Police says OGW fled in dark, found his body near stone quarry; Family  alleges he died in police custody

Precious Kashmir News

Sopore, Sept 16:  Protests erupted in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday after death of a local youth, who according to police was an OGW and escaped in dark, whose body was later on recovered from a quarry. The family however alleged that Irfan Ahmad Dar was tortured to death after he along with his brother Javed Ahmad were picked up by police from their shop on Tuesday. Soon after the incident internet services were suspended in the district to maintain law and order.

As the news of Dar’s spread in the area, protests broke out as relatives and neighbors gathered to mourn the alleged killing. Protestors were shouting slogans against police and condemned the alleged “custodial death” of 24-year old youth.

Police in a statement said on 15.09.2020 at about 12.:45 hours, one Over-Ground Worker (OGW) namely Irfan Ahmad Dar aged about 23/24 years son of Mohammad Akbar Dar resident of Sidiq Colony, Sopore was apprehended and two Chinese Hand Grenades were recovered from his possession.

“In this regard, case under FIR No. 257/2020 U/S 18 ULA (P) Act, 7/27 A. Act was registered in Police Station Sopore and investigation taken up. During the course of investigation, a Police Team visited Chairdaji area of Tujjar-Sharief along with OGW for affecting some more recovery on the disclosure of the OGW”, police statement reads.

It added, “in the meanwhile the OGW while taking advantage of darkness and terrain managed to escape regarding which a separate case under FIR No. 71/2020 U/S 224 IPC was registered in Police Station Bomai and during search the body of OGW was found near Stone Quarry of Tujjar-Sharief”.

“The body was taken to the nearby PHC, wherefrom shifted to PCR Kashmir Hospital for fulfilling medical and other legal formalities and final disposal”, police said, adding further investigation has been initiated.

However, family members of Dar contested police claims and said he was “killed in custody”.

“I along with my brother Irfan were picked up by police for questioning on September 14 after which I was set free but my brother was kept in police custody”, said Javaid Ahmad, Irfan’s brother.

He alleged that his brother has been killed in police custody and that he had no militant connections.

“My brother is innocent and was a shopkeeper by profession. He had no militant connections and that the police claim about recovery of grenades is nothing but concocted story”, said Javaid. He demanded an impartial independent probe into what he alleged as “the cold blooded murder” of his brother.

The authorities snapped internet services in Sopore to prevent any law and order situation.  (KNS)

Agencies

Dubai, Sept 16:  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will soon resume Umrah service with only a limited number of domestic pilgrims from within the Kingdom.

As part of the Ministry of Interior’s plans to ease restrictions on travel, the ministry on Sunday announced the partial lifting of travel restrictions from September 15, while the complete lifting will be done from January 1, 2021.

According to Gulf News, the ministry will allow Gulf citizens and non-Saudis with valid residency permits or visas to enter the kingdom from Tuesday, September 15, on the condition that they are not infected with the virus.

Keeping in view the pandemic situation, the suspension of Umrah service will be lifted gradually.

As of now, domestic pilgrims will be permitted to perform the pilgrimage, on showing a medical certificate which certifies that they are tested negative for the coronavirus. Coronavirus precautionary measures and preventive protocols will be followed while allowing Umrah.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will soon announce the guidelines in this regard.

Concerned authorities will issue a permit to perform Umrah to those fulfilling the terms and conditions. There will be a mobile application that specifies the date and time of performance of the pilgrimage by each pilgrim.

74 security men, 71 civilians killed since Aug 5 last year

Agencies

New Delhi, Sept 16: As many as 71 civilians and 74 security personnel were killed in militancy attacks and ceasefire violations by Pakistan since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution a year ago, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy also said militant incidents have come down since August 5, 2019 when the Article 370 was scrapped.

A total of 45 civilians and 49 security personnel were killed due to militants incidents from August 5, 2019 to September 10, 2020 in Jammu and Kashmir and 26 civilians and 25 security personnel were killed due to ceasefire violation by Pakistani forces along the border in the same period.

Prior to the abrogation of Article 370 — from June 29, 2018 to August 4, 2019, (total 402 days), there were 455 militancy incidents in Jammu and Kashmir while from August 5, 2019 to September 9, 2020 (402 days), there were 211 militancy incidents in the Union Territory.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Sept 16: The University of Kashmir in collaboration with the government is organizing a one-day brainstorming session on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) at SKICC, Srinagar on September 20.

The Union Cabinet approved the National Education Policy on 29th July, 2020 and the policy is meant to provide an overarching vision and comprehensive framework for higher education across the country. The President and Prime Minister of India have suggested that the universities and higher education ministries across the country shall hold brainstorming sessions involving all the stakeholders for deliberating upon the strategies regarding the smooth implementation of the NEP-2020 in the country.

