Srinagar, Feb 19 : Police on Wednesday claimed to have solved a murder case by arresting the accused in the summer capital, Srinagar. A police spokesperson said that on September 1, 2018, police recovered a decomposed body from a rented accommodation in Barbarshah area of Srinagar. “The deceased was later identified as Abdul Rashid Sheikh resident of Serigufwara Anantnag,” he said. “Investigating officers learnt from the medical reports that the cause of death was due to the injury on the head,” he said, adding case was registered and investigation was taken up. He said police while making use of scientific and modern tools of investigation were able to identify one individual identified as Javid Iqbal Gojar resident of Mendhar District Poonch who was involved in the offence.
Locals stage protest after soldiers allegedly thrashed duo
Pulwama : Locals from a South Kashmir’s Pulwama hamlet staged a protest against army soldiers after they allegedly thrashed duo in the village.
The locals from Abhama Rajpora village accused soldiers from 62 Rashtriya Rifles of creating trouble in the village. They said that during a routine patrol, the soldiers intercepted two persons and without any provocation beat them to pulp.
They identified the victims as Asadullah Wagay and Ghulam Nabi Wagay. Locals told Kashmir News Trust that both villagers sustained grievous injuries while one of them has been shifted to Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital.
The locals after staging a protest approached SSP Pulwama and sought action against the guilty soldiers.
A police official confirmed that locals from the village narrated the incident to the SSP who assured probe into the incident. (KNT)
Implementation of UTGST: Ladakh LG empowers officers to implement tax law applicable in UT without legislatures
BY: Nasir Azam
Srinagar : While starting the implementation of Union Territory Goods and Services Tax (UTGST) law, the administration of the newly carved out Ladakh Union Territory (UT) has empowered officers to implement the law.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh UT has vested powers with officers under the law which is only applicable to Union Territories without legislatures.
“In exercise of powers conferred under section 3 of the Union Territory Goods & Services Tax, Act, 2017, the Lieutenant Governor is pleased to direct that for smooth functioning of the State Taxes Department of Union Territory of Ladakh, the following officers shall exercise the powers vested in the class of officers under the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax, Act, 2017,” an official order reads.
As per the order, commissioner/ secretary Finance Ladakh has been vested with powers of commissioner. He will function as head of department.
The order further states that deputy commissioners of twin districts of Kargil and Leh will function as joint commissioners.
They will be responsible for administration and enforcement, audit and data intelligence recovery under the law. The Sales Tax Officer Ladakh will function as assistant commissioner and will assist the joint commissioners in enforcement activities. It is worthwhile to mention here that UTGST law is applicable in all Union Territories without legislatures. The Union Territories with legislature are governed by their own SGST law.(KNO)
Government re-constitutes advisory boards, governing councils of key institutions in J&K
LG, advisors replace CM, Ministers as chairman of these bodies
Srinagar : In a significant development, the government of Union Territory of J&K on Wednesday re-constituted advisory boards and governing councils of key institutions.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the General Administration Department today ordered re-constitution of the Board of Directors, Governing Councils and Committees and Advisory Boards of key institutions functioning in J&K.
The GAD re-constituted advisory boards for the Welfare and Development of Scheduled Castes, Pahari Speaking people and Other Backward Classes.
It also re-constituted governing committees and councils for Rehabilitation of widows, orphans, handicapped and old persons (victims of militancy), J&K Child Protection Society, Board of Directors of J&K Women Development Corporation and Social Welfare Advisory Board.
It also re-constituted of Skill Development Mission and its governing council.
As per KNO, the changes in composition of these bodies were effected due to transition of J&K State into a Union Territory on October 31 and absence of elected government in the UT.
According to GAD orders, LG and advisors would be chairmen of these institutions which are headed by Chief Ministers or ministers during elected governments. Administrative secretaries of different departments would also be member of these institutions, the orders reveal.
All Private Schools in JK must adhere to Govt norms: Hirdesh Kumar
SRINAGAR : Commissioner Secretary, School Education, Hirdesh Kumar today directed officials of the Department of School Education to ensure that Private School authorities strictly follow fee structure norms laid down by the Government.
Speaking to officials after holding a day-long pubic grievance camp at Banquet Hall, Srinagar, the Commissioner Secretary said that all Private Schools functioning across Jammu and Kashmir must adhere to the guidelines issued by the Government in order to bring vibrancy in the school education sector.
He said that J&K School Fee Fixation Committee (SFFC) have already worked out all modalities and directions in this regard were passed to the Private Schools for strict adherence.
He further said that SFCC would soon be reconstituted according to the new Act.
Notably School Fee Fixation Committee—a regulatory body with a mandate to regulate fee structure of schools, was constituted in 2015 in the wake of Supreme Court (SC) directions asking States to regulate fee structure in the private schools.
