Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday paid tributes to the CRPF personnel who were killed in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack and resolved to eliminate the menace of terrorism in the union territory.

On February 14, 2019, Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force in Pulwama, killing 40 personnel of the paramilitary force.

“The nation will forever be grateful to our brave soldiers of @crpfindia and their families,” Sinha said in a tweet.

He said the Jammu and Kashmir administration is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism.

Days after the Pulwama attack, the Indian Air Force carried out a retaliatory air strike inside Pakistan’s Balakot on February 26, 2019, targeting a terrorist training camp of the JeM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday paid homage to the slain CRPF men who were killed in Pulwama attack on this day in 2019 and recalled their outstanding service to our nation.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said; “I pay homage to all those martyred in Pulwama on this day in 2019 and recall their outstanding service to our nation. Their bravery and supreme sacrifice motivates every Indian to work towards a strong and prosperous country.”—(KNO)

Lethpora (J-&K), Feb 14 : The CRPF on Monday paid floral tributes to 40 of its personnel killed in the dastardly Pulwama terror attack on this day three years ago.

The CRPF on Monday paid floral tributes to 40 of its personnel killed in the dastardly Pulwama terror attack on this day three years ago.

Additional Director General (ADG), CRPF, D S Chaudhary, led the officers and jawans of the paramilitary force in paying their tributes at the martyr’s memorial here about 25 kms from Srinagar.

Chaudhary and other CRPF personnel laid floral wreaths at the memorial and saluted sacrifices of the 40 personnel who lost their lives when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus which was part of a convoy travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.

Every year we come together here on this day to remember the 40 brave jawans who lost their lives in Pulwama (attack). We remember their sacrifice and pay tributes to them from the bottom of our hearts, Chaudhary told reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony.

The CRPF officer said the endeavour of the force is to maintain peace in the valley and not let the sacrifices of their personnel go in vain.

Remembering his colleagues, a CRPF jawan said the attack and the killing of 40 personnel has not broken the morale of the force.

If the enemy thinks it can break our morale, it is wrong. People of my country need not to worry. We are always ready to protect them, Constable Arup Debnath said.

Another CRPF jawan SNS Munda said while they miss their colleagues, they will not forget their sacrifices.

This (tribute) is a message that we have not forgotten them, that we remember those who sacrificed their lives for all of us, he said.

Jammu and Kashmir reported 245 fresh covid-19 cases, lowest daily count in 41 days, even as there was no death to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Monday.

They said, 160 of the cases were reported from Jammu Division and 85 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 451016.

Giving district wise details, the officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 32 cases, Baramulla 10, Budgam 12, Pulwama 2, Kupwara 16, Anantnag 2, Bandipora 4, Ganderbal 0, Kulgam 5, Shopian 2, Jammu 38, Udhampur 4, Rajouri 8, Doda 65, Kathua 2, Samba 0, Kishtwar 1, Poonch 1, Ramban 27 and Reasi 14.
There was no death either from Jammu or Kashmir during the time, they said. So far 4745 persons have succumbed to the virus—2323 in Jammu and 2422 in Kashmir.

Besides, they said, 808 Covid-19 patients—339 from Jammu and 469 from Valley— recovered during the time. So far 441368 people have recovered, leaving the active case tally at 4903— 2108 in Jammu and 2795 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 43769 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Amid significant decline in the number of covid-19 cases, SKIMS Medical College Bemina on Monday announced to resume normal activities from February 16.

“Pursuant to the communication issued by the Government vide No: HD/Plan/30/2022-02 dated: 14.02.2022, SKIMS Medical College Hospital, Bernina has been de-notified as COVID-19 dedicated Hospital,” reads a communication by the Principal of the College, Prof. Irfan Robbani.

“Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that SKIMS Medical College-Hospital, Bemina shall resume normal activities with effect from Wednesday (16th February 2022),” the order, a copy of which lies with GNS, reads, adding, “The Medical Superintendent and the HODs of Clinical Departments shall ensure that normal Hospital service systems are put back in place, prior to resumption of routine activities from the aforementioned date, in the best interests of patient care.” (GNS)

A policeman was suspended on Monday following a complaint by the Jammu and Kashmir Prisons’ Department that claimed he was smuggling a phone inside the high-security Srinagar Central Jail, officials said.

