Precious Kashmir

HC notice to Govt on plea by family seeking FIR into killing of their son

City

12/03/2021

Srinagar: The High Court has issued notice to the government on a plea by family from Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, seeking copy of a magisterial inquiry report and filing of FIR into the alleged “custodial death” of their kin in September last year .

A bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey has sought the response by May 12 after hearing advocate Shafaqat Nazir for the family which alleges that their kin, Irfan Ahmad Dar of Sidiq Colony Sopore, was killed in alleged police custody on the night of September 16 last year as against the official version that the 23-year-old’s body was found near a quarry at Tujjar-Sharief after he “escaped taking advantage of the darkness.”

In the petition filed by Irfan’s mother—Haja Begum, and his siblings— Tahira Akther (sister) and Javid Akbar Dar (brother)—the family has sought copy of the magisterial enquiry report conducted on the directions by District Magistrate Baramulla.

The family has also sought directions to the police to register FIR with regard to “killing of Irfan in Police custody” as well as “adequately compensation the kin of the deceased.”

The court has issued notice to government through Commissioner cum Secretary General Administration Department, Principal Secretary Home Department, Director General Of Police , Senior Superintendent of Police Sopore, S.H.O Police Station Sopore, SHO Police Station Bomai, District Magistrate Baramulla and Additional District Magistrate Baramulla (enquiry officer).

“Irfan Ahmad Dar was an ordinary shopkeeper running his Kiryana (grocery) Shop at Sidiq Colony Sopore. On 15.09.2020 at about 12:30 afternoon he was picked up from his shop by the personnel of

Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police stationed at Sopore without any rhyme or reason and without following the procedure established by law,” the family says.

On the very next day, the family says, Irfan’s other brother, Abdul Waheed Dar approached the Police Station Sopore with a written application “with regard to incident of his brother having been lifted from his shop in broad daylight and kept in illegal custody by the personnel of SOG Sopore.”

A request was made to the concerned SHO to register an FIR in this regard, the family says.

After “public outcry and protests by the family members”, the petitioners say that the District Magistrate on 17 September 2020 passed an order under section 176 CrPC, ordering Additional District Magistrate to conduct a magisterial enquiry so as to ascertain causes and circumstances leading to Irfan’s death. “It was provided that the Inquiry Officer shall submit his report within a period of 20 days.” (GNS)

Extensive arrangements made for Shab-e-Mehraj in Srinagar

City

Precious Kashmir

12/03/2021

Ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 preventive guidelines: DC

Srinagar: The district administration in Srinagar has put in place all required arrangements on the occasion of Shab-e-Mehraj tonight.

In Hazratbal where devotees from across Kashmir throng to take part in the observance at the Dargah extensive arrangements across all domains have been made in order ensure comfortable observance of the holy occasion.

Besides power and water facilities the administration has also pressed into service adequate transport and parking facilities for devotees to the shrine at Hazratbal.

During a meeting convened here the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary reviewed the arrangements finalised for the holy occasion of Shab-e-Mehraj.

He directed for ensuring that all facilities as required were put in place at Dargah Hazratbal and other places of worship where major congregations are expected.

Dr Shahid also emphasised strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. He urged the people to ensure compliance with preventions and guidelines to prevent spread and contraction of the virus.

Meanwhile similar arrangements had been put in place in the district for the Mahashivratri festival.

Among other arrangements eight buses were pressed into services from Nehru Park to the Shankracharya Temple for the convenience of the visiting devotees.

Double story house gutted in Bandipora

City

Precious Kashmir

12/03/2021

By: Wahid Rafeeqi

Bandipora: A double-storey residential house was gutted and property worth lakhs of rupees was reduced to ashes in fire in Nadihal village of Bandipora in north Kashmir’s district.

The locals said fire engulfed a double-storey residential house of Sara Begum Widow of Ghulam Nabi Bhat of Bhat mohalla Nadihal Bandipora. “The house was completely destroyed and goods worth lakhs of rupees was turned into ashes.”

