Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Thursday questioned the chief of local Jamaat-e-Islami and six other members of the organisation.

A statement issued by the SIA, created recently in J&K to investigate cases related to militancy and secession, said the ‘Ameer’ (President) and six other members of the banned organisation were grilled.

“SIA had summoned about more than half a dozen persons associated with the banned Jamaat and they were interviewed for more than eight hours regarding various unlawful activities.

“Besides foreign funding and foreign operations, they were questioned about activities of Jamaat-e-Islami in and out of J&K.

“Questioning included properties of the Jamaat having direct or indirect links with militant funding. Believed to have its origin in foreign countries including, UK, Canada, Bahrain etc.,” it said.

“Today’s questioning is an investigation of the Jamaat related case originally lodged at Police Station Batmaloo Srinagar, Kashmir, now being investigated by the agency.

“Recent video and press release from proscribed Jamaat was also inquired in the light of foreign operations of the organisation”, it added.

Those ‘interviewed’ include Abdul Hamid Ganaie (last serving Ameer Jamaat), Abdul Salam Dagga (Ameer Tehsil North Srinagar), Peer Abdul Rashid (Rukn-e-Jamaat), Muzaffer Jan (Member), Tariq Ahmad Haroon (Office bearer, last incharge of Jamaat’s office) and Mohammad Yousuf Sheikh (Rukn-e-Jamaat).

Besides the above, some other associates were also summoned by the SIA. (IANS)

By: Sheikh Danish

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday said that there is no abrupt rise in crimes against women in Srinagar but some cases have surfaced recently and they believe narcotics and lack of monitoring by parents in their children are two major reasons responsible for crimes in the city.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Rakesh Balwal said that women special squads have been rolled across the city at the identified police stations. “Youth involved in crimes in Srinagar are addicted to different drugs which ultimately leads to various crimes,” he said.

Asked when police was going to file the charge—sheet into acid attack case, he said within two days, police will file charge—sheet as FSL reports are also coming today.

About theft cases, he said it was also because of narcotics use among youth that leads to theft. “We are following a holistic approach. And you will see the difference soon. We need public cooperation which is not up to our expectation, so far,” he said, adding that chronic drug addicts are being booked under PSA.

“We are trying to break the drug chain and we have understood that by arresting two or three drug peddlers won’t do. Give us some time and I assure you that people will feel the difference,” the SSP Srinagar said. (KNO)

Srinagar: The government on Thursday ordered all Employees Working in various Government Departments, PSUs and Organizations to upload their monthly achievements or performance on J&K Employees Performance Monitoring Portal by or before 7 of every month from March.

“All Employees Working in various Government departments, PSUs and Organizations shall upload their monthly achievements/performance on J&K Employees Performance Monitoring Portal on https://epm.jk.gov.in by or before 7 of every month w.e.f. March 2022,” reads a government order.

“All the reviewing/ Controlling Officers shall review the self assessment of their immediate subordinates by 15^th of every month,” the order added.

With a view to have an objective assessment of work done by employees working in various Departments/Organizations/PSUs, the Government has recently launched the Employees Performance Monitoring Portal for capturing their monthly achievements and work done. “The initiative besides providing a mechanism of self appraisal to the employees shall also provide a tool to the respective reporting/controlling officers for better Performance monitoring and Human Resource Management.” The facility shall be available on J&K Employees Performance Monitoring Portal on http://epm.jk.gov.in. which can be accessed through the existing CPIS IDs through One Time Password (OTP), which will be provided through SANDES application available both for Android and IOS users. “It is, accordingly, enjoined upon all the Government employees working in various Government Departments, Organizations and PSUs to download the SANDES Application for subsequent submission of their Monthly Performance Report on EPM Portal immediately”.

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Thursday visited Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development (J&K IMPARD) to review the technological interventions being introduced by the institute especially in imparting online training.

