Jammu & Kashmir

Waris Fayaz

Srinagar, Nov 22 : Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DPG) Dilbagh Singh Tuesday said that the number of local militants active in Kashmir has been reduced to two digit while a “miniscule number of foreigners were active who are being tracked down.”

“As far as the status of militancy is concerned, the number of active local militants has been brought to just two digit. Very less foreign militants are active as of now,” DGP Singh told reporters on the sidelines of his visit to north Kashmir’s Baramulla town, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). “Anti-militancy operations are going on and very soon remaining militants will be eliminated as well.”

He said that at one point of time, north Kashmir was badly affected by the militancy and at present “this place is almost peaceful and there is less influence of militancy now.”

About Hybrid militancy, he said it has been a challenge as the handlers across the border had been luring the young boys, giving them weapons and targets. “We have largely succeeded in facing this challenge and this year so far, over 100 modules of Hybrid militants were busted across J&K,” the DGP said as per KNO.

To a query about Kashmir Fight blog, he said that some elements sitting across the LoC can’t digest the peace prevailing in Kashmir and hence continue to issue threats to police, media men and even public representatives. “It is the media that has to take the call. Media men don’t need to worry as we have already lodged a case against the blog and people running it. Strict action will be taken against those handling this blog,” the DGP said, adding that “we are keenly watching the activities taking place on this blog.”

He reviewed security situation in north Kashmir and need of upgrading infrastructure of police force—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 22 : In a major relief to the public, transporters in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district have resumed their services after six days and have deferred the strike call till Saturday after administration agreed to redress their demand.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that in view of the strike by the transporters, the earlier order has been revoked and a committee has been set up to identify proper mechanism for smooth functioning of transport in the town.

He added that transport services have been resumed and are now plying normally from the general bus stand Sopore.

Confirming the development, chairman All Kashmir Transport Confederation, Mohammad Shafi told KNO they have defered the strike till Saturday and have resumed transport services after administration agreed to their demand.

“We have been assured that our demand will be fulfilled within 4-5 days. So till Saturday this week we have unanimously decided to defer the strike call and resume services,” Shafi said.

Shafi, however, said if the administration failed to address or fulfill their promise within a stipulated period of time, they will launch a massive agitation.

Notably, transporters were on an indefinite strike since Tuesday last week, opposing the move of accommodating “illegal sumos” in general bus stand.

Earlier, on Monday, administration in a review meeting to streamline traffic in the town issued a formal order, to accommodate “illegal sumos” in the general bus stand Sopore—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 21 : A government school in Sopore is witnessing a grim situation as students are being forced to take their classes under open sky during the prevailing cold.

Established in 1962, students study under open sky at ‘Govt Middle School, Adipora’ as the school lacks basic infrastructure such as classrooms.

A teacher pleading anonymity at the school told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the school has four rooms–one for teachers and three for students. Also, the school has only three teachers.

The condition of the school is deplorable as the floors are damaged and windows and tables are broken.

“Earlier, we had around 121 students enrolled in the school, but lack of space forced us to shift the classes from 4th – 8th comprising 52 students to another building near High School Adipora, some 2.5 km away from our school,” the teacher said.

“Due to the dilapidated condition of the school, the students are being forced to study under an open sky,” the teacher added.

Similarly, another teacher said that they brought the issue into the notice concerned in the school education department to no avail.

Similarly, locals also said that it is very disappointing seeing the students sitting on the ground in open. “During adverse weather conditions, the students are asked to go home”, they said.

Zonal education officer (ZEO), Dangerpora admitted to KNO that the school is lacking space but they shifted some classes to the high school Adipora structure.

“There is no land available. Otherwise we have a provision to construct another structure. We had already shifted some classes to the high school building,” he said.

Upon being asked about the lack of teachers, the ZEO said that there is a shortage of teachers but it can be fulfilled when there is a new recruitment.

“We have some schools where there are only 6 or 7 teachers for nine classes but what to do, we have to accommodate as there is no new recruitment or adjustment in this zone,” the official added—(KNO)

Kupwara, Nov 21 : A 45-year-old man died after he was allegedly hit by a wooden log in Warnow forest area of Lolab in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Monday afternoon.

Official sources told GNS that a person namely Jum Gakhad, son of Raheem-ul-Ullah Gakhad, of Warnow Lolab, was hit by a log in forest area during collection of firewood.

The person, sources said, was immediately evacuated to NTPHC Maidanpora for treatment, where the doctors declared him as brought dead on arrival.

Sarpanch Warnow (Rangh), Naseer Ahmad Khan, also confirmed to GNS about the death of the person in the particular incident.

SHO Kuligam, Zakir Ahmad, has in the meantime told GNS that the body would be handed over to the family after conduct of necessary medico-legal formalities. (GNS)

Srinagar, Nov 21 : The School Education Department Kashmir Monday said some leading private schools were misleading the parents by issuing examination date sheet illegally and in violation of the government guidelines.

According to a notice, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Central Joint Director of DSEK said it has come to the notice of DSEK that some leading private schools in Srinagar City, Budgam and Ganderbal districts have clandestinely issued date sheets for conduct of examinations of various classes.

The notice reads the private schools have also opened counters for admission of students in next higher classes as well as for fresh admission in Nursery and LKG.

The DESK said this is a very serious violation and contravention of rules, regulations and guidelines issued from time to time and goes against the Uniform Academic Calendar in Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)

Kulgam, Nov 21 : Deputy superintendent of police from south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, who had gone to Saudi Arabia for performing Umrah, died of a cardiac arrest on Monday afternoon.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Rukhsar Ahmad, a DySP rank officer from Chandian Pajan area of Kulgam died of cardiac arrest in Saudi Arabia today afternoon.

He said Rukhsar, who was posted at IR 10th Battalion, had gone to Saudi Arabia a week ago to perform Umrah along with his family members.

“He fell unconscious and was shifted to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead,” he said—(KNO)

Anantnag, Nov 20 : An encounter started between security forces and militants at Cheki Dudoo area of Bijbehera in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, police said.

A senior police officer told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that security forces including Police, Army and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation at Cheki Dudoo area of Anantnag in south Kashmir following inputs about the presence of militants there.

He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants fired upon the forces, who retaliated.

The exchange of fire is going on and further details are awaited—(KNO)

Jammu, Nov 19 : National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah said on Saturday that he will contest Assembly elections whenever they are held but won’t contest the grand old party’s presidential election scheduled on December 5.

Talking to reports in Jammu, Dr. Farooq Abdullah made it clear that he will contest assembly polls in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory.

“I will contest Assembly polls whenever they are held,” Dr Farooq told reporters as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

The NC president said that he won’t contest the party’s presidential polls scheduled on December 5.

He said NC wants peaceful J&K and better relations with New Delhi.

According to sources within National Conference, Dr Farooq may contest polls from Sonawar or Ganderbal.

It is pertinent to mention that his son Omar Abdullah has made it clear that he won’t contest assembly polls as long as Jammu & Kashmir remains a Union Territory—(KNO)