New Delhi: A new dawn is rising in Jammu and Kashmir, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Saturday, addressing the nation on the eve of 75th Independence Day.

“A new dawn is rising in Jammu and Kashmir. The government has initiated the process of consultation with all stakeholders who have faith in democracy and the rule of law,” he said.

“I urge the people, especially the youth, of Jammu and Kashmir to utilise this opportunity and work on realising their aspirations through democratic institutions,” Kovind added.

Article 370 which gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status, was read down by Parliament on August 5, 2019. The erstwhile state was also bifurcated into two Union Territories–Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

President Kovind said that the coronavirus is still here and has not gone away and one must not let the guard down.

Noting that the vaccine is the best possible protection, he said, “We are yet to come out of the devastating effects of its recurrence this year. Last year, with exceptional efforts from all, we had succeeded in bringing the spread of infections under control. Our scientists had succeeded in developing vaccines in a very short time.”

He also said that at the beginning of this year, the largest vaccination exercise in the history of the world was launched, urging the people to get vaccinated.

Referring to the Covid second wave, the President said, efforts were made on war-footing to plug the gaps while the leadership rose to the challenge, and the government’s endeavours were supplemented by initiatives of the states, private sector healthcare facilities, the civil society and others. “In this extraordinary mission, foreign nations shared the essentials generously, just as India had reached out to many nations with medicine, equipment and vaccines. I am grateful to the global fraternity that came forward with a helping hand”, he said.

Talking about the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics, he made references to the stellar performances of Indian sportspersons. India has won the highest number of medals in the 121 years of its participation in the Olympics. He said, “Our daughters have achieved world class excellence in playgrounds overcoming many adversities. Along with sports, epoch-making changes are taking place in the participation and success of women in all walks of life. From higher educational institutions to armed forces, from laboratories to playgrounds, our daughters are making their mark. In this success of our daughters, I see a glimpse of a developed India of the future”, Kovind said.

“Independence Day is a festival of freedom for us. This was made possible by generations of freedom fighters; some known, many unknown. They made great sacrifices. Today, you and I breathe under free skies thanks to their heroic deeds. I bow in respect to the pious memory of those brave martyrs”, he further said.

He also said that our nationalist movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi, was based on the principles of truth and non-violence. He and all other national heroes provided us with an invaluable blueprint to not only liberate the nation from colonial rule, but also to rebuild it and his struggle was for a return to Indian ethos and for human dignity, Kovind added.

We have adopted the system of parliamentary democracy. Therefore, our Parliament is the temple of our democracy which provides us with the highest forum where we discuss, debate and decide issues for the well-being of our people. It is a matter of great pride for all Indians that our Parliament will soon be housed in a new building. It will be a fitting statement of our outlook: It will honour our legacy while also walking in step with the contemporary world. It is more than symbolic that the new building will be inaugurated in the year of the 75th anniversary of Independence.

Referring to the Gaganyan Mission, he said that pilots of the Indian Air Force have been receiving training abroad. When they fly off into space, India will become only the fourth nation on the planet to carry out a manned space mission. “I congratulate all of you, on the eve of India’s 75th Independence Day. While celebrating this anniversary, I cannot stop my mind from imagining a powerful, prosperous and peaceful India of 2047 when we will celebrate 100 years of our independence”, Kovind concluded. (UNI/IANS)

Srinagar: The government of Jammu and Kashmir Saturday accorded sanction to the award of Jammu and Kashmir Police Medal for meritorious service to six police officers including IGP Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar on the occasion of Independence Day.

In an order, a copy of which lies with Kashmir News Service (KNS) government accorded sanction to the award of JKP Medal to 6 six police officers including three IPS officers.

“Sanction is hereby accorded to the award of Jammu and Kashmir Police Medal for Meritorious Service to the following officers of the Police Department on the occasion of the

Independence Day,” reads the order.

As per the order awardees include Mukesh Singh, IPS, ADGP, M.K. Sinha, IPS ADGP, Vijay Kumar, IPS IGP, Mohd Aslam SSP, Inderjeet Singh DySP and Sajad Ahmad Bhat Inspector.

Srinagar: With a view to provide relief to the Kashmiri migrants, the Administrative Council which met under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, Saturday issued instructions for preservation and protection of migrant’s immovable property, and removal of encroachments there from.

To streamline the preservation and protection efforts, the Administrative Council also approved the proposal of Revenue Department to confer powers of Commissioners upon the Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division under the Agrarian Reforms Act.

Further, the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction was directed to develop an online portal for facilitating migrants to apply for correction of records, demarcation and removal of encroachments, and alienation by way of fraud or distress. The disposal of such applicants has also been made time-bound under the Public Services Guarantee Act.