The suspended policeman, selection grade Constable Mutazir Abbass of 6th battalion of the J&K Armed Police (JKAP), was caught in the act during an in-house surveillance initiated by the Prisons’ Department last month, they said.

The officials said Director General of Prisons B Srinivas reported the matter to the Home Department which repatriated him to his battalion before placing him under suspension and ordering a time-bound departmental inquiry against him.

In an order issued by the Home Department on Monday, Principal Secretary tShaleen Kabra said Abbass had been placed under suspension and an inquiry was ordered in reference to the January 25 communication of the director general of police, prisons.

“…the government, in exercise of the powers conferred by Rule 31 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956 read with Rule 353 of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Rules, 1960 hereby places Abbass under suspension with immediate effect,” the order read.

However, the order did not provide any specific reason for his suspension.

“The director general of police shall, in terms of the extant rules, initiate departmental inquiry against Abbass and submit the report of inquiry along with the findings on each charge, with supporting documents to the administrative department within two months,” the order read.

Kabra said till the suspension order remains in force, the headquarters of the suspended policeman would be the Jammu armed police headquarters and he will not leave the premises without obtaining the permission of the additional director general of police, armed police.

The order said Abbass shall be entitled to subsistence allowance, as admissible under rules.–(PTI)

In recognition of her hard-work and focused efforts, MD & CEO J&K Bank Baldev Prakash today felicitated Aroosa Parvaiz, who secured first position in the recently declared class twelve results. She was presented with a memento and Kashmiri Shawl for her illustrious success in presence of President & Special Secy. to MD & CEO, Karanjit Singh, her close family members and other officials at the Bank’s corporate headquarters.

Admiring her academic brilliance on the occasion, MD & CEO Baldev Prakash wished Aroosa Parvaiz a successful career ahead. “While acknowledging your industrious and energetic attitude, I would like to tell every diligent, active and educated youth of J&K that if you have the will to fly, we are here to provide you financial wings to make you soar high”, said Baldev Prakash.

“Bank appreciates excellence and would continue its journey towards excellence as well”, he added.

With joyful expressions on the occasion, Aroosa Parvaiz accepted the felicitations and expressed her profound gratitude to the Bank for recognizing her hard-earned success. She expressed hope that such an acknowledgement would inspire many more youngsters to work harder for greater success.

Srinagar District police launched two women’s safety squads for ensuring safety and security of women in Srinagar city. DIG CKR Sujit Kumar-IPS launched the squads by flagging off first patrolling of these squads. Speaking on the inauguration, DIG CKR applauded District police Srinagar for the initiative and said this will bring down crime against women and prevent crimes like the recent acid attack by acting as deterrent.

SSP Srinagar Rakesh Balwal-IPS and other senior officers of district police were also present at the inauguration.

Initially two squads were launched which will be patrolling areas around coaching centres, schools, colleges and other vulnerable areas in Srinagar city.

These squads will also be directly in touch with administrators of the educational institutions/coaching centres for immediate action in case of any emergent requirement. Each squad will contain 5 Lady Police officers/ officials. One lady Inspector namely Khalida Parveen of Srinagar Police has been made overall in-charge of these two squads.

A dedicated Women’s helpline 9596770601 was launched by Srinagar Police which is already operational 24×7 exclusively for women’s safety related issues. This squad will work in close coordination with PCR vans, jurisdictional police stations and women’s Police Station, Rambagh.

Srinagar Police ensures all citizens that crime against women will not be tolerated at all and both preventive & corrective measures in this regard will be vigorously implemented.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti Sunday said that article 370 revocation has in fact further complicated the Kashmir issue and that the BJP led government at the Centre will have no alternative other than to talk to Pakistan for resolution of issues including Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference at her Gupkar residence here, Mehbooba as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that an impression that Kashmir issue was over after revocation of article 370 has proved totally wrong on ground. “The fact remains that the roll back of special status of J&K has further complicated the Kashmir issue. One of the serious repercussions seen at the international level is that India is being isolated internally,” she said.