It is in this context University of Kashmir is organizing a brainstorming session on Sunday at SKICC Srinagar, Kashmir which shall be addressed by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind and Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Kumar Sinha,.

The brainstorming session shall comprise of three technical sessions with presentations scheduled on various themes of the NEP by K. K. Sharma, advisor to the Lt Governor of JK,  Prof. Ved Prakash, former UGC-Chairman, all the five vice-chancellors of the universities in the Kashmir valley, Director, NIT, Srinagar and a few college principals.

The brainstorming session is being attended by several academicians, scientists, experts, government officers and prominent civil society members from the J&K UT.

Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad said during the brainstorming sessions, the whole gamut of issues related to the implementation of the new NEP in the UT shall be discussed by the stakeholders and the proceedings of the brainstorming session shall inform the strategies and roadmap for the smooth implementation of the NEP-2020 in the universities and higher education institutes in the JK UT.

World Bank agrees to finance US $ 50 million from within allocation of JTFRP

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Sept 16:  In an important decision that further strengthens patient care in the health institutions of J&K especially in wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Administrative Council (AC) which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, gave its nod to implementation of the World Bank assisted project for strengthening of healthcare institutions by way of providing equipment for intensive care units/operation theatres, laboratories and power back up systems at the District level, manifold system and gas pipelines at SDH/CHC level, besides critical care ambulances.

The Administrative Council also accorded sanction to procurement/installation of equipments including critical care ambulances for hospitals through J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd and establishment of manifold and gas pipeline system in the proposed SDHs/CHCs of Jammu & Kashmir through Mechanical Engineering Department.

Pertinently, World Bank assisted project for strengthening of healthcare institutions is a part of Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP), having seven components aimed at reconstruction and rehabilitation of the damaged infrastructure. One of its components is Contingent emergency Response is meant for providing immediate response during any crisis or emergency in Jammu & Kashmir. This component came into effect only during the prevailing situation due to global Covid -19 pandemic when the National Disaster Management Act was invoked to deal with the humanitarian crisis emerging out of the spread of virus.

It was following the request of Government of Jammu & Kashmir, GoI and World Bank agreed to finance 50 million US$ for the project. The J&K Medical Supplies Corporation has been incorporated as Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for implementation of this component.

With help of this new project approved under the World Bank, the Health institutions of the Union Territory will be able to ensure availability of quality healthcare facilities through advanced equipment, besides better handling of Covid-19 pandemic.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Sept 16:   For fast and timely containment of the accidental fires in the congested areas J&KERA (Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency) under its World Bank funded JTFRP (Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project)has provided  17 Quick Response Vehicles (QRV) to the Fire and Emergency Services Department.

These 17 QRV’s (Quick Response Vehicles) worth Rs1.73 crores for fire-fighting and nearly 26 more which will include 17 MPFT (Multi-Purpose Fire Tenders) apart from 09 regular Fire tenders are going to be added to the fleet soon. The Jammu and Kashmir is set to get a major fleet of modern, compact fire tenders that could improve response time to provide a cutting edge to fire and rescue services in J&K.

The Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (JKERA) under the component of Strengthening of the Disaster Management Capacity of the World Bank funded JTFRP is taking up the much needed   modernization of  the ageing fleet of fire tenders and equipping  it with advanced fire-fighting materials..

The officials at the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said that with the addition of these vehicles under JTFRP, the fire fighters of the department could serve even in the narrowest of lanes in congested areas of the Srinagar and Jammu cities which are prone to accidental fires.

“This is really useful addition to our fleet. With these vehicles, we can now cater to different and difficult fire accident-prone areas across Jammu and Kashmir with accuracy,” said, Bashir Ahmad Shah, Deputy Director, Fire and Emergency Service, headquarter Srinagar.

“We have received 17 mini-vehicles (QRVs) from JTFRP and more latest and sophisticated firefighting equipment are coming. I am sure that it would be a shot in the arm of our firefighting team to operate in busy areas and ensuring better results,” he said.

He said that 17 quick response vehicles that were received from JTFRP have been distributed to several districts across Jammu and Kashmir.

“The quick response vehicles, which would be stationed in every divisional and district headquarters has a foam tank and fire extinguisher to douse the fire in congested areas where normal fire tenders would find it difficult to enter for want of adequate space,” Shah said, adding “These vehicles are also useful for handling oil fires, besides it has a 60 litres mounted tank which contains foam.”

Another official, Noor Alam, Sub Officer, Fire Service Headquarter, Srinagar, said that “the vehicle is first aid for dousing the fire till we get the massive vehicles to the areas.”

“Sometimes, somewhere, fire breaks out from areas like kitchen or bathroom in the congested areas and it becomes very difficult for us to move with heavy vehicles, so these QRVs have come handy,” Alam said.

Ever since the outbreak of COVID-19, the firefighters have also been deployed for spraying disinfectants at specified locations across the region.

