Srinagar: A six-day-long joint Capacity Building Programme of J&K police with National Investigation Agency (NIA) started in the summer capital, Srinagar, on Monday.

A police spokesperson said that Director General of Police (DGP), J&K, Dilbag Singh was the chief guest at the inaugural session.

Welcoming the officers from NIA and investigating officers of J&K Police in the programme, the DGP expressed his pleasure to be a part of the programme and said that each day is a learning experience for all of us.

“Investigation is the most important part of our work and stressed upon the officers to make optimum use of this opportunity to hone their investigation skills and update them,” he said.

He expressed his hope that this week-long training programme would help in a big way in improving the quality of investigation by the officers of J&K Police.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu, Mukesh Singh while addressing the session shared his experience of working and investigating various sensational cases during his deputation to NIA.

He threw light as to how speedy and result oriented investigation is conducted in a holistic manner. He said that this programme would help in improving our investigation proficiency.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of NIA Amresh Mishra in his address said that this joint programme is of significant importance as we will be sharing our experience. He said that J&K Police has already made the nation proud with its professional work.

He said that with each day’s experience new points keep coming which further improve our investigation techniques and added that this workshop is aimed to focus on the modern challenges being faced by the investigation officers.

In his welcome address, the ADGP (coordination) PHQ expressed his gratitude to DG NIA Kuldiep Singh for facilitating this capacity-building programme by assigning faculty members from NIA.

He thanked the officers from NIA who would be imparting the capacity building training to J&K Police IOs offline as well as online. He stressed upon the officers to make full use of this opportunity so that the purpose of conducting the programme is achieved. He said that the participants will be benefited from the very experienced faculty from NIA and JK Police.

SP NIA Vishal Garg gave a brief introduction of NIA and its working and also highlighted some key points which would be focused on during the six-day programme. Deputy legal advisor, Anand Maan also spoke in the inaugural function and highlighted the need for such programmes.

While giving a vote of thanks, AIG (training/policy) PHQ J S Johar said that the training programme would be a healthy mix of lectures, feedback, revisions and discussions so as to make this programme interesting.

During the six days programme, the officers would be learning about important provisions of IPC, CrPC and the evidence Act in relation to UAPA. The participants would be enlightened regarding the evidence collection, recovery & preservation of evidences especially electronic evidences, importance of proper documentation in investigations, scene of crime management, Court craft, intelligence collection and DOs and Don’ts during the investigation.

The programme is being organised by the AIG (training/ policy) PHQ on behalf of J&K Police and about 100 investigators including gazetted officers of J&K Police are participating in this programme.

Heavy showers create havoc in Jammu

Srinagar: Several residential houses and roads were damaged by a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst that hit central Kashmir district of Ganderbal in the wee hours on Monday.

Official sources said that a cloudburst hit village Watlar in Ganderbal, triggering a flash flood in the wee hours on Monday in a local stream. “Several residential houses and roads were damaged due to the flashflood,” they said.

However, they said there was no loss of life reported in the incident. “A joint team of Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has launched a rescue operation in the area to evacuate people from vulnerable spots,” they said.

They said an operation to restore road connectivity to the area was also underway.

Meanwhile, locals accused the administration of failing to remove encroachment on Charnari Nallah. “The flash flood was caused as the capacity of the nallah to carry water has been reduced due to encroachments. We have approached the administration many times, but nothing was done to remove the encroachment. There would have been less damage if the encroachments would have been removed,” they said.

Heavy showers create havoc in Jammu; triggers flash floods, landslides

Meanwhile, heavy rains created havoc in the plains and triggered landslides, flash floods in hilly parts of the region early Monday morning.

Rains lashed various parts of Jammu damaging roads and buildings in several areas.

The Police Control Room, Jammu, said that water entered many houses and government buildings while walls of some complexes also collapsed due to rain.

Police Post Gadigarh, in the outskirts, was inundated, while the boundary wall of City Police Station collapsed towards roadside blocking the road causing inconvenience to the passersby.

The water level in the river Tawi has also swelled owing to continuous downpour in the upper reaches.

