Jammu & Kashmir

A day long awareness programme about Mission Youth was today conducted by Tehsil Administration Handwara at Environmental Hall in which large number of youth across the district participated.

On the occasion, experts and officers from J&K Mission Youth, Employment, Industries and other departments provided detailed awareness to the participating youth about various schemes including MUMKIN and TAJESWANI for getting self employment avenues.
The officers assured all possible support to the youth interested in harnessing their potential in different employment avenues provided by the ambitious Mission Youth programme.
Meanwhile, Tehsildar Handwara, Mohammad Shaban expressed gratitude towards the officers for participating in the awareness programme and appealed the unemployed youth to take maximum benefit of such programmes.

Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday said that there is no abrupt rise in crimes against women in Srinagar but some cases have surfaced recently and they believe narcotics and lack of monitoring by parents in their children are two major reasons responsible for crimes in the city.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Rakesh Balwal said that women special squad have been rolled across the city at the identified police. “Youth involved in crimes in Srinagar are addicted to different drugs which ultimately leads to various crimes,” he said.

Asked when police was going to file the charge—sheet into acid attack case, he said within two days, police will file charge—sheet as FSL reports are also coming today.

About theft cases, he said it was also because of narcotics use among youth that leads to theft. “We are following a holistic approach. And you will see difference soon. We need public cooperation which is not up to our expectation, so far,” he said adding that chronic drug addicts are being booked under PSA.

“We are trying to break the drug chain and we have understood that by arresting two or three drug peddlers won’t do. Give us some time and I assure you that people will feel the difference,” the SSP Srinagar said—(KNO)

A Court in South Kashmir’s Shopian district ordered arrest of journalist and columnist Gowhar Nazir Geelani to ensure his appearance before it on February 19 in “order to maintain peace and public tranquility”.

“In view of the non-appearance of Gowhar Nazir Geelani after serving notice upon him under section 107 and 151 CrPC on February 3, you (SHO Heerpora Shopian) are directed to arrest and produce the above said person (Geelani) before this court on 19/02/2022 in order to maintain peace and public tranquility in the jurisdiction of this court,” reads the order by the Executive Magistrate 1st Class Shopian.

An official associated with prosecution told GNS that Gowhar had been evading appearance and as such his order of arrest to produce him were passed by the court. (GNS)

Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad on Thursday chaired a meeting of deans of faculties, heads of departments, directors of campuses and officers ahead of re-opening of the varsity for offline teaching from March 1, 2022.

In his opening remarks, Prof Talat underlined the guidelines of the UT administration with regard to reopening of educational institutions following culmination of winter vacations.

Prof Talat, as per a statement issued to GNS, asserted that the university’s main and satellite campuses shall re-open for in-person teaching from March 1, 2022 with strict adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) by faculty, staff and students to ensure hassle-free continuation teaching and research activities.

In line with the deliberations held by J&K Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta with heads of educational institutions on February 14, Prof Talat directed Deans, Directors, HODs and Coordinators of Main and Satellite Campuses to urgently come up with a plan on campus re-opening, including enlisting of all necessary Do’s and Don’ts for circulation among students, SOPs for faculty, staff and students as well as on ensuring proper cleanliness and sanitation within the departments as well as in and around the campuses.

He said the year 2022 has to be the “Model Year for Academics” and “Model Year for Health and Cleanliness” in Jammu and Kashmir and necessary modalities to translate this mission of the UT administration into reality shall be immediately formulated and implemented in the University.

“Now that the University is opening post vacations and following disruptions caused by the Covid19 pandemic, students must get the best of education. It is equally important to facilitate students to interact more and more and engage in constructive academic and sports activities for their personal and professional wellbeing,” Prof Talat said, directing all HODs to ensure that all classes are held on time and alternate arrangement of teachers, in case of any teacher going on leave, be made in advance without any fail so that students don’t miss any classes or lag behind in academics and research.

He said only students who are fully vaccinated shall be permitted to join in-person classes while those unvaccinated should get vaccinated at their respective places at the earliest or the University shall facilitate their vaccination at special vaccination camps to be organised by it in collaboration with the J&K Health Department.

He also said the authenticity of vaccination certificates so produced shall be duly verified by the University to avert any chance of any mischief.

“There shall be no compromise on wearing of masks by the students and staff,” the VC directed.

