Uri, Nov 23: Former Minister and senior Congress leader Taj Mohiuddin Monday submitted his nomination papers as the Congress Party’s candidates from Uri Block for District Development Constituency (DDC) elections.

Taj Mohiuddin told KNT that he doesn’t think he has done anything wrong. “I submitted the nomination form just to serve the people who are roaming from pillar to post to get their grievances addressed,” he said.

He said his people are suffering immensely in absence elected representatives. “I decided to contest the elections and serve people. I don’t think it is humiliating for me to contest these DDC elections,” he said.

Earlier, Taj Mohiuddin submitted his nomination form from Param Pera Uri before Sub-Divisional Magistrate Uri.

Taj Mohiuddin is probably the first former cabinet minister who has jumped into the fray in these DDC elections.

Abid Bashir

Srinagar, Nov 23: Asserting that J&K is moving ahead with positivity and people trying to create negative atmosphere should be isolated, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said District Development Council (DDC) polls are being held to rejuvenate democratic values.

“It really doesn’t matter who wins or loses in the polls, what matters is how enthusiastically the people participate in this democratic process,” Naqvi told UNI in an exclusive interview.

The Union Minister said that the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) took a U-turn and decided to take part in the DDC elections after they felt they are being isolated as the people are moving ahead with development.

“First of all it doesn’t matter who will win how many seats in the District Development Council elections. It is not important how many seats will the BJP or the PADG win in this election… the important thing is to see how the people of J&K are participating in this democratic process,” he said.

“People were asking for the initiation of political activities in J&K… what better way to start political activities than DDC elections. This is the first time such polls are being held in J&K after independence and people are participating with enthusiasm,” Naqvi added.

He said over 14 candidates are contesting from each constituency with lakhs of people participating in the election process. So, he said it is a positive development.

“I believe whosoever the people of Kashmir and Jammu decide will be elected. This election is not for winning and losing, but for rejuvenating the democratic values,” he said.

However, he expressed confidence that BJP will do well in the DDC elections as the people of Jammu and Kashmir have full faith in the party.

Naqvi further alleged that the dynastic arrogance has been shattered following abrogation of Article 370 and the development after that. “So, initially they said that they will not participate in the elections till the time Article 370 was not restored. But they know that it can’t be brought back as it was abrogated by Parliament,” he said.

He said now the people of J&K have moved ahead on the path of development so they (local politicians) felt that they are being isolated and formed Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. “PAGD has been formed by people who believe in dynastic and destructive politics. But, it will turn out to be their death declaration as the people of J&K want to be the part of development. Do they (PAGD) want to again put J&K in the path of destruction?” he said.

The Union Minister said that the PAGD thought that if they didn’t participate in the DDC elections they will be disassociated from the people, who are actively involved in the polls. “So they announced that they will participate in the polls,” he said.

The Union Minister said that these politicians never wanted Article 370 to go as so many laws, which were passed by Parliament for the benefit of the people, were not implemented in J&K. “As these laws were not implemented in J&K, it deprived people of various rights including reservation for SC/ST in political sphere. After the abrogation of Article 370 so many central laws have been extended to J&K and has benefited people in Kashmir and Jammu,” he added.

“These politicians have benefited over these years from the funds which were meant for the development of the people. They are upset as now they will not be able to benefit from these funds as the power has been handed over to the people in the form of their local level representatives. Through panchayat, DDC and Urban Local body elections, people will have a say in the development process of their respective areas,” he added.

Answering a question about allegations that candidates of other political parties are not being allowed to campaign in their respective areas, Mr Naqvi said that the allegations are being leveled as PAGD has realized that the people are against it. “When a political party realizes that it is going to lose, it starts to claim that its party candidates are not being allowed to campaign or go to the people to seek votes… then they say that is the reason why they have lost,” he added.

Naqvi said these politicians used to claim that BJP will not be able to even field candidates on these seats. But, he said BJP is fights election from all these seats.

“I believe touch competition is a positive sign of health democracy,” he said.

“All the central development and empowerment schemes were not implemented in J&K due to Article 370. But now as they have been extended to J&K, I believe that a revolutionary change in terms of development and empowerment will happen in J&K soon. “There was some delay due to COVID-19 pandemic, but now we are putting in our efforts to initiate these changes,” he added.

The Union Minister said many industrial houses are interested in setting up their units in J&K, which will help in generating employment. “There is absolutely no threat to Zar, Zameen and Jungle in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mr Naqvi added.

