Srinagar: Two security forces personnel and two civilians have been injured in an ongoing encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday, officials said.

The encounter started on Thursday afternoon after militants opened fire on a BSF convoy on the National Highway in Kulgam.

The area was immediately cordoned off and additional forces reached the spot. The terrorists involved in firing were trapped and an operation was started by the police and security forces.

“Two trapped terrorists of LeT still alive. Exchange of fire on. Two Security Forces personnel and two civilians injured from terrorists fire. Taking all precautions for lesser collateral damage as target building is huge one,” police tweeted, quoting IGP, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar. (IANS)

New Delhi: The Ministry of the Parliamentary Affairs on Thursday said that altogether 22 Bills were passed in the Monsoon Session of Parliament which was adjourned sine die on Wednesday.

This Session provided 17 sittings spread over a period of 24 days, though, it was originally scheduled to have 19 sittings from July 19 to August 13,2021, was curtailed due to continuous disruptions in both the Houses of the Parliament.

During the Session, 22 Bills were passed by both the Houses of Parliament which includes two appropriation Bills relating to the Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2021-22 and the Demands for Excess Grants for 2017-2018 which were passed by Lok Sabha, transmitted to Rajya Sabha and are deemed to have been passed under Article 109(5).

Four Bills replacing the Ordinances, namely, the Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021, the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2021 and the Essential Defence Services Ordinance, 2021 which were promulgated by the President before Monsoon Session, were considered and passed by the Houses.

Some important financial Bills passed by the Parliament included the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 provide that no tax demand shall be raised in future on the basis of the said retrospective amendment for any indirect transfer of Indian assets if the transaction was undertaken before May 28, 2012.

The General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Amendment Bill, 2021 provides for greater private participation in the public sector insurance companies and to enhance insurance penetration and social protection and better secure the interests of policy holders and contribute to faster growth of the economy.

The Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 enables easy and time-bound access by depositors to their own money, even when there are restrictions on banks. It is proposed to provide that even if a bank is temporarily unable to fulfil its obligations due to restrictions such as moratorium imposed on it, depositors can access their deposits to the extent of deposit insurance cover through interim payments by the Corporation.

The Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill, 2021, seeks to convert certain offences into civil defaults and changes the nature of punishment for these offences.

It also defines small LLP, provides for appointment of certain adjudicating officers, and establishment of special courts.

The Factoring Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 is to help micro, small and medium enterprises significantly, by providing added avenues for getting credit facility, especially through Trade Receivables Discounting System. Increase in the availability of working capital may lead to growth in the business of the micro, small and medium enterprises sector and also boost employment in the country.

Apart from these financial Bills, three Bills to transport sectors were passed in this session. These are, the Marine Aids to Navigation Bill, 2021 which provides for the development, maintenance and management of aids to navigation in India; for training and certification of operator of aids to navigation, development of its historical, educational and cultural value; to ensure compliance with the obligation under the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party.

The Inland Vessels Bill, 2021, promotes economical and safe transportation and trade through inland waters, to bring uniformity in application of law relating to inland waterways and navigation within the country, to provide for safety of navigation, protection of life and cargo, and prevention of pollution that may be caused by the use or navigation of inland vessels, to ensure transparency and accountability of administration of inland water transportation, to strengthen procedures governing the inland vessels, their construction, survey, registration, manning, navigation.

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2021 proposes to amend the definition of “major airport” so as extend its scope to determine the tariff for a group of airports also, which will encourage development of smaller airports.

Two Bills on educational reforms were also passed in the Monsoon session namely the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management Bill, 2021 declares certain institutions of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management to be the institutions of national importance and to provide for instructions and research in food technology, entrepreneurship and management whereas the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2021,seeks to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009 inter alia to provide for the establishment of a University in the name of “Sindhu Central University” in the Union territory of Ladakh.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2021 seeks to adequately clarify that the State Government and Union territories are empowered to prepare and maintain their own State List/Union territory List of socially and educationally backward classes. This was the only Bill which was passed after due deliberation in the both Houses of the Parliament.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, 2021 provides that instead of the court, the district magistrate (including additional district magistrate) will issue such adoption orders.

