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Srinagar: As six-political parties have formed an alliance for restoration of special status of Jammu and Kashmir, uncertainty continues whether they remain united on other issues irrespective of their ideological differences.

On last Thursday, mainstream parties held a meeting and formed an alliance for restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state as it existed before August 5 last year.

The meeting was held at the residence of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and attended by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone, Peoples Movement leader Javaid Mir, CPIM leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and Awami National Conference vice-president Muzaffar Shah.

“We have decided that the Gupkar Declaration will be renamed as People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. Ours is a constitutional battle. We shall struggle for restoration of what was snatched from J&K and Ladakh,” Farooq told reporters after the two-hour meeting.

He said the alliance also seeks a dialogue between all stakeholders for resolution of the issue pertaining to J&K.

However, leaders of these parties remain silent whether their alliance will continue for other issues in J&K.

Senior National Conference leader and Member Parliament Retd Justice Hasnian Masoodi said six-parties have united seeking restoration of Article 370.

“This alliance will continue unless we get August 4, 2019 position. We will continue to strive for it,” Masoodi told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

Asked whether these parties will also continue their alliance for any elections to be held in J&K, he replied, “We will decide that time. Presently our prime focus is on restoration of special position of J&K.”

“There are some differences between these parties. But we are united to fight for restoration of Article 370,” he said.

Senior CPI-M leader M Y Tarigami said it was to premature to say whether these parties will fight jointly any election in the future.

“This alliance is on certain objectives so that special status of J&K is restored. Rest time will decide on which other issues these parties will fight jointly,” Tarigami told news agency KINS.
“We have been insulted by abrogation of Article 370. We will strike for its restoration,” he added.

Echoing similar views, a senior PDP leader said, “Nothing has been decided about other issues. We have met only once. It is premature to comment on what other issues this alliance will fight for,” he added.The BJP deserves the credit for uniting all Jammu and Kashmir parties in an unprecedented alliance to demand the restoration of the former state’s special status, Kashmiri politician Sajad Lone has asserted that as “inhabitants and not tourists” they will outlast the central government.

The decision to scrap Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional autonomy by the centre was “short-sighted and borne out of hatred”, Lone told a national news channel.

The former minister in the BJP-PDP government and now a key architect of the bloc named “People’s Alliance”, Lone said he “felt like a stranger” after he was released from year-long detention and saw “outsiders” had taken over the reins of Jammu and Kashmir.

Lone, who was detained along with hundreds of political leaders after the centre announced the move last August, was released on July 31 this year. He said the joint fight for the restoration of Article 370 will be within the framework of the constitution and seek to end the violence and uncertainty.

“This is a collective mechanism and primarily what was ours has been taken away from us. We will struggle peacefully, within the ambit of the constitution as is the right in every part of the country,” said Lone.

Traditionally bitter political rivals, the National Conference, People’s Democratic Party or PDP, People’s Conference and other groups have decided to keep their individual rivalries in suspended animation and fight together to get Article 370 restored. (KINS)

Faces second round of questioning in three days, Party passes resolution, condemns ED move, terms it vindictive

Srinagar: Two days after he was grilled for seven long hours at Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Srinagar regarding the alleged multi-crore J&K Cricket Association Scam (J&KCA), the National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah was Thursday summoned again by the ED and questioned for five-long hours.

According to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the ED questioning coincided with Dr Farooq’s 84th birthday. Sources told KNO that the National Conference president reached ED’s Srinagar office at 11 am and he was let go at 4 pm.

On October 19, Dr Farooq was grilled for seven long hours at ED hours. He, however, had stated that he was clear and “let ED do its job and I will do mine.” He had also stated that the resolve for restoration of Article 370 will continue even if he would be hanged.

Sources said that today, Dr Farooq had brought his lunch along and he was allowed to take meals. On October 19, the NC chief had stated that he couldn’t have his lunch as there was no time to get the same.

