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Commuters in Srinagar find it difficult to get public transport as the downpour halts the movement of traffic with drain blockages.

After fresh rains lashed Kashmir valley, with temperatures sliding down, the local meteorological department of Kashmir has predicted bad weather for upcoming two days, including Eid-ul-Fitr.

According to the reports, the MeT spokesman said that there are chances of light to moderate rain and thundershowers in the coming two days. “A fresh disturbance is marked over Jammu and Kashmir. In wake of this, light rains with few moderate spells are likely over the Jammu and Kashmir during the next 48 hours”, he said.

“Today there are more chances of widespread rains throughout the region,” he added.

From tomorrow onward, there would be little improvement in the rain and thundershowers would also recede. In fact, the weather would become clear and temperatures might rise again, the MeT official said.

UAE, Saudi Arabia declared Tuesday, June 4, as the first day of Shawwal 1440 Hijri, marking the beginning of Eid Al Fitr, Wam reported on Monday.
The Moon-sighting Committee announced the beginning of the month of Shawwal on Tuesday after its meeting last night at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.
Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi Al Dhaheri, Minister of Justice, and Chairman of the Committee, said the committee, after exhausting the sharia methods of sighting the Shawwal crescent and making the necessary contacts with neighbouring countries, declares that Today, Monday, June 3, is the last day of Ramadan 1440 and Tuesday is the first day of Eid Al Fitr.
The minister and members of the committee extended warm congratulations on the glorious occasion to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates and Crown Princes.
They wished the President good health and wellbeing.
They also congratulated the UAE people and Muslims across the world on the auspicious occasion.

Srinagar, June 03 : In the ICC Cricket World Cup match England against Pakistan at London, Pakistan beat England by 14 runs.

Batting first Pakistan set a victory target of 349 for the loss of 8 wickets in stipulated 50 overs.

Earlier, England won the toss and elected to field first.

Mohammed Hafeez was declared Man Of The Match.

Srinagar, June 3 (GNS): A personnel of Special Operation Group (SOG) of police who was injured critically in an accidental fire at Kadipora area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Monday afternoon succumbed to injuries this evening.

A police officer confirmed to GNS that the SOG man Nazir Ahmad Ganai (SPO) succumbed at army’s 92 base hospital Srinagar.

Earlier, Nazir Ahmad Ganai was hit by a bullet after his service rifle went off accidentally inside the SOG Camp at Kadipora.

Soon after the incident, his colleagues rushed towards him and shifted the injured SPO to district hospital Anantnag from where he was taken to the military hospital.

Nazir succumbed to injuries at the army hospital this evening. (GNS)

Srinagar, June 3 (GNS): Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani in his Eid message has said the month-long training of utmost discipline and obedience should be reflected in the rest of 11 months with similar zeal and fervour.

In a statement issued to GNS, Geelani said the month of Ramadan is full of historical events where not only truth and falsehood, right or wrong confronted but biggest and mightiest event in the history of not only Muslims but whole mankind took place, when holy Quran was revealed by Allah to His beloved Prophet (PBUH).

This divine book is the guidance for the complete way of life and enlightens every sphere of universe to be seen clearly by those who read it, understand it and practice it, so that the person is not derailed from the straight path of righteousness, he said.

Hurriyat (G) chairman said Quran is a solution for every problem, be it politics, economy, individual or collective life, domestic or social events, family issues or national or international matters, rules and regulations of war or contours of peace.

“It teaches the believers where their abilities, their money, their sympathies, their vote and support and their interests and loyalties should get utilized. It discourages and categorically opposes duality and double standard and doesn’t support divisions of life to be governed by different laws,” he said.

“But alas! Our life has everything except the teachings of Quran. We have kept it in a beautiful cover or used it to earn our livelihood. It was the message for our life, but we used it to comfort our death. We neglected it, rejected it, disobeyed it and its sender has forgotten us; that is the reason we pay the heavy price everywhere,” he said.

