New Delhi, June 26: Commercial international flights to and from India shall stay suspended till July 15, civil aviation watchdog DGCA has announced. The restriction will not apply to international cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the aviation regulator.

All passenger flights were suspended when the country went into a lockdown late in March to contain the spread of coronavirus. Domestic flights resumed on May 25.
“Scheduled international commercial passenger services to or from India shall remain suspended till 2359 hrs IST of July 15, 2020… However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case to case basis,” said the circular by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said last week that India will take a decision on resuming international passenger flights in July if coronavirus behaves in a “predictable manner” and the entire aviation ecosystem and state governments are onboard.
“I am often asked, when can you start international civil aviation? If you leave it to me, and if the ecosystem works, and if we have the predictability in terms of behaviour of the virus, I think in the coming month we should start taking the decision. But those decisions will not be taken by the Indian civil aviation ministry. Those decisions will be taken by the governments after looking at their domestic situation,” Puri said.

The aviation minister said a decision regarding resuming international travel can be taken in the coming months, even earlier, when domestic air traffic would reach 50-55 per cent of its pre-COVID-19 capacity, and states would be in the position to absorb a higher number of passengers coming in.

“In any case, it is not our call. It is a call where all the stakeholders, including the passengers and the entire ecosystem, are ready,” he added.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said it was considering allowing some international carrier flights to resume after the United States accused India of “unfair and discriminatory practices” and restricted Air India’s special repatriation flights.

Air India and other private domestic airlines have been operating unscheduled paid international repatriation flights under the Vande Bharat Mission, which was started on May 6 by the Central Government.

New Delhi, June 26: India’s total of coronavirus cases crossed the five lakh-mark on Friday after the country reported its highest single-day spike of over 17,000 cases. Maharashtra, the worst-hit state, with over 5,000 new cases, reached an aggregate of 1,52,765, while West Bengal and Tamil Nadu also reported their biggest single day COVID-19 numbers. The overall death count today climbed to 15,301 with 407 new fatalities. This was the seventh day in a row that India registered over 14,000 cases. India is only behind US, Brazil and Russia.

Naeem Akhtar vacates Govt accommodation

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, June 26: The Estates Department has served eviction notices to former legislators who are residing in government accommodation in Kashmir.

An official of the Estates Department told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that eviction notices have been served to all former legislators in Kashmir.

“All former legislators have been asked to vacate official residences immediately. We have received orders from higher authorities to vacate all these leaders from official residences. All those who are not in government have to vacate the official residences,” the official said.

“So far Naeem Akhtar has vacated the government accommodation. After serving the notice to him, he handed over keys of the quarter to concerned officials,” the official said.

The official however said he was not aware whether similar notices have been served to BJP leaders who are residing in government quarters.

PDP leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar was evicted from an official residence in Srinagar’s Gupkar Road on Thursday hours after serving him notice.

Director Estates J&K, Subash Chibber said he was out of the station. “Officials in Srinagar might have taken the decision. You better talk to them about this development,” Chibber told KINS.

A senior official of the Estates Department in Srinagar confirmed that eviction notices have been served to former legislators.

New Delhi, June 25: Amid ongoing border tension in Ladakh with China, India on Thursday said that continuation of the current situation would only vitiate the atmosphere for the development of the bilateral relationship.

“We expect the Chinese side to ensure the expeditious restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava told a virtual press briefing here.

India accused the Chinese side for escalation in tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh region.

“Our statement of June 20 provided the relevant facts and clearly established it has been the Chinese actions thus far which have led to increase in tension in the region and also to the violent face-off of June 15 with casualties,” he added.

On June 15, troops of India and China were locked in a violent face-off in the Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh that led to 20 Indian Army soldiers getting killed in the line of duty. However, the Chinese side also suffered casualties but they did not reveal any figure.

The MEA spokesperson pointed out that the incidents and face-offs along the LAC need to be understood in the larger context of recent developments as it helps to bring out the key issues that both sides are seeking to address.

“At the heart of the matter is that since early May, the Chinese side has been amassing a large contingent of troops and armaments along the LAC. This is not in accordance with the provisions of our various bilateral agreements, especially the key 1993 Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China Border Areas,” Srivastava said.

“This notes in particular that ‘each side will keep its military forces in the areas along the line of actual control to a minimum level compatible with friendly and good neighbourly relations between the two countries. Obviously, the Indian side had to undertake counter deployments and the resulting tension has thereafter expressed itself,” he said.

The spokesperson also said that respecting and strictly observing the LAC is the basis for peace and tranquility in the border areas and explicitly recognized so in the 1993 and subsequent agreements.

“Indian troops are fully familiar with the alignment of the LAC in all sectors of the India-China border areas and abide scrupulously by it. They have been patrolling all along the LAC, including in the Galwan Valley, for a long time,” he added.

The spokesperson reiterated that all infrastructure built by the Indian side has always been on its own side of the LAC. The Indian side has never undertaken any actions across the LAC and has never attempted to unilaterally change the status quo, he said.