Meanwhile, National Conference passed a resolution strongly condemning the vindictive/ coercive action against President and MP Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah. “We resolve that we strongly condemn the vindictive/ coercive action against party president Dr Farooq Abdullah. We stand fully with our leader and his unity mission in J&K. Our resolve to fight for the rights of people of J&K is undeterred by such action,” reads the resolution sent to KNO by NC.

Party General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar presided over an extraordinary meeting at Party Head Quarters Nawa- e- Subha, Srinagar which culminated with the passing of the resolution.

Party’s Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, Senior Leaders Muhammad Shafi Uri, Mian Altaf Ahmed, Mubarak Gul, Members of Parliament Muhammad Akbar Lone, Hasnain Masoodi; Central Secretary Irfan Shah, Mir Saifullah, Vice Provincial President Mohammad Syed Akhoon, Provincial Secretary Showkat Mir, Central Zone President Ali Muhammad Dar, South Zone President Dr. Bahir Veeri, YNC Provincial President Salman Ali Sagar, Syed Tauqeer, Peer Muhammad Hussain were present in the meeting—(KNO)

Srinagar: Director General of Police, Dilbagh Singh Wednesday said that 40 policemen have lost their lives this year in the line of duty in J&K.

He said during his speech at the police commemoration day at Zewan,
“These 40 policemen include a constable Muhammad Ashraf, who was killed outside his home in Anantnag. J&K police are committed to bring peace in the UT. We offer supreme sacrifices to prevent anti-peace elements from fomenting trouble,” the DGP said as according to the KINS correspondent.

He said it is due to the professionalism and commitment of the police force that Prime Minister Narendera Modi, Home Minister and other Union Ministers praise the role of JK police in every meeting and occasion.
DGP also said 6000 policemen have lost their lives in the line of duty in JK in the past over 30 years. (KINS)

Asks security forces, ‘Don’t touch innocents, don’t leave culprits’

Srinagar: Calling for comprehensive reforms’ for dealing with radicalization of youth, The Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha Wednesday asked the police “don’t touch the innocents and don’t leave the culprits”.

He said this while addressing the police commemoration day at Zewan.

Praising the police for professionalism, the LG said that police are doing a commendable job on the anti-militancy front.

“If people sleep at ease, it is because of the police force who work tirelessly to protect the J&K UT from the evil forces and militants who are supported by our neighbour,” Sinha said according to the KINS correspondent.

He added the message from the police should be clear and loud that “Begunah ko mat Chedo, Gunahgaar ko mat chodo (don’t touch the innocents and don’t leave the culprits).”

LG Sinha said police and administration is committed to resolve the issues confronted by the policemen and the families of “martyrs of cops”, nation owes them their welfare. They and their families sacrifice everything for the Nation. We will ensure their career progression and all welfare measures.”

He stressed on the need for comprehensive reforms for dealing with the radicalization of youth and called for a regular monitoring of social media content.

He asked the police to further strengthen its community support base across J&K.

LG Sinha said he is sure that a mechanism has been put in place to deal with the radicalization and more efforts need to be applied to strengthen the grid to prevent youth from treading the wrong path.

“Militancy sponsored by the neighbour has been effectively dealt by the police force. Our police force is playing a significant role in tackling militancy. In J&K, everyone should know the role of police in this direction. It is because of the policemen who keep vigil during night, that people are having sound sleep,” he said.

The LG hailed police for effectively dealing with the law and order challenges. “ bagging 684 medals says a lot about exemplary work done by police. I assure them the full support,” he said—(KINS)

Srinagar: Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the extension of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for apple procurement in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for the current season also i.e. 2020-21 on the same terms and condition as was done in J&K during last season i.e. 2019-20.

“The procurement of apple will be done by Central Procuring Agency i.e. National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation ltd. (NAFED) through State Designated Agency i.e. Directorate of Planning and Marketing, Department of Horticulture & Jammu & Kashmir Horticulture Processing and Marketing Corporation (JKHPMC), directly from apple farmers of J&K and the payment will be made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the Bank account of apple farmers”.