The officials at the Fire and Emergency Services department said with the help of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the QRVs and other vehicles have been also being used for spraying disinfectants in congested areas and hospitals in view of the pandemic.

Chief Executive Officer, JKERA/JTFRP, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah appreciated the firefighters for their proactive role in firefighting and for remaining at the frontline in the battle against COVID-19.

“As part of the strengthening of the Disaster Risk Management Capacity these vehicles will go a long way in augmenting the fire and emergency response system on modern lines , we are hopeful that the F& ES Dept. will utilise these well and any fire related emergency can be tackled in a quick efficient and effective manner” he said.

Emphasizes fast track redressal of public grievances

Precious Kashmir News

Budgam, Sept 15:  Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam, Wednesay launched Block Diwas (Youm-e-Block) at Budgam with inauguration of its first phase at Kanihama Narbal.

Chief Secretary was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Budgam, SSP Budgam, ACD and other concerned district officers.

Addressing on the occasion, Chief Secretary said that the objective of observing this Day is to reach out to the common people with   various government initiatives being taken up to streamline the growth and development of rural parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Block Diwas will provide administration an opportunity to take appraisal  of local issues from the BDC chairpersons, Sarpanchs, Panchs and general  public for accurate and on ground assessment and redressal thereof”, he said.

The CS said officers have been instructed to ensure that maximum issues shall be redressed on the spot with intervention of the concerned departmental functionaries.

Chief Secretary, while taking stock of pendency of Domicile and income certificates and simultaneous issuance of  the same, directed  for early  issuance of the same.

Regarding PM Kisan scheme, Chief Secretary instructed for speedy disposal of the cases as the scheme ensures financial help to the farmers when they need it the most.

He expressed satisfaction over achieving 100 per cent saturation of KCC cases saying that no applicant shall be asked for guarantor for any government sponsored scheme. He instructed all concerned banks that no laxity shall be acceptable while sanctioning the cases relating to socio economic upliftment of under privileged segments of the society.

Referring to issues relating to power and water supply, CAPD, Social Welfare, Health and other departments, Chief Secretary reiterated every effort will be made to ensure that supplies relating to basic needs shall always be in time with all quality parameters.

Chief Secretary urged upon the people to take advantage of Ayushman Bharat health scheme as it envisages better healthcare prospects particularly for poor and under privileged class.

Sajid Raina

Srinagar, Sep 16:  Pakistan Army on Wednesday violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, targeting forward locations at Bagtore area, defence officials said.

Sources said Pakistan army initiated an unprovoked Ceasefire Violation (CFV) along the Line of control in Bagtore Sector of Gurez, by resorting to unprovoked firing of Mortars and other weapons at around 11:30 am today.

They said that the Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire along the line of control (LOC) at around 11: 30 AM and targeted forward defence locations in Bagtore area of Gurez sector.

They further said that the Indian Army personnel were giving a “strong and befitting” response to the ceasefire violation while the further details were being ascertained.

The heavy shelling was going on from both sides when this report was being filed. However, there was no immediate report of any causality on either side

Pertinently, Army yesterday said that it has recovered arms and ammunition during a counter-infiltration operation in Budhab sector of Gurez.  (KNO)

Sofi Sajad

Srinagar, Sept 16: After taking into consideration all relevant factors and inputs from various stakeholders, the election authority is likely to conduct the polls for vacant Panchayat seats and Block Development Councils in Jammu and Kashmir in next two months.

If the polls take place, it will be the first elections in Jammu and Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into union territories on August 5 last year.

A top government official said the elections to about 13,000 vacant posts of panch and sarpanch in gram panchayats and the BDC elections are likely to be held in the next two months.

“If all goes well the entire election process is expected to be over by the end of this year,” he said.

Sources said the Government of India (GoI) and J&K government is very keen to hold these elections.

The posts are lying vacant since November 2018 when the elections to the local bodies were held.

Out of Kashmir’s 20,093 panch and sarpanch seats, more than 12,500 seats are vacant.

The 2018 polls to the local bodies had witnessed poor participation with two major regional political parties — the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — boycotting it.

The by-election to more than 12,500 panchayat seats was scheduled to be held in eight phases from March 5 this year, however the elections were postponed due to security reasons.

The BJP is the only party in the state that backs elections at this time. The other parties including National Conference and People’s Democratic Party have opposed holding polls.

The Election Commission on several occasions had said it would announce elections in the state after it received a green signal from both the Centre and the state government on the law and order situation.

Jammu and Kashmir has not had an elected government since the PDP-BJP coalition government fell apart in June 2018.

The government has constituted an Apex Level and two Divisional Level committees to conduct preparatory work for bye-elections for Panchayats and Block Development Councils (BDC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Apex Level Committee will draw a roadmap and detailed schedule for conduct of elections to vacant panchayats and BDCs across J&K.  (KINS)