Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Oct 16: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range Vijay Kumar Friday said that police have busted a module of Over Ground Workers (OGW) of militants and arrested six militant aides besides seizing six vehicles that were used by militants to carry out attacks on security forces on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
Addressing the press conference here the IGP said that a series of attacks took place from August 14 this y ear to October 5 that include an attack on police and SSB men at Nowgam, Srinagar on August 14 in which two policemen were killed and one INSAS riffle snatched as well.
“Similarly, on September 21, militants attacked RoP at new bypass and on September 25 militants attacked the CRPF party at Chadoora in which one CRPF man was killed and his weapon was also snatched. On October 5, another attack was carried out at RoP of CRPF at Taingan, By-pass in which two CRPF men were killed and four others injured,” the IGP said.
He said in order to solve the case different teams were constituted by the police West Zone Srinagar.
“Around 9 to 10 suspects were identified and subsequently picked up by these teams. The teams were able to identify the links through human intelligence. Raids were conducted in Chadoora, Budgam, Nowgam and other areas of district Srinagar. The suspects were subjected to sustained interrogation and during interrogation they confessed about their involvements and the militants involved,” the IGP said, adding that pinpoint location of the house where militants involved in these attacks were hiding at Barzulla, Srinagar was also obtained using human intelligence.
The IGP said that six militant associates were arrested that include Waseem Ahemd GAnai of Ganaimohalla, Chatergam, Chadoora, Faisal Mushtaq Ganai of Aribagh, Nowgam, Shakir Ahmed Dar of Marvel, Kakapora, Pulwama, Suhail Shabir Ganai of Ganai Mohalla Chattergam, Chadoora, Budgam, Umar Nisar of Iqbal Colonoy Wanbal, Shakerpora, Nowgam, Srinagar and Sahil Nisar of Aribagh, Nowgam.
He said that six vehicles were also seized from the arrested militant associates that include Tavera, Pulsar bike, Yamaha bike, Alto while colour, Alto-800, and another Bike—(KNO)

Rajouri, Oct 16: The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) man, who deserted from his camp in Budgam district on Wednesday alongwith one INSAS rifle and magazine has been arrested in his native district Rajouri while travelling in a truck.
A police official told KNO that a truck loaded with fruit and on way to Jammu from Srinagar via Mughal Road was intercepted at a naka on Jammu-Poonch highway in Manjakote area where during checking, SSB man Altaf Hussain was found sitting alongwith driver who was arrested on the spot.
“We have also recovered one Insas rifle magazine from his possession,” the official said.
He said that information of arrest of Altaf has been shared with his counterparts in Budgam.

‘Rs 50 lakh, Rs 1 crore and Rs 5 crore to be released to each municipal bodies’

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 16: After the overwhelming response to Government’s Back to Village initiative, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today reviewed the preparedness for the upcoming “My Town My Pride” initiative for the Municipal areas, here at Raj Bhavan.
The two-day long programme will be held in Urban Local Bodies on 19th – 20th October, during which camps for public service delivery would be set up.

The Lt Governor called for all-out efforts for achieving the goal of the two day-long programme to empower the Urban Local Bodies by reaching out to urban population living in towns, with governance at their doorsteps and ensure on spot redressal of their issues and grievances.

Use this initiative to strengthen Urban Local Self-Governance and own the programme to serve the people with responsive, accountable and participatory governance, Lt Governor said to Officers.

Giving thrust to the developmental activities, Rs 50 lakh, Rs 1 crore and Rs 5 crore will be released to each Municipal Committee, Municipal Council, and Municipal Corporation, respectively. Funds should be used judiciously for visible impact on the ground, he added.

The Lt Governor laid special emphasis on the time-bound delivery and issuance of important documents, certificates; revenue services, besides ensuring maximum saturation of Social Security and beneficiary oriented schemes, and ensuring mobilization of funds towards meaningful developmental activities as per the needs of the local population.

He directed the visiting officers to assess the ground situation of the allotted ULB vis-à-vis perception of the local public, data provided by different departments, inputs shared by the ULB / prominent citizens and share their own observations.

The Lt Governor directed the officers to identify the gaps in the functioning of the administration and put sustained and synchronized efforts to remove bottlenecks. He asked the DCs and senior officers to encourage the Field Functionaries for this ‘Urban Jan Abhiyaan’ and directed the Divisional Commissioners to monitor the overall conduct of the programme.