“The best and effective message of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr will be to strive and struggle for liberating the homeland from the clutches of forced occupation for which scores of our freedom loving leaders and workers are languishing in Indian jails in scorching heat, sacrificing their today for our tomorrow and it is our collective responsibility not to forget them on such an auspicious day when their families will be deprived of their love, affection and presence,” Geelani said.

Srinagar, Jun 03: The government has directed all the security forces in Kashmir valley to be vigilant on Eid-ul-fitr.

The senior officers of police and civil administration have also been asked to be available at their district headquarters to monitor the situation closely in the state.

Sources told KNS that the steps are being taken as precautionary measures and to avoid any violence. “The DCs and SSPs have also been directed to monitor the situation very closely to avoid law and order problem in the valley,” a senior official said.

“Security forces including Police, CRPF, have been asked to take extra vigil on the Eid occasion senior officials dealing with law and order problem have also been told to be available at their respective districts and not to leave without the permission of designated authorities,” one of the government officials insisted not to be named told KNS.

Sources said it has also been decided to make additional deployment of security personnel in sensitive places on the Eid day and before it. This is being done to avoid recurrence and to keep proper vigil on the situation.

Police said they are committed to ensure “peaceful” Eid. “We don’t want law and order problem should emerge on the Eid. We are fully prepared that no untoward incident happens on Eid and want safety and security of the people. People should celebrate this festival without any problem,” an official said.

The government had a bitter experience in the past, when protests broke out in several parts of Kashmir valley on Eid occasions, prompting authorities to impose restrictions.

Clashes also broke out on Eid occasions in 2016, 2017, 2015 and 2014. In 2013, communal violence broke out in Kishtwar district after Eid-ul-Fitr prayers following which protests spread to various parts of the state.

Sources said that the activities of all those youth who had been arrested. Released on the charges of stone pelting in the past are being properly monitored.

Meanwhile sources told KNS that the government has almost decided not to release the jailed separatist leaders before the Eid-ul-Fitr.

This decision according to police sources has been taken to ensure no trouble is created on the Eid by these separatists who are lying in different jails.

Hurriyat leaders have demanded the release of all the political prisoners before theEid.

A senior police official said police was yet to take any decision over releasing of any political prisoners. “So far it has been decided that no one will be released before the Eid,” the official said.

Another official said it was outside the domain of police to release any prisoner on its own. “No such decision has been taken since we have to adhere the court orders before releasing any prisoner,” he said. (KNS)

Srinagar, June 03: Even as trendy showrooms and bakery outlets continue to attract shoppers in large numbers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the iconic and historic markets of the Downtown Srinagar are also abuzz with shopping activity.

Regular shoppers at these markets have lived up to the expectations of the traders who provide them discounts and offers on Eid shopping. Nazir Ahmad Shah, president of Shehar-e-Khaas Coordination Committee says there are shoppers who have been regular at MR Gunj, Bohri Kadal and Fateh Kadal markets for decades.

“Even though departmental stores have mushroomed across the city but these traditional markets continue to attract loyal shoppers. The rates here are also quite reasonable,” said Shah. Known for its specialty products such as spices and dry fruits, Maharaj Gunj, a major business hub for decades has retained the old world charm, say shoppers, as per KNO Correspondent.

The market established by Dogra rulers in mid-19th century has seen many family businesses being revived by younger generations. Farooq Ahmad, who runs his family business of dressing material says even though expansion of retail sector and mushrooming of new showrooms has somewhat impacted their business but their regular shoppers make it a point to visit them regularly.

“Especially on Eid these shoppers come to us and but clothes and accessories for themselves and their families. It has been a tradition of sorts for these families to make purchases from the Downtown markets such as Maharaj Gunj,” said Ahmad according to KNO Correspondent.

However, some businesses could not withstand the test of time and were closed down by their owners. “I think congestion of this area and failure of authorities to provide a facelift to Maharaj Gunj has deteriorated condition of this market. But despite the loopholes people continue to come here for shopping. I purchased some dress material for myself and my children from a shop where even my grandfather used to visit for shopping,” said Shakeel Ahmad a shopper.

