Srinagar: A group of youngsters staged a protest demonstration against the acid attack on a 24 -year-old girl in old city on Tuesday evening.

Police have already arrested the main accused Sajid Altaf Rather, a resident of Buchwara Dalgate and two others in the case.

The protests were held at Jahangir Chowk in Srinagar.  The protesters demanded stern action against the person who carried out an acid attack in which a girl suffered extensive burn injuries.

A girl suffered burns in an acid attack in Usmania Colony in Wantpora area of old Srinagar on Tuesday evening.

The girl was admitted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital in Srinagar where she is under treatment.

Holding placards the protesters including girls and some other people were seeking justice for the victim and hang the culprit. (UNI)

Advisory asks people to avoid uploading picture of girl

By: Sheikh Danish

Srinagar: The acid attack victim from Srinagar is unlikely to regain her eyesight, doctors treating her at the Srinagar’s Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital Srinagar Wednesday said, adding that “no conclusion can be, however, drawn at this point of time.”

Medical Superintendent of SMHS, Dr. Kanwaljeet Singh said that the victim’s eyes have suffered damage in cornea and it cannot be stated whether she can regain her eyesight.

A 24-year-old girl was attacked with acid at Wantpora area of Hawal in Srinagar on Tuesday evening, sending shock waves across Jammu and Kashmir. The attack was widely condemned by every section of the society.

However, police on Wednesday stated that the main accused among three persons were arrested in this regard and a two-wheeler used in commission of crime has also been seized.

Police have also said that a shop, where the accused had bought the acid, has also been sealed.

Meanwhile, the victim at present is undergoing treatment at SMHS hospital as she has suffered grievous injuries on her face and eyes in the attack.

Moreover, police issued an advisory, appealing people to refrain from posting or sharing the pictures of the acid attack victim on social media platforms.

“It has come to notice that some social media users and page admin are uploading photographs of yesterdays acid attack victim on social media platforms. These people are advised to refrain from positing and sharing such content. Anybody found involved in this act will be strictly dealt under law. Police have taken cognizance of the matter,” the police advisory reads. (KNO)

Srinagar: Mayor Srinagar, Junaid Azim Mattu on Wednesday visited the young acid attack victim at SMHS hospital in Srinagar and handed over his one-month’s salary to the victim’s family and assured them of his complete support and solidarity.

Interacting with the parents of the acid attack victim, Mattu in presence of a District Legal Services Aid team deputed by the High Court and Mission Director ICPS, assured the victim’s family of full medical, legal and administrative support and also asked the team of doctors treating the victim to ensure that she receives the best possible medical care.

Mattu also commended the SIT formed by SSP Srinagar for arresting the culprits within 24 hours and said this was the first and most significant step in ensuring the victim and her family gets justice and would serve as a deterrent for such heinous crimes.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy. I met the parents of the victims and assured them of complete support and solidarity. While the administration will offer legal, medical and financial aid to the victim and her family, it is also incumbent on us as a society to stand unequivocally with the victim and her family. This criminal, gruesome act needs to be condemned by each and everyone at a social level as well. We should collectively ensure that those anti-social elements responsible for such heinous crimes are brought to book,” Mayor said.

He added that he is going to request the Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha that the administration should fully facilitate and finance the specialized rehabilitation treatment of the victim at the best possible health facility in the country.

“I will be writing to the LG requesting that the victim is offered full financial and logistical assistance to facilitate her rehabilitative treatment at the best possible specialized health facility in the country for the purpose,” Mayor added.

Mayor Srinagar was accompanied by his Advisor and Corporator SMC Danish Bhat and Corporator Zadibal Tanveer Pathan.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 2304 covid-19 cases, down by 447 infections from yesterday, even as nine persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.

They said 996 of the fresh cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 1308 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total count to 440480.

Regarding the fresh fatalities, the officials said that five among them were reported from Jammu division and four from Kashmir valley. So far 4692 people have died due to the virus—2294 in Jammu and 2398 in Kashmir Valley.

Giving district wise details, he said, Srinagar reported 439 cases, Baramulla 190, Budgam 167, Pulwama 41, Kupwara 131, Anantnag 84, Bandipora 57, Ganderbal 53, Kulgam 112, Shopian 34, Jammu 443, Udhampur 128, Rajouri 37, Doda 104, Kathua 36, Samba 56, Kishtwar 54, Poonch 15, Ramban 84 and Reasi 39.