The Vice-Chancellor also urged the faculty members to steer clear of any unnecessary deviations and ensure that students get solely involved in teaching, research and sports activities.

“Our University must take a lead again in making a great impression vis-a-vis continuation of academic activities,” he said, urging teachers to educate students about the importance of credible examination for them to be able to excel and compete at par with students at the national-level.

Prof Talat also directed that there must be no overcrowding in hostels and during various functions held in the campus.

The VC also flagged the implementation of National Education Policy-2020, asserting that the University is readying itself to implement this flagship programme at the UG level in the first phase.

“All modalities in this regard are being worked out as a matter of priority,” he said.

Earlier, Dean Academic Affairs Prof Farooq A Masoodi highlighted the agenda for the meeting, including deliberations on reopening of the University from March 1, as well as implementation of the NEP-2020.

The high-level meeting was also attended by Dean College Development Council, Dean Research, Registrar and Controller of Examinations. (GNS)

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Northern Army Commander, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi will be concluding his three-day Kashmir visit today. This is Dwivedi’s maiden visit to Chinar Corps after taking over the command of the prestigious Northern Army Command, based at Udhampur on February 01, 2022.

Briefing about the itinerary of the Army Commander, PRO Defence in a statement received here said that he arrived at Chinar Corps Headquarters on 14 Feb 2022. The visiting officer was briefed by Lt Gen DP Pandey, GOC Chinar Corps on the prevalent security situation and measures instituted to counter adversaries’ design. He interacted with the senior officers of Chinar Corps and lauded the strong counter infiltration grid along the Line of Control.

“He also appreciated the strict control exercised by the formation to abide by the Cease fire understanding between the DGMOs of both India and Pakistan, which will complete one year on 25 February 2022. For the hinterland, the Army Commander complimented Chinar Corps for the conduct of operations with precision ensuring zero collateral damage. He was appreciative of the excellent Soldier – Citizen connect activities, which have resulted in overall reduction in the [militant] recruitments”, the statement reads.

“The visiting officer also paid homage to the 40 bravehearts of CRPF who had made the supreme sacrifice during attack on the convoy on this day three years ago”, the statement reads.

“The Army Commander interacted with various civil functionaries and members of the civil society. He appreciated the rapid steps that are being taken by all agencies for sustainable peace and development of Kashmir. He lauded the synergy between all elements of the security forces and the Civil Administration”, the statement concludes.(GNS)

Jammu and Kashmir reported 314 fresh covid-19 cases even as there was no death for the second consecutive day due to the virus, officials said on Monday.

They said, 188 of the cases were reported from Jammu Division and 126 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 451330.

Giving district wise details, the officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 63 cases, Baramulla 10, Budgam 22, Pulwama 3, Kupwara 13, Anantnag 5, Bandipora 1, Ganderbal 6, Kulgam 3, Shopian 0, Jammu 67, Udhampur 14, Rajouri 9, Doda 52, Kathua 20, Samba 9, Kishtwar 6, Poonch 0, Ramban 10 and Reasi 1.
There was no death either from Jammu or Kashmir in the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4745 persons have succumbed to the virus—2323 in Jammu and 2422 in Kashmir.

Besides, they said937 Covid-19 patients—445 from Jammu and 492 from Valley— recovered during the time. So far 442305 people have recovered, leaving the active case tally at 4280— 1851 in Jammu and 2429 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 51 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said. They also informed that 44564 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad Tuesday visited Yatra Transit Camp at Panthachowk to review the progress of works undertaken to augment the accommodation for halt of devotees expected to participate in annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2022.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Rakesh Balwal, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Athar Amir, SSP Traffic, Muzaffar Ahmad accompanied the Deputy Commissioner during the visit.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed the facilities that shall be put in place during the forthcoming annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2022.

The DC was apprised that at present holding capacity at Yatra Transit Camp Panthachowk is of about 2500 Yatries.

The DC directed the Superintending Engineer Public Works Department to go for further capacity addition by 3-4 times of existing holding capacity.

The Deputy Commissioner earmarked the nearby land for setting up prefabricated accommodation to increase holding capacity to about 6000 Yatries during annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2022.

The DC asked the Superintendent R&B to take up the immediate works for black topping of the approach road and ground at the Transit camp Panthachowk.

