Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 8: The Government today approved establishment of a separate Official Language Section in GAD. The Section will have eight Translators, two each of Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri and Dogri languages. The section will also have four Editors, one each in Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri and Dogri languages.

The staff for these posts will be drawn from different Departments on deputation basis.

Srinagar, Dec 8: The upper reaches, including world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and tourist resort of Sonamarg, received fresh snowfall while rain lashed plains on Tuesday in Kashmir valley, where weather warning was issued for avalanche prone areas till Wednesday.
Meanwhile, barring Gulmarg, the night temperature settled above sub-zero due to overcast conditions across the valley, where moderate to heavy snow and rain is predicted during the next 24 hours under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region.

A Met department spokesperson told UNI that heavy rain and snow would occur during the next 24 hours in the upper reaches in the valley. “Moderate rain and snow would occur across the valley till late Wednesday evening, resulting in further dip in the maximum temperature,” he added.
He said another round of wet weather is predicted on Friday and Saturday under the influence of a fresh WD, which originated from the Arabian Sea and is approaching the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Much to the delight of the tourists, Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, received snowfall since last night, resulting in further dip in the maximum and minimum temperature. Kongdori and Apharwat, the highest point of the cable car project in Gulmarg, also received moderate to heavy snowfall. “Despite intermittent snowfall and chilly weather conditions since late last night, the tourists are out on ski slopes, which are already covered under several feet of snow, enjoying different activities,” a hotelier told UNI over the phone.
Gulmarg, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of the snow, was the only place in the valley where the mercury settled below freezing point. The night temperature at the ski resort settled at minus 2.4 degree. Meanwhile, due to slippery road conditions following fresh snowfall, only vehicles fitted chains will be allowed to ply on Tangmarg-Gulmarg road.

Fresh snowfall was also recorded since late last night in tourist resort of Sonmarg on Srinagar-Leh national highway, which has been closed for vehicular movement due to slippery road conditions.
World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, received rainfall, resulting in dip in the day temperature, which settled below normal. However, the upper reaches in Pahalgam, including Chandanwari, received light to moderate snowfall. Amarnath cave shine and its periphery, besides Sheshnag, Mahagung, Pisso top and Panjterni, also received light to moderate snowfall. The night temperature at Pahalgam was 2.3 degree, which is above normal.
People in the summer capital, Srinagar, woke up to a rainy and chilly Tuesday morning. Light to moderate rain continued throughout the day, resulting in further dip in the maximum temperature. However, the night temperature settled 3 degree above freezing point in the city, where people preferred to stay indoors in view of chilly weather conditions. Auto-drivers and mechanics had burned wood on roadsides in their respective areas to evade the chill.

Fresh snowfall was also recorded in upper areas of Kupwara and Bandipora in north Kashmir, including Gurez, Keran, Karnah, Tanghdar and Machil. Roads to these border areas have been closed for traffic due to slippery conditions and accumulation of fresh snow.

He said that medium danger avalanche warning has been issued for higher reaches of Poonch, Kishtwar in Jammu; Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal in Kashmir. “A low level avalanche warning has been issued for upper reaches of Ramban in Jammu; Anantnag, Kulgam and Baramulla in Kashmir,” he added.

Shopkeeper held on charges of mixing poison
Sopore, Dec 8: Police on Tuesday registered a case after a person alleged that he was provided a cup of tea mixed with poisonous substance by a shopkeeper in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

The person who has been provided the tea mixed with poisonous substance is husband of Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) District Development Council (DDC) candidate, who is contesting from Seelu constituency in north Kashmir.
According to KNO, BJP’s DDC candidate, Dr Fareeda Khan said that her husband felt unconscious after having a cup of tea provided to him by a shopkeeper.
Soon after he felt unconscious, sources said he was rushed to Sub District Hospital Sopore for treatment, where doctors stated that the patient is recovering.
The accused shopkeeper in Sopore was arrested.
Meanwhile, a police officer said that the shopkeeper was brought to the police station and a case under FIR number 344/2020 has been registered at Police Station Sopore.
He further said they are ascertaining the facts.

Bhat Imran

Srinagar, Dec 8: The government on Tuesday said that it has not decided anything about the announcement of winter vacations in Kashmir Valley.

Top officials at the School Education Department said that the announcement of winter vacations in Kashmir is false.

The official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that, “DSEK has not decided anything yet and the announcements being circulated on social media are fake and baseless.”

