Two Air Force commandos, two LeT militants killed in Hajin shootout
Slain militants were involved in the killing of BSF man: Police
Bandipora, Oct 11 : In a fierce shootout between government forces and the militants during wee hours on Wednesday two militants and two Air Force commandos were killed
in Hajin area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
The shootout started when a joint party of 13 Rashtriya Rifles of Army and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir police laid siege to Rakh (Paribal) area of Hajin following inputs about the presence of militants in the area.
"As the Forces were closing in, the hiding militants fired upon them around 5 am, resulting in injuries to three personnel of Garud Commando Force. Two of them succumbed later," said a police official.
He identified the deceased commandos as Cpl Neelesh Nayan and Sgt Milind Khabar.
He said the commandos were operating with the army for operational experience and training.
A senior police official said that two militants were also killed in the shootout.
They were identified as Abu Bakr alias Ali Baba and Nasrullah Mir, son of Nazir Ahmad Mir, resident of Mir Mohalla Hajin. Both belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit, he said.
A police official told news agency CNS that Nasrullah Mir was a known stone-pelter against whom several cases stands registered in different police stations. “He disappeared in March this year and joined Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit,” he said.
The official added that besides some food stuff and medicine, arms and ammunition was recovered from the possession of slain militants.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General North Kashmir VK Bridi said the slain militants were involved in the killing of off-duty BSF man Muhammad Ramzan Parrey.
Parrey was killed by gunmen on September 28. Four of his family members were injured in the shooting.
He said that they were part of the Lashkar-e-Toiba militant group involved in several attacks on security forces and civilians in the area in recent past.
Thousands of people amid complete shutdown participated in his last rites while the body of another non-local militant was secretly buried in Uri Gantmohalla. Witnesses said that men, women and children took to roads and participated in the final rites of slain local militant Nasraullah. The mourners raised pro-Islam and pro-freedom slogans. Large contingent of Police and Para-military troopers had been deployed on roads to maintain law and order.
Witnesses added that youth clashed with police after the killing of these two militants.
Authorities closed educational institutions in Bandipora district and some parts of Baramulla district following the culmination of encounter. Authorities also snapped internet service.
According to the orders of District Magistrate Bandipora, class work shall remain suspended in Government Degree College Sumbal, Government Higher Secondary Sumbal, Government Higher Secondary school Hajin, Government Higher Secondary school Naidkhai and Government High School Sumbal today.
He said the class work has been suspended “as a precautionary measure”.
Two policemen arrested for providing ammunition to Hizb militants in Kashmir
Srinagar, Oct 11: Police in Shopian district of south Kashmir have arrested two cops and an over-ground worker (OGW) who supplied ammunition to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants.
An official said that a naka party of police apprehended Adil Ahmad Negroo near Circuit House Shopian in suspicious conditions and recovered twenty live rounds of AK-47 from his possession on October 9.
“He is a strong OGW of active militant Waseem Wagay alias Saifullah and Ishfaq Thoker alias Abrar of HM outfit,” he said.
“On questioning, the said person revealed that he and his friend namely Mudasir Ahmad Mir of Okay Kulgam had received 40 rounds of AK-47 from one constable Shabir Ahmad Malik of Amshipora Shopian presently posted in District Ganderbal”.
The official said that Constable Shabir Ahmad Malik was apprehended. “He further revealed that he had received the said 40 rounds from Constable Nazir Ahmad Najar of Kulgam who is currently posted in Kot DPL Shopian,” he said.
A senior police official of the district said that both the policemen have been arrested and further investigation is on. (CNS)
Attachment of DIPR officer:
Government’s decision widely hailed
Srinagar, Oct 11: Government action against a senior officer of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), has been widely hailed in media circles with many senior editors expressing hope that the move will lead to weeding out corrupt practices rampant in the department.
The editors have stressed upon the government to initiate all the necessary steps needed to revamp the department.
Pertinently, the government on Tuesday directed Department of Information and Public Relations to attach one of its Joint Directors to General Administrative Department after the disclosure that the said officer has not only provided misleading information under Right to Information Act (RTI), but has also mentioned the names of non-existing news papers claiming that the Department has issued advertisements in their favour.
The information provided by the Joint Director Kashmir under an RTI query had revealed unfair distribution of government advertisements besides, mentioning that even those newspapers have been issued advertisements that are not in circulation.
