Srinagar: Saying that appropriate steps are taken to counter the cross border military, the Ministry of Home Affairs Wednesday said that the government has a zero tolerance policy towards militancy and it has strengthened its counter-militancy apparatus besides taking various steps including effective border management.

The MoS for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai was replying to the queries raised in Rajya Sabha including whether Government has formulated any concrete policy to deal with militancy sponsored by Pakistan in the country and if so, the details thereof.

In a written reply to the parliament, the MoS Home said that the primary responsibility for ‘Public Order’ and ‘Policing’ rests with the state governments. However, in matters such as militancy, the central government assists the state governments acknowledging it as the shared responsibility.

“Intelligence and security agencies of centre and states work in tandem to keep a close watch on the elements involved in militant acts, and take action as per law,” the MoS said in the reply.

Rai said that this is an ongoing process.

He maintained that, “the government has a zero-tolerance policy towards militancy. In order to strengthen its counter-militancy apparatus, the government has taken various steps including effective border management through round the clock surveillance and patrolling on the borders.

It also mentions the strengthening of legal framework, streamlining of intelligence mechanisms, setting up of National Investigation Agency (NIA) for investigation and prosecution of militancy related cases, establishment of various hubs of the National Security Guards (NSG).

“Modernization of police forces and capacity building of state police forces, and raising the issue of cross border military at various multilateral, regional and bilateral fora, etc,” the reply states about the steps taken by the government. (KNO)

Div Com inaugurates 15-day training programme on mental healt

Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Wednesday inaugurated 15- day training on mental health at Psychiatry Hospital, GMC Srinagar.

The programme was organised in collaboration with IMHANS. Among others, Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Principal GMC Srinagar, Professor Samiya Rashid, HOD Psychiatry, IMHANS, Dr. Mohammad Maqbool Dar and SSO/Epidemiologist Kashmir, Dr. Talat Jabeen were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Div Com said that as the number of mental illness patients are rising due to various reasons in Kashmir, holding Psychiatry related training programme for medical officers had become imperative to maintain proper Psychiatry patient management at primary health level system in all districts.

He said that during the training programme, senior faculty from the Psychiatry department of GMC shall impart trainings about basic psychiatry treatment to tackle the rising number of patients having mental health related issues in their respective districts.

Div Com asked doctors to make best use of the trainings oriented to develop and enhance the capacity of medical officers to treat such patients more effectively.

He said that both physical illness and mental illness are co-related and doctors need to connect with the patients for better results.

He said with the increase in mental illness cases, the drug addiction and suicidal tendencies were also going up. To tackle such patients both psychologically and medically, he said, it is imperative to hold capacity building training of our doctors with basics on mental illness treatment at primary level.

After the completion of training of the first batch of trainees, they shall be deputed as master trainers to further train other medical officers in all districts of Kashmir.

Also on the occasion Principal GMC Srinagar Prof. Samiya Rashid spoke about the various initiatives taken by their college to address mental health issues in their institutions.

She also advised the trainees to learn the skills of early identification and management of mental health issues during these two week period so that the fruits of their training can have a better outcome in their districts where they are working in these testing times of Covid 19 pandemic.

DHS Kashmir Dr.Mustaq Ahmad Rather also briefed the trainees about the various initiatives led by his department for increasing access to the quality mental health care in every district for these needful patients at their doorstep. Later on HOD Psychiatry Dr. Mohammad Maqbool Dar outlined the various topics which shall be covered during these trainings.

He also said that the Divisional Administration has also launched a 24×7 Mental Health Helpline where any patient can call on 0194-2455384 or email at [email protected] to seek assistance on any mental health related issues.

Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh Wednesday visited North Kashmir Range, Baramulla and South Kashmir Range Anantnag and had back to back meetings with the top officers of Army, CRPF and Police.

According to a statement issued here, Singh reviewed the security scenario in both the ranges. He also inaugurated the renovated conference hall at DPL Baramulla.

Accompanied by Special DG CID J&K R. R. Swain and IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, the DGP first visited Baramulla and later in the afternoon visited Anantnag.

At Baramulla, the DGP,J&K was received by DIG, North Kashmir, Sujit Kumar, DIG CRPF Ameesh Sarohi and other officers and at Anantnag he was received by DIG South Kashmir Abdul Jabbar and other senior officers.

Addressing these meetings, the DGP directed the officers to plug all communication gaps so that the detailed security arrangements made and directions passed to all the districts and formations are implemented in letter and spirit.

