Precious Kashmir

Remain approachable to public: SSP Sgr to officers

City

06/01/2022

Remain approachable to public: SSP Sgr to officers

Srinagar: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Rakesh Balwal Wednesday chaired a meeting at DPO Srinagar with all Zonal SsP, SDPOs, SHOs, Incharge PPs of District Srinagar, SP Hqrs and DySP Hqrs Srinagar.

According to a statement, the participants were directed to make all possible efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs and work dedicatedly to prevent social crimes, cyber crimes and other evils prevalent in the society.

All officers were instructed to adopt a public-centric approach and to remain approachable to the public in order to ensure redressal of their grievances.

Emphasis was also laid on conducting Police Public meeting to strength the Police Public relations.

Don’t insist on vigilance clearance of employees: Govt

Jammu & Kashmir

Nadeem Nadu

06/01/2022

Don’t insist on vigilance clearance of employees: Govt

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: The government has asked passport authorities as well as verifying agencies not insist on latest vigilance clearance from its employees, underlining that it causes “unnecessary delay and unwarranted inconvenience” in issuance of the passport.

“Attention of Administrative Departments/Heads of Departments/Passport issuing/verifying authorities is invited towards Circular No. 35-JK(GAD) of 2021 Dated 16.09.2021, wherein it has been made mandatory to seek the latest vigilance status of a Government employee applying for issuance of a passport,” reads a circular by the government. These instructions have been notified in consonance with the guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India vide Office Memorandum on 18th February 2020.

“However, instances have come into the notice of the Government that in view of the aforementioned circular instructions, the Passport issuing authority as well as verifying agencies are also insisting for obtaining latest vigilance clearance in respect of the Government employees before initiating the verification process, which causes unnecessary delay and unwarranted inconvenience in issuance of Passport to the applicants, which is/was, however, not the underlying intention of the instructions,” the circular reads.

“With a view to remove the ambiguity involved, if any, at any level, it is further clarified that once the prior intimation (PI) given by the applicant (government employee) in Annexure-H is duly acknowledged by the Controlling/Administrative Authority/Employer in favour of such employee OR the prescribed annexure/certificate is issued in favour of such employee by his/her Controlling/Administrative Authority/Employer, it shall be presumed that the concerned department has obtained the prior vigilance status in respect of the intending applicant and the Passport issuing authority/verifying agencies (CID/Police) shall not separately insist for seeking vigilance clearance/status.”

It shall be the responsibility of the Controlling/Administrative Authority/Employer of the employee to seek his/her prior vigilance status before acknowledging the prior intimation given by such employee or before issuing the prescribed annexure/certificate in his/her favour, the government said.

“It is also clarified that the Police/CID shall undertake character/antecedent verification at their level independent of the vigilance status of the government employee,” it said, adding, “These instructions shall be in amplification of Circular No. 35-JK(GAD) of 2021 dated 16.09.2021, issued on the subject matter.” (GNS)

Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta takes command of ‘Fire And Fury’ Corps

Jammu & Kashmir

Indo Asian News Service

06/01/2022

Srinagar: Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta on Wednesday took over command of ‘Fire and Fury Corps’ from Lt Gen P.G.K. Menon, officials said.

The officer has had a distinguished career in the Indian Army, serving in a number of important command and staff appointments. Sengupta commanded an infantry regiment in plains, an infantry brigade in Kashmir Valley, an infantry brigade in UN Mission and Victor Force in Kashmir.

Prior to assuming command of Fire and Fury Corps, he was serving as the Director General of Strategic Planning in New Delhi.

“In his farewell message, Lt Gen Menon conveyed his gratitude and deep appreciation to all ranks of the Corps for their professionalism and steadfast dedication in the service of the nation, even in the most hostile terrain, weather and altitude challenges, faced by any Army in the world,” The army said.