A number of the cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories associated with GMC Srinagar and District hospital Pulwama.

The GMC Srinagar cases include female (40) (NA) from Sgr, female (60) (NA) from Budgam, male (74) (NA) from Sgr, female (72) (NA) from Sgr, female (20) (NA) from Budgam, female (30) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (70) (NA) from Sgr, female (50) (NA) from Sgr, male (55) (NA) from Sgr, female (19Days) (NA) from Baramulla, male (02) (NA) from Budgam, female (65) (NA) from Pattan, female (39) (NA) from Indranagar Sgr, female (60) (NA) from Sanatnagar, male (28) (NA) from Sgr, female (30) (NA) from Sgr, female (49) (NA) from Bulbulbagh, female (05) (NA) from Midoora tral, male (32) (NA) from Bemina, female (30) (NA) from Lalbazar, male (70) (NA) from Lalbazar, female (35) (NA) from Lalbazar, female (11) (NA) from Lalbazar, female (60) (NA) from Wazirbagh, female (39) (NA) from Rainawari, male (50) (NA) from Handwara, male (14) (NA) from Bemina, female (63) (NA) from Pakherpora, male (75) (NA) from Panthachowk, male (43) (NA) from Nawabazar, female (40) (NA) from HMT, male (55) (NA) from Pulwama, female (50) (NA) from Khaniyar, male (35) (NA) from Budgam, male (42) (NA) from Khaniyar, female (18) from Sgr, male (65) from Bagi mehtab, male (48) from Kukura bilal colony, male (55) from Saidkadal, male (63) from Nishat, female (30) from Elahibagh, male (37) from Hazratbal, male (16) from Habbak, male (65) from Harwan, male (18) from Nishat, female (85) from Nishat, male (20) from Nishat, female (09) (NA) from Sanatnagar, female (33) (NA) from Nazneenpora, male (65) (NA) from Khaygam Pulwama, male (45) (NA) from Khaygam Pulwama, female (48) (NA) from Khaygam, female (06) (NA) from Khaygam Pulwama, female (08) (NA) from Khaygam Pulwama, female (14) (NA) from Khaygam, male (37) (NA) from Rajpora, female (20) (NA) from Kralcheck shopian, female (18) (NA) from Kralcheck shopian, female (45) (NA) from Mughalpora shopian, female (65) (NA) from Rajpora, female (30) (NA) from Kathalan shopian, female (20) (NA) from Tukroo, female (28) from Lalbazar, male (25) from Lalbazar, female (35) from Hazratbal, female (57) from Habbak, female (60) from Habbak, male (14) from Gulabbagh, female (31) from Sgr, male (27) from Sgr, female (22) from Bandipora, female (26) from Pulwama, female (18) from Pulwama, male (75) (NA) from Tangmarg, male (80) (NA) from Khansahib, male (60) from Ahmed nagar, male (70) from Tulmullah and male (19) from Chattabal.

The District Hospital Pulwama cases include female (35) from Murran, male (33) from Turukwangam, female (28) from Tahab, female (35) from Pinglena, male (32) from Pinglena, female (32) from New colony pulwama, female (20) from Karimabad, female (80) from Uripora, male (26) from Pampore,  male (65) from Lassipora, female (32) from Malikpora and female (30) from Rahmoo.

Besides, they said, 5024 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time—1433 from Jammu Division and 3591 from Kashmir. So far 405959 people have recovered, leaving active case tally at 29829—8547 in Jammu and 21282 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 45345 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

New Delhi: Accusing the opposition for unfair criticism of the national budget unveiled a day earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the announcements made were aimed at strengthening all sectors of the Indian economy, from the poor to the middle class and from farming to industry.

Blasting the previous governments for exploiting the issue of poverty, during his detailed presentation to BJP leaders and workers, Modi said his government had charted a new course and brought about numerous policies to benefit all sections of the society.

“Atmanirbhar Bharat will lay the foundation for modern India,” the Prime Minister said. Comparing decisions taken by earlier governments and since he took office seven years ago, Modi said the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ (Water in Every House) programme helps the farming community directly as the women don’t have to go long distances to get water and will be able to invest more time in farming. At the same time, the Ken-Betwa link project will bring a transformation in farming as well as in the life of farmers, he added.

