SRINAGAR: In a series of steps against narcotic drugs across Kashmir valley, the police arrested eight drug peddlers and seized contraband substances from their possession on Friday.

In Srinagar, officers at a check point at New Bypass in the jurisdiction of Police Station Nowgam, Srinagar, intercepted a vehicle with three persons inside. The police recovered 300 gm of charas and 250 gm of opium husk from their possession.

In Budgam, the police recovered 380 gram of charas from a person identified as Gulzar Ahmad Shah, resident of Nagbal Khag.

In Awantipora, the police arrested three persons on charges of keeping contraband substances.

The police have requested people to come forward with any information on drug peddlers in their neighbourhood.

SSP Kupwara says Mumbai youth involved in act has been arrested
Kupwara: Scores of people on Friday staged a protest at Kunan Poshpora in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district against the killing of a local teenage boy in Jaipur this morning.
An eyewitness said that scores of locals including the family members and relatives carried out a protest march while raising slogans against those involved in the killing of their beloved and demanded justice.
The slain local youth has been identified as Basit Ahmad Khan, son of Late Khursheed Ahmad Khan.
Relatives of the slain teenager told KNO that, on Wednesday they were intimated by the guys accompanying him in Jaipur that some miscreants overpowered their beloved and thrashed him mercilessly.
“Our son was working as waiter in Jaipur Rajasthan,” they said, adding that soon after being beaten up to the pulp, their son was rushed to the hospital in critical condition for treatment where he has succumbed to his injuries.
Furthermore, the protesting relatives said that this morning they received the information about his death in this morning.
Slain teenager according to relatives was the lone bread of his family, a relative told KNO, adding that Basit is survived by his mother, four sisters and a younger brother.
The slain youth’s father who was serving in Indian Army died in the year 2012.
Meanwhile, protests demanded the body be brought back to home and stern action against the people involved in the act.
Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kupwara Shriram Ambarkar told KNO that they communicated with the local police there and they informed that a youth involved in the act has been arrested.
“The two youth including the slain as per local police had scuffle over some issue during which Basit has sustained serious wounds following which he has died,” SSP Kupwara said.
The involved youth has been arrested under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the IPC. He is said to be a resident of somewhere in Mumbai, Ambarkar told KNO.
Ambarkar said that the body of slain is being brought back, adding that it’s already on way. He said that an FIR copy in this regard is also lying with district Kupwara police. The officials in Jaipur have identified the accused involved in the act as Aditya (22).

I am going to meet him today, will bring truth to fore: SSP Srinagar

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday said that it will investigate thoroughly whether the third youth who received injuries at Lawaypora shootout was a civilian or had joined militancy.

Umar Fayaz, 25, a resident of Lawaypora area of Srinagar outskirts, received a serious bullet injuries on February 5 when two militants, one from Lashkar-e-Toiba and another from Hizbul Mujahedeen were killed. A bullet pierced through his chest damaging his vital organs. He has been battling for his life at SMHS hospital Srinagar.

Talking to Srinagar based news agency on the sidelines of press conference here, SSP Srinagar Dr Haseeb Mughal said that he is going to meet personally the injured Umar Fayaz. “So far two cases related to law and order are registered against him in police station Safa Kadal. We have taken note of reports and his family’s claims that Umar Fayaz was at his shop,” he said.

The SSP said that since Umar Fayaz was not in a position to speak in the past two days given his injuries and now that he has recovered a bit, police will ask him a few questions that will help in “our investigations to find out whether his family’s claims were true.”

“See we have nothing to hide. Whatever the facts would be, we will bring truth to fore,” the SSP said, adding that all angles will be investigated and CCTV footage will also be checked to see where Umar Fayaz was actually when the incident happened and how a bullet hit him.

Asked about the scooty, on which three persons travelled as claimed by the Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh during a press conference on February 5, the SSP said that reports say that the two-wheeler was taken away by some people. “We are investigating that angle too,” he said.

On February 5, two militants Zia-ur Rehman of Bijbhera and Khateebul Das of Arth, Budgam were killed in the shootout while third person Umar Fayaz had sustained grave injuries. The DGP, however, had claimed that Fayaz was associated with Islamic State J&K. Umar Fayaz’s family had strongly refuted police claim stating that he was sitting at his father’s shop when a bullet hit his chest.

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu, while meeting several deputations at SKICC Srinagar here today, said that Government is taking several steps for weaker sections, economic development, enabling atmosphere for employment creation, economic development, tribal and community welfare.

Deputations of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, J&K Gujjar and Bakkerwal Association, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Transporters Welfare Association, Dal Dwellers Association, Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Association, Employees Associations, J&K Wokers Party, PHD Chamber of Commerce, Youth groups and several organizations called on the Lt Governor and projected their demands and issues.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor said that community involvement in rehabilitation and planning is the hallmark of Dal dwellers rehabilitation process and Government is sensitive to the needs of their livelihood and economic development, for which effective steps have been finalized. On being informed about the issues of the transport organizations, he asked the concerned authorities for coming up with concrete proposals to resolve their issues.

The Lt Governor said that Forests Rights Act will be extended to Jammu and Kashmir to empower the forest dwelling tribal communities. Emphasizing the need of efforts for tribal development, he said that number of scholarships for students has undergone a massive rise and 100 new hostels are being established. The deputation of Gujjar and Bakerwal association also projected the demand for a Gujjar Regiment, reservation issues and recruitment.

The Lt Governor further stated that steps are being taken for strengthening grassroots level democratic institutions and they have been provided a vital role to play in developmental process as well. He informed that 15000 bunkers will be constructed in border villages affected due to cross-border shelling.

Emphasizing the need for constructive engagement of youth in Kashmir, the Lt Governor said that sports infrastructure would be strengthened at Panahcyat level and indoor stadiums are being provided in every district. He asked the NGOs to play their role in soft-skills, public communication and awareness

The Lt Governor also listened to the demands related to road safety and said that road engineering would be modernized and steps would be taken for establishment of Emergency Trauma Centers along the highways. He also discussed about the steps being initiated by the Government for economic revival, schemes for business community, trade, commerce and supply chain. KCCI thanked the Lt Governor for several proactive steps initiated for economic revival in the state.

Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan; Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam; Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Dheeraj Gupta; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmed Khan; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary were also present on the occasion.