Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 31: Crime Branch Kashmir on Thursday produced challan against Bandipora resident for allegedly duping a person on pretext of providing him government in Forest department.
“Crime Branch Kashmir produced Challan in a case under FIR number 30/2019 under sections 420, 468, RPC against accused Farooq Ahmad Bhat, son of Late Ghulam Nabi Bhat of Malangam, District Bandipora, before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Bandipora,” a statement issued by Crime Branch stated.
It said consequent upon a complaint received by Crime Branch Kashmir stating therein that the accused had duped the complainant of his money on pretext of providing him a government job in the Forest Department.
“The accused had also provided the complainant with a fake recruitment order,” added the statement. (KNO)
CB Kashmir produces challan against B’pora resident
‘Fraud’ in BSc Nursing courses: SKIMS begins probe, constitutes committee
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 31: Days after the aspirants who appeared in examinations for B.Sc Nursing courses alleged fraud in selection list, the SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Thursday said that a committee has been constituted to probe the allegations, saying that if there is any merit as reported by media the selection list will be cancelled.
The PRO SKIMS in a statement said “this is in response to media reports related to entrance examination for BSc Nursing courses. SKIMS administration has taken strong note of it. The issue has been taken with all seriousness and a committee has been constituted in this regard that has been asked to submit a detailed report regarding the same.”
“The administration has made it very clear that if there is any merit as reported by the media the selection list will be cancelled and any person involved will be taken to task. The said examination though has been conducted through the designated Services of the University of Kashmir, therefore, through a fair process.”
However, considering the seriousness of the issue the administration deems it proper to investigate the matter after apprehensions expressed by the candidates as reported by the media. The aggrieved candidates are assured that administration will take all measures and investigate the matter thoroughly and all their apprehensions will be sorted out, the statement added—(KNO)
Unemployment continues to haunt J&K youth, number swells
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 30: Despite J&K’s transition into a Union Territory the problem of unemployment continues to haunt the educated youth.
A group of unemployed youth while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Many people like us have got themselves registered in various employment exchanges. We have been waiting for years to get some interview call from any department or recruitment agency but till date nothing has happened. Number of unemployed youth is swelling with each passing day.”
They said, “One can understand that everybody cannot get a government job. But that doesn’t mean that the helmsmen can shrug off their responsibility and claim that they are helpless. The administration has to do something for the generation next. If the jobs cannot be provided to us, then a mechanism should be put in place to develop the private sector so that more avenues could be created for the skilled and educated youth.”
An analyst said, “It has been more than a year since J&K has been turned into a Union Territory but the problem of providing employment opportunities to youth hasn’t be solved till date.”
He said that the government has been claiming that MOUs have been signed with the big houses and in coming days big companies would be investing in Jammu and Kashmir. “It remains to be seen how many companies will venture into J&K and how many people will they employ. The government should focus on developing entrepreneur skills of the youth. We have to train the youth to become employers rather than employment seekers,” the analyst added.
An observer said, “Soon after J&K’s transition into a Union Territory the then Governor Satya Pal Malik had stated that 50,000 government jobs will be provided to the youth and employment opportunities will be created for the skilled youth. But his claim remained confined to papers only.”
He said, “The outbreak of COVID-19 had derailed many plans but now the situation seems to be under control. There are reports that the vaccine too will be rolled out soon, so the COVID should not be made an excuse for posts remaining vacant. The past experiences of Kashmiri youth have been very bitter as they were made to wait for years for the job interviews. Now, the system has changed and the old approach too needs to be reversed.”
An official said, “Many employment packages have been announced and few more are in offing. The government is aware about the difficulties being faced by the youth. All their issues will be addressed in the months to come. The recruitment agencies have been directed to expedite the process so that the promises which have been made are fulfilled.”
3 militants killed in Lawaypora gunfight
Srinagar, Dec 30: Three local militants were killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Srinagar outskirts on Wednesday.
Officials said that the encounter ensued on Tuesday evening during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Lawaypora area.
The operation is over and traffic has been resumed on the highway. Traffic from Baramulla, Sopore, Gulmarg and other areas towards Srinagar was diverted via central Kashmir district of Badgam due to encounter.
Security forces burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse demonstrators who were pelting stones in the area. Meanwhile, families of three militants killed by security forces in the encounter alleged that they were innocents.
A CASO was launched by the troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF following a tip off about the presence of militants at Umarabad Lawaypora in the city outskirts on Srinagar-Baramulla highway last evening.
However, when the security forces were moving towards the target area, militants hiding in a particular house resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. Security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter, officials said.