The PDP chief said that situation in Kashmir is worse than ever. “No one is feeling safe. Be that a common man or a journalist. Journalism is seen as a crime and truth is being throttled,” she said, adding that “many journalists including Sajad Gul, Fahad Shah and others are behind the bars. Many have fled Kashmir after being named in FIRs. How can things work and truth prevail in such conditions” She urged international bodies to raise voice for the immediate release of journalists arrested in Kashmir.

She said that democracy is being gagged in Kashmir and no one is allowed to raise voice. “I believe when Atal Bihari Vajapyee had no option other than to talk Pakistan, the BJP led by PM Narenera Modi too will have to follow suit. There is no alternative to dialogue with Pakistan for resolving all issues including the political issue of Kashmir,” she said.

About delimitation panel’s second draft report, she said that the commission has appeased BJP only by advocating something that is totally unacceptable to all.  “The report aims pitch one community against another in J&K, something BJP likes,” she said as per KNO.

Mehbooba, however, said that PAGD will fight all the wrong policies of BJP in J&K tooth and nail

“Lot of efforts are being made to break the PAGD, but we will remain steadfast and fight altogether. The policies of BJP won’t last. Many rulers ruled J&K in the past but oppression has to end,” she said.

She said the entire India has been converted into a laboratory for experiments. “Now Hijab is a new plot. I believe this is an election stunt ahead of UP polls. This won’t stop here and will continue. They will identify more things attached to Muslims and make issues out of them,” Mehbooba said.

Asked J&K government claims that investors were investing in J&K, she said: “When people of J&K are feeling caged in a fortress and there is a total monitoring of all in one, how investments can help. They are even monitoring our thoughts.”

On why Ghulam Nabi Hanjura, a senior PDP leader, has resigned from the party membership, she said that Hanjura has been her great colleague. “He has some personal issues. He hasn’t quit the party and will be back with us soon,” Mehbooba said—(KNO)

The government on Sunday ordered reopening of Schools in Jammu and Kashmir in a phased manner from February-14 and February-28.

Besides, the government also said that the offline classes for 9th to 12th standard can commence February-14.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the State Executive Committee (SEC) in an order said, “The Winter Zone Schools of J&K shall commence offline teaching for all classes after 28th of February 2022.”

“All Summer Zone Schools in Jammu and Kashmir shall open in a phased manner. Classes from 9th to 12th can commence routine offline teaching from February-14,” reads the order.

“All Universities, Colleges, Polytechnics, ITIs shall commence routine offline teaching after ensuring readiness for enforcement of Covid Appropriate Behaviour and Standard Operating Procedures from February-14”

The SEC said that all the students between 15-17 age group coming to attend regular offline classes must carry vaccination certificate with them.

“The Head of the institutions must ensure that guidelines related to social distancing and Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) are strictly followed
including regular screening at the entrance to the institution,” it reads.

It also states that they shall also screen any symptomatic student and ensure their testing to contain any possibility of spread of the virus in their institutions.

The SEC said that all the students of 15-17 age group coming to attend regular offline classes must carry a vaccination certificate with them. Head of Institutions must ensure vaccination of every student above 15 years of age in their respective Institutions.

“The vaccination adherence shall be ensured through coordination with the Department of Health and Medical Education J&K,” it reads.

According to the government order, “Every school must further ensure full compliance to Covid Appropriate Behavior SOPs.”

It also reads that the students must also ensure screening and testing of any symptomatic students to contain any possibility of spread.

“The offline mode of teaching for remaining junior classes in Summer Zone Schools shall begin from February-21,” it reads.

SEC said, “Head of Institutions shall be responsible for adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour in their respective schools and prepare proper plans for the same.”

“Coaching Centres for Civil Services, Engineering, NET are permitted to adopt offline mode of teaching subject to condition that both faculty members as well as students are fully vaccinated and the Head of the centre ensures due precautions such as CAB and adherence to SOP,” SEC said—(KNO)