“Some of the newspapers mentioned are not even in circulation and even their owners have expired a long time back. It is a big scandal that needs to be unearthed,” the petitioner who had filed the RTI had said.
While taking cognizance of the grave issue, the Minister for Information and Public Relations Chowdary Zulifkar Ali directed Additional Secretary Information to attach Joint Director Zahoor Ahmed Mir to GAD and appoint Director Information Muneer-ul-Islam as inquiry officer.
"However, some vested interests are trying to shield the officer who has been at the helm of affairs in terms of providing advertisement support to the newspapers being published from Kashmir," the editors said.
The officer in question is accused of misusing his powers vested on him. He not only arbitrarily curtailed volume of advertisements to certain established newspapers, but also created a culture of favouritism in the department.
Notably, the government formally announced bifurcation of advertisement distribution and information dissemination in the DIPR by ordering establishment of independent nodal offices for advertisement distribution in the Joint Directorate of Information Kashmir and Jammu.
"From 1st of September 2017, the advertisement distribution to the approved newspapers and periodicals and the release of payment thereof shall be the sole responsibility of the respective nodal offices which will function under the overall control of the Joint Directors of Information in Kashmir and Jammu divisions without any intervention from the Directorate of Information," the Minister for Information, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar announced at a review meeting of the DIPR in the month of July this year.
He said the new arrangement would be on the pattern of DAVP, and the Joint Directors of Information in Kashmir and Jammu divisions would be autonomously responsible for ensuring timely and judicious distribution of official advertisements in the print media as per the guidelines laid down in the Advertisement Policy-2016.
Pertinently, 467 newspapers and periodicals including 271 in Jammu and 196 in Kashmir division are presently empanelled with DIPR for release of government advertisements.
No let up in braid chopping incidents
Protest and clashes in Batamaloo and Bemina
Srinagar, Oct 11 : The braid chopping incidents continues to spark protest and clashes in different parts of Kashmir Valley.
The fresh braid chopping incident at Batamaloo Srinagar sparked protest on Wednesday while police have reportedly arrested a suspect. From past couple of days, several braid chopping incidents have been reported from Batamaloo area.
The protesters mostly women assembled outside JVC Hospital Bemina accused police of saving the suspects while thrashing those who raise their voice against these unabated incidents. The youth blocked the road while police resorted to tear-smoke shelling to disperse them.
While talking to reporters, one of the protesting women said that on Tuesday night people chased some suspects in Bemina area, while in no time police appeared and took the suspects in their custody. She said instead of making the statements of suspects to public, they thrashed people including women and even ransacked their houses.
“Do police want that we should not raise our voice against braid chopping. We want to know why police targeted us and our houses,” she said.
Braid chopping incidents sparked a protest inside Kashmir Polytechinq college here in Gogjibagh Srinagar. Large number of students carrying placards and banners seeking the identification of braid choppers participated in the protest. They alleged that police have miserably failed to identify and nab the criminals who are playing with the honour and dignity of Kashmiri females.
Protests erupted while locals blocked Srinagar-Pulwama road after a fresh incident of braid chopping was reported from Karnalbagh Samboora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Locals told news agency CNS that a biker appeared during morning hours and chopped the braid of a young girl. The incident agitated people who disrupted traffic on the roads. They demanded action against culprits.
In South Kashmir’s Malapora area of Pulwama district, the braid of a young girl was chopped off on Wednesday afternoon, sparking protest in the area.
Another braid chopping incident was reported from Bandi area of Uri where hair of an 18-year-old girl was chopped by miscreants when she had gone to a washroom outside her home in the early hours.
Court directs Government to amend SRO-75 of 1992
Srinagar, Oct 11: Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the state government to ‘amend’ SRO-75 of 1992 notionally from 1987 and financially from the year 1990.
The High Court Bench of Jammu wing comprising Justice M K Hanjura issued direction to the state to implement the ruling in letter and spirit in WP 1608/192 as a cadre of Superintending Engineers by amending SRO-75 of 1992 replacing grade at serial number 23 with serial number 25.
The single bench in its rulings has also drawn attention towards the bureaucratic ‘rigmaroles’ coupled with ‘torturous’ twenty five years. The bench ruled SRO be implemented at par with SRO-163 of 2005.