Nonetheless, both traders and shoppers said authorities have failed to provide civic facilities to the historical markets especially ones such as Maharaj Gunj and Bohri Kadal. “There is so much more district administration can do to revive Shehar-e-Khaas markets. They must focus on sanitation, transport and traffic jams so that more people are attracted for shopping here. This will also help to increase shopping footfalls at our shops,” said Nazir Shah of the Downtown coordination committee.

But despite lack of facilities and frequent traffic jams ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, rush in markets across Kashmir especially city centre Srinagar and downtown started picking up Monday as shoppers in large numbers were seen making purchases even as they complained about overpricing of food items.(KNO)

Singh chairs high level meet at 15 Corps headquarters, expresses satisfaction over Yatra arrangements, visits Siachen, forward posts, says morale of troops deployed on ground high

Srinagar, June 03: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Monday while hailing the joint efforts of government forces especially the army, extended full support to the forces in dealing with the militancy in the State while appreciating the “series of successful operations against militants since 2018 and the current year.” He also expressed his satisfaction over the security arrangements put in place for the smooth conduct of Amarnath Yatra, commencing from July 1 this year.

Sources told KNO that Singh, who was recently sworn in as the defence minister, decided to visit Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield and the forward posts on the LoC, met soldiers and appreciate their “morale and nature of vigil being maintained to protect the borders.”

The defence minister was accompanied by Army chief General Bipin Rawat. Soon after his interaction with the soldiers at the forward posts on LoC reached the army’s Srinagar based 15-Corps late in the afternoon and chaired a high-level security meeting where in Army chief Rawat, northern army commander Lt General Ranbhir Singh, GoC 15 Corps Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, top police, CRPF and intelligence officers were present.

A senior official, who was present in the meeting, told KNO that Singh was given a detailed description of the prevailing situation including the series of successful operations taking place against militants since 2018 and also those that took place in the ensuing year. “He was told that 105 militants were killed this year so far while as all the security agencies were maintaining a close synergy to ensure no collateral damage during the anti-militancy operations.

The defence minister was also told that this year since January almost 20 militants were killed each month and that almost the leadership of all the militant outfits has been wiped out,” the official said.

He said that Singh was also briefed about the security arrangements put in place for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra starting from July 1. “He was told that all the security arrangements in a close coordination will ensure smooth and incident free Yatra,” the official disclosed. The Defence Minister was also apprised on the overall security scenario prevailing in the State, especially Kashmir on which “he expressed his satisfaction.”

“The Defence Minister lauded the role of security agencies including the army in combating militancy in Kashmir and asked the heads of various security agencies to continue the good job,” the official revealed to KNO. “He stressed on the smooth conduct of operations against militants and to avoid collateral damage.” The Defence Minister assured all the support to army from the Centre, stating that “nation was at the back of every single soldier on ground in Jammu and Kashmir.”(KNO)

Srinagar, June 3: Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh today said militancy element was present in Kishtwar since long and in the recent past a few more people joined it and “our efforts is to wipe-out entire module and to ensure militancy is not revived in Kishtwar belt.”

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Jammu region, DGP Singh said that Parrihar brothers and RSS leader’s killing case is being investigated by the NIA and he won’t be able to speak much about it. “The culprits were identified in these cases,” he said.

“As far as Kishtwar district is concerned, the element of militancy is very old here and in the recent past some youth joined them. Our effort is to wipe out the entire module and we will ensure that militancy is not allowed to revive in Kishtwar belt,” he said while replying to a query asked by the KNO reporter.

On the installation of CCTVs, the DGP said that there is a need to install CCTVs at various places to ensure heightened vigil. “City and old places had CCTVs but there is a need to install CCTV at more places. Project report is ready and is being looked into by the ADG headquarters,” he said.

About the growing drug abuse in Rajouri-Poonch, he said that the people arrested recently have revealed that there was a deep nexus in various areas among the dealers that includes Rajouri-Poonch area too. “In the coming days, we will go tough against the drug paddlers in these areas,” he said.(KNO)

With the rise in temperatures in the Valley, Meteorological department has predicted another spell of rain from Monday today afternoon.

Director, Meteorological Department, Sonam Lotus said there would be intermittent light rains from June 3 to June 5 (Monday to Wednesday).