On the occasion, Dr Mehta delivered valedictory address to the 8th batch of Public Information Officers (PIOs), Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs) and Appellate Authorities.

Chief Secretary asked the institute to make the training in Learning Management System (LMS) mode which included recording a lecture and uploading it on IMPARD website so that interested persons can download it from there.

He appreciated the role of IMPARD in imparting quality training to officers and officials of Jammu and Kashmir including JKAS officers and Senior and Junior Assistants. He lauded the quantitative and qualitative improvements effected by IMPARD in its training programmes through use of smart classes and webcasting. He also appreciated other initiatives of the institute like signing of MoUs with centres of excellence and garnering support from Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in its training programmes.

Chief Secretary instructed the concerned officers to devise special training programmes covering Pradhan Mantri’s flagship schemes besides training the district officers about the guidelines of the schemes. He also asked IMPARD to conduct Mass Training Programmes covering PRIs and other Rural Development functionaries under its role as State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD).

He also asked the departments of Rural Development, Disaster Management and General Administration Department to depute maximum number of heir officers for training by IMPARD.

With completion of RTI training to the 8th Batch of Officers, a total of about 1000 officers have been trained so far.

During these RTI training courses, the services of best experts in the field of RTI from all over India were utilized including that of former Chief Information Commissioners.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday reported 232 new covid-19 cases even as there was no death due to the pathogen for the fourth consecutive day, officials said.

They said 162 of the cases were from Jammu Division and 70 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 451792.

Giving district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported Srinagar reported 40, Baramulla 8, Budgam 5, Pulwama 0, Kupwara 5, Anantnag 3, Bandipora 4, Ganderbal 1, Kulgam 4, Shopian 0, Jammu 85, Udhampur 1, Rajouri 5, Doda 29, Kathua 3, Samba 3, Kishtwar 4, Poonch 1, Ramban 31 and Reasi 0.

A few cases were confirmed at diagnostic centre associated with GMC Srinagar and include male (48) from Batamaloo, male (35) from Batamaloo, male (40) from Batamaloo, female (60) from Hyderpora, female (50) from Batamaloo, female (22) from Batamaloo, female (52) from Chanpora, female (26) from Kralpora kupwara, male (80) from Natipora, female (15) from Lalbazar, female (31) from Batamaloo, female (40) from Shaheed Gunj, female (25) from Pattan, female (32) from Beerwah, male (32) from Armullah pulwama, male (16) from Reshipora pulwama, male (31) from Bagi – mehtab, female (25) from Chanpora sgr, male (77) (NA) from Shaheed Gunj, female (38) (NA) from HMT Sgr, male (25) (NA) from Gurez bandipora and female (40) (NA) from Sgr.

There was no death either from Jammu or Kashmir in the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4745 persons have succumbed to the virus—2323 in Jammu and 2422 in Kashmir.

Besides, they said, 927 Covid-19 patients—324 from Jammu and 613 from Valley— recovered during the time. So far 444069 people have recovered, leaving the active case tally at 2978— 1459 in Jammu and 1519 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 51 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said. They also informed that 35,990 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Srinagar: The government on Thursday ordered all Employees Working in various Government Departments, PSUs and Organizations to upload their monthly achievements or performance on J&K Employees Performance Monitoring Portal by or before 7 of every month from March.

“All Employees Working in various Government departments, PSUs and Organizations shall upload their monthly achievements/performance on J&K Employees Performance Monitoring Portal on https://epm.jk.gov.in by or before 7 of every month w.e.f. March 2022,” reads a government order.

“All the reviewing/ Controlling Officers shall review the self assessment of their immediate subordinates by 15^th of every month,” the order added.