Srinagar: In a bid to bring greater transparency in accountancy related activities of field offices of Revenue Department, the Administrative Council (AC), which met here on Saturday under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved creation of 110 posts of Accounts personnel in the Department.

The new posts will be created in the offices of Financial Commissioner, IG Registration, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Custodian General and Revenue Training Institutes, Settlement Organization, Nazol Organization, and others.

The new accounts cells in Revenue Department will be single-point interface for all issues involving financial matters and will act as bulwark against fiscal indiscipline.

Further, the specialized cells will also have play a crucial role in thoroughly scrutinizing budget proposals; maintaining departmental accounts in accordance with the requirements under the State Financial Rules; and evaluating progress and achievements for seeking supplementary grants.

The newly created posts include 02 Chief Accounts Officers, 26 Accounts Officers, 07 Assistant Accounts Officers, 22 Accountants, and 53 Account Assistants.

Srinagar: The Administrative Council (AC), which met here today under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the change of nomenclature of Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicine as Directorate of AYUSH. Correspondingly, renaming of various designations in the Directorate has also been approved.

The decision is aimed at raising public awareness on the traditional medical sciences based on Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy.

Further, the Government is also working towards establishment of AYUSH based ancillary industry in the Union territory and enhancement of herbal and medicinal plantations to optimally tap employment potential in Jammu and Kashmir.

By: Bhat Imran

Srinagar: The Government on Saturday decided to reduce the syllabi of secondary and higher secondary classes of Jammu and Kashmir by 30 per cent following the closure of schools in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

It was learnt that the Jammu Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has decided that, “In view of prevailing COVID-19 Pandemic, students appearing in the forthcoming Annual-Regular examinations of 2020-21 of classes 10th, 11th, and 12th of Kashmir division, winter Zone areas of Jammu division and UT of Ladakh are informed that they shall have to attempt only 70 percent marks from the question paper which shall be treated as 100 percent for result.”

An official communique in this regard reads, “The question papers will be set from the entire syllabus prescribed for the session. However, the students shall have to attempt questions having a weightage of 70 percent marks instead of attempting all the questions.”

It states that the marks obtained by students who attempt less than 70 percent from the question paper shall be raised proportionately and for subjects having no practical course, the question paper shall be of 100 marks and the student has to attempt questions with a total of 70 marks.

“However, for such subjects which have both the theory and practical components, the concession will apply to the theory part only,” the communique reads, adding that s that the time allotted for attempting the question papers during examination has been reduced proportionately.

It reads, “Accordingly, the papers having three hours of duration shall be having only 2.30 hours of time period for attempting the questions. Likewise subjects having 2.30 hrs and 2.00 hrs duration shall be having only 2.10 hrs and 1.40 hrs time period for attempting the questions during examination.” (KNO)

DGP expresses gratitude, congratulates awardees

Srinagar: ‘Due recognition of valour and sacrifices of Jammu and Kashmir Police officers and personnel’, said Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Saturday on the announcement of service and gallantry medals by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence and Administration of Union Territory Jammu & Kashmir on the occasion of 75th Independence Day.

DGP as per a statement, expressed his gratitude to Home Minister Amit Shah, Lt. Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla for due recognition of valour and sacrifices of Jammu and Kashmir officers/personnel for awarding the highest ever number of Service and Gallantry medals on the eve of 75th Independence Day. He has congratulated the awardees and J&K Police Pariwar for this unprecedented feat.

DGP has paid tributes to the fallen heroes, ASI Babu Ram, Constable Mohd Altaf Hussain and SPO Shahbaz Ahmad of JKP who brought honour and glory to the force in their sacrifice and service to the nation for which Ministry of Defence has awarded Country’s highest peacetime honour, Ashok Chakra to slain ASI Babu Ram who made supreme sacrifice during an assault against holed up militants at Pantha Chowk last year, Kirti Chakra to slain Constable Muhammad Altaf Hussain who sacrificed his life while saving the life of a Protected Person who was attacked by militants in Ganderbal and Shauriya Chakra to slain SPO Shahbaz Ahmad who has been awarded for his gallant action against militants in an counter-militant operation at Khrew, Awantipora last year.

The DGP has conveyed his congratulations to the awardees of other State Police Forces and CAPFs especially the ones working shoulder to shoulder with JKP on this occasion.

As has been reported earlier, J&K Police has been bestowed highest number of 275 service, and gallantry medals announced by Ministry of Home Affairs on this Independence Day.

The medals include one Presidents Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) out of two in the country, 256 Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) out of total 628 medals in the country, 02 for Presidents Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPMDS), & 16 Police Medal for Meritorious Medals (PMMS).