City roads were waterlogged and the rain water inundated houses in low laying areas like Bhagwati Nagar, Talab Tillo, Jewel Chowk, Rajinder Nagar, Qasim Nagar, Vinayak Bazar, Dogra Chowk, Gandhi Nagar, Sainik Colony, Green Belt and many others.

Police spokesman said that no reports of any injury or major damage has been reported so far.

Jammu City recorded the highest ever rainfall of 150.6 mm in the last 24 hours since 1989 for the month of July.

Heavy downpours were witnessed in other parts of Jammu region. Katra and Samba received a whopping 76.6 mm and 119.0 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours till 0830 hours.

Kathua, Batote, Bhaderwah and Banihal recorded 24.8 mm, 25.4 mm, 10.4 mm and 6.4 mm rainfall respectively.

The waterlogged Jammu-Pathankot national highway also remained shut at Samba.

Locals staged protest alleging that due to overflow of drains especially in monsoon season, the road gets blocked but the administration is not taking any notice to this grievance despite repeated reminders.

The weatherman has said that as expected, very heavy showers occurred at many places of Jammu plains whereas moderate shower reported at many places of Kashmir and Hilly areas of Jammu and continuously raining.

“Weather will remain overcast to Cloudy at most places of J&K,” he said.

He said that the shower may generate Flash Flood and Landslide in Hilly Area which may led to blockage of Road.

Srinagar: In view of the current ongoing flood season, the Chief Engineer (C.E) Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department, Kashmir today reviewed the flood preparedness regarding flood management here.

All the Divisional Engineers of the department were asked to remain vigilant and follow the general guideline given in the department’s annual flood duty chart.

In the review, various issues were discussed with regard to the flood preparedness including safety of embankments, mock drill exercise, capacity building of stakeholders, sufficient stock of empty bags, stacking of filled bags, stage contract for men, machinery and material to deal with any exigency besides establishment of Control Rooms and liaison with the Disaster Response Force/various units of the administration.

It was revealed that the I&FC department, Kashmir has developed an android application namely ‘Kashmir Flood Alert’ and this application automatically updates the water level in real time from 13 water level sensors installed on different water bodies in Jhelum basin (Kashmir valley).

The general public is recommended to install this application in order to remain updated regarding the water level in different water bodies and to avoid spread of false rumours.

Besides this, the department has a Facebook and Twitter handle under hashtag eitckoahrnir on which the Department disseminates timely advisories in case of any eventuality.

The phone numbers of the control rooms are as under: 0194-2311834; 0154-2502946; 01442502947.

Srinagar: Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah today chaired a meeting of officers of Jal Shakti Department to review the progress with respect to the piped drinking water to every rural household under JJM Scheme.

The meeting was attended by Chief Engineer Jal Shakti Department Kashmir, Superintending Engineers of all the districts of Kashmir division, all PHE Executive Engineers and other concerned.

The Mission Director held a detailed review of district and division-wise   implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission and status of other works being executed by Jal Shakti Department (PHE) Kashmir under JJM Scheme.

At the outset, Chief Engineer Jal Shakti Kashmir, Er Iftikhar Ahmad Wani presented the progress on implementation of the scheme in Kashmir valley.

The meeting was informed that of 67 works allotted, the work on 35 have been started in three districts of Shopian, Pulwama and Bandipora.

The meeting discussed the progress with respect to providing of remaining tap connections to schools and Anganwadi centers of Kashmir division.

On the occasion, Mission Director, Dr Abid Rasheed implored upon the officers to put in their best possible efforts and synergize coordination among different wings to achieve the set target of 100 percent piped water within given timelines.

The meeting in detail discussed the status of district-wise coverage of Health Institutions and GP buildings, progress under water quality testing during 2021-22, discharge and water quality parameters, quality assessment of Village Action Plans (VAPs) and Panchayat Pani Samitis. Besides, it also discussed the current status of NABL Accreditation of laboratories and it was given out that an accreditation application has been filed for 11 more labs in Kashmir division.

It also discussed the status of procurement of various services under JJM which include implementation of supply agencies, concurrent auditors, data entry operators, third party monitoring agency and project development and management consultancies (PDMC).

