Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Aug 30: Crime Branch Jammu has registered a criminal case in illegal grabbing of a huge chunk of 108 Kanals State land worth crores of rupees in Jammu city.
“The case has been registered against five beneficiaries & the Revenue officers concerned. The beneficiaries are Hassan Din, Fam Ali @ Fami, Fazal Hassain, Rashad Ahmed all sons of late Saraj Din, residents of Barmini, Tehsil and Distt. Jammu and Abdul Majid S/O Late Imam Din R/O Jalalabad Sunjwan, Tehsil and District, Jammu, the Attorney holder of the said land for hatching a criminal conspiracy to fraudulently create right of tenant and ownership rights over Govt. land, measuring 108 Kanal in Khasra No. 1524 at village Sunjwan in their favour,” a spokesman of Crime Branch said.
He said in furtherance of the criminal conspiracy, the accused dishonestly and fraudulently got fabricated fake and forged Revenue documents i.e., Mutation No. 750/J dated 12.06.2007 and 751/J dated 12.06.2007 in respect of State land in connivance with officers/ officials of Revenue Deptt. concerned.
“The case owes its origin to a communication of Additional Commissioner, Jammu with Deputy Commissioner Jammu & Crime Branch, which mentioned that an enquiry was conducted by Sub- Divisional Magistrate South, Jammu into the status of Mutation No. 750/J and 751/J of Village Sunjwan, Tehsil Bahu under LB-6/C of 1958. The inquiry officer has conclusively established that these Mutations are fake and inserted in the register in place of original ones to confer illegal rights over state land,” the spokesman said.
He said the allegations levelled against the accused beneficiaries and the Revenue officers/ officials were prima-facie substantiated and for the omissions and commission of offences of cheating by fabricating false & fake documents & destroying some of the evidence and for using corrupt means, a formal case is registered in Police Station Crime Branch, Jammu against the above mentioned accused persons and the investigation of the case has started
108 kanal State land fraud in Jammu city, CB registers FIR
Census, NPR unlikely in 2020
Agencies
New Delhi, Aug 30: The first phase of the Census and the exercise to update the National Population Register (NPR), scheduled for this year but deferred due to the coronavirus outbreak, may be delayed by a year as there is no sign of slowdown of the pandemic.
The Indian census is one of the largest administrative and statistical exercises in the world, with the involvement of more than 30 lakh officials who would visit each household across the length and breadth of the country.
“Census is not an essential exercise for now. Even if it is delayed by a year, there would be no harm,” a senior official said.
The official said no final decision has been taken on when the first phase of the Census 2021 and NPR update would take place, but it is almost certain that it would not be held in 2020 due to the rising cases of the coronavirus.
The house-listing phase of the Census and the exercise to update NPR were scheduled to be carried out across the country from April 1 to September 30, 2020, but were postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“As the entire exercise needs the involvement of lakhs of officials and visit to each family, we can’t undermine the health risk involved in it,” the official said.
With a record single-day spike of 78,761 cases, the total coronavirus cases in India rose to 35,42,733, while the death toll climbed to 63,498 as on Sunday.
According to the earlier schedule, the census would have its reference date as March 1, 2021, and in the snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, it would be October 1, 2020.
“The COVID-19 threat is still looming large. The census and NPR are not in the priority list of the government as of now,” another official said.
In March, when the coronavirus-induced lockdown was announced, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India was all set for the first phase of the census and updation of the NPR that was scheduled to begin from April 1.
Even though some state governments opposed the NPR update, all offered full support to the census exercise.
The census is the largest single source of a variety of statistical information on people of India which helps the State to chalk out various policies.
With a history of more than 130 years, this reliable, time tested exercise has been bringing out a veritable wealth of statistics every 10 years, including on the rich diversity of the people, and has become one of the tools to understand and study India.
The objective of the NPR is to create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country. The database would contain demographic as well as biometric particulars.
The NPR is a register of the usual residents of the country. It is prepared at the local (village and sub-town), subdistrict, district, state and national levels under provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.
A S College organises online quiz
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 30: Amar Singh College, Srinagar Sunday organized an Online National level Quiz competition themed “Sports Awareness “to celebrate National Sports Day.
The virtual event registered more than 1650 participants from across Jammu and Kashmir and outside the UT.
Principal, Amar Singh College, Prof. Bashir Ahmed Rather inaugurated the quiz programme and gave a brief introduction about National Sports Day and highlighted the achievement of Major Dyan Chand in the field of sports (Hockey).
Prof. Bashir also highlighted the importance of sports in the promotion of health, national integration, brotherhood, unity and other benefits of sports.