It may be place to mention that the petitioners Er Saif-ud-Din Shangllo, Abdul Khaliq Kanjwal, Nissar Hussain, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sheikh, Mohammad Ramzan Dar, Vijay Kumar Bhagotra and J.L. Koul Mantoo (all retired Superintending Engineers) had filed an application being CMA No.188/2013, seeking leave of the Court to intervene in the instant Contempt Petition No.123 of 2013.
However the application was dismissed on 13.06.2014 by a Single Bench of high Court. An application filed subsequently seeking review of the order dated 13.06.2014 was also dismissed vide order dated 20.02.2015.
The applicants assailed these orders in the appeals being LPAC No.02/2015 and LPAC No.3/2015. LPAC No.02/2015 c/w LPAC No.3/2015 came up before the Division Bench of this Court on 28.05.2015 and the Division Bench set aside the aforesaid orders dated 13.06.2014 and 20.02.2015 and allowed the application (CMA No.188/2013) for intervention, as a consequence of which the applicants were permitted to intervene in the Contempt (SWP) No.123/2013 against the order dated 28.05.2015 passed by the Division Bench.
The State had chosen to seek the available remedy by preferring an SLP(C) No.29669-29670/15 before the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the aforesaid SLP on 17.10.2016 as a corollary to which the order of the Division Bench stated herein-before assumed finality.
Bench after hearing counsel for the petitioner Advocate D.C Raina and Advocate Rajneesh Oswal directed respondent (State) that the exercise shall be undertaken and concluded by it within a period of six weeks from the date the copy of the order is served on them.
Court also sought directed the state to submit compliance report on or before the next date of listing before the Bench.
“Before looking into consequence, magnitude and the significance of the judgment cited above, it needs to be said in an apparent digression that the work of the Courts, from the apex to the lowermost, is primarily to administer law and dispense justice,” reads of the order passed by the Court.
Charity begins at home:
SMC to deduct sanitation fee from employees
Srinagar, Oct 11: Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation Dr Shafqat Khan Wednesday decided to deduct sanitation fee from all the employees of the Corporation excluding Safaiwallas as per the standard tariff in vogue for households.
This was decided in a high level meeting chaired by Commissioner SMC in which Financial Advisor, Joint commissioner Administration, Joint Commissioner Planning, Chief Sanitation Officer, Executive Engineer Mechanical were present.
The decision was taken in wake of achieving targeted revenue of Rupees twenty-two crores per anum by collecting sanitation cess from households, buissness establishments, hoteliers, institutions and shopkeepers.
SMC presently is able to generate only Rs 70 lakh per annum.
“By deducting this fee from the employees per month will definitely send across a message that paying sanitation fee regularly is mandatory for each class of the society as per the tariff already in vogue,” said Commissioner SMC Dr Shafqat Khan.
“It will also enable SMC to procure more equipments, sanitary workers, involving experts to adopt latest techniques and methods for scientific disposal of solid waste management,” he added.
Meanwhile the enforcement squad of the Corporation seized various goods, articles, eatable and three bikes from the shopkeepers who had illegally displayed their stuff on roadside spaces and encroached upon footpaths.
“The drive will rigorously continue till the shopkeepers and vendors do away with illegal occupancy of roadsides and footpaths,” said Dr Shafqat Khan.
PDP hails Govt. decision on wage enhancement of Daily rated workers
CM has proved herself as leader of unrepresented class: Alam
Srinagar, Oct 9 : The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday hailed the government decision on hiking the wages of adhoc/ daily rated workers in the state terming it a sigh of relief for thousands of families in the state and a measure that could mitigate the sufferings of the daily wagers who earlier were exploited by the previous regime.
In a statement to CNS, PDP District President Srinagar and Upper House member, Mohammad Khurshid Alam said that it was the long pending demand of the daily wagers and casual labourers in the state that their wages be enhanced keeping in view the present market prices. Alam said that the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti herself is showing keen interest in ending the woes of the adhoc/ daily rated employees of the state so that they couldn’t be exploited any time in future and they should discharge their duties with dignity and honour. “Such a measure is worth to hail irrespective of the party lines as same is directly linked to the livelihood of thousands of adhoc/ daily rated employees who earlier were working on meager wages,” PDP’s Srinagar president said.