The recommendations made by the SFFC on fee structure in the schools are implemented by the DSEK through Chief Education Officers.
The officials of the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir (DSEK) were also directed to check functioning of the private schools and to regulate the fee structure.
Administrative Secretaries to hold Public Grievance Camp at Srinagar on Feb 20
SRINAGAR: Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, Dr. Pawan Kotwal and Secretary, Power Development Department, M. Raju, would convene a day-long Public Grievance Camp at Banquet Hall, Srinagar on February 20-2020 from 10 AM to 4 PM.
People can register their grievance and developmental issues during the daylong camp.
Srinagar Observer Editor-in-Chief bereaved
Srinagar : Bashir Ahmed Khan, the uncle of Editor-in-Chief Srinagar Observer Parvez Ahmed passed away on Wednesday morning.
Bashir Ahmed Khan, son of Muhammad Ramzan Khan, a resident of Dadikadal Tankipora, Srinagar breathed his last at his home after brief illness.
The Rasm-e-Chahrum for the deceased will be held on Feb 22 at his ancestral graveyard in Zaindar Mohalla Habakadal.
Meanwhile, Journalist fraternity expressed sympathy with Parvez Ahmed and prayed for the departed soul.
Resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits Utmost Priority: Shah
New Delhi: Final touches are being given to the ‘Naya’ Kashmir blueprint for Kashmiri Pandits under which ten special townships will be created in all the ten districts of the Valley for resettlement of the community following their mass exodus 30 years ago.
The Union Home Ministry has started working on the plan which also includes many rehabilitation schemes for Kashmiri Pandits who were forced to flee the Valley by Islamist terrorists in late 1989 and early 1990.
The “naya” Kashmir blueprint also comprises renovation and rebuilding of temples destroyed and desecrated by terrorists in all the 10 districts.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday gave similar assurances to a Kashmiri Pandit delegation promising them for rehabilitation via phased resettlement in the Valley amid adequate security.
The Minister gave the assurance to a seven-member Kashmiri Pandit delegation that met him for an hour at his residence around 12.30 p.m.
The delegation included Surinder Kaul, International Coordinator of Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD); Utpal Kaul, GKPD India Coordinator; Anil Kachroo, GKPD USA; Taj Tikoo, President of the All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS); Dileep Mattoo, President Jammu Kashmir Vichar Manch (JKVM); and AJKVM members Sanjay Ganjoo and Parikshit Kaul.
“The Minister promised to resettle all Kashmiri Pandits in their respective districts. He also assured that the resettlement process will be done in phases amid tight security,” Utpal Kaul said.
Kaul said that the Home Minister also assured the delegation that the age limit for government jobs vis-a-vis Kashmiri Pandits will be increased up to 50 years and the government will help reclaim their encroached properties in the Valley.
“All temples in the Valley will also be renovated,” Kaul said quoting Shah.
The delegation handed over a memorandum to him to thank the Union government for abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution relating to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The delegation members expressed heartfelt thanks to the Minister for maintaining a consistent position on its promise to rehabilitate the displaced Kashmiri Pandits in the Kashmir valley.
“The delegation also thanked the minister for abrogating article 370 and 35A whose pernicious impact has destroyed the Kashmiri society, culture, civilization, economic progress and the ability to lead a peaceful life in the valley,” the memorandum read.
The delegation demanded the formation of an advisory council of Kashmiri Pandits to work under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs to come up with a plan for full restorative justice for the Kashmiri Pandits.
“The advisory council will have representation from mainstream community bodies, youth, women, eminent community think tank members, Jagati, rural and urban residents from the community and even overseas representation,” the memorandum added.
The delegation requested Shah to accept the community’s demand for a single concentrated rehabilitation plan, including employment and other rights, enshrined in the Constitution as well as restoration and rebuilding of temples, shrines and community assets, including crematoriums.
The Kashmiri Pandits also demanded setting up of a commission to investigate the cause of the genocide and ethnic cleansing faced by them in the Valley, with proactive steps to initiate legal proceedings and secure conviction of those responsible.
“The Minister gave a patient hearing to our demands and conveyed that rehabilitation of our community is an utmost priority with the government. He sought help from our community to compile a database of all the properties that have been either occupied or encroached upon so that the government can initiate redressal mechanisms to restore the property to the rightful owner,” the delegation said.
Shah assured the delegation that the temples, shrines and all other community assets will be restored and made operational at the earliest, it said.
He informed the delegation that a massive drive is underway to generate employment and ensure heavy investment in various sectors of the new union territory’s economy.
