Srinagar, Sep 24: The High Court on Thursday granted bail to a councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Kargil Zakir Hussian who was arrested on June 19 for his “highly objectionable” audio clip mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Army in the wake of the face-off between India and China.
The councillor from Shakar constituency in Kargil district, Zakir had submitted a public apology over his remarks but case FIR No.34 of 2020 for offences under Section 124A (sedition), 153A, 153B, 505(2) and 188 of IPC) was registered with Police Station, Kargil.
Zakir, a long time Congress activist was expelled by the party on the issue, soon after his arrest on June 19.
“The challan in the case has been filed, which means that the investigation of the case is complete. The petitioner (Zakir) is not alleged to have committed an offence which carries capital punishment, as such, the rigor of Section 437(1)(i) of the Code of Criminal Procedure is not attracted to the instant case,” bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar said as per Global News Service, granting bail to Zakir on furnishing personal bond with one surety of Rs.50,000.
The court said that Zakir is also elected representative of LAHDC having deep roots in the community as such the chances of his fleeing from justice are very remote.
The court also asked him to appear on each and every date of hearing before the trial court and not tamper with prosecution witnesses and not to leave the territorial limits of Ladakh without prior permission of the trial court.
“…from the observations of the Supreme Court, it is clear that mere expression of derogatory or objectionable words may not be a sufficient ground for invoking the provisions contained in Section 124A or 153A of IPC,” the court said, adding, “The provisions would apply only when the written or spoken words have the tendency or intention of creating disorder or disturbance of public peace by resort to violence.”
The court said that it would premature for it to comment on the question whether the alleged conversation made by Zakir and uploaded on the social media has the tendency of creating disorder or disturbance of public peace by resort to violence.
“The same has to be considered by the trial court while framing charge against the petitioner, against whom, the challan is stated to have been filed during the pendency of this bail petition,” the court said as per GNS.
The court also said that the ‘Case Diary’ shows that immediately after commission of alleged offence by the Zakir, he has published a public apology and expressed his regrets. “This conduct of the petitioner subsequent to the commission of alleged offence, lends assurance against repetition of similar offence by (him).” (GNS)

Tasaduq Hussain

Leh, Sep 24: Ahead of the 6th general Ladakh autonomous hill development council (LADHC) election, member parliament from Ladakh, Jamynag Namgyal has proposed to the union home minister to expand the UT from two to eight districts.
Ladakh, one of the biggest constituencies in India, is set to hold the 6th general LADHC polls next month while the veteran leaders and other groups have collectively called for a complete poll boycott to demand a sixth schedule for the region.
In a letter addressed to the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, a copy of which lies with the news agency KNO, Jamyang Namgyal, said for efficient administration and inclusive development of all the regions of the UT Ladakh it must be expanded to 8 districts.
The letter reads, “The 70 year’s old demand for establishment of union territory has been fulfilled only because of the honorable prime minister’s leadership and your compassionate understanding of the aspirations of the people of Ladakh.”
“As you are aware, union territory of Ladakh is one of the largest regions in the country in terms of area with population scattered all over the far flung and remotest areas strategically located bordering with Pakistan on one side and China on the other side. It is also the largest parliamentary constituency in the country,” reads the letter.

It further reads that the establishment of union territory of Ladakh and large inflow of funds for development of the region, there is extreme need for expansion and decentralization of administrative setup for ensuring inclusive and wholesome development of each part of the region.
“In the erstwhile state of J&K, we were merely provided with two percent of the state budget and strangulated in terms of making available officials for carrying out the limited development work.”
It further stated that the parts of Ladakh like Zanskar, Nubra, Changthang, Drass and Sineylalok area are in severe need of administrative machinery for fulfilling the decades-old aspirations of the people of these regions.
“At present, the district headquarters of Leh and Kargil which during the winter get cut off from these regions are not able to ensure inclusive development in spite of all possible efforts.”
The letter further states that it is being essentially felt that the number of districts in Ladakh may be expanded from two to eight with Zanskar, Nubra, Changthang, Sham, Drass, Sankoo may be carved out of the present two districts of Leh and Kargil.