The meeting was informed that out of 9500 schools, 9254 (93%) schools have been covered while as of 12106 Anganwadis, 10696 Anganwadis have been covered (92%) and the remaining would be covered within a given time limit.

Speaking on the occasion, Mission Director asked all the concerned to ensure total implementation of Chief Secretary’s instructions in the given timelines to achieve the set targets prior to the national endeavor.

The Jal Jeevan Mission is a key scheme of Government of India with a goal to provide piped potable water to every rural household within prescribed quantity and quality standards by December 2024.

In this regard, J&K is working to achieve 100 percent Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to its 18.16 lakh rural households by September 2022.

By the end of financial year 2020-21, the department had provided 9.98 Lakh FHTCs and is planning to provide 4.90 Lakh FHTCs during the current fiscal year. The remaining 3.28 FHTCs have been planned to be provided next year in order to achieve the full saturation of FHTCs to all households.

Srinagar: Traffic on Srinagar-Jammu national highway was restored after remaining disrupted for several hours on Monday due to fresh landslides, triggered by heavy rain.

One-way Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) traffic was on Monday allowed from Srinagar to Jammu. However, fresh landslides triggered by heavy overnight rain at Samroli forced closure of the highway again, official sources said.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), responsible for the maintenance and widening of the road, immediately put into service sophisticated machines and men to clear the landslides. Large number of vehicles got stranded on both sides of the Samroli.

A passenger told UNI over phone that a machine cleared the road by putting landslides, including a huge boulder, in the nearby river. Landslides also occurred at several other places which were immediately cleared by the authorities. Almost the entire highway is receiving rain since last evening threatening more landslides and shooting stones, sources said, adding one-way traffic was allowed after several hours.

“Today LMVs were to ply from Srinagar to Jammu,” a traffic police official told UNI.

He said only Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMV), stranded between Zig Qazigund and Jawahar tunnel will be allowed to move towards Jammu. Security forces are also advised to ply from Srinagar to Jammu, he added.

The highway was closed for traffic movement due to landslides at Magarkote on Thursday. However, the NHAI put into service sophisticated machines and men and finally restored traffic partially last evening.

Majority of the vehicles, including those carrying passengers, were cleared towards their respective destinations till late in the night.

Meanwhile, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) will ply from both sides on historic 86-km-long Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region. Only Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) upto ten tyres will ply from Srinagar towards Poonch on the road, seen as alternative to Srinagar-Jammu highway.

Only LMV will be allowed from both sides on Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road, he said.

The 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway was through for one-way traffic. Today traffic will ply from Kargil to Srinagar, he said adding no vehicle will be allowed from opposite direction.

By: Jahangir Lolabi

Kupwara: Two minor boys drowned in separate incidents of its nature in Lolab area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Monday. Bodies of both the victims have been recovered.

Reports reaching GNS said that a 10-year-old boy drowned in a pond – Nulle Sar – at Divar Lolab area while taking bath. Identified as Yawar Manzoor Ganai son of Manzoor Ahmad Ganai , the boy was retrieved in unconscious state and taken to a nearby health facility. The doctors there however declared him as brought dead on arrival, they said.

A police official concerned confirming the incident told GNS that the body was handed over to the family for completion of necessary formalities.

In another incident, a 15-year-old boy identified as Asif Ahmad Khan son of Ashiq Ahmad khan, a resident of Chandigam, drowned in a pond – Budd Sarr – in the vicinity. Rescue operation was subsequently launched jointly by SDRF, police, army alongside locals, culminating in the retrieval of body from the water body.

Meanwhile, people in the area have urged the district administration to erect fencing around the ponds on immediate basis. “These open ponds have become a cause of concern to the inhabitants as each day youths and children assemble to take bath inside them without any safety gears”, a senior citizen said.

Seconded by a group of local residents, he urged the district administration to fence of these water bodies to avert any future tragedy.

Parliamentary Standing Committee visits Budgam

Budgam: “Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has the potential to emerge as engine of development for rural areas transforming the Rural India profile”, stated Chairman Parliamentary Standing Committee for Rural development, Prataprao Jhadhav.

Jhadhav was interacting with District Development Council Chairman, Nazir Ahmad Khan, District Development Commissioner, Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza and other PRI representatives, duringhis visit to Budgam district here today.

