New Delhi, Dec 20: The Congress is pushing ahead with changes in its organizational leadership after yesterday’s meeting with the dissidents with an overhaul in leadership in four states — Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
So far, Telangana Congress President Uttam Kumar Reddy has resigned taking responsibility for poor performance in Hyderabad local polls. Gujarat Congress President Amit Chavda has also resigned after the party’s poor performance in Gujarat by polls.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, who is the state party president, also holds CLP leader’s post. Mr Nath was said to play a key role in bringing about the top leadership’s meeting with G-23 — as the rebels who sounded the first note of dissidence have been dubbed.
On Saturday, the Congress had made changes in Mumbai Regional Congress Committee. Balasaheb Thorat, who is the Maharashtra Congress president, is also the leader of Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party
The party’s interim president Sonia Gandhi has appointed three All-India Congress Committee (AICC) secretaries each for Assam and Kerala, where Assembly polls are due early next year.
The newly appointed secretaries will assist the general secretaries in-charge of the two states — Jitendra Singh for Assam and Tariq Anwar for Kerala.
Yesterday, Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the Congress dissidents in a first of a series of meetings to be held over the next 10 days. The meeting was the first step towards reconciliation after months of internal feud over the leadership issue.
While the top leadership agreeing to hold organizational elections — the Working Committee is to take the final call — Rahul Gandhi’s statement at the meeting that he is “ready to work for the party as all desire” is seen as an indication of his return as the party chief.
On Friday, top Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said “99.9 per cent” leaders in the Congress wanted Rahul Gandhi to return as the Congress chief. The dissidents, however, had remained firm on holding elections for every post from top to bottom.
In August, a group of 23 leaders had written an explosive letter, pointing to the drift in party leadership and said they wanted a full-time, “active and visible leadership” and collective decision-making.
Congress begins reshuffle in 4 states after meeting with rebels
Farmers announce relay hunger strike today
New Delhi, Dec 20: The farmers protesting against the Centre’s new agri-marketing laws observed “Shradhanjali Divas” on Sunday to pay homage to those who lost their lives in the agitation and said they will make all toll plazas free in Haryana between December 25 and 27, and will undertake a relay hunger strike.
They added that they would boycott any NDA constituent which doesn’t back the stir.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Singhu border as their protests entered the 25th day, the farmers unions appealed to the public to bang utensils on December 27 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s last Mann ki Baat of the year.
“The government is trying to defame the farmers. The farmers are protesting in this cold… the government should think about us but they are busy defaming us. I appeal to the agriculture minister and the government to drop their ego. I will appeal to youth and children to be calm,” farmer leader Jasbir Singh Bhatti said.
Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav said: “The feelings of the farmers have motivated us block the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. People are coming in from Nagaur (Rajasthan) and other cities too and the stoppage of the farmers by the Haryana government is against the orders of the apex court. I would request the Haryana government to stop going against the SC’s orders.”
The farmers have decided to begin relay hunger strikes across all protest sites, with a 11-member team starting it at all the protest sites across the nation. The farmers will make all toll plazas free from December 25 to 27, said Jagjit Singh Dalewal of the Bharatiya Kisan Union-Sidhupur.
“All farmer leaders would go to the NDA partners asking them to compel the government to take back the laws. If they don’t agree with us, we would boycott them too,” he added.
“I also request the media to showcase the highlights and reality of the farmers movement. Everyone has the eye on the movement,” said Rakesh Tikait of BKU.
2 packets of heroin-like substance seized in Uri
Baramulla, Dec 20: Police on Sunday seized two packets of contrabands (heroin-like substance) from Dachi area of Uri in Baramulla district in the union territory.
“In furtherance to our continuous efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from society, Uri Police recovered contraband from Dachi,” Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a release.
Sharing more details regarding the seizure of contrabands, Jammu and Kashmir Police stated: “A routine naka was established by Uri Police in front of BOP Dachi. At around 11 AM, during the routine checkup of vehicles, a Sumo bearing registration number JK-05D 6531 was stopped. The vehicle and passengers were frisked and two packets of heroin-like substances (one small, one big) were recovered from the possession of two persons.”
The persons from whom the contrabands were recovered were identified as Irfan Ahmed Mir and Irshad Ahmed Pood. Both are residents of Nambla (C) Uri.
In this regard, a case FIR number 174/20 under sections 8/21 and 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS) has been registered under Uri police station.
The accused persons have been arrested and investigation has been taken up. (AGENCY)
Leakage in a PHE pipeline irks Jalsheri residents
Manzoor Sheeri
Baramulla, Dec 20: The leakage in a PHE pipeline is irking the residents of village Jalsheri of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
BDC vice chairman Baramulla and Sarpanch Jalsheri Sameer Gelani said due to the leakage in pipeline the road, which connects the village with Baramulla town, has turned into a well and the concerned department Jal Shakti is not paying any attention to repair the pipeline from past several years.
