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Pays tribute to the PSO killed in attack

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has expressed anguish over the militant attack on a Political leader in Ganderbal area of Kashmir.

He also paid tributes to the PSO who was killed during the attack.

The Gunmen attacked BJP Leader Ghulam Qadir in Ganderbal. During the attack, his personal Security Guard, Ct. Mohammad Altaf sustained injuries, but later succumbed to injuries at SKIMS.

Strongly condemning the attack, the Lt Governor said that those involved in this act will be brought to justice.

“I extend my solidarity with the family of the martyr PSO. All possible help will be extended to the family of the deceased”, he added.(KINS)

Empowering, Engaging and Enabling PRI’s for holistic rural development prime resolve of LG Administration: Advisor Bhatnagar

Srinagar: Union Health Ministry Tuesday released Standard Operating Procedures on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 during festivities.

According to news agency KINS the Ministry said that the months of October to December are time for festivities that witness gatherings of a large number of people in specific locations for religious worship, fairs, rallies, exhibitions and cultural functions.

“To prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection, it is important that necessary preventive measures are followed for such events. Persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home” it said.

The Ministry has asked the administration to identify spatial boundaries and prepare a detailed site plan which would facilitate compliance with thermal screening, physical distancing and sanitization.

In case of rallies and immersion processions, the number of people should not exceed the prescribed limit and proper physical distancing and wearing of masks must be ensured. In any case, the number of such rallies and the distance covered by them may be kept within manageable limits.

Events planned to last for many days or weeks such as exhibitions, fairs, puja pandals, ramlila pandals or concerts and plays should have adequate measures to ensure a cap on physical numbers. Staggered timings and restricted entry may be considered. Festive events will be permitted only outside the Containment Zones. People residing inside Containment Zones should be encouraged to observe all festivals inside their homes and not move out.

Close circuit cameras may be considered to monitor compliance of physical distance norms and wearing of masks at each venue. Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of six feet in public places as far as feasible. In religious places, touching statues, idols and holy books will not be allowed, the ministry added.(KINS)

Srinagar: The Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Wednesday said that the slain militant killed in Nunar area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district was “a close aide” of slain Hizb commander Riyaz Naikoo and was appointed for “specific target killings”.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the wreath laying ceremony of slain cop Altaf Hussain in Srinagar, DGP said the slain militant had been working as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) before joining the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit actively a few months ago.

“Yesterday evening, militants targeted the BJP vice-president Ghulam Qadir in Nuner area of Ganderbal district. Qadir is a protected person with two Personal Security Officers (PSOs). One of his PSOs Altaf Hussain retaliated and killed one militant on the spot during which he sustained bullet wounds”, DGP said, adding the brave cop later on lost his life while saving the protected person.

He said the slain militant killed in retaliation by the PSO Altaf Hussain was the close aide of slain Hizb chief operational commander Riyaz Naikoo. “The killed militant was identified as Shabir Ahmad of Awantipora, Pulwama who was the close aide of Naikoo and was working as OGW for Hizb outfit for a long time”, DGP said.

While explaining the joining of slain militants, DGP said the killed militant had joined active militancy just a few months ago and was associated with the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit from a long time. He said Shabir was tasked to carry out the target hitting of BJP leaders in Ganderbal.

When asked how militants managed to reach here from south Kashmir, the DGP said that it is not a “big deal” for a militant to travel from one district to another. “For a militant, the entire area is open. He can move from any place. He works on the dictation of Pakistan”, DGP said. The top police officer also referred to TRP which he called as “mouthpiece of Pakistan and ISI”.

“Recently 39 journalists were threatened by the TRF. They are the people who are doing their job honestly,” he said, adding, “They (militants) target people who are working for peace and development, on the directions from Pakistan. Pakistan is the big collaborator of the killings. They damage our Kashmiri people. TRF is Pakistan’s and ISI’s mouthpiece. They do not let people do their routine work. We have given befitting replies in the past and continue to do so in future”, DGP according to KNS told reporters.

To a query about the readiness of security forces while stopping attacks on highways, the Police chief said that drones and other technical support is being used to monitor the militant movement on highways. “Besides drones, other technical support has been put in place to monitor the movement of militants on the highways. In several attempts, security forces achieved success in neutralizing militants during counter attacks”, DGP Dilbagh Singh told reporters.

At the occasion DGP expressed sympathies with the family of slain cop. “The way he responded to militant firing, we feel proud of him. We express our sympathies to the bereaved family at this juncture”, DGP has said. (KINS)

Srinagar: The Police Wednesday said that three local militants were killed in an overnight encounter in Sugan area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday.