He directed for enhanced security through coordination between all the forces on ground as militants and their masters are desperate to do any mischief.

Stressing for strengthening the security grid, the DGP said “our efforts should be resolute and specific giving no room to any complacency”.

Proactive measures have to be taken to ensure peace and order, DGP added.

Stressing for increased patrolling, the DGP said all the OGWs and anti-national elements should be kept under check to foil their nefarious attempts. He directed the officers to be extra cautious and alert to thwart any anti national activity.

He said that CCTV cameras be installed at all Naka points and also on police vehicles to keep surveillance on all the crimes and violent acts. He directed for preparations of contingency plans to meet any challenge or situation. He emphasized upon the officers to increase Naka checking and night domination to foil all ill intentions of the militants and their masters.

DGP directed to keep strict watch on all the rogue elements and stressed for tracing and tracking the anti national elements on social media. He said that propaganda-mongers from across the border and within are spreading misinformation through social media platforms to instigate the youth and create disturbance here. He stressed for counter propaganda measures at different levels.

He said that it is heartening to see the performance of the officers and personnel in maintaining peace and order and added that the mission is to consolidate the peace and normalcy and foil all the anti-peace attempts.

DGP said that any requirement to improve the efficiency of the forces on ground would be provided as quick as possible. He directed the officers of Armed and IRP to be proactive in policing as well as in law and order and be well knit in the security grid of the districts with district police.

He directed the officers to increase police presence in the market places to boost the confidence of the public.

During the meetings the Spl. DG CID, J&K R. R Swain, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, Sector Commander 1-RR, Brig Vijay Mahadevan, DIG CRPF, Baramulla Ameesh Sarohi, DIG Police NKR, Sujit Kumar, DIG SKR, Abdul Jabbar, DIG CRPF Anantnag, O.P Uphaday, District SSsP, COs of Army and CAPF gave suggestions which were discussed thoroughly. The officers also briefed the DGP about the security situation and arrangement in place in their respective jurisdictions.

Besides, Special DG CID, J&K and IGP Kashmir, the meeting at Baramulla was attended by DIG CRPF, Baramulla Ameesh Sarohi, DIG Police NKR, Sujit Kumar, SSP Baramulla Rayees Mohammad Bhat, Commandant 177 Bn CRPF  Manish Sharma, CO CRPF 53 Bn Megh Raj, CO designate, 26 RR Lt. Col S. Banerjee, SP Sopore, officers from Amed/IR Battalions of North Kashmir and other jurisdictional officers. SSP Kupwara, SP Handwara, SP Bandipora attended the meeting through video conferencing.

At Anantnag, besides Special DG CID J&K and IGP Kashmir, the meeting was attended by Sector Commander 1 sector RR, Brig. Vijay Mahadevan, DIG SKR, Abdul Jabbar, DIG CRPF, Anantnag O.P Uphaday, SSP Anantnag Imtiyaz Hussain Mir, SSP Awantipora Mohammad Yousif, and Commandants of IRP/AP of South Kashmir Range. SSP Shopian, SSP Pulwama and SSP Kulgam attended the meeting through video conferencing.

 Srinagar: Waseem Ahmad Najar, a young botanist from Pattan, Baramulla was recently appreciated by the Lieutenant Governor in his monthly radio talk show ‘Awaam ki Awaaz’.

Waseem, who claims to be NET and GATE qualified in the faculty of Botany had given his valuable suggestions to the J&K premier regarding the improvements to be made in the agricultural sector here. These suggestions were applauded by the LG and his name mentioned in the radio programme.

“It is a clear indication that people are being heard and entrusted with the policy suggestions. Hearing youth is hallmark of good governance” Waseem proclaims on asking about his viewpoint on his suggestions being noted at the highest forum.

Earlier he had suggested of distributing agricultural implements and other incentives through village based committees. He has also proposed timely publication and publicity of the list of eligible beneficiaries under different schemes for transparency and accountability of all the concerned.

He has also propounded to lay focus on the involvement of the youth in auditing process of the schemes. He maintains that social auditing is must and should be done with the involvement of the youth.

Waseem has also recommended recruitment of sector specific, qualified persons in order to ensure the professionalization of the sector besides periodic extension education drives in the rural areas to inculcate best agricultural practices by farmers.

He further says that incentivisation of the sector is another add-on feature to make agriculture an attractive option for youth. He also believes that regional soil testing laboratories would help in making this sector more productive and gainful.