He said due to the leakage in the pipeline people cannot walk while drivers are also facing hardships on the road in this winter.
Geelani said it is about a half and one kilometer long pipeline in Jalsheri village, which should be under the earth, however the pipeline is open along the roadside.
Another local Abdul Majeed Dar said the department was scheduled to lay underground pipeline but they kept it open along the roadside. “The water pipeline is leaking after suffering damage”.
When contacted, Executive engineer, Jal Shakti department Baramulla Abdul Qayoom said he will look into the matter.
“I have no such information but I assure you that I will contact my official team on ground and will get the pipeline repaired”. (KNS)
Drug peddler booked under PSA in Srinagar: Police
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 30: A notorious drug peddler in Srinagar was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA), a police spokesman said.
“Officers in Srinagar had earlier seized huge quantity of contraband substance from the possession of a notorious drug peddler identified as Gh Rasool Wani @ Raja Puj resident of Meerakabad Shalimar Srinagar,” he said.
Accordingly the case was duly processed and the arrested drug peddler was detained under Public Safety Act after obtaining sanctions from the concerned authorities and shifted him to Kotbilwal Jail Jammu.
“Community members are requested to come forward with any information regarding drug peddlers in their neighbourhood. Persons found indulging in drug peddling will be dealt as per law,” the spokesman said.
Differently-abled artists enthrall audience at Tagore Hall
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 20 : The performances by differently-abled artists from Kashmir on Sunday enthralled the audience on the second day of 3-day cultural event ‘Srinagar Smart City Istaqbaal-e-Chila-e-Kalaan (40-days of harsh winters) at Tagore Hall here.
The differently-abled artists recited Talaawat-e-Quran, Naat and presented songs with scintillating music and Mimicry for the audience.
Qurat-Ul-Ain, a differently-abled participants and a teacher by profession said that they are the same like other humans. “People should watch our abilities not disabilities”.
The artists from differently-abled artists included Nawaz Ahmad Khan, M. Aarif Sofi, Hijaz Ahmad, Zainab, Fareez Rafeeq (Child Artist), Shahid Dar, Yasir Noorani, Muntazir Nisar. The performances by differently-abled participants witnessed huge applause by the audience.
The cultural event is being organized by Actors Creative Theatre (ACT) in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Language (JKAACL) in association with Tourism Kashmir. 92.7 Big FM was the Radio Partner.
Besides the performances by differently-abled participants, the short plays like Test, Business, Dand Wazun (by Basheer Kotroo), Shishar Ganth (by Gulzar Fighter) and Gulal (on Anti-Drug theme) were presented during the cultural event.
Festival Director Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan said that holding this cultural event proved that we are ready to come out of our homes and enjoy and entertain others.
“We will keep on supporting and promoting the differently-abled artists and provide them proper platform. That will enable them to get a professional exposure. We pledge to stand by their side always,” he said.
The three day event will conclude on December 21.
Keep The Guard
Of late, there has been a relative decrease in the number of covid-19 cases as well as deaths as a consequence of it. In this month so far, Jammu and Kashmir reported around seven thousand new infections of the coronavirus disease, 390 a day on average.
When the pandemic was at its peak in mid-September, this number was around 1000 cases a day. This is a 40% drop in cases in three months. While the wave has been receding since mid-September, even as recently as October and November, Srinagar and Jammu districts still defying the larger trend and reporting rising cases. Of the total 117705 cases in 20 districts, Srinagar cumulatively has 24620 and Jammu 22660 cases. The lowering positive percentage is reflective of a less aggressive spread of pestilence. The death rate of the lab-confirmed cases continues to be 1.7 percent – one out of every 70 lab positives lost life.
According to the World Health Organization, if the positivity rate remains 5% or below for two weeks, a region can be said to be keeping its outbreak under control and is testing adequately. J&K’s positivity rate has been below it and it seems that the regions’ Covid-19 numbers have clearly taken a turn for the better. However, the observations by the Supreme Court that Covid-19 pandemic has spread like wildfire in India owing to the lack of implementation of guidelines and SOPs remain apt. The top court has called for more vigilance and surveillance. All in all the government and the people need to be vigilant and need to get can’t get carried away. Trends in Europe and the United States must serve as a strong reminder of how the situation can quickly go out of hand even if things were controlled after the first spike in the cases. And each subsequent wave outside has been stronger than the one preceding it. As has been right underscored by the top court, there is a need to be vigilant amid possibility of a second wave hitting which may be devastatingly strong, especially given the fierceness of the first wave and ongoing winter conditions. The people must remember that the rolling out of the vaccine by the government is a work in progress. Until there is a viable cure, people of all ages continue to be vulnerable. The situation demands that people must not let down the guard.