They said that around 6:05 pm on thursday, a major fire broke out which engulfed the entire house in jiffy and goods worth lakhs of rupees were reduced to ashes despite immediate fire fighting operation by locals and police who were later joined by fire servicemen.

People have appealed the District Administration to provide immediate relief to affected family (KNS)

Nagpur lockdown from March 15-21

National

Agencies

12/03/2021

Mumbai: Nagpur in Maharashtra will go under lockdown for a week, from March 15 to March 21, due to the rising cases of coronavirus in the city. Essential services such as vegetable and fruit shops and milk booths will stay open.

“In the coming days, there might be some places where a lockdown is inevitable. We will take the decision in the next couple of days,” Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said after taking his first shot of the anti-Covid vaccine.

The lockdown has been imposed in all the areas that come under the Nagpur Police Commissionerate.

Fire Safety, Preparedness

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Precious Kashmir

11/03/2021

Incidents of fire keep on occurring across Kashmir Valley and lately registered a surge. Unfortunately, several persons were killed, including three members of a family in Uri, while as many others including personnel from the fire and emergency department as well as common people suffered injuries. As per NCRB data for 2019, a staggering 10,915 people died due to accidental fires. 60,507 lives were lost in fire incidents between 2015 and 2018 across India as per the data.

Put another way, on average, 35 people die in a fire every day in India. This was all reported and yet the response has, more often than not, been knee-jerk to every major fire mishap with no long-term vision to prevent their recurrence. Tragically also, properties worth crores of rupees were reduced to ashes. There is a shock and awe when some people lose dwelling and household properties, collected painstakingly for years, to the fire.

Crucially also, the most common reasons for the fire are well-known and causes mostly revolve around human error—accident or negligence including improper use of gas, charcoal, or firewood Bukharies besides short-circuits. More recently, lightning stormed triggered off a massive fire and damaged several shops and other property in Baramulla district.

Invariably though, every instance of fire brings to the fore the problem of adopting an incremental approach to safety. People tend to ignore safety measures and as such fail to incorporate fire safety measures during construction and installing fire extinguishers, at home and offices. Without any doubt, modern technologies as well as preparedness could prove very beneficial. However people give amiss to both.

Unfortunately, the fire hydrants have vanished or are non-functional at most places. Not only this, the road obstructions are such that fire tenders seldom reach the spot on time, causing considerable delays in extinguishing the inferno. The administration needs to put the focus on effective enforcement of the National Building Code and related laws which specify the demarcation of fire zones, restrictions on construction of buildings in each fire zone, classification of buildings based on occupancy, types of building construction according to fire resistance of the structural and non-structural components and other restrictions and requirements necessary to minimize dangers to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic.

There is need to incorporate safety in all planning, and also provide training to the concerned to eliminate uncertainty and confusion among people on what must be done when disaster actually strikes. Safety training and technological fixes can cut the death toll as well as loss to the properties from fires each year.

JK’s budget likely to focus on financial empowerment of DDCs

Anchor stories

Ibni Maqbool

11/03/2021

JK’s budget likely to focus on financial empowerment of DDCs

Srinagar: The upcoming budget of Jammu & Kashmir is likely to focus on financial empowerment of the district development councils for which polls were held in November- December last year.

Sources told The Precious Kashmir that the empowerment and strengthening of DDCs will be one of the focus areas of the budget, which will be presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman later this month.

“The Centre is committed to empower and strengthen the Panchayati Raj institutions in J&K. It is expected that funds would be allocated for DDCs in the budget so that they can execute development works in rural areas of the districts,” they said.

It will be first budget of UT after DDC polls were held for constituting the third-tier of Panchayati Raj institutions.

The DDCs were constituted last month after the State Election Commission conducted elections for their chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in all 20 districts of J&K.

The electoral college for the exercise consisted of members of DDCs who were elected last year. The budget of the UT will be presented in the Parliament this month as J&K doesn’t have its elected government.

Since June 2018, J&K is without its elected government.

Under J&K Reorganisation Act, powers of J&K Assembly will be exercised by the Parliament in absence of elected government in the UT.