“On taking over, Lt Gen Sengupta exhorted all ranks of Fire and Fury Corps to continue to discharge their duties with the same commitment and zeal and always be prepared to deal with any threat to national security. He urged them to continue to keep ‘nation first’ in all their endeavours,” the army. (IANS)

BSF lodges protest with Pak Rangers

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

06/01/2022

By: Yogesh Sagotra

Jammu: Border Security Force (BSF) India Wednesday lodged a strong protest with Pakistani Rangers over cross border infiltration, attempts of drug and arms smuggling along International Border.

Officials said that BSF, the frontier paramilitary force manning International Border, lodged a protest with Pakistani Rangers at a commander-level meeting, which was held at the Border Out Post (BOP) in Suchetgarh area of Jammu over arms smuggling from across the border.

Officials spokesperson said that a sector Commander-level meeting was held between BSF and Pakistan Rangers on the International Border in Suchetgarh area of Jammu and discussed various border management-related issues.

A senior BSF official said, “Main emphasis was given by the Indian delegation on the infiltration attempts of Pakistan based anti-national elements and recovery of arms and ammunition and narcotics on the international border.”

“A very strong protest was also lodged by the BSF commander regarding all these nefarious attempts from across the border by Pakistani elements, especially the arms, ammunition and narcotics consignments seized by the force in Ramgarh sector on January 3, 2022,” he said.

Reiterating that such activities from the Pakistan side are unacceptable, the Official said, “India strictly objected to the drone ops carried out by Pakistan-based elements regularly violating the IB. Other issues like construction work by Pakistan Rangers close to IB, intrusion of IB by Pakistani elements were also discussed.”

“The BSF delegation was led by DIG Surjit Singh and the Pakistan delegation was led by Brigadier Fahd, Sector Commander Pakistan Ranger Sialkot Sector.”

This was the first sector—level Commanders’ meeting in the year 2022, the official said.

Better communication between the field commanders to resolve all ops matters was also assured by the both the commanders to maintain peace and harmony along the IB, the officials said, adding that the meeting was held in a very positive, cordial and constructive atmosphere and agreed to conduct such meetings at regular intervals. (KNO)

2 pregnant women carried on cots to hospital in north Kashmir

City

Precious Kashmir

06/01/2022

One woman delivers baby mid-way

By: Sajid Raina

Baramulla: As the snowfall brought the routine life to a grinding halt across Kashmir, two pregnant women, in two separate incidents in north Kashmir, undergoing labour pain were carried on a cot to the hospitals.

One of the pregnant women delivered a baby midway in Bandipora.

A family from Pannar, a remote village of Bandipora district informed that they have to carry the pregnant women on a cot as the snow which accumulated on the road was not cleared by the administration.

“Accumulation of snow was the only reason no vehicle could ply on the road and the patient had to be taken to hospital on cot but before reaching the hospital, she delivered a baby in the midway,” the locals said.

“We had already contacted the hospital authorities in this regard but they did not do anything due to road closure,” they said.

Similarly, another incident reported from Hillan Phalipora area of Boniyar in Baramulla district where the family of the pregnant woman had to carry her on a cot while it was snowing on the way.

“Due to heavy snowfall and inclement weather, neither community health service vehicles nor civil transport could drive on snow-filled roads, “locals said, adding that they carried the patient on a cot for about five kilometers after they got a vehicle to take the patient to the hospital.

BMO Boniyar, Dr Parvaiz Masood said that the delivery date given to the patient was 9 January and she had no need to visit the hospital early.

“Her relatives had brought him a little early and we have kept her under medical observation in our hospital,” Masood said.

Meanwhile, officials said that the families should have contacted the control room numbers in advance so that vehicles could have been arranged for the patients.

The officials said it was snowing all day today and the roads were cleared from time to time but in some areas the road was not still favourable for traffic movement.

The air traffic between Kashmir and the rest of the country remained affected for the second consecutive day due to inclement weather as intermittent snowfall was reported from most parts of the valley over the past 24 hours. (KNO)

Prakashpora village without drinking water facility

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

06/01/2022

Anantnag: The residents of Prakashpora village in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district are up in arms against the Public Health Engineering department for failing to provide drinking water facility in the area.