12 LMT of apples can be procured under this scheme.Government has also allowed NAFED to utilize Government Guarantee of Rs. 2,500 Crore for this operation.

The losses, if any, to be incurred in this operation will be shared between the Central Government and UT administration of J&K on 50:50 basis.

The constituted Designated Price Committee of last Season will be continued for the fixation of price of various varieties and grades of apples for this Season also.

The UT administration of J&K shall ensure the provision of basic amenities in the designated mandis.Smooth and continuous implementation of the procurement process will be monitored by constituted Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary at the central level and constituted implementation & Coordination Committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary at the UT Level.

This announcement of the Government of India will provide an effective marketing platform to apple growers and will facilitate employment generation for the local people. It will ensure remunerative prices for apples resulting in overall income enhancement of farmers in J&K. (KINS)

Srinagar: Keeping in view the ‘zero tolerance’ for corruption, the Anti- Corruption Bureau has tightened noose around corrupt officials.

Sources told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that the LG Manoj Sinha has directed the ACB to take stern action against the corrupt officers and on the basis of complaints, identified the public dealing departments on which focus should be laid.

“The State Vigilance Organization (SVO) which has been rechristened as Anti-Corruption Bureau, despite having sufficient evidence was unable to nail the big fishes in the old system due to the political pressure. Since the day J&K has been turned into Union Territory (UT) the ACB has started acting swiftly.

Big shots, who used to believe that they are above the law and can get away with anything are facing the heat as the noose has been tightened around them,” said the sources.

The corrupt being nailed has sent a clear message down the line that no one will be spared. The ACB has even produced challans in old cases which were shelved due to political pressure or other reasons.

The work culture in government offices is changing fast. All the officials from top to bottom are aware of the fact that they are being watched. The ACB during the past few months has acted quickly on the complaints which were registered with it.

LG Manoj Sinha had asked the Anti-corruption bureau and other investigating agencies to adopt a policy of “Zero Tolerance” towards corruption in various fields of governance and implemented the policy in letter and spirit, so that general masses also get to know that their day-to-day work can be got done without giving bribes.

Since then ACB has nabbed several corrupt officials in the Union territory.

Sources said that with the Centre and state governments focus on strengthening of Panchayat institutions, it also wants to make the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) corruption free.

“The Government believes that if the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir become corruption free then a large section will be covered and to a large extent the target of the government’s priority towards ‘Zero Tolerance’ for Corruption would be met”, said the sources.

Sources said that the ACB and other Anti- graft agencies would be keeping strict vigil on government departments like Panchayat, Municipal Corporations, Municipal Committees, PWD, Revenue Department state owned corporations and all other enforcing government agencies where public dealing is more.

It is to mention here that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) unearthing many scams during the past few months has exposed the entire system.

Many big guns have fallen in the ACB net and it appears that investigations are on to nail others also,” said sources.

The corruption has always been prevalent in Jammu and Kashmir and no one can deny this fact. But not many people were booked during the erstwhile political regimes.

It may be recalled that many commissions to probe the complaints about corruption were formed during the political dispensations but all these bodies proved to be toothless tigers.
(KINS)

Srinagar: NIA on Tuesday filed 14000 pages chargesheet against 10 accused persons including Hjzb Chief Reyaz Naiko in Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) Narco-militancy Case in NIA Special Court at Mohali, Punjab.