The budget for ongoing fiscal was also presented in the Parliament by Central government last year. On March 17, 2020, Union Finance Minister unveiled Rs.1.01 lakh crore Budget for Jammu and Kashmir for the 2020-21 fiscal, making it the highest ever budget for the region.

Of Rs. 1,01,428 crore, Rs 38,764 crore were earmarked for capital expenditure and Rs 62,664 crore for revenue expenditure.

Forces redrawing SOPs to deal with sticky bombs: IGP

Front

United News Of India

11/03/2021

Forces redrawing SOPs to deal with sticky bombs: IGP

Inputs about LeT chief in Srinagar, alert sounded

Al-Badar chief’s killing major jolt to militancy

Srinagar: The IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar on Wednesday claimed police busted two militant modules planning to carry out Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and Fidayeen attacks in south Kashmir.

“Awantipora police arrested four Pampore residents affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit who were planning to trigger a car borne IED on the national highway for which the explosive was being transported from north Kashmir,” Kumar told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday.

He said the arrested youth were identified as BA first year student Sahil Nazir, Kaiser Ahmad, Mohammad Younis Fayaz and Yasir Wani. “Sahil was persuaded by his handlers on telegram and other platforms for the last many days to carry out the IED blast on the high. He had made arrangements of a car bearing number JK01E 0690”.

Kumar said that Sahil confessed that before planning this attack, he had lobbed a grenade at a CRPF post at Pampore. “Sahil confessed that the explosive material was being brought from north Kashmir by an OGW”.

He said another module belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was busted by police in Awantipora.

“Police busted a LeT module of three militants who were planning to carry out a Fidayeen attack on Municipal Committee Building in Pampore,” the IGP said, adding the required equipment for the IED was again being transported from north Kashmir.

“The attack was being planned on the directions of LeT militant Umar Khanday from Pampore, who was involved in attack at Bhaghat chowk in Srinagar that left two policemen dead,” he said.

He said police also arrested one Musaib Gojri who revealed that 25 kgs of ammonia has been stored at his house. “This ammonia was to be used in making the IED. The other equipments for the IED were being brought from north Kashmir,” he said.

Answering a question, IGP said forces have conducted several operations to trace ‘sticky bombs’ in the valley.

However, he said so far they have not been able to find any.

“We are redrawing our SOPs. We have also advised general public not to leave their vehicles unattended,” Kumar said.

The GIP said forces have been out on high alert following inputs about presence of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Abbas in Srinagar.

“Police has received information that Abbas is currently in Chanapora in uptown Srinagar. We have put our jawans on high alert and active vigil is being maintained in the city,” he said.

He said forces are prepared to tackle any eventuality and foil any plan of militants to carry out attacks by preemptive measures.

Answering a question, the IGP said that frisking has been intensified in the city to prevent militants from roaming around freely. “The frisking is targeted and it takes only few minutes to complete the exercise”.

Kumar said killing of Al-Badar chief Gani Khawja in an encounter is a major success for forces and a big jolt to militancy as he was instrumental in reviving the militant outfit in the valley, including recruiting youth, planning attacks and receiving new groups from across the LoC.

“The killing of Khawja is a major success for security forces because he is the one, who on the behest of Pakistan activated Al-Badar in 2020. He succeeded in recruiting many youth in the militant ranks. All the militants belonging to Al-Badar, who were killed in recent encounters, were recruited by him,” he said.

He said Khawja was responsible for receiving militant groups from across the border in Kupwara district and transport them to safe places in north and south Kashmir. “He was also expert in providing logistic support and creating policy, including identification of targets”.

Stone pelting won’t tolerated: Police

Front

United News Of India

11/03/2021

Srinagar: Reiterating that stone pelting will not be tolerated, a top police officer on Wednesday said that 39 protestors were arrested for indulging in a stone pelting incident in downtown Srinagar on March 4.

He said of these, 15 will be booked under Public Safety Act (PSA). “Pelting of stones will not be allowed at any cost. We have arrested 39 persons who indulged in the act in Srinagar. As many as 15 of them will be booked under the PSA, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told reporters during a press conference here on Wednesday.