The 19 member parliamentary committee was earlier received at Panchayat Bhavan Humhama by the district administration.

While briefing the delegation about the status of construction of Panchayat Bhavan, it was informed that almost 95 per cent work has already been completed on the project till date. The Bhavan being raised with an estimated cost of Rs 9.20 crore is expected to be completed by the end of September 2021.

During interaction session, the Parliamentary Committee had discussion with DDC, BDCs and other PRI representatives.

Chairman Parliamentary Committee emphasized on critical role of PRI functionaries in rural development and reiterated its support in this regard. He added that every person in every village should be benefitted directly or indirectly through centrally sponsored schemes related to rural development.

Jhadav reiterated that the objective of visiting areas of Budgam is to inspect projects and have first hand appraisal of implementation of schemes and plans which RDD has initiated with regard to development of villages and other remote areas. He emphasized on PRIs to use their right and power as well strictly in the interest and welfare of the common people.

Later, the 19 member delegation accompanied by district administration visited other areas and took stock of various projects and works being executed by RDD.

The Committee also inspected pathway for joggers at Sheikpora besides visiting newly established CSC at Budgam.

The delegation also visited Panchayat Ghar at Sheikpora besides inspecting the Handicraft and food item stalls exhibited by NRLM.

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Kupwara: Maintaining that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are facing hardships, Apni Party patron Altaf Bukhari Monday in the All Party Meeting (APM) held on June 24 in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendera Modi assured them that there will be no demographic change in J&K.

Bukhari along with other party leaders was on a visit to Kupwara and addressed the workers besides heard the grievances raised by the local population.

Talking to reporters on the side-lines of an event Bukhari said that in the APM,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on addressing the woes of people of J&K.

“These days, amid bureaucracy, people are facing hardships and they are not benefitted from the required demands raised by the common masses,” he said. Bukhari said that the delimitation question was raised in the APM as well but the central government gave some genuine reasons saying that it can’t be postponed and instead assured about “no demographic change and fair conduct of the exercise.”

Bukhari said that if it was up to them then statehood to Jammu and Kashmir should would have been given already but important is to see what people require and as of now there is an immediate need for “elected government with no its and buts at all.”

“The three main points discussed in the APM were apprehension of losing jobs, land to outsiders, and the lost identity of Jammu and Kashmir should be given back”, he said.

He said that, “we have not met the Prime Minister for the greed of power or anything as such other than acting as a bridge between the central government and the people of Jammu and Kashmir about the hardships faced by them besides the apprehensions among the local population.”

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured that there won’t be any demographic change in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir”, he said adding that it is for the first time in history that the highest leadership assured anything as such.

About the pick and choose of leaders in Jammu and Kashmir who met the delimitation commission, Bukhari said that even now anyone can write to them and nodal officers have been appointed besides “we should not look at the loopholes only since everything belonging to us has been snatched.” “We have to look for all that lost since there is nothing with us right this time”, he said. (KNO)

Srinagar: Medical entrance exam NEET, which was earlier scheduled for August 1, will now be conducted on September 12, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Monday.

“The NEET-UG 2021, will be held on 12th September across the country following COVID-19 protocols. The application process will begin from 5 pm on Tuesday through the NTA website,” Pradhan said in a series of tweets.

“To ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols, face mask will be provided to all candidates at the centre.

Staggered time slots during entry and exit, contactless registration, proper sanitisation, seating with social distancing etc. will also be ensured,” he said.

The Education Minister further said that in order to ensure social distancing norms, the number of cities where examination will be conducted has been increased from 155 to 198.

The number of examination centres will also be increased from 3,862 used in the previous exams. (CNS)

Jammu: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and People’s Democratic Party chief, Mehbooba Mufti Monday said that she will not become chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir even if her party wins elections and comes to power.

Talking to media persons in Jammu, Mehbooba said that she does not aspires to become the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir again, even if her party comes to power. “There are many leaders in the party who are fit for the post of chief minister, it is not like only Mehbooba Mufti can become the chief minister if the party comes to power,” she said. (KNS)