“I have been pushing for on spot Grievance Redressal, Instant delivery of services to the masses, and on the ground speedy execution of people-centric projects”, said the Lt Governor

“My Town My Pride” is on the lines of successfully concluded ‘Back to Village’ programme for providing doorstep delivery of different government services and to identify structural issues firsthand. We have three main objectives – Public outreach in towns, Strengthening grass-root democracy, and service delivery at doorsteps, he added.

“Back to Village programme” was a unique initiative by the J&K Government to reach out to the rural population with an objective to strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions which was even mentioned by Prime Minister in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme. The sincere efforts on the part of the UT Government received encouraging feedback from the public.

During the Back to Village programme, the population living in urban areas has desired that a people-centric programme on the lines of Back to Village should also be initiated in Urban areas. To fulfil this aspiration of the Urban people, the J&K Government is going to conduct ‘My Town My Pride’, the Lt Governor continued.

Referring to the Second Administrative Commission report, in which intensive research was done on Urban Governance, the Lt Governor observed that the report suggested that by 2026, level of Urbanization will significantly increase and we can witness that phenomenon today.

Keeping this in view; Lt Governor suggested that the officers visit different municipal areas and collect information and data for reform-linked investments that would help in region-wise long term planning.

Urban Services Improvement Projects are going on in some of the States with the assistance of international agencies. We shall also make efforts towards asset creation, with identification of sectors with the scope of innovative financing and public-private partnership, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor also called for exploring modalities to integrate the ongoing programmes of the Government to make Cities and Towns sustainable. Focus should be on strengthening the local network of governance through participatory democracy, he added.

Kewal Kumar Sharma, Farooq Khan, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar and Baseer Ahmad Khan-Advisors to the Lt Governor; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary, Home; Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Divisional Commissioners; IGs; Deputy Commissioners; SSPs and other senior officers attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode.

Out of 720 score 695 points
Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Oct 16: In the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) exams, a teenage boy from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has made his parents and entire Kashmir proud by securing over 96 percent points.
Khan Basit Bilal (18) son of Bilal Ahmad Khan, of Narwah Village of Ratnipora, Pulwama has secured 695 points out of 720.
While talking to KNO, Khan Basit gave credit of his success to Allah and his parents besides teachers while adding that any dream can come true if one works hard. “I was expecting that I will qualify NEET. However, I had never thought I will qualify it with such a percentage. Entire credit goes to teachers of Mission E Coaching Centre who showed me the right track as to how NEET can be cracked,” Basit said.
He added that he studied from day one as he was aware that points matter in NEET. “I am very happy at the moment and whatever position I will get in my life, my sole motive will be to serve people,” he said.
“Children get involved in evil and odd things because their parents don’t spend time with them and there remains a gap which forces them to take harsh steps.”
Basit’s father Bilal Ahmad Khan said that his son has made entire Kashmir proud.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Oct 16: Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (SSB) has cautioned the job aspirants about a fake notice being circulated on social media platform regarding downloading of Admit Cards for the OMR Based Objective Type Written Test Examination for the posts of Panchayat Accounts Assistant, saying that it is misleading and  an act of some unscrupulous elements.

The Board has advised the candidates to check official website of the Board www.jkssb.nic.in for authentic / verified updates / information.

It said that a Fake Notice has been circulated on the Social Media, regarding downloading of Admit Cards for the OMR Based Objective Type Written Test Examination for the posts of Panchayat Accounts Assistant under endorsement no. SSB/Secy/Sel/2020/4969-73 dated:12.10.2020 which has caused unnecessary annoyance and anxiety to the aspirants and also amounts to misusing the name and authority of the J&K Service Selection Board, for ulterior motives by unscrupulous elements.

In this context,  it is clarified that no such notice has been issued by the J&K Services Selection Board and the said notice in circulation on social media is fake. The matter has already been referred to the Cyber Cell of J&K Police for detailed investigation and booking of the unscrupulous element under law.

It is the endeavor of J&K Services Selection Board to hold the examinations at earliest possible opportunity and finalize the selection processes in shortest possible time, keeping in view the essence of Accelerated Recruitment Drive. All the necessary preparations are underway and respective District Administrations are extending valuable cooperation in the efforts being made by the Board. However, there are lots of activities already going on the ground level which are engaging the attention of Administration. Therefore, a holistic view is to be taken to ensure secure, smooth and above all fair and transparent examination. It is reiterated that the J&K Services Selection Board shall hold all examinations in a time bound manner and release selection lists without any undue delay. The final dates in this regard shall be notified in due course.