However, that has not been reciprocated by the Chinese side and that from time to time has led to face-offs, the spokesperson said.

He further said, over many years, both sides have developed patterns of patrolling and it is a reasonable expectation that patrols will not be obstructed in the discharge of their legitimate duties.

“Unfortunately, we have experienced in the last many years obstruction to patrolling that often accompany efforts to unilaterally change the status quo,” Mr Srivastava said.

“To provide for situations where the two sides encounter each other, a set of procedures and norms have been mutually agreed upon. These are reflected in a number of agreements and understandings. While there have been occasional departures in the past, the conduct of Chinese forces this year has been in complete disregard of all mutually agreed norms,’ he added.

The deployment of a large body of troops and changes in behavior has also been aggravated by unjustified and untenable claims. The recent shift in the Chinese position on the Galwan Valley is one example, he added.

The maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas is the basis of “our bilateral relationship,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here India and China have been engaging themselves into resolving border row at diplomatic as well as military-levels.

In this regard, the Corps Commanders of India and China met twice since the issue came up in early May. On Wednesday, the meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had telephonic interaction with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to defuse the border tensions.

New Delhi, June 25: India has decided to increase its strength along 3,488-km of Line of Actual control (LAC) — the de facto border with China — as Beijing continues its troop build-up on the other side. Not just the army, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police is also shoring up its posts with men and material.

The decision to induct more ITBP companies to support the army was taken on Saturday after Lt General Paramjit Singh, the Director General Military Operations, and ITBP chief SS Deswal visited Leh.

“We sent some troops to Ladakh before the incident and now we are enhancing the numbers,” a senior government official said.

According to him, the decision was taken to place a company instead of a platoon to assist army at all patrolling points. In a platoon there are 30 jawans normally, while a company has around 100 jawans.

Reports reaching National Security Council, meanwhile, indicate that the situation at the three flash points — Galwan Valley, Hot Springs and Pangong Lake — is still tense despite talks between both sides on Monday.

India wants status quo to be restored as it was on April 30, 2020. In talks in Moldo, both sides asserted their point of view. Sources indicate that both sides want thinning of troops at Patrol Points 14, 15 and 17 at Galwan and Gogra.

Sources say, patrolling point 14 (Galwan), patrolling point 15 (Kongka La) and patrolling point 17 (Hot Springs) may take weeks of intensive deliberations.

Satellite images shown on NDTV yesterday show fresh Chinese construction on an embankment near Patrol Point 14 in Galwan.

On Patrolling Point 15 also, they have put up large tents and have been camping there for almost a month. At patrolling point 17, large troop mobilisation has been done from both sides.

As per reports on Pangong Lake, Chinese troops have moved upto “Finger 4” — the name given to one of the eight cliffs jutting out of the Sirijap range — and had brought over 120 vehicles and dozen boats.

India has accused China of unilaterally altering the Line of Actual Control.

“The PLA came to their perceived point of LAC and has erected massive structures there so we are now further enhancing our capacities too in terms of men and infrastructure,” a senior bureaucrat said.

According to him, India is engaging China both militarily and diplomatically but forces on ground are being prepared for a long haul. “Dokalam took 73 days. This may also take a while longer and that’s why more troops are being sent there,” he added.

Another encounter breaks out in Tral

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, June 25: Two LeT militants were killed in an eight-hour gunfight with security forces at Hardshiva area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday.

Officials told KINS that the gun battle started in the wee hours. “On a specific input generated by Sopore Police regarding the presence of militants a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 22RR and 179Bn CRPF in the said area,” a police spokesman said in a statement.

Adding that during the search operation as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given the opportunity to surrender, “However they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to a gunfight,”.

In the ensuing gunfight, two militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site, “The identification and affiliation of the killed militants are being ascertained. However, as per credible sources, the killed militants belonged to the proscribed LeT outfit,” the spokesman added.

He said the incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of gunfight, “All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their role and complicity in other terror crimes,”.

Adding that the dead bodies of the slain militants have been sent to Baramulla for their last rites after conducting medico-legal formalities including the collection of their DNA, “In case any family claims the killed militants to be their kith or kin, they can come forward for their identification and participation in the last rites at Baramulla,”.

In this connection, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Bomai and investigation has been initiated.

Meanwhile, another gunfight broke out between militants and security forces in south Kashmir’s Tral village in Pulwama district on Thursday evening.

Police in a tweet said, “Encounter has started at Chewa Ular area of Tral Awantipora.

When filed this report gunfight between hidding militants and forces were underway in the area.

GoI likely to add more members as NC MP’s stay away from process

Ishtiyaq Ahmad

Srinagar, June 25: First meeting of the newly constituted delimitation commission would take place soon to set the ball rolling for the much awaited exercise so that polls are held in the J&K Union Territory.

Sources claimed that the Government  of India has also shortlisted names of few more members for the commission to make it vibrant and transparent. The step was taken after National Conference party’s three MPs who were nominated as the members of the delimitation commission, dragged their feet and decided to stay away from the exercise on the pretext that taking part in the process will amount to accepting all developments that unfolded post August 5 last year.