“Three militants have been killed in an overnight encounter that broke out between militants and government forces yesterday in Sugan village of Shopian after forces received credible inputs about the presence of militants in the area. However due to darkness, the anti-militancy operation was halted on Tuesday evening which was resumed on Wednesday wee hours,” the police said.

An official said that a joint team of army’s 44 RR, CRPF and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched Cordon & Search Operation (CASO) in the area following the presence of militants in the area.

Soon after the joint search party, according to officials, surrounded the suspected spot militants hiding in the area fired upon indiscriminately which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.

He added during the encounter three militants were killed with the culmination of encounter in the area who were identified as Sajad Ahmad Malla of Shopian, Junaid Rashid of Tumlahal Pulwama and Mehraj-ud-Din of Arigam Pulwama.

A police officer told KINS that two among the slain militants were associated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen while another was part of Al-Badr.

He said during exchange of fire, militants were given multiple chances to surrender which they refused and were killed in a retaliatory fire.

Soon after the encounter ended, several youth took to streets and pelted stones upon forces personnel who fired several tear smoke canisters to disperse them.

Local reports said that at least three pellet injured youth have been shifted to District Hospital Anantnag for specialized treatment.

Authorities also snapped 2G mobile internet connectivity in the area as a “precautionary measure” to maintain law and order.(KINS)

Srinagar: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the tenure of Jammu and Kashmir Bank Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) R. K. Chhibber by another six months.

Earlier in July this year, RBI extended the tenure of Chhibber as interim CMD of J&K Bank till the appointment of a new MD & CEO.

In its regulatory filing on Wednesday, the bank said: “The Reserve Bank of India has extended the term of R. K. Chhibber, Chairman and Managing Director of the Bank by a further period of six months with effect from 10th October 2020 or till the appointment of MD & CEO, whichever is earlier.”

Last year in June, RBI had appointed Chhibber as the interim CMD on the removal of Parvez Ahmed from his post due to alleged charges of corruption, nepotism and favouritism by the state government. RBI that time appointed Parvez Ahmed as interim CMD for a term of three months.

However, the tenure was further extended in September 2019, followed by another six-month extension in October 2019 and further in April 2020 and July 2020.

Leh: Tenzin Nyima, 53, a Tibetan has served in Indian army for over 30-years. He was killed while another commando critically wounded in the blast near the shores of the Pangong Lake in Ladakh last month. The incident took place as there is face-off between India and China along the borders.

Nyima was part of the Special Frontier Force (SFF) – a covert force established after the 1962 Indo-China war and that recruits mostly from Tibetan refugees.

“He has also been on the forefront to fight against China army. He was brave and wanted to lay his life for the nation that is India,” Cheta Anchok, 55, an ex-army man, who lives in the Tibetan Colony in Choglasmar, told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

“Tibetan people who are in Indian army are on the forefront to fight against Chinese troops,” he said.

There are 7,500 Tibetan refugees in Ladakh. At least 2500 reside in Choglamsar on the outskirts of Leh, the capital of Ladakh, and 5000 scattered throughout the nomadic region of Jangthang.

More than 2000 are serving in Indian army.

The Tibetan settlement in Choglamsar was started in 1960 with the blessings of the Dalai Lama, who gave it the name Sonamling Tibetan Settlement.

Chief Representative Officer of Sonamling Tibetan Settlement in Choglamsar in Leh Tseten Wangchuk, said Tibetans have the special ability to act at higher altitudes. “We are adapted to high altitudes including on glaciers.”

Another resident of the colony Choejor Tenzin said Tibetan soldiers were also on the forefront in any war.

“Tibetan army is meant to be deputed in Siachen, Pangong, Galwan, Turtuk, Drass and Kargil areas of Ladakh,” he said.

Soldiers of the Special Frontier Force unit owe their allegiance to the Dalai Lama. They are among the foremost mountain warfare experts.

The SFF recruits mostly from Tibetan refugees, thousands of whom have made India their home since the Dalai Lama fled Tibet following an uprising in 1959.

The Tibetan troopers are recruited from the dwindling population of Tibetans in India, which stood at 85,000 in 2018. SFF was raised with covert operations in mind, mainly along the Indo-China border.

Famous for its picturesque landscapes and high passes, Ladakh is dotted with Buddhist monasteries and countless stupas, and the people of Ladakh — the Ladakhis — share the ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture with the people of neighbouring Tibet.

Following the Chinese occupation of Tibet, about 80,000 Tibetans fled the country along with their leader the Dalai Lama.

stupas, and the people of Ladakh — the Ladakhis — share the ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture with the people of neighbouring Tibet.Following the Chinese occupation of Tibet, about 80,000 Tibetans fled the country along with their leader the Dalai Lama.

