Srinagar: A Sarpanch was shot dead in Kashmir on Wednesday evening, Police said.

The killing of Sarpanch took place hours after a person was killed and 13 were injured in a mysterious blast in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir.

They said a Sarpanch Sameer Ahmad Bhat was shot in Khonmoh area on Srinagar outskirts at around 6.50 pm.

“Preliminary investigation has revealed that militants had barged into the house of a Sarpanch and fired indiscriminately upon him. In this incident, he had sustained critical gunshot injuries and was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries,” police said in a statement here.

Soon after the incident, the area was cordoned off and search in the area was going on. Police has registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law.

“Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the circumstances, which lead to this incident,” it added.

This is the second killing of any panchayat member in the last one week. On March 2, Panch Mohammad Yaqoob Dar was shot dead by unidentified militants in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

The killing triggered widespread condemnation from mainstream parties. (UNI)

Inaugurates workshop on capacity building of JK Forest, other deptts

Jammu: Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Wednesday chaired inaugural session of two-day workshop on capacity building of JK Forest and other departments being conducted under REDD-Plus Action for Jammu and Kashmir.

The REDD-plus mechanism of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) aims to provide financial incentive for forestry based climate change mitigation activities like reducing carbon emissions from forest degradation and increasing carbon stock through conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

The programme was jointly organized by JK Forest Department and Himalayan Forests Research Institute Shimla.

Commissioner Secretary Forests Ecology and Environment, Sanjeev Verma, was the guest of honour on the occasion.

Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, while addressing on the occasion, said that J&K has emerged as a leader among Indian states in recent years. ‘We are the second best in e-Office initiative and have performed exceptionally well in Covid mitigation and management’, he added. It becomes pertinent that J&K would emerge as a model UT in environmental sector within a year’s time, he asserted. He also called for funding such initiatives by convergence of funds.

He expressed happiness to note that as per the Government of India Report, 2021, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has the highest carbon stock per unit area which is indicative of maximum biomass and good soils in forests of J&K. With 42 types of forests, J&K holds the most diverse forests in the country and has every reason to be a model UT as far as REDD-plus is concerned.

He said that the workshop should be utilized to enable a model project which is simple and practical involving convergence, livelihood generation and grass root level programmes. He expressed satisfaction that the Forest Department with the mandate of afforestation and conservation of forests is now actively involving grassroots level institutions like Village Panchayats and Biodiversity Management Committees. He also appreciated the new initiatives of ‘One Beat Guard, One Village’ programme and campaign on ‘Har Gaon Hariyali’ and ‘Van Se Jal, Jal Se Jeevan’ undertaken by the Forest department.

He congratulated HFRI and J&K Forest department for organizing this capacity building workshop.

Chief Secretary highlighted the challenges being faced by the humanity due to changing climate. He expressed concern over species extinction and the rate of biodiversity loss. He spoke on the vulnerability of primary sector like agriculture, horticulture, livestock rearing and the potential of forests for mitigation of Climate Change and its role in maintaining ecological balance, environmental stability and sustainable economic development.

While appreciating their work, Chief Secretary called upon the employees of Forest Department to do their job enthusiastically and conviction towards conservation of ecology and environment through forests. He also suggested giving them timely trainings to update their skills.

Chief Secretary urged upon all stakeholders to put concerted efforts to prevent imminent mass extinction of flora and fauna. He said that India has set voluntary targets under the Paris Climate Accords of 2015 and said that the same need to be achieved with joint efforts. He appreciated the efforts being made under Har Gaon Haryali and other such programmes.

Commissioner Secretary hailed initiatives like installation of solar power units and introduction of electric buses in J&K. He called for making sustained efforts in “greening” of Jammu and Kashmir” and suggested that experts find cost effective methods to achieve the goal.

PCCF, Dr Mohit Gera, highlighted India’s role in achieving global climate goals as set under the Paris Accords. He further stated that Jammu & Kashmir Forest Department is implementing several programmes and schemes which would enhance REDD-plus performance. He thanked HFRI for the Capacity building of J&K Forest Department for preparation of REDD-plus Action Plan of J&K.