He said the government had provided 5 crore rural households tap water connection in the last two years. In 2013-14, India’s GDP was Rs 1.10 lakh crore and today it was nearly Rs 2.3 lakh crore, he said, adding that exports totalled Rs 2,85,000 crore in 2013-14 and now they were worth Rs 4,70,000 core, the Prime Minister said, pointing to the country’s growing economy.

“A new holistic approach is needed for the development of border villages,” he said. He said the government has taken steps to make a Natural Farming Corridor, which will be 2,500 km long and nearly 10 km wide. In the first phase, it will be implemented in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal around the river Ganga. He reiterated that BJP government is for the youth of the country. Youth innovation and research is a key aspect of this Budget, he said, adding that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) understood the importance of a youth population.

“To help digitalise the future of youth, the use of technology has been improved, which culminated in the first digital university to serve poor children.”

Talking about services, he said those who have invested in Sukanya Samriddhi Account and Public Provident Fund (PPF) do not have to go to post offices and everything will provided at the touch of a botten.

In a new impetus, animation and gaming will have special task force, the Prime Minister said. The optical fiber launch and 5G service will further cement India’s position among the top five nations in mobile connectivity, he said.

A global digital payment system will become more accessible to Indians with digital currency policy, which will be inter-linked with physical currency, the Prime Minister said. Small investors, he said, were the backbone of the Indian economy and MSMEs provided livelihood to crores of families.

“Every initiative taken by this government has been to ensure better living quality of every citizen. You should look at policies taken up by the BJP government in the last seven years.” “Our fundamentals are correct and in the right direction accelerate India’s speed,” he added.

The country’s aspirational districts campaign will undo years of mismanagement brought upon the citizens by earlier governments, the Prime Minister said. In the last budget, the government ensured the facility of Kisan Rail and Kisan Udan.

“Now Kisan Drone is going to be the new friend for farmers.” In this year’s budget, Rs 68,000 crore has been allocated under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi. It will benefit over 11 crore farmers, he said. Four multi model logistics parks and 100 Gati Shakti cargo terminals in the next three years will take India’s connectivity to the next level, he added.

“In the last seven years, decisions taken are continuously enlarging the Indian economy… This budget has brought a new confidence of development… (and) will create many new opportunities for the common man,” he said. In 2013-14, public investment was just Rs 1.87 lakh crore. In this budget, it has been pegged at Rs 7.5 lakh crore. Compared to UPA, this is a four-time rise. This will promote FDI and create modern infrastructure in the country, Modi said.

The Prime Minister said this year’s budget had a provision for 80 lakh pucca houses for the poor and Rs 48,000 crore has been allotted for this. In 2014, India had 90,000 km of national highways — built over 70 years. In the last seven years, 50,000 km of national highways had been built. The Prime Minister said misinformation was spread about the MSP. “But our government has made record purchases on MSP in the past year and farmers are expected to get more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore as MSP this season.”

He said today India is importing edible oils in massive quantities. To become self-reliant in edible oil, a national mission has been started to reduce dependence on imports. (UNI)

Visits Handwara, reviews security scenario

Srinagar: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar Wednesday visited Handwara to review the security scenario, anti-militancy operations and other crime works.

During the visit, IGP Kashmir chaired a joint security review meeting of senior officers of Police and CAPFs.

On the occasion, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Handwara Sandeep Gupta briefed the chairing officer about the prevailing security scenario, recent trend of infiltration, existing security grid, operational aspects and other measures being adopted to counter the challenges in the police district.

IGP Kashmir while interacting with the officers urged upon them to strengthen the general security grid and ensure great synergy and coordination among the agencies working on ground.

He also reiterated the need to adopt proactive measures to enhance anti-militancy grid by generating specific intelligence and intensify anti-militancy operations in their areas and to take all proactive steps for maintaining peace and stability in the district.

He also emphasized upon the officers to keep strict vigil over the militant associates and take all necessary measures under law against them.

Moreover, IGP Kashmir also expressed serious concern about the different modules of narco-militancy and directed the officers to ensure strict action against criminals involved in narco-militancy.

Jammu: As many as 11 players of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) have been shortlisted for 2022-IPL auction scheduled to be held on February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru.

“It is a matter of pride for the cricket fraternity of J&K that for the first time 11 players of JKCA will go under the hammer ever since inception of IPL,” said Brig Anil Gupta, Member Administration of JKCA.

“There is no dearth of talent with us. Only thing lacking was their projection and drawing the attention of selectors towards our budding players.”