“DSEK is keeping an eye on the weather situation and as of now, it is not the right time to announce the vacations,” the officials said, adding, “In the coming weeks we will announce the vacations by taking the higher authorities on board.”

Meanwhile, the fake orders and announcements of winter vacations in Kashmir valley were being circulated on social media.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 8: State Election Commissioner, KK Sharma, today chaired a meeting to review the Action Taken Reports on complaints regarding violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) currently in place in view of the ongoing District Development Council, Panchayat and Municipal By-elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
State Election Commissioner emphasised on brisk utilisation of the services of Surveillance Teams and Flying Squads to keep a check on MCC violations, if any, occurring anywhere in the UT.
KK Sharma urged upon the Deputy Commissioners to keep watch on activities of all the stakeholders and take swift action in case of complaints or violations detected anywhere.

SEC asked the Deputy Commissioners to put in place a proper mechanism for dealing with complaints related to MCC violations. He directed them to utilise the services of Returning Officers and Flying Squads for on spot checking of MCC violations.
KK Sharma further directed the Deputy Commissioners to facilitate public at all levels and provide all necessary facilities to them during polling days. He asked them to set up more polling stations at place.
On the occasion, SEC asked the Nodal Officers to perform their duties with utmost dedication and strictly adhere to the guidelines of ECI. He directed the officers to work in close coordination so that the elections are conducted successfully in a free, fair and transparent manner.
The meeting was attended by all the Deputy Commissioners through video conferencing.
Deputy Commissioners gave a brief about the action taken with regard to the complaints taken with regard to Model Code of Conduct guidelines. It was also apprised that thorough investigation has been initiated and action under rules taken up against those found involved.
Pertinently, State election Commission had received several complaints from different quarters with regard to alleged deviation from the MCC guidelines through written representations, Social Media like Whatsapp, twitter, etc.

Accordingly, the complaints were processed and sent to the respective Deputy Commissioners (District Panchayat Election Officers) who were directed to do the required action as warranted under the MCC guidelines.

‘Arrested trio innocent, had gone to Delhi for business, have no militant links’

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Dec 8:  The family members of three Kashmiris arrested in Delhi Tuesday staged a protest in Srinagar and accused the Delhi police of framing their loved ones in false case of alleged militancy links.

The family members of three youth—Reyaz Ahmed Rather,  Shabir Ahmed Gojri, and Muhammad Ayoub Pathan, all residents of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district staged a protest at press enclave Srinagar and demanded immediate release of the trio, who were arrested along with two Sikhs in New Delhi for their alleged links with ISI and Khalistani groups.

Shamim Ahmed Khan, cousin brother of one of the arrested youth, said his cousin brother went to New Delhi in connection with purchase of electronic items. “He talked to a day before yesterday and told us that he will be returning today. All of a sudden, Dehli police claimed that two Kgs of heroine has been recovered from my cousin,” Khan told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). He said that Delhi police should re-look into the arrest of his cousin and release all the three Kashmiris.

Another family member of Reyaz Ahmed Rather, echoed similar concern and stated that their son has been wrongly framed in the militant case and should be released. “We urge the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene without any further delay so that our dear one is released soon,” they said.

Similarly, the family members of third youth Muhammad Ayoub Pathan said that Delhi police should investigate the case thoroughly and release Panthan on humanitarian grounds. “This is injustice as Ayoub is so innocent that he would never join militancy,” he said.

Pertinently, according to police, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah stated: “On Monday morning, our team received specific information that two Punjab based criminals were supposed to receive some money from three Kashmiris. On this specific information, five people were arrested after a brief exchange of fire from the Laxmi Nagar area in Delhi.”

Three pistols, two kilograms of heroin and Rs 1 lakh cash were recovered from them along with the two cars in which they were travelling, he had said. “During preliminary investigation, it has emerged that there was an attempt to link up terror outfits active in Kashmir with Khalistan operatives by Pakistan’s ISI,” he had stated.