Soon after Shah’s assurance, Pawan Durani of Panun Kashmir tweeted: “Dear@AmitShahji, by rehabilitating Kashmiri Hindus in 10 different districts, you would make this minuscule community ‘shooting ducks’. Any plan of rehabilitation in different districts will be opposed by my community and Panun Kashmir, come what may.”
In a series of tweets, Durani said: “Dear @AmitShahji, history tells us that there have been eight exodus of Kashmiri Hindus, it is time they have their own one place, a homeland, a homeland called Panun Kashmir. Distributing us in 10 districts can’t be a plan of someone who would wish good everlasting solution.”
“I urge all well wishes of Kashmiri Hindus to oppose this idea of creation of 10 Aushwitz townships for Kashmiri Hindus. Only solution acceptable is one place, our homeland … Panun Kashmir.”
Panchayat Bypolls Postponed Due To Security Reasons: CEO
Jammu: The bypolls to panchayats scheduled from March 5 in Jammu and Kashmir has been postponed due to security reasons, J&K Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shailendra Kumar said on Tuesday.
By-election to over 12,500 panchayat seats in Jammu and Kashmir was scheduled to be held in eight phases from March 5.
“The bypolls to panchayats has been postponed for three weeks due to security reasons,” Kumar said tonight.
He said this step was taken after inputs given to him by the home department over security issues.
The eight-phase poll was earlier scheduled to be held from March 5 to March 20 on a party basis. The polling was slated for March 5, March 7, March 9, March 12, March 14, March 16, March 18 and March 20.
The Model Code of Conduct came into force with the announcement of the bypolls on Thursday. The CEO has already issued two notifications for the first and the second phase of eight-phase by-election.
Panchayat elections were last held in 2018 and were boycotted by the PDP and the NC.
CEO Kumar earlier on Tuesday held a meeting with all parties on the bypolls, amid criticism by the mainstream political parties about the continuous detention of their leaders and failure to allow them to conduct political activities.
Three former J&K chief ministers — NC’s Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti– are under detention since last year when the Centre had abrogated Article 370 provisions of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and split it into union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
“We held a meeting of all the parties of Jammu and Kashmir to hear their concerns. They raised some grievances in the meeting,” Kumar had told PTI.
He had said that “we will try to address the issues suitably”.
During the meeting, J&K Congress vice president G N Monga said despite issuance of the notifications by the election department, the party’s chief in the union territory G A Mir was not allowed to visit Srinagar to hold meetings in connection with the bypolls.
PDP leaders did not take part in the meeting because it believes that the polling cannot take place if the leadership remains under detention, one of its leader said.
The CPI(M) criticised the CEO for failing to invite their party for the meeting and expressed concern over it.
“We were not invited for the meeting. We are a national party. It is a matter of concern for us,” CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami told PTI.
National Conference leader Ratan Lal Gupta said the party is of the view that the situation is not conducive for holding elections.
India Summons Turkish Envoy Over Erdogan’s Remarks On Kashmir
New Delhi: India summoned the Turkish ambassador late Monday evening to lodge a diplomatic protest over President Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks on Kashmir, warning “unacceptable” statements have “strong implications” on the bilateral relationship, reported the media.
During his official visit to Pakistan last week, President Erdogan said the situation in Kashmir was worsening because of sweeping changes New Delhi introduced in the Muslim-majority region and that Turkey stood in solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
New Delhi told Turkish Ambassador Sakir Ozkan Torunlar that Erdogan’s comments lacked any understanding of the history of the Kashmir dispute, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
“This recent episode is but one more example of a pattern of Turkey interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. India finds that completely unacceptable,” MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
He said that India had served a strong demarche or formal diplomatic note.
India withdrew Kashmir’s special status in August last year and brought it under federal rule. Pakistan slammed the measure and other Muslim-majority countries such as Turkey and Malaysia joined in calls for India to reconsider its actions.
“These developments have strong implications for our bilateral relations,” Kumar said, referring to Erdogan’s comments.
Erdogan told Pakistan’s parliament that the Kashmir problem cannot be solved through pressure but on the basis of justice and fairness.
Indo-Pak Trade Gunfire In Poonch
Poonch: Pakistani Army on Tuesday resorted to unprovoked firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Shahpur and Kirni sectors in Poonch district in Jammu region, officials said.
This comes days after a 60-year-old civilian was killed and three others were injured in Pakistani firing at the LoC in Shahpur sector of Poonch on February 14. Officials said that the Pakistan Army in the morning resorted to unprovoked firing following which Indian Army retaliated.
“The Pakistan Army targeted Indian defence positions and civilian areas with long-range mortars,” officials said, adding that Indian Army is giving a befitting response to the firing.
On Friday night (Feb 14), three houses were partially damaged in shelling by Pakistani Army in the Hira Nagar sector of the Kathua district in J&K.