On March 7, Government of India announced a delimitation commission for J&K, Assam, Aurunachal Pradesh and Manipur. From BJP MoS in Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendera Singh and MP Jugal Kishore were announced as members while as from NC Dr Farooq Abdullah, Muhammad Akbar Lone and Justice (Rtd) Hasnain Masoodi were also nominated as members.

With NC MPs deciding not to take part in the exercise, the Government of India in consultation with the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to appoint few more members to the Delimitation Commission.

Reliable sources told KINS that the names of few more members will be announced soon while as first meeting of the commission will take place in Jammu region in days ahead.

Pertinently, top BJP leaders that include party’s J&K Affairs Incharge and national vice president Avinash Rai Khanna and BJP General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul last week had said that they would like the Delimitation Commission to keep the population, topography, geography and area in mind while making recommendations. “Our motive is to end regional balance,” they had said.

Sources, the first meeting of the commission will discuss how to ensure equal distribution of assembly seats among the two regions. As per the re-organisation act of J&K 2019, Ladakh UT will have no Assembly while J&K UT will have an Assembly after elections but prior to elections delimitation exercise was a must.

A senior BJP leader said that for holding polls, Delimitation of assembly seats was a must. “We are sure that a political process will be started soon after the delimitation exercise will be completed ” he  said, wishing not to be named.(KINS)

Precious Kashmir News
JAMMU, JUNE 25: Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department (HED), Talat Parvez Rohella today held a meeting (through video conference) with National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) peer team to discuss the publication of first Analysis of Accreditation Report for Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Institutions.

The NAAC accreditation of the HEIs is mandatory for availing funds under RUSA- a flagship program of MHRD, Government of India for improving Education Quality, Standards and Equity in Higher Education in India.

In addition to this NAAC has taken initiative to publish the Analysis of Accreditation of different states and last year it selected J&K for publication of its 1st Accreditation Report.

The First meeting in this regard was held in Bangalore last year followed by 1st round of discussion held during December, 2019 in Jammu at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar in which important decisions regarding preparation of chapters were taken.

As a sequel to this meeting, 2nd round of discussions was held today and a detailed review of the manuscript of six chapters prepared so far was taken by the members.

The Commissioner Secretary deliberated in depth upon each chapter and assured full support to the Peer team for early publication of the report which is going to be first of its kind for leading higher education institutions to achieve excellence in quality and standards of education and UN Sustainable Development Goals for education.

While discussing the subject matter with NAAC peer team, the Commissioner Secretary laid emphasis on incorporating legal framework under new National Education Policy, Research Outputs and Learning Outcome in Higher Education Institutions of Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended among others by Academic Coordinator NAAC, Dr S Srikanta Swamy; all peer team members ;Prof S P Pani, Prof H K Jani, Dr Nilofer A Kazmi, Prof Ahmad Ali, Director Colleges, Prof Yasen Ahmad Shah; Ex Director Colleges/NAAC Coordinator J&K, Prof Zahoor Ahmad Chat and Deputy Secretaries, Higher Education Department Sanjeev Rana and Vikas Dhar Bagati.

Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, June 25:  Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday reported three more death due to COVID-19, taking the fatality count due to the virus in J&K to 91.
Among them, one is from Jammu and two are from Valley including a 65-year-old woman from Budgam  and a 75-year-old whose swab sample returned positive for the pathogen two days after his death at SMHS hospital.
A resident of Nasrullahpora Budgam, the sexagenarian woman died at 05:20 p.m. due cardiopulmonary arrest, Professor Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura, told GNS.
“The patient was admitted on June 13 as Covid 19 positive patient. She was known case of HTN ,CKD STAGE-III, with Sheehans syndrome,” he said.
She was admitted through emergency and then shifted to isolation after patient came out positive on June 14, he added.
Earlier, two days after his death and subsequent burial, the swab sample result of the 75-year-old man from Mehjoor Nagar here returned positive for the covid-19 on Thursday.
Medical Superintendent SMHS hospital Dr Nazir Choudhary told GNS that the septuagenarian was admitted on June 22. His swab sample was taken at 11 p.m. on June 22 while he died at wee hours on June 23. “The family had taken the body forcibly and buried it later,” sources said.
Prior to them, a 57-year-old covid-19 positive man from Poonch with underlying health conditions including acute renal failure died at GMC Jammu.
The quinquagenarian was referred from Samba to GMC Jammu on June 19 and died late last night, sources said.  This is the first death due to the covid-19 in Poonch district, they said.
“He was diabetic and had acute renal failure,” Dr Dara Singh, Medical Superintendent JMC Jammu, told GNS. “He died late last night,” he added.
So far, 91 people have succumbed to the virus in J&K—11 from Jammu division and 80 from the Valley.
Srinagar district with 22 deaths has the highest fatalities followed by Baramulla 13, Kulgam (11), Shopian (10), seven each from Jammu  and Budgam, Anantnag (6), Kupwara (5), Pulwama (four) while one death each has been reported from Bandipora, Poonch, Doda, Udhampur and Rajouri.  (GNS)