitutional post hum hold kar rahein hain, humko is se matlab nahi (I hold a Constitutional post, and I am not concerned about it) (KNS) 

‘PDP chief’s allegations about trimming security cover of its men baseless, had asked PDP leader Pervez to shift his location, he didn’t pay heed to our repeated requests; Have fair clue about number of militants involved in act, will bring attackers to justice’

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police chief Dilbagh Singh Monday said that the killing of a Personal Security Officer (PSO) of a PDP leader at Natipora, Srinagar, is an attempt to disrupt the ongoing election process and the prevailing peaceful environment across Kashmir.

He said that police have clues about the number of militants involved in the attack and area where they came from and that “attackers will soon be brought to book.” Talking to reporters on the sidelines of wreath laying ceremony of Manzoor Ahmed at District Police Lines (DPL) Srinagar, the DGP said that one must understand that J&K is going through an important exercise at present—the exercise at the grassroots level and there is a huge participation of people, which is commendable. PSO Manzoor was guarding PDP senior leader Haji Pervez Ahmed at Natipora, Srinagar, and sustained bullet wounds after militants fired at him at Pervez’s residence early this morning. He was shifted to Bone and Joints Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

“There have been elaborate security arrangements but we can’t put the movement of people to a complete halt while ensuring the grassroot level exercise. In between, there is a hidden movement of an odd number of anti-national elements as well,” he said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

The DGP said that in Poonch, a group of Lashkar-e-Toiba militants had infiltrated and were trying to reach Shopian but couldn’t due to snow accumulation in the area. “Their motive too was to disrupt the ongoing election process. We offered them surrender multiple times with an aim that we could show the world that how our neighbor is fomenting trouble in Kashmir. But the militants refused to surrender and were killed in the encounter,” he said, adding that “we have enough evidence and incriminating material recovered from the slain militants by which we can prove what their motive was.”

About PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s tweet wherein she has alleged that J&K administration has left the opposition leaders in a vulnerable position by downgrading their security, the DGP termed the allegations as baseless. “The PDP leader (Haji Pervez Ahmed) at whose residence PSP Manzoor was killed, was asked by the police to shift the location on the pretext that his residence was in a congested area and prone to militant attacks. He never paid heed to our suggestions,” the DGP said. “He regularly violated security advisories. We reviewed his security and found there was a need of one PSO for him, but two were provided to him.”

To a query what was the motive of militants behind today’s attack, the J&K police chief said that the motive was to disrupt the ongoing election process and the peaceful environment prevailing in the Valley that was “managed by people and the security agencies including police after a lot of efforts.”

He said attacks like the one happened today can happen despite the security cover to the politicians. “BJP slain youth leader Waseem Bari had 10 PSOs but still got killed. “In today’s attack, we have a fair amount of clues about the number of militants who carried out the attack and the area from where they came from. I am sure police will track them down soon and bring them to justice,” the DGP said—(KNO)

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Sunday asked the Central government to change its hard nosed attitude vis-à-vis Jammu and Kashmir and restore its special status for the furtherance of peace and prosperity in the region.

Party’s members of parliament Muhammad Akbar Lone, and Hassnain Masoodi while interacting with scores of workers ,who had called on them from different areas of north and south Kashmir said that the brewing political uncertainty and chaos at all levels of administration was a direct outcome of the measures undertaken by the ruling BJP on 5th of August. They said the measures, far from putting the region on the track of development, has undone the achievements of all the previous successive popular governments in the state.

The measures undertaken unilaterally on the 5th of august last year, they said, haven’t been feared well in any region of Jammu and Kashmir. They also said the local body elections cannot be a substitute to a fully functional legislature of a state. The government machinery, the MPs said, has miserably failed to cope up with the development demands of the people, who they said have never felt so dejected before as they are feeling now on account of the government’s failure to attend to their day to day issues.

“The recent snowfall is a point in case. Despite the predictions, the administration, like always, was again caught napping. It is shocking to see how the predictions were left unheeded by nothing putting the men and machinery on alert to rise to the exigencies in wake of heavy snowfall. Even at the very onset of winters the administration failed to grab the opportunity to stock all essential items in Kashmir division.

Today people are hankering for basic edibles in upper reaches. The scarcity of LPG, Kerosene oil is miserably felt also. The pesky water and electricity supply has added to the woes of people. There are areas where people have been without electricity and water for days now, the administration is yet to take any call on that also. Primary, secondary health care centers across Kashmir also narrate a grimy state of affairs on account of absence of medics and unavailability of medicines. There is no accountability on ground,” they said.

People who had called on the MPs acquainted them about the issues; people in their constituencies are facing in wake of the recent snowfall. They also appraised the MPs about the unavailability of essentials in their areas and the unaccountability in hospitals. The MPs assured the workers that they will raise their grievances at all appropriate forums. (PTK)