They said due to darkness and severe cold operation was halted though intermittent loud explosion and firing continued throughout the night. Security forces installed lights around particular house to keep a strict vigil and foil any attempt by militants to escape.
Additional security forces and police personnel were deployed in the nearby areas to prevent any law and order problem. There were also some stone pelting incidents in the area.
With the first light this morning, security forces launched an all out offensive against the hold up militants, they said adding heavy exchange of fire besides loud explosions continued for some time at 0700 hrs.
Security forces fired mortars from a distance towards the house where militants were hiding. However, when the firing from militants stopped, security force used machines to enter the house, they said adding there was brief encounter again before guns fell silent.
Three militants were killed in the encounter, a police spokesman confirmed. However, he said their identity is being ascertained. The bodies of the slain militants will be taken to Baramulla for burial in view of the COVID-19.
A senior Army officer said the bodies have been recovered. Police is ascertaining their identity, he said adding the militant were planning big strike on the highway.
He said the operation was over after the militants were killed and their bodies were recovered. He said for security reasons traffic between Shalteng to Zainakote crossing was suspended. However, traffic from both sides has been resumed, he said.
Residents of the area told UNI over phone that large number of local people could not come to their homes after they were not allowed by security forces due to security reasons.
There were dozens of loud explosion besides heavy firing in the area, he said adding residents remained confined in their homes. He said the busy highway was closed for traffic movement since last evening.
This was the tenth encounter between militants and security forces in Srinagar during 2020.
Killed militants were planning big attack on highway: Army
Srinagar, Dec 30: A senior Army officer on Wednesday said the militants, who were killed in an encounter with security forces in the city outskirts, were planning to carry out a “big attack” on Srinagar-Baramulla highway as they were armed with huge cache of arms and ammunition.
General officer Commanding (GoC) Kilo Force Major General H S Sahi said, “Pakistan is trying to push more and more militants into this side to cause disturbance in Kashmir.” However, he said the synergy among different security forces agencies has created a security grid that can foil any attempt to disrupt peace in the Valley. “If we look at the arms and ammunition the militants used against security forces throughout the night, it indicates that they were planning a big attack on the national highway,” Major General Sahi told reporters during a press conference here on Wednesday.
Answering a question about the reason in increase of militants in Srinagar and its outskirts, he said the militants are preferring to hide in the city outskirts because of the mix population in these areas. “Militants feel that these areas are safe havens for them because these localities are congested,” he said.
He said the other reason is that Srinagar main town is nearer to these area. “Attack on security forces in Srinagar city attracts attention and militants try to gain mileage and publicity,” he added.
But, he said security forces have killed militants, who have entered the city, in successful encounters.
He said handlers of militants, who are sitting in Pakistan, have instructed the militants in the Valley to disrupt peace. “They tried to disrupt peace before DDC election and during it. But the security gird is capable to foil any attempt to disturb peace,” he said.
The Major General said militants have been trying to carry out attacks on special days, like January 26. “However, I assure you that they will not be allowed to create disturbance in the Valley,” he added.
Giving details about the encounter, he said, the operation was launched following specific information about the presence of militants. “Since past many days, intelligence inputs were coming about the movement of militants on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway. Yesterday, we developed leads and came to know that militants are hiding in a house right opposite to Noora hospital. After it was established that militants were present in the area, a joint operation was launched by security forces,” he said.
He said the militants were given ample chances to surrender. “One of the militant tried to come out of the building, but the other two lobbed grenades and started firing following which he again went inside,” he said.
“After repeated appeals to the militants to surrender, they continued firing and lobbed grenades. So we realised that they will not surrender. All the three militants were killed in the firing,” he said.
Families of slain stage protest, say their sons not militants
2 were hardcore militants, one was cousin brother slain Hizb commander: Police
Srinagar, Dec 30: The families of militants killed in an encounter at Lawaypora on Srinagar outskirts Wednesday staged a protest outside Police Control Room (PCR) here, claiming that slain were not militants and two of the three youth killed had left their homes yesterday only for some work.
According to KNO the families of two slain militants assembled outside PCR here and staged a protest.
The families said that slain Athar and Junaid from South Kashmir’s Pulwama district were innocent and had left home yesterday to get admission in a tuition point here for Class 12th session. “Both are students and appeared in the Class 11th examinations,” cousin brother of Athar said.
The families demanded justice and appealed the higher ups to look into the matter.
A police officer said the slain militants were repeatedly offered surrender but they refused. “One of them lobbed grenade at the outset. Two of the slain militants were hardcore militants with one of them being a cousin brother of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Rayees Kachroo,” he said, wishing not to be named.