In a statement to media, the NIA said that the chargesheet has been filed u/s 120B, 419, 471, 489C of IPC, sections 8, 21, 23, 12 24, 25, 27, 27A, 29 & 31 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, sections 17, 18, 20, 38 and 40 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and section 12(1)(b) of Indian Passports Act against the following accused persons Hilal Ahmed Shergojri, 35 years, resident of Pulwama (Arrested), Bikram Singh, 27 years resident of Amritsar (Arrested), Maninder Singh, 22 years, resident of Amritsar (Arrested), Ranjit Singh, 42 years, resident of Gurdaspur (Arrested), Jaswant Singh, 25 years resident of Gurdaspur (Arrested), Ranjit Singh, 41 years resident of Amritsar (Arrested), Gagandeep Singh, 27 years resident of Amritsar (Arrested), Iqbal Singh,24 years, resident of Amritsar (Absconding), Zafar Hussain Bhat, 52 years, resident of Anantnag, Presently in Pakistan (Absconding) and Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo, resident Pulwam (Killed)

This case arose out of Police station Sadar Amritsar Case no. 135 dated 25.04.2020 pertaining to arrest of one Hilal Ahmed Shergojri and recovery of Rs. 29 Lacs from his possession, by Punjab Police on 25.04.2020. NIA took up the investigation of the case on 08.05.2020.

During investigation by NIA, it emerged that accused Hilal, who had come to Amritsar to collect the amount of Rs 29 Lacs, was a member of militant organization Hizb-ul –Mujahideen (HM) and a close associate of Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo, the then HM commander of Kashmir Valley.

The statement further said that, this led to busting of a major Narco-miltancy module involved in smuggling and selling of Heroin in India and channelizing of drug-proceeds to Pakistan through hawala and to the HM militants based in J&K.

Investigation also unearthed the conspiracy hatched by Pakistan-based HM commanders and their associates and militant gangs in Punjab to support and augment the militancy infrastructure of HM in India by raising money through drug smuggling/drug pedalling.

During investigation, it emerged that the accused had received at least six (06) consignments of heroin through Attari Indo-Pakistan Border in the garb of importing Rock Salt granules from Pakistan. Of these, money proceeds of five (05) consignments were partly sent back to Pakistan through hawala operators while a substantial portion was channelized to HM militants in Kashmir through a network of OGWs and other associates. In July 2019, 6th consignment of around 532 Kgs of heroin was seized at Attari Border and a separate case was registered, which was investigated and charge-sheeted by NIA.

During investigation, NIA carried out searches at 15 locations belonging to the suspects and accused in Punjab, Haryana and J&K. So far, INR 98.5 lacs, 8 vehicles and 3 Kgs of heroin have been seized from the accused and investments worth many crores have been identified. During searches, incriminating documents related to benami properties and digital gadgets including mobile phones, pen drives and laptops were seized and forensically examined.

Many incriminating chats between accused persons have been recovered from the seized digital devices.

Further investigation in the case is continued, reads the statement.(GNS)

Two Hizb militants killed in Shopian; 3 killed in Pulwama were affiliated with LeT, All five refused to surrender, Arms, ammo recovered from killed militants: J&K Police

Srinagar: Five militants—two from Hizbul Mujahideen and three from Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit— were killed in two separate encounters in Pulwama and Shopian districts of South Kashmir in the last 24 hours.

First encounter broke out at Melhoora, Shopian on Monday evening. A senior police officer told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that two militants were killed in an overnight encounter at Melhoora, Shopian.

He added that one militant was killed on Monday evening while another one was killed today. “Bodies of both militants along with ammunition was recovered,” he said.

“On Monday evening operation was halted due to darkness, however, cordon was tightened to ensure that no trapped militant can flee and operation resumed on today morning,” the officer said.

He identified the slain militants as Umar Thoker from Shirpora, Frisal, Kulgam and Tanveer Ahmad Khanday from Yaripora, Kulgam. “Both were associated with Hizb. A police spokesman said that incriminating material including arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants,” he said in a statement issued to KNO, adding that keeping in view the prevailing pandemic due to Covid-19 and to ensure the safety of people from inherent risk of contracting the infection, the bodies of slain militants shall be sent to Baramulla for burial. “The nearest family members of the slain militants shall be allowed to participate in last rites,” the statement said.