DDC Polls: Top PAGD leaders staying away from campaigning raises eyebrows
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 18: As Jammu and Kashmir is all set to witness last phase of the District Development Council (DDC) elections on Saturday, one question which everyone is asking is why did the top leaders of Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration—an amalgam of Kashmir based parties—skip the campaigning.
The PAGD comprised of National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Conference and other parties. “All these political formations have top leaders but none of them came forward to campaign for their candidates,” an analyst opined.
He said that DDC elections were important as these were the maiden polls in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. “But it seems that the PAGD has messed it up despite contesting these polls collectively. At many places there were instances of activists of different parties that are a part of the PAGD contesting elections as independent candidates. This factor is likely to hit the alliance hard.”
The analyst said, “At this point of time no one can predict how many seats will any party win but one thing is for sure that the competition has been tough. Winning the DDC constituencies is not going to be a cakewalk for any of the parties. The participation of people in these elections, especially in Kashmir, has come as a surprise for many. The results will depend upon how many people have voted for which party.”
He said the Bharatiya Janata Party was the only party which sent its leaders for campaigning to Jammu and Kashmir. “Other mainstream parties didn’t show much interest. It seems that differences of opinion over seat sharing agreement led to the PAGD leaders losing interest in the campaigning,” the analyst added.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh while campaigning for the DDC polls in Ramban had taken a dig at the Congress and National Conference (NC) for keeping their top leaders away from the process. “Most of these candidates are avoiding using pictures of their leaders on posters and are also displaying their party symbol very discreetly and selectively. Some of the opposition candidates have also been found secretly whispering into the voter’s ear that they too are Modi followers,” Dr Singh had claimed.
An observer said, “The Kashmir based parties forging an alliance had put the BJP in tight spot and the party had to put everything into the campaigning to ensure that PAGD is kept out of the race.”
He said, “The results are few days away. If the PAGD succeeds in winning good number of seats it would mean revival of Kashmir based parties but if the amalgam fails to make much impact it could mean serious trouble for these political formations.”
DDC polls last phase today, 168 candidates in fray
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 18: Twenty eight constituencies are set to go for polling in the eighth phase of the District Development Council (DDC) polls and 285 Panch and 84 Sarpanch seats will also witness voting on December 19 across Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a Press Conference here, State Election Commissioner (SEC), KK Sharma informed that a total of 28 DDC constituencies will go to polls including 13 seats from Kashmir division and 15 from Jammu division with 168 candidates contesting the last leg of the elections.
Giving further details, the SEC said that against the 13 DDC constituencies of Kashmir division going to poll tomorrow, there are 83 candidates in fray including 31 females. In Jammu division, there are 85 candidates in fray for the 15 DDC constituencies in this phase, including 15 females in this final phase of the DDC polls, the SEC informed.
630443 electors (327168 male and 303275 female voters) are going to elect their representatives in all 28 DDC constituencies, he said and added that a total of 1703 polling stations have been designated with 1028 in Kashmir division and 675 in Jammu division.
The SEC further informed that of 165 Sarpanch vacancies notified in the 8th phase, 43 have been elected unopposed. There shall be a contest in 84 constituencies and 249 candidates including 52 females are in fray, he added.
Similarly, he said that out of the total 1457 Panch vacancies notified in this phase, 496 have been elected unopposed while 285 constituencies will go for elections with 596 candidates contesting the elections including 156 female candidates.
The SEC said that all the requisite arrangements for this phase are in place including man power, election material and security arrangements in all the poll going areas.
Referring to the arrangements in place in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the SEC said adequate arrangements have been put in place to ensure safety of all stakeholders including the voters coming to vote at the polling stations.
“Sanitizers, thermal scanners and face masks have been arranged at the polling stations to ensure that SOPs issued by the concerned authorities, including wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing, are strictly followed at the polling stations”, he added. (GNS)
DGP hails police, security agencies for ‘incident free’ polls
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 18: The Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Friday hailed the forces and congratulated them for “successful and incident free” elections. He directed the officers to be more alert and vigilant in strengthening the security grid and to plug the gaps with strict security measures for future.
The DGP was in Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district to review the security scenario. Accompanied by DIG NKR Sulieman Choudary, the DGP chaired a meeting with officers of police, CAPF and army at DPO Handwara.
SP Handwara Dr. G V Sundeep Chakravarthy gave a detailed presentation regarding the security scenario of the district and measures put in place by Handwara police during the Panchayat and DDC elections, a police spokesperson said in a statement issued to GNS.
The DGP appreciated the role of Handwara Police and other law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order during the elections and emphasized upon the officers to keep their morale high even after the polls.
Other officers present in the meeting were Brigade Commander 07 sector M S Rathore, CO 21 RR Gagandeep Singh, CO 15 RR Abishek, CO CRPF 92 BN, Uday Divyanshu Sharma, SSB CO Mehra, ASP Handwara Mashkoor Ahmad, SDPO Handwara Fariz Hussain, and DYSP DAR Handwara Abdul Raqeeb.