The residents said that this village has never seen any water pipeline and are forced to drink contaminated water from the canal flowing through the area.

They said that the village is just one kilometre from Anantnag town but due to unknown reasons, the village is being ignored.

Locals said that they are without drinking water as no official from PHE department has visited their village till date, “forcing them to consume filthy water”.

Locals said in 2015 a water supply was constructed in a nearby village and they were assured that the village will be connected with the same scheme, however, six years have passed but the area is yet to receive a single drop of water.

Locals said that after frequent visits to the offices of government authorities, “pipes were sent to the area but since then years have passed the pipeline hasn’t been installed.”

“We appeal to the concerned authorities to ensure proper and immediate water supply to the area so that the water woes faced by the people would come to an end,” they said. (KNO)

4 held as police solve theft case in B’pora

City

Precious Kashmir

06/01/2022

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday claimed to have solved a theft case in Bandipora by arresting four accused involved in the commission of crime and have recovered stolen property from their possession.

A police spokesman in a statement said that on 04-01-2022, Police Station Bandipora received a written complaint to the effect that some unknown person/persons have stolen a Motor Cycle bearing registration number JK19-7354.

“Accordingly, a case under FIR number 03/2022 under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Bandipora and investigation was initiated.”

“During the course of investigation, the officers acting swiftly and zeroed in on three suspects identified as Sameer Ahmad Sheikh, son of Reyaz Ahmad, Abrar Ahmad Rather, son of Muhammad Hussain and Zameer Ahmad Akhoon, son of Zahoor Ahmad—all residents of Kaloosa Bandipora.”

“When officers spoke to them they learnt about their involvement in the commission of crime. During thorough questioning, they also revealed that they have sold the stolen bike to a mechanic identified as Jafar Shafi Bhat son of Muhammad Shafi resident of Safapora who runs a motor cycle repairing shop at Safapora.”

Subsequently, all the accused persons have been arrested and shifted to police station where they remain in custody. On their disclosure, the stolen motorcycle has been recovered in parts which were done by the accused mechanic in order to conceal the actual position of Motor Bike, police said, adding that further investigation is going on and more recoveries are expected. “Our efforts should assure community members that Police is resolved to act tough against the individuals involved in criminal activities,” police said.

Deaths On Highway

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

06/01/2022

It was snowing and raining but authorities decided to keep the Jammu-Srinagar highway open. While there are gains and pitfalls behind such a decision, the rationale must not weigh over the safety of commuters. In a tragic incident, a young man from Bemina Srinagar lost life after a big boulder hit his vehicle in Ramban district. This incident actually forced the authorities to close the strategic highway.

More often than not, the tragic incidents keep on repeating along the highway, synonymous to lifeline for the people of the Kashmir Valley for dependency on food and other essentials.

The strategic thoroughfare has tragically, and historically too, consumed numerous lives. The death of any person is colossal and no amount can bring back to families who lose their loved ones, their bread-earners.

Unfortunately, there seems to be no end to it as the successive governments have not taken enough measures to address the issues.

Many precious lives were lost in the recent past and it was not because of any negligence of the drivers but only on account of shooting stones and the landslide which is attributable to the failure of timely completion of the road widening projects.

Whether there is negligence on part of the officials or could these deaths have been averted is a matter of inquiry but the government shall not be a silent spectator on the issue of deaths, which are taking place frequently on the highway.

Should the contractors and their associate sub-contractors undertaking the widening of the road in Ramban, a fragile sector, are not to be held responsible and FIRs registered against them taken to logical conclusions? Except for a brief period of time, the highway has proven a nightmare for commuters due to the pathetic condition of the road. Ramban sector is proving more dangerous and there is a likelihood of it earning the dubious nickname of a death trap road especially due to the digging and widening process undertaken in disregard to the peculiar and fragile geology of the area where shooting stones and falling boulders are a routine. J&K High Court has passed a slew of directions while top administrative brass including the lieutenant governor and the chief secretary of J&K from time to time made orders encompassing the need to complete the project within a timeframe and adopting safety measures. Strict compliance of the directions and the orders is required so is the need to make those at fault accountable.

