New Delhi: India and China agreed to resolve remaining border issues in an ‘expeditious manner’ in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations, the Indian Army said on Monday in a joint statement after the 12th Round of India-China Corps commander level meeting.

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 these remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations.

“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,” the force added.

The talks between 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.

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 escalation here took place in 2013. India has insisted during recent military commander meetings to resolve all issues across the Line of Actual Control.

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 two Himalayan giants have disengaged from both the banks of Pangong Tso in February this year. (IANS)

Anantnag: Jammu and Kashmir police busted a Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) module and arrested four militant associates in this south Kashmir district on Monday.

A police spokesman said the OGWs were motivating local youths to join militancy and also help LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) to carry out blast and other attacks on security force installations in south Kashmir.

He said they were using online-platforms to train youth and motivate them to join LeT and HM.

On a tip off, police arrested one Aamir Reyaz Lone of Baramulla. Later on analysing his electronic devices and other incriminating materials recovered from him it was found that he was in contact with active militant namely Hilal Sheikh ( LeT) of Baramulla.

He said upon the disclosure of Lone one of his associates identified Owais Ahmad Shaksaz a resident of Seer Hamdan, Anantnag was also arrested when he was in the process of making an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) with the help of information from the open source internet platforms.

On further investigation two more accused identified as Tamil alias Suhaib Muzaffar Qazi, a resident of Qazi Mohalla, Rajpora, Pulwama and Tariq Ahmed Dar, a resident of Qaimuh, Kulgam were arrested by Police. During interrogation Police learnt that Tamil Qazi was in direct contact with active militant of LeT, Aaqib Dar of Pulwama. He was provided a hand grenade to attack security forces which was recovered at his instance later by police.

Tariq Dar was found in contact with an active militant namely Aslam Dar of Kulgam and was providing logistical support to him, spokesman said adding all the four were working for active militants of LeT and were developing an IED to carry out blasts in Anantnag town. Apart from this all the militant associates of this module were motivating youth of the valley to join militancy.

He said innocent boys who were getting influenced by the propaganda of this online module were advised not to fall prey to this propaganda.

18 incidents reported in last 5 years: MeT

By: Owais Gul

Srinagar: At least 18 incidents of cloudburst have taken place in the last five years during the month of June, July and August across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

The officials said that three months—June, July and August are prone to cloudbursts in J&K. According to an official document compiled by the Meteorological department (MeT), 18 people have also died and eight injured following the cloudburst triggered flash floods during the months of June, July and August from 2017 till 2021.

The data reads that about 100 goats and sheep also perished during the incidents.

It said that on 18th July 2017, dozens of houses were damaged & crops, roads, trees washed away by flash water after cloudburst in Nagbal area of Tral in Pulwama district.

On 20th July 2017, six persons including four of a family died and 11 others were injured after flash floods triggered by a cloudburst wreaked havoc in Thathri town of Doda district. Also six houses, two shops and a school were damaged.

On 2nd August 2017, a massive cloud burst caused flash floods at Khonmoh area damaging more than hundred units at the Industrial area.

The data said that on 3rd July 2018, a house was damaged & several hectares of paddy fields were inundated in Naristan & Gutroo villages of Tral Tehsil in Pulwama district due to flash floods caused by cloud burst. The flood waters have also washed away a road in nearby Aripal village of the district.

On 24th July 2018, a cloudburst hit Nagnad Yangwani village of Aripal in Tral area of Pulwama district triggering flash floods damaging few houses, paddy fields & orchards. Another incident of the cloudburst caused flash floods in Sedow, Hirpora & Dachoo villages of Shopian district damaging many residential houses, devastating a few apple orchards while several domestic animals perished.

On particular date, a cloud burst and heavy rains triggered flash floods in several streams of Kangan area in Ganderbal district damaging crops, irrigation canals, paddy fields, water pipes & some residential houses.

On 9th August 2018, a cloud burst struck several villages in Leh district damaging several houses & other property in Saboo, Shey, Stakmo, Chiling & Rumbak villages.

According to the data, on 14th August 2018, a massive cloud burst & ensuing flash floods wreaked havoc in Tangdhar area of Kupwara district including the town, Nacheya, Bagbala, haji Nard & Gumol causing damage to the market, dozens of houses & shops, roads, power & telephone infrastructure. Two persons also got killed in these flash floods.

On 12th June 2019, four persons were injured after a cloud burst hit Naidkhai – Poshwari village in Bandipora district.

On 27th July 2019, about 100 sheep and goats died when a cloudburst hit Bradiangan area of Tral in Pulwama district.

On 3rd August 2019, a cloudburst damaged a residential house, a school & a road in Hajin area of Tral subdivision of Pulwama district. Water supply & electricity transmission lines were also partially damaged.

On 9th August 2020, amid rains & Lightning, a cloudburst occurred in forest area Brenpathri Tral in Pulwama district causing flash floods in low lying area. One person died & four others were injured in the incident.