With a view to have an objective assessment of work done by employees working in various Departments/Organizations/PSUs, the Government has recently launched the Employees Performance Monitoring Portal for capturing their monthly achievements and work done. “The initiative besides providing a mechanism of self appraisal to the employees shall also provide a tool to the respective reporting/controlling officers for better Performance monitoring and Human Resource Management.” The facility shall be available on J&K Employees Performance Monitoring Portal on http://epm.jk.gov.in. which can be accessed through the existing CPIS IDs through One Time Password (OTP), which will be provided through SANDES application available both for Android and IOS users. “It is, accordingly, enjoined upon all the Government employees working in various Government Departments, Organizations and PSUs to download the SANDES Application for subsequent submission of their Monthly Performance Report on EPM Portal immediately”.

Srinagar: Militants on Thursday made an abortive bid on paramilitary CRPF in Shopian while police, army and SSB recovered 23 grenades in Baramulla district, officials said.

A senior police officer said that militants lobbed a grenade at CRPF vehicle near Keegam area of South Kashmir’s Shopian, which missed the target and exploded on the roadside. In this incident there was no loss of life or injury reported.

Soon the whole area was cordoned off to nab the attackers. However when this report was filed, no arrests were made.

Meanwhile, joint parties of Police, Army 46 RR and 2nd battalion SSB during a cordon-and-search- operation in village Zandfaran Sheeri, found 11 hand grenades, 11 UBGL grenades and 1 crude grenade from a hideout in a Nalla. “Case under sections of Indian Arms Act has been registered in Police Station Sheeri and investigation set in motion,” the police officer said. (GNS)

Srinagar: Anti-Corruption Bureau on Thursday arrested Naib Tehsildar Chuker Baramulla for demanding a bribe of Rs 30000 for granting permission to axe walnut trees in the north Kashmir district, officials said.

“Anti Corruption Bureau received a complaint, wherein the complainant had alleged that Habibullah Mir, Naib Tehsildar Chuker, Tehsil Kunzer, District Baramulla was demanding bribe of Rs 30,000 from complainant  for granting permission for removing walnut tree,” ACB said.

“The complainant the Naib Tehsildar for the removal of the walnut tree with his application moved through Tehsildar Kunzer,” it said, adding, “The tree as per the complainant was very old. It was about to fall anytime. There was apprehensions of tree causing damage to the house or to any family member.” He approached authorities for seeking permission for cutting of tree, the ACB said. “The Naib Tehsildar concerned after visiting the spot asked for a bribe of Rs 30,000 for granting permission,” it said, adding, “The amount was later settled at Rs 20,000. Out of the agreed amount the complainant deposited Rs 10000 in the bank account of the Naib Tehsildar on the directions of accused.”

Immediately after receipt of the complaint, the ACB said, a pre-verification was conducted by ACB into the matter. “Based on pre-verification, Prima facie offences u/s 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) were made out against the alleged accused person Habibullah Mir Naib Tehsildar Kunzer,” the ACB said, adding, “Accordingly, a case FIR No. 07/2022 was registered in Police Station ACB Baramulla u/s 7 of the PC Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) against accused public servant and investigations started.”

During the course of investigations, the ACB said, the Naib Tehsildar was caught red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 5000 from complainant who had already taken Rs10,000 from him earlier through Bank accounts. “The accused was immediately arrested on spot and his house was also searched during the search many incriminating documents were obtained by the searching team,” the ACB said, adding, “Further investigations in the case are going on.”

Srinagar: Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad on Thursday chaired a meeting of deans of faculties, heads of departments, directors of campuses and officers ahead of re-opening of the varsity for offline teaching from March 1, 2022.

Prof Talat underlined the guidelines of the UT administration with regard to reopening of educational institutions following culmination of winter vacations.

Prof Talat asserted that the university’s main and satellite campuses shall re-open for in-person teaching from March 1, 2022 with strict adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) by faculty, staff and students to ensure hassle-free continuation teaching and research activities.

In line with the deliberations held by J&K Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta with heads of educational instititions on February 14, Prof Talat directed Deans, Directors, HODs and Coordinators of Main and Satellite Campuses to urgently come up with a plan on  campus re-opening, including enlisting of all necessary Do’s and Dont’s for circulation among students, SOPs for faculty, staff and students as well as on ensuring proper cleanliness and sanitation within the departments as well as in and around the campuses.