The DC also directed the authorities of PHE Department to make all necessary arrangements for ensuring water supply at the camp so that Yatries do not face any problem during their halt at the camp. The DC asked Executive Engineer PHE to work out a plan so that use of tankers is minimised and adequate permanent supply of water is made available at the site.

For ensuring proper sanitation and adequate arrangements for public convenience facilities at the camp, the Commissioner SMC was told to keep sufficient staff at the camp to maintain sanitation and proper cleanliness in and around the transit camp. He was also asked to ensure early operationalization of public convenience units.
Regarding parking facilities, the SSP Traffic briefed the DC about the arrangements being made for parking of buses ferrying the Yatries.
Similarly, SSP Srinagar apprised the DC about the proposed security arrangements being made with regard to expected heavy footfall of the Yatries during the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2022.
Superintendent Engineer R&B, Joint Commissioner SMC, SDM East, Tehsildar Panthachowk, and other senior officers of Police and Civil Administration accompanied the DC during the visit.
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The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Dr Piyush Singla today chaired a meeting here regarding the arrangements and preparedness for reopening of educational institutions in the district.

At the outset, Dr Singla said that the education system was affected by the global pandemic and after a gap of two years educational institutions can resume normal functioning. However, necessary precautions must be taken on the ground and there should be no laxity in ensuring adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour.

All the institutional heads were directed to ensure that social distancing is observed on campus and appropriate rosters are formulated to achieve this. Adequate hand sanitizers and hand wash facilities must be available on all campuses.

Chief Medical Officer, Anantnag was directed to facilitate random screening of students and conduct testing on a regular basis.

The DC said that teams are being constituted at district level to maintain strict vigil in this regard and the heads of the institutions must ensure the directions are implemented on ground in letter and spirit.

SSP Anantnag deliberated on issues related to maintenance of law and order. It was decided that disciplinary committees will be constituted at the institution level. Further, the heads of institutions will maintain a nominal roll of the students enrolled at the institution and make arrangements to ensure that outsiders are not allowed inside the campus. The heads of institutions were also directed to install CCTV cameras in the campuses.

Dr Singla emphasized that attendance and punctuality both for staff and students is essential. He said that the institutions shall frame detailed activity plans including debates, seminars, sports activities and the institutions must be abuzz with activities to channel the energy of students in a fruitful manner.

He said that educational institutions are the formative institutions and play an important role in shaping the personality of the students and the staff should facilitate this through academic and co-curricular activities.

Several Principal’s of GDCs assured the DC that necessary facilities are present on the campus and they are well equipped to start the academic session. They assured that they will fully cooperate and ensure the directions are adhered to.

The meeting was attended by SSP, ADC, CMO, CEO, Principal GDCs, Principal ITIs, Principals Polytechnic College and Principals of Higher Secondary schools among others.

Police in Budgam felicitated students of District Budgam who have secured top positions in Higher Secondary part two examination 2021-22.

SSP Budgam Tahir Saleem-JKPS was chief guest on the event, besides ASP Budgam Gowhar Ahmed-JKPS, DySP Hqrs Budgam & DySP DAR Budgam and other officers of Budgam Police were also present.

SSP Budgam felicitated Suhairah Ahad from Girls HSS Magam (98.8%), Haliya Anees from Girls HSS Budgam (98.8%), Mansheeba Sajad from Samie Beerwah (98.6%), Misbah un Nissa from Girls HSS Wadwan (98.6%), Farhana Rashid from Girls HSS Budgam (98.6%), Toiba Zahoor from Girls HSS Budgam (98.4%), Affarmand Ashraf from Girls HSS Magam (98.4%), Raziya Rasool from Jamiat un Noor Soibugh (98.2%), Mariyah Riyaz from Jamiat Un Noor Soibugh (98.2%) and Wakeeda Mushtaq from Girls HSS Magam (98%). All the position holders were felicitated with Mementos and appreciation letters.

SSP Budgam while interacting with the meritorious students congratulated them for their brilliant performance in studies which resulted to their remarkable success. He also said that they would inspire other students to excel in their studies and academics. He also appreciated the efforts of the teachers, guardians and parents in their achievement.

The objective of this event was to encourage the meritorious students in the field of academics to boost their courage for further studies to crack National Level Exams.