The Bill adds that serious offences will also include offences for which maximum punishment is imprisonment of more than seven years, and minimum punishment is not prescribed or is less than seven years.

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021 to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in relation to the State of Arunachal Pradesh.

Two Short Duration Discussions under Rule 176 were held in the Rajya Sabha on “the management of Covid-19 pandemic, implementation of vaccination policy and challenges of the likely third wave” and on “the agricultural problems and solutions” which remained inconclusive.

Further, One Bill namely “The Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2021” and one old pending Bill namely “The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2012” were withdrawn in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively, the Ministry said. (IANS)

Jammu: The security has been stepped up across the Jammu division ahead of Independence Day celebrations, particularly around the Maulana Azad Stadium–the main venue of the function here.

However, alert has also been sounded around Indian Air Force base and all military establishments as drone threats loomed large across the region.

On June 27, two bombs were airdropped at high security zone of Jammu Air Force Station in which two IAF personnel got injured.

In the last more than one month, drone activity has increased manifold in various parts of Jammu region.

”As per intelligence inputs, militant outfits may attempt to carry out attacks in the region to disrupt peaceful celebrations of Independence Day,” a senior police officer said.

He said besides drone threats, infiltration attempts are also being made from across the border while alert security forces have also seized large quantity of arms and ammunition from various hideouts in the recent past.

”Security forces have foiled all nefarious designs of the Pakistan, which is out of frustration, trying to play spoilsport in upcoming Independence Day celebrations,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh during his visit to Rajouri district had said that Police and security forces have strengthened the anti-infiltration grid both at the Line of Control and hinterland to foil all attempts.

He also disclosed that launching pads are intact across the border where 250 to 300 terrorists are being trained and they are ready for infiltration.

”Launching pads across the border with the support of ISI and associated agencies are still active and around 250 to 300 militants are getting trained in the camps and attempts are being made to push them to this side,” the J&K Police Chief had said.

He also said that Pakistan is using drones for militant activities but J&K Police and other security forces have strengthened the counter security grid to meet this challenge effectively.

Stressing to strengthen the border, highway and hinterland security grid, the DGP directed the officers to formulate the comprehensive security plans for desired results.

However, joint teams of police, CRPF, Army, CAPF, SSB, BSF (on border) and other security, intelligence agencies are maintaining close coordination and high level of synergy to thwart any nefarious design of the enemy.

Special check points have been raised on Jammu-Pathankot, Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Poonch national highways and the vehicles are being frisked thoroughly, said an officer adding, ”night patrolling has also been enhanced particularly in border hamlets.”

Security is stepped up at the main venue for Independence Day celebrations in Jammu and no unwanted movement is being allowed around the complex.

All sports activities have also been suspended temporarily till the event takes place.

Moreover, air patrolling has also been augmented by Army helicopters and Air Force aircraft to maintain close vigil on every activity through high beam search lights.

Additional Director General of Police, Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh also said that security has been beefed up in the region to avoid any untoward incident.

”We are receiving lot of intelligence inputs and acting on those, security has been tightened across the region ahead of Independence Day,” Singh said in a message.

He said that check points have been enhanced and night patrolling is also increased in all the districts, ”recently two militants were killed in an encounter in Thannamandi area of Rajouri and many such inputs are being received.”

”All the venues where National Flag is to be hoisted, are secured and under tight security cover,” he said.

The top cop asserted that hotels are being frisked and suspicious elements are also under check. (UNI)

Srinagar: Drones have been pressed into service to keep a strict vigil ahead of Independence Day (ID) celebrations in major towns in the Kashmir valley, including Srinagar, where Lt Governor Manoj Sinha will hoist the national flag on August 15.

Meanwhile, security forces have intensified foot patrolling and random checking of vehicles to foil any attempt by militants to smuggle in arms and ammunition from the outskirts of the city for causing a disturbance on or before Independence Day.