He said that one AK-47 riffle, and two pistols were recovered from the slain. “Third one may have been a new militant recruit and families may not have been knowing about his activities,” he said. The official said intelligence inputs suggest that the trio were tasked to target forces convoy on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway and that’s why they choose a location close to the highway to take shelter.
2021 to bring huge employment opportunities in J&K: LG Sinha
Sachin B
New Delhi, Dec 30: The year 2021 will bring huge employment opportunities in the field of agriculture, horticulture and food processing to information and digital technology for the youth in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha told Univarta.
“In order to provide employment to the youth of the union territory, a Mission Youth has been started by combining education, training and loan facilities and favourable business policies. In this, active support of big corporate houses of India including, Bombay Stock Exchange is being taken,” he said.
Sinha said that earlier in Jammu and Kashmir, the means of employment were government jobs. The Union Territory has a population of 1.35 crores and as many government employees as there are in Bihar, while the latter has a population of about 12-13 crores. The reason for this was that no work has been done about other employment opportunities in the UT before.
He said that the Union Government started the Mission Youth by consolidating the Central Government’s schemes. In this, the big business houses of the country have also extended cooperation.
Sinha said that the Tata group has set up a state-of-the-art skill development centre in Baramulla that provides information to 286 youth studying in ITI, engineering, polytechnics along with digital technology, information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), 3D imaging and data analysis. Tata’s second centre is also going to start in Jammu soon. Wipro Technologies is also setting up teaching and training centres in various remote areas of the state. The Hinduja group has also obtained permission to establish two centres of excellence in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region.
The Lt Governor further informed that five thousand youths will be trained in stock trading, insurance business and other specific areas via BSE. With a three-month training capsule, the youth will be able to earn Rs 15,000 to 20,0000 a month, easily.
He also informed that in 2021, small commercial vehicles will also be made available in the union territory without any advance payment. Every month, 50 to 100 vehicles will be provided to the youth of all the districts.
He said that a subsidy of 81 thousand rupees will be given by the company of Ashok Leyland on the mini commercial vehicles of about seven lakh four thousand rupees along with a subsidy of 80 thousand rupees from the Union Government. The loan will be given under the Mudra scheme for the remaining price of the vehicle. Tata Motors has also offered to launch such a scheme.
The Lt Governor said that the law related to the agricultural land has been improved here so that the yield of apple is quadrupled. Under the horticulture program, walnuts, cherries and jaffran or saffron have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags. Apart from increasing production in this area, cultivation of rajma, rice, lemongrass and asafoetida is also being encouraged. Recently, Amul has set up a dairy plant which is bringing in about one lakh litres of milk. It has to be brought to five lakh litres.
He said that Jammu and Kashmir is the first state/UT in the world in which every citizen has been given health insurance of five lakh rupees under the health scheme. Groups like Reliance, Hinduja, Tata etc have been offered to build large and super specialty hospitals and they are getting a positive response.
LG Sinha said that under an upcoming industrial policy, it is being planned to provide a production and planning based subsidy to the industries. IT parks and Medicity will be set up in various places, which will also increase new employment opportunities. 3,000 acres of land has been acquired for industries and the same amount of land will be acquired. The rights and interests of the local people have been protected on the lines of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand for 90 per cent of the agricultural land of the union territory.
Along with development plans, an agreement is also being signed with the Ministry of Energy, New and Renewable Energy to add 4000 MW power generation capacity to 3,450 MW power generation capacity, Sinha added.
LG Sinha meets Amit Shah
Discusses security situation, reshuffle in admin, recently held DDC polls
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Dec 31: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Singh Wednesday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss the prevailing situation and recently held District Development Council elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
This was Sinha’s first meeting with Shah since the DDC polls were held in Jammu and Kashmir.
A source privy to the meeting told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that Lieutenant Governor briefed Union Home Minister about the prevailing situation in the Union Territory.
“Sinha briefed him about security scenario in J&K and measures being taken by the administration to bring the peace here. They also discussed the COVID-19 situation since the outbreak of the pandemic in March this year,” the source said.
Similarly, according to source, both discussed about the transfer of top officers in administration and police. “Transfer of top officers is on the cards which were discussed in the meeting.”
The source said Home Minister appreciated the J&K administration for conducting peaceful recently held DDC polls. “Sinha briefed him about measures being taken to empower Panchayats and DDCs in J&K,” the source said.
The DDC polls were held over eight phases from November 28 and to December 19 as 51 per cent of the 57 lakh eligible voters exercised their franchise in the elections.
The DDC election assumed significance as it was the first electoral exercise after the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two union territories with the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.