‘Reduce unscheduled power cuts, maintain buffer stocks, intensify inspections to meet eventuality during winters’
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 24: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today chaired a meeting to review the preparedness of Power Development Department with regard to power supply for the upcoming winter season in Kashmir Division.
During the meeting, the Advisor directed the officers to prepare a comprehensive contingency plan in order to meet the winter requirements which witnesses a heavy load.
The meeting was attended by Managing Director, KPDCL, Chief Engineer, KPDCL, Kashmir, Chief Engineer Projects, Chief Engineer JKPTCL Kashmir Transmission, Chief Engineer Planning and Procurement.
He asked them to focus on areas of concern and keep rapid action teams ready and well prepared so as to respond to the damages in emergency situations.
The Advisor asked the concerned to keep a clear curtailment schedule in place so that people do not face any unscheduled power cuts which irks the consumers.
He also asked the officers that they should work out a solid plan so that the metered areas face least power cuts which will in turn encourage the non metered areas to go for metering.
The Advisor directed them to explore a road map for providing 24/7 power supply to twin cities of Srinagar and Jammu as desired by the Lieutenant Governor.
He also asked them to mobilize staff so that least time gets consumed in the replacement of transformers during the winters and directed for advance dumping of poles and conductors in areas which remain cut off during winters.
The Advisor also asked them to identify the vulnerable areas that witness power shutdown during winters so that mobile transformers would be kept at their disposal.
He further directed them to complete the trimming or cutting down of trees underneath power lines by October to avoid any damages during winters.
He also asked them to keep buffer stock of transformers of different capacities available so that consumers are provided adequate power supply.
He also directed for intensifying inspections in all districts of Jammu and Kashmir to curb the menace of power theft and illegal connections.
The Advisor asked them to identify hiccups and stumbling blocks that are to be addressed and assured the department that they will be provided every kind of support for ensuring better power supply.
During the meeting, the Advisor was briefed about the present status of the power supply and steps being taken to improve and augment the power scenario to ensure adequate power supply to the consumers especially during winters.
The Advisor was informed that the Discom is expecting additional unrestricted demand of power in the upcoming winter season and all the wings of the Department are working in tandem and issues of last year with regard to power supply have been addressed to a large extent and capacity of power supply has been enhanced.
They assured the Advisor that adequate measures have been taken to ensure better power supply during the upcoming winter so that consumers do not face any difficulty for want of essential supply.
Regarding the curtailment hours, it was given out in the meeting that considering the easing-off of transmission and distribution constraints by way of commission of new grids/receiving stations as well as augmentation of grids/receiving station, the Discom is expecting to further reduce curtailment hours in metered as well as unmetered areas.

Regarding the strengthening of Divisional as well as Regional/Central workshops, proposal amounting to 17 crores has been formulated and submitted for necessary authorization and funding which will lessen dependency on small scale industrial units for repairs during winters, when the outage rate is high.
It was also given out in the meeting that 225 kms conductor and 5000 poles have been kept as buffer stock to meet eventuality during winters.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 24: In connection with the “Third Phase of Back to Village (B2V3)” Programme being held from 2nd to 12th of October 2020, the government has ordered deployment of officers assigning them their districts of operation.
An order in this regard issued here today by the GAD stated that the exact location of the Panchayats where the Officer will be conducting the programme shall be communicated by the concerned Deputy Commissioners.

New Delhi, Sep 24: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid has been named in the latest chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police in the Delhi riots case for giving ‘provocative speeches’.

The 17,000-page chargesheet, filed on September 17, contains a statement from a witness saying: “Umar Khalid, Salman Khurshid, Nadeem Khan… they all used to give provocative speeches (at anti-CAA/NRC sit-ins in Delhi) and people used to get mobilised.”

The police have not mentioned the exact nature of the alleged provocative speeches. The identity of the witness has been concealed by the police (known as a protective witness). The police claims the witness was part of the core team of conspirators accused of plotting the riots.

The statement has been recorded before a Magistrate (under Section 164 of Code of Criminal Procedure or CrPC), giving it greater legal weight.