Srinagar: As the third phase of Back to Village programme is under process, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has stressed for strengthening of grassroots in Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir government last Friday started third edition of the back to village (B2V) programme. The 10-day edition is to focus on implementation and execution of all that was conceived and achieved in the previous two editions.

A senior official said Lieutenant Governor was keen to strengthen Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir. “He has directed officers to connect the common masses through Panchayats,” the official told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

The official said LG has told officers that Panchayats should play an important part to get people’s grievances addressed. “Manoj Sinha has told officers that it is not necessary that common masses should approach officers to get their grievances addressed. He instead told them to strengthen Panchayats so people visit Panchs and Sarpanches who can address their issues at their own level,” the official said.

Similarly, another official said the administration is keen to set up a complaint box in all Panchayats for redress of people’s complaints in the Union Territory.

The official said the step is being taken so that government gets feedback from grassroots about the performance of Panchayat system in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said on the directives of Lieutenant Governor, a complaint box is being established in every Panchayat Halqa of the new Union Territory. “People can give feedback about Panchayat system and about utilization of funds in various developmental works including which are identified under Back To Village programme,” the official said.

As per the official, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has also directed that a particular mechanism be adopted for opening of drop boxes installed in all Panchayat Halqas and ensure that the complaints, grievances, suggestions received are properly disposed off and no grievance remains unattended.

“Besides the complainant is being responded through letter and informed about the action taken on this complaint. District Development Commissioner shall regularly monitor the execution of Back To Village works,” the administration has directed officers.

Sources said DCs have also been directed to constitute teams in order to ascertain the punctuality of officials at sub division block level.

‘Bukhari should listen to heartbeats of people’

Srinagar: Senior Congress leader and former Minister, Prof Saifuddin Soz Wednesday said that Kashmir based politicians should never compromise on the issue of internal autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir. He said it is time for all politicians including Syed Altaf Bukhari and Sajad Lone to join hands and fight for the peoples’ rights and aspirations.

Soz said that Government of India is suppressing people of Kashmir but that too shall pass. “People should remember that the darkest part of the night is just before dawn. I believe people of Kashmir will emerge victorious.”

In an exclusive chat with news agency Kashmir News Trust, Soz said there is deep alienation and people are very angry over the abrogation of Article 370. “This resentment will prevail till internal autonomy is not restored. Government of India can’t treat us as cattle. New Delhi has to listen and respect our sentiments.”

In response to a question, Professor Saifuddin Soz said that by abrogating special status, New Delhi not only ditched mainstream leaders of Jammu and Kashmir but it ditched herself. “New Delhi doesn’t know the repercussions of their stupid act. So what if we fail in our struggle but our next generation will come to know about it and they will fight.”

Soz said there is no democracy in Kashmir and it is a prison. “Even though I am free right now but where will I go. It is a prison here. Kashmir is run by ‘insolent’ bureaucrats that are disconnected with people. 90% bureaucrats are insolent who treat Kashmir as a colony. Muslims are being sidelined in bureaucracy.

This has never happened in our history. All the top posts are held by non-Muslims,” he said.
He said Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and P.Chidambaram have soft corner for the people of Kashmir. “Chidambaram is very vocal about Kashmir and never compromised on Kashmir issue.”

He said election is an immaterial subject for the people of Kashmir. “If elections happen, there will be very less participation and these elections will be a formality only. People are disinterested. They have lost everything but they don’t see it as a loss but as an investment as they knew they will succeed one day in their struggle. People know losses are inevitable in a struggle. The coming generation will take a cue and will continue with the struggle till they get justice.”

While responding to a question on Hurriyat Conference, Soz said that Syed Ali Geelani is the otherwise name of Hurriyat. “Since he (Geelani) is very old now, I think the chapter of Hurriyat is over. Hurriyat is virtually over but it fought and took a lead in the struggle. Geelani is very old but Mirwaiz despite being vibrant and young is silent. Despite being in house detention, Mirwaiz can speak and he should speak up. I was also under house arrest but was vocal. I am pro-Indian but always with people of Kashmir. I am pro-Indian till Congress fights for the common people.”

He said after the abrogation of Article 370, Kashmir caught world attention and the issue got internationalized. “Government of India is acting like ostrich and feels nothing happened. It is resorting to white lies and hides ground reality,” Soz told KNT.

Soz said that through delimitation process Government of India wants to change demographic character of Kashmir. “Their intention is not good but they will taste defeat. They want to Muslims in Kashmir should become minority but our struggle for justice will overwhelm them.”

Soz said with the passage of time people in Jammu will hit roads and demand protection of jobs and land rights. “People in Jammu have started realizing the follies and intention of BJP. They will be up in arms soon and now they know their jobs and lands are not secure.”

