Srinagar, Nov 26: People living in dozens of far-flung and remote areas, including those near the Line of Control (LoC), in north Kashmir continued to suffer as they remained cut off from rest of the valley for the fourth straight day on Thursday even as snow clearance operation is yet to start to restore road connectivity to these border areas.

Traffic to border towns of Keran, Karnah, Tanghdar and Machil, besides dozens of far-flung and remote villages in north Kashmir remained suspended for the fourth successive day on Thursday due to slippery road conditions following accumulation of several feet of snow.

Meanwhile, the border town Gurez and its adjoining areas in Bandipora remained cut off from rest of the valley since November 14 due to accumulation of about three to four feet of snow.

“Dozens of far-flung and remote villages, including Machil, Kernah, Keran and Tanghdar, remained cutoff due to slippery road conditions following accumulation of snow,” an official of Police Control Room (PCR), Kupwara, told UNI over phone.

He said that about two to three feet of snow has accumulated at Sadhna top, Phirkiyan pass and Z gali. “The snow clearance operation is mostly likely to start from Thursday or Friday provided the weather remains dry. The clearance will take couple of days as the snow has frozen due to sub-zero temperature,” he said.

An official of PCR from Bandipora told UNI that Gurez, which is surrounded from Pakistan-occupied- Kashmir (PoK) from three sides, remained closed for traffic since November 14. “About three to four feet of snow has accumulated at Razdan pass, connecting Gurez, Neeru and dozens of other areas near LoC with district headquarters Bandipora,” he said.

“It is highly unlikely that traffic on Bandipora-Gurez road will be restored any time soon,” he added.

‘Let us pledge to further strengthen our resolve to preserve & uphold the sanctity of the Constitution’

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, November 26: Leading the celebrations of the Constitution Day in J&K, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha read out the ‘Preamble’ of the Constitution of India in an impressive ceremony at the Civil Secretariat.

Marking the 71st anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, the Lt Governor administered a pledge to government officials for upholding the sanctity of the Constitution. “Let us pledge to further strengthen our resolve to preserve and uphold the sanctity of the Constitution and the values enshrined in it,” remarked the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor observed that the virtues of liberty, equality and fraternity; which were held supreme by Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar during the compilation of the Constitution, are still equally relevant for us today.

71 years ago, the foundation of a sovereign and united modern India was laid, at the heart of which lies our Constitution, said the Lt Governor, adding that, we all must work together to uphold the unity in diversity of India and celebrate the day as a mark of gratitude and respect to the framers of the world’s lengthiest written Constitution of the largest democracy.

The Lt Governor urged all the citizens of J&K to follow the path shown by the founding fathers of the Constitution and to perform our fundamental duties with equal enthusiasm with which we enjoy our fundamental rights.

Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Secretary, Financial Commissioners, Administrative Secretaries, and officers & officials of the Civil Secretariat were present in large numbers on the occasion.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Nov 26: The Constitution Day was celebrated across Kashmir division on Thursday.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) presided over the functions organised at respective DC Office Complexes.
The DCs highlighted the significance of observance of Constitution Day and to acquaint the participants regarding its prominent values. They also read preamble of the constitution and administered a pledge to uphold the fundamental duties to District officers and officials, present.
Budgam:
An impressive function was today organized in the Conference Hall, Budgam to celebrate Constitution Day.

On the occasion, Additional Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Dr. Nasir Ahmad urged upon all officers/officials to maintain sense of brotherhood, achieve idea of social, economical and political justice, liberty of thought and expression, equality among all and element of fraternity as enshrined in the preamble of our constitution.

Ganderbal:
To celebrate the Samvidhan Divas, also known as the Constitution Day, a grand event was organized at Mini Secretariat, Ganderbal to commemorate the day of adoption of the constitution of India.

This day is celebrated every year in the country to remember the father of the Constitution, Dr. B.R Ambedkar.

The function was also attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal Farooq Ahmad Baba, CPO Ganderbal, and other district and sectoral officers.

Baramulla:
To mark the celebration of Constitution Day in the district, an impressive function was today organized in DC Office Complex, here.
On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Dr G N Itoo highlighting the significance of the day, he threw light on various aspects of the constitution including the fundamental rights and fundamental duties.

He emphasised upon different stakeholders to abide by the principles laid down in the constitution and said that the day reminds us about various guaranteed rights and privileges.

Pulwama:
To commemorate the Constitution Day, a function was held today at DC Office Complex Pulwama.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Dr Raghav Langer was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
The DDC highlighted the significance of observance of constitution day and to acquaint the participants regarding its prominent values. He said 26th November has its significance in the history of our country when the constitution of India was adopted in 1949 and came into force on 26th January 1950.
He said it is our responsibility to educate the people about values and precepts of the constitution.

Bandipora:
The District Administration Bandipora on Thursday celebrated Constitution Day to remember the father of Constitution, Dr. B.R Ambedkar.
It may be recalled that on November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of India. It came into force on January 26, 1950.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad urged all the officers to take necessary steps for the national campaign, focusing on creating awareness regarding the fundamental duties.
Additional District Development Commissioner Afsar Ali Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Zahoor Ahmad Mir and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

Chief Justice releases handbook on Fundamental Duties
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 26: To commemorate adoption of Constitution of India and honour and acknowledge the contribution of founding fathers of Constitution, 71st Constitution Day was celebrated in both the wings of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir.
On the occasion, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Patron-in-Chief J&K Legal Services Authority Gita Mittal, led the reading of the preamble to the Constitution at Jammu Wing of the High Court. Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, Justice Rajesh Bindal, Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Sanjay Dhar, Justice Puneet Gupta and Justice Javed Iqbal were also present during the ceremony at Jammu.
Meanwhile, Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Rajnesh Oswal also joined the celebration through virtual mode.
At Srinagar Wing, the preamble reading was led by Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey.
The ceremony was also attended by Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul at Srinagar Wing.
On account of guidelines and SOPs with regard to containment of COVID-19 pandemic in the country the function was celebrated through Video Conference.
The officers and officials of the Registry in both the wings of the High Court joined the reading of the preamble through virtual mode.