While hailing Finance Minister Dr Hasseb Drabu, Alam maintained further that the assurance of the finance minister toregularize the daily wagers in Jammu and Kashmir could prove another milestone in Jammu and Kashmir’s administrative set up as it is not only the adhoc/ daily rated employees who suffer but their families too get affected when their wages remain pending despite discharging of duties. “The fact is that these workers were earlier exploited by the previous regime and their woes too weren’t even heard by the men in power. It is the present dispensation led by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti which is representing the unrepresented and has resolved to mitigate the sufferings of the forgotten and undermined lot. One should be optimistic about a prosperous future of the state under the able command of chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. She has proved herself as the leader of the unrepresented class of Jammu and Kashmir,” Alam said.
Legal Metrology Penalized Multinational Tile Company
Srinagar, Oct 11: Legal Metrology Department has booked a multinational Tile company for allegedly violating the Legal Metrology laws. The department received a complaint that the Haryana based Tile Company namely Somany Ceramic Ltd India is supplying tiles in the valley in violation of labeling norms.
The label on the tile packages carry the price with a rubber stamp whereas the MRP inclusive of all taxes must be in the printed form.Moreover,the month and year of manufacture was not printed on the packages which is mandatory under Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011. Legal Metrology Officer namely Shabir Ahamad registered the case against the company and the notice was served to the company through the sales representative for the shortcoming and the company confessed the lapse and pleaded for compounding the offence departmentally instead of referring it to court of law.
Under the law, every pre-packaged commodity covered under rules must carry on the label prominently MRP/PKD/NetQuantity/consumer -care details/dimensions (size) etc so that the consumer should make rational choice while buying any goods. The Dy. Controller slapped a fine of Rs 50,000/- on the company for violating the labeling norms and the company deposited the amount through bank draft.
Army pays tribute to Air Force commandos killed in Hajin shootout
Srinagar, Oct 11: Army on Wednesday paid tributes to two Air Force commandos killed in a gunfight with militants in Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora distrct.
“Both the Air Force personnel were GARUD Commandos who were operating with the Army for operational experience and training,” said a spokesman.
He said Lt Gen JS Sandhu, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks along with Air Cdre VS Choudhary, AOC 1 Wing AF, paid homage to the slain on behalf of the nation at a solemn ceremony at BB Cantt.
Officials from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the slain soldiers.
Sgt K. Milind Kishor, 33, had joined the IAF in 2002 and hailed from Sakri town in Nashik, Maharashtra. Coming from Village Udhadih of Bhagalpur district in Bihar, Cpl Nilesh Kumar Nayan was 31 and had donned the uniform in 2005. (CNS)
National Conference takes to roads against braid chopping incidents
Srinagar, Oct 11: Youth National Conference on Wednesday staged a massive protest in Srinagar against government’s inept and sluggish response to increasing braid chopping incidents across valley.
Raising slogans against the indifferent approach of the PDP BJP government, YNC workers led by Provincial President YNC Salman Ali Sagar marched from party headquarters Nawa e Subah towards city centre Lal chowk but were stopped by Police near Polo view Srinagar. Later Salman along with scores of his supporters were detained at Kothi Bagh police station.
Castigating Mehbooba Mufti for her inability to stop braid chopping incidents Salman said, “The situation in Kashmir is deteriorating very fast with every passing day. The fear psychosis has engulfed the whole valley. Our mothers and sisters now fear to move out and have confined themselves within the four walls of their homes,” adding, “Nothing much has been done to assuage these fears while government has failed to put an end to such senseless violence against our women folk.”
Demanding immediate arrest of those who have wrecked havoc in the society, Salman said, “Almost 40 cases of braid chopping have been reported in the past two weeks in Kashmir while administration is busy in issuing rhetorical statements.”
He expressed dismay over the attitude of present government and its representatives in solving problems of the people, saying the whole state is in chaos ever since the present dispensation took over reins in the state.
Meanwhile, former Minister and senior National Conference leader Sakina Itoo led a protest march at Damhal Hanjipora in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. She castigated those elements who according to her are trying to give braid chopping incidents hysteria color.
“Do these police officers and PDP Minister want to say that majority of women are mentally unsound. People were not expecting such a shameful statements from these people. The honour and dignity of our women are at stake and they are poking fun at victims,” she said.
Muharam processions:
Aga Hasan thanks socio-religious organization
Budgam, Oct 11: Anjuman Shari Shian has expressed satisfaction over the peaceful culmination of procession during first ushra of sacred month of Muhram-ul-Haram.