Earlier, Technical Coordinator of the Programme, Dr. Syed Mutahar Aaqib, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Computer Sciences welcomed the participants and highlighted the objectives of the programme.
He also provided them the information about the Quiz and important instructions about how to appear in the quiz.
Physical Director (organizing Secretary), Ravinder Kour informed that National Sports Day is celebrated on 29th august every year to commemorate the birth day of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, who won three Olympic gold for India in 1928,1932 and 1936.
The inaugural session was followed by the Online Quiz Session during which the participants were posed with MCQs with the allowed time duration of 60 minutes.
The participants who secured more than 50 percent marks were awarded e-certificates and the programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks proposed by Organizing Secretary, Ravinder Kour
Preparing For Floods, Drought Together
Last week, the divisional Kashmir chaired a meeting calling for a fool-proof action plan in case a drought-like situation arises amid deficit rainfall in the valley for three months. The heavens opened up and the rain poured down to bring the Valley on brink of the floods in just a couple of days. In fact, the flood was declared in Ganderbal after river Sindh breached the danger mark near Duderhama. However, the rains relented and the water level dropped considerably in the Sindh as well as in Doodhganga which was also sent in almost full spate by the downpour.
In April this year, the divisional Commissioner Kashmir chaired a high-level meeting to be prepared for floods amid official reports suggesting an increase in snowfall by 25 percent last year which was thought to raise the water level in rivers and tributaries during the summer season. The rivers were flowing at very low levels until rains in the last two days. The prediction of a rise in Jhelum level following increased snowfall proved off the beam. However, the rains bringing such a spate in water bodies including Jhelum bring to question official claims of increasing the water capacity of the Jhelum over the years especially after 2014. The devastating floods were a nature phenomenon as well as human tragedy as government overlooked geological features and drainage patterns prior to it as well as post it by allowing illegal construction on river banks and over natural water channels.
In drafting the management plans, Jammu and Kashmir must be aware of the scientific consensus that future rain spells may be short, often unpredictable and very heavy, influenced by a changing climate. There is need to invest in reliable infrastructure to mitigate the impact of flooding and avert disasters like one in 2014 when almost half of the Srinagar and many villages in south Kashmir were devastated.
It is worth pointing out that the response of the governments to the imperative has been tardy and even indifferent. The official machinery is hesitant to act against the encroachment of water bodies’ catchments, river courses and floodplains.
Unscrupulous people are allowed to build structures in close proximity to the rivers and lakes. Granting permissions or closing eye to such constructions is an abdication of responsibility and a violation of Disaster Management Authority Guidelines to prevent flooding. The administration must draw up various plans clearly and in an era of the climate crisis, the same is a prerequisite, not a choice.
Prez to decide on contentious matters between LG, Council of Ministers in J&K UT
Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar, Aug 28: The Central Government will have the final say on the matters over which differences arise between Lieutenant Governor and Council of Ministers in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The rules notified by the Centre reveal that all contentious matters between J&K LG and Council of Ministers should be decided by the President of India whose decision will be the final.
“In case of difference of opinion between the Lieutenant Governor and the Council with regard to any matter, the Lieutenant Governor shall refer it to the Central Government for the decision of the President and shall act according to the decision of the President,” reads “The Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules.”
The Rules were notified nearly 10 months after re-organisation of erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir into two Union Territories by the Parliament.
Under the Rules, the LG can suspend decisions taken by the council of ministers pending President of India’s decision on them.
“Where a case is referred to the Central Government in pursuance of rule 47, it shall be for the Lieutenant Governor to direct that action shall be suspended pending the decision of the President on such case or in any case where the matter, in his opinion, is such that it is necessary that immediate action should be taken to give such direction or take such action in the matter as he deems necessary,” the Rules state.
Under the Rules, LG has been empowered to refer any matter to council of ministers over which difference of opinion persists between him/ her and a minister of the UT.
“Should the difference of opinion persist, the Lieutenant Governor may direct that the matter be referred to the Council, which shall consider the matter in its next scheduled meeting and shall convey its decision but not later than 15 days from the date of such reference,” the Business Rules reveal.
According to the rules, the decision of the Lieutenant Governor shall be deemed to have been accepted by the Council of Ministers in case no such decision is received within 15 days from the date of such reference.
COVID-19: As cases increase, home isolation for asymptomatic patients becomes a norm
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Aug 28: As the COVID-19 cases continue to mount the administration has decided to keep asymptomatic positive patients in J&K in home quarantine.