The three Kashmir-based men were supplying money to the other two to carry out targeted killings. The money was from the sale of drugs. “They were selling drugs and the proceeds were used for financing ‘terror’ in Punjab,” the officer said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Dec 8: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday registered a case against the officers of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) in illegal construction of a restaurant at Rajbagh area of Srinagar, a spokesman of the ACB said this evening.
He said ACB has registered a case against the officers and officials of Corporation and beneficiaries in illegal construction case.
The case was registered on the basis of a Joint Surprise Check against the officers/ officials of SMC who facilitated the beneficiary in raising illegal construction in blatant violation of the building permission, thereby conferring undue pecuniary advantage upon him and themselves.
He said during the surprise checking conducted by ACB into the allegations that the proprietor of Hatrick Restaurant has constructed the complex at Raj Bagh Srinagar in violation of the building permission order. SMC failed to take any action against the violator.
It was revealed that the competent authority BOCA Srinagar had issued building permission in favour of one Showkat Chowdri, son of Chowdri Abdul Rehim, resident of Rajbagh Srinagar for raising of 2nd floor for residential purpose. However, the proprietor of Hatrick Restaurant in violation of the building permission has raised commercial building which at present is existing on ground up to 3rd storey level.
During the course of investigation it has been established that there is major and blatant violation of building permission granted by SMC Srinagar besides, a violation of 759 square feet in plinth area has been committed by the beneficiary/violator.
It has further revealed the field staff of SMC failed to prevent the raising of said illegal construction by the violator and no action has been taken by Ward Officer and Enforcement Officer of SMC against the violator for more than two weeks who thereby facilitated him to raise the illegal construction during this period.
Consequently, the violator has completed the construction with major violations/ deviations and later on the violator has approached J&K Special Tribunal, Jammu and the Tribunal issued notice to the respondents for filling of objections and called record with the direction to maintain status quo on spot.
It is therefore, evident that wilful delay of more than two weeks and deliberate inaction on the part of Officers/Officials of SMC Srinagar provided ample time and opportunity to the violator for raising illegal construction /commercial structure in blatant contravention of the permission granted by SMC Srinagar.
By acting in this manner, the Officers/Officials of SMC namely Showkat Ahmad Hamdani Ward officer, Bashir Ahmad Shaheen Enforcement Officer and Mohammad Akbar Sofi Chief Enforcement Officer by abuse of their official positions and acting in league with each other and with the beneficiary violator i.e, proprietor of Hatrick Restaurant have wilfully and dishonestly facilitated the beneficiary in raising illegal construction i.e. commercial complex in blatant violation of the building permission, thereby conferring undue pecuniary advantage upon him and themselves.
Accordingly Case has been registered in PS ACB Srinagar. After registration of case search warrant obtained from the Court of Special Judge Anti Corruption Srinagar and searches were conducted at various places in Srinagar and documental evidence recovered which is seized on the spot.
He said further investigation of the case is going on.

Smuggling, unmanaged grazing, reasons behind extinction: Experts

Umaisar Gull Ganie

Srinagar, Dec 8:  Around 20 medicinal species of plants are on the verge of extinction in Kashmir owing to the massive extraction and smuggling of the herbs for the last two decades.

According to a notification issued by Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), the 20 medicinal plants have been categorised as “critically endangered” on the basis of recommendations by the Union Territory government.

The 20 medicinal plants mentioned in the list include Aconitum chasmanthum (Patees), Aconitum deinorrhizum (Metha patees), Aconitum heterophyllum (Mohra), Aconitum kasmiricum, Aconitum violaceum (Patees), Eremostachyssuperba (Sumbal-e-biabani), Gentianaornata (Gentian), Gentianakurro (Neel Kanthi, Kuru),  Lagotiscashmeriana (Kashmir lagotis, Hong len-Ladakh) Meconopsislatifolia (Gul-e-Neelam)  Meconopsis aculeate, (Blue poppy), Saussureacostus (Kuth), Saussurea medusa (Snow lotus), Saussureasimpsoniana ( Phen Kamal, Jogi Badshah), Sophoramoorcroftiana (Baker, Praval Simi (Ladakh), Podophyllum hexandrum (Bankakkri, Banwangun), Dactylorhiza hatagirea (Salam panja),  Picrorrhiza kurroa (Kutki)  Betulautilis (Bhurj) and Taxus wallichiana (Barmi).

An official said massive extraction and smuggling of the herbs since the last two decades is the main reason for their extinction.

“Due to their high medicinal value, these species are being illegally transported to other places like Chandigarh, New Delhi and other states where scores of pharmaceutical companies buy it,” an official said.

Earlier in 2005, the J&K government had imposed a ban on the extraction of medicinal plants, fearing extinction of some species. However in 2013, J&K Government lifted the ban on the extraction of several medicinal plants and other minor forests produce.

Akhtar H Malik, a botanist at the University of Kashmir told KNO that over exploitation, unmanaged grazing and no information to forest dwellers have resulted in the extinction of several medicinal plants.