Director Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Dr SS Samant, highlighted the activities being carried out by the Council for implementation of REDD-plus framework at the national and state level. He also highlighted that the council has already developed the State REDD-plus Action Plans for the states of Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim. The council is organizing capacity building programmes for Forest departments of other states and Union Territories for preparation of the State REDD-plus action plans.

The programme was also attended by Chairman JK Pollution Control Board, Dr Neelu Gera among various Heads of Departments and officials of Forest department.

New Delhi: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is more likely than in the past to respond with military force to perceived or real Pakistani provocations, as per the 2022 Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community.

Crises between India and Pakistan are of particular concern because of the risk — however low — of an escalatory cycle between two nuclear-armed states.

Pakistan has a long history of supporting anti-India militant groups, the report said. Each side’s perception of heightened tensions raises the risk of conflict, with violent unrest in Kashmir or a militant attack in India being potential flashpoints.

On China, the report said relations between New Delhi and Beijing will remain strained in the wake of the lethal clash in 2020, the most serious in decades.

“We assess that the expanded military postures by both India and China along the disputed border elevates the risk of armed confrontation between the two nuclear powers that might involve direct threats to US persons and interests and calls for the US intervention,” it said.

Previous standoffs have demonstrated that persistent low-level friction on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has the potential to escalate swiftly.

This report will be provided to the congressional intelligence committees as well as the committees on the Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate. (IANS)

Chairs review meeting of RUSA Scheme, stresses for timely completion of projects

Jammu: Principal Secretary Higher Education, Rohit Kansal Wednesday said that over Rs 150 crores have been planned to be spent on various infrastructural activities in higher education in the coming year.

These activities include not just upgradation of physical infrastructure but other activities also such as faculty development, research centres and innovation hubs, Kansal said at a meeting at Civil Secretariat to review the status of various components under Rashtriya Uchchtar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) Scheme.

The meeting was attended by Vice Chancellor Jammu University, Prof Manoj Kumar Dhar, Mission Director RUSA, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar, Managing Director J&K Projects and Construction Corporation, Rajesh Kumar Shavan, Director Planning HED, GM Ganai, and other concerned officials.

A detailed discussion was held regarding the different projects undertaken under RUSA Scheme which include various projects in Jammu University, Govt College of engineering & Technology (GCET) Safapora and GCET Janglot Kathua.

While reviewing the physical and financial status of projects of Jammu University under RUSA Scheme, the Principal Secretary asked the varsity to furnish all the details of work done as well as fresh proposals under Rs 100 Crore grants, besides directing them to submit the latest physical and financial activities to MD RUSA for further submitting it to Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Regarding the status of works at GCET Safapora, he directed MD JKPCC to submit a proposal of pending works or additional works for timely completion of the vital project in Higher Education map of J&K. Similarly, with regard to GCET Janglot, Kansal asked the concerned to pace up all the pending works at earliest for subsequent hand over of the project by April ending this year.

Further, he impressed upon the concerned to be proactive in completion of projects and to further expedite submission of the utilization certificates. He also directed MD RUSA to review all works under the domain of the scheme and remove all bottlenecks for early completion of the projects within given timelines. The meeting also reviewed the physical and financial status of pending works under RUSA I and other civil works under different components of the scheme.

During the meeting, Kansal sanctioned Rs 10 Crore for Research Tower at Jammu University, of which Rs 5 crore would be granted under CAPEX Budget during next financial year. He also reaffirmed Government’s commitment in research infrastructure support for higher education institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier during the meeting, MD RUSA Dr Sehrish informed the chair that during RUSA phase-I out of approved outlay of Rs 269 Crore, Rs 260 Crore were released and of which Rs 95 Crore has been expended with UCs submitted for Rs 229 crore. Similarly, under RUSA phase-II, she informed that of Rs 284 Crore outlay, Rs 129 crore has been released and of which Rs 101 crore has been spent already with UCs submitted for Rs 57 crore works.

While discussing the RUSA phase-III, the Principal Secretary asked MD RUSA to prepare a draft list of projects so that that proposals could be subsequently prepared according to the need of the higher education institutions and colleges and submitted to the Ministry of Education.

Jammu: Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday visited forward areas in Poonch and Rajouri districts, a Defence Ministry statement said.

He visited the Ace of Spades Division to review the security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch sectors.