“JKCA this time paid special attention to this vital aspect and constituted a team led by Mithun Manhas, Member Cricket Operations and Development and comprising the coaches of our men’s teams. The hard work put in by the team is obvious and produced results.

“The entire J&K is now praying and hoping that maximum of these players are chosen by the franchisees and givie them an opportunity to watch their favourite local players rub shoulder with local and international players and celebrities.”

Brig Gupta also clarified that the IPL committee erroneously mentioned Hyderabad Cricket Association against the name of Yudhvir Singh Charak, who actually is a JKCA player.

Yudhvir is a budding pace bowler and was the net bowler with the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021. (UNI)

Srinagar: Wetlands not wasteland, wetlands are natural wealth lands wrote Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole on a pledge wall to save and protect Hokersar wetland and send a loud and clear message about preservation and protection of all wetlands.

Kashmir has a chain of wetlands supporting vast biodiversity most of which circumvent Srinagar and Budgam with huge potential of tourism and employment generation said Div Com while visiting Hokersar wetland on the occasion of World Wetlands Day celebrated by the Department of Wildlife Protection, J&K.

Besides, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, the Pledge wall was signed by Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir; Officers of Deptt of Wildlife Protection, president, NPWWF, NGO; Wetland Mitras and civil society members.

Div Com underlined the responsibility of people for the protection of wetlands and said that encroachments shall be dealt with strict action.

He said wetlands are biological hot spots and play pivotal role in the conservation of nature. “Our wetlands attract aves from Siberia and other cold places which presents beautiful view for bird lovers”, Pole said.

Government has prepared a detailed plan to promote wetlands including Wular, Hokersar, Hygam, Shalbugh and other places, he said. Meanwhile, he appealed people residing on the banks of wetlands not to treat wetlands as wastelands but get involved in protection of these natural resources. Instead, he asked them to create watch towers which would attract tourists and generate income for them.

Pole informed that Hokersar wetland used to have low water level but efforts have been made to increase the water level and further added that Irrigation and Flood Control Department will raise the water level which would be instrumental to attract more birds as well as tourists.

Div Com said that Wildlife Department is creating awareness and training the people residing around wetlands to create legally permissible tourism infrastructure of watch towers on their own land to earn livelihood.

While speaking with the media regarding the action taken by government for conservation and restoration of wetlands, he said that last year Khushalsar and Gilsar were taken for restoration and today more than seventy percent area have been restored.

He said restoration of other wetlands and water channels will be taken soon and results will be visible on ground.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that over Rs 30,000 crore has been provide to the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh for completion of different projects.

Replying to a question, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, said that as per the information provided by the governments of J&K and Ladakh, 1,41,815 and 17,556 new works or projects have been taken up under various sectors or schemes in the two UTs, respectively, since 2019.

He also said that funds amounting to Rs 27,274.00 crore and Rs 3,097.14 crore have been provided for completion of these works and projects to J&K and Ladakh, respectively.

Funds amounting to Rs 19,142.63 crore and Rs 1,810.97 crore have been earmarked for J&K and Ladakh, respectively, for areas predominantly inhabited by rural population.

The Union Budget on Tuesday allocated Rs 35,581.44 crore to Jammu and Kashmir for the financial year 2022-23 as part of the Central government’s assistance, while Ladakh has been allotted Rs 5,958 crore for the next fiscal. (IANS)

Srinagar: The government of Jammu and Kashmir is set to dispense with the policy of providing government jobs to the next of kin in lieu of death of their government employee family member under SRO-43.

The government is instead mulling to provide one time compensation to the beneficiaries of all the SRO-43 cases instead of government jobs.

The government in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir had framed compassionate appointment rules in the year 1994 and notified the same vide SRO-43.

The rules apply to the compassionate appointment of a family member of a government employee, who dies in harness other than due to militancy related action and a government employee who dies as a result of militancy related action.

Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir), P.K. Pole as per the minutes of the meeting held on January 20 has directed all the district development commissioners of Kashmir division to take beneficiaries of SRO-43 on board and inform them that henceforth government will not provide employment in lieu of death of their next to kin rather will pay one time compensation.

Henceforth, the government will not provide employment in lieu of death of their next to kin, instead they shall be informed that Rs 4 lakh compensation will be provided.

Official sources said the district development commissioners have been asked that the amount as projected demand in this regard shall be worked out and furnished to the office of divisional commissioner (Kashmir) so that the same is taken up with the government for release of funds. (IANS)