Further, the job aspirants are hereby cautioned against the activities of the unscrupulous elements, who are misleading the gullible candidates using various deceptive means and by spreading misinformation.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 16: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole today chaired a meeting of concerned officers to finalize arrangements for the Eid-Milad-un- Nabi(SAW), starting from today across Kashmir.
He on the occasion stressed on strict adherence to Covid-19 protocol and directed all Deputy Commissioners (DC’s) to issue necessary advisory so that people participating in religious gatherings use sanitizers, face masks, personal prayer mats, maintain social distancing and follow other Covid-19 related SOPs strictly to contain the spread of virus.
At the outset, the meeting was informed that large gatherings shall be held at Assar-i-Sharief Hazratbal, Jenab Sahab Soura, Assar-I-Sharief Kalashpora, Aham Sharief Bandipora, Kabamarg, Anantnag and Peth Makhama Beerwah Budgam, while small gatherings shall be held at other Khanqahs and shrines in all districts during the 12- day Urs celebration.
The Div Com directed concerned to ensure devotees enter religious places only after proper temperature check, use of face mask and hand sanitizer at entry points.
He said that with the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, additional fool-proof sanitation arrangements have to be made at all locations.
Stressing on proper maintenance of sanitation, SMC and ULB authorities were directed to conduct fumigation of Dargah premises twice a day besides, advance deployment of sanitation material, mobile toilets, suckers, septic tanks and additional sweepers are deployed at Hazratbal for daily cleaning of inner and outer premises of Dargah.
Calling upon for fool-proof security arrangements to be put in place, the Div Com instructed concerned to install an additional eight number of CCTVs at Dargah Sharief.

The meeting was informed that no night players shall be held this year, while the holy relic shall be displayed outside Dargah Hazratbal only due to Covid-19 situation.
He instructed DCs to ensure availability of Masks and Hand sanitizers at all places.
PDD authorities were directed to ensure uninterrupted power supply, availability of Gen- sets at all locations as backup in case of power breakage, besides installation of high mast lights at all required spots.
Similarly PHE department was directed to ensure hassle-free drinking water supply and arrange water tankers during Urs days.
FCS&CA authorities were instructed to ensure timely supply of ration and availability of LPG and essential commodities in these areas.
Calling upon intensified daily market checking, the Div Com directed DCs to constitute district wise joint market checking teams to ensure no sale of sub-standard food items and implementation of government rate list.
He instructed concerned to ensure strict action is taken including registering of FIRs against the offenders.
Health authorities were directed to deploy a team of doctors and paramedics staff along with ambulances at all religious places.
He said that the facility of RAT testing shall be also established for people volunteering for testing at major locations.
Traffic and Transport departments were instructed to ensure proper route plan and facilities for parking of vehicles.
The Div Com instructed concerned to ensure installation of PAS and coverage at all required places.
He said Fire Tenders shall remain deployed in sufficient numbers to tackle any exigency situation. He further stressed the surface leveling of all inner and outer roads leading to shrines where large gatherings are held and immediate address to all potholes.
The Div Com instructed DCs to visit all locations where people shall throng in large numbers to ensure all arrangements are in place for devotees.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Secretary Waqf Board, Chief Engineers of Jal Shakti and PDD, Director FCS&CA, SSP Traffic Rural, SP Headquarter, Conservator Forests, Joint Director Information, JD F&ES and other concerned officers.
Meanwhile, DCs and SSP also attended the meeting through video conferencing.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday assured the daughters of the country that the government will decide the right age for marriage as soon as the concerned committee gives its report.

“Discussion is underway to decide the right age for marriage of our daughters. From across the country, daughters have written to me asking why the concerned committee has not given its decision yet. I assure you that as soon as the report comes, the government will act on it,” Prime Minister Modi said during an event to release a commemorative coin of ₹ 75 denomination to mark the 75th Anniversary of India’s long-standing relation with the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

He also spoke about the steps taken by his government towards the maintenance of the health and hygiene of women.

“We are taking appropriate actions for our daughters” well-being. Through Jal Jeevan Mission, work is going on to provide water to every household. We are providing sanitary pad for Re 1 each,” he said.