The data added that on 3rd June 2021, a major cloudburst hit a site in proximity to the house of one Manzoor Ahmad Bhat son of Mohammad Sadiq Bhat in village Sharkoot of Tarathpora in Handwara of Kupwara district this evening. The cloudburst caused damage to the house of Bhat besides to other houses in the vicinity.

On 12th July 2021, a cloud burst occurred in the upper reaches of Tehsil Lar of Ganderbal district, due to which a large amount of water gushed downwards flooding the nallahs and rivulets causing flash floods. The flash floods resulted in damaging the agriculture fields, trees, roads, drains and irrigation facilities.

On 28th July 2021, at least, nine persons died, nineteen are still missing, seventeen people were injured, twenty residential houses & cattle sheds besides other infrastructure were damaged in an area spread over two hundred canals of land when a cloud burst hit remote Hunzar village of Dachhan area of Kishtwar district. Another cloudburst occurred near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in Anantnag district leading to shooting stones which caused damage to some tents there.

On the particular date, a cloudburst triggered flash floods in Aloosa village of Bandipora district resulting in partial damage to a house, a mosque & a footbridge was washed away. (KNO)

By: M S Nazki

Jammu: Rescuers continued searches at Honzar village in Kishtwar district on Monday but success eluded them in finding any of the 19 persons including eight women who are missing following a cloudburst in the remote village on intervening night of July 27 and 28.

Officials said that Director General of Police Dilbag Singh also had an aerial survey of the Honzar Dachan village. He also chaired a high-level meeting during which, among others, he stressed the need for intensifying the rescue operation to trace the missing persons.

“He directed the officers to provide all necessary support and help to the affected people of the village,” a police official said.

While seeking reports regarding the loss and damage in the village, the top police officer of J&K emphasized upon the officers that besides, the efforts of administration, involve the local community members for rehabilitation of the affected families.

Success has been eluding the search teams after seven bodies were recovered and seventeen persons rescued in injured condition after the calamity on Wednesday last.

Authorities have pressed additional rescue teams of NDRF and SDRF for carrying out the rescue operation.  Several teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with “sophisticated equipment” were earlier involved in the operation along with other rescuers from police, Army and local volunteers, the officials said.

The missing persons include Saja Begum (60) wife of Ghulam Mohidin, Khursheed Ahmed (31) son of Mohammad Iqbal, Fida Hussain (26) son of Mohammad Ramzan, Mohammad Sharif  (40) son of Ghulam Rasool, Almina Tasbassum (22) daughter of Mohammad Iqbal, Mata Begum (45) wife of Lala Tantry, Ghulam Mohammad (70) son of Ghulam Rasool, Fazal Hussain (18) son of Rustom Ali Chopan, Tariq Hussain (50) son of Nazir Ahmed, Zarina Begum (40) wife of Tariq Hussain, Mata Begum (45) wife of Ghulam Rasool, Fatima Begum (56) wife of Ghulam Ahmed, Bashir Ahmed (45) son of Rustum Ali, Begum (45) wife of Abdul Rehman, Sharifa Begum (38) wife of Ghulam Mohammad, Shakir Hussain (22) son of Ghulam Ahmed, Ghulam Ahmed (65) son of Abdul Aziz, Zubaida Banoo (25) daughter of Ghulam Ahmed and Khalid son of Haji Gami.

The police on Saturday have also started a community kitchen to provide meals to affected people of village Hounzar. The police said to have erected tents to provide the temporary shelter at the site. (GNS)

CS discusses modalities with Union Home Secretary

Srinagar:  Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Monday attended a meeting with the Union Home Secretary and Union Secretary, Ministry of Roads, Transport & Highways to discuss the modalities of the New Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development for Jammu and Kashmir.

Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce Department was also present in the meeting.

It was informed that to give impetus to the industrial development of the Union territory, the Central Government will soon be launching a dedicated industrial scheme for Jammu and Kashmir.

The scheme is being designed to benefit both MSMEs and larger industries. It will not only encourage new investments but will also nurture existing industries.

The new scheme will provide incentives for capital investment, capital interest subvention, capital investment loan, GST linked incentives for plant and machinery, and working capital interest subvention.

It may be mentioned that industrial development in J&K is one of the foremost priorities of the Government and is expected to create significant employment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 118 new covid-19 cases even as two persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Monday.

They said 72 of the cases were reported from Jammu Division and 46 from Kashmir Valley, taking the case tally to 321725.

Providing the district-wide details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 18 cases, Baramulla 25, Budgam 11, Pulwama 1, Kupwara 2, Anantnag 0, Bandipora 0, Ganderbal 4, Kulgam 2, Shopian 0, Jammu 5, Udhampur 1, Rajouri 6, Doda 15, Kathua 0, Samba 0, Kishtwar 3, Poonch 0, Ramban 0 and Reasi 42.