He said the year 2022 has to be the “Model Year for Academics” and “Model Year for Health and Cleanliness” in Jammu and Kashmir and necessary modalities to translate this mission of the UT administration into reality shall be immediately formulated and implemented in the University.

“Now that the University is opening post vacations and following disruptions caused by the Covid19 pandemic, students must get the best of education. It is equally important to facilitate students to interact more and more and engage in constructive academic and sports activities for their personal and professional wellbeing,” Prof Talat said, directing all HODs to ensure that all classes are held on time and alternate arrangement of teachers, in case of any teacher going on leave, be made in advance without any fail so that students don’t miss any classes or lag behind in academics and research.

He said only students who are fully vaccinated shall be permitted to join in-person classes while those unvaccinated should get vaccinated at their respective places at the earliest or the University shall facilitate their vaccination at special vaccination camps to be organised by it in collaboration with the J&K Health Department.

He also said the authenticity of vaccination certificates so produced shall be duly verified by the University to avert any chance of any mischief.

“There shall be no compromise on wearing of masks by the students and staff,” the VC directed.

The Vice-Chancellor also urged the faculty members to steer clear of any unnecessary deviations and ensure that students get solely involved in teaching, research and sports activities.

“Our University must take a lead again in making a great impression vis-a-vis continuation of academic activities,” he said, urging teachers to educate students about the importance of credible examination for them to be able to excel and compete at par with students at the national-level.

Prof Talat also directed that there must be no overcrowding in hostels and during various functions held in the campus.

The VC also flagged the implementation of National Education Policy-2020, asserting that the University is readying itself to implement this flagship programme at the UG level in the first phase.

“All modalities in this regard are being worked out as a matter of priority,” he said.

Earlier, Dean Academic Affairs Prof Farooq A Masoodi highlighted the agenda for the meeting, including deliberations on reopening of the University from March 1, as well as implementation of the NEP-2020.

The high-level meeting was also attended by Dean College Development Council, Dean Research, Registrar and Controller of Examinations

Srinagar: Cyber Police Kashmir Zone on Thursday said that it successfully saved an amount of Rs. Seven lakhs of gullible people which was lost in various KYC frauds/scams during the past week.

“Cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone, Srinagar received multiple complaints in past one week wherein the complainants have been duped in various KYC frauds/scams by the fraudsters. The victims received fake messages and links on their cellphones for completing the KYC of their SIM cards and warned them that their SIM card will be deactivated in case they don’t follow the process,” a police spokesperson said.

“The victims were also advised to call on provided fake Customer Care Number where the fraudsters introduce themselves as Customer Care Executives of telephone service providers like BSNL/Jio/AirTel/Vodafone and asking them to complete the KYC verification by downloading some remote access apps like Quick Support, Team Viewer, Any Desk etc.”

Unaware of these trending cyber frauds, the spokesperson said the victims downloaded these apps on their cell phones giving complete remote access to the fraudsters. “The fraudsters after gaining the access of their cellphones directed them to make some sort of recharge on their banking apps,” he said, adding, “The fraudsters not only see the victims User ID but also the Password and swindle their hard earned money from their bank accounts.”

The victims after realizing that they have been trapped in a cyber fraud, immediately reported to the Cyber Police Station, Kashmir Zone, Srinagar, he said.

“Acting swiftly, Cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone, Srinagar after strenuous efforts were successful in saving an amount of Rs 7 lakhs of various victims,” the spokesperson said, adding, “General public is advised not to entertain or believe persons calling in the name of customer care executives and refrain from downloading any remote access apps like Team viewer, quick support, Any Desk App etc. on their advice/directions. These legitimate apps are remote software tool, which provides third party a complete access of the users’ cell phones/computer.”