Repeated rejection by people drove Congress to path of insanity: Amit Shah

National

Indo Asian News Service

06/01/2022

Repeated rejection by people drove Congress to path of insanity: Amit Shah

New Delhi: Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modis security breach during his Punjab visit on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that repeated rejection by people have driven the Congress to the path of insanity.

Shah also said that such dereliction of security procedures in the Prime Minister’s visit is totally unacceptable, for which accountability will be fixed.
In a series of tweets, Shah said, “Today’s Congress-made happening in Punjab is a trailer of how this party thinks and functions. Repeated rejections by the people have taken them to the path of insanity. The topmost echelons of the Congress owe an apology to the people of India for what they have done.”

“The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a detailed report on today’s security breach in Punjab. Such dereliction of security procedure in the Prime Minister’s visit is totally unacceptable and accountability will be fixed,” Shah added.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that Modi’s security was breached during his visit to Punjab today. Taking cognisance of the security breach, the MHA has sought a detailed report from the state government. The MHA also asked the Punjab government to fix responsibility for the lapse and take strict action in the matter.

Prime Minister Modi was visiting Ferozepur in Punjab to lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs 42,750 crore. The Prime Minister cancelled his scheduled visit to Ferozepur at the last minute due to a security breach.

His role will be massively important, says Sammons on Elgar

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

06/01/2022

His role will be massively important, says Sammons on Elgar

Johannesburg: South African batting consultant Justin Sammons pointed out that captain Dean Elgar’s role will be extremely important in chasing 240 against India in the second Test at the Wanderers.
Elgar showed serious grit and was defiant in his unbeaten stay of 46 on day three of the Test. With 122 runs needed to level the series, South Africa will be banking on Elgar to lead the way with the bat.
“His role will be massively important. Having somebody there to bat for the rest of the innings would be the key. That allows for the partnerships to be formed. Just having someone with his character for the guys coming in to be, I think it’s massively important. His leadership will go a long way in getting us over the line tomorrow,” said Sammons while replying to a query from IANS in the virtual press conference.
Sammons also hailed the stubborn and competitive nature of Elgar, something which has always gone hand in hand while describing the left-hander. Elgar took many blows on himself, hit on the shoulder twice and smashed on the gloves once. “Dean is definitely a tough cookie. He’s a competitor. The thing he loves about the game is the competitiveness. The competitive nature of Test cricket brings the best out of him. That allows his character to shine through.”
Sammons was hopeful of other batters in South Africa to do well in knocking off the 122 runs needed to ace the chase on a challenging pitch. “The message for the guys coming in would be to see how the morning plays out and we just have to be adaptive. We need to get through the first hour and play according to the situation.”
“It’s been an interesting wicket, not the easiest deck to bat on. It goes without saying, the task is not going to be easy. The Indian attack has been relentless. But we believe we can chase it down. The way we batted this afternoon, it’s a case of point there. We need to stick to our plans and keep doing what we know will give us our biggest chance of success, it’s as simple as that.”
South Africa are playing a Test series after featuring in two matches against West Indies in June. In the build-up to the series, some players participated in the four-day domestic matches while some were a part of the ‘A’ team for the three four-day matches against India ‘A’ in Bloemfontein.
Asked about what has been lacking in South Africa’s performances with the bat in the series, Sammons said, “The basics of Test cricket is about leaving the ball well and ultimately it boils down to know where your off stump is. Having not played a lot of red ball cricket played a part. So we had to make sure that the guys are in touch with the game.”
“It’s about the need for being decisive. It’s something that we discussed at length. We had to come out of any sort of tentativeness. It’s always easier said than done. The guys have come out and showed positive intent and it’s there to see how they have gone about it.”

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