Nasir Azam
Srinagar, Sept 8: Jammu & Kashmir has finger print database of 9340 convicted persons in its records, an official report reveals.
The Report- Finger Prints in India 2019- released by the National Crime Records Bureau, a copy of which is with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), states that as on 31.12.2019, 9,340 Ten-digit finger print slips of convicted persons are in records of State Crime Record Bureau, Jammu. The data was released in the 23rd edition of Finger Prints in India -which takes into account the data compiled by finger print bureaus of different states/ Union Territories when it comes to on spot visits by finger print experts, tallying and tracing finger prints of accused persons through search slips and opining expertise in courts for better conviction in criminal cases.
According to the report, the proposal for the establishment of a full-fledged State Finger Print Bureau is under consideration of Jammu & Kashmir Government.
“Presently, the Finger Print Section is functioning at the SCRB,PHQ complex, Gulshan Ground, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu,” it states, adding that the record part is carried out by the State Crime Record Bureau whereas attending the scheme of the crime is being done by Forensic Science Laboratory, J&K.
The report further states that the bureau is headed by a deputy superintendent of police and it is functioning under control of Inspector General of Police Crime.
It also reveals that FACTS 3.0 was installed at Crime Headquarters on May 26, 1985 but it had been non-functional for many years. “New AFIS Secure Mantra 5.0.4 has been procured in October 2012,” the report further states (KNO)
JK has finger print database of 9340 convicts: NCRB report
School Education sector Anantnag seeks permission for starting class work in open-fields
Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Sept 8: The School Education sector of Anantnag district Tuesday said it has sought permission from the administration of the region to start class work in open fields followed by the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Chief Education Officer (CEO) Anantnag, Abdul Rub Shad said the education department has sought permission from district administration to start class work in open fields followed by the prescribed SOPs.
“We have asked the district administration that if any school administration wants to conduct class work, they have to hold it in the open fields followed by the prescribed SOPs,” Shad said.
He said that as of now only community classes were going on in upper belts of Anantnag district.
“The far flung areas of the district wherein internet facility is unavailable or the areas wherein the students sans smart phones, the local teachers are holding community classes in open fields,” Shad said.
He also said that if any student wants to take classes in those community schools, they can take part in it by observing the SOPs.
Pertinently, the government ordered closure of schools in March-2020 to prevent spread of COVID-19 infection and ordered to start holding online classes.
However, in certain areas of Kashmir valley wherein the internet facility was not available, some teachers started holding community classes in remote areas—(KNO)
JK gets second entry route after Lakhanpur
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Sept 8: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday got its second entry corridor as authorities in Kathua district of Jammu division opened the historic Atal Setu bridge for entry in Jammu and Kashmir.
The bridge is situated on Dunera (Pathankot) to Basohli road and was built to improve connectivity between Punjab and J&K UT.
Officials said the bridge was closed after imposition of lockdown due to Coronavirus in the month of March this year.
They said that after reviewing the situation, the authorities have thrown open the bridge for vehicular movement giving J&K a second entry corridor as earlier only Lakhanpur in Kathua was the entry corridor in Jammu and Kashmir.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kathua, Shailendra Mishra said that all the COVID19 protocols as followed at Lakhanpur shall be followed at The Atal Setu.
“This is the second road entry to open for the UT of JK after the lockdown,” SSP said—(KNO)
LAC tension, Covid pandemic hit Ladakh economy
Sumaya Jan
Srinagar Sep 8: The ongoing face-off between Indian and Chinese troops and the Covid-19 pandemic is badly impacting the economy of Ladakh region.
The incursions began in May this year in Galwan valley and Pangong Lake along the LAC in Ladakh after Chinese troops apparently entered into India’s territory. On June 15, 20 Indian soldiers were killed by Chinese troops in Eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley, which led both the nuclear countries on the brink of war.
Since then there is tension along the LAC. People of Ladakh are worried over the ongoing dispute along the LAC especially in the Pangong lake area, which is the prime tourist destination in the new Union Territory.
Tsewang Yangjor, a prominent hotelier, said Ladakh is mainly dependent upon tourism.
“Representatives of hoteliers, transporters, restaurant owners also presented a memorandum before the Lieutenant Governor that we should be provided some relief as we have been badly hit first by pandemic and now border tensions,” Yangjor said.