Earlier the administration had ordered home quarantine for the asymptomatic patients in Kashmir region only but now the guidelines have been modified and the same will be applicable in Jammu also.
A heath expert while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The increase in number of COVID-19 cases in Jammu region has left administration with only few options. Asymptomatic patients can be treated at home as they have to remain in isolation and have to keep on monitoring themselves.”
He said, “When number of cases had started increasing in Kashmir the administration had changed the protocol for the COVID-19 patients as the hospitals were unable to cope up with the rush. It seems rush in the Jammu hospitals has also started to increase.”
President of Doctors Association Kashmir and flue expert Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan, who recently tested negative for COVID-19 after staying in home quarantine, told this newspaper that “the hospitals should be kept reserved for critical patients only. Patients who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms can get well at home but they have to take precautions and keep on monitoring themselves regularly.”
Dr Nisar said that this virus is “dangerous” and people should not take it lightly. “Anyone can catch COVID till some concrete treatment comes,” he added.
Another medico said, “The virus becomes deadly when it enters the lungs as it prevents the patient from breathing. At that point of time the patient requires oxygen support or a ventilator. Patients whose oxygen saturation level doesn’t fall fight the infection within 14-days and the last six months have shown it. The recovery rate showing an increase is an encouraging sign. People are getting infected but they are recovering also. The government deciding to keep asymptomatic patients in home quarantine is a message that the worst is about to get over as vaccines are on way.”
According to the revised COVID protocol all such patients shall be permitted for home quarantine provided they have separate room available in their home; have downloaded Aarogya Setu application on their phones; besides such patients will be provided with Oximeter to monitor their oxygen saturation and in the event of drop of the Oxygen level below 90% they shall immediately be hospitalized; a poster shall be pasted outside their home displaying therein that the resident has been quarantined and reach out teams shall be constituted by the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu / Kashmir to monitor health status of the patient.
An official said, “Since the day pandemic has broken out the COVID protocol has changed according to the need. The decisions being taken by the administration are based on the observations.”
Shopian gunfight: Al Badr cmdr among 4 militants killed, another caught alive
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 28: Policeman-turned Al Badr district commander was among four militants killed in a gunfight with a joint team of Police and Army in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Friday, while a militant was caught alive during the encounter.
A police spokesman said that the gunfight broke out after a joint team of Police, Army’s 44RR and 178 battalion CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation at Kiloora area.
“During the search operation as the presence of (militants) got ascertained they were given opportunity to surrender. However they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” the spokesman said.
In the ensuing encounter, he said, four militants were killed and their bodies retrieved.
The slain were identified as Shakoor Parray, Al Badr District commander, Suhail Bhat, Zubair Nengroo and Shakir-ul-Jabbar.
“During the encounter Police and security forces also arrested one active militant identified as Shoiab Ahmad Bhat of Awantipora,” the spokesman added.
Regarding Shakoor Parray, the spokesperson said that he was engaged as SPO in year 2014 in District Police Kulgam. “On operational grounds he was converted as Constable in Police Department and was adjusted in Police District Awantipora,” he said. Later on he was transferred from District Awantipora to District Anantnag, where he took away four rifles (weapons) from the other officials and joined the militant outfit.
“After joining the militant groups, he got active in the area and snatched weapons,” the spokesperson said.
He was main handler of Al Badr and was involved in recruiting youth into militant ranks, he said. The spokesman said that he was involved in number of cases—FIR No 291/2012 U/S 148,149 ,307 436 A, 447,436 RPC of P/S Shopian, FIR No 21/2016 U/S 307 RPC 7/27 Arms Act of P/S Shopian, FIR No25/2016 U/S 364,307 RPC 7/25 Arms Act of P/S Shopian, FIR NO 08/2012 U/S 409,380,411 RPC 7/25 Arms Act of P/S Bijbehara and FIR NO 46/16 U/S 7/25 Arms Act of P/S Kulgam.
“All the killed militants had a long history of crime records. They were involved in planning and executing several militant attacks in the area including attacks on Police and security establishments,” the spokesperson said .
“Shakoor and Suhail Bhat were also involved in recent abduction and killing of Khanmoh’s Panch. They were also involved in abduction of TA soldier namely Shakir Manzoor Wagay resident of Shopian who has been reportedly killed,” the spokesperson said.
Keeping in view the prevailing pandemic due to COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of people from inherent risk of contracting the infection, the spokesperson said that the bodies of the militants shall be sent to Handwara for burial purposes after completion of all medico-legal formalities.
He said that a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Imam-Sahib and investigation has been initiated.