A protest broke out on Friday after moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Maulvi Umer Farooq, who is also chief cleric of Kashmir, was not released from house arrest and stopped from leading the prayers at Jamia Masjid. Later, scores of youth, raising ‘pro-freedom’ slogans, clashed with security forces.

Mirwaiz remained under house arrest since August 5, 2019, when centre abrogated Article 370 and Article 35 A, besides divided J&K into two Union Territories. But, hundreds of people had gathered at the mosque to offer Friday prayers after it was reported by many media outlets that Mirwaiz will be released and allowed to attend the congregation.

Govt warns of action against mutton dealers for keeping public hostage

Front

Precious Kashmir

11/03/2021

3 livestock trucks seized: Div Com

Srinagar: Stating that the mutton dealers are misusing their monopoly, the divisional administration Kashmir on Wednesday said that strict action will be taken against those who are keeping the general public hostage for their vested interests.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole said three livestock trucks were seized in three districts of Kashmir including Shopian in South Kashmir, Budgam and Srinagar in Central Kashmir.

He said the livestock truck in Shopian was auctioned while in Budgam and Srinagar, the auction will be done tomorrow.

He said the rates have already been finalized after looking into the issue properly.

However, he said that the dealers will not be allowed to keep the general public hostage. “They are misusing their monopoly, which is not acceptable.”

“The government has already taken measures in this regard and strict action shall be taken against the mutton dealers who are found keeping the public hostage,” he added.

Earlier, the butchers were directed to open their shops within two days and any shops found closed will be seized.

However, the butchers after receiving the orders had sent legal notice to concerned authorities, questioning which law permits them to seize the closed shops. (KNO)

Anonymous video calls, links haunt netizens in Kashmir

Front

Precious Kashmir

11/03/2021

By: Sikandar Gulzar/Mubashir Bhat

Srinagar: The netizens mostly social-media users in Kashmir have been persistently complaining (for nearly a month now) of being harassed by hackers through anonymous video calls, links and messages, seeking from the former, money in lieu of morphed videos.

A 25-year-old Anantnag district resident said he had received a video call from a girl last month.

“The call was disconnected soon after and I thought it ended like that only. However, days after I again received another call, this time from a boy who asked me to pay money amounting to fifty-thousand rupees or else they would put my video on Internet. On being asked about which video, the caller showed a vulgar clip, where I could see my morphed face on a person doing some obscene acts. Perturbed by the video, however without having much resources, I abided to pay some money to which they settled at eleven thousand rupees, which I paid them through an MPay Account. However, they made calls to me even after that pushing me into a state of depression. I thought of committing suicide, however after suggested by one of my friend, I reported the incident to Cyber Police who asked me about the numbers’ from which I had received the calls”, the youth said.

“I shared the details as they (Cyber Police) assured me of my safety even as asking me not to worry about the issue”, the youth said adding that “However I am getting blues about the incident even now.”

Another person from Khrew area of Pampore, Pulwama working as a Painter, facing the same situation, said that he received a Video call on his WhatsApp number, which lasted for merely five seconds. “Later on, I was called from another number who demanded Rs 3150 from me and threatened that if I didn’t they would make my video viral.”

“I approached Cyber Police, who according to the victim, asked him to delete WhatsApp from my phone even as get a new SIM Card,” he said.

A media-person, working with a Srinagar-based daily said few days back he received an anonymous link. “On clicking the link, I was redirected to some obscene site, whereupon I was tried to be engaged in a video call”.

When contacted, SSP Cyber Police Tahir Ashraf said the department is making all possible efforts to curb these activities, aimed by hackers to endanger the safety and security of internet users.

“Cyber Police has already launched an awareness drive among general public about such crimes”, the official said adding that “We do have to go for more awareness nevertheless utilize all sources available to track these blackmailers.”

The official concerned however in the meantime requested general public not to respond on bogus content and asked to restrain themselves from picking up video calls or regular calls from unknown numbers. (GNS)

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