The Police personnel who have been awarded Presidents Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPMDS) are SP Pran Nath Pandith, DySp Syed Sajad Hussain. The Police personnel who have been awarded Police Medal for Meritorious Medals (PMMS) are SSP Shiv Kumar Sharma, SSP Javid Hassan Bhat, SSP Mohd Sharief Chouhan, SSP Amit Bhasin, SSP Tanveer Jeelani, SP Rajni Sharma, DySp Jeetan Ji Mattoo, Inspector Taran Singh, Inspector Bandeshwar Singh Manhas, Inspector Amit Kumar Koul, Sub Inspector Prem Krishan Kathua, Sub Inspector Manzoor Ahmad Khan, ASI Gajinder Singh, HC Manmohan Ganjoo, SgCt Anil Kumar, and SgCt Nayeem Nadeem Bhat.

Srinagar: Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that it was matter of pride for police as men from the force were among recipients of various awards on Independence Day of the nation.

“It is a matter of pride for JKP to find the Nation recognising the service of outstanding merit beyond the normal demands of duty which the brave hearts of this force have rendered,” the top police officer of Kashmir said in a tweet.

ASI Babu Ram, Constable Altaf and SPO Shahbaz will be posthumously conferred Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shauriya Chakra respectively. Besides 257 officers and policemen will be decorated with Gallantry Medals on August 15.

“We pledge to never fail in maintaining the standards set by these brave hearts,” the IGP Kashmir said.

They were planning IED attack before I-Day: ADGP

Jammu: Ahead of the I-Day celebrations, the security forces in Jammu claimed to have busted a module of Jaish-e-Muhammad on Saturday by arresting four militants including one from Uttar Pradesh, who were planning an IED attack ahead of August 15.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh said that a JeM module has been busted in Jammu.

“We have arrested four militants of this module,” he said.

ADGP further added that arrested militants were planning collection of arms dropped through drones and supply to the active militants of JeM in Kashmir.

Singh further claimed that the militants were planning to carry out a vehicle based Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in Jammu before 15 August and reconnaissance of important targets in other parts of country.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said that a major tragedy has been averted in Jammu as JeM module was busted and four militants arrested.

“Four JeM militants and their associates have been arrested by Jammu police in a drive to root out militant presence in Jammu. They were planning collection of arms dropped by drones and supply to active militants of JeM in Kashmir; planting a vehicle based IED in Jammu before 15th August and reconnaissance of important targets in other parts of the country,” the police spokesman said.

He said that the arrested militants were identified as Muntazir Manzoor alias Saifullah S/O Manzoor Ahmed Bhat  R/O Prichoo, Pulwama, who was first to be arrested in this chain and from him one pistol, one magazine, eight live rounds and two Chinese hand grenades were recovered. “His truck used for transporting weapons to the Kashmir valley was also seized,” the police spokesman said.

He said that subsequently three more Jaish militants were arrested who were identified as Ijahar khan alias Sonu Khan S/O Intejar Khan R/O Mirdan Mohalla Kandala Shamli (UP). “He disclosed that the Jaish commander in Pakistan by the name of Munazir alias Shahid  had asked him to collect weapons from near Amritsar which would be dropped by a drone. He was also asked by Jaish to do reconnaissance of Panipat oil refinery which he did and sent videos to Pakistan. He was then tasked to do the reconnaissance of Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi but was arrested before he could accomplish this task,” the police spokesman said.

Another militant, police said was identified as Touseef Ahmed Shah alias Showket & Adnan S/O Ghulam Mohd Shah R/O Jeff, Shopian. “He was tasked by Jaish commander Shahid and another Jaish militant by the name Abrar in Pakistan to take up an accommodation in Jammu which he did. He was then asked to procure a second hand motorcycle for causing an IED blast at Jammu. The IED for this purpose would be dropped by a drone. Touseef was arrested before he could complete this task,” the police spokesman said.

The police spokesman said that third militant was identified as Jahangir Ahmed Bhat S/O Musthaq Ahmed Bhat R/O Bandzoo Pulwama. “He was the fruit merchant from Kashmir who was constantly in touch with Shahid of Jaish in Pakistan and had introduced Ijahgar Khan to him. He was further doing recruitment for Jaish in Kashmir valley and in the rest of the country,” the police spokesman said. (KNO)

Srinagar: A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel was injured after suspected terrorists threw a grenade at security forces in uptown Sanantnagar area in Srinagar on Saturday evening, officials said.

Additional forces have reached the spot. The area has been cordoned off and an operation has been started by the security forces.

The injured CRPF jawan has been moved to the hospital. (IANS)