Waseem goes on recommending that stringent curbs on conversion of arable land should be put in place to not let the overall productivity dwindle further. He aspires that each panchayat should have a veterinary unit to make things better for animal rearing in villages.

In order to safeguard the interests of farmers he wants insurance against crop failures or other damages in agriculture or its allied activities.

New Delhi: Pakistan violated the ceasefire agreement six times between March and June this year after the Director General of Military Operation-level talks between the two countries, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, said on Tuesday.

Giving a written reply to a question, Rai informed the Lok Sabha that there has been a sharp decline in ceasefire violation cases this year after the ceasefire agreement was re-signed between India and Pakistan on February 25 this year, whereas in 2020, Pakistan had violated ceasefire 5,133 times, 3,479 times in 2019 and 2,140 times in 2018.

The minister, however, said that Pakistan at the beginning of the year violated ceasefire 380 times in January and 278 times in February. After the agreement on ceasefire, Pakistan violated the ceasefire once in March, once in April, thrice in May and twice in June.

Till June this year, a total of 664 ceasefire violations were done by Pakistan. In the last four-and-a-half years, the year 2020 has seen the highest ceasefire violations, Rai added.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs data, while there were 2,140 ceasefire violations in 2018, in 2020 it almost doubled to 5,133. In 2019, the numbers stood at 3,479.

After the signing of the pact, a joint statement was issued on February 25 following the hotline talks between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan wherein the both the countries agreed to strictly adhere to all the agreements of ceasefire along the Line of Control from the midnight of February 25.

The minister also informed the Lower House that various political parties of Jammu and Kashmir had welcomed the joint statement while several countries also issued statements welcoming the development as an important and positive step. (IANS)

New Delhi: India and China are working on a proposal to withdraw troops from a friction point in Gogra at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in the next few days. It could be a significant step towards resolving the continuing border crisis.

The final decision on withdrawal of troops from Patrolling Point (PP) 17A in Gogra would be taken up by the top brass of the military and diplomatic hierarchy.

Both the countries are also evaluating the interim arrangements suggested during the 12 rounds of Corp Commander-level meeting on July 31.

In a joint statement of the 12th Round of India-China Corps commander level meeting, it was said that the two sides also agreed that in the interim they will continue their effective efforts in ensuring stability along the LAC in the Western Sector and jointly maintain peace and tranquility.

On July 31, India and China military delegates deliberated for almost nine hours to resolve border crisis at Moldo in the Ladakh region.

The Indian Army stated that this round of meeting was held following the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of India and People’s Republic of China on July 14 in Dushanbe and the 22nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) held on June 25.

“The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on resolution of remaining areas related to disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector of India-China border areas,” said Indian Army in the statement.

The force further stated that the two sides noted that this round of meeting was constructive, which further enhanced mutual understanding. They agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations.

The talks between the two countries happened after a gap of three months. Indian military delegates discussed disengagement at friction areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and 900 square km Depsang plains.

The Indian delegation was led by Leh-based XIV Corps chief Lt Gen P.G.K. Menon and Additional Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Naveen Srivastava.

The Chinese military delegation was led by Commander of the PLA’s Western Theatre Command Xu Qiling, who was appointed earlier this month.

The build-up in Depsang was not being considered part of the current standoff that started in May last year as that escalation took place in 2013. India has insisted during recent military commander meetings to resolve all issues along the LAC.

In April, during 11th round of Corps Commander-level talk, the focus was also on disengagement on friction points at Gogra, Hot Springs and Depsang. Till now, apart from 12 round of Corps Commanders-level talks, the two forces have also held 10 Major Generals level, 55 Brigadiers-level talks and 1,450 calls over the hotlines.

So far, the troops of the two Himalayan giants have disengaged from both the banks of Pangong Tso in February this year.

Srinagar: On the directions of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, the team of senior officers of District administration today conducted a surprise visit of various offices in Srinagar and checked the attendance of employees.

During the visit, the team found 18 employees unauthorizedly absent from duties.

Accordingly the absentee employees were immediately placed under suspension.

Out of the 18 employees 8 belonged to the Office of CMO Srinagar, 5 to Revenue Department, one each from Social Welfare and SMC while 2 employees from ICDS Srinagar.

The Deputy Commissioner Srinagar reiterated that such inspections will continue in future also and dereliction of duty including unauthorized absence will not be tolerated at all.