Khurshid has also been named by another accused for giving speeches at protest sites in a statement recorded by the police.

“If you do garbage collection, you get a lot of filth. Any garbage can be put to support statements made by individuals. I would be intrigued to know what is a provocative statement,” the 67-year-old senior Congress leader said, responding to the allegations.

“Did I attend a protest to sing a lullaby or support a constitutional, legitimate cause. (This is) an attempt at garbage collection. Sadly, the garbage collectors are not doing a good job. Don’t pick up garbage and ask questions on the quality of garbage.”

“Has (the witness) not lied by saying I made provocative statements. Have the police acted on the statement? If they have not acted on it what is the value of the statement,” Mr Khurshid added.

Khurshid is the highest ranking politician named in police chargesheets so far. The police have come under criticism for using the riots probe to target critics of the government, as well as prominent figures from the anti-CAA/NRC movement.

CPM leader Brinda Karat, lawyer Prashant Bhushan and activist Yogendra Yadav have also been named in the chargesheet giving speeches.

54 were killed in the riots that occurred in February this year. (Agencies)

New Delhi, Sep 24: The way ahead to resolve the situation at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh is to not unilaterally change the situation on the ground while talks on disengagement are on, the foreign ministry said today, days after the sixth round of discussions between senior commanders of both nations.

The repeated emphasis on stability on ground came after the Chinese provocation of August 31, which took place as ground commanders of the two sides were engaged in discussions to de-escalate the situation.

Without referring to the incident, the ministry, in response to reporters’ queries, today said, “The way ahead will be to refrain from making any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo, while the two sides continue their discussions to achieve complete disengagement in all friction areas and to ensure full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas”.

Underscoring India’s push for the restoration of status quo ante, the  ministry said disengagement is a complex process that requires “redeployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective sides of the Line of Actual Control,” and reciprocal action.

The reference to troops needing to “refrain from unilaterally changing the situation in the ground and avoid taking actions that may complicate the situation” was also there in the joint statement issued after Monday’s talks between the commanders.

The Chinese had engaged in repeated provocations last month in the middle of the disengagement process, which started after talks between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart in July.

Last week, in what was seen as a strong warning to China, defence minister Rajnath Singh said India is “very serious about issues of sovereignty” and is prepared for “all outcomes” to ensure that it is maintained.

China had started a series of transgressions in April and May, which led to a fatal face-off between the troops of the two nations on June 15. Twenty Indian soldiers had died in action in Galwan Valley, marking a first in nearly 45 years.

Six rounds of talks have taken place between the militaries of the two nations to resolve the situation. The next meeting is likely to take place soon, the ministry said. (NDTV)

Srinagar, Sep 24: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted raids at three places in Srinagar allegedly in connection with former Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) Devender Singh who was arrested in January when he was traveling in a vehicle alongwith two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants, including a top commander.
Official sources said NIA sleuths conducted raid at the residence of Bashir Ahmad Lone at Zainakote in the city outskirts today. Earlier, security forces and police personnel were deployed in strength early in the morning in the area to avoid any law and order problem. Lone hails from border town of Uri, where NIA recently conducted raid at a house.
Raid at the residence of Lone came few days after NIA sleuths raided three places in Palhalan Pattan in Baramulla and Uri.
Sources said NIA sleuths also raided the house of one Zahoor Ahmad Bhat at Wazir Bagh and Arif Ahmad Misgar and Fazal Haq at Chattabal in Srinagar.
Singh was arrested by police alongwith Naveed Mushtaq alias Babu and Altaf on Srinagar-Jammu national highway when he was on way to Delhi from Kashmir on January 11. However, the case was later handed over to NIA for further investigation.
On his disclosure NIA conducted raids at over two dozen houses and other establishments and also arrested a number of persons.