He asked the government to resolve the border issue.
“If the issue is not resolved the no tourist will visit here. The situation is fragile here,” he said.
Deleks Namgyar, who runs his own travel agency ‘Ladakh Safari’ said the COVID-19 pandemic hit his business badly.
“All the bookings have got cancelled which cost us crore of rupees. Now tension along LAC is hitting us badly,” he said.
This year has been a toughest year for people associated with tourism sector in Ladakh.
Tourism is considered the backbone of Ladakh economy on which seventy percent people are directly and indirectly dependent. The tourism generates revenue of Rs 600 crore annually in Ladakh.
“This year has been a zero income for 350 travel agencies operating in Ladakh,” he said, who is also General Secretary of Ladakh Tour and Travel Agents Operators.
“Pangong Lake is the most sought destination and majority of people visit Ladakh because of this famed lake. There won’t be any tourism in next year if the tensions along the LAC. Both countries should resolve their issues so that we don’t have to bear the brunt of the ongoing tensions,” he said. (KINS)
Advisor Baseer meets 84 delegations, individuals
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sept 8: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan Tuesday listened to issues of different delegations and individuals, including representatives of various associations, at Grievance Cell Church Lane Srinagar.
As many as, 84 public deputations and individuals, hailing from different areas of Jammu and Kashmir, apprised the Advisor of their grievances and sought his intervention for early redress of the same.
While listening to the grievances of the public, the Advisor said that present dispensation has put in place a prompt public grievances redressal mechanism to facilitate the people in distress with speedy disposal of their issues and concerns. On some projected issues, the Advisor issued on-the-spot directions to the concerned departments for time-bound solution of the same.
Representatives of Accountant-cum-Data Entry Operators Union sought continuation of their services. Likewise, another deputation of engineers from recently abolished Self Help Groups demanded roll back on the decision.
Another delegation from Awantipora sought pacing up of work on AIIMS and final settlement of compensation to the land donors for approach road to the AIIMS.
A delegation of NREGA Employee Association sought a hike in their salaries besides absorption in the department. Another Association of Electric Contractors demanded release of their pending bills. MGNREGA workers sought absorption in the department and a hike in their remuneration on immediate basis.
A deputation of need-based labourers of Power Development Department sought the release of their pending wages and various service-related issues being faced by them. Similarly, an employee of Urban Local Bodies from Hajin Bandipora sought the release of her salary.
Another delegation from Safapora Mansbal Civil Society demanded upgradation of basic amenities in their locality.
Besides, dozens of individuals and associations from Reasi, Srinagar, Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Pulwama, Anantnag, Sopore, Baramulla, Tral, Ganderbal, Pampore and other areas also met the Advisor and flagged their issues and grievances and sought early redressal for the same.
The Advisor assured the deputations and individuals that all their genuine demands and grievances would be looked into and addressed on priority.
BSNL, Cong offices remain closed in Srinagar
Srinagar, Sept 8: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) office and Congress headquarter in Srinagar remained closed on Tuesday due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The BSNL office in Srinagar was closed on Monday after some employees tested positive for coronavirus.
This is the second time the BSNL main office, at Exchange road, a stones throw away from UNI Bureau, was closed after some employees tested positive last month.
Customers who had come from different areas of the city to deposit their mobile, brandband and telephone bills had to return to their homes disappointed for the second day today after they were informed that BSNL office, including main collection centre, will remained closed for few more days.
Security guards posted at the main gate of the office were informing customers that they that direction not to allow anybody to enter the office, they said adding however, they do not know reasons behind the closure of the office.
Meanwhile, a private agent of the BSNL was seen issuing SIM cards to people at distance from the BSNL office for the second day today. Besides issuing fresh SIM cards, he was also deposit bills after charging Rs 10 extra.
The agent said the BSNL office has been closed after some employees tested positive.
NC pays tributes to Abdullah on death anniversary
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sept 8: National Conference president and Member of Parliament Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday paid tributes to Sher-e-Kashmir Baba-e-Qoum Hazrat Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah on his 38th death anniversary.
The party president and vice president led the party functionaries, workers and delegates in offering glowing floral tributes and Fateh prayers at the final resting place of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. The duo also offered Fateh prayers and floral tributes at the final resting place of Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah.