As part of commemoration, a handbook on Fundamental Duties published by J&K Legal Services Authority was released by Chief Justice, Gita Mittal, in presence of Justice Rajesh Bindal, and the judges of the High Court of J&K and officers and officials of the Registry.
Chief Justice Gita Mittal in her foreword stated that the Rights flow from Duties and if everyone performs one’s Duty, Rights would be automatically protected. She further stated that just as the fundamental rights are imperative for the progress of a nation, so are the fundamental duties.
Justice Rajesh Bindal in his message stated that the objective behind engrafting Article 51-A in the Constitution of India cannot be achieved unless the citizens are made aware of their Constitutional Duties.
High Court of Jammu and Kashmir also organized a webinar on the topic “Preamble to the Constitution of India and the Idea of Inclusion” in which Gautam Bhatia, Advocate and Research Scholar at Oxford University, United Kingdom was the resource person.
Programme was attended by Chief Justice, Judges of the High Court and Judicial Officers serving in the UTs of J&K and Ladakh. Law Researchers and Law interns with the Judges of the High Court also attended the webinar.
Gautam Bhatia in his address talked about historical perspective of making of Constitution and quoted from the Constitutional Assembly debates to highlight the importance of preamble to the Constitution. He related the provisions of the Constitution to the idea of Inclusion as was developed during the India freedom struggle.

Haven’t availed any benefits under Roshni Act, says former minister
Srinagar, Nov 26: Former Minister Taj Mohiuddin Thursday said that he has not availed any benefits under Roshni Act. He said it is all political vendetta and nothing else.
Taj Mohiuddin told KNT that he has no information about the registration of CBI case against him. “CBI has not intimated me yet and whatever I have come to know, it is all through media,” he said when asked has Central Bureau of Investigation registered a case against him under Roshni Act.
Pertinently, Taj Mohiuddin is being accused of getting ownership rights of Sedow Shopian forest land under Roshni Act, a claim vehemently refuted by Taj Mohiuddin.
As per Forest Department records, 13 kanals and 16 marlas of land in Sedow Forest are under the alleged illegal occupation of Taj Mohiuddin.
So far CBI has registered 9 formal cases under alleged Roshni Scam. Former Chief Secretary Muhammad Shafi Pandit has already moved to Supreme Court challenging the verdict of High Court that annulled the legislation under Roshni Act terming it as the biggest scam. (KNT)

New Delhi, Nov 26: Country’s aviation safety regulator DGCA today extended the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger flights to December 31.

The restrictions, however, will not apply on international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), an official circular said.

“In partial modification of circular dated 26.6.2020, the competent authority has further extended the validity of circular issued on the subject cited above regarding scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India till 2359 hours (IST) of December 31, 2020,” the DGCA said in the circular.

International scheduled flights, however, may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis, the circular added.

The suspension of international commercial passenger flights from/to India, which has been in place since March 23 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, was to expire on November 30.

In the absence of regular flight service on overseas routes, special international flights are being operated under the Vande Bharat Mission since May and under bilateral “air bubble” arrangements with selected countries since July.

New Delhi, Nov 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi again pitched for the “One Nation One Election” idea today, saying it is not a matter of debate but what the country needs.
He also suggested that the Election Commission prepare a single voters’ list for Lok Sabha, assembly and panchayat polls, saying separate lists are a “waste of resources”.
“One nation, one election isn’t just a matter of debate, this is the need for India. Elections are held at different places every few months. The effect it has on development work is known to all. This issue needs to be studied and presiding officers can be guiding force for it,” he said in a virtual address at the 80th All-India Presiding Officers Conference.
“We must remember that when politics takes over people and nation-first policies, the nation has to pay adversely in such situations,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s fresh pitch for simultaneous elections comes weeks after the assembly polls in Bihar, which was the last one this year. Elections in Bengal and Tamil Nadu — crucial for the BJP — are due next year.
Several earlier pitches for “One Nation One Election” have fallen through after the opposition refused to back the idea, contending that it was anti-democratic, against the Constitution and impractical. The CPM has alleged that the government is trying to replace parliamentary democracy by slipping in a Presidential form of government “through the back-door”.

Creating a consensus on the issue is important for the government, since implementing the “One Nation One Election” idea requires an amendment of the Constitution.

But a constitutional amendment, however, cannot be done without two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament, which the government does not have at the moment.

Poonch, Nov 26: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army was killed while a civilian was injured in cross-border firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district on Thursday evening.
Officials told KNO that a Subedar ranked JCO of the army was injured after the Pakistan Army targeted Indian Army posts on LoC.
“The injured official was shifted to Army hospital in Udhampur where he succumbed to his injuries,” they said.
A civilian identified as Muhammad Rashid Ahmed from Kirni village was also injured in firing who has been hospitalized in Poonch. Meanwhile, the exchange of fire between both the armies was going on when the report was last filed.