Another encounter broke out at Harkipora, Kakapora, Pulwama in South Kashmir. A police officer said that three Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were killed in Pulwama gunfight. A senior police official in Pulwama told KNO that acting on a specific input about the presence of militants, a cordon and search operation was launched in Hakripora area of Kakapora belt in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

He said that a joint team of forces including 50 RR, CRPF and Pulwama Police approached towards suspected spot, hiding militants fired upon forces which was retaliated triggering an encounter.

During the initial exchange of fire two militants were killed, he said, adding that the third one was repeatedly asked to surrender, however, he refused and fired upon forces which was retaliated and he too got killed. “Bodies of three slain militants along with weapons have been recovered and identification of slain is being ascertained,” the official said, adding that the militants were given a chance to surrender but they refused.

A police spokesman in a statement to KNO said that the identification of the killed militants is being ascertained. “However as per the reliable sources and technical input, they were affiliated with LeT outfit and were involved in the attack on CRPF at Pulwama yesterday,” the statement said.

“Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes,” he said. “The bodies of the killed terrorists shall be sent to Handwara for burial after completion of all medico-legal formalities. In case any family claims the slain militants to be their kith or kin, they can come forward for their identification at PCR Kashmir, Srinagar.”

“People are requested to coperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any,” the statement said—(KNO)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has been losing forests as government has failed to take concrete steps on the ground for the preservation.

Kashmir was one of the richest regions across India with regard to flora and fauna. However, the number of plants is shrinking. Despite government’s claims about planting trees along the roads but not much is visible on the roads.

Take instance in Srinagar city, you won’t find greenery along the roads which could help in reducing growing pollution.

The Government has been spending a huge amount of money on planting trees and saplings to beautify the streets of Srinagar. However, the saplings dry or are stolen.

The three nodal agencies are responsible for the maintenance of the saplings, the Forest Department, Urban Forest Department and the Roads and Buildings Department (landscape division) seem not doing much on the ground.

An official of Forest Department told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) said government has been spending crores on plantation every year but fails to keep its maintenance. “These departments also face shortage of staff to keep the maintenance,” the official said.

The National Green Tribunal has also rapped the National Highways Authority of India for not maintaining the mandatory green cover along national and state highways.

The Forest Policy also stresses plantation of trees alongside roads, railway lines, and rivers.
However, not many plants are along roads in the Valley. Even the government has failed to plant trees along the highways, which is mandatory as per National Green Tribunal directives.

In Srinagar, major roads are without greenery.
Bashir Ahmad, a school teacher said planting saplings would be of no use unless government makes efforts for their maintenance.

“We have lost our green forests to a great extent. If immediate measures are not taken for preservation of trees, it will have serious consequences in the future,” he said.

Similarly, J&K’s progress in declaring several national parks and sanctuaries as Eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) has been far from satisfactory.

The Eco-sensitive zones are formed to serve as “shock absorber” for protected areas. The basic aim is to regulate certain activities around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to minimise negative impact on the fragile ecosystem around.

In 2006, the Supreme Court had directed all the states to safeguard protected areas by surrounding them with a buffer of ecologically fragile areas or Eco-sensitive zones (ESZs).

On December 11, 2018, the apex court ordered, “Under the circumstances, we direct that an area of 10 kilometre around 21 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries be declared as ESZs by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The declaration be made by the ministry at the earliest.”

Jammu and Kashmir has its forest cover stretching over 23,241 square kilometers, which is 10.46 per cent of its total geographical area of 222336 square kilometers.

An official of Forest Department said they have been facing stiff opposition for clearing forest from encroachers.

“Thousands of kanals have been encroached by bureaucrats, politicians and forces over the years. There are some powerful people who have been creating hurdles in eviction process,” the official said.

The official said that forest land has been encroached over the years as majority of forest area is without demarcation.

“The government has failed to implement the Forest Policy properly, which could have saved our green gold from encroachers. Artificial boundaries are demarcated around forestland at several places in J&K. Half of the forest land is open without any demarcation and civilian population is residing in its area at several places, posing a serious threat to its species,” the official said.

While J&K Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mohit Gera said many measures have been taken for preservation of forests. (KINS)