While paying tributes to Sher-e-Kashmir, Farooq said, “The spirit of secularism and tolerance possessed by Sher-e-Kashmir was the cumulative effect of the environment which generation after generation has fine-tuned the psyche of Kashmiris. Sher-e-Kashmir was not any different, he also exhibited the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and camaraderie towards all religions, sects and creeds. He made earnest efforts to strengthen it; his political struggle for the restoration of people’s rights wasn’t exclusive, on the contrary it was inclusive.
Watkuloo Chadoora residents allege use of poor quality material in macadamization of roads
Naveed Ul Haq
Budgam, Sept 8: The inhabitants of Watkuloo Chadoora in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district Tuesday staged a protest against the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) department for allegedly using sub-standard material during macadamization process a few weeks back.
The residents of Watkuloo Chadoora stated that two weeks after the roads were macadamized here, the roads have developed potholes, which clearly indicated that poor quality material has been used by the authorities during macadamization process.
A local resident said that the PMGSY department macadamized the road from Loolipora to Watkuloo but unfortunately sub-standard material was used during the process as the roads are again in shambles.
Locals appealed the district administration to intervene and sought an enquiry in this regard. They further demanded that the road should be macadamized again as per the engineering guidelines.
Meanwhile, an official from PMGSY department who was present at the spot during protest assured the protesters that the macadamization process will be carried out properly. (KNO)
Div Com reviews revenue matters of north Kashmir
Precious Kashmir News
Baramulla, Sept 8: With an am to take appraisal of various revenue matters of North Kashmir comprising three districts of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole Tuesday visited Baramulla and chaired a meeting to discuss various issues and matters pertaining to Revenue department.
The meeting also discussed the progress of digitization of land records being carried out under Digital India Land Records Modernization programme (DLRMP).
On the occasion, DC Baramulla presented a detailed PowerPoint Presentation (PPT) wherein he briefed the chair about the current status of various revenue matters viz updation work of jamabandis, scanning and uploading of revenue papers and other issues of vital significance.
He also highlighted various issues and bottlenecks and sought the personal intervention of the Divisional Commissioner for the timely redressal of the said issues.
P K Pole took a detailed review of all vital matters that include land acquisition cases, land compensation, retrieval of state and Kahcharai land, pace and position of developmental works being carried out in the Revenue department.
He said that revenue functionaries had a pivotal role in delivering public services and emphasized upon them to accelerate the pace of digitization process to realize the objectives of modernizing management of land records.
Moreover, he directed for prioritizing the work of Jamabandi strictly in conformity with the standing instructions and said that updated Jamabandis are the prerequisite for the implementation of the land records digitization project.
Meanwhile, P K Pole directed the concerned to identify the State and Kahcharai land in their respective jurisdictions so that the process of its eviction is initiated.
He also directed to expunge all the illegal entries from the land records so that the same is rectified for the convenience of the general public.
DC Kupwara also gave a detailed briefing of the district through PPT during which he informed the meeting about the current status of various revenue matters and also highlighted various issues and sought their timely redressal for better public service delivery.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Dr G N Itoo, DC Kupwara Anshul Garg, ADCs, ACRs, SDMs, Tehsildars among other functionaries of Revenue department attended the meeting.
3 arrested for hoisting Pak flag in B’pora
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 8: Police arrested three persons for hoisting Pakistani flag and recovered a hand grenade in the north Kashmir district of Bandipora, a police spokesman said.
He said police station Hajin in Bandipora received an information that some miscreants have hoisted a Pak flag at main market at Hajin on September 6.
An FIR case number 35/2020 under relevant Sections of the law was registered and investigation taken up, he said.
He said during the course of the investigation, police said three persons identified as Mujeeb Shamas, Tanveer Ahmad Mir, Imtiyaz Ahmad Sheikh all residents of Mir Mohalla Hajin who were working under the direction of local active militants of Lasher-e-Toiba (LeT).
He said Pakistani flags was hoisted at main Bazar Hajin with a view to create fear pyschosis and incite anti-national feelings among the common people of Hajin town.
A hand grenade, cloth, sewing machine and other incriminating material used in preparing flags were also recovered from them, he added.