To take stock of the situation, a meeting was held that was headed by Anjuman Shari Shian president Aga Syed Hasan Almosvi Alsafvi. The meeting was attended by activists and members of the organization.
During the meeting Aga Syed Hasan thanked socio religious and political organizations including Shia-Sunni Coordination Committee, Majlis Tahafuz Itihaad, Hussaini Khidmatgaar Committee, Hussaini Relief Committee, Hussaini Khidmatgaar Committee Mir Behri
for their contribution and sincere efforts to make Muharam procession peaceful and cordial.
During the meeting the participants castigated government for making false claims with regard to facilities and other matters. They said as usual the government showed a cold heart and remained callous towards the sentiments of people.
During the meeting final arrangements were made for the procession that is scheduled to be taken out on 25th Muharam to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (RA) from Shalimar Srinagar. This procession is considered to be biggest and important one after the procession of 10th Muharam. The participants appealed people to participate in large numbers in this procession.
During his address Anjuman Shari Shian president Aga Syed Hasan Almosvi highlighted the teachings and threw light on the life of Imam Hussain (A.S), the grandson of Beloved Prophet (SAW). He also paid tribute to the martyrs of Karbala and said that they will live till eternity.
“To relate Karbal to a particular sect or community is against the principles of Islam. It teaches us the importance of sacrifices and the lesson of brotherhood lies in it,” he said.
During the meeting, anguish was expressed over the unabated braid chopping incidents. It was held that women occupy a unique position in Islam and to humiliate her is the biggest crime. “The honour of our women is at stake. The inaction on part of police has created suspicion. Being a woman, the Chief Minister of the State should take the matter seriously to end this mayhem.”
Braid-chopping:
JRL postpones TRC rally, asks students to protest on Thursday
Srinagar, Oct 11, CNS: Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has postponed the proposed rally at TRC grounds in Srinagar on October 14 in view of braid-chopping scare in Kashmir Valley.
“JRL led by Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik decided to postpone for the time being the TRC rally on October 14 in the wake of serious concern and distress caused among people due to the braid chopping incidents,” said a statement, issued on Wednesday.
They said these incidents are increasing by the day and spreading across the valley leading to great insecurity and fear among the people.
“It looks like one more ploy to unnerve and frustrate the resilient and unyielding people of Kashmir,” they said.
JRL said the “callousness and insensitivity” shown by members of the PDP-BJP ruling regime towards this matter of “grave concern” for the people by dismissing it as a "phobia" and "hysteria " among people who they say are "imagining " such things looks deliberate.
“This again exposes their total disconnect and apathy towards the people of Kashmir.”
JRL said that people have been completely left at their own mercy to deal with this crisis and police and related institutions are in denial.
“While these institutions are quick and pre-emptive at [firing] pellets and locking up Kashmiris, branding them stone pelters and anti nationals and boast of a great "local" information network about militants , yet when it comes to nabbing miscreants who are assaulting the dignity of our women ,they say they are clueless and need help,” said the statement.
The leadership asked people to form local committees in each Mohalla/locality to deal with this challenge and increase vigil in and around the area and to exercise restraint and discretion when dealing with anyone found involved in these incidents.
“People will continue to raise their voice against this shameful assault and will peacefully protest it on Friday while students of colleges and universities across Kashmir will stage peaceful protests against the attack on the chastity of their sisters and mothers on Thursday.”
Lawyers marched against braid chopping incidents
Srinagar, Oct 11 : Lawyers community Valley Wednesday staged a massive protest against unabated braid chopping incidents across Kashmir Valley. They carried out a march from High Court Complex that culminated peacefully at Clock Tower Lal Chowk.
The march was led by High Court Bar Association President Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom. The protesting lawyers were carrying placards and banners accusing government of resorting to sponsored terrorism.
Amid anti government slogans the lawyers alleged that the braid chopping conspiracy is the brain child of government of India while some Ministers in State are trying to give it a colour of hysteria.
“Today we are protesting against the continuous braid-chopping incidents across Kashmir. We want that braid-chopping must end immediately, the fear it has created among Kashmiris must come to an end so that Kashmiri women continue their daily chores with absolute freedom,” Qayoom told reporters during the protest rally at Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk.
He said that the lawyers believe that whosoever loves the honor of Kashmiri women must support them and join the protest against the act.
Besides others, General Secretary Bar Association GN Shaheen also addressed the media and blamed government for braid chopping incidents.
FROM : (CNS)