Unlike in the previous elections, people voted in large numbers. While BJP says that normalcy is returning to Kashmir so people voted in large numbers but parties part of Gupkar Alliance claim that people’s larger participation was to defeat the BJP candidates because there is “anger among people against abrogation of Article 370”.
The DDC election will facilitate the formation of all the three tiers of Panchayati Raj system of rural governance– Panchayat, Block Development Council (BDC) and DDC. The DDCs will be elected for a five-year term.
PM sets 15th Aug, 2022 as deadline for Udhampur-Baramulla Rail Link project
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 30: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, today chaired the 34th PRAGATI interaction with Union Secretaries of various Ministries and Chief Secretaries of States/UTs through video-conference.
Chief Secretary, J&K, B V R Subrahmanyam along with Administrative Secretaries of departments of Health & Medical Education, and Jal Shakti participated in the video conference.
Prime Minister reviewed 11 projects related to 7 Ministries including the prestigious Udhampur-Baramulla Rail link being constructed in Jammu & Kashmir.
While reviewing the progress of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project which will connect Kashmir valley with a railway line, Prime Minister was informed that all the issues have been resolved and works are progressing smoothly.
Underscoring the potential of the project to exponentially boost Kashmir’s tourism and economy, Prime Minister fixed the deadline for completion of the project as 15.08.2022.
Reviewing the progress of Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) across the country, Prime Minister said that the scheme not only provides financial relief but also acts as a safety net to the underprivileged families which would earlier be pushed into poverty when befallen by serious illnesses. Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir has recently launched Ayushman Bharat- ‘Sehat’ and extended the free-of-cost and cashless healthcare benefits to all the residents of the Union Territory.
Prime Minister said that through the Jal Jeevan Mission- Har Ghar Nal Se Jal, every rural household in the country will be provided with a clean drinking water supply in adequate quantity by 2024. These efforts will lead to an improvement in living standards of rural communities and thereby must be taken up on mission-mode by all the States and UTs, he added.
It was informed that in Jammu and Kashmir, the mission has been completed in 2 districts and the rest will be completed by 2022.
Kashmir: Weather improves, night to become chilly
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 30: People have a sigh of relief as sun was out on Wednesday though icy cold winds also continued in the Kashmir valley and Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh, where night will become more chilly during the next 48 hours.
However, world famous ski resort of Gulmarg freeze at minus 11 degree while majority water bodies remained frozen in Ladakh region, where border town of Kargil recorded minus 17 degree and Leh minus14.8 degree minimum temperature.
Weather will remain mainly dry over Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, a Met department spokesman said today.
He said there will be no significant change in the weather during subsequent 48 hours, including first day of New Year (2021). However, a fresh Western Disturbance (WD) is arriving which could not on January 2, he said adding this would result in isolated rain till January 4 followed by widespread rain or snow on January 5.
People heaved a sigh of relief today after witnessing chilly Tuesday when the maximum temperature was 4.8 degree, which was 3.1 notches below normal in summer capital, Srinagar. Weather improved today and people could be seen basking in the sun in parks, gardens and other open places, which was unseen in the past during the 40-day-long Chilai Kalan, the severest period of winter which started from December 21st. However, the minimum temperature witnessed a dip though it was still normal. Against yesterdays 0.0 degree, it was minus 2.1 degree today in Srinagar, Met spokesman said.
He said the sky would be mainly clear to partly cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 8 degree and minus 4 degree respectively in Srinagar during the next 24 hours. Due to clear sky night becomes colder and day warmer, he said adding cloudy sky means improvement in night temperature and drop in day mercury.
Famed ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, main attraction for tourists who are thronging there to celebrate New Year, was coldest at minus 11 degree, about five notches below normal. The maximum temperature there was minus 2.6 degree, 5.3 notches below normal. However, despite freezing temperature, tourists, skiers and other adventure lovers from different parts of the country and locals are arriving there to celebrate the New Year.
Pahalgam, a health resort in south Kashmir, was second coldest in the valley at minus 9 degree minimum temperature while maximum temperature on Tuesday was 1.2 degree.
He said the minimum temperature at Kokernag a tourist resort in south Kashmir recorded minus 6.5 degree, Kupwara minus 2.8 degree and Qazigund minus 2.5 degree.
He said people in Ladakh continued to freeze due to below freezing temperature. At Kargil the maximum temperature on Tuesday was minus 3.4 degree and minimum temperature today minus 17 degree. Leh recorded minus 4.3 degree maximum and 14.8 degree minimum temperature during the past 24 hours.
He said the sky would be mainly clear to generally cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around minus 3 degree and minus 15 degree respectively during the next 24 hours at Leh.