The central government on September 22 had said that a task force has been constituted to examine the correlation of the age of marriage and motherhood.

COVID-19 kills 7 more in J&K, 697 test positive
Death toll mounts to 1368, total cases 86745
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Oct: Jammu and Kashmir reported seven more COVID-19 deaths and 697 positive cases in last 24 hours, officials said on Friday.
They said that fatality count in J&K has mounted to 1368, while 86754 persons have tested positive for the virus in the Union Territory since the outbreak of pandemic in March this year.

Officials said that among the victims who died today, five belonged to Jammu division and two others to Kashmir—one from Srinagar and other from Baramulla.
Regarding Srinagar, official sources told GNS that the victim was a 66-year-old woman from Pir Bagh Hyderpora who was admitted to SKIMS Soura October 6 with bilateral community acquired pneumonia.
Last night, they said, a 60-year-old man from Pattan Baramulla died at the tertiary care hospital, eighteen days after he was admitted.
Among others the deaths from Jammu include a 49-year-old from Bishnah, an 86-year-old from Gandhi Nagar, an 85-year-old man from Agar Jittu Reasi, a 64-year-old woman form Doda from Doda, they said.
With these deaths, the fatality count has reached to 918 in the Valley and 445 in Jammu.
Srinagar district with 328 deaths tops the list followed by Jammu (236), Baramulla (134), Budgam (90), Pulwama (76), Kupwara (72), Anantnag (70), Kulgam (43), Bandipora(42), Rajouri (45), Doda (40), Shopian (33), Ganderbal (30), Kathua (29), Udhampur (25), Samba (24), Poonch (22), Ramban (11), Kishtwar(11) and Reasi (6).

697 new cases in J&K, total 86754
Meanwhile, forty travelers and three doctors were among 697 new COVID-19 cases that were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in last 24 hours, taking the total tally to 86754.
Among the fresh cases, officials said that 312 were reported from Jammu Division and 385 from Kashmir.
Giving district wise details, they said, Srinagar reported 155 cases, Budgam 28, Baramulla 40, Pulwama 19, Kupwara 33, Anantnag 45, Bandipora 21, Ganderbal 23, Kulgam 21, Shopian 0, Jammu 121, Rajouri 21, Udhampur 4, Doda 30, Kathua 14, Poonch 44, Samba 19, Kishtwar 31, Ramban 8 and Reasi 20.

A number of these cases were confirmed at SKIMS Soura’s diagnostic laboratory and includes male (52) from Kurhama Ganderbal, male (75) from Warpora Ganderbal, male (60) from Saloora Ganderbal, female (48) from Dobipora Ganderbal, female (21) from Akhal Ganderbal, female (50) from Tangpora Budgam, female (42) from Bk Pora Budgam, male (54) from Bagi Mehtab Budgam, female (49) from Chadoora Budgam, male (54) from Bk Pora Budgam, female (31) from Bk Pora Budgam, female (50) from Bk Pora Budgam, male (16) from Chrari Shareef Budgam, male (70) from Harinoo Budgam, male (24) from 29 Bn Crpf Rawalpora Sgr, male (25) 25 Bn Crpf Dpl Budgam

male (60) from Buchpora Sgr, male (60) from Ellahibagh Sgr, male (16) from Ellahibagh Sgr, male (20) from Ellahibagh Sgr, male (75) from Buchpora Sgr, male (19) from Nowshera Sgr, female (56) from Zakura Sgr, male (50) from Soura Sgr, male (62) from Ellahibagh Sgr, male (21) from Nowshera Baramulla, female (75) from Alamgiri Bazar Sgr, female (26) from Ahmed Nagar Sgr, female (50) from Sgr, female (60) from Hyderpora Sgr, male (50) from Ganderbal, female (62) from Buchpora Sgr, male (65) from Buchpora Sgr, male (65) from Muslimabad Bandipora, male (60) from Chandoosa Baramulla, male (80) from Baramulla, male (70) from Allochibagh Sgr, female (44) from Barzula Sgr, female (32) from Kalaroos Kup, male (75) from Gund Jahangir Bandipora, female (68) from Buchpora Sgr, female (70) (Na) from Fatehkadal Sgr, male (72) from Natipora Sgr, male (27) from Budgam, male (70) from Kalmunna Kupwara.
Moreover, they said 838 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals— 381 from Jammu Division and 457 from Kashmir Valley. (GNS)