“People living in forests who deal with the medicinal plants get peanuts for it, while the traders living outside J&K profits out of it,” Malik said. “Moreover, unmanaged grazing has added to its extinction.”

Malik said to save the medicinal plants from extinction, there is a need to give some rest to some forest areas so that such plants can grow again.

“People who often are wandering to get such plants are uneducated and don’t know which part is valuable. Due to unawareness, they often cut such plant from the root, thus killing it forever,” he said.

Malik said that construction through forest and forest fire are also reasons behind the depletion of medicinal plants in the Valley.

“There is a need to stop illegal trading of these plants and encourage people to buy such herbs through market intervention scheme only,” he said.

There are around 800 medicinal plants in the Himalayan belt of northern India.

Malik said that many of them like Trillium govanianum, Fritillaria roylei, Saussurea costus, Arnebia benthamii cost Rs 50,000-100,000 per Kg in the international market, “thus making it endangered medicinal plants.”

Meanwhile, as per the MoEF notification, the Government of India (GoI) is now legally bound to fund the projects for the protection of these species—(KNO)

Srinagar, Dec 8: Former Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti claimed to have been put under house arrest on Tuesday to prevent her from visiting central Kashmir district of Badgam, where hundreds of families were allegedly evicted from their homes in the woods by the authorities recently.
President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba in a video message from inside her Fairview Gupkar residence said it has become a routine to put under detention and prevent us from meeting people in the valley.
“Whenever we want to move out to meet people, they are putting us under house arrest”, she said , adding why they are not allowing us to meet people has no answers from the government.
If everything is normal in Jammu and Kashmir as being claimed by the government, ministers and BJP leaders why are we being put under detention, she questioned. She was seen requesting security force personnel deployed outside to open the gate in the video.
Mehbooba, who was released after about 14 months detention since August 5, 2019 when Centre abrogated Article 370 and 35 besides dividing the state into two Union Territories (UTs), said she just wanted to visit the families who were evicted from their houses at Kandajan, Branwar and Zalsidara in Badgam.
People, including 108 year old woman who were made homeless by the authorities were waiting for me, she said adding she just wanted to express solidarity with these helpless families.
Earlier, taking to micro blogging site twitter Mehbooba said “ GOI wants to continue inflicting oppression & zulm on the people of J&K without any questions asked”.
She further said “ Illegal detention has become GOIs favourite go to method for muzzling any form of opposition. I’ve been detained once again because I wanted to visit Budgam where hundreds of families were evicted from their homes”.
Last week, Mehbooba was put under house arrest to prevent her from visiting the house of youth PDP president Waheed ur Rehman Parra who is under the detention of National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged links with Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants. However, police denied that she was detained and claimed that for security reasons she was urged to postpone her visit.
Later, after some days Mehbooba visited the house of Parra and met his family members to express solidarity with them.

Srinagar, Dec 8: Hitting out at Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) for ‘failing to raise the issues of development during the ongoing District Development Council (DDC) elections, BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain on Tuesday said the common people in the valley are fed up of militancy and they only want progress.
“It is ironic that during the DDC election campaigning, the leaders of ‘Gupkar gang’ talk about everything except developmental issues. And the only party which can deliver on the development front is BJP. So I ask the Gupkar gang to talk about development, dynasty and corruption free J&K… they don’t talk about these issues deliberately as they know they haven’t done any development in the past,” Hussain told reporters during a press conference here on Tuesday.
The BJP leader said development is the only issue in the DDC elections. “I ask Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, other leaders and their ringmaster, the Congress, to talk about development”.
On farmer protests, he said that the opposition is misleading them against the farm bills, which were passed by the BJP-led NDA government for the benefit of the farmers. “Farmers are being misled by the parties that have been rejected by the people. These parties are using farmers for their political benefits,” he said.
Hussain said the farmers live in the heart of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “It is our prime minister’s dream to double the income of farmers. Farmers are our brothers and in a democracy, holding protests is their right. However, they should ensure that their protest is not causing inconvenience to others,” he said.
The BJP spokesperson said Muslims ‘would not find a better place than India and a better leader than r Modi.
“I have said before that Muslims cannot find a better country than India and a better friend than a Hindu. I want to add that Muslim cannot find a better leader than Narendra Modi….we connected Kashmir with Makkah-Madinah though direct flights as during the Congress rule, the flight from here used to go via Delhi. We want to work with honesty. We won’t keep our dreams unfulfilled,” he added.