Lt Gen Dwivedi visited various forward areas in Rajouri, Bhimber Gali and Poonch sectors.

“He was briefed on the security situation by field commanders along the LoC. He reviewed the development of defence infrastructure and operational preparedness undertaken despite challenging terrain and weather conditions in the region,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the army commander interacted with all ranks and appreciated the professionalism and operational response towards the evolving threat matrix.

He “commended all ranks for their dedication and complimented the soldiers for their relentless efforts in pursuit of peace and stability along with assisting the local population”, the statement said. (IANS)

Hands over Rs 1 lakh cheque; further assistance of Rs 5 lakh to be provided

Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police, Rakesh Balwal Wednesday visited the family of Rafiya Nazir of Saderbal Check in Hazratbal area of the district who was killed in a grenade explosion at Amira Kadal on Sunday to provide ex-gratia relief and express solidarity with the bereaved family members.

While interacting with the family members of the deceased girl, the DC expressed sympathies with them and also expressed condolence with the bereaved family who lost their young member in the militancy related incident.

The DC assured the family that all possible support shall be provided to them from the government.

On the occasion, the DC handed over Rs 1 lakh cheque as ex-gratia relief to Nazir Ahmad Tinda, father of the deceased girl and said that another relief amount of Rs 5.0 Lakh shall be provided under Central Assistance Scheme.

Meanwhile SSP Srinagar assured the family of action under the law against the criminals.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to his Netherlands counterpart Mark Rutte and discussed the ongoing situation in the war-torn country of Ukraine, the Ministry of External Affairs said here on Wednesday.

The two leaders discussed the ongoing situation in Ukraine and shared their concerns over the continuing humanitarian situation there. “PM Modi reiterated India’s consistent appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy and also welcomed the ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine, and hoped for an early resolution,” the statement read.

Modi informed Rutte about the progress in evacuation of Indian citizens from conflict areas, and India’s assistance in the form of urgent relief supplies, including medicines for the affected populations.

He also recalled his virtual summit with Prime Minister Rutte in April, 2021 and expressed his desire to receive him in India at an early date, it stated.

Since the outbreak of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Prime Minister Modi has spoken to the presidents of both countries and urged them to go for negotiation for an amicable solution.

A day after Russia began ‘military actions’ against Ukraine, PM Modi on February 25, spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and called for immediate cessation of violence against each other, as per the statement.

He also called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and asserted that differences between Russia and NATO can only be resolved through “honest and sincere” dialogue.

The Prime Minister also spoke with Ukrainian President President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and urged him to solve the issue through negotiation.

On March 7, while speaking to the Presidents of the two warring countries, Prime Minister Modi suggested a direct conversation between the two leaders for restoring peace in the region.

“He (Modi) suggested that a direct conversation between President Putin and President Zelenskyy may greatly assist the ongoing peace efforts,” the government statement said. (IANS)

Srinagar: A Jammu and Kashmir Police officer has bagged the ‘Best Upcoming Lyricist’ award for a song for Bollywood movie “Ginny weds Sunny”.

Peer Zahoor received the award for penning down the “Rubaru” song.

Sources said among the five nominees in the ‘Best Upcoming Lyricist’ category, Zahoor was chosen by the jury headed by famous Bollywood script writer and poet, Javed Akhtar.

The other members of the jury were music composers like Pandit Sujit Ojha, Anu Malik, Lalit Pandit, Louis Banks, singers including Shankar Mahadevan, Kavita Krishnamurti, Alka Yagnik, Sadhna Sargam, Suresh Wadkar, Sukhwinder Singh, and Udit Narayan. Lyricist Prasoon Joshi and Bollywood directors including Ramesh Sippy, and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra were also part of the jury.

Peer Zahoor has already penned down a number of hit Kashmir songs including “Peer Myanio”, “Khodaya”, “Salam-e-Wazwane”, “Meinz Raat”, “Mangun Tagima”, “Rouvmut”, and “Dildar” which have already received a lot of appreciation.

Last year, on ‘Father’s Day’ SoundKraft Kashmir had released his song “Baabo” dedicated to fathers for their selflessness, love, and affection towards their children.

The song received thousands of hits on social media. (IANS)