Srinagar, Sep 24: Police on Thursday suspended two police personnel in connection with the “alleged custodial killing of a youth” in Sopore last week.
Official sources told GNS that the policemen who have been suspended were “escorting him at the time of incident.” The sources however declined to comment further, saying investigation is still underway.
Mohammad Ahsaan (KAS), Additional District Magistrate Baramulla, has been appointed by the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla to conduct a magisterial enquiry to “ascertain the causes and circumstances leading to the death of the youth Irfan Ahmad Dar son of Mohammad Akbar Dar of Sidiq Colony, Sopore” earlier this week.
The enquiry officer has been asked to submit his report within a period of 20 days.
“There was a huge outcry in Sopore and even it is reported in the media that the deceased was picked up by Sopore police on (September 15) and was therefore in their custody.
Allegations are leveled against Sopore Police for custodial killing of the subject,” said the deputy commission of the north Kashmir district in the order as he appointed ADC as the inquiry officer. While police claimed Dar fled from the custody and “his body was recovered later”, the family has already rejected the claim, maintaining that the 23-year-old youth, a shopkeeper by profession, was killed in custody. (GNS)

BJP central body to take call on LAHDC polls: Koul

Tasaduq Hussain

Leh, Sept 24: A Bharatiya Janata Party sitting councilor from Saspol constituency on Thursday resigned from the party and joined the apex body of Ladakh, demanding constitutional right under 6th schedule.

Addressing a joint press conference, Tsering Wangdus, a sitting councilor from Saspol constituency said that he has resigned from the BJP and joined the apex body to represent the sentiments of Ladakhi people and demand 6th schedule for the region.

He said he along with all the Sarpanchs and Panchs has joined the apex body.

“As a senior leader I feel that it’s really appropriate for me to work along with the senior most leaders who are part of the apex body,” he said.

He said that he was also not called to the party meeting today but he had already conveyed to the party to look for the replacement.

Meanwhile, amid boycott call for LADHC Leh polls by People’s movement, BJP  is preparing for the forthcoming LAHDC election but is waiting for the decision of the central body.

J&K BJP general secretary, Ashok Koul, said the party is preparing for election and waiting for the final decision from the central body and he was misquoted about the election boycott.

About the resentment and apology sought by the apex body of people’s movements, Koul said he has not said anything like that and some media houses have misquoted him.

“We respect the sentiments of the people in Leh and we are with them.”

He said they are still talking to the workers and whatever is suggested will be decided in a day or two but so far there is no final decision about the election.

He said BJP is preparing for the forthcoming LAHDC polls to some extent but they have talked to the central body as well and have asked them what is to be done. “When the central body gives nod we will take part in the election process and we are a national party we know the sentiments of people but decision is up to them since we are not a regional party,” he said. (KNO)

New Delhi, Sept 24:  The Supreme Court Thursday sought response from the Centre and the Union Public Service Commission on a plea seeking postponement of civil services 2020 examinations in view of alarming spurt of COVID-19 pandemic and floods.

A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and Sanjiv Khanna issued notices to UPSC, Centre and posted the matter for hearing on September 28, 2020.

The petitioners have sought postponement of the Civil Services Exam for two to three months, so that the flood/incessant rains go away and COVID-19 curve flattens.

The plea filed by Vasireddy Govardhana Sai Prakash and others submitted that the decision of the UPSC to conduct the exam in accordance with the Revised Calendar, violates the rights of the petitioners and those similarly situated, under Article 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution to practice their chosen profession/occupation of serving the public.

The plea has been filed by 20 UPSC aspirants through advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava against conducting of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination on October 4.

According to the plea this seven hours long Offline exam, will be taken by approximately six lakh aspirants at test centres in 72 cities across the country.

“Conducting the aforesaid examination across India at such perilous time, is nothing else but putting lives of lakhs of young students (including Petitioners herein) at utmost risk and danger of disease and death. Also, the natural calamities like flood, incessant rain, landslides etc. Are likely to directly affect the life and health of the Petitioners and many similarly situated students.

It said that due to non-availability of exam centres in their hometowns, many aspirants are facing “unimaginable” hardship due to non-availability of or unsafe health conditions in, the PG accommodation/ hostels/ hotels etc., where they are forced to stay with their family members, once they are travelling to an outstation Examination Centre.