Official sources said that there are reports from different intelligence agencies that some militant groups will try to cause disturbance on or before the ID celebrations in the valley, where security forces have also intensified operations against militants.

Security forces were seen flying about a dozen drones at Pratap Park in the heart of the civil lines.

“We are monitoring the situation on the ground using drones in the entire city, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city,” CRPF officials said.

“We will foil any attempt by militants to cause any disturbance in the city,” they said.

Besides keeping a vigil on the movement of pedestrians, drones will also be used to monitor activities in high-rise buildings and other structures in the civil lines.

A large number of people were witnessing today’s drone operation in the park and other areas in the city.

The officials said they have also introduced very powerful drones which will help to keep a close watch in vast areas.

Every minor movement of people will be observed and recorded through these drones in several kilometers, they said adding these movements can be witnessed live in the area and also in the main control room.

Security forces will remain deployed to react to any situation within no time, they said.

Sources said that though there are no specific inputs about a particular target of militants, a fresh alert has been issued to field commanders to ensure ultras are not able to hit soft targets in the city.

Recent militant attacks on security forces in Srinagar and south Kashmir at a time when security forces were on high alert have put up a new challenge.

Sources said that in the past it was observed that militants are hitting soft targets by hurling grenades in the city to get more attention from the media.

Later, sources said, these militants are escaping back to their hideout in the outskirts.

“This time we are keeping a close watch on people entering the city from outside to foil any attempt to smuggle in arms and ammunition,” sources in the security forces said.

At several places, security forces were seen searching vehicles, including three and two-wheelers.

Passengers, drivers, and pillion riders were being thoroughly frisked and their identity cards verified before allowing them to go into the city.

Security forces were also seen checking vehicles at Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) and other roads leading to S K Stadium, where the main function of the Independence Day will be held on August 15 when Sinha will unfurl the national flag.

For the past several years, the main functions of ID and Republic Day (RD) are being held at S K Stadium in high-security Sonawar as the Bakshi Stadium in the uptown was under renovation.

In the 90s militants were firing rockets and grenades towards the Bakshi stadium to disturb ID and RD functions.

Reports of tight security arrangements being made in the main towns and tehsil headquarters were also received from other parts of the Kashmir valley. (UNI)

Jammu: Entering the Civil Secretariat premises in the twin capital cities of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will no longer be a ‘cakewalk’ for everyone as the Government will soon be issuing special QR Code printed Identity Cards to its employees.

“To facilitate smooth entry of Civil Secretariat employees in both Jammu and Srinagar premises, new identity cards will be issued with QR code (Quick Response Code) printed on them, to prevent any fake or unwanted movement in the security zone complexes,” said an official.

However, the General Administration Department in an order issued have directed that all departments shall nominate Nodal Officer (s), not below the rank of Additional Secretary who shall forward the necessary details of the employees working in their Departments to the Senior Superintendent of Police (Security), Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, as per the format provided along-with a recent passport size photograph.

As per the order the Senior Superintendent of Police (Security) shall entertain requisitions from the concerned Nodal Officer (s) only, who shall forward such details with due diligence and the details of attached staff in various Departments shall be furnished separately in respect of which a temporary paper based identity card valid for six months shall be issued, as per the past practice.

It further read that the Information Technology Department shall provide the necessary software solution along-with QR Code and technical support by deputing one official for the purpose of issuance of new type Identity Cards immediately and all employees upon transfer or retirement shall deposit their Identity Cards with the SSP (Security), Civil Secretariat, necessarily.

“The No Objection certificate in this regard, from the SSP (Security), Civil Secretariat shall be a pre-requisite for the issuance of LPC or processing of pension case (s) as the case may be and in case of loss of Identity Card, once issued to any employee, a fresh card shall be issued only after deposition of Rs 5001- in the Government treasury and on production of a Police report in the Secretariat in this regard,” read an order.

Apart from this, the Jammu and Kashmir Administration has also constituted a team of officers to monitor the daily attendance of the employees working in various departments in the Civil Secretariat, Jammu. (UNI)