Missing Panch’s body found in Shopian
Srinagar, Aug 28: Police on Friday recovered body of a missing Panch from an orchard in Dangam area of Shopain district.
Official sources told GNS that the body was buried and was spotted by some passersby who informed the police. Later a police team reached the spot and recovered it, they said.
“The body has been identified to be that of the Panch Nissar Ahmad Bhat of Khonmoh,” they said.
The family had already filed a report with police, stating that Bhat left for Shopian on August 19 and was missing since then.
Last week militants released an audio in which they claimed to have killed the panch and “did not return the body due to COVID-19 pandemic.” Police declined to comment on the purported audio.
A police officer said that investigations have revealed that the Panch had gone to meet father of Suhail Ahmed Bhat ( a militant of Al Badar who was killed today) of Muradpora at around 1300 hours on August 19 where from the he had left at around 1330 hours on the motorcycle of one a person who had dropped him at Hajipora-Chakoora crossing.
Regarding the Panch, they said, he was a former policeman and a former militant. He was booked under PSA in 1990s and 12 FIRs were registered against him, they added. (GNS)
Weapon snatching bid foiled, youth held
Sheikh Danish
Srinagar, Aug 28: A youth was arrested after he tried to snatch a weapon from a paramilitary CRPF man in Nowhatta area of Srinagar on Friday, officials said.
Police sources told KNO that a person identified as Tehreen Shabir Dar, 28 years, of Umarabad, Pirbagh area of Srinagar tried to snatch a weapon from Head Constable Samrinder of CRPF belt number 025180661 of 21 bn D-Coy at Nowhatta area of Srinagar.
“Police and CRPF men present at the spot immediately caught the person and handed him over to the police after which he was lodged at Police station Nowhatta,” a police official said.
CRPF spokesman in Srinagar Pankaj Singh said that CRPF men were alert and that they could have shot the person instantly. “But our men acted professionally and apprehended him after which he was handed over the person to the police,” he said.
Meanwhile, a police source said that a case under FIR number 40/2020 under section 392 and 511 IPC has been registered against the person in police station Nowhatta and investigations taken up.
A source said that CRPF top brass have hailed the CRPF men who foiled the weapon snatching bid and there will be a likely reward for the entire team that was present at the spot.
Flood threat fades as rains stops after 2 days
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 28: As incessant rains from last couple of days stopped, the water level in river Sindh and Doodhganga Nallah receded considerably in last 24 hours, official sources said on Friday.
They told GNS that water level in Sindh decreased from 3.74m at 11 p.m. last night to 2.20m at 9.p.m on Friday near Duderhama Ganderbal in central Kashmir’s district. The authorities had declared flood alert at around 10 p.m. on Thursday night after the water level breached danger mark of 3.35m near Duderhama Ganderbal.
“Amidst incessant rains, the water level in Nallah Sindh at Duderhama has crossed Flood mark. All residents of the downstream adjacent villages are requested to remain alert and cautious,” Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal had said in a tweet last night.
Also, water level in Doodhganga Nallah was recorded at 1.87m at 9 pm as against 3.69m at 10.p.m. last night. When the level crosses 3.8m at Barzulla Srinagar, the flood is declared in the area, the official sources added.
Meanwhile, the water level increased in Jhelum during the time but the threat of flood remains minimal, the officials said.
They said that the water level in south Kashmir’s Sangam gauge was 13.38ft at 9 p.m., 5-ft below the alarm level of 18 feet but almost 8 feet below the danger mark of 21 feet.
At Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar, it was at 16.11 feet against the alarm level of 16 feet and flood level of 18 feet, they said.
The state’s summer capital Srinagar, which was devastated by floods in September in 2014, along with other parts of the valley received plenty of rainfall in last two days.
According to the officials, the rain recorded during last 24 hour at Automatic Rain Gauge Stations includes 22.0mmat Khudwani, 9.0mm at Batkoot, 23.0mm at Sangam, 31. 5mm at R.M.Bagh and 40mm at Asham and 36.5mm at Ganderbal.
4 trapped in Poonch river rescued
Meanwhile, rescuers on Friday saved four persons trapped in a river at Salatori in Poonch district of Jammu region, official sources said on Friday.
They said the rescuers comprising Police, Army and locals completed the rescue operation successfully at 06:00 hours today morning. Four persons were trapped in the river and were evacuated safely after hectic efforts.
SSP Poonch Ramesh Angral confirmed to GNS that all four persons were safely rescued.
Regarding two persons who were trapped near Khanter village, the senior police officer said that they decided not to come out amid considerable decrease in the water level. (GNS)