Soz said National Conference has changed a lot since the death of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. While condemning the continuous house arrest of PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, Soz said that she didn’t agree with her late father when he decided to forge an alliance with RSS. “I know Mehbooba confronted her father and opposed his decision, but unfortunately, PDP joined hands with RSS much discomfiture of those who supported this party,” Soz said adding that it was the biggest blunder of late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed to hug RSS-BJP.

Terming the house detention of Mehbooba Mufti as unconstitutional and illegal, Soz said that she is not being freed because Government of India thinks she is interested in the matters of people and she will get connected with them. “Lieutenant Governor had promised me that Mehbooba will be released soon but ultimately decision in this regard has to be taken by New Delhi that has incarcerated her,” he said.

While talking about newly floated Jammu Kashmir Apni Party, Soz said: “Altaf Bukhari is a nice person and nice by heart but those who won’t listen to the heartbeats of people of Kashmir won’t succeed in politics. He will be tagged and labeled (Indian agent) in Kashmir. For the desires and aspirations of the people of Kashmir, all political leaders should get united and Apni Party should also change its stand and join the united circle, otherwise their politics will be a failure in Valley.”

Saifuddin Soz said that government of India should first apologize to the people of Kashmir and then oblige to their demands. “People are not Pakistani here and they know independence is a distant dream but internal autonomy should be restored. People raise pro-Pakistan slogans to express their anger but that doesn’t mean they are Pakistani. We have acceded to Union of Indian on terms and conditions. We have not merged like other state of India.”

He admitted that when in power Kashmiri politicians failed to serve and ease the sufferings of people of Kashmir. “The Kashmiri politicians including Sajad Lone, Altaf Bukhari have learnt lesson and all these leaders should come under one roof and fight for the aspirations of the people. These leaders should not compromise on the internal autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir,” Soz concluded. (KNT)

His party, PC, terms August 5 decisions ‘an unconscionable act of betrayal of the people of J&K’

The Sajad Lone-headed J&K Peoples Conference (PC) on Tuesday reiterated its support to the Gupkar Declaration. It said there was need to “have an organisational form and structure to the collective mechanism”, which was putting up a joint fight for the restoration of J&K’s special status as on August 4, 2019.

“All [the party] leaders expressed full confidence in the power of a collective mechanism to espouse the cause of the people of J&K. They, however, felt that the collective mechanism should have an organisational form and structure”, Mr. Lone and party leaders said in a joint statement.

The PC convened a meeting of its senior leaders on Tuesday, the first since August 5, 2019. They termed the August 5 decisions “an unconscionable act of betrayal of the people of J&K”.

‘Kashmiris treated unfairly’

PC spokesperson Adnan Ashraf Mir said, “We reject the humiliation served by Delhi on August 5. Their move was spiteful and meant to humiliate us. They have treated the Kashmiris very unfairly. It is our unanimous decision that the party will relentlessly struggle for the people of J&K”.

Six regional political parties, including the National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Congress, the J&K Peoples Conference (PC), the CPI(M) and the Awami National Conference (ANC), have joined hands to fight for J&K’s special status under the common banner termed as the Gupkar Declaration.

NC president and Member of Parliament Dr. Farooq Abdullah is heading the conglomerate at present and chaired its meetings so far.

JKPM backs Gupkar Declaration

J&K Peoples Movement (JKPM) president Javaid Mustufa Mir on Tuesday called on Dr. Abdullah at his residence in Srinagar and extended his party’s full support to the Gupkar Declaration.

“Mr. Mir appreciated the party president’s call for forging unity for restoration of J&K’s special status, which was unilaterally, unconstitutionally and undemocratically abrogated on 5th of August 2019”, an NC spokesman said.

The two leaders discussed various facets of “unprecedented development that took place last year on 5th of August and its far-reaching repercussions on the people of J&K”, the spokesperson added.

With inputs from The Hindu

(This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

By: M Ashraf Wagay

Residents of Sirnoo, Wabha, Pulwama brings notice of Administration the sub-standard conditions of road in the locality.

Speaking with Kashmir Today, the residents told that “The present status of the road conditions is totally unacceptable with the roads full of pot holes and sub-standard construction material.

A flash flood or an untimely rain is reason enough to expose the disheartening situation.
The worst to suffer are the local commuters. Since the concerned roads remain busy practically the whole day, buses and cars running on them invariable get stuck in traffic jam.

In spite of the numerous times, the residents, have tried to inform the local authority but no concrete action has been taken.” they added.

Further speaking with Kashmir Today, the residents requested the concerned authorities to look into the matter and order repairing and maintenance of road on the earliest.