There were two fresh deaths due to the virus, each from Jammu and Kashmir divisions, they said. with this, 4381 people have fallen victim to the pathogen in J&K—2144 in Jammu division and 2237 in Kashmir.

A number of cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of CD hospital and GMC Jammu.

The CD cases include male (40) and female (37) from Hawal, male (24) from Baramulla, male (25) from Achgoza Pul, male (60) from Nagbal, female (40) from Kadalbal Pampore, female (28) from Balhama, male (8) from Awantipora, male male (45) from Pampore and male (17) from Tailbal.

The GMC Anantnag cases include male (56) from Gutligund Verinag, female (26) from Panzath, male (35) from Khanabal Ang and male (35) from Gulshan Abad Ang.

Moreover, they said, 73 more COVID-19 patients in last 24 hours have recovered— 47 from Jammu Division and 26 from Kashmir, taking the number of people who have recovered in J&K to 316090. With this, there are now 1254 active cases—491 in Jammu and 763 in Kashmir.

There was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 35 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials added. (GNS)

Srinagar: The Government’s School Education Department on Monday ordered all vaccinated staff to attend office in Jammu and Kashmir.

The order has been issued by B K Singh, Principal Secretary to Government School Education Deportment, following a detailed review on overall assessment of the situation pertaining to the spread of COVID-19 across J&K by the administration.

“There is significant improvement in situation and need of further improvement in the interest of public health especially for students,” reads the order.

While all schools including coaching centre(s) shall continue to remain closed for onsite or in-person teaching till further orders, all vaccinated staff shall attend Office, reads the order.

“Digital Education Programme(s) “e-Vidalaya/e-Gash” & (e-rcsources) of Ministry of Education, Gol, “anytime anywhere learning” in addition to Tele & Radio classes shall continue. A detailed survey report on impact of these classes shall be submitted weekly,” the order reads, adding, “Community classes shall be taken regularly by academic staff including teachers as per prescribed guidelines in all feasible areas including Jammu and Kashmir Division.”

The government has ordered that planting of plants by students and teachers wherever possible should be promoted.

The government has also ordered daily reporting of academic work including community classes and Homework for Online Classes by Director(s) of School Education regularly. (GNS)

Srinagar: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has asked the government whether online news portals and agencies on social media are required to registered and licensed.

In case of affirmative, a division bench of Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Sanjay Dhar asked the government to infirm if due permission in accordance with law has been granted to them.

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, alleging mushroom growth of portals and news agencies on social media in Jammu and Kashmir, the division bench also asked government to inform whether any agency is examining the contents of the news circulated by these news portals.

“Apart from other things, the grievance raised in this Public Interest Litigation is about the mushrooming growth of news agencies on social media especially the news portals which are involved in circulating fake news,” the Bench said.

The PIL petitioner alleged that there are several such news portals which are operating freely without any registration or license from any authority and that these news portals are not under supervision and control of any authority whatsoever.

“In the light of the aforesaid averments, we call upon the respondents (officials) to file response specifically pointing out to provisions of law under such news portals if at all are required to be registered or licensed and if so whether the above news portals are running with due permission in accordance with law and whether any agency is examining the contents of the news circulated by these news portals,” the court said and asked the government to file the response within a month.

The petitioner said that there are multiple news agencies and whatsapp,  facebook and YouTube news channels and other electronic news agencies in both Jammu and Kashmir regions which are actively engaged in the transmission of various types of news bulletins and reports.

“It is also known fact that every person with a hanging camera and holding a mic poses himself as a journalist irrespective of the fact whether s/he is authorized and permitted to work as journalist and whether s/he has the requisite qualification,” the petitioner said as per GNS, adding, “In absence of any permission having been granted by the competent authority for running a news portal it is sufficient to infer that there is no proper, legal and regulatory mechanism in place at present with the result a state of confusion prevails on the subject as to the genuineness of any news transmitted by such channels/ portals.”

He said real professional journalists from major newspapers, news channels and news agencies follow a strict code of ethics but “fake journalist continue to harass officials to create viral videos and sensational news stories”.

The petitioner has sought directions to the officials to designate a regulatory authority for grant of permissions to the social media news channels, networks, pages portals.

He has also sought direction to the officials not to allow any social media news network, agency, page or portal to function without proper license and permission. (GNS)

Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad has ordered transfer of 88 Patwaris and 5 other officials of district Srinagar.

An order under number 21-DCS of 2021 has been issued Monday in this regard. All the transferred Patwaris had mature stay.  Some of the transferred officials were serving at their present places of posting since last 8-10 years.

According to the office of district administration Srinagar the step has been taken to revamp the revenue administration at cutting edge level in the district.

Pertinently, the DC has already asked all the revenue functionaries to work with utmost commitment with a people friendly approach. He has further instructed the revenue staff that the performance of all the employees is being monitored closely and any dereliction of duties will not be tolerated.