Precious Kashmir News 

Jammu, Nov 23; Kamal P. Patnaik today took over the charge as the new Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India for the UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Before joining RBI Jammu, he was Chief General Manager (O-I-C) at RBI, Kochi Office.

Thomas Mathew, former Regional Director has been transferred from Jammu and has taken over charge as Chief General Manager, Department of Regulation, Central Office, Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai.

Srinagar, Nov 23: Twenty nine killings have occurred in Jammu and Kashmir in 23 days in the ongoing November month.

Twelve militants, 2 army soldiers, 2 BSF personnel, a cop and 6 civilians have been killed in different militancy related incidents.

As per the data available with news agency KNT, this current month witnessed 6 gunfights between militants and government forces in different parts of Kashmir. In two gunfights, militants managed to escape from the encounter spot, however, Joint Forces were able to kill 12 militants including top Hizb Commander Dr Saifullah who was killed in Rangreth Srinagar encounter on the very first day of this month.

A civilian Aabid Ahmed was killed in a gunfight at Meej Pampore area of South Kashmir. Militants gunned down a blacksmith Muhammad Ayoub in Tral area of Pulwama while a policeman Ishfaq Ahmed was found dead with torture marks on his body in in Archindhama village in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

Three army men were killed in Machil encounter during an infiltration bid while another BSF man was killed in Nowgam Sector of Kupwara in cross border shelling.

Four soldiers and 4 civilians were killed in Pakistan shelling in different locations of North Kashmir. A soldier was killed in cross border firing in Lam Sector of Nowshera Rajouri.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 23: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has offered his heartfelt condolences on the passing away of former Chief Minister of Assam, Sh Tarun Gogoi.

“I am saddened to learn about the passing away of the former Assam Chief Minister. He was a seasoned politician, who worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people. His demise is a great loss to the political sphere and his contribution to the development of Assam and well-being of its people will always be remembered, said the Lt Governor.
In his message, the Lt Governor expressed his condolences to the bereaved family members and well-wishers and prayed to the almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul.

Provide ownerships details since 1947: HC to Div Com
Srinagar, Nov 23: Jammu and Kashmir has granted Divisional Commissioner Kashmir time to provide details regarding the ownership rights since 1947 regarding a multi-storeyed commercial building at Rajbagh area of Srinagar which is barely 10 to 15 feet from the banks of the River Jhelum.
The direction by a division bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Puneet Gupta followed perusal of an affidavit filed by the divisional commissioner, informing that a Committee has been constituted by him regarding the structure. Furthermore, the officer said a communication has been addressed to the Chairman Inland Waterways Authority of India regarding the matter.
“The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir is directed to place before this Court the ownership rights with regard to subject land as already directed in terms of our order dated 10th of November, 2020,” the court said as per Global News Service and posted the matter on December 1.
The divisional commissioner is required to provide the ownership of the land with effect from 1947, its status after the flooding of Jhelum in September 2014, the constructions permitted to come up on the land with effect from 1947 and the complete details of permissions granted in chronological order.
Meanwhile, a compliance report was filed by Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Board (PCB) and after its perusal the court observed it discloses that the builder is proposing to construct a Hotel with the capacity of 48 rooms and a Restaurant facility with a seating capacity of 80 persons.
The court also directed Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Kashmir to file photographs of the spot and area in the floods of September 2014.
The court also grated time to the Inspector General of Police, Traffic, J&K for filing a compliance report, detailing additional traffic burden and burden on the circulation at the spot which would result in establishing a Hotel with 48 rooms and seating capacity of 80 persons for Restaurant if made functional on the site in question.
Meanwhile, advocate M. A. Qayoom appeared on behalf of Gulzar Ahmad Sheikh who is the builder -owner of the structure.
The court also granted Srinagar Municipal Corporation time to file the reply regarding the permission(s) granted for construction of a multi-storeyed commercial building “which is barely about between 10 to 15 feet from the banks of the River Jhelum. (GNS)

M S Nazki
Jammu,Nov 23: A light motor vehicle fell into river Chenab in Ramban district along Jammu-Srinagar highway on Thursday.
Official sources said that the unidentified vehicle fell into the fast-flowing water body at Mehar area and only one of its wheels are visible.
SSP Ramban Haseeb-Ul-Rahman who is on the spot overseeing the rescue operation told GNS that efforts are underway to trace out the people.
“Only a wheel of the vehicle is visible as of now and nothing can be said if the vehicle is a passenger or a private